Good afternoon and welcome to this week's final edition of Our Liverpool, which takes a closer look at what's going on in Merseyside.
Today marks the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. ECHO reporters have spoken to a number of Ukranians who fled the violence and found a home on Merseyside, including Veronika Yasynska, who is helping to promote Eurovision, and Vira Hetman, who left Kyiv and arrived in Liverpool with just a rucksack.
Playing for peace
In a touching tribute to her home country Alisa Bushuieva played the Ukrainian national anthem on one of the Liverpool ONE pianos on Peter's Arcade. The performance was met by rapturous applause from Liverpudlians. Our reporter Remy Greasley was at the scene. He reported that Alisa and her family are now living on the Wirral. Her mum Svitlana told the ECHO it's really important for them to be here, especially as a family friend of theirs was killed in the fighting just says ago.
Communities in focus
Lately, I've been taking a look at the communities Scousers know and love, with focus pieces on Maghull Square and St John's Road in Waterloo. The latest to go live is Walton Vale, a cornerstone of L9. I used to go every day with my nan while she'd potter about in the butchers or fruit and veg shop, but in recent years its nightlife has seen a revival. Among the old pubs that have been there for decades are The Vale Bar, The Cove and the Tiny Tavern, while diners have plenty to choose from with Kurdina, O'Live and Rooney's. If there's a street near you that you want to shout about, email me at storm.newton@reachplc.com.
Jordan signs on the dotted line
Amid months of turmoil we managed to secure our number one today as Jordan Pickford signed a new contract. All I want at Everton FC is stability (and not to be relegated of course…) and hopefully this steadies the ship further. He might make mistakes, but he's got a fighting spirit and I couldn't think of a better goalie for the Blues.
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