FREE LUNCHTIME CLASSICAL CONCERT

THE Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra will be staging its next free lunchtime concert on 27 May (Thursday), 

Tourism officers in Sefton have teamed up with the orchestra to organise a series of free monthly lunchtime concerts to Bootle Town Hall. This latest series finishes on June 24th but plans are to continue the concerts in September after the summer break.

The May concert, ‘Eleanor Hudson Harp Recital’ will take place from 12:30pm until 1:30pm. The programme will include the works of Bach and Debussy.

Seating will be available for 300 which will be provided on a first come first served basis. Refreshments will also be available in the Assembly Hall. 

LETTERS TO EDITOR:- HOVERING THIEVES 

"I would like to say to pub-goers and bar lovers across the Southport and Merseyside area to warn people about your belongings - and particularly your mobile phone.

Do not take your mobile phone into Baker's Bar of Southport unless you can keep a tight grip of it as it has a high probability of being stolen from your bag or pocket.

I made this mistake last weekend after taking mine out for emergencies and going into the bar for the first time. 

A group of men were hovering around the bar and I assumed them to be friendly pleasant people when in fact their motives were far more sinister. These men were nothing but sleazy scum that watched our every move and then removed my brand new Samsung e700 camera phone that was an anniversary present.

I am enraged that they stole the photographs of my boyfriend that meant a lot to me. I am unemployed and unable to replace the phone. I wanted to warn people not to make the same mistake as I made. Even the doorman seem apathetic as when I reported the incident to him he seemed disinterested and assured me that it wasn't unusual that someone's phone was to go missing on a night out.

I feel uncomfortable going out now and unable to relax on a night out. People like this are scum in my opinion and I feel I may never be able to go out as a result without feeling slightly paranoid."  
Jules

Editorial comment…. This is not just a problem with this bar, Jules. It is a national problem that the police and phone operators have been trying to address for some time now. Next week we will run a report about what to do should your phone get stolen and steps you can take to stop it getting stolen. 

WONDERFUL WEEKEND IS PART OF MERSEY RIVER FESTIVAL

LIVERPOOL'S Friend Ship is proving to be this summer's hottest ticket for the city's schoolchildren!

The entire summer term has been booked up by Liverpool's schools in just three days, meaning more than five thousand youngsters from 36 schools will work with the interactive learning vessel between now and July.

The Friend Ship was launched in March and will chart a course to each primary and special school in the city.

Forty thousand youngsters will board the ship during 2004 - the year of Faith in One City - to learn more about friendship, tolerance and diversity.

Kathy Heywood, Liverpool Culture Company's Creative Schools Programme Officer, said:- "The response from schools has been incredible, the phones have been red hot since we started taking bookings for the Friend Ship. It is so encouraging to see that our schools really want to take ownership of the project."

A website which supports the project (www.liverpoolculture.com) enables schools who haven't already booked their visit from the Friend Ship to find out more details.

Wirral Dog Wins Top National Award

LOCAL Dog enthusiasts Sue and Neil Shinkfield were thrilled when their dog, Notrella No Regrets won fourth prize at a top national competition.

Sue and Neil entered their Cocker Spaniel, known at home as Robyn in the Vetzyme Pick of the Litter competition.

They were thrilled when Robyn was runner up fourth overall in this prestigious show series.

"We're thrilled with the result" said Sue. "Robyn has done really well and we are so proud of her."

The event is supported by Seven Seas Pet and Animal Care and runs throughout the year with points gained at dog shows all over the country being accumulated to find the Vetzyme Pup of the Year.

Find out what this is all about very soon!