LIVERPOOL APPOINTS 2008 ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

LIVERPOOL has appointed international artiste Robyn Archer as Artistic Director for the city's year as European Capital of Culture 2008. 

Liverpool's appointment of the current artistic director of the Melbourne International Arts Festival ends a global search. 

Robyn who is a hugely successful, multi-talented and award-winning singer, writer and director has also carved a worldwide reputation for developing visionary and thought provoking cultural festivals.

She is also the former Artistic Director of the National Festival of Australian Theatre in Canberra and of the Adelaide Festival. 

Her role will be to develop and oversee an outstanding year of culture leading up to and including the city's 800th birthday in 2007 and European Capital of Culture in 2008.

She appeared in A Star is Torn which ran for over a year in London, and radio and television shows during the 1980's and continues to write, direct and perform. But more recently has gained a reputation for coordinating international festivals with an Australian already under her belt. 

Council Leader Mike Storey said:- "We conducted an extensive international search for this absolutely crucial position and attracted a very wide and very talented field from all over the world.

Robyn was the outstanding candidate. She has a global reputation and a proven track record of developing and delivering successful large-scale international artistic events. We believe she can deliver a remarkable program and help make Liverpool a leader of cultural excellence in 2008."

New Playground to Open

A NEW playground at Adlam Park in Fazakerley is set to open to the public.

The £120,000 playground features swings, a roundabout, platforms, climbing pole, slide and ladders and has been built following a review of play facilities throughout the city.

The playground has been designed to make it fully accessible for disabled children and includes low perimeter walls and safety surfaces throughout. 

Access to the new playground is also being improved with a new park gate and footpath. 
Councillor Richard Oglethorpe said:- "We have consulted widely over this playground and the local community is very enthusiastic about it, it shows we are on are way to providing Liverpool children with much better facilities." 

Work on improving 11 other playgrounds throughout the city including resurfacing and installing new equipment has also taken place in recent months.

STEPHENSON TO ANSWER CHARGES

A MAN has been charged with the murder of a woman from Liverpool almost a year after her death in Southport.

Merseyside Police charged Mark John Stephenson, 28, who has been residing at Walton prison for the murder of Pamela Todd on the night of August 7 2003 in Southport.

He appeared to face charges on April 29 at North Sefton Magistrates Court.

EMAIL US ALL YOUR VIEWS AND NEWS TODAY