Local families invited to adopt a tree in Hospice woodland

ST. Joseph's Hospice is offering local families a small piece of its 12 acre woodland to remember their loved ones. The Hospice, on Ince Road in Thornton, has made all its trees available for adoption and every family which chooses to adopt a tree will receive a wooden heart made of solid oak to attach to the tree. Families can also include a personalised message on their heart to celebrate the life being remembered.

Brian and Anne Hayes from Litherland are the very 1st to adopt a tree. The siblings explored the grounds looking for a tree to adopt in memory of their mum, Veronica, who died at the Hospice in May 2019, and their father Brian, who passed away just last year.

Brian said:- "We have found a beautiful tree right in the heart of the woodland which has 2 distinct halves, 1 for each of our parents, but also joined together at the trunk so it's just perfect. We now have somewhere special to go where we can remember them and feel close to them both. It is such a lovely idea and a wonderful way to remember them and support the Hospice too as they looked after our mum with so much dignity, compassion and care."

Families can adopt a tree for a minimum donation of £250 and the adoption will last for at least 5 years. The wooden hearts are completely unique as they have been specially designed for the Hospice. They are also entirely natural and in keeping with the woodland environment.

Maxine Armstrong, head of fundraising and lottery at St. Joseph's Hospice, said:- "Adopt a Tree is a wonderful way of providing families with their own small part of the Hospice grounds where they can spend time in the peaceful woodland and enjoy all their precious memories. Our woodland gardens are always open and are more accessible than ever with our new woodland walkway. We welcome families and dog walkers to use and enjoy the woodland whenever they want. If you have someone you'd like to remember then please feel free to explore the grounds at your leisure and find a tree that is right for you. Then, just pop in and visit the fundraising team in the coach house to finalise the adoption details. All the donations raised through Adopt a Tree go directly to providing nursing care for our patients and support for their families."

If you would like to adopt a tree, call the Hospice's fundraising team, on:- 01519326044, or email:- FundRaising@StJHospice.Org.UK.

Award winning Chef is the new secret ingredient for success at The Grand, Southport!

AWARD winning Chef, Colin Gannon has recently taken up position as Director of Food, at The Grand, Southport, and Mikhail Hotels and Leisure Group. Colin brings many years of expertise in food and drink, catering and fine dining to The Grand. He has always loved the culinary arts, with his early career beginning in Southport when he studied at Southport College. Now, he has returned to the area to cement The Grand's place on the culinary map.

Colin has worked at many fine restaurants, hotels, and resorts, and has been instrumental in helping them achieve applauded acclaim. His culinary journey took him to The Isle of Man and then to The Channel Islands, in the early days before his return to the mainland, where he took up a position at the prestigious 3 AA Rosette awarded Red Star Hotel, The Rampsbeck Country House, in Cumbria before heading further North to Scotland. There, he took up position at the Red Star property, 1 Devonshire Gardens, which has been awarded 3 AA Rosette in Glasgow.

Colin's mouth watering career also saw him creating delectable dishes at 4 Red Star awarded Rookery Hall and the 4 Red Star and 3 AA Rosette-winning New Hall Hotel in Sutton Coldfield. Following that, Colin assumed an executive Chef role at Shrigley Hall, in Cheshire, where he gained rosettes, and at the leading spa resort, The Lodore Falls in Cumbria. Most recently, he spent 7 years at:- Champneys Spa Resort, Mottram Hall, where he gained 2 rosettes.

Now that he has returned to Southport to take up a position as Director of Food for The Mikhail Hotels and Leisure Group, his key focus to make his mark on the already exceptional food offerings at The Grand. Colin shares his ambitions for the iconic Southport venue, stating:- "I will put all of my skills, learned over many years of working in high class establishments, into developing my young, dedicated team of Chefs at The Grand. I have put together some amazing new dishes for The Grand Brasserie and will also relaunch the afternoon tea, making it the best around. I want The Grand to be the destination for afternoon tea, which can be enjoyed in The Brasserie where Tibu, our Restaurant Manager, will cater to your every need and ensure that it truly is a Grand experience."

We are told that diners at The Grand can now look forward to dining on some classical brasserie offerings with a fabulous new menu launching this week, as well as some great new dishes the Chef has put together, including a new lunch and set dinner menu.

Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group has a significant presence in Southport, since the £2million refurbishment of:- The Bold Hotel and The Grand, MHALG has also opened its second hotel in the town, Lord Street Hotel and Sports Bar.

Andrew Mikhail, Chairman of Mikhail Hotel amd Leisure Group, says of the Company's growth:- "There are further exciting announcements to be made regarding MHALG's plans for expansion. We are looking forward to sharing these with you soon."