D&D Live Stream for local charity

ALEX D'Arcy who member of a group organising what will be a very unusual charity event has sent us this message to explain what they plan to do on 20 August 2021 for charity.

Alex told us that:- "If you’re not familiar, Dungeons and Dragons is 'the ultimate role playing game' in which a group of friends take on the roles of heroes that they have created. The adventures you play through can be anything from Tolkien esque high fantasy to a Conan the Barbarian rip off, but whether you succeed, or fail, is down to the roll of a dice (or more likely, several dice at once). It’s an intense, immersive game which is usually taken 3 hours at a time. In the name of Age UK Wirral, we’ll be playing for a full 24 hours, all live on camera. Age UK Wirral is an independent, Birkenhead based charity, working to promote the wellbeing of older people on the Wirral, and help make later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. What started as a small office with a single volunteer, now has over 170 dedicated staff members and over 700 volunteers providing support and services all across the Paradise Peninsula. The charity provides some amazing services; they do everything from Walking Day Trips to IT Support to bringing home shopping for housebound clients. But to keep such wonderful things happening, Age UK Wirral does rely on the generosity of the public. We’re hoping this Live Stream will promote awareness of the organisation to a whole new range of people and bring awareness of this fantastic game to a whole new generation. I work as a Social and Media Assistant at Age UK Wirral, along with Emma Hughes and Jenny Leece. It was actually the same day we all met that a Dungeons and Dragons fundraiser was put forwards; I took that idea away to Andy Cov (Crit Hit’s owner) and he turned around and said:- ''Let’s do it.'' We've found a really fun cast of players:- Will, Kirie, Josh, Andy and Caitlin are all ready to make this 24hr story the best it can possibly be. All we needed was someone crazy enough to be the 'Dungeon Master' this would be the person responsible for writing the story, building the world, keeping track of combat, creating puzzles, managing the players, organising the event, and giving silly voices to all the goblins. And behind the screen will be Sean, our Twitch moderator, ready to take down comments and questions from the audience. If you’ve always wanted to ask a D&D player the ins and outs of the game play, this stream will be your chance. We’ll be starting at 5:30pm, on the 20 August 2021, and ending 5:30pm, on the 21 August 2021, streaming all of this from Crit Hit Game Hub’s fantastic private room, so the public can watch it all for free at:- Twitch.TV , with an easy to use donation feature. We would absolutely love it if anyone could spare a pound or two; 100% of profits will go to Age UK Wirral."

To donate you can also go to the groups fundraiser page on virginmoneygiving.com!

Successful North West leisure group takes over leading Southport gastropub

AS the North West's Circle and Hen group are preparing for a busy summer season ahead, they are also celebrating their recent successful business performance by taking over, and relaunching, Southport's popular Thatch and Thistle pub and restaurant. As local customers and tourist guests continue to visit this upmarket coastal Town, this busy venue continues to enable them to enjoy both interior and outdoor dining, alongside a whole new host of events and freshly innovative measures. The management team have endeavoured to respect and continue the pub's family feel, whilst introducing new initiatives in response to consumer demands. 1 area is that of sporting events, and Thatch and Thistle will be keen to promote football's Premier League matches when the new season is underway. This means that fans can enjoy a friendly catch up, drinks and food whilst taking in the very best games. The Circle and Hen team also are keen to ensure that the venue has its own, welcoming entertainments menu, and will be hosting noted DJ's on weekend evenings, for those who enjoy the party spirit, while Sundays will have a more laid back approach, so that clients can enjoy a sumptuous roast dinner, accompanied by easy going musical croon artists.

A spokesperson for Circle and Hen explains:- "We have worked hard as a team over the last few months, and really appreciate the positive press we have enjoyed, and so this announcement is another testament to our hardworking and committed staff. We are keen to underline that there are so many Thatch and Thistle standards that we continue to respect: it will still be a very food led destination, with table service that regular customers have come to expect, and enjoy. However, we also look forward to listening to what visitors want, too, and we will be tailoring special menus for sporting events, for example. As a company, we are known for the relationships we forge with our personnel, and this new takeover has allowed us to retain current staff, wherever this has been possible, as well as creating new employment opportunities. On the 29 August 2021, we are also launching our 1st:- 'Thatch and Retro; event, featuring noted DJs, great food, and a chance to enjoy a whole day of brilliant music, and hopefully glorious weather, with free entry, to really give our customers a chance to enjoy the Bank Holiday party spirit. We really look forward to welcoming everyone to Thatch and Thistle over this busy trading period, and will ensure that the excellent standards this venue has already been famous for will be upheld, and then extended under our stewardship."

The Circle and Hen group have already garnered praise in the national business press recently for their staff retention and financial support packages, and this new launch is part of their continuing consolidation and extension programme, with venues around the North West, now including Southport, looking forward to exciting and profitable times ahead.
 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady and local MP Ian Byrne to join staff and students at University of Liverpool strike rally

STRIKING staff at the University of Liverpool fighting cuts to the faculty of health and life sciences will be protesting at University Square, on Monday, 9 August 2021, at 12pm, in defence of 2 colleagues threatened with the sack. The rally marks the 5th of 10 days of strike action and is the final day for management to end the dispute before unleashing chaos on the University's admissions process, as applicants receive their A level results on Tuesday, 10 August 2021. Speakers at the rally include:- University and College Union (UCU) General Secretary Jo Grady, University of Liverpool Guild of Students deputy president Chloe Field and MP for Liverpool West Derby Ian Byrne. The TUC has called for all trade unionists to attend the rally. The rally is the latest action by UCU Liverpool members in a long running dispute. UCU.Org.UK The University originally planned to slash 47 teaching and research jobs in the faculty of health and life sciences. This has now fallen to 2 compulsory redundancies after sustained industrial action from the branch. The branch will be providing updates from the rally via Twitter. Protest details are as follows:- 12pm, Monday 9 August 2021, at University Square, Liverpool, L35RF.