Dozens of fantastic free events at National Museums Liverpool

ENJOY the amazing world of museums and galleries over the spring and Easter breaks with a series of free family events designed to enthral, entertain and educate visitors of all ages.

It’s Grand National time again and over at the Walker Art Gallery there is the Horsey Horsey fun workshop between 1pm and 4pm on 8 April 2011.

Look at the gallery’s stunning horse paintings by Liverpool artist George Stubbs – probably the greatest painter of horses. Marvel at Molly Longlegs – the great 18th century racehorse – and design your own jockey silks.

St George’s Day falls on Easter Saturday this year and visitors can mark it a week early with a George and the Dragon workshop between 1pm and 4pm on 16 April 2011 inspired by James Campbell’s painting Dragon’s Den. You can also decorate your own movable knight.

Family workshops are held every weekend between 2.30pm and 4pm at the World Museum. The events at the Weston Discovery Centre focus on Egyptology, archaeology and music from around the world – reflecting the museum’s incredible international collections.

The Planetarium has a host of additional shows over the holiday when visitors travel to outer space in their chairs.

Visitors can experience The Spring Night Sky (12 noon and 3.15pm weekdays, 1.45pm and 3.15pm weekends), Magnificent Desolation (2.15pm every day) and Wonders of the Solar System (4.05pm everyday).

In addition, on Saturdays and Sundays there is The Sunshine Show at 1.15 pm.

At romantic Sudley House in Mossley Hill you can get into the Royal wedding spirit by visiting Hitched: Wedding Clothes and Customs. This heart-warming exhibition reveals the changing face of marriage over the past century.

There are around 20 wedding dresses and outfits and accessories along with photographs and ephemera revealing the many and varied traditions of weddings.

As spring has sprung, it’s time to be inspired by the beautiful springtime grounds around Sudley. Create your own bouquet of flowers collage 1pm to 4pm on 2 April 2011. Visitors can also make their own Easter bonnets 1pm to 4pm on 23 April 2011.

Imagine how Robert Hitchens felt – he was at the wheel of the Titanic when she struck the iceberg …and survived. In the lifeboat Hitchens was very bossy and faced a revolt by other survivors who threatened to throw him overboard!

See quartermaster Hitchen’s remarkable story brought to life by a resident actor at Merseyside Maritime Museum at 1.30p,, 2.30pm and 3.30pm on 2 April, 9 April and 13 April 2011.

Mother Redcap was a real 18th century smuggler whose incredible life has entered the realms of myths and legends. She kept a pub at Wallasey that was a haven for smugglers – it was riddled with secret hiding places and booby-traps to foil the customs officers.

Mother Redcap is back to captivate visitors to the museum with stories and songs about the dark and dangerous world of smuggling about the River Mersey. See her at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm on 9 April 2011.

It’s not all about looking and listening – you can make a customs officer’s hat and explore the issues of endangered animals, smuggling and fakes between 1pm and 4pm on 2 April. A week later 1pm to 4pm 9 April 2011 visitors can make a model cutter and find out about the fastest boats afloat.

The International Slavery Museum, in the Merseyside Maritime Museum building, has a host of fun - as well as thought-provoking - events.

Destination Freedom is based on the incredible true story of William and Ellen Craft, slaves in the southern USA who fled to freedom in the north. Ellen posed as a white male planter with her husband pretending to be her servant.

They became celebrities in the abolitionist movement before escaping to England after being threatened with a return to slavery. This performance at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm on 3 April 2011 tells of Ellen’s personal journey from enslavement to freedom.
At 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm on 4 April, 5 April, 11 April and 12 April 2011 visitors can meet Mbe the mischievous tortoise in an Igbo interactive story with values of honesty, trust and friendship.

The Vikings stormed into Britain on countless raids over the centuries and many stayed. They brought their own traditions and stories. Visitors can meet the embodiment of one – Kelda the giant puppet – at the Lady Lever Art Gallery.

Kelda, who is a young girl despite her size, has travelled from the past to discover Wirral’s treasures. She is around at 11.30pm, 1.30pm and 3pm on 9 April and 10 April 2011.

LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE COP SHOP OPENS ITS DOORS

BRITAIN'S first privately paid for city centre 'cop shop' opened its doors to the public on Monday, 28 March 2011.

The City Centre Access Point is a public-private sector partnership that sees Merseyside Police provided with a fully fitted out base by retail giant Land Securities, with the rent paid for by businesses via Liverpool's City Central Business Improvement District (BID), for the next three years.

The historic move will save council tax payers approximately £50,000 a year while offering them a direct point of contact with police in the heart of Liverpool city centre for the first time in more than 6 years.

Liverpool City Centre's policing team moved into their new community access point, situated on the ground floor of St Johns shopping centre over the weekend and are now opening their doors to the public.

Situated in a busy shopping area the 'cop shop' will make it easier for people living, working or visiting the city, to report crimes and provide quick responses to incidents such as lost children and allow officers to be more accessible.

Liverpool City Centre Chief Inspector Louise Harrison said:- "The 'cop shop' will provide a police base - for easy reporting and a highly visible police presence which is something that residents and visitors have asked for as an addition to a dedicated policing team which has always operated there. Liverpool city centre was recently awarded the purple flag - a recognition for being one of the safest cities in the UK, which is reflected in the hard work of Merseyside Police and partners, the same partnership that has worked so hard to get this project up and running."

Merseyside Police Authority Chairman, Bill Weightman, said:- "Members of our communities across Merseyside have told us they feel safer if they can see the police around them. Our new Cop Shop will help support this reassuring presence in Liverpool City Centre, and provide invaluable support to the many people who visit, live, work and shop in the heart of the city. Merseyside Police Authority is especially delighted that the location is privately funded, as this has allowed us to move forward with such a positive project with relative ease, even in these cash strapped times. It has also helped Merseyside Police Authority honour its commitment to our communities that it will not close any police access point without opening an equivalent alternative."

James Larmuth, portfolio manager at Land Securities, said:- "We initially came up with the idea and following various meetings with the City Centre Police team we developed a plan. We got the support of the City Central BID team and so we were then able to join forces and invest in this excellent public service for the City Centre. All City Centre retailers will benefit from the enhanced police presence making Liverpool one of the safest and friendliest cities to visit."

Ed Oliver, Chairperson of City Central BID, which represents 630 businesses across 49 acres of Liverpool city centre, said the 'cop shop' underlined what can be achieved when public and private sector work together.

Ed Oliver added that:- "Liverpool is clearly a very safe place, but having a direct point of access with the police has been a missing piece in the jigsaw and we're delighted to help rectify this and further improve the appeal of Liverpool city centre."

Alison Stathers-Tracey, Assistant Director for Community Safety, said:- "The introduction of a City Centre 'cop shop' makes Liverpool stand out as an example to other cities of what can be achieved if police and other public agencies are supported by private sector."

So what do you are readers think about this idea?  Do you think it is a good idea or not?  Why not let let us know your views about this 'cop shop' by emailing our newsroom via:- news24@southportreporter.com.