Jollyes Pet Store Supports Freshfields Animal Rescue!

JOLLYES Pet Store has recently opened a branch in Southport, and has decided to support Freshfields Animal Rescue as a chosen charity. The store has taken a donations bin, where customers can deposit:- pet food, toys, blankets and other items that Freshfields Animal Rescue needs to care for the abused, abandoned and neglected animals every day,

Milo Matthews, Social Media Manager, said:- "When we were searching for charities to donate to, we had a number of people say we should donate to Freshfield, even staff members. Freshfields is a charity that's close to home here at Jollyes Southport, as a staff member spent every weekend there helping out with the various animals they house there. We had heard many great things about Freshfield, like customers telling us they got their furry baby from there and what a lovely experience it was for them. After hearing all positive and lovely things about this charity, we chose it as 1 of the ones to donate to and help support. We are very happy to be able to support Freshfields, with the assistance of our lovely customers of course. We will continue to help with donations until further notice; however we hope that that day never comes. Freshfields is a lovely charity and to be a part of the community that helps feed their furry friends is amazing, and again we are very happy to help."

Deb Hughes, Communications Officer for Freshfields, said:- "We are incredibly grateful to the staff and customers of Jollyes for choosing to support the animals at Freshfields. Every day, over 500 creatures are given the food, warmth, love and excellent medical care they need, and we couldn't do it without the big-hearted people in our local communities. We look forward to showing the Jollyes customers and staff how they are making a difference to the lives of animals, many of whom have known only trauma and isolation, like Suki here, who was rescued from a situation of domestic abuse."

They will be changing lives for the better, with their thoughtfulness and kindness. It's needed now more than ever, in these unprecedented challenging times, and we want to thank Jollyes for helping us to be there for the animals who have nowhere else to turn.' To locate Jollyes Southport, you can find them in Unit 3, on the Kew Retail Park, Southport (PR85RG) For more information on how you or your local business can get involved with Freshfields, please check out:- FreshFields.Org.UK.

Newly qualified Liverpool dancer creates amazing cinematic music and dance video

IN an industry only just getting back on its feet post Covid, Laura Macy, a recent Graduate from LIPPA, with a Performing Arts Degree has told us that getting work in the UK is both terrifying and extremely frustrating. Like many other performers, Laura was struggling to find work in the field and she had dedicated so much time and money to training in to it. Laura told us:- "It was only when someone said to me:- ;why are you waiting around for someone to hand you a job when you can make the work yourself?' that I realised I already had the skills, equipment, and people around me to create my own work, without needing to be employed by someone else."

Laura continued:- "A few days later, I heard Samuel Kim's version of:- 'Running Up That Hill' and I was blown away by how powerful the music was. I was desperate to choreograph to the song, and thanks to my training at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, I'd already developed a network of contacts across the industry who could help me create a project. I contacted Resonant Sounds, a production company set up by 2 recent LIPA graduates (Jacob HandslipandSam Mainard) and with their help, my small idea blossomed into a full scale concept video."

For a newly qualified Graduate, this was not a easy job, but she pushed on... "I find that choreography is much more powerful when it conveys something or tells a story, because it gives the audience something to relate the movement to and understand. Therefore we knew it was important to find a powerful story to match the drama of the music. Our idea for the storyline stemmed from the lyrics in the song, where Kate Bush sings about how she'd get God:- 'to swap our places,' and to me that speaks about understanding 1 another's struggles in life. Stemming from this concept, the aim of:- 'Not Letting You Go' was to convey the frustration of trying to be there for a loved 1 who keeps pushing you away, and the determination to not give up on them."

Laura went on to say:- "I'm extremely grateful to the team I had onboard this project. They were all so supportive and open to the idea from the beginning, and it was such a rewarding process to see them growing and learning from each other throughout the 6 weeks we were rehearsing and shooting. I loved being able to bring people together across all different areas of the industry, and to provide this opportunity for them to learn from each other and build connections. The video wouldn't have looked anywhere near as effective without every single person involved, and I'm humbled that so many people, from my close friends to completely new faces, gave their time and energy to the project."

During the set up and filming, Laura had to deal with many organisations to get permissions to film, but 1 group stood out the most. She added:- "I want to mention the team at Mersey Tunnels who were super helpful, making sure we were safe on-site and even helping us with the lighting and creative direction. (During our time there we also got a cool tour of the abandoned Queensway Tunnel; so I'd recommend visiting it if you get the chance)! The whole team would like to thank Nick Biglowe for being the sweetest supervisor and for his involvement in the project."

1 of the lead dancers Beth Walker said:- "it's been so nice just having something to work towards that's dance related. After graduating it's been hard working a part time job that isn't what I trained in everyday, and this project has been a fun reminder of my love for dance." 

Another lead dancer Emma Lippitt said:- "I have loved getting to work with so many talented artists; dancers, musicians, actors and artists behind the camera. Each rehearsal and film day I have come away feeling so happy and connected. Laura has created such a lovely environment and an amazing concept. I hope we all get to work together again soon."

Laura concluded:- "I hope you enjoy the video as much as we enjoyed filming it! You can find it on YouTube, and in a few days time we'll be releasing a Behind The Scenes video (where you can see us being much less serious and some funny outtakes). I'd really love to provide more opportunities like this for artists in the North West, as I understand the frustrations of living outside London and feeling disconnected from the industry. If you have an idea for a collaboration I'd love to hear from you!"

This video will give many major production hoses a run for their money, so keep an eye on this group, as we are positive they are set to do some amazing things...