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Walton Festival to make
a comeback after almost a quarter of a century
ONE of Liverpool's most popular
festivals is to return after a gap of almost a quarter of a century. Walton
Festival is being re-launched this year on Saturday, 16 July 2016 and Sunday, 17 July
2016 in
Walton Hall Park with support from Liverpool City Council, Walton Community
Interest Company, County Road Regeneration and local housing associations.
It will include a Victorian themed funfair, live music, sports display,
farmers market and dance and gymnastics displays. A live music stage:- 'The
Walton Hall Park Bandstand'; will pay tribute to the park's former art
deco bandstand, while small pets and falconry displays will recreate the
former Pet's Corner; a hugely popular attraction enjoyed by many children
and families at the park in past years.
More details were announced at a media launch at Walton Lifestyles on Friday,
12 February 2016, at 10am. It was attended by 2 stars of the previous festival;
former Rose Queen Jackie Thomas and former Miss Walton, Lauren Hindley.
Councillor Roy Gladden, Chair of the County High Street Innovation Group,
said:- "Many people have fond memories of the Walton Festival and
there has long been a wish to see it return.
We are putting together a packed 2 day programme which will include the
return of some festival favourites as well as showcasing fantastic local
talent, all set within the park.
We are consulting schools, community organisations, local businesses and
residents about what else they would like to see at the festival as it's
very much their event. There is already a buzz in the local community about
it, and all we need is for the sun to come out and we will be set for a
great weekend."
For the latest about the event, search for Walton Festival on
Facebook.
½ Term Koala Fun at The
Atkinson
OVER this February, at The Atkinson
you can find out:- 'How the Koala Learnt to Hug' from 2pm, on
Sunday, 21 February 2016. Yes, we all love a good hug and none of us more
than that most cuddly of critters the koala. But just how did the koala
learn to hug? Based on the best selling book by Steven Lee this charming
family musical has been written especially for children aged 3 and above to
enjoy with their grown ups. There's only one way to find out so join us and
our magical outback cast for some great stories, sing along songs, superb
games and 1st class hugging. All you need are your ears (and your arms!) As
an extra treat, author Steven will be available to sign copies of:-
'How The Koala Learnt To Hug' and 'Other Australian Fairy
Tales,' which will be on sale at a special price after the show.
The show is suitable for children and their families aged 3+
Tickets for How the Koala Learnt to Hug are £8 (£6 children / £24 family)
plus booking fee.* Tickets are available
online or by calling the Box Office
on:- 01704 533333. They are also available over the counter during The
Atkinson opening hours. Individual gig tickets are limited.
Don't forget to visit The Atkinson this February ½
term as there are lots of families activities and events. Just visit The
Atkinson's website and search February ½ Term Happenings.
* Please be advised that there is a £1 per ticket booking fee for telephone
and online sales and a 2% fee for credit cards at the Box Office.
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Walrus smart card
reaches million ticket milestone
MERSEYTRAVEL'S smart ticketing
scheme; already the most active outside London; has reached a major
milestone this week with a million tickets sold on Walrus cards since they
launched in November 2014.
It is estimated that more than 40% of new UK smart cards issued during the
last 12 months have been Walrus cards.
Tickets currently available in 'smart' format are pre-paid weekly and
adult 4 weekly Solo tickets which can be used on any bus across
Merseyside, and Saveaways; the off peak day ticket for buses trains and
ferries.
Walrus cards can be 'loaded' at around 800 PayPoint outlets across
Merseyside, which has more than doubled the number of places from which
Saveaways can be purchased and has significantly increased the availability
of Solos, which were originally available from only 50 outlets.
There are plans for more tickets to go 'smart' on the Walrus card
later this year including some commercial operators' weekly bus tickets,
subject to the 'Bus Alliance'; a partnership between Merseytravel,
Arriva and Stagecoach; being formally agreed.
Also in the next 12 months, there are plans for popular Merseyrail tickets
to move to Walrus and for the introduction of carnet tickets for bus travel.
These will allow people to load a number of tickets on their cards for use
on non-consecutive days, making them particularly suitable for part time
workers who may not get the best value out of weekly tickets.
Overall, Merseytravel and operators are seeking to transform the approach to
tickets and ticket buying in the Liverpool City Region. The focus remains on
making the process more convenient, utilising technology and simplifying the
zonal system and price structures where possible.
Longer term the aim is to build on and help shape the work of Transport for
the North to develop a common approach to smart ticketing across the North.
Said Cllr Liam Robinson, Chair of Merseytravel:- "To go from no
commercial smart ticketing scheme to one million ticket sales in just 15
months is incredible.
What makes it even more of an achievement is that Walrus has been available
right across Merseyside for less than a year, with Saveaway; the first
ticket to go smart; on a Wirral only trial up until March 2015.
Walrus is now the most active smart ticketing scheme outside London, yet we
are still very much in the infancy of what is possible. Working with
operators, we will, this year, broaden the ticket choice available, hand in
hand with simplifying fare structures and zones to make it easier for people
to tell whether the ticket they are buying is the best value of them.
Our progress and achievements with Walrus to date will feed into the work
being carried out by Transport for the North to ultimately aid seamless
travel across the North."
Said Andrew Jones, Transport Minister:- "The success of Merseyside's
Walrus card shows customers value smart ticketing that makes their lives
easier. We will continue to support Merseytravel as they increase the range
of tickets available on the card this year. Smart ticketing is a key
part of our plan to build a Northern Powerhouse and the Walrus card is a
shining example that I want to see other areas follow."
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