A Southport fisherman and fish shop owner is now smoking his own fish, to the delight of local shoppers

KEVIN Peet, who owns Peets Plaice in Churchtown, Southport, bought the impressive new smoker after getting the idea during Lockdown. It means he can home smoke freshly caught fish such as cod and haddock which he then takes to sell either in his own shop, or through his home delivery service.  He has some exciting plans for Christmas, as he is looking forward to preparing delicious treats including:- smoked salmon, gravlax and crevettes. 

Southport is world famous for its top quality potted shrimps, and Kevin is keen to try a new smoked version of brown shrimps too. He has been fishing off the coast of Southport since the age of 10, when he used to head out to sea with his dad. Along with wife Nicola he opened his Peets Plaice shop, in Churchtown 7 years ago, after moving from Southport Market.

Kevin said:- "We were very busy at Peets Plaice when Lockdown happened. At 1st, our shop was closed, the local restaurants which we supplied closed, but fortunately we had just set up our online business which really flourished. It is great to see our shop back open and busy again, while our home delivery service has continued. We have already had lots of Christmas orders in. In the last few months the restaurant trade has been thriving, it has been unbelievable. During Lockdown I had the idea of investing in my own smoker. I have converted space at my home in Marshside. I buy fish freshly caught at Fleetwood, take it back, brine it, and then smoke it. The process takes around 3 hours. I then take it straight to my Peets Plaice shop and sell it there, but I can also home deliver it too. So far I have been preparing natural smoked cod and haddock. I will be smoking these fish daily, so you will be guaranteed to get them fresh when you buy them from our shop. You will also get exactly the same quality product when you buy them through home delivery as well. The feedback from customers so far has been fantastic. They love our smoked cod and haddock. Our sales of smoked fish have shot up by 50% already. People know they are guaranteed total freshness. There is a real following already. I am really looking forward to making my own smoked salmon this December. I am looking forward to creating some specials in the run up to Christmas, which we will have available in our shop and also on our website. We tend to be really busy during December. January is also a busy time for us too, as lots of people make new year's resolutions to go on diets and lose weight. Fish and seafood are very healthy to eat." 
 
The Peets Plaice smoker is the only 1 of its kind locally, creating something new and exciting for the area. Kevin said:- "The only other smoker that I know of locally is at Southport Bacon Company, but mine is going to be used for fish and seafood." 
 
And he had some tips for people on the best ways to cook it. Kevin said:- "It is a very simple thing to cook. With smoked haddock or cod, you get the best results by steaming it over water for around 10minutes. Some of my older customers tell me they always cook it in milk. If you have it for breakfast, you can enjoy it with a couple of poached eggs on top. At teatime, it is nice with some potatoes and veg on the side. Some people also make other recipes with it, such as kedgeree. Smoked fish is really tasty, and very healthy for you too." 

For more details about Peet's Plaice please visit:- PeetsPlaice.Co.UK.
 

Joyful Santas Dash to kick start Christmas magic in Liverpool

A sea of 5,000 red, blue and mini Santas took to the streets of Liverpool for the return of the UK's biggest festive 5K fun run, on Sunday, 5 December 2021, as we have reported in our last edition. The Appreciate Group Liverpool Santa Dash marked the return of the festive spectacular, which was staged virtually last year due to Covid19 restrictions.
  
Santas gathered at Pier Head Liverpool and were welcomed by special guests including:- the Lord Mayor Of Liverpool, Councillor Mary Rasmussen, and In Demand Radio DJ Lee Butler.
 
Guest of honour was 4 year old Alder Hey patient Betty from Warrington. She was given the all important job of officially starting the fun run with Alder Hey Charity Champion Liverpool Football Club legend Jamie Carragher.
 
The accessible event attracted:- Santas walking, jogging, running, wheelchair participants, tiny Santas in prams, and even 4 legged furry Santas.
 
This year's Liverpool Santa Dash was supported by headline partner:- Liverpool based Appreciate Group; event charity Alder Hey Children's Charity; media partner:- In Demand Radio; pop up shop hosts:- St Johns Shopping Centre; and Arriva North West who offered participants free bus travel on Santa Dash day.
 
The Liverpool Santa Dash was created by BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell and was 1st staged in 2004. A separate 1K Mini Dash for under 12's was added in 2007, and Blue Santa suits were introduced in 2010. BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing and delivering headline race events across Liverpool City Region.
 
BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell explained:- "What an extremely special day. You could feel the real sense of excitement, occasion, and pure joy. The sights you see really are priceless. Betty and her family thoroughly enjoyed the day, they were beaming and it was wonderful to see. We'd like to thank our partners, volunteers and every Santa who took part; and we'll see you on Sunday, 4 December 2022 to do it all again!"
 
The BTR team extended a huge thank you to volunteer groups who helped on the day; Everton in the Community; Good Gym Liverpool; LFC Foundation; North West Air Ambulance; and 4 Coy Merseyside Army Cadet Force, comprising of cadets from Allerton, Aigburth, Deysbrook, Old Swan, Anfield, and Knotty Ash.

The event's official charity Alder Hey recently launched its ₤2.5million Surgical Neonatal Appeal. It is being championed by LFC legend Jamie Carragher, who spent the 1st 6 weeks of his own life in Alder Hey's neonatal ward.
 
Special guest Betty was born premature at just 23 weeks and spent the 1st 13 months of her life at Alder Hey. She is still receiving care from Alder Hey. Betty was joined on stage by Mum Karen, while Dad Phil and brother Stanley pulled on their festive attire to take part.
 
Betty's Mum Karen said:- "We all had a fabulous time. Betty loved being the special guest and we were honoured to start the Liverpool Santa Dash as ambassadors for the wonderful Alder Hey Children's Charity. Phil and Stanley ran their 1st 5K and loved it. The atmosphere was amazing and the whole experience was a great start to the festive season. We are thrilled to have also raised funds for Alder Hey while having such an enjoyable day."
 
Andy Hammerton, Head of Corporate Affairs for Appreciate Group, added:- "It was fantastic to see such a brilliant turn out as thousands of runners dressed in red and blue hit the streets of Liverpool for this year's world famous Santa Dash. The Santas were delighted to see the event return, with many championing causes close to their hearts. As a company based in the Region for more than ˝ a century, we're passionate about helping create joy within our community, and we're delighted this event appears to have done just that."
 
Lee Butler from In Demand Radio added:- "We absolutely loved being part of the Appreciate Group Liverpool Santa Dash 2021, what an incredible day. It was amazing to see so many people come together after a challenging 18 months. The team were delighted to be involved, and we're looking forward to many more events together in the future."

Santas began their 5K fun run at Pier Head Liverpool before making their way through Grade I Listed Royal Albert Dock Liverpool. They then headed though the City Centre before crossing the finish line at Liverpool Town Hall where they were greeted by stilt walking festive characters and:- 'real' snow, before a finale by Liverpool drumming band Katumba.
 
The main dash was followed by the 1K Mini Dash, which featured 500 youngsters aged 12 and under.
 
Sean Morrison, Estate Manager of Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, said:- "It was fantastic to once again see thousands of Santas run through the Dock for the return of the spectacular Santa Dash. It's exciting to be part of such a popular, family friendly event that really kick starts Christmas in the City."

The official Alder Hey Santa Dash online fundraising page currently stands at over:- ₤11,000. Donations can still be made by visiting:- JustGiving.Com.
 
The Liverpool Santa Dash registration fee covers all costs to organise and deliver the event including:- road closures, safety measures, Santa suits, medals, goody bags, and entertainment.
 
Entries for next year's Liverpool Santa Dash are open now with an early bird price until 31 December 2021.
 
Next in the BTR event portfolio is the 29th Annual BTR Liverpool Skyline ˝ Marathon and 10 Mile Road Race, on 27 March 2022. Entries are open now.