THEY say charity begins at home and Wirral has a proud tradition of people who give their time freely and for the good of those in the community.

We regularly feature their work in the Globe.

There was no better example of this than the years of dedication undertaken by Bernie "the Bucket" Singleton.

I was very fortunate to have met this remarkable lady during the Race for Life fundraisers. She sadly lost her battle with breast cancer on April 8.

She was every inch a New Brighton star, someone who inspired so many others with her determination and inspiration.

Sometimes we forget those in the community who make such an impact on all our lives.

They, like certain celebrities who use their status for the good of others, deserve our praise.

Ronnie Corbett and David Gest were two people I met who believed it was their duty to put something back into society. That is why their departures felt as if we had lost friends.

We have all lost a friend in Bernie.

But her legacy lives on and I will never forget her standing in a field dressed in blue with her trademark bucket, her beaming smile, energy and commitment.

Bernie was priceless.

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IT'S a great coup for the superb Wirral Folk on the Coast Music Festival in June to sign up Ralph McTell. Ralph is as warm as his rich voice.

He once told me that he never tires of singing his anthemic song Streets of London.

I told him he was the patron saint of buskers since most street troubadours base their acts around it.

And Paul McCartney is a fan of the classic hit.

While in Abbey Road he signed an album for Ralph who was recording there with the message "What about the streets of Liverpool, la?"

Ralph told me that the song was about a friend who was feeling disillusioned about life and he simply pointed out all the good things that were out there.

But Ralph has more than that song on his repertoire and has a huge back-catalogue of classics. It is one Wirral gig I will not miss.

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ANOTHER must-see musical experience features Wirral-based Gerry Marsden, a singer-songwriter who, like Ken Dodd, deserves to be knighted.

His sparkling enthusiasm shines on and the likeable lad from Dingle is heading to the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton Pavilion on May 11.

It is a biographical showcase called Gerry Cross the Mersey which highlights his career, interspersed with his classics with the Pacemakers.

I also regard Gerry as a friend who has supported many charities.

I once helped organise a concert for the victims of the Tsunami in 2001.

He was away in Spain but I got him on his mobile phone.

I asked him if he would headline a concert at the Philharmonic Hall featuring such stars as Alan Bleasdale and the Scaffold.

Without hesitation he said put me down for that. I’ll be there. He then put the phone down. Minutes later he rang back: "Er Granty...when is it?"

True to his word Gerry appeared and when he sang You’ll Never Walk Alone he brought the house down.

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AND finally ... Purrfect.

I have just spent three days at the Unity Theatre appearing as Tuffy the squirrel in Moggies the Musical.

It was a homegrown show that was a celebration of local talent.

And it came from both sides of the Mersey with a huge Wirral contingent.

Lesley Butler, Susan Hedges, Robbie Southworth and Pete Turner, Mark Lacey and Wirral-educated Edwina Lea are all actors and artists who live this side of the river as does director / songwriter Brian McCann.

And the show received positive reviews for all their performances.

For me it was an eye-opening experience.

As a journalist I am usually reviewing a show.

But the biggest drama came when I took a break from rehearsals to have a cuppa in a local cafe.

I had forgotten I was still in grey squirrel make up and couldn't see why people were staring and laughing at me.

A glance in the mirror explained it all.

Nuts indeed.

Peter Grant