Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Two men are on the run after peppering an insurance brokerage in Sydney’s west with bullets and torching a getaway car in what police are treating as a targeted attack were captured on CCTV emerging from a BMW sedan with guns in hand just after 1am on Monday before firing close to a dozen shots at the Community Broker Network offices on Haig Avenue in Georges Hall shows the hooded men walk towards the business before shots ring out emergency services were called to Kawana Street in Bass Hill after reports of a car on fire The car was so badly burnt that police are yet to determine its exact make or model or if it was stolen but the arson and shooting are believed to be linked Crime scenes have been established at the brokerage and on Kawana Street Detective Chief Inspector Darren Sly said police were pursuing several lines of inquiry around the shooting which is believed to have been a targeted attack “Absolutely it would be a targeted attack,” Sly told reporters on Monday “When people get out [of a car] or start firing shots into premises it’s certainly something which is obviously a major factor and certainly for police it’s not something that we want in our community and something that we want to stamp out and obviously address.” Sly said police had not received any previous reports of safety concerns from the business owners and it was unclear if the shooters had targeted the wrong business There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Community Broker Network Community Broker Network said the office building houses an independent business acting as authorised representative of the company “We are relieved to understand that no injuries have been reported,” it said “As the incident is under police investigation we are not able to provide any further comment on the matter until the investigation is complete.” “What happened with the vehicle drop off around the fire that will all form part of our investigation and police will be out knocking on doors and looking for further evidence this morning,” Sly said Anyone with information about the shooting or care fire is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter Two men are on the run after peppering an insurance brokerage in Sydney\\u2019s west with bullets and torching a getaway car in what police are treating as a targeted attack \\u201CAbsolutely it would be a targeted attack,\\u201D Sly told reporters on Monday \\u201CWhen people get out [of a car] or start firing shots into premises it\\u2019s certainly something which is obviously a major factor and certainly for police it\\u2019s not something that we want in our community and something that we want to stamp out and obviously address.\\u201D \\u201CWe are relieved to understand that no injuries have been reported,\\u201D it said \\u201CAs the incident is under police investigation we are not able to provide any further comment on the matter until the investigation is complete.\\u201D \\u201CWhat happened with the vehicle drop off around the fire and police will be out knocking on doors and looking for further evidence this morning,\\u201D Sly said Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories ammunition seized as police swoop on alleged OMCG member in Georges HallMatt ShrivellThe Nightly2 Min Read29 Aug 2024Updated29 Aug 2024A man was arrested with alleged links to an outlaw motorcycle gang Credit: AAPShampoo bottles full of drugs were part of the police haul following a dramatic raid on an alleged bike gang member in Sydney Raptor Squad officers seized large amounts of ammunition firearm magazines and shampoo bottles containing prohibited drugs following a search of a Georges Hall home on Wednesday Officers attached to State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad conducted a Firearm Prohibition Order compliance check at a home on Binalong Avenue Get the first look at the digital newspaper curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox Get the NewsletterBy continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.During the check police located and seized multiple types of ammunition throughout the home two shampoo bottles filled with GHB and a small container of methylamphetamine All items were seized for forensic examination Police arrested a 49-year-old man – and alleged member of an OMCG (outlaw motorcycle gang) – before taking him to Bankstown Police Station The man was refused bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court yesterday where he was further refused bail to appear before the same court on Wednesday 11 September 2024. Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis, Commander of Raptor Squad, said police will continue to put pressure on criminals who think they can conceal these dangerous weapons that cause chaos on Sydney’s streets. “We have a long list of people who shouldn’t have firearms in this state, and we intend to check in on as many as we can to make sure they are following the law. “Those who don’t, expect Raptor Squad officers at your door any day, because we fully intend to keep this state safe from your violence.” Det Supt Koutsoufis said. Investigations continue. Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000. Latest EditionEdition Edition 5 May 20255 May 2025All-powerful Anthony Albanese says give me some R.E.S.P.E.C.T If you believe that this is a technical error, please contact us and tell us the location of this page Join us on Sunday 23 March for the first Artisan market of the year at St George’s Hall Expect an exciting range of independent businesses including those who sell hand-crafted products and local art A small food market in the entrance hall will offer street food Don’t miss live performances and family activities too Join Collective Encounters for the launch of Gender Identity and Art: Breaking the Archetypal.. Come together for an unforgettable night of music and.. the longest running annual festival of Arab arts and.. What does ‘home’ mean to you and your family Royal Albert Dock Liverpool is saying ‘Thanks a Bunch’.. fashion designers and film directors from across Liverpool are.. FACT Liverpool are hosting two powerful solo exhibitions by renowned artists R.I.P A Liverpool studio’s aim to be one of the UK’s greenest has been rewarded.. President of St George Basketball with Georges River Councillor Leon Pun.Georges River Council will develop a detailed business case for a new multi-sport stadium to accommodate the needs of the St George Basketball Association and other indoor sports Hurstville Ward Councillor Leon Pun moved a motion at the November 25 council meeting for the council to undertake the planning and development of the proposed stadium Basketball NSW has offered to contribute 50 per cent of the expected $120,000 cost of the business case "Basketball is the second fastest growing sport in Australia and the St George area lags behind its neighbours when it comes to facilities," Councillor Pun said we are now on the path to see the first competitive level multi-purpose stadium in the Georges River area "We have nine courts (in the local government area) and at current capacity we need 30 to 40 courts," Cr Pun said "It will be a multi-sport stadium and not just basketball It will be for other sports such as netball and indoor soccer "This is the key to building the sport and giving the association the legs it needs to grow an even bigger representation of the sport in the area." Councillor Pun acknowledged the decades-long efforts of St George Basketball's President Ray Barbi who has long championed for a dedicated stadium that would serve basketball The business case will assess the feasibility of the best location for the stadium including the Johnny Warren Indoor Sports Centre Beverly Hills as well as any additional sites to be considered as a result of the Georges River Community Infrastructure Needs Assessment Basketball NSW has been working with Georges River Council since 2022 on a project to provide a sports and community centre at Tallawalla Reserve This would include food indoor multi-purposes sports courts not only for basketball but netball St George Basketball president Ray Barbi said a four court stadium would cost around $35 million "Sutehlrand is looking at providing a nine to ten court stadium but in St George we have only three courts," he said "The St George region needs 18 basketball courts to meet the needs of the sport locally." Covering Georges River Council, Bayside Council and general news. For news tips contact me at jgainsford@theleader.com.au Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy We sent The Post’s resident miser to see if three Christmas ghosts might change his attitude God help us — another rendition of A Christmas Carol I accepted my assignment and made my way to St George’s Hall for Ginificent’s festive adaptation Although Dickens is undoubtedly a – perhaps the – London novelist his Liverpool associations are numerous and underreported Anyone who has walked past the Bridewell on Campbell Square (once a Victorian gaol now a labyrinthine pub) may have spotted a plaque commemorating the writer’s one-night stint as a special constable with this city’s police force But it was at St George’s Hall where he would see his popularity in Liverpool peak demand to hear Dickens read in person was so great that an estimated 3,000 people had to be turned away Strolling beneath St George’s Corinthian pillars 158 years later among the nocturnal lights of Liverpool’s Christmas markets after begrudgingly forking out eight whole English pounds for a glorified hotdog it occurs to me that there’s no accounting for taste distinguished from his contemporaries only by his whimsical moralising and bourgeois crocodile tears over poverty-stricken urchins wise only in that he spared Tiny Tim the maudlin demise of Little Nell that famously sent Oscar Wilde into spasms of laughter… smartly incorporating Scrooge & Marley’s offices with our skinflint hero’s canopy bed and the London skyline fits wonderfully into the concert room’s neo-Grecian finery Director Clare Scott is to be commended: the lighting is moody the music and sound design not too ostentatious but A Christmas Carol is a bit like a good beef joint – even if you’ve slightly overcooked it it’s still very digestible with all the trimmings unlikely to cause nocturnal hallucinations observed that the atmosphere is often more important than the story and Ginificent’s production achieves this with aplomb Despite my prejudice against yet more Carolling in tandem with the eight actors’ clever doubling up on roles and splendid costumes (the massive Ghost of Christmas Future must be seen to be believed) If the pre-interval section up to the Ghost of Christmas Past felt a little slow the much longer second part flew by as the cast and crew turned up the charm and the exuberance Does seasoned television and stage actor Ken McConnell The best Scrooges are not ones that invite that comparison Attempting to match Sim’s bipolar extremities is the wrong way to play the character – only an actor of his flamboyance and dignity could get away with it Scrooge is no more inhuman at the beginning of the story than at the end – his Malthusian barbs against charity and overpopulation are infused with the same humanity that inspires his redemption and the challenge for the actor is to bridge the two sides of the man’s soul ensuring old Ebenezer is still recognisably the same person by the story’s close transformed but not replaced by his hauntings To enjoy A Christmas Carol is to likewise surrender to it — to allow the spirits to ignite your humanity as they do Scrooge’s Living in an era so beset with rapacious greed and social iniquity it may as well be called Neo-Victorian perhaps what we actually need is more Dickens and not less but the magic of A Christmas Carol done well with the heart and vivacity this adaptation manages Perhaps the Ferris wheel lights looked a little softer the so-called currywurst good value after all St George’s Hall held a farewell banquet to honour Dickens who had previously described the venue as “the most perfect hall in all the world” took the opportunity to extoll not only the hall’s virtues but the city’s proposing a toast: “inseparable from the public enterprise of Liverpool the public honour and public spirit of Liverpool equally inseparable from the stately streets and buildings around us all those great monuments of consideration for the many.” If we could only rid ourselves of its weakness for commercialism the encroaching sense this time of year of being gouged at a faux-Bavarian stall or crowded by the queues at every shopping centre till we might live up to Dickens’s hopes for us and for humanity A Christmas Carol at St George’s Hall is running until 29th December. You can purchase tickets here. The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n \n \n \n '.concat(e,' Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response The file could not be found for a number of reasons such as the file being moved or deleted. Please check your spelling and if you still can't get to the right page try heading to the homepage for a look around If you still have problems, try contacting us and we'll do what we can to help you. Click here to get back to where you came from The City Halls has announced the grand opening of Stable Gallery a new arts and exhibition space housed within the iconic St George’s Hall This exciting addition to Liverpool’s cultural landscape will officially open its doors on Thursday with the launch of its inaugural exhibition: “Liverpool’s Crowning Culture” Set against the backdrop of one of Liverpool’s most historic buildings The Stable Gallery aims to provide a vital platform for local artists from across the Liverpool City Region to showcase txheir work in a space that celebrates creativity The opening exhibition, Liverpool’s Crowning Culture and rich history of Black culture in Liverpool Featuring captivating displays of Afro hair artistry the exhibition offers an immersive exploration of identity This exhibition invites reflection on the significance of Afro hair as a symbol of cultural pride and resilience By weaving together personal stories and artistic expressions the exhibition shines a light on Black identity and the power of art to challenge historical narratives and shape a more inclusive future The opening of Stable Gallery marks a new chapter in Liverpool’s arts scene offering a unique space for cultural expression within the grandeur of St George’s Hall. Liverpool’s Crowning Culture sets a powerful tone for what’s to come celebrating the city’s diversity and enduring creative spirit  For updates on future exhibitions and events, you can visit the website READ MORE: Liverpool’s much loved Epstein Theatre to reopen its doors By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Conditions and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Explore Liverpool about news We never share your information with anyone By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Conditions and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Explore Liverpool about news Explore Liverpool is a central hub for the Liverpool City Region helping not only visitors and students but also residents of the city For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link] We responded to over 150,000 incidents in 2023-24 The incidents displayed below are note-worthy incidents that have been published as media releases or tweets Details about incidents may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice North Parramatta | The fire at Dunlop Street, North Parramatta has been contained but is expected to smoulder through the morning. Because there may be smoke in the area, residents and businesses in the vicinity are advised to keep doors, windows, and vents closed. View on X [external link] Fire and Rescue NSW acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders Picture suppliedLocal businesses are at the heart of all that happens in the St George area and the 2024 Georges River Local Business Awards gives them a chance to shine and be recognised for their hard work Winners will be announced at a prestigious gala evening considered the night of nights for local business July 3 at the Southern Sydney Event Centre Precedent Productions managing director and awards founder Steve Loe said there's no doubt that local business owners and their staff work diligently to provide the best possible service to their customers "That's why the annual Local Business Awards presentation night is always such a popular event," Mr Loe said "It's a glittering evening that gives finalists a chance to dress up and take a break so they can enjoy a night out with entertainment relaxed chat and celebration with their colleagues and people from other businesses from around the district." Previously named St George Local Business Awards the 2024 awards are now known as the Georges River Local Business Awards Mr Loe said being a finalist at the Local Business Awards presentation night is an enormous achievement READ THE FULL 2024 GEORGES RIVER LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS FINALISTS WRAP HERE "Today is the day when nominees for the 2024 Georges River Local Business Awards discover if they have made it as a finalist," Mr Loe said "The high quality of all nominees has made the job of the judges incredibly difficult "It is also a chance for customers and clients to see if the businesses they nominated have become finalists." Awards will be presented in 25 categories including Community Services There are also three major awards - Business of the Year Business Person of the Year and the Youth Award "The presentation evening is a chance for business people and their teams to reflect on their successes with a fun night out," Mr Loe said "All finalists in each category are announced with their picture shown on the big screen which is a great reflection of all their efforts and everyone is very proud to be there "It's heart-warming to hear the deafening cheers from the crowd as everyone celebrates the achievement of all the businesses in the room." The Georges River Local Business Awards are only possible with the support of major sponsors Georges River Council and support sponsors "It's with great pleasure that I congratulate all the finalists on their achievements on behalf of the Georges River Local Business Awards," Mr Loe said "I would also like to thank the Georges River community for the huge support that they continue to show for their local businesses through the Awards every year these outstanding businesses wouldn't receive the recognition they deserve." I enjoy highlighting businesses and events in our community through features and special publications and have been doing so for more than 21 years. If you have a story for me email ndavey@austcommunitymedia.com.au Liverpool will once again affirm its proud tradition of standing against hatred and division with Liverpool Rising Against Racism spoken word and unity held in the historic surroundings of St George’s Hall This event is presented in partnership by Love Music Hate Racism Writing on the Wall and Liverpool City Halls with generous support from the trade union movement Presented as part of WoWFEST 2025: 25 Years of Radical Writing this event draws direct inspiration from the legendary Rock Against Racism movement of the 1970s and 80s—a grassroots cultural force that mobilised artists and communities in defiance of racism and the far-right Liverpool Rising Against Racism will bring together artists The evening will commence with a vibrant outdoor performance by Batala Mersey at the North Entrance to the hall leading into an extraordinary programme inside featuring some of the UK’s mostvital voices in music and poetry including: Fire Brigades Union (FBU) Merseyside Brigade Secretary / Region 5 (North West) Regional Chair says: “The Fire Brigades Union has long campaigned and fought for equality both within fire and rescueservices and in the communities we serve From being the first UK trade union to affiliate to the South African Anti-Apartheid campaign to campaigning for a ceasefire and rights for Palestinians the Fire Brigades Union does not shy away from difficult campaigns “The scourge of racism is one we must all fight a city with a thriving multi-cultural community we are very proud and honoured to support Liverpool Rising Against Racism “We are proud to support the event and organisers as a branch and as part of the UCU North WestRegion “Love Music Hate Racism Merseyside makes real change in the world Equality and solidarity are centralto UCU at LJMU LMHR and many other trade unions and groups to sayagain that racism has no place in our city.” NW UCU Regional Chair and LJMU UCU Branch Chair says: “At a time when racist rhetoric is spreading it is crucial that we bring together people from all communities to celebrate and share what unites us – and music is a great way to do this NW Region UCU is proud to support this event which in the tradition of Rock Against Racism can helppush back the threat of racism and the Far Right.” International Relations Officer UNISON Merseytravel and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Branch says: “We are delighted to sponsor this important and fun event in our city in partnership with Merseyside Love Music Hate Racism Writing on the Wall and Liverpool City Council art and culture are coreto what it is to be human We in the UNISON trade union are committed to fairness This gathering in St Georges Hall on Saturday 17th May in peace and celebration is ademonstration of that “Having an alternative to the right-wing narrative of the mass media is so important The riots of lastsummer showed that people are looking for alternatives to the mainstream and get pulled by the farright even if they don’t agree with their politics This event demonstrates an alternative of hope “Liverpool has a brilliant history of opposing racism and this is a great initiative to continue that tradition.” Liverpool Rising Against Racisim takes place on Saturday 17 May 2025, 7PM – 11:30PM at St George’s Hall. Tickets are £5 / £10 and are available via Ticket Quarter National Museums Liverpool is marking Black History Month with exhibitions Royal Albert Dock is once again inviting families and children to take.. the festive spirit is back and bigger than ever People in Liverpool are going to be asked what they would want to see.. Advertise with us Video Services One Stop Shop now being offered at Wallasey town hall Liverpool FC’s 20th league title becomes most engaged Premier League win in history info@theguideliverpool.com +44 151 702 0143 Calendar Food & Drink Picante launches new Margarita Masterclasses Liverpool restaurant week returns next weekend with hundreds of dining deals Nightlife New Kapsule music venue opening at Invisible Wind Factory this weekend 20 things you can do this week in Liverpool (28 April – 4 May 2025) Tate Liverpool unveils Chila Kumari Singh Burman retrospective as centrepiece of 2027 relaunch Mel Giedroyc returns to Liverpool for a night of Eurovision Classics at the Philharmonic Hall Family Mum creates chilled Scandi style play cafe that parents will love as much as kids Find out the free family entertainment happening at Smithdown Festival this weekend Directory The Northern Guide Advertise The Guide Liverpool: Getting Ready for the BIG dates in 2025 12 ways The Guide can help support your business in 2025 the Stable Gallery promises to be a fresh home for creativity and culture in the heart of the city offering local artists from across the Liverpool City Region a platform to share their work in one of the most striking venues around is a celebration of Black culture and creativity in Liverpool From stunning displays of Afro hair artistry and vibrant African fashion to hands-on styling workshops and personal stories heritage and the role art plays in shaping how communities are seen and understood “This exhibition invites reflection on the significance of Afro hair as a symbol of cultural pride and resilience and the power of art to challenge historical narratives and shape a more inclusive future.” The launch of Stable Gallery marks an exciting new chapter in the city’s ever-evolving arts scene With its first exhibition setting such a powerful tone the gallery looks set to become a go-to space for celebrating the creativity heritage and diversity that make Liverpool what it is Find out what’s good up North on our new platform Sign up today to be the first to hear exclusive Liverpool news & offers Download it today to be the first to hear exclusive Liverpool news & offers Swiss art collective PROJEKTIL brings a breathtaking fusion of classical music FLOW transforms the iconic St George’s Hall into a poetic journey through the beauty and rhythm of nature Following the success of ‘Enlightenment,’ Liverpool’s St George’s Hall will host a brand-new immersive FLOW by EONARIUM reimagines Smetana’s ‘The Moldau’ with electronic beats and 360° light projections turning the iconic venue into an enchanting audiovisual journey Classical music and nature lovers alike can now join the waitlist via Fever here the leading global live entertainment discovery platform From the serene springs and dense forests to joyful riverbanks and dreamlike nights, FLOW vividly brings to life the unstoppable force of the Vltava River Created in collaboration with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and under Zurich-based artist collective PROJEKTIL’s direction this dynamic show seamlessly blends orchestral music “FLOW is a poetic celebration of nature and sound Experience Smetana’s The Moldau like never before Classical beauty meets cutting-edge technology transforming timeless melodies into a vivid visual and sonic river,” says Roman Beranek Creative Director and Founder of PROJEKTIL audiences will be immersed for 30 minutes in a flow of sound and visuals transforming the grand architecture of St George’s Hall into a living READ MORE: The Reader launches new events in Calderstones Park Explore Liverpool is a central hub for the Liverpool City Region, helping not only visitors and students but also residents of the city. © 2025 Explore Liverpool. All rights reserved. Win HappyPremiumSearch Rayohits radioliverpoolnewsSt George's Hall hosts Covid-19 reflection eventIt is five years since the pandemic began St George's Hall has been transformed into a venue for people to remember loved ones lost during the Covid-19 pandemic Today marks five years since the pandemic began The hall has been decorated with with paper lanterns representing the challenges people lived with during the pandemic - whether that be the loss of a loved one economic hardship or mental health struggles - whilst also acknowledging the resilience people showed throughout There is also a book of commemoration for people to leave any messages Carol Ward from Ormskirk is one of those attending "I lost my husband in April 2022 to Covid We weren't allowed to celebrate his life just went in for investigations - found out he had gall stones and then he caught pneumonia and then caught Covid They shut down the hospital on the 17th of March and my husband died on the 2nd of April "It was just so devastating because you couldn't celebrate his life and he was loved by all of his family and friends and we were only allowed ten people at the funeral we can all get together and they're the only people that seem to realise what you've gone through "Everything was done online and you weren't allowed to see anybody so we all know what happened and no=one seems to understand the devastation we all went through." "Five years ago the world changed and were all feeling that ripple-effect today "It was an incredibly tough time for Liverpool - case rates and deaths were high businesses were under huge pressure to stay afloat and people were lonely and fearful of what could happen - it was a chapter of history which we will never forget "But throughout this extraordinary crisis the true spirit of Liverpool shone through communities came together to help and support one another blazing a trail for others to follow when it came to mass testing and paving the way for large cultural events to start welcoming people once again - things we should all be proud of Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council "Every single one of us has been affected by Covid The intensity of our shared experience should never be underestimated - along with the disease itself we had to juggle not being able to see our family and friends home schooling - all of which have impacted on our individual mental health and wellbeing and on the health and economic prosperity of our city overall "Thankfully we are well into our recovery journey and one of the most important lessons we have learnt is the power of strong communities and partnerships stakeholders from across the city have worked closely with health professionals to ensure the best outcomes for our communities these partnerships will continue to provide support in the recovery phase "Liverpool's event is a way for us to process what has happened over the past five years and I encourage people to take time out of their day to honour those we lost and celebrate all of our remarkable achievements during this unprevented period." First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app. Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited Company number: 1394141Registered office: Media House Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales VAT no 918 5617 01H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No: 845898) Welcome to the magnificent St George’s Hall This iconic venue is a proud reflection of the passion and pride of the Victorians who built it it provides a fantastic welcome to Liverpool Check out some of the great events on at the hall in 2022 Stay up to date with all the best articles Marking five years since the pandemic began the Day of Reflection will honour those we lost and the acts of kindness that defined a difficult chapter in our history the Great Hall in St George’s Hall will be transformed into a special space for people to visit acknowledge and celebrate all the acts of kindness that took place across our communities and reflect on the profound impact of the pandemic on our everyday lives The stunning venue will be beautifully illuminated by paper lanterns representing the challenges people lived with throughout the pandemic – whether that be the loss of a loved one economic hardship or mental health struggles but also acknowledging the tremendous resilience shown throughout A gentle and poignant soundscape will play creating an ambience for quiet contemplation and a Book of Commemoration will allow people to leave a message of reflection if they wish to do so.  Members of the public are invited to reflect on their experiences and memories within the Grade I listed neo-classical masterpiece which will be open from 10am-4pm for this unique event The event has been organised by Liverpool City Council and the lanterns will be supplied by local arts organisation For more detail, visit St George’s Hall website “Five years ago the world changed and we’re still feeling that ripple-effect today “It was an incredibly tough time for Liverpool – case rates and deaths were high businesses were under huge pressure to stay afloat and people were lonely and fearful of what could happen – it was a chapter of history which we will never forget the true spirit of Liverpool shone through, communities came together to help and support one another blazing a trail for others to follow when it came to mass testing and paving the way for large cultural events to start welcoming people once again – things we should all be proud of St George’s Hall will be a hub to reflect on this time of so many mixed emotions,acknowledging our city’s resilience and looking ahead to the future with hope.” “Every single one of us has been affected by Covid The intensity of our shared experience should never be underestimated – along with the disease itself home schooling – all of which have impacted on our individual  mental health and wellbeing “Thankfully we are well into our recovery journey and one of the most important lessons we have learnt is the power of strong communities and partnerships these partnerships will continue to provide support in this recovery phase “Liverpool’s event is a way for us to process what has happened over the past five years and I encourage people to take some time out of their day honour those we lost and celebrate all of our remarkable achievements during this unprecedented period.” The Guide Liverpool proudly shares regular stories from in and around Liverpool Our editorial team is made up of trained journalists and media professionals meaning you will never miss a moment from the city region Liverpool’s historic Willis Organ at St George’s Hall will soon receive a much-needed refurbishment following a vital funding boost.   An appeal to repair the organ has received a £20,000 funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.  This means repair work can take place on the ‘Tuba Mirabilis’ – often described as the ‘voice of the organ.’  Its Tuba Mirabilis pipes are to be repaired by specialist local technicians David Wells Organ Builders Ltd meaning the Tuba Mirabilis stop sound from the magnificent instrument will be returned to its former The ‘stop chest,’ which produces the sound with the replacement of the internal leatherwork and magnets.   The work is expected to take around eight weeks and will involve the removal of delicate pipework so it can be transported to the Kirkdale workshop for restoration.  the Tuba Mirabilis stop will be thoroughly regulated and the whole organ tuned in readiness for the next organ recital on Tuesday 24 September led by organist Professor Ian Tracey.    The work coincides with the ‘SGH170’ programme of events which celebrates the Grade I listed building’s 170th anniversary with an array of music For further information or to make a donation, please visit the Hall’s official website.  Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health “We are delighted to be able to dedicate funds to the repair of the Tuba Mirabilis one of the loudest single stops on an organ.   “It is part of our commitment to ensuring we invest in our historic buildings and make the most of our incredible heritage The Willis Organ is a cornerstone of Liverpool’s rich musical heritage and holds immense historical and cultural value Knowing that it is getting closer to being fully restored to its optimal condition is incredibly exciting.”  “The city of Liverpool is steeped in a rich musical history that has helped to shape its identity and culture for centuries St George’s Hall has played a part in everything from classical music concerts to Eurovision for almost 170 years.   “I am delighted that the Combined Authority’s funding will deliver this important restoration underlining Liverpool’s place as a UNESCO city of music.”  Trustee of St George’s Hall’s Charitable Trust “Generous funding like this enables us to fulfil our mission of protecting and enhancing St George’s Hall for future generations.   “This restoration not only revives a vital piece of our past but also ensures that it continues to inspire the community encourage a love of music for the city’s children and enchant audiences with both classical and contemporary music for years to come.”   Liverpool Citizens is a groundbreaking movement that unites diverse groups from across the city to drive change for the common good including the Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram and the leader of Liverpool City Council Liverpool Citizens is a broad-based alliance of 17 diverse organisations – from educational and faith groups to health and third-sector bodies – united to drive change for the common good of the city The alliance is independent and non-partisan It is rooted in training and empowering ordinary people to become leaders in their community and take action on issues they want to change.  the nation’s largest people powered alliance known for transformative campaigns like the Real Living Wage Liverpool Citizens aims to tackle pressing local issues alliance members have listened to thousands of people in local communities and will be taking action on issues they identified such as cost of living citizens will share personal stories illustrating the impact of these challenges In a bold demonstration of community organising they will present concrete proposals directly to city leaders.  “Liverpool Citizens provides a platform to elevate the voices of those who feel unheard by decision makers on issues that impact them It’s an alliance where people come together across our differences identify common issues and take action together to improve Liverpool for the better. It is a new way of working for the city and we are very excited to be part of it.” “I’m so pleased to be supporting such a positive new initiative focused on bringing people together to tackle the issues that matter most in our community It’s about giving every citizen a seat at the table and a voice in shaping the future of our region “Really listening to residents is the key to making any meaningful change in a community And Citizens UK has proved itself to be a powerful platform to unite voices in other areas of the country “People in Liverpool care passionately about their city and are proud of what it is and want it to be the very best city it can be “I look forward to joining in the Founding Assembly and to continuing these conversations that I am confident will help us on our improvement journey.” Wirral's independent local news website will talk about his new cookbook during a special event in Liverpool next week The number one Sunday Times bestselling author of Food for Life will appear at St George’s Hall on Wednesday with his much-anticipated new release The Food for Life Cookbook – described as ‘the only gut-health cookbook you’ll need’ food writer and campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall at the event which takes place in the Grade I listed landmark’s dazzling Concert Room where literary legends like Charles Dickens have previously commanded the stage Tim Spector MD is Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London and bestselling author of The Diet Myth Spoon-Fed and Food for Life along with being the scientific co-founder of ZOE With a focus on cutting-edge science and honoured in 2020 with an OBE for his impactful work on fighting Covid-19 through the Covid Symptom Study app Spector stands at the forefront of his field The original pioneer of microbiome research (the large community of microbes which live in our gut his is among the top 100 most cited scientists in the world The Food for Life Cookbook takes the ground-breaking guidance of his bestseller Food for Life and in more than 100 delicious and achievable recipes created in collaboration with ZOE shows just how simple and enjoyable it can be to adopt a gut-friendly way of eating Shaped by his own experience of transforming the way he eats as well as common requests from readers and ZOE members ideas for eating well when the fridge looks bare and generous feasts and sweet treats for special moments with friends Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is a multi-award-winning writer and broadcaster known for his uncompromising commitment to seasonal ethically produced food and his concern for the environment He earned a huge following through his River Cottage TV series and books as well as campaigns such as Hugh’s Fish Fight Britain’s Fat Fight and War on Plastic with Hugh and Anita He has described Spector’s principles for eating well as “totally transformative” The 2 October event is presented by Linghams Booksellers in Heswall and Booka Bookshop which has branches in Oswestry and Bridgnorth “I’m really excited we’re able to present this event with Tim Spector at St George’s Hall Tim is one of the world’s most respected and influential scientific and medical experts and his new cookbook is a must-have for anyone who loves cooking and wants to learn more about how we can help our own bodies with the kind of food we eat “I can guarantee it’s going to be a fascinating evening in stunning surroundings.” Carrie Morris of Booka Bookshop added “Tim’s lifetime dedication to improving the health of all of us is truly inspiring and he has taken all the lessons from his bestseller Food for Life and applied them in a new book of wonderful recipes which all the friendly microbes which work hard to keep us healthy will thank us for following “I’m also really pleased that we have someone of the stature of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall who is able to join Tim in conversation at this one-off event.” Tickets cost £35 including a copy of The Food for Life Cookbook or £45 per couple including one book, and can be booked via https://linghams.co.uk/event/tim-spector-at-st-georges-hall-2nd-october-7pm/ Email us at news@birkenhead.news St George’s Hall is set to mark its 170th anniversary by inviting a host of Liverpool’s most talented performers into its iconic spaces From comedians to singer-songwriters from jazz to rock’n’roll the final programme of events for the SGH170 Festival curated by Culture Liverpool and the St George’s Hall team has now been unveiled and will run from August until September Thousands of visitors have already been enjoying stunning EONARIUM Enlightenment which brings Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to life in a breathtaking audio-visual extravaganza in the Great Hall that runs until 29 September the rest of the programme showcasing the very best of Liverpool’s cultural scene will take over the Concert Room: The Jacaranda’s Rock N’ Roll Circus – Thursday Inspired by the legendary 1968 Rolling Stones’ Rock and Roll Circus The Jacaranda’s version will feature some of the greatest rock-and-roll hits from the 1950s through to the 80s The Jacaranda’s band is full of Liverpool talent including Paul Nazole Comedy in the Concert Room – Friday An evening of laughter featuring Adam Rowe and hosted by award-winning comedian Sam Avery The Narrative – Tuesday A songwriter showcase and networking event with local musicians ZUZU performing in the round and sharing the stories behind their songs The Wombat Jazz Festival – Sunday the Wombat Jazz Festival unites the city’s finest jazz talent and will delve into the roots and rhythms of jazz showcasing both the vibrant local scene and the rich cultural heritage that defines the genre The line-up includes the legendary The Grapes Band with special guest vocalist Ni Maxine rising star drummer Skye Ambrosius and the great Andrew Ibi threading the day together with rare vinyl jazz education Further information and tickets details as well as online booking are on the SGH170 webpage “St George’s Hall and culture – is there a more iconic pairing or a more apt way to mark the 170th anniversary of this magnificent building St George’s Hall was born out of a need to have a place to hold festivals and concerts I hope that the people who bought £25 shares back in 1836 to help fund the design and building of the Hall would be proud to see it still fulfilling that original need and being enjoyed by so many people “It’s so important that we’re celebrating Liverpool talent in the SGH170 programme Our city is known for music and its sense of humour and St George’s will be full of both over the coming weeks Whilst we’re an outward-looking and global city we also hold our own close and shout about them as loudly as we can and that’s what this festival is all about “St George’s Hall has always been and always will be the people’s building and SGH170 is another chance to come inside and marvel at its splendour “We are super excited to be a part of St George’s Hall’s 170th anniversary celebrations “St George’s Hall is not just architecturally stunning but is also one of Liverpool’s biggest landmarks To open the 170th celebrations with The Jacaranda’s Rock N’ Roll circus is a real honour for us.” Sebastian Faulks’s epic story of love and loss Walton residents are being invited to explore what home means to them at a.. Knotty Ash and Dovecot Park residents are being invited to share their dreams to.. A theatre production created by and for people living in care homes will be.. Liverpool will play host to the prestigious 2025 British Chess Championships alongside a wider chess festival this summer as organisers hope to put on the strongest event in its 121-year history Britain’s top chess players will converge on Liverpool from July 31 to August 10 as the English Chess Federation’s flagship annual event comes to the city for only the second time It will culminate in new British champions being named at all age groups A series of tournaments featuring the cream of Britain’s chess talent including the Open and Women’s championships will be held in Liverpool’s landmark St George’s Hall A weekend congress for amateurs will also be held at the nearby Liverpool Holiday Inn in Lime Street Liverpool will host a festival and social programme promoting the wider game and a range of cultural events organised by the historic Liverpool Chess Club This will be the 111th British Chess Championships—a series that has run almost unbroken since 1904 UK chess has also been experiencing a boom in participation among amateurs and success at the top level two new English grandmasters were named: teenage sensation Shreyas Royal and England’s newest grandmaster Ameet Ghasi The event is being put on by the English Chess Federation in partnership with Liverpool City Council and St George’s Hall with support from the Chess Trust and the John Robinson Chess Trust “Liverpool has a long and rich connection with chess and it’s a hugely popular activity in schools and communities so we are delighted to be hosting the British Chess Championships later this summer with its incredible architecture and acoustics which is sure to result in a thrilling competition for contestants and spectators alike “This is yet another coup for Liverpool, as we continue to position ourselves as a versatile events city, and we look forward to working closely with the English Chess Federation and Chess In Schools and Communities to give a warm Liverpool welcome to the best of the best from the chess world.” Liverpool boasts a thriving local league and one of the oldest chess clubs in the world founded in 1837 based in the Cross Keys Pub in Earle Street is also a former winner of the national club championships Chess was also a key theme as the city hosted the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest for Ukraine with school children encouraged to learn the game to honour the link with Liverpool’s sister city Schools were tasked with producing Eurovision-themed chess pieces and a unique chess event featuring players from Liverpool and Ukraine was held at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church the year the city was named the European Capital of Culture Grandmaster Stuart Conquest emerged victorious as the 2008 Open champion while International Master Jovanka Houska won the first of her nine Women’s titles the English Chess Federation’s Director for Home Chess “2008 was recognised as a strong event with many titled players we expect the return visit in 2025 to provide an even more competitive championship and one of the strongest British tournaments ever given the increasing numbers of active British grandmasters and international masters and the current generation of top-level juniors.” one of the world’s strongest chess players in the 19th century was a member of the Liverpool Chess Club from 1867 until his death in 1925 serving as its president for many years.Among the top players Liverpool has produced are four-time British Women’s champion Sheila Jackson the 15th Correspondence World Championship winner John Carleton and International Masters Gary Quillan and Malcolm Pein Nearby Southport has also produced two grandmasters in Nigel Davies and Stuart Haslinger Find out more about the 2025 British Chess Championships here Join our birthday celebrations as we welcome old friends and first-time guests for a.. The search to find the most talented young artists across Liverpool City Region is.. LONDON: For the first time in its 1,000-year history an open Iftar event has been hosted in Windsor Castle’s State Apartments more than 350 people gathered in St George’s Hall to break their Ramazan fast.“It’s an amazing atmosphere - it just doesn’t feel real,” one attendee told the BBC sees Muslims fast and refrain from eating or drinking between dawn and sunset.The free event was organised by London-based charity Ramazan Tent Project visitor operations director at Windsor Castle said the King had been “championing religious diversity and encouraging interfaith conversation” for many years.St George’s Hall is normally used to entertain heads of state and for special banquets.On Sunday the call to prayer echoed throughout the building to signal the time to break the fast Dates were eaten and prayers said before the meal was served A general view of a signage outside New Scotland Yard the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police —AFP/File ATHENS: Devout regulars attending Athens´s main Roman Catholic.. — Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority/FileAMMAN: Jordanian..  People gather to attend the Lady Gaga's open concert Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during an event in Texcoco Smoke rises from the airport of Port Sudan following reported attacks on May 4 Copyright © 2025. The News International, All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Authors Published Thursday 13 March 2025 at 15:43 A new planning application has been submitted for the final phase of the £9 million refurbishment of Blackburn’s King George’s Hall Government funding was secured in 2023 for the large-scale refurbishment works at the 104-year-old listed building While phase one works were completed last summer this latest planning application is for part of second phase of works there – looking to secure permission for all the planned modernisation to the building Included in this final planning application are internal alterations and enhancements including major renovation of the bar areas as well as improvements to the building’s heating and ventilation system Executive Member for Growth and Development at Blackburn with Darwen Council King George’s Hall is in need of repairs and upgrades both internally and externally We were thrilled to secure £20m of new government funding to invest in the building and cultural venues across the town centre “While £9 million sounds a lot of money though it’s a relatively modest budget to renovate a listed building of King George’s Hall’s size we’re working hard to spend the budget wisely managing the cost of closure and getting value for money throughout the refurbishment project “Phase one works took place last summer and included replacement and improvement of waterproof systems as well as internal exploratory works to inform the next phase “The building has been closed since January and fully stripped out before being handed over to contractors Conlon Phase two works will begin in earnest in April which is when passers-by will notice external construction works taking place “It’s certainly an exciting time in the building’s 104-year history and we’re already looking forward to its grand reopening in 2026.” The first works people will notice will be preparations for roof works with scaffolding erected around the building on Northgate in the coming weeks King George’s Hall is the jewel in the crown of Blackburn’s new £50million Cultural Quarter Retaining the Grade II listed building’s character and charm is at the forefront of the renovations With the high street and town centres evolving the shift towards regeneration through culture is a key part of the council’s ambitious £1bn growth plan – recently boosted by £20m of new government funding This will bring much-needed investment in: “We’re incredibly proud of our rich culture and historic buildings “Blackburn with Darwen is also renowned for partnership working and some of the best examples can be seen in how we’re regenerating our towns through culture – a real team effort that is truly making a difference “This new funding will provide a fantastic boost delivering benefits for our towns and our communities.” King George’s Hall audiences and followers can keep in touch with the venue during its closure on social media: If you have any queries about this error, try emailing feedback@mirror.co.uk and we'll do what we can to help you Once considered the grandest building in all of Britain St George's Hall in Liverpool has a dark underbelly with a strong connection to Australia.Credit: iStock a volunteer guide at St George's Hall in Liverpool as he shows me the building's air conditioning vents water fountains and canvas flaps kept the occupants cool in summer the enormous Neoclassical building is widely considered to be the world's first to feature an air conditioning system The History Whisperer tour takes you into the underbelly of St George's Hall Today I'm getting a taste of that Victorian cruelty instead St George's Hall in Liverpool has a dark underbelly with a strong connection to Australia In 1839 the city announced a competition to design a grand hall for public events Then 25-year-old architect Harvey Lonsdale Elmes won but before starting work he won a second competition to also design Liverpool's courthouse Interactive exhibits tell the stories of those who faced justice (if that's the word) at the hall But it's this latter part of St George's Hall that is the focus of a new interactive exhibition telling the stories of some of the prisoners who found themselves facing justice Thousands of prisoners were sentenced to transportation to Australia here often for minor offences like the theft of a pen The History Whisperer takes you through the holding cells which were often packed with up to 30 prisoners in each cramped space Each one uses projections and lighting effects to tell stories of various people who passed through what their crimes were and how they were each sentenced where the History Whisperer tour ends.Credit: kenb we're also given the narrative story of Livie a young Irish immigrant whose brother Jack is arrested and sentenced to transportation It's a heart-rending look at a terrible time for common people living in Britain where judges were ordered to meet quotas for transportation in order to deliver a workforce to the new colony and reduce the overcrowded prisons of the UK While there's plenty of information to be had through the exhibits there are often volunteer guides like John on hand to offer further detail I ascend a spiral staircase that leads into the Crown Court where clever use of projections recreates a trial from the era (the average "trial" reportedly lasted just eight minutes) The courtroom is in remarkably good condition but perhaps it's not all that surprising when I learn they were still in regular use until 1984 and even temporarily went back into use after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in order to cope with a backlog of cases right next door in the same building is the Great Hall - an opulent space with an ornate vaulted ceiling chandeliers and a spectacular mosaic-tiled floor (consisting of 30,000 tiles it was once the world's largest and is now covered with a wooden removable floor unveiled to the public for a limited time once a year) the Concert Hall is smaller but no less impressive with its Greek-style caryatids and 2824-piece chandelier It is a cruel irony that in these grand spaces others faced such pain in the adjacent room The History Whisperer experience at St George's Hall is open hourly from 10am to 3pm St George's Hall is directly opposite Liverpool's main train station See https://www.stgeorgeshallliverpool.co.uk/ The writer visited as a guest of Visit Liverpool Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now a volunteer guide at St George's Hall in Liverpool as he shows me the building's air conditioning vents the enormous Neoclassical building is widely considered to be the world's first to feature an air conditioning system Today I'm getting a taste of that Victorian cruelty instead St George's Hall in Liverpool has a dark underbelly with a strong connection to Australia but before starting work he won a second competition to also design Liverpool's courthouse But it's this latter part of St George's Hall that is the focus of a new interactive exhibition we're also given the narrative story of Livie It's a heart-rending look at a terrible time for common people living in Britain While there's plenty of information to be had through the exhibits where clever use of projections recreates a trial from the era (the average \\\"trial\\\" reportedly lasted just eight minutes) but perhaps it's not all that surprising when I learn they were still in regular use until 1984 and even temporarily went back into use after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in order to cope with a backlog of cases it was once the world's largest and is now covered with a wooden removable floor The History Whisperer experience at St George's Hall is open hourly from 10am to 3pm St George's Hall is directly opposite Liverpool's main train station The NSPCC recently released data revealing that between April 2023 and March 2024 Childline delivered nearly 8,000 counselling session where a child’s main concern was bullying Events took place across the UK during November and as part of Anti-Bullying Week organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance between November 11 and 15 with the theme of ‘Choose Respect’ which was also attended by Liverpool Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham and Lord Mayor of Liverpool Richard Kemp was part of the Anti-Bullying Schools Project started four years ago by Knotty Ash Primary School and partners young adults and community groups performed songs using British Sign Language (BSL) and listened to speakers reading inspirational messages about how they overcame bullying Deaf comedian Gavin Lilley also attended the event where John Bishop chatted with NSPCC Schools Coordinator Anya Moon and Childline Volunteer Engagement Lead Eliza Day who shared information about the NSPCC’s work He raised money for the NSPCC in 1992 when he rode from Sydney to Liverpool has an autoimmune condition that causes progressive deafness and they both took part in a moving ITV documentary about the condition he listened as we told him about the work of the NSPCC and it’s fantastic he’s supporting the anti-bullying message.” NSPCC Local Campaigns Manager Mubashar Khaliq read poems from young people about bullying celebrities and partner organisations unite over such an important subject.” From the serene springs and dense forests to joyful riverbanks and dreamlike nights FLOW vividly brings to life the unstoppable force of the Vltava River transforming timeless melodies into a vivid visual and sonic river,”  audiences will be immersed for 30 minutes in a flow of sound and visuals transforming the grand architecture of the venue into a living Download it today to be the first to hear exclusive Liverpool news & offers!