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When she began to teach dance, it was purely a hobby after she’d studied for her A levels.
But Elizabeth Hill has gone on to celebrate 50 years as a teacher in St Helens, listing a host of well-known names who have excelled in the arts thanks to her.
West End theatre and TV star Jennifer Ellison, actors Emma Rigby and Emmerdale’s Michael Parr, and Royal Ballet soloist Kristen McNally are among the many famous faces who honed their dance and performance skills under her carefully trained eye.
And, as she marks five decades as founder and principal of Elizabeth Hill School of Dance and Drama this year, she has also just been awarded The Pride of St Helens 2025 to honour her dedication and achievements within the town.
Elizabeth said:
“I was absolutely amazed, and really grateful to be given the award. I wasn’t expecting it.”
“But,” she adds, “it felt wonderful.”
Miss Elizabeth, as she’s known to her pupils, is well-known and respected in St Helens, not just for her passion and precision which creates some of the most talented dancers and performers, but for the joy brought by the regular shows she has staged at the Theatre Royal.
Her goal after university was to become a maths teacher, which she achieved, spending years engaging middle-school pupils in the subject in Wigan.
But it was her enthusiasm – and talent – for dance which eventually took her in a different direction.
As a young girl Elizabeth, 69, had always loved to dance and shone from the age of eight – and even before.
She won the All England Champion title several times and was North West of England Senior Ballet Champion.
Elizabeth was one of Ken Dodd’s ‘Golden Girls’, performing in his Laughter Spectacular at the Royal Court Theatre in 1974 – and she reached the final audition for the Royal Ballet Upper School.
When she didn’t get in, her teacher, Shelagh Elliott-Clarke from the famed Liverpool performing arts school, questioned why.
“She couldn’t believe I didn’t get in, so she wrote to ask why … and they said that my spine was too long compared with my legs, and I was going to be too big on the hips,” she smiles.
And yet the London ballet school’s loss was to be for many others’ gain.
“I initially set off doing this as a hobby just over the summer as I finished my A levels, and it just took off.
“I thought I would teach some children how to dance because I loved dancing myself, and I found I loved doing it.
“I started in Eccleston Village Hall on a Saturday, and then I took up teaching on Thursdays at St Andrew’s Church Hall on Denton’s Green, and then I started another night at the village hall. It just grew.”
Elizabeth Hill School of Dance and Drama moved to its more permanent home in Greenfield Road, Dentons Green in 1983 – and it continued to thrive from there.
“An examiner who came to the school asked if I would consider applying to be an examiner because she thought the work was of such a high standard, and so I did. And that was when I realised I couldn’t do all that and teach maths as well.”
Never pushing her pupils into a career in the arts, Elizabeth says she tries simply to help each child reach their potential:
“Even if they are not that talented, I try to get them to achieve the best of their ability, and if I can do that then that gives me a lot of pleasure.
“And the child enjoys it too. The children love it.
“I would never push anyone into dance as a career, because it’s a hard career without always a regular income, but I would support them if that’s what they wanted to do. I get pleasure when they do well of course, but I also get pleasure seeing all the other children grow in confidence and get so much joy being at the school.”
Elizabeth admits:
“I never imagined my school would be going for this long – and people keep saying to me ‘when are you going to retire?’ but the answer is, I don’t know.
“Why it’s been so successful? I don’t know that either – although I have put the hours in!
“I think I’m passionate about what I do, as are my staff – the majority of them are past pupils who trained at the school and so know my ways and my ethos.
“You don’t need to be excellent. You just need to enjoy it.
“It’s not just about dance, it’s about discipline and respect, and one of the people who nominated me didn’t go into dance but is now a solicitor and said I’d helped her to be successful in her career.
“In a video for The Pride of St Helens Awards my niece said ‘you’ve taught everybody how to be the best versions of themselves’.
“And that’s what is important. That’s what it’s about. And that’s what makes me proud.”
Find out more about Elizabeth Hill School of Dance and Drama here.
Find all the latest St Helens news here.
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National Museums Liverpool is overseeing the conservation of two familiar sights on Liverpool’s historic waterfront, as the tugboat, Brocklebank, and pilot boat, Edmund Gardner, undergo specialist works to protect the future of both vessels.
Brocklebank, owned by National Museums Liverpool and chartered on long term agreement by the Brocklebank Preservation Society, was launched in 1964 and mainly used for ship handling at Liverpool, with occasional duties at Heysham, Larne and Barrow.
Now the 61-year-old tug is berthed at Cammell Laird for a period of essential repair works. Following a recent inspection which revealed serious corrosion across the steel hull of the vessel – conditions to be expected on an operational boat – this conservation work has become crucial to ensure its longevity.
The work, which comprises a high pressure clean before applying a repair coating to fill all the pitting affecting the ship, is expected to extend Brocklebank’s seaworthiness for another decade.
Brocklebank’s crew are looking forward to the ship returning to Liverpool’s docks and waterfront visitors by January 2026.
The pilot boat, Edmund Gardner, which resides in Canning’s north dry dock, is National Museums Liverpool’s largest object.
As an operational vessel, its role was to act as a base in the Irish Sea for the Pilotage Service guiding the steady stream of ships entering and leaving the Mersey during 1950-80s.
In 1982, Edmund Gardner entered Maritime Museum’s collection, as an excellent example of a British boat, built in a traditional style and witness to the changing fortunes of Liverpool’s docks. Having been bought straight from service, the vessel, which is one of only two large pilot boats preserved worldwide (the other is in Australia), contains many of the original features, including the control and navigation equipment on the bridge.
Edmund Gardner has recently undergone specialist treatment of its wooden deck and caulking, as the first line of defence against water ingress into the vessel’s interior and key to its long-term preservation.
The 72-year-old Burmese Teak decks have survived remarkably well, with only small areas of decay in need of graving, but the deck caulking had become severely degraded and required complete replacement. Aiming to use traditional materials and methods, National Museums Liverpool’s Shipkeeping and Engineering Conservation team partnered with shipwrights, T. Nielsen & Company, Gloucester.
Jonathan Carr, Lead Conservator, Shipkeeping, said:
“Traditional deck caulking using spun oakum and marine glue is a dying art, so having the funds to engage the crew from T. Nielsen’s was exactly the specialist care Edmund Gardner deserves. Not only did we manage to get more than 1200m of deck seams caulked, we also had more than 120 graving pieces fitted to decayed or damaged deck planking.
“We are working to secure more funding in 2026 to continue the caulking programme and to complete other long-standing conservation priorities that will secure the future of this historic boat.”
Edmund Gardner is part of the National Historic Fleet – ships of national importance –, so this work is not just of local significance but also forms part of a UK-wide initiative to list and protect noteworthy vessels.
Ian Murphy, Head of Maritime Museum, said:
“Visitors to Liverpool’s waterfront may already be missing Brocklebank and its enthusiastic crew who all volunteer their time and knowledge so generously. Brocklebank’s open days and public events are always popular, and demonstrate the interest in Liverpool’s maritime heritage, and why it is so important that this preservation work, required to ensure the boat’s future, is a priority for National Museums Liverpool.
“It is also great to see the work on Edmund Gardner, employing traditional skills and materials to ensure the ship has an exciting future as part of the transformation around Canning Quayside and Dry Docks.”
The £200,000 conservation project across both ships is supported by the Public Bodies Infrastructure Fund (PBIF), a government capital investment programme for the essential maintenance of museum estates.
Maritime Museum and International Slavery Museum are now closed for major redevelopment works, as part of National Museums Liverpool’s Waterfront Transformation Project.
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Liverpool’s highest restaurant, Panoramic 34, is hosting a Christmas Day dinner for the first time ever.
With very limited availability left, families and friends alike can dine 34 floors above the city on the most magical day of the year.
With a festive tasting menu available for both adults and children, Panoramic 34 is the ultimate way to celebrate.
The venue has never opened on Christmas Day before, but this year, Panoramic will service its showstopper eight course tasting menu that’s £195 per person including a glass of champagne, or £250 per person with a full wine pairing with each dish. The restaurant’s children’s festive menu is £60 per person.
The indulgent tasting menu will commence with a champagne arrival as well as a basket of artisan breads and festive canapés that set the tone for the day ahead.
Panoramic will then take guests on a culinary journey through Italy and England with palate cleansers in between and an exquisite dessert finale, all designed to ensure every guest is fully relaxed and can soak up each moment.
The eight courses include a delicate broth with handmade pasta parcels filled with lobster, Amalfi lemon zest and a light lobster bisque. Seared scallop wrapped in lardons with saffron cream and mirepoix vegetables are also on the menu and roasted turkey stuffed with chestnut and sage, served with pancetta sprouts, pigs in blankets, winter vegetables and a red wine jus.
No Christmas Day dinner is complete without a cheese board but Panoramic’s is one above the rest. A celebratory board of cranberry cheese, parmiggiano 36 month Vacche Rosse, struggle red Leicester, blue stilton, figs, honey, grapes, crackers and chutney will light up the dinner table.
Guests will finish on a stunning pistachio tiramisu, encased in a chocolate sphere and served with hot caramel sauce, followed by homemade red fruit and ruby chocolate panettone served with tea and coffee.
In addition to Christmas Day, Panoramic’s festive Afternoon Tea is now also available and running throughout December (except Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve).
Complete with a glass of champagne or selected cocktail on arrival, the luxury Afternoon Tea is served with a selection of sandwiches including roast turkey, cranberry confit and safe butter on beetroot bread, prawn cocktail and Marie Rose espuma on maritozzo bun, homemade sausage roll, pastrami, horseradish Chantilly, watercress on cacio e pepe croissant and free range egg mayonnaise on white bread.
Guests can then indulge in a selection of handmade cakes and pastries including an orange macaron, hazelnut praline, fresh raspberry tart, chestnut cream tree, pistachio velvet cake and cranberry and orange scones.
Luxury Afternoon Tea is £55 per person. Children’s Afternoon Tea is £16. Bookings can be made via the website.
Donato Cillo, owner of Panoramic 34, explained:
“It’s our first year since taking over the venue and we wanted to give our guests the opportunity to celebrate with us on the most special day of the year. Christmas is about family, great food and those memorable, shared moments and we’re really excited to open Panoramic 34 and provide a truly unforgettable Christmas Day experience.
“Our eight course tasting menu has been meticulously designed with our head chef with each dish crafted using beautiful, seasonal ingredients to craft delicious dishes that taste as spectacular as they look. Bookings are incredibly limited so please enquire in advance.”
Find out more on the Panoramic 34 website.
Find ourt what else is on across Liverpool this Christmas here.
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Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! is going on a UK tour in late March, calling at Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham & more!
This will mark the UK live stage debut for Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!, based on the global preschool sensation from DreamWorks Animation. The hit mixed media series has become the most-watched kids show on Netflix, and follows the fun adventures of Gabby, as she unboxes a brand-new surprise in every episode before jumping into a fantastical world full of adorable cat characters that live inside her magical dollhouse.
In this a-MEOW-zing new musical show, Gabby unboxes a special acorn that needs the magical touch of a rainbow to grow. But when CatRat causes a colour cat-astrophe and breaks the rainbow, Gabby and the Gabby Cats must find the colours again to set things right.
Michael Vollman, EVP, Marketing for DreamWorks Animation, said:
“DreamWorks is excited to be collaborating with TEG to bring Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! to the UK,”
“Whether in cinemas or at home on television, Gabby’s Dollhouse has always been a world full of magic, music and friendship, and this live show is no exception. It’s a great time to be a Gabby fan.”
Universal Destinations & Experiences, SVP of Global Location Based Entertainment & Licensing, Gerald Raines stated:
“We are delighted to work with TEG and DreamWorks Animation to bring this exciting show to Gabby’s many fans across the UK.”
TEG Group CEO Geoff Jones said:
“TEG is extremely happy to be bringing this beloved DreamWorks franchise to life on stage. Being granted the rights to develop and tour this new stage show worldwide is an incredible achievement for TEG Life Like Touring. This production will capture the magic of Gabby and her friends live on stage when it opens the UK in 2026.”
It has been a cat-tastic year for Gabby’s Dollhouse, with Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie hitting cinemas to global acclaim, Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! touring Australia and most recently, Season 12 premiering on Netflix last month.
This new stage production of Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! brings to life an exciting original story featuring unique puppets, dynamic staging, and songs including “Hey Gabby”, “You Can’t Spell Meow Without Me”, “Sprinkle Party”, and others that will have audiences singing and dancing along, from beginning to end.
GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE LIVE! 2026 UK TOUR DATES:
Fri 27/03/26 SEC Armadillo Theatre, Glasgow
Sun 29/03/26 P&J Live, Aberdeen
Tue 31/03/26 Eventim Apollo, London
Wed 1/04/26 Eventim Apollo, London
Sun 5/04/26 AO Arena Manchester
Tue 7/04/26 Utilita Arena Birmingham
Wed 8/04/26 Edinburgh Playhouse
Sat 11/04/26 Brighton Centre
Tue 14/04/26 First Direct Bank Arena Leeds
Thu 16/04/26 Bournemouth International Centre
Sun 19/04/26 Plymouth Pavilions
Tue 21/04/26 Swansea Building Society Arena
Sun 26/04/26 M&S Bank Arena Liverpool
Tue 28/04/26 Utilita Arena Sheffield
Fri 1/05/26 Utilita Arena Newcastle
Sun 3/05/26 Utilita Arena Cardiff
Get tickets and find out more information about Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! here.
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This December, The Baltic Market is turning up the festivities with its biggest festive calendar yet.
From live music every Friday, free movie days, interactive nights, and themed food and drink, all launching from the 1st of December!
From relaxing carol singers to feel-good classics on the big screen, the city’s first street food market promises to become a hub of celebration as the festive countdown begins. Guests can also expect festive food specials, themed drinks, and a brand-new salted caramel espresso martini, plus a few surprises… shhh, it could be Santa!
The Baltic Christmas keeps it casual and extra festive, including standout moments like the Hope Street Concert (Sat 13th), a chaotic Christmas Quiz Night (Tue 16th), double daytime nostalgia screenings of Home Alone films (Fri 19th), festive fun with Christmas Carolers & Market, and a headline New Year’s Eve event to close out the year in style!
Full Festive Schedule:
• Live Music Every Friday
• Sat 13th – Hope Street Concert
• Tue 16th – Big Fat Baltic Christmas Quiz Night
• Wed 17th – Elf & The Polar Express screenings day
• Thu 18th – Santa Clause 1 & 2 Screening + Paint & Sip Evening • Fri 19th – Home Alone & Home Alone 2 Screening
• Sun 21st – Christmas Carolers & Good Market Christmas Market • Mon 22nd – The Grinch & Jingle All the Way screening
• Tue 23rd – The Muppet Christmas Carol & Arthur Christmas Screening • Wed 24th – 26th – Closed
• Sat 27th – Tue 30th – Open
• Wed 31st – NYE Event with For The Record
Sarah Baltic Market Marketing Manager said:
“This year we wanted to give Liverpool something fun, relaxing, and free to drop in too, a reason to come together, celebrate, or a place to escape from the shops.”
“From carolers to cocktails, cult Christmas movie classics to concerts, quizzes and some cheeky giveaways! The Baltic is the place for it all this Christmas.”
Find out more on the Baltic Market website.
Find out what’s on across Liverpool this Christmas here.
Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.
From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.
Liverpool has a host of amazing independent businesses doing great things. They’re super friendly but strongly individual, unique but familiar and wonderfully welcoming – and the one thing all indies have in common is the feelgood service you get for free.
Even better, every purchase you make not only gives you an item or an experience you won’t find anywhere else, you’re also contributing to the local economy and helping our city thrive.
Here are just 14 of many fantastic Liverpool indie shops to support …
Red Brick Market
Red Brick Market, which is part of Cains Brewery Village, isn’t just one independent retailer, it’s a collective that’s home to lots all under one roof. Open 7 days a week, it’s got everything from vinyl and vintage to quirky homeware, band tees and collectibles.
Find out more here.
Sunday
Just along Aigburth Road from the Vale, look out for the pale blue frontage and you’ll discover Sunday. It’s a lovely little spot for coffee and cake but it also has a great selection of cool homeware, cards and gifts, as well as gorgeous flowers from resident florist The Flower Bar.
Find out more here.
The Bluecoat
If you needed the ideal excuse to visit the oldest building in the city centre, this is it. The Bluecoat is home to an array of indie retailers like Aldous Books, R&J Porter jewellery, Root Houseplants, and the legendary Probe Records, as well as Bluecoat Display Centre craft gallery.
Find out more here.
The Nest
The Albert Dock is a beautiful place for indie exploring because it has so many to choose from, but if it’s art, design and gifts you’re looking for you need to head to The Nest because it has a carefully curated selection which have all been made by local creatives.
Find out more here.
Pop Boutique
Bold Street is a bit of heaven for vintage lovers, and Pop Boutique is a long-standing favourite with men’s and womenswear that spans the 40s to the noughties. Yes it’s nice to scroll for hours on Vinted, but you can’t beat a browse of the rails for that perfect vintage find.
Find out more here.
Dig Vinyl
Further down Bold Street, upstairs at another of Liverpool’s best clothing indies Resurrection, music fans could happily lose hours digging through a huge amount of vinyl, CDs and even cassettes (remember them?) at Dig Vinyl – they buy too if you’ve a collection to part with.
Find out more here.
Dead Ink and Still Out of Print
If you understand the joy of a book, Smithdown Road has not one but two absolute treasure troves. Dead Ink specialises in independent publishing covering fiction, non-fiction, poetry, graphic novels, children’s & more. For out of print and collectibles, visit Still Out of Print – but really, go to both!
Find out more here.
WANDER
WANDER is a perfect name for this art, lifestyle and gift store on Paradise Street, because it’s the kind of place you want to spend ages browsing in, especially if you nip through into Pocket for a coffee. Opened by a local artist, it has everything from prints and cards to totes and tees.
Find out more here.
The Musical Box
This isn’t so much a Liverpool independent as an institution – The Musical Box in Tuebrook is officially England’s oldest indie record shop, run by the same family since 1947. Packed full of all genres and eras, it’s as magical as you’d hope and has its own historic archive on display upstairs.
Find out more here.
Larks
Finding a fabulous indie on Lark Lane is the easiest job in the world … Frieda Mo’s, Number 13, The Retro Room, Lark Lane Gallery, Amorous Cat and more. Larks is an eclectic mix that makes it almost impossible to leave empty-handed – jackets, bags, jewels, Jellycats, you name it, you’ll want it.
Quinn’s Cycles
Harry Quinn Cycles opened in Walton in 1890, as a family-owned high-end bicycle manufacturer. Today, Quinn’s on Edge Lane is still a bike go-to, synonymous with great advice and personal service, just about any model and make of bike you could wish for, and a passion for all things cycling.
Find out more here.
The Cheese Cellar
If you’ve got a love of cheese that goes beyond supermarket Cheddar, The Cheese Cellar in Garston will make you feel like a kid on Christmas morning. It’s a neighbourhood cheese shop that has such a great spread of artisan and speciality varieties for all different tastes.
Find out more here.
69A
Imagine the best Parisien flea market, with an amazing range of vintage, curios, antiques and bric-a-brac, put it inside a shop and you’d have 69A on Renshaw Street. This place is a veteran of the Liverpool indie scene, here since 1976, with an incredible stock ranging from under £1 to thousands.
Find out more here.
Find more great days out across Liverpool on our website.
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The Sedulo Foundation has launched an appeal to ensure that more than 150 children from Merseyside won’t have to go without presents this Christmas.
The Sedulo Foundation Christmas Toy Appeal is now well under way across Merseyside and the whole of UK, supporting 1,200 youngsters across the country – 351 of them from in and around Liverpool.
But with only a few weeks to go, 178 children in the Liverpool City Region are still without sponsors which means that, unless help is found, they will wake up to empty sacks on Christmas morning.
Connor Roberts, Events & Marketing Senior at Sedulo, says:
“If anyone is able to sponsor a child, or you know someone who might, it will make an enormous difference,”
“The impact a single gift can have is huge, and every donation genuinely changes someone’s Christmas.”
Connor adds:
“For many, the Toy Appeal isn’t just about receiving a present. It’s about giving them a moment of magic in a year that’s often been incredibly tough.
“Seeing the real-life situations these children are facing is both humbling and heartbreaking.”
Sedulo appeal organisers work with schools, charities, refuges and community organisations to identify children affected by poverty, homelessness, domestic abuse, and social inequality.
Then each child is nominated by them to Sedulo, who then tries to make sure they receive a personalised and high-quality present to bring them some festive cheer.
As part of the Sedulo Foundation Christmas Toy Appeal, people are asked to sponsor a child, buying a gift of their choosing and dropping it off at Sedulo’s Liverpool office in Exchange Flags.
As well as the Toy Appeal, Sedulo also provides more than £30,000 worth of Christmas dinner vouchers to support families – but it’s the sponsorship that guarantees all those children put forward will receive a gift chosen just for them!
How it works:
- You select a child – or children – to sponsor from Sedulo’s Sponsorship lists.
- You purchase a gift(s) based on their interests, age and gender (it’s suggested you spend around £30 per child, although you can spend as much as you like).
- Deliver your gift(s) to Sedulo in Liverpool as soon as you can – and no later than December 6.
- Sedulo tops up what you have given with extra pressies so each child receives a full Santa sack of goodies, just for them.
- Sedulo organises a ‘reverse Santa grotto’ event to present the gifts for the chosen children to Father Christmas, who then makes sure the charities and organisations are able to help him to deliver them to the children supported by the Christmas Toy Appeal.
Paul Cheetham-Karcz, founder of the Sedulo Group, says:
“Liverpool has a heart and spirit like no other city, and every year we see incredible generosity from businesses and the wider community.
“With more families than ever struggling, this Toy Appeal allows us to come together and make sure hundreds of local children feel hope, excitement, and belonging on Christmas morning.”
To sponsor a child in Liverpool or anywhere across the UK and help make a real difference this Christmas, visit the Sedulo website.
Sedulo recently sponsored the Community Project award at The Guide Liverpool HEROES, find out more here.
Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.
From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.
The fourth series of Traitors follows hot on the heels of the debut series of the celebrity spin-off, which was won by comedian Alan Carr.
The first episode of the new series will air at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer on January 1, with the second and third episodes airing on January 2 and 3 at 8pm and 7.45pm respectively.
Claudia Winkleman will return to the Scottish Highlands to front the show, which sees a new batch of faithful civilians attempt to weed out the murderous traitors before the prize pot is snatched away.
Some 22 new contestants will try to win up to £120,000 and the BBC has promised “even more twists, turns, secrets, epic missions, deception, banishments and, of course, murders aplenty”.
The first series of Celebrity Traitors, which aired in the autumn, was a cultural touchstone and a ratings winner for the BBC, and saw Carr snatch victory from faithful historian David Olusoga and actor Nick Mohammed.
It made a TV star out of former rugby player Joe Marler, who became a fan favourite with his shrewd analysis of the game and his friendships with comedian Joe Wilkinson and Mohammed.
Viewers were aghast when Mohammed voted to banish Marler in the final episode, unwittingly handing victory to traitor Carr.
The official visualised companion podcast is also returning alongside the new series.
The Traitors: Uncloaked will start on BBC Two immediately after the main series on January 1 at 9.05pm.
The show will then move over to BBC One for the remainder of the series from January 2 at 9pm onwards and will also be available on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer.
Host Ed Gamble will be joined by celebrities and players from previous series to analyse and react to developments in the castle.
You can watch The Traitors on BBC iPlayer.
Find all the latest Liverpool news here.
Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.
From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.
Strawberry Field has been awarded Quality Assessed accreditation in the prestigious VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme (VAQS), achieving a 91% overall score in its first assessment.
The accolade recognises excellence across the full visitor experience, including welcome, cleanliness, interpretation, accessibility, customer service, retail and catering. The result places Strawberry Field among the top-performing attractions nationwide.
Strawberry Field’s exhibition and gardens draw visitors from around the world, offering a rare combination of immersive Beatles history and a working social justice mission. Income from the attraction supports The Salvation Army’s Steps to Work programme, which helps young adults with barriers to employment gain the skills and support they need to enter the world of work.
The VisitEngland assessor said:
“Strawberry Field offers a thoughtful and engaging visitor experience that blends Beatles history with a meaningful social purpose. Overall, it delivers a memorable, meaningful, and well-rounded experience that resonates with visitors of all ages.”
The assessor highlighted the site’s exceptional presentation standards, from the carefully maintained gardens to the modern, sensitively delivered exhibition exploring John Lennon’s childhood connection to Strawberry Field. The report praised the clarity and accessibility of interpretation, the warm and knowledgeable staff, and the quality of the café and retail offer.
Strawberry Field’s combination of heritage storytelling and its social purpose through the Steps to Work programme was noted as a distinctive strength that sets it apart from other attractions.
Major Michelle Lovegrove-Huggins, Mission Director at Strawberry Field, said:
“We are thrilled to receive this accreditation from VisitEngland, especially with such an outstanding score. It reflects the dedication of our team, who work every day to ensure that Strawberry Field is a place of welcome, reflection and meaningful engagement. Our goal has always been to honour The Salvation Army and John Lennon’s legacies while changing lives through our Steps to Work programme, and this recognition affirms that we are achieving both with integrity and impact. We look forward to continuing to offer a truly special experience to every visitor who comes through our gates.”
Strawberry Field has also qualified for consideration in the VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Accolades for ‘Welcome’ and ‘Best Told Story’. These national accolades recognise outstanding performance in specific areas of the visitor experience and will be judged in 2026.
VAQS is one of the most trusted marks of excellence in the UK tourism sector, carried by attractions that deliver consistently high standards and memorable experiences for visitors. Strawberry Field will display the VisitEngland Quality Assessed Visitor Attraction accreditation across its visitor touchpoints, including the site entrance, printed materials and all digital channels, to help visitors easily identify that the attraction has met nationally recognised standards for excellence and service.
Find out more about Strawberry Field here.
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A report into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath was published by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) today.
An investigation into the Hillsborough disaster has found 12 police officers would have faced gross misconduct proceedings for “fundamental failures” on the day and “concerted efforts” to blame fans in the aftermath.
A report published on Tuesday by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) also upheld or found cases to answer for misconduct in 92 complaints about police actions – but the law at the time means no officers will face disciplinary proceedings because they had all retired before investigations began.
Investigations into the disaster by the IOPC and criminal probe Operation Resolve began in 2012, following the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report, and cost more than £150 million.
Nicola Brook, a solicitor at Broudie Jackson Canter acting for several bereaved families, said it was a “bitter injustice” that no-one would be held to account.
She said:
“This outcome may vindicate the bereaved families and survivors who have fought for decades to expose the truth – but it delivers no justice.
“Instead, it exposes a system that has allowed officers to simply walk away, retiring without scrutiny, sanction or consequence for failing to meet the standards the public has every right to expect.
“Yes, the law has now changed so this loophole cannot be used in future. But for those affected by this case, that is no consolation.
“They are left with yet another bitter injustice: the truth finally acknowledged, but accountability denied.”
Among those who would have had cases to answer for gross misconduct if they were still serving were South Yorkshire Police’s then-chief constable Peter Wright and match commander David Duckenfield, as well as Sir Norman Bettison, who went on to become chief constable of Merseyside Police.
Ninety-seven Liverpool supporters died as a result of the incidents at Hillsborough during the FA Cup semi-final on April 15 1989, when police opened an exit gate to the ground to alleviate crowding outside and failed to direct supporters away from the tunnel leading to the central pens where the crush happened.
IOPC deputy director general Kathie Cashell said the victims, their families and survivors had been “repeatedly let down”:
“First by the deep complacency of South Yorkshire Police in its preparation for the match, followed by its fundamental failure to grip the disaster as it unfolded, and then through the force’s concerted efforts to deflect the blame onto the Liverpool supporters, which caused enormous distress to bereaved families and survivors for nearly four decades,” she said.
“They were let down again by the inexplicably narrow investigation into the disaster conducted by West Midlands Police, which was a missed opportunity to bring these failings to light much sooner.”
The West Midlands officers who led the investigation into the disaster, Mervyn Jones, who was assistant chief constable, and then-detective chief superintendent Michael Foster, were referred to the CPS for their failings but the threshold for prosecution was not found to have been met, according to the report.
The IOPC said both former officers would have a case to answer for gross misconduct after failing to conduct a rigorous investigation because they were “biased towards the force and against the supporters”.
Mr Duckenfield, 81, a chief superintendent on the day of the Hillsborough disaster, was cleared of gross negligence manslaughter by a jury in 2019.
The IOPC report said he “froze in the crisis” and found he had a case to answer for gross misconduct in respect of 10 allegations, including for failing to respond and telling FA officials, in what he later acknowledged was a lie, that fans had forced their way in.
The report noted that allegations fans were to blame for the Hillsborough disaster were “wholly refuted” at new inquests into the deaths, which in 2016 concluded fans had been unlawfully killed.
Other officers who would have faced cases for gross misconduct related to their actions on the day were Mr Duckenfield’s second-in-command Bernard Murray and his superior, assistant chief constable Walter Jackson, who was also noted to have failed in the planning of the match, as well as officers on duty in the Leppings Lane end Roger Marshall, a superintendent, then-inspector Harry White and John Morgan, a sergeant.
Mounted police constable David Scott would have faced a case of gross misconduct for his account that his horse suffered cigarette burns from Liverpool fans – an incident which evidence indicated did not take place, the IOPC said.
South Yorkshire Police chief Mr Wright, who died in 2011, was found to be “insensitive” by investigators looking at allegations he attempted to promote a false narrative and would have had a case to answer for seeking to deflect blame.
Sir Norman, who was a chief inspector at the time, would have had a case to answer in relation to allegations that he was deliberately dishonest about his involvement in the disaster when applying for the chief constable job at Merseyside and misled the public in press statements, the IOPC said.
The retired chief, who also led West Yorkshire Police, was charged with misconduct in a public office as part of the investigation, but the case was dropped in 2018.
The IOPC found retired detective chief inspector Alan Foster would have had a gross misconduct case to answer for allegations he pressured officers who resisted amendments to their statements.
Mr Foster, along with former chief superintendent Donald Denton and force solicitor Peter Metcalf, was charged with doing acts tending and intended to pervert the course of justice but halfway through their trial, in 2021, a judge ruled there was no case to answer.
Investigators found South Yorkshire Police did attempt to deflect blame from the disaster away from the police, but Ms Cashell said they did not find evidence of an orchestrated cover-up to the evidence threshold which they would need to meet.
The report also said there was no evidence that attempts to deflect blame were related to Freemasonry, or an attempt to protect a Freemason.
The only person to be convicted as a result of the probes is former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell, who was fined £6,500 and ordered to pay £5,000 costs after he was found guilty of failing to ensure the health and safety of fans arriving at the ground.
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The late Barry Owen, a leading light of Liverpool’s property and commercial community for more than fifty years, is to have the garden in the grounds of the new Maggie’s cancer centre in the city named in his honour.
Friends of the much-loved businessman have launched an appeal to help fund the support services and therapy activities that will be delivered in the garden to people with cancer, as well as their families.
Mr Owen, who died aged 82 in April, took great solace from the garden at his family home near Chester in the latter stages of his own cancer journey.
Work on the new Maggie’s centre, to be built at the junction of Prescot Street and Daulby Street in Liverpool, is set to begin in March next year.
Barry’s wife Susanne said: “Barry took such great comfort from walking in our garden and sitting amidst the plants and flowers. He would be so pleased to think that others coping with the impact of cancer could do likewise, particularly in the city he loved so much,”
“This will be a very special place that I’m sure people will treasure,” added Mrs Owen.
The new Maggie’s will be the 29th and the third funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation, with others on Wirral and in north Wales to have benefitted from the Redrow founder’s personal charity.
Steve Morgan said: “The ethos of our Foundation is to ‘give money away well,’ and I’m sure many will want to follow that principle, too, as they acknowledge Barry’s great contribution to civic and business life.” “Every penny will go towards helping people in the Liverpool area with their cancer journey – a tough road to travel,” he added.
A number of founding key donors, including Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation, the Boodles Charitable Trust, Mason Owen, Jim Clarke and Andy and Patricia Pritchard, have already committed to support the appeal and now a JustGiving page has been launched to allow everyone who knew Barry to have the opportunity to back the project and leave a message.
Jim Davies, one of Mr Owen’s closest friends and co-founder of international law firm DWF, said the turnout at Mr Owen’s memorial service in May ‘spoke volumes’ of his impact not just on Liverpool’s business community, but the wider UK property industry.
“It was standing room only in the Anglican Cathedral and that says it all for me. Barry gave so much to his home city and with the help of his many friends and colleagues this garden and the care and services offered in it will be his last great gift. He was a remarkably generous man, and now he’s asking us to help others,” said Mr Davies.
The new Maggie’s will provide free practical, psychological and emotional support for people with cancer, as well as their families and friends.
Of the 2.8 million people in Merseyside and Cheshire, around 17,000 are diagnosed each year with cancer – higher than the England average.
The latest in the Maggie’s network has been designed by HB Architects, who also designed the Wirral centre in the grounds of Clatterbridge hospital.
Those wishing to donate can go to the JustGiving page.
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Prepare to be immersed in a transcendent world of shifting light and sound — MONUISM, a brand new installation by Liverpool artist Paul Alty, invites audiences into a luminous realm where geometry, architecture and music converge in living motion.
Set within historic walls at Old Christ Church, MONUISM will transform the venue into a dynamic, evolving landscape of monumental, ephemeral light sculptures and its happening 30 January – 1 February.
Constantly morphing in shape, scale, hue, and intensity, these structures evoke a sense of architecture in flux — as if the very idea of monumentality is being born and erased in real time.
Accompanied by a brand-new, specially composed electronic soundtrack, also available to stream and download, the installation becomes a dance of light and sound. The name “MONUISM” itself reflects this tension: monumental in scale like a sculpture or building, yet as fragile and transient as rays of light.
“Light both constructing and deconstructing the very idea of monumentality.”
A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to Old Christ Church, helping support the venue as a community space.
The venue is fully accessible, with free parking. Under 18’s are admitted with a parent/guardian and there are adult-only sessions after 7pm.
Tickets start at £5 and can be purchased here.
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The Beatles Story, Liverpool’s oldest Beatles museum, has announced a brand-new VIP tour experience for Beatles fans, for the first time in its 35-year history.
Fans will have the exclusive opportunity to get up close and personal with highlights from the museum’s impressive privately-owned collection of Beatles artefacts!
Sit at Ringo’s original drumkit, take a look through John Lennon’s glasses, have your photo taken with George Harrison’s very first guitar, and hold Brian Epstein’s briefcase!*
Mary Chadwick, General Manager of The Beatles Story, said:
“We are offering our fans an opportunity to experience The Beatles Story in a new and exciting way. We are proud of our impressive memorabilia collection here at the museum, and we’re so excited to be able to share it with visitors in a unique way for 2026 and beyond.”
Welcome drinks and canapés, along with an intimate tour of the museum led by a guide on hand to answer any questions promise to make this a truly premium experience for Beatles fans and history enthusiasts alike.
“This exclusive VIP tour gives fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance not only to delve deeper into the fascinating stories behind our memorabilia collection, but to see our artefacts up close and personal too,” added Mary.
The exclusive 2-hour experience will start from January 2026 and be available on selected dates throughout the year at a cost of £170 per person.
Tickets can be booked for The Beatles Story VIP Experience tour here with spaces extremely limited.
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*Tour, artefacts and experiences may vary.
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‘Sweet and lovable gentleman’ Rio has finally found a home after spending more than seven years of his life in kennels at Freshfields Animal Rescue.
The Staffordshire Boxer cross was welcomed by his new owners last Christmas after being overlooked at Freshfields Animal Rescue where he was being cared for.
Every year staff members were heartbroken to see other dogs leaving ahead of Rio, who arrived at the Liverpool centre when he was just a pup because his owner could no longer look after him.
And that heartache was only increased when he was diagnosed with cancer – and given just six months to live.
Deb Hughes, fundraising and PR manager for Freshfields, says:
“I’ve worked for Freshfields for the entire time Rio was here, and every year it was heartbreaking to see other dogs adopted before him.
“He’s such a sweet, loveable gentleman, and he had a chaotic early life before he came to us. All we wanted was for Rio to find a loving home, a warm fireside and a family to love.”
Thankfully that home came last year when owners Liv and Liam visited Freshfields and spent months getting to know him and gain his trust.
Deb adds:
“It’s the best Christmas present he could have had.
“When Rio came to us he was confused and unsure; finding himself in rescue at his young age was a big shock.
“This sensitive soul needed guidance – under his tough exterior was a vulnerable boy who was scared and didn’t know what to do.”
With gentleness, patience and care, Rio began to interact with staff and volunteers and the centre was delighted with his progress.
When he was diagnosed with a mass cell tumour, a common type of cancer in middle-aged dogs and given such a short life expectancy, they were devastated.
But staff also knew that if they could find him a loving home, it could extend his life expectancy, perhaps as much as two years.
Liv and Liam say the past year with Rio has been ‘full of cuddles, fun and a lot of mischief’:
“He has come on in leaps and bounds with his reactivity to people,”
“Everyone falls in love with him, and he loves making new friends now. He keeps us on our toes, and we wouldn’t change him for the world.”
Deb smiles:
“He’s happy and not in any pain. He will have a longer and happier life in a home than he would if he’d remained in kennels, knowing the joy and affection of being a cherished family pet.
“He finally went home in time to open his first Christmas stocking, enjoy a tasty dinner and snooze in front of a warm fire.
“We’re so happy for him.”
Now Freshfields wants to give more dogs like Rio a happy ending.
Today it’s launched its Freshfields Animal Rescue Christmas Appeal – YOUR PRESENT, THEIR FUTURE.
Deb says:
“Christmas can be a time of joy and togetherness. For many, it’s a time for family and being with the ones you love. For cold, frightened and abandoned animals, sadly, it’s just another day, not knowing if this is the best life will get for them.
“We dread to think what would become of these poor animals without us, and without our kind supporters. We are the closest thing they have to the protection of a family and a safe place to live.”
It is estimated that 1.1 million pets are homeless across the UK, and every day pets are given up for many reasons: owners’ long-term ill-health, financial hardship, relationship breakdown and homelessness. Many who need medical help for their animals now can’t afford to take them to a vet.
Freshfields can provide hope and help, with almost 100,000 animals’ lives changed since it first opened its doors in 1979.
With help and funding, Freshfields can:
- Give animals safety, warmth, love and medical care
- Give them compassion and gentle encouragement to trust humans again, after all they have been through
- Give them freedom from pain and fear, and the hope of a forever loving home
You can donate here and between now and December 8th, any donation will be doubled by a dedicated group of supporters and friends.
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A surgical team at Liverpool’s Aintree University Hospital has become the first in Europe to successfully use robotic surgery to operate on early-stage rectal cancer using a transanal da Vinci access port.
The Colorectal team performed the groundbreaking transanal endoscopic microsurgery for early-stage rectal cancer in October 2025, using a £2 million da Vinci single-port (SP) robotic system, having been the first NHS team to use this surgical device in 2024.
Unlike traditional surgical methods, single-port robotic surgery is minimally invasive. The robot works as an extension of the surgeon’s hand, enabling a level of precision beyond human capability.
Stella Smeeton, 69, a grandmother from Cuddington, Cheshire, was the patient who benefited from this pioneering procedure. She was referred to Aintree after a complex growth, suspected to be cancerous, was found in her bowel.
Having previously had a growth removed in 2009, her local hospital determined that due to its nature, the new growth required specialist surgery. The Colorectal service based at Aintree and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, is one of the busiest in the country and has been recognised since 2011 as a centre for excellence in the management and treatment of early-stage rectal cancer.
Speaking about her experience, Stella said:
“From the minute I was referred to Aintree, the care was second to none.
“Before the operation, I was told it could take three to six months to recover using traditional methods, but just a week after surgery, I’m already going on walks with my husband and enjoying time with my granddaughters.
“It’s a blessing to have access to this technology and I’m sure many more patients will benefit from it, just as I have, in the years to come.”
The da Vinci SP was part-funded by a generous £1 million donation from the Marina Dalglish Appeal. Hospitals in Liverpool have achieved several UK firsts in robotic surgery. Broadgreen Hospital was the first to perform prostate cancer surgery using the da Vinci SP and the first to complete knee replacement surgery with VELYS robotic technology, while the Endocrine service at the Royal Liverpool was the first in the region to use robotics to treat adrenal gland cancer.
Surgeons operate the robot from a nearby console, using hand and foot controls to guide its miniature instruments inside the body. A high-definition 3D camera provides a live, magnified video feed, allowing for enhanced visibility throughout the procedure.
The Colorectal service performs surgery on more than 700 patients each year and is continually investing in innovative forms of treatment.
Professor Shakil Ahmed, Clinical Director for Colorectal Surgery at NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, who lead the procedure, said:
“Delivering this kind of surgery is a major milestone for us and for patients in our region and reflects the dedication and expertise of our team.
“Access to this state-of-the-art technology allows us to carry out more complex procedures with less risk. Single-port robotic surgery gives our surgeons a significantly improved chance of fully removing cancerous tissue from the colon or rectum. For patients like Stella, this means faster recovery, fewer complications and better outcomes.”
“We’re committed to ensuring the benefits of this advanced surgical technique are felt far and wide. We’re actively training colorectal specialists across the UK, Europe and Australia in the use of single-port robotic surgery and its advantages. Our ambition is to remain at the forefront of colorectal innovation and help shape the future of care both nationally and internationally.”
Find out more about Liverpool’s Aintree University Hospital here.
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A devoted father has today completed an extraordinary 258-mile charity walk from London to Liverpool in memory of his daughter, raising £7,300 for Liverpool Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, a total that will be increased to £10,000 thanks to additional support from his employer, Rhodar.
At 11:30am today, Fran O’Brien arrived at the Zoe’s Place hospice in West Derby, marking the end of his nine-day journey, a challenge undertaken to honour the nine precious days he shared with his daughter, Lily May O’Brien, who sadly passed away in 2003.
Lily May was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare and devastating congenital heart condition. During her short life, she and her family were cared for at Zoe’s Place, where Fran says they were shown “compassion, love, and the strength to face the impossible.”
To commemorate her life and support the hospice that cared for them, Fran walked 258 miles in nine days, covering the equivalent of a marathon each day. His route began on 22nd November at Rhodar’s Barking office in London and took him through communities including Potters Bar, St Albans, Luton, Northampton, Stoke-on-Trent, and many others before reaching Liverpool today.
The challenge forms part of Rhodar’s Charity-6 initiative, with Fran’s family travelling alongside him in support vehicles, helping to raise awareness and funds in the towns and villages they passed.
Speaking at the finish line, Fran said:
“Lily May changed our lives forever. We only had nine days with her, but they were filled with love, hope, and heartbreak. Liverpool Zoe’s Place cared for her with such tenderness, and they held our family when we needed it most. This walk was my way of honouring her life and giving something back to the place that supported us through the unimaginable.”
Liverpool Zoe’s Place provides specialist palliative care and respite for babies and young children with life-limiting and complex needs. The charity relies heavily on fundraising to continue offering its services to families across Liverpool and the wider region.
Matt Meany, Head of Fundraising from Liverpool Zoe’s Place said:
“We are incredibly moved by Fran’s powerful tribute to Lily and his remarkable commitment to supporting Zoe’s Place. His strength, love, and determination are an inspiration to us all, and the funds he has raised will make a real difference to the babies and families we care for. We are honoured that Fran chose to finish this emotional journey here at the hospice.”
Fran is encouraging supporters to continue donating and to help raise awareness of the essential work carried out by Zoe’s Place.
Donations can be made here.
Zoe’s Place will soon become Little Lights, find out more here.
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Merseyrail is getting into the festive spirit with a special Christmas timetable designed to help customers make the most of the season.
Services will run every day except Christmas Day, with early finishes on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and special services on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
This year, the city region rail operator is also proud to be supporting businesses located on or near the network, through a unique advent calendar event at Liverpool Central station. From 1 to 23 December, a giant advent calendar will adorn the wall of the station. Each day, customers will have the chance to win prizes generously donated by locally based businesses, highlighting the importance of shopping local and supporting the community during the festive period.
As a grand finale, one lucky customer will win a bumper prize bundle behind door number 24, including a year’s worth of free travel, £500 in Love2Shop vouchers, Aintree Grand National tickets, and more. Participation is easy, just scan a QR code at stations or visit the operator’s special festive webpage.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, Merseyrail’s charities of the year will be present on the network throughout December, with collections supporting worthy causes. Carol singers and Santa’s elves will also be on hand to spread holiday cheer.
Suzanne Grant, Chief Commercial Officer and Deputy Managing Director at Merseyrail, said:
“The festive season is a special time for our customers and communities. Our special Christmas timetable will help keep everyone moving across the region, whether you’re heading to see loved ones, doing some shopping, or joining in the celebrations.”
“By partnering with local businesses and charities, we’re bringing people together and supporting our community. I encourage everyone to join in the festivities, support our charity partners, and make the most of everything Merseyrail has to offer this Christmas.”
Find out more on the Merseyrail website.
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One of Liverpool’s most recognisable and best-loved cafés is set for a new era as Café Tabac prepares to join the Ma Pub Group family on Wednesday 3 December.
The Bold Street institution, which has been part of the city’s cultural heartbeat for more than fifty years, will continue to trade with the same name, character and community spirit that made it an icon.
Opened in the seventies by Rita Lawrence, Café Tabac quickly became a haven for Liverpool’s creative crowd. Through the eighties it was a gathering place for artists, musicians and performers, with the likes of Holly Johnson, Pete Burns, Margi Clarke, Ian McCulloch, Jayne Casey and Gerry Potter all part of its story. Its red façade, smoky charm and bohemian feel made it a refuge for generations who shaped the city’s alternative scene.
Ma Pub Group, the team behind Ma Boyle’s Alehouse and Eatery, Tempest on Tithebarn, Nova Scotia and Newington Temple, will now guide Tabac into its next era. All staff will remain in place, and the venue will continue to offer the food, cocktails and atmosphere regulars know and love.
The transition marks an emotional moment for Baa Bar Limited CEO Elaine Clarke, whose family roots run deep within the venue. Café Tabac was opened by her aunt, and Elaine began her own hospitality career there at just 14. After more than three decades linked to the café and more than 20 years as its owner, the handover comes with both pride and sadness.
Elaine said the venue has always felt like part of her family and that keeping its independent, creative identity alive has guided every decision she has made. She described the handover to Ma Pub Group director Iain Hoskins as a full-circle moment, as Iain once began his own career working with her in the nineties.
Iain said taking on Café Tabac is an honour, calling it one of the last living reminders of a Liverpool that has inspired generations. He added that the team’s priority is to protect everything that makes Tabac special and ensure it remains the warm, welcoming cornerstone of Bold Street it has always been.
Known for its breakfasts, hearty plates, cocktails and coffee, the venue will continue to be a go-to spot for meet-ups from morning right through to late night. With the festive season approaching, the transition comes at a time when the café is at its most atmospheric.
Elaine thanked the teams and customers who have kept Café Tabac thriving across five decades, saying their loyalty and love are the reason it became such an important part of Liverpool’s story.
Ma Pub Group officially takes over Café Tabac on Wednesday 3 December.
Follow Café Tabac on Instagram.
Check out this new restaurant to open on Bold Street bringing a mix of Middle Eastern & Mediterranean flavours.
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Arne Slot admitted Alexander Isak’s first Premier League goal for Liverpool was important for both him and the club.
Sweden striker Isak had just one Carabao Cup goal to his name following his protracted £125million summer switch from Newcastle.
But his well-taken strike against the Hammers, and Cody Gakpo’s stoppage-time goal, fired stuttering champions Liverpool – on a run of nine defeats in 12 matches in all competitions – to a much-needed 2-0 victory.
Arne Slot said:
“It’s very important for us as a team that we went 1-0 up, but I think it was also important for him because I think it was his third or fourth chance of this game.”
“I don’t think there was much more than 10 minutes in him to go, so then to score just before you come off was important for us, but also for him.”
Slot took drastic action in a bid to halt their alarming slide by dropping Mohamed Salah for Isak.
It was a big call, and the first time the Egypt striker had been left out of a Premier League starting line-up since April 2024, also at West Ham in a 2-2 draw.
That day Salah had a stand-up row with manager Jurgen Klopp on the touchline before going on as a late substitute.
This time he did not get on at all, with Slot replacing Isak with Hugo Ekitike shortly after his goal.
“Mo has had an unbelievable career here at this club and will have a very good future at this club because he’s such a special player,” Slot added.
“We have four games in 10 days with only 14 to 15 outfield players available for us. Then you have to decide once in a while to make a certain line-up and you try to pick the best line-up for every single game.”
Liverpool were worthy winners, but they were helped by West Ham who, as they so often do, rolled out the claret and blue carpet to a team in need.
There was also a ludicrous red card for Lucas Paqueta, when the Brazilian was booked for dissent by referee Darren England, went back for a second moan and was duly sent off.
Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo said:
“I think we started well in the game. We required better accuracy, crossing and shooting. But we were in the game.
“How we conceded was disappointing. But we kept trying until the end, yeah.”
The defeat came hours after it was announced West Ham great Billy Bonds had died.
Nuno added:
“We felt that we wanted to do another thing that can honour the memory of Billy Bonds, and it was not to be.”
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Around 30 Crosby residents are now taking part in the Library’s Community Composting scheme.
Large composting bins have been installed at the library. They are locked but members of the scheme, are given a key code so they can deposit their garden waste.
When the material has decomposed, members can then take it away to use on their gardens.
This new scheme is being trialled by Crosby Library’s community garden club and takes advantage of the Liverpool City Region Community Composting initiative.
Cllr Liz Dowd, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member whose responsibilities include Libraries, said:
“This is a great scheme which is resulting in organic waste being recycled naturally and locally and then taken back to feed local people’s flowers, plants and vegetables.
“We were initially set the target of signing up 30 residents over the first two years of the scheme, but we have almost reached that number already and more are welcome.
“Numbers taking part aren’t limited and people just need to call in at Crosby Library and ask one of the team, about getting involved.”
Over 30 sites have been set up across Liverpool City Region through the Community Composting scheme. They are in locations such as parks, churchyards, greenspaces, community gardens and alleyways. And now a Library too.
Compost Champions, like the volunteers from Crosby Library’s community garden club help to promote and manage the sites and keep the composts well turned. Typical sites have three compost bins that are used in rotation. Sometimes tiger worms are added to speed up the composting process.
Cllr Dowd added:
“Community composting can be a handy solution for people who don’t have the space for their own bin but want to recycle and use their garden waste.
“I just hope there’s some left over to use on our lovely garden at Crosby Library.”
Crosby, Bootle and Formby Libraries all have community gardens, maintained by dedicated gardening club members library staff and volunteers. Visitors can enjoy sunshine and serenity and their latest favourite book.