Putting parks in the picture

LIVERPOOL’S popular parks photography competition is linking up with Tate Liverpool to celebrate our local landscapes.  The Liverpool Parks Friends Forum (a forum for all the Friends of Parks groups in the city) stages the annual competition which shows the best of Liverpool’s 70-plus parks, gardens, recreation grounds, playgrounds and nature reserves.  This year to celebrate the major summer exhibition at Tate Liverpool – Turner Monet Twombly - Later Paintings. On display over 22 June to 28 October 2012. There are three special categories in the competition, inspired by the exhibition.

► Park Landscapes – 'My favourite view'

► People and Parks

► Flora and Fauna – park plants or wildlife

The best images will be included in the 2013 Parks calendar and there will be prizes for the outstanding entries; including tickets to the exhibition at Tate Liverpool.

Also linked to the summer exhibition is a Parks and Gardens project in which environmental artist, Kerry Morrison will collaborate with local children, young people, adults, schools, community agencies, the city council and Liverpool Primary Care Trust, to create environmental artworks to connect local people with their parks and green spaces.

Robert Lyall, Divisional Manager for Sport and Outdoor Recreation, said:- "In previous years we have been inundated with stunning images of our parks and green spaces. And this year we are expecting the entries to be even better as there are extra incentives; Tate Liverpool’s involvement and their superb exhibition should provide a real inspiration.There is a lot happening in the parks this year, starting this week with Sea Odyssey; what photographer is going to resist getting shots of giants in Everton and Stanley Parks!"

Alison Jones, Tate Liverpool’s Programme Manager, Public and Community Learning, said:- "Tate Liverpool's upcoming exhibition, Turner Monet Twombly - Later Paintings connects fine art to nature, the outdoors and the seasons. We are delighted to be working with Liverpool Parks Friends Forum on their popular photography competition. We are sure that the paintings of Turner, Monet and Twombly will inspire some outstanding photography of our local green spaces."

The closing date for entries is 31 August 2012.

Entry forms and further details of the competition are available on the Parks website  (the website also has a link to a gallery showing a selection of last year’s images) or on entry forms available from Parks outlets as well as Tate Liverpool.  Further information about the Turner Monet Twombly: Later Paintings exhibition is available online.  Images from last year’s parks photographic competition are on the Park’s Flickr pages, with a set for the 2011 competition on Flickr.com  or more simply you can access the full Photostream via this link.

Trust’s search for non-executive finance specialist

A hospital trust is recruiting a new non-executive director as it moves towards becoming a foundation trust. The Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust aims to become a foundation trust in year’s time and is currently asking local people for their views on how it should be run.  Potential candidates for the non-executive role should have a strong background in finance, gained in either the private or public sectors, and be ready to chair the Trust’s audit committee.  The successful candidate will succeed Helen Thompson who is leaving the Trust after 4½ years' service as a non-executive.  Non-executive directors share responsibility with other directors for the strategic direction of the Trust and duties of the board. They have, however, a specific contribution to make in bringing an external perspective to the board’s consideration, and being able to question and challenge the executive directors from a position of independence and detachment.  The successful candidate will need to be able to show strategic vision and a portfolio of skills, including an ability to focus on the needs of patients and the community. The remuneration for the post is currently £6,096 a year for a minimum of 2½ days per month, including some evening duties. The audit committee chair will need to devote additional time to these duties. As the Trust is an aspirant foundation trust, the time commitment for non-executives could be increased.  For more information, and to apply online, potential applicants should visit:- appointments.org.uk.  The closing date for applications is 11am on 15 May 2012.  An informal and confidential discussion with the Trust chairman, Sir Ron Watson CBE, regarding the role may be requested by calling:- 01704 704781. This will play no part in the selection process.