Liverpool's young gymnastics stars aiming for glory at British Championships at M&S Bank Arena

THE next generation of stars from the City of Liverpool Gymnastics Club are hoping for success at next month's Artistic British Championships. The competition will see talented gymnasts from across the nation competing to become British champion.  The City of Liverpool Gymnastics Club is no stranger to producing world class talent, with the likes of triple World champion and 6 time European champion Beth Tweddle hailing from the Toxteth club.  Hoping to follow in the footsteps of her idol is Liverpool gymnast, Olivia Williams. On performing in her home city, the Merseyside local said:- "I'm so excited to compete in Liverpool. All of my family are coming to watch so knowing you've got the support of the crowd is amazing. Following in her footsteps is no mean feat but Beth [Tweddle] has really inspired me and I hope to be as successful as her 1 day."

The Liverpool hopefuls will share the Arena with a host of top talent, as the likes of 5 time Olympic medallist Max Whitlock, former European champion Ellie Downie and 4 time Commonwealth champion Claudia Fragapane descend on the City later in March 2019.   Looking to impress her fellow gymnasts is 11 year old Zoe Prescott. The youngster, who started gymnastics at 4 years old, will be competing at her 1st British Championships. She said:- "I hope to perform some good, clean and confident routines and do the best I can. I love getting to try new skills and can't wait to show the crowd my routines"

Preparations for the Artistic British Championships are well underway and another City of Liverpool gymnast, Ellen Armstrong, is pulling out all the stops. Discussing her training schedule, the 13 year old said:- "There's lots of conditioning and stretching; it's tough, but lots of fun. I absolutely love gymnastics and want to be the best I can."

With the next Olympics only a year away, both British heroes and bright up and coming stars will be looking to make their mark in gymnastics history, in front of an electric home crowd. Tickets are now on sale to watch the nation's best competing live.  For tickets and prices go to:- MandSBankArena.Com or call the M&S Bank Arena Box Office on:- 0344 8000 400.

Full Cast for the Wizard of OZ Revealed

REGAL Entertainments are delighted to announce the full cast of their Easter panto:- 'The Wizard of Oz,' which comes to St Helens Theatre Royal that runs from 6 April to 22 April 2019. Recently announced Linda Lusardi who is set to play:- 'The Wicked Witch,' will be joined by her daughter, ITV's The Voice star Lucy Kane, as Glinda.  The full cast also includes:- Charlotte Gallagher; Harry Moore; Steve Arnott; Reece Sibbald; and Jay Lusted.

Linda Lusardi's career has spanned nearly 30 years. The former 'Emmerdale' and 'Brookside' actress 1st shot to fame in the early 80's, as 1 of Britain's best loved models, before moving in to the world of television. Her major TV roles include:- Carrie Nichols in ITV's 'Emmerdale,' where she murdered Tom King, in 1 of the most memorable storylines of the year; Maggie Lyons, in 'The Bill;' Frankie in 'Brookside;' and played herself in 'The Detectorists' on BBC4.

Her real life daughter, singer and actress Lucy Kane, rose to fame on 2017's series of:- 'The Voice' as part of Team Tom. Her stage credits include the title role in 'Annie,' Princess Jasmine, in:- 'Aladdin,' at Alban Arena, St Albans and the title role in:- 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' at The Playhouse, Weston Super Mare.

On appearing on stage together, Linda Lusardi said:- "I am thrilled to be working with Lucy for the second time this year. She is not only my daughter but my best friend. She's so talented and I am immensely proud of her. We have great fun spending time on and off stage. We are really looking forward to appearing in The Wizard of Oz and meeting the people of St Helen's"

Lucy Kane added:- "I am so excited to be performing in:- 'The Wizard of Oz' this year in St Helen's. It's such a beautiful story and I get to share the stage with my brilliant Mum!"

Charlotte Gallagher steps back in to the famous ruby slippers as Dorothy. No stranger to the Theatre Royal stage, Charlotte previously appeared in the 2015 and 2016 productions of:- 'The Wizard of Oz' as well as 'Snow White' and 'Peter Pan.'

Another familiar face to St Helens audiences is Harry Moore, who played the role of the:- 'Wizard' in 2018's February ½ Term Production. He is back for 2019 as Tin Man.

There are also a whole host of new faces. Steve Arnott who has a plethora of panto experience including:- Captain Hook, in 'Peter Pan,' at Darlington Hippodrome and Abanazer, in 'Aladdin,' at Venue Cymru, will play Lion. Playing the role of 'Scarecrow' is Reece Sibbald. His previous stage roles include Scarecrow, within the touring production of:- 'Chuckles of Oz' starring alongside:- 'The Chuckle Brothers.' Completing the cast, Jay Lusted, who played one of the 7 dwarfs in 2017's Christmas panto:- 'Snow White,' returns as the great:- 'Wizard of Oz.'

Click your heels together and join Dorothy and Toto as they journey along the:- 'Yellow Brick Road' to meet the Wizard so he can make their dreams come true.

Regal Entertainments' re-imagined panto version of this classic family tale includes a brand new script and music for 2019 including lots of chart hits, old and new, for audiences to sing along to.

St Helens Theatre Royal manager, Chantelle Nolan said:- "I am very excited to announce the full cast for:- 'The Wizard of Oz.' It will be wonderful to see the chemistry on stage between Linda and Lucy. We have some returning favourites, as well as some new faces to this year's production; plus, a new script and lots of brilliant new songs to sing and dance to. So be sure to join us over the rainbow in Oz this Easter!"

Get ready for a whole lot of family fun as this fantastic tale is reawakened. For more information, please visit:- StHelensTheatreRoyal.com.

Summer in February?

2019 has hit the record books and this has given Southport a boost as tourists headed to the Beach! February has been the warmest on record, leaving Meteorologists have been left stunned and saying things like:- "utterly astonishing" and "exceptional." Monday, 25 February 2019 was the warmest day of the year, so far with Britons abandoning their bulky coats and heading out in T-shirts and shorts. Southport also had a surprise visit this week, as open top vintage cars appeared on the coastal road.  Something you tend only to see in the middle of summer. Sadly it is not all good news as for wildlife this could be very bad. Hedgehogs could struggle for food, frog spawn could be lost to frost. Also experts are warning that insects and even birds could suffer if they migrate early, due to the highest winter temperatures since records began over a hundred years ago.  Not only that, but some trees and flowers are starting to bud to early.   Sadly we are being warned not to get use to this weather, as forecasters say that the rare winter heat wave will soon come to a end. It was inevitably that climate change has been brought into the debate about the weather this week, but it also makes you think!