The challenge june 2013

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YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY PAPER

NEWS

Issue 313 June 2013

“The new incubator will help many babies and their families to receive safe and timely care” PROTEST OVER HUYTON SCHOOL CLOSURE Page 2 STAFF GET INTO THE RHYTHM JUST FOR JUDE Page 4 EN-CHORD RECEIVE TOP ACCOLADE Page 6 HUYTON CADETS CELEBRATE BATTLE OF ATLANTIC Page 8

SPORT ONE2ONE WITH HUYTON BOXER ADAM FARRELL Page 32 MSH CELEBRATE IMPRESSIVE SEASON Page 32 PRESCOT CABLES UNDER 18’S WIN CUP FINAL Page 31

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FAMILIES INCREDIBLE DONATION FOR WHISTON An extremely generous family have raised over £30,000 to help premature babies who need specialist care at Whiston Hospital.

Jason and Anita Mullen, together with their family and friends have raised thousands of pounds to help local children’s hospital services to keep the memory of their baby son alive through the Alfie Flynn Mullen Charity.

Alfie was born 16 weeks premature, weighing just 1lb 9oz and in spite of battling all the complications of being born so early, sadly Alfie died aged just 10 months.

During his short life, Alfie received care from three different hospitals in the region but spent the most time on the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Whiston Hospital before sadly passing away.

In 2010, the couple raised over £4,000 to purchase fold-away beds for parents to stay at the bedside of their children.

This year, the couple have donated over £30,000 for the hospital to purchase a brand new, state-of-the-art transport incubator and portable ventilator.

The incubator is used to safely transfer critically ill babies between departments within the hospital or to other hospitals within Cheshire and Merseyside for specialist appointments or to and from regional paediatric intensive care beds.

The specialist incubator, the same as those used by Regional Neonatal Transfer Teams, is the most state-of-the-art equipment available and allows medics to continue to provide expert care whilst transporting ill babies for vital specialist treatment.

The family worked tirelessly to raise the money organising a number of fund raising events including the ‘3 Peaks

Above: L-R Anita and Jason Mullen with Sally Duce, lead nurse, divisional manager, paediatrics, Dr Laweh Amegavie, clinical director, consultant paediatrician and Ann Marr, chief executive.

Left: Alfie in hospital with Mum Anita and Dad Jason

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Ann Marr, chief executive said: “I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the Mullen family, and to all those who have supported them, for their extremely generous donation.

“The effort to organise all of the amazing

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events has been extraordinary. The new incubator will help many babies and their families to receive safe and timely care”.

Dad, Jason Mullen said: “Alfie was cared for by the wonderful staff at Whiston Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit and on the Children’s Ward, who did everything they could for him.

“Raising money for the hospital to have their own transfer incubator has been hard work, and I’d like to thank all of our family and friends for their continued support. We hope that the incubator will make a big difference to the children and their families who may need it in the future”.

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2 June 2013

PROTEST OVER HUYTON SCHOOL CLOSURE Around 40 Merseyside pupils and parents recently descended on Knowsley Council offices to deliver a message to Knowsley Council: “Save Our School”.

The demonstration to protest about the council plans to close Christ the King Centre for Learning, in Huyton took place from Huyton Library to the council offices.

The £24m school which was only opened in 2009 and described as bringing “world class” education to Knowsley, has places for 900 pupils but is due to have only 381 pupils on its roll when the new term starts in September.

The joint Church of England/Catholic school was denied the opportunity to become a sponsored academy outside council control after the Department for Education said it had concerns over its viability.

This has since been refuted by a member of the parents committee, saying that there are viable opportunities for a number organisations to take over the running of the school but have not received any backing.

Although it has received critical inspection reports, Ofsted recently said that the school was ‘making reasonable progress’.

Recently Cllr Graham Wright, Knowsley’s cabinet member for children and family services,

pledged to listen to the response of pupils and parents during what he called a “difficult time”.

Confirming the closure plan, a Knowsley Council spokesman said: “With no prospect of sponsorship, the council now has no alternative than to consider the possibility of closure.”

Cllr Graham Wright, said: “I realised “this will be a difficult time for everyone at Christ the King Centre for Learning” but pledged “we will be listening to their response to this proposal before making our final decision”.

He added: “There are some complex challenges at Christ the King, compounded by a large number of surplus places which mean the centre is running at a substantial loss. This inevitably affects the quality of the education which can be provided.

“The council, Archdiocese and the Diocese are all in agreement that we have a moral duty to carefully consider the best interests of those pupils currently studying at the centre.

“I would like to reassure parents and pupils that if the centre does close, we will do everything we can to make the transition as smooth as it can possibly be, and that parents will be kept informed at every stage in the process.”

Amid empty desks, the school

had a deficit of more than £1.2m as of March 31 last year.

Parents have since called for the resignation of Cllr Wright and vowed to fight the closure of the school after forcing a U-turn when the council first mooted its axe in 2011.

Knowsley Council’s cabinet is due to make a decision on the possible closure of Christ the King Centre for Learning at their meeting on July 10, 2013.

More information about the proposed closure of Christ the King can be found at http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/yourcouncil/consultation.aspx.

Crackdown on illegal tobacco Illegal tobacco with a street value of over £21,500 has been seized from three premises in Knowsley.

Knowsley Council’s Trading Standards team carried out the operation with colleagues from Merseyside Police and the Trading Standards North West Regional Tobacco Team.

Based on information from the public, officers discovered almost 135,000 illicit cigarettes and over 8 kilograms of hand rolled tobacco at two residential properties and

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a tip-off from a member of the public and I would encourage anyone who has information about the supply of illicit tobacco to report it.”

Anyone with information about illegal tobacco should contact Knowsley Council’s Trading Standards team on 0151 443 4712. They can also telephone Crime-stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or the Trading Standards North West Illicit Tobacco Team on 01925 442 466.

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one business premises in the Huyton and Stockbridge Village area.

All of the products are now being tested and will be destroyed.

A spokesperson for Knowsley Council said: “We take the problem of illegal tobacco extremely seriously and it is certainly not a victimless crime as some people wrongly believe.

“Cheap illegal tobacco is particularly harmful as it helps children to start smoking.

“This seizure came as a result of

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The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra comes to Knowsley this month with an evening of Summer Classics.

They’ll perform a series of seasonal favourites, including Summer from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, To a Wild Rose by Edward Macdowell and Bach’s Air on a G String.

The world famous orchestra will perform at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park in Longview Drive, Huyton on Friday June 14, conducted by James Clark.

The performance begins at 7.30pm, doors open at 7pm.

Tickets are £12 and £10 concessions.

You can get your tickets by calling into Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park or by ringing 0151 443 2200 or 0844 561 0622.

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June 2013 3

COMPANY TO FACE ENFORCEMENT ACTION Enforcement action is being taken against the developers of a community sports and nature park in Fazakerley to ensure that the work is completed as planned.

A completion notice has been jointly served on UK Sports Parks plc by Knowsley Council and Liverpool City Council.

It follows concerns that the stalled development at Fazakerley playing fields on Aintree Lane is not being carried out in line with the planning permission granted in 2009.

As well as being delayed, the development has caused environmental and transport problems for the local community.

If the completion notice is approved by the Minister for Communities and Local Government, UK Sports Parks plc will be required to finish the work within 12 months in line with the approved plans.

Knowsley Council has also served an

Untidy Land Notice in relation to the condition of the boundary fencing and gates.

Knowsley Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, economy and skills, Cllr Dave Lonergan, said: “The delays and inconvenience experienced by the local community since the development started are simply unacceptable.

“Along with our colleagues at Liverpool City Council, we will do everything we can to make sure that UK Sports Parks plc completes the work as agreed in spring 2014.”

Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We are working with Knowsley Council to try and ensure this development takes place as soon as possible.

“The current situation is highly inconvenient for the local community and we are taking action to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion.”

Defibrillator for the Halewood Junior League

On Wednesday 22 May 2013, football managers from the Halewood Junior Football League presented a defibrillator for use at the junior leagues games, as well as for use of the other user groups at the Arncliffe Sports & Community Centre.

The defibrillator was awarded to recognise the awareness campaign of the OK Foundation, which was set up following the death of Oliver King, a pupil at King David High School as a result of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (S.A.D.S) whilst having a swimming lesson. The aim of the Foundation is to see the installation of a defibrillator in all public buildings.

Cllr Edna Finneran, Mayor of Halewood said: “The Town Council congratulate the

managers concerned who took part in a sponsored walk from Liverpool to Southport.

“They raised the funding for this important piece of equipment to be used by the Junior League, who have up to 1,000 children taking part of a weekend, and also for other user groups at the Arncliffe Centre.

The Managers are pictured presenting the defibrillator to the Mayor and her fellow town councillors at the mid-week Junior Summer League along with Halewood Town Under 8’s.

The sponsored walk was organised by one of the team managers, Simon Clifton, and the other managers who took part are Lee Campbell, John Ross, Ian Yoxall, Phil Allen, John Fearon, Scott Hendry, Dave Barr, Billy Bradley and Andy Strachlis.

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4 June 2013

STAFF GET INTO THE RHYTHM JUST FOR JUDE Housing staff swapped their daily routines for a Latin rhythm to raise money for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after a colleague’s grandson was cared for there.

The contact centre at the First Ark Group, which includes Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT), would normally handle customer calls but became a dance floor for a fundraising Zumbathon in memory of baby Jude Dugdale, grandson of senior customer access advisor Jackie Rowe.

The Just for Jude day, organised by Jackie and the contact centre team, included the Zumbathon, which was led by finance associate Vicky Finney, bake sales and a raffle with over 50 fantastic prizes.

They raised more than £1,300 which will be given to Alder Hey’s vascular birthmark centre where Jude was

Staff from the contact centre get into the swing of things whilst raising much needed funds for Alder Hey Baby Jude Dugdale

treated.

He sadly died at just eightdays-old in March this year from a rare vascular malformation called KHE with KMP. Since the condition was discovered in 1940 there have only been 200 known cases throughout the world.

Jackie said: “My family has been truly overwhelmed by

the love, kindness, help, support and most importantly the generosity from all my friends and colleagues at First Ark for raising this amazing amount. Thank you all so much from the bottom of our hearts.”

Contact centre staff dressed up in bright colours for the Just for Jude day and encouraged others to do the same and make a donation. They sold bacon sandwiches, cakes and raffle

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tickets around the First Ark offices, and also at Travis Perkins stores for operatives.

The First Ark Group will be fundraising for Alder Hey Children’s Charity over the next 12 months as its charity of the year, supporting the hospital’s vital work.

Alder Hey is one of Europe’s biggest and busiest children’s hospitals providing care for over 270,000 young patients each year.

Helen White, chair of Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT), said: “Thanks to their generosity and spirit the team have raised a fantastic amount that will benefit families going through heartbreaking times when their child is in hospital.

“Alder Hey provides inspirational care to thousands of families and we hope to raise more money through various activities over the coming months.”

Revamp on the way for Kirkby play area The well-used play area in Memorial Park on Bewley Drive, Kirkby is to be given a new lease of life thanks to The Veolia Environmental Trust.

The Trust has awarded Knowsley Council a grant of £58,119 to replace the existing play equipment, which has become old and tired, with exiting new equipment for a range of ages and abilities.

The new equipment will include natural play features including boulders, logs and a natural-wall constructed from excavated materials. The area will be landscaped with turf and wildflowers and twelve new trees will be planted. Two football kickabout areas

will also be created and drainage improved around the skate board park.

The Veolia projects team will now start the process of working with the borough council to develop their final plans and get the project off the ground.

The executive director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, McNabb Laurie, said: “Projects like this one make a real difference to our communities and our board awarded this grant on its merits. We will now start working with the borough council to develop a project that will create a play area that will really benefit Knowsley’s children and young people for many years to come.”

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June 2013 5

CHOIR CHILDREN GIVEN £500 BOOST FOR ACTIVITY HOLIDAY

The youngsters of a Church of England choir have received a £500 grant towards their summer holidays.

Prescot Parish Church Choir were awarded the cheque by the Liverpoolbased Harry Tyrell Foundation, a charity set up to help small community groups that promote values such as teamwork, friendship and self-esteem.

The mixed-age choir, including about a dozen school children, will

spend four nights at Plas Caerdeon, near Barmouth, Wales, an outdoor activity centre run

by Liverpool Hope University.

Last year’s trip saw members as young as eight and as old as eighty-four take part in zip-wiring, canoeing and other challenging pursuits.

Choir director Edna Weaver said: “The annual holiday is always an excellent opportunity for fitness- and morale-

New Mayor of Knowsley

boosting activities, and it’s particularly encouraging to have people of all ages mixing together and having fun.”

Singers do their own fundraising throughout the year, and they also receive many donations from private sponsors.

The generosity of individuals and charities, such as the Harry Tyrell Foundation, means that all children of school age can participate in the annual holiday for free.

Councillor Brian O’Hare is the new Mayor of Knowsley.

Raised in Huyton, Cllr O’Hare was first elected to Knowsley Council in 1982 and has held a wide range of positions in the borough since then.

Cllr O’Hare is a former civil engineer and construction manager and currently holds a number of roles in the voluntary and public sector. He is a Governor of Sylvester’s Primary School, where he was educated.

During his year as Mayor, Cllr O’Hare will raise money for the Magic Fund, a charity which supports young people across Knowsley.

MAN CHARGED OVER SELLING CONTERFEIT GOODS FROM SHOP A man has been given a three month suspended jail sentence for selling counterfeit goods from a shop in Huyton.

James Olivier traded as Royal Discount from premises on Sherbourne Square, selling goods including household items, clothing and children’s toys.

Trading Standards officers from Knowsley Council seized items from the premises on a number of separate occasions. The counterfeit goods taken by officers included fake Lacoste, ‘In the Night Garden’ and Nintendo products.

The 36-year-old, of Huntsman Wood in West Derby, pleaded guilty to 10 offences at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.

Nine offences related to selling items bearing false trademarks and one was for failing to provide information to an officer investigating the matter.

He was handed a 12 week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work and pay £1,000 costs.

A spokesperson for Knowsley Council said: “This sentence should reassure shoppers in Knowsley that we will not tolerate counterfeit goods being sold in

the borough.

“These items are often of extremely poor quality and are unlikely to meet the strict health and safety requirements met by genuine products.

“If our officers suspect counterfeit goods are being sold, we will seize them and carry out a thorough investigation.

Where the goods are found to be counterfeit – as in this case – we will push for a prosecution.”

Now in Full Bloom Acorn Farm’s plant sales centre, Kirkby is now in full bloom and fully-stocked after a slow start to the season.

Acorn Farm’s staff and Day Service user’s have been working extra hard to ensure that there is a large selection of bedding plants, tubs, shrubs and hanging baskets ready for their green-fingered visitors.

The centre also offers an order/refill service whereby customers can bring in their hanging baskets or planters from home and have new displays created with their favourite plants, colours or theme.

Visit www.acornfarm.co.uk or call 0151 548 1524 for more information.

6 June 2013

EN-CHORD RECEIVE TOP ACCOLADE FROM COMMUNITY The Stockbridge Village community came together to celebrate local champions, in partnership with community representatives and Knowsley Council, Villages Housing held their annual community awards evening at St Albert’s church hall.

Now in its third year the ceremony brought together residents of all ages, the local Mayor and Mayoress and representatives from Villages.

Nominations were sought from the community and winners were voted for by Stockbridge residents.

Over 25 achievement awards and 35 ‘Oscars’ were presented on the night.

The top award, the ‘Joseph Lappin Community Cohesion and Excellence’ award went to En-chord – a music group formed two years ago for young people to play instruments and sing. They set up their own music

project in March 2011 with help from Knowsley Council and Youth Music.

The group have come a long way despite their limited experience of the music industry with hard work and lots of passion and enthusiasm, not only for music, but for reaching out to help other young people in the area. They now run consultations and music workshops as well organising jamming sessions with other musicians and gigging themselves.

Barbara Murray, development officer for Villages Housing said: “The awards ceremony was a real success. It was great to bring so many different people together to celebrate their successes.

En-chord performed on the evening and then picked up there award which was nice as they had no idea.”

Second and third place went to Neil Joseph and Bernard Ennis for their work in the community.

Guests included Vernon Jackson CEO at Villages, Father David Potter,

Reverend Andrew Stott, Dave Parry the owner of the local supermarket, Inspector Maria Hoogendyk, Cllr Bill Weightman, Cllr Heather Weightman and Cllr Dennis Baum.

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The 2013 Croxteth Park Pramathon which took place in June at Croxteth Country Park was voted a hit by participants.

The Pramathon, now in its 5th year at Croxteth Hall and Country Park, as well as being a fun social event, encourages new parents to get active with their children and enjoy the great outdoors. It is also a great way to meet lots of other young Mums and Dads out and about in the park.

Tracy Sanderson, the organiser of the Pramathon, said: “The four kilometre scenic country park walk is for families as a way to encourage them to come together and exercise, we also held a health promotion on the day.

“This year’s event attracted over 200 walkers and it is hoped that the event will grow year on year, attracting families from across the city.

“Children were treated to free face painting and there was free fruit available

to families taking part too, as well as visits from health agencies and charities offering free gifts, support and advice.

“I like to see happy and healthy families, I believe that no one should put up with health inequalities and everyone should have the opportunity to understand the importance of being healthy. Endorphins released when you exercise play a huge part in improving wellbeing.

“I have to thank our 12 volunteers for all their help on the day, three were over 75 years old, plus the children’s centre staff who also volunteered to make the day a huge success. We should all feel really proud of what we have achieved.”

Tracy has also been recognised as Community Champion for Merseyside. As part of a national Shining Light Relay which has been working its way across the country, Tracy was awarded with a community games jersey on Monday in June.

June 2013 7

Young Choristers to Receive Awards at Cathedral Three talented choristers from Prescot Parish Church Choir recently received awards from the Royal School of Church Music.

After a challenging exam that tested singing ability, music theory and knowledge of church worship, treble singer Owen Clark, 13, passed his Dean’s Award with merit. Bass Ellis Waldron, 14, and soprano Chloe Clark, 15, passed their Bishop’s Awards with merit.

The three, all of whom are students of Knowsley Park Centre for Learning in Prescot, will be presented with their medals and certificates on 15 June, during a special service at Liverpool Cathedral.

KNOWSLEY CHARITIES RECEIVE OVER £47,000 FURTHER FUNDING STILL AVAILABLE The Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales has awarded grants to two Knowsley based charities.

Knowsley Pensioners Advocacy and Information Service has received £26,000 and Jus Kidz £21,700.

The grants, based over two years, will go towards core costs for both charities.

In addition, a further £421,132 is available for charities across Merseyside.

The foundation is particularly keen to hear from charities in the Knowsley area that supports work with disadvantaged people and communities. Charities can find out more information about grant eligibility on the Foundation's website: www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk The grant for Knowsley Pensioners Advocacy and Information Service, which provides advocacy and advice to older people, will fund an independent advocacy worker who will assist beneficiaries with housing, financial issues, care charge appeals, and health appointments. Welfare rights advice is also provided which includes a home visiting service and help with filling in forms.

Patricia McCarthy, manager at the Knowsley Pensioners Advocacy and Information Service said: “The majority of our service users are disadvantaged by age, disability and life experiences such as bereavement.

“We are very pleased to receive funding from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales as the grant will enable us to continue our vital work, supporting older people in Knowsley.”

Jus Kidz aims to end the isolation of disabled children and young people and siblings by providing clubs and a range

of activities during evenings, weekends and school holidays. The clubs offer a safe environment for indoor and outdoor play and includes a weekly youth club for over 11’s, a Sunday lunch club and residentials. Respite care and peer support is provided for parents and carers.

Catherine Manley, manager at Jus Kidz said: “We welcome the grant from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales which will go towards the salaries for an administration support worker and a volunteer coordinator.

“This funding will increase the capacity of the charity and contribute to sustaining services which help to reduce isolation and offer much needed support for children with disabilities as well as their parents and carers.”

Michele Lester, grant manager for Merseyside, Cheshire and South Manchester at the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales said: “Knowsley Pensioners Advocacy and Information Service and Jus Kidz are just two examples of the many charities that the foundation supports by providing core cost funding.

“We welcome interest from other charities in the area of Knowsley that are working to make a significant difference to the lives of disadvantaged people.”

The Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales supports charities that help disadvantaged people to play a fuller role in the community. Local or regional charities with an income up to £1million and national charities with an income up to £5 million can find out more about the funding criteria and grant programmes at www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk

Knowsley Pensioners Advocacy members: Patricia McCarthy, Valarie McGregor, Karl Hart and Mandy Strode.

8 June 2013

Cadets celebrate Battle of the Atlantic The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest running campaign of the Second World War and 2013 has seen the 70th anniversary of the battle in which Liverpool was so heavily involved and affected.

It was therefore only fitting for Huyton Sea Cadets to have a heavy involvement and presence in the commemoration events which took place in Liverpool over the bank holiday weekend, in order that they could honour those who “Gave their tomorrows for our today�.

For Huyton Sea Cadets their commemorations commenced on Friday 24 May when they were invited to Liverpool Maritime Museum to help receive guests and fundraise on behalf of Seafarers UK. Many prestigious guests were present and the cadets had the opportunity to meet the 1st Sea Lord (the professional head of the entire Royal Navy) Admiral Sir George Zambellas, as well as spending time with international naval officers who

showed interest in how the cadet force experience compared to their own naval cadet force.

On Saturday 25 May the commemoration activities were centred around the Pier Head where Huyton Sea Cadets were observed by the public upholding naval traditions of communication through their Semaphore display, whilst this was going on Huyton Junior section not to be outdone by the seniors turned out to visit the commemorations and learn for themselves the importance of the Battle of the Atlantic During their day out they were invited by the Royal British Legion to engage in some publicity photographs in anticipation of this years poppy appeal, as a thank you the junior cadets were then invited to the grand opening of the veterans centre in the port of Liverpool building.

The centre was formally opened by the 1st Sea Lord who spoke inspirationally to the cadets, the cadets also enjoyed meeting veterans

and listening to their own stories of their time in services.

Of the day the Junior Cadets reported that they had seen so many interesting things and heard lots of really interesting stories.

Sunday 26 May 2013 cadets continued with their semaphore display duties, while some cadets went to Liverpool Cathedral and performed ceremonial duties in the presence of HRH Princess Anne, and took part in a ceremonial march past.

Cadets from Huyton were delighted that Her Royal Highness spent some time talking with them.

Monday 27 May 2013 marked the end of the long weekend, while cadets remained heavily present around the Pier Head areas of Liverpool some of the Huyton Marine Cadet detachment were preparing themselves at Salthouse Dock for their own battle in the raft race.

The weather had turned bad for Mondays team, but they turned up armed with our raft which they had

built, and water bombs for the opposition.

The event saw them as the only youth team in the competition and although the did capsize before the race was underway the team showed great resilience in completing the course and reported that although it was cold they had loved every minute.

For Huyton Sea Cadets this weekend was a perfect opportunity to showcase a lot of the varied activities the sea cadets has to offer from team work, helping others, naval tradition, ceremonial and having fun on the water, there was something for everyone and a lesson for all who took part to learn from those who went down to the sea in ships during the conflict of the Battle of the Atlantic.

Huyton Sea Cadets are currently recruiting if you would enjoy being a part of our team come and learn more about us contact Huytonuto@hotmail.co.uk for details.

June 2013 9

PRIMARY DELIGHTED Birthdays all round WITH OFSTED REPORT for Listening Ear STOCKBRIDGE VILLAGE ARE ‘OUTSTANDING’

Despite Stockbridge Village Primary school only opening in September 2011, it has made an ‘Outstanding’ impression on the Ofsted inspectors.

Inspectors praised the primary school with comments including: “Year 6 pupils have made significant gains in their standards in English and mathematics during their year at Stockbridge. This is a clear indicator of the school’s contribution to pupils’ good progress over time.”

The school received an overall ‘Good’ from the inspection but the leadership and management was highlighted and received ‘Outstanding’ to which

staff and governors at the school were delighted to hear.

Headteacher, Jillian Albertina, received particular praise with Ofsted noting: “The outstanding leadership of the headteacher and her highly effective teamwork with the governing body rapidly enabled all pupils’ and teachers’ skills and abilities to be well understood.

The report continues: “Pupils are proud to be part of Stockbridge, they are enthusiastic learners and greatly enjoy school.”

Sue Dunphy, chair of governors said: “We are absolutely delighted with the recent Ofsted report for Stockbridge Village Primary School. The

Headteacher, staff, children and governors worked tirelessly to ensure the inspection ran smoothly and we are thrilled with the wonderful feedback we received from the inspectors.

“To receive ‘Outstanding’ for the leadership and management of the school is a great recognition and a wonderful achievement for such a new school.

“We are extremely proud of our children and all of their achievements. A huge thank you must also be given to the support the parents and the Stockbridge Village community as a whole have given to the school since the opening in September 2011”.

Ladybird Live comes to Huyton Library

Scarecrow Festival – 6th & 7th July

A Knowsley library is hosting a unique storytelling event for children aged two to five.

Ladybird Live comes to Huyton Library on Friday 14 June, where pre-school children can enjoy a range of fun activities including face painting, colouring-in and storytelling.

The event is being run in two separate sessions, 10 to 11.30am and 2pm to 3.30pm.

Experts from the leading children’s book publishers will be on-hand to speak to parents and offer them advice and guidance on reading with their children. There will also be a raffle to win some fantastic Ladybird prizes.

The Ladybird Live sessions are being held to celebrate and promote the joys of storytelling amongst children.

For more information on the event, ring Gerry Williams on 443 2679.

The National Wildflower Centre will be holding their Annual Scarecrow Festival over the weekend of the 6/7 July.

They will be displaying scarecrows made by local schools and community groups from across Merseyside. This year the theme is ‘Traditional Twist’ with Judge’s looking for a traditional looking scarecrow with a great ‘character’ all of it’s own!

Entry to the Centre is free over the weekend, but donations are gratefully received.

For more information call 0151 738 1913, or look visit their website: www.nwc.org.uk or their facebook page.

Halewood based charity Listening Ear has an extra special year in 2013, as it not only celebrates its 21st birthday but also the 10th anniversary of the Butterflies project.

The start of the birthday year coincided with mental health awareness week in May, and Listening Ear launched a number of initiatives.

The first activity is an appeal to help fund the organisation, with ambitious targets of £21,000 for Listening Ear, and £10,000 for Butterflies.

Listening Ear manager Richard Brown, said: “What a fabulous achievement for the organisation to reach these milestone anniversaries. Whilst we can spend the time reflecting on our achievements, there is still a huge amount of work to do.

“Our waiting lists increase on a daily

basis, both across the adults’ and children’s services as people have to survive in challenging economic circumstances.

“We continually assess the services we provide to ensure they are fit for purpose, in an ever-changing world. Unfortunately, with the changes we are seeing, the number of people requesting assistance is increasing, and so are the costs associated with this.

“Our double birthday anniversaries offer us the chance to launch an initiative to help with this, and we are asking people and businesses to get involved.”

Listening Ear will be launching its corporate membership scheme, and also a new communication platform entitled the Listening Post.

For more information visit the website or contact Richard on 0151 488 6648

10 June 2013

health

MMR

– IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO GET VACCINATED Public Health professionals in Knowsley are advising residents who haven’t had the MMR vaccine to contact their GP. Although it is important for all children to be fully vaccinated, a priority target group is young people aged 10-16 years, where we know uptake of the vaccine has been historically lower than younger children. Adults who work with children should also ensure they are vaccinated or immune to measles. You can check your child’s ‘red book’ to ensure they have received the two doses of the MMR vaccine or alternatively, call your GP. Measles is a highly infectious disease and spreads easily through coughing and sneezing. The most effective protection against measles infection is full immunisation with two doses of MMR vaccine.

It is never too late to get vaccinated, so if you or your child hasn’t received the MMR vaccination, make an appointment with your GP today.

To find out more, visit the http://www.nhs.uk/

KNOWSLEY’S NEW HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE CHAMPION HITS THE ROAD Healthwatch Knowsley is a community led independent organisation that gives people who use health and social care services an opportunity to have their say on services provided locally.

Healthwatch will give children, young people and adults a powerful voice locally and nationally.

Healthwatch Knowsley champions fairness and equal access to treatment, making sure they are at all times representative of the whole community and local needs, which is based on the evidence of people’s experiences of health and social care services within Knowsley.

Healthwatch Knowsley will: • Help residents and communities to get the best out of their local health and social care services, shaped by local needs and experiences.

• Enable people to share their views and concerns about local health & social care services and find out when services are doing well, and how they can be improved.

• Support trained volunteers to complete Enter & View Visits on health & social care services accessed by Knowsley residents.

• Influence how services are commissioned by having a seat on the local Health and Wellbeing Board.

• Produce reports and recommendations to

service providers and commissioners, which will influence the way services are designed and delivered.

• Signpost community members to advice and support about local services During June, Healthwatch Knowsley will be out and about in Knowsley to listen to the views of residents of Knowsley and find out what’s important to them when it comes to Health & Social Care. The Roadshows will include information stands at various venues across the borough, such as One Stop Shops, Health Centres and Leisure Centres, look out for the Healthwatch Knowsley team in your area.

There is also an opportunity come along to Drop In Events, which will be interactive and

informal where residents can come along during the day for a coffee and chat, all the drop-in events will be taking place between 11am – 6pm in the following areas: • Thursday 13th June - the Old School House, St Johns Road, Huyton, L36 0UX • Wednesday 19th June - New Hutte Neighbourhood Centre, Lichfield Road, Halewood, L26 1TT • Thursday 27th June - Bryer Road Community Centre, Bryer Road, Prescot, L35 5DW Mary Spreadbury, chair of Healthwatch Knowsley said: “Our vision is that the views and feedback from local people will have real influence on those making decisions about health and social care services in Knowsley”.

Green Week in Kings Business Park A joint travel, health and environmental event on Kings Business Park in Prescot saw staff from the 17 businesses located there receiving free health checks, transport information and energy saving tips.

Staff also had the chance to try out bikes, and have their own bikes checked out by a mechanic.

The Kings Business Park event was the brainchild of First Ark (Knowsley Housing Trust) and Merseycare NHS, and was supported by Business Travel Advisors based in Knowsley Chamber and Knowsley Council, along with a host of other organisations.

Companies interested in arranging similar events should contact Joanne Spencer, 443 2239 joanne.spencer@knowsley.gov.uk or Patience Jones, 477 1357 patience.jones@knowsleychamber.org.uk, or Working Well Co-ordinator Jan Tattersall, 07500765201 jan.tattersall@knowsley.gov.uk.

Are your feet putting you at risk of a fall?

Falls Awareness Week road shows taking place across Knowsley 17–21 June 2013 marks national Falls Awareness Week and the theme this year is ‘Healthy Feet’.

Santander: 9.30am – 3.00pm Wednesday 19 June Whiston Primary Care, Old Colliery Road: 9.30am – 12.00pm Halewood Centre, Roseheath Drive: 1.30pm – 3.30pm

Your feet play a key role in helping you to maintain mobility and balance so it’s really important that you keep them happy and healthy.

Thursday 20 June Huyton Event, opposite Home Bargains: 9.30am – 3.00pm

A number of factors such as foot pain or stiffness, bunions or even wearing shoes that don’t fit you properly can all increase your chances of having a fall, but there are a number of simple things you can do to help you stay steady on your feet and reduce your risk of falling.

To mark Falls Awareness Week, the Falls and Wellbeing Service in Knowsley, part of 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, are hosting a series of road show events across the borough along with partner agencies, where you can find out more

Friday 21 June Stockbridge Village Health Centre: 9.30am – 11.30am Prescot Primary Resource Centre, Sewell Street: 1.30pm – 3.30pm Space Create, Eccleston Street: 10.00am – 12.30pm

about falls and how to keep your feet healthy.

Monday 17 June St Chads Clinic, Kirkby: 9.30am – 11.30am

North Huyton Primary Care Resource Centre, Huyton: 1.30pm – 3.30pm Tuesday 18 June Kirkby Event by the Clock and

For more information about the Falls and Wellbeing Service or to find out more about the road show events, contact Jennifer Turner on 0151 244 3362, or email jennifer.turner@5bp.nhs.uk

June 2013 11

‘GETTING ACTIVE FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES’ Free Weight Did you know…

• That 2.9 million people in the UK are diagnosed with diabetes • It is estimated over 850,000 in the UK have diabetes but are undiagnosed • Local figures show that the number of people with diabetes is higher in Knowsley, Halton and St Helens than the national average.

The Diabetes Centre at St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is hosting ‘Getting active for people with Diabetes’ to raise awareness and promote services available for people with diabetes in the area.

Location: Diabetes Centre, St Helens Hospital Date: Friday 14th June 2013 Time: 1.30pm – 3.30pm This is a great opportunity to ask our professionals anything you need to know about diabetes, treatments and research, with information for patients, carers, family and friends. This drop-in event aims to highlight the support available for patients with diabetes in the local area. A host of professionals, from Whiston and St Helens hospitals, will be available on the day including the weight management team for tailored advice on improving your diet and fitness, and ideas for getting active for people with disabilities. There will also be information on how you can get involved in research into diabetes.

Dr Niall Furlong, Consultant Diabetologist at the Trust said: “Diabetes has increased significantly in the local community over recent years and if left unmanaged, can lead to serious life threatening complications. The Open Day is a fantastic opportunity for people to come and meet the team and find out about the range of services we offer to patients. We want to see as many people as possible benefiting from the service we provide, so please come along and find out more!.“ During the event, hospital staff will be holding a sponsored Zumbathon, with all proceeds going to Diabetes UK.

Management Programmes in Huyton

All are welcome to attend, refreshments provided.

For further information please contact: Natalie Pennington, Diabetes Research Nurse on: 01744 646 265 / 01744 646 244

Community Health Forum Did you know that there is a local community health forum in your area?

Why not come along to our friendly, informal meetings and listen to the guest speakers chosen by our members.

You can learn about a range of health services and health issues and share your own views and experience to better shape NHS services.

You can also find out what is happening in your local community and about the work of our partnership organisations.

MILES AND MILES Staff in the Business Resource Centre got their walking shoes on for National Walk to Work Week (1317 May) and clocked up an astonishing 170 miles between them.

The top walker was Rose McCarthy, who covered 47 miles, closely followed

by Vinnie Heath (28 miles) and Kirsty Morris (19 miles). Special thanks to Anne Friend, who encouraged colleagues in the Youth Offending Service to take part in Walk to Work Week, and introduced them to the walkers' paradise that is Acornfield Plantation, right on the doorstep.

While most of the walkers live too far away to commute on foot, all of them made a special effort to cover more miles than usual during the week - including dog walking, walking between appointments and going round the shops.

Pictured with their Walk to Work Week prizes are walking champions Vinnie Heath, Russ Owens, Rose McCarthy, Kirsty Morris and Anne Friend, together with Lesley Martin-Wright of Knowsley Chamber of Commerce.

Walk to Work Week is just one of the workplace initiatives aimed at encouraging more active forms of travel and reducing car dependency, as part of the three-year Local Sustainable Transport project for Merseyside.

To find out about opportunities for active and sustainable travel schemes in your workplace, contact Patience Jones 477 1357 patience.jones@knowsleychamber.org.uk (Kirkby businesses) or Joanne Spencer 443 2239 joanne.spencer@knowsley.gov.uk (businesses in other areas of Knowsley).

The Huyton Health Forum takes place every third Friday of each month starting at 1.30pm and finishing at 3.00pm.

The next meeting will take place on Friday 21st June 2013 at the North Huyton Primary Resource Centre, Woolfall Heath Avenue, Huyton L36 3TN There are Health Forums in Halewood, Kirkby and Prescot, Whiston, Cronton and Knowsley Village.

If you want to find out further information please call 0151 244 4383.

If you want to • Lose weight • Improve your fitness levels • Make changes to your lifestyle Then why not join Measure Up? Their free 10-week weight management programme is designed to support you to: • Learn about nutrition, healthy food choices and portion sizes • Try out different activities that will improve your fitness levels • Lose weight at a rate that is sensible and safe for you • Make small and gradual changes to your lifestyle, which will add up to a healthier and happier you!

They help adults of all ages – both male and female. So, whether you want to lose a few unwanted pounds or have a large amount to lose, we can get you to your goal.

They have courses starting in June running throughout Huyton, Knowsley.

If you would like to take part, get in touch so they can book you onto a screening session. They will measure your weight, height and BMI so they can personalise their advice to you and, as the weeks go by, measure your progress.

For more information, telephone 0151 244 4383.

12 June 2013

June 2013 13

YOUNG VOLUNTEERS HELP REVITALISE COMMUNITY HALL Recruit Training Camp A community hall in Kirkby has been given a makeover by young volunteers from the First Ark Group.

A group of seven apprentices got to work on the community hall at Fairhaven Sheltered Housing Scheme, which is operated by Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT), part of the First Ark Group.

The volunteers are undertaking apprenticeships in all parts of the Group, including KHT and repairs and maintenance company Vivark.

Led by Vivark operatives they have brightened up the hall, used for events and socialising at the scheme, with a fresh coat of paint.

Maureen Campbell, scheme manager at Fairhaven said: “We are really pleased with the work the apprentices have done. They have brightened the hall up and it looks great.”

Their efforts were part of First Ark’s major volunteering initiative which pledges 500 working days each year to allow employees to take part in schemes like this that give back to the local community.

KHT apprentice Megan Connor, 18, who worked on the redecorating project, said: “It’s good that we can get involved in these types of projects and it’s nice to give something back to the community.”

Laura McCumiskey, who works in the Social Responsibility team at First Ark, said: “This project has given a new lease of life to the community hall and provided an opportunity for our apprentices to experience the satisfaction of giving something back.

“Our workforce has a vast range of skills and by encouraging them to share these with the wider community we can bring a huge amount of added benefit to the communities we serve.”

Outdoors with The Hairy Gardener Hi, my name is Peter Frances a.k.a. the Hairygardener First of all at the time of writing this the weather is fantastic so put off reading my article until you’re having your supper and get yourselves outside into your alloties and gardens and if your posh smallholdings.

Right where was I, oh yes, what is a native plant? I was asked recently. Well it’s a plant listed in the numerous wildflower books or is it? If a plant grows in an area of Britain and sets seed or propagates itself and survives for a number of years are the offspring of the plant native as it is for the human-race?

Maybe, but you don’t see a book called ‘Relocated Plants’ who claim the right to be called British native plants (maybe I should write one), anyway I leave it to my reader to decide.

Back to our growing everting is growing full steam ahead, don’t forget to earth up your potatoes even if you are growing in potato sacks as I’m doing.

Peas should be well through by now and a way of keeping pests away is to grow them in hanging baskets, you can see some of the Hairygardeners horticultural exploits by logging onto my blog at hairygardener.blogspot.com or on twitter, don’t be shy, log on and learn horticultural secrets never before told.

Parents and Grandparents get your childerbeasts growing (first timers especially) salad crops. Start with radish, on a scale of difficulty 1-10 ten being the most difficult to grow, radish doesn’t even register. Grow them in window boxes and grow them quickly by this I mean plenty of water and watch your childs face as you pick them to go with the lettuce that you are going to show them how to grow next nothing could be better, fresh salad and a childs smile which says I grew them.

Greenhouse gardeners, here’s a tip always fill up your watering cans and leave them inside your greenhouse to water the following morning so your greenhouse crops don’t start the day with a cold shower.

Good Gardening.

Junior Cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron, Royal Air Force Air Cadets have recently attended a two day recruit training camp held at RAF Shawbury, Shrewsbury.

The camp itself is intended to round off the six week training programme which teaches new cadets everything they need to know, from history of the Air Cadets and RAF through to expedition training and uniform care while at the same time giving them an insight into life on a Royal Air Force Station.

Over the course of the camp the cadets covered various subjects, including mess etiquette, history of the RAF followed by a visit to the RAF Cosford Air Museum, navigation and radio communications.

Camp organiser, Pilot Officer Ian Raynor, said: “The first recruit camp of 2013 has been a great success, the cadets all learned a lot of valuable skills that I hope to see them put into practise both around squadron and whilst away on camps and activities.”

14 June 2013

out & about

email your events to: thechallenge@merseymirror.com

JUNE SATURDAY 8 JUNE BOWLS TASTER SESSION McGoldrick Park, 10am to 12 noon Court Hey Park, 1pm to 3pm Compete against your friends and family, or just have a go yourself. Crown green bowling is a fantastic and easy sport for young and old. All equipment provided. Contact: Ranger 443 3114 or 07771 550843

Kirkby Sports College CfL, Bracknell Avenue, Kirkby, L32 9PP 16:00 – 21:00. The Multi sports session is run by 2 fully trained sports coaches from Star Sports who deliver the club for us. A charge of £10 for the full 5 hours or £3 for just 7 to 9pm. Children need to bring their own drinks and snacks.

Contact details: Jane Close, 07803987324, brag@live.co.uk, c/o Kirkby Sports College CfL, Bracknell Avenue, Kirkby, L32 9PP

TUESDAY 11 JUNE HAPPY HOURS CHAIR EXERCISE AND SOCIAL GROUP Towerhill Community Centre, Towerhill, Kirkby, Merseyside, L33 8YD 10:30 – 12:30 Chair Exercise, Pool, Social Activities for over 55 year olds. Cold Lunch £2 subs. Contact: Wendy Ferguson 07717 301 444 PERFORMANCE STUDIOS - DANCE CLASSES Performance Studios, 11 Lifton Road, Northwood, Kirkby, L33 5YA 16:30 – 20:30 Local community dance school for ages 4+. Cost £3 for 1 hour dance class. For ages: 4-25 yrs. Contact details: General Enquiries, 0151546 5269 KIRKBY GIRLS GROUP Westvale Community and Youth Centre, Richard Hesketh Drive, Kirkby L32 0TZ 18:30 – 20:30. Girls group project based at Westvale Youth Centre for 11 to 19 year olds.

Contact Michelle Forrester, 0151 443 4168, michelle.forrester@knowsley.gov.uk SOUTHDENE YOUTH CLUB Southdene Community Centre, Broad Lane, Kirkby, L32 9PQ 18:45 – 21:15 Youth Club activity for 11 to 19 years. Contact: Paul Garvey, 0151 443 4466, paul.garvey@knowsley.gov.uk WEDNESDAY 12 JUNE EXTENDED MULTI SPORTS SESSION

KNOWSLEY ACTIVE CHALLENGE Knowsley Hall, Prescot, L34 4AG 18:00 – 20:30. Health Activities for all the family including 2 walks, a 2K junior race and a adult 5k race in the beautiful surroundings of Knowsley Hall. All free to enter except adult race (£7.50).

Contact Peter Green 443 5648, peter.green@knowsley.gov.uk CENTRE 63 YOUTH CLUB Centre 63 Youth Club, Church of England Youth Centre, Kirkby, Merseyside, L32 5TH 16:30 – 20:30 The Youth club in Centre 63 is open access for all young people aged 8 - 25 living in Knowsley. The Youth Club focuses on giving Young People a safe and friendly environment to come and socialise with their peers, develop social skills, community awareness and participate in positive projects and activities, including a chance to take part in new activities and experiences. The centre also runs the following sexual health workshops, drugs awareness workshops and various music workshops from recording to learning to play an instrument. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday. 4.30 8.30 open age.

Scarecrow Festival

DW WKH 1DWLRQDO :LOGĂ€RZHU &HQWUH E Sat 6th & Sun 7th July FRE RY T 11am - 4pm N E

,QFOXGLQJ 9LQWDJH &UDIW 6WDOOV JURZLQJ ZRUNVKRSV 0\ )RUHVW 6FKRRO QHZ IRU Welly Boot dancing!

Thanks to Knowsley Public Health, the Great Outdoors Project has been extended for another year.

If you are based in Knowsley, are involved in Mental Health and would like to take part in Creative Nature activities, call Annick on 0151 738 1913 or email annick@landlife.org.uk.

We have a variety of programmes on offer including ceramic tile making, growing sessions, health walks, volunteering and regular Nordic Walking.

Find us LQ &RXUW +H\ 3DUN Roby Road, Knowsley L16 3NA

For further details go to www.nwc.org.uk

ARRIVA PREMIERE MORRIS DANCERS Westvale Community Centre, Richard Hesketh Drive, Richard Hesketh Drive, Kirkby, L32 0TZ 18:00 – 21:00 There are 5 main troupes: Babies, Dinkies, Tinies, Juniors and Seniors. Plus a further two novice troupes of babies and tinies. The ages of the dancers currently range between 3 and 28 years.

Cost is £1.50 sub per week and £3.50 bus fare for competitions every Sunday during April October. For ages: 2-60yrs. Contact details: Diane Taylor, 0151 474 4975, Westvale Community Centre, Richard Hesketh Drive, Richard Hesketh Drive, Kirkby, L32 0TZ 1ST KIRKBY SCOUT GROUP - CUB SCOUTS Kirkby Scout Centre, Old Rough Lane, Kirkby, L33 0YD 18:00 – 19:30 There are loads of fun things that you can do as a Cub Scout. You will get a chance to try lots of different activities like swimming, music, exploring, computing and collecting. If you do them properly you will get a badge which you can wear on your uniform. For ages 8–10 yrs.

Cost: £3 Contact details: Matt Donnelly, 07929 427266, info@1stkirkbyscouts.org.uk THURSDAY 13 JUNE PARENTS AND TODDLER SESSIONS Halewood Youth in Community Centre, Lichfield Road, Halewood, L26 1TT 13:00 – 15:00. Parents and Toddler Sessions Cost 50p! For age group 1-5 yrs.

Contact: Mark Nelson, 0151 486 2865 KIRKBY THinK CLINIC Kirkby Health Suite, Cherryfield Drive, Liverpool Area, Liverpool L32 9PA 15:00 – 18:00. 13 to 19 years sexual health service. Contact Jason Cole, 0151 443 4168, jason.cole@knowsley.gov.uk EXCEL SCHOOL OF DANCE Whiston Town Hall, Dragon Lane, Whiston, Merseyside, L35 3QW 15:45 – 18:45. Dance School: Lessons available in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Street, Jazz and Hip Hop. For ages from 3 to 65. Cost £2.50 per class.

Contact: Kate Marzelos, 07867933764, k.marzelos@lipa.ac.uk JUNIOR ATHLETICS SESSIONS Kirkby Sports College, Bracknell Avenue, Kirkby, L32 9PP 17:30 – 18:45. Junior Athletics Coaching at Kirkby athletics track. Ages 7-19. Free to attend.

No booking required just turn up.

Contact Peter Green 443 5648, peter.green@knowsley.gov.uk AFTER SCHOOL CLUB Vee's Place, Zion Independent Methodist Church Hall, 74 Kemble Street, Prescot, L34 5SH 16:00 – 18:30. After School Club for 10-16yrs olds, Games, Sport, Art, Crafts, Music, Karaoke, Workshops, Outdoor area, Volunteer work. Registration fee Youth £3.

Parents need to sign consent forms.

Subscriptions (per activity) £2.50 includes refreshments. Contact: Vee Rhodes, 0151 289 3602, vee.rhodes@talktalk.net TOWERHILL YOUTH CLUB Towerhill Community Centre – Youth Club, Ebony Way, Kirkby, L33 1XT 18:45 – 21:15. Youth Club activity for 11 to 19 years. Contact: Joey Fogg, 0151 443 4347, joey.fogg@knowsley.gov.uk CREATE St Brigid’s Space Building, St Brigid's Primary School, Stockbridge Village, Merseyside, L28 7RE 16:00 – 17:30 Create is a children's creative arts group, which caters to a range of disabilities. Over the last year we have had a considerable amount of experience working with children with autistic spectrum Condition. Create welcomes siblings, encouraging children to play and communicate,

nurturing positive relationships that can be taken to the home. As well as providing a safe environment with experienced workers Create allows parents that much needed ‘me’ time.

Parents have commented we have improved children’s posture, spacial awareness, expression and communication skills whilst having fun and putting a smile on children's faces :) Age group: 5-12 (based more on ability than age range), all children need to be booked into this activity - please contact: Colette 07855 555743, createarts@outlook.com, https://www.facebook.com/create.arts.12 YOUTH CLUB FOR AGES 12+ Halewood Youth in Community Centre, Lichfield Road, Halewood, L26 1TT 18:30 – 21:30 Youth club for ages 12+ Cost 50p per session Contact: Mark Nelson, 0151 486 2865 MILLENNIUM MORRIS DANCERS Millennium Morris Dancers, c/o King George V Sports Complex, Huyton, Merseyside L36 7UN 17:00 – 21:00 We are a well established dance troupe (1972) in Huyton and have about 70 girls aged 2-35yrs that practice on Thursdays at King George V Sports Complex Huyton 5pm-9pm depending on age. From March to September we dance at competitions every Sunday all over the North West ending the season at the annual championships in Pontins....a great way to get fit and meet new friends. CRB Policy in place.

Weekly subs - £2 Contact: Julie, 07507620673, bigjulie1970@hotmail.co.uk, bigjulie1970@hotmail.co.uk YOUTH CLUB ACTIVITIES Ace Youth Club, Stockbridge Neighbourhood Centre, The Withens, Stockbridge Village, Merseyside. L28 1AB 18:15 – 20:45 Young people supported to design their own programmes e.g. residentials, arts, crafts, sports, computer suite, accreditations plus much more.

Contact Rose Spellacy 07810054134 or email: rose.spellacy@knowsley.gov.uk FRIDAY 14 JUNE ROYAL LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA CONCERT Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra returns to Knowsley for a spectacular evening of wonderful classical music. Tickets: Adults ÂŁ12; Concessions ÂŁ10 (over 60s and under 16s).

Contact: Carla Simkin 443 5749 LADYBIRD LIVE! Huyton Library, Civic Way, Huyton, Merseyside, L34 9GD 10:00 – 11:30 An exciting event for pre-school children including storytelling, face painting, colouring activities and expert reading advice.

FREE. Morning session 10.00 - 11.30am, afternoon session 2.00 - 3.30pm. Contact Huyton Library on 443 3734 ADAPTED ZUMBA AND LINE DANCING Towerhill Community Centre, Towerhill, Kirkby, Merseyside, L33 8YD 11:00 – 13:00. Adapted Zumba and Line Dancing for over 55 year olds. Tea/Coffee £3.

Contact: Wendy Ferguson 07717 301 444

SATURDAY 15 JUNE CRONTON GALA Cronton Pasture 12 noon to 4pm A family fun day in the park with lots of activities.

June 2013 15

ONE NOT TO MISS

9594, amartin545@btinternet.com Saturday 22 JUNE WHISTON FUN DAY Stadt Moers Park, Park Rangers Hut, Pottery Lane, Whiston, Merseyside, L35 3RG 12:00 – 16:00. A family fun day in the park with lots of free activities, climbing wall, birds of prey, etc. Some activities charge a small fee. Free entry.

Contact the Rangers on 0151 489 1239

SUNDAY 4 AUGUST KNOWSLEY FLOWER SHOW Court Hey Park, 11am-5pm The ever popular Knowsley Flower Show is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.

Please note that some activities incur a small cost.

Contact: Ranger 489 1239 MULTI SPORTS SESSION St Brigid's Primary School, Waterpark Drive, Stockbridge Village, Merseyside, L28 7RE 10:00 – 12:00 Multi Sports sessions for children and young people with additional needs, delivered by fully qualified coaches.

Ages Reception - Year 10. Cost £1 per session.

Siblings welcome based on space. Contact Joe Gibbons (Extended Schools and Children's University Team) on 0151 477 8586 or 07827 257 418 SMILE PRODUCTIONS THEATRE SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY Huyton Arts & Sport Centre for Learning, Seel Road, Huyton, Knowsley, L36 6DG 10:30 – 12:30 We offer a quality bespoke training tailored to fit the individual & group needs of Children with a learning disability. With Dance, Drama & Singing being at its core, we recognise and embrace diversity developing confidence & self esteem for Children and young people age 5 to 18 years. Cost £20 for a fully supported 2 hour session. Contact Sharon Collins on 07977468488 SUNDAY 16 JUNE BIRD WATCHING WALK Acornfield Local Nature Reserve, Kirkby 10am to 1pm. Join the ranger on a pleasant countryside walk to spot some of our resident birds. Contact: Ranger 07810 054159 MONDAY 17 JUNE TO SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER ‘SHORELINE & WATERSHED: BRITISH LANDSCAPE AND CONTEMPORARY WOODCUT PRINTING’ EXHIBITION Huyton Gallery A collection of woodcut prints, watercolours and sketch books reflecting a lifelong passion for the British landscape. Contact: Tina Ball 443 5617 or email: tina.ball@knowsley.gov.uk

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE National Wildflower Centre, Court Hey Park, Roby Road, Huyton, Merseyside, L16 3NA 10:00 – 15:30 Take a walk on the wild side with a unique guided tour of the National Wildflower Centre followed by a ‘Magical Mystery’ coach trip out to see the project sites in Knowsley where we have introduced wildflowers to the urban landscape. Packed lunch and seeds are included for this full day event. Places are limited to 20 and must be pre-booked. For more information please contact us on 0151 7381913 or email events@landlife.org.uk.

THURSDAY 18 JUNE SECRET INGREDIENT'S Hollies Hall, Hollies Road, Halewood, L26 0TH Dancing classes. Free Style Disco Dancing Classes for ages 4-16 yrs. Cost £2.50 for 1 hour, £4 for 2 hours. Dance examinations and competitions (Regional and National).

Regular Theatre appearances - singing and dancing. Contact: General Enquiries, 0151 486

SUNDAY 23 JUNE FUN DOG SHOW - PAWS FOR CLAIRE HOUSE 12pm - 2pm Lydiate Town Hall Maghull, L31 2LA Come and enter your pooch into one of our many competitions with prizes to be won! Sponsor: West Lancs Dog Display Team Email: burtoft@scott-kate.freeserve.co.uk Sponsor Telephone: 07880802453 MONDAY 24 JUNE

BOOKSTART EVENT Page Moss Library, Stockbridge Lane, Huyton, Merseyside, L36 3SA 09:30 – 10:30 Fairy tale themed story and craft session for children under 5 to celebrate National Bookstart Week. FREE. 9.30 - 10.30am. Contact Page Moss Library on 443 2678 BOOKSTART EVENT Whiston Library, Dragon Lane, Whiston, Merseyside, L35 3QW 14:00 – 15:00. Fairy tale themed story and craft session for children under 5 to celebrate National Bookstart Week. FREE. 2.00 - 3.00pm. Contact Whiston Library on 426 4757 WEDNESDAY 26 JUNE BOOKSTART EVENT Halewood Library, Roseheath Drive, Halewood, Merseyside, L26 9UH 10:30 – 11:30 Fairy tale themed story and craft session for children under 5 to celebrate National Bookstart Week. FREE. 10.30 - 11.30am.

Contact Halewood Library on 443 2086 THE CHOICES PROJECT New Hutte Neighbourhood Centre, Lichfield Road, Halewood, Merseyside, L26 1TT 17:30 – 19:30 The Choices project provides an inclusive and challenging service for disabled children and young people aged 13-19 yrs. The project will be delivered by working directly with disabled young people in the local community. It aims to build self esteem and to engage participants in life changing opportunities. Contact: Michael Salkeld, 0151 702 0700, salkeldm@mya.org.uk, Merseyside Youth Association, The Door, 65-67 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DY SATURDAY 29 JUNE POND DIP Huyton Wetlands, Huyton Lane, Huyton.

Merseyside, L36 7XD 13:00 – 15:00 Come and discover what lurks in the pond at Huyton Wetlands. Free of charge.

Aged 6 plus. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Contact the North Huyton ranger on 07766 205541 for more details.

SUNDAY 30 JUNE SUMMER GALA 11am-5pm. The Friends of Bowring Park are holding their Summer Gala at Bowring Park, Roby. Includes a Chinese Lion dance, amusements, circus skils, side shows, dogshow, refreshments and many more. Free entry. For further information contact 0151 482 1116 ONGOING UNTIL SATURDAY 13 JULY KIRKBY CREATES EXHIBITION Kirkby Gallery Exhibition showcasing some of the local community’s views on Kirkby which has helped to develop three public artworks planned in Kirkby town centre.

Contact: Sarah Craven sarah.craven@knowsley.gov.uk

16 June 2013

KULO needs you Knowsley User Led Organisation are seeking Knowsley residents to join our committee board!

KULO is a proactive and inclusive network of Knowsley service users, carers and organsiations who simply want to improve the lives of disabled people and their families across Knowsley through sharing expertise, knowledge and information. They have upto 15 positions available on their committee board. Could this be you?

Being on the KULO committee board will involve: • Providing direction and leadership • Having a shared sense of purpose (following our aims & objectives) • Taking collective responsibility • Represent KULO at other boards and meetings.

• Being accountable to stakeholders (e.g. members, funders, service users, the wider community) If you are interested or for an informal chat please get in touch with Nancie Price – KULO Support Worker on 07501 653 984 or email: knowsleyulo@gmail.com

JOINING FORCES FOR OUR TROOPS A new book has been launched at Huyton’s Alamein Barracks - “Joining Forces” is a compilation of stories and poems volunteered by people all over the UK. The book will raise funds for Operation Shoebox, the charity which sends gift boxes to servicemen and women serving overseas and in Afghanistan.

“It’s a worthy cause that certainly deserves our support,” said Peter Quinn, managing director of United Press which is publishing the book.

Teaming up with Operation Shoebox, the publishers ran a competition to find material for the book, which will be on sale in August 2013 for £7.99.

Ian Whiteway, Founder of Operation Shoebox UK, said: “It always warms my heart to see the generosity of the British public in supporting our UK troops abroad in active service.

We will benefit from every book sold which means more shoeboxes to send to our troops.

“Operation Shoebox UK would like to thank Peter Quinn, Claire Watson and the staff at United Press for all their hard work in making this idea reality,

without their help and expertise we wouldn't have known where to begin.

“They have been instrumental in both running the competition and bringing these great poems and short stories to print this book, which we hope will go some way to providing much needed funds for Operation Shoebox UK .

If you would like to pre-order copies of this book please go to our website www.operationshoebox.co.uk/ book.order.php Claire Watson, editor of the book, said: “We have received hundreds of entries from poets and writers of all ages who’ve written poems and short stories about both military and non military subjects.

“There were some very touching pieces of work and it’s a pity we can’t include them all.

The book has contributions by over 100 people, ‘Joining Forces’ will be enjoyed by all ages”.

One of the competitions category winners was 16-yearold Liam Reynolds from Liverpool, Liam won £100 in shopping vouchers for his poem entitled: ‘A Shoebox and a smile’.

Liam Reynolds recieves his cheque at the Alamein Barracks

Knowsley Residents line-up for dementia awareness Knowsley Alzheimer’s Society is asking local residents to line up for a fun day of activities - including line dancing in a bid to raise awareness of dementia and much needed funds.

The event will take place in Kirkby town centre on Saturday July 6 between 9.30 and 4pm.

Dermot O’Connor, support services manager for Alzheimer’s Society said: “These Alzheimer’s Society Knowsley events are not only fun days out but also a great way to raise much needed funds and get people talking about dementia.

“We need to tackle the myths surrounding dementia if we are to ensure people are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve”.

The money raised will help Alzheimer’s Society support people to live well with dementia today and fund research to find a cure for tomorrow.

Dog of the month

ARE YOU DEXTER’S FUTURE?

Dexter, male, Labrador Cross, 2 years old Dexter is a real sweetie, and will shower you with love once he has got to know you. He is very intelligent and he is house and clicker trained.

Dexter is slightly overweight, and so will need an owner who will carry on with his exercise and training. He needs an understanding owner who will let him take time to adjust to being rehomed, but will make an excellent addition to the family.

He gets along with other dogs, but will suit an adult only home.

If you think you could give Dexter a home, please contact Dogs Trust Merseyside on 0151 480 0660 or drop into the centre at Whiston Lane Liverpool L36 6HP, United Kingdom Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and cares for over 16,000 stray and abandoned dogs each year through its network of 18 Rehoming Centres nationwide.

June 2013 17

18 June 2013

education

ALL SAINTS TAKE FIRST PLACE

Rebecca with fellow Y10 textiles student Joanna Sichivula modelling her bag

Royal Heart Design are a group of Year 9 pupils from All Saints Catholic Centre for Learning, Kirkby, who have set themselves up as a Business and are part of the Young Enterprise Programme in 2013.

The Merseyside final took place on 2 May at Liverpool John Moores University at the Entrepreneur Centre. Fifteen teams from 15 schools participated ranging from Year 9 (All Saints) students to Year 13.

Royal Heart Design (RHD) brought home the top prize for Best Presentation as well as The Merseyside Young Enterprise Overall Best Company for 2013.

RHD will be challenging for the title of North West Overall Best Company 2013 at Manchester Airport on 17th June 2013. In the 50 year history of Young Enterprise, this is the first time that a Knowsley School has gone through to the North West final.

Di Bainbridge from All Saints said: “The young business team are thrilled to be in the YE North West final. The team said that winning the Deutsche Bank North West Award was great, and representing the North West in London at the Deutsche Bank final gave them the experience and confidence that they needed to break through this 50 year milestone”.

Fashion leaders at St John Bosco Arts College St John Bosco Student Rebecca Lambert in Year 10 made a fabulous mock leather tasselled bag for her GCSE Textiles course. She made such a fantastic bag she entered the 'Get creative with Abakhan' competition run by the fabric superstore in Liverpool. Rebecca won the 12-14 year age group and received £50 of high street vouchers and a great accolade from this very prominent local store! Rebecca was delighted and hopes to make more exciting fashion items in the future maybe even be the next big name at Fashion week!

June 2013 19

KNOWSLEY PUPILS LEARN ABOUT LIFE IN POLITICS Pupils from Northwood Primary School in Kirkby visited Knowsley Council to gain hands on experience and learn about democracy.

Pupils learned about the voting process and the importance of residents getting a say in how services in their area are run.

After learning about democracy the pupils had the chance to participate in a live debate in the council chamber about how decisions are made.

Pupils also learnt about how the Mayor is elected and what Mayoral duties consist of.

The visit was arranged as part of the schools curriculum about local and national government.

In addition, pupils will be visiting the Houses of Parliament this month to give them an insight of what life is like in national government, and how the decisions made in Parliament effect local people.

Jan Smith, Headteacher at Northwood Primary School, said: “The visit to Knowsley Council gave pupils an insight into life in local politics. It was an excellent opportunity for the pupils to see how decisions are made and to participate in a debate. The pupils enjoyed the day and are now looking forward to the trip to Parliament.”.

Ofsted 2013 report commends Knowsley Community College Knowsley Community College is celebrating after receiving its latest Ofsted inspection report and becoming one of the most rapidly improving colleges in the UK. As a result of the assessment, Knowsley Community College has now been awarded Grade 2 for ‘overall effectiveness’ and commended in all subject areas inspected.

The result represents an extraordinary turnaround in performance for the College following an inadequate Ofsted report rating just 14 months ago.

Steve Logan, Principal of Knowsley Community College who was appointed shortly before the previous low-rated inspection in 2012, said: “The findings of the latest Ofsted inspection are almost unprecedented both for Knowsley Community College and moreover within Ofsted monitoring reports.

“We’ve worked incredibly hard as a dedicated team and are very pleased with our progress. Our students have shown a great

“Almost unprecedented turnaround in performance” attitude and a strong commitment too and have achieved equally high levels of success.”

He continued: “I think the results are all the more impressive since the introduction of more rigorous, ‘no notice’ Ofsted inspections.

“That said, our aim now is to continue our rapid rate of improvement and fulfil our objectives as set out since the previous Ofsted report in February 2012.

“That is to become a consistently performing, outstanding college. In this regard, the key elements are to continually improve our teaching, learning and assessment.”

Teaching, Learning and Assessment outcomes for Learners, Leadership and Management were all graded

Steve Logan, Principal of Knowsley Community College ‘Good’ with the report praising college leaders and governors for taking swift and successful actions to remedy weaknesses reported at the last inspection and raising the expectations and aspirations of both staff and students.

All curriculum areas were inspected with engineering, sport, public services, English, mathematics, business,

administration and law all given grade 2 (Good) rankings. All areas were also praised for the high quality of teaching and learning and support provided for students.

Mr Logan concluded: “Overall, the details and findings of the Ofsted report reflect the strong emphasis we have placed on setting high standards for all and promoting a ‘no excuses’ culture at Knowsley Community College.

“In addition, we have already received further glowing feedback from employers in light of the report’s findings. The expectations of employers are reflected in our approach to learning in line with our brand ethos, ‘Careers not Courses’.

Sheena Ramsey, Chief Executive of Knowsley Council who work closely with the College said: “This is great news for Knowsley Community College. I hope they can continue to build on this success to provide excellent education to students in the borough in the coming years.”

20 June 2013

lifestyle

Don’t forget Dad this Father’s Day With Father’s Day just around the corner sons and daughters across the region are struggling with that annual dilemma – what do we buy for Dad? Well worry not, with the sun shining what better present than a summer T-shirt that will remind on those sunny days what he means to you!

3

1. ASDA Family Guy Dad T-shirt £7

4

1 2

2. Tesco Ringspun printed T-shirt £19 3. Burton white tropical USA flag printed T-shirt £16 4. John Lewis Canterbury Redcliff T-shirt £25.00 5. Topman blue pattern rollup T-shirt £18 6. H&M striped jersey Tshirt £9.99

6 7. Gap London flag T-shirt £18.95

7

5

8

8. New Look dark grey boom T-shirt £9.99

in the kitchen

Rosemary chicken with oven-roasted ratatouille Adult fitness clasess in Huyton Monday: 10-11am Nifty 50’s - a low impact keep fit class for anyone aged 50+ 11.15-12.15 Yoga - an open yoga class for all ages and abilities Wednesday: 10-11am Line Dancing - a fun, friendly class open to everyone Thursday: 6-7pm Yoga - an open yoga class for all ages and abilities Everyone welcome - just come along in comfortable clothing

Huyton Gateway 115 Rupert Road 0151 489 4616 Rebound is a social enterprise, not for profit organization

er £3 p s cla s

Ingredients 1 aubergine, cut into chunky pieces 2 courgettes, sliced into half-moons 3 mixed peppers, deseeded and roughly chopped 2 tsp finely chopped rosemary, plus 4 small sprigs 2 large garlic cloves, crushed 3 tbsp olive oil 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts 250g cherry or baby plum tomatoes, halved

Serves 4 Preparation and cooking times Prep 15 mins Cook 40 mins Method Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. In a large roasting tin, toss together the aubergine, courgettes and peppers with half the chopped rosemary, half the garlic, 2 tbsp oil and some seasoning. Spread out the vegetables in an even layer, then roast in the oven for 20 mins.

Meanwhile, mix remaining rosemary, garlic and oil together. Slash each of the chicken

breasts 4-5 times with a sharp knife, brush over the flavoured oil, season and chill for 15 mins.

After veg have cooked for 20 mins, stir in the tomatoes. Make spaces in the roasting tin and nestle the chicken breasts amongst the vegetables.

Place a rosemary sprig on top of each chicken breast. Return the tin to the oven for 18-20 mins, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are lightly caramelised. Serve with some new potatoes, if you like.

Herbs If you don't have fresh rosemary, use fresh thyme or a couple of pinches of dried

rosemary. Dried herbs have a more intense flavour, so use less.

Per serving 288 kcalories, protein 37g, carbohydrate 11g, fat 11g, saturated fat 2g, fibre 5g, sugar 10g, salt 0.25 g

June 2013 21

Monday Huyton The Old School House, St John’s Road 6.30pm Kathryn 07865 014437

Huyton St Aidan’s Club, Longview Lane, Huyton 9.30am & 11.30am Michelle 07940 181515

Dovecot Dovecot Labour Club Finch Lane Entrance 6.00pm Jean 290 0034

Huyton St Aidans Club Longveiw Lane 5.30pm & 7.30pm Michelle 07940 181515

Wednesday Dovecot St Margaret Mary’s Social Club (Behind Church) Pilch Lane 4.00pm & 6.00pm Julie 449 1074

Friday Dovecot St Margaret Mary’s Social Club (Behind Church), Pilch Lane 9.30am Julie 449 1074

Huyton The Royal British Legion Archway Road 5.30pm Ro 07709 956191

Saturday Huyton The Huycap Centre, Rupert Road 8.00am & 10.00am Joanne 254 1298

Thursday Whiston George Howard Centre, Lickers Lane, 5.00pm & 6.30pm Kathryn 07865 014437

West Derby The Crown Inn Leyfield Road, West Derby 8.30am & 10.30am Marji 548 0018

Stockbridge Village Craigs Community Centre, Little Moss Hey 6.00pm Ro 07709 956191

Prescot Parish Church Meeting Rooms (next to Deans House), Vicarage Place 9.00am Lynn 480 1665

Tuesday West Derby The Crown Inn, Leyfield Road 9.00am, 11.00am, 5.00pm & 7.00pm Marji 548 0018 Kirkby Centre 63 Old Hall Lane, Next To St Chads 9.30am & 11.00am Eileen 548 0658 Speke The Metal Boxonions Sports And Social Club, Speke Boulevard 5.00pm & 6.30pm Clare 07950 631858 Prescot St James Church Hall St Helens Road (Near The Wellington Pub) 9.30am, 11.30am 4.30pm & 6.30pm Lynn 480 1665

Huyton The Royal British Legion Archway Road 6.00pm Joanne 254 1298

22 June 2013

This Month with Jess Corcoran

My guide to making sure your never caught out B

eing a night owl has its ups and downs. See, an obvious weakness to burning the midnight oil is having to drag myself out of bed at 7AM each weekday morning, without any disregard for how long I spent browsing the internet night before, but a plus is just how much I can get done in the dawn hours of the day.

the subject of this months column feature! Though in a much more frivolous way then a huge business report or an all important essay. I'm talking last minute outfits!

Yep, you guessed it, this column is coming to you from 1:06AM. That is simply because its when I'm most productive, and not because I'm cutting my deadline very fine indeed.

So here is my guide to making sure your never caught out on looking and feeling great.

However, looming deadlines are

Be it an unexpected night out, trip to the cinema, or a sudden change of plans; we all need a few suitable, fail safe outfits hanging in the wardrobe.

Statement jacket: This is crucial for adding a little more to an outfit and it can take a simple jeans and T shirt to a whole new

level. Look for a style that flatters your body shape, but also in a fabric or pattern that doesn't date like monochrome as there is little point investing in a item you can't rework in some way.

You can also customise a jacket you own with what you may already have. Add brooches or buttons for a fraction of the cost!

Then you can simply throw it on to dress an outfit up.

A midi dress: Right now I am totally in love with midi dresses!

They are the perfect summer length for bare legs yet they enable you to not make a fool of yourself when the rain comes down a few minutes after leaving the house.

classic must have item.

Show stopping heels: I am a firm believer that a pair of shoes can change your life, I mean, ask Cinderella! But seriously, here on this page is a justification for you to go splurge on the shoes you really really want. If you love them and they fit correctly (and you can reasonably walk in them!) what are you waiting for?

The cost per wear will eventually justify the eye wincing price tag.

And I don't know about you, but shoes just make me happy. They can be great for making you feel confident and quite literally on top of the world.

Every woman's shape looks better with a little bit more height as then we are all a little bit more in proportion and evened out! So buy away and reach for them every time you feel you need a boost. *Shoes also look pretty on bookcases as ornaments* My ultimate tip: Red lipstick. It's timeless, and adds a pop of colour which brightens up both your face and outfit. Sure that crimson lip bullet can feel scary to beginners but I've never looked back. Red lipstick makes me feel confident, powerful, and like I can change the world. So why not try it for yourself?

They are also great for the day to night look by changing a few simple accessories, like adding a statement belt and changing from flats to heels. Owning a few in simple colour tones means they are the first thing to grab when nothing else is going right.

A white shirt with a difference: Most people own quite a large collection of white shirts as they are no fuss items, but I'd say step away from your usual M&S or George at Asda collection and seek out something a little different. Be it a pussy bow, fancy pockets or something sheer.

A huge number of variations are available and stepping away from standard helps you stay smart but also add a twist on the

Health & Fitness - with Emma Armstrong of Zest Wellness

Love to eat I

have spoken many times before about choosing exercise that you enjoy, not forcing yourself to do something just because you think it is good. It will not work in the long term, and if it does you are wasting valuable time doing something you don’t like.

The same goes for food. I do not understand why people go on ‘diets’ which involve foods they hate and spending the whole time feeling miserable and hungry. It is crazy. We should eat food which we enjoy!

Not that I am saying you should eat whatever you fancy whenever you fancy it, but

there are thousands of options out there which are super tasty and not detrimental to our waist line! Don’t waste your time hating every mouthful.

Lose weight does not mean eating nothing but lettuce! It is important to broaden our horizons once in a while and try something new, or ever try something we think we do not like. It is amazing how many foods we ‘don’t like’ when in fact, we decided this years ago without really, or sometimes, never trying them. I am the worst for this! I am a fussy eater!

However, over the past few years I have

tried new things and discovered that most of the foods I thought I didn’t like, I actually do.

It has given me so much more freedom when cooking or eating out.

Similarly, there are many people who choose not to eat well because they ‘can’t cook’. Everyone can cook! It is very easy to get a book or go online to find healthy recipes which guide you step by step so there is little room for errors! As well as lots that require virtually no effort.

When you are preparing a healthy meal presentation skills are not essential. As long as it tastes good you should be happy!

A diet is like everything else in life that is worth having. You must work hard to achieve it, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy yourself along the way!

If you have any questions or need any hep or information you can contact me at: emma@zestwellness.co.uk

June 2013 23

24 June 2013

business

FLETCHROSE SHINE BRIGHT WITH GLOW-WORM

the Secretary of State, Owen Paterson with Lord Derby

SECRETARY OF STATE OFFICIALLY OPENS KNOWSLEY BUSINESS VILLAGE Pictured left to right: Dave Brabin operation manager at Fletchrose Heat team; Ian Harvey, Glow Worm and Dave Hutchinson, Fletchrose managing director with their new advertising campaign fixed onto one of the company vehicles.

Leading contractor, Fletchrose, has joined forces with national heating giants, Glow-worm.

Under a partnership agreement, Fletchrose will supply and fit Glow-worm boilers for the domestic market through the Fletchrose Heat Team, as well as large-scale social housing contracts as part of the contracting team works.

Through demand from both Fletchrose divisions, Glow-worm will supply around 1000 boilers a year to the Liverpool firm.

Paul Durose, chief executive at Fletchrose said: “Since launching the Heat Team some six months ago, we’ve had an amazing response from domestic customers. We initially tested the water with the Heat Team concept but demand surpassed our expectations. We want to now be able to offer customers a quality product, purchased through a payment plan to suit and with peace of mind, guaranteed by extensive warranties.

“Glow-worm is the only manufacturer who could provide us with a 10 years guarantee for their boilers which speaks volumes of their confidence in their product. This not only gives our own customer’s confidence in our service and product, but ensures we have the confidence we need. Glow-worm is a long established UK firm who provide quality boilers and an excellent service.

I’m pleased to be able to demonstrate our commitment to Glow-worm by entering a formal partnership with them.”

Pippa Wibberley, commercial director of Glow-worm added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Fletchrose. Their customers can be reassured that they are getting a quality heating system, backed up by excellent customer service and all covered under our 10 year warranty. We are proud to support the Heat Team’s continued success and look forward to working with them for years to come.”

Knowsley Estate’s commercial development, Stanley Grange Business Village, was officially opened by Owen Paterson, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The 55,000 sq. ft. Business Village provides 22 office units, housed in sympathetically converted Victorian brick-built farm buildings and has already attracted a host of companies including design agency O’Connell & Squelch Ltd., Cybertill and Chill Out Spa. Stanley Grange Business Village is the brainchild of Edward Stanley, 19th Earl of Derby, who is passionate about supporting business growth in the Knowsley area. He comments: “The official opening marks the culmination of 12 years planning and development. The launch has been the chance to show off something that we think is very special.

“The Business Village combines modern and functional commercial space with breathtaking surroundings – cobbled courtyards and a woodland walk - to create an impressive and inspiring working environment. With

excellent transport links and flexible leases, we hope that the Stanley Grange Business Village will play a key role in supporting business growth in the area. ” Paterson has overall responsibility for the Defra and a grant from the organisation has enabled high quality, high-speed broadband provision at the site. He comments: “Knowsley Estate has converted redundant agricultural buildings into a modern unit, working with skilled local craftsman to ensure it is completely intune with the surrounding area.

“Superfast broadband - the single biggest driver to the prosperity of the countryside - has made the creation of a business park in the heart of the Knowsley Estate a reality and, as the development continues, will go onto attract more businesses and create even more jobs locally.

“This development is an outstanding example of how a local business, working with an enlightened planning authority, can secure long-term sustainability and one other areas should aspire to.”

£32 million awarded to local businesses to boost jobs and skills A new £32 million venture will award grants to businesses in Merseyside, as well as helping 6,000 local people into work and creating as many as 4,000 apprenticeships.

A partnership between some of the City region’s most prominent business leaders and politicians has successfully negotiated the groundbreaking investment from Government to create the UK’s first Skills for Growth Bank for businesses.

This Skills for Growth Bank will give businesses full control to invest in the skills their workplaces need to grow.

Over the coming months, businesses will be able to apply to the Bank for grant funding, which will be used alongside their own training budgets to help them recruit staff, train them and boost their

productivity.

The funding announcement includes the largest award of Employer Ownership for Skills funding made by the Government.

The initiative has been praised by business leaders and politicians, which will help business to grow and local people access employment.

The bid was initiated by Wirral-based business leader Asif Hamid (The Contact Company) and the Local Enterprise Partnership’s Employment and Skills Board (Chaired by Jaguar Land Rover’s Richard Else).

The idea of creating a business-led Skills Bank has generated interest from businesses of all sizes from across some of the region’s key growth industries.

Asif Hamid explained the reason for

creating The Bank. “As Vice-Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership, I meet employers all the time who say that one of the big things holding back their growth potential is being able to get the right set of skills into their businesses.

“So we have created the Skills for Growth Bank so that they can take charge of public skills funding and ensure that young people leaving school, people looking for work and those already in their business can have world-class skills training that helps their business grow.”

Richard Else, Chair of the Employment and Skills Board and Operations Director for Jaguar Land Rover explained why this investment is so key to the city region.

“Last year we started work on a deal for jobs and skills with Government. The Skills

for Growth Bank was our centrepiece and we have worked hard to convince Government that they should invest in this project.

“As a city region we have for many years had something of a skills gap. This holds back business growth and contributes to high-levels of unemployment.

“Previous initiatives have focused on delivering qualifications in the hope of this contributing to jobs and growth.

“By getting our businesses to step up to the plate in this manner we are going much further and investing more directly in the skills we need to grow.”

Businesses as well as those wishing to supply training services through the Skills for Growth Bank can register their interest online at www.skillsforgrowthbank.org.uk

June 2013 25

26 June 2013

property

KHT affordable homes is one of the best projects in the UK

Matt and Jeanette Smith outside their home with (l to r): Simon Holmes from Acrobat Carbon Services, Cllr Dave Lonergan, Knowsley Council deputy chief executive Mike Harden and Barrie Stanley

HOMES BENEFIT FROM ENERGY EFFICIENCY SCHEME Two thousand homes have now benefited from a £15.5m scheme to improve the energy efficiency of properties in Kirkby.

The Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) is a partnership between Knowsley Council and Wetherby Building Systems.

It allows private homeowners to have external wall insulation, loft insulation or a replacement boiler fitted in their home, subject to certain criteria.

The work is carried out free of charge to the homeowner and is funded by the energy companies.

The total value of the work carried out in Kirkby is more than £15.5m and it is estimated that the improvements will save 340,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over the next 30 years.

The home owners could reduce their energy bills by up to £375 each year by installing external wall insulation, £80 by having a condensing boiler fitted and around £20 each year by installing loft insulation.

The 2,000th property to be improved is Matt and Jeanette Smith’s home on Brook Hey Drive in Kirkby.

The couple live in the semi-detached house with their four sons.

The Smith’s property has had a new boiler fitted and external wall insulation installed, as they hope to reduce their quarterly energy bill of over £800.

Jeanette said: “I’m really glad we had the work done. It was done very quickly and the workers were very tidy while they were in the house.

“We can really feel the difference and hopefully our energy bills will now start to come down. We are made up and would definitely recommend it to other people.”

Knowsley Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, economy and skills, Cllr Dave Lonergan, said: “CESP is an excellent initiative which is bringing real benefits to residents and the environment. In Knowsley, we are keen to explore different methods of reducing the borough’s carbon emissions and working with Wetherby Building Systems on the CESP scheme was a really effective way of doing that.

“The scheme is really good news for residents as well because they are seeing significant savings on their energy bills at a time when household finances are being stretched.”

Wetherby Building Systems, market leaders in the design and supply of external wall insulation, acted as managing agents for the Kirkby project.

Barrie Stanley, project funding manager at Wetherby, comments: “This is a momentous occasion for everyone involved in the regeneration scheme and it is fantastic to see that 2,000 homes in Kirkby have already benefited from this programme in the past 12 months.

“Installing our external wall insulation will not only see 2,000 households save substantial money on their energy bills, but it has also improved the aesthetic appearance of the properties, creating an attractive living environment for the entire community.”

A development of 49 new homes that has revitalised an area of Knowsley is one of the top 50 affordable housing schemes in the country.

Tiverton Close in Huyton has been chosen from thousands of projects across the UK as a best example of a scheme that has regenerated an area and provided much needed affordable housing.

The £6.3m project of flats and houses was completed

by Knowsley Housing Trust, part of the First Ark group, in 2012, with partners Bramall Construction and John McCall Architects.

The Top 50 affordable Housing Developments 2013 list, compiled by Inside Housing magazine, highlights the work of the very best housing providers in the UK in securing funding and driving forward development.

Around a quarter of the homes completed in the UK last year were built by housing associations and councils and projects totaling more than 6,000 homes were entered to the judging panel for the Top 50 list.

Ian Thomson, Executive

Director of Asset Management at KHT, said: “Congratulations to everyone who was involved in the scheme. It is an honour to be listed among the most innovative and transformative projects in the country.

“Tiverton was one of our most ambitious projects with a vision to completely revitalise this area of Huyton.

Together with excellent design and construction, enhanced energy efficiency and security and close working with the local residents we have created sustainable homes and a dramatically improved environment that has truly changed lives.”

The list was compiled by Inside Housing magazine and a judging panel including Richard Hill, deputy chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency, Michelle Reid, chief executive of the Tenant Participation Advisory Service and Stuart Macdonald, editor of Inside Housing.

Judge Michelle Reid praised KHT’s “Outstanding resident involvement in the design and the redesign of the scheme, not just holding

meetings but taking residents to other similar schemes to inspire them.”

Rundown flats that previously stood on the land were demolished to make way for the Tiverton development.

The properties have enhanced security features and eco features including solar PV panels, thermal windows, thermostat boilers and Mechanical Heat Ventilation.

Residents have recorded a 100 per cent satisfaction level with their new homes, and levels of anti-social behaviour and fly tipping in the local area have significantly reduced.

The development is one of KHT’s biggest ever housing investments and has been supported by the Homes and Communities Agency and Knowsley Council.

It has also picked up the Regeneration prize at the prestigious Knowsley Business & Regeneration Awards and was shortlisted for the North West Regeneration award in the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Awards 2013.

SALES SUCCESS FOR REDROW WITH more than 30 sales already secured and buyers simply waiting for properties to be released onto the market, Redrow is celebrating the success of The Avenue at Summerhill Park, Thingwall Hall, Liverpool.

Properties at the popular development are selling fast thanks to a winning combination of the high specification and a range of incentives to help get people moving.

Julie Harper, area sales manager for Redrow Homes (Lancashire), explains: “The sales rate at The Avenue at Summerhill Park really is phenomenal and since the show home opened in January we’ve sold 22 homes. Quite simply we can’t build them quick enough as we also have several customers who are simply waiting for their

dream home to be put on the market so that they can commit to buy. By making an early bird reservation they will be given the first refusal on that property when it’s released for sale. It means they can take advantage of buying ‘off plan’ and secure the home of their choice in the position they want.

“There’s even the chance to buy with a 5% deposit and 95% mortgage thanks to NewBuy, which is great for those who can meet the monthly mortgage repayments but don’t have a large savings pot.”

Current availability at The Avenue at Summerhill Park includes a good choice of two, three and four-bedroom homes with prices from £134,995.

While NewBuy offers 95% mortgages, there are other incentives available such as

June 2013 27

Villages is in Bloom LANDLORD OFFERS STUDENTS AN INSIGHT INTO HOUSING

Four Social Work students have been introduced to social housing through a placement with Villages Housing.

Villages has been offering student placements in conjunction with a number of local universities over four years.

Students, Katie Phillips, Lisa Walker, Tony Cavanagh and Andrea Blundell joined the landlord in January as part of their placement requirement to work with project officers supporting customers in their tenancies.

Katie, in her first year studying Social Work Masters at LJMU said: “I was unsure about a placement in housing at first but my time here has been really varied. I have had the chance to meet a number of services users and get involved in work I hadn’t expected to. I think the experience has made me more open to different work options in the future.”

Tony said: “This placement has given me a real insight into the way people live. I was particularly interested in social isolation on the sheltered schemes and have successfully encouraged more males to get involved and interact with Help to Buy and Mastermove.

Help to Buy is the new Governmentbacked scheme that enables people with a 5% deposit to take out an equity loan for up to 20% of the price of a brand new home. Those who buy in this way should be able to access some of the better mortgage rates, usually reserved for people with substantial savings.

Alternatively, those with a property to sell could benefit from Redrow’s Mastermove service. Redrow will enlist the help of a tried and trusted local agent to sell the customer’s

each other. Isolation can affect our health and wellbeing so it is great to see a lot of them have formed relationships outside the group.”

Lisa is hoping to continue working for an adoption agency in the future, she said: “I have been able to work on my own cases under supervision and the various agency meetings have given me great experience – there are a lot of cross overs with my previous work.”

Lyn Kelly, supporting people manager at Villages Housing said: “Villages is gaining a reputation as an excellent learning placement for social work students. We enjoy having the students placed with us and it’s a great experience for us because we learn from them too.”

Karen Gregson-Smith, project officer said: “At Villages we think adequate housing is fundamental in people’s lives.

We have seen the benefits of social workers based here and we would encourage other councils and housing associations to do the same.

“It is great to work with the students, I also learn from them as they have up to date theory and legislation knowledge.”

Residents in Stockbridge Village are preparing for the “It’s Your Neighbourhood” a Britain in Bloom Campaign.

Local tenants and community groups have submitted close to 20 individual entries as well as the whole estate being entered into the Urban Community category.

The RHS Neighbourhood Awards ‘it’s Your Neighbourhood’ is part of North West in Bloom, welcoming groups taking the first steps towards community regeneration.

While entries are not judged against each other, they are visited by environmental and horticultural ‘in Bloom’ experts during July and August, who provide valuable feedback and helpful advice on how to develop current activities and encourage on-going improvements.

Barbara Murray, community development officer at Villages said: “We have had a huge response to the initiative this year – it is fantastic to see so many entries from the community. We are looking forward to welcoming the judges to Stockbridge and hearing their feedback.”

It’s Your Neighbourhood has five levels of achievement which allows a genuine starting point for groups completely new to community gardening and more opportunities for progression.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in October.

Looking for Rented Accommodation?

For under £100 per week*, (including heating), you could rent a spacious 2 bedroom apartment in Stockbridge Village.

Benefits include • Newly refurbished kitchen and bathroom • Parking facilities • Caretaking service • Excellent motorway links • Balcony - some with magnificent views • No deposit required • Access to brand new leisure facilities including library, gym and swimming pool Contact us if you are working, 2 individuals looking to share or a single adult/couple with child over 16 and we will do our best to help you. Please quote REF 01. home and even pay the agent’s fees at the end of the day.

For more information about the homes and the help available call 0151 345 3140 or see www.redrow.co.uk/summerhill.

Phone – 0151 480 1313 and ask for the Customer Services Team E-mail – info@villages.org.uk Website – www.villages.org.uk/available_properties. * based on 52 wk/year

28 June 2013

RECIPE COMPETITION HELPS HAUNTED MERSEYSIDE SAVE RESIDENTS MONEY WITH TOM SLEMEN

Zozzaby

A

t a certain house in Knowsley, the mother of two boys - Thomas and Aaron - telephoned me with a very strange and unsettling story about an unusual apparition which had been seen in her home.

One night in December 2002, Thomas, aged 13, and his younger 10-year-old brother Aaron, were sleeping soundly in their bedroom.

Thomas was on the top bunk, and Aaron was on the bottom one, and around 3 am, they were awakened by the sounds of someone laughing.

Thomas described the laughter as ‘echoing’. The boys sleepily glanced over to the source of the laughter, and got the shock of their lives.

A partly transparent figure was standing in the corner, near the door to the bedroom, and he wore a cone-shaped hat and a white ruffled collar with a maroon-coloured one-piece suit.

It looked like the ghost of a clown, and he was holding his belly with one hand, and pointing to the boys with he other hand as he rocked back and forth roaring with laughter.

His face looked very sinister and grotesque because it was not only plastered with too much make-up, the red painted nose was very long and crooked, and the eyes looked like the round black eye sockets of a skull.

Surrounding the ghost was a faint green glow that lit up the room.

The boys trembled as they looked at the weird spectre, and they suddenly became aware of a very sweet, sickly aroma which was drifting through the bedroom.

Young Aaron started crying and hid his face under the blankets, and Thomas shouted for his mother and father. No one came to his rescue.

The laughing clown made a beckoning gesture, and the boys decided to make a run for it. They risked running past the terrifying phantom to get to the door, and as they brushed past him he screamed out laughing even louder.

The boys barged into their parent’s room in a state of terror and told them about the supernatural intruder in their bedroom.

The father and mother went to investigate but found nothing amiss in the room.

However, they both detected the stifling sweet aroma that their children had mentioned. The scent gradually faded.

The boys were so affected by the experience, they refused to sleep in their bedroom for weeks.

At the end of January, a 4-year-old cousin of the boys named Adam stayed at the house. He

had not been told about the clown for obvious reasons. When he arrived at the house, Thomas and Aaron were staying at their grandmother’s house, and were not even aware that little Adam was staying at their parent’s home.

One morning, Adam told his auntie - the mother of Thomas and Aaron - that he had been talking to a ‘funny man named Mr Zozzaby’.

Adam loved to draw, and he even sketched the man who had allegedly appeared in the bedroom - the same bedroom where Thomas and Aaron had had their terrifying encounter.

Adam drew a clown with a big nose. The mystery then deepened, because a man who

had lived at the house in the 1950s related a story that reads like a carbon copy of the story told by Thomas and Aaron.

He had been sleeping in the bedroom, and his bed was next to his brothers. Both of them had been awakened in the dead of night by a strange echoing laughter, and both brothers had seen a grotesque looking clown in the corner who tried to prevent them from leaving the room.

I looked through the old electoral registers and scanned many old documents in an attempt to throw some light on the mystery, and discovered that in the early 1900s at the very house where the laughing clown puts in a supernatural appearance, there lived a Czechoslovakian circus entertainer named Freddy Zozzaby.

The name Zozzaby is derived from the Czech word ‘zozabe’ - meaning big nose. Fred Zozzaby's trademark as a clown was his naturally overlarge nose.

What did the sweet sickly aroma that invaded the bedroom signify? The person who saw the clown in the 1950s later visited an undertakers when his father died.

His father was embalmed and put in an open coffin, and the body smelled exactly the same as that sickly aroma he had smelt a few years before. It was embalming fluid.

At the time of writing, it would seem that Zozzaby is active once again...sleep well tonight...

• The paperback and Kindle editions of Haunted Liverpool 22 are available now from Amazon now.

Knowsley schoolchildren can put their cooking skills to the test by entering a competition aimed at cutting food waste – and saving money.

Secondary school pupils in the borough will be encouraged to enter the ‘Make 28 Taste Great’ recipe competition, which looks for smart ways to use leftovers and commonly found ingredients to create healthy meals.

Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) has launched the competition to highlight the fact that 28% of waste in Merseyside and Halton is food waste and as much as £50 a month can be saved by using leftovers and by smarter, local shopping.

Entries are encouraged in two age groups 11-17 and 18 plus. Knowsley

Council officers are spreading the word to the borough’s Centres for Learning to encourage pupils to get involved with the competition.

The budding cooks can enter three categories, creating a recipe for a starter, main course and pudding or drink.

Shortlisted dishes will be judged by Widnes-born celebrity chef Brian Mellor at a ‘cook-off’ in August.

The six winning dishes will be announced at the Liverpool Food and Drink Festival the following month, with the recipes appearing on six ‘signature’ recipe cards available from October.

Hopefuls can enter the competition online at www.make28tastegreat.co.uk or contact 443 2414 for further details.

The competition entry deadline is Tuesday 6th August.

GETTING SPORT ACTIVE A project run by a charity to help young people to get into sport and more physical activity has received more than £50,000 from the National Lottery.

The National Lottery funding for the Fire Support Network’s Multi Sport programme across Knowsley is from Sport England’s Community Sport Activation Fund.

Councillor Ken McGlashan and Lauren Mitchell, Multi The initiative is among Sport manager with Fire Support Network 32 projects to receive a area. share of £5.1 million of funding to “If anyone wants to help with the support grassroots sport activity across the country and build a lasting work of FSN they can sign up to the work programme and get involved in legacy from last year’s successful projects like this. Email us by Olympic and Paralympic Games. contacting The FSN multi sport project, which is expected to start this month will run hollysmith@merseyfire.gov.uk” The multi sport project is based on until 2015, and has received £52,640 FSN Cage Football which has from the National Lottery. operated across Merseyside for six The multi sports project provides years, attracting over 7,000 young free events including football, dodge people and has support over 200 ball and basket ball for young people young people to gain formal aged 14-years-old or older in qualifications in sport coaching.

Knowsley. Anyone interested can call The project is supported by 0151 296 4351.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Linda Mitchell, chief executive and Knowsley Council and three officer of FSN, said: “It is fantastic community groups near the sites news that our project – which really where the project will be staged. focuses on getting young people fit Jubilee Park café will also be open and active - has received this superb when the multi sport project is staged funding boost through the National in Jubilee Park in Huyton. Funds from Lottery and Sport England’s the café go towards the Page Moss Community Sport Activation Fund.

Friends and Family Group.

“We are looking forward to Councillor Ken McGlashan, expanding our engagement with young people. Our activity will include councillor for the Page Moss ward in Huyton, which includes Jubilee Park, a wide range of sports including said: “This funding is great news and dodge ball, basketball and football.

Young people will have an opportunity our thanks goes to Sport England and the National Lottery. to get a coaching qualification in a “This project will help to keep young range of sports, train to be a sport people fit and engage them in coach and be able to become a sports.” sports volunteer in their own local

June 2013 29

MINISTER LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN IN KNOWSLEY

School children learn about what they can do to help the plight of elephants from Secretary of State for Environment, Owen Paterson (far right), and Lord Derby, owner of Knowsley Safari Park.

A new drive to help save the elephant has been launched by the Government, at Knowsley Safari Park, in the wake of the highest levels of ivory poaching since records began.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) estimates that in 2011 at least 17,000 elephants have been killed illegally in Africa alone but the real figure may be much higher.

At the same time, a You Gov poll commissioned by Defra shows that more than a third of UK consumers are still unaware that parts of elephants (and other endangered species) are popular ingredients in traditional alternative medicines.

Ivory is often used to carve valued ornaments and is falsely believed to help cure some diseases. If this continues, elephants could become extinct within our lifetime.

Speaking at the launch at Knowsley Safari Park, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: “Today, we are here to highlight the plight of this iconic and majestic animal, to ensure it’s still here for our children, and for future generations.

“It’s totally unacceptable that elephants are being poached at such an alarming rate, fed by a high demand for traditional Asian medicine.

“We are calling on people never to buy ivory or products that contain it, as if we buy, elephants die.”

Eveline De Wolf, Head of Animal Management at Knowsley Safari comments: “Many people will never see a herd of elephants in the wild, which is why safari parks have such an important role to play in helping communities understand the impact of poaching on this keystone species.

“At Knowsley Safari, we have the power

to make a difference, and through conservation and education, we are working to make sure that our children’s children grow up in a world where an elephant is more than just a memory.”

As part of the campaign, a primary school poster competition has been developed in partnership with EcoSchools. Children from across the country have been invited to submit posters with the chance of winning a tour of Parliament.

‘If They’re Gone...’ focuses on the increasing threat to four endangered species; rhinos, elephants, orangutans and the tigers.

For more information visit the ‘If They’re Gone…’ Facebook page www.facebook.com/IfTheyreGone

Speak out against loan sharks The England Illegal Money Lending Team (EIMLT) are working in partnership with Trading Standards Authorities in the North West as part of a nationwide campaign to encourage men to speak out against loan sharks.

A series of events, initiatives and campaigns are being held across the country as part of Mens Health Week (10th-16th June) to directly target men, encouraging them to engage with the EIMLT and report the crime if they have been affected.

Events across the North West, funded with proceeds of crime money taken from convicted loan sharks include: • Knowsley Housing Trust sponsoring football kits bearing the 0300 555 2222 hotline number and a competition to involve men.

• Halewood Junior Football Team will be raising awareness in Merseyside

KSC rolls out outdoor learning project Pupils at Kirkby Sports College (KSC) are being taught bushcraft and woodland skills as part of an innovative outdoor education project.

The Forest Schools initiative is designed to take schoolchildren from an urban environment and teach them new skills and the value of responsibility and selfreliance.

It provides an opportunity to develop confidence, independence, team working and problem solving, through hands-on learning in an outdoors woodland environment.

Ged Shutt, director of learning, physical education, sport and dance at KSC, said: “The scheme has been so successful KSC is now planning to develop the woodland behind the college into a permanent “forest schools” learning space.

Mr Shutt pitched the idea to the school after reading about similar initiatives in Denmark and Sweden producing positive outdoor

• Ged Shutt from KSC learning experiences for children.

“I love the outdoors so when I heard about the Forest Schools initiative’s success abroad I investigated to see if there was a programme in the UK,” he said, “The school sent me on a course with Archimedes Training, which endorses the scheme over here, and when I qualified we began taking Year 7 pupils to Stadt Moers Park Country Park in Whiston.”

Each course, run by Mr Shutt and the Knowsley Green Space Rangers, lasts for one day a week, for up to

two months. Pupils are instructed on a range of woodland activities such as building natural shelters, campfire construction, traditional woodland tools, woodland conservation and environmental sustainability.

“I have had pupils from every year group referred to me since we began this scheme,” said Mr Shutt.

“We have helped a range of pupils from behavioural, confidence and concentration issues to rewarding good behaviour.

“We plan to carry out a major clear-up of the woodland behind the college,” said Mr Shutt.

“Once that is completed, the forest school will maintain and manage the area as part of the programme.

“Our intention is to continue to go off-site as well, to complement our established Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, so that pupils can add value to their CV and boost their employment prospects when they leave KSC.”

30 June 2013

Challenge Classified Advertising Telephone: 0151 709 7567 • Email: andy@merseymirror.com • PUBLIC NOTICE

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Reasonable out of pocket expenses for travel and subsistence be reimbursed in respect of duties and meetings covered by the relevant regulations.

Knowsley Town Council having regard to the Panelʼs report on allowances, noted the conclusions of the Panel and RESOLVED to pay members a Basic Membersʼ Allowance of £830 per year and a Chairmanʼs Allowance of £1,000 per year.

Copies of the Panelʼs report are available for inspection by arrangement at: Knowsley Town Council Office, Knowsley Village Hall, School Lane, Knowsley Village, Merseyside, L34 9EN. Contact: Paul Lawday – Clerk of the Council on 0151 548 4545

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June 2013 31

LOCAL SPORTS NEWS IN BRIEF

Sport If you have any sports news contact Daniel Mckeown on 0151 706 7411 or email: thechallenge@merseymirror.com

PRESCOT CABLES BEAT SKEM IN LCFA CUP

The now annual Knowsley South FC Summer Tournament is due to take place on Saturday 8 June at the Lord Derbies Memorial Playing Fields on Knowsley Lane, Knowsley.

Congratulations to Faye and Joe Clifton of Halewood Tae Kwon-Do club. Faye won silver in the black belt girls’ team sparring; while Joe won silver in the blue belt boys’ individual sparring and gold in blue/red belt boys’ team sparring at the TAGB Welsh Championships on Sunday 19 May. AFC Liverpool have announced four of their pre-season friendlies. The Reds, who share Valerie Park with Prescot Cables, will play Atherton Collieries on 16 July and Chadderton on the 20 July before making the trip to North Wales to face 2013 Welsh Cup winners Prestatyn Town on 27 July before playing Glantraeth on the 28.

Cables Under 18s with managers Kevin Jones (far right) and Kenny Hunt (centre)

Prescot Cables beat Skelmersdale United in a hugely entertaining encounter at the Liverpool County FA in the LCFA Under 18 Sunday Cup Final recently.

Several of the talented Prescot youth squad have already had a taste of first team football.

Prescot took the lead early on with a well taken goal from winger, Paul Foy, after a well aimed through ball from team captain, Jay Roberts.

Skelmersdale equalised just after half time with a looping effort from Darren Mea-Foley.

Skelmersdale had numerous opportunities to take the lead in the second half, however, they did not make the most of their opportunities in front of

goal and Prescot's goalkeeper, John Sharp, was in excellent form throughout.

Striker, Connor McCarthy, restored Prescot’s lead with a sublime individual effort with his left foot from outside the penalty area.

Jay Roberts effectively ended the contest with a fine low strike from the edge of the area after some good link-up play in the final third.

The match was played at a high tempo and in the right spirit with both sets of players a real credit to their watching families, clubs and Merseyside football.

For a number of years the Cables first team has benefited from players coming through from the youth side.

Sterling work from Kevin Jones and Kenny Hunt have ensured that talented

local youngsters have the opportunity to play football at an extremely high standard with a chance of progressing through the age ranges.

This is vital to the continued success of Cables and means that local players have an opportunity to showcase their talents at the top team in their Borough.

With a number of players progressing to the Evo Stik league and much further beyond it shows the worth of maintaining a football structure such as that at Prescot Cables.

Well done to everyone involved in this win - especially the players, but also to the management, families and supporters who all played their part in this success for the town of Prescot, they should be very proud of this team and their achievement.

Paralympic Potential launched to discover new talent Future Paralympic stars will have the chance to be fasttracked on the road to Rio 2016 thanks to an exciting new initiative launched recently.

A partnership between UK Sport, The English Institute of Sport (EIS) and the British Paralympic Association (BPA) has launched Paralympic Potential: Bring on Brazil - the first Paralympic talent identification initiative since London 2012.

Competition is intense in Paralympic sport and the search is now on for new talent to prove they have “got what it takes for

Rio”, to ensure continued success for ParalympicsGB after the team won a superb 120 medals at London 2012.

Karen Darke was among those medallists, winning silver in Handcycling at London 2012, having only starting to compete seriously in the sport three years earlier.

Karen said: “The Beijing Paralympic Games was truly inspirational for me and I was determined to give it my best shot to compete at London 2012.

“Looking back, the three year journey from my first races in handcycling to winning a silver

medal at a home Paralympic Games in London is one of the most incredible and intense things I have experienced in my life.

“Nothing can really compare with the elation of competing for your country at a Paralympic Games and I am living proof that with determination and sacrifice you can fulfil your dream. I would encourage anyone with a disability who is active and already involved in some form of sport to sign-up and you could be part of the ParalmypicsGB team in Rio.” Since 2007, the UK Talent Team have worked in partnership

with 20 Olympic and Paralympic sports and over 100 World Class coaches and run eight national athlete recruitment campaigns assessing more than 7,000 athletes.

These projects have been highly successful and resulted in more than 100 athletes being selected by sports for the World Class Performance Programme with a total of 102 international medals won.

Athletes wishing to prove they have “got what it takes for Rio” can sign-up for at www.paralympics.org.uk/potential with assessment days planned in June and July.

Knowsley Harriers will be hosting the following training sessions on a weekly basis.

Tuesday: 7-8pm Kirkby Sports College 7-8pm Halewood club house Thursday: 5:30-6:30pm Kirkby Sports College (junior sessions) 7-8pm Halewood club house on Okell Drive, Halewood L26 7XB. For further information email: contact@knowsleyharriers.com Liverpool Century Cycling Club will be holding track cycling sessions on Wednesday evenings at the veledrome based at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park in Huyton, there will be a starter group from 7 till 8pm for new riders. Experienced riders can ride above the blue and a session will run from 7-9pm, from 8pm you will be able to use the full track. The sessions will be run by Tommy Murphy and Mike Fugaccia.

There is a charge of £3 which will cover the hire of the facility. For further information contact Phil Mitchell on 0151 474 5187 or Ray Myers on 01925816613 Whitefield (Roby) Cricket Club, based at Court Hey Park, Roby Road, Bowring Park, are looking for new members. Club nights are Monday for youngsters and Thursday for adults. If you wish to join, there will always be someone at the club on Mondays and Thursdays between 6 and 7 during the season which runs through to mid September.

Normally there are games every Saturday starting between 1:15 and 2 so if you are interested, irrespective of standard contact: whitefieldcricketclub@yahoo.com

32 June 2013

Sport If you have any sports news contact Daniel Mckeown on 0151 706 7411 or email: thechallenge@merseymirror.com

MHS WIN THE TREBLE

289 9999 ONE2ONE WITH Adam Farrell Adam is a talented young boxer from Huyton who recently won the Senior ABA title and won his debut international bout in Sweden.

Q. How do you feel about your title win?

A. Really good. The plan was to break him down in the first round and that’s what happened really.

Q. What were your preparations like for Sweden?

A. Just more of the same really. We went to Sheffield and trained with the England coaches and a couple of the GB lads. What they advised was pretty much the same as my preparations for the ABAs so I just continued with what was working for me and I went over there and got the job done.

Mini Huyton Soccer JFC under-12s team pictured with their trophies

It has been an impressive season for Mini Huyton Soccer’s under-12s.

After dominating the Anfield summer league and also winning the league cup, the team set its sights on the Springfield Junior League.

They have had a season that any team would be proud of, winning the Springfield Junior League in their debut season and also lifting the Springfield Junior League Knockout Cup. The team also went on to win the A-Group Mini League which comprised of the top four teams from the Springfield League.

Manager Michael Corless is proud of this players: “I’ve had the same set of players here for years, constantly turning up to

training, they’re great, and they’re really enjoying their football at the moment” he said.

Corless has overseen the transformation of the club, who were threatened with the possibility of folding before he stepped in.

“I was just helping out at the start and they were going to fold, so I decided to take it over.

I’ve dedicated alot of my time and we’ve gone from having seven players, to having loads of teams across a range of ages in the course of a few years” he said.

The club was granted FA Chartered club status before the beginning of the 2012/13 season, illustrating the impact Michael has had at the club.

When asked whether the club can accomplish such a feat again next season, Corles simply replied: “Yes, we definitely can. I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but I really have a great set of lads here, with more to come” he added.

Huyton Mini Soccer are based at Huyton Cricket Club and are desperately looking to raise funds to improve their facilities.

Corless said: “I’d love for the lads to have geat facilities to play their games at, they deserve it.

We’re currently participating in a few fund raising events and would also welcome any sponsors.”

The club train on Seel Road, Huyton, every Wednesday evening at 6pm.

Funding cuts damage goalkeeper’s hopes of Rio Robert Avery believes that funding cuts to handball by UK Sport could cost him his dream of going to Rio in 2016.

The goalkeeper currently plays for Salford Handball Club and has represented England and Great Britain at under-21 level.

He said: “Since the cuts it’s back to square one. We wanted to create the legacy from the London Olympics but we haven’t really been given the

chance to do that.”

The 21-year-old from Prescot believes the cuts have left him with little hope of realising his dream of being able to call himself an Olympian.

“Without the funding, it is going to be tough. There will probably be better players than me by the time the next Olympics come around” he admitted.

UK Sport announced in December that it would be completely cutting all

funding to handball, along with basketball, wrestling and table tennis.

The “strategic” cuts were designed to focus on sports that have serious medal contentions for 2016 and that meant handball was a casualty.

But Avery isn’t letting it get him down, he still has hopes of making it in handball: “It’s a massive sport abroad, I wouldn’t mind going to another country to play professionally” he said.

Q. Do you feel more confident?

A. I have a lot more belief in myself now. I’ve got two tattoos on my wrists, one says “faith” the other says “victory” and it reminds me that you need to believe in yourself in order to win. I feel as though I deserve to be getting called up now as opposed to just aspiring to it.

Q. Are you good enough for GB? A. My style isn’t really suited to GB at the moment. But I feel like, having done what I’ve done, I deserve a chance to go down there and train with the coaches and try and impress them. That’s what I tried to do in Sweden, just box to instruction and show that I can box on the back foot and going forward as well.

Q. Who inspired you to box?

A. To be honest, I didn’t really watch boxing growing up. But I’ve watched a lot Sugar Ray Leonard’s fights and I can’t help but have respect for how he made people look foolish in the ring.

Q. How do injuries affect your style?

A. I broke my jaw in my second fight at 81 kilos when I literally just head butted a right hand. I went back to my corner and told them something was wrong but they put my mouth guard back in and told me to stop moaning! I went back out, concussed, but still managed to win. I also damaged my eye socket in Canada and those injuries have made me a better fighter, I take a lot more punches on the arms now as I’m naturally protecting myself from anything like that happening again.

Q. What’s next for you?

A. I’m not sure to be honest. I’m working as a teaching assistant at the moment at Hillside High School and they’ve been very supportive of me. I’m going to apply to a PGCE in September because I’m loving working with the kids. In terms of turning pro, I’d love to give it a go but haven’t heard anything as yet so I’m just making sure I have that sustainable future to fall back on because this is a cruel game.

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