WALRUS 63

New Brighton Community Centre

1a Hope Street

Wirral

CH45 2LN

Tel: 630 2626

www.newbrightononline.org.uk

WHAT’S ON AT YOUR CENTRE

New Brighton One Stop Shop– is open Monday to Friday from 11am till 3pm.This is a great service that provides invaluable help for local people right on their doorstep. It also includes a free phone facility and private rooms with a loop system for those that are hard of hearing. It provides assistance on all the Wirral Borough Council services including the Pension Service, Age Concern & the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) which also operates advice surgeries once a week for the Polish Community and offers them vital assistance. Lunch Club- this provides a lifeline for those people & families on low incomes as well as elderly people. It is a great way for people to get to know each other and make friends in a very friendly environment. It also provides days out to places of interest; the latter is kindly provided by Wallasey Lions Club. Lunch is served Tuesday/Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 12.30pm and a 3 course meal is only £3.99 with a mug of tea or coffee. You can come in from 12noon and make yourself comfortable with a read of the free newspapers. Yoga Class – Every Friday morning. 9.30am – 10.30am. Ring Chelsea on 678 8102 for more detail Credit Union – this offers people community loans which are a vital means of support in the present economic situation and are a very important helping hand for those people seeking work and on low incomes, particularly those struggling to survive financially. It meetsevery Tuesday 10am to 11am

Wirral Pathfinders – Mental Health/Self Help Support Group

This group was established in 1992 to support people, their family and carers, for whom depression, anxiety and mental health problems are part of everyday life. It has gone on to help hundreds learn to manage their problems, building up their self-esteem and confidence, helping them to remove their feelings of isolation. The club meets every Thursday – 7pm – 9pm and a very warm welcome awaits all those that come along. (Attendance 30)Computer Suite– This service which started in 2002 offers local residents’ free internet and email addresses. It’s a valuable resource were residents can surf the web, search for jobs and relax in comfortable surroundings. They can also enjoy a cup of tea/coffee and seek the assistance of the ICT Facilitator should they have any problems or need advice. Residents can also scan documents, use the photocopier or fax. A local Neighbourhood Police Surgery is held every Tuesday morning 10-12pm for residents experiencing problems with anti social behaviour and other associated problems. Reach Out– provides engagement activity through door knocking, to identify and refer clients to both mainstream delivery organisations and to other relevant projects progressing clients into employment and training. The project goes onto develop action plans with clients through Employment Support Workers, progressing clients into employment and removing barriers through use of a discretionary fund. Art Classes – Every Monday 1pm till 3pm. Accent on enjoyment rather than talent. Tuition at all levels, all materials provided. Phone Iris for more details on: 638 8472. A Ameets every Tuesday morning between 11am till 12.30pm – Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. If your drinking is causing you problems then you have come to the right place

For more information have a look at our website or phone for more details

The new year at the Light Cinema New Brighton was an unprecedented success, thanks to the best of British-made films, including:-

“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” – a favourite with our loyal Silver Screen audiences;

“Skyfall” – the first film in UK Cinema history to gross over £100m.
“Les Miserables” – still filling screens since its opening on 11 January. This stirring and emotive musical had customers reaching for the complimentary tissues provided by our wonderful team.

We have had good reason to celebrate our first anniversary as our audience numbers have rocketed, bringing visitors from all parts of the Wirral and beyond, to the jewel in the crown of New Brighton’s regeneration at Marine Point.

We pride ourselves on excellent customer service and go the extra mile to provide a superior cinema experience.

Our extra comfy seats, licensed auditoria, mixed programme and competitive offers ensure that the Light is the cinema of choice on the Wirral.
Working closely with other businesses, Marine Point offers an unbeatable range of retail, restaurant and leisure experiences ranging from watersports to children’s entertainment, plus retail, restaurant and leisure – making New Brighton Wirral’s premier leisure destination.
Our classical programme of opera and ballet continues to delight audiences – and due to popular demand, we have added more screenings to our full and varied programme, to include:

• Andrea Bocelli – Love Songs from Portofino (a Mother’s Day Treat) – Sat 9 March, 7.30pm Sunday 10 March, 4.30pm;
• Ennio Morricone – Live from the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday 21 May;
• “Chasing Ice” on Monday 22 April, 7.00pm, with a special introduction from Greenpeace. Dr Miguel Angel Morales Maqueda, an expert on the Arctic Ocean and sea ice dynamics working at the National Oceanography Centre (University of Liverpool) will introduce this Oscar-nominated documentary, and there will an opportunity for Q&As afterwards. The stunning film follows National Geographic photographer James Balog across the Arctic as he deploys time-lapse cameras designed for one purpose: to capture a multi-year record of the world’s changing glaciers.
• Opera Australia’s exquisite recording of “Madama Butterfly” will be coming in June (date tbc).

Another unique series of events at the Light is “The Comedy Store: Raw & Uncut” (Cert 18) – giving audiences a unique opportunity to enjoy the very best in comedy from London’s legendary home of stand-up in the comfort of their local cinema. The first installment will be launched in cinemas on 22 February with the remaining three shows following in fortnightly intervals
We hope to see you at the Light Cinema soon – where we guarantee a truly wonderful cinematic experience for everyone!
 

Vintage Radio (listen on the Internet)

Vintage is a community radio station Vintageradio.org.uk log on and listen to this station available on the internet the presenters read out items of Community Interest on a regular basis. So if you are having a function or a fund raising occasion please send the details to Vintageradio in the form of a e-mail for inclusion on the Live Days.

Special Message to all members of Community Groups in particular the Parks & Gardens and Open Spaces organisations, make sure your contact details are included in the Wirral Parks Friends Forums, this blog spot is designed to let all Friends Group members to see what is happening in other like-minded organisations, it is an easy way you can communicate with many other locations who are involved in the same sort of interests as yourself. Log on to http://www.WPFF.org.uk and check it out and see if this is of assistance.

Easter Services at New Brighton Baptist Church

Maundy Thursday 7:45pm
Good Friday Service 11am
Easter Morning Celebration 11am
Evening Praise 6:30pm
‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’
ALL WELCOME

Come and see us any Sunday
Sunday 11:00 am Morning Service plus Sunday School
Sunday 6:30pm Evening Service
ALL WELCOME
Any question about the Christian Faith… just ask
New Brighton Baptist Church
Tel: 0151 639 8507

It’s been 100 years since the Floral Pavilion Theatre first opened its doors in its original incarnation as an open-air pavilion and bandstand with a programme of variety turns under General Manager Howard Innes.

As many Walrus readers will know, the site was originally home to the Ham & Egg Parade, a row of shops and guest houses with a scandalous reputation. Locally known as an unpopular eyesore, the buildings were demolished to make way for the Victoria Gardens which incorporated the Floral Pavilion and opened on 3rd May 1913.

Since 1913 the building has seen a number of alterations and improvements, including the auditorium being enclosed with glass in 1925 and a new stage, dressing rooms and metal-sheeting outer walls in 1965 and 1966. Finally, the theatre was demolished and completely re-built in 2008 to be re-opened by Ken Dodd on 13th December of that year.

The Floral Pavilion is celebrating this remarkable milestone with a fantastic Centenary Concert, affectionately titled With A Little Help From Our Friends and featuring a number of Floral Pavilion favourites on the 3rd May 2013.

Another New Brighton Timelines Walk for 2013

Sunday 24^th March 2013 at 2.00pm “A Portrait of New Brighton”. A gentle stroll around the town which – using rare pictures and archive material – will explore the areas history and heritage from 1899 to 1969.

This walk is £2.00 per person, will last around 90 minutes and will start from – and finish at – New Brighton Heritage Centre, 90 Victoria Road (children are free !!). Please call or phone the Heritage Centre on 0151 639 3555 as advance booking is essential and names must be recieved by Monday 18th March. In the event of bad weather an indoors talk will be held at the Heritage Centre. Timelines walks follow on from the series of successful events held in summer 2012 and the walk leader for each is Barry P Humphreys. Join us and have a different sort of Sunday afternoon !.

On the 24th January 1863 a brand new lifeboat named ‘Rescue’ funded by the RNLI, 42 foot long and built of iron with a tubular construction was inaugurated at a ceremony in Liverpool watched by a gathering of 50,000. The lifeboat was launched and showed her paces for the cheering crowds before being towed to her new station at New Brighton.

As the first event to celebrate our 150 years the volunteers of the station organised a Dinner Dance at the Leasowe Castle Hotel attended by 140 dignitaries, lifeboat and fundraising volunteers from New Brighton and Hoylake, supporters and guests. Dame Lorna Muirhead D.B.E., Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside and Mr Ronald Muirhead and The Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral Councillor Gerry Ellis and Mrs Margaret Ellis were our guests for the evening.

RNLI Council member Mr Anthony Hannay presented a Vellum to the station Lifeboat Operations Manager Graham Sale signed by the President of the RNLI, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, states ‘The Royal National Lifeboat Institution Gratefully Recognises 150 years Services of New Brighton Lifeboat Station from 1863 to 2013. The event was funded entirely through the sale of tickets plus a raffle with prizes donated by local organisations who support us. Website:www.newbrightonlifeboat.org.uk

Events later in the year will concentrate on providing sea and beach safety advice to local schools and supporting locally organised events where possible.

‘Have you saved any pirates ’

A question asked when we attended St Georges Primary School for the first of our planned school events when they held a uniform free day in support of the RNLI biggest fundraising day and raised a magnificent £730.

620 children received sea and beach safety advice from a team of 4 of our volunteers. Teachers and pupils got into the swing by trying on lifeboat gear and lifejackets. A follow up visit is planned for later in the year to expand the safety message further.

Tickets for Hand in Hand Theatre’s
THE CRUCIBLE are selling like hot cakes!

Friday 8th and Sat 9th March at The Floral Pavilion New Brighton.

The school’s matinee and the evening performances only have a few
tickets available and you will need to book to avoid disappointment.

The saturday Matinee does have more availability at the moment but
demand may be high once the company have given a “free extract
preview” to audiences at the World Museum and Melrose Hall Hoylake
this month.

Arthur Miller’s powerful story of the Salem Witch trials is
electrifying as the characters are trapped in a web of betrayal and
hysteria. A fine cast of experienced actors from across Wirral come
together to give their dramatic interpretation of this classic text.

In the lead role of John Proctor is Michael Hetherington, a versatile
wallasey actor who is as much at home in drama, as comedy and musical.
Previously nomiated for Best Actor in a drama at the Noda NW awards,
he is again nominated  for his role last year in the musical Me &My
Girl (St Pauls Operatic Society)

Hand in Hand ‘s Director Bev Clark is also nominated  for Best
Director for her production of her own play AFTER THE DREAM last
summer. She has also be nominated in the past and won Best Director at
The Leverhulme Festival in 2011.

Many of the cast have been involved in acclaimed productions across
the region and once again Andy Taylor has composed an  atmospheric
original soundtrack .

TICKETS from the Floral Pavilion Box Office 0151 666 0000 or
www.floralpavilion.com

HAND IN HAND THEATRE

In 1980 we watched in horror as the results of the Ceausescu years were unfolded in the TV news. OCC was started by Dave and Jill Cooke of Wrexham in a response to these scenes, little did they know that 22 years later more than 100 million shoeboxes would have been wrapped, packed, and sent out to needy children all over the world. This is fantastic news – over 100 million happy children whose lives have been changed by receiving a gift of joy and love. As always the kind-hearted people of the Wirral made a significant contribution to the UK total by wrapping and filling 11,150 shoeboxes with gifts and love. Of these 7,818 went by container to Swaziland whilst the remaining 3,332 shoeboxes went by lorry to Romania. The national total for 2012 is currently 970,000 shoeboxes (this figure as of 4^th Feb – but it is not the final total).

The theme for last year’s campaign was “From One Community to Another”. Wirral OCC volunteers are a community who work all year round to make and accumulate shoebox gifts. Groups meet regularly to “knit and natter”. Hats, scarves, gloves, bags, games and other gifts are made from scratch or by imaginative recycling of such unwanted items as CDs, video boxes and plastic milk bottle tops. We scour the shops for bargains and clear the shelves when we find them. We fill our spare rooms, attics and garages with accumulated goodies. In a great example of community effort, Woodchurch Methodist church worked with other churches in the estate; the Methodist churches in Tranmere, Moreton and Prenton; staff and residents at Wesley Grange and Harvest Court; the 5^th Heswall Cubs; their own youth club; and local schools in Woodchurch to produce a staggering 1000 boxes. A real community effort which brought together young and old to enjoy each other’s company and learn together about the difference that a shoebox can make – not only to the child who receives it but also to the person who gives it.

On behalf of the children in Swaziland and Romania who have received boxes we would like to say thank you for making a difference to the life of a child. These children may be orphaned, diseased, homeless, traumatised by war, and /or living in dire poverty; they are the last, the least, and the lost. A shoebox filled with gifts can make an enormous difference to the child who receives it – each box brings joy and each box brings the love of the person who packed it. The shoebox itself will not solve the material problems that the child endures, but it brings hope to the child and to others in the community.

It may seem ridiculously early to think about Christmas, but now is the ideal time to start collecting items to fill a box. Look out for bargains and buy them when you see them. Aim to pick up one or two gifts each month and by October you will have accumulated enough to fill at least one box! If you need ideas or if you want to know more, please take a look at the OCC website (http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/) or look at the OCC Facebook page or our own “Wirral OCC” Facebook page. You can also leave comments or questions on either page or contact our Area Coordinator, Margaret on 07708037969. We are always happy to answer questions and we have trained CRB-checked speakers who are more than happy to speak to groups, small or large, about OCC (it’s never too early). Please get in touch!

Patricia Hardman

Bubbles’ World of Play is pleased to announce that it will be opening its 21,000 sq ft state of the art Childrens’s Edutainment Centre in mid March at Marine Point, New Brighton. It will feature the largest play frame in the UK and will cater for 0 – 11 year olds. The play frames are divided into a number of areas, each catering for different age ranges. The New York themed Baby & Toddler Area provides a safe and secure large baby play area, toddler frame and sensory area for ages 0 – 3. There is also a private baby feeding room within the baby area . The Role Play City (comprising of a number of ‘businesses’ including a vets, café, police station, garage and shop) will cater for 2 – 6 year olds and the larger 5 level frame is designed for children upto the the age of 11.

 Comprising of over 30 different ‘countries’ and zones split over the 5 levels, each with its own educational content and interactive elements; Bubbles’ World of Play will not only provide the best play experience around but one that is both educational and fitness enhancing.

 Grown ups can accompany their younger children onto the frames or sit and relax in our comfortable seating areas enjoying COFFEE REPUBLIC teas and Coffee and high quality food; knowing that their children are safe, secure and happy exploring what is going to be the most innovative play structure in the world. Our extensive CCTV system provides extra peace of mind with adults being able to watch their children on the monitors located around the seating areas. We also offer free WIFI and a number of computer terminals which provide multimedia training courses on varying computer topics (such as Microsoft Office, Email and web browsing).

 For the latest news please sign up to the newsletter on our website www.bubblesworldofplay.co.uk or follow our facebook page.

 Thank you for the fantastic support so far, our very own Panda Bear, Bubbles can’t wait to visit New Brighton.

 The Bubbles World of Play Team

Exciting times at Mount Primary for the staff and children as they organise events around their UNICEF Rights Respecting School ambassador role. As well as hosting a number of visiting schools, they have;
1. Held a Week for Change between February 11th to the 15th, based around the theme of; ‘lunch is a lifeline’. The children have been learning about the challenges that other children and families face to grow, harvest and eat food in West Africa. The week finished with a celebration afternoon to raise money. Parents came in and visited the fair trade cafe and took part in cultural events including dance and crafts.
2. Organised a variety of fun fundraising activities including cake sales and Easter egg hunts.