All the events will be FREE (unless stated) with events including live entertainment and music performances. The switch on events may also feature appearances from Santa himself!

The full programme of events is as follows:

Huyton Village Centre

Friday 18 November

Christmas Lights Switch On, featuring live music – between 4pm and 9pm:

Strolling entertainment including The Christmas Crackers, Jem – The Christmas Fairy, Christmas Tree Fairies, Kevin & Perry, The Grinch, Olaf and Step into Christmas.

On stage entertainment including Santa, Rob Charles and Monroe – as seen on ‘The Voice’.

Plus live music in the marquee from Saxobeat Duo.

 Huyton Village Centre

Saturday 19 November

Artisan Market – between 11.30am and 3.30pm

 Visit the undercover market for an array of festive gift ideas.

Kirkby Town Centre

Friday 25 November

Christmas Lights Switch On, featuring live music – between 4pm and 6.30pm:

 Live music from East 17 (will also be doing the switch on), Sandi Thom, Oceanic, Grace Davies and Amy Jo.

Prescot Town Centre

Saturday 26 November

Christmas Lights Switch On – between 4pm and 7pm

 Strolling entertainment from Jem The Christmas Fairy, The Acro Chaps – Funky Elves, The Grinch, Danny Zapparelli and Toy Soldiers Stilts.

On stage entertainment from Santa, Rob Charles and Monroe – As seen on The Voice.

As part of its work to promote equality and understanding across the borough, Knowsley Council is marking the month with a programme of events and activity.

Call out for stories and experiences

To launch the month Knowsley Archives is encouraging residents from the borough’s diverse communities to come forward with stories of their own experiences, their achievements and any documentation or photos which they would be willing to deposit for the benefit of future generations.

If you have a story to share with Knowsley Archives, please email infoheritage@knowsley.gov.uk or call 0151 443 4291/ 4365 and the friendly staff will be happy to help.

Inspiring Black entrepreneurship

The council’s role in encouraging and facilitating black entrepreneurship in Knowsley, will be highlighted on Tuesday 18 October at an event in Huyton Library from 5pm to 8.30pm.

Black owned businesses will be showcased, and Charles Otim from North Mersey Business Centre will speak about the ‘Opportunities for Black Entrepreneurship in Knowsley’ and the support available from agencies including Knowsley Council Business Growth Team and Knowsley Chamber of Commerce.

As part of the event, Huyton Library will live stream The British Library’s ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurs: Black creatives – Building the Black economy’ session and its live follow-up discussion on community building with Black Pound Day founder and So Solid Crew member, Swiss.

If you would like to attend the Knowsley’s Black Entrepreneurship event at Huyton Library please email: jack.newsham@knowsley.gov.uk.

Diverse communities celebrated

Later in the month ‘Different Voices – Shared Lives’, an incredible collection of writing by members of black, Asian and other racial minority communities from across the Liverpool City Region, including Knowsley, will launch at a special event in Liverpool Central Library on 27 October at 6pm.

Participants in Knowsley took part in a series of creative writing workshops with writer, Natalie Denny, at Kirkby Library, creating work which placed their diverse voices at the forefront.

These stories, along with those of participants from Halton, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral will be showcased at the event in Liverpool Central Library. To book to attend this free event please register through Eventbrite.

Meanwhile, a multicultural celebration is planned in Huyton Library on the afternoon of Friday 28 October. Families for whom English is not their first language have been invited to share their heritage through their music and dance and traditional food, providing an opportunity to highlight some of the diverse communities within Knowsley.

Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: 

 “Black History Month is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the many contributions made by Black people in Britain – but it’s important to remember that this isn’t just about one month.

 

“We are proud to support Black people and promote equality in Knowsley in many ways; from cultural programmes curating unique stories and experiences to supporting Black  entrepreneurship and reflecting on and understanding the impact of Black history so that in the future residents of any ethnicity are respected and able to thrive.”

 The World Reimagined

Black History Month is a great time to visit Court Hey Park in Huyton and view the huge globe sculpture on display as part of the national art education project, The World Reimagined.

Available until 31 October and part of a public art trail, the installation is one of 10 large globe structures located around the City Region which aim to transform how we understand the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans and its impact.

In addition to the large sculpture at Court Hey Park, smaller sculptures painted by Knowsley school pupils and youth groups are on display at the Culture Hub in Huyton.

Knowsley’s participation in The World Reimagined forms part of the borough’s wider programme of events for its year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture.

Paying tribute to Her Majesty, Mayor of Knowsley, Cllr Eddie Connor, said: “Whilst the entire country unites in its grief, we reflect on the Queen’s many years of dedication and service. The longest reigning monarch in our history, she was a truly inspirational woman and an internationally admired figurehead. She will be sadly missed by many and not just those who had the privilege to meet her during her life.”

Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: “The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is an incredibly sad moment in the history of this country and a moment that we will be very unlikely to forget.

“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a truly remarkable individual who led this country with dedication and professionalism for the last 70 years.  She dedicated her life to public service and her leadership and dignity will be greatly missed.

“I know that I speak for many people when I share my deep condolences with her family at this time and I send my thoughts to everyone who has been impacted by her life and her death.”

As a mark of respect, the Union Flag is being flown at half mast at Huyton Municipal Buildings, the Kirkby Centre and Prescot Registry, and the Greystone Bridge over the M62 will be illuminated in purple during the official period of mourning.

Sign a book of condolence

An online book of condolence has also been opened by the Royal Household.

People living and working in Knowsley may wish to sign a local Book of Condolence. These will be available at the Registrars Office in Prescot as well as in all Knowsley libraries. You can also sign Knowsley’s Online Book of Condolence.

Floral tributes and donations

Anyone wishing to leave a floral tribute can do so at any of the following civic venues:

• Cenotaph at Huyton Municipal Buildings
• Knowsley Village Memorial Cross
• Cenotaph at St Mary’s Church, Prescot
• Cenotaph on Smithy Lane, Cronton
• Cenotaph at the Kirkby Centre
• The small field adjacent to the Cenotaph at St Nicholas Church, Halewood – currently housing an Edward Lear cat sculpture.

Anyone leaving floral tributes is respectfully asked to ensure that the flowers are not wrapped in plastic or paper, and that they are placed in designated areas only. Flowers left in other areas of the borough may be relocated to one of the official sites.

Floral tributes will remain in situ until the day after the funeral, after which time they will be removed. Flowers will be composted. Please note, cards and any gifts which are left will not be kept after removal.

Proclamation event

The formal Proclamation of the new King was made for Knowsley by Cllr Eddie Connor, Mayor of Knowsley. This took place on Sunday, 11 September outside Huyton Municipal Building.

The Proclamation is the formal ceremony by which people in the borough are officially notified of the reign of our new King. You can read more about Knowsley’s Proclamation event here.

Local church services

A Requiem Mass for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II takes place on Tuesday, 13 September at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool, starting at 7pm. And on Sunday, 18 September there will be a Service of Celebration for the Life of Her Majesty at Liverpool Cathedral at 3pm. Both events are open to the public.

In Knowsley, a Commemorative Service of Thanksgiving led by the Council’s Chaplain, Reverend Canon Malcolm Rogers MBE, takes place on Sunday 18 September at 6pm at Prescot Parish Church.

Other churches in Knowsley may also be holding special services. Please check with your local church for details.

State Funeral arrangements

It has now been confirmed that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will take place on Monday, 19 September. This day will be a Bank Holiday and therefore, council offices will be closed. You will still be able to access all the council’s online services on its website at www.knowsley.gov.uk.

Due to the Bank Holiday, there will be some changes to bin collections which would usually take place on Monday – instead, you are asked to put your bin out for collection from this Saturday morning (September 17).

Council services during the national period of mourning

The meeting of Knowsley Council’s Inclusive Growth and Skills Scrutiny Committee, which was due to take place on Tuesday, 13 September, has been cancelled, as a mark of respect.

In addition, the scheduled Governance & Audit and Health Scrutiny Committee meeting on Monday, 19 September will also not go ahead, as a mark of respect.

More information will follow soon. 

On Friday 7, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 October Stadt Moers Park will be transformed to host this immersive experience that tells unique stories from the borough.

The 50-minute performance will take you on an atmospheric journey exploring Knowsley’s myths and folklore. Magical characters are calling from the quarrylands – the caverns, mines and secret tunnels where the traces of our ancestors’ labour and legends can still be found.

A unique narrative of the borough begins to unfold exploring Knowsley’s industries and tales of the people that powered them.

Book your tickets now.

Tickets are free but there is a £2 administration fee per ticket.

A Thousand Feet Deep is the latest event as part of Knowsley’s celebrations for its year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture.

Outdoor theatre makers, Periplum have worked with communities across the borough to gather stories, histories, myths and legends that will be translated into the performance, which will be accompanied by a soundtrack by Barry Han.

A Thousand Feet Deep by Periplum is brought to you by Knowsley Borough of Culture with additional funding from Arts Council England.