Latest news with #AnneGandy
BBC News
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Riot-hit Spellow Library's artwork celebrates community's 'hope'
A library set on fire during last summer's riots is set to unveil a new artwork celebrating the community who were there to help it rise from the ashes. Spellow Community Hub and Library, in Walton, Liverpool, was torched in August amid unrest which swept across the country after the stabbings in reopened in December after £250,000 was raised and books were donated from the Queen and a host of well as the Welcome Home artwork featuring images of people from the Walton community, a song and a film, which is the culmination of Dora Colquhoun's artist residency at the hub and library, will be showcased on Saturday. Colquhoun was commissioned by Culture Liverpool. She has led creative workshops with local residents and with community organisations, schools and businesses as part of the Welcome Home installation will feature pictures by St Francis De Sales pupils, as well as photographs of Walton residents including Kenny Robert from County DIY, Joan Abela co-director of Our House Walton Community Hub and 98-year-old Anne Gandy, who was appointed an MBE in 2007 for her services to the community. Colquhoun, said she had been humbled by the local community who have welcomed her during her residency, adding Walton has "stolen a piece of my heart"."Liverpool is a unique city, and the people in Walton are a true reflection of what makes it so special: a sharp sense of humour, natural storytelling, and the confidence to tell you if they don't like your outfit."Ms Gandy added: "Scousers are the best people in the world, you won't meet a kinder group of people or more generous of heart."Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for health, wellbeing and culture, councillor Harry Doyle, said: "The story of Spellow Library continues to be one of resilience, hope, and the unbreakable bonds of community. "Artist residencies like this help the neighbourhood reclaim their shared narrative. The locals have opened their hearts and minds to Dora and the result is a beautiful installation, song and film."Cash for the project was provided by the UK Shared Prosperity Funding and it is supported by recovery funding provided by central government and the Arts Council England. The Spellow Lane Community Hub and Library opened in 2023 to serve deprived communities. It suffered severe damage to its ground floor during violent disorder which as tensions flared following the murder of three young girls by Axel Rudakubana at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July last year. The event takes place between 11:00 BST and 13:00 Spellow Community Hub and Library. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Moment dancing fan, 97, steals show at Bongo's Bingo in Liverpool
A 97-year-old Bongo's Bingo fan who took to the stage at the club night's anniversary show has said she felt "a bit like a celebrity".Anne Gandy from Walton, Liverpool, said she had always loved to "boogie" and the events, which are famous for dance-offs and rave intervals during the bingo, gave her an opportunity to revisit her inner dancing family shared a video of her dancing on stage at the club night's 10th anniversary show on SaturdayThe great-grandmother said she "had a ball" at the special Bongo's event. Mrs Gandy said: "I've always loved to have a boogie from going to dance halls when I was younger to being the first and last off the dance floor at parties."It always has a lovely atmosphere. I do usually get up and have a boogie with the lads."I even got on stage with Boyzlife when they performed at Bongo's."The great-grandmother said she felt "a bit like a celebrity" after people recognised her from previous shows."I had a few people come up to me on Saturday saying they were at the show I went to for my 90th birthday," she said. Mrs Gandy, who only retired from her job at a nursery last year was awarded an MBE in 2007 for her work in the community."Some mums from the playschool I used to run also came and had a dance with me at the show," she Gandy attended on Saturday with four generations of her family, including her 20-year-old was first introduced to the not-so-quiet bingo hall by her granddaughter Sarah."Everyone I tell thinks she's a legend," Sarah said."It was a really good night, loved seeing the Cheeky Girls, N-trance and Blue - but gutted we didn't win anything." She said her grandmother "always loved bingo and getting up and having a dance so there was no surprise that she loved an event that combined the both".Mrs Gandy's daughter Donna said she was still "getting out and having fun at 97"."It was fab as usual, makes me forget I'm getting old," she Bingo describes itself as an "immersive, inclusive and incredible" place where "everyone parties together" with "no barriers and no limits".The clubnight was started by Jonny Lacey and Joshua Burke in Liverpool in 2015 and has since held events across the world including in France, Holland, Ibiza, Dubai and Lacey said seeing Mrs Gandy "always brings a smile" to his face. "What an inspiration at 97 years young. She always gives it her all in the rave round too and puts some of the younger players to shame," he said."I'd love to see more players like Anne joining us in the future." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Liverpool great gran, 97, is Bongo's Bingo's biggest fan
A great grandmother and bingo superfan has told how she is "fit and ready" to celebrate as Liverpool's colourful Bongo's Bingo club night marks its 10th 97, Anne Gandy from Walton, Liverpool, is thought to be the event's oldest Gandy was first introduced to the not-so-quiet bingo hall, which is famous for its dance-offs and rave intervals, by her granddaughter Sarah."It's fun because it's not just boring bingo, there's all kinds going on," she said. The bingo night is also known for its unusual prizes, and Mrs Gandy said she had previously won a mobility Bingo was started by Jonny Lacey and Joshua Burke in Liverpool in 2015 and has since held events across the world including in France, Holland, Ibiza, Dubai and Australia. It describes itself as an "immersive, inclusive and incredible" place where "everyone parties together" with "no barriers and no limits"."I like to mix with all the young ones and all the things they are doing," Mrs Gandy said."I enjoy it very much and they seem to go along with me, they don't treat me as an old woman, they treat me like one of themselves so I'm made-up." Mrs Gandy, who was awarded an MBE in 2007 for her work in the community, said she goes to the club nights with four generations of her family because "it's like nothing else"."It's nice to be able to go out with all your kids," she said."Three to four generations and I'm one of them. It is something different from any bingo I go to. I just like being out as well."I wouldn't miss this weekend for anything." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
