Wirral Life February 2019 | Seite 11

IN BRIEF WIRRAL TO HOST TOUR SERIES AND TOUR OF BRITAIN CYCLING EVENTS The OVO Energy Tour Series and Tour of Britain will both head to Wirral this year as a part of the area’s celebrations as the Liverpool City Region’s Borough of Culture for 2019. It will be the first time that Wirral has hosted either of the events. May’s OVO Energy Tour Series round will take place in Birkenhead on Tuesday 21 May using a circuit based around Hamilton Square and features both men’s and women’s races. It will be the first time since 2010 that a round of the unique, team based OVO Energy Tour Series has taken place on Merseyside. Wirral will also host the OVO Energy Tour of Britain, the UK’s most prestigious professional cycle race, this September. Details of the stage, one that will see the world’s top teams and riders heading to Wirral, and the exact date for the race will be announced, as part of the full national launch in the spring. The Wirral stage will mark a return for the OVO Energy Tour of Britain to Merseyside for the first time since 2014. As well as being an unticketed, free-to-attend event, the OVO Energy Tour Series is unique in the world of cycling, as the focus in both the men’s and women’s competition is on the teams, who battle for the overall title based on the performance of all five of their riders in each round. The Series celebrated its ten-year anniversary and 100th event in Salisbury in May 2018. Highlights of the OVO Energy Tour Series are screened on ITV4 and broadcast around the world, while event day will provide the opportunity for a range of community and cycling activities to take place on the closed road circuit at the heart of Birkenhead. Further details of the OVO Energy Tour Series for 2019, including the participating teams and riders, will be announced in the coming weeks. 'DRAWN FROM LIFE EXPERIENCE' AT THE WILLIAMSON ART GALLERY Wirral Artist Jonathan Kennedy presents his exhibition 'Drawn from Life Experience' at the Williamson Art Gallery this month. This semi autobiographical body of work records a labyrinthine journey into the mind, thoughts, dreams and desires of Jonathan. In his skilful drawings he transforms usual, everyday objects into the extraordinary as they metamorphose into often beautiful, seductive shapes infused with hidden messages and often dark obscure meaning. Apart from his personal experiences and relationships, Life Cycles and Vanitas are also recurring themes and form the inspirations for his powerful images. Close inspection reveal the artist’s sharp witty eye interacting playfully and secretly with the viewer. At times it is as if Jonathan is so totally consumed by his work that he actually appears to reside within his pictures and is secretly observing the spectator. His work will be displayed from Wednesday 27th February until Sunday 24th March. The galleries are open Wednesday-Sunday 10am- 5pm. Please note that some galleries may close from 4.45pm. Jonathan Kennedy trained as a Fine Artist and gained a B.A. degree with Honours from Loughborough College of Art and Design. He has work in private collections and has undertaken public commissions. He has also taught art and design in schools and colleges across the UK. For more information, visit www.williamsonartgallery.org. wirrallife.com 11