Beacons of Light to Mark Jubilee Weekend
Photograph by Mark McNulty

BEACONS will light up Liverpool's waterfront in tribute to the Queen's 70 years on the throne.  Marking each decade of her sovereignty, the 2 metre high, copper gas beacons will be lit against the backdrop of the Three Graces, on the evening of Thursday, 2 June 2022.

Members of the public are invited to the lighting up which will see activities start from:- 9.15pm, building up to the lighting, at 9.45pm. The event is part of a global event which will see beacons illuminated across the Commonwealth. They will be lit following a countdown led by incoming:- Lord Mayor Councillor Roy Gladden, and plans are in place for a special moment to mark the occasion, including:- a stirring live performance by Pipe Major James Axon and the Liverpool Scottish Regional Association band, along with Mezzo Soprano Danielle Louise Thomas.

Liverpool's Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:- "We are delighted to be part of the official Jubilee Beacons event, and I may be biased, but it will be hard to rival Liverpool's impressive, iconic backdrop. Bringing together those who have received royal commendations is a lovely touch and it will be great to hear their stories and the positive differences their work has made to the community and the lives of those around them. It's going to be an exciting bank holiday weekend in the City; with the food and drink festival and street parties taking place all over Liverpool, it's clearly the place to be!"

As part of the celebrations, a special pre-event will take place at the British Music Experience inviting Liverpool residents who have received public recognition from Her Majesty by being appointed to the Order of the British Empire ie:- DBE, CBE, OBE, MBE, BEM, along with organisations who have received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service or Queen's Award for Enterprise.  Anyone who has received royal recognition, but who has not had an official invitation for Liverpool's Jubilee event can contact:- RSVP.TownHall@Liverpool.Gov.UK to register their details.

Across the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Weekend, the City will embrace the bank holiday with staging Taste Liverpool. Drink Bordeaux; a brand new festival which shines a spotlight on Liverpool's enviable street food scene as well as welcoming some of the world's finest wines with tasting sessions and masterclasses. For more information head to the official site. There will also be a number of street parties taking place at around 40 locations with residents making the most of the City Council waiving closure fees, and officially applying for permission to stage their own celebrations with neighbours.

Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mark Blundell, said:- "As the Platinum Jubilee Weekend approaches, I would ask you to reflect on the outstanding commitment that Her Majesty The Queen as a mother, grandmother and great grandmother has made to the nation and the Commonwealth. Many festivities will take place over the Bank Holiday weekend, and I would encourage you where possible to raise a glass (or 2) to give thanks to a remarkable lady and long may she reign."

Please note, the beacons will be alight for 1 hour, on Thursday, 2 June 2022, only.

Southport Arts Trail 2022

UUBELIEVABLY, it's now 13 years since Southport Contemporary Arts was conceived and unveiled for the 1st time in 2009 its network of independent artists living and working in Southport and surrounding areas, from its newly acquired base at the ArtHouse, in Eastbank Street.

Continuously applauded for its well established calendar of wide ranging exhibitions and public events in support local artists, designers and makers, 2022 see's the welcome return of SCA's annual Arts Trail and Open Studios event that has refreshingly showcased the wide ranging cultural activities within the Region since 2010.

Each year the SCA team have successfully maintained this unique free public Arts Event in celebration of a esteemed creative community that continues to make such a valuable contribution to the cultural life in Southport.

Although the Arts Trail has grown over the years to acquire its own personality, its aim to include the active working spaces of individual artists, as well as lots of interactive activities that the public can get involved with, remains the same as in 2009.

Bringing together like minded individuals, breaking down barriers, sharing skills and building connections that might not have occurred otherwise, drives the focus for SCA in 2022.

Whether a hobbyist or established craftsperson, young or old, inclusivity is key to SCA's rationale to nurture creative nature.

This year's Arts Trail will offer visitors the opportunity to see a diverse collective of creativity, ranging from etching to automania in the artists' own intimate working environment; have hands on experience of a variety of visual arts and contemporary crafts through visiting workshops ranging from Raku ceramics to weaving, and also enjoy a wide variety of local artists' work in a number of different exhibition venues around the town.

By working with other creative organisation in the Town, the Arts Trail offers a truly diverse cultural range providing something for every age group and creative interest.

Southport College will be hosting an exhibition from students across its creative courses including:- games design and photography plus providing drop-in classes introducing screen printing and drypoint printmaking.

Southport Little Theatre has VIP tours of its Art Deco home off Hoghton Street and there will be:- 'en plein air' activities for the more adventurous near the Dunes, at Ainsdale.

On Saturday, 18 June 2022, there will be a fantastic day of relaxed creativity for all the family at a Family Picnic Day in the Mermaid Gardens, in Lord Street, Southport, including:- celebrating Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee by making sparkly crowns. No invitation necessary from The Palace but don't forget your picnic rug and sandwiches.

Not to be outdone, Southport Market will be hosting its own personal photo and collage sessions celebrating the Platinum Jubilee as well as special workshops including knitting on giant needles, peg loom weaving and block printing greeting cards.

The event runs from:- 4 June to 25 June 2022... For more details and information about joining this year's exciting ArtsTrail programme, please download the information PDF from the SCA website or follow activities on:- Instagram.