Wirral Life April 2018 | Page 11

IN BRIEF

THE RED FOX BEER FESTIVAL RETURNS

SHRUG OFF THOSE WINTER BLUES AT RSPB BURTON MERE WETLANDS THIS SPRING

The Red Fox Beer Festival has been announced for Thursday 10th May until Sunday 13th May 2018.

Their 5th Annual beer festival promises to be bigger and better with the marquee double the size and increased seating. There will be 60 beers on hand pull, along with plenty of scrumpy, perry and a gin and fizz bar, along with family activities and live music for the Saturday and Sunday, and a BBQ as well.

David Green, Manager at The Red Fox said:“ Our previous beer festivals have always been lots of fun and customers really enjoy it. We’ ve spent the winter planning to make it even better and bigger than last year, getting our beer and cider line up sorted. We’ re hoping the sun will make an appearance for the weekend, as we’ ve been lucky over the last few years.”

To find out more, visit www. redfox. pub

COME TOGETHER FOR BEATLEMANIA ON THE RIVER MERSEY

Beatlemania is set to sweep across Liverpool again this year after Mersey Ferries announced it would run a new series of Beatles-themed cruises.

Launched to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of Liverpool’ s Capital of Culture status and act as a reminder that the famous four appeared on the Mersey Ferries back in the 60’ s, the cruises are set to offer music lovers a fun-filled evening cruise, where passengers will experience a fantastic live performance by one of the country’ s best Beatles cover acts – local band Paperback Writers. The two and a half hour cruise along the River Mersey will also include a licensed bar along with hot and cold food available to purchase for those on-board. Tickets are available for cruises on Saturday 14th July and Saturday 25th August. Cruises will last two and a half hours, departing from Seacombe at 7.20pm and Liverpool at 7.30pm. Tickets will be priced at £ 20 per person with advance booking required.

For more information or to book tickets, call 0151 330 1003 or visit www. merseyferries. co. uk.

Now is the perfect time to discover one of the best bluebell woodlands in the region- at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, near Neston. Each spring, the nature reserve’ s Gorse Covert – an area of ancient woodland, bursts into colour with a blanket of blue.

Due to the slow start to spring, the flowers are slightly behind their usual timings but their leaves and stems are growing strong across the woodland floor. Last year, hundreds of visitors to the nature reserve told staff of their delight at seeing such a pristine area of the iconic British flower.

Dan Trotman, Visitor Experience Manager at RSPB Dee Estuary reserves, said:“ It’ s one of my favourite times of the year, when the woodland floor gradually changes from its dull winter green and brown to the vibrant blue hue, signalling the start of fresh life across the reserve. Over the past couple of years more and more visitors have commented on the brilliance of the bluebells. The contrast of the deep blue against the greenery of the trees creates a lovely setting for a relaxing stroll.”

While Gorse Covert can be enjoyed independently by all visitors to the reserve, joining one of the Bluebells and Birdsong events with a knowledgeable guide will allow visitors to discover more about the bluebells plus other interesting flowers and wildlife on the reserve.

Dan added:“ The walk is a great way to discover more about the wildlife that makes its home here. The nesting birds will be in fine voice, adding to the tranquil atmosphere, and you will be given tips on how to pick out the songs of different birds. It’ s a lovely way to spend a morning.”

The‘ Bluebells and Birdsong’ guided walks will be held on Wednesday 25 April and Sunday 29 April, from 10am to noon. The cost is £ 10 per person, discounted to £ 8 for RSPB members. This covers the entry fee to the reserve for non-members too. To book your place, phone [phone] or email deeestuary @ rspb. org. uk.

For more information on the reserve and its activities, check out the website www. rspb. org. uk / burtonmerewetlands wirrallife. com 11