Yep, that’s the Tardis at Red Rocks and yes, Dr Who is coming to Hoylake!

Here’s a date that many kids (of all ages) will want to circle on the kitchen calendar: Saturday, 28th July, 2012 – otherwise known as Who In Hoylake.

I spotted details of this interesting event so I contacted the event organisers. Fans Like Us is a Wirral-based Dr Who fan group and promote Dr Who convention events. Here’s what they say about Who in Hoylake, along with venue and ticket details:

From the team who brought you six sell-out events at the Cavern and the Fab Cafe…

We bring you our first event in our home town – Who at Hoylake!

Who at Hoylake is an event celebrating all things Who, past, present and otherwise timey-wimey. As always, this will be an entertaining and fun event, once again at a world-class venue – Jack Rabbit Slim’s in Hoylake.

Guests confirmed to date (subject to work commitments) include:

6th Doctor COLIN BAKER (pictured) – a firm Fans Like Us favourite. He’s not just a pretty face; Colin’s sharp mind and razor wit make him an unmissable guest.

MARK STRICKSON – a fantastic guest. Mark’s work and family life take him away from the UK most of the year, so it’s no exaggeration to say this appearance is a Fans Like Us exclusive.

LOUISE JAMESON – a much-loved stage and television actress. Louise is making her Fans Like Us debut, and we trust you’ll welcome her with open arms!

SOPHIE ALDRED – local girl Sophie makes a return to her homeland to be with her people.

TERRY MOLLOY – the most evil genius the galaxy has ever seen, intent on spreading race war to the farthest sectors of the universe. He once played Davros, you know.

CHRIS JURY – as if being in Dr Who were not enough, Chris was also a star of TV’s Lovejoy. These days he works behind the camera, and this is a rare convention appearance.

And the wonderful COLIN SPAUL, actor, raconteur and all-round great bloke

The day will be MC’d by JOHN COOPER, veteran stand-up and inveterate Dr Who fan!

And these are just the guests we’ve already confirmed. Look to the website below for our updated guest list.

We guarantee, you will be in for a great day, with panels, signings, dealers and so much more, and you won’t miss a thing.

Tickets are a snip at a mere £25:

• for the full day
• to meet the guests
• for personal signings

No hidden costs; if you got a ticket, all you pay for is the merch you take away.

In addition, children under 12 will be allowed in free as long as they’re accompanied by a paying adult.

Tickets are available on the website, further information and updates will be available at our Facebook group, Who At Hoylake, or Twitter

Here’s an important press release from The Parade, Hoylake Community Centre:

The first part of the major exterior renovation of the Parade, Hoylake Community Centre has now commenced with the complete roof replacement. The [Wirral Council] Asset Transfer scheme is transferring this building to the Community.

The new charitable company, formed from the Joint Management Committee which has run the building for over 20 years, has secured finance from a charitable fund for the replacement of the slate roof, new drains and car park.

The work will take several months to complete but will result in a wonderful facility for local people.

Vaughan Williams, Chairman of the JMC said:

“It is hard for us to believe that we have come from fighting for the very survival of this wonderful building to the position where we are now confidently looking to its being here for the next 100 years. Nearly £2m has been spent over the years in creating this fantastic facility for the use of all local people for recreation, education and entertainment. The original committee and the new board are all unpaid volunteers and I am very proud of what they have achieved for the local community.”

History

The Edwardian building on the promenade was opened as a school in 1909 and was saved from demolition by local groups over 20 years ago. It is now a thriving and well used hub for the Community hosting Food Fairs, Film Nights and many classes and is a Centre for Dance and Music. All rooms and halls available for hire by the Community.

For further information contact the Centre Manager Gill Norris on 632 2889 or hoylake.parade@hotmail.co.uk

Merseyside Police is appealing for information following a confrontational burglary in Hoylake on Monday, 9 January.
At about 10.25pm five males entered a house on Dovedale Road armed with a sword. The males confronted the residents of the property and demanded cash. The males then left the property with an amount of cash and a mobile phone from one of the residents.

Although uninjured the residents have been left very shaken following the incident.

The offenders are described as being aged in their late teens or early twenties of proportionate build with local accents. All five males were wearing dark coloured clothing and had their faces covered. One of the males was wearing a grey charcoal tracksuit with the bottoms tucked into black socks.

Enquiries are ongoing and CCTV is being examined from the scene.

Detective Sergeant Mark Watson, said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have seen males acting suspiciously near to this address around this time to contact us with any information they may have.

“We are determined to catch those responsible for this offence. I would urge any members of the public with information regarding this incident to contact us. High visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area following the incident.

“We will not tolerate this kind of crime on Merseyside and urge anyone who may know these men, or may have any information, to call us so we can put them before the courts and bring them to justice.”

Anyone who may have information about either incident or the offenders is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 0151 777 2265 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

BBC Radio 4 broadcast an item about localism and Hoylake last night in their World Tonight programme. You can listen to the broadcast on iplayer  - fast forward to approximately 38/39 mins.

You’ll here comments from local business owners and community volunteers. There are differences of opinion on how Hoylake can be improved for residents, businesses and visitors. Do have a listen and see what you think.

Constructive comments (only please) are always welcome here of course so feel free to have your say if you’d like. Just use the comment box below. Comments from new commentators are held for moderation to avoid the relentless spammers.

HELP – Hoylake Engaging with Local People

Jackie Hall MBE and Loraine McKinley on behalf of all the voluntary groups in Hoylake have secured a grant for £6,500 to take over an empty shop for 12 months. The shop will be run by volunteers from the groups who make Hoylake an interesting and pleasant place to live, provide activities for all, and encourage footfall into Hoylake..

It is proposed that the shop 59, Market Street , Hoylake will be open by the end of January. It will be run like a Tourist Information Centre giving the out the latest information and news about Hoylake. It will provide a focus in the village for everyone. It will be a booking office for events, an internet support for technophobics and a place to view the latest plans for the village.

It is hoped to generate income from sales of items of interest to visitors to Hoylake, which will enable the shop to become viable and continue after the initial monies have been used..

To get the project off the ground Mrs Jackie Hall and Mrs Loraine McKinley will fit the shop out and then arrange for volunteers to take shifts on a rota basis. They have had lots of promises of help in this direction and look forward to a successful 12 months. Volunteers please contact Jackie on 632 2152.

Interested parties include Festival of Firsts, Incredible Edible Hoylake, Wirral Open Studio, Hoylake in Bloom, Hoylake Civic Society, Melrose Hall,
Hoylake Community Centre, Hoylake Lifeboat Museum, Churches Together to name but a few.

Hoylake resident Mrs Jackie Hall (pictured) was awarded an MBE for services to the community in the New Years Honours list announced yesterday.

Jackie has been actively involved in many Hoylake campaigns and projects over the years and is actively working on new Hoylake and exciting projects for 2012.

Congratulations!

Wondering if your green bin will be emptied over Christmas? Here’s what it says on the Wirral Council website:

Household refuse and recycling collection

There are no grey recycling bin or green refuse bin collections on Monday 26^thDecember. These collections will instead take place on Saturday 24^th December. All other scheduled collections over the holiday period will remain the same (including deferred Bank Holidays – Tuesday 27^th December and Monday 2^nd January).  Please check your new calendar for your dates of collection, or check the bin collections page.

Here are the details of the Merseyrail Christmas timetable (full details at merseyrail.org).

Christmas Eve: Last train to Liverpool leaves West Kirby at 20:01.

Christmas Day: No service

Boxing Day: No service

Bank Holiday Tues: Trains run to a Saturday timetable

Friday 30th: Trains run to a Saturday timetable

New Years Eve: Trains run to a Saturday timetable with last train leaving West Kirby at 20:01

New Years Day: Normal Sunday timetable.

Bank Holiday Monday: Trains run to a Saturday timetable

Fare Increases

Merseyrail fares go up from 2nd January with regulated fares increasing by no more than RPI+ 0%. For example, according to NationalRail.co.uk the price of a return ticket from Manor Road to Liverpool increases from £3.80 to £3.95; an increase of 4%. A single fare increases from £3.05 to £3.45 which is an increase of approximately 13%.