Wirral community noticeboard

Organisers hope 3,600 women will sign up for the Globe-backed event, held in Birkenhead Park on Sunday, June 28.

So far, more than 300 have signed up.

Last year the event raised £175,000 and the aim this time is to raise £164,000. As well as raising funds for life-saving research, taking part in Race For Life is an easy way to be more active.

Maria Montgomery, Cancer Research UK's Wirral event manager, said: "It's early days, but we're encouraged by the number of people that have signed up to take part in this year’s event in Birkenhead Park.

"We're urging women of all ages, shapes and sizes to take on Race for Life in their region and sign up now. Race for Life is non-competitive.

"It's not about being fit or fast. Most women are able to walk 5k in an hour while chatting and having fun.

"Or they can choose to jog, run or even dance around the course if they prefer."

To enter go to raceforlife.org or telephone 0300 123 0770.

Mum aims for charity best ..

A WIRRAL woman who raised thousands of pounds for cancer charities in memory of her mum is hoping to smash her previous target when she takes part in this year’s Race For Life.

Kerry Otton, from Bromborough, did more than just run when she took part in the event last July.

After completing the 10k event, the 35-year-old threw her very own Think Pink Party at the Merebrook pub, raising £3,015 for cancer research.

The mother-of-two is doing it all again this year, with plans already in place for a second Think Pink Party in memory of her mum Linda, who died from lung cancer last April at the age of 57.

Classic comedy movie ..

HOYLAKE Community Cinema club will screen Mel Brooks’ musical comedy The Producers later this week.

Featuring Gene Wilder, the PG-rated film will be shown at Hoylake Community Centre in Hoyle Road, Hoylake on Friday, February 27.

Hoylake Community Cinema Doors open at 6.30pm and the film starts at 7.30pm Tickets, £5, are from hoylakecommunitycinema.co.uk, Urbane in Market Street, Hoylake, Staacks, Banks Road, West Kirby or at the door on the night.

Free sporting activities ..

FREE sports for young people are on offer every Monday at Viking Centre and Youth Club in Rock Ferry.

The session is open to those aged 12 and over who want to take part in weekly, healthy activities. It takes place from 6.30pm-8.30pm.

Wirral Council’s sports development team is leading the free sessions, which include football, volleyball and tennis.

Cllr Chris Meaden, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture said: “Regular, free sports sessions for young people are an important way to increase involvement in healthy and safe activities and will improve the long-term wellbeing of future generations.

Trace family history ..

A HELPDESK session for people interested in researching their family history will take place at Bebington Library next Thursday, March 5.

It is run by Bebington Family History group and takes place from 10am-12.30pm. Members will be happy to give guidance and help with your family history research.

Choir wants new voices ..

THE Heswall-based St Peter’s Singers group is looking for new members to join the society.

The choir performs two major concerts a year. It rehearses each Sunday at St Peter’s Centre in Lower Heswall.

There is no formal audition, but you should be able to sing in tune.

More details are from www.stpetersingers.co.uk

Chance to get grants ..

THERE’S still time for community groups in Wirral to enter an awards programme and secure their share of a funding boost of £75,000 for organisations making a real difference in their local areas. Yorkshire Bank's Spirit of the Community Awards were launched earlier this year.

Community groups in Merseyside could receive a share of £75,000 by entering the initiative.

The bank will make donations to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations in each of the three categories – financial education, employability and environment.

For further information visit ybonline.co.uk/foundation or call in at a Yorkshire Bank branch to receive an application form.

Closing date is Friday, March 6.

Musical preparations ..

FINAL preparations are under way at Chester’s Forum Studio Theatre as Tip Top Productions prepares to stage a youth production of the smash hit West End musical Les Miserables, which runs at the city centre venue until February 26.

Musical director Simon Phillips has assembled a cast of 35 young performers which is made up of some of the most talented 16 to 19-year-olds in the North West, plus younger performers in the roles of Little Cosette and Gavroche.

Full details of Les Miserables and all upcoming shows at the Forum Studio Theatre in Chester can be found at chestertheatre.co.uk where tickets can also be booked online.

Alternatively, contact the box office on 01244 341296.

Calling for queens ..

WIRRAL Festival of Firsts is trying to get in touch with the past Rose Queens of Hoylake and West Kirby.

Up to the 1960s and 70s there were Rose Queens each year.

They are all invited to take part in this year's festival parade on July 4 to celebrate West Kirby, Hoylake and Meols and have a queenly theme just before Queen Elizabeth II breaks the record for the longest-serving UK monarch.

Please get in touch via info@festivaloffirsts.com

Witness artists at work ..

A RARE chance to see artists at work returns this summer when they open their doors for this year’s Wirral Open Studio Tour.

The popular annual arts trail returns on June 13 and 14, with sculptors, painters, designers and potters displaying their artwork to the public.

The free event lets visitors see artists in their studio or view work in an exhibition space.

The cost to artists this year will be £48, which will include an entry on the tour brochure, all publicity and contact details on the Wirralart website for the following year.

To get involved, visit wirralart.com. Deadline is March 2.

Fabulously farcical ..

THE Woolgatherers present Neil Simon’s farce Rumours at Heswall Hall this week.

It will be staged at the Telegraph Road venue from Thursday to Saturday, February 26 to February 28.

Tickets are from ticketswirral.com or call the box office 0151 342 4088.

Watch out for show ..

BEBINGTON Dramatic Society presents a new play which takes a humorous and cautionary look at taking the law into your own hands next month.

Alan Ayckbourn’s Neighbourhood Watch will be staged at the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight from March 3 to March 7, at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £8 and are available from the box office, call 0151 643 8757, from the Port Sunlight Village Museum Shop, or at gladstonetheatre.org.uk

Creative students ..

WIRRAL students are exhibiting their artwork at the Lady Lever Art Gallery, in the company of internationally-renowned masterpieces.

Fresh Perspectives: Art from Wirral Schools runs until April 19 and features a wide selection of works including paintings, photography and textiles.

The pieces have been created by GCSE and A-level students from Prenton High School, South Wirral High School, St John Plessington Catholic College and Weatherhead High School.

It is the second time that the exhibition, which runs biennially, has been held at the gallery.

Works will be displayed across three rooms, showcasing the breadth of creative talent held by young people in Wirral.

Farmers' market ..

WEST Kirby Farmers' Market opens its doors this Saturday, February 28, at St Andrew's Church Hall in Graham Road, from 9am to 1pm, featuring local producers selling quality artisan foods.

The market is organised by local volunteers, producers and community group Transition Town West Kirby.

Get your tickets ..

WEST Wirral Musical Society presents Gilbert and Sullivan's Persefone and Pomegranate Seed this Saturday, at Melrose Hall in Melrose Avenue, Hoylake, at 2pm. Tickets from 632 2152 or 632 4548.

To advertise your event for free on our community noticeboard, email Craig at cmanning@wirral-globe.co.uk or call 649 4050.