All Together NOW!

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ARE YOU SAFE TO DRIVE . . ?

DON’T TELL ME I CAN’T

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opening doors . . . broadening minds

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What’s inside NEWS

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NEWS

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STEVE MORGAN FOUNDATION

UNITED UTILITIES

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INDEPENDENT LIVING

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CONTACT BOARD

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THEATREZONE

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PUZZLEZONE

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SAMANTHA’S MESSAGE

HEALTHZONE

GARDENING

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Can YOU help? n All Together NOW! is a registered charity set up to provide a tip top news service for anyone whose life is affected by disability, long-term health condtions or age. n The charity – the only one of its kind in the UK – relies entirely on support from its sponsors, advertisers, subscriptions and donations.

THE SEA STRIDE DEDICATED: Fundraisers take a welcome break along along the Wirral coastline

Coast walk raises £2K for Wirral Mencap – and us!

Editor: Tom Dowling 0151 230 0307

Editorial Support: Gerry Corner

Advertising/sponsorship 0151 929 3912

email: helen@alltogethernow.org.uk IT Support: Ken Almond Website: Pharos Design

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

NEXT EDITION Monday February 5, 2024

All Together NOW! is published by All Together Now! Ltd, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP Registered Charity No.1106387 Company No. 5096931

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EAD all about it ....

Wirral Mayor Jerry Williams got his copy of All Together NOW! by special delivery!

Helen McLoughlin, our former development officer and keen walker, handed the mayor the paper at Wirral Mencap’s annual Seaside Walk.

Debbie Green, Fundraiser for Wirral Mencap, said: “We had a great day and are so grateful to Elysium Law and Phoenix Solicitors who not only sponsored

THE number of people waiting to be assessed for autism in England continues to grow at an alarming rate.

NHS figures show more than 143,000 people are waiting to be seen by a specialist – an increase of almost 50% in a year.

If the list continues to grow at the current rate, the figure will reach over 210,000 people in just 12 months’ time.

And as it emerged that only 17% of people who have been waiting over 13 weeks have actually received a first appointment, campaigners called for urgent funding to improve diagnosis services.

Mel Merritt, from the National Autistic Society, said: “People often can’t get the right help and support without an autism diagnosis, and long waits for diagnosis and support can leave people in a difficult situation and increase their likelihood of reaching crisis point.

Support

0151 230 0307

email: news@alltogethernow.org.uk

The long wait to diagnose autism

THE GOOD NEWS: Helen McLoughlin and Wirral Mayor Jerry Williams

the walk but also got their team involved. Support and sponsorship from local businesses is vital for community fundraising events like this.”

United Utilities, one of All Together NOW!’s main sponsors, also provided walkers with a reusable water bottle.

Steph Smith, vulnerable customer lead at United Utilities, said: “We want more people to know about our Priority Service scheme, which offers additional help and support for any one of

our seven million customers living with additional needs.

“This could be due to mental health problems, age, illness, disability, language barriers or financial difficulty. If you would benefit from receiving free additional services, register now at www.unitedutilities.com/ priorityservices”.

Almost £2,000 was raised for Wirral Mencap and All Together NOW! n Wirral Mencap: Tel. 0151 666 1829

Connecting with 250,000 people . . .

“Without urgent long-term funding for diagnosis services, waiting lists will continue to grow. The Government must invest in diagnosis services, as set out in the national autism strategy, to reduce waiting times and ensure all autistic children, young people and adults get the support they need.

“The publication of these statistics is important. But it’s also important to remember that these figures are still new and are constantly being updated, so don’t yet give us a complete and fully accurate picture of just how long people are waiting for a diagnosis across England.

“The NHS must continue working to make this data more robust, so areas can be held to account for carrying out a diagnosis in good time.”

STRANDED, THEN DESERTED BY

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

WINTER 2023-24

26-hour wait to be told . . . ‘sort it yourself’ ’

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UR apologies if you had to wait a bit longer to get your copy of the FREE autumn edition.

For the past eight years our ultra-reliable All Together NOW! delivery van – kindly donated by the Steve Morgan Foundation – has done us proud.

But even the best cared for vehicles can, and do, breakdown occasionally.

That’s what happened this time – the clutch suddenly “went” in the middle of Liverpool, making the vehicle undriveable.

Being a small charity, we have to plan for everything – including, of course, taking out full breakdown recovery service with the AA,.

This was meant to guarantee prompt assistance with the added bonus of having the vehicle, when not driveable, recovered to our local garage.

We called the AA for assistance at 1pm on Tuesday, September 5. After repeated

broken promises – including a “possible 9pm” slot – we were finally guaranteed a 10-11am appointment the following morning.

At 3pm, the patrol finally arrived.

However, instead of a getting a friendly helping hand, we were told we were not covered and that we would have to sort the problem ourselves.

It took us another 24 hours to arrange a different recovery service to transport the van back to our local garage.

‘Unacceptable’

In all, the incident cost us £310, made up of the recovery fee, drivers’ time, and transport costs.

Eight weeks after compaining, we received a full apology – but a promise of just £90 compensation.

The apology letter said: “An unprecedented demand meant we were unable to provide service as quickly as we

would have liked. The overall service, communication and the delays caused were unacceptable.

“Your membership is a vehicle-based policy. This means anyone driving that vehicle is eligible for breakdown assistance.

“When the patrol attended, he should have provided breakdown assistance. I deeply apologise that this was not the case. I understand this caused you huge inconvenience and distress.

“By way of an apology for the overall delays and inconvenience caused, I have requested a cheque of £90 to be issued to you as compensation.”

The AA also said in future we should have breakdown cover for business and commercial use, even though our activities are completely charitable.

We accept the apology, but have asked to be fully compensated.

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SUPPORTERS: Lady Dodd and the late Sir Ken

Discombobulated . . .

Thanks, Lady Anne!

DELIGHTED and discombobulated!

That’s what we say after receiving a perfect Festive boost from the Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation.

As regular readers will know, the late Sir Ken was a big fan of All Together NOW! When Sir Ken’s widow, Lady Anne Dodd, and her board of trustees heard that we were in need of help, they sent us £5,000 towards our ever-spiraling print and production costs.

Lady Anne said: “We are very happy to support All Together NOW! “This marvelous newspaper helps so many disadvantaged people to escape isolation and loneliness. I wish you well in continuing the wonderful service.”

Our sincere appreciation also goes to the trustees of the Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Trust (£2,500) and the Red Rose Charitable Trust (£500) for for their kind donations, which went towards the costs of producing this Festive edition.

Best wishes – for us all A HUGE thanks to everyone who is helping to keep this charity newspaper alive and kicking.

The coming year is going to present another massive challenge, but with so many readers being digitally excluded, the need for our FREE paper is greater than ever before.

So we FIGHT ON! Here’s wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

TOM DOWLING, editor

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GPs lack resources to care for homeless

HOMELESS people are not getting the care they need at many GP surgeries, a new study has found.

Lack of resources means regular GP practices are simply not able to provide the sort of support required by people sleeping on the streets, who often have complex issues.

The first UK study comparing different types of primary health care for the homeless found those using regular GP practices saw a doctor an average 5.8 times in 12 months.

That compares with 18.6 times for those who attended specialist health centres designed chiefly for people who were homeless.

Regular GP practices were also significantly less likely to provide continuity of care for substance misuse compared to specialist health centres and specialist GP practices.

Researcher Dr Maureen Crane, from Kings College, London, said: “It is essential GPs have the resources to support patients who are homeless.

“The benefits of introducing a ‘homelessness lead’ into these GP practices should also be considered.”

Help with arthritis

A NEW video could help arthritis sufferers also struggling with the cost of living crisis.

The video, from Arthritis Action, sets out the benefits people may be entitled to. It was produced in response to growing concerns from the charity’s members.

Charity chief Shantel Irwin said: “It’s vital people understand the benefits they are entitled to receive and how to apply for them.” n www.arthritisaction.org.uk n Tel. 020 3781 7120

Labour disability pledge

THE Labour Party has attempted to reassure critics who say they have broken a key pledge on disability rights.

Despite repeated promises to enshrine the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in law, there is no mention of it in the documents that will form the basis of their general election manifesto.

Vicky Foxcroft, shadow minister for disabled people, insists the party is committed to listening to disabled people and working with them on policy.

She told a meeting organised by Disability Labour: “If Labour get into government, you won’t just have the minister for disabled people. Every single one of our ministers will be ministers for disabled people.”

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WINTER 2023-24

HEN you’re under pressure and you need a boost to your spirits, you can’t beat seeing a happy, smiling face . . .

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Centre, the stress of it began to tell. But in a cloud of dust appeared the postman’s van – and out stepped Robbie, my cousin, with a grin as wide as the Kop. “Don’t worry,” he said, handing me a letter containing our first donation.

“You’ll be fine. You’re an Evertonian – you’ve survived bigger things!”

A fanatical Liverpool fan, Robbie was a friend and a listening ear to hundreds on his West Derby round.

When he died on September 17, his work friends adorned the wall of the West Derby depot with a giant poster that summed up their feelings: “ROBBIE COX – WEST DERBY LEGEND” Robby died of cancer. He was just 54.

Our thoughts are with his wife Debbie and all his family.

MILLIONS DENIED BASIC SERVICES That’s the situation I was in back in the bleak winter of 2005.

Against much advice, and with so little funding, I’d taken the huge gamble of giving up my job at the Liverpool Echo to launch this free charity newspaper.

And as our second-hand desks were being manhandled into the Bradbury

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‘Carers shoud be able to earn more than £139 a week’

EARLY half of the UK’s over-65s struggle with the internet – leaving them at risk and shut out of vital services.

A startling new study estimates that up to SIX MILLION people aged 65 and over either lack the digital knowledge to use the internet safely and successfully, or are not online at all.

Age UK, who carried out the research, said the headlong rush towards “digital by default” is excluding older people from essential public services – including some for which they are the target audience and principal users.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “The fact that so many millions of older people are unable to participate safely and successfully online is an inconvenient truth and one we must confront and act on as a society.

“If we don’t, we are essentially saying it’s ok for legions of older people not to be able to do ordinary things like book a medical appointment, organise a blue badge for their car or pay to park it, and surely that is totally unacceptable.”

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ARERS already struggling with the cost of living are being further impoverished by having their ability to earn restricted by Carer’s Allowance.

New campaign

A total of 2.7million over-65s in the UK do not use the internet at all, equivalent to around one in five of this age group.

Of those, half a million live in Merseyside and Cheshire, with 300,000 across the Liverpool City region.

In response to the charity’s findings, Age UK has launched a new campaign, #OfflineandOverlooked, designed to persuade the Government to ensure everyone is able to choose to access and use public services offline – by phone, letter or face-to-face as appropriate – rather than constantly being forced down a digital route.

The charity says this would end the discrimination against millions of older people who are not online or digitally savvy.

Ms Abrahams said: “We should be using digital tech to expand choice for people, not restrict it, but unfortunately the statistics mean ‘digital by default’ hard wires discrimination against our older population.”

TOM DOWLING, editor

‘We want more’

DISABILITY Talk has joined the struggle to get adequate support for family carers.

The online news service said Carer’s Allowance of £76.75, weekly, works out at a maximum of only £2.19 an hour – “Positively Dickensian!”

So, they sent Oliver Twist to the Department of Health & Social Care to hand in a letter – with his bowl containing £2.19 and a message to Helen Whately, Minister of State for Social Care, was: “Please, Miss, I want some more.”

Carers can earn up to £139 per week if they have the time to work outside of their caring responsibilities.

But even this added to the Carer’s Allowance leaves them well below the national living wage.

And if their earnings exceed the £139 a week limit by a penny they are ineligible for the allowance.

As a result, family members supporting older, disabled or seriously ill relatives are being forced into choices that directly affect their health and wellbeing.

The research by Carers UK found 75% of unpaid carers receiving the allowance are struggling with cost-of-living pressures, while almost half (46%) are cutting back on essentials, including food and heating.

Helen Walker, chief executive at Carers UK, said: “The earnings threshold should be linked to increases in the National Living Wage in law.”

Find YOUR local Carers Centre – p17

Connecting with 250,000 people across the region . . .

250,000

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

READERS . . . BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER WINTER 2023-24

“OF ALL the marketing that United Utilities puts into the community, nothing generates as much feedback and response as All Together NOW! It is a great platform that’s helping us to get our messages to our vulnerable customers.”

— Louise Beardmore, Customer Services Director United Utilities

All Together NOW!

“WE HAVE supported All Together NOW! for the past 16 years and are proud to be one of the charity’s main sponsors – recognition for the way in which the newspaper helps bring together so many people and organisations.

There is no doubting the importance of this excellent publication.

“All Together NOW! makes a unique contribution to improving the quality of life of disabled people and their families. We are delighted with the huge progress the paper has made, and we know from the number of telephone calls we receive from people who have read the paper that distribution is on the increase and is reaching the right audience.” – Steve Morgan CBE, chairman Steve Morgan Foundation

A LIFELINE TO THOUSANDS NOT ONLINE More than a newspaper – the key to independence

All Together NOW! has been a real help to us.

We’ve been involved with the paper since its launch in 2004 and always get a great response to our adverts.

Here’s wishing the paper every success.” — Steve Curran, co-director, DaVinci Mobility

“All Together NOW! is a valuable link to hundreds of thousands of disabled people. We have used this free charity newspaper to promote the services of our mobility shops and the annual Disability Awareness Day and know that it is reaching huge numbers of people who otherwise would go uniformed.”

— Dave Thompson Warrington Disability Partnership “WE HAD a brilliant response to your article about our Atrial Fibrillation Ambassador programme – and lots of people phoned us to find out how they could become an AF Ambassador.

Thanks to All Together NOW! many more people with an irregular heart rhythm will now be detected, get the right medication and this will prevent them from having strokes.”

— NHS Innovation Agency

facebook.com/ AllTogetherNews/

@ATNnews

You can benefit from our in-paper and online audiences with cost-effective advertising and sponsorship.

Your advertisement will be

250,000

local, seen by and highly relevant readers – don't let your business miss out on our huge audience!

Contact us now

Tel 0151 230 0307

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“WE’VE advertised in All Together NOW! for the past 14 years – and haven't missed a single issue. It's a fantastic publication that does a brilliant job of presenting disability interests and issues in a positive and inclusive manner. We get a great respons to our advertising – and the team is always great to deal with.” – Donald Pow, MD, Allied Mobility

“WE HAVE proudly advertised in All Together NOW! for over 12 years.

It is an excellent newspaper, with endless, interesting and helpful facts for all readers.

“We have always received great responses to our advertisements.

“The newspaper is freely available to so many people throughout the North West and is appreciated by so many.”

– Heather Maddox, A-Line Mobility

www.alltogethernow.org.uk Registered Charity: 1106387

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Reach for the sky, says flying charity

BOSSES in the aviation and aerospace industries are being urged to sign a new charter aimed at overcoming barriers faced by jobseekers with a disabliity.

Harvey Matthewson, at Aerobility, said: “The charter aims to get more people with disabilities working in the sector. We aim to change the industry from within.”

Organisations from the aviation and aerospace industries are being invited to take part in a survey that will highlight potential barriers faced by disabled workers, and the problems companies may have when looking to hire people with a disability.

Mr Matthewson added: “This is a huge aim which can only be achieved by working collaboratively and positively with the entire industry.”

The Equal Skies Charter is a collaboration between Aerobility, NATS, Bristow, 2Excel Aviation, London Biggin Hill Airport, The University of West London, UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Saxon Air, Blackbushe Airport and Evenbreak.

BSL comes to trains NORTHERN Trains is set to trial British Sign Language announcements on services.

Passengers will first see the new BSL visuals on trains between Manchester Victoria and Leeds to interpret information such as station announcements.

It comes after the 2021 census showed that BSL was the main language of 22,000 people.

The train operator aims to have the trial running by the end of the year.

Cauda equina concern

Eye risk you might not see!

WINTER 2023-24

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T’S one of the less talked about hazards of too much screen time – but your children could also be risking damage to their eyesight.

Excessive computer use could cause them to develop computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain.

Although adults can also be affected, children are particularly susceptible to CVS due to their developing visual systems and often a lack of awareness about their screen usage.

Nimmi Mistry, professional services optician at Vision Direct, explains what the condition is and provides some tips on how to avoid it.

What is computer vision syndrome?

Also known as digital eye strain or digital visual syndrome (DVS), it is a term given to a set of symptoms that can arise from using digital devices for a long time.

What are the symptoms?

Eye fatigue: Prolonged effort demanded of our eyes without sufficient breaks can lead

to eye fatigue, which presents as blurred vision and tired eyes.

Dry eye: Studies have shown when we use a screen we tend to blink less, which means your eyes get less lubrication, leaving them sore and tired.

Headaches: The intense light and the pressure to which our eyes are subjected continuously can cause headaches.

Photophobia: CVS can lead to hypersensitivity to light.

How can children avoid CVS? The screen or monitor should be at least between 50cm and 65cm away from the user, and the monitor and keyboard positioned in a straight line. l Make sure the screen has a good resolution and is of good quality. l Use the 20-20-20 rule. This involves looking away from the screen every 20 minutes to look for 20 seconds at a fixed point 20 feet away. l Artificial tears help manage dry eyes. l Blinking helps alleviate dryness and eye strain, something they can forget to do when staring at a screen. l If severe symptoms persist, make an appointment with a specialist. l If your children spend a lot of time in front of screens and are squinting or rubbing their eyes, it’s vital to have their eyes tested. l Screen detox. Find other ways for your kids to have fun.

TWIN BLOW TO HATE VICTIMS

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OST victims of hate crime never see justice done..

PEOPLE living with a rare back condition do not feel properly cared for by their GP. Cauda equina syndrome (CES) occurs when the nerves at the base of the spinal cord are compressed.

Early diagnosis and treatment are vital but for people with CES who are not under the care of a spinal cord injury centre, two out of three believe their GP does not understand or is not supportive of their condition.

Law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp conducted two separate studies on the perceptions of CES and treatment – one seeking the views of medical professionals treating CES, and the other seeking patients’ views.

The study of medical professionals who treat CES highlighted a lack of understanding around the condition.

Only 23% of surveyed professionals said almost all of their patients were under the care of one of the nine SCI rehabilitation units in the UK.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests show more than 10,700 such crimes were reported across England and Wales in 2022/23.

But only 132 – 1.2% – of them resulted in a charge or summons.

Meanwhile, a new YouGov poll found two thirds of the public think people who see a disability hate crime take place should offer to be a witness.

Around half of the crimes reported involved violence and over 1,300 occurred online. While disability hate crime reports are down by 3.7% from the record number of incidents in 2021/22, they are still higher than prepandemic levels.

The figures were collected by charities Leonard Cheshire and United Response, who said in a joint statement: “We need to narrow the justice gap between the number of disability hate crimes recorded and the number of offences resulting in a conviction.

“There are real people behind these numbers and once a person

l Thousands attacked l Hardley any go to court

has been a target of hate, they can be utterly changed.”

The three most common reasons for no charges being brought were: “victim withdrawing”, “no suspect identified” and “evidential difficulties”.

The charities also commissioned a YouGov poll to discover more about public attitudes to combatting hate crime. It found that 86% think people should offer support to the victim if safe to do so. And 76% think people should offer to be a witness.

Kayleigh, experienced disability hate crime but was supported during the incident.

On how the experience has impacted her, she said: “I get a feeling that someone’s going to

say something to me. ‘It’s alright’, I say. ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.’ But it’s not easy.”

Because not all hate crimes are reported, their prevalence is severely underrepresented. Kerry, from Milton Keynes, told the charities: “As someone who has faced abuse online and offline, I can understand not reporting it to the police.

“I didn’t want to be seen as a ‘victim’ or a ‘burden’. I thought I could handle it, just ignore it or even brush it off.”

Despite the long-lasting impact of being targeted by a hate crime, the Government announced it will not publish a new hate crime strategy that was promised in 2021.

The charities’ statement added: “We are asking the Government to rethink the plan not to publish a hate crime strategy. If they want to set targets for police responses to crime, then disability hate crime should be a key focus, not brushed aside.

“Our research shows people want to help in a safe way. We need everyone to be allies in the fight against disability hate crime.”

Time to end this fear . . .

A BODY dedicated to helping people with learning disabilities has launched a campaign to support victims of hate crime.

Research by Dimensions reveals that only 25% of the public think society is inclusive of people with learning disabilities and autism, and 30% feel the country has become even less inclusive.

A raft of concerning behaviours is identified – a fifth of the public have laughed at someone, called someone names or avoided talking to a person because of their learning disability or autism.

One in six say they would feel uncomfortable sitting next to someone with learning disabilities or autism on public transport, and one in seven would feel uncomfortable having a person with learning disabilities or autism as their neighbour.

Dimensions boss Rachael Dodgson said: “Imagine feeling unsafe every time you leave your home or interact with others – this is the unacceptable reality for many.” www.dimensions-uk.org #NoTimeForHateCrime

Connecting with 250,000 people across the region . . .

All Together NOW!

WINTER 2023-24

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

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S PART of our new look, there is a new procedure to apply for funding for Regional or Enable grants.

From the Steve Morgan Foundation Home page, select the third red circle, eligibility checker.

Answer a few questions to obtain the link to the application form. www.stevemorganfoundation.org.uk/eligibilitychecker/

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Look out for our new-look vehicles

RUSTEE Week saw the Foundation come together to celebrate the achievements of nearly 1m trustees across the UK.

E’RE delighted to announce that a brand new Maggie’s cancer support centre in North Wales has been granted planning permission.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our own amazing trustees at the Steve Morgan Foundation, who all give their time and commitment to help us change lives for good and make a positive difference to those in need.

The centre, to be built in the grounds of Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire. will be completely designed, commissioned and funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation and is

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E’RE excited to unveil the new livery on our Smiley Buses!

With thanks to APH signs, Springfield School, Crewe, and the Breckfield Centre now have our updated branding on their minibuses.

The Steve Morgan Foundation provides funding for standard and wheelchairaccessible minibuses to help organisations with their transport needs.

We are proud to have donated almost 100 minibuses to date.

North Wales Blood Bike looking very smart with the new logo in place

Enable grants info .... Contact: enable@stevemorganfoundation.org.uk

or

hello@stevemorganfoundation.org.uk

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WINTER 2023-24

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www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Winter challenge for spinal cord injured

FOUR out of five people with a spinal cord injury are worried about how they will get through the winter.

Most stretched themselves to the limit trying to keep warm last year by diving into savings or running up huge debt, a survey has found.

With benefits falling short, some have been forced to turn to food banks and warm spaces – with one admitting they were so desperate they resorted to stealing food from shops.

The research, which looked at almost 1,000 responses from spinal cord injured people, found many worry that they have no real way of increasing their income to absorb the additional costs that winter will inevitably bring.

Spinal cord injury brings mobility issues but there are many hidden effects such as an inability to regulate body temperature.

Spinal Injuries Association chief Nik Hartley said: “We’re shocked and saddened by what we’ve learnt. It remains clear from our responses that spinal cord injured people are being failed – failed by a health and social care system in crisis and failed by a lack of coordination and financial support when they really need it.”

Airlines fail online

SOME of the most popular airlines have the worst websites for people who have different needs.

Jet 2, Ryanair and TUI scored just two out of 10 for the entire customer experience, according to research by the Civil Aviation Authority.

British Airways ranked as the best performing for web accessibility among the UK’s largest airlines.

AI good for the heart

‘I thought life was over, but now I’m an author at 74’

BATTLING BOB’S ALL WRITE NOW

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EVEN years ago, Bob Gormley was gravely ill in hospital, fearing for his life and unable even to scribble his own name, never mind consider writing a book.

A BREAKTHROUGH in the use of artificial intelligence could significantly speed up the diagnosis of heart failure.

Tests found AI was as reliable at interpreting ultrasound images as an expert in measuring the pumping action of the heart.

However, while a standard analysis of an echocardiogram with a human operator takes around 30 minutes, the AI can interpret the images in a minute.

That huge reduction in clinical time has the potential to significantly speed up waiting times for a diagnosis of heart failure.

The breakthrough came from the ground-breaking OPERA study – a collaboration between the University of Glasgow, AstraZeneca, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde and NHS Golden Jubilee – into the effectiveness of AI technology in patients with heart failure.

But at the age of 74, Bob became a published author last year with Tucker, a fantastical children’s story based on his boyhood daydreams in Liverpool.

If that were not enough, a second book, Tucker and the Stolen Pets, has followed this year.

Bob has been on the road with the original Tucker, taking it out into the community and receiving enthusiastic responses from young audiences at St Vincent’s School for blind and partially sighted children, and the Liverpool Irish Centre.

And he has a message for anyone who thinks they are too old to take on a new challenge: “You will never know what you are capable of unless you try.”

Born in Liverpool, the young Bob’s fertile imagination liked to picture him living in a room behind the clock face of the city’s famous Liver Building.

Better still, he would visualise himself flying on one of the building’s iconic birds, across streets and over the River Mersey, looking out for anything amiss.

But becoming a writer was not something

that occurred to the 14-year-old who left school and went straight into the building trade, and it would be many more years before those imagined adventures would reach the ears of delighted St Vincent’s pupils.

As a roofer and tiler, Bob worked on everything from the redevelopment of Albert Dock on the Liverpool waterfront, to the main Riyadh Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

He went on to run cafes and a bar with wife Trish, before taking another turn, with his daughter, into candle making, selling from shops in the city centre and at exhibitions in Canada. To this day he is stopped and asked by stranger: “Are you the candle man?”.

Heart surgery

A full and active life took a turn for the worse in 2007 when Bob fell ill with endocarditis, a rare condition when the aorta valve becomes infected.

This meant heart surgery to replace his infected valve with a metal one. The operation went well but the treatment needed to clear the infection damaged his sense of balance. He was left unable to walk, had many stumbles and falls, and required many months of physiotherapy.

Then in 2016 the replacement valve became infected. Having been told it was not possible to have the aorta replaced twice, he spent six weeks in hospital, on a

ON HIS TALE: Youg audiences have lapped up author Bob Gormley’s fantasy story set in his native Liverpool

drip 24 hours a day, fearing he would not survive.

While in hospital, Bob suffered a severe stroke, leaving him unable to hold a pen and write his own name. The stroke brought back balance problems, and he had to start over again regaining his mobility and the use of his right hand.

At this point, Bob finally had one slice of great medical good fortune – a young surgeon who was present at his first valve replacement had since developed the procedure so far as to make a second replacement viable.

The operation was a success, but because it had to be performed while the infection remained, Bob spent another six weeks hooked up to drips in an effort to prevent the new valve becoming infected.

Nowadays, deeply grateful for the second chance granted to him by “the medical team and surgeon who carried out this amazing operation”, Bob is urging others to grab the opportunity to try something new, whatever their age.

He said: “Just trying is an adventure into yourself, to see what you may have had hidden away for all those years.

“Try something you wished you had taken up when you were younger. It will bring you a lot of pleasure. Trust me.” n Tucker, and Tucker and the Stolen Pets, £6.99 each, Amazon

Connecting with 250,000 people across the region . . .

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

WINTER 2023-24

This winter, think I is for

E is for

Insulate P is for

Prepare

Easy!

P is for

Protect

Prepare for winter; insulate your pipes; protect them with lagging. It’s easy!

As the temperature drops and nights draw in, it’s time to wrap up – winter’s here!

Getting your home ready for the cold weather and all it brings means you’re more likely to stay warm and happy and enjoy a hassle free winter.

Rose Francis from United Utilities says: “Insulating your water pipes to protect them from the cold will save the hassle and expense if they freeze and burst. We want our customers to enjoy a carefree Christmas. The good news is it’s really easy to prevent this from happening.”

Go to unitedutilities.com/winterwise for great tips on how to keep warm and protected this winter including how-to guides and videos.

Support when you need it most We can all benefit from a bit of extra help at some stage in our lives. This could be due to age, ill health, disability, mental health problems, financial worries or language barriers. Registering for our Priority Services means you’ll benefit from a range of additional services so we can respond quickly to your specific needs. Register now at unitedutilities.com/priorityservices or call us on 0345 672 2888.

Steps to prevent frozen, burst pipes Step 1. Lag your pipes Pay extra attention to the pipes in the garage, loft or outside your home as these are the ones most likely to freeze when the temperature drops. Your local DIY shop should have everything you need; just remember to use waterproof lagging for any outdoor pipes. Pipe lagging is cheap and easy to fit.

Step 2. Find your stop tap Your stop tap controls the flow of water into your home. It’s usually found under the kitchen sink, or sometimes in the cellar or garage. It’s handy to know where it is so you can turn the water off quickly if your pipes freeze or burst.

Found it? Make sure your stop tap is working.

It’s also worth checking if your household insurance covers burst pipes.

Step 3. Keep your heating on low Keeping your central heating on low during a cold spell will prevent your pipes from freezing. Make sure the heating comes on when you’re away too; you don’t want to come back to a flooded home after a relaxing winter break.

Lots of modern boilers have a frost setting.

Handy for preventing frozen pipes when your central heating is not in full use.

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Parking ban lifted

GOOD news for Blue Badge holders visiting York – the ban on disabled city centre parking has been overturned.

When Labour took control of the council in May they said reversing the ban, imposed by the Lib-Dems, was a “top priority”.

While some city events may still require restriction, Blue badge access has now been restored in Blake Street, Lendal, St Helen’s Square, Goodramgate, Church Street, Kings’ Square and Colliergate.

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DRIVERS using Motability’s electric vehicles are set to benefit from Tripadviser-style reviews of charging points.

A collaboration between Motability and the Osprey GB-wide EV rapid charging network will allow motorists with disabilities to charge and pay through the Motability Go Charge App. They will also be able to review the location for accessibility, with all the reviews available on the app.

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WINTER 2023-24

Are YOU ok to drive safely . .?

M

Sleep disorders

These are not usually connected to driving ability. But consider the sleep disorder narcolepsy, a neurological condition resulting in an increased propensity for sudden, uncontrollable bouts of sleep. Imagine the potential disaster if such an episode occurs while driving.

Drivers Association expert Michael Bissona says: “A licence isn’t just about skill, it’s also about health. The law stipulates drivers must

report to the DVLA any health condition that may affect their ability to drive. Narcolepsy is clearly one such.”

Cognitive impairments

This is another broad category conditions that could impact driver licensing. Progressively eroding the mental faculties, dementia in its advanced stages significantly distorts reality perception, making safe driving virtually impossible.

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migraine attacks. A severe migraine isn’t just pain – it affects vision, concentration and reaction times.”

OTORISTS are being urged to ensure it is not only their cars that are fit to take to the road in the worse of the winter.

The International Drivers Association is warning certain medical conditions can potentially compromise your ability to drive safely.

Apart from the more obvious conditions like epilepsy and dangerous vision impairments, less commonly considered disorders could lead to you losing your licence.

All Together NOW!

Meniere’s Disease

Migraines Another unexpected contender is the misery many of us may pass off as just a bad headache. Migraines’ debilitating effects, often characterised by visual aura (flashing or shimmering lights, blind spots), vertigo, disorientation, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound, can make driving a car effectively and safely an arduous task.

Bissona says: “Too often, people underestimate the driving implications of

Quite possibly the first time you’ve heard of it, Meniere’s disease is definitely a niche area.

An inner ear disorder that can throw off your balance, and cause episodes of vertigo and fluctuating hearing loss.

Bissona says: “Vertigo, dizziness, tinnitus… and the unpredictability of these symptoms make Meniere’s a notable concern when it comes to safe driving.”

The bottom line

From unexpected sleep disorders, cognitive impairments, migraines to Meniere’s, there are some less obvious health conditions that could get your licence revoked in the UK. So the important takeaway here – should you find yourself managing any of these conditions, notifying the DVLA is not just a legal obligation but critical to road safety.

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All Together NOW!

Bosses are failing graduates

ALMOST two out of three graduates with a disability find it “very difficult” or at best “difficult” to apply for jobs..

Business Disability Forum researchers found that over half (57%) do not feel wellprepared to discuss disability with a potential employer.

And 27% say they cannot access the same adjustments they had at university once in work.

They also find the application process inaccessible.

One graduate said: “Many of the places I was applying for did not accept my spelling and grammar/syntax errors, even when I declared that I was dyslexic.”

WINTER 2023-24

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Top Tips: tip top advice for jobseekers

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MELIA Peckham knows what it’s like looking for work when you have a disability.

After a life-altering spinal cord injury in 2006, she faced discrimination while seeking employment.

Amelia went on to co-found and run her own company, Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks, and push for better support for disabled workers.

Here, as official figures show nearly half of the UK’s registered disabled population are not in employment, she offers her top tips for disabled jobseekers.

Research accessibility policies: Find out which companies have inclusive accessibility policies and initiatives. Look for Disability Confident Employers, a Governmentbacked scheme that supports disabled people to find suitable employment.

Understanding a company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion will help you make an informed decision about whether it’s the right fit for you.

Decide what to share: It’s essential to be comfortable with the information

GO FOR IT!

you share about your disability during the interview process. You have the right to choose what you disclose and when. Your qualifications and skills should always be the focus, and you should never feel pressured to reveal personal information.

Timing of disclosure: While it’s

crucial to be honest about your disability if it’s relevant to the role, you are not obliged to disclose it during the initial interview. You can wait until you’ve received an offer before discussing your needs and any necessary accommodations. This way, you ensure your abilities and

qualifications are fully taken into account.

Opt for in-person interviews: Although the ease of virtual interviews may be alluring, attending in person can be beneficial for both you and the employer. It allows everyone involved to better understand the potential accommodations required. Plus, this allows you to personally assess the accessibility of the building or office and work environment.

Commute considerations: Make sure the physical commute or hybrid working arrangements align with your needs. If you’re uncertain, try a test run of the journey. Or, depending on your level of mobility, perhaps consider if a fully remote role might be better suited to your needs.

Discussing accommodations after the offer: Once you’ve secured the job offer, this is an appropriate time to discuss any specific provisions you may need to perform your duties effectively. This could involve modifications to your workspace, flexible working hours, limiting inperson meeting time, or any other support that will help you thrive in your new role.

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All Together NOW!

WINTER 2023-24

Every wheelchair wheelchair user’s nightmare

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NY family with a wheelchair user knows just how incredibly hard it is to find suitable accommodation.

Steps, thresholds, narrow doorways, inaccessible bathrooms ... they’re a constant headache for those who just want to have what most people take for granted – the choice of where and how we live.

It wasn’t that long ago that architects were designing properties without a single thought given to the millions of people unable to walk.

And today, even with tougher laws that puts more pressure on builders to deliver on access, it’s still nowhere near enough to solving the housing nightmare faced by so many disabled families, say campaigners.

Habinteg housing association, who are leading the battle for more accessible homes, say apart from helping to solve the

problem, building more tailor-made properties would save the public purse millions over a 10-year period.

Their latest research reveals the additional cost of building a home specifically for a wheelchair user – instead of just an accessible and adaptable home – for a typical disabled adult of working age is around £22,000.

But with the potential 10-year financial and social benefit to the individual and the public purse amounts to around £94,000.

Nick Apetroaie, Habinteg’s CEO, said: “This research reveals a clear and powerful economic case for wheelchair accessible homes that must not be ignored.

“Behind the numbers we must not forget that the shortage of wheelchair accessible properties has a profound negative impact on people’s daily lives.”

For a household with a child who is a

wheelchair user, Habinteg says the extra cost of building a new wheelchair user home is around £26,000, but the economic and social benefit it brings adds up to around £66,0000 over 10 years.

For a typical older wheelchair user household, the financial and social benefit is around £101,000, with a new wheelchair user home costing around an additional £18,000. Mr Apetroaie added: “It’s not acceptable for society to expect wheelchair users and their families to “make do” in

homes which limit their independence, dignity and overall life opportunities.

“We’re calling on the Government and relevant agencies to set a clear requirement for every local authority to create a robust plan for new wheelchair accessible homes.

“Without this we will be literally building inequality into housing stock, not only at great personal cost to individuals and households but also, in the medium to long term, to the public purse, too.”

Read All Together NOW! on PressReader with enhanced accessibility features.

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SAMANTHA’S VERY SPECIAL NEW YEA

‘

SAMANTHA Maxwell says of herself: “I’m an ordinary woman who happens to have a mild form or cerebral palsy.”

It was the attitude of others towards her cerebral palsy (CP) – at school and later at work – that led to her suffering a major breakdown.

But now in her early thirties, Samantha, from Wrexham, has

fought back, helped her beloved grandm give up.”

And after sister-in presented her with a showcase her imag Samantha has publi book, CP Isn’t Me, a working on a follow Watch this space .

DON’T TELL ME I CAN

HAPPY FAMILY: Samanatha and mum and dad, right, with brother Ian sister-in-law Ceri and niece and nehew, Rosie and Tommy. Inset: Samanatha’s Nan

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ISABILITY is an alien concept to many people. The general view in society is that people with a disability cannot do things that others can.

While researching CP Isn’t Me, this was the main feature of every article and every book that I read. Nothing was positive, only negative.

I knew this wasn’t true. I have a degree in graphic design, I work in the motorsport industry as a freelance graphic designer, and I own my own small part-time business designing and selling posters online. I’m a daughter, a sister, a sister-in-law, an auntie, a niece and a cousin.

I’ve been through the “normalities” of life – births, deaths, missed job opportunities, gaining qualifications and so on. Yet unfortunately, because I’m in a wheelchair, that’s all society sees.

I do believe that to some degree society has not moved on from the 19th century. Maybe not as brutal in terms of treatment (having the choice between an asylum, a workhouse or a freak show) but the same attitude towards disability persists.

The treatment I have faced up to this point in my life has been unbelievable, to put it mildly.

In my younger years, it wasn’t as bad somehow. I guess it was a combination of love and support as well as the sense of normality I felt from my family and my friends.

My brother Ian always made sure I felt the same as everyone else. He was the person I

POP legends The Jacksons have endorsed Samantha’s bo have taken copies home with them to the States

felt closest to.

We’d sit and watch films and TV shows together, dance around the house to music, and just act silly with each other.

My nan, to whom CP Isn’t Me is dedicated, was like a second mum to me. She would always come to the house to play games with me and her sense of humour had me in stitches. And my parents were absolutely amazing, treating me like any other child.

The happy years

Being a big fan of The Jacksons and Michael Jack this was amazing for me. I have also been on stag the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod to speak about my book.

Of course, there were times where I would have to go for hospital appointments and do things associated with disability, but my family never excluded me from anything, and I love them for that. I had a good group of friends in infant through to primary school.

At home, I had one good friend, Elika, who always included me in games with the other children in the neighbourhood.

My younger years were my happiest. I never felt the pressure to “fit in” because there was no pressure. Things changed when I started secondary school.

Secondary school was the beginning of the

end for me in many ways. The end of the always happy child I once was. It started with bullying. I’d get doors slammed in my face, pointing and laughing, hateful things said to me, things that stayed with me really from the age of 12 until last year.

I wasn’t allowed out on the yard at lunchtime or break times, no disabled child was because we were seen as “vulnerable”. Instead, every single day, every disabled pupil was forced to sit in a room with a support worker looking after us.

They had a weekly rota for the support workers who were due to “sit” with us. This broke me, because I then knew that I was different. Segregation can do that. During my GCSEs, there was a battle between the school and my mum and sister-in-law Ceri, who fought hard to let me take my exams in a small room.

I have issues sitting in large, open spaces as I start going dizzy. Ceri, an English teacher herself, knew what I was entitled to, and fought

along with my mum to get what I needed in order to achieve my potential and gain the qualifications needed to succeed in life.

It seems to me now, looking back, that the secondary school in question had absolutely no idea about disability. We had that label forced on us by the adults for everyone to see.

In my opinion, if it wasn’t for the staff the disabled pupils lives would have been easier as there would not have been any hidden barriers.

I’ve heard since that that particular secondary school has improved over the years in regard to disability awareness, but my argument is that the level of mistreatment I and others faced there should never have occurred in the first place.

From there, it was just one thing after another that would contribute to the deterioration of my mental health.

My nan’s death hit me like a ton of bricks. I couldn’t function for a long time after. She was

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AR MESSAGE TO US ALL . . .

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d by the words of mother: “Never

-law Ceri an opportunity to ination, ished her first and she is already w-up. ...

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Why this unique, FREE and multi award-winning newspaper is so vital

SURE FIRE HIT: Pop band The Jacksons have taken copies of Samantha’s book back to the States

ook, and

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always there for me no matter what, and when she passed away, I was at a loss for what to do.

One thing she did say when I was in university, which I remember, was to never give up, which I personally took on board as my own mantra for life. After her death, I finished my degree with those words in my mind.

Anxiety and OCD

Similarly, when my dog, Bubbles, who was here for me during the majority of the darkest periods of my life, passed away, it was a surreal experience.

I know people will say he was just a pet, but o me he was so much more. Bubbles was the one I felt that I could confide in when times were tough, and when he died it was another blow.

Work life hasn’t been the easiest either, I’ve been fired from jobs in the past because of my

CP Isn’t Me is available at Amazon and Waterstones.com, and at Bellis Brothers Garden Centre in Holt, near Wrexham; Wrexham Library; Wrexham Visitor Information Centre; Hope Library; Wrexham University; Waterstones Wrexham; and Showcase Crafts Little Sutton.

disability which was hard to accept.

All of this had a detrimental effect on my mental health. I suffered with depression, anxiety and OCD for years, as a direct result of the mistreatment I had faced.

Basically, I had a severe mental breakdown one day.

With the deterioration of my mental health, and seeing no way out, Ceri asked me to write for her class a review of a book, In which the protagonist had cerebral palsy, to see if I identified with them or not. Long story short, the response I received from Ceri’s workplace was incredible.

My dad and my English teacher always said that I had a good imagination, but I never had the confidence to try to write until the response to that review.

I have noticed people tend to pretend to be understanding and accepting of disability, but really nobody has a clue. Patronisation and discrimination still occurs. In the workplace, if

you have a disability, you are automatically seen as weak or vulnerable.

Forget qualifications, or capabilities, if you have any form of disability, you are automatically judged and labelled. Put in a metaphorical box, segregated from the rest of society. People can deny it all they want, but it’s the truth. I’ve lived it, I know.

CP Isn’t Me is part autobiographical, part factual and doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality of disability in the 21st century. I really want people to read this book and hope the takeaway will be a change in attitude towards disability as a whole. I do think it’s gone too far the opposite way from the 19th century.

Today, disability is wrapped up in cotton wool and we are seen as incapable in every aspect of life. Our independence is automatically taken away from us. We don’t have a say in our own lives, everything is decided for us, by a society that has no actual idea about disability.

This needs to stop. Disabled people deserve better. We need better.

It’s time to rethink the idea of cerebral palsy.

It’s time to rethink the idea of disability as a whole.

Cerebral palsy doesn’t define me. I define me.

Follow me on social media! Facebook: CP Isn’t Me, Instagram: §@cpisntme, X (formerly Twitter): @cpisntme, YouTube: Samantha Maxwell Author, LinkedIn: Samantha (Jade) Maxwell.

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SHOPMOBILITY

n ALTRINCHAM . Tel 0161 929 1714 n ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. Tel 0161 339 9500 n BARROW. Tel 01229 434039 n BIRKENHEAD. Tel 0151 647 6162 n BLACKBURN AND DARWEN. Tel 01254 690566 or 07757 502217 n BLACKPOOL. Tel 01253 349427 n BOLTON. Tel 01204 392946 n CARLISLE. Tel 01228 631564 n CHESTER. Tel 01244 312626 n CHORLEY. Tel 01257 260 888 n COLWYN BAY. Tel 01492 533822 n ELLESMERE PORT. Tel 01244 312626 n KENDAL. Tel 01539 740 933 n LEIGH, Wigan.

Tel 01942 777 985 n LIVERPOOL. Tel 0151 707 0877 n MANCHESTER Trafford Centre. Tel 0161 747 2684 n MANCHESTER Arndale Centre. Tel 0161 839 4060 n NELSON. Tel 01282 692 502 n NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel 01244 312626 n OSWESTRY. Tel 01691 656882 n PENRITH. Tel 01768 895 438 n PRESTON. Tel 01772 204 667 n RHYL. Tel 01745 350665 n ROCHDALE. Tel 01706 865 986 n RUNCORN, Halton Lea Tel 01928 710144 n SHREWSBURY. Tel 01743 236900 SKELMERSDALE. Tel 01695 550066 n STOCKPORT. Tel 0161 666 1100 n WARRINGTON. Tel 01925 240064 n WARRINGTON. Birchwood Tel 01925 822 411 WIDNES: 0151 511 8833 n WIGAN. Tel 01942 776 070 n WINSFORD Tel 01244 312626 n WREXHAM. Tel 01978 312390 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM. Snow Hill Railway Station. Tel 0121 236 8980. Level 2, Centre Car Park, Bullring. Tel 0121 616 2942 n STAFFORD. Tel 01785 619456 n STOKE ON TRENT. Tel 01782 233333 n SUTTON COLDFIELD. Tel 0121 355 1112 n TAMWORTH. Tel, 01827 709392 n WALSALL. Tel 01922 650781

HELPLINES

Farewell to health champ, Gideon

n Personal Budgets Helpline Tel. 0330 995 0404 Opening hours: 9.30am-1.30pm, Tues and Thurs personalbudgets@ disabilityrightsuk.org n Disabled Students Helpline Tel. 0330 995 0414 Opening hours: 11am-1pm on Tues and Thurs students@disabilityrightsuk.org n Scope’s Disabilty Information and Advice Line (DIAL) Freephone 0808 800 3333

STEPPING DOWN: Gideon, right, with Bruce,, Dr Liz Mear and Dr Phil Jennings,

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LEADING light in the fight to improve health and well-being in Liverpool has stepped down.

Gideon Ben-Tovim has bowed out as chair of the Innovation Agency – an NHS body dedicated to accelerating new developments in the region’s health – after 10 years at the helm.

He was chair of the NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group, before helping to set up the Innovation Agency in 2013.

As an academic and activist in Liverpool in the 1980s, he was a researcher and author in race relations, later being elected to Liverpool City Council and then appointed Labour Leader.

His passion for equality, health and wellbeing led him into the NHS. Gideon said: “I was born in Wallasey though I grew up in London and returned to

Liverpool as a student. Our home was also a GP surgery – my father was a GP; my mother was the triage nurse, practice manager and receptionist; I used to arrange the Lloyd George envelopes (patients’ medical records) on a Friday night, so I grew up feeling part of the NHS! “It has been a privilege to be part of the Innovation Agency since its inception and I would like to pay tribute to the excellent staff and leadership team; and to the brilliant colleagues in the NHS, universities, businesses and the charity and voluntary sector who I have come to know in the last 10 years. I wish them all well for the future.”

Gideon will continue his work with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, where he chairs the Climate Partnership.

Also calling an end to his tenure at the Innovation Agency is vice chair Bruce Ash, who joined in 2014.

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n ANGLESEY: TARAN Tel 01407 721933 n BLACKPOOL Disability Information and Support.

Tel 01253 472 202.

Textphone 01253 476 450 n CHESHIRE CIL Tel 01606 331853 n CHESTER Dial House Tel 01244 345655 n DENBIGHSHIRE Tel 01745 354445 n ELLESMERE PORT DICE

Tel 0151 355 1420 n HALTON Disability Service Tel 01928 717222 n KNOWSLEY DISABILITY CONCERN. 0151 480 4090 n LANCASTER DISC Tel 01524 34411 n ACSIL (Amputees and Carers), Tel, 0151 261 1166 n THE BRAIN CHARITY Tel 0151 298 2999 n MANCHESTER (GTR) Coalition of Disabled

People Tel 0161-273 5154 n MOLD Flintshire Disability Tel 01352 755546 n NELSON: Pendle Pakistan Welfare Association.

Tel 01282 603 616 n PRESTON DISC: Tel 01772 558 863.

Text 01772 204 787 n RHYL Tel 01745 350665 n STOCKPORT: Disability Stockport. 0161 480 7248

Doc leads way

THE UK’s first deafblind doctor was among the keynote speakers at this year’s virtual Deafblind Conference.

Dr Alexandra Adams’ personal experiences of discrimination and stereotyping – within and outside the workplace – has led to her campaigning for better inclusivity and accessibility.

She talked about trying to dispel the myths and misconceptions of being a deaf and blind healthcare professional; what and how she was inspired to become a doctor; the discrimination and hurdles she encountered; and what she has learnt about workplace cultures and general society views.

n WARRINGTON Disability Partnership. 01925 240064 n WIRRAL WIRED Tel 0151 670 1500 n WEST LANCS HELPLINE Freefone 0800 220676 n ST HELENS DASH Tel 01744 453053 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM Disability Resource Centre Tel 0121 789 7365

n Disabled People’s Network Solihull Tel 0121 788 1544 n STOKE: Disability Solutions Tel 01782 683800 n WOLVERHAMPTON Elder and Disabled Group Tel 01902 448552 n WEST MIDS Amputee

Group. 07891 794733; 07585 958322; 07557 228154

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Morphs in the front line for art access

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N ARMY of Morphs took London by storm to raise awareness about accessibility.

manager at Sunrise Medical, who provided Morph’s trendy wheelchairs, said: “We’ve had an overwhelming response about the trail – it really caused a buzz.

“It was brilliant to see so many people of all abilities and ages learning about the importance of accessible activities and the work Whizz Kidz does for young wheelchair users.” n Whizz Kidz: Tel. 020 7233 6600

Fifty-six replica six-foot sculptures of the children’s iconic cartoon character were placed at the capital’s famous landmarks.

It was all part of the UK’s first step-free art trail, organised by Whizz Kidz and Wild in Art. Lucy Evans, marketing

BERT’S WAY Disability rights hero cemented into city history

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LIVERPOOL road has been named in honour of disability campaigner Sir Bert Massie.

The former All Together NOW! chief columnist, who contracted polio at three months old, spent his life fighting for a better deal for disabled people.

Sir Bert Massie Way is part of an enhanced housing scheme in the Knotty Ash area.

His wife Lady Maureen joined Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Cllr Barbara Murray at a special unveiling ceremony.

Lady Maureen said: “It’s an amazing tribute to honour Bert this way. Everything he did was for disabled people and to have Liverpool Council acknowledge this is absolutely wonderful.

“I hope they’re proud of the

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TRIBUTE: Lady Maureen and Liverpool Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram unveil the sign in Knotty Ash. Inset, Sir Bert place they live in, as proud as I am of my late husband. It’s been six years since he died, which seems to have disappeared in a very short space of time.”

Sir Bert, who lived in Aigburth, was also awarded an honorary degree from Liverpool University and made a freeman

of the city of London in 2008.

He played a crucial role in ensuring that Parliament passed the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

In the lobbying work that led to the DDA, he worked with the Government of the time and the transport industries to develop and set standards for

accessibility, and secured the access regulations formula which is the basis of the current provision of accessible public transport.

Sir Bert spent the first five years of his life in Alder Hey Hospital before attending Greenbank School for Rest and Recovery, and Sandfield Park school at 11.

In 1978, he joined the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (and was its director from 1990 to 1999.

He served as chairman of the Disability Rights Commission from 2000 to 2007 and was founding commissioner of its successor, the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

He was awarded an OBE in 1984, a CBE in 2000, followed by a knighthood for services to disabled people seven years later.

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n MANCHESTER Deaf Centre. Tel 0161 273 3415 Genie Networks.

Tel 0161 941 4549.

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All Together NOW!

MEDICAL NOTES

How to keep that little gland in grand shape What is the prostate?

A male gland, usually the size and shape of a walnut, it sits under the bladder and grows bigger as men get older. It’s main job is to help make semen.

What makes prostate problems more likely?

Figures show you are two and a half times more likely to get prostate cancer if your father or brother has had it. It may also be higher if your mother or sister has had breast cancer.

African Caribbean men are two to three times more likely to develop it than white counterparts.

Among other risk factors is a high calcium intake.

What can you do to try to keep your prostate healthy? l Eat tomatoes as part of a Mediterranean diet. Tomatoes cooked in oil seem to have a more protective effect. l In studies, eating fish was associated with a 63% reduction in deaths from prostate cancer. l Vigorous activity resulted in a a 77% lower risk of advanced cancer and better survival rates in men over 65. l Being very overweight appears to make prostate problems more likely. l Some studies suggest men who drink many cups of coffee – caffeinated or not – a day are less likely to develop prostate cancer. l Early evidence shows Vitamin D may help protect against it.

Prostate related problems l Benign prostate enlargement: More than one in three men over 50 are affected. It’s not caused by cancer and does not increase your risk, but can affect how you urinate. l Prostate cancer: The chances of developing it increase with age. It mainly affects men over 65, but men over 50 are also at risk. l Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate gland, it can be very painful, but often gets better eventually.

Signs and symptoms of prostate problems l Difficulty starting or stopping peeing. l Not able to fully empty your bladder. l Prolonged dribbling. l Blood in semen or in urine.

What do my symptoms mean?

It may be a minor issue, but you need to see your GP if you notice any problems with, or changes to, your usual pattern of weeing, or if you see any blood in your urine or semen.

WINTER 2023-24

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

History made with liver transplant THE world’s first fully robotic liver transplant has been successfully overseen by surgeons.

A man aged 66 suffering from non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer underwent the operation in Saudi Arabia.

State of the art robotic technology used for the procedure had many advantages for the patients over traditional surgery, including smaller incisions, reduced recovery times, and significantly lower rates of complications like infections or surgical issues.

Dr Dieter Broering, from the

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh, said: “The successful implementation of fully robotic liver transplants marks a pivotal moment in the history of organ transplantation.”

Traditional liver transplantation, while life-saving, often involves major incisions and carries a high risk of complications.

These surgeries can result in complications in up to 50% of cases and require extensive incisions, leading to prolonged hospital stays and increased patient discomfort.

REVOLUTION IN THE BRAIN WORLD FIRST: Dr Broering used robot technology

M

ATTRACTING ATTENTION: Professor Heidari and team use tiny magnets to treat neurological conditions

AGNETS so tiny they are invisible to the naked eye are leading a revolution in the treatment of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

If successful, the new technique for treating neurological diseases could replace existing methods which involve invasive, sometimes painful, and costly surgery.

Researchers working on project BRAINSTORM will develop nanoscale magnets that can be injected into the bloodstream and then guided to positions in the brain where they could help to repair damage.

It is hoped the research could help develop treatments – or even cures – for

such conditions as depression, panic attacks, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Over the next four years, a team from the University of Glasgow, together with partners in Germany, Italy, Spain and Finland, will develop the BRAINSTORM technology.

Neurostimulation is already being used to treat a variety of brain-related disorders but presently has several drawbacks.

Hadi Heidari, a professor of nanoelectronics leading the work in Glasgow, said current procedures “can require invasive surgeries to implant electrodes, which can be expensive, painful and expose patients to an increased risk of infection”.

. . . reaching people who are digitally excluded

He and his team are developing a wearable, helmet-like device that will use magnets to precisely target the repair work going on in the brain.

Professor Heidari said: “BRAINSTORM is an exciting new opportunity to rethink how wireless neuromodulation is delivered.”

He added: “I’m looking forward to developing some of the key technologies which will help patients benefit from new treatments in the years to come.”

The project is being supported with £2.5million from the European Innovation Council’s Pathfinder programme, which provides funding for researchers to develop emerging breakthrough technologies.

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All Together NOW!

WINTER 2023-24

We are extremely grateful for all the support we receive.

Wthout it, we could continue to print this vital newspaper.

All Together NOW! is a charity newspaper, part-funded by kind donations from a wide-range of businesses and charitable organisations.

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All Together NOW!

WINTER 2023-24

Nov 11-Feb 24: Hamilton. Palace.

Manchester. The multi awardwinning musical tells the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the very foundations of the America we know today. The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway.

Signed, Nov 30, Feb 22; audio described, Dec 5, Feb 13; captioned, Dec 6, Jan 31; Nov 16-Jan 23: Around the World in 80 Days. Octagon, Bolton. New musical adaptation based on Jules Verne’s classic tale. Signed, Dec 1; audio described Dec 8; relaxed, Jan 10.

Nov 17-Jan 20: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Cinderella. Everyman, Liverpool. Signed, Nov 22, Dec 19, Jan 5.

Nov 21-25: La Bamba! Grand, Blackpool. Dance musical.

Nov 21: Simon Reeve: The Ends of the Earth.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. With stunning imagery, TV explorer Simon is out to inspire and remind us that we all need more journeys in our lives, and plenty of wild experiences. Also, Lowry, Salford, Nov 23.

Nov 22: So, Mr Oswald, What Were You Doing When Kennedy Was Shot? The Brindley Studio, Runcorn.

Nov 22: Francis Rossi – Tunes & Chat. The Brindley, Runcorn.

Nov 22: The Stylistics. Regent, Stoke.

Nov 22: We Three Kings of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Nov 23: Simon Reeve – To the Ends of the Earth. The Lowry, Salford.

Nov 23: Marti Pellow – Pellow Talk: The Lost Chapter. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Nov 23: Fascinating Aida – The 40th Anniversary Show. Pavilion, Rhyl. Britain’s raciest and sassiest musical cabaret trio with a brand-new show.

Nov 23: Gary Murphy’s Guitar Legends.

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Nov 23: The Australian Pink Floyd. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Nov 24-26: The Importance of Being…

Ernest. Lyceum, Crewe.

Nov 24: Fascinating Aida – The 40th Anniversary Show. Philharmonic, Liverpool.

Britain’s raciest and sassiest musical cabaret trio with a brand-new show.

Nov 24: Hue and Cry. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Brothers Patrick and Gregory Kane with some of their best hits over four decades.

Nov 24: Truly Jack the Ripper. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Nov 25: Fascinating Aida – The 40th Anniversary Show. Lowry, Salford.

Nov 25: Whitney – Queen of the Night.

Regent, Stoke. Tribute show.

Nov 25: The Sensational Sixties:

BOX OFFICE CONTACTS

BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre: 01253 290190 BOLTON Octagon: 01204 520661 CHESTER Storyhouse: 01244 409 113 CREWE Lyceum: 01270 368 242 LIVERPOOL Empire: 08444 999 999 Everyman & Playhouse: 0151 709 4776 Philharmonic Hall: 0151 709 3789 Royal Court: 0870 787 1866 Unity 0151 709 4988 LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru: 01492 872000 MOLD: Theatr Clwyd: 0845 3303565

MANCHESTER Opera House: 0870 401 9000 Palace: 0870 401 3000 SALFORD The Lowry: 0843 208 6000 Access line: 0333 320 2838 NEW BRIGHTON Floral Pavilion: 0151 666 0000 RHYL: Pavilion: 01745 330 000 RUNCORN The Brindley: 0151 907 8360 ST HELENS: Theatre Royal: 01744 756000 STOKE: Regent Theatre: 0844 871 7627 CHESTER: Storyhouse: 01244 409 113

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Up, up and away . . .

Nov 16-Jan 23: Around the World in 80 Days.

Octagon, Bolton. New musical adaptation based on Jules Verne’s classic tale. Eccentric entrepreneur Lady Phileas Fogg makes a bet that she can travel around the world in just 80 days.

They’re back

OH YES, THERE’S 60th Anniversary Tour. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Nov 26: Kenny Thomas. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Kenny and his all-star band of musicians with some classic soul music.

Nov 27: Michael Buble by Candelight. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Tribute show with Josh Hindle.

Nov 27: Love Actually in Concert.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. The star-studded and Christmas favourite film comes alive with a full orchestra performing its soundtrack.

Nov 28-Dec 2: Edward Scissorhands – Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures. The Lowry, Salford. Magical dance production. Touch tour, 6.30pm, audio described, 7.30pm, Nov 30.

Nov 28: Whitney – Queen of the Night. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Tribute show.

Nov 28: The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert. Film. Empire, Liverpool.

Nov 28-Dec 2: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Smash-hit musical about a Sheffield teenager.

Nov 29: Christmas Crooners – Baby It’s Cold Outside. Lyceum, Crewe.

Nov 29: Most Haunted Live with Yvette Fielding. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Dec 3: The Bootleg Beatles. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. With a little help from their ever-popular orchestral ensemble, this magical multi-media show is an absolute must-see for Fab Four fans of all ages.

Nov 30: Chicago Blues Brothers. Lyceum, Crewe.

Nov 30-Jan 6: Sleeping Beauty. Theatr Clwyd. The legendary rock ‘n’ roll panto is back.

Signed, Dec 9; captioned, Dec 15, Jan 5; audio described, Dec 21, 29. Relaxed, Jan 4.

Dec 1-Jan 6: Cinderella. Storyhouse, Chester.

Get whisked away to the ball with a seasonal spectacular.

Dec 1-Jan 1: Aladdin. Grand, Blackpool.

Relaxed performance, 5pm, Dec 28 Dec 1-2: Alternative Radio. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Dec 1: The Stylistics Greatest Hits Tour.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Dec 2-Jan 14: Aladdin. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Aladdin battles the evil Abanazer and his dastardly plan to rule the world with the help of a special lamp. Relaxed, 10am, Jan 13 Dec 2-31: Jack and the Beanstalk. Opera House, Manchester. Starring Jason Manford and Ben Nickless. Relaxed, Dec 14.

Dec 2: Reverend Richard Coles: Borderline National Trinket.

Lyceum, Crewe.

Dec 3: Reverend Richard Coles: Borderline National Trinket. The Lowry, Salford.

Dec 3-Jan 12: Wicked. Palace, Manchester.

To advertise, contact . . .

Based on the acclaimed novel by Gregory Maguire, a beguiling backstory to the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters.

Dec 3: The Bootleg Beatles. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Dec 5-Jan 7: Life of Pi. The Lowry, Salford.

Theatre at its best with jaw-dropping visuals and world-class puppetry. After an epic storm in the Pacific Ocean, Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger. Signed, 7.30pm, Dec 13 and 7.30pm, Jan 3; Touch tours, 12.30pm, audio described, 2pm, Dec 14 – and 6pm and 7.30pm, Dec 23; captioned, 7.30pm, Dec 27.

Dec 5-Jan 7: Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World. The Lowry, Salford.

Uplifting pop musical. From explorers to artists, scientists to secret agents, hear the stories of some of history’s strongest women who really did change the world. Signed, Jan 6; audio described/touch tour, Jan 3; relaxed, Jan 4.

Dec 7-Jan 7: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.

The Lowry, Salford. The perfect treat for families. Relaxed performance, 10.30am, Dec 13; touch tour, 9.30am, audio described, 10.30am, Dec 14; signed, 1pm, Dec 16.

Dec 7-Jan 7: Sleeping Beauty. The Brindley, Runcorn.

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All Together NOW!

WINTER 2023-24

Prince of panto He’s back

NOTHING LIKE A DAME T

HE DAME of all dames returns to Theatr Clwyd for the legendary rock ‘n’ roll panto that guarantees to pack a punch.

Phylip Harries takes to the stage as Nurse Nelly in Sleeping Beauty, so be

prepared for plenty of needle and laughter.

Born in the Swansea valley, Phylip trained at the Welsh College of Music and Drama before embarking on a career which has taken him to venues all over

Dec 8-31: Cinderella. Lyceum, Crewe.

Dec 9-Jan 7: Jack and the Beanstalk. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Emmerdale and Coronation Street’s Hayley Tamaddon in the glittering role as The Fairy. Signed, Dec 10; relaxed, Jan 5.

Dec 9-31: Jack and the Beanstalk. Pavilion, Rhyl.

Dec 9-31: Peter Pan. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. John Evans back in the pantomime adventure that never grows old. When Wendy and her brothers encounter the mysterious Peter, the boy who never grows old, they are whisked off to the magical island of Neverland.

With the island under threat can they help Peter and the Lost Boys to defeat the villainous Captain Hook and his infamous pirate crew?

Relaxed, Dec 16; Audio described Dec 17; Signed, Dec 28.

Dec 11: Grand Christmas Concert. Grand, Blackpool.

Dec 12: ROH LIVE – The Nucracker.

Storyhouse, Chester.

Dec 13-Jan 7: The Wizard of Oz. Empire, Liverpool. Direct from the London Palladium.

Dorothy, Toto and friends on an unforgettable adventure down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz. Dec 13-23: Alfie the Elf’s Christmas Rescue.

Octagon, Bolton. Wonderful yuletide treat for families.

Dec 15-Jan 7: Jack and the Beanstalk.

Regent, Stoke. Signed, audio described and relaxed performances.

Dec 21-31: Little Bear and the Christmas Lights. The Lowry, Salford. Relaxed, Dec 4; audio described/touch tour, Dec 14; signed, Jan 6.

Jan 6: Messiah. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jan 9-13: The King and I. The Lowry, Salford.

The greatest musical from the golden age of musicals. Helen George, best known as Trixie in the hit BBC One series Call The Midwife, stars as Anna. Audio described/touch tour, Jan 11; signed, Jan 13.

Jan 9-10: Anusthan – A Celebration of Indian Dance and Music. The Lowry, Salford.

Jan 9-13: National Theatre – Jekyll; & Hyde.

The Lowry, Salford.

Jan 9: Varna International Ballet – Sleeping Beauty. Empire, Liverpool.

Jan 10: Varna International Ballet – Swan Lake. Empire, Liverpool.

Jan 10: Ellen Kent: La Traviata. Opera House, Manchester.

Jan 11-14: The Chrysanths Panto – Aladdin.

Jan 11: Ellen Kent: Carmen. Opera House, Manchester.

the world, as well as appearing in countless radio and TV series.

As regulars to Mold will know, apart from the comedy, Phylip is a keen and proficient musician, playing flute, saxophone piano-accordion,

whistles/recorders and basic bass guitar.

He’s also a fair baritone. So get ready for lots of hearty laughs and loads of great music. l Nov 30-Jan 6: Sleeping Beauty.

Theatr Clwyd, Mold.

Jan 11: Johnny Cash Roadshow. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Tribute show.

Jan 11: Whole Lotta Shakin’ – The Shakin’ Stevens Story. The Brindley, Runcorn.

Jan 11: Rachmaninov’s Symphony No 1.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jan 11: Varna International Ballet – Nutcracker. Empire, Liverpool.

Jan 12: Everton Legends. Empire, Liverpool.

Join the legends – Reid, Radcliffe, Sheedy, Southall and Van den Hauwe.

Jan 12-14: Faulty Towers – The Dining Experience. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jan 12: Ellen Kent: Madama Butterfly. Opera House, Manchester.

Jan 12: The Johnny Cash Roadshow. The Brindley, Runcorn.

Jan 12: Sleeping Beauty. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Varna International Ballet.

Jan 12: Showaddywaddy. Lyceum, Crewe.

Jan 13: Truly Collins. Octagon, Bolton. Tribute show.

Jan 13: Glenn Miller Orchestra. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Step back in time to the golden era of swing.

Jan 13: Johnny Cash Roadshow. Lyceum, Crewe.

Jan 13: Swan Lake. Grand Theatre, Blackpool.

. . . reaching people who are digitally excluded . . .

Jan 13: Ellen Kent: Carmen. Empire, Liverpool.

Jan 14: Ellen Kent: Madama Butterfly.

Empire, Liverpool.

Jan 14: Wrestling – King of the Ring.

Lyceum, Crewe.

Jan 14: The Nutcracker. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Varna International Ballet.

Jan 14: The Carpenters Experience. The Brindley, Runcorn.

Jan 16-20: The Full Monty – The Play by Simon Beaufoy. Empire, Liverpool. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the box-office hit.

Jan 16-20: Calendar Girls the Musical. The Lowry, Salford. Following the death of a muchloved husband, a group of ordinary women in a small Yorkshire Women’s Institute are prompted to do an extraordinary thing and set about creating a nude calendar to raise money for charity.

Jan 16-20: The Drifters Girl. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Musical.

Jan 16: The Everly Brothers & Friends. The Brindley, Runcorn. The Temple Brothers’ tribute show.

Continued next page

21

22 All Together NOW!

Jan 16: The Hound of the Baskervilles. The Brindley, Runcorn.

Jan 17: Dirty Dancing. The Brindley, Runcorn.

Gladys, Olive and Elsie are three cleaning ladies who, threatened with redundancy, chance on an unconventional way of earning some extra cash. Starring Crissy Rock.

Jan 17: Ruby Turner. The Lowry, Salford.

Jan 17: Psychic Sally. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Jan 17: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Founder members of The Blues Band, Paul Jones and Dave Kelly’s tangled and colourful roots go way back into the true undergrowth of the blues tradition.

Jan 18: Beethoven’s Symphony No 5.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jan 18: An Evening with Laurel and Hardy. Storyhouse, Chester.

Jan 18: The Adult Panto: Beauty and the Big Beast. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jan 19-20: Don’t Stop Queen Now – 2024.

Octagon, Bolton. Tribute show.

Jan 19-20: The Classic Rock Show 2024: Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jan 19: Good Lovelies. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Great harmony from the Canadian trio.

Jan 19: Chaka – The Music of Chaka Khan.

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Tribute show.

Jan 19: Bye Bye Baby. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Celebrating Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

Jan 19: Magic of Motown. Lyceum, Crewe.

Jan 19: Beautiful Noise: Neil Diamond Tribute. The Brindley, Runcorn.

Jan 20: The Story of Soul. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jan 20: Nerubashenko Battet presents The Nutcracker. Opera House, Manchester.

Jan 21: Nerubashenko Battet presents Swan Lake. Opera House, Manchester.

Jan 21: The King’s Voice. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Gordon Hendricks as Elvis.

Jan 21: Jason Fox At The Limit. Grand Theatre, Blackpool.

Jan 21: The ELO Show. The Lowry, Salford.

Jan 22: Gareth Gates in The Best of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jan 22: An Evening with Jeff Sterling.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Football nostalgia with the Sky Sports broadcaster.

Jan 23-27: Murder in the Dark. The Lowry, Salford. Spine-chilling ghost story, turned psychological thriller. It’s New Year’s Eve and a car crash on a deserted road brings famous but troubled singer Danny Sierra and his dysfunctional family to an isolated holiday cottage in rural England. Signed, Jan 25; audio described/touch tour, Jan 26.

Jan 23-27: The Time Machine – A Comedy.

The Lowry, Salford.

Jan 23-27: The Drifters Girls. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jan 23-24: Jonathan Pie. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Comedy.

Jan 23: Pretty Woman The Musical. Empire, Liverpool.

Jan 23: The Rocky Horror Show. Opera House, Manchester. The story of two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet. When their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter.

Jan 23: Stranger Sings. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Musical.

Jan 24: ROH

WINTER 2023-24

TIME FOR A LAUGH

HG WELLS’ masterpiece will never be the same again as a hapless, highly skilled group of actors embark on a journey of a lifetime.

Michael Dylan, George Kemp and Amy Revelle ready for the

Live: Rusalka. Storyhouse, Chester.

Jan 24: Jeff Sterling. The Brindley, Runcorn.

Q&A sessions with the former Sky Sports Gillette Soccer broadcaster.

Jan 24: David Suchet: Poirot and More.

Lyceum, Crewe.

Jan 24: Jason Fox – Life at the Limit. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Ex-special forces soldier Fox shares his remarkable stories.

Jan 25-27: Karen. The Brindley, Runcorn.

Creepy Karen is a woman of a certain age, a demanding, entitled, privileged, suspected murderer.

Jan 25: UK Pink Floyd. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Tribute show.

Jan 25: Justin Moorhouse – Stretch and Think. Lyceum, Crewe.

Jan 25: Northern Live. The Brindley, Runcorn.

Jan 25: Harley Kimbro Lewis. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jan 26: Chris Difford. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Music from Squeeze’s backcatalogue.

Jan 26: Macbeth. Empire, Liverpool.

Shakespeare’s brutal tragedy is given new life in this haunting adaptation.

Jan 26: Stephen K. Amos – Oxymoron.

Unity, Liverpool.

Jan 26: The Roy Orbison Story – Barry Steele & Friends. The Brindley, Runcorn.

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rollercoaster. From the team behind The Hound of the Baskervilles and the award-winning Original Theatre. l Jan 23-27: The Time Machine – A Comedy. The Lowry, Salford.

Matinees Jan 25/27.

Jan 26: Rhod Gilbert & The Giant Grapefruit.

Storyhouse, Chester.

Jan 26: Totally Tina. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Tribute show.

Jan 26: Tommy Emmanuel and Molly Tuttle.

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. The legendary virtuoso guitarist.

Jan 27: The Story of the Guitar Heroes.

Storyhouse, Chester.

Jan 27: The Adult Panto – Beauty and the Big Beast. Lyceum, Crewe.

Jan 27: Mozart’s Birthday Celebration.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jan 28-29: Klezmer-ish Stumbling Stones Project. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jan 28: The ELO Show. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jan 28: UK Pink Floyd Experience. Lyceum, Crewe.

Jan 28: The Sooty Show – 75th Birthday Spectacular. The Lowry, Salford.

Jan 28: Stephen K Amos: Oxymoron. The Lowry, Salford.

Jan 28: Back to Bacharach. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Breath-taking performances from a West End cast and the amazing musicianship of The Magic Moments Orchestra.

Jan 29: Janet Godley – Not Dead Yet Tour.

The Lowry, Salford.

Jan 29: Wet Wet Wet & Go West.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

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Jan 30: Gareth Gates in the Best of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jan 30: ABC. Regent Theatre, Stoke.

Concert.

Jan 31: Ed Byrne – Tragedy Plus Time.

Storyhouse, Chester.

Jan 31: Rob Auton. Unity, Liverpool.

Jan 31: Taylormania – Taylor Swift All Eras Show. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Jan 31: Rhod Gilbert & The Giant Grapefruit.

Lyceum, Crewe.

Jan 31: Giovanni Pernice – Let Me Entertain You. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Dancing at its best.

Feb 1-24: Animal Farm. Octagon, Bolton.

Powerful re-telling of George Orwell’s chilling and timeless classic. When the downtrodden animals of Manor Farm overthrow their master and take over, they imagine it is the beginning of a life of freedom and equality for all.

However, over time a cunning and brutal elite among them, masterminded by the pigs Napoleon and Snowball, gradually take control.

Signed and captioned, Wed Feb 14; audio described, Tues Feb 20.

Feb 1: The Classic Rock Show. The Lowry, Salford.

Feb 1: Bowie Experience. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Tribute show.

Feb 1: Get It On. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Glam rock.

Feb 1: The Legends of American Country Show. Pavilion, Rhyl.

Feb 2: The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight.

Opera House, Manchester.

Feb 2: Back Into Hell – A Tribute to Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman. Grand Theatre, Blackpool.

Feb 2: Giovanni Pernice – Let Me Entertain You. The Lowry, Salford.

Feb 2: Al Murray Guv Island.

Lyceum, Crewe.

Feb 3: Omid Djalili: WIP. Unity, Liverpool.

Feb 3: Ultimate Classic Rock Show.

Lyceum, Crewe.

Feb 3: LIMF Academic Orchestrated.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Feb 3: Ross Noble – Jibber Jabber Jamboree. The Lowry, Salford.

Feb 3: The Rolling Stones Story.

The Lowry, Salford.

Feb 3: Ukranian National Opera presents Carmen. Storyhouse, Chester.

Feb 3: Believe – The Cher Songbook. Grand Theatre, Blackpool.

Feb 3: The Sooty Show – 75th Birthday Spectacular. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Feb 3: Something About George – The George Harrison Story. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Feb 4: You’re Bard. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Shakespeare like you’ve never seen before.

Feb 4: Most Haunted Live. Lyceum, Crewe.

Feb 4: Exciting Science. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Feb 4: La Boheme. Grand Theatre, Blackpool.

Feb 5-7: James Acaster: Hecklers Welcome. Empire, Liverpool.

Feb 6-10: Noises Off. Storyhouse, Chester. Smash-hit comedy. The on and offstage antics of a touring theatre company as they stumble their way through the fictional farce, Nothing On. Feb 6-10: Blood Brothers. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Willy Russell’s legendary musical about Liverpool twins separated at birth.

Feb 6-7: Stewart Lee. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

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WINTER 2023-24

HOW PLANTS GOT THEIR NAMES . . .

HE twining stems of stephanotis stretches as far as 15ft in the tropical woodland of its native Madagascar.

And, as it is considered to be one of the world’s most gorgeously fragrant flowers, the scent there must be phenomenal.

In Britain it is usually grown as a houseplant, Stephanotis floribunda, sometimes sold as Stephanotis jasminoides.

It is evergreen with heart-shaped, glossy leaves and waxy, star-like, white flowers emitting that famous perfume. Its nicknames include Madagascar jasmine, fleur parfum and bridal wreath.

The plant takes its name from the Greek stephanos, meaning crown, and otos, ear,

supposedly describing the individual flowers.

In the home, it needs bright light but also some shade from the hottest summer sun because, as a woodland plant, it is susceptible to leaf burn.

Newly-bought plants in flower should be kept in a draught-free place away from radiators.

Once settled, stephanotis hate a change of position, especially after the flower buds have formed. If the pot must be moved, ensure the same side of the plant faces the light.

Keep the compost moist but not saturated. and give a half-strength liquid feed with each watering.

. . . STEPHANOTIS

ROOM TO BLOOM P

AVING, gravel or pebbles have been laid over many front gardens, usually for the convenience of parking cars off the street. But do those frontages need to look so deadly dull?

The answer is no. The scene is easily made more attractive if small plants are grown in cracks and gaps where they will soften the look of hard landscaping. Many spread, usually by seeding themselves.

There is a wide choice of plants, among them the familiar purple aubrieta; sweet alyssum, either the common white type or a coloured-kind like lavender-pink Easter Bonnet; thyme varieties such as Bressingham Pink, which smells great when trodden on; lesser periwinkle – the variegated kind looks best; trailing rock rose helianthemum; and the daisy-like fleabane Erigeron karvinskianus, which is easier to plant than to say and self-seeds freely.

These all remain small while looking good for much of the year and needing very little nutrient because they originally

HEAVEN SCENT: Stephanotis floribunda

TIP OF THE SEASON

CHRISTMAS cactus will soon be forming their flower buds.

To ensure they bloom successfully, keep them in a warm room and ensure the compost remains moist but not saturated.

Most important of all, to prevent

grew on rocks and cliffs where they survived on tiny amounts of food and water.

Some tolerate being trampled by passing feet. In general, the more low and spreading a plant’s growth habit, the less

the buds dropping, avoid sharp temperature changes.

So, do not leave them on a windowsill behind drawn curtains at night where the temperature can drop below the critical 10C (50F) and then rise again next day. it will suffer when trodden on. They can be planted in cracks or gaps in paving, or slabs can be removed to create gaps for them.

There must be enough space to insert the roots without damaging them as well

as some rich soil or loam-based potting compost such as John Innes No 2. Settle the plants in with a light trickle of water and repeat this whenever the weather is dry until they are established.

Less common plants will also grow in paving or gravel. Achillea, best known as a large herbaceous plant with flat yellow flower heads, has small, tough relatives ideal for paving.

Achillea chrysocoma is a vigorous spreader with golden flower heads while Achillea x huteri makes neat hummocks of grey-green leaves and has white flowers. They grow no taller than 15cm (6in) and bloom from May through summer.

More delicate kinds include Acaena adscendens, with ferny foliage and rustyred, burr-like flowers on red trailing stems; Acaena caesiiglauca, with silky blue-grey leaves; Antennaria parvifolia, which produces white, fluffy flowers on 15cm (6in) stems; Erinus alpinus, the tiny ‘fairy foxglove’, with spikes of purple, pink or white flowers on 5cm (2in) stems from early summer; and the miniature Phlox subulata which grows a mat of fresh green foliage and copious pink flowers.

Small forms of stonecrops, such as Sedum spurium, and the common houseleeks, Sempervivum tectorum, usually seen in pots or on roofs, will grow in paving spaces and gravel.

SOFT TOUCH: Alyssum Easter Bonnet, variegated lesser periwinkle and Erigeron karvinskianus add colour to hard landscaping

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WINTER 2023-24

The Accumulator Quiz

STARSPOT CROSSWORD Can you find the celebrity name hidden in this Starspot Crossword? Complete the crossword in the normal way then make a note of the letters contained in all the squares which are marked with shaded stars. These letters will make an anagram of the name you are looking for.

1

2

3

4

5

7

6

6

7

7

9

10 10

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★ ★

13

11

10

11

14

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★

16

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15

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20

22

★

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19

22

21

22

23

24

25 26

27 29

28

★

★

30

★

31 32

★

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Steep cliff (9) 9. Apart from (6) 10. Religious figure (4) 11. Undersized pig (4) 12. Listen (anag.) (6) 13. Forming a line (7) 16. Poisonous tree (4) 17. Perfumed powder (4) 18. Border of cloth (3) 20. Remove moisture (3) 21. Wooden shoe (4) 23. Annoying child (4) 25. Biblical story (7) 26. Pressing (6) 29. Sort (4) 30. Stratford’s river (4) 31. Loiter (6) 32. Society girl (9)

2. Regain a loss (6) 3. Population count (6) 4. Mother or father (6) 5. Small US coin (4) 6. No longer existing (7) 7. Untidy state (4) 8. Impasse (9) 13. Fourfold (9) 14. Simple (4) 15. Lively dance (5) 18. Aromatic plant (4) 19. Perfumed (7) 22. Rich cake (6) 23. Yellow fruit (6) 24. Nearly (6) 27. Man (4) 28. Wheel covering (4)

Each question has four possible answers and is worth from one to 15 points. Circle your chosen answers and keep a record of your points total. Maximum total points 120.

QUESTION 1 – for 1 point: What is a siesta?

A A type of car B A roadside cafe C An afternoon nap D A spell of wet weather QUESTION 2 – for 2 points: Which European country has had monarchs called Alexander, Ivan, Peter, Nicholas and Catherine?

A Germany B Romania C Greece D Russia QUESTION 3 – for 3 points: What is the helmsman of a boat called?

A Midshipman B Purser C Coxswain D Deckhand QUESTION 4 – for 4 points: Which island is known as the Emerald Isle?

A Sri Lanka B Tahiti C Sardinia D Ireland QUESTION 5 – for 5 points: Actor Hugh Jackman played which leading character in the X-Men series of films?

A Wolverine B Magneto C Professor X D Batman QUESTION 6 – for 6 points: What is made from a combination of saltpetre, charcoal and sulphur?

A Lawn sand B Mothballs C Gunpowder D Insecticide

8

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points: Chef Jamie Oliver practised cooking in his parents’ pub in which county?

A B C D

A B C D

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points: In which sport might a suplex be performed?

A Diving B Wrestling C Yachting D Golf QUESTION 8 – for 8 points: What is measured by a chronometer?

A B C D

7 6 9 7 3 1 8 6 2 9 6 5 2 1 5 1 4 8 7 3 5 5 1 9 7 9 1 4 3

8

4 2 1 3 5 1

6

2 6 5 9 7 5 6

8 7 3 5 4

2 9 3 8

Patience Trial By Jury Iolanthe Ruddigore

QUESTION 13 – for 13 points: Which nut was first found in Australia?

A B C D

Pecan Macadamia Cashew Monkey nut

QUESTION 14 – for 14 points: Which composer’s Cantata No 208 contains the number Sheep May Safely Graze?

Air pressure Wind force Time Speed

A B C D

J.S. Bach Handel Vivaldi Telemann

QUESTION 9 – for 9 points: Which Dragons’ Den entrepreneur invested in Reggae Reggae sauce?

QUESTION 15 – for 15 points: Which car manufacturer purchased Lotus Cars in 1996?

A B C D

A B C D

Deborah Meaden Peter Jones Theo Paphitis Duncan Bannatyne

FILL in the blank squares in the grid with numbers so that each horizontal or vertical line adds up to the total given in the box either to the left or above it.

Horizontal totals are given in the top right corners of the shaded boxes; vertical totals in the bottom left corners.

You can use the numbers 1 to 9, but may not use the same number more than once in any run. The number may be used again, however, in the same row or column but as part of another run.

9

A B C D

Actor Hugh Jackman. See Question 5

THERE is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box. This is a logic puzzle, and you should not have to guess.

7 8 5 3 6

The Franco-Prussian War The Boer War The American Civil War The Crimean War

QUESTION 12 – for 12 points: Which Gilbert and Sullivan operetta features the House of Lords?

KAKURO

DIFFICULT

Essex Surrey Hampshire Yorkshire

QUESTION 11 – for 11 points: Which war began in 1861 and ended in 1865?

SUDOKU

EASY

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Proton Toyota Ferrari Porsche

MEDIUM 12

14

4

11

16

7

7

23

3

28

9

4

8

11 8

27

20

27 22 23 6

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Telephone dialling pads combine several letters on one key. Here we have encoded several sets of words or items by using numbers rather than letters. Then we have divided them into groups of three characters and run all the names one after another to make your task a little more difficult. Can you crack the codes?

EACH number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off.

Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares.

As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

6

1 []’–

2 ABC

3 DEF

4 GHI

5 JKL

6 MNO

7 PQRS

8 TUV

9 WXYZ

Spaces and any punctuation marks are represented by 1.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

5

25

DIALLING CODES

CROSS CODE

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WINTER 2023-24

2. Caribbean 843 122 426 271 724 681 582 421 366 464 226 173 782 542 142 484 126 844 821 263 122 728 321 874 643 231 263 186 224 613 664 642 215 262 422

4. sounds animals make 666 196 631 276 251 469 517 877 176 271 258 251 466 817 783 251 782 251 222 172 733 241 227 516 369 144 771 646 512 447 714 786 819 447 853

5. parties 265 375 291 224 838 831 768 286 172 523 127 477 717 278 217 252 313 477 126 872 687 124 337 317 872 971 784 243 124 337 312 722 537 712 253

3. comic book villains 473 361 462 546 162 463 861 226 313 275 734 318 366 618 961 322 317 364 846 153 915 884 671 546 474 617 433 537 156 541 722 732 769 156 537

foodstuffs often found at

PATHWORDS

SPOT CHECK

Starting from the central shaded letter, move one letter at a time (up, down, right or left, but not diagonally) to find 15 popular summer activities.

Can you place the six dominoes (right) into the grid below in such a way that the number of spots in all four rows across and all four rows down totals 12?

6. real names of celebrities 734 462 531 394 448 177 472 455 219 448 313 284 316 236 625 314 277 919 322 166 762 153 263 122 537 146 736 617 866 371 327 765 412 857 272

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Add the given letter to the first word to make a new word.

VINE

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SPETCH 1) A small rockery plant, with tiny purple flowers and glossy leaves;

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Here is an unusual word with three definitions, only one of which is correct. Can you identify the right definition?

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WORD WIZARD

2

1

2

Each pair of words has a missing word between them that acts as a link to both (e.g. FRONT – DOOR – MAT). The initial letters of the six answers (reading downwards) will spell out a part of a church.

countries of the

1. iconic towers 945 547 186 937 184 317 427 312 875 125 127 221 663 196 753 187 233 123 683 712 479 753 712 845 346 417 426 442 418 693 712 875 154 254 32

MAKE A DATE In which year did all three of these significant historical events take place?

2) A colloquial term meaning to pass on information about a person which will be to their detriment;

1. National Insurance sickness and unemployment benefits are introduced by the Liberal government.

2. The Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen reaches the South Pole one month ahead of Captain Robert Scott.

N O N G

3) A piece of hide or undressed leather used in making glue.

3. Italy captures the Libyan city of Tripoli from the Turks.

Clue: It’s a game to use up all the wine – and more.

WAS IT? a) 1907; b) 1911; c) 1915; d) 1919; e) 1923.

____ +S+=S____

ALL THE ANSWERS Pathwords: sunbathing; volleyball; swimming; barbecue; fishing; canoeing; hang gliding; walking; picnicking; cycling; hiking; cricket; tennis; gardening; croquet.

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SUDOKU EASY

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Accumulator Quiz 1 – C; 2 – D; 3 – C; 4 – D; 5 – A; 6 – C; 7 – B; 8 – C; 9 – B; 10 – A; 11 – C; 12 – C; 13 – B; 14 – A; 15 – A. Starspot Crossword Across – 1 Precipice; 9 Except; 10 Icon; 11 Runt; 12 Tinsel; 13 Queuing; 16 Upas; 17 Talc; 18 Hem; 20 Dry; 21 Clog; 23 Brat; 25 Parable; 26 Urgent; 29 Type; 30 Avon; 31 Linger; 32 Débutante.

Down – 2 Recoup; 3 Census; 4 Parent; 5 Cent; 6 Extinct; 7 Mess; 8 Stalemate; 13 Quadruple; 14 Easy; 15 Galop; 18 Herb; 19 Scented; 22 Gateau; 23 Banana; 24 Almost; 27 Gent; 28 Tyre.

Star Name: MONTY DON

Word Wizard No 3 is correct. Spetch is a piece of leather.

Dialling Codes 1. Willis Tower; The Shard; Burj al Arab; One World Trade Center; Chrysler Building; Shanghai Tower; Burj Khalifa.

2. The Bahamas; Saint Lucia; Dominican Republic; Haiti; Antigua and Barbuda; Trinidad and Tobago; Dominica; Jamaica.

3. Green Goblin; Magneto; Bane; Darkseid; Venom; Two-Face; Penguin; Lex Luthor; Kingpin; Riddler; Loki; Scarecrow; Joker.

4. moo; woof; croak; howl; purr; roar; cluck; hoot; squeak; quack; baa; screech; bark; meow; hiss;

oink; chirp; grunt; whistle.

5. coleslaw; baguette; potato salad; crisps; pasta salad; dips; couscous; cheese straws; quiche; cheese; crackers; cake.

6. Reginald Dwight; Priscilla White; David McDonald; Harry Webb; Norma Jeane Baker; Gordon Sumner; Farrokh Bulsara.

Spot Check A = 4; B = 1; C = 5; D = 6; E = 3; F = 2.

Missing Link view; egg; sack; turn; right; yard.

Part of church: vestry.

Make a Date The year was 1911.

Transformer Port + S = Sport.

Portraits Weddings Commercial Print sales Tuitian Picture Framing Photo Restoration Studio Hire.

255 Seabank Road, New Brighton, Wallasey, Merseyside, CH45 1HE. Tel: 0151 638 0412 Email: ken@42multimedia.co.uk

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KEN’s latest book, Even More Merseyside Tales, is available in all good bookshops or from Ken directly – as are all of his books and factsheets.

Contact details below.

ROOTS: Theatre in Ancient Greece

D

ID you know the great British tradition of panto actually has its roots in Ancient Greece? Oh yes it does!

Fast forward to the turn of the 20th Century and the theatrical family treat was so popular that most of Liverpool’s theatre bosses were involved in a cut-throat competition to stage the most lavish panto in town.

Farcical entertainment at Christmastime really started with the Ancient Greeks, only for their idea to be stolen by invading Romans.

As the Romans conquered Europe, including Britain 2,000 years ago, they left the idea of pantomime behind them.

In late 12th century England, King Henry II’s fool was Roland le Pettour (Roland The Farter).

He performed in front of the court each Christmas Day, presenting a popular special routine called Saltum, Siffletum, et Pettum (a leap, a whistle, and a fart).

In the 14th Century, the writer William Langland wrote in his great poem, Piers Plowman, about minstrels farting in harmony with their pipes for the Christmas entertainment of their titled patrons and nobility.

However, the true founder of “modern” Pantomime, was John Rich. In 1746, he staged what he called ballet pantomimes – more commonly known as Harlequinades.

There were plays with music and comic songs, and with characters brought over to England, in the late 18th Century, by travelling players from Italy known as the Comedia Del Arte.

These included Pierrot the sad, slender clown,

FART JOKES: Medieval Court Jester

DAYS OF CITY PANTO WARS and Harlequin the mischief-maker. But the earliest known Pantomime in a form that we would recognise today was Jack the Giant Killer, performed in 1773 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, in London.

Liverpool’s earliest purpose-built theatre was named The Theatre Royal in its image, and the road on which it stood was even renamed Drury Lane, its name to this today.

By the end of the 1700s, first productions of Aladdin, Babes in the Wood, Mother Goose, and Cinderella

www.discover-liverpool.com

began to appear, including in Liverpool theatres and music halls. Pantomimes always featured a clown, which had evolved from the medieval jester or buffoon, and included lots of slapstick.

The most famous and first-ever white-faced clown was Joseph Grimaldi (1778–1837) pictured above.

He became famous in Mother Goose in 1806, with a young Charles Dickens in the audience. Grimaldi was also the first clown to play female roles, and so began the tradition of the pantomime dame.

MAGIC: Modern pantomimel

In Victorian times famous music hall stars began to appear in panto – always taking lead roles, a tradition carried on today. This was also the time when a leading actor started to play an exaggerated villain – Captain Hook, the wicked queen, and Abanazer among them.

This is the time too, when the role of the “principal boy” developed, usually being played by a famous female music hall star of the day.

Pantomimes were financially very lucrative for both theatre owners and performers.

As a result they were staged in most of Liverpool’s dozens of theatres.

By the end of the 19th and early decades of the 20th centuries, theatre productions became more and more spectacular and lavish, and competition was vicious between managers to produce the most expensive production – especially at Liverpool’s Royal Court and Empire theatres, and at the Olympia, on West Derby Road, at one time the largest theatre in Britain.

And in 21st Century Britain, the tradition seems as popular as ever, with a trip to the panto on the Christmas list of most families with young children.

Ken Pye – 0151 427 2717

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ARIES (March 21-April 20)

take care and do your research properly.

Exciting news arrives before Christmas, so make sure to celebrate in the best way you can.

Someone special travels to see you on the 29th; this encounter will most enjoyable. A meaningful relationship gains momentum on the 31st, letting you know you’ll never be lonely in 2024. January’s New Moon on the 11th makes it a great time to start something new.

Opportunities to write, travel and study are coming your way. You are at your happiest when exercising your brain. You possess some impressive talents and abilities.

Your best friend or romantic partner is hurt by all the time you spend on other matters. Spend more quality time together. The New Moon on the 12th ignites your restless energy. Don’t embark on an adventure before satisfying commitments in your personal and professional lives. Be prepared if you’re asked to revise a project that’s close to your heart before Christmas. The New Year sees your efforts being recognised. People won’t mind stopping whatever they are doing to give you their time.

All you have to do is ask for the help, advice or support you are in need of. The full moon on the 25th pushes you to actively pursue your ambitions and desires. Play your cards right and this could lead to success.

Don’t ask for special treatment – your colleagues will greatly resent it. Your best friend or romantic partner grants you a Christmas wish, making your heart overflow with love. The good news about a test, application, visa, or licence will arrive on the 27th, courtesy of the Full Moon. The year ends on the most positive note possible. A trip down memory lane will be as sweet as it is painful in the New Year, but be ready for a change of plans. The new moon on the 11th will bring an opportunity to travel or study. Experience gained on this journey will serve you well. The full moon on the 25th will bring up an issue that puts more strain on you.

RUSSELL GRANT CALLING . . .

GEMINI (May 22-June 21)

CANCER (June 22-July 23)

Travelling to a seaside location will raise your spirits. The New Moon on the 12th brings an intriguing opportunity – trust your gut feeling.

Two heads are often better than one, so this Christmas make an extra effort to share your feelings with someone. Teaming up with your best friend, romantic partner, or business associate will be so enriching. Nothing is going to change if you won’t talk over things.

January’s New Moon on the 11th encourages you to think deeply about what makes you happy. A clear-out will trigger bittersweet memories as you sort through old photographs, cards and letters that are floating around the house. Draw on this nostalgic energy to start researching your family history.

LEO (July 24-August 23)

Don’t take your family for granted. Be sure to attend a loved one’s celebration, even if it means abandoning some other appointments.

An impractical relative will create delays. Stop entrusting this person with important responsibilities; it’s better to perform these tasks yourself. Your health improves dramatically on the 22nd, allowing you to enjoy the Christmas season to the fullest. Whether you are happy with the situation or not, the New Year could see you caught up in the affairs of close friends and family. The new moon on the 11th reminds you of the importance of striking a

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SAGITTARIUS (November 23-December 21)

TAURUS (April 21-May 21)

More opportunities to express your artistic side will arrive. On the 12th, the New Moon attracts an exciting person into your life. Before getting emotionally involved, set some healthy boundaries. After a period of silence, someone special will make contact. You will receive a beautifully sentimental gift at Christmas that you’ll treasure for a lifetime. A profound sense of peace comes over you on the 31st, helping you to start 2024 feeling serene and confident.

However, the New Years brings with it some complicated matters that will have you pacing back and forth, wondering which way things are going to turn. Don’t panic – it will all be ok.

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healthy balance between work and family life. A powerful Full Moon on the 25th will help you realise a personal objective. Resolving a difficulty will be easier than you expected.

VIRGO (August 24-September 23)

Use your way with words to win a special person’s heart. But don’t overdo things. As Christmas approaches, your head and heart become aligned, making you more decisive.

The Full Moon on the 27th marks a special occasion for a close friend. Take this chance to reunite with kind, loving people. The opportunity to travel, study and communicate widely arrives on the 31st, setting the tone for an adventurous 2024. Taking up an artistic hobby in the New Year will have a number of benefits. As well as tapping into your creativity, you will get a lot of pleasure exercising your imagination. You’ve always been diligent, hard-working and conscientious but take more time for yourself – you will soon reap the benefits.

LIBRA (September 24-October 23)

Communication with family improves, thanks to your refusal to sugar-coat a difficult situation. On the 12th, the New Moon attracts an exciting message. Be wary about responding until you’ve checked into the sender’s background. Money for a trip becomes available before Christmas, making you excited about the future. Use your gift with words to build a new relationship. Life will feel wonderful. Fulfilling your own desires makes you happier, more confident and more aware of your own abilities. January’s New Moon encourages you to spend more time with friends who share similar interests. A creative project gives you something to look forward to.

Taking up new pursuits will also expand your social circle.

SCORPIO (October 24-November 22)

Don’t let past disappointments prevent you from trying again. The New Moon on the 12th tempts you to get involved with something new, but

Stay ahead of the game . . .

Your intuition about family matters grows sharper. A pessimistic relative will try to discourage your plans on the 17th; turn a deaf ear to their warnings. As Christmas approaches, you’ll be in great demand.

Everyone yearns for you to attend their parties and social gatherings. Something exciting arrives on the 27th, courtesy of the Full Moon.

You feel healthy and happy on the 31st, paving the way for a vibrant lifestyle in the New Year.

The needs of someone close to you are changing, making you more sensitive and understanding. Encourage them to pursue their dreams. The New Moon on the 11th will get you thinking about starting a new project at home.

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 20) If you sense someone is being untruthful, it’s time to confront them. Don’t be afraid to apologise for harsh words or an embarrassing mistake; people will admire your willingness to admit you were wrong. Your star power burns brighter than ever over Christmas; use it wisely.

An admirer gives your confidence a muchneeded boost on the 31st; prepare for 2024 to be hugely exciting. The New Year starts with some challenges and frustrations. Maintain your positive outlook and the going will get easier. By taking a versatile approach on the 23rd and adapting methods as you go along, you will have a transformative experience. .

AQUARIUS (January 21-February 19)

Return to an activity that you enjoy. The New Moon on the 12th warns against sharing secrets with someone you don’t know very well.

It’s important to protect your heart now, and to enjoy all the build up to Christmas. A friend’s harsh opinions cause you to reconsider this relationship on the 28th. The 31st brings great emotional contentment; you’ll have lots of happy times on the home front in 2024. The New Year brings with it a chance to try out an unusual therapy that will bring relief from a nagging health problem. Do some research into healing professionals who specialise in cases like your own. A lucrative business partnership will be agreed on thanks to the Full Moon on the 25th.

All Together NOW! is helping and inspiring tens of thousands of people.

But the charity needs to find ways to balance the books.

You can help in a big way by becoming one of our loyal subscribers. For a suggested £20 donation (more, if you can afford it!) we will send you the next SIX editions.

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PISCES (February 20-March 20)

Opportunities to express your creativity arrive, making you excited about the future. Christmas will be especially joyful, thanks to a heartfelt message from someone who can always confide in you. The Full Moon on the 27th marks an exciting turning point in a relationship.

Spreading a message of cheer will make you a popular figure in 2024. You’re good at listening to what your body is trying to tell you. This is more important than ever in January. If you are worried about a health issue, go to the doctor’s – it’s very likely to be nothing serious. An oppressive Full Moon on the 25th will make you want to do something very different. Think long and hard before making any rash decisions.

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HELP KEEP US HEALTHY All Together NOW!

WINTER 2023-24

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OR 18 years, your FREE All Together NOW! newspaper has been helping and inspiring hundreds of thousands of readers across the region with its unique content.

But publishing newspapers is a hugely costly business – especially for a small charity like ours.

Every advertisement or donation helps us to achieve that goal.

So, it’s a massive “thank you” to the trustees of the Sir Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation for their recent donation.

We are now appealing to YOU – our readers – to help us to carry on the good work by becoming a FRIEND of All Together NOW! By making a donation to the charity you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have a direct involvement in keeping this essential and unique news service in good fettle.

Whatever you can afford to give will be gratefully appreciated!

You can either complete the form below or, if you have access to the internet, you can donate via the Charity Checkout link on our website at www.alltogethernow.org.uk You can also send a donation direct to our bank account – but please remember to complete and reurn the Gift Aid coupon below so we can get another 25% of your donation from the Government.

Bank Account:65136809 Sort Code: 08 92 99 All Together NOW! is unique. You can help secure its future – and make it even bigger and better for everyone’s benefit.

Thank you.

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TOM DOWLING, editor

HE Government operates a scheme called Gift Aid that allows charities to claim 25% on every pound donated.

So for every £20 you donate to All Together NOW!, the charity will get another £5 from the Government!

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