July to end on a high

AN AWE-INSPIRING disaster movie about the consequences of climate change is to be performed in the skies of Liverpool in July.  As the World Tipped is a breathtaking spectacular combining dramatic video visuals with aerial performance to highlight the issue of climate change.

The stunning, FREE performance takes place outside Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral at 10pm on the evenings of 30 July and 31 July 2011 and will be performed by the city’s own Wired Aerial Theatre.  Wired have joined forces with world-renowned artistic director Nigel Jamieson – the man behind the hugely successful opening ceremony for Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture year in 2008.

As the World Tipped is a powerful tale of ecological crisis and confronts one of the most pressing issues for people and the planet with spectacle, humour and emotion. The action centres on the secretariat of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, where harassed staff fail to notice as the world around them literally slides towards disaster.

Suspended 20 metres above the audience in the night sky, the performers struggle to control their increasingly precarious world as they do battle with the effects of environmental catastrophe.  It will take place in the grounds of the Anglican Cathedral and the dramatic scenes will be acted out by a ten-strong cast.

The event has been commissioned by the city council and Liverpool Primary Care Trust as part of the Decade of Health and Wellbeing. The performance highlights one of the key aims of the Decade as Liverpool strives to become a greener city, with a healthy environment and a lower carbon footprint.

Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for culture and tourism, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "July is going to be a massive month for this city and As the World Tipped will make sure it ends on a high – quite literally!  The event will be a wonderful combination of aerial entertainment, providing an important message about the full-scale disaster we could be facing if we don’t address the issue of climate change.  And, with Nigel Jamieson involved, we can expect a memorable, high-quality event which will be reminiscent of the success of 2008.  This mind-blowing event follows hot-on-the-heels of the opening of the new Museum of Liverpool and Reflection on the Waterfront, which celebrates the centenary of the Liver Building with fantastic music and a never-seen-before in the UK 3D projection. Liverpool is the only place to be this July!"

Gideon Ben-Tovim, Chair of Liverpool Primary Care Trust, said:- "The Decade of Health and Wellbeing aims to make Liverpool more Equal, Well and Green in 2020. Liverpool has great potential to be a leading city in a low carbon future bringing economic advantage, health and environmental benefits to our people. As the World Tipped promises to be a really exciting way of enabling people to come together and connect to enjoy the event and consider some key issues for us all."

Nigel Jamieson, who wrote and directed the performance, said:- "A big passion in my life in recent times has been to use theatre to explore one of those issues that confronts all of us. This issue is climate change, which is one of the most important challenges the world faces and through performance we can confront this head-on in a powerful, dramatic way.  Liverpool’s own Wired Aerial Theatre is one of the most talented companies around and it’s been a fantastic experience working with them. It’s also been a real pleasure to return to Liverpool – I had an amazing time here working on the 08 celebrations and once again the city has made me so welcome, that Liverpool feels like my second home."

The Climate themed entertainment begins with special performances within The Cathedral from 7pm both evenings, and The Welsford and mezzanine cafés will both be welcoming guests throughout the evening. The tower will remain open for spectacular city views until last tickets at 9pm.

Eryl Parry, the cathedral’s Director of Enterprises, said:- "We are tremendously excited about being the venue for this important, innovative spectacular which promises to look stunning against the backdrop of our magnificent cathedral. Its ability to present an important ecological message in such a dramatic fashion will resonate with all those who, like us, care about the future of God’s earth. We look forward to welcoming many visitors, and those who come can enjoy all our Cathedral has to offer, as we stay open right up until the performance starts."

July will have already seen two high-profile events taking place on the Liverpool waterfront. The city’s newest building, the Museum of Liverpool opens on Tuesday, 19 July 2011 and the following weekend (22 July 2011 to 24 July 2011) Reflection on the Waterfront will take place to celebrate the centenary of the Liver Building and welcome the addition of the museum to the waterfront.

For more information about As the World Tipped visit:- astheworldtipped.com.  For more information about On the Waterfront visit:- liverpoolonthewaterfront.co.uk.  For more information about the Decade of Health and Wellbeing website.  

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHILD POVERTY AND LIFE CHANCES COMMISSION

THE Liverpool City Region is doing the right things to tackle child poverty and improve life chances. That’s the message from Frank Field MP, who chairs the Liverpool City Region Child Poverty and Life Chances Commission. Mr Field, who was asked to conduct a national review into poverty and life chances in children and young people by the Prime Minister, is leading the Commission to put in place a strategy to tackle child poverty across the City Region.

Mr Field’s independent review culminated in ‘The Foundation Years’ report and recommended focusing on a child’s early years development to improve life chances.

Speaking at the national Welfare to Work Convention in Manchester, Mr Field will say:- “For too long, the sole focus of Government was on trying to lift people out of poverty through increasingly generous welfare payments. Current research shows that class is important in determining outcomes in adulthood, but it is important to note that most of the research has focussed on class as a factor to the exclusion of other potential factors."

However, arguing by analogy, before John Snow had identified water as the source of cholera – through his work on the Broad Street pump – it had always been assumed that cholera was airborne and consequently all of the research had focussed on this as the mechanism for transmission. The Foundation Years report argues that until now we have been having a similarly misleading debate on child poverty.

“Newly available evidence is beginning to show that the home environment is crucial in determining children’s life chances. It was on the weight of the evidence set out in the Foundation Years report that I offered the Government an alternative strategy to fighting poverty. The report argues that it is what parents do rather than what parents are which is important when determining life chances.”

He will also tell the conference:- “It is absolutely imperative that we all work together on this as no organisation can solve this issue on its own.

This is one of the reasons why I am pleased to be chairing the City Region Child Poverty and Life Chances Commission. This is bringing together the key organisations within the City Region to look at practical steps to tackle child poverty and improve life chances.”

Does Southport have the UK’s Favourite Chinese restaurant?

TV chef and food author, Ching-He Huang, has partnered with China’s number one exported beer, Tsingtao, to protect the heritage of Chinese cooking. The team is set to reward the best authentic Chinese restaurants in the UK via the fourth annual Tsingtao Legacy of Taste competition and the winning restaurant could be in Southport. You can vote for a local restaurant you think is worthy of the title online and you’ll automatically be entered into a draw to win flights for 2 to China, courtesy of Cathay Pacific.   An advocate of the yin-yang philosophy of Chinese cooking and heralding the enjoyment of healthy Chinese food in the UK, Ching says:- "My inspiration for cooking comes from my Taiwanese grandparents and those influences are apparent in all my cooking activities. It means a lot to me to be spearheading the Tsingtao Legacy of Taste competition, as maintaining the heritage of Chinese food is essential to ensure we enjoy it at its best.  There is much work to be done to shift the stigma of Chinese food in the UK. True authentic Chinese cooking involves plenty of vegetables, fresh meat and fish. If prepared properly, Chinese food is highly nutritious thanks to the quick stir-frying and steaming techniques and resulting in well-balanced dishes with all the goodness and nutrients retained.  I very much hope to be visiting a restaurant in Southport as part of the finalist judging process in September."   Previous winning restaurants have been in Manchester (Yang Sing), Hendon and Paddington. Nominate your favourite restaurant at:- legacyoftaste.co.uk.   The Tsingtao Legacy of Taste competition aims to highlight the importance of quality and Chinese heritage in Chinese restaurants, with regards food, service, staff and surroundings. Finalist restaurants will receive an esteemed plaque to display and significant marketing exposure.   Brewed in Qingdao since 1903 using spring water from the Laoshan Mountains, Tsingtao Beer is a genuine import with a unique crisp flavour, which sits very well with all types of food. Tsingtao is the ideal accompaniment to oriental food specifically, especially fish dishes. For further information please visit:- tsingtao-beer.co.uk.

Letters To Editor:- "Sefton’s Economic Strategy- is it right for business?"

"THIS session will outline our initial thoughts on Sefton’s new Economic Strategy. The 5 year strategy sets out priorities that guide investment and growth by investors, developers, business and government. Areas to be covered include:-

► Why do we need a strategy?
► Understanding our strengths and weaknesses?
► Sefton’s ambition?
► Where growth will come from?
► How we can help you deliver this vision?

We would really welcome your views and ask you to speak up; this is a strategy focused on business and re-balancing the economy. As such it’s your strategy, with something to say to all businesses, large or small.  In addition we will have presentations from Royal London Asset Management, the fund holder behind the huge Atlantic Park business park and Sefton Council’s new Core Strategy for land use and development. Following on from a question and answers session with our expert panel, we’ll be concluding with lunch and tours of Atlantic Park.   To register for places please visit:- businessplussefton.com or contact Angela Baruch via email or on the phone:- 0151 934 3470.  Demand for SEF has been exceptionally high with over 160 delegates registered to attend so far, places are now limited so please book ASAP to assure your place." Mark Long, Head of Economy and Tourism, Department Of Built Environment, Sefton Council.