Bavarian Christmas themed Ice Skating rink in Southport to continue into January 2023

ICE Skating Southport has extended its popular attraction at Victoria Park in Southport and will remain open until 4 January 2023! The popular Bavarian Christmas themed event has entertained thousands of families since it opened earlier this month. The attraction has been created by North West Marquee Hire and Southport TV, the team which organised the successful recent Oktoberfest at Victoria Park in October.

A spokesperson said:- "Due to the overwhelming response we have had and want to make sure that everyone can have a go at ice skating in Southport. We are delighted that we have now got permission from the owners of Victoria Park in Southport to remain open until 4 January 2023."


Ice Skating Southport will be open from:- Tuesday, 27 December 2022, until Friday, 30 December (12pm to 8pm every day) and then reopen again on:- Monday, 2 January 2023; until Wednesday, 4 Jan 2023.

To book, head to their website:- IceSkatingSouthport.com.

Tuesdays are:- 'Hot Chocolate Tuesday' so all skaters get a free hot chocolate when they skate, whether it's pre-booked or walk in.

The venue is situated next to the Southport Eco Centre entrance to:- Victoria Park, in Southport.

Ice skating at Ice Skating Southport starts at:- £9 for under 12's, £12.50 for everyone over 12 and a family of 4 tickets is £38 (plus booking fee).

Sessions are for:- 45 minutes on the ice and 15 minutes to lace up, every hour on the hour.

Kids helmets are offered at no charge and there are polar bear skating aids available should you wish to hire 1 at £4.

So if you just stand and watch your braver friends or families take to the ice, you're not charged for going in.

Next to the ice skating rink is another large marquee, with loads of seating available on tables and benches. There is German food available and a large well stocked bar, with a variety of drinks including:- mulled wine, gingerbread hot chocolate as well as tea and coffee and German beers in either pints or steins.

There is a real family vibe during the day and at night there are several themed party nights available, with entertainment on rotation including:- 'Disco On Ice,' 'The Bavarian Stompers Duo,' 'Lionel The Vinyl' playing all your favourite 80's hits and there will also be a Kingsway and Manhattans 90's dance night, with Mark Pickup.

For up to date info on all that's going on at Bavarian Christmas Ice Skating Southport please check their socials:- Ice Skating Southport  and Instagram and their web site:- IceSkatingSouthport.Com.
 

RMT and ASLEF strikes will disrupt return to work rail travel in January 2023

THE rail industry is gearing up for 5 days of strikes in early January called by the RMT and ASLEF leaderships, which will mean that only a limited number of trains can run. The industry is reminding passengers to expect significant disruption and to check the latest travel advice.

Rail passengers are reminded to:-

►    Only travel if it is absolutely necessary during this time.

►    Allow extra time and check when their 1st and last trains will depart. 

There may also be some possible disruption to services on:- Sunday, 8 January 2023 as workers return to their duties.

Thousands of specially trained and fully qualified back up staff will step in during the RMT walkouts on:- 3 January to 4 January and 6 January to 7 January 2023 to keep vital services running for those who need them. On RMT strike days, around half of the network will shut down, with only about 20% of normal services running. Timetables for these strike days have already been published.

Trains that do run will start later and finish much earlier than usual; with services typically running between:- 7:30am and 6.30pm on the day of the strike. Passengers should plan ahead and check before they travel.

A walkout by train drivers taking part in a strike called by ASLEF on 5 January 2023 will affect 15 operators and will result in even fewer services running; with some operators running very significantly reduced timetables. Timetables for:- 5 January 2023 will be published on:- 29 December 2022.

Meanwhile, the RMT has an overtime ban in place at 14 train operating companies until 2 January 2023 that will continue to affect the level of cancellations and the punctuality of some services. This action may particularly affect those travelling out of London late in the evening on New Year’s Eve and passengers are advised to plan their journey in advance.

Daniel Mann, Director of industry operations at the Rail Delivery Group, said:- "No 1 wants to see these strikes go ahead, and we can only apologise to passengers and to the many businesses who will be hit by this unnecessary and damaging disruption. We would advise passengers to only travel if it is absolutely necessary during this period, allow extra time and check when their 1st and last train will depart. Passengers with tickets for between:- 3 January to 7 January 2023 can use their ticket the day before the ticket date, or up to and including:- Tuesday, 10 January 2023. This dispute will only be resolved by agreeing the long overdue reforms to working arrangements needed to put the industry on a sustainable footing, rather than unions condemning their members to losing more pay in the new year."

Ticketing and refund information...

Tickets for 3 January, 4 January, 5 January, 6 January, and 7 January 2023, can be used the day before the date on the ticket, or up to and including Tuesday 10 January.

There is also likely to be some disruption in the early morning of Sunday, 8 January 2023 as workers return to their duties.

Passengers with Advance tickets can be refunded fee free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.

If the Advance ticket is for a train scheduled for a strike day, but it is not cancelled, delayed or rescheduled, and a customer prefers not to travel, they should contact their ticket retailer.

Customers with 2 x Advance tickets (an outbound and a return), to be used as a return journey, may be able to get a fee-free refund or change of journey for any unused legs/tickets, if wither of the legs is scheduled for a strike day. Customers should check with their ticket retailer.

Customers with tickets for long distance operators, particularly where seat reservations are required, can obtain a refund and rebook onto an alternative service. Trains running on days either side of strike days are likely to be extremely busy and a seat cannot be guaranteed. Customers are advised to check with their operator before travelling.