Singing Workshops to 'rock' the North West!

DUE to popular demand, the UK's largest award winning contemporary choir, Rock Choir, are ready to offer another unforgettable summer by inviting everyone to 'rock' at their national singing workshops.

Rock Choir Leader, Kathryn Davies said:- "We had huge success with last years' 'Summer of Love' workshops, therefore we're delighted to be inviting more local people to come together and make new friendships, sing some fantastic classic Rock hits and simply have a great time! You don't even need to be a member of Rock Choir - everyone is welcome to join in the fun."

Each workshop is 2 hours long, focussing on 1 epic song. There are 4 feel good, nostalgic, classic Rock themed songs to learn so for the Tina Turner fans looking to show they're:- 'Simply The Best' or going 'Radio Gaga' for a bit of Queen, then it's an opportunity not to miss. You can attend as many workshops as you like in whichever location you prefer. Workshops are open to everyone so why not treat your friends and family to an unforgettable day of fun and laughter.

You can either purchase a single workshop ticket for ₤15 or 3 workshops for ₤35!

Until 29 April 2018, book 3 workshops for the price of 2 at just ₤30!

Rock Choir is the pioneering contemporary choir of the UK and remains unique with over 27,000 members participating in 380 local communities. It offers adults and teenagers an alternative experience to the traditional classical or community choir, offering a new approach to vocal training and entertainment plus the chance to sing and perform popular contemporary songs, with no auditions and no requirements to read music or have any previous singing experience.

Its uplifting ethos of fun, friendship and community spirit is a huge part of its attraction. At an individual level, it helps improve people's self confidence, enables them to develop new singing skills, and enjoy a dynamic new social life. Singing together and achieving such a great sound gives members a huge sense of fulfilment.

To avoid disappointment, book your place now by going to:- RockChoir.Com and find your closest:- 'Summer of Rock' venue…but be quick, tickets are already selling fast!

Liverpool holds the key to lucrative food and drink export market

UK food and drink producers need to expand trade relations beyond Europe and focus on shipping goods to the USA and Asia via Liverpool if they are to take full advantage of the sector's potential export value, according to DIT, Welsh Government and key players from the northern food and drink industry.

The Port of Liverpool could be the gateway to lucrative export markets in the Americas and Asia for thousands of UK producers.

The message was delivered at an event in Liverpool last month designed to help firms export. It comes at a time when British produce is growing in popularity, with over ₤22 billion of food and drink products shipped around the world last year and over ₤1.7 billion from the North West alone.

Hosted by port operator Peel Ports Group in partnership with the Department for International Trade and the Welsh Government, the dinner saw 50 food and drinks producers from across the Northern Powerhouse and North Wales come together to accelerate their export potential via the Port of Liverpool.

Attendees included Halewood International, the producers of Whitley Neill Gin and Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer.

Scott Kilshaw, Supply Chain Director at Halewood International, said:- "We've cultivated an export emphasis in Asia, particularly China and Thailand where our products are growing in popularity. With trade links from Liverpool to Asia and the Americas, the potential for UK firms to increase their export volumes via the North West is endless, regardless of any consequences Brexit may bring. Demand overseas is growing, and the more we can export, the more mature the international market will become. If we don't commit to fulfilling the UK's food and drink export potential we will be losing out on a significant market which already has a taste for British produce. With significant investments being made at The Port of Liverpool in recent years, the North West has a deep sea gateway to the world which is ideally located in the heart of the UK."

Atlantic Container Line, who have 8 sailings per week between UK and North American ports, is a key player in facilitating UK exports.

David Shaw of ACL, said:- "The Port of Liverpool has been instrumental in growing export levels in recent years. 80%of our transatlantic trade arriving by road comes from within an 80 mile radius of Liverpool, which really shows the density of producers in the North of England and their export potential. Peel Ports' long-term vision for turning the North West into the UK's trading gateway to the rest of the world is commendable, and the investments made around the Port of Liverpool show they are extremely well prepared for continued export growth via the Atlantic."

Patrick Walters, Chief Operating Officer at Peel Ports, said:- "Bringing together Government, business and logistics partners under a shared goal of increasing levels of food and drink exports has been extremely productive and satisfying. Liverpool has the potential to turn thousands of producers across the UK into global exporters. Connected to the heart of the UK by road, rail and canal, shipping via Liverpool provides direct access to the bulk of the UK's population and, in turn, to a significant amount of producers looking to take the next step on their journey and export goods abroad."

Lynne Gillen, Department for International Trade Team Leader, said:- "Figures provided from the Food and Drink Federation state that the UK now exports over ₤22 billion of food and drink products globally, with over ₤1.7 billion coming from the North West. Companies are increasingly looking for new markets and the US and Canada are of great interest. With this in mind we will be promoting various trade shows in the US, hosting CETA events to promote trade with Canada, and have plans to bring buyers over from the US and Canada in the summer months. It is important that all organisations involved in the exporting journey make life as easy as possible for companies and I believe the resource of Liverpool2 will have a great impact on the Northern economy."

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said:- "In recent years, Welsh food and drink has gained a growing and well-deserved reputation for high quality. Working with businesses and growing the industry is 1 of the key priorities of our Action Plan and we are well on track to achieving the growth target of ₤7 billion ahead of 2020. However, it is important that we continue to build on our success. Our trade events calendar gives our businesses the opportunity to access buyers from around the world. Working alongside partners such as the Port of Liverpool and our Welsh ports will give our business the benefit of a gateway to a global export market."