Jack's the lad in the North West.

Jack remains the most popular name for boys in the North West despite a national swing to Oliver.

The report released by the National Office of Statistics shows that those in this region do not go with the grain, as Oliver is crowned most popular name in England.

Almost 27,000 different boys names were registered in 2009, among the national top five is Oliver, Jack, Harry, Alfie and Joshua.

The girls saw less of a regional variation, with Olivia and Ruby dominating new names as they were both non-movers from the previous year.

There were 706,248 live births in England and Wales in 2009, with 34,100 different girls' names registered

An ONS spokesman said changes in the top 100 since 1999 showed there had been a resurgence in names which "were perhaps once associated with people of the inter-war generation or earlier".

The ONS highlighted Evie which has risen 157 places to number 10 since 1999, Ruby (up 91 to number two) and Lily (up 45 to eight), and boys' names such as Alfie (up 60 to four) and Charlie (up 25 to seven).

The biggest mover in the top 100 was Lucas for the boys, who jumped 19 places to number 17.

BY CHRIS SEVERS

LIVERPOOL GETS A TASTE OF YOUNG RIVAL

LIVERPOOL TO GETS A TASTE OF YOUNG RIVAL

The Liverpool music scene is to get a Young Rival this November, with the band set to play at the 02 Academy.

The Canadian Indie outfit will rock the academy on November 20th and is supported by Born Ruffians.

The highly rated band, who are well known for their unique style of rock and roll, are touring the country after working with 2009 Polaris Prize winning producer John Drew to create their self titled 2010 album.

Drummer Nick Fralick said on working with Drew: "Jon has a total hands-off approach to recording a band like us

"We recorded in a high-ceiling room with mics scattered throughout. The result is an album that's bigger sounding than anything we've done before, because it captures the intensity of our live playing, while still highlighting the more subtle aspects of our band's dynamic."

What gives Young Rival their snowballing reputation is how they hearken back to a time where musicianship was primary; where a band's ability to collaborate and play well together was more important than any other.

And yet Young Rival offers a sound that is both refreshing and current; delivering it with an uncompromising edge and swagger.

Happy Mondays drummer 'Gaz' Whelan was blown away by the band earlier this year. He said:"Thereís a band in Hamilton that completely knocked us back called Young Rival. Completely blew me away. Itís like the Beach Boys meet the Sex Pistols. It was brilliant. It could have been 1968 or 2010."

With shows and tours alongside The Sadies, Born Ruffians and Tokyo Police Club well as forthcoming remixes by Junior Boys, this young band occupies a unique - and important - position in today's indie landscape.

BY CHRIS SEVERS

D-Day looms for Museums.

A petition containing over 18,000 signatures has been handed to the culture minister Ed Vaizey in a bid to save some of Liverpool’s museums.

Cuts in public spending will leave institutions like Sudley House and the National Conservation Centre on the chopping block.

The government will announce its decision on Liverpool’s fate on the 20^th October.

The petition, which had 18,250 names on it including Brookside creator Phil Redmond, was supported by people not only from the North West, but as far a field as Australia, Canada and the USA.

National Museums Director Dr David Fleming thanked those who supported the cause and said it sends a clear message to the government on the value of the museums to people.

He said: “The government said it was happy to see public consultation on cuts and we feel our petition indicated the strong feelings of the public”.

Dickie Felton, communications manager and instigator of the petition said in terms of raising awareness, the petition went well.

He said: “We got lots of media coverage for our campaign plus Radio Merseyside broadcast a debate with Ed Vaizey culture secretary”.

The government could hit the city with cuts as much as 40% and National Museums Liverpool receives 95% of it’s funding from the government.

The cuts mean new schemes like a Titanic gallery at Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Find Your Talent programme, which involved thousands of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have been axed.

Dr Fleming said: “Major budget cuts will impact on our world class museums and on our ability to show off wonderful objects.”

A Life In Chocolate

A life in chocolate.

For some, chocolate is something to indulge in. For others, chocolate is a way of life.

The staff at The Chocolate Cellar on Hanover Street, Liverpool One will testify to the latter.

After a string of awards for business and taste, owner and creator Bala Cromen is making inroads into the heart of Liverpool culture.

During one of the ‘Dabble’ classes offered by The Chocolate Cellar, I witnessed first hand the technique and mastery taught by Bala to a group of eager students.

The class, made up of 4 enthusiastic ladies, was brought through the basics of prepping chocolate. The aim; to create a batch of rich, dark chocolate lollipops and milk chocolate moulds.

While spreading the now melted chocolate over the work-surface, I caught up with Gill and Joyce Ward who were there as a birthday present for Joyce.

Gill, who was delicately spreading and manipulating the chocolate before it set, commentated: “It’s really quite therapeutic”.

Back in the workshop things were taking shape, melted chocolate was bagged and squeezed onto a baking tray into discs of deliciousness.

While the trays were being placed in the fridge to set, Gill confided to me: “I’m a chocoholic really, my husband decided to treat Joyce for her birthday, and I wasn’t going to miss out”.

This was all a nice surprise for Joyce who said: “The classes are a great

While the dark chocolate was setting, Bala was back in full swing.

Milk chocolate was now the focus, as the group was briefed on how to create chocolate moulds. After selecting a couple of moulds, mostly consisting of flowers and moons, we were shown to the hypnotic machinery that keeps the milk chocolate fresh and ready for use.

In what resembled an endless chocolate fountain, the students were shown how to fill their moulds by running their shapes under the flowing chocolate. Needless to say, chocolate was dripping all over the place.

As the moulds were placed with the lollipops to set, the students retired to the café area for a drink (hot chocolate, of course) and to take part in a chocolatey quiz.

As the class comes to an end, I find out from Bala that she’s been teaching people the beauty of chocolate for over 5 years. Inspired by the film ‘Chocolat’, and initially starting out teaching from home, Bala went on to set up her first classes officially 3 years ago. After winning awards including Women in Business, Gold Award Winner for Great Taste in 2006 and 2007 and two Wirral Tourism Awards, it’s clear to see that Bala hasn’t looked back.

While Bala was back at work, I got a chance to talk to master chocolatier Sara Byrne on all matters chocolate and business.

Sara, who had worked for The Chocolate Cellar for three years, was quick to comment how well the shop had done at the months festivities. Wirral and Liverpool Food and Drink and Hope Street Feast were all a success.

“We’re getting the recognition we need, we’re pretty unique and were actually chosen to go on North West Tonight, they wanted a feature on the regions up and coming new business”.

Sara tells me that they have a good mix of people coming in, and it seems many like to experiment.

“People do love their standard milk chocolate. We do some recipes and get requests though that you wouldn’t believe, we had a great tapas selection”.

What was the best, I ask?

“A chocolate chicken dish with a great sauce that consisted of chocolate, balsamic vinegar and sugar. It was actually very similar to a hoisin or plumb sauce. Excellent stuff.” Sara replies confidently.

I find out that the shop will gladly tackle any recipe idea given to them, which is a testament to their creativity.

Moving on to business matters, how has the The Chocolate Cellar faired in the touch financial climate?

“Bala works so hard, what she puts in, she gets out again, she deserves her awards.

Christmas and Easter are big periods for us. In the winter we have people waiting for tables, especially on the weekends. It’s really a great time for us.”

Those who don’t know the business will warm to it in the knowledge that the shop proudly represents multiple charities.

“We’d love to support everyone who asks. But we get so many requests that we couldn’t possibly fulfill them all. We already sponsor SANDS - The Still-birth and Neo-natal Death Society, Claire House Childrens Hospice, The Jellybean Appeal and North West Cancer Research Fund. Anybody who has a cause, we’ll do our best to promote, but we can’t always give money”.

Wrapping up my interview, and with a tinge of sadness in leaving the aroma of chocolate, I ask whether the future is bright for the guys at The Chocolate Cellar:

“We hope so, it’s the best job I’ve ever had. People often ask “don’t you get sick of the chocolate?” Well...not yet.”