Merseyrail to return to pre-COVID frequency

MERSEYRAIL has announced that it will begin to operate a 15 minute service across most of its network, from Monday, 2 May 2022. During the COVID-19 Pandemic Merseyrail Services were reduced due to the impact the virus had on staffing numbers, however, with restrictions removed and more staff available, the rail operator is pleased to announce a return to its pre-COVID frequency. We are told that a PDF timetable booklets will be produced as soon as possible on the operators website:- Merseyrail.Org.
 

Southport Contemporary Arts:- "Mandy Bevington Exhibition"

A new exhibition at the ArtHouse in Southport will celebrate the decorative work from Textile Designer / Maker, Mandy Bevington, who primarily works with wool and yarn. Mandy told us:- "I love to create pattern that is textural, tactile and visually exciting through all aspect of my textile work."

Employing both traditional and contemporary techniques, Mandy’s highly distinctive artwork stems back to her early childhood. Mandy explained:- "I have always been creative, as a young child, you would always find me drawing. After raising my children, I had this "need" to use my creativeness further. I pushed myself and enrolled back to Southport College and took a Foundation Course that enabled me to enrol at University of Central Lancashire to take a Textile Degree."

Mandy graduated from UCLAN last autumn, but like most Universities had COVID to contend with. Mandy said:- "During the Pandemic, as Universities moved to online teaching, I was able to buy my own tufting gun and frame. So my whole degree collection was actually made at home in my studio using my rug tufting gun."

Although Mandy’s approach is underpinned by traditional methodology, her current toolkit incorporates a wide range of established media through to quality Axminster wool for her finished rugs. Adding:- "I always start with drawing, be that with a pencil or drawing digitally. Then I paint or collage before moving onto the textural pieces, be that either punch needle or using the tufting gun. Wall hangings, framed tufted pieces, tufted cushions and rugs, are just some of the pieces I can make with my tufting gun."

Her source of reference is equally all embracing. Mandy’ also said:- "My artistic influences are a diverse range from the old greats:- Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse and Peter Blake to contemporary Textile Artists:- Laura Slater, Rosie James and Judit Just."

Mandy’s exhibition will be on view from:- 30 April and 28 May 2022, at:- SCA/ArtHouse, 65 Eastbank Street, Southport PR8 1EJ. The venue is open:- Tuesday to Friday, from:- 10am 3pm, and on Saturdays, from:- 11am to 4pm.

There are facemasks and hand sanitizers available at the ArtHouse should visitors wish to use them.