Our latest issue of Left Bank - We Made This - This focuses on the makers who help make our home such a creative and exciting place to live.
As editor David Lloyd mentioned in his notes for Issue Three, we barely managed to scratch the surface. There are so many makers and creatives that we hope to feature in the future for Left Bank.
So, we thought we'd extend Issue Three a bit here online and feature 10 courses across the Left Bank and the Wirral that are happening over the next few months (and beyond) that are designed to help you get creative and become a fully-fledged maker yourself.
Are there any we've missed? Tag us on our social channels and we'll give you a share!
1: Hallowe’en MOSAIC Workshop
Up your mosaic game this Hallowe’en with a workshop from contemporary artist Daiva Martin at New Brighton’s Concept Corner.
Open to beginners, Davia will show you the basics of crafting mosaics – especially scary ones that’ll give trick or treaters a fright. Participants are encouraged to bring pebbles, shells and other personal treasures with them.
Saturday, 21 Oct – 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
132 Seabank Road, New Brighton, CH45 1HG
Find out more on Concept Corner's Facebook event
2: 'Hallowzine' - Children's Creative Design Workshop
Kids excited for Halloween? Do they have an artistic side to them too that you’d like to encourage? Combine the best of both worlds with this spooky workshop at Linghams Booksellers in Heswall.
Resident artist and illustrator Emily will be on-hand to show them how to create their own fun mini-Hallowe’en magazine. Expect lots of cutting pasting and colouring all sorts of creepy creatures to fire up their creativity.
Wednesday, 25 Oct - 10 - 11 AM
Linghams Booksellers, 248 Telegraph Road, Heswall, CH60 7SG
Learn more about Hallowzine on Eventbrite
3: Paper Flower Making Workshop
A nice bouquet brightens up any home, and there’s no better feeling than decorating a vase with colourful flowers you’ve picked yourself on a wild Left Bank wander...
...Or is there? Talented paper artist Ling Warlow (pictured and lead image) is hosting this craft workshop at Bloom Building at the end of the month to show you how to make ethical paper flower creations so you can leave those pretty posies where they belong, in the ground.
Saturday, 28 Oct – 12 - 3 PM
3 Abbey Close, Birkenhead, CH41 5FQ
Find out more about Ling and the course on Bloom Building's Instagram
4: Intro to Fashion Upcycling
Unleash your inner Vivian Westwood with this five-week course, teaching you how to develop your range of sewing skills and starting you on the path to becoming a fashion upcycler.
A course in partnership with Wirral Lifelong Learning, its leaders will also offer advice on how to use those upcycling skills to enter the wider fashion industry, either through employment or as an entrepreneur.
Friday, 3 Nov – 1 PM
The Lauries, Birkenhead, CH41 6EY
More info on Wirral Council's Adult Learning website
5: Introduction to Autumn Foraging
Altrincham-based Forage Box think there’s nothing better than the sublime taste of freshly-picked ingredients (who are we to argue?) and are hosting a workshop to pass on their foraging expertise in Royden Park at the start of November.
Combined with a four-hour walk, their guide will show you how to identify safe foods to eat, explore wild species and will also provide taste tests of their wild fruits, flowers and fungi.
Thursday, 9 Nov – 11 AM – 3 PM
Meet at Royden Park car park, CH48 1NP
More about the Forage Box course on Eventbrite
6: SingMe Merseyside Classes and Activities
If you believe you have the potential to carry a tune as part of a choir, SingMe Merseyside hosts a wide range of courses, classes and activates across the Left Bank.
Led by founder and musical director, Radio Merseyside’s Billy Hui, SingMe Merseyside not only gives newcomers a chance and a platform to perform, but is also a great way to make new friends – especially through their regular coffee mornings.
Various times and places across the Wirral
Learn more at the SingMe Merseyside website
7: Evening Adult Art Classes
It's never too late to pick up a paintbrush or start a collage. It's never too early, either - wouldn't it be nice if there was a place to go to build your confidence and learn the difference between watercolours and acrylics?
Sue Howell of The Art Room Wirral does just that, hosting a wide variety of art courses for adults, children and families. Discover which materials and mediums are best for you with their introduction courses.
Various dates
3 - 5 The Rake Precinct, Bromborough, CH62 7AD
See all of the Art Room Wirral's courses online
8: Wirral Code Club
Computing isn’t the future anymore. It’s in the here and now, and learning how to code can be an invaluable skill to have.
It’s best to start them young, we say, and Wirral Code Club’s free volunteer-led courses and classes for children aged 8 – 13 is an amazing way for them to learn the basics of Scratch, HTML, CSS, Microbit, Python and other coding languages.
Various times and places across the Wirral
Find out more on the Wirral Code Club website
9: Woodcarving Lessons with Jo Burton
We first met Jo Burton at the first Wirral MakeFest where she was kind enough to give us a short hands-on lesson with her woodcarving tools. We found it relaxing and fun, and were amazed at her skills.
She's willing to pass them on and show you how to turn wood into beautiful sculptures on her courses. Jo Burton is highly-experienced woodcarver and artist, and takes on small groups for two-hour sessions from her workshop.
Contact Jo to book and more info on her website
10: Christmas Wreath Workshop
Hoylake-based florist and dried-flower specialist Lilac & Thyme host regular workshops before Christmas to show you how to design and make your own festive decorations.
The stand-out for us is the course that teaches us to make our own Christmas wreaths with fresh foliage. Mince pie and a glass of mulled wine (or prosecco) included.
Prices and dates on enquiry
30a Market Street, Hoylake, CH47 9RB
Discover more courses on the Lilac and Thyme website
Royden Park Image Credit: Martin Travis (@lurkinhead on X)
