I HEAR there are plans afoot to have a "Happiness Day." 

A jolly idea for the area.

I am sure it would bring a smile to the face of Master of Mirthyside – Ken Dodd.

Indeed, Doddy once told me he wanted to see all newspapers have a page dedicated to happiness and positive stories.

One new publication is now dedicated to only printing good news – an admirable ambitious idea in these, cold austere times.

You will always find plenty of good news in your Wirral Globe and this week it is encouraging to read how young people are making the headlines for all the right reasons.

Congratulations to all those involved in Wirral Scout Post who have raised £29,000 for 20 charities.

I have nothing but a feel good news factor about this excellent project and I used the service myself.

First-class indeed.

And then there is the uplifting story about Kingsmead schoolgirl Olivia Lynch who has reached the national finale of a Shakespeare Performance competition.

The Inferno decrees an Olivia award on this talented 11-year-old.

So the good news is that young people like these represent the future The Globe will always deliver good news about our young and outstanding Wirral ambassadors.

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ONE man who is spreading happiness with his art work is Mike Rickett, who along with six other artists, is enjoying critical acclaim with the current exhibition at Liverpool Cathedral.

Mike tells the Inferno that Wirral inspired his late development into art eight years after a career in the media.

He said: "I spent my early years in Seacombe.

"It was a fascinating place for a seven-year-old boy.

“There was the ferry of course and I recall a dock railway at the bottom of our road and every day a little shunting engine would steam back and forth collecting and delivering wagons to various places.

"I find urban buildings, the town and cityscape, every bit as fascinating and, in its own way, as beautiful as any landscape."

Mike went on to set up the Liverpool School of Art Movement.

Their second exhibition (five stars from me) ends on Friday.

Mike is then off to Canada to complete some commissions.

He adds with a smile: "I'm on a road that began in Seacombe all those years ago."

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IT Doesn't seem a decade since Stephen Fry controversially opened his heart about his struggle with mental illness – notably being bipolar.

He has done a lot to promote sensitive understanding about mental illness and manic depression.

Another comedian who has helped bring awareness to the subject is Ruby Wax, who last year gave a brilliantly insightful show about mental health at New Brighton Pavilion.

I have interviewed both these stars on numerous occasions, and they would never reveal the sadness behind their smiles.

Now they have let down the clown masks and given us all a sobering insight into their struggles.

This week, the BBC is presenting In the Mind an excellent series on TV and radio.

As well as presenting the Baftas next year, I hope Stephen Fry picks up one himself for his own powerful, inspirational documentary.

OH boyo ... I read the news today that this year there is a thoroughbred performer appearing at Aintree Racecourse.

Tom Jones will belt out his hits including What's New Pussycat and Mama Told Me Not to Come.

I was lucky to meet the Welsh singer at a press reception at London's Groucho Club when he talked about his career for a telly special.

At the end of the talk, we journalists cheekily asked Tom to give us an impromptu song.

As courteous as ever he agreed and sang I Heard it Through the Grapevine.

It was one of the most astonishing, unaccompanied performances I have ever heard.

Tom will always be The Voice ...

Congrats to Aintree on booking an odds-on winner in the living legend stakes.

Peter Grant