The challenge may 2014

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YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Issue 324 May 2014

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INSIDE

COMMUNITY COLLEGE SET FOR MOVE TO FORMER CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL

BUDDING AUTHORS RECEIVE AWARDS Page 3

KNOWSLEY APPRENTICES CELEBRATE GRADUATION

COLLEGE SET TO RELOCATE

Page 4

DOMESTIC ABUSE CAMPAIGN HEATS UP IN KNOWSLEY Page 13

“We have a lot of work to do in a short period of time, but ultimately, this decision provides a very exciting and unique opportunity ” Steve Logan, Principal of Knowsley Community College

LEAFING THROUGH BOOKS IN THE PARK Page 15 Keep up to date with THE CHALLENGE on our new website

INFORMATION News: 0151 706 7411 Advertising: 0151 709 7567 Email: thechallenge@merseymirror.com Facebook: thechallenge@merseymirror.com Twitter: thechallenge6 Copy deadline: Friday 1 November 2013

Knowsley Community College, highly commended by OFSTED in recent reports, has just received approval for capital funding that will enable it to develop the former Christ the King Centre for Learning building on Stockbridge Lane as its new campus, after approval by the Skills Funding Agency.

A decision was taken in July 2013 to close the school at the site, and the building has been empty since the school closed.

In September 2013, the College started discussions with Knowsley Council about a possible relocation to the site.

Since then the College has conducted a feasibility review and consultation with staff, students, prospective students, parents and other local stakeholders.

The College plans to significantly adapt

the building to create world class technical and professional facilities for further and higher education, based around a series of ‘enterprise zones’, reflecting the knowledge and skills priorities of the Liverpool City Region.

“The approval of capital funding now means the proposed relocation to the new site in September 2015 can go ahead,” • Continued on page 2

2 May 2014

New cancer advocacy service for older people in Knowsley Local Charity Knowsley Pensioners Advocacy and Information Service (KPAIS) have launched a brand new Cancer, Older People and Advocacy (COPA) service to support residents over 50 living with cancer.

The COPA service will provide independent advocacy, one to one support and help and for anyone over 50 who is affected by cancer in Knowsley.

Cancer can bring bewildering changes to the lives of those diagnosed but can also have a major impact on family, carers and friends.

KPAIS will support residents who are over 50 in Knowsley affected by cancer to make informed choices and decisions about their treatment and care.

They can help residents find out whatever they need to know from information on cancer through to what practical help is available locally”.

If you are over 50, live in Knowsley and need cancer advocacy support or would like to talk to someone about it then contact COPA lead Valerie McGregor at KPAIS on 0151 449 3706 or email: val.mcgregor@kpais.co.uk

MUSICAL SUMMER BEACH PARTY! Take yourself on a musical trip around the sunniest spots of the globe when the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra hosts a Summer Beach Party at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park on Saturday, July 12 at 7.30pm.

Come wearing your brightest, sunniest clothes, and you’ll feel like you’re on your summer holidays, whatever the weather may be doing outside! Tickets are priced £12 or £10 for concessions and children. Call 0151 443 2200 to book, or book online at www.knowsley.gov.uk/tickets.

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COLLEGE SET TO RELOCATE • continued from page 1

said a delighted Steve Logan, principal of Knowsley Community College.

“We have a lot of work to do in a short period of time, but ultimately, this decision provides a very exciting and unique opportunity to reshape the college for the future and achieve our vision of becoming an outstanding college at the heart of a thriving community, that is first choice for learners and employers”.

Sheena Ramsey, chief executive of Knowsley Council, said: “We’re really pleased that Knowsley Community College can now proceed with the plans to relocate into the former Christ the King Centre for Learning building.

“Since the school closed last year, the council has been working hard on proposals to continue with educational provision on the site, and we know local residents have shared our passion to make this happen.

“Knowsley Community College’s commitment to the area is great news for local students who are

considering their further education options.

“Their relocation to Christ the King allows them to offer the kinds of courses that equip local young people with the skills they will need for the jobs of the future.”

As well as the educational provision on the site, both Knowsley Council and Knowsley Community College are committed to retaining the popular community use of the

facilities at Christ the King. These include the hiring of meeting rooms and sports pitches to local groups, and the opening of the gym facilities to local residents.

During preparatory building work which the Community College now plans to carry out, there may be some temporary disruption to this community use.

However, the council and the college will work with community groups to secure temporary sites elsewhere if needed.

KIDS CRAFT THEIR LOVE FOR MUM Children in Prescot showed their Mum just how much they love them for Mother’s Day with personalised gifts made at a kids crafty workshop held by Prescot Shopping Centre.

Over 30 children showed off their artistic skills, creating a variety of beautiful presents such as 3D cards, canvas panels and custom made key rings, as well as a selection of arts and crafts. The children spoilt their mums with a shower of over 100 hand crafted gifts.

Victoria Nichol, Prescot Shopping Centre, centre manager said: “The kids did a fantastic job with their gifts and I was thoroughly impressed with their work.

Needless to say there were a lot of very proud mums by the end of the day!”.

Nunsense Rainhill Musical Theatre Company are performing Nunsense, a musical comedy at Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court, Weaver Avenue, Rainhill L35 4LU From Thursday 5 to Saturday 7 June at 7.30pm. Tickets cost Adults £7.00 / Conc £6.00 on 0151-292-4458.

For further information you can email: sephtons@hotmail.co.uk

May 2014 3

BUDDING AUTHORS RECEIVE AWARDS The winners of the Knowsley Writing Competition 2013 were announced at a special celebration event in Kirkby Library on World Book Night.

There were over 300 entries across the competition’s three age categories.

The theme for adult entries was ‘The letter I wish I’d written’, whilst under 13s and under 8s were invited to submit an illustrated story or poem.

BBC Radio Merseyside's Roger Hill MC’d the event where the winner and runners-up in each category were presented with a book voucher and a trophy to keep. Each of the three winners also had their name engraved on a trophy which is on display in the library.

Peter Marchant, Head of the Library Service, said: “The competition is a fantastic opportunity for budding authors of all ages to try their hand at creative writing and we hope it helps people discover how enjoyable writing can be.

“There were over three hundred entries this year, making the task for the judges a really difficult one.

“The Writing Competition happens every year as part of a range of creative activities on offer across the borough’s five libraries. The 2014 competition will be launched in October and we’d like to hear from anyone who has a good idea for this year’s theme.”

As part of World Book Night, all those attending the celebration event received a book which they were encouraged to pass on or swap after they’d finished reading it.

Knowsley Writing Competition 2013: Winners and Runners Up Children aged 4-7 years Kiera McDonald Charlotte Mathews Mia Rae Gumbley

Illustrated story 1st Lizzy the Spider’s Adventure 2nd The first pyramid ever built 3rd Train Ride

Children aged 8-12 years Amy Tennant Anna Doran Lauren Spencer

Illustrated story 1st The Beasts 2nd My Brother Sam 3rd The Nightmare

Adult Competition Jill Marquis David Brown Rachael Kedge

The letter I wish I had written 1st 2nd 3rd

Winners of the Knowsley Writing Competition (Clockwise from top David Brown, adult runnerup; BBC Radio Merseyside's Roger Hill, who MC'd the event; Lauren Spencer, 8-12yrs runner up; Anna Doran, 8-12yrs runner up; Jill Marquis, adult winner; Amy Tennant 8-12 yrs winner; Kiera McDonald, 4-7yrs winner; Mia Rae Gumbley, 4-7yrs runner up; Charlotte Mathews, 47yrs runner up; Peter Marchant, Head of Library Service)

4 May 2014

KNOWSLEY APPRENTICES CELEBRATE AT UK’S LARGEST GRADUATION Over four hundred apprentices from Merseyside, including many from Knowsley, took part in the UK’s largest formal graduation at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral on April 29, which was also the first of its kind to take place in the North West region.

In a successful effort to provide level 3 and level 4 achievers the same recognition given to university students upon the completion of a degree, apprentices from the six Merseyside boroughs received certificates in the same prestigious venue used to graduate Liverpool University students.

With more qualified apprentices than any other region, Merseyside is the undisputed apprenticeship capital, and the variety of qualifications and learners were made evident as excited attendees flocked to one of the two ceremonies throughout the day.

From eighteen year-old college students, to seventy

year-old retirees, and from hairdressers to ice sculptors, the atmosphere was one of pride and triumph.

Laura Bell who studied business and administration at Knowsley Community College and works at Knowsley based ColorMatrix, said: “I think the Apprenticeship Graduation ceremony is a great way to celebrate the achievements of apprentices in the region. I enjoy working at ColorMatrix and I feel I have learnt a lot whilst working at the company along with completing my college course.”

Local site manager and Skills Olympics gold medallist Ashley Terron spoke at the ceremony, stating: “It’s fantastic that apprentices have been properly recognised this year, and that they have been able to formally celebrate achieving their qualification with family and friends.

“As a former bricklaying apprentice, I wish I could have experienced an Apprenticeship Graduation when I completed my qualification two years ago!”

Ashley was accompanied by fellow speaker, Jaguar Land Rover’s operations director and chair of the employment and skills board, Richard Else, who went on to discuss the value of apprentices in Jaguar Land Rover, who have an award winning apprenticeship programme.

Organised by The Liverpool City Region Apprenticeship Hub, made up of six leading local authorities, the Apprenticeship

Graduation (Liverpool City Region) aimed not only to commemorate apprentices, but to further spotlight the opportunities available, and the success to be had, for those individuals who aren’t enticed by the more traditional routes.

Siobhan Saunders, chair of Liverpool City Region Apprenticeship Hub, had the pleasure of handing graduates their scrolls. She said: “It was a superb day, thanks to the

incredible atmosphere and enthusiasm among the graduates and their families.

The ceremonies were hugely successful in showcasing the variety and value of apprenticeships and vocational learning, but more than that, they were fitting celebrations of hard work and dedication that might otherwise have been overlooked. I feel honoured to have had a front row seat to it all.”

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Calling all primary/infant schools and community groups!

The National Wildflower Centre are very excited to announce that they will be hosting our 6th Annual Scarecrow Festival Competition this year at the Centre.

Their theme this year is ‘Happy & Healthy Outdoors’, which has been inspired by their nature, health, and wellbeing project, Great Outdoors. This project helps to connect people with nature encouraging more activity in parks and greenspaces in Knowsley.

You can be inspired by the weather to depict your ideas; plants, bees, butterflies and outdoor activities – the sky’s the limit!

All entries will be displayed around the centre during our Scarecrow Festival weekend of the 5 and 6 July, when they will be offering free entry to the Centre all weekend. There’ll also be lots of hands-on activities for all the family to enjoy and take part in over the weekend, all under the theme of Happy and Healthy Outdoors.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to take part and

see your scarecrow displayed in the beauty of the National Wildflower Centre.

Entries must be with them at the centre by 4.30pm on Monday 30 June. Judging will take place on Wednesday 2 July and winners will be announced on Thursday 3 July.

If you’re a lucky winner you’ll be able to come and collect your trophy on Friday 4 July.

If you would like your school/group to join in this great opportunity to get creative or if you have any questions please email events@landlife.org.uk

May 2014 5

COUNCIL WINS LEGAL BATTLE OVER ELECTORAL PRIVACY Knowsley Council has succeeded in a legal battle to help protect the privacy of people on the electoral register.

Knowsley was one of a group of councils which has staved off a legal challenge from the company behind the directory website 192.com.

Electors are entitled to indicate that they do not want their details included in the published version of the electoral register.

Once an elector opts out in this way, a number of councils assume that the elector does not want their details published until they “opt back in”. 192.com Limited objected to that practice and wanted electors to be asked if they wanted to opt out each and every year.

Companies such as 192.com have a commercial interest in ensuring that as few people as possible opt out from the published register because they use the information from that register on their sites.

Towards the end of 2012, 192.com threatened the group of councils with legal proceedings if they did not sign an undertaking promising not to ‘pre-tick’ canvass forms.

This would have meant that people who had previously opted out would have to tick the box again each and every year in order to continue to have their choice respected.

When a number of councils refused to sign this undertaking, 192.com issued a judicial review claim on 24 January 2013.

The hearing was listed at the High Court

for March 2014 but 192.com withdrew their case and legal costs were awarded against them.

Councillor Andy Moorhead, Knowsley Council’s cabinet member for corporate and customer services, said: “Knowsley Council takes very seriously the privacy of people on the electoral register.

“Our view is that if people have previously expressed a desire not to be included on the published version of the register, then it is our duty to protect their right to make that choice.

“There was an important principle at stake here and working together a number of local authorities across the country have defended it. The outcome is a triumph for our residents.”

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DO IT IN PINK FOR NURSES! The biggest night-time fundraising event in Knowsley and St Helens is back and they want you to join them for the ‘best night of the year’.

The Moonlight Walk in aid of the Willowbrook Hospice, will take place on Saturday 5 July as they take to the streets for their annual 10km and 6km sponsored walk under the moonlight.

This year the Moonlight Walk will start at Queens Park Health and Fitness, Boundary Road, St Helens. Register online at www.themoonlightwalk.org.uk download the entry form from their website www.willowbrook.org.uk or call on 01744 453 798

Search is on for owner of elderly cat The RSPCA is searching for the owner of an elderly tabby and white cat that was found wandering the streets of Merseyside as a stray after they discovered he was more than 20years-old.

A member of the public called the RSPCA after they noticed the cat, they believed to be a stray, looking poorly outside their home in Prescot on April 27.

After the homeowner took him in for the night the cat was then transferred to RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for treatment the following morning.

Details from the cat’s microchip show that his owner lives, or once lived, in St Helens.

RSPCA animal collection officer Derek Hampson said: “We know from the microchip details the cat was from Cats Protection back in 1994 so he is at least 20-years-old.

“Unfortunately he is a bit poorly at the moment so he is being treated in one of our clinics but his issues all relate to old age.

“He is such an old chap we would love to be able to reunite him with his owner and to get him home where he belongs.

“We would urge anyone who recognises him or who knows where he may be from to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information about the cat should contact the RSPCA on the inspector line 0300 123 8018.

App also available on Android

6 May 2014

HUNDREDS ENJOYED A DAY OF ELIZABETHAN FUN IN PRESCOT

Hundreds of visitors enjoyed an array of entertainment when Prescot celebrated its historic heritage.

Pottery demonstrations and traditional crafts including basket making and wood turning proved popular, whilst many visitors really enjoyed the chance to take a turn at the pottery wheel. Meanwhile, musicians played pieces on the lute and harp.

The festival recreated the old May fayres which were held in Prescot during the era of the first Queen Elizabeth.

Although the entertainment had a distinctly Tudor feel there was something of interest for all ages at the free event.

Children made the most of the free face painting and young and old alike were wowed by the falconry demonstrations and Mersey Morris Men performances.

The half hourly Church Bell Tower tours were as popular as ever and exhibits from WWI which were on display at the ‘pop-up’ museum were a big attraction.

Youngsters have great fun as historic Prescot celebrates its Elizabethan heritage.

Star swopping X-Factor for Z-Factor

X-Factor star Christopher Maloney is swopping X-factor for Z-factor to support Woodlands Hospice.

Christopher is taking part in a zip line at Goodison Park on Sunday 18 May in aid of Woodlands Hospice and the James Bulger Memorial Trust.

Neil Beadman, events manager at the hospice said: “We are pleased to promote the involvement of Christopher in our zip line. Chris’s involvement came about through a member of our Aintree Support Group mentioning the event to Chris on twitter and being a son of Liverpool he loved the idea.

“He did however express that he would want to complete the challenge for his chosen charity the James Bulger Trust alongside ourselves and of course we were more than happy to do so”.

Chris has set up a fundraising page on virgin money giving to secure sponsorship.

Hopefully all the Liverpool voters who helped secure his place into the final of X-Factor will show their support to Chris along with two very worthwhile local charities.

To access Chris’s page google virgin money giving, click onto the site and choose make a donation and type in Chris Maloney in the friends slot and it will take you right to his page. All the money raised will be gift aided and split by virgin and sent directly to the two the charities.

TAXI FIRM GUILTY OF RUNNING CABS AS BUS SERVICE A private hire operator from Knowsley has been prosecuted for using vehicles which were not legally licensed.

William Sweeney, trading as Acorn Cars, was found guilty of three offences of operating private hire vehicles in Knowsley which were not licensed by Knowsley Council.

Licensing officers in Knowsley carried out a number of operations after concerns were raised that Acorn Cars were using vehicles illegally.

Officers booked private hire vehicles, either by telephone or in person at Acorn Cars’ business premises, and on all three occasions, the vehicle which completed the booking was licensed outside of the borough.

By operating in this manner, Mr Sweeney – who operated from Park Brow Drive and St Chad’s Parade in Kirkby committed offences contrary to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

Mr Sweeney claimed that the journeys were not private hire bookings, but part of a flexibus service, for which he was

licensed by the Traffic Commissioner.

However, the District Judge stated that Acorn Cars had done nothing to identify the bookings as a bus service and was using the guise of a bus service to operate a taxi service.

At Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates’ Court, Mr Sweeney was fined £500 for each of the three offences and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £8,120.

A spokesperson for Knowsley Council said: “Knowsley Council will always take action where we find that businesses are operating outside the terms of their licence and the law.

“In this case, it was clear that Acorn Cars was deliberately undermining private hire legislation.

“As well as being illegal, this was having a detrimental impact on other legitimate private hire and taxi operators in the area.

“We will not stand back and allow any business to gain an unfair advantage over its competitors, particularly those who obtain the correct licenses from Knowsley Council and conduct their business in a responsible and lawful manner.”

May 2014 7

TEENAGER CALLS FOR END TO “SHINY AND FUN” TOBACCO PACKS

Left: Caroline Vanden Bos from Knowsley and Georgia Reilly from Liverpool

A teenager from Knowsley is speaking out in support of standardised tobacco packs and wants the Government to introduce legislation after attending an event on the power of cigarette packaging.

The event was organised by Tobacco Free Futures, a social enterprise that works with Merseyside local authorities to tackle tobacco in the region.

The event explored how tobacco companies use glitzy and sophisticated packaging to entice young people into a life time of addiction.

Olivia Vanden Bos, 17, who lives in Prescot and attends Youth Action in Merseyside said: “I tried smoking once and chose the packet because it was shiny and fun. If standardised packaging was introduced you would only be able to see the bad side effects like a photo of rotting teeth, it would catch your eye for the bad things.

“Young people are attracted to things that are colourful and catch your eye so standardised packaging would definitely make a difference.

“The day was really good; I learnt lots about smoking and I never knew there was a campaign to change tobacco packaging.”

The event follows the outcome of the Chantler review on standardised packaging, released earlier this month.

The report concluded that standardised packaging would “contribute to a modest but important reduction in smoking prevalence especially in children and young adults”.

Across the North West 64% of the public are now in favour of standardised tobacco packaging according to a recent YouGov survey, with only 11% apposing.

Matthew Ashton, director of public health for Knowsley Council, and tobacco lead for Cheshire and Merseyside said:

“It’s great to see young people in Knowsley taking an interest in tobacco industry tactics and making a stand against marketing through cigarette packaging.

“Investing in educating young people now is important to prevent them entering into an addiction before they know what addiction is. Events this are an effective way of engaging and inspiring young people to learn more and get involved.

“I hope they will now go on and pass on learning to their families and friends, inspiring change across their communities.”

“Unfortunately we see 18,000 young people take up smoking every year in the North West” Andrea Crossfield, chief executive of Tobacco Free Futures, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to bring together young people today to find out more about the tobacco industry and why standardised packaging is needed.

“Glitzy, colourful and glamorous cigarette packaging helps to attract the next generation of tobacco industry customers to replace the one in two smokers who die from their addiction.

“Unfortunately we see 18,000 young people take up smoking every year in the North West and this is something that needs to be prevented.

“We know that support for standardised packaging in Knowsley is strong, with over 1,080 people urging the government to remove branding and protect children during a public consultation in 2012. I hope that the Government will listen and implement legislation to prevent children being targeted in the future.”

8 May 2014

KNOWSLEY YOUTH MUTUAL – OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

FESTIVAL WELCOMES BRITAIN’S TOP BRASS One of the UK’s top-ranking brass bands is preparing for a visit to Prescot, to help celebrate ten years of the town’s annual arts and music festival.

Foden’s Band, which ranks number four in the country, will appear in the historic Lancashire town’s 17th-century Parish Church on Saturday 28 June.

The programme features tunes from the hit 1996 film Brassed Off, whose soundtrack included such standards as Jerusalem, Colonel Bogey’s March and William Tell Overture. Audiences will also enjoy a gala buffet, included in the £10 ticket price.

“We’ve long wanted to commemorate our first decade with a visit from a truly world-class brass band,” said Prescot Festival artistic director Dr Robert Howard.

“Foden’s proved its talent with an astounding double win in 2012, when they scooped both the National Championships and the British Open. We’ve no doubt the gala concert will be not only a highlight of this year’s programme, but a highlight of the festival’s history so far.”

The Prescot Festival of Music & the Arts runs from Friday 20 to Sunday 29 June, and features organist Professor Dr Ian Tracey, Centenary Theatre Company and big band Dr Jazz & the Cheshire Cats, among other performers.

Tickets are on sale from 1 May in person at The Wool Shop, Prescot, by phone to Ticketweb on 08444 771 000, or online at www.prescotfestival.co.uk

The Friendship Club celebrate ten years Patricia Jackson, KYM service manager; Sandra Richardson, KYM CEO; Cllr Eddie Connor; Macie Campbell, 12, KYM member

Knowsley’s youth services have officially launched as an employee and young people-led mutual, the first in the region.

Knowsley Youth Mutual (KYM) has ‘spun out’ from local authority control, to become an employee and young person owned Community Benefit Society.

KYM will continue to provide universal open access youth provision, award programmes, peer education and volunteering, outdoor education, engagement and participation, as well as specialist support and intervention schemes.

As a social enterprise, KYM will be able to access a variety of funding sources and trade its services on the open market, allowing it to generate income. In addition, it will be able to invest any profit it makes back into youth service provision.

The employee and young people owned mutual was established to protect Knowsley’s youth offer and youth service jobs, from cuts to local government funding.

Sandra Richardson, KYM chief executive, said: “I am overwhelmed by the number of young people celebrating the launch of KYM; this is such an exciting time for us all and I want to thank the best staff team ever, who have shown enthusiasm, bravery and commitment to establish KYM. “Thanks also to Cllr Eddie Connor, other elected members and officers of

Knowsley Council, who have supported us throughout. We couldn’t have hoped for a better start.”

More than 400 people attended the KYM launch event, held at the OurPlace Youth Facility in Huyton, with 350 young people enjoying activities including a skate park exhibition, live music from local bands, graffiti wall artists, fire-eaters and stilt walkers!

Macie Campbell, aged 12, from Huyton, who attended the event, said: “The launch of KYM is really exciting. I’ve been coming to OurPlace since it opened and we do brilliant, fun things with the youth workers. It’s great that it’s going to continue and will be bigger and better.”

Residents get the green light to go online thanks to One Ark The homes of residents in four high rise apartment blocks in Kirkby will be supplied with free-of-charge WiFi access thanks to a pioneering new initiative delivered by One Ark, part of the First Ark Group, and its partners including the ITS Technology Group.

As part of the project those living in one of the 256 flats in the Gaywood Green residential block, a scheme run by Knowsley Housing Trust, will gain a free tablet and freeof-charge access to a variety of helpful websites including essential council services and job search sites, plus useful health, housing and bank services.

Sergeant Ricky Clemson receives a cheque for £1450 from The Friendship Club

The Friendship Club was opened in 2004

by Adrienne and Olga Turner to bring friendship and entertainment to women of all ages and they are proud they have accomplished this, but it’s only thanks to the members that have supported the club each week.

The club opened first in Brookside House but because of a higher membership moved to CADWA social club, Rocky Lane, there are now 90 plus members every week, there are different speakers and demonstrators.

Every month we hold a social where comics, singers, choirs or bands take to the stage, the members also take part in an old time music hall each year and we hold an annual ‘Putting the world to rights’ event where members put questions to the panel which Roger Phillips from Radio Merseyside chairs. The panel of Mickey Finn, Cllr Hazel Williams, Tom Murphy, sculpture and Lydia

Gough of every day affairs.

The club goes on weekends away, days outing and visits to the theatre.

The members raise money for local charities; they have also adopted Sergeant Ricky Clemson who lost his legs and an arm through terrible injuries in Afghanistan. The ladies have raised over £1450 for Sergeant Clemson charity ‘A Soldiers Journey to Hell and Back’ with raffles and help from local shops.

We have a drinks and coffee bar if any lady would like to join you are very welcome, only £1.00 entrance fee with no subscription charge.

The group meets every Tuesday night at 8.00pm at CADWA Social Club, Rocky Lane, Liverpool.

For further information contact Adrienne on 0151 449 1941 or Olga 0n 0151 489 9635

May 2014 9

10 May 2014

Out & About MAY

UNTIL 26 JULY ‘LOOKING BACK AT LIVERPOOL’ EXHIBITION The Kirkby Gallery is delighted to welcome ‘Looking back at Liverpool’ – a stunning exhibition of photographs by E Chambré Hardman. The exhibition, which is on loan from the National Trust, opens on Tuesday, 6 May and runs until 26 July. The photographic exhibition captures the changing face of the Liverpool landscape and people over the last 60 years. Showcasing some of the thousands of images taken by Hardman, this exhibition reveals the everyday lives of the people of Liverpool against the backdrop of a world that is long gone, but still has its legacy in the identity and culture of Liverpool today. From the iconic Liverpool docks to dramatic images of Liverpool theatre, experience this rare opportunity to see some of Hardman’s most exclusive work. The Kirkby Gallery is located in The Kirkby Centre, Norwich Way, Kirkby. The opening hours Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm. For further information on the exhibition or galleries please contact Tina Ball 0151 443 5617, or email galleries@knowsley.gov.uk MONDAY 12 MAY HOLLIES HALL INDOOR BOWLING 12:00pm – 3:30pm Hollies Hall, Hollies Road, Halewood, L26 0TH. We run an indoor bowls activity (not 10 pin) on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday. Playing on 2 mats, 12 people to each mat. For ages 21+ Times 12 noon3.30/4.00pm Contact: Mrs Freda Rowlandson 0151 486 4214 MONDAY 12 MAY HALEWOOD THinK CLINIC 3pm – 6pm The Halewood Centre, Roseheath Drive, Halewood, Merseyside, L26 9UH. 12 to 20 years sexual health service. Contact: 0151 296 7936 TUESDAY 13 MAY SUNRISE CLUB 11am – 1pm Oak Tree Childrens Centre, Lichfield Road, Halewood, Merseyside, L26 1TT. This is a support network group of parents and carers from Knowsley who have children with a disability or additional need, Children are invited to attend the quality crèche provision which runs alongside the support group. For more information call 07771 517791 TUESDAY 13 MAY AFTER SCHOOL CLUB 4:00pm – 6:30pm Vee’s Place, Zion Independent Methodist Church Hall, 74 Kemble Street, Prescot, L34 5SH. After School Club for 1016yrs 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. Registered Charity 1093064 Contact: Vee Rhodes, 0151 289 3602, vee.rhodes@talktalk.net TUESDAY 13 MAY HEALTH ON WHEELS @ COURT HEY PARK 11:00am – 1:30pm. Court Hey Park, Roby Road, Knowsley, Liverpool, Merseyside, L16 3NA. Intermediate ride - usually between 8-12 miles (with café stop). Bikes and helmets are available to borrow on all rides, please arrive early as limited number. For more information please

email your events to: thechallenge@merseymirror.com contact: Kevin McCann 0797 1476520 kevin.mccann@cycling.org.uk Lou Henderson 0789 399725 lou.henderson@ cycling.org.uk TUESDAY 13 MAY STREET DANCE 6pm – 8pm Knowsley Park Centre for Learning, Knowsley Park Lane, Prescot, Merseyside, L34 3LD. Street Dance sessions for all abilities and age groups. 6-7pm for ages 6-12 and 7-8pm for ages 13-19. No booking required. Contact Peter Green 443 5648 for costs and further details.

TUESDAY 13 MAY HAPPY HOURS OVER 50'S GROUP 10am – 12pm Tower Hill Community Centre, Ebony Way, Kirkby, Merseyside, L33 1XT. Over 50s group - Contact Wendy Ferguson 07717301444 TUESDAY 13 MAY LONGVIEW KNITWITS 1pm – 4pm Longview Shops, Huyton, Merseyside, L36 6DY. Would you like to invite you to join them to knit and crochet items for the neonatal unit of the Liverpool Women's Hospital. For further information or to donate wool, please contact: Mary 07845 419766 TUESDAY 13 MAY VILLAGE FARM ORCHARD - COOKING WORKSHOP 1pm – 3pm Stockbridge Village Neighbourhood Centre, The Withens, Stockbridge Village, Merseyside. L28 1AB. Free workshop - seasonal cooking using orchard fruits. Contact 07811 957578 / thevillagefarmorchard@gmail.com for further details.

WEDNESDAY 14 MAY SECRET INGREDIENT’S 4:30pm – 6:30pm 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. All qualified and registered teachers A.D.A., B.D.C., G.PT.D. UK professional teachers award. ADA School of the year award.

Contact: General Enquiries, 0151 486 9594, amartin545@btinternet.com, c/o Hollies Hall, Hollies Road, Halewood, L26 0TH WEDNESDAY 14 MAY CENTRE 63 YOUTH CLUB 4:30pm – 8:30pm Centre 63 Youth Club, Church of England Youth Centre, Kirkby, Merseyside, L32 5TH. 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

WEDNESDAY 14 MAY FOOTBALL COACHING SESSION BY EVERTON IN THE COMMUNITY 5:45pm – 6:45pm Tower Hill Community Centre, Ebony Way, Kirkby, Merseyside, L33 1XT. Football coaching - no cost. Organised by Merseyside Fire Service. Age range - Under 12's Contact Joe Fogg 0151 443 4166, joe.fogg@knowsley.gov.uk WEDNESDAY 14 MAY HEALTH ON WHEELS @ STADT MOERS PARK 11:00am – 1:30pm Stadt Moers Park, Pottery Lane, Whiston, Merseyside, L35 3RG. Intermediate / progression / advanced ride usually between 8-16 miles (with café stop). Bikes and helmets are available to borrow on all rides, please arrive early as limited number. For more information please contact: Kevin McCann 0797

1476520 kevin.mccann@cycling.org.uk Lou Henderson 0789 399725 lou.henderson@ cycling.org.uk WEDNESDAY 14 MAY WIKED DANCE GROUP 5:30pm – 8:30pm St Edmund Arrowsmith Centre for Learning, Whiston, Merseyside, L35 2XG. WIKED Dance group age 4 plus for infants, juniors and older children- teaching a wide range of dance moves, skills and techniques with fully qualified coaches. 5.30-6.30pm infant, 5.307.00pm junior, 7.00-8.30pm older Contact: 07954134599 or Chris Royle 07500765197 THURSDAY 15 MAY ACE YOUTH CLUB 6:15pm – 8:45pm Ace Youth Club, Stockbridge Neighbourhood Centre, The Withens, Stockbridge Village, Merseyside. L28 1AB. Generic Youth Club offering awards, issue based projects and trips out through the school holidays. Young people supported to design their own programmes e.g. residentials, arts, crafts, sports, computer suite, accreditations plus much more. Cost 50p on entrance Contact Rose Spellacy 07810054134 or email: rose.spellacy@knowsley.gov.uk THURSDAY 15 MAY HEALTH ON WHEELS @ SOUTHDENE COMMUNITY CENTRE 11am – 12pm Southdene Community Centre, Broad Lane, Kirkby, L32 9PQ. Beginner / GP referral ride - ride stays within confines of the park. Bikes and helmets are available to borrow on all rides, please arrive early as limited number. For more information please contact: Kevin McCann 0797 1476520 kevin.mccann@cycling.org.uk Lou Henderson 0789 399725 lou.henderson@ cycling.org.uk FRIDAY 16 MAY CALL OF DANCE 4:30pm – 6:30pm Call of Dance, Swanside Community Centre, Willoughby Road, Huyton, Merseyside, L14 6XA. Street Dance class run Fridays 4.30pm - 6.30pm at Swanside Community Centre. Ages form 11+. Cost per session is £4. Pupils are entered into shows when they are held. Contact: Kimberley 07902107586, Kim_nbc@hotmail.co.uk FRIDAY 16 MAY WHEELS FOR ALL @ HALEWOOD PARK 10am – 3pm Halewood Park, Okell Drive, Halewood, Merseyside L26 7XB, United Kingdom. Using adapted cycles to make cycling accessible to everyone. Sessions usually last between 30 minutes - 1 hour. No required distance, Also ideal for beginners and health referrals. Bikes and helmets are available to borrow on all rides, please arrive early as limited number. For more information please contact: Kevin McCann 0797 1476520 kevin.mccann@cycling.org.uk Lou Henderson 0789 399725 lou.henderson@ cycling.org.uk SATURDAY 17 MAY BUSHCRAFT 1pm – 5pm Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot, Merseyside L34 4AN, United Kingdom. Bushcraft - learn fire lighting, shelter building, animal tracking and more Suitable for families, young people and adults. Half and full days available.

Groups and individuals. Cost U16 £15.00 4 hour session, Over 16 £25.00 4 hour session. Special rates for families and groups. Minimum age for unaccompanied young people is 8 Years of age.

Contact Komaru Outdoors Nick@komaru.co.uk or Tel 07729295923 SATURDAY 17 MAY HALEWOOD JUNIOR BADMINTON CLUB 10am – 12pm Halewood Leisure Centre, Baileys Lane, Halewood, Merseyside, L26 0TY. Coaching/playing Badminton for juniors 9-16 years old. Open to all interested parties, beginners, intermediate and advanced players.

Coached by Badminton England qualified coaches.

Competitive and social - Liverpool League Junior Badminton League and Tournaments. All equipment provided. Suitable clothing required i.e. trainers, joggers, etc. Cost £1 at desk and £1 organisers For more details please contact the leisure centre or Jean Dean 0151 280 8595/ jeandean31@btinternet.com SUNDAY 18 MAY NATIONAL TRACK OMNIUM 10am Knowsley Velodrome and BMX Park, Knowsley Velodrome and BMX Park will also be hosting its first national competition.

ONE NOT TO MISS

ON NOW LOCAL HEROES, DISTANT VOICES 9.15am - 5pm Monday and Friday, 9.15am 7pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10am - 1pm Wednesday and Saturday. Come along to mark 100 years since the start of the First World War. Displays include soldiers' photographs, documents, medals and personal effects. Call 0151 443 5617 for more information.

SUNDAY 18 MAY TRACKING 10am – 4pm Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot, Merseyside L34 4AN, United Kingdom. Learn the skills to track animals and people. Our one day workshop is a great introduction to all the skills needed to track successfully. It's great fun for everybody. Tracking sessions very interactive and great for groups and families. £25.00 U16, £45.00 for adults. Contact: Komaru Outdoors Nick@komaru.co.uk or Tel 07729295923 www.komaru.co.uk

SUNDAY 18 MAY TEA DANCE 1-3pm Sawpit Park, Hall Lane, Huyton, Free.

Come along and listen to the Norman Roy Orchestra. Contact: Karen Brady, South Huyton ranger on 07771 550843 or 0151 443 3114 MONDAY 19 MAY WEEKLY FOOTBALL COACHING 5pm – 6pm Prescot Soccer Centre, Warrington Road, Prescot, Merseyside, L35 5AD. Weekly football coaching sessions. Fully qualified football coaches trained to Level 2 & 3 standard. Football coaching for 5 - 11years, cost £3 per child suitable footwear and clothing required as all football coaching will be outdoors. Contact: Barry Lloyd 07825145105 or 0151 443 5715, barry.lloyd@knowsley.gov.uk MONDAY 19 MAY ZUMBA CLASS 6:30pm – 8:00pm Halewood Youth in Community Centre, Lichfield Road, Halewood, L26 1TT. Zumba Class - cost £3.00 Contact: Mark Nelson, 0151 486 2865, Halewood Youth in Community Centre, Lichfield Road, Halewood, L26 1TT MONDAY 19 MAY LICKERS LANE YOUTH CLUB 6pm – 9pm Lickers Lane Youth Club, George Howard Centre, Lickers Lane, Whiston, Merseyside, L35 3SR. Generic youth club offering awards, issues based projects and trips out through the school holidays Age Range 11-19 years. Cost 50p on entrance. Contact Peter Boardman - 07766558895 MONDAY 19 MAY YOUTH CLUB @ OURPLACE 6:30pm – 9:30pm OurPlace Youth Facility, Longview Drive, Huyton, Merseyside, L36 6EG. The Generic youth session each Monday is aimed at young people aged 11 -19. During the session young people have access to the OurPlace Skate Park, The Media suite and the generic youth club activities (Pool, Table Tennis, Computer Games, Arts and Crafts) and also the MUGA. There is also awards, issue based projects and trips out through the school holidays. The cost for the youth club is £1 for non Members and 50p for

May 2014 11 members. The cost of the skate park is £3.50 for non members and £1 for members. Membership is an annual £5 fee. The skate park can be accessed by people over the age of 19 at a cost of £3.50.

Each Monday night in the dance studio there is a Zumba class which is free to youth club users.

Monday nights also host football coaching On the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA). Contact: Mike Spinks 0151 443 5323 MONDAY 19 MAY WALK IN CONJUCTION WITH THE STROKE ASSOCIATION 10.30am for Registration, 11 am start. Court Hey Park, Roby Road, Huyton Come along and walk around Court Hey Park and raise awareness for the Stroke Association. Donation to the Stroke Association. Contact Karen Brady, South Huyton ranger on 07771550843 or 0151 443 3114 TUESDAY 20 MAY PARENT & TODDLER SESSIONS 1pm – 3pm Halewood Youth in Community Centre, Lichfield Road, Halewood, L26 1TT. Parent & Toddler Sessions - cost 50p Contact: Mark Nelson, 0151 486 2865, Halewood Youth in Community Centre, Lichfield Road, Halewood, L26 1TT TUESDAY 20 MAY BACK TO NETBALL - STOCKBRIDGE VILLAGE 6pm – 7pm Stockbridge Village Neighbourhood Centre, The Withens, Stockbridge Village, Merseyside. L28 1AB. Back to Netball aims to reintroduce women aged 16+ back to the sport after a period of not playing (perhaps you haven't played since school and want to get fit again in a fun activity). Cost £2.50. Contact: Louise 0785 409 0639 - louise.roberts@englandnetball.co.uk THURSDAY 22 MAY BUGEI-KI-RYU JU-JITSU 6:30pm – 7:30pm. Bugei-Ki-Ryu Ju-Jitsu, St Edmund Arrowsmith Centre for Learning, Whiston, Merseyside, L35 2XG. Children & Adult Classes, Ages 6+. Monday and Thursday evenings. 6.30pm-7.30pm Junior, £4.50 7.30pm8.30pm Senior. £6.00 Contact: Lynn 07525936620 or Chris Royle 07500765197 SATURDAY 24 MAY JUS KIDZ SATURDAY CLUB 12pm – 4pm Tower Hill Community Centre, Ebony Way, Kirkby, Merseyside, L33 1XT. Jus Kidz offers an inclusive Saturday Club for children and young people with disabilities and their siblings from the Knowsley area. The Club offers a safe environment for indoor and outdoor play and a range of different activities. The Saturday club runs 50 Saturdays of the year. For ages: 0-19 Yrs Cost £1 Contact details: Cathy Manley, 0151 546 3622, 07917275559 jus_kidz@hotmail.com, St Peter and Pauls Church, Apostles Way, Tower Hill, L33 1XT MONDAY 26 MAY HALEWOOD THinK CLINIC 3pm – 6pm The Halewood Centre, Roseheath Drive, Halewood, Merseyside, L26 9UH. 12 to 20 years sexual health service. Contact: 0151 296 7936 MONDAY 26 MAY EHARA AIKIDO KAN MARTIAL ARTS 6pm – 9pm. Whiston Town Hall, Dragon Lane, Whiston, Merseyside, L35 3QW. Practicing Aikido for Juniors & Seniors - Juniors 6-7.30pm, Seniors 7.30-9.pm Call for costs. All instructors are accredited coaches. Contact: Brian Funnell 07946 869169 MONDAY 26 MAY NIFTY 50’S 10am – 11am Rebound - Dance, Fitness & Well Being, Huyton Gateway, Huyton, Merseyside, L36 9TE. A fun low impact class for anyone ages 50+ Price: £3 Contact Rebound Dance & Health, 0151 489 4616 / http://www.reboundcic.co.uk/classes/ MONDAY 26 MAY FLAMES CHAIR EXERCISE AND SOCIAL GROUP 12pm – 2pm Centre 63 Youth Club, Church of England Youth Centre, Old Hall Lane, Kirkby, Merseyside, L32 5TH. Chair Exercise. Social Activities. Tea/Coffee £1 Subs per week £1 raffle. Contact: Wendy Ferguson 07717 301 444 MONDAY 26 MAY GUITAR CLUB 6pm – 8pm Halewood Academy Centre for Learning, The Avenue, Wood Road, Halewood, Merseyside, L26 1UU. Monday - Play chords (Intermediary level) Wednesday - (Beginners level) No music required. For ages 16 -100 yrs. Cost

£5. Contact details: Chris Vernon, 0151 477 8830, Halewood Academy Centre for Learning, The Avenue, Wood Road, Halewood, Merseyside, L26 1UU MONDAY 26 MAY HUYTON YOUTH THEATRE 6:30pm – 8:30pm Lord Derby Academy, Seel Road, Huyton, Merseyside, L36 6DG. Huyton Youth Theatre is an inclusive youth theatre, producing challenging, exciting work in collaboration with other youth theatre groups in the area. The group is for anyone aged 12 - 21.

No experience necessary - just the desire to get involved, have fun, work hard and be creative! The group are currently working on a performance about health matters. They will be welcoming new members again in April. Session costs £1 per week. Contact Altru for more information hello@altu.co.uk 0151 443 0333 MONDAY 26 MAY KIRKBY THinK CLINIC 3pm – 6pm Kirkby Health Suite, Cherryfield Drive, Kirkby, Merseyside, L32 9PA. 12 to 20 years sexual health service. Contact Jason Cole, 0151 443 4168, jason.cole@knowsley.gov.uk TUESDAY 27 MAY NORTH HUYTON THinK CLINIC 3pm – 6pm North Huyton Primary Care Centre, Woolfallheath Avenue, Huyton, Merseyside, L36 3TN. 12 to 20 years sexual health service.

Contact: 0151 296 7936 TUESDAY 27 MAY HAPPY HOURS OVER 50’S GROUP 10am – 12pm Tower Hill Community Centre, Ebony Way, Kirkby, Merseyside, L33 1XT. Over 50s group - Contact Wendy Ferguson 07717301444 WEDNESDAY 28 MAY WESTVALE YOUTH CLUB 6:45pm – 9:15pm Westvale Community and Youth Centre, Richard Hesketh Drive, Kirkby, Merseyside, L32 0TZ. Youth Club activity for 11 to 19 years Contact: Charlotte Brooks, 0151 443 4466, charlotte.brookes@knowsley.gov.uk THURSDAY 29 MAY ARCHERY SESSION 12-3 pm, Court Hey Park, Roby Road, Huyton, FREE. Come along and join Bridgefield Archers in an Archery session. For ages 8 and above. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Contact Karen Brady, South Huyton ranger on 07771 550843 or 0151 443 3114 THURSDAY 29 MAY 2369 (KIRKBY) AIR TRAINING CORPS 7:00pm – 9:30pm Air Cadet Hut, Adj to RAFA, Off Broad Lane, Kirkby, L32 6QG. We are a uniformed youth organisation aimed at 13-17 year olds, with an aim to foster and promote a spirit of adventure with the young people who join us.

Activities include: Flying, Gliding, Marksmanship, Sports, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Aviation Studies, Drill, Parades, Community Work, Aircraft Recognition, annual camps to RAF Stations, sport, aeromodelling, BTEC awards, First Aid and much more. Call: 0151 548 7911 on meeting evenings, 2369@aircadets.org, Air Cadet Hut, Adj to RAFA, Off Broad Lane, Kirkby, L32 6QG. Cost £2 each week.

SATURDAY 31 MAY MINI KICKERS FOOTBALL COACHING WITH M & H ACADEMY LTD 9am – 10am Christ The King Centre for Learning, Stockbridge Lane, Huyton, Merseyside, L36 5SD. Football Coaching for 2 - 7 Year Olds 9am - 10 am Every Saturday morning £4 per session Please Contact: Joe Morgan 07804939442 or Eddie Hussin 07763021984 for further details. Organisation: M &H Academy Ltd., 69 Longview Drive, Huyton, Merseyside, L36 6EA joe.morgan@mandhacademy.com www.mandhacademy.com

What’s on at the National Wildflower Centre Court Hey Park, Roby Rd, Liverpool, Merseyside L16 3NA 15, 22 May Get Active Outdoors: Nature Therapy Programme 10.30am – 12.30.pm Places are Free and limited to Knowsley residents only. We encourage you to attend all 4 sessions to get the most from the activities. We aim to support development of selfesteem, confidence, social skills and improved well-being through a deeper connection with the natural environment. We aim to make the sessions fun and engaging, and will keep the group small.

For further information and to book your place, please contact Annick on 0151 738 1913 or email events@landlife.org.uk Saturday 24 May Introduction to Bee Keeping New to the National Wildflower Centre. An unique introductory course for new and aspiring beekeepers. £25. p.p. Please book in advance.

Contact the centre on 0151 7381913 or email events@landlife.org.uk for more information and to book. This course is provided by VonnyBee you can visit her website here: http://vonnybee.com/ Sunday 25 May Wildflower Artisan Market 10am - 4pm Artisan Network’s Wildflower Artisan Market. There will be over 60 stalls for you to enjoy throughout the day. Situated in our Main and Cobbled courtyards you’ll find a celebration of handmade work, produce and world foods plus much more. For more information please call 0151 738 1913 or email events@landlife.org.uk Monday 26 May Rescue Birds of Prey Cost: Free 10.am - 3.pm. Join S & R Birds -

Rescued Birds of Prey here at the National Wildflower Centre. Bring a camera and take a photo of one of these lovely creatures.

Donations welcome. For more information please call 0151 738 1913 or email events@landlife.org.uk Tuesday 27 May Family Bike Ride with Pedal Away Cost: Free. 2pm Start - Meet in our Main Courtyard by the Cornflower Cafe. Join Pedal Away for a ride around the Park and enjoy the Great Outdoors. Don’t worry if you haven't got a bike. There will be some bikes available to use free of charge - availability will be on a first come first served basis. For more information please call 0151 738 1913 or email events@landlife.org.uk Pedal Away runs events and activities in Knowsley to improve mental wellbeing and increase the physical activity levels of people across the borough. It’s all about getting on your bike and feeling the benefits!

Thursday 29 May Family Nordic Walk Cost: Free. 11am Start time (1 hour duration / poles available to borrow). Come along and take part in the latest fitness craze. After a short introduction about Nordic Walking by the walk leader you will set off from the Cornflower Cafe to enjoy the splendor of Court Hey Park. The walk will last for approx 1 hour. This Family Nordic Walk is open to anyone over 10 years of age.

Please note children must be accompanied by an adult. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

For more information please call 0151 738 1913 or email events@landlife.org.uk

12 May 2014

Health

WARNING TO STAY SUN SMART AS SUMMER APPROACHES As warmer weather approaches and people start thinking about their summer holidays, Liverpool Community Health (LCH) NHS Trust is encouraging people to educate themselves on how to stay sun smart this summer.

Supported by LCH, Sun Awareness Week which took place between 5-11 May aims to raise awareness of skin cancer and the risks of over-exposure to the sun.

Skin cancer is now one of the most common forms of cancers in the UK - and it is still on the increase.

According to Cancer Research UK, around 100,000 people are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer each year in the UK, and a further 12,800 are diagnosed with malignant melanoma skin cancer.

Those at greatest risk to skin damage from the sun include people with fairer skin, people with lots of moles or freckles, those with a personal or family history of skin cancer, as well as babies and young children.

Maureen Sayer, Health Promotion Specialist for Liverpool Community Health said: “This summer we want everyone to enjoy fun in the sun, but also to remind people to be sun aware and to take every precaution possible to protect their skin against sunburn and long-term skin damage.

“Although there are some people who may be at greater risk of sun burn, ultimately too much sun exposure really can affect anyone so it’s something that everyone should be thinking about.

She adds, “Whether you’re at home or abroad, you should use shade, clothing, sunglasses and regularly apply at least factor 15 sunscreen to help protect yourself from the risk of sunburn.

“Sunshine shouldn’t be avoided completely. In fact, we all need about 15 - 20 minutes in the sun a day to get Vitamin D which helps us produce strong healthy bones, but the skin should not go pink as this means that it has been exposed to too much ultra violet.

“It’s important to remember that your skin does not have to be raw, peeling or blistering to be sunburnt. Even if your skin has just gone a little red in the sun, it has still been damaged by too much UV radiation, and over time this can lead to skin cancer.”

In addition, health staff at the Trust are also keen to encourage people to regularly self-examine their skin to check for any of these changes.

The most common early warning signs and symptoms of skin cancer include: • a skin growth or sores that won’t heal • a mole that grows or changes shape • a mole where the border or colour significantly changes • a mole or sore that itches, bleeds, crusts or scabs.

Maureen added: “The important thing is that if you do think you might have any of these symptoms, our advice is to visit your family doctor as soon as possible to check it out, as spotting the signs of skin cancer early really can save your life.”

LCH’s five simple tips for staying sun smart this summer include: • Wear at least factor 15 sunscreen or above whenever you are out in the sunshine • Remember to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go out in the sun, and reapply it every couple of hours • Check that your sunscreen is still in date • Take regular breaks from the sun, and avoid sunbathing between 11am - 3pm when the sun is strongest • Keep babies and young children under some shade at all times, as their skin is more sensitive to the sun.

Carers celebrate good practice at Wingate and Prescot Medical Centres Knowsley Carers Centre recently awarded the Supporting Carers in General Practice Certificate to two GP practices in Knowsley, Wingate Medical Centre and Prescot Medical Centre.

Both practices have demonstrated commitment to the Supporting Carers: 10 steps to better practice guide developed for practices by carers from across the borough.

A carer is someone who looks after a relative, neighbour or friend who depends on their support because of long term illness, disability, mental health problems or substance misuse.

Many people caring for someone turn to their GP practice for help and advice about issues concerning their caring role and the event at Knowsley Carers Centre, Bewley Drive, Kirkby in April aimed to celebrate the good work of practice staff who help to direct carers to services to help them.

Dawn Boyer, head of corporate services at Knowsley Clinical Commissioning Group was there to award the certificates.

Jackie Flynn, health care assistant at Wingate said: “I try to ask people coming in for their health check if they’re looking after someone. It gives me an opportunity to tell them about services to support carers.

“Carers are so busy looking after the people they love that they forget to think about themselves and can end up with health problems themselves. It’s so important to make sure you get support.”

Jeanette Castle, receptionist collected the award on behalf of Prescot Medical Centre.

Anne Marie McGuire, the practice nurse said: “If we know who our carers are we can signpost them to appropriate services where they will find someone with time to listen and information about anything to do with their caring role”.

At the event carers were given more information about getting involved with Patient Participation Groups at their local practices. Patients and carers who attend these groups help to highlight to practice staff ways to improve facilities and the delivery of services.

Muriel O’Hanlon long term carer for her husband John and member of the Patient Participation Group at Dr Maassarani’s Practice, Towerhill urges carers to get

Dawn Boyer with Jackie Flynn and Marg Collins

Dawn Boyer with Jeanette Castle

involved: “Joining your Patient Participation Group gives you a voice as a carer. We all want to see change for the better and working together with practice staff helps them to see that we carers are part of the health and social care team.”

If you would like any more information about joining your Patient Participation Group ask the practice manager at your GP practice or contact Anita Watkinson, patient participation group liaison officer on 0151 244 4126 You will find the supporting carers: 10 steps to better practice guide on the Knowsley Carers Centre website knowsleycarers.co.uk along with information about the services available to support carers.

Alternatively call Knowsley Carers Centre on 0151 549 1412.

I say tomato Tomato is a superstar in the fruit and veggie pantheon. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful cancer fighter. They’re also rich in vitamin C. The good news is that cooked tomatoes are also nutritious, so use them in pasta, soups and casseroles, as well as in salads. The British Thoracic Society says that tomatoes and apples can reduce your risk of asthma and chronic lung diseases.

Both contain the antioxidant quercetin. To enjoy the benefits, eat five apples a week or a tomato every other day.

May 2014 13

SIGN UP TO BE A DEMENTIA FRIEND

Knowsley Council is supporting the Dementia Friends campaign, launched by Public Health England and the Alzheimer’s Society.

The campaign aims to support people with dementia to continue to live safe, dignified and as far as possible, fulfilling lives.

Dementia is one of the biggest health and care challenges of our time. Around 1,500 people in Knowsley have dementia, and nationally, 670,000 have dementia – this number is set to double in the next 30 years.

The campaign will help to create a greater understanding of dementia within our communities and the small things that can be done to make a real difference to people living with the condition. In addition, it will support friendships through the course of dementia.

Could you help to support the campaign and sign up to be a dementia friend? The ambition is to create a network of one million Dementia Friends by 2015.

It would simply mean understanding what dementia is and sharing the small things you can do to help people with dementia live well.

Matthew Ashton, director of public health for Knowsley, said: “You may live with someone or know someone who has dementia. It is only by understanding the issues that people living with dementia face can we fully appreciate the challenges they have to overcome on a daily basis.

“Through this campaign and by signing up to be a Dementia friend, you are playing a crucial role in helping us take one step closer to creating a dementia-friendly society.”

For further information on the campaign and how to become a Dementia Friend, visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk

Domestic abuse campaign heats up in Knowsley The Safer Knowsley Partnership is turning up the heat on its latest campaign which is aimed at both victims and offenders of domestic abuse.

As part of the high profile campaign, three fire appliances have been branded with the message ‘Domestic abuse – it’s all about choices’.

This latest phase of the campaign focuses on getting the message out and about around Knowsley. As well as fire appliances, the message will also be seen on taxis, buses and roadside adverts across the borough.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage victims to take the first step and report it and inform perpetrators that they have a choice and they can get help to change their behaviour. Help really is only a phone call away.

Sheena Ramsey, joint Chair of the Safer Knowsley Partnership, said “We do not underestimate how difficult that first call will be, but it is the right thing to do.

“We want to get this message out to as many people as possible and using fire engines is a highly visible way for us to do this.

“We want to let both men and women know that they don’t have to accept domestic abuse – they have a choice.

Domestic abuse campaign goes mobile in Knowsley – Gary Oakford, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Group Manager, Sheena Ramsey – Chief Executive, Knowsley Council, Superintendent Kevin Wellens, Merseyside Police

Help and support is available for victims and offenders. We’re encouraging victims to take the first step to report the abuse and offenders to take the first step to help stop the cycle of abuse.”

Domestic abuse can take many forms, including verbal, psychological, emotional, social, financial and sexual,

as well as physical.

Call Knowsley’s Domestic Violence helpline on 0800 953 4433 for help and support. Alternatively, Knowsley Domestic Violence Support Services offer a range of support and programmes to help both victims and offenders – call 0151 548 3333.

14 May 2014

Education

Motivating pupils in Halewood

MAKING MATHS FUN Staff at Bickerstaffe CE School are always looking for ways of making learning fun, to that end the school invited Dave Godfrey to the school.

Dave created ‘Number Fun’, a project that teaches maths through music and games, he uses three different types of song: memory, concept and input/output tunes.

Dave’s philosophy is that if pupils learn curriculum-based maths theory by reciting a catchy, action song, they are less likely to forget it.

Headteacher, Mrs Jeanne Hall, said: “We invited Dave to Bickerstaffe CE School for the day to work with the children on their maths skills.

“Pupils made a special effort to prepare by sourcing home-made maths outfits to add to the sense of fun!

“Everyone really enjoyed the day and loved singing the songs; from our maths themed assembly about Jesus and the 10 lepers to some inspirational songs about maths vocabulary, such as mode, median and mean.

“As a school we will continue to use these songs to inspire, motivate and assist children of all ages to learn and retain their maths knowledge and skills.”

Year 6 pupil, Wiktoria, aged 11, added: “I think that Number Fun was a really brilliant day, especially ‘Triangle Sisters’!”

Bickerstaffe CE School pupil, Bethan Ashburner

CHOIR HIT THE RIGHT NOTES

• Small year groups • 100% of last year’s Y6 pupils made two or more levels of progress from KS1 to KS2 in writing • 92% of last year’s Y6 pupils made two or more levels of progress from KS1 to KS2 in maths • Committed to the new computing curriculum with substantial investment in IT capability, including iPads • Extensive school outdoor environment • Convenient location near to motorway links M57 & M58

We would like to extend a warm welcome to prospective new pupils and their parents to visit our school

Staff, parents and pupils from St Laurence’s Catholic Primary School, Kirkby are justifiably proud of their school junior choir.

The thriving and ever-growing choir have recently performed in two concerts.

The choir, led by Mrs Brierley and Miss McCaffery, were runners-up at the Woodlands Hospice School Choir of the Year Event held in March.

Mrs Brierley, said: “We were also invited to join The African Children’s Choir at All Saints Catholic High School, Kirkby, where we performed a rendition of ‘Sing’ and ’Nkosi Sikele’ which is the South African national anthem.

“We all enjoyed the performance and had a fantastic day.

“Our junior choir sing songs of a variety of styles, from pop songs to African chants, ballads to rock songs.

“We rehearse every Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes in the music room – anyone is welcome to join us.

Right: St Laurence pupils performing with The African Children’s Choir

Pupils at Halewood Academy have taken part in an exciting initiative studying real life data from Knowsley’s Public Health team with 74% of the pupils saying it helped their learning of maths.

Using a web site called ‘Plastered’ teachers at the school asked pupils to analyse important risks, which affect the lives of ordinary people in Knowsley.

Plastered is an innovative resource that uses real-life data, which has been anonymised, to teach various statistical analysis techniques in maths lessons. The website is designed to be used at either Key Stage 3 or 4 and also supports the PSHE curriculum which provides opportunities to discuss the social and personal consequences of alcohol misuse.

Most pupils understood the dangers to health of tobacco and illegal drugs but were less aware of the physical and social damage associated with alcohol misuse, including personal safety.

Principal Gary Evans said: “We are delighted to work with Ariel Trust, using ‘Plastered’ to raise the awareness of alcohol related issues with our students. We consider this an important way in which we can support our students and to also develop their maths skills.”

Plastered was developed by Ariel Trust using an approach that had proved successful in English lessons. Evaluation evidence showed that young people were clearly motivated to learn by content that reflected real-life issues and scenarios that were based on the experiences of their peer group.

May 2014 15

LEAFING THROUGH BOOKS IN THE PARK A SPECIAL area designed to be used by children and adults for reading has opened at Croxteth Park in Liverpool.

The Reading Space is the first of five which it is hoped will be developed in parks across the city, using the natural environment to encourage children and adults to read outdoors.

It has been designed by students at Myerscough College, with seating made from tree trunks and is split into a number of distinct areas – the Den, the Lawn, the Field, the Circle and the Nook.

The initiative is part of the City of Readers campaign, which aims to make Liverpool the foremost reading city in the country.

Pupils from a number of local primary schools – Wellesbourne, Emmaus and Our Lady and St Swithin’s - were the first to use it for a special reading lunch, dubbed a ‘booknic’.

During the event, children took part in reading activities led by sixth formers at West Derby and Broughton Hall High schools on a special ‘reading train’.

Councillor Lana Orr, mayoral lead for reading, said: “We are fortunate enough to be blessed with fantastic parks in Liverpool, and this is a simple and effective way of encouraging old and young alike to use our open spaces for reading.

“This is a really great scheme which we hope will get enable people to come together in a park to share their love of literature.

“Reading is a lifelong habit and through the City of Readers campaign we hope to encourage it at an early age and get children and parents reading together.”

A special reading kit has been devised which will be loaned to schools. It includes lanterns and other props to help bring literature to life, as well as a guide to reading outdoors and a journal to record and celebrate activities.

Students from Myerscough College have also launched a lunchtime book club and will be using the space as well.

At the launch, a competition was held for pupils to name the new reading space.

For more information about City of Readers, visit http://www.cityofreaders.org/

Pupils from Wellesbourne Primary and Nursery School, Norris Green enjoy the sun

Get up and join in with Family Futures Make Yours and Your Child’s Future a Healthy One! Family Futures is a FREE communitybased programme for children who are above their ideal weight.

At Family futures we offer a FUN way to learn about how to achieve a healthier lifestyle for children and parents too.

What is the programme?

• Designed by families for families (especially for 4 to 16-year-olds) • Join for three months with options to stay longer • Tailored programmes to suit everyone individually • FUN and INTERACTIVE individual and group sessions What are benefits of being part of Family Futures?

• Fitness tips for the whole family • After-school sessions to fit around your daily routine • Make new friends along the way Where is the programme?

Huyton, Kirkby, Whiston and Halewood

How can my child get involved?

You can self-refer your child or ask your GP or school nurse.

“My daughter and I really enjoyed the group sessions. I was able to express my concern with other parents. It was nice to know someone else is going through the same as me” - Mum and child, age 9

Special points of interest: • Start the programme any time • Collect FREE gifts during group activities • Take part in family cooking sessions and learn new skills • FREE vouchers to use in Knowsley Leisure Centres • Collect other FREEBIES along the way to keep the whole family following a healthy active lifestyle!

Family Futures… there with you every step of the way For more information and advice, give the Family Futures team a call on 0151 290 4336 or visit us online at www.5boroughspartnership.nhs.uk For more information on community services in Knowsley, which are run by 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, call the Customer Relations Team on 0151 244 3453 or 3454.

16 May 2014

START THE DAY THE HEALTHY WAY Knowsley Council is encouraging residents to walk to work and school in a week long call to start the day in a healthy way.

National Walk to Work Week takes place on 12-16 May, whilst Walk to School Week follows on 19-23 May. They are annual events each May when Living Streets - a national charity who work to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets where people want to walk - encourage people to take to their feet and feel the benefits of walking.

There are many benefits to introducing physical activity into your daily routine including maintaining a healthy weight, boosting your energy levels and mood, as well as reducing your risk of stress.

Throughout the two weeks, the aim is to cut traffic congestion and pollution, as well as encouraging people to become more active during the weeks and beyond.

Matthew Ashton, director of public health in Knowsley said: “We fully support these national initiatives and would

encourage our residents take part.

“Not only will they improve their general fitness, but it will help cut congestion and save money on petrol, which will benefit our residents. By taking part, it might even encourage people to try out other types of exercise too!”

Knowsley’s parks, open spaces and woodlands provide a wealth of opportunities to explore the borough on foot. There are also a range of heritage walks that have been developed in partnership with Merseyside Guides, so there is lots to discover in Knowsley.

You can also join a guided walk with the council’s Rangers - find out more at www.knowsley.gov.uk (things to do section).

In addition, Mersey Forest’s website includes a range of organised walks across the borough, find out more at www.merseyforest.org.uk/walk-in-thewoods-month For further information about the national campaign, visit www.livingstreets.org.uk

Outdoors with The Hairy Gardener Hi, my name is Peter Frances a.k.a. the Hairygardener So where are you up to in your garden, seeds that you have sown all beginning to germinate or are you potting on your seedlings into bigger pots or maybe into their final growing positions.

Hope you’ve hardened them off properly, I don’t think we will have any frosts now but young plants can still have their growth checked by cold winds.

In my garden at the moment the lilac bush is in flower and has been now for three weeks attracting the pollinating insects into the garden and hopefully pollinating our fruit trees.

The potatoes that I am growing in potato sacks this year are well away and the home made compost has been constantly added to the sacks as the potato haulm grows, this is the equivalent to earthing the potatoes up if they were growing in the ground.

The garlic cloves that were sown in October/November last year are growing well, it’s just a question of waiting for the foliage to die down before these can be harvested.

All my pots with various plants in have been top dressed with home made compost, this is very satisfying using home made compost instead of going out and buying it and it makes the work you put in, in the autumn and winter months making your compost worthwhile.

Don’t forget the wildlife in your garden I know I go on about this quite a lot but it is important to whole ecosystem of your garden. Simple things you can do are feed the birds, attract them into our garden and they will help you for instance we’ve been watching sparrows, blue and great tits eating aphids off the roses and fruit trees but besides feeding birds if possible but a birdbath in the garden, wild birds appreciate a splash not to mention a drink.

Attracting the smaller beasties into your garden is quite easy as well, don’t be to tidy in your garden, leave a rough patch and dare I say it a patch of nettles for various butterflies caterpillars to munch on and if you’ve got a few pennies spare buy some wildflower seeds and sow them The ones I recommend and I’ve used a lot are the Sarah Raven range. Catch up with me if you like on Facebook just type in Peter Hairygardener.

Until next time Good Gardening

KHT seeks Knowsley rising stars with the ‘X Factor’ Do you think you’ve got the X Factor? If so, Knowsley Housing Trust needs you!

KHT is launching its second annual Rising Stars competition, which aims to find the borough’s best undiscovered singing talent.

The prize for Knowsley’s winning rising star is a day in a studio to record their winner’s song, which will then be added to KCC Live’s playlist for a month, along with the opportunity to perform at KHT’s Community Achievement Awards in September.

The competition is open to anyone aged 13 or over who lives, works or studies in Knowsley.

Those interested in taking part can enter by posting a clip of their performance on either YouTube or SoundCloud to KHT’s Facebook page, or by mailing a CD containing their clip to KHT’s offices before Saturday 31 May. The grand final will be hosted by KCC Live as part of KHT’s Community Day on Saturday 12 July, where a winner will be selected by a panel of judges, following performances by the pre-selected finalists.

Jamie Sowler, senior customer involvement officer at KHT, said: “This competition is a great example of KHT’s involvement with the local community, raising aspirations and making Knowsley a great place to live.

“We’re really pleased that we’re able to give someone the opportunity to showcase their star quality on the airwaves and are excited to see what talent the people of Knowsley have to offer at our Community Day on 12 July.”

Last year’s winner, Huyton resident Jessica Finneran, 18, saw her version of Miley Cyrus’ The Climb receive regular airplay on KCC Live, available at 99.8FM. Speaking ahead of this year’s competition, Jessica said: “My win in 2013 opened many doors, landing me a role in the musical ‘Bare’ and helping to secure my place at Manchester Metropolitan University, on one of the city’s top arts courses. Without the Rising Stars competition I would never have had the confidence to follow my dreams.”

To find out more about KHT and the Rising Stars competition, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/knowsleyhousingkht

POLICE SHOOTING PROBE AFTER MAN HIT IN LEG A man was shot in the leg on a plot of wasteland following an argument in Merseyside.

The shooting happened at Marled Hey, in Stockbridge Village, at about 5.45pm on Tuesday 6 May. The victim was a 26-year-old man and he was taken to hospital where he was treated for an injury to his leg.

Merseyside Police believe that the victim was shot with a shotgun.

Police officers believe the shooting could be linked to an argument earlier in the day at about 12.45pm on Marled Hey in Stockbridge Village.

It is thought that the argument involved a number of men and damage was caused to a car.

Several hours later the victim was walking across wasteland near to Marled Hey when he was shot.

The offenders escaped in a car which headed towards Waterpark Drive.

Crime Scene Investigators have carried out forensic examinations at the scene and house-to- house inquiries were under way.

Patrols were stepped up in the area to reassure the local community.

Detectives from the specialist Matrix Serious Organised Crime Team are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or the argument earlier in the day, to contact them on 0800 230 0600, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

May 2014 17

AGE UK OPEN DAY AT MOSSCROFT In January this year Age UK Knowsley & West Mersey, in partnership with Knowsley Council became the managing agency at the Mosscroft Community Centre, and in April, the Roby Community Centre.

Frank Reppion, chief executive, of Age UK Knowsley & West Mersey, said: “We are delighted to work with the local people, councillors and council colleagues to be able to support people in the heart of the communities of Mosscroft and Roby.

“The existing community groups at each centre have been our first priority, to ensure their activities continue. Also we have located a number of staff and services at the centres.

“Our Older Peoples Involvement and Ageing Well teams are based at Mosscroft; and our clubs and visiting services and volunteer driver scheme are based at Roby.

“IT (computer sessions) will be located at each centre from June.

“We held our first open day at Mosscroft in April, and were joined by Cllrs Kay Moorhead and Vickie Lamb.

Soon there will be regular coffee mornings.

“We welcome residents and groups from the community, and it would be fantastic for local people to get involved as volunteers.

“Of course, people can support

Partners and staff at Mosscroft Community Centre

their local Age UK by dropping off donated goods at the centres for the Age UK KWM charity shop”.

Both centres are available to hire at certain times through the week.

Existing groups and activities include: at Mosscroft, Longview Drive: line dancing, pensioners group, OAP bingo, High 5 play group, old time dance, cook book group, yoga, and coming soon heat camps.

In-door bowling will resume in October. Mosscroft Residents Association meet the first Friday of

each month. Councillors’ surgery each Friday evening At Roby, Merton Crescent: Little Sparrows play group, Roby Art Group, Roby Horticultural Society cake decorating classes and more coming soon. United Residents (six weekly).

Councillors’ surgery each Friday evening.

Contact the community centres for more details about the groups, activities, and their coffee mornings and hall hire. Mosscroft: 0151 480 9477; Roby: 0151 482 6655.

Health and Wellbeing day at the Communiversity Alt Valley Community Trust and the Cass Foundation will be hosting a Dementia and Wellbeing day on Tuesday 20 May, 10am – 3.00pm, to raise awareness, promote understanding and to take action during Dementia Awareness Week (18 -24 May 14).

The event will be a step towards Croxteth becoming a dementia-friendly community where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported and confident they can contribute to community life.

Throughout the day there will be a series of dementia and well being themed activities and information plus three free Dementia friends information sessions and a brand new play called ‘A Different Me’ written and performed by the fantastic Communiversity Drama Group.

This Alzheimer Society initiative aims to create a network of a million Dementia Friends across England by 2015.

Friends’ information sessions are run by Dementia Friends champions, who are volunteers who have taken the Dementia Friends champions’ training.

Each Friends' information session lasts 45mins to 1 hour. Attendees learn more about dementia and how they can be part of a more dementia friendly community.

People with dementia sometimes need a helping hand to go about their daily lives and feel included in their local community.

Dementia Friends is giving people an understanding of dementia and the small things they can do that can make a difference to people living with dementia.

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18 May 2014

Residents invited to find out about street lighting work in south Huyton Knowsley residents living in south Huyton are invited to attend a public consultation event on Thursday 29 May to find out more about the next phase of the borough’s multi-million pound street lighting programme.

Knowsley Council is working with Tay Valley Lighting (TVL) to carry out the revamp of the borough’s street lighting.

The next phase of the project will see work starting in the St Gabriel’s area in June 2014, St Michael’s area at the beginning of October 2014 and Longview in February 2015.

Members of the three south Huyton communities are invited to attend the consultation event being held on Thursday 29 May 2014 at the Lord Derby Academy at 6pm.

Representatives from both Knowsley Council and TVL will be on-hand to answer any questions residents may have regarding the work that will be taking place.

The event will begin with a presentation outlining the street lighting scheme, along with details of the timescales and benefits it will bring to the area. This will last for around 15 minutes and will be followed by an opportunity for residents to ask questions.

The four-year street lighting project will replace the majority of the borough’s street lighting, traffic signs and bollards with the latest, energy efficient technology.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES This years the Millbrook Park Millennium Green Trust’s Kirkby Festival will be on Saturday 5 July starting at 12pm.

As usual the community led festival will have participation from Kirkby Schools, local community groups and community volunteer organisations.

There will be FREE sports activities, circus skills, arts and crafts, face painters as well as singing and dancing performances.

John Fleming, festival steering group chairman said: “As a group we are proud to deliver the Towns biggest

annual event. A true community day whereby families of our town can come and enjoy entertainment and activities.

“In these harsh economic times we feel the people of Kirkby deserve an event that a shortage of money does

not prevent attendance.

“We thank housing associations, local businesses and schools for their help with funding”.

If you would like to participate in, volunteer to assist on the day or offer a donation please ring 07900 450388

Littledale Festival promises to be the best This year the Littledale Festival will take place on Saturday 17 May, 2014 between 12 noon and 5pm.

This will be the 6th year that the Festival will run, and the event will take place on the public open space on Saxon Way, opposite the Park.

The event which is solely organised by the Littledale Festival group goes from strength to strength each year, and showcases the best that Towerhill and Kirkby has to offer.

This year will be no exception, and they will have even more attractions planned than in previous years - including bungee

trampolines, side stalls, donkeys, inflatables, a bucking bronco and fairground rides.

These attractions will be complimented by a full programme of entertainment, which will be provided by local groups and dance schools. The event is a great way of bringing the local community together, and a fantastic family day out.

Parking is however very limited and use of public transport is advised.

If you are interested in being involved with this year’s Festival email the festival group at littledale.ra@sky.com

May 2014 19

BOWRING PARK GALA DAY This years Historic Bowring Park Annual Gala Day will take place on Sunday 29 June.

This year there is even more cause for celebration as The Society of Friends of Bowring Park are also celebrating Twenty Five Years.

The Society of Friends of Bowring Park were set up to promote the preservation, protection, restoration and heritage of historic Bowring Park estate in Roby, Gifted by Alderman Wm B Bowring 25 June 1906 and presented 12 June 1907 for public benefit “for all time”.

This years show will include the PDSA dog show, Hung Gar Chinese Lion Dance and Kung Fu display, live music, local dance team shows, interactive circus skills entertainer, craft demonstrations, wood craft, birds of prey static display and general talk, horse and pony rides, fair amusements and rides.

The Coach House Café open for tea’s, coffees and cakes.

Local artists will also be selling pictures, fun stalls such as coconut shy and tombola Fun starts at 11.00am and wil go on until 5.00pm Stalls are available for hire, for further information please contact by email: fobp@btinternet.com

KNOWSLEY TEEN WINS PLACE AS BRITISH YOUTH AMBASSADOR A Knowsley teenager has secured the life changing opportunity to travel the world as an ambassador for British youth, thanks to Liverpool investment charity One Ark. Robyn Dooley, 17, is the first person to win a place on the Merit Next Leadership Programme, which is being funded by One Ark. Two further places on the scheme are open to young people aged 18-30 in Knowsley.

Activities within the 12 month programme include a high profile internship, ‘The Apprentice’ style challenges and a schedule of world travel.

Those interested in competing for the two remaining places can earn the chance to do so by undertaking social enterprise-based activity in the community, as well as receiving mentoring. Alongside the winners who progress to the year-long calendar of activity, 100 further entrants will each finish the scheme with a life plan, to work towards employment and other goals.

In order to secure her place, Robyn launched a campaign to raise youth political awareness, alongside other social activity.

Robyn said: “I can’t wait to start my work with the programme and to travel the world, taking on new experiences and acting as an ambassador for Britain.

“Everyone involved is striving for change and to make a positive impact on

communities, be it on a local or global basis.

“The activity I completed as I worked towards securing my place has demonstrated how much of an impact young people can have.”

Highlights of the year-long calendar include playing an integral role in World Merit Day which is part of the Liverpool International Festival, visits to global business headquarters, trips to the Houses of Parliament and the White House, as well as attending a conference in New York City.

Emily Karatay, who is co-ordinating the scheme on behalf of One Ark, said: “Merit Next is an exclusive year-long leadership programme accessible to the most talented and driven young people from around the globe. We’re thrilled to be able to offer the opportunity to be a part of this to entrepreneurial and social young people in Knowsley.

“World Merit is working with some of the world's most innovative thought leaders and organisations to provide a life changing experience that will accelerate the potential of all participants.

“Two more places are still available, so if you’re keen to take part I’d advise to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.”

For more information on taking part in the Merit Next Leadership Programme call 0151 280 4905.

Nursing at the centre of the community We are committed to nursing you where you most want to be – in familiar surroundings with your friends, family and creature comforts close at hand.

More than 70 of our dedicated District Nurses work in 12 teams across North, Central and South Knowsley – visiting patients 24-hours a day and delivering patient-centred care when they need it most.

referrals from anyone who is registered with a Knowsley GP. Simply telephone 0151 676 5427 between 8am and 8pm or 01744 673801 out of hours and we’ll explain how best we or our other healthcare colleagues can support your nursing needs in the comfort of your own home.

Moreen Corbett, Clinical Operational Manager at Bluebell Lane Primary Care Resource Centre says: “Whether it’s providing antibiotics intravenously to prevent delayed discharge from hospital; dressing and treating leg ulcers or providing compassionate and respectful end of life care that involves the patient and their carers, we believe in supporting people to remain in their own homes at the most difficult and distressing times of their lives.

‘We understand that being at home matters to you; you and your care matters to us.”

We look forward to receiving your call.

What our patients say about our District Nurse Service: “Brilliant, they do all kinds. They’re always friendly and ask how you are. I’m very happy with service.

They are a great group of nurses”

In order to make accessing our District Nursing Services as easy and inclusive as possible, the team welcome

20 May 2014

This Month with Jess Corcoran

Friendship

I

was strolling through the supermarket on a last minute outfit mission when I began to think about what I was going to share with you this month.

I was nearly telling you all about the actual hunt of trying to find a dress the day before a wedding, but it was in the changing rooms when I was struck with the need of a second opinion about the co-ordinating top and shorts I was trying on that I decided clearly what I wanted to write about.

I needed my best friends opinion on the outfit, but instead of waiting outside the changing room refusing to hang up the clothes I’d finished trying on like she has for many years previously, she was instead in a uni lecture somewhere in Nottingham.

It was in this sudden and urgent need for my best friend in which I mentally made a note to ask her when she was next coming home... (I ask on average every four days because we’ve had that partner in crime vibe, ‘joined at the hip’ type of relationship for the past decade.)

So much so that once, at the end of a week long residential holiday some other girls we had made friends with had to ask me “which one I was?” despite the fact we bare no major physical or even personality resemblance to each other.

However we are somewhat similar to each other because over the years she undoubtedly has been the biggest influence in my life, and I, in return have been the biggest in hers. And its rather odd but entirely fantastic. We have that whole thing were I can say something like “Don't you think that advert is

inappropriate?”and she get why I think it and often agrees on every single level possible. I think our friendship is amazing, and I miss her physical presence in my life on a daily basis. Be it dress shopping, or a coffee shop visit, as much as I can text/call/tweet/Facebook her, nothing beats her annoying me senseless on a Saturday night while were eating egg custard and watching casualty. I find it so great, and if you believe in the whole concept, well, were definitely soul mates.

The best thing about it though? She’s just one of the superbly awesome, wonderful people I have in my life. Naturally, the majority of my friendship circle currently is people I know from school and sixth form but its wonderful that its expanding all of the time. Without even knowing it, there are potential friends around literally every corner, at every train station, in every gallery and book shop.

There is a woman I know through

instagram who I’ve never met but we share so many interests, her bio talks about red lipstick, the beatles and liverpool. She loves photography and writes a blog too. We chat occasionally through comments on each others photos and its really nice. And the other week I met a girl on the make up course I’m currently doing and we just clicked. We bonded over a happy meal (we both think BBQ sauce is a must!) and we wouldn’t couldn’t have stopped talking if we’d have tried. Then there was the guy on the bus that was nice to me when I squealed cause a lady bird randomly flew on my arm and I really ain’t insect lover. It was a few words and a smile but hey, for a little bit of the bus ride I had a new friend.

I’m not saying that life is all rosy and that making new friends is super easy because it is anything but, however it is possible to make new acquaintances and friends because most of us all interact with people on daily basis. I struggled in Manchester because

although I had a course linking me to people, it seemed the only thing. These days you don’t even need to leave the house to interaction with like minded people though, start up any device connected to the internet and you can join in a conversation about almost anything you like. I’m kind of blown away by this idea, and wanted to share it with you too.

There are so many people all over the world that could potentially one day become your best friend and you don’t even know it yet. So this month I’m all about friends and all the different type of friendship you can have. So here’s too them all! To the ones that are here for life, to the ones you never see but love just the same, and even the ones in which the friendships is just a fleeting moment of a shared laugh or borrowed deodorant in the woman’s toilets!

Now show this page to whoever your sitting next too...you never know...you may make a new friend!?

Health & Fitness - with Emma Armstrong of Zest Wellness

Type 2 Diabetes: Facts and Figures Adult fitness classes 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 11am-12pm - Line Dancing 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

With more and more people in the UK become overweight or obese, it is important to understand the potential consequences of gaining a few too many pounds.

One of the most common complications of becoming overweight or obese is the development of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a serious condition which if not managed correctly can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney damage and blindness.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce any insulin, however, in type 2 diabetes although the body can make insulin, it cannot make enough or the insulin the body does make, does not work properly. This is known as insulin resistance and is extremely common in people who are overweight.

Traditionally type 2 diabetes has been associated with overweight middle aged men, however recently the condition has been diagnosed in children as young as seven. Since 1996 the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased from 1.4 million to 2.6 million. With 400 people being diagnosed daily and an estimated 9% of NHS budget being spent on type 2 diabetes, it is a huge health challenge in

the UK and is the fifth most common cause of death in the world. Your risk of diabetes will depend on a mixture of factors including genes, lifestyle and the environment in which you live. Usually diabetes risk increases over the age of 40, however it is common over the age of 25 in South Asian and African-Caribbean people.

However, it is not all bad news. Your risk of type 2 diabetes can be significantly reduced by following a healthy diet and including physical activity in your day. The government currently recommend 150 minutes of moderate activity per week for adults. Additionally, complications of type 2 diabetes can be vastly reduced if managed the condition is managed correctly.

Although not all factors relating to diabetes can be changed, your lifestyle can. Obesity is categorised as a BMI over

30 whilst a BMI of over 25 is classed as overweight. If your BMI is over 25 you may need to address your lifestyle in order to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other weight related complications. It is extremely easy to check your BMI by dividing your weight in kg by your height in metres squared, or simply use one the many online calculators available. By the time of being diagnosed, 50% of patients have already started to show signs of complications so don’t wait until it is too late.

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

May 2014 21

Monday Huyton The Old School House, St John’s Road 6.30pm Kathryn 07865 014437 Huyton St Aidans Club Longview Lane 5.30pm & 7.30pm Michelle 07940 181515 Tuesday West Derby The Crown Inn, Leyfield Road 9.00am, 11.00am, 4.30pm & 6.30pm Marji 07739 167048 Kirkby Centre 63 Old Hall Lane, Next To St Chads 9.30am & 11.00am Eileen 548 0658 Prescot St James Church Hall St Helens Road (Near The Wellington Pub) 9.30am, 11.30am 4.30pm & 6.30pm Lynn 07739 167051 Huyton St Aidan’s Club, Longview Lane, Huyton 9.30am & 11.30am Michelle 07940 181515

Wednesday Dovecot St Margaret Mary’s Social Club (Behind Church) Pilch Lane 9.30am; 4.00pm & 6.00pm Julie 449 1074 Dovecot St Luke’s Community Centre Princess Drive 9.30am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm Michelle 07940 181515 Thursday Whiston George Howard Centre, Lickers Lane, 5.00pm & 6.30pm Kathryn 07865 014437 Huyton The Royal British Legion Archway Road 1.00pm & 6.00pm Joanne 254 1298 Kirkby Holy Angels Social Club Sidney Powell Avenue 4pm & 6pm Sue 07546 148204 Dovecot St Luke’s Community Centre Princess Drive 7.00pm Susanne 07785 459297

Friday Dovecot St Margaret Mary’s Social Club (Behind Church), Pilch Lane 9.30am Julie 449 1074 Saturday Huyton The Huycap Centre, Rupert Road 8.00am & 10.00am Joanne 254 1298 West Derby The Crown Inn Leyfield Road, West Derby 8.30am & 10.30am Marji 07739 167048 Prescot Parish Church Meeting Rooms (next to Deans House), Vicarage Place 8.00am & 9.30am Lynn 07739 167051

22 May 2014

May 2014 23

CHAMBER MEMBERS HOST POLISH DELEGATION TO KNOWSLEY Knowsley Chamber Commerce recently hosted another delegation of Entrepreneurs and Business Students from Poland on a business development and start up programme.

The Chamber and its members actively support these exchange programmes. A case study combined with a factory visit was made to Terumo UK Manufacturing Ltd. Terumo are a leading manufacturer of tubing packs and medical devices for cardiovascular surgery.

The visit was followed by lunch at the Suites Hotel. Sysco Management Consultants Ltd manages the programme through their office in Poland and the visit was facilitated

by Keith Lewis Associates.

Joining the European Community has provided many challenges and opportunities for Polish business. Learning from other business communities assists Poland and other East European countries to understand and develop a vibrant market economy.

The programme is designed to demonstrate how innovation and planning can result in business success.

New campaign gets underway in borough Firefighters are visiting businesses across Knowsley as part of a new campaign to help highlight fire safety advice and reduce call-outs involving arson.

The campaign started with a focus on businesses in Knowsley Industrial Estate near Kirkby.

Firefighters will be delivering flyers that cover fire safety advice for businesses including: • As an employer you have a legal duty to carry out a fire risk assessment. Part of this involves ensuring that everyone in your workplace can escape and reach a place of safety in the event of an emergency.

• Escape routes should be kept clear of all obstructions. The escape routes should lead to a place of safety, normally outside and away from the building.

• Ensure there isn’t a build-up of combustibles either inside or outside of the building - good housekeeping can prevent fires.

Other areas being targeted in the campaign include Knowsley Business Park, Wilson Road, Kirkby, and Prescot and Halewood.

The campaign will be supported by all stations across Knowsley and Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service fire prevention and protection staff including Kirkby Community Fire Station, Huyton Community Fire Station, Whiston Community Fire Station and Speke and Garston Community Fire Station during the next eight weeks.

The campaign aims to make contact with as many businesses as possible across Knowsley as part of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service’s risk reduction plan for Knowsley.

Group manager Gary Oakford, Merseyside

Fire & Rescue Service district manager for Knowsley, said: “We all recognise that arson can have a devastating impact upon the community and have potential consequences for the safety of our firefighters.

“Arson can also create a huge disruption for businesses which could see their entire premise lost or severely damaged which can also affect people’s livelihoods in the community and the economic prosperity of the area.

“This new campaign focusing on businesses across the Knowsley district of Merseyside, has a number of aims including providing businesses with advice on arson risk reduction at their sites.

“We also want to visit businesses to arrange and carry out site specific risk information visits which allows our firefighters to know what is at sites if they are called to a fire there to help keep firefighters safe when they are tackling any fires.

“The campaign also sees fire crews providing advice and guidance on gas cylinders and storing them safely and, working with our partners Knowsley Council and Knowsley Chamber of Commerce, provide an opportunity for businesses to have unwanted cylinders removed at no cost to them. We really want to engage with as much of the business community as possible during this work.”

Businesses can request a visit by firefighters to their site by contacting 0800 7315958 or by emailing Fireservicedirect2@merseyfire.gov.uk Requests for removal of gas cylinders can also be made by businesses by calling this number during weekday office hours.

24 May 2014

Property

KHT COMPLETES AWARD NOMINATED BLUEBELL BUNGALOWS SCHEME Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT), part of the First Ark Group, which is committed to creating a successful and sustainable community for people and businesses in Knowsley, has completed work on a new scheme that will complement extra care development, Bluebell Park.

Nine stylish new bungalows have been built on Alamein Road in Huyton, Knowsley, opposite the Bluebell development, which is due to be completed in autumn this year. Although independent from Bluebell Park, bungalow residents will be able to use the facilities in the extra care scheme if they wish to, which include an on-site care team, restaurant, and hairdresser.

As part of the Home & Communities Agency’s pledge to increase the supply of new affordable homes in England, KHT was awarded a £835,000 grant to deliver 59 homes to Knowsley by March 2016.

The Alamein bungalow scheme is the first to be completed from the funding pot and offers residents a high quality and sustainable living environment with the option to tailor a support package specifically for their individual requirements when Bluebell Park opens.

The development has already gained industry recognition from the Local Authority Building Control Awards 2014, receiving a nomination for ‘Small New Build Scheme of the Year’ following a

submission by Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (KMBC).

Ian Thomson, executive director at KHT, said: “Providing our residents with the opportunity to create a community and living environment that works for them has been an instrumental factor in this development process. Our primary aim with the Bluebell Alamein bungalows was

to create a scheme that allowed residents complete independence from the supported living at Bluebell Park, but with the option to choose the fantastic extra care facilities on offer if they wish.

“We’re extremely proud to have already received award recognition for this development and feel KHT’s approach to building great homes, which are tailored

to the needs of future residents, further demonstrates our commitment to investing in the local community.”

If you would like to register your interest in the Bluebell Alamein bungalows or would like more information about the Bluebell Park development, please call 0151 290 7000 or visit www.bluebellparkapartments.co.uk

Gleeson Homes name road after local hero Gleeson Homes has revealed that a brand new road on its Cawdor Park development in Granby will be known as Herbie Higgins Close as a tribute to the local community leader who was dedicated to improving the lives of Toxteth residents.

Mr Higgins, who died in 2011 age 89, made a huge contribution to the Toxteth community and was instrumental in opening the first Merseyside Caribbean Centre and setting up the Liverpool branch of the Community Relations Centre. He was awarded an MBE in 1996 for outstanding community service.

Gleeson sales manager Linda Matura and sales director Sarah Marsden were joined by Councillor Anne O’Byrne, cabinet member for housing and members of Herbie’s family to officially unveil the new street which forms the latest phase of new homes on the development.

Linda Matura said: “Herbie Higgins MBE was a local celebrity in these parts and obviously made a huge contribution to the community. We are delighted we can honour

Herbie at Cawdor Park. It only feels right that he will be remembered by generations to come through this road.

“Gleeson is dedicated to improving local communities through the construction of new homes which are affordable for local people who might otherwise be unable to get onto the property ladder. A new two bedroom home on this developments costs from as little as £80 per week to buy with the Government’s Help to Buy scheme which is often cheaper than privately renting in this area” Sarah Marsden added: “We know how important community is in this area and both prior to, and during construction, we have worked really closely with local people and the council’s neighbourhood team to ensure we are able to offer new homes which are affordable to local people.

Assistant Mayor and cabinet member for housing, Councillor Ann O’Byrne, said: “Herbie Higgins was a community leader in every sense, a man who dedicated his life to helping others.

“He made a huge contribution for more than 50 years, working tirelessly to improve lives,

support those in need, and maximise opportunities for local people. This work will never be forgotten by the community, or the city, and his legacy lives on. I’m delighted he is being honoured in this way.”

Princes Park ward councillor Anna Rothery who made the request for Mr Higgins’ contribution to the community to be honoured through the street naming - joined guests at the event.

Anna said: “Herbie Higgins’ work, over five decades, touched the lives of many, and blazed a trail for others working for equality and diversity. His list of achievements is endless, including his role in establishing the first Merseyside Caribbean Centre.

“He continues to be missed by all those who

knew him, and the work he did to transform lives means he will always be remembered.

“It’s wonderful that we can pay tribute to the mark he left on the community, through this street naming. It is a fitting honour for a remarkable man.”

Gleeson’s commitment to local communities is focused through its community matters programme which offers apprenticeship schemes, jobs for local people and sponsorship opportunities for local junior sports teams. The housebuilder has also worked with the local school to design a bedroom in the show home.

Gleeson’s sales office and show homes are open seven days a week 10am to 5pm. For more information please visit www.gleeson-homes.co.uk

May 2014 25

26 May 2014

THE SWEET TASTE OF STOCKBRIDGE If you have tasted Stockbridge Village’s very own L28 honey you will know how delicious it is and the man behind the honey is Andy Hubb (along with the help of a few busy bees).

Andy is already working hard on cultivating this year’s produce and we caught up with him to find out how Stockbridge Village honey is proving to be a hit.

Interested in beekeeping since his school days, Andy relished the opportunity to fulfil his dream during 2008 Capital of Culture. The Liverpool Biennial funded a project to introduce hives along the Leeds-Liverpool canal across from the Bootle Strand.

Ten novices one of which was Andy, were paired together and given responsibility for one of five hives. When the project came to a close, the beekeepers dispersed across the city and from there it's grown from Andy’s hobby into a business.

Each year Andy has doubled the number of colonies to a point where this spring he has estimated he will have over 50.

He sells the honey at local farmers and artisan markets, retail at Baltic Bakery,

Liverpool Cheese Co., and he also supplies Bold St Coffee.

Andy said: “Bees do really well in cities and urban spaces as the diversity of flowers is so much greater than countryside where you find large-scale agribusiness. There is a better microclimates and pesticide use.

“I’ve received great feedback on the range of postcode honeys: firstly how different it is from the supermarket stuff, appreciation for the diversity in flavour.

“People have also reported how they feel it made a difference to their allergies, I don’t whether there’s robust science to back it up but what I can say is that I take great care to extract honey using the minimum of heat and filtering so it’s as raw as possible (the supermarket stuff is virtually pasteurised and inert).”

The bad news is that Andy has sold out of L28 honey until the 2014 harvest becomes available in late July, early August, although he does still have good stocks of L9, L25 and L35.

You can follow Andy on Twitter at @doobeehave Right: Beekeeping in Stockbridge Village

Residents enjoy the great outdoors Spring is in the air, and with the lighter nights back now is a great time to discover the great outdoors.

Together with Knowsley Council, Villages Housings tenants forum, The Stockbridge Ramblers and the Stockbridge Village children’s centre Villages Housing have been working hard on creating an urban walks brochure for people to enjoy.

The brochure funded by British Gas, Community foundation for Merseyside and Huyton children’s centres, is intended to improve health and wellbeing on the estate by encouraging residents to get out and walk regularly and to also explore their immediate environment.

The booklet is packed with several walking routes mapped on the estate of varying lengths so that walkers can become aware of the amount of exercise they complete.

Residents of Stockbridge The routes also connect with the Village enjoy the great wider area for longer routes and cycle outdoors routes.

Barbara Murray community development officer at Villages said: “Walking is one of the easiest ways to stay fit. You may have a busy life, but it’s easy to get out for a walk around the estate and is a great opportunity to meet friends and family and chat along the way.”

You can pick a copy of the brochure up from the Villages office, health centre and neighbourhood centre, or download a copy direct from the Villages website www.villages.org.uk.

May 2014 27

28 May 2014

RIVER ALT PROJECT TAKES SHAPE Springing from the ground in Huyton and entering the sea at Hightown, disappearing underground and reappearing, confined in culvert or canalised channel, the River Alt’s course is a far cry from the natural meandering river that the Vikings would have once explored.

The ‘Big Dig’ currently taking place adjacent to Stonebridge Lane, in Croxteth, is now well underway.

The River Alt Restoration Project aims to deculvert the river, also known as 'daylighting', by diverting it through a new 900m section of open river rather than being constrained in a dark concrete tube.

Funding for this £1.5 million project has come from Liverpool City Council and the Department of Food and Rural Affairs, through the Environment Agency’s Catchment Restoration Fund, with further project support being provided by project partners The Community Forests Trust.

The project is led by the Cass Foundation, a Liverpool-based charity, committed to working to improve people’s health by improving their environment.

It works with individuals, organisations and communities to research, collaborate on, promote and deliver projects that focus on health and the environment.

Richard Cass, chairman of the foundation, said: “The realignment means we can create not only a healthier river, but also a new green walking and cycling route linking Stonebridge Business Park and Alt Park, and we hope eventually through to Croxteth Country Park”.

The main engineering work is being carried out by William Pye Ltd. Their laser guided excavators have dug a precision channel to carry the river and shape the floodplain, create conditions for new habitat plus they have constructed a mound to view almost the whole new section of river.

This initial phase of work began in February 2014 and is due to complete in June 2014. The landscape team will then take over to plant the riverside, sow the meadows and, later in the year, plant the avenue of trees and native woodland.

Cass Foundation project manager, Helen Rawlinson says: “It is great to see such a rapid transformation of an area of waste ground, once blighted by flytipping and neglect, given a new lease of life.

“We hope that local people will love their new park and wildlife will, in time, migrate to the new habitats as they “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see kingfishers, which live up and downstream, in this new stretch of river too?”

The new, yet to be officially named park, will be formally opened in 2015.

In the meantime, there will be plenty of opportunities for local people and organisations to get involved through organised activities, competitions and volunteering.

These will include bird surveying, wildflower and tree planting, a competition to name and design a logo for the park, anti-litter, anti flytipping and

anti-dog fouling poster competition, conservation volunteering, walk and talks, join a friends group and more.

The Cass Foundation and the Alt Valley Community Trust will be hosting a Dementia and Wellbeing Day, at the Communiversity, on Tuesday 20 May, so there will be plenty of opportunity to come and ask questions or to find out more about forthcoming activities.

On Wednesday, May 14, The conservation volunteers will be starting a volunteer session, every second Wednesday of the month, for anyone 18 or over, interested in helping to clean up the River Alt where it runs through Alt Park.

Activities could include removing blockages of rubbish and branches caused by winter storms, managing the

What is The River Alt Project A £1.5m project to create a 900 metre-long park at Stonebridge in Liverpool, alongside a restored stretch of the River Alt. The Alt is currently part-culverted at this point and will be opened up, diverted and landscaped with funding from the Environment Agency and Liverpool City Council. Together with partner The Community Forest Trust, the project is being led and managed by the Cass Foundation, a charity focusing on the links between the environment and health. The main restoration work is due for completion in 2014.

park woodland, creating a woodland path, removing litter and managing Himalayan Balsam, an invasive weed whose seed they want to minimise entering into the new river channel.

This is an opportunity to get out, get

Walk4Woodlands in June This year the Woodlands Hospice will be holding their Walk4Woodlands family friendly sponsored evening walk in place of their usual Starlight Walk.

The event will be starting at The Lakeside, Crosby on Friday 6 June at 9.00pm.

This lovely new route along the Marina in Crosby will start at the earlier time of 9.00 pm on a Friday night (rather than our usual Saturday).

They are appealing for as many people in the community to come out and ‘Walk4Woodlands’ with family, friends, neighbours or colleagues.

Registration is £12 per person (plus sponsorship) including a T-shirt, medal and hot roll and drink on completion.

Carole Riley, fundraising and communications manager, said: “The annual walk is very popular but we felt the event needed a bit of a make-over hence the new route and location of the walk, an earlier start time to include families and a change of day.”

For more information contact: Neil Beadman on 0151 529 2640/8193 or e-mail: neil.beadman@aintree.nhs.uk

Volunteer minibus driver wanted Have you got a few hours to spare during the week? Can you drive a minibus?

Would you like to help blind and visually impaired people in Merseyside?

If you can answer “yes” to all of these questions, then you are the person wanted!

Bradbury Fields services for blind and partially sighted people urgently needs volunteer drivers to help transport their service users from their homes to their daily Active vision clubs, and then returning them home.

Active vision clubs help to break isolation for people who would otherwise be socially isolated. By attending the clubs, blind and visually impaired people have the opportunity to make friends, enjoy various activities, enjoy the benefit of a delicious freshly made lunch, and just have something to look forward to.

If you would like to help, please contact: Maria Schofield on 0151 221 0888 ext 203 or email Maria on mschofield@bradburyfields.org.uk

Your diabetes questions answered The next meeting of the St Helens & District Group of Diabetes UK will be on Wednesday 4 June, 2014 at 7.30pm in St Helens Town Hall.

The speaker will be Professor Kevin Hardy, who will be leading a session called: Your diabetes questions answered. Prof hardy is a Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist based at the Diabetes Unit in St Helens Hospital.

For further details contact C Bowmaker on 0151 480 0821.

active, get fit, meet like-minded people who want to look after the environment and it is free.

For information and to book your place, contact e.joinson@tcv.org.uk or telephone 07740 899 601.

Step out for Action The Stroke Association is calling on residents to take part in the charity’s Step out for Stroke event at Court Hey Park on Monday 19 May at 11am.

The fundraising walk is part of Action on Stroke Month, when the Stroke Association aims to promote stroke awareness and prevention as well as raise vital funds for the charity.

The walk will be officially started by George Howarth MP and walkers can enjoy a warm up from 10:30am. The event is being run in partnership with the ranger service at Knowsley Borough Council.

Theresa O’Sullivan, Step out for Stroke organiser, said: “Step Out for Stroke walks are fully accessible whatever your walking ability, wheelchairs and pushchairs are more than welcome too.

“People taking part in the walk set their own pace and distance they want to cover.

Anyone can take part, and we are really keen to invite stroke survivors and people affected by stroke to join in with their family and friends.

“Being part of a Step Out for Stroke walk is an inspiring experience, but there’s a serious purpose behind it; stroke is the leading cause of complex adult disability in the UK. At the Stroke Association we want to be there for everyone affected by stroke, so please do join us and raise the funds that will help make that possible.”

For more information on Step out for Stroke visit www.stroke.org.uk/stepout

May 2014 29

30 May 2014

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May 2014 31

HAUNTED MERSEYSIDE WITH TOM SLEMEN

KNOWSLEY LEY LINES Over the years I have had quite a few reports - particularly from Knowsley - of a strange unexplained phenomenon known as a “false dawn” whereby the skies suddenly lighten as if the sun is about to come up, only to darken again.

These reports were mentioned briefly in articles the size of postage stamps, and the meteorological experts and astronomers blamed the Northern Lights at first – even though most reports put the night-time glows in the southern skies, and then the blame was put on the zodiacal light – a faint luminance caused by rays from the un-risen sun reflecting off dust in the solar system.

Another lame explanation hinted that the bogus daybreaks were the work of the gegenschein – a German astronomical term meaning ‘counter-glow’ – again, caused by light from our sun bouncing off interplanetary and meteoric dust out in space.

I am only an amateur astronomer, but even I know that both the zodiacal light and gegenschein are exceedingly faint, and we would have to turn off the streetlamps of Knowsley to notice these ghostly glows in the sky.

The false dawns seen by people across Kirkby, Prescot, Halewood, Croxteth, Whiston, Huyton and parts of Liverpool between January 1970 and October 2004 were bright as the pre-dawn sky, and one housewife in Huyton told me how she and a relative sat in their garden at one o’clock one warm morning in May 1977 and were able to read newsprint by the strange light in the southern sky. By 2.15am the sky had gone pitch-black again.

I have received many emails and letters about this phenomenon over the years, including a report from a man named Gary, who worked in a Prescot filling station from the 1990s to 2010.

Gary clearly recalls how, one morning at 1.20am in October 2004, just before Halloween, he was talking to a group of taxi drivers who were filling their fuel tanks when the skies became almost as bright as daytime.

This unearthly effect lasted until just before 2am when the night returned quite abruptly.

One of the cabbies phoned his brother Des in Liverpool to tell him about the sudden daylight and Des told him how birds were singing in Sefton Park as if morning had arrived.

A housewife named Mary in Westvale,

Kirkby was also a witness to the bizarre premature ‘daybreak’.

Mary had left her bed to get a drink of water and thought she had overslept, for she could clearly see the patio, but upon casting a bleary eye at the kitchen clock, she was amazed to see that it was only around 1.30am.

Another mystery in the sky has also reported to me over the years – and quite recently too – and this is the enigmatic beams of ethereal light that have been seen over Knowsley and beyond.

In 2013 I received several emails from people in Kirkby who had seen a shaft of light, as straight as a laser, traced through a mist over the Westvale area.

Two men in their twenties returning from a nightclub saw this beam from the corner of James Holt Avenue and Richard Hesketh Drive, and they estimated the beams stretched as far as the local municipal golf course. The beam was bright and seemed to sparkle, but was only seen for about 20 seconds.

These beams in the sky have been seen all over the world for centuries and are often explained away as chain lightning, aurorae, and even shooting stars, but the ones seen in the skies of Knowsley, parts of Liverpool, and also Wirral, seem to manifest in a very intriguing pattern which I have studied for some time.

This pattern is triangular in nature, and the beams link many ancient sites in a manner which leads me to believe that a ley line is behind the eerie shafts of light.

The ley line I have discovered runs from Speke Hall for four miles to All Saints (oldest Church in this area and built on an ancient sacred site), and from there it runs in a perfectly straight line to St Chad’s, Kirkby – and as most know, St Chad’s was built on a hill revered by a pre-Christian (possibly Druid) cult.

The ley line then runs west through Walton Church (another ancient place of worship deliberately erected by the Church fathers on a pagan site) to Bidston Hill – a major landmark, known for thousands of years as a place of occult ritual, where you will find strange carvings of a cat-headed moon goddess and other arcane inscriptions.

This ley line passes through some of the most haunted locations in the North West, as well as the locations of time slips and places where a mysterious humming sound has been heard for decades.

Farm springs into sales season Spring has certainly sprung at Acorn Farm and the plant sales centre is now fully-stocked with a large selection of plants for budding local gardeners.

Acorn stock a wide range of bedding plants, tubs, shrubs and ready-to-buy hanging baskets, but the plant sales team’s work does not stop there! 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.

For more information on local ley lines, read Haunted Liverpool 25, which is out soon.

32 May 2014

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

National cycling event in Knowsley

Knowsley Velodrome and BMX Park will be hosting its first national event of 2014 this month – the North West Heat for under 16s of the National Youth Track Omnium.

Over 100 boys and girls from across the country are expected to take part on Sunday, 18 May in an event that covers a number of different track disciplines.

Each age group (under 16s, under 14s and under 12s) will compete and score points in separate races throughout the day, and the overall winner in each age group is the rider who performed best across all the disciplines.

The best five riders in each age group will progress to the national final in July in Hertfordshire.

British Cycling members can take part in this national competition – further details including how to enter can be found at www.britishcycling.com Races will commence at 10am and it’s free of charge to come along and support this national event.

Andrew McCormick, director of community and leisure said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to come along and support this national event, experiencing the highest level of track racing.

“Our velodrome and BMX track are truly world-class and I’m sure you will be watching future Olympic stars at the event this month.”

KICK BOXING CLUB CELEBRATE SUCCESS Terry McElhinneys Kick Boxing Club was celebrating after a number of members gained their black belt grading.

Huyton achievers included Sensei Ian Doughty who gained 2nd Dan black belt with Matthew Taylor, Ian Taylor, Steve Ogden, John Amor, Gerry Devine and Liz McElhinney all gaining their Ist Dan black belts.

Kirkby members Kaitlyn Grealey and Kitty Lewis also gained their 1st Dan black belts, whilst in Halewood Sensei Dominic Murphy passed his 2nd Dan black belt and Olly Gurrin, Paul Brady and Chris Cliffe gained their 1st Dan black belts.

Terry McElhinney, said: “It has been a terrific couple of months for us with so many members achieving Black belt status.

“The Kick Boxing club was formed over 30 years ago in Prescot, but we have recently moved back to the totally refurbished five star Gym, HFFS-Sapphire MMA & Fitness Facility at Unit 6 Wilson Business Centre, Huyton.

“I would like to stress that we are not a fight club. There is no full out sparring or getting hurt, just self-defence, fitness and confidence building.”

Though his club trains under the banner of kick boxing they utilizes time proven successful sets of martial arts moves from kick boxing, ju-jitsu and boxing within the white to black belt syllabus.

“This”, says Terry “enables students to learn to attack and defend themselves from long, middle and close distance attacks.”

Terry has competed in over 40 kick boxing fights and nine boxing fights with only a few losses. One of his proudest achievements was representing England

Terry McElhinney (fourth left) with fellow black belt members

in the world championship in Germany in 1987, He had to fight three times in the same day against the best in Britain to qualify. In two of those fights he beat the runner-up in the European championships and the reigning European champion.

Terry started Martial arts 40 years ago mostly because he had low self-esteem (due to a stammer that made him very shy), and he wanted to toughen himself up, his fear of fighting didn’t serve him well, as he was brought up on the Bluebell estate in Huyton.

Martial Arts definitely produced a massive change in his confidence. He totally believes he would not be where he is today: teaching martial arts, kick fit and running corporate Health & Wellbeing courses if it was not for starting Martial Arts.

He has had similar feedback over the years from many of his students Many students have said how much more focused and confident they feel after joining Terry's club, and how this has helped them in other aspects of their lives.

Terry said: “Everyone is considered

Tom Stalker to start new life in Spain Knowsley boxer Tom Stalker is leaving Liverpool to start a new life in Spain.

The unbeaten light-welterweight has parted company with his trainers at Everton Red Triangle and will now be coached by Seamus Macklin at the MGM gym in Marbella.

Stalker says the chance to move his family to the south coast of Spain is an “amazing opportunity” that he could not turn down.

Stalker is ready to return to action on May 17 at the ECHO Arena and is looking forward to teaming up with Macklin.

But the 29-year-old has reserved

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special praise for his coaches at ERT – Paul and Mick Stevenson.

“An amazing opportunity has arisen where I’ll be leaving Liverpool with my family to start a new life and boxing chapter in Marbella at the world renowned MGM gym,” said Stalker.

“After talks with my new manager Daniel Kinahan and trainer Seamus, we have created a plan for a new boxing journey together.

“This opportunity felt right at this stage of my career. I am thankful for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to starting my camp for my up and coming fight on May 17 at the

ECHO Arena.”

Stalker added: “But I want to express my thanks to Everton Red Triangle coaches Paul and Mick Stevenson for helping me and bringing me on so much as a fighter.

“They are exceptional coaches and have a thriving gym.”

Paul Stevenson added: “We are sad to him go and are sad about the way this has happened.

“But we want to wish Tom all the best for the future.”

Stalker says plans are in place for him to spend time in the US picking up sparring with some of the best fighters in his division Stateside.

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equal in the class and there is a mutual respect shown amongst all students, without confrontation.”

Terry is also a sports performance coach and life coach. He has helped many teams and sports people reach their full potential, including Olympian David Price, British Kick Boxing Champion Richie Heeson and World Kick Boxing champion Jay Bimpson and many others.

More details can be found on his website: www.bodyandmindunlimited.co.uk