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Issue. 10 - February 2018
Inside this issue: Local News - Health & Wellbeing - sports
Fine for disabled
badge misuse
A Stockton Heath woman will have to pay up more than £600 after using her late husband’s disabled parking badge to avoid paying parking charges. Mary Welsby, of Roman Road, appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court on 31st January on three charges of failing to return a blue badge to Warrington Borough Council when her husband, the registered owner, died in October 2015. Welsby then used the badge to park in disabled bays on the town car parks and did not pay the parking charge. Welsby, aged 67, pleaded guilty to all three offences by post and the magistrates fined her £322 and a victim surcharge of £32 was ordered. £300 was also awarded for costs. In 2016 Wa r r i n g t o n Borough C o u n c i l announced a ‘Blue Badge
Amnesty’ to give residents the opportunity to hand in any badges that they weren’t entitled to use. Cllr Russ Bowden, executive board member for corporate services, said: “It is for precisely this reason that we held an amnesty for disabled badges. We wanted to make sure that people had the chance to come clean. “It is unacceptable that some people continue to misuse the blue badge scheme as there are people who have a genuine need to use these designated parking spaces. It is a crime to use a badge that does not belong to you or to alter the information printed on the badge and people using them fraudulently will be prosecuted.” For more details about blue badges email bluebadge@warrington. gov.uk Call 01925 443322 Go to https://www.warrington.gov.uk/ info/201123/parking/2152/blue_ badge
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Merseyside Police welcome
sentencing of six men in
relation to ATM burglary offences
Merseyside Police welcomed the sentencing of six men to a total of over 20 years imprisonment in relation to a series of ATM burglary offences across Merseyside and Cheshire. Between 7th January and 11th July 2017 there were a number of offences (full details below) in the Liverpool, Wirral and Cheshire areas. In each of the offences the offenders have, in the early hours of the morning, targeted commercial premises such as post offices, convenience stores and service stations that contain an ATM. The gang arrived at the scenes in high powered vehicles, often Audi or Mercedes cars on cloned number plates, forced entry to the premises and attacked the ATM in order to steal the cash contained inside. The gang also rented an industrial premises in Birkenhead where they stored equipment, stolen cars and weapons. In total the gang pleaded to seven offences and were sentenced today at Liverpool Crown Court. David O'Brien, 35, of Fincham Close, Huyton was sentenced to five years and five months for conspiracy to commit burglary. Stephen Roberts, 38, of Wilson Road,
Prescot was sentenced to five years and five months for conspiracy to commit burglary. Les McStein, 34, of Oxford Road, Egremont, was sentenced to six years for conspiracy to commit burglary. Craig Dobbins, 36, of Airdale Close, Beechwood was sentenced three years and six months for conspiracy to commit burglary. Craig Brennan, 33, of Farmfield Drive, Beechwood, Wirral, was sentenced to 10 months for attempted burglary of a commercial premises. John Huntington, 21, of Ganneys Meadow Road, Woodchurch, Wirral, was given a two year suspended sentence and 175 hours community order for conspiracy to commit burglary Detective Inspector Mike Dalton said: “I am delighted that we have managed to put this gang behind bars for a number of serious offences. “These are not victimless crimes. These individuals have, when confronted by police officers or members of the public, used violence to ensure they were not detained. “They have pre-armed themselves with bricks and when confronted by police officers thrown them at police
vehicles to facilitate their escape. “On one occasion they assaulted a member of the public who was simply passing by. The victim received ten
stitches to a laceration to his hand caused by a knife and also a broken nose. “Thankfully they are now behind bars where they belong.”
Page 2. Local budding writers
your library service needs YOU to sign up
to creative writing
competition!
Calling all children and young people from St Helens! Get your pens or computers at the ready; because St Helens Library Service’s creative writing competition is back. Now in its fourth year, the competition – which is sponsored by Newton Rotary Club and West Lancashire Freemasons – requires budding writers, who either live or go to school in the borough, to produce a short story of no more than 500 words using one of six story-starters found in the entry form. With this year marking not only the borough’s 150th anniversary, but also 100 years on since the end of World War One, why not remember the sacrifices made by our local men, women and even animals, by choosing a story starter highlighted with a poppy. Prizes will be awarded for both primary and secondary school categories. 1st Prize: £35 book token & £75 worth of books for your school library 2nd Prize: £25 book token & £60 worth of books for your school library 3rd Prize: £15 book token & £40 worth of books for your school library Sharing her words of encouragement in a bid to beat last year’s impressive total of 337 entries, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Services and Libraries, Councillor Sue Murphy, said: “Last year, we received an overwhelming number of entries for our creative writing competition and it was difficult to choose six winning pieces, given some of the exceptional work submitted. “Creative writing is a fascinating subject, so I’d challenge even more children and young people to enter this year to show off their imaginative side which could end up bagging them a fantastic prize in the process.” Entry forms will be available to collect from any library in St Helens from Thursday 1 February, and can be downloaded by visiting http://bit.ly/SuperWriters The deadline for entries is Saturday 17 March 2018 and can be returned to any St Helens library, the Schools Library Service, or by email to: karenthornburn@ sthelens.gov.uk. Please make sure your entries are clearly marked with your name, age, address and school.
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St Helens memorial service
for those affected by suicide
A service of reflection will be held at Saints’ Totally Wicked Stadium this March for people affected by suicide. candles The event, which will run from 7:30pm -9:00pm on Wednesday 28 March 2018, is being hosted by Listening Ear's AMPARO service, which provides support following suicide, and is supported by St Helens Council, Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBs), State of Mind (a charity that promotes positive mental health for sportsmen and women) and
St Helens College. Bringing people affected by suicide together from across Merseyside and Cheshire, the evening aims to provide a space for thought and reflection in supportive surroundings. In attendance will be Danny Sculthorpe and Ian Smith from the world of Rugby League who have both been personally affected by suicide. Richard Brown, CEO of Listening Ear said: "We have been delivering our post suicide support service, AMPARO, in Cheshire & Merseyside
for nearly three years. AMPARO aims to reduce stigma, support bereaved families, and bring local services together to provide cohesive care and support when a suicide has occurred within a community.” Cllr Gill Neal, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing said: “I would just like to thank all those involved for organising this memorial service. It will give people a chance to remember their loved ones and come together with others who have also
been affected by suicide. “It’s also an opportunity to let people know that there is support available to help them through this tough time in their lives.” Derek Hall and Anne Cunliffe, Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBs) said: “SOBs gives us a chance to talk and listen to others who, like ourselves have lost someone to suicide and understand the devastation for those left behind.” Malcolm Rae, State of Mind Chair said: "State of Mind Sport are pleased to support this important event as we recognise that family members and friends can be supported and strengthened in their distress by remembering their loved ones in this way." Suicide is an individual tragedy, life-altering for those bereaved and a traumatic event for the community and local services involved. It is also a major public health issue and a leading cause of years of life lost. To continue this community support, AMPARO would like to invite all affected by suicide to attend the reflection at Saints’ stadium in March, with an opportunity to meet others who have had similar experiences. The evening will seek to continue the work of AMPARO and other partners, ensuring all who have been affected by suicide are fully supported and are able to feel connected to their community. If you would like to attend the memorial service, visit https:// www.listening-ear.co.uk/Event/ st-helens-memorial-service to book your place. For further information: Richard Brown CEO Listening Ear (Merseyside) 07850 476 360 Richard.brown@ listening-ear.co.uk amparo.service@listening-ear. co.uk
St Helens Chamber
Launches New Business Awards
St Helens Chamber is pleased to announce the launch of the first Awards dedicated to the successes of St Helens Businesses. Entries open Friday 26th January and will run until midnight on Tuesday 3rd April. Businesses and schools across St Helens can enter eight categories including: • Small Business of the Year • Export Business of the Year • Best Use of Technology • High Growth Business of the Year • Education and Business Partnership Award • Excellence in Customer Service • Commitment to People Development • Apprentice of the Year The Awards are open to businesses of all sizes and sectors and are free to enter. Tracy Mawson, Deputy Chief Executive at St Helens Chamber, commented: “We are delighted to launch the first St Helens Business Awards that will truly recognise the strength and diversity of businesses in our Borough. Through a broad range of business categories we will recognise that best of the businesses that St Helens has to offer. “We will also be giving them the opportunity to gain this recognition on a national platform, with the award winners being put forward to the national British Chambers of Commerce Awards, providing
fantastic opportunities for national publicity and an Awards Ceremony in London. “I would encourage all businesses big and small to enter and
join us in celebrating your success.” The Awards will be held at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday 17th May. Tickets are available at
£30+VAT for Members and £40+VAT for Non-Members. For more information and to download your entry form visit www.sthelenchamber.com/businessawards call 01744 742028 or email events@sthelenschamber.com
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Page 3.
Public’s views over 20-year
growth plan considered
Warrington Borough Council is making good progress in working through the thousands of public representations received over the Local Plan. The consultation over the Local Plan Preferred Development Option - which ran from July to September last year - received around 4,000 responses. The Council needs to take into account all of these representations as it prepares the formal draft version of the Local Plan. The draft Local Plan is programmed to be published in autumn / winter 2018. It will then be subject to a further period of public consultation. The Council will confirm a more detailed programme for the preparation of the Local Plan in due course. Warrington Borough Council Leader, Cllr Terry O’Neill, said: “Our
Local Plan will play a central role in our growth and development over the next two decades, and as such will affect everyone who lives and works here. That’s why it’s great news that so many people engaged in the consultation and that their views can help shape the plan. “We are committed to fully taking on-board every single response, but the many thousands we have received means that it is taking some time. Our officers are working hard to complete this, and we will be updating people on the next stages, and timescales, in the near future.” The Preferred Development Option sets out how Warrington can meet its development needs of approximately 24,000 new homes and 381 hectares of employment land, over the next 20 years. It identifies four main areas
of growth – the Town Centre, the Waterfront, the Garden Suburb and the South West Urban Extension – together with the infrastructure required to ensure Warrington’s long term growth is sustainable. About the Local Plan • Under government policy, every local planning authority is expected to deliver sustainable economic growth through up-to-date Local Plans which contain strategies and initiatives to achieve their aims. • Not progressing a Local Plan will mean that the Council risks losing control over the location, amount and quality of new development. There is also a risk that if the Council does not make sufficient progress in reviewing its Local Plan, the Secretary of State will take over Plan preparation
Children enjoy a spellbinding
evening at Haydock Library for World Harry Potter Book Night
The fourth annual Harry Potter Book Night was celebrated throughout the world on 1 February and as before, St Helens Library Service hosted an unforgettable evening of magical fun for over 350 witches, wizards and muggles of all ages. Held at Haydock Library, the evening involved visitors entering through Platform 9 ¾ before being sorted
into their Hogwarts Houses by the library’s own Sorting Hat and receiving their own House badges. Children were then treated to an evening of crafts, games and activities including Quidditch and Harry Potter bingo, with local Merseyside Police community support officers dropping by to join in the fun. As this year's theme was 'Fantastic Beasts', there
was also the chance to pay a special visit to the ‘magical menagerie’ where all manner of beasts were on display to be held and petted, courtesy of local company, Dylan’s Reptiles. Fancy dress was encouraged, and the best dressed – Grange Valley Primary School pupil Rowan (pictured with Team Librarian, Mandi Brown) – won a copy of the illustrated edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them. Hailing the night a success, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Libraries, Councillor Sue Murphy said: “Harry Potter Book Night events run by our library service have gone from strength-to-strength each year, and it’s wonderful to hear that this year’s was no different, with so many people coming out to show their support by getting involved.” For more updates on what’s planned in libraries across the borough, follow St Helens Libraries Service on social media. Twitter - @STHLibraries Facebook - Facebook.com/ STHLibraries Instagram - @sthlibrariesandarts
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Funding secured to improve borough’s walking and cycling infrastructure
St Helens Council has secured over £4m of funding to improve walking and cycling infrastructure in the borough over the next four years. The funding, known as the Sustainable Transport Enhancements Package (STEP) aims to: · Support economic growth in the region, particularly around the STEP Growth Sites, to further the objectives of the Growth Plan · Build on the ongoing sustainable transport initiatives in the Liverpool City Region to further expand the region’s multi-modal transport network; · Complement the ongoing Major Transport Schemes programme by providing smaller scale sustainable transport investments; · Remove travel barriers for local residents, helping to address socioeconomic issues in the Region;
and improve transport provision to capitalise on growth in sectors of the economy where the LCR has a competitive advantage, particularly the low carbon and visitor economy sectors. Work in St Helens will focus on the areas of Haydock Industrial Estate, the east of the borough and the A58, where work on the creation of new cycle paths is currently taking place in Parr Street and Atlas Street to link this area up to the town centre. Several trees have had to be removed in order to facilitate a cycle path along Parr Street, however new ones will be planted in their place once the path is complete. The Parr Street scheme will see improvements at key locations, reducing potential conflict between active travel users and motorised vehicle users. It will complete and
provide clarity from the end of existing cycle facilities in and out of the town centre, promoting alternative to motor vehicles. St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Growth, Councillor John Fulham said: “These investments will improve connectivity across the town centre and open up access to new developments, benefitting residents and the economy. “It’s this council’s ambition to promote growth, healthy lifestyles, and bring more jobs into the borough. With more people taking up cycling it’s important they can commute safely into work and into our town centres, reducing traffic and supporting local retail and leisure.”
Free digital lifestyle check kiosk launched in St Helens town centre
Have you made improving your health a top priority for 2018? Well you can now undergo a free lifestyle check WITHOUT the need of booking an appointment after the installation of a digital health kiosk in St Helens town centre. Located in the Smokefree St Helens Hub in the Hardshaw Shopping Centre, a static ‘Wellpoint’ health kiosk asks users several questions about their lifestyle habits before allowing them to find
out their main vitals such as weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, blood pressure and heart rate, with results produced instantly. At the end of the assessment, Wellpoint will indicate how likely the user is to develop heart disease in the next 10 years and offers tips and advice on how health and wellbeing can be improved. Results are recorded into a personal profile which can be accessed online or on a smartphone
each time the health kiosk is visited, and users can record and track their results. Speaking after testing out the Wellpoint kiosk, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing Councillor Gill Neal said: “For many, the thought of having a health check can be a daunting prospect in case something unbeknown to us is discovered, like obesity or high blood pressure. “However, our health is the most
valuable thing we as human beings be eligible for a free full NHS Health or the Healthy Living Team on 0300 can possess and therefore it’s better Check. Contact your General Practice 300 0103 to find out more. to catch these conditions early rather than run the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. “It’s encouraging to hear that over 450 people have already used the kiosk since it was introduced in the autumn of last year, and I would urge anyone who is out and about in St Helens town centre to call into the Smokefree St Helens Hub to have a go. After all, it takes less than five minutes to complete and you don’t need to be registered to the Smokefree St Helens service to use it.” Wellpoint is available to use during the Smokefree St Helens Hub’s opening hours which are 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am – 2pm on Saturdays. A mobile unit can also be hired by local businesses and organisations, free of charge, for up to four weeks to allow employees the opportunity to screen their health. Businesses and organisations looking to get involved are invited to contact St Helens Council’s Head of Public Health Commissioning, Matt Davies, by calling 01744 671279 or by emailing MattDavies@Sthelens.gov. uk If you’re aged between 40-74 with no pre-existing conditions, you may
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Kids should be
having fun – not flu!
Free nasal spray flu vaccinations are now being offered to children aged two and three in Warrington. Parents are being urged to protect their children from flu this winter by taking them to their GP practice to receive the free nasal spray vaccination. Flu can be serious for young children and the vaccine helps protect children against flu and other serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia. If you have a child aged two or three you will be contacted directly by your GP practice to arrange an appointment. Children in reception class and schools years 1 to 4 will also receive the free nasal spray vaccination in school.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, executive board member for public health and wellbeing, said: “Flu can be a very unpleasant illness, especially for children as they can develop more serious complications. We want to protect our children and communities as much as we can so it’s really important that we take steps now to avoid the spread of flu over the winter months. “We are advising that parents who have children aged two and three to respond to the invite from their GP practice and get the vaccination done as early as possible. For young children, the nasal spray vaccine is a quick, painless and effective way to be protected without the need for
injections. It’s really not worth putting yourself or your family at risk.” Dr Dan Bunstone, local GP and chair of NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group, added: “Flu can be horrible for young children and if they get it, they can spread it around the whole family. The free nasal spray vaccination can help protect your child from flu and also reduce the chance of flu spreading to others. I’d advise all parents/carers not to put off it off. Ask your GP about the free flu vaccine for your child now.” For more information on how to receive the free flu vaccine contact your GP practice or visit www.nhs. uk/flu
Page 5.
Whatsapp warning from Halton Council
trading standards officers after voucher scam
A Runcorn woman has received two scam WhatsApp messages from two different friends who were convinced they were genuine. Both messages say that a big name supermarket is giving away a £250 voucher and contain the web link to enter the prize draw. In both cases a real friend has forwarded the message to the 48-yearold. The web link looks genuine but careful readers will notice that there’s a very subtle difference – one letter has been replaced by a symbol. In the example below the ‘d’ in
Asda has been replaced with this symbol ‘đ’. The other message was identical apart from the name of the supermarket that was supposedly running the draw. The scammer had replaced the letter ‘o’ in Tesco with this symbol Ó. By substituting one letter with a symbol, the scammer is able to make the web address appear genuine. Clicking on the link will take you to the scammer’s website Halton Borogh Counci’s Executive Board Member for Trading Standards, Cllr Dave Cargill, said: “These texts
are scams. If you receive one of these messages, or anything similar, delete it without clicking on any links. “If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams. ” If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.
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Over 50s arts club’s call for members
Black Magic –
Get a ‘Little’ into the ‘Mix’ at The Brindley
Two doses of Black Magic available on one day, as The Little Mix Show comes to the Brindley Theatre on Tuesday 3 April, with two shows at 3pm and 7pm. This is a highly energetic tribute show that follows in the footsteps of the award winning girl band, Little Mix. This Iconic show has live vocals and full out dance choreography. Suitable for kids, tweens, teens and adults alike, this show brings the full pop concert experience to you.
The show will feature hits from Little Mix’s first album and X¬Factor including Wings, How Ya Doin and Cannonball, right up to their current 2016 smash hits Black Magic and Love Me Like You. Join in with dance competitions, giveaways and a meet and greet with the girls after the show. Tickets are £14, £12, £44 Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children) from www.thebrindley.org.uk and 0151 907 8360.
Black Magic is a tribute to the British girl group formed in 2011 during the eighth series of the UK version of The X Factor. LM was the first group to win the competition, and following the victory, the girls signed with Simon Cowell’s record label Syco Music and released a cover of Damien Rice’s “Cannonball” as their winner’s single. The members are Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jesy Nelson.
An arts and crafts organisation for the over-50s is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2018 and is appealing for more members, as an exhibition of members’ work has gone on show at The Brindley. You can see some of the art produced by the people who attend the Years Ahead Group each week, at The Brindley in their ground-floor display cabinet. The group, under tuition from Claire Weetman takes place both sides of the river and you can pop along to Ditton Community Centre, Dundalk Road, Widnes or Grangeway Community Centre, Runcorn and have a go. Claire said: “Years Ahead’s painting and drawing class is a chance to develop your artistic skills, stretch your ideas around what you can paint and join other people in a friendly, sociable atmosphere.” The sessions are £4 each with a professional tutor and materials provided. There will also be a £4 per term admin charge and each term lasts for 10 weeks. The first session is completely free for you to try the session. Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member For The Arts, Cllr Phil Harris, said: “The aims of the group are to provide opportunities for this age group in Halton to take part in a range of arts activities, improving individuals quality of life, enhancing their skills and limiting social isolation” The group is always open to new members and if anybody is interested in joining they should go along to a session at Ditton or Grangeway Community Centres. First session is free and each of them are tutored by a professional artist. The sessions are very welcoming and all levels of ability are welcome. and take place at Ditton Community Centre, Wednesdays 17 January – 21 March 2018, 10am-12.30 to 12.30pm and Grangeway Community Centre, Thursdays 18 January – 22 March 2018, 10am-12.30pm. If painting and drawing isn’t your thing, then come and try crafts or creative writing, Thursdays, 10am at Grangeway Community Centre.
Have you got the eggs-factor?
Meet the Easter Bunny!
From the team behind Marty Bunny himself – including a free are £11 from www.thebrindley.org.uk MacDonald’s Farm and Santa’s Easter treat for every child! Tickets and the box office on 0151 907 8360 Christmas Wish comes the most chocolatey Easter show ever Easter Bunny’s Eggs Factor which is coming to the Brindley Theatre on Saturday 31 March. Everyone is excited about the Easter Bunny’s singing competition – but who will Fluffy think has got The Eggs Factor? Marty MacDonald, Henrietta the Hen and Professor Pinky are all going to enter, but can’t choose which song to sing…can you help them practice and see if YOU have The Eggs Factor too? The prize is an exciting visit to the hidden Chocolate Factory – and a special chocolate treat from the Easter Bunny himself! Come and join the fun, songs and laughter down at the Chocolate Factory in…Easter Bunny’s Eggs Factor – then meet the Easter Bunny afterwards and receive a special Easter treat! Songs include children’s favourites Old MacDonald Had A Farm, Wheels On The Bus, The Grand Old Duke Of York, The Hokey Cokey, I Am The Music Man, Jack And Jill, Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush and more! Easter Bunny’s Eggs Factor is a family show particularly suitable for two to seven-year olds and lasts for 40 minutes, followed by our popular meet, greet and treat with the Easter
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Page 7.
No council tax for care leavers, says council
Young people leaving care in Knowsley are to be given greater support into employment and exemption from council tax, as part of a package of additional support from the council. The move is designed to make the transition to adulthood and independent living easier for young people who have been in the care system. As well as making the young people exempt from council tax, the council plans to launch a new 12-month introduction to work placement for care leavers who are struggling to find a job. It would give them paid work experience in a role that interests them, working for the council. Cllr Joan Lilly, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “For any young person, growing up and learning to live independently is a daunting prospect, but in most cases they have help and support from parents and other family members. Some of our young people leaving care don’t have that support to count on, which is where we, as their corporate parents, have to step in. “Young people leaving care often find themselves living independently much earlier than their peers, and on top of that, can find it more difficult to find a job because of the experiences they’ve had in childhood. Both of
these things mean they are more likely to struggle financially. “By offering a bit of breathing space with the council tax exemption, and offering more support to get care leavers into work, we hope to make life a little easier for these young adults.” The council tax exemption scheme will apply to any young person currently aged between 18 and 21 years, who has left care in Knowsley, whether or not they live within the borough. The exemption will last until they are 25-years-old. Meanwhile, the Introduction to Work scheme will see jobs created at the council for up to10 care leavers per year, in roles suited to their skills and interests. As well as giving them real, paid work experience, the young people will be supported throughout the 12-month placement with a package of support that will include a Knowsley Works mentor and a personal advisor. This programme will be initially targeted at care leavers aged 18 and 19, with plans to extend it to young people between 1621 years old in the future. Cllr Gary See, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “It is right that we, as corporate parents, consider all options to make life easier for young people who don’t have the support network that others might take for granted. “I’m delighted
that we’re able to exempt care leavers from council tax charges – it means more money in their pockets every month and just provides one less financial worry at a time of great change for them.” And the decision is already being welcomed by young care leavers in Knowsley. At the Care Leavers’ Forum, when asked for a reaction, the feedback included: ““That will save me at least £20 a month.” “It took us a while to get what we wanted but we got it!” “We will have more money in our pockets and its one less thing to worry about.” The decision to go ahead with the council tax exemption and Introduction to Work scheme comes ahead of changes to the Children’s Social Work Act, which come into force next April, extending the responsibilities of local authorities to support care leavers from 21-yearsold until the age of 25.
Kids should be
having fun – not flu!
Free nasal spray flu vaccinations are now being offered to children aged two and three in Warrington. Parents are being urged to protect their children from flu this winter by taking them to their GP practice to receive the free nasal spray vaccination. Flu can be serious for young children and the vaccine helps protect children against flu and other serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia. If you have a child aged two or three you will be contacted directly by your GP practice to arrange an appointment. Children in reception class and schools years 1 to 4 will also receive the free nasal spray vaccination in school. Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, executive board member for public health and wellbeing, said: “Flu can be a very unpleasant illness, especially for children as they can develop more serious complications. We want to protect our children and communities as much as we can so it’s really important that we take steps now to
avoid the spread of flu over the winter months. “We are advising that parents who have children aged two and three to respond to the invite from their GP practice and get the vaccination done as early as possible. For young children, the nasal spray vaccine is a quick, painless and effective way to be protected without the need for injections. It’s really not worth putting yourself or your family at risk.” Dr Dan Bunstone, local GP and chair of NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group, added: “Flu
can be horrible for young children and if they get it, they can spread it around the whole family. The free nasal spray vaccination can help protect your child from flu and also reduce the chance of flu spreading to others. I’d advise all parents/carers not to put off it off. Ask your GP about the free flu vaccine for your child now.” For more information on how to receive the free flu vaccine contact your GP practice or visit www.nhs. uk/flu
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Pennant Park
Golf Course
Surrounded by the stunning Pennant Park Golf Course, the Pennant Holiday Lodges will delight those looking to relax and enjoy some of North Wales’ picturesque countryside. The park boasts spellbinding views of the Dee Estuary, Hilbre and the Wirral. On a clear day you can see as far as Blackpool and the Cumbrian Hills. Pennant Park is perfectly situated between Conwy and Chester, making it the ideal location for exploring the North Wales coast and all the area has to offer. Within just a short walking distant you can enjoy nature trails, rambling, horse riding and fishing. If it’s something more adventurous you’re looking for then you won’t be disappointed. North Wales is fast becoming a Mecca for adventure sports. Of course, if you’re a keen golfer then this is the perfect place to own a holiday home. Set in 110 acres of stunning parkland Pennant Park boasts a superb 18 hole golf course with greens of the highest quality and truly breathtaking signature holes. The course also has a practice putting green and a six bay driving range. You’re guaranteed a warm welcome at the clubhouse with its friendly atmosphere and fully licensed bar and restaurant serving food daily. The luxury holiday homes are finished to the highest of standards and complete with interiors that are unique, elegant and fully customisable, so you’re sure to find one that you’ll love. Each lodge comes with a large decked veranda and parking for two cars. The small, exclusive development of 15 holiday lodges are sold with an amazing 75 year agreement and a full 12 month holiday licence, meaning they can be used all year round, as often as you like. This quiet retreat is filling up fast, with the park currently having one brand new lodge for sale and only one empty base left. However, work had now commenced on a second holiday park. This will be home to a further 18 lodges with all the amenities of our first park plus the benefit of being able to sub-let. To truly appreciate the beauty of this park seeing really is believing! Spend a day at Pennant Park, viewing the lodges, have a bite to eat and maybe a round of golf, you won’t be disappointed! Pennant Park Golf Club & Holiday Lodges. a: Whitford, Holywell, Flintshire CH8 9ER Junction 32 off the A55 t: 01745 563000 e: info@pennant-park.co.uk w: www.pennant-park.co.uk
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Sales E: sales@jac-media.com | T: 0115 8456423 It’s a great start of the
year for Liverpool Elite
10 Things Golfers Hate
Golf can be a frustrating game at the best of times. It will test your patience and mental strength, and will do all it can to break you. When things go wrong, they tend to go terribly wrong, but for some reason we keep coming back? Here are 18 things golfers hate on and off the golf course. Wet weather Playing golf in the rain is not fun. No matter whether you have the latest waterproofs, the hassle of sorting your umbrella and swinging in several layers is a pain. Waking up on the morning of a competition that you’ve looked forward to all week and seeing it is raining is an awful feeling. This is made even worse when you ring up to see if the course is open…and it is! What is even worse than this, is heavy showers. Many golfers will risk it on the course and not take any waterproofs out with them. Big mistake. There’s nothing much worse than being caught in a heavy shower with nothing to protect you or your clubs. People saying it isn’t a sport/old man's sport This one is very frustrating as a young golfer. Having played golf for over 10 years now, I can honestly say the game is moving far away from being an “old man’s sport” and most definitely is sport. Just look at the top players on tour. The likes of Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler blow
this “myth” out of the water. Slow play When it comes to competitions around your home course, it can often be frustrating because of the amount of players who think they are tour professionals and take what seems like an eternity eyeing up their shot. In my eyes, no one should be on the course for more than four hours, and even then, that is still far too long. Those who play during the week after work can get round 18 holes in three hours, in a fourball, from my experience any way. Then, when it comes to competition day, it can be hard for these faster players to keep rhythm as they are waiting over every shot. Now, I’m not saying everyone should run around the course, but the fact golf takes so long to play is currently damaging the sport and alternatives need to be found. Missing your buffer This one hurts to just think about it.
You’re on the 18th tee and you know a par will save you getting that crucial .1 back on your handicap. Having nailed a drive, played your approach into the green and lagged your putt 3ft from the hole, you then go and miss the par putt and your dreams of not getting .1 back are crushed, just like that. Three putting Putting is the key to scoring. As the saying goes: “Drives for show, putts for dough.” This saying couldn’t be more true. Countless times golfers, including myself, have come off the course and said, “I’d have scored well if I could putt.” If you look at the top pros on tour, they very rarely three putt, hence why they are right at the top of the professional game. Worse than three putting for bogey in my eyes, is three putting for par on a par 5. You’ve done the hard part reaching the par 5 in two, and then you go and three putt. Although you haven’t dropped a shot, it sure feels like you have. Losing a brand new ball Having cracked open a new sleeve of balls and ripped your driver all week in the build up to competition day, you proceed to carve your first tee shot out of bounds, never to be seen again. It hurts, trust me. Bandits After battling the testing conditions and pushing yourself to the limit mentally, you post your best medal round of the year and think there is no way anybody is beating that. That is until Dave, who “hasn’t picked up
a club in a fortnight” comes in with a nett 59. They are the talk of the club as they finish in the prizes for the next few weeks until they reach a suitable handicap. Scarified greens I always try to avoid competitions when the greens have been scarified because for me, it doesn’t always give a fair reflection of your putting. If you play at a course where they don’t always scarify the greens at an appropriate time, you will understand the struggle. Just when you think you’ve sorted your putting out, you walk onto the course and the greens have holes and lines all over them. The term “hit and hope” comes to mind on these greens. Bad bounces There’s always one of your golfing group that gets every single good bounce. They can miss the green by a good 10 yards, but still somehow get a lucky bounce and see their ball end up just a few feet from the hole. This is even more frustrating when you seem to get every single bad bounce on the course. How many times have you played a career shot, all over the pin, only for it to somehow take a sharp kick right on what looks a perfectly flat putting surface? All I can say is try and laugh it off; otherwise you will most likely lose your mind. Ending up behind the only tree This one really does make you wonder if you really are the unluckiest golfer in the world. The chances of hitting your ball behind the one tree that stands alongside the green if you tried, must
Liverpool Elite, the Huyton-based Taekwondo club, is no stranger to success; the team won five trophies in the Ultimate 1-1, four medals at the Yorkshire Open Championships and three medals in the International Hanguk Kids Cup last year. Now it seems that this year is going just as well with the team winning big in their first competition of the year. It was nine-year-old Alan Whithead and 10-year-old Finn Labong’s very first competition but they didn’t allow it to make a difference and they both achieved an impressive gold. There’s no doubt that the little stars will be going onto to achieve more in the future with the team. Watch this space! 10-year-old Lincoln Littler is becoming known for coming away from competitions victorious, with this one being no exception. Lincoln gave a great performance once again and earned gold. It was gold all around with Jack Waddicar also using his talent to win a gold medal. What a great start to the year. Good luck to Liverpool Elite for other competitions coming up in 2018.
be well over 100/1, but somehow you will manage it. This is also a similar situation to when you somehow hit the one and only branch when playing out of the trees. It is no thicker than your little finger but because you are deadly accurate, you will hit it nine times out of 10. There are so many more things that get us golfers riled up, so let us know in the comments what gets you frustrated on the golf course.
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