Qwerkies FAQs

What is a Qwerky?
- A Qwerky is a scarecrow like figure representing and celebrating how everyone is different. All qwerkies will be made by local community groups, schools and families.
What is the Qwerkies event?
- This summer we are celebrating the 20thanniversary of the iron men which is also our own 20th anniversary as In Another Place community theatre company.
Our main event on 12th July is called The Qwerkies. This is in two halves, a short performance at Crosby beach, beside The Bus Yard at 12 to 12.30pm, then a walking / cycling trail of scarecrow-like Qwerky life sized statues all the way to the Salt and Tar in Bootle for a closing performance. The route will be following Sefton’s cycle path, and the event will end in a festival style afternoon of workshops and live music and dance including the short ending performances at 2.30pm and repeated at 4.30pm.
What can I expect in the Performances?
- The performance outlines the journey of an iron man, battered and bruised by the weather and seas, who decides to see what else is out there in the big wide world … see how he discovers the variety and qwerky nature of all those he meets along the way. Come to both acts to hear the full story, both acts will include singing and dancing.
Where is the event?
- Act One:
The Bus Yard Bar, Waterloo, L22 6QQ
12pm to 12:30pm
- Act Two
Salt and Tar, (Behind Bootle Strand) Washington Parade, L20 1AA
2.30pm and 4.30pm
What facilities are available at both sites?
- Both sites are open air so please dress accordingly.
- The Bus Yard
- There are Toilets
- Bus Yard sells drinks and refreshments
- There is no seating, you are welcome to bring a camping chair
- Salt And Tar
- There are Toilets
- You can bring your own drinks and refreshments on site (no alcohol please) Hot and Cold food and drinks available from Bootle Strand Shopping Centre just next door.
- There is seating available (please do not bring your own chairs to this site)
How do I get to the sites?
- The Bus Yard
- The Bus Yard is located on the promenade by the beach past the Waterloo Marina.
- The closest Car Park is The Lake House Waterloo
- The closest Train Station is Waterloo
- The closest Bus Stop is at the bottom of South Road and is served by the 53 bus
- The site is fully accessible via the pathway on the south side of the lake
- Salt And Tar
- Salt and Tar is located behind Bootle Strand Shopping Centre
- The closest Car Park is The Strand Shopping Centre
- The closes Train Station is Bootle New Strand
- The closest Bus stop is The Strand Shopping Centre served by buses from across the city
- The site is fully accessible
Will the Event be recorded?
- There will be photography and videos captured on the day but there won’t be a recording of the whole event
Can I record videos and photos?
- Please do and if you post them online please tag us @inanotherplace
Do I need to go to both performances?
- The only way to hear the full story is to attend the performance on both sites but there will be a short recap of Act 1 at the start of Act 2
Is there any cost?
- Thanks to the donations from the local community and funding from Sefton Council we are able to offer this event completely free of charge
Can I bring my dog?
- Yes, but please keep them on a lead at all times
Who is In Another Place?
- In Another Place is a Community Theatre Company located in Bootle Strand Shopping Centre. We were founded in 2005 and took our name from the Another Place installation of Iron Men. Our first performance was a nativity on the beach that included the Iron Men.
- We run five weekly workshops. Our cardboard and sewing workshops create props, costumes and scenery from recycled materials and our drama workshops provide an opportunity to learn new skills and get involved in our performances. Every Saturday we have Free Family Friendly events including either short performances or giant games.
- You can find us in The Castle in the Strand Shopping Centre, pop in to have a chat and find out more.
Can I make a donation?
- Yes, you can, all donations are gratefully received and go towards running free events for the community in Bootle and the surrounding areas.
- You can donate by clicking here
The Trail
What is the Qwerky Trail?
- The Qwerkies will be weather resistant so the trail can be left up for the whole summer holiday period, in safe places, like peoples’ gardens or businesses. It will be fully accessible by foot or cycle / wheelchair / buggy all the way to Bootle Strand and the Salt and Tar. We will produce a map both on paper and online with QR codes for families to access different sections of the trail on different occasions, and also to show how to reach it by bus or train or car. Along the way there will be many statues “Qwerkies” for people to find, life size or smaller or bigger, representing the variety of people and diversity we enjoy. The Qwerkies will all be made from recycled materials by different schools and community groups, faith groups and businesses too.
Where does the trail run from?
- The full 4 mile Trail starts at the Bus Yard Bar in Waterloo and runs all the way to Salt and Tar behind Bootle Strand Shopping Centre
How do I know the route?
- Both digital maps and printable maps will be available here in time for the event
How long will the trail be available?
- They will stay up for the whole summer holidays as a fun activity to find and to encourage exercise and use of Sefton’s green spaces.
Can I walk the trail on the performance day?
- We have left enough time between the end of Act 1 and the start of Act 2 for people to walk the route if they wish.
How can I report a broken or missing Qwerky?
- Please report any damage or missing qwerky via email to admin@inanotherplace.com