Welsh Civic Service for St David’s Day

LIVERPOOL'S historic links with Wales will once again be celebrated this St David’s Day. This year will be particularly special as the current Lord Mayor, Councillor Hazel Williams, was born in Cardiff.

For only the second time in its long history, the reception will take place at the Town Hall and will be presided over by Reverend Professor Doctor Ben Rees.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Hazel Williams said:- “Being born in Cardiff I can think of no better way to celebrate St David’s day than to honour Liverpool’s long standing links with Wales.  We are very fortunate to have such a close relationship with our Welsh neighbours and a strong welsh community here in Liverpool, and I’m sure we will continue to celebrate these links for many years to come.”

Doctor Rees said:- “The civic reception is always a joyous and momentous occasion. The welcome we receive from the people of Liverpool is second to none and just highlights the strength of feeling between Liverpool and Wales.”

The Welsh flag will fly at full mast from the Town Hall and the Welsh Choral Choir will be in attendance to lead the hymns which will be sung in English and Welsh.

Ramada Plaza leads nominations in top awards

A leading hotel has received more nominations than any other venue in this year’s Southport Ambassador Awards.  The Ramada Plaza has six employees shortlisted for the annual awards which recognise exceptional service to the public in the tourism, hospitality, leisure and retail sectors across Southport.   General Manager Enda Rylands said:- “To be nominated for these awards is a great achievement for our staff who work so hard throughout the year to give the best service possible for our guests. The nominees are very proud of what they’ve achieved here.”   The six staff on the shortlist for the Ambassador Awards, dubbed the ‘Ammies,’ are Kirsty Bevington (Most Welcoming Receptionist), Lisa Ray (Most Professional Chef), John Rigby (Best Bar Tender), Lucy Prescot (Young Person of the Year), Martin Godfrey (Most Supportive Manager) and John Cooper (Unseen Hero).   Mr Rylands added:- “In last year’s ceremony we won the Unseen Hero category through Alan Atkinson and were runners-up in The Most Supportive Manager award with Peter Robinson. We’re hoping to go one better this year and pick up a few more first place prizes to make it a night to remember for everyone at the hotel.”   The awards ceremony takes place on Wednesday, 30 March 2011, at the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre.  The Ramada Plaza, which is under the management of then hospitality, is set in the heart of the new waterfront development on Southport’s promenade close to the Victorian pier. It boasts 133 stylish rooms including eight with floor to ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the coastline.  Other facilities include a fitness suite, four meeting rooms and a brasserie. It is ideally situated next to Southport Theatre and Convention Centre and the Portland Hall Spa.  For more information about staying at the Ramada Plaza visit:- ramadaplazasouthport.co.uk.

COULD YOU CUT IT AS A BUTLER IN THE BUFF?

EXPERTS in etiquette, Butlers in the Buff are searching for Liverpool’s most gorgeous men with auditions taking place on Tuesday, 8 March 2011. Scouts will be scouring the streets and bars looking for the best men in Liverpool, if this sounds like you, the group Butlers in the Buff want you to contact them.

“We offer a high end service which makes any party exciting and memorable. Customers are as impressed with our Butler’s personalities and charming manner as they are with their toned bodies!” says Operations Director, Will Jones. Butlers in the Buff provide a full training program to all new recruits to ensure that they only provide butlers of the highest quality.

Current Butler Mike states:- “I love the job, I couldn’t think of a better way to earn money. At first you’re nervous but you soon forget that your bum is on display and you get on with serving drinks and mingling. The reaction from the guests is always positive – they love the idea, as it’s not sleazy it’s just fun!”

Look out for the Butlers in the Buff recruitment team... coming to a town near you!!

Non-voters on Merseyside insult freedom fighters in Libya

A North West Euro-MP has attacked people who never bother to vote as “smug” and “self-satisfied”, and claims that they insult protesters in the Middle East who are fighting now for the right to hold elections.  Chris Davies wants members of all political parties to unite in telling people who do not bother to vote that they make themselves impotent and irrelevant.

Writing on his blog, the Liberal Democrat MEP said that no political system was perfect but claimed that too many people in Britain had become complacent about the right to democracy.  He said: “People have fought in the past to get the vote in our country, and people in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya have laid down their lives to win the same right to influence the way they are governed through the ballot box.  No system is perfect, but democracy is the least-worst of all. If people here are angry with politicians they have the right to get off their backsides and do something to bring about change, and the luxury of not being shot for doing so.  The vote is precious, and even if people do not like the parties or the candidates on offer at elections they should run for office themselves rather than criticising people who do.”