Saturday 3rd – Sunday 11th April 2010

9 days … 4 cultural venues … tons of prizes … bags of fun!

Liverpool is inviting everyone to get crackin’ this Easter, on a magical mystery trail with a difference.

Liverpool’s Crackin’ Easter Trail invites super sleuths of all ages to get creative, crack the clues and be in with a chance of winning £500 or one of the many cultural gifts and prizes on offer … and all for FREE!

Open Culture and Culture Liverpool have teamed up with the Bluecoat, FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology), Tate Liverpool and Walker Art Gallery to make you all very happy bunnies this Easter! This Trail is a legacy of the Great Royal Liver Easter Hunt, produced by Open Culture in Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year 2008.

Simply pick up a free Crackin’ Easter Trail, earn your stamps by taking part in the free activities and solve the clues inside our four great venues. The more you see and do this Easter, the more you could win!

How do you get involved?

From Saturday 20 March you can pick up the Crackin’ Easter Trail from the Bluecoat, FACT, Tate Liverpool, Walker Art Gallery, Lady Lever Art Gallery, 08 Place on Whitechapel and Albert Dock Visitor Information Centre.

Or you can request one by post or email, simply email info@culture.org.uk but be quick; there are only a limited number available. So what are you waiting for? Hop to it and get cracking!

Prizes include the £500 grand prize; fabulous family meals at the Tate Liverpool café and the Bluecoat Bistro, jam packed Rennies Arts & Crafts art hampers provided by Walker Art Gallery, fantastic FACT family cinema tickets, the Bluecoats brilliant crafty art bags and much, much more. 

And what’s more, with every stamped Crackin’ Easter Trail you can gain 10% discount in the participating cafes or shops (please see trail map for details).

For more information on this free event please visit Open Culture www.culture.org.uk or check out the participating venues websites.

1.00-4.30pm, Wednesday 24th March 2010
Hosted by National Museums Liverpool (venue tbc)

No charge to attend

Purpose of Event
Positioned at the end of the first quarter of 2010 Year of Health and Wellbeing, at the end of another financial year and at a time when the development work and fantastic buy-in to 2010 is translating into an exciting collaborative programme, this is a time of transition of ideas into reality.

The reality of projects set against development of new partnership structures and policies for health and wellbeing which give the City and the City/Region a clear opportunity to make significant progress in collectively tackling the health inequalities we face.

So this event will act as a milestone, to reflect on progress over the last few years, in particular in terms of the recommendations made at the successful Big Conversation event in 2008, and to look forward in terms of aspirations for the next period of planning and development work.

The title Comissioning Culture s about exploring the way in which commissioning practice is developing a culture with partnership-working at its heart, as well as raising awareness of cultural projects which have the potential to deliver on health and wellbeing outcomes in the longer-term.

Building on the creative engagement process for 2010 and the small-scale conversation with Commissioners during Living Sketchbook, the purpose of this event is:

• to share good practice of work in development through 2010 and beyond
• to share understanding of commissioning process and to continue to build a common language
• to look at collaborative opportunities in research and evaluation
  Progress

Dovetailing with the Health and Wellbeing strand of the Creative Communities Programme of Liverpool 08, Liverpool PCT invested in a portfolio of projects in 2009.

A loose-leaf publication of case studies of these projects, categorised against the six recommendations made in the recent Marmot Review of Health Inequalities will be launched at this event.

By April 2010 the Waiting programme will have renewed energy, with a new post being established at FACT. With investment from all Merseyside Local Authorities and PCT’s and Arts Council Englane, we will finally have a Merseyside Arts and Health Co-ordinator starting in Spring 2010.

The 2010 Workstreams include a focus on Singing, Dance and involve strategic collaborations with key partner organisations to deliver flagship collaborative programmes this year and beyond to continue the strong legacy from 2008 and build consensus around the key elements of what is needed for Liverpool to become a Thriving, International City in 2024.

Outline Programme
1.30pm  Year of Health and Wellbeing Context & Progress
Gideon Ben-Tovim & Andy Hull, Liverpool PCT

1.40pm  Maintaining the Open Nature of the Big Conversation
Phil Redmond (and Julie Hanna)

2.00pm  Commissioning Culture & Priorities
John Prescott & Dr Paula Grey, Liverpool PCT

2.20pm-4.00pm World Café or Format which enables case studies to be featured and explored within mixed groups of Commissioners and people from Cultural Sector

4-4.30pm  Learning Points and Going Forward

Key Stakeholders
Arts and Cultural Sector Directors, Heads of Learning and Interested Parties
PCT Directors, Commissioners, Public Health & Stakeholder Engagement Staff

NHS Partners – NHS Trusts, Directors, Arts Co-ordinators, Neighbourhood Staff working on engagement and programming of events

To book contact: pollymoseley@mac.com /    07990 518107

Richard Hayes, marketing director of everyone’s favourite baker, Warburtons, and current holder of the top spot on How-Do’s Top 100 Marketers of 2009 will be speaking at a Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) event in Liverpool on Thursday 11th March.

Hayes, who previously held senior roles with Allied Domecq and Whyte & Mackay, will be presenting on ‘The Importance of Branding in Creating Value’ and discussing how Warburtons, now in their fifth generation, have become the most widely used brand in the UK.

This CIM event, hosted in conjunction with the Chartered Management Institute, takes place at The University of Liverpool Management School and is free to both CIM and CMI members.

Chamber members are welcome to attend this event at a reduced rate of £15 (standard entry fee for non-members is £24.50).

For more information or to book your place, visit: http://www.cim.co.uk/31246

Chamber member The Bluecoat Display Centre have a new exhibition coming up in May, and are looking for local support:

1 May – 19 June 2010
Open Mon – Sat 10am. – 5.30pm. Sunday 12-5pm. Admission Free

As part of our artistic exhibition programme this year in Liverpool, we are celebrating the links that the city is proactively encouraging in 2010 with Shanghai, China.

Liverpool is the only city apart from London to have its own pavilion at the large international expo that is taking place there during 2010.

Historically, Liverpool has a long tradition of involvement with China, with China Trade ceramics, textiles and metalware being imported in huge quantities during the 18th and 19th centuries.

We are keen to explore contemporary influences of the Chinese culture that are present in the work of artists currently working in the U.K. and exhibit it at the Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool.

Confirmed artists include:

• Li-Sheng Cheng creates functional silverware and jewellery ranging from textured rings, earrings and bangles to unusual shaped dishes and beakers. Inherited from her Chinese culture and upbringing, she is inspired by the ideas and thoughts that “everything has a life, which should to be cherished and respected”.
• Ken Eastman began working with the Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company in 2006. Working with original pattern manuscripts from the Derby factory archives, Eastman became absorbed in their originality and wonderful sense of colour and composition. The new range of work was launched in Paris, New York and London in 2009.
• Claire Lowe’s work combines a selection of materials predominantly plastics, including acrylic sheet and epoxy and polyester resins. “I enjoy mixing materials to create new and exciting combinations, for example my use of tea leaves within resin”. This progressed from studying the traditions of loose tea and the introduction of the tea bag.
• Paul Scott‘s work involves the digital manipulation of established vocabularies of printed motif, pattern and image from industrial ceramic archives and engraved book illustration. Cloning and collaging these, sometimes with photographic elements,” I create contemporary artworks in ceramic and printed form”.
• Peter Ting is a highly creative and well-respected ceramics and crystal designer. Ting has worked for over 20 years within the luxury sector, currently with Asprey London, Royal Crown Derby and previously at Thomas Goode, both as design director and MD of Thomas Goode Manufacturing Unit.
• Anthony Wong specialises in the design and manufacture of exciting, innovative, contemporary hand made jewellery and precious objects. Purity of materials, method and form captivates- Distilling and paring designs to the minimum form to produce a piece with a timeless interest, an element of fun and intangible beauty.

We will also be endeavoring to develop relationships with suitable partner organisations that might enable contemporary work from the UK to gain exposure in Shanghai, so would welcome any feedback on this subject.

Bluecoat Display centre, 50-51 the Bluecoat, College Lane Entrance, Liverpool L1 3BZ
email: crafts@bluecoatdisplaycentre.com
Tel: +44 (0)151 7094014
www.bluecoatdisplaycentre.com

Four free drop-in sessions to help you find and win more business are being held on Monday 1 March at Liverpool Chamber.

Over the last 12 months Stepclever has delivered a wide range of FREE services to help local businesses in north Liverpool connect with new income streams and maximise their potential, whether it be through expanding into new markets, learning the ins and outs of supplying to the public sector or simply learning how to hone your existing business skills.

Kevin Griffiths, Head of Commercial Services working with Stepclever said: “These drop in events are designed to improve a company’s chances of winning contracts in both the public and private sectors. The drop in events will include ‘how to use’ workshops on the Stepclever bespoke online tendering toolkit, identifying new markets through the Stepclever alert service (tender alert) –the help companies get ahead of the game in securing new business.

Kevin Griffiths continued “The unique inter-trading platform is helping businesses in the Stepclever area to trade with each other. There will also be a presentation on the importance of understanding external supply chains that could reduce your operating costs and open up new markets.”

There are two morning and two afternoon sessions at 9.00am to 10.30am, 10.30am to 12noon and 1.00pm  to 2.30pm and 2.30pm to  5.00pm.

To book call 0151 224 1891 or email: june.davies@stepclever.co.uk

This event is part of a series of FREE workshops to improve the chances of winning contracts in both the public and private sectors. Stepclever workshops are free for anyone that lives, or runs a business in the wards of Anfield, Everton, County, Kirkdale, Linacre and Derby.

The public sector tender market has £500 billion worth of business available each year and its important that local businesses are in the best position to be successful.

Stepclever hosts a series of free workshops designed to help north Liverpool and south Sefton businesses to win more business in both the public and private sectors.

These workshops will provide the skills and information to tender successfully and win new contracts.

23 February
Where to Source Public Sector Contracts
Your Business and the Environment & Consortia
This workshop looks at how to identify tender sources and search for tender opportunities. How company and supply chains impact on the environment and how consortia or partnerships can help in maximising business opportunities.

2 March
How to Complete Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (PQQs) /
Successful Tender Management
This workshop focuses on understanding PQQs and the pre-preparation required to assist in successful completion. How to identify which are the best tender opportunities for your business and how to submit successful bids and tenders.

8 March
Understanding Business Finance
Understanding the finances business is key to success. Valuable advice for sole trader, a partner or director it is beneficial to understand the finances of your business.

This programme introduces the documentation and its analysis and also looks at the key business ratios that affect that information and what external people see when they look at financials.

19 March
Effective Credit Control
Effective credit control - getting paid promptly and in full is a vital addition to a business toolkit. This workshop will highlight how late payments affect finances, how effective a company is at recovering debt and what action to take to improve debt collection processes and techniques.

These workshops will be held at Anfield Sports and Community Centre,Lower Breck Road, Liverpool L6 0AG. It will be held from 9.00am to 4.00pm and include refreshments, lunch and course notes.

To book call 0151 224 1891 or email: june.davies@stepclever.co.uk

This workshop is part of a series of FREE workshops to improve the chances of winning contracts in both the public and private sectors. Stepclever workshops are free for anyone that lives, or runs a business in the wards of Anfield, Everton, County, Kirkdale, Linacre and Derby

Liverpool is to host an extra special Chinese New Year party this weekend to celebrate the 10th anniversary of twinning with Shanghai.

The twinning celebration, which comes less than three months before Liverpool heads to the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, will be a traditional blessing ceremony to mark the 10th birthday of the largest Chinese Arch in any Chinatown outside of mainland China - at 12 noon on Saturday, 20 February.

The following day Liverpool’s Chinatown area, which will be dressed in red with Chinese style flags and special lighting, welcomes in the Year of the Tiger with the spectacular fire cracker display at 1.00 pm at Great George Square (at the end of Nelson Street) a key highlight.

The Chinese new year celebrations, organised by Liverpool Chinatown Chinese New Year Co-ordinating Committee and Liverpool City Council, run from 12noon to 4pm and includes the much loved lion, dragon and unicorn dances, Tai Chi demonstrations and a Chinese New Year market (Great George Street).

A whole host of other eye-catching events will be displayed along Nelson Street, Berry Street and Duke Street area, including live music and a fun fair while educational activities will be held at The Blackie. (Liverpool’s Chinese New Year programme can be downloaded at www.lcba.net)

St. Luke’s Church, on Berry Street, will also be rejoicing in the celebrations, with Urban Strawberry Lunch inviting the public to decorate the war damaged building.

In the evening, the VIP and Chinese Variety Show will be hosted at Britannia Adelphi Hotel. This year’s theme is ‘East meets West’ with an amazing line up of cultural and artist entertainments including: the Pagoda Chinese Youth Orchestra and traditional and contemporary artists from Wah Sing Chinese Community Centre.

ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE

Liverpool’s Chinese New Year Celebrations – in effect from 7 am to 6pm on Sunday, 21 February:

• Great George Street (from its junction with St. James Street to its junction with Duke Street)
• Duke Street (from its junction with Great George Street to its junction with Kent Street)
• Upper Duke Street (from its junction with Great George Street to its junction with Rodney Street)
• Berry Street (from its junction with Bold Street to its junction with Duke Street)
• Nelson Street (from its junction with Great George Street to its junction with Upper Pitt Street)
• Grenville Street South (from its junction with Bailey Street to its junction with Cornwalis Street)
• Wood Street (from its junction with Colquitt Street to its junction with Berry Street)
• Seel Street (from its junction with Slater Street to its junction with Berry Street)
• Knight Street (from its junction with Berry Street to its junction with Rodney Street)
• Roscoe Street (from its junction with Leece Street to its junction with Upper Duke Street)
• Sankey Street / Griffiths Street / Bold Place / Back Berry Street / Roscoe Lane / Back Knight Street / Cookson Street / Raffles Street
• Colquitt Street (from its junction with Parr Street to its junction with Seel Street)

LEAD is an innovative leadership programme designed specifically around the needs of SME owner -managers.

LEAD has been piloted by Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) in conjunction with the NWDA and since its inception in 2004 over 150 businesses have been through the 10 month leadership programme.

To experience a taste of what LEAD can offer you, sign up for the free LEAD Preview Event. This will allow you to determine whether LEAD is the right programme for you, but it also guarantees the quality of the programme, as only committed individuals will be selected to participate.

The next preview event will be held at the University of Liverpool Management School on Thursday 25 March, from 5pm – 7pm.

LEAD Taster Programme

5.00 - 5.15pm Welcome and Introduction to the LEAD Programme
5.15 - 5.30pm Icebreaker Session
5.30 - 5.45pm Taster Master Class
5.45 - 6.00 pm Past Delegate’ s Experience
6.00 - 6.15pm Break/Networking
6.15 - 6.30pm Introduction to Coaching
6.30 - 6.45pm Introduction to Action Learning
6.45 - 7.00pm Summing up
7.00pm onwards Free Wine & Dine/Networking

To book:

Phone: 0151 795 3723
Email: poojak@liverpool.ac.uk

Further details of the next LEAD Preview Event to be held on Thursday 25th March can be found here [PDF]

Friday 26th  February 2010
09:00 – 16:30

Lancashire County Cricket Club

Envirolink Northwest is holding a FREE workshop and  networking session designed to equip both waste producers  and recycling and waste service providers with the necessary  information required to develop, bid for and manage recycling  and waste contracts.

The event, which is split into two sessions, will aim to:
• provide contract guidance to regional waste producers  looking to procure a recycling and waste service;
• provide bidding guidance to regional recycling and   waste companies and
• provide networking opportunities

Morning session:
There is an increasing understanding that resource effciency in business is crucial to  success. Not only does it have a direct impact on bottom line proftability, but customers  take environmental performance into account when making purchasing decisions and  the regulatory regime includes requirements to avoid wasteful techniques and processes.

Whilst the production of some waste material is inevitable in most business environments, the way it is handled can have an impact on the “resource footprint” of any undertaking.

This session aims to assist producers of waste to:
•  gather information about waste production on their site;
•  monitor the effectiveness of waste management contracts and
•  engage with Recycling and Waste service providers.

Afternoon session:
Commercial waste in the North West makes up nearly a quarter of the waste produced  in the region, although the process of collection is a simple task, opportunities are missed  due to waste contracts not being in place or utilised in the right way. Recycling and waste  companies need to be constantly looking for new business areas to exploit. 

The session  will fully explore the tendering process and provide a step by step guide on how to improve your businesses competiveness to ensure success at all stages of the bidding process.

To book your place, please email A.Glover@envirolinknorthwest.co.uk

Backing Young Britain is a national campaign, bringing Government, business and other organisations together to create new opportunities for young people during the recession.

Backing Young Britain are running an event in Liverpool on Mon 15 February at the  Odeon Cinema, Liverpool ONE. 7.45-9am.

The event is totally free for all employers and will be hosted by Apprentice winner Tim Campbell. Regional Minister Phil Woolas will also be on the panel along with local employers.

We will be discussing internships, work experience opportunities and apprenticeships. Employers can submit their questions and pre register if they like but they are also welcome to just turn up on the day.

At this breakfast you will find out about the support and funding available to your business and how Government can help you to provide opportunities to young people, whether through offering:

• an Apprenticeship
• a job
  or
• experience of work

The breakfast meeting will be facilitated by Tim Campbell, with contributions from a panel featuring your Regional Minister, local employers and experts.

Entrepreneur and businessman, Tim became known to the British public after being crowned the first winner of the BBC series The Apprentice. Tim has since set up the social enterprise Bright Ideas Trust, a charitable organisation which encourages young budding entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds to start business ventures, by giving them greater access to start-up finance, real business mentors and professional services advisors.

Check out the event’s full agenda here.

Follow Backing Young Britain on Twitter too