FASHION SHOW TO RAISE FUNDS FOR LOCAL CRIME VICTIMS AND WITNESSES

VICTIM Support is calling parents and children of all ages to attend a Clothes Horse fashion show at The Old School House, Huyton, Liverpool, on Friday, 19 November 2010, to raise money for local victims and witnesses of crime.

Items on the catwalk include children’s and women’s clothing from stores such as Next, Monsoon, Debenhams, BHS, New Look and many more well known brands and will later be sold with a big discount on the original store prices. 10% of all sales will be given to Victim Support, and the money will be put towards helping local people affected by crime, in their community and at court.

The evening will be packed with entertainment, including a raffle with the chance to win some great prizes.

Pam Davies, Victim Support’s Volunteer Co-ordinator in Liverpool, said:- “This is a good opportunity to enjoy a great night of fashion at a fun event and will give everyone the chance to buy clothes at discounted prices. Better still, the proceeds will be put towards helping local victims and witnesses of crime, making a big difference in helping them find the strength to move on with their lives.”

Tickets for the fashion show cost £2.50 each, and £1 for children accompanied by an adult. For more information, or to book a ticket, please contact Pam on:- 0151 480 9704, or email.  Tickets may be available on the door but this will be subject to availability. The charity is also looking for local children to model items on the catwalk, so if you know someone who would be interested, please get in contact with Pam.

Doctor Who voted greatest sci-fi TV show of all time!

DOCTOR Who has been declared the greatest sci-fi & fantasy TV show of all time by top genre Totalscifionline.com.

The BBC’s long-running series about the time-travelling Doctor and his ever-changing companions saw off stiff competition from over 60 years’ worth of genre television. Star Trek: The Original Series, starring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, was voted into second place, while Rod Serling’s classic anthology series The Twilight Zone rounded out the top three.

Doctor Who first hit our screens in 1963 with William Hartnell in the role of the Doctor. Since then, the character has regenerated 10 times, most recently in the form of Matt Smith in this year’s acclaimed season.

Totalscifionline editor Matt McAllister said:- “There have been plenty of mind-bending, thought-provoking SF shows in the history of television, but none have proven as enduring as Doctor Who. The key to the show’s longevity has been its ability to re-invent itself for new generations while maintaining a consistency in tone and character, and the Daleks and TARDIS have now become part of our cultural landscape. 2010 saw Who head in yet another triumphant direction – surely another 50 years are guaranteed?”

Viewers can get a sneak peek of this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special on Children in Need, this Friday on BBC One.

The full Top 10 Sci-Fi and Fantasy TV shows are:-

1) Doctor Who (1963-present)
2) Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-69)
3) The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
4) The X-Files (1993-2002)
5) The Prisoner (1967-68)
6) Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
7) Battlestar Galactica (2004-09)
8) The Quatermass Experiment (1953)
9) Star Trek - The Next Generation (1987-1994)
10) Babylon 5 (1993-98)

Neptune deal reaches final act!

THE CURTAIN is rising on a new era for Liverpool’s historic Neptune theatre after the council paved the way for an impresario to stage shows there for the next decade.

Council Leader Joe Anderson has finalised a deal with the venue’s landlord, David Ramsey, to extend the council’s under lease of the venue from three years to 12.

It means the Neptune is now a much more attractive proposition for theatre operators with a long-term vision for the venue. The city council and Mr Ramsey are hoping it will help attract expressions of interest from some of the biggest operators in the industry who can deliver the very best shows.

The city council has also accepted an offer of £550,000 for the lease of the building from David Ramsey, on behalf of Hanover Estates. The term of the lease has been extended from 38 years to 135 years. As soon as the paperwork is finalised, at the beginning of January, work on the external renovation of the building will begin.

Merseyside-based Nobles Construction began carrying out preparatory work on the interior of the building last month after Councillor Anderson received consent from Mr Ramsey for its refurbishment. The completion of the deals for the lease and underlease, following years of legal stalemate, is a hugely important step in the Neptune’s £750,000 restoration.

Councillor Joe Anderson said:- “The re-opening of the Neptune has long been one of my personal priorities – and completing this deal has brought it another step closer to reality. The theatre has played a hugely important role in this city for many, many years – as one of our shining cultural jewels, as a platform for new and celebrated performers and as an invaluable resource for community groups. The feedback we were receiving from theatre operators was that a three-year lease would not be sufficient for them to develop their long term plans. This new, 12-year arrangement will give the chosen operator the time and scope they need to fully realise their vision and create a first-class venue. I’m delighted we are now in a position to forge ahead with our plans to restore the Neptune to its rightful place as one of the city’s leading performance venues.”

Acquired by Liverpool Corporation in 1967 to be "run by the people, for the people" the 97 year old, Grade II listed theatre closed its doors in 2005 due to health and safety reasons.

The restoration will see the 400-seat Edwardian venue brought up to 21st century standards, with new mahogany front doors, crystal chandeliers and modernisation features such as disabled toilets and wheelchair accessibility throughout.

The theatre will also be renamed in honour of Brian Epstein - former manager of The Beatles – who guided the Fab Four from popular cellar act to global superstardom. Epstein began his career in music at the Neptune venue when Crane’s Music Store sat below what was then Crane’s Music Hall.

David Ramsey, who performed at the Neptune as a boy and has managed Hanover House since 1985, said:- "These are exciting times for the Neptune. I’m very pleased that we have been able to agree terms and remove the final obstacles facing us in the theatre’s redevelopment. I’m grateful to Councillor Anderson for his positivity and commitment which has played a major part in us achieving this outcome. The pieces really are falling into place for a fantastic new era for the Neptune and I’m looking forward to the legal formalities being completed as soon as possible so that work can begin in earnest.”