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Left your Christmas shopping to the last minute? Africa Oyé has you covered, with Early Bird tickets now on sale for its 2026 festival.
Priced at just £11, Early Bird tickets make an ideal gift for music lovers and are available until 6 January 2026. The offer includes free entry for children under 12 when attending with a paying adult, plus discounted prices for groups of four.
Africa Oyé, the UK’s largest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture, returns on 20 and 21 June 2026. The weekend will once again bring together international live acts, emerging artists, DJs, community performances and a full programme of family-friendly workshops.
Festivalgoers can also expect street food from around the world, arts and crafts stalls and plenty for kids, all set within one of Liverpool’s most-loved summer events.
For those wanting something to unwrap on the day, official Africa Oyé merchandise including trucker caps and mugs can be added to ticket purchases. Orders for Christmas delivery must be placed by Wednesday 17 December.
Early Bird tickets go off sale on 6 January 2026, with tickets available now via the Africa Oyé website.
Africa Oyé returns in 2026 launching a new era for the festival – check it out.
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Paul Doyle appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court today for his two-day sentencing hearing after pleading guilty to 31 offences relating to seriously injuring people during the victory parade in May.
Prosecutors said in the space of two minutes, Doyle’s Ford Galaxy – which weighed nearly two tonnes – collided with “well over 100 people” and he was “prepared to cause those in the crowd, even children, serious harm if necessary to achieve his aim of getting through”.
The 54-year-old admitted dangerous driving, affray, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent, and three counts of wounding with intent last month.
He had previously denied the offences, which relate to 29 victims aged between six months and 77.
Horrifying dashcam footage was displayed to the court on the first day of his sentencing hearing, with the defendant heard shouting “move”, “f* pricks” and “get out the f* way”.
Pedestrians pulled their children out of the path of Doyle’s car to stop them being hit, and the footage showed the windscreen smash after a man landed on it.
Doyle cried as the footage was shown to the court, putting his head down and shutting his eyes as the footage showed his car hitting crowds of supporters.
Victims in court were also in tears as the video was played.
Opening the facts of the case, Paul Greaney KC referred to the time period between 5.59pm and 6.01pm on May 26, telling the court:
“The prosecution case is that the defendant had used the vehicle as a weapon over that period of time.
“In doing so, he not only caused injury on a large scale, but he also generated horror in those who had attended what they had thought would be a day of joyfulness.”
Mr Greaney said Doyle was in the city to collect a friend and his family from the celebrations.
Addressing his motive, Mr Greaney continued:
“The truth is a simple one. Paul Doyle just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to.
“In a rage, he drove into the crowd, and when he did so, he intended to cause people within the crowd serious harm.
“He was prepared to cause those in the crowd, even children, serious harm if necessary to achieve his aim of getting through.
“So the truth is as simple as the consequences that day were awful.”
Doyle was arrested at the scene on Water Street just after 6pm and charged later that week.
The youngest victim was six-month-old Teddy Eveson, whose parents later told media he was thrown about 15 feet down the road in his pram when the crash happened.
Doyle, of Croxteth, Liverpool, admitted attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to the baby.
Five other children, who Doyle either injured or attempted to injure, cannot be named for legal reasons.
Find out the latest in Liverpool here.
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Demand surged during the season ticket holder and pre-registration priority window for Magic Weekend, making it the biggest pre-sale in the event’s history.
Early sales have exceeded the same stage for Magic Weekend 2025 by more than 400%, highlighting the growing appetite for rugby league’s showpiece weekend.
The annual festival of the sport returns on 4–5 July 2026 and will be staged at Everton Football Club’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. The state-of-the-art venue will host Magic Weekend for the first time and has already won over supporters after staging this year’s sell-out Ashes Test.
Magic Weekend brings all 12 Betfred Super League teams together in one place, with six fixtures played across two days, alongside fan experiences and entertainment designed to create a festival atmosphere.
RL Commercial Managing Director Rhodri Jones said the early ticket sales show just how excited fans are about the event’s move to the new stadium, adding that Hill Dickinson Stadium provides a perfect setting for a major celebration of the sport.
With clubs expected to bring strong travelling support and demand already high, organisers anticipate tickets will continue to sell quickly. Early bird pricing is available for a limited time, giving fans the chance to secure seats for what is shaping up to be one of the biggest Magic Weekends yet.
Tickets for Magic Weekend 2026 are now on general sale via the Super League website.
Check out the Hill Dickinson Stadium winning a prestigious international award here.
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Indoor Funfair is back at Exhibition Centre Liverpool, with more thrill rides than ever before.
Thousands of families are expected to join in the fun which returns to Exhibition Centre Liverpool on Saturday 20th December and as a thank you, organisers are offering a special discount.
There are thirteen thrill rides including Superstar, Air Raid and Fusion alongside family favourites the Dodgems and Waltzer as well as Balloon Ride and Race ‘O’ Rama for the little ones.
John Lowery from Indoor Funfair said:
“We’re still the biggest indoor funfair in the UK, set across 90,000 sq. ft, so there’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy this festive extravaganza.
“It’s become a permanent fixture in Liverpool’s must-do calendar of seasonal events and many of the sessions sell out, so it’s always better to pre-book to guarantee entry to three hours of unlimited fun.
“We’ve had such great support from people in and around Liverpool that this year we’re offering 20% off the price of any session.
“New food options are also available including sweet and savoury crumble pots and more coffee stalls to enjoy.”
Colm Graham, Head of Partnerships, Hospitality and Exhibition Sales, at ACC Liverpool said:
“We always look forward to welcoming back Indoor Funfair at the end of what has been a fantastic year for Exhibition Centre Liverpool.
“It’s one of our most popular attractions and smiles are always guaranteed from the thousands of families who attend the event in our safe, accessible and climate-controlled environment where even the weather can’t ruin the fun!”
Between 10am-1pm on Sunday 21st December and Sunday 28th December, there’ll be quieter sessions for those with sensory needs where music will be lowered. Ride lights will be switched off and rides slowed where possible.
Indoor Funfair is closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day with just two sessions on Christmas Eve and 3rd January at 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm and on New Year’s Day, 12pm-3pm and 4pm-7pm.
Pre-booked tickets are available from £10.99 for the 6pm session with the 10am session priced at £12.99 and 2pm session at £14.99. Refreshments, prize games and booking fee are not included in the ticket price. For discounted tickets use the code SAVE20.
Book your tickets now on the Indoor Fun Fair website.
Find out whats on across Liverpool this Christmas here.
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A powerful new spoken-word piece titled “Man to Man” has been launched by Merseyside Police calling on men to prevent street harassment and help make our communities safer for women and girls.
Released as part of Merseyside Police and the Police Commissioner’s ongoing ‘Taking Action’ campaign to tackle Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), the compelling poem delivers an uncompromising message: it’s time for men to step up, think about their behaviour and lead the change.
To make the message resonate even more, the campaign enlisted local poet Joseph Roberts to write and perform the poem. His authentic voice and connection to Merseyside bring a powerful and relatable perspective to the piece. “Man to Man” uses raw honesty and evocative language to highlight the impact of harmful behaviours and inspire a cultural shift toward safety of women and girls in the places they live, work and socialise.
A survey conducted by Merseyside Police to inform the Taking Action campaign showed:
- 71% of women live in fear of a sexual assault and 60% of being stalked
- 29% of women often felt unsafe and 57% sometimes felt unsafe in public places in Merseyside
- 89% of women avoid streets or areas they consider unsafe and 78% cross the road to avoid men
- 70% of women let people know when they start and end their journey
- 42% choose not to go out in the dark to avoid feeling unsafe
Women and girls should be able to go about their daily lives without worrying about being sexually harassed, assaulted or raped. Sadly, for far too many women that’s not their reality.
Men can make a real difference and help to create safer environments by taking a hard look at their attitudes and behaviour, at home, at work and socialising with mates.
This campaign speaks directly to men, urging them to take responsibility and call out unacceptable behaviour wherever they see it.
To mark the launch, Joseph performed live pop-up performance cross Liverpool city centre today, including in Lime Street Station, on Church Street and in Liverpool ONE bringing the message straight to men on the streets.
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell said:
“Far too many women still face harassment, abuse and misogyny in their daily lives – on the streets, on public transport and in public spaces.
“This is completely unacceptable. We must challenge the behaviours that cause fear and harm. We can only change things for the better when men are part of the solution.
“That’s why we decided to take a unique approach with our campaign. Joseph is well known on Merseyside and can speak ‘man to man’ to his peers, encouraging them to challenge harmful attitudes, call out unacceptable behaviour, and lead by example.
“In some cases, it’s also about encouraging men to take a long, hard look at their own behaviour and think about what they can do differently.
“Every man has the power to make a difference and make our region feel safer for every woman and girl.”
Chief Constable, Rob Carden, Merseyside Police said:
“Every woman and girl should feel safe going about their daily lives, but sadly that’s not the reality for many.
“Changing this isn’t just about policing it’s about shifting mindsets.
“Men have a vital role to play by questioning their own attitudes and behaviours, whether that’s at home, in the workplace, or when out with friends. This campaign is about starting honest conversations and encouraging men to lead the change for safer streets and communities.”
Joseph Roberts said:
“I wanted to write something that speaks directly to men here in Merseyside and wanted to make it feel real and personal. Street harassment isn’t just happening somewhere else; it’s happening on our streets. This poem is about challenging that culture and encouraging men to take responsibility.”
The poem will be featured in a short video that combines spoken word with striking visuals, amplifying its message across social media and community platforms. The campaign aims to spark dialogue, empower bystanders, and encourage reporting of harassment.
This initiative follows the success of similar campaigns by other police forces, such as “Don’t Be That Guy”, which challenged men to rethink harmful behaviours. However, Man to Man takes a localised approach, speaking directly to men across Merseyside and reflecting the unique character and community spirit of the region.
Marking the international 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, today’s event builds on the launch of the Myth vs Fact campaign which focused on ripping apart the dangerous lies about rape and serious sexual offences.
Released to mark Elimination of VAWG Day on 25th November, the campaign visibly tears away the harmful myths that shield perpetrators and silence victims – and replaces them with the truth.
Find the full poem on the Merseyside Police YouTube channel.
Find out about the other work Merseyside Police does here.
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Merseyrail set to run pilot for the introduction of contactless bank cards and smart devices.
The Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram has today announced the next phase of a modern smart ticketing system on the Merseyrail network – a pilot for the introduction of contactless bank cards and smart devices.
This next phase represents a critical step in delivering a truly integrated, contactless travel system, making journeys quicker, easier, and more convenient for thousands of passengers every day.
Mayor Steve Rotheram said:
“As someone who uses our trains every day, I know just how much easier Tap & Go has made life for passengers. It means no more early-morning queues, guaranteed best-value fares, and a smoother journey from start to finish.
“This smart ticketing pilot takes us another step closer to delivering the modern, 21st-century transport network our residents deserve – and I’m really looking forward to seeing the new system fully rolled out in the new year.”
Find out more about Tap & Go on the Merseyrail website.
Find out more about Merseyrail’s Christmas timetable here.
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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk wants Mohamed Salah to stay at the club and will continue to speak to the forward after he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 33-year-old is due to join up with Egypt after marking his return to the squad with the assist for Hugo Ektike’s second goal in the 2-0 win over Brighton and could miss seven league matches if they reach the final.
But while he is away, the club will continue discussions with his representatives in an attempt to iron out issues which led to his explosive outburst last weekend when he suggested his immediate future may lie elsewhere after being a substitute for three successive matches.
Van Dijk spoke to his long-time team-mate after that and throughout the week after Salah was omitted from the Champions League trip to Inter Milan.
“I speak to him about everything. I told him I want him to stay,” said Van Dijk.
“I would love to have him around as he is one of the leaders, but the fact is he is going to AFCON. We will be in contact over the next days and weeks like we always are and let’s see.
“I wish him absolutely all the best – and (to) come back. Hopefully. I have no control over that.
“We hope he will be absolutely successful there and we all hope he will be coming back to be important for the rest of the season.
“But, on the other side of it, we all know football and have no idea what is going to happen.
“He is very important – and still (is) as you see with another assist – to the football club, but there are more parties to this situation.”
Liverpool ended a tumultuous week by extending their unbeaten run to five matches with a third win and back-to-back clean sheets.
Following on from the midweek victory in Milan, Van Dijk said it proved the dressing room had not been distracted by the Salah circus, although the captain has been keeping a close eye on things.
“The situation is just bringing so much noise. As a captain I have to deal with how the boys react to it and they reacted perfectly fine. Mo, in the end, reacted perfectly fine as well,” added the Dutchman.
“I hear, observe and that’s the most important thing. If you feel like it could be a problem within the squad and could affect performances then you have a different story, but we showed this week that we are absolutely united and we go forward as one.”
While he has been ‘managing’ the dressing room, Van Dijk has also proved an important ally to head coach Arne Slot, who appears to have ridden out the storm of nine defeats in 12 matches.
“There is a lot of noise, pressure from the outside world and rightly so as we’ve not been close to the standard we were showing last season,” he said.
“But personally looking at it, and from the conversations we have on a daily basis, I think he has handled it very well.
“This moment of time is a very good moment to see how everyone responds. I think the manager has done perfectly.”
Arne Slot has said there is no issue with Salah as he gets set to represent Egypt in the African Cup of Nations – read here.
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Liverpool chef and businesswoman Michelle O’Dwyer braved a life-threatening blizzard at Everest base camp so more than 200 people won’t have to spend Christmas Day alone.
Michelle, 51, suffered frostbite and lost feeling in her hands and feet while undertaking the daring trek to the foot of the world’s highest mountain in October to raise money for the Community Christmas Dinner she organises in the city every year.
“It was horrific and amazing in equal parts, and it was hard because we all felt so ill,” says Michelle, who undertook the feat with a group of other women.
“I have never seen weather change so quickly. One minute it was cold but sunny, the next it was raining heavily and we got absolutely drenched … and the next we were in the middle of a blizzard that no-one expected – and which cost some people their lives.”
Thankfully Michelle and her party got through the ordeal and Michelle has raised £4,352 to put on the Community Christmas Dinner for 230 people, this year at the Black-E centre in Great George Street.
And she says: “All that I went through was worth it.
“Christmas can be a difficult time for a lot of people.
“The Community Christmas Dinner is an amazing event that gives Christmas meaning and purpose to me and means so much to the hundreds of people from Liverpool who might otherwise spend Christmas on their own.
“It’s about connection, and valuing humanity. And it’s about creating lasting memories that people will treasure for ever.”
Michelle from North Liverpool, who owns private dining company Baytree Events and Baytree Cookery Academy CIC – which works with communities and organisations across the north west teaching health, budgeting, teamwork and wellbeing as well as international cuisine – has organised the Christmas Community Dinner for many years.
This year it will be the ninth, taking in Covid when meals were delivered to people’s homes, and will move from Vauxhall Community Centre to the Black-E.
“We have people coming from all over Merseyside; adults with disabilities, military veterans, families, all sorts of different people, and it’s like a massive family Christmas,” explains Michelle.
“We have a grotto and Santa who gives people gifts, everyone gets a food hamper, and of course everyone sits down to a dinner.
“Ste Chad from 051 Entertainments is DJing again this year and bringing his snow machine – which might trigger a few bad memories,” she smiles, “and we’ve got carol karaoke and Sway with Ray, and lots of volunteers who help make it happen.”
Michelle goes on: “We’ve got people coming from Tom Harrison House, the charity which provides a specialist addiction recovery programme for UK Armed Forces veterans and emergency services, to peel all the veggies on the 22nd, and Gemma Longworth from Find It, Fix It, Flog It who’s coming to help us make and put up decorations.
“And we’ve had support again from Chung Ku and Julie Lawson CIC. I’ve been blown away by people’s generosity.”
Michelle started volunteering in 2015 with St Andrew’s Community Network and helped out with their foodbank. Then in 2016 she volunteered at the Joseph Lappin Centre in Old Swan, and then cooked Christmas dinner in a rehab centre: “All of that happened after someone was kind to me when I was suffering from depression. They helped me when I was at my lowest and it made me realise there was a different way of living.”
Every year she sets herself a fundraising challenge which puts her out of her comfort zone to raise money for the Community Christmas Dinner – last year cycling 300 miles around Vietnam.
“I like to push my boundaries,” she admits, “and do something a little out of the ordinary because there are so many other charities out there.
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do for the 10th next year – I think I might have peaked with Everest!
“The trek to base camp was 13 days and it was amazing – but hard.
“When the blizzard hit we had no alternative but to keep on walking in single file. Our sherpas were brilliant and they knew where they were and were so calm so I didn’t panic and just knew we had to crack on.
“But we could hear helicopters circling overhead as people were lost. It’s weird but your mind just goes somewhere else.
“I kept singing ‘Who will buy this wonderful morning?’ from the musical, Oliver, to get me through.
“It was so cold, I lost all feeling in my hands and feet, and my face and lips swelled – although when people saw that they donated more!”
Michelle, who did the Magaluf Half Marathon earlier in the year to raise money for Alfie’s Squad, has hinted at other plans to get people together more in the New Year, but for now her focus is Christmas Day and the community dinner that will give so many people a Christmas Day to remember instead of one they’d choose to forget.
“I remember feeling down and thinking I could either sit feeling sorry for myself or do something positive.
“The Community Christmas Meal makes me happy, and I feel like I have a purpose.
“It’s such a magical time and, with isolation and people working from home and not socialising the same, we’ve never needed other people more.
“It’s a lovely day and the kindness of Liverpool is amazing. People are just beautiful.”
Help Michelle raise more funds by donating here.
Find out what’s happening this Christmas across Liverpool here.
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From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.
LFC head coach Arne Slot insisted there was no issue regarding Mohamed Salah as the Egypt international heads for the Africa Cup of Nations with uncertainty still surrounding his future.
The Egypt international returned to the squad for the 2-0 victory over Brighton after being dropped for his outspoken interview last weekend in which, among other things, he said he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club and raised questions about his continued stay at Anfield.
But having come off the bench midway through the first half the 33-year-old’s corner allowed Hugo Ekitike to score his second – his first after 46 seconds was the fastest of the season – and in doing so the Egyptian surpassed Wayne Rooney’s Premier League goal involvement record with his 277th contribution (188 goals and 89 assists).
The club will continue to talk to Salah’s representatives while he is away but Slot remains optimistic.
“For me there is no issue to resolve. He is now the same as any other player,” said the Dutchman, who had talks with Salah on Friday.
“I usually never say anything about what we talk about, I am not going to make an exception now but I think actions speak louder than what has been said and he was in the squad again.
“When I had to make my first substitution, I brought him in and he performed as every fan including me would like him to today.
“The moment he is there I like to use him when we need him. When he came in, he had the performance like you would want him to to give.
“He was a threat and that is very important. When you play with attackers you are hoping they are a threat to the other team and Hugo was that as well and Florian (Wirtz) was that.”
After the final whistle Salah applauded all four sides of Anfield, although other team-mates did similar, but he lingered in front of the Kop as they chanted his name and patted the club crest on his shirt before leaving the pitch.
Slot did not think that was a farewell.
“He wasn’t the only player who walked around the pitch, thanking the fans because the fans deserved a thank you from us.
“Mo is going to go to AFCON, I hope he is going to do very well, and in the meantime we have to play here without him, without many players, but the good thing is we play Saturday and again Saturday.”
Despite the scoreline Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler left feeling they had opportunities.
“It is quite a frustrating result. The game was there to win, the performance was there,” he said.
“We deserved more but that is football, you have some days when you can create chance after chance and having a better start and defending set-pieces.
“We are all disappointed but we try to keep the positive things.”
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A paramedic who was knocked over at the Liverpool parade crash said he saw Paul Doyle’s car come back towards him and believed he was in the middle of a terrorist incident.
Jay Vernon, 34, was on duty as a cycle response paramedic for North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) in Liverpool city centre on May 26 when he was called to a reported cardiac arrest in Water Street, just after the victory parade had ended.
Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Monday for 31 offences related to the crash, which happened when he ploughed into crowds of fans making their way back from the city’s waterfront after the Premier League victory celebration.
Mr Vernon said he had been making his way along Water Street on foot in front of an ambulance when he was hit by Doyle’s car.
He said: “I was struck with almighty force from behind, which has then sent me flying over to the right hand side, and I landed in the gutter on Water Street.
“I’ve put my hands out to brace myself, as you normally would, and then, as I’ve been in the gutter, there was a number of people around me and on the floor.
“As I’ve looked left, I’ve seen a car. I’ve then seen the car reverse lights come on and it start heading back up towards Water Street.
“It was at that point in my mind, I immediately thought, ‘I’m in the middle of a terrorist incident’.”
Mr Vernon, from Aigburth, Liverpool, said he jumped out of the way of the car as it reversed back at speed and saw the vehicle hit the front of the ambulance and ricochet back into the street.
He only suffered grazes in the incident and was able to press the emergency button on his radio, sending a signal to all vehicles on the network, and told the dispatcher: “I’ve been struck by a vehicle. I’m on Water Street and there are multiple casualties.”
He began tending to the injured around him and saw the vehicle move again.
He said: “It was at that moment in time then that I actually feared for my safety.
“I obviously had passed some messages via the emergency button, but I felt really vulnerable.”
Mr Vernon went inside an ambulance to find safety, before opening the door and allowing children inside the vehicle to keep them out of harm’s way.
He then went back out towards Doyle’s car to provide help.
He said: “There were people on the floor. There were pushchairs that, obviously, children have been in, on their side.
“There were bottles of alcohol and stuff all over the floor and a significant amount of people running in in every direction imaginable to get away from what I assume they would think was a terrorist incident as well.”
As he headed back down the street the car had come to a stop, but he could see police had opened the boot and were pulling the inside of it apart.
He said: “It was at that moment that I stopped and was thinking, ‘What am I going down towards here?’”
He continued to the scene, where he quickly triaged patients and passed equipment to those who were tending to the injured.
He said: “Ultimately, the adrenaline and that desire to help people just kicked in and I think that’s what got me through the majority of the incident.”
Mr Vernon was one of 29 of the 134 injured people who Doyle was charged with an offence against.
He was at home last month on a rest day when he saw a news notification on his watch saying the defendant had pleaded guilty to all offences, which included attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Vernon.
He said it came as a “relief” that he did not have to attend court to give evidence.
Among the other paramedics who were first on the scene was Matt Hall, 39, who had also been called to a reported cardiac arrest but was returning to his ambulance, parked on a side street, after being told the patient had left the area.
He heard the message over the radio and returned to Water Street, by which time Doyle’s car had come to a stop.
He said: “The driver of the car was gone at that point, and we had several casualties lying around. Most of them at that point were receiving some kind of treatment.”
He said the injured included people with blunt force trauma injuries, chest injuries, rib fractures and other broken bones.
Planning for the parade meant there were ambulances nearby which could get there quickly and police cordoned off the area to create a scene of “relative calmness”, he said.
He said: “I looked calm, I think, but like all of us inside you’re running at a million miles an hour and you’re thinking of lots of potentials and lots of things that you need to do.”
He said that thanks to his colleagues the response to the major incident ran “efficiently” and “very well”.
He said: “I’m sure there are some residual and lasting effects for people, but it’s not the worst-case scenario.
“It could have been a very, very different story.”
Find out the latest in Liverpool 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.
Jacket potato supremo Spud Man has pledged to help feed homeless people in Liverpool after chatting with one of our Guide Heroes.
Anthony Grice, who runs Fika coffee shop in Childwall, is known for his year-round efforts to support the local community.
That includes regularly volunteering with the Liverpool in Arms charity which gives out hot meals and drinks to the homeless and vulnerable in the city centre.
Spud Man, aka Ben Newman, is currently pulling in huge crowds at Liverpool Christmas Market alongside Scouser John the Spud, so Anthony – who won our Business Hero 2025 award – decided to pay him a visit.
And, after explaining the work of Liverpool in Arms, Spud Man was happy to lend a hand (and some jackets) to stop people in need going hungry in the run-up to Christmas.
Anthony explains:
“I don’t know Spud Man personally but I think he’s boss, and I love it when someone’s been doing the job for years and they’ve got lucky and it explodes.
“I messaged him on socials and he replied to say ‘pop down and see me’ so I went down to the Christmas Market at St George’s and he was telling me all about his journey.
“I told him about what we do at Liverpool In Arms and how a lot of local businesses support the volunteers. We go into town on Mondays and Wednesdays, we send food and it’s given out to the homeless. We can feed between 100 and 150 people at each session.
“I donate and I try to go down every week if I can to help out. I jump on the front line with them and I take down the sleeping bags, coats, hats, scarves, gloves and warm blankets we get donated through the shop.
“I asked Ben if he’d be interested in getting involved, and obviously he gets asked to do a lot for charity, but he said he always helps where he can.
“He said while he’s in Liverpool, if we sent anyone down to his stall who was in genuine need and struggling, and they said they’d spoken to Tony at Fika, he’d feed them for free.”
Spud Man has confirmed he’s happy to do his bit to share some Christmas spirit, as well as maintaining the dignity and respect of those who come for help.
With just a couple of weeks to go to the big day, Anthony is also busy running his annual Operation Christmas Liverpool appeal again. He’s asking supporters to buy an extra gift for someone in the city who might otherwise go without.
He’s collecting new, unused and unwrapped toys, selection boxes, gift sets and warm clothing gifts like gloves and socks. Anyone who’d like to donate can drop off at Fika on Woolton Road during opening hours until December 21.
Find out more about FIKA here.
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.
Taylor Swift can be seen crying and being comforted by her mother in a documentary after meeting the families of the Southport attack.
Speaking in the documentary series about her Eras Tour on Disney+, which launched on Friday, the 35-year-old is revealed to have met with the survivors and families of the victims before each of a run of five shows at Wembley Stadium.
Before meeting the families, Swift can be seen describing it as a “horrible attack” and adds while crying:
“I’m going to meet some of these families today, and do a pop concert, you know.
“It’s going to be fine, because when I meet them, I’m not going to do this, I swear to God, I’m not going to do this.
“I’m going to be smiling, so any of this gets out of the way before you ever go on stage, you lock it off three-and-a-half hours, they don’t have to worry about you.
“It’s like you’re like a pilot flying the plane, and if you were like, ‘oh, there’s turbulence at the head, I don’t know if we’re actually going to land in Dallas’.
“Like, I’m going to try hard, but I don’t know if I can actually, like, figure out how to land through this turbulence, like everyone on the plane is going to freak out.”
After the meetings, Swift is shown crying to her mother Andrea, who tells her:
“I know you helped them, I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I know you helped them.”
In a voiceover, Taylor Swift adds:
“From a mental standpoint, I just do live in a reality that’s very unreal a lot of the time.
“But it’s my job to kind of be able to handle all these feelings and then perk up immediately to perform. That’s just the way it’s got to be.”
Following the emotional conversations, Swift is then shown being taken to, and performing her three-and-a-half hour show at Wembley Stadium.
During the End Of An Era documentary, which is being released a day before her 36th birthday, Swift also speaks about a failed terror plot at one of her Eras Tour shows in Vienna, Austria.
Earlier in the episode, she says:
“We just had this, we’ve had a series of very violent, scary things happen to the tour.
“Like we dodged, like a massacre situation, and so I’ve just been kind of all over the place, like there was this horrible attack in Liverpool at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party, and it was little kids that… (Swift becomes emotional and is unable to continue speaking).”
Elsewhere in the series, Swift explains that Eras Tour had been in the planning for two years and came after two negative events in her life in losing the control over her back catalogue and the Covid pandemic.
She explains:
“I think I came up with the idea for the Eras Tour about two years before the tour started.
“There were two main factors that culminated in the Eras Tour, both of them were unpleasant.
“We think that these bad things are happening to me or to us, if you flip it around correctly and you react in a certain way, those things can be happening for you.
“The first one being my entire catalogue of my first six albums was sold out from under me to somebody else, and I decided to sort of defiantly re-record all of my music.
“You know, when you revisit something, you go back into that world, all this work is so indicative of the time I was in, in my life, I feel like I’m reading my old diaries, thinking about all the different girls I was until I was this one.
“So that planted a little seed, inherently, in my mind, the idea of celebrating your past.”
Taylor Swift goes on to say that the pandemic saw her build a studio in her house to record the albums Folklore and Evermore, both released in 2020.
The docuseries was first announced on US news show Good Morning America, which is where Swift announced her Eras Tour in November 2022.
Swift’s tour smashed records and she made history as the first solo artist to perform at London’s Wembley Stadium eight times on a single tour.
More recently, the 14-time Grammy-winner broke a string of UK chart records following the release of The Life Of A Showgirl, which debuted at number one in October.
The record is Swift’s third album to top the chart in 2025, following Lover (Live From Paris) in February and The Tortured Poets Department, when it returned to number one in April.
It is also the first studio album Taylor Swift has released since she announced her engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce in August and said in May that she had regained control over her back catalogue.
The Southport families won a special award at The Guide Liverpool Heroes last month, find out more here.
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With Christmas party season now in full swing, Merseyside Police officers are continuing their proactive Operation Limit work, with 105 arrests for drug and drink driving made in the first week alone.
Operation Limit is a national campaign which intensifies the focus on drug and drink driving for police forces across the festive period.
With seasonal celebrations well underway, officers are reminding drivers that the risk doesn’t end when the night does. Any drivers stopped and found to be over the limit for alcohol, or who tests positive for illegal drugs will face the same consequences at 8.00 a.m. as they would 1:00 a.m.
Throughout December and into the New Year, Merseyside Police will be carrying out increased patrols across the region, with roadside breath tests and drug wipes taking place at all times of day, including early mornings and commuter routes. Officers will be visible around venues, town centres and collision hotspots, and unmarked patrols will also be deployed to target high-risk behaviours.
Gavin Dixon, Merseyside Police Roads Policing Inspector, said:
“We hope our presence near places like fast food drive throughs will make people think about their morning-after behaviour.
“Alcohol, and some drugs, stay in your system far longer than people think. You can’t ‘sleep it off’. You might feel better after a coffee and a shower, but it’s actually made zero difference to the amount of alcohol in your system. So people need to be planning ahead. Get a taxi, get a takeaway, arrange a lift: the only safe choice is not to drive.
“We have no sympathy for people who choose to ignore this advice and get behind the wheel unfit to drive. They’re choosing to put the lives of innocent people at risk. Imagine deciding that having a bacon butty was more important than the life of someone’s son or daughter. It’s unbelievably selfish.
“Everyone deserves to be able to use the roads safely. We’ll keep testing at all times of the day and night, in every area of Merseyside, to make that happen.”
Causing death by dangerous or careless driving while under the influence carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment. A conviction can also have lasting effects on insurance costs, employment and even international travel. Professional drivers and those in regulated roles are particularly at risk of losing their livelihoods.
Merseyside Police is asking the public to play their part. If you suspect someone is currently driving under the influence, call 999 immediately. For non-urgent information, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Businesses and venues can also help by promoting #OpLimit messages, displaying posters near exits and taxi ranks, and encouraging staff and customers to plan a safe ride home.
Find out more on the Merseyside Police website.
Find out about the other work Merseyside Police does 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.
POP MART is set to open its first ever store in Liverpool it opens it’s doors in Liverpool ONE.
Visitors can step inside a world of boundless creativity, brought to life by beloved characters including THE MONSTERS (LABUBU), SKULLPANDA, MOLLY, HIRONO, DIMOO, and more.
The store blends POP MART’s boundless creative universe with Liverpool’s legendary creative energy. In a city that has transformed from a historic port into a vibrant hub of art, music, and culture, POP MART adds a modern, playful chapter to Liverpool’s creative story.
Liverpool has always celebrated individuality and innovation. From The Beatles’ revolutionary sound to its football fervor, from the iconic Royal Liver Building to the historic Albert Dock, the city thrives on bold ideas and global influences. Its historic Chinatown and centuries of cultural exchange reflect a city open to new experiences. POP MART now brings its anticipated global art movement, with roots in China, to a city alive with creativity, imagination and cultural dialogue.
Inside the store, visitors can explore the full spectrum of POP MART’s universe, including limited-edition releases, seasonal exclusives and playful surprises. Every visit to a POP MART store is a celebration of creativity, connecting fans, families, and the creatively curious to a world beyond the ordinary.
This opening marks an important step in POP MART’s UK journey. Partnering with Liverpool ONE, a vibrant hub for retail, culture and community, provides the perfect stage for the brand’s immersive approach.
Peter Shipman, Managing Director & Head of POP MART Europe, said:
“As a proud Liverpudlian, it is incredibly exciting to bring POP MART to my hometown. Liverpool bursts with culture, creativity, and imagination, making it the perfect home for our universe of collectibles and experiences. We cannot wait to welcome fans, families, and the creatively curious to explore everything we have to offer.”
Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Barbara Ann Murray, said:
“I am delighted that POP MART, the brand behind LABUBUs, is opening its doors right here at Liverpool ONE just in time for Christmas. I am sure all fans and collectors, including my grandson, will be excited by the new store, as it will be packed with much-loved collectables! I am looking forward to the store launch to welcome the brand and the staff to the city. I wish the store every success!”
Donna Howitt, Deputy Centre Director at Liverpool ONE, said:
“We’re so excited to welcome POP MART to Liverpool ONE this December! The buzz around their characters and collectables is huge, and Liverpool has an amazing appetite for bold, playful brands so POP MART is just the right fit. This store is a great addition to our strong and vibrant mix of brands, and an exceptional way to culminate a record year of openings at Liverpool ONE. We can’t wait for visitors to come and experience it for themselves.
Founded in 2010, POP MART has grown from a niche designer collectibles brand into a global cultural powerhouse. Since listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2020, the company has seen extraordinary growth, reporting approximately €1.84 billion in revenue in the first half of 2025, a 204 percent increase year-on-year.
With over 570 stores and 2,500 ROBOSHOPs across 30 countries, POP MART has built a worldwide community of collectors and fans. Its iconic characters, including MOLLY, DIMOO, SKULLPANDA, THE MONSTERS, and HIRONO, have captivated imaginations globally and earned admiration from celebrities such as Lisa (BLACKPINK), Dua Lipa, Central Cee, Rihanna, David Beckham, and Brad Pitt.
POP MART’s Liverpool ONE store is more than a shop, it is a creative destination. From 9AM on 12th December at Upper South John Street, Liverpool ONE, fans, families, and the creatively curious can explore a world alive with play, storytelling, and imagination, leaving visitors with memories they will not forget.
Find out more about POP MART here.
Find out what’s on in Liverpool ONE this Christmas here.
Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.
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A convoy of around 150 motorbike and scooter riders will head to Alder Hey this weekend to deliver hundreds of Christmas gifts to children.
The annual Two-wheeled Support Rideout will make its way from Edge Lane to the hospital on Sunday December 14.
With some riders dressed up in Christmas costumes, they’ll go en masse along a one-mile route to drop off toys, games, colouring books, pyjamas and selection boxes.
Since it started almost 20 years ago, the rideout has become a tradition which bikers, scooterists and patients look forward to each December.
Originally it was just scooter riders taking part until one of the founders, Terry Keane, was contacted by biker friends who do the Wirral Egg Run at Easter. They didn’t have anything planned for Christmas and asked to get involved so now it’s a mix of scooters and motorbikes.
For the past three years the rideout has been organised by Geoff Bell, who’s a member of the internationally recognised Liverpool Scooter Club.
He liaises with police over timings, the planned route and how many will be involved, and with Bike Marshals who give up their time to support the event and help keep everyone safe.
Geoff, who lives in Old Swan, also sets the date each year based on Liverpool and Everton home football fixtures to avoid having riders and match traffic heading along Queens Drive on the same afternoon.
He says riders come from all over Liverpool, the North West, North Wales and even Yorkshire to join in.
They strap carrier bags of presents onto their bikes, before all meeting up at McDonald’s on Edge Lane where Geoff is waiting to load them into his people carrier ready for Alder Hey.
The Christmas convoy sets off at 12midday, moving along Laurel Road, onto Prescot Road, back towards Old Swan, down Green Lane, on to The Jolly Miller pub and back along Queens Drive to the hospital.
“It’s long enough to be interesting, people like to see all the bikes because it’s a bit of a spectacle, but it’s short enough not to inconvenience traffic on the roads,” explains Geoff.
“Once we arrive, some of the patients come out if they can, and other kids are there lined up at the windows to see the bikes.”
After all the presents have been handed over, the bikers will head to the Alder Club in Alder Road where Liverpool Scooter Club holds its open day each summer.
“Ernie, who runs the club, makes a big batch of broth or curry to warm everyone up before they make the journey back home, as a thank you to everybody for coming.”
As well as parcels, the kind-hearted riders also donate cash – at Easter a bucket collection managed to raise over £800.
And they’re not the only ones who generously back the event; Geoff says they received a large bag full of toys from a lady in Walton who wanted to donate in memory of her own child.
“That’s what the rideout is all about,” he adds. “It’s about the children and the people who turn up on the day, put their hands in their pockets and those who make the donations.”
Find out more about Alder Hey here.
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.
Foodies are flocking to L23.
Decades old family-run bakeries, coffee shops, Mexican grills, and popular pasta and pancakes places are putting Crosby and Waterloo on the map as a destination to dine in.
You really can have the world on your plate – and the busy St John’s Road alone is proof of that, with the west Merseyside version of Lark Lane boasting a whole street of independent retailers and restaurants lining up locally-sourced delicious food for every taste.
So if you’re visiting the area, don’t forget to take your appetite!
These are our 20 of the top Crosby & Waterloo eateries….
Spitroast – South Road, Waterloo
Spitroast serves up the most succulent free-range chicken, spit roasted freshly every day. You can dine in or take it home for an easy but wholesome lunch, tea or dinner and it’s not just chicken, there’s a whole menu filled with tasty starters and sides from salads and Buddha bowls to roasted vegetables and Spanish spicy brown rice. On Sundays you can even get a full roast dinner!
Find out more here.
La Parrilla Mexican Bar & Grill
Did someone say tequila? Another South Road eatery this time offering to spice up your life with wedges, tacos, burritos and more – and the best Havana Club cocktails.
Find out more here.
Crosby Coffee
What started as a small passion project has quickly grown into one of Liverpool’s most exciting independent coffee roasters with, now, four fabulous coffee shops serving the very best speciality brews, along with brilliant brekkies, and lunches with sandwiches, bagels, soups, seasonal specials, and delicious cakes and pastries. The flagship venue’s in Oxford Road, Waterloo.
Find out more here.
Caz’s Kitchen
Calling all cake connoisseurs! Caz’s Kitchen is an absolute must on your next visit to Waterloo because this sweet treats emporium in St John’s Road is filled with freshly baked cakes, biscuits, traybakes, cookies, meringues and more. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, it’s like all your Christmases have come at once.
Find out more here.
StoryHouse
Run by StoryHouse Church which meets every Sunday morning at Eshe Road URC, StoryHouse is a favourite among local foodies and their families. This community café on Liverpool Road bakes everything from scratch – specialities include its cinnamon buns and croissant loaves – and it holds regular events.
Find out more here.
The Patio Bar and Eatery
This great little bar in St John’s Road specialises in serving wines, beers, cocktails and spirits along with small plates and nibbles – and live music. It does a boss pizza and pulled pork nachos, and its milkshakes are mahoosive masterpieces.
Find out more here.
Hole in the Wall
Breakfast by day, burgers by night! This Crosby Road North eatery is a great place to enjoy brunch with your mates, a coffee with your mum or a sweet treat with the kids. The fluffy American pancakes are beyond gorge!
Find out more here.
Ellington’s
When it comes to fine dining in a stylish, sophisticated restaurant, it has to be Ellingtons. This family-run Liverpool Road venue opened its doors in 2016 and has gained legions of fans thanks to its seasonal menu of great British classics and specialities like fresh fish and seafood, steaks and divine desserts. It’s open Friday to Sunday.
Find out more here.
So Salsa
The original of the family-run So Salsa restaurants – there are three now in Liverpool too – it serves up traditional Spanish tapas along with Asian and Mediterranean classics designed for sharing. There’s always a great atmosphere and brilliant dining deals (like three tapas for £21).
Find out more here.
Inside No.4
A fresh seasonal menu, cocktails, cakes and coffee, along with an amazing Sunday Roast – no wonder this Carnegie Avenue restaurant is always a favourite. It’s got a new beer lineup, a new wine and spirits list, and a new food menu including some pub classics and old favourites, and weekends are always ramped up with tunes from its DJ.
Find out more here.
Pioneer Bar and Brasserie
Crosby’s premier wine bar, Pioneer Bar and Brasserie, is the place to be for a glass of vino in style. With regular entertainment and a mouth-watering menu, this Liverpool Road venue is the life and soul of the party.
Find out more here.
Satterthwaites Bakehouse
The original Satterthwaites chain closed in 2012 after more than 100 years of baking, but Sarah and John Wills reopened the bakehouse in Coronation Road in April 2013, re-employing some former staff and using all the same recipes everyone knows and loves. It’s the home of freshly baked bread and pies, and SO many amazing cakes – and any food left at the end of the day is taken to the local soup kitchen for those in need.
Find out more here.
Bodega del Lobo
Girly gatherings, party nights and date nights … Bodega del Lobo in Waterloo’s South Road was made for all of these. Sister venue to Tapas Tapas, it’s a friendly Spanish-style bar serving great beers, sangria and cocktails.
Find out more here.
Tapas Tapas
We can’t mention one without the other, and Tapas Tapas serves all of the great drinks Bodega del Lobo does – its Blood Orange & Mango Mojito is a must – along with a fabulous menu of all your Spanish tapas favourites from Albóndigas to Croquetas Ibéricas, and the most amazing mini spicy chorizo sausages. And if you’re craving paella – this is your place.
Find out more here.
Saffron Restaurant
Combining Nepalese and Indian culinary traditions, Saffron offers a rich blend of Himalayan flavours and classic Indian dishes from hearty Momos and Dal Makhani to fiery curries and aromatic biryanis. Above all, the St John’s Road venue aims to please not just with the food, but with friendly and top-notch service.
Find out more here.
Sunrise Mediterranean Restaurant
A traditional family restaurant, it focuses on all those fabulous fresh flavours of the Med from dishes like its calamari, hummus and halloumi starters to stunning seafood recipes and speciality grills. House favourites include the Sunrise Wrap, a hot tortilla with flame-grilled chicken, vegetables and melted cheese.
Find out more here.
The Workshop
Set in a bright and cosy venue in Crosby Road North, The Workshop is a great meeting place, serving up a mouthwatering small plate and brunch menu and the most incredible Sunday roast. Lovely and lively with regular music events, it’s got a superb wine and cocktail list.
Find out more here.
The Lake House Waterloo
Looking for food with a view? Look no further than The Lake House. Whether it’s an intimate sunset dinner for two, a large family Sunday roast, breakfast before your morning walk or brunch afterwards, this place is serving up a whole range of different meals. In the Summer you can dine or drink on the lawn too!
Find out more here.
Il Capitano’s
The go-to Italian restaurant in Crosby Road North, Il Capitano’s has got a new home and a new look but still the same pasta and pizzas cooked to award-winning perfection. More than just a restaurant it’s a community hub, and its resident weekend DJ means fab disco nights.
Find out more here.
Medusa
You can wine, dine and dance in this St John’s Road Greek great, with live music, entertainment and DJ events adding to a vibrant, yet cosy atmosphere. It boasts a really varied menu with all your favourite dishes like souvlaki and moussaka, along with grills, seafood, street food classic gyros and more.
Find out more here.
The Copper Kettle Coffee Shop
If you want to treat your mum – or yourself – to a delicious afternoon tea, the super-cosy Copper Kettle in St John’s Road has to be on your list with a selection of sandwiches, scones and fresh cream cakes served with teas or coffees for just £14.99 per person. Cute and friendly.
Find out more here.
One to look out for! Moose Coffee
Moose Coffee’s College Road venue might be closed, but we’re already looking forward to its new Crosby venue in the historic Carnegie Library building. Work has already begun to restore it to its former glory before fitting it out for Moose’s new home and the return of a very popular brunch, coffee and pancake place. (And until then, you still have Moose in Liverpool!).
Find out more here.
Find out the latest in Liverpool 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.
Shuffle means Christmas – with bells on!
It’s the cracker of a rewards scheme that helps people make the most of the amazing food and drink scene in Liverpool.
Unlike other apps, Shuffle gives users money back instead of just credits when they enjoy a meal out or drink at one of its many partner venues, like these 10 amazing city centre venues.
Salon Madre
Salon Madre’s the ‘younger, wilder’ sister to Royal Albert Dock’s mighty Madre offering tequila powered late nights with big screen sports action and pool tables and dart boards to help you crank up the competition with your mates. Now open in Hanover Street it’s screaming to be booked for that works do or Christmas catch-up – and get the Shuffle app and you’ll be quids in too.
Find out more here.
Ma Boyle’s Alehouse & Eatery
The Tower Buildings’ bistro and bar’s always buzzing and never more so than at Christmas with its three-course Christmas Roast for £36 per person, and its Rum and Rumour Basement Bar ready to rock for your festive party.
Find out more here.
Arts Bar
With venues now in Hope Street and the Baltic, the Arts Bars have got to be the coolest places for enjoying local modern art, some of the best live music performances, and great homemade food and drinks. And, it’s got to be cocktails at Christmas, right?
Find out more here.
Belzan
Smithdown Road’s award-winning restaurant’s celebrating eight years of serving seasonal small plates, natural wine, and cocktails – and you’ll be celebrating too when you savour some of its fabulous food and get a ‘Christmas’ greeting. You can’t use the app on its Christmas Cook At Home kit, but you can use it on every – wonderful – thing else.
Find out more here.
Manolo
We can’t believe some people still don’t know about the Caribbean-inspired cocktail lounge and late-night bar on Slater Street, but we suspect that’s all going to change after it was voted Newcomer of the Year at the Top 50 Cocktail Bar Awards … and it’s signed up to Shuffle.
Find out more here.
Petit Cafe du Coin
Wine, gorgeous cocktails, and music – is there anything else you could possibly want from this fab little bar that brings a little bit of Paris to Liverpool via its Berry Street and Lark Lane spaces? Oh yes, it’s Christmas Cocktail Specials, and live jazz every weekend, including throughout the festive period!
Find out more here.
Pasta Cosa
And now the authentic family-run Italian restaurant in Castle Street has got a new – even larger – Albert Dock counterpart to ensure you can get your fix of favourite handmade pasta dishes with the most amazing freshly-made sauces.
Find out more here.
Kazimier Garden
The Kaz is Liverpool’s original garden bar and while it’s a favourite for locals, visitors love it too. It serves up a great selection of European and craft beers, with food and snacks available from the Kaz Kitchen.
Find out more here.
Maray
Whether you head to the Royal Albert Dock or Maray’s Bold Street eatery you’ll enjoy a feast of Middle Eastern-inspired food and, while we know their Disco Cauliflower is always a hit, Maray have got some festive specials like Maray Sprouts with garlic and cranberry, and turkey leg shawarma with harissa and pickled chilli that’ll have you salivating until the man in red arrives… plus mulled wine, Christmas cocktails and more.
Find out more here.
Junkyard Golf Club
Three mashed-up crazy golf courses and a bonkers karaoke room mean you’re always in for a mad time, and at this time of year Junkyard goes all out to get the par-tee started with Christmas socials and packages from its Swingle Bells to the Ho-Ho-Hole Shebang with golf, drinks, festive food and more.
Find out more here.
Use the code ‘GUIDE03’ when downloading the Shuffle app to get your first three months free – download here.
Find out more about Shuffle 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 families of children supported by three charities including Zoe’s Place enjoyed a special night at Chester Zoo, thanks to a donation from Cheshire-based financial services provider MBNA.
The event saw 200 people attend, including the children’s families, to give everyone an “opportunity to make precious memories this Christmas.”
Families were invited from three local charities, Hope House Hospice, Zoe’s Place and The Joshua Tree, and enjoyed food, drinks, face painting and exclusive entertainment, as well as the zoo’s winter Lanterns and Light trail – one of the North West’s most popular winter attractions.
The special night was made possible as a result of a long-standing partnership between Chester Zoo and MBNA’s award-winning Community Investment Programme, an initiative dedicated to strengthening local community engagement.
For many of the families involved, organisers said the evening offered a rare chance to enjoy time together away from daily challenges.
Victoria Dowd, MBNA’s Community Investment Manager, said the bank was “delighted” to support an evening designed entirely around local families.
She said:
“It was such a privilege to be able to host a special night for local charities and give so many families the opportunity to enjoy a festive outing together with everything taken care of.
“Lanterns and Light is hugely popular and we’re delighted to be able to extend our existing partnership with Chester Zoo to give so many deserving families an amazing experience at this year’s event.”
The event took place at The Square, one of the zoo’s new event spaces, before families headed out onto the illuminated route after dark.
Lanterns and Light is one of the region’s longest-running winter light trails and features an array of immersive installations, including neon-lit pathways, life-sized animal puppets and a host of dazzling light displays.
Cat Humes, Strategic Partnerships Assistant Manager at Chester Zoo, said the zoo was proud to help create an evening filled with memories families could treasure.
Cat Humes said:
“We’re incredibly proud to host this special event. For us, it means a great deal to give children and their families an opportunity to make precious memories this Christmas – moments they can truly cherish.
“It was a magical night, and seeing how happy the children were made it even more special for our team. Being able to welcome these families and give them the space to enjoy the trail together is something we’re honoured to be part of.”
Find out more about Zoe’s Place here.
Find more about the incredible work of Zoe’s Place on our website.
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.
Christmas cheer spread through Alder Hey Children’s Hospital on Wednesday the Everton first team squad made their annual festive visit to spend time with patients and their families.
Moyes, Men’s team coach Leighton Baines, Club captain Seamus Coleman and winger Jack Grealish headed to the wards to meet and hand out gifts to youngsters who are currently undergoing treatment, or facing the prospect of spending the festive period in hospital.
Meanwhile, the rest of the squad joined a special Christmas party for Evertonians who have been patients at the West Derby facility throughout the past 12 months.
The players arrived armed with gifts for each child, before making sure no-one in the room was left without a selfie, autograph or video message.
Defender Michael Keane said:
“It’s my eighth or ninth time of visiting Alder Hey at Christmas time now and it’s always something we look forward to as a squad.
“These families have had a lot of really tough times, especially the kids, and you always come away having been told what a difference it makes to them.
“One kid just said to me, “this is better than Christmas Day!”. So anything you can do like this as a footballer, it’s very special and important, and we’re happy to be here to see everyone.”
Youngsters at the party lined up to take shots at goalkeepers Mark Travers and Harry Tyrer, as the duo’s outfield team-mates crowded round to cheer them on, while other activities included festive arts and crafts, table games and basketball.
The party, which has become an annual event, allows the hospital and Club’s Fan Engagement team to work together to bring back patients who have had a challenging time throughout the year and ensure they, too, receive the lift of meeting their Blues heroes at this special time.
Keane added:
“There’s a great atmosphere, as always. The kids are obviously excited but it’s also important that we get to speak with the parents, who will have had difficult years and may even be here in the hospital with their little ones for Christmas. And the staff, too, who do incredible things every day.”
Alder Hey remains one of Europe’s biggest and busiest children’s hospitals, treating everything from common illnesses to highly complex and specialist conditions.
Find out more about Alder Hey here.
Find out whats on at Hill Dickinson Stadium 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.
Historic Speke Hall is fully decked for Christmas and looking absolutely stunning – and it has a fabulous festive line-up of events throughout December to give everyone a very merry day out.
From carols in the Great Hall, to a Christmas murder mystery and storytime with Father Christmas for little ones, it’s got something for the whole family to enjoy.
Add some extra magic to your celebrations this year, here are 7 reasons why you should visit Speke Hall this festive season …
It’s the perfect setting with the rooms all dressed for the season
The Tudor house has had a festive transformation, with decorations, garlands, twinkling lights and dressed trees all in place and looking beautiful. This really is the perfect time to visit and immerse yourself in the unique experience of Christmas from a bygone era. The house is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until December 21, from 12.30pm to 4pm (last entry 3.30pm).
Visit the Community Christmas Tree Orchard that’s been created with local community groups
The gardens of Speke Hall are lovely all year round, but now there’s an added attraction because the Community Christmas Tree Orchard has returned for a second year. Take a stroll through the traditional orchard, decorated for the season by local community groups and partners.
There’s a Merry Mice Family Trail that the whole family can enjoy
Children love to follow a trail, and they don’t come any cuter than this one. Speke Hall’s Merry Mice have been keeping themselves busy around the grounds of the Hall in the run-up to the big day, so join the Family Trail and discover exactly what they’ve been up to!
The Home Farm Restaurant is serving up festive treats
No Christmas day out is complete without a tasty treat and Home Farm Restaurant has plenty to tempt you including a choice of freshly cooked mains, mince pies and gorgeous homemade scones, which pair up perfectly with a festive flavoured hot drink.
Second Hand Bookshop
Tucked away in the historic buildings at Home Farm is Speke Hall’s second-hand bookshop, Speke’s Volumes. Pop in and discover a treasure trove of fiction and non-fiction, and support our conservation work at the same time. As it’s run by volunteers, opening times can vary, but it’s usually open every day in the early afternoon. Pop in today to find your next page-turner.
Find moments of peace and connection to nature
The garden at Speke Hall is filled with colour and history, and there are plenty of spots to relax and feel close to nature on the estate. There’s always something new to discover as you explore one of the best places to go for a walk in Merseyside and the North West.
Kids under 5 go free!
There’s plenty for children to see and do at Speke Hall, even the littlest of visitors, and the good news for families is entry is free for under 5s so you can make a festive family day of it!