Northern up for top environmental gong at National Rail Awards next month

TRAIN operator, Northern has been shortlisted for a national award for its work towards long term environmental sustainability. The National Rail Award for Environmental Excellence is awarded to the organisation leading the way in decarbonising the rail economy and minimising its environmental impacts. In the march towards its environmental goals, Northern has collaborated closely with its employees, the relevant trade unions and its suppliers, finding innovative solutions that help its employees and customers reduce their impact on the environment. This includes measures such as:- 'waste standardisation' the use of colour coded bins and skips in all of Northern's depots to ensure waste is consistently disposed of correctly; and a partnership with BIFFA to track waste levels so that collections are organised in the most efficient way. Train presentation teams are incentivised to recycle as much paper at they can by Northern making a donation to a local charity of its employees' choice for every recycling skip filled. Similarly, customers were encouraged to recycle their waste at the end of their journey, with a specific push on newspapers through the:- 'When it's read, it's Blue' campaign.

Mike Roe, safety and environment Director at Northern, said:- "We are committed to being the train operating company making the most positive contribution to environmental sustainability. To help us achieve this, we operate an environmental and energy management system across the whole of Northern; which ensures we harness opportunities to enhance and protect the environments we influence and control. We are incredibly proud of the strides we have made as a business in recent months and to be shortlisted for a National Rail Award is a real testament to all employees across the business doing their bit to help us achieve our environment goals."

The winner in the Environmental Excellence category will be announced at the awards ceremony in London, on Thursday, 15 September 2022. Northern is the second largest train operator in the country, with nearly 2,000 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.

North West's biggest ever Oktoberfest to take over Liverpool's Sefton Park

DIG out your dirndls and dust down your lederhosen; the biggest authentic Oktoberfest in the North West is coming to Liverpool's Sefton Park. Oktoberfest Liverpool will be running from Wednesday, September 28th to Sunday, October 2nd and will feature events and activities for all the family. As well as evening sessions on each day of the festival, there will be afternoon entertainment at the weekend, with plenty of time to enjoy everything that's going on, in and around the big top. A Bavarian food village will be serving a range of traditional German food from sauerkraut to Bratwurst, mouth watering roasted meats to delicious dumplings and the perfect pretzels, with authentic Bavarian beer from acclaimed brewery Maxlrainer on hand to wash it all down. The Bavarian Brewery of the Year will be presenting the event and making sure the authentic Bavarian look and feel is present in Sefton Park throughout the week. Located about 50km outside Munich, Maxlrainer is 1 of only 12 breweries to have been awarded the title of Germany's Brewer of the Year twice. Festival goers can expect entertainment from The Amazing Bavarian Stompers; the 1st British comedy Bavarian oompah band booked for a major German bier festival; as well as all the fun of a fairground and much more. General tickets are £15 each, or £25 with a Stein on arrival.

Darren Gilligan, Oktoberfest Liverpool MD and founder said:- "We just know that everyone is guaranteed a great time, because there's always a fantastic, party atmosphere at these events. Oktoberfest has really caught on over the last couple of years in the UK and it just keeps getting better and better" says Kevin McArthur, also MD. "It's something to really look forward to, and we have made sure that, at this 1 in Liverpool, there is something for everyone - so you can get your mates down, you can get your family down, and you can experience an authentic Bavarian party. And, of course, there'll be beer - (or bier!). German bier is the purest beer in the world. It's been brewed since the 1600s and the German Government have a purity rule with 4 ingredients:- hops, malt, water and yeast. You don't feel bloated, and you don't feel full of additives that are in normal bier; it's the best bier in the world."

4 varieties of beer will be on offer, with:- Helles, Zwickl Max, Schwarzbier, and Kirtabier; that have been brewed exclusively for Oktoberfest; all on the menu.

Darren and Kevin are planning special days too:- 1 for the NHS and services on Wednesday, 28 September 2022; a student special, on Thursday, 29 Sptember, with #Hashtag, and a special family event, on Sunday, 2 October 2022. A family of up to 5 can get a group ticket for the Sunday family day.

Kevin added:- "It's not just the adults that are allowed to have fun. Sunday afternoon focuses on the kids. Peppa Pig, George Pig and more cartoon stars will be bopping to the oompa band and there will be a funfair with inflatables, ice cream and prize stalls. We'll also have a children's beatbox and rap workshop and what we think will be a favourite; a fun wrestling show. And there'll be free face painting as well. Of course the adults can still enjoy a stein but keep it responsible! Everyone should experience Octoberfest once in their life."

Darren concluded:- "This is a great location, it's a great event... You'll have an amazing time."

Oktoberfest Liverpool takes place at Sefton Park, Liverpool, from:- 28 September to 2 October 2022. Tickets are on sale now via the Oktoberfest Liverpool website https://oktoberfestliverpool.com/ and there's a limited Early Bird booking offer for Oktoberfest Sefton Park, including premium tables.