We’re gearing up to our biggest event of the year and this article tells you all you need to know about our Summer Fair, Featuring Liverpool’s Most Wuthering Heights Day… Ever!
It’s all happening Sunday 26th July from 10am-4pm.
Whether or not you’re taking part in the dance itself, please read through this to help the day go as smoothly as possible.
If you’re coming from further afield, please take a little time to plan your journey, check timings, take a look at our site plan and read through the Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page.
Most importantly, allow plenty of time to avoid ANY stress on the day!
Why not come early and stick around with us for entertainment and fun which runs from 10am-4pm.
The Itinerary…
How to get there…
Site plan…
So, now you know what’s happening/when… how to get there safely and on time… and what the layout looks like – have a look through our Frequently Asked Questions. Click to display the answers.
What and where is Rimrose Valley?
Rimrose Valley Country Park is situated in South Sefton between the communities of Seaforth, Waterloo, Crosby, Thornton, Netherton and Litherland.
Unlike some of Liverpool’s grand Victorian parks, it is a wild/semi wild country park with woodland, wetland and grassland, situated alongside the historic Leeds-Liverpool canal.
The event will be held in a recreational section of the park.
Who are Rimrose Valley Friends?
Rimrose Valley Friends (RVF) is a charity formed in 2017 to protect, enhance and promote Rimrose Valley Country Park for the benefit of nature and the health and wellbeing of surrounding communities.
By supporting events like this one, you’ll be helping us to raise awareness of our work.
Want to become a member? Head here.
How do I get there?
As an environmental organisation, we would really like everyone to travel responsibly and sustainably so please use public transport, or travel on foot, bicycle or scooter, wherever possible.
See our information above for local car parks, train and bus stations.
The closest train station to the event location is Waterloo on Merseyrail’s Northern Line.
The closest bus stops are located on the A565 Crosby Road North, which is serviced by numbers 47, 53, 54, 54A, 63 and the X2. Get off anywhere between the ‘5 lamps’ stop (your bus driver will know what that is) and the Plaza Cinema.
Head to the Glenwyllin Road entrance of the park. The nearest Post Code is L22 4RN, or What3Words location ///them.doll.gravy
We’ll have signs and stewards on the day directing you to the event itself.
Can I drive?
We discourage this wherever possible, but we do recognise that some people are less mobile than others, or have poor public transport links, and driving is their only option.
Please note that there are no parking facilities at the event location and Rimrose Valley is in a residential setting so we must respect the local community and residents.
If you have to drive, please park at Crosby Civic Hall & Library car park (in Waterloo), which is free on Sundays. The address is Haigh Road, Waterloo (not Crosby) L22 0LQ. What3Words location ///trunk.curiosity.miss
If that is full, please park considerately and do not block any driveways, or double-park, so access remains clear for residents and emergency vehicles.
What is happening?
As detailed on the Eventbrite page, we will be hosting a Summer Fair with lots of activities for the family and this will include us recreating the 1978 Kate Bush contemporary dance masterpiece, “Wuthering Heights”.
I have mobility issues. Will it be suitable for me?
Please email stu@rimrosevalleyfriends.org if you are a blue badge holder and would like us to arrange parking for you.
Even though we are in a beautiful green setting, we want to make this accessible to all, so our event will be taking place on a flat field and the gates to the park will be open so both access and terrain is suitable for all.
What do I need to wear?
If you’re attending the Summer Fair only, wear whatever you like!
If you’d like to take part in the dance, wherever possible, please wear a red dress, like those seen in the promotional videos and photos we’ve shared so far.
Google “Kate Bush Wuthering Heights Red Dress Version” and you’ll find her frolicking in the great outdoors.
If you don’t have one, come in anything red and there will be a small supply of red clothing on the day at one of our community stalls.
Is a red dress compulsory?
We won’t be enforcing it, but it will make the visual spectacle so much better if as many people as possible get involved.
What about gents?
This is your big chance to wear a dress (you know you want to…) BUT we don’t want anyone to feel excluded or for this to put you off getting involved.
Dig out any red clothing, tie some black fabric around your waist and come along.
How do I learn the dance?
We will be performing this routine and this is a great instructional video…
On the day itself, we’ll have professional dance instructors guiding us through the routine, so please don’t worry if you’re not prepared… it’s all part of the fun.
Our instructors will also share simpler moves, suitable for anyone with mobility issues.
We’ve allowed plenty of time for a run through, but we’re not aiming for perfection.
Come to have fun, help us to create a visual spectacle and the rest will fall into place.
Will the event be filmed and photographed?
Yes, we film and photograph all our events.
Given the size of the event and that a drone will be used, we cannot guarantee that you won’t be captured on film, unless you remove yourself from the event area during the performance itself.
If this is a consideration for you or your family, please give this some thought.
Will it be family-friendly?
Absolutely. The dance is part of a wider Summer Fair with lots for kids to do!
As for the dance itself, we would love to see as many generations as possible taking part and having fun, but please consider the safety of young children/toddlers and keep them close.
Will there be toilets?
Yes. We will be providing toilets on the day.
Depending on numbers, you may need to wait in line, so thank you in advance for your patience.
Will there be food and drink?
Yes!
Following feedback from our 2024 event, we’ll have a variety of food options available:
> Flipping Good Burgers: delicious burgers and crepes
> Kwok Wing Foods: serving up freshly made noodles and dumplings
> Willow Organic: Vegan foods with flavours ranging from Mexican, Indian, Middle Eastern, Moroccan
…plus an ice cream van and tea & coffee stall!
We hope there’s something for everyone, so bring an appetite 😀
You are also welcome to bring a picnic and blanket and enjoy this on the event field.
No alcohol will be served at this event.
Is this weather dependent?
As we all know, the Great British Summer can be… unpredictable.
Keep an eye on the forecast and come prepared for whatever’s predicted on the day… so sunblock/hat, or raincoat/brolly.
Please don’t let a bit of rain or showers put you off… we’re tougher than that!
Extreme weather conditions such as lightening, high/unsafe temperatures, torrential rain may lead to the cancellation of the event at short notice. We will communicate through your Eventbrite booking, but please also check our social media accounts on the day for any announcement.
In addition to being prepared for the weather, we recommend antihistamines for anyone who suffers with hay fever and also insect repellent.
Is the event insured?
Yes, all our events are covered by our events insurance policy, but the best way to avoid needing this is for us all to act responsibly on the day.
Will bins be provided?
Yes. As with all our events, people are great at respecting green space, so please use the bins provided and leave as little work for our volunteers as possible.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes. As with all our events, this one is dog-friendly for responsible owners, as long as your dog is used to large crowds, music and you’re comfortable they will be fine on the day.
Please bear in mind that not everyone is comfortable around dogs, so for this event, please keep your dog on a lead.
For the dance, we need the performance space to be safe, so please arrange for a friend/family member to look after them during the routine.
It (almost) goes without saying, but please clean up all dog mess as there will be lots of people and children onsite. Bring your poo bags!
Have we missed anything?!
We hope we’ve covered as much as possible. If you have any questions, please email stu@rimrosevalleyfriends.org. If we get enough of the same question, we’ll add them to this page.