Author: Ollie Cowan

Merseyside Police are appealing to trace the next of kin of a man who passed away from the Lydiate area.

John Feely, 70 sadly died at his home address in Nedens Grove, Lydiate on Tuesday 6^th August.

His death is not being treated at suspicious.

If you knew John, his family or friends and could help us, please contact Coroner’s Office on 0151 777 1921 or HM Coroner’s Office on 0151 934 2746. 

The final three cast members for the Spring 2020 UK Tour of Helen Forrester’s By The Waters Of Liverpool have been revealed.

After a hugely successful premiere run at the Liverpool Empire Theatre last Autumn, the play will now make its way round the country bringing Helen’s fascinating story to life on stage.

Star of stage and screen Sian Reeves is joining the tour. Sian is best known for her television roles in Emmerdale, Mount Pleasant, Still Open All Hours, Lunch Monkeys, Hope Springs, City Lights, Where The Heart Is, and Cutting It.

Hollyoaks’ Parry Glasspool and Lucy Dixon, from Waterloo Road and Hollyoaks, join Sian to complete the cast.

The cast also includes the recently announced Mark Moraghan and Eric Potts.

Mark Moraghan will play Helen’s Father. Mark previously played ‘Father’ in the 2007 and 2009 adaptations of Twopence To Cross The Mersey. He returned to play the role in By The Waters Of Liverpool in 2018. Mark is best known for his roles in Holby City, Coronation Street and Brookside.

Coronation Street and Doctor Who’s Eric Potts will play ‘Mr Ellis’, Helen’s fiery-tempered boss. Eric has also appeared in Peak Practice, Heartbeat, The Royal, Last Of The Summer Wine, and Steel River Blues.

Other confirmed cast members are Lynn Francis as the ‘Deaconess’; Danny O’Brien as ‘Harry O’Dwyer’; Chloe McDonald as ‘Fiona’ (Helen’s sister); and Roy Carruthers as ‘The Detective’.

By The Waters Of Liverpool is the stunning production from the team that brought you Helen Forrester’s timeless story, Twopence To Cross The Mersey.

To celebrate what would have been Helen Forrester’s 100th Birthday, the 11-week tour opens at New Brighton Floral Pavilion, in Wirral, from Tuesday 3 March to Sunday 8 March 2020 – just a few miles from where the writer was born.

The production will then travel to Stockport, Warrington, St Helens, Lancaster, Crewe, Southport, Rhyl, Swansea, Darlington and Malvern. The second leg of the tour will be announced shortly.

Sian Reeves will play Helen’s Mother, Parry Glasspool will play Helen’s brother Alan, while Helen Forrester will be portrayed by Lucy Dixon.

West Bromwich born Sian Reeves is an original cast member of the 1985 stage production of Les Misérables. She also later appeared in the 25th anniversary performance at London’s O2.

Sian has already shared a stage with fellow cast member Mark Moraghan. They competed against each other on celebrity TV singing contest, Just The Two Of Us. Paired up with opera singer Russell Watson, Sian took the winning honours, while Mark was runner-up with Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton. The pair will be reunited on stage as Helen Forrester’s parents.

By The Waters Of Liverpool’s Spring 2020 UK Tour opens at New Brighton Floral Pavilion from 3 March to 8 March 2020, before heading to the Stockport Plaza (10 March to 12 March); Warrington Parr Hall (14 March and 15 March); St Helens Theatre Royal (17 March to 21 March); Lancaster Grand (23 March and 24 March); Crewe Lyceum (25 March and 26 March); Southport Theatre (27 March and 28 March); Rhyl Pavilion Theatre (31 March to 4 April); Swansea Grand Theatre (6 April and 7 April); Darlington Hippodrome (9 April to 11 April); followed by Malvern Theatres (14 April and 15 April).

An investigation is underway after an elderly woman fell and died following an arson attack on a car at an adjoining property in Maghull in the early hours of today (Monday 5 August 2019).

Just after 1am a report was received to say a black Land Rover Discovery car had been set on fire on Highgate Road by two men, who used fireworks to ignite the vehicle.

It is believed the offenders then returned to a car parked in nearby Oakhill Road and made off from the area.

Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service attended. The neighbouring property was affected by the smoke, and due to fears the fire could spread the two elderly occupants were advised to evacuate their home as a precaution while the fire was extinguished.

During the incident one of the residents evacuated, a woman in her 80s, fell and sustained a head injury. She was taken to hospital for treatment but sadly died this morning.

Her next of kin have been informed and are receiving support from specialist officers.

Police remain at the scene where forensic examinations are continuing. CCTV opportunities are being explored in the area and potential witnesses have been spoken to.

Detective Chief Inspector Gayle Rooney said: “The actions of the people who set this car on fire are completely reckless, with no regard for the safety of people living nearby.

“The couple next-door should have been tucked up in bed, but instead as a result of the actions of the offenders, emergency services were left with no option but to wake them in the early hours of the morning to get them to safety.

“Sadly, the 86-year-old lady died several hours after the incident and her family are now having to come to terms with her sudden loss.

“We believe this was a targeted attack and I would appeal to anybody who has any information about those involved in this despicable incident to contact Merseyside Police as soon as possible so we can bring those responsible to justice.”

An investigation into the arson and the circumstances of the woman’s fall is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 51 of 5 August or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.

An Enterprise Hub business expert is set to take up a weekly residency at Formby Pool to help Sefton residents start and grow their new businesses.

This fully-funded business support is aimed at helping those in the Sefton area who are looking to start a business, or those who are looking to grow a new business which is under three years old.

Enterprise Hub is Liverpool City Region’s “one front door” access point for business support, offering clients a programme of 1-2-1 business support and advice, as well as access to training courses, to help develop their ideas and learn core business skills.

Enterprise expert Jacqueline Daley will be offering a number of 1-2-1 appointments every Thursday between 1-3pm at Formby Pool. Appointments should be pre-booked by those wishing to register onto the Enterprise Hub programme.

This support will help clients understand the process of starting or growing a business and to research and develop a business plan or growth strategy. Budding entrepreneurs will also be able to learn key skills to develop a sales and marketing strategy, as well as understanding the everyday practicalities of running a business and looking at ways of accessing finance.

The new outreach appointments will mean those with a business idea can receive support on their doorstep, without having to travel to Enterprise Hub’s Liverpool City Centre base.

Jackie Williams, Enterprise Hub Project Manager and Enterprise Director at Liverpool social enterprise The Women’s Organisation, says: “We’re delighted to be bringing Enterprise Hub straight to the Sefton community at Formby Pool to give local people that all-important helping hand and confidence boost to pursue or develop a business dream.

“We would highly encourage anyone who is either sat on an idea they’d like to explore or has a new business that is ready to grow, to get in touch and see how we can help. The community here is always brimming with entrepreneurial spirit and ideas, so we’re excited to see what is in store!”

Heather Davies, Community Development Officer, at Formby Pool, says: “At Formby Pool we are a hub at the heart of our community – a place to meet and come together – and so we are very excited to be able to offer yet more opportunities for local residents.

“These drop-in sessions with Enterprise Hub will offer budding entrepreneurs the chance to receive the support and guidance they need right on their doorstep. I hope that local residents will take advantage of this opportunity and that the support on offer will help to boost our thriving community here in Sefton”.

The support and training is available fully-funded under the Enterprise Hub programme, which is receiving funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

Eligibility criteria does apply and Enterprise Hub support is available to men and women living in the Liverpool City Region, who have not yet registered with Companies House or HMRC, or any business under three years old in the Liverpool City Region.

Those who would like to take advantage of the drop-in at Formby Pool should pre-book by calling 0151 706 8113 or e-mailing enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk to register for the programme.