FANFARE...welcome to the double bill of the decade – it is time for New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion to take a well-earned bow.

It’s been ten years since it re-opened after a major refurbishment. On December 13 the new venue will be a decade old - and that is something to celebrate twice over.

It will put the spotlight firmly on the famous theatre.

Past will meet present with a toast of Prosecco to the future.

There will be a plaque unveiled to mark the contribution made by the late great Sir Ken Dodd.

He often told me how much he loved the warmth of the Wirral audience

Next month’s busy gala night sees one show in the main theatre with a host of stars who have supported the venue - including Ricky Tomlinson and The Merseybeats in a variety show put together by Gary “Mr Guitar” Murphy.

Over in the Blue Lounge there’s the Dinner of the Decade an event with music and an impressive short film showing just how far the Floral has come over the past ten years.

Most recently the theatre has seen a wide range of shows from one-night stands to sell-out runs of top-notch musicals from Evita to Cilla and Blood Brothers.

Last year Leo Sayer sold out and he loved it so much he’s back in June.

“Audience with” shows are a hit, too, from the late Roger Moore to Brian Blessed and in February all the way from Hollywood Dame Joan Collins

When architect Ken Martin designed the new Floral he created a fresh, exciting and inviting purpose-built building.

Now the council need to get the Floral’s long-term act together.

If that means leasing it to an outside promoter - someone with the vision, say, of producer Bill Kenwright - then so be it.

Think BIG while never losing sight of the venue’s role within the community.

Here’s to the next ten years of music, laughter and more.

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COUNTDOWN - only 127 days for... no, not Christmas but Brexit Day.

That will mark two years since Article 50 was invoked and the seeds of Brexit were born.

Since then that man-made word has become like Marmite – it goes well with crackers but not to everyone’s taste.

March 29 will be forever remembered for generations to come as Brexit Day.

At 11pm our time (so to speak) we will be officially out of Europe - 47 years after we entered it following a decade of huge rows, divisions, political back-stabbing and compromise - sounds familiar?

March 29 is already famous.

In 1461 the War of the Roses witnessed Duke Edward beat Henry V1; 1912 saw polar explorer Robert Scott write in his diary ‘‘the end cannot be far (take note, Theresa); In 1936 propaganda claimed 99 per cent of Germans voted for Nazi candidates. And in 1973, US Troops finally left Vietnam.

Closer to home in 2019, former PM John Major will be 75 years of age. I doubt the staunch Remainer will be getting out the bubbly.

This year raging Major John scorned the prophets of broken promises saying: ‘‘They persuaded a deceived population to vote to be weaker and poorer. That will never be forgotten or forgiven.’’

I feel a pang of optimism for our great British spirit when I heard a man at the bus stop saying to his mate.

‘‘When we leave the EU, why can can’t we re- apply on the 30th as a non-member country.”

TODAY is World Television Day. We viewers are urged to use it a communication tool for social justice. I must tweet Donald Trump.

I spent 20 years a TV critic and started out when it was just four channels. Halcyon, quality days.

Sadly my television finally petered out yesterday.

I am in two minds about a replacement, inspired by the man in Iowa, who converted his TV set into an aquarium tank.

He never has the need to fish for his remote control again.

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WHITE ON... It was 50 years ago on November 22 that The Beatles released The White Album.

Today it’s number four in the charts.

And next year it is 50 years since Abbey Road boosted zebra crossings as an art for

A new book by Ray Connolly about his mate John is out, Paul is coming home for a gig and Ringo has announced a world tour. And in 2020 be prepared for the various stunts to mark 50 years since the Beatles split up. Yet somehow it feels like they are actually still together.

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AND finally... Peter Sellers wanted the song In the Mood at his funeral service.

This week I said a final farewell to my dear pal Stevie Gowan.

As a caring probation officer in tough Toxteth he fought red tape with daily humour despite coping with illnesses he never revealed to anyone.

He chose his own “solemn” music for his swan song... The Laughing Policeman.

A typically un-PC send off, leaving us all with a sparkling smile to remember him.

Peter Grant