A Christmas Carol – November 23rd 2011, 7.30pm

Charles Dickens’ family classic A Christmas Carol is set to come to Liverpool Cathedral this November.

Produced by Saltmine Theatre Company, the performance takes place on Wednesday 23rd November at 7.30pm. Perfect for all ages, the play tells the classic story of Scrooge, and what happens when he is visited on Christmas Eve by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

Saltmine Theatre Company believes in using the power of theatre to enhance lives and has been touring professionally in theatres, schools and churches across the UK since it was established in 1985. Saltmine is being brought to Liverpool Cathedral with the help of Vikki Shacklady, a youth worker from Ormskirk. Vikki has worked with Saltmine to organize the venue and the cast, which is made up of four skilled professional actors, who use clever innovations with props and a number of fast wardrobe changes to portray a vast array of characters.

Vikki’s interest in the Dickens story, and in using the Cathedral as a venue, comes from her own experience. Vikki said, “The Cathedral has always been a very important building to me, and it has played a very significant part in my spiritual journey. Now that I am a Youth Worker, I wanted to help introduce the Cathedral to as many young people and families as possible. What better way than through a play that follows the spiritual journey of Scrooge from a man who doesn’t care for the people around him, to one who gives thanks for everything he has and goes on to do good deeds.”

Tickets cost £8.00, £5.00 (Conc), £6.00 Group Tickets (10 or more in a single purchase). Tickets from www.cathedralshop.com 0151 702 7255. Car Parking - £3.00 pay on entry.

Free workshop for SMEs in Merseyside
Wednesday, 16th & 23rd November 2011, 9:00am - 4:30pm
Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool L16 9JD

This two-day workshop programme, in partnership with Lancaster University, will help SMEs develop and retain customer focus through the implementation and integration of social media tools and techniques.

The Programme:

Social media is a powerful and cost-effective means of building relationships that lead to new business. Commencing with a marketing refresher, this programme will provide tips for getting the most out of Social Media, look at the business reasons for using social media, and assist businesses to develop a social media and web based marketing strategy.  The programme will conclude with the development of an individual ‘go-to-market’ strategy to help your business innovate & grow.

These lively, interactive sessions will answer two core questions:

• How can social media make my business more competitive?
• How can I develop an integrated online and offline marketing strategy?

Benefits

• Refresh your marketing skills
• Better customer focus through social media
• Hear how other businesses like yours have used social media to become successful
• Find and attract new customers
• Reduce your marketing costs and eliminate wasted marketing expenditure
• Better understanding of customer behaviour through social media
• Sell more to existing customers

Who should attend?

Owner / managers of SMEs in Merseyside with a basic understanding of social media wishing to improve customer focus.

Who would benefit from this programme?
Eligible Merseyside SMEs with an interest in how strategic marketing & social media can lead to greater business efficiency and a competitive advantage.

Priority is given to following sectors:
Advanced Engineering, Food, Energy and Biomedical

Registration

For further details, eligiblity or to register your interest for the programme, please contact Elizabeth Underhill on 0151 291 2157 or email underhl@hope.ac.uk

FACT, in partnership with Amaze, presents the next Roy Stringer event with respected entrepreneur and UK Digital Champion, Martha Lane Fox at 3pm, 1 November at FACT*.

Lane Fox joins a panel of guests including: Professor Andy Miah, community engagement expert Patrick Fox (FACT/Arena Housing), Director of Strategy at Aurora Media John Eagan, Managing Partner at Amaze Natalie Gross, and Google’s Peter Barron. The panel will discuss how inspiring digital content can help encourage the 100,000 people in Liverpool (25% of the population) who have never been on the Internet to take their first steps online, and the role cultural and creative industries can play in introducing off liners to the amazing digital content on offer.   

The debate will be chaired by Herb Kim, CEO of Codeworks and founder of the Thinking Digital Conference.

Martha Lane Fox is the UK Digital Champion and heads up the Race Online 2012 campaign which aims to get the 8.3 million UK residents who have never used the Internet online. An inspirational figure known for her public sector and charity work, she came to prominence after setting up lastminute.com with Brent Hoberman in 1998. Lane Fox is also a non-executive director of Marks & Spencer, Channel 4 and mydeco.com.

Liverpool is in the process of recruiting of 5,000 Liverpool digital champions - local people who are willing to support their friends, neighbours and colleagues to go online for the first time and benefit from all the advantages that can bring.
Mike Stubbs, FACT Director/CEO said:

“It’s an honour and a pleasure to have Martha with us for the fourth annual Roy Stringer event. As a passionate advocate of digital technology, Martha is someone we at FACT admire very much. I am looking forward to a lively debate about the role all of us, including the cultural sector, can play in ensuring that we open up the doors to the digital world.”

Martha Lane Fox said:

“It’s great to be taking part in the discussion on how the cultural and creative community could encourage the 100,000 Liverpudlians who have never been online to take their first steps, by introducing them to inspirational digital content through the Give an Hour campaign.”

Natalie Gross, Managing Partner at Amaze, said:

“Amaze is delighted to partner with FACT for this year’s Roy Stringer event – Roy was a true digital visionary, who Amaze is immensely proud to be connected with. His passion for digital innovation remains a key part of the Amaze brand. ”

You can book your free place on the FACT website: www.fact.co.uk

Marther Lane Fox will also join Liverpool Chamber and others for a debate on closing the digital divide in society at 11am at Liverpool Innovation Park. Places are free and you can book online here.

Thursday 27 October, 6.15pm, Anglican Cathedral, Hope Street

There is a growing feeling that the mainstream banking system is broken. The unrelenting pursuit of profit coupled with seemingly ambivalent attitudes toward risk and sustainability have served to detach big banks from the communities in which they operate and the individuals most in need of their help. Does this lack of social responsibility matter and what can be done to promote fairness in finance?

Lord Whitty, outgoing Chair of Consumer Focus, will talk about the state of financial exclusion today and why it matters. He will ask how effective recent measures to fight financial exclusion have been for the individual and ask whether financial inclusion can help build a fairer society and stronger communities. Should the mainstream banks play a greater role in ensuring fairness in finance and how might this be achieved?

Frank Field MP, Labour MP for Birkenhead, Chair of the Independent Review on Poverty and Life Changes, (published 2010) and Minister for welfare reform 1997-8, will discuss the impact of financial exclusion in Liverpool and the Merseyside area and consider measures taken by organisations such as as RBS, Charity Bank and Credit Unions to improve financial inclusion. He will chair a round table discussion with Roy Morris DL, High Sheriff of Merseyside 20010-11, Ian Foster, Regional Director, RBS, Caroline Mason, Chief Operating Officer, Charity Bank and Lord Whitty.

An informal reception will follow the event from 7.45pm

Tickets are free, booking is essential.

With keynote speaker Professor Elizabeth Cooke
Law Commissioner for Property, Family and Trust Law

Leading barristers from Liverpool’s Atlantic Chambers will be sharing valuable insights into property law legislation as their popular annual conference gets underway next month.

The CPD-accredited event, which is aimed at litigators and conveyancers, will take place at Liverpool’s Hilton Hotel on Wednesday 12 October 2011.

Conveyancing specialists from the Cook Street based Chambers will be exploring a wide range of topical issues including residential property disputes, the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, town and village green usage, development difficulties, mobile phone masts, Court of Protection cases and orders for sale.

This year the team from Atlantic Chambers will be joined by guest speakers Professor Elizabeth Cooke, Law Commissioner for Property, Family and Trust Law, and John Malthouse, Senior Partner, Malthouse & Company chartered accountants and business advisors.

Professor Cooke’s talk, entitled ‘Making land work’, will discuss the Law Commission’s recent proposals to modernise the law of easements, covenants and profits à prendre, while John Malthouse will deliver a presentation on forensic accountancy in the courts.

Atlantic Chambers property barrister Monika Bar said: “We are delighted to announce details of our fourth annual Property Law Conference. This year our speakers will be covering more topics than ever before, sharing valuable up to the minute insights and case studies into complex areas of legislation.”

The seminar takes place between 9am and 5pm on Wednesday 12 October 2011 and will attract 5.5 CPD points.

Demand for places is expected to be high so early booking is recommended. For further information and bookings please call 0151 242 0207 or email: Julie@atlanticchambers.co.uk

The speakers are:

• Hugh Derbyshire, Barrister, Atlantic Chambers: Town and Village Greens
• Celia Lund, Barrister, Atlantic Chambers: Property Disputes and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997
• Professor Elizabeth Cooke (Law Commissioner for Property, Family and Trust Law) – Making Land Work: Easements, Covenants and Profits à Prendre
• Monika Bar, Barrister, Atlantic Chambers: Property, Capacity and the Court of Protection
• John Malthouse (Senior Partner, Malthouse & Company) – Forensic Accountancy in the Courts.
• Lawrence McDonald, Barrister, Atlantic Chambers: Development Difficulties: Overage Clauses, Party walls and mobile phone masts
• Liam Grundy, Barrister, Atlantic Chambers: Charging Orders and Orders for Sale
• Daian Sumner, Barrister, Atlantic Chambers: Residential Property Disputes: Where do you place your trust?

There is a cost of £135.00+VAT per delegate with reduced rates available for multiple bookings. Registration will be at 9am with talks commencing from 9.35am.

For general information about Atlantic Chambers and its members visit http://www.atlanticchambers.co.uk/index.php

Free ‘Learn Spanish’ taster classes
Where: Heswall, Formby, Mossley Hill & Penny Lane
When: October 3 and 4, 2011

Free taster classes are being held for people who want to learn Spanish – and organisers hope to raise money for charity too.

The Liverpool and Wirral taster events, run by Liverpool Chamber member www.speakfluent.co.uk, take place next week and are open to everyone.

Principal teacher Tim Smith – who provides supportive and enjoyable Spanish group and personal tuition – will also be raising money for Claire House Children’s Hospice, Bebington.

Fund-raising raffles will be held for the charity and winners will each receive a half-term of group Spanish classes from Tim.

The FREE tasters take place on:

• Monday, October 3 : Heswall United Reformed Church (next to Tesco), Heswall, at 1130am for adults.
• Monday, October 3: The Bier House, at St Peter’s Church, Green Lane, Formby, at 4.30pm for children and 8pm for adults.
• Tuesday, October 4: Mossley Hill Athletics Club, Mossley Hill Road, at 1pm for adults.
• Tuesday, October 4: Penny Lane Development Trust, 70, Penny Lane, at 4.30pm for children and 8pm for adults. 

Tim said: “Spanish is a great language to learn, whether it’s for work, a holiday, moving abroad, or you just want to experience something new or make new friends.

“Our learners love what we do and our classes are enjoyable, relaxed and supportive. They’re not about exams, homework, grammar tests or textbooks.

“They’re about speaking, having fun, and being confident to use Spanish for yourself.

“Claire House is a cause close to the hearts of many people in Merseyside and offers an incredible service. We’re proud to be raising money for them.”

Groups are available for learners of all abilities and already run in Cheshire and Staffordshire.

Wirral-born Tim, aged 39, has 10 years’ teaching experience; lived and worked in Spain for seven years; is fully Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) approved; and is registered with the General Teaching Council (GTC).

To book a place at the free tasters, call Tim on 07952 819744, email tim@speakfluent.co.uk or visit www.speakfluent.co.uk

Liverpool Chamber members are being invited to a must-attend event on 18 October in Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza hosted by leading cash plan provider Medicash in association with North West Business Insider.

Fit for Business is aimed at senior managers and directors and is a dynamic, interactive conference designed to challenge your thinking, change the way you do business and give you top quality networking opportunities.

One of the UK’s top names in talent management features in the high profile speaker line up.  Perry Timms, Head of Talent and Organisational Development at the Big Lottery Fund, will be delivering a keynote session on using social media in talent development.

He said: “As an HR practitioner I’m fascinated by the forces of people, organisations, and technology and I am delighted to be a part of the Fit for Business Conference.  This will be a key event this year for businesses and people based in the North West.  With so much focus on skills and talent development to sustain high performance, I’ll be showcasing the use of social media to nurture and unleash that talent.  Digital learning has an edge which is far outweighing traditional training methods like course programmes.

“Together we will be exploring the quickest, smartest and most cost effective ways of making the most of your talented people through readily available and creatively harnessed technology, looking at how social media really connects and makes your people fit for business. ”

Insider’s Michael Taylor will chair the day which consists of a packed programme focusing on business issues affecting SMEs, corporates and public sector organisations.
Liverpool Chamber members can buy discounted tickets for £50 (usually £65) which includes conference admittance, buffet lunch and post event networking drinks.

Places are filling up fast. Visit www.medicash.org/fitforbusiness today to avoid disappointment

Free ‘Learn Spanish’ taster classes
Monday 12 September and Tuesday 13 September 2011

Free taster classes are being held for people who want to learn Spanish – and organisers hope to raise money for charity too.

The taster events, run by new Liverpool Chamber member www.speakfluent.co.uk are open to everyone.

Principal teacher Tim Smith – who provides supportive and enjoyable Spanish group and personal tuition – will also be raising money for Claire House Children’s Hospice, Wirral.

Fund-raising raffles will be held for the charity, which cares for children from across Merseyside, and winners will each receive a half-term of group Spanish classes from Tim.

The free tasters in Formby take place on Monday, September 12 at The Bier House, at St Peter’s Church, Green Lane, at 5.30pm for children and 7pm for adults and Tuesday, September 13 at Mossley Hill Athletics Club (L18 4PT) at 1pm for adults; and at Penny Lane Development Trust (L18 1BW) at 5.30pm for children and 7pm for adults. 

Wirral-born Tim, aged 39, has 10 years’ teaching experience; lived and worked in Spain for seven years; is fully Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) approved; and is registered with the General Teaching Council (GTC).

He said: “Spanish is a great language to learn, whether it’s for work, a holiday, moving abroad, or you just want to experience something new or make new friends.

“Our learners love what we do and our classes are enjoyable, relaxed and supportive. They’re not about exams, homework, grammar tests or textbooks.

“They’re about speaking, having fun, and being confident to use Spanish for yourself.”

Groups are available for learners of all abilities and already run in Cheshire and Staffordshire.

To book a place at the free tasters, call Tim on 07952 819744, email tim@speakfluent.co.uk or visit www.speakfluent.co.uk

Liverpool Chamber member BT Convention Centre will open its doors for a night of cocktails and networking on Tuesday September 13.

Guests will participate in a cocktail masterclass, wine tasting and have the chance to win fabulous prizes. Drinks will be provided by Revolution and Vinea with food prepared by award winning caterers Heathcotes.

The evening will provide the best opportunity to view the fantastic waterfront location of BT Convention Centre, network with new contacts and enjoy a great evening out.

The event takes place between 4-6.30 pm, for more information email Heather.bonner@accliverpool.com.

4th October 2011

Liverpool Chamber members Brabners Chaffe Street are holding a free seminar aimed at making sure you get paid in these tough times:

We understand the importance of maximising your ability to reclaim debts.  We are also aware that few businesses can afford to become embroiled in a long and drawn-out litigated case.  Our Debt Recovery team are holding a free seminar offering practical tips on the debt collection process, from the debt coming into existence at the outset, all the way through to enforcement of a Court Judgment, including what Bailiffs and Sheriffs can and cannot do.�

This seminar is a must for those trying to keep control of their bad debts in such difficult economic times.

This free seminar takes place in our Liverpool offices at Horton House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool L2 3YL on Tuesday 4th October at 4pm and is designed to be easy to understand and to give practical advice to individuals and businesses of all sizes.

The seminar will be hosted by our team of specialists and the agenda is as follows:

Getting the paperwork right - Nik White, Partner and Head of Commercial (Liverpool)

• Terms & conditions - tips and best practice
• Principles and processes to ensure terms form part of the contract and are enforceable

Turning the paperwork into money - Paul Lunt, Partner and Head of Litigation (Liverpool)

• Enforcement of Reservation of Title in practice
• What the Courts like to see

Practical tips on the debt recovery process - Tony Foley, Legal Executive

• Enforcement choices and how to make them
• Costs and timescale 

If you would like to attend this seminar please email cara.bartlett@brabnerscs.com