Residents of the North West - Make your voice heard!

ON Thursday, 4 June 2009, it will be election day and the day people across the North West of England get to choose their eight representatives in the European Parliament. Residents in Cumbria and Lancashire will also be voting for their county council representatives.  If you’re going to vote in the European Parliamentary elections, make sure you know how to mark your ballot paper so that you can ensure your vote will count.   Karen Quaintmere, head of Electoral Administration at the Electoral Commission, explains what to do:- “For European Parliamentary elections you need to mark one ‘X’ on your ballot paper. The difference for these elections is that you vote for a party or an independent candidate. The political parties in the North West have selected a list of up to eight candidates and the ballot paper will include this information so you can see who they are. However, to vote, you just need to place an ‘X’ next to one party or independent candidate on the ballot paper.”    Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday, 4 June 2009.   There is a public helpline available until the election on:- 0800 3 280 280 and further information, including a virtual polling station tour, can be found at:- aboutmyvote.co.uk.   Results for the election will not be released before 9pm on Sunday, 7 June 2009.   This is due to elections for other EU member states taking place on different days.

Liverpool Phil to return to the Ball

LIVERPOOL City Council and St. George's Hall has announced yet another magnificent Ball in the Great Hall, The Summer Ball 2009 welcomes the return of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vasily Petrenko, following the unique and exciting Viennese Balls in 2008, which became one of the highlights of Liverpool's cultural year. The first Summer Ball 2009 will take place on the evening of Saturday, 11 July 2009 and will have all the attributes of the glittering Balls that took place in 2008 and earlier this year at the Spring Ball, both of which sold out.

Joining the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Vasily Petrenko will be multi award-winning dance champions and BBC's Strictly Come Dancing stars Vincent (2008 runner-up with Rachel Stevens) and Flavia, who stole the hearts of the British public with their breathtaking Argentine Tango and The Magic Waltz sequence, who will showcase their talent and flair with dance performances throughout the evening.

More music comes from the wonderful Greg Francis Orchestra & Singers and the evening will be hosted by TV and radio presenter Esther McVey.

The magnificent Great Hall, run by Liverpool City Council is one of Europe's finest neo-classical buildings and will yet again be the perfect backdrop for the Balls which will once again attract dance aficionados from all over the region to show off their moves, style, glamour and dance the night away in sumptuous and grand surroundings, where you, your partner and your friends can become strictly stars of the night. Television programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing have seen a massive increase in public interest in ballroom dancing and St. George's Hall anticipates another sell-out success.

Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council said:- "Liverpool's first Summer Ball has all the special ingredients for an unforgettable night and one of the highlights of the year. To dance with some of the world's best, to the music of the Phil in one of Europe's most magnificent venues is a match made in dancing heaven and speaks volumes for Liverpool's cultural offer."

Vincent and Flavia said:- “We are so excited and delighted to be coming to Liverpool to perform at the city’s Summer Ball, St. George’s Hall looks beautiful and the evening will be breathtaking!”