Suspected explosive device within a garden in Formby

ON Saturday, 5 June 2021, residents reported to us that their road was closed off following the discovery of a suspected explosive device in a garden. Only the residents in Carrs Crescent and Crescent Avenue where affected by the Police cordon. We are waiting for more information about the incident from Merseyside Police, but what ever it was, that was found, it was very quickly resolved.

This is not a common occurrence, but the issue with suspected devices from the World War 2, at times, does happen. For example 27 February 2021, a 500lb World War 2 military device was discovered on Formby Beach and later detonated, and other explosive devices have been found from the war in and around Formby over the years. this is down to the fact the area has an RAF base that was active in World War 2, as well as military camps, the proximity of Liverpool Docks and a Starfish Site, mean The Luftwaffe dropped lots of bombs in the area. So the discovery of unexploded bombs occasionally does occur.
 

Prime 'Time' TV slot for major new Liverpool drama

LIVERPOOL has taken a starring role in a BBC One prime time drama, shown on Sunday, 6 June 2021. The highly anticipated Time will hit the small screen, created by legendary Liverpool Writer Jimmy McGovern and starring Scouse acting royalty Stephen Graham and Sue Johnston.

Liverpool's Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:- "It feels like a triple whammy with Time, as not only can we look forward to seeing the city on the small screen, but it's also written by an incredible Liverpool writer, and stars so much local talent; with the legends that are Stephen Graham and Sue Johnston taking the helm. It's a real credit to our Liverpool Film Office team for continuing to work under extraordinary circumstances over the past year, to ensure this industry could keep functioning and it will be hugely rewarding to see Liverpool as the backdrop for so many exciting productions across the coming months."

The 3 part series, which will be available in full on BBC iPlayer from Sunday after the 1st episode has aired on BBC One, was filmed across the City Region and was the 1st prime time production to receive investment and support from the Liverpool Film Office's LCR Production Fund, using funding from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority's Strategic Investment Fund.

Filming took place over four months in late 2020, with locations across Liverpool City Region, including:- the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee Bridges, Southport Pier as well as several interior locations of court rooms, Police stations and educational establishments to form parts of the prison.

The production reunites Sean Bean with the creator of his BAFTA winning series, Broken, as well as showcasing a whole host of Liverpool acting talent including:- Jack McMullen, James Nelson Joyce, Bobby Schofield, Lee Morris and Philip Barantini, who also directed Stephen Graham in his new feature film Boiling Point.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "Our Region is the country's cultural and creative capital, whether that be sporting, musical or in film and TV. Seeing the wealth of stellar local talent on display here, on and off screen, just confirms that view. Encouraging that talent, and supporting this growing local industry, is why we have invested ₤2 million in the Liverpool City Region Production Fund. It's great to see it coming to fruition through projects like Time, featuring talented local Actors, such as Stephen Graham, a Kirkby lad like myself. We've been through such a challenging period, and it's been more important than ever that we support our creative industries. Thanks to the investments we've made, we'll be able to attract many, many more productions to our Region, creating lots of local highly skilled jobs and attracting talent from around the world."

Time is 1 of the 1st of a large number of productions to be broadcast which were filmed during the Pandemic, with all productions adhering to Covid safe measures.

It is the 1st of 4 major upcoming dramas filmed in Liverpool to have received support from Liverpool Film Office's LCR Production Fund, including:- Channel 4's Help once again starring Stephen Graham alongside Jodie Comer, BBC's The Responder starring Martin Freeman, and ITV's The Ipcress File starring Joe Cole and Tom Hollander.

Other productions recently filmed in Liverpool City Region include... Netflix's film Munich 38 starring:- Oscar winning Actor Jeremy Irons, Sky's COBRA starring:- Robert Carlyle, Netflix's Stay Close starring:- James Nesbit, and Warner Bros' The Batman.

To find out more about Liverpool Film Office head to:- LiverpoolFilmOffice.TV.