Birkenhead-born actress Patricia Routledge returning to home town next week for community centre’s fifth birthday

Feb 10 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Heswall News

BIRKENHEAD-born star Patricia Routledge is returning to her home town for a community centre’s birthday celebrations.

The actress, best known for playing Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, cut the ribbon at the doors to the St James Centre on Laird Street in 2005.

Ms Routledge is visiting the centre again on Tuesday, February 16 and will be reading extracts from her favourite book during a storytime session.

The birthday party, taking place from 12noon to 3pm, will also feature a talking tots session for babies and young children, and a “Ready Steady Cook–off” featuring two teams competing to rustle up the tastiest dish against the clock.

Other activities during the afternoon, including belly dancing and flower arranging, have been organised in partnership with the Cascade project, which has been helping residents showcase their hidden talents.

Birkenhead MP Frank Field and Mayor of Wirral, Andrew Hodson, have also been invited to see the centre five years on.