St Helens Local 13

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Issue. 13 - June 2018

Inside this issue: Local News - wales - Care - Weddings - sports

Get crafty with the Rangers in

Willow Park on Bank Holiday Monday St Helens Council’s Rangers Service will be hosting a crafts fair in Willow Park, Newtonle-Willows on Bank Holiday Monday; an event which is sure to be loads of fun for all the family to enjoy.

Running from 12pm to 5pm on Monday 28 May, the event will

showcase the various techniques and ancient ways of working from bygone times such as stonemasonry and hurdle making – and feature a number of other attractions including birds of prey and ferret racing.

For more information contact the Rangers on 01925 229021.

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‘We’re not messing’ when it comes to environmental crime

A new hard hitting advertising campaign highlighting the fact that ‘we’re not messing’ when it comes to cracking down on environmental crime, gets underway across the borough this week.

The new campaign, which will be featured on billboards, taxis and phone kiosks, will remind residents of the fines and penalties facing anyone who drops litter, fails to clean up after their dog or is caught fly tipping in Knowsley.

Fixed penalty notices of £75 are issued to those dropping litter and £100 for not cleaning up dog mess, while fly-tipping is a criminal offence punishable with an unlimited fine and possible prison sentence.

The campaign follows a major clean up blitz earlier this year when ‘weeks of action’ were held to clean up areas of the borough with the highest levels of reported environmental issues, including fly tipping, littering and dog fouling.

Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “This campaign will remind residents that we have a zero tolerance approach when it comes to people who fly tip, drop litter or fail clean up their dog’s

mess. “These environmental crimes are a blight on our neighbourhoods and that’s why we have enforcement officers on patrol across Knowsley who have the power to issue Fixed

Penalty Notices to irresponsible owners who don’t clean up after their dog, as well as those who drop litter.

“We’re also seeing an increase in those being prosecuted for fly tipping

and would urge people to report information about fly tippers to us via the Knowsley Council website so we can then direct enforcement officers to patrol these hotspots.”

Cumbria officer recognised for diversity work

A Cumbria police officer has won a prestigious award recognising her efforts to tackle hate crime and discrimination. PC Julie Dodd received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Diverse Cumbria Awards, held at the Hallmark Hotel in Carlisle on Friday 18th May. Julie was nominated for her 25-year-career as a police constable of which 15 years has been dedicated to community engagement including focused efforts in raising awareness of hate crime and tackling discrimination of any form.

Julie was also recognised for her work with the QuPiD Project (Queer Pathways into Diversity) which took her to Poland, Malta and Germany. Her nomination was supported by volunteering work where she has been a Guide Leader

with the 1st Houghton Rainbows for over 21 years. Julie is also the female representative on the committee of Carlisle-based amateur running club DH Runners and volunteers at both Carlisle parkrun and Carlisle Junior parkrun.

Through her passion of running Julie has raised money for numerous charities including the Terrence Higgins Trust, the Heathlands Project and Carlisle MENCAP. Speaking after receiving her award, Julie said: “I am honoured and delighted to receive this award.

I would like to dedicate it to all the amazing individuals, many of whom are volunteers, who work so hard to address inequality and discrimination, and support those affected by hate crime in Cumbria. “Through the hard work of numerous partner and voluntary agencies we have been able

to make a big difference to the quality of life for people in this county.”

Superintendent Justin Bibby said: “I am pleased that Julie’s work has been recognised in such a way.

Throughout her career she has been dedicated to raising awareness of hate crime and offering support to those who have been affected by it. She is a very deserving winner and is a role model to us all.” Cumbria’s Police & Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “I am delighted that PC Julie Dodd has been recognised for the fantastic work she has been doing for many years to promote real diversity amongst the communities of Cumbria.

“Julie has been a ‘game changer’ in recognising the need for respect and acceptance of all

groups whatever their background, beliefs or gender. Her work with vulnerable people has undoubtedly made Cumbria not just safer, but a better place for us all. This award is richly deserved, Julie is an example to us all, a star!”

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Warrington Youth Zone moves a step closer as

planning permission is submitted Special

Educational

Needs funding

A spokesperson for Halton Borough Council says: “The Council continues to fund all pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans, and remains committed to meeting its statutory duties.

“Unfortunately, Government funding made available for supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs is not sufficient to meet demand, and with increasing numbers of children and young people who need support, along with the additional requirement to support young people 0-25 years, there are significant, and virtually unsurmountable budget pressures.

These have been exacerbated by recent changes to the funding formula proposed by Government.

“To meet this gap proposals put forward include the removal of the opportunity for schools to apply for short term, discretionary topup funding.

“Schools, with any child or young person that has in place this enhanced provision will continue to receive this funding.

“These decisions are not easy, and a report will go back to the Executive Board proposing to maintain the current position, allowing applications to continue whilst a review is undertaken to determine the future of Enhanced Provision for the next academic year.”

Proposals for the development of a new £6.5million OnSide Youth Zone, supporting thousands of young people across Warrington, have moved a step closer as a planning application has been submitted.

The joint venture between national young people’s charity OnSide and Warrington Borough Council will see a purpose-built facility which will raise aspirations, enhance prospects and improve health and wellbeing for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds in Warrington. The new Youth Zone will offer affordable activities in sports, arts, music, employability and mentoring to young people aged from eight to 19, or up to 25 for those with a disability, every day of the week. The confirmed site for the new state-of-the-art facility in the Stadium Quarter next to the UTC, which when completed will see Warrington Youth Club move to its new Youth Zone home. The proposed location is extremely central and accessible by public transport, enabling it to be reached by large numbers of young people from across the borough.

Cllr Jean Carter, executive board member for children’s services said: “As a major partner in this project, Warrington Borough Council is thrilled the Youth Zone is moving forward. The opportunities it will offer young people from sports to media, arts and preparing for work are hugely exciting.

Not only will it offer a safe and inspiring place for young people to meet, the Youth Zone will play an important part in helping to raise young people's aspirations, provide jobs, and help them achieve their true potential. The project will

benefit the whole town and we look forward to seeing it take shape.” Mark Brocklehurst, Chair of Warrington Youth Club said: “A lot of hard work has gone into gathering the thoughts

of young people, the council and local residents in order to prepare the Youth Zone’s planning application.

The young people of Warrington deserve an OnSide Youth Zone which

will give them a safe and inspiring place to spend their leisure time, and we are on the road to making that dream a reality.” Warrington Youth Zone’s capital cost of £6.5m is

being funded by Warrington Borough Council and a number of additional generous funders who are keen to see Warrington benefit from an OnSide Youth Zone.

Curfew for false Council Tax Support claim An Orford woman has been sentenced to a 16-week curfew after fraudulently claiming more than £1,600 in Council Tax Support payments.

Warrington Borough Council brought a prosecution against Emma Peacey aged 37, of Derek Avenue, and she pleaded guilty at Warrington

magistrates court on 9th May. Mrs Peacey admitted dishonestly claiming Council Tax Support on 12th September 2013. She stated that she was a single parent - a statement that was untrue as at that time she was married and living with Mr Lee Peacey. The Council Tax Support

overpayment raised for this offence amounted to £1,627.69.

Mrs Peacey had originally been offered a financial penalty for committing the offence as an alternative to being prosecuted and gaining a criminal record. Mrs Peacey had accepted this, however she then

failed to pay the penalty although she had been given several opportunities and it had been explained clearly the consequences of non-payment.

The magistrates sentenced Mrs Peacey to a curfew from the hours of 9pm – 6am for 16 weeks which started immediately. She was also fined £85 victim surcharge along with costs of £500. Mrs Peacey was also ordered to repay the original overpayment in full.

Cllr Mundry takes civic reins

Warrington’s new Mayor is pledging to make children her priority this year.

Mum of three and grandmother to nine, Cllr Karen Mundry has taken up the position of Mayor of Warrington. She is the 10th woman to be Mayor, on the centenary of the women’s vote.

Cllr Mundry said: “It is a great honour to be Mayor and first citizen of the town I love and was born in.

“I am looking forward to meeting many people from across our fantastic communities over the next twelve months.

“A particular priority for me this year is to continue to support the development of children. Our young people are so important to

the future success of the borough and it’s vital we give them every opportunity to succeed, to be healthy and happy.”

Representing Latchford East, Cllr Mundry first joined the council in 2002 and has served on a number of council committees as well as being the first woman to represent Warrington on the Cheshire Fire Authority.

She previously served as a manager of children’s nurseries in Latchford and is still a senior nursery practitioner working at the Cheshire Day Nursery in the ward she represents, Latchford East. She has also volunteered with St John Ambulance for a number of years.

Karen is the second Mundry to be

Mayor, after her husband Hans general leadership development to working with those fulfilled the role in 2005/06. Her son who may be vulnerable or at risk of being influenced Jason Mundry will be her consort by extremism. supporting Karen in her mayoral year.

The new Mayor has selected two main charities for her term: Warrington Disability Partnership A voluntary organisation run predominately by disabled people with the aim of improving the quality of life for disabled people and their families through a range of direct and indirect services.

The Tim Parry and Jonathan Ball Foundation for Peace A charity that works nationally and internationally for peace and nonviolent resolution of conflict.

It delivers unique programmes that focus on young people, from offering

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Kicking high sugar drinks and junk food into touch

Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Knowsley and Sefton, is one of 58 health experts who has supported a campaign to protect children from food and drinks that are high in fat, sugar and salt, promoted through football across the UK. The campaign is led by Healthy Stadia and Sugar Smart and aims to tackle the issue of childhood obesity as well as tooth decay. Many football associations, leagues and some football clubs partner with companies known for products containing high fat, sugar and salt, so health experts have now joined forces to help address this important issue.

Other supporters to the campaign

include representatives working in sports development, dental health, sustainability, social housing and the media.

All 58 experts signed a letter which was sent last week to English football clubs, UK National Football Associations, UK league operators and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Whilst a response is awaited, further work will continue around raising awareness of the health harms such products cause on children and young people’s health.

This includes swapping sugary fizzy drinks or sugary squash for water, lowerfat milk or no added sugar cordial, along ditching the takeaway and cooking meals from scratch – that way you know exactly what is in it!

Lake District low-carbon initiative calls for support

The Lake District National Park Partnership has reassessed its carbon footprint and is encouraging residents, businesses and visitors to support its efforts to reduce the impact of climate change on the Lake District.

An area-wide ‘low-carbon Lake District’ initiative, which seeks to tackle climate change, has reviewed the baseline carbon footprint in the Lake District, and for the first time has reviewed business emissions too.

Sam Hagon Strategy and Partnership Adviser at the Lake District National Park said: “Our approach is to decide

what actions will deliver the largest carbon savings. We have a focus on visitor travel as transport has become more important since the previous assessment. Accommodation, food and drink are also important as combined they make up the second largest area of greenhouse gas emissions.” Residents of the Lake District can join the initiative too by making lifestyle changes, no matter how small. For example, Drinking from the tap instead of buying bottled water can be up to 1000 times less carbon intensive. If you swapped

your bottle of imported lager for a pint of locally brewed ale, the carbon saving would be equivalent to driving one mile. Cumbria has over thirty microbreweries so there’s no shortage! Tomatoes grown in artificially heated greenhouses in winter can be 100 times more carbon intensive than those grown locally and in season. Keep an eye out for locally produced food and embrace the UK seasons. Buy seasonal and local fruit and vegetables to keep yourself and your carbon footprint healthy. If you need an excuse to keep

up your January diet then how about this, a cheese burger has a carbon footprint of about 2.5 kg CO2e, that’s four and a half miles in an average car or 15 miles by train! In fact, you can eat 250 locally grown apples for the same amount of carbon. The climate change subgroup of the Lake District National Park Partnership took a pioneering approach in 2010 by setting out the first ‘carbon budget’ for a local area with the target of reducing the emission of carbon, and other greenhouse gases, by 1 percent per year. It has now

taken a look back at the learning so far. Sam Hagon added: “It is good practice to review the methodology used in the carbon budget at regular intervals. This review, seven years since the scheme launched, allowed us to identify what may be required to achieve greater carbon savings so that we are clear which actions make the biggest difference. “Collectively we’ve saved over 340,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, from activities such as sustainable transport initiatives, installing hydroelectric schemes and planting new trees. We are now

saving almost 100,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. That’s equivalent to the carbon footprint of 5,600 people in the Lake District – or six times the population of Coniston.” The Lake District National Park is encouraging people to be efficient in their use of travel as part of its Get Fit in the Lakes campaign, which is motivating people to walk, run, cycle and even swim around the Lake District in a bid to look after themselves and the environment. To read the full carbon budget report visit www.lakedistrict. gov.uk/carbonbudget

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Take the family for a trip to the Brecon

Beacons National Park whilst in wales and

enjoy a broad assembly of attractions and activities!

STARGAZING: The entire Brecon Beacons National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve and has some of the highest quality skies throughout the whole of the UK which makes it a first choice for many to enjoy stargazing as the contrast of the stars against the beautiful dark sky allows for a truly brilliant stargazing experience. There are also many nocturnal animals that venture out in the night that you will be able to spot with your binoculars!

You may be able to spot some of the rarest creatures of the night such as barn owls, horseshoe bats, foxes, badgers, dormice, hedgehogs, moths and insects.

MOUNTAIN BIKING: Enjoy beautiful views whilst cycling throughout the stunning scenery within the National Park and simultaneously participating in a healthy bout of exercise and spending plenty of time in the fresh air with family and friends. Bikes can be hired from the park where guests can enjoy a range of packages such as a modest one day bike ride to a complete set including equipment, accommodation, routes and guides.

A range of different terrains are available for guests to discover such as lanes and hillside tracks.

FISHING: Whether you’re an avid fisherman or a complete newbie, turn your hand to fishing at the National Park and experience fishing in rivers,

canals, lakes and reservoirs within The River Wye, The River Usk, Talybont Reservoir, Usk Reservoir, Llangorse Lake, or the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. All participants are required to hold a Rod Licence.

HORSE RIDING: Horse lovers are also welcomed at the National Park as the stunning scenery spans over 600 miles of bridle paths and tracks. Guests can also enjoy a relaxing pub lunch whilst exploring as facilities also cater for the horses. Experience quality trekking, riding and hacking holidays, short rides and pony trekking.

GROUP ACTIVITIES: Experienced coordinators can help to create a package of activities including mental exercises or physical challenges for an afternoon of fun with your family and friends. Take advantage of the group activities at the Brecon Beacons National Park where a variety of activity sessions can be booked such as: water activities, i.e. Canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, whitewater rafting, raft building, sailing, windsurfing; walking and riding, i.e. Hill walking, orienteering, geocaching, cycling, mountain biking, quad biking, horse riding, pony trekking; nature and skills building, i.e. Navigation, bushcraft, wildlife-watching, archery, clay pigeon shooting as well as exploration activities, i.e. Caving, rock climbing, abseiling, gorge walking, ropes and zip wires.

It is important to note that before partaking in outdoor activities, a thorough visit to the Brecon Beacons National Park’s website is recommend ensuring that all essential equipment can be obtained. Also, check the weather forecast to allow for proper preparation for the course of nature. Ensure family and friends are aware of your location and always take local advice about any natural hazards you might encounter. Contact a local guide, instructor or organised group and follow the Countryside Code and the Waterways Code.

A new way to discover the wonders of Welsh wildlife

Wales is one of the world’s best places to watch wildlife, if you know where - and when - to look. So we’ve teamed up with Wildlife Trusts Wales to create an interactive guide to help you explore Wales’ wonderful wildlife, whether it’s amazing ospreys, a feeding frenzy of red kites, the world’s largest Manx shearwater colony, or the best place in Britain to see puffins and porpoises. Why not go for a relaxing stroll through an

enchanting Welsh rainforest carpeted in bluebells and daffodils? Or simply sit in a field full of orchids, or by a brilliant waterfall, and admire the view?

The magic isn’t just restricted to spring and summer – there are amazing wildlife displays in autumn and winter with seal pups aplenty, the return of thousands of birds to our estuaries, and wonderful autumnal woodland colours with

golds, bronzes and foxy reds. Wales has an abundance of wildlife hotspots, including 216 Wildlife Trust nature reserves, 11 RSPB sanctuaries, over 2,485sq miles (4,000sq km) of National Park, and an 870-mile (1400 km) Wales Coast Path for wildlife to, well, go wild in. Wales has it all – but knowing where to go is the key to unlocking its secrets. Wildlife of Wales helps visitors to explore Wales’s wonderful natural world

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Dementia Action Week:

Become a Dementia Friend

This Dementia Action Week (21-27 May), St Helens Council’s Public Health team and St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are building on a successful campaign which will make St Helens an even more dementia-friendly place to live and work.

Launched in 2013, ‘Dementia Friends’ is an initiative set up by the Alzheimer’s Society which seeks to educate people about the condition that currently affects 850,000 people in the UK alone, and to remove the stigma and misconceptions associated with it.

In just two years, over 12,400 people have signed-up to be a Dementia Friend in St Helens, but with this year marking the 150th anniversary of St Helens becoming a municipal borough, health chiefs in the borough are hoping to hit the 15,000 mark and a number of dementia awareness events have been planned throughout Dementia Action week as they look to achieve this.

On Monday 21 May an information event will be held at the Hope Centre in Atherton Street between 9:30am and 2:00pm where support will be available for people living with dementia and their carers - while

there there will be an opportunity for members of the public to join a dementia information session and become a Dementia Friend.

Also that day, a Dementia Friends and cake bake event will be taking place at Parr Mount Court Extra Care Scheme in Fingerpost from 11am to 1pm.

Meanwhile over in Chester Lane Library on Thursday 24 May at 1pm, and Eccleston Library at 7pm, writer, performer and poet, Emma Decent will take to the stage to talk about her experience of dementia in an emotional and entertaining performance of ‘I Don’t Know What I’m Supposed To Be Doing’, which features as part of the award-winning Cultural Hubs, arts in libraries programme.

Another information event is being held at Heald Farm Court Extra Care Scheme in Newton-le-Willows on Friday 25 May between 2pm and 4pm.

Urging more people to become Dementia Friends, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Better Health and Cultural Development, Councillor Gill Neal said: “With the number of people living with dementia set to rise over the next few years, the chances of someone we know developing the condition is a fairly strong possibility.

“Therefore it is crucial that we learn all about about dementia so that we can put our understanding into practice, whether that is through visiting someone we know who is living with dementia more often – to being more patient if we are behind someone with dementia in a shop queue, or most importantly just knowing that people with Dementia can still live life well.

“Every action counts.”

Become a Dementia Friend today by visiting https://www. dementiafriends.org.uk/ where you can also see when face to face information sessions are available near you.

Short breaks for 15 to

19-year-olds with disabilities Do you have a young person aged 15 to 19 with a disability? If so, they may be interested in getting involved with Knowsley’s short breaks service.

Short breaks give young people with a disability an opportunity to join in activities in the community, as well as giving parents or carers a break from their caring role.

The service has now launched a new range of activities specifically aimed at older teenagers, which have been developed after asking young people about the sorts of things they would like to do.

As well as encouraging young people to socialise independently, the short breaks programme gives them the opportunity to enjoy activities experienced by other young people.

These include trips to the cinema, restaurants, bowling, or shopping.

Where appropriate the service will provide travel training. There is also support for young people to attend mainstream youth clubs or activities,

or specialist disability provision.

Sports and games sessions – run by experienced inclusive sports staff – are offered alongside existing sessions as a way of building confidence and independence, and enabling young people to take part in an accredited disability/ adaptive sports leader’s training course. Organisers are also planning a photography project for 15 – 19 year-olds which is a great opportunity to have fun and develop new talents. Families can have up to five hours of short breaks a week – and this increases during the school holidays. While targeted short breaks activities are subsidised by the Council, there is a small charge of £1 per hour for activity clubs and £4.50 for structured swimming sessions.

For more information about short breaks contact the Early Help, Children with Disabilities Team on 0151 443 5085 or visit the Knowsley Family Information Service website www.knowsleyinfo.co.uk.

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Booking A Church Wedding Ceremony:

Everything You Need to Know

Saying your vows in a church is a traditional part of planning a wedding, and a quarter of couples plan on getting married in a religious ceremony. www.hitched.co.uk have put together the ultimate beginner’s guide to church wedding ceremonies, so you know exactly what you need to do. What are the legal requirements for a church wedding?

You can marry in a church wedding ceremony from the age of 18 onwards in a church wedding ceremony in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you’re aged 16 or 17, you will need your parents’ approval in England and Wales, but not in Scotland where it’s legal without consent providing there are two witnesses.

Church wedding ceremonies must take place between 8am and 6pm and be witnessed by at least two people.

You’ve probably heard about ‘having your banns read’ in connection to a church wedding – this is required before the marriage takes place as it signifies your intention to marry. Your banns will be read out in the parish where each of you lives as well as in the church where you’re planning on marrying for three Sundays during the three months leading up to the wedding. If you’re marrying in a hurry it is possible to skip having your banns read, but you will need to apply for a common licence for this. They cost from £200. You may also need a licence if one of you isn’t a British citizen or currently lives

outside of the UK. In Scotland you’re required to give 15 days’ notice with the local registrar. Do the rules differ depending on where in the UK the church is? Depending on where you are in the UK and what kind of church you want to marry in will impact what you need to do. Scotland has different rules relating to church weddings that England and Wales, as explained above, and there are stricter residency requirements for those planning a church wedding in Northern Ireland.

A Catholic church ceremony is different to book compared to a Church of England wedding too – for example, you will need a dispensation to marry in a Catholic ceremony if one of you is not Catholic, but you don’t have to have the banns read out beforehand. Do I have to attend the church to get married there?

The Church of England gives all British citizens with no former partner still living the right to get married in the parish church of the town where they live, or where either of the couple are on the church’s electoral roll. You can also get married in church to which you have a connection, such as: - Either of you lived in that church’s parish for six months or more - One of you regularly attended worship in that parish for six months or more - Either of you were baptised or prepared for confirmation in the parish - One of your parents lived in the parish/regularly attended worship there for six months

or more in their child’s lifetime - Your parents or grandparents were married in the parish. If you attend services at your chosen church for six months – even if you only attend a single service a month – that can help your case. Do I have to be religious to have a church wedding? You don’t have to be religious to have a Church of England wedding, however for a Catholic wedding at least one of you must follow the faith and you’re required to get a dispensation to marry there for the one that isn’t Catholic.

Anyone is welcome to have a Church of England wedding, regardless of their beliefs as the vicars understand that 'spiritual beliefs are complex and varied'. How far in advance should I book my church wedding ceremony?

It works the same way as booking a civil wedding ceremony in that places will get booked up months in advance. Talk to your vicar or the church office as soon as possible, particularly if you’re hoping to marry in peak wedding season. Bear in mind most Church of England churches won’t host ceremonies during Lent, although this isn’t usually the case for Catholic ceremonies. How much does a church wedding ceremony cost? It costs around £500 to get married in a church in England and Wales, so make sure you factor this into your wedding budget. This cost covers the expense of reading of the banns, the certificate, the vicar and the use of the church itself. Extra details such

as flowers, having the bells rung or making use of the organist or choir will incur additional costs. It’s worth noting in Scotland and Northern Ireland there is no fixed cost for a church wedding. Can we use our own vows in a church wedding ceremony?

If you’re planning on writing your own wedding vows, a church ceremony might not be for you.

In England and Wales you cannot change any part of the wedding vows, however in Scotland you can vary the traditional vows or write your own as long as the minister approves them.

You can include poems, readings

or songs in your vows as long as your vicar is okay with it. Can I decorate the church with my own flowers? Most churches will be able to recommend someone from the parish who can decorate the church for you, but it shouldn’t be a problem to bring in your own floral displays.

Just check with your vicar where you can have the flowers as you wouldn’t want a large arrangement to get in the way during the ceremony.

What is a wedding rehearsal?

Lots of churches offer the chance to have a wedding rehearsal – this allows you, your partner and your

bridal party to run through the service ahead of the big day so you know what to expect and when.

Can we have confetti at our church wedding? This varies from church to church so check with your vicar and let your guests know in advance.

If wedding confetti is not allowed, find out if they’ll allow you to use a natural or bio-degradable type of confetti instead. Can we have the reception in the church hall?

Usually you can – check with the church office to find out. You can also have your reception at a different venue if you wish.

Unusual Wedding Venues

If you’ve never considered yourselves to be a conventional couple, check out our list of top alternative wedding venues in the U.K. Some are fun and quirky, some are downright odd.

The Gherkin Boasting the best views over the city of London, The Gherkin is the capital’s most iconic modern building.

The London landmark also offers a very high standard of hospitality with some the biggest companies choosing it as the venue for their lavish parties.

The Gherkin can be seen for miles around so your guests certainly won’t have any difficulty finding your wedding venue.

A Cave Wookey Hole in Somerset, who recently appointed a new resident witch, offer couples the opportunity to exchange their vows deep underground in one of their spooky caves. There are a selection of caves to choose from, the largest can accommodate 120 guests, all of which are fully licensed for civil ceremonies.

A lighthouse West Usk Lighthouse is situated halfway between Newport and Cardiff in South Wales.

The lighthouse is privately owned and has been restored to a very high standard with a hot tub, four-poster beds, an exquisite spiral staircase and a beautiful roof garden with views across the Severn Estuary. Your ceremony can be conducted on top of the lighthouse in the open air. The building is steeped in history being over 180 years old and grade ll listed; keeps your eyes peeled as many of the

local farmers have spotted UFO’s in the area.

Editor’s Office We’re not sure why, but the offer is there. Media enthusiasts (if there is such a thing) can choose to commit themselves to each other in the Editor of The Daily Mirror’s office in Canary Wharf, London. Aaah, the romance!

If you’re a busy career couple, this maybe the perfect venue as you can tie the knot during your lunch break; even better if you happen to work at The Daily Mirror.

Theatre It’s expected that the newlyweds are the centre of attention on their big day, however privately owned Clonter Opera Theatre in Cheshire offers couples the opportunity to wed live on stage.

They have a selection of 5 separate reception rooms to choose for your reception. The theatre enjoys an idyllic setting surrounded by bluebells woods and lush parkland.

London Eye Climb aboard your own private capsule with your family and friends and hold tight.

A full revolution takes half an hour and by the time you’ve reached the highest point of the wheel 135 metres above the city,

you’ll be married. If you choose the Platinum Package you’ll also be treated to a complementary ride on the Eye to celebrate your fist wedding anniversary.

Absolut Ice Bar Set in the heart of London this sub zero venue will certainly give your guests an occasion to remember. The aisle is constructed out of the purest ice harvested from a river in Sweden.

This bar is far from being a novelty venue as they also offer a very high standard of catering courtesy of their award winning chefs.

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Come and enjoy

a farmyard of fun

There will be two crafty robbers plenty of audience participation and July and 11am and 2pm on Sunday £12, £10 groups 10 plus from www. coming to Runcorn…. as well as one lots of laughs! The show times are 29 July. The show is recommended thebrindley.org.uk or from the box tiny ladybird, and a whole farmyard 1.30pm and 4.30pm on Saturday 28 for ages three plus and tickets are office on 0151 907 of fun!

Prepare for mayhem at Halton Borough Councii’s Brindley Theatre when the hit family show What The Ladybird Heard comes to Runcorn on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July.

Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len have a cunning plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow. But they reckon without the tiniest, quietest creature of all: The Ladybird has a plan of her own!

Join the woolly sheep, the hairy hog, the fat red hen and the dainty dog in this glittering stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks’ colourful farmyard adventure.

It also promises live music, puppetry,

Warning over

telephone scam

Please be wary of a suspected telephone scam reported by a resident in Knowsley. The resident received a call from somebody claiming to be Clifford Blossom from the Financial Ombudsman.

The caller requested that the resident go to their local shop and buy a £125 Paysafe card. The caller claimed that, after this, a solicitor called Jennifer Smith would visit the resident’s property to collect the card and pay the resident £2,000. Knowsley Council’s Trading Standards team is advising residents not to agree to any call or visit from Clifford Blossom or Jennifer Smith or to buy a Paysafe card in these circumstances. If you receive a call like this, please report it to Consumer Advice on 03454 04 05 06.

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BMW PGA Championship

Preview, Picks & Analysis

IT WAS the round of golf of the year.

Almost unnoticed, Sweden’s Alex Noren headed out onto the West Course at Wentworth and produced a display of shotmaking that was breathtaking and scarcely believable.

And when he was finished, he had shot a remarkable 62 and then had to sit back to find out whether it was good enough to win the BMW PGA Championship.Nobody could catch him. It was the culmination of an incredible run that had begun in 2016 and confirmed his status as one of the best golfers in Europe. And Noren has continued to head in the right direction. Week after week he seems to be there or thereabouts and is now proving to the world that he has the game to compete at the very highest level.

He has spent much of 2018 playing on the PGA Tour, coming within a whisker of winning the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. He was also third at the Honda Classic and again at the Dell Technologies World Match Play. He missed successive cuts at The Masters and Wells Fargo Championship but bounced straight back at the Players Championship at Sawgrass, where he managed to finish in a tie for 17th place despite a third round of 77.

He is comfortably established in the world’s top 20 and will return to

Wentworth relishing the opportunity to defend his title at the European Tour’s flagship event. It is no secret that many players were unhappy with the changes made to the course

by Ernie Els but the criticism was taken on board and immediately after the 2016 tournament, Wentworth Club’s West Course underwent a multi-million-pound renovation project that saw a sub-air system installed underneath all 18 greens, which were stripped of their old turf and completely re- seeded. All the bunkers were reconstructed with 29 being totally removed. The latest changes earned the almost universal approval of everybody who played in the event last year.

“I had heard quite a bit about the greens being not so good,” said Matt Wallace. “The tournament and the golf course decided to change that and now the course is just fantastic.

I know that everybody has worked hard to get this golf course right up to where it deserves to be. You know when you come here the condition is going to be amazing.” Wallace has already won this season and, along with Eddie Pepperell, has confirmed that the future of English golf looks incredibly bright. “It definitely adds an extra something when you’re hitting balls on the same range as Rory McIlroy or Paul

Casey,” Pepperell said. “For everyone involved, we know how much Rory brings to an event, so when he shows up and plays, it certainly adds a lot of excitement across the board from fans to players." And so a field that amounts to a who’s who of European golf assembles at Wentworth. The only big name missing is Justin Rose, who is otherwise engaged on the PGA Tour. The list of recent winners is both impressive and demonstrates just how quickly things can change in golf. It was won in 2011 and 2012

by Luke Donald who, at the time, was riding high in the world rankings, in 2013 by Matteo Manassero, who was the youngest winner, in 2014 by Rory McIlroy, in 2015 by Ben An, in 2016 by Chris Wood, a golfer who has struggled horribly with injuries, and last year by Noren.

As Pepperell indicated, all eyes will be on McIlroy, who in turns is the best and most frustrating golfer in the world. He looked irresistible when he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and for three rounds at The Masters he continued that form. But then his driving and putting fell apart.

He had high hopes coming into the Players Championship at Sawgrass but missed the cut after finding the water at the 17th hole in the second round. You never quite know what you are going to get with McIlroy and

it is stating the obvious to say that his current problem, and one that he simply must sort out, is a lack of consistency. He is either brilliant or he is dreadful.

Most pundits will tell you that the nub of his problem is his putting, but the reality is that during the final round at Augusta and again at Sawgrass it was his driving that caused him the most serious headaches. It is all well and good being able to hit the ball 320 yards with that effortless power he possesses, but if you keep missing fairways you are going to be found out. The reason that Tiger Woods is still looking for the first victory of his comeback is that he keeps putting his ball in places from which it is incredibly difficult to recover. And the same is becoming increasingly true of McIlroy. Wentworth should suit him, as proved by his victory here in 2014, but unless he can find the short and prepared then he may as well cancel his flight to England and remain at home in America. I have a feeling, however, that this is a week when we are going to see the real Rory McIlroy, and he will be desperate to put on a show for the huge home galleries who are certain to turn out to watch him. But boy does he have some opposition. There will be a terrific amount of support for England’s Paul Casey and Ian Poulter, both of whom have returned to the winners’ circle on the PGA Tour in 2018. Casey’s win was long overdue. Known as Popeye, he has huge forearms and has worked long and hard on his fitness.

He has always been a wonderful ball striker but, by his own admission, has struggled to get the ball in the hole when the chips are down.

However, his confidence is sky-high once more. He was persuaded by Thomas Bjorn to rejoin the European Tour and is surely a shoo-in to qualify for the Ryder Cup. When Casey gets on a roll, he is well nigh unbeatable and is capable of producing bucketloads of birdies - exactly the sort of man you want on your team.

Poulter’s return to the top is the stuff

of fairytales. Barely 12 months ago it seemed that he might be about to lose his playing rights on the PGA Tour, but he did enough to secure his card while playing on a medical exemption and then finished second at the Players Championship in 2017.

It proved to be a turning point for the 42-year-old, who has gone on to play some of the best golf of his life since that point.

Here’s the thing with Poulter. He doesn’t hit the ball terribly far; he is prone to making some dreadful mistakes; he hits more shanks than any other golfer in the world’s top 100; but he has the heart of a lion. And if you wanted to nominate somebody to hole a snaking 10-feet downhill putt to save your life, Poulter is the man you would pick. Confidence is everything in this game, and, like Casey, Poulter is absolutely flying right now and believes that he can win every tournament in which he plays.

So if not McIlroy, Casey or Poulter, who? Well, how about an each-way flutter on Tommy Fleetwood, who can do no wrong just now? The 2017 Race to Dubai winner is another who has already picked up a victory this year but it is his incredible level of consistency that has impressed everybody who has watched him play.

Like Noren, he has played a fair amount of his golf in America this year, turning up at courses that are unfamiliar to him. And week after week he is there or thereabouts.

Unsurprisingly, he has built a sizeable cult following in the US, where they like people who are different. Fleetwood certainly doesn’t conform to the norm, with his long hair and stubbly beard. And he has a wonderful temperament. When things go wrong, as they are always going to do from time to time, he just gets his head down and works out a way to get his round back on track.

He admitted recently that the biggest improvement in his golf over the past couple of years has been his ability to score well when he doesn’t have his A-game with him. That is a rare quality, and a sign of a golfer who deserves to be regarded as one of the best in the world. If only Tyrrell Hatton could learn something from Fleetwood. There is no end to what Hatton could achieve in this game.

But there is one thing that will hold

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him back, and that is his temper. Tom Weiskopf, who was one of the best golfers of the 1970s and 1980s, won 16 tournaments during an illustrious career, including The Open. But he recently admitted that it would have been at least twice as many had he been able to keep his emotions in check. Such was his temper that he became known as The Towering Inferno. It would be tragic if Hatton allowed the same thing to happen to him.

Much has been said and written about the role of sports psychologists.

Whether you believe they can help or not, there is surely a powerful case to be made for Hatton sitting down with somebody who could help him to deal with the way he reacts to bad shots.

Golf is a game where, by its very nature, you are going to lose far more often than you win. How you deal with the disappointment of losing, or the manner of your defeats, could define your career.

It would be a shame if, in 15-20 years’ time, Hatton sits down, looks back and thinks to himself: “If only…”

He is good enough to force his way into the top 10 in the world rankings and he surely won’t want to become better known for his temper tantrums than for the quality of his golf. If he is in the right frame of mind, he will take some beating at Wentworth. If he isn’t…light the blue touch paper and retire to a safe distance.

To Win: Rory McIlroy. On form he wins Each Way: Tyrrell Hatton. Calm down Tyrrell, calm down Each Way: Paul Casey. Has huge self-belief Fantasy Picks: Rory McIlroy. Will the real Rory please stand up Tyrrell Hatton. All depends on his start Paul Casey. Could easily win by a street Alex Noren. Returns with great memories of 2017 Ian Poulter. As confident as anybody Alex Levy. Has Ryder Cup ambitions Tommy Fleetwood. Impossible to ignore Paul Dunne. Europe’s next superstar Thomas Pieters. Brilliant ball striker Matthew Fitzpatrick. Wondrous short game