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Issue:- 26 December 2014
Review:- 'John Bishop at the Liverpool ACC'
Review by:- Jo Forrest
THERE seems to
be a growing trend among some comedians to start with a 30 min warm
up act, then a break followed in some cases with a 75 min set. I
always feel cheated by this, we all have to start somewhere but not
at the cost of cutting short a set no matter how great you are.
This was not the case however with John Bishop. Playing his first
night of three to a packed audience in his home town of Liverpool at
the Echo Arena on the final stage of his Supersonic tour. He came on
stage at 2015 and performed until 2245 with just a short break in
between.
He starts by talking about how he doesn't tell jokes, and that he
walks around and hopes that something funny happens for him to talk
about. He also admits how he only starts to prepare for his tours a
few weeks before hand. The 48yr old father of three sons, married
for 21 years, talks eloquently about his f, life and his family. His
shock at seeing the eldest hit 20 and physically outgrow him is
delightfully palpable:- "I actually own a man", he
says, half boast, half lament. He is also excellent on his long
suffering wife Melanie’s reaction to his vanishing to Australia for
ten weeks to make the series John Bishop's Australia about cycling
across Australia. We're also treated to a few of his choice chat up
lines from the eighties, most of which were unsurprisingly
unsuccessful, along with an audience member to help out, and
dressing in dayglo accessories
The second half of the show told of budget holidays, 1st class
upgrades and martial arguments had many rolling in the aisles. The
48yr old’s real comedy strength remains in his ability to be the
storytelling everyman, regaling tales that are as at home in the pub
as in a packed arena. The travails of family life are a staple
interspersed with tales of new found celebrity status. He warms to
an audience and treats you like a trusted friend. He doesn’t try and
educate an like many modern comics whose shows feel closer to a
sermon at times.
A touching end sees john tell the audience he loves his job because
he loves the sound of laughter. Along with the very touching story
of a young boy with Cancer who wanted John to come to his fancy
dress funeral dress as a 6 foot penis.
The pace of the show was very
relaxed and unhurried. A brilliantly funny man and just the sort of
person you would love to be stuck in a lift with.
£625 million to fix the UK's potholes
THE investment
amounts to £45 million a year, enough to fix around 800,000 potholes
across the region.
It is the 1st time Councils have been given locked in funding over
this length of time, which will help them plan ahead and save money
for the Taxpayer.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:- "Roads play a
significant part in everyday life. Poorly maintained local roads,
blighted by potholes, are a menace to all road users, particularly
during the festive period as people travel to see family and
friends. It is vital we have good quality roads. This government has
already taken strong action by spending £1 billion more on local
roads maintenance than was spent in the previous parliament. The
£625 million funding I am announcing today for the North West will
put an end to short term fixes and will mean we have committed £10
billion between 2010 and 2021. This huge investment is part of our
long term economic plan to ensure we have a transport network fit
for the 21st century."
The Department for Transport allocates funding to local authorities
based on local need, so Councils with larger highway networks
receive more of the funding.
Over £4.7 billion will be shared between 115 Councils, while a
further £575 million will be available through a new challenge fund
to help repair and maintain local highway infrastructure such as
junctions, bridges and street lighting.
It was also announced today that £578 million has been set aside for
an incentive fund scheme which will start in 2016 to reward Councils
who demonstrate they are delivering value for money in carrying out
cost effective improvements.
Matthew Lugg, director of public services for Mouchel Infrastructure
Services and advocate for the Highways Agency Efficiency Programme,
said:- "Taking a more holistic approach to planning roads and
services can be game changing and deliver greater efficiencies.
Councils who think about long term planning and how they work
together to share their resources, achieve greater economies of
scale and keep the road surface in good repair, ensuring value for
money for the taxpayer. Today's announcement by the Government will
help to deliver this."
Geoff Allister, executive director of the Highways Term Maintenance
Association (HTMA) and advocate for the Highways Agency Efficiency
Programme, said:- "We congratulate the Transport Secretary in
taking the step of introducing an incentive element from 2016/17
into the local highways maintenance funding for Councils. Those that
can show they truly understand the value of their asset can plan
greater efficiencies and deliver cost effective, preventative
maintenance, making the available money go even further."
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