ARE YOU SOUTHPORT'S STRONGEST MAN?

THE Riverside Steam and Vintage Vehicle Rally is searching for the region's strongest man this month during a testing tug of war, held at Riverside Holiday Park.

The rally is famous for its steam engines and classic cars, but also for its family fun. One of the main attractions is the tug of war, pitting Southport's strongest teams against each other in a bid to find the victors. This year is no different, but the rally is also challenging individuals to try their hand at the sport, to take the mantel of strongest man in the region, with an illustrious trophy to prove it and a generous prize value of £100.

The Tug of War was once a royal sport practiced in ancient Eygpt and China where legend had it that the sun and the moon played this game of strength over light and darkness. The game became popular in Britain when Lord Elliot Simpson introduced the sport in the 16th century. Historically, over 500 people would man each end of the rope, making quite a spectacle. Over time tug of war has even played its part in the Olympics in the early 1900s, and, although it has not been included since 1920, it remains very popular at British fayres and sports days.

The fair is the 5th of its kind in Southport and promises to be bigger and better than ever.

This year will see approximately 30 full size steam engines in steam, including Fred Dibnah's famous steam roller, Betsy and his iconic Land Rover and 500 other vintage vehicles, including cars, trucks, tractors, motorbikes and military vehicles.

The very popular beer tent, introduced last year, will return to quench visitors' thirsts. Whilst enjoying a pint or 2, rally go-ers can also relax and watch the wide range of live music, during which The Lancashire Hotpots will be playing; back by popular demand...

Serious rally visitors can even stay the weekend, enjoying the attractions by day and sampling the beer tent and relaxing to the live music at night before retiring for the evening. Harrison Holidays have a limited number of caravan and camping pitches and static homes available for the weekend. For more information, log on to:- harrisonholidays.com/book-now.html.

The rally is organised by 5 local businessmen and raises much needed funds for local charities. To date, over £130,000 has been donated to worthy causes in the region, £32,000 of this was raised at last year's event alone, and 2013 looks set to be an even bigger and better event than ever before; sure to raise a record breaking total for charity.

Entry remains at £6 for adults and £3 for children, under 11s go free. For more information, log on to:- riversidesteamrally.co.uk.

Entrants to the Tug of War should register their interest at the gates of the rally on Saturday or send them an email for more information.

CAMRA book highlights Britain's Best Real Heritage Pubs

A new publication from CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale, highlights the hidden gems of British pub architecture with 270 pub interiors of outstanding historic interest.

Launched today to coincide with CAMRA's AGM in Norwich and available to purchase from the 6 May 2013, called:- "Britain's Best Real Heritage Pubs" is a beautifully illustrated celebration of pub interiors, from rural time-warps, Victorian and Edwardian drinking palaces to inter-war boozers, that have altered little in the last 80 years.

"Our pubs have been changed so much during the past half century that ones with genuine historic interiors are now incredible rarities. This book identifies the top 270 of these national treasures and presents a unique picture of the diversity of interior styles spanning a century or more " said the book's author Geoff Brandwood, of CAMRA's Pub Heritage Group.

The book represents over 2 decades worth of work by CAMRA's Pub Heritage Group during which time there was close collaboration with English Heritage. Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, says this in his foreword to the book:- "Pubs are an intrinsic part of British life, and nationwide there are around 50,000 opening their doors every day. But historic pub interiors are something rarer. Across the UK, only some 270 have been identified as having the level of national importance necessary for listing in this guide. English Heritage has been working with CAMRA for 20 years now, and the legacy of that partnership is beautifully revealed within the pages of this book. From wonderful Victorian tiled interiors, through to the simple splendour of Art Deco decoration, the range of pubs recognised through the historic pub interiors project is staggering."

England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are all featured in the book, which is further broken down by counties or local region and features contact details as well as beautiful, full colour images of the fantastic interiors CAMRA is trying to help celebrate and preserve. There are also informative features about the long history of the pub and many of the intriguing features about this unique British institution

The book will be available to purchase from the 6 May 2013, in all good book shops and via:- camra.org.uk/shop, for more information visit:- camra.org.uk/bestheritage.

Shisha bar owner sentenced

THE owner of a shisa bar has admitted an offence of failing to stop people smoking in a smoke-free place. Mohammed Rizwan, of Tonge Street ,Heywood, Oldham ,pleaded guilty at Liverpool Magistrates' Court to the offence under the Health Act 2006. The prosecution was brought by Liverpool City Council. He owns the Mya Lounge which operates as a shisha bar in Ranelagh Street in the City centre. In May 2012 an environmental health officer noted that there were shisha pipes and used cigarette butts in the premises. He returned later when the lounge was open and found a number of people seated around tables smoking shisha pipes. He also saw that there was no sign stating that it was illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18 and the shisha tobacco for sale bore no health warnings and no health warnings were supplied with the hookah pipes as is required. 5 bags of Al Fakir Shisha Tobacco and a shisha pipe were seized. The shisha tobacco was found to be a non duty paid product. District Judge Ian Lomax said that if the defendant had the enterprise to set up the business he should have had the enterprise to check the law. Mr Rizwan was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay the City Council costs of £2,260. A forfeiture order was made for the items seized.