Real Ale and Cider festival being held at local pub

BEER and cider enthusiasts will be able to enjoy up to 30 real ales and 5 ciders from the UK and overseas during a 12 day festival at 2 pubs in Southport. It will feature a selection of beers brewed exclusively for the festival. Sir Henry Segrave and The Willow Grove, both in Lord Street, have each sourced beers from brewers in:- Greece, Italy, Australia, Canada, USA and Republic of Ireland, with 1 of the ciders from Northern Ireland. The festival will run from Wednesday, 14 March 2018, until Sunday, 25 March 2018, inclusive.  All beers and ciders will be priced at ₤2.09 a pint.

The overseas beers on sale are:- Old World New England IPA (Grapes and Gratification, Greece), Hot Night At The Village (Birrificio Foglie D' Erba, Italy), 3 Bolt Pale Ale (Green Beacon, Australia), Talisman (Strange Fellows, Canada), Bru Red Ale (Bru, Republic of Ireland) and Lo-Res (Sixpoint, USA).

The UK beers will include:- Monty Python's Flying Circus (Black Sheep), Old Engine Oil (Harviestoun), Game of Stones (Wadworth), Twisted Edge (St Peter's), Warlord (Purity) and Springfest (Otter).

The ciders include:- Snails Bank Rhubarb (Snails Bank Cider), Cockeyed Pear Mania (Cockeyed Cider) and Tempted Elderflower (Tempted Irish Cider).

Sir Henry Segrave manager, Ian Radford, said:- "The festival will give people the opportunity to enjoy a superb selection of UK and international beers as well as a choice of ciders. Many of the beers on offer have not been available in the pub beforehand and I am looking forward to serving them. The festival promises to be great fun and I am certain that customers will enjoy themselves."

Customers will be able to sample any 3 of the real ales or ciders in special ⅓ of a pint glasses for the price of a pint. Tasting notes on all of the beers and ciders will be available in the pub.

DISCRETIONARY housing payments (DPH) provide essential financial help to low income and vulnerable households across the City, affected by the governments Welfare Reform programme.

By the end of January 2018 Liverpool City Council had already awarded in excess of 9,100 DHP's to assist residents in meeting shortfalls in state benefits by providing extra help with the cost of rent, thereby preventing rent arrears, protecting the residents tenancy and reducing the risk of severe hardship and homelessness.

The Government has provided ₤2.1M funding for Discretionary Housing Payments for 2017/2018, however Liverpool City Council has added an additional ₤1.2M due to increased demand for DHP.

In addition to Discretionary Housing Payments, Liverpool City Council has helped over 66,500 people with their Council Tax bills through the Council Tax Support Scheme, which is almost a ⅓ of all Council Tax payers.

The City has also spent ₤2.8M to help families pay for basic necessities through the Citizens Support Scheme.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:- "With an ever increasing need for help in the City as a result of the growing impact of this governments Welfare Reforms we provide more support than most other Cities. In particular the reduced benefits cap, the bedroom tax and restrictions on Local Housing Allowance, mean it is more important than ever that we protect our most vulnerable residents which is why we spend around ₤50M a year helping the poorest in our City."