Liverpool Life 2:14 040314

Liverpool

Life

www.jmu-journalism.org.uk

4th - March - 2014-

Inside this week...

ON YOUR BIKE - Liverpool’s own hire-a-bike scheme to rival London’s ‘Boris Bikes’ is to be launched in April.

Flipping great! - It’s pancake day, the team at Liverpool Life give you the best ideas for pancakes this Shrove Tuesday.

Looking to the future Premiership football Scout comes to LJMU to offer talk to level 6 post graduate students

More: page 5

More: page 11

More: Page 15

‘THEY WOULD SAY THAT’ Councillor hits out at gambling chiefs in betting terminals row

by Nick Seddon

What do Winston Churchill, The Beatles and Adolf Hitler all have in common? Find out on page 3

Liverpool Councillor Nick Small has hit back at the gambling industry, following its claims that it does not target the poorest in society.

A report published last week by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling alleged that the 55 most deprived English boroughs lost £470million on fixed odds betting terminals last year, against £230million in the 115 best-off areas.

The report found that Liverpool lost an average of £1,433 on the terminals in 2013 – the highest amount outside London.

However, the Association

ROW: Cllr Small calls for change Continued on page 5

Life| News |2 TUNNELS PASS FOR RESIDENTS Wirral councillors are demanding that residents in the borough should be allowed up to 300 free journeys a year through the Mersey Tunnels.

This proposal is to be put to next week’s full meeting of the Wirral Council and there will also be a call for an urgent meeting with Merseytravel bosses to discuss the idea.

The budget board of the public travel organisation agreed a 10p rise in tunnel tolls last month, a move which the town hall Conservatives argue unfairly burdens the borough’s drivers.

TALES FOR CHILDREN A famous children’s author visited Wirral pupils at a special event.

Michelle Paver, who has sold 2.5m books and has had her writings translated into over 35 languages, spoke to an audience of 250 children from six Wirral primary schools at Bromborough Civic Centre.

The author told them about her Gods and Warriors series, reading excerpts from her newest novel The Burning Shadow.

The final book in her series The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize in 2010.

Bleak future ahead for city museums

by Alsiha Daya Nearly 40 jobs are to be cut across Liverpool museums in the latest round of government cuts.

Similar to other parts of the public sector, National Museums Liverpool has faced funding cuts while costs continue to rise.

Its management, which has been consulting with unions, sent a letter to their staff on Friday asking them to consider different options including voluntary redundancy, job share or reducing their hours.

Dr David Fleming, Director National Museums Liverpool,

LEADER: Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson

Liverpool

Life Team Editor

Nick Seddon News Josh Weale Bethany Wells Jess Hayes Lisa Kerr Chantal Dickinson Features editor Grace Lindsey Do you have any news or feedback ?

Liverpoollife@gmail.com @LivLifeNews Facebook/LiverpoolLifeNews

funding cuts as we try to operate world class museums.”

National Museums Liverpool has been cut by more than 28%

by James Routledge

er conflict which could endanger thousands of lives.

Russia has claimed that its troops will remain in Ukraine to protect their interests and Russian citizens.

Cllr Kemp suggested that the empty student accommodation throughout the city could be a solution and house some of the Ukraine refugees. Following from the success in 2000 when Kosovo refugees were housed in students accommodation while they were empty during the summer.

Responding to Mayor Joe Anderson’s criticism that his proposal was ‘gesture politics’, Cllr Kemp said: “It’s sad that the mayor has criticised me for this instead of focusing on the issue itself.

“The government had planned housing on a big scale in preparation for a possible nuclear war between India and Pakistan in the past.

“And Liverpool has a good track record for this.

“However, it’s looking less likely that Ukraine will be involved in war now that Putin seems to have blinked.”

Cllr Kemp will be putting the motion forward to the full counil in a meeting held tomorrow at the Town Hall. He will be calling on the Mayor of Liverpool to make the offer of help.

Mayor Anderson dismissed Cllr Kemp’s call earlier this week when he said: “At the end of the day this is typical Kemp, more worried about what’s happening on the international stage than what’s happening here.

“Yes, I am concerned with what’s going on in the Ukraine with Russia’s annexation of parts of it, but anything we do as a city in a humanitarian way will be done in conjunction with the foreign office. I’m not going to engage in gesture politics.”

CULTURE: The Museum of Liverpool on the waterfront

proposals but the reality is we have to lose valuable staff.”

During 2014/15, an additional 66 posts are set to be lost and 37 redundancies will take place.

Staff have been told to brace themselves over the coming months.

Dr Fleming continued: “Once we’ve decided on the way forward we’ll meet with all our staff to go through the detail and outline next steps. The situation is bleak.”

A study published last year into the economic impact of National Museums Liverpool found that the organisation is worth £75.8m to the Liverpool economy.

OPPONENT: Lib Dem leader Richard Kemp

Councillors clash over refuge plan

WALRUS IS SO SMART An initial roll out of Merseyside’s much delayed transport “smartcard” is due to take place later this year.

The Walrus card – similar to London’s Oyster card – was aimed at taking the hassle out of travelling on a bus, train, or ferry and encouraging more people to use public transport.

When launched in September 2011, the phased roll out of the electronic Smart cards was supposed to be complete by last year.

said: “National Museums Liverpool is funded by central government. For the past four years we’ve faced unrelenting

by Government since 2010, resulting in the loss of one in five posts and saw 93 staff leave as voluntary severance schemes.

The organisation controls nine museums and galleries in the city, which include the Museum of Liverpool, which was opened in 2011, the World Museum, the Walker Art Gallery, Merseyside Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum, Border Force National Museum, Sudley House and the Lady Lever Art Gallery.

Dr Fleming added: “We have difficult decisions to make as we cope with the severe reductions to our budgets. We continue to explore different options and

Features Bill Evans Jess MacDonald Abi Bramhall Sports editor Aimee Jones Sport Karl Cryer Jack Horrocks Pictures editor Claire Bynoe

The leader of Liverpool’s Lib Dems has hit back at claims that his proposal to house Ukraine refugees is ‘gesture politics’.

Cllr Richard Kemp, Liverpool Liberal Democrats leader, said that in 2000, the city rehoused 1,000 Kosovo refugees with a focus on women and children.

He said: “Since we have a huge surplus of accommodation in the city, I thought it only appropriate that we housed Ukraine refugees if the situation in the country worsens.”

Russian troops have occupied the Crimean peninsula after the pro-Moscow ex-president of Ukraine was ousted by the public.

The troops still occupy the region and it remains unclear whether the Russian army will spread to other parts of the country, possibly causing a wid-

Liverpool is geared up to run a mile for Sport Relief

by Nadine Higham This year’s Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile is set to come to Liverpool’s Croxteth Hall and Country Park.

Sport Relief is a chance to bring together the worlds of sport and entertainment to raise money to help vulnerable people in both the UK and the world’s poorest countries.

At the heart of the campaign is the Sport Relief Mile, which allows participants to run, walk, jog or crawl, regardless of age or ability.

Hundreds of locals are set to

take part in the event, getting active and raising money for Sport Relief.

People entering the event will receive a Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games Sponsorship Kit which contains all the information needed to take part.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a sprinter or a walker as there is a choice of a one mile run, a three mile run or a six mile run, all starting at various times in the day The event will take place on 23rd March and open at 9.45AM. Every entrant will be given

a ‘Saver Ticket’ voucher, for free entry to Croxteth Hall, the Home Farm and Victorian Walled Garden which will be valid up until Easter Monday 21st April.

The vouchers will be part of the ‘finishing pack’ given to everyone completing the run.

Another event taking place in Liverpool will be the Swimathon at the University of Liverpool Sports and Fitness Centre.

The Swimathon will take place on March 21st and allows participants to take part individually or as part of a team.

PROFITS SOAR AT WEBSITE A Chester-based price comparison website has reported a 10% growth in revenue with profits rising by over a third in 2013.

MoneySupermarket.com is a comparasion website for eveything from household bills to travel insurance. The website increased to £225.5m while pre-tax profits went up by 36.5% to £43m.Chief executive Peter Plumb said: “We invested across the business last year and it paid off nicely with higher revenues, profits up 26 per cent, and a dividend that was tripled as we returned over £100m to shareholder.”

Facelift for council centre

by Niall Dudley

A re-generated multi-million pound council centre has opened in Kirkby bringing key local services together under the same roof.

Knowsley Council decided to give the building a refurbishment as part of a plan to re-generated Kirkby Town Centre.

Cllr Dave Lonergan, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Re-generation, Economy

and Skills, said: “The Kirkby Centre is a fantastic facility which will enable residents to access a number of key services in one modern building.”

The centre will now house a library, gallery, local history archive, adult disability day service, community meeting rooms and an independent coffee shop.

Once the re-generation work has been completed the centre will be overlooking a new public square.

He added: “We are making huge in-

vestments in Kirkby Town Centre to give our residents the facilities they deserve. As well as the £5m investment in the Kirkby Centre, we will also shortly be opening the new £2.5m Kirkby Market and we have attracted major private sector investment into the town.

“I’m delighted that the Kirkby Centre is now open to residents and it represents a major step forward in the wider regeneration programme to transform Kirkby Town Centre.”

Life|News|3

STRIKE OVER BONUS

by Nadine Higham

Staff at Liverpool’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) are set to strike on Thursday and Friday over a dispute about pay. There will be 140 Capita business services staff from the city centre offices taking action over the two days.

The Public and Commercial Service union, had a 96% vote in favour of the walk out after the rejection of a pay offer which would not give the workers their bonus in the last part of their contract.

Caroline Turner, Commercial sector industrial officer for the union, said: “Capita are due to leave the workers contract but they are refusing to pay a retention bonus. It’s a unique situation as PCS are due to take over the contract.

“Our assessment is that they (Capita) are quite happy to see the dispute go ahead and these are really low paid workers.

Capita seem quite happy for the services DBS offer to go into disarray with the strike.

This dispute could be settled easily but they have not even tried to discuss a counter proposal.”

DBS perform an important service by helping employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable adults from working with children. It replaced the Criminal Records Bureau and Independent Safeguarding Authority. Not all staff at DBS are employed through Capita with 485 other members of staff on site who won’t be taking industrial action.

A spokesperson for Capita said: “PCS members based at our site at Princes Parade have voted for strike action regarding pay negotiations, which commenced in January. On Thursday, March 6 and Friday, March 7, members have voted for full strike action.”

Adelphi checks in century of history

by Niall Dudley

Liverpool’s Adelphi Hotel is set to turn 100 years old this Sunday. The historic building will be hosting a star studded celebration on Saturday to mark this landmark.

Local celebrities Pauline Daniels, Matthew Kelly and

“Best hotel outside of London”.

The list of former visitors is impressive with the likes of legendary former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, ex American President Frank D Roosevelt, The Beatles and even Adolf Hitler stayed in one of the 402 en suite rooms the hotel has to offer.

The hotel had a taste of fame in 1997 when it was fea-

tured in a TV documentary that was the first docu-soaps. One of the programmes featured the now famous catchphrase “just cook will yer” shouted in an altercation between Chef and deputy manager Brian.

The hotel gained notoriety the same year when the Grand National at Aintree was called off due to an IRA

bomb scare and it had to put up many visitors to the race.

The hotel criticised documentary makers for the way they portrayed their treatment of the guests.

The programme showed the hotel auctioning off rooms at double the price and charging people the price of a room for just a mattress in a function room.

Mini Merida earns her stripes Appeal for Hillsborough witnesses brings back memories

by James Routledge

A woman whose father died in the Hillsborough disaster recalled her tragic experience in appeal for witnesses broadcast on the BBC last night.

Charlotte, who was just six when her 29-year-old father died, said: “It was very hard talking about how my father died and because it’s widely publicised it was a bit intimidating, but it was good being able to speak out.

“I talked about how I lost my dad when I was six and that it’s important we find the St. John’s Ambulance man who treated him before he died.

“I definitely felt I got my message out as the disaster is widely covered in the media.”

She was joined by other

IKEA HOTEL

by Alisha Daya

Ikea is involved in plans to develop a budget hotel in Liverpool.

The Swedish furniture company announced last year that a firm within its property section is working with Marriot International to create a new global brand of Moxy Hotels.

The Marriot have said that the hotel will be part of the £160m Central Village Development near Liverpool Central Station.

Marriot have said that a “Moxy Hotel on Cropper Street in Liverpool is in the pipeline”.

The development will include a six screen cinema, 160,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space as well as 500 parking spaces.

The proposal, put forward

by Lewis’ Liverpool LLP said: “The building will incorporate a combination of uses to include one or more of the following: retail, financial and professional services, restaurant and cafe, drinking establishments, hot food take-away, office, hotel, casino and live music venue and nightclub.”

Sue Johnston will attend the dinner choosing from a menu which echoes the one they would have had 100 years ago.

The hotel, designed by Frank Atkinson, started being constructed in 1911 and was finished and ready to open in 1914. It was well known back in the day as a luxurious place to stay and was seen as the

Chester Zoo has announced its latest arrival Merida, the first Grevy’s Zebra to have been born at the zoo for 34 years

families of those who died in the Hillsborough disaster appealed for witnesses on Inside Out North West.

The programme, which aired at 7.30pm, also featured appeals from Louise Brooks, whose brother died during the disaster, and Ann Burkett, whose stepson also died.

Louise, whose brother Andrew was 26 when he died, said on the programme that she felt she was working “against the clock” as she attempted to locate a doctor who helped him on the pitch and a man who was pictured near him at the time.

Ann said she had seen video footage of Peter on the day - compiled by Operation Resolve, the criminal investigation into Hillsborough.

She described watching the footage as “horrific”.

Giant grant for project

By Jess Watters

Liverpool’s giants spectacular event has received a grant of £250,000 from Arts Council England.

The grant is part of an Exceptional Awards programme in which the Arts Council is choosing significant one-off events that don’t fit into their existing funding programmes.

The awards help organisations create a one-off project on a large scale.

Sarah Maxfield, Area Director North of Arts Council England, told JMU Journalism: “The Exceptional Awards programme provides us with a unique opportunity to recognise truly remarkable ideas of national, or

even international, importance; rewarding innovation and ambition in arts and culture.”

The grant the giant event has received is the maximum funding possible and is the first time the Arts Council have awarded this amount as part of the ‘exceptional’ programme.

Liverpool City Council applied for the grant to contribute towards the event as they matched the criteria of bringing art to a huge number of people and that it is of national importance.

The Memories of August 1914 will take place from 13-27 July, marking 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War.

Life|News|4

Airport drops off radar for visitors

by James Routledge

Liverpool John Lennon Airport has dropped out of the top ten of the UK’s most used airports.

Figures from the airport show that the number of passengers dropped to 4.2m in 2013, down from 4.5m in 2012, a 6.2% decline.

These figures are part of a downward spiral from the airport’s best year, 2007, during which the number of passengers totalled 5,520,283.

Robin Tudor, an LJLA spokesman, told Liverpool Life: “Having been one of the first UK airports to attract low cost airline flights, the recent fall in passenger numbers is as anticipated as more UK airports followed Liverpool’s approach and attracted

low cost services of their own.

“Whilst there has been a recent decline in passenger numbers following over 10 years of substantial growth, the Airport Management remain optimistic that passenger numbers will return to previous levels in the coming years as the Airport now focusses on developing flights for passengers from across the region, that are not currently served from Liverpool.”

This decline means that the airport drops from 10th place to 12th place among UK airports.

Part of the reason for the fall could be attributed to rival airports – particularly Manchester - tapping into the market of low-cost flights, wooing airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair away from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA).

Although there has been a decrease compared to the countries airports, Liverpool John Lennon airport seen a 5% increase in passengers in January this year compared to 2013.

This all comes after drivers criticised parking policies at the airport.

Dozens of people complained online about external operator Vehicle Control Services, which allegedly charged drivers who stopped to read signs or slowed down on the dual carriageway approach road.

A spokesman for the airport had said there were 40 signs warning drivers of potential penalties on the red route around the airport, which had been introduced to stop congestion and safety risks caused by cars stopping and blocking lanes.

FALLING :Passenger numbers reduce

© Flickr / zkvrev

CAINS Owners blamed for dangerous dogs GETS GREEN LIGHT

by Alisha Daya

Cains Brewery Village is on its way with plans for redevelopment after the council decided not to hold a public inquiry.

The bid to create a craft brewery along with apartments, a boutique hotel and cinema and bar could have been called in for examination by the Secretary of State for Local Government, Eric Pickles, because of its scale.

However, the government has now decided that there is no need for the planning inspectorate to assess the scheme.

Cains Brewery Village bosses are currently seeking development partners and operators for the hotel and independent cinema elements of the scheme, as well as an upmarket quality supermarket operator for the food retail element.

Cains was founded in 1858

by Robert Cain. The company merged with Peter Walker & Son in 1921. The brewery closed in June 2013 with debts totalling more than £8m.

Animal and dog charities have reacted with dismay to the increase in the number of dangerous dogs being taken inro police custody in Merseyside.

Figures have shown that police took 270 dogs into custody for dangerous behaviour last year.

Lisa Rhodes, founder of Liverpool Dog Rescue, said: “It’s such a shame that there are a large number of dogs that are seized because they are put down.

“I don’t think it’s the dog’s fault; they are nice and devoted creatures. It’s the people that buy and sell them and the way that they treat them that’s to blame.”

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are among the breeds deemed most dangerous and kennels have seen a number of Staffys due to the stigma attached to them.

Lisa continued: “There was a recent incident where a Staffy attacked and killed a child and we had a number of dog owners coming in to give us their dog because they had children – even if the dog had nothing wrong.

Owners were afraid to have their dog around their children just because it was a Staffy.”

In 2011, 235 dogs were obtained which rose to 379 dogs in 2012.

A total of 50 animals that were suspected to be dangerous breeds were obtained and 3,000 owners were giv-

en advice about their dogs.

Chelsea Eves, from Freshfields Animal and Rescue, said: “A dog doesn’t know right from wrong. It’s the way a dog has been brought up; it only knows what it’s been taught.

The reason why there has been such a big number from Merseyside is because there are a lot of bad owners here.”

Some 90% of the dogs that are passed through Freshfields Animal and Rescue are unwanted which is mainly due to dogs’ breeds and the bad associations towards them.

“We have a campaign called Case Against Breeds, which makes people realise that just because a dog happens to be a certain type breed doesn’t necessarily mean that they will act the same way that dogs have in the media.

“There are simple steps that can be taken to ensure a tame or tamer dog. Things like neutering them can make a big difference.”

Reasons for seizure included animals that were out of control and dangerous to the public, people owning or breeding fighting dogs or when somebody has complained of a dog which has led them to fear of their safety.

The RSPCA have fears that breeders are renaming pit bull terriers as Staffordshire bull terriers, since the British Dangerous Dogs Act made it illegal to own pit bull terriers.

LIBRARY GETS LOUD

by Chantal Dickinson

An up and coming musician is set to perform in Central Library as part of his official tour.

Nick Mulvey will play the only library venue of his tour on Sunday March 9th in Liverpool.

The gig will be in collaboration with the hugely successful Get it Loud in Libraries (GiLiL) initiative, where Nick will perform his unique Latin and folk sound.

Nick is currently in the BBC’s top 15 to watch in 2014 and is tipped to end up in the top five.

He will be performing his new single Cucuruca, along with a number of his songs.

Having studied music in Cuba, Nick was the founding member of Mercury Prize nominated band Portico Quartet. He left in 2011 to pursue a career as a singer/ songwriter.

Councillor Wendy Simon, Liverpool City Council’s Assistant Mayor and cabinet member for culture and tourism, said: “The launch of the Get it Loud in Libraries in November was a great success and really opened up the idea of doing something more in our wonderful space.

“It is great to see Central Library being used for such diverse events that inspire and engage young people.

“It is fitting that Liverpool, a city synonymous with music, is giving new musicians a platform to showcase their talents.

“I hope this will encourage young and old to come along to the Library and enjoy the music we have on offer, this is for one night only and is definitely not to be missed.”

The GiLiL project connects young people to libraries allowing them the chance to see great musicians play in a real gig environment and also exposes more people to libraries.

Loud in Libraries supports local cultural tourism with fans from this country and abroad traveling to experience a gig in a library.

Tickets are £7 and can be bought at www.getitloudinlibraries.com/tickets.

SIMPLY CILLA Staffordshire bull terrier

© Flickr / BecauseUAreHere

Institute celebrates landmark birthday

by Laura Ryder

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) celebrates its 190th birthday today.

The RNLI was set up in 1824

by Sir William Hillary and since then has saved over 140,000 lives.

RNLI is a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service that is made up of volunteers who dedicate themselves to make the waters around the UK and the Republic of Ireland as safe as possible.

The RNLI patrols 200 United Kingdom and Channel Island Beaches including Formby and Crosby beaches.

Paul Stewart has been a volunteer for Burry Port RNLI in South West Wales since 2012.

He volunteered because of his passion regarding boats and the sea.

He said: “It can be dangerous and if I could in some way help

keep people safe while they were out on the water that’s what I wanted to do. Volunteers crews train tirelessly in all weathers and in all temperatures so that when they are paged to a call they have the skills they require and the confidence to put these into practice.”

However, Paul feels that it is a common misconception that people think that the RNLI is government funded, “The RNLI relies heavily on donations; these are the lifeblood of the RNLI. It’s the generosity of our donors that mean our volunteer crews have the latest search and rescue equipment, and all the training that they require.”

Many aspects of the RNLI have evolved through the years, such as the use of lifejackets that were made out of cork that were issued out to crew members in 1854.

Liverpool legend, Cilla Black, will have her life in Liverpool documented in a new ITV drama.

The three-part drama, called ‘Simply Cilla’, will star SheridAn Smith who will be playing the Blind Date presenter as it shows her rocky trip to stardom.

It will also show how her friendship with the Beatles helped her shaped her career.

Filming will be taking place in some of Liverpool’s most famous landmarks including the Cavern Club and is set to start filming next month.

STYLISH LIVERPOOL

Liverpool One has been chosen as the official style partner of The Crabbie’s Grand National Festival for 2014.

The National Festival, which takes place from April 3-5 tests 40 runners and riders around two circuits of the National course at Aintree.

Style spotters will also be picking a winner for ‘Best Dressed Racegoer’ who will win a £10,000 holiday to the Dominican Republic and a £250 Liverpool One gift card a month for a year.

The Grand Fashionable was held at Liverpool One this weekend.

War of words over terminal claims Continued from page one

Dirk Vennix, chief executive of the Association of British Bookmakers, said: “The CFFG allegation is total fantasy, and we can prove it. The gambling industry does not target deprived areas. It never has. It never will.

“We don’t want problem gamblers in our shops. We want responsible gamblers who are in control. That is why we

are doing all we can to ensure levels of problem gambling in the UK remain low. “ In a recent blog post, Ralph Topping, CEO of William Hill, described reports that game machines have driven an increase in problem gambling as “a myth”.

He said: “This is wrong on two fronts. Firstly, the experts say problem gamblers typically use six to seven different products.

The issue is, therefore, about player ‘behaviour’ and it is not

as some would have you believe product-centric. Secondly, the prevalence of problem gambling in the UK was always low by international standards and based upon the recent health survey in England it has reduced from 0.9% to 0.5%.”

However, Cllr Nick Small, who called for a ban on the terminals last year, this afternoon disputed the industry’s claims.

He told Liverpool Life: “They would say that wouldn’t they.

These figures are based on the bookies own figures that they provide to the Gambling Commission each year. So to say they’re misleading I think is totally wrong, unless the bookies are saying that they’re misleading the Gambling Commission and I don’t think they’d do that.”

He added that he felt there was a need for a new regulation on the machines: “I’m not against gambling and I don’t have a problem

with gambling or bookmakers. What I do have a problem with is a casino style gambling that is taking place on every single high street and is not being properly regulated.

“You’ve got people being allowed to go into bookmakers with their debit cards and gamble up to £300 a minute on these machines. That’s not a proper regulation and the type of self-regulation that the bookies are pushing is simply not working.”

‘I can’t think of a quicker way you could lose money’

By Paul McIntyre Gary (name changed) is addicted to fixed-odds betting terminals, leaving the jobless 25-year old broken and broke. Now, he has warned others about the dangers of indulging in the risky game of gambling with them.

“They’re absolute killers. I mean, seriously, I can’t think of a quicker way you could lose money. Alright, yes, you do win sometimes.

That’s what keeps you on. You never win for long though.

It has been reported that on

average Liverpool gamblers lost over £1400 on fixed-odd’s terminals in 2013. This comes as no surprise to Gary, who has suffered similar damages.

“I’m not surprised, no. Because I’ve probably lost that in a year as well. I’ve never lost that much in one sitting, but I have lost a few hundred, though.

And I felt horrible afterwards, as you always do. But over an entire year I have probably lost that much, or even more.”

“I mean, I still like a football bet. But you’re not losing as much money on that,

because you don’t get the result as quick. On these machines, it’s either: win, then go on again straight away to get more; or it’s lose, then go again to get it back as soon as you can. But 99 times out of 100 you don’t get any of it back.”

So should fixed odds betting terminals be banned?

“If it were up to me, I’d say ‘ban them’, yeah. They absolutely drain you. It’s not like other bets. Seriously, they get you far worse. All those machines do is end up losing you all of your money.”

Liverpool John Moores University have announced that they want to set itself a target of increasing international student recruitment to 15%.

Agreed with the Board of Governors, the target is set to reflect the university’s need to maintain a strong international environment in order to achieve

the vision of being a modern civic university. LJMU want to increase International student recruitment to 15% of all student registrations by 2021.

Dr Edward Harcourt, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of LMJU said: “Liverpool, one of Britain’s most recognisable cities, is also a great international student destination.

“We already have over 100 nationalities studying at LJMU but over-

SADDLE UP: Some of the bikes which will be used in the scheme

all the number of overseas students is comparatively quite small compared to our peer institutions in the UK.” Since the New Year, the university have set the foundations of taking on new international students by realigning staff resources and admissions processes.

Yesterday, the University will move to a centralised admissions system for all international applications which will

Pic: Claire Bynoe

New cycle scheme rolls into action

By Nadine Higham

A new cycle hire scheme is set to launch in April, in a bid to help reduce congestion on Merseyside roads.

Aimed at commuters, shoppers, tourists and students, the scheme will start with an initial 100 bikes at 10 city stations.

By July, there will be 500 bikes at 50 stations, followed by 1,000 bikes at more than 100 stations across the city by March next year.

This will allow people in

Merseyside to take a bike from any station and use it wherever they like before returning it to a station within the city for someone else to use.

Similar to the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme in London, the one planned for Liverpool would work 24/7 and the first half hour would be free for scheme members, who will pay an annual member fee.

With new figures showing that Merseyside roads are the third most congested in the UK, behind London and Greater Man-

chester, the bike hire scheme is one of many implemented to try to reduce this congestion .

Sinead Nunes, a regular cyclist within the city, backed the bike hire scheme, saying: “Drivers aren’t very considerate of cyclists generally so it makes it more difficult the busier it is.

“Getting people into cycling is a great way of combatting the amount of traffic on the roads, plus with all the new bike lock ups dotted around the city, it’s the easiest and cheapest way to get from A-B.”

BODY FOUND AT ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL The police confirmed that the body of a man was found at St James’ cemetery this morning just after 7AM Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral has been cordoned off after a member of the public discovered the body of a man.

The death is not being treated as suspicious and further post mortem examinations will take place in order to establish the cause of death.

At this point all that is known is that the man is believed to be in his 40s.

MORRISON MAY RETURN TO PARTY Jake Morrison, who is Liverpool’s youngest councillor, may re-join the Labour party despite a row with the Liverpool Wavertree MP that lead to his suspension.

He is currently in discussions with Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson according to the BBC after he asked to meet with him two weeks ago.

International recruitment drive

By Alisha Daya

Life/News/5

enhance their ability to position LJMU effectively in key international markets.

To help with recruitment, LJMU representatives will be attending recruitment events all over the world including Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, Nigeria and China between March and August 2014.

A new international website for prospective students has also be launched where international students can get information.

ROYAL NAVY SHIP TO DOCK A Royal Navy ship is to dock in Liverpool for four days. The ship is one of the most sophisticated ships up to date; it is called the HMS Dragon which is a Type 45 destroyer.

The Ship will arrive in Liverpool this Friday and will bring with it many visitors from all over the North West. The HMS

Life|Focus|6

REMEMBER US Homelessness is a year-round problem which is increasing on the streets of Liverpool. Aimee Hamilton speaks to The Whitechapel Centre about their programmes which aim to reduce the issue and help those in need.

A Liverpool charity is keeping homelessness on the agenda after being chosen as one of the organisations to benefit from a new campaign.

The Whitechapel Centre is one of four charities to receive help from a campaign called “Your Kindness Could Kill”.

Operated in the run up to Christmas, it encouraged people to donate to local organisations which can provide lasting help, instead of handing change to beggars who may then use it to fund drug or alcohol addiction.

Ruth McCaughley, a representative from The Whitechapel Centre told Liverpool Life: “Christmas is a time that focuses people’s attention on the issue [of homelessness] but it does carry on all year round.”

A total of £6,400 was collected which will now be handed over to The Whitechapel Centre, the Basement, Young People’s Advisory Service (YPAS) and the Liverpool Homeless Football Team.

Discussing the year-round issue of homelessness, Ruth said: “At the annual, independent rough sleeper count in November we recorded six rough sleepers.

“Obviously this number varies a little, but thanks to the No Second Night Out campaign and our 24-hour sit-up and Hub

Service we are able to prevent hundreds of people a year ending up on the streets.”

However, Ruth stressed that homelessness extends beyond rough sleepers.

According to the centre’s website, it has worked with almost 2,300 people in the past year, a marked increase of 27% on the previous year’s figure.

The Whitechapel Centre is open 365 days a year and last year provided over 4,500 breakfasts for rough sleepers, as well as finding accommodation for almost 1,200 people.

Ruth said: “We can offer a range of options to people, including finding accommodation, providing long-term support, working with landlords, budgeting and benefits advice, dealing with substance misuse issues and mental health issues.”

In addition to this, the centre’s No Second Night Out campaign meant that 99% of people new to rough sleeping didn’t spend a second night on the streets.

Ruth said: “The public can help our work by donating financially, fundraising for us, donating items to us and volunteering with us.”

To report someone sleeping rough on the streets of Liverpool, please call The Whitechapel Centre on: 0300 123 2041.

© Flickr/Blodeuwedd

HOPE to make a difference

TOP: Osaka Punch, BELOW: Field Trip to the Moon

Joe Symes & the Loving Kind

by Jessica Hayes

Liverpool venues The Brink and The Lomax will play host to a two-day music festival with a difference in aid of The HOPE project.

HOPE fest 2014 will offer around 30 live music performances over two nights but rather than an entry fee, festival goers are asked to donate an item that might be useful for a homeless person.

Festival organisers, The HOPE project, are a community

volunteer group that walks the streets of Liverpool 6 nights a week offering hot drinks, sandwiches and warm clothes to the homeless.

Founder of The HOPE project Colin Dobie said: “I set up the project to make a difference in the community, showing love and support to the Liverpool homeless community to give back to society and to create something loving.”

The group never takes

donations of money but accept donations of food, sleeping bags and warm clothing such as hats and scarves and these are the type of items that will be accepted in place of an entry fee at the festival.

The event is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Anne G Henney who is an associate of The HOPE project. She said: “I set up this music festival to bring the whole community together, all ages and from all back-

grounds, to raise awareness of homelessness. Homelessness is a growing problem all over the country, following government cuts etc. Any one of us is one pay packet away from being in the same situation.

“I hope that by holding HOPE Fest we will not only gather lots of useful donations -which will be put to direct use- but we will also engage people with the issue and create a ripple effect of people wanting to help.

For example, on your way to work or uni in the morning, buy an extra cup of tea or slice of toast and pass it to somebody on the street.”

The event will take place over two consecutive nights, on March 8th at The Brink and on March 9th at The Lomax. Those who turn up with a useful item will be treated to live acts taking to the stage each night, from local lads such as Joe Symes & The Loving Kind to Austral-

ian ‘brutal pop’ group Osaka Punch, all of whom will be giving their time for free in support of the cause. Also performing are Field Trip to the Moon who said: ‘We are very happy to be performing for the Hope project and sharing our music for such a good cause. Yes, a great idea to swap the fee for a donation, it makes the whole event much more meaningful. We are really looking forward to coming to Liverpool.’

Life|Arts|7

The sky’s the limit Niall Dudley speaks to John Moores university guest Alice Kirkland on life as an intern at Index on Censorship

A

lice Kirkland was just a regular John Moores third year student this time last year, worrying about her dissertation and her coursework deadlines. Twelve months down the line, she returned to her old university brimming with the experience of working for nine months with a worldwide magazine in the bright lights of London.

Alice was back to deliver a lecture on the opportunity she so keenly grasped of becoming an intern at Index on Censorship magazine, a publication which fights for the right to a free and fair press. A concern which is more important than ever in an as the treat of regulation looms.

This all just a year after she was listening to the lecture herself, how time has flown: “It’s gone quick but coming back here today feels like I haven’t been in Liverpool for ages even though I was here in July for graduation. But then when I think of my time in London then it’s flown by.

“To think that I’m potentially coming to the end of my internship and of all the stuff I’ve done and had the opportunity to do, I don’t know where the time’s gone.”

Coming back to her old lecture theatres with her journey into the world of Journalism impressively underway, you would have thought this was always the plan, but that isn’t the case: “I was going to go into a variety of things before I decided on journalism.

I wanted to do medicine but I wasn’t very good at science, then I wanted to go into forensic science but I was still not any good at science.

“So I needed to figure out what I wanted to do, so then I thought what my favourite subject at school was and it was English.

So I was like journalism is good because I always listened and watched the news and it’s so practical and vocational so you come out of it thinking if nothing else I can go into a job in journalism.”

With journalism covering a broad spectrum of publications ranging from serious news like the Guardian to the more niche markets like bridal magazines, Alice believes she’s found her favoured area in the magazine world: “I’m more drawn to magazines and publishing because I don’t think I have that absolute nose for a story like some people.

“News does interest me but I do want to go down a slightly different route.

“You’ve not got the daily and weekly deadlines (at magazines) which I had when I was on work experience at my local paper in first year.”

Even if the day to day experience at Index On Censorship is slightly less stressful to one at a newspaper, due to the fact it comes out just the four times a year, they make up for it in the importance of their work.

The magazine which was founded in 1972 was formed to tell the stories of dissidents behind the Iron Curtain in the Soviet Union.

To this day they still speak out for the unheard as Alice explained: “We publish stuff that’s never been published before. Like a poem in the last issue which came out of Syria, which had never been published in English before, so we were the first to do that.

“We’re giving a voice to someone who people would never have heard about. Some of it is really serious cases of daft stuff we take for granted here like being able to read a book or go to school.”

Coming straight out of university to a job which has such importance is rare and must have been quite striking: “I was already a bit aware of some of the issues

BRIGHT SPARK: Liverpool journalism graduate Alice Kirkland returns to the city to inspire current students

Critics’ Choice Music

St. Mary’s Festival of Music will feature a range of different musical groups from the College and its Preparatory School, The Mount.

They will include the award-winning Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Band, Stage Band, Baroque Consort, Show Choir, Chamber Choir and Mount Concert Choir, as well as a number of gifted soloists.

The concert will take the audience on a musical journey from J.S.Bach to Walton and Haydn to Hollywood as the talented young musicians perform pieces from a wide range of styles and genres.

Highlights will include Gloria from Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Sir William Walton’s Crown Imperial March, Rossini’s Overture to Tancredi and music from the big screen blockbusters E.T. and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Date: Friday 14th March 2014, 7:30 pm Entry fee: £10 admission fee and £5 for students

Comedy Comedian Sarah Millican, star of Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week, will be at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, from Saturday the 15th of March.

Her show Home Bird, has sold out. The sweet but rude stand up show promised comedy about life, love and everything in between.

Arts

‘We’re giving a voice to someone who people would never have heard about’ out there but it still did shock.

“Now the press are in so much danger. Especially in wars, the press used to be able to report from both sides and now if you report from one side and other side find out they won’t let you report for them.”

These are tough times for final year students with the pressure and workload of deadlines and the stress of exams and revision which can take it’s toll.

Alice has been tthrough the storm of the ‘dread-

ed’ fiinal year of univeristy and come out the other side successful.

She looked back to those tough times and offered some advice for the current crop of final year graduates: “Don’t go to Medication on a Wednesday. Just don’t go out, stay in.

“Don’t stress too much as well. If you’re trying to do some work and you just can’t do it, take 10 minutes out.

“Go watch a bit of Jeremy Kyle, have a cup of tea and get some fresh air.”

Liverpool artist, Jane Hughes presents a solo show at Unity Theatre. The pen and paper works are from her ongoing documentary drawing project based in local libraries.

Government cuts have affected one of the nation’s most valuable facilities, the local libraries. Many local libraries have already been closed and others are running on reduced opening hours to cut costs.

The situation is getting worse as more cuts are announced. Local libraries provide a unique learning space for all, a warm and friendly place for people to browse, read, work online or maybe take part in more organised activities such as local history groups, book clubs and so on.

Jane’s art project is aimed at raising awareness of the problem and saving the libraries.

The exhibition runs 5th-30th March.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 12.00 till 18.00 and Mondays 13.00 till 18.00 Private view is also available from Thursday 6thof March 18.00 till 19.30 Entry fee: Free

Cinema In ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’ Adam is a reclusive vampire who has come to the conclusion over the course of the centuries that, for humanity, “all the sand is at the bottom of the hourglass.”

His wife Eve lives in Tangier, swigging bags of hospital blood with the 16th-century playwright Christopher Marlowe. Adam and Eve reunite in Detroit, but the arrival of her sister Ava threatens to shatter their secretive world.

The fact that almost every character is a vampire is more a vehicle for the plot.

Life|Travel|8

Trouble in paradise

Chinese exchange student Scarlett Cheng re-lives the nightmare of having her passport stolen on a trip abroad, and offers advice for fellow students

W

henever I heard about someone else’s horrific experience of theft while traveling, I always thought that was something that could never happen to me.

However, it did - and I was left holding only a mobile phone and two books in a completely strange country where people hardly spoke English. More challengingly, I was completely alone.

It was in the middle of my seven-day tour of Holland and Belgium. I wasn’t as alert as I should have been, probably because the first half went too well and the weather was lovely, so my mind relaxed.

This continued even after I got on the train from Rotterdam to Brussels, where I should have been more careful and kept my bag in sight.

Instead, I put it on the transparent luggage rack above me then lay down in my seat looking forward to the second half of my trip.

However, while the train was pulling into its destination, my nightmare began.

I looked up at the shelf above me, my bag was no longer there.

Suddenly, a feeling of shock swept over me, as on the one hand I feared it was stolen while on the other hand I desperately hoped someone had mistakenly taken it and left it somewhere else on the train.

But rapidly, the truth sunk in – it was gone.

My mind went blank at the first moment, because everything was in there - clothes, toiletries, wallet (although luckily there was only 20 euros inside), bank cards and, most importantly, my passport!

Train staff said there was nothing I could do but go to the police.

Surprisingly when I got off the train, the Dutch couple who had sat next to me were waiting there, they asked whether I needed help and gave me 100 euros.

As far as they knew, their money might be never paid back as I was a total stranger, but for me that was a big favour because I didn’t even have a penny to my name.

Maybe their kindness brought me good luck, as the people I subsequently met were all helpful.

The police woman was patient and helped me sort out the situation.

What I needed to do first of all was to block my bank account and then apply for an emergency passport.

A

ll things went well. The Chinese embassy in Belgium gave me a new passport immediately and lent me some more money.

Hotels were booked far before my travel thus there were no worries about a place to stay.

The only thing remained uncertain was the UK visa, without which I wouldn’t be allowed back into the UK. However, applying for a new one meant I needed to stay in Brussels for approximately another week, which I simply couldn’t afford to do.

Considering my return ticket was already booked for two days time, I decided to take a risk by going through the border without the visa.

LJMU emailed me key documents (a Screen School statement of attend-

ance, copy of my visa, etc.) that could prove my identity.

Everything was prepared, so rather than sitting there being paranoid, I resumed my trip.

O

nly too soon, the most important day came as I headed back to Liverpool. While I was relieved at how easily I passed the France border, the driver stopped again and said: “Here we go - the British border. Please get your passport and visa prepared.”

One thing I’ve learned is whatever I’m facing, anxiety never helps. Instead, always be calm and think about how things could be sorted out.

When the officers asked, I explained every detail, maybe in an exaggerated and tearful way!

Fortunately, the officers were compassionate. They understood my experience and were happy with my documents.

Even though the new passport didn’t work with the system, they let me through.

When I look back to what I have been through, I feel thankful for all the people who helped me in my time of need and restored the knowledge that there is still good-natured people out there.

I am also proud of myself for not being scared by what was a disadvantageous situation.

But the one lesson I did learn was that I should always be more careful, after all the whole experience could have been avoided and my trip would have been a lot less stressful.

Helpful steps just in case...

If your property goes missing or is stolen whilst abroad, make sure you report it to the local police.

Make sure you let someone know what has happened to you either your family, friends, employer or university.

Often you will need a crime number or police report to show to your insurance company.

If you have no money whatsoever don’t be shy to ask your embassy or the police for finacial support.

If this includes your debit or credit cards, contact your bank to have them blocked so they can’t be fraudulently used.

Try not to panic, these things happen and there is help available.

You can apply for an emergency travel document (sometimes known as an ‘emergency passport’) if you’re a British national outside the UK and your passport has been lost, stolen, damaged or has expired.

An emergency travel document allows you to leave the country you’re in and travel to your destination via a maximum of 5 countries, but this doesn’t guarantee entry to all countries.

You need to apply for one in person, you can do so at the British Embassy in the country your stuck in. You’ll need: 1. A completed emergency travel document application form 2. A recent photograph of yourself 3. Proof of your travel plans 4. A Police report if your passport has been stolen

Life|Arts|9

Back in Action

The Liverpool Everyman Theatre opened its doors to show off its brand new makeover. Sarah Mee takes a look at the weekend celebrations...

T

he Everyman Theatre was warmly welcomed back into show business over the weekend with a mesmerising display of lights, cameras and action.

Hope Street was home to an evening of celebrations for the night on Saturday as crowds gathered to watch the official re-opening ceremony of this iconic theatre, an establishment at the heart of Liverpool’s theatrical history roots.

It was a musical and magical affair, a fiery beacon of perhaps defiance and strength, as the Everyman Theatre returned after nearly three years of refurbishment and rekindling - just a few days before funding to the arts may be cut.

Lanterns, choirs and bands, fireworks and our much-loved giant puppetry all stood tall and shone bright together in the ceremony, even though at the back of many minds there may well have been thoughts of the upcoming vote on a budget that includes a plan to cut Liverpool’s total culture spending by half over the next three years. This would mean direct grants to art organisations like the Everyman and its sister venue the Playhouse would be few and far between.

Apart from funding fears, one of the new challenges the Everyman could face is how to successfully tickle the fancy of the dominant student population in the city, whilst successfully maintaining the loving, life-long partnership with its older audience at the same time.

Dominic Beaumont, Media Officer at Everyman Theatre told Liverpool Life: “We hope the new theatre will attract a new generation of theatregoers by presenting itself in a brighter, more accessible way and with facilities and comforts that modern audiences expect whilst still retaining many of its signature elements – trust stage auditorium, bistro and democratic spaces throughout.”

And there is more – the expanded Young Everyman Playhouse also provides access to £5 tickets at all performances for those fortunate enough to reside on the brighter side of 26.

Natives and newcomers of theatre alike are both accommodated for in this space of cohabitation, and it isn’t just newbies who want to pay a visit.

Liverpool Life spoke to 38-year-old Lee Hawthorn, from the Wirral, whose first ever visit to a theatre was at the Everyman.

He said: “The Everyman gave me a memorable experience. The thing I liked was the intimacy of the seats and stage, I remember feeling part of the show. Growing up, I thought theatres were too posh and not welcoming with people with my background and age, but this all changed when I visited the Everyman. I’m very happy its back and I’ll be paying visits.”

I can’t help but think this sentiment would be shared by many Liverpudlians, and that this small but significant resurrected heart of Liverpool theatre reflects the ethos of all the people in the city - proud, open to all and fiercely welcoming.

PARADE: Liverpool Lantern Company show off One of the refreshed and reformed ideas the their work at the Hope Street show.

Everyman has returned with is finding more ways to subsidise itself, including opening their own brand new basement bistro and a café, both located within the theatre.

Outside, the revived and rejuvenated vibes continue as the exterior of the theatre showcases new distinct Everyman lettering which captivatingly finds it place amongst the backdrop of revolving panels – each eye-catchingly engraved with a photograph of a Scouser.

Architects Haworth Tompkins were in charge of the makeover and with previous theatre designs like Royal Court Theatre and The Young Vic under their belt, complete confidence was entrusted to them before and after the reveal of their finished work took centre stage on Hope Street.

The start of new beginnings for the Everyman will kick off this Saturday, 8th March, with the theatre’s new production of Twelfth Night starring Matthew Kelly, Nick Woodeson, Alan Stocks, Pauline Daniels and Jodie McNee. TUCK IN: The brand new basement bistro welcomes their first customers

FIRST LOOK: Hundreds flooded through the doors to see the new theatre

EXCITING: The refurbishment included a new 400-seat theatre

Life|Food|10

Taste of the upper crust

Britain’s pie week gets under way, as Sarah Mee reports

T

he humble pie has been an unpretentious, pastry-related, home comfort for as long as pie lovers can remember but just how many meat and treat filled centuries has the charmingly reliable, baked delight been around for? British Pie Week has given us at Liverpool Life the excuse to delve into the deep-crust history and immerse ourselves in ancient pie knowledge.

The first pies surfaced around 95,000 BC in the New Stone Age, in the form of flat, round or the delectably named ‘freeform crusty cakes’ also known as ‘galettes’.

These consisted of a crust of ground oats, wheat, rye or barley containing honey as a sweet treat inside.

Savoury satisfaction came some time later in 2,000 BC when a recipe for a chicken pie was written on a tablet in an ancient civilization located in modern-day Southern Iraq.

The traditional pie pastry however, was yet to be created and the Ancient Greeks took this matter into their own hands.

They developed the first proper flourand-water pastry and used it to make small pasties containing eggs or little birds which were amongst the popular choice of ‘nibbles’ served at banquets.

Back in Britain, the year is now 43 AD and the Romans have begun their overthrow of the British Isles, which also kindly involved the introduction of the great pie.

Up North, the reception was almost raucous as the colder, wilder civilisations welcomed the rich steaming delicacy, whilst the South- Pie, mash and peas, what could be better? ern residents were slightly indifferent – apart from the infamous Cornish pasty that is.

M

ines and pies go hand in grubby hand, and in Cornwall the miners’ wives sent their husbands off underground armed with only a rather tasteless pocket of pastry.

Thankfully, the Cornish pasty recipe developed into an established escapade.

Today, the pie remains a staple diet up and down the country but the pie lovers are definitely concentrated in the Northern hemisphere, particularly the North West.

Just down the road from Liverpool is the possible capital of all things pies – the mighty Wigan and its wonderous invention of ‘Pie in

Liverpool feast of food and drink

a Bap’, otherwise known as the ‘Wigan Slappy’.

This carbolicious creation involves the simple relationship of a pie and a barm cake living harmoniously together in one meal – the pie is the filling of the bap.

It is, in its most basic terms, a pie sandwich, which can only mean great things surely?

So, as British Pie Week continues until Friday, let’s celebrate all things pie and treat ourselves to the common but charming creation.

Long live the pie!

Liverpool Food and Drink festival is set to return in September it has been announced. More than 160 local chefs and producers are set to come together to offer up a giant feast in the heart of Sefton Park.

This will be the seventh year in a row that the festival will be taking place in the city and an extra day has been added to the usually two-day long event.

It will run between Friday and Sunday over the weekend of the 19th-21st of September. In addition to the food and drink on offer for visitors there will also be multiple themed dining areas, celebrity cooking demonstrations, master classes,

live music and a children’s activity centre.

Dragons Den star and inventor of Reggae Reggae sauce Levi Roots will be attending and is teaming up with the festival organisers to look for a young food and drink entrepreneur.

He said: “I’m sure there are plenty of budding young entrepreneurs out there who would really benefit from this opportunity. I would urge anyone with a good food or drink related business idea to get in touch with the team at Liverpool Food and Drink Festival. This could be the first step on the ladder to business success.”

Life/Food/11

What are you giving up for lent?

L

ent begins tomorrow and already people are starting to list their fasting regimes and forbidden luxuries.

Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, is the period of the Christian Festival which remembers the time Jesus fasted in the desert in a test of self-discipline before beginning his work for God. Lasting for 40 days, Lent comes to an end during the Easter week, which is known as Holy Week.

Reverend Stuart Haynes from the Ormskirk Parish Church believes that there is a danger that the origins of Lent can be forgotten.

He told Liverpool Life: “We need to recapture these traditions as they can strongly benefit our lives and make us better people.

And that would include looking at a rounded view of Lent. If we look at it as being a prayerful remembrance of Jesus’ time in the wilderness then we need to remember that he not only fasted but he prayed as well.

“Personally, I don’t only look to give something up but I like to take on something. So I will be trying to spend some more time engaging with my bible and looking to donate the money I save on more frivolous items to charity.”

Some people tend to give up foods which include: meat, fish, fats, eggs and milky foods where as others give up something they really enjoy.

It is not just certain foods that people want to give up this year. With the increasing use of social media Rev Haynes admits that the trend to give it up is increasing.

But he added: “Lent reflections are a very personal thing. But the church teaches this as an important part of an individual Christian’s spiritual disciplines.”

It’s not just certain foods that people want to cut down, it has been reported that some want to give up food all together.

Reverend Keith Hebden, has said he will go without food, drinking just water and fruit juice, to show unity to all those who go hungry in Britain.

L

iverpool Life took to the streets to ask Merseysiders what they would give up for Lent. Staggeringly a lot of people questioned when Lent was and admitted they wouldn’t give up or anything or take part.

However those who did stated that their diets needed to be improved in some way or another.

Shanaine Munroe, below, 19, a journalism student at Liverpool John Moores, said: “I will be giving up chocolate for Lent. I am going on holiday so I need to start eating healthy by cutting out certain sugars.”

Pancakes are flipping great Its pancake day! Forget packet batter mixes... Here is Liverpool Life’s recipe for the real thing.

You will need: • 100g plain flour • 2 eggs • 300ml semi-skimmed milk • 1 tbsp sunflower oil, extra for frying • Pinch of salt

1

) To begin start by blending the flour: put the flour and a pinch of salt into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre and crack both the eggs into the middle. Pour in 50ml of milk and 1 tbsp of oil. Then start to whisk the flour gradually from the centre and bear once the flour is mixed until you have a smooth paste. If too stiff add a little more milk to beat.

2

) To loosen the thick batter, add a generous splash of milk and whisk in. Whilst whisking pour in the remainder of the milk. Continue to whisk until you have a batter that is slightly thick but creamy in colour.

3

) Heat the pan on a moderate heat, and then wipe it with oiled kitchen paper. Add some batter to the pan using a ladle and slowly tilt the pan to move the mixture around to achieve a thin, even layer. Leave to cook, undisturbed for 30 seconds, if the right temperature the pancake should turn golden underneath and will be reader to turn.

4

) To flip the pancakes, hold the pan handle at length and then quickly lift and flip it over using a fish slice.

Allow the pancake to lye flat in the pan before cooking for another 30 seconds. Once golden brown on both sides turn it out onto a warm plate.

Ashleigh Davies, below, 18, a film studies student at Liverpool John Moores, said: “I am going to cut out my sugar intake, it’s better for your health and your teeth.

I am going to stop putting loads of sugar in my tea.”

Ellis Thomson, below, 17, a City of Liverpool College student, said: “For Lent I am going to give up fizzy drinks, if I can!”

Weird and wonderful pancake toppings The Liverpool Life team voted for their favourite pancake fillings and here they are... · Bananas · Bacon with maple syrup · Corn beef hash with gravy · Pot noodle · Blueberries · Nutella · Fry up · Marmite · Butter · Strawberries and cream · Honey · Chocolate syrup · Ice cream · Whipped cream · Milky Way

Life | Features | 12

purrfect! cat cafe hits uk Britain’s first ever cat café, Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium, has opened its doors in London to the joy of cat lovers everywhere. Shannyn Quinn explores this unique business and looks at where the idea originated...

H

ave you ever been in a difficult situation where you can’t decide between your love of cafés and your love of cats? Well, Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium may be the answer to all of your problems.

Britain’s first ever ‘cat café’ opened its doors in East London on 1st March, a bizarre fad that was warmly welcomed by residents and visitors alike.

Located in the borough of Tower Hamlets, the café offers a typical menu of tea, coffee and cakes but it is also home to 11 furry-felines, sourced from rescue homes across London, which customers can play with in the designated ‘cat room’.

Lauren Pears, a 31-year-old Australian national, was the brains behind the East London cat café.

She decided to raise the ‘kitty’ money by crowd-funding via indiegogo. com. Hundreds of thousands of pounds was pledged by campaigners and members of the public who were all in favour of the Victorian-themed tearooms.

Due to high demand, customers need to arrange a reservation in advance if they’re planning to visit, and the café is already fully booked until 17 March, with priority given to those who backed the tearoom’s funding campaign last year.

We cannot think of anything better than hot drinks and kittens, but where did this phenomenon come from?

The world’s first cat café opened in Taiwan in 1998 which began to attract many Japanese tourists as well as domestic visitors. Cat cafés

FURRY LINE-UP: The cats of the cafe

are hugely popular in China, Japan and Taiwan - with over 100 already established in Tokyo. One café in Tokyo added goats as a way of having a unique element and another added rabbits.

‘The cafe’s website crashed when 3,000 people attempted to book a table’ The kitty kitchens were initially aimed at those who have landlords that don’t allow pets, small living quarters and long working

All pictures ©LadyDinahsCats/Twitter

hours, who may pine for a cuddly companion but are unable to own one; however visitors, tourists and globetrotters have jumped on board the feline ferry.

Cat cafés feature strict rules to ensure cleanliness and animal welfare, in particular seeking to ensure that the cats are not disturbed by excessive and unwanted attention, such as by young children or when sleeping. Many also seek to raise awareness of cat welfare issues, such as abandoned and stray cats.

The grand opening of Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium in Bethnal Green was much anticipated by animal lovers across the capital.

Within hours of its opening date being announced online, the café’s website crashed when 3,000 people attempted to book a table, all hoping

to spend some time with either Adamska, Artemis, Biscuit, Carbonelle, Donnie, Indiana, Loki, Mue, Petra, Romeo or even Wookie.

But it doesn’t stop there. Rumour has it that Londoners Kristjan Byfield and his wife Hayley are hunting for a Shoreditch home for their dog-friendly café, House of Hounds, which will offer doggie goods including clothing, herbal tea, cupcake, cookies and a separate menu for those who prefer human food.

Kristjan has been “overwhelmed” by the response of the public to the idea, but there are very few details about the venture so far.

So with London welcoming a cat café and set to get its own dogthemed café later in the year, are there other venues that could benefit from a pet-friendly attitude?

THE CATS’ WHISKERS: From left to right - Donnie, one of the cafés resident cats, the interior of the café and chilled Donnie relaxing in the window

Stitch cigarette trouser £30.00 Topshop

Modern tailoring neppy trousers £25.00 Topshop

Pleat stitch cigarette trousers £22.00 Topshop

Life|Style|13

Spring out of Winter The transition from winter to spring is back on our doorsteps, so it’s time to welcome back the pastel colours paired with this season’s masculine take.

Boyish charm is taking over the high street stores, with tapered trousers paired with summery colours to give a feminine edge to the spring trend. Pointed toes and strappy shoes

are a huge hit, with chunky boots invading the streets as the daytime choice of footwear.

Monochrome returns to the rails with loose prints also making a comeback. Don’t be going cold, though - layers are still a hot topic with scarfs appearing at world-wide fashion weeks along with knits and leather jackets, ensuring we remain just a little bit cosy.

Blue smudge print scarf £14.00 Miss Selfridge, unisex circle scarf £25.00 American Apparel, yellow fern print scarf £14.00 Miss Selfridge, boucle scallop hem jacket £55.00 Topshop, quilted biker jacket £29.99 H&M.

Chunky cleated sole gladiator sandals £24.99 New Look

Top(L-R): Shell pink boxy chiffon short sleeve shirt £14.99, black and white stripe tee £22.00 Dorothy Perkins, split back shell top £28.00. Bottom(L-R): Burnout daisy scallop tee £26.00 both Topshop, mint green sheer stripe t-shirt £9.99, monochrome large spot print shirt £14.99 both New Look.

Bailey KG shoes £95.00 Kurt Geiger

Life|Sport|14

On the ropes After suffering a burst appendix and a broken bone in his neck, many would step away from the ring and call it a day. However Tom Doolan has fought back and hopes to be third time lucky...

by Kerryleigh Gough

A

fter beginning the sport little over five years ago, 26-year old Tom Doolan has had his fair share of bad luck in what has been a rollercoaster journey for the Scouser.

Back in 2010 Doolan was ready to enter the ring for his first fight, but just a week before his first ever show, Tom was injured in training and burst his appendix. The injury sadly ended his chance to make his first entry that month.

After fighting his way back to full fitness later that year, Doolan was ready to challenge once more and was all but ready for his comeback showdown.

However, disaster struck and he had to pull out of his second entry show, this time it was an even more serious blow.

Tom had cracked a bone in his neck following a move called Suplex in training. After only a couple of years in the sport Doolan was close to calling it a day and turning his back on the sport once and for all.

Following his setback, Doolan said: “I just brushed it off and I didn’t actually go to hospital for three days because I thought I would be Okay. It was only when the doctor told me I had cracked a bone in my neck I realised I had to look after myself.”

He explained how his injuries did make him rethink his choice. “I was worried about my future in wrestling and considered leaving it, my family are always worried for my safety, especially my fiancée Kelly, but they all fully support my chosen sport.”

“Wrestling is a massive part of my life. I was very socially awkward when I was younger so wrestling was my outlet.”

The sport doesn’t come without its dangers as to be expected, the chance of injury can be extremely high.

Tom said: “You do get battered and bruised because it is a contact sport.”

After getting a clean bill of health, Tom had his lucky break earlier this year which saw him make the switch from singles competitions to paired matches where he now fights with his partner Carl O’Neill.

The pair were matched up three months ago after Tom’s previous partner decided to take time out from the sport.

T

om then moved into singles competitions until the promoter asked if he was interested in teaming up with Carl and the pair happily agreed.

Tom said: “Carl and I are still trying to learn each other’s moves and get to know each other. It takes time to get to know how your partner plays in the ring and so we have been training hard for our third

match on Saturday.”

Tom previously worked in health but left due to personal reasons and now concentrates his full motivation and rive on wrestling.

Tom, who specialises in American wrestling is set to showcase his skills this weekend at ‘Revenge’ showdown in Runcorn and is hoping injury won’t halt his progress this time round.

T

he Runcorn Wrestling Academy (RWA) event, being held at the Runcorn’s Grangeway community centre on March 8th, is expected to have a bumper crowd for the 7.10 bell with doors opening at 6.30pm and Tom is looking forward to the challenge.

Tom said: “I am hoping for a win on Saturday, I have been training hard and I even attended a special training session with former WWE Wrestler Harry Smith Junior who is the son of wrestling legend British Bulldog.”

Tom, otherwise known for all grand-slam wrestling purposes as “The best” he has recently teamed up with “The Deal” Carl O’Neill, Doolan’s team mate, who he will compete against in the upcoming match.

He added: “People should attend it’s a great family entertainment and you never know what you’re going to get at a RWA show. It will be great for people to come down and see it fot themselves.”

FIGHTERS: Tom Doolan (left) with his fighting partner Carl O’Neill © Tom Doolan

Liverpool backing for MP’s ‘get active’ call to UK

by Simóne Foggin

FUTURE: MP Andy Burnham talks in Liverpool

The Shadow Secretary of State for Health’s new plans to tackle low levels of participation in physical activity has been backed by Liverpool lecturers.

Andy Burnham spoke at Friday’s ‘Sport and the Politics of Exclusion’ conference.

Ian Bettie, Senior Lecturer for the Faculty of Education, Health and Community, told Liverpool Life: “It was refreshing to hear Andy Burnham talk about the differences between sport & physical activity and the need for these differences to be recognised at policy level effectively.

“This is and has been missing and it would be interesting to see how this takes shape as we move forward if physical activity policy was clearly set out.”

It has been widely expressed that the level of sport undertaken by the general public is at a worrying low.

The Liverpool MP referred to physical activity as something which should be featured as “pre-eminent in public health policy”.

During his keynote address he reflected on new ways that we can use exercise to tackle chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes and mental health; just some of the risks we face in Britain today.

Outlining his plans for the

future he vowed to have more than 50% of the population actively participating in regular sports by the year 2025.

In 2002, the previous Labour Government set a target to ensure 70% of the population would be achieving the recommended levels of activity by 2020. Ian described Andy’s “50 x 25” incarnation as “far less ambitious and a safer bet.”

In relation to the target of 50% of the population, he added: “I even would challenge policy movers and shakers to not play it safe and to in fact be keen to explore how we can encourage ‘everybody’ to be more active.”

He asks: “How can we as a University help improve the

activity levels of our students and staff so that we get more than 50% of our population getting the right amounts of physical activity?”

The two day conference was held in LJMU’s John Lennon Art and Design Building, and was attended by delegates from as far away as Los Angles and Melbourne, people all keen to debate the future of sport.

When taking into consideration the university’s role in improving sporting participation, Ian explained how he thinks we should ensure that: “we are current in our thinking and innovative in our solutions if we are being challenged to improve the health of the nation.”

Life|Sport|15

Kenny Dalglish©Flickr/DUP Photos

KING KENNY AT 63

King Kenny is 63 today with fans of the football legend today taken to Twitter to wish him a happy birthday.

Born in Glasgow, on the 4 March 1951, Kenny built his career on a record of football achievements such as scoring the most goals ever for Scotland and winning 21 major trophies as a manager of Liverpool Football Club.

James Carrol, News editor of Liverpool Football Club’s official website tweeted “Happy 63rd birthday to The King, Kenny Dalglish” Liverpool FC tweeted “Happy 63rd birthday from all at #LFC to The King himself, Kenny Dalglish!”

CHESTER HOSTS U19s One of Liverpool’s upcoming Under 19 players Jordan Ibe is set to play in Wednesday March 5th fixture at Chester’s Swansway Stadium.

The player, who is currently on loan from Liverpool to Birmingham City, will play amongst the rest of Noel Blake’s young Lions squad against Turkey in what is expected to be a spectacular show of English football in front of a crowd.

The match will kick off at 7pm and form a key part of the Young Lion’s preparation for hosting the Qualifying round of the UEFA U19 Championship in May 2014.

The FA directive hopes to encourage younger people to the match, with junior tickets costing just 50 pence when an adult accompanied by 15 youngsters books.

WATER POLO CUTS British Water polo is taking cuts in funding.

The sport suffered a huge loss of £4.5m in funding, from UK Sport after the London Olympics 2012. Only basketball suffered a bigger hit.

This may be due to the prediction that water polo wont get into the medal tables in 2020.

Yet, there is hope for the sport. Ladies champions Liverpool Lizards will be competing in Europe after beating London Invicta, in their first ever British Championship title.

NATIONS CLASH The RBS Six Nations returns this weekend with England looking to make amends for their record defeat against Wales in last year’s tournament.

England will take on Wales on Sunday, at home at Twickenham. Ireland will be playing Italy and Scotland face France on Saturday.

Premiership scout searches for talent

by Will Shaw

A member of Manchester City’s backroom staff has visited Liverpool John Moores University to share his expertise with School of Sport and Exercise Sciences students and staff.

Leon Collins, Academy Scouting and Recruitment Coordinator at City, offered Level 6 Science and Football students, postgraduate students and Football Exchange staff a fascinating insight into the recruitment and development of talented young players.

Dr Dave Richardson, Acting co-Director of School, said: “It was a real pleasure to hear Leon articulate the joys and complexities of his work. Leon made us aware of his interest in The Football Exchange’s work in youth football development last year and, given his global recruitment remit, he has been particularly interested in our work on young player migration.”

The Blues man outlined his personal career as well as talking about the procedures in place at Manchester City which allows them to develop strong-minded, independent, balanced individuals, who can cope with the wider demands of the profession that are a credit to the club as people and players.

The floor was then opened to a Question and Answer session.

Leon Collins, who is respon-

Picture from JMU website. Leon Collins (Centre) Academy Scouting and Recruitment Coordinator at Manchester City FC

sible for coordinating Manchester City Academy’s local, national and global recruitment strategy, said: “It was great to be able to meet the students and course leaders alike to help give an understanding of the ‘other

LFC slashes debts

by Simóne Foggin Liverpool FC has revealed news that shows the club is on the road to transformation, not only on the pitch but also behind the scenes.

New accounts show that since the take over in October 2010 American owners, Fenway Sports Group have reduced Anfield’s debts by over £200 million.

At the end of May 2013, the Anfield club’s net bank debts had been reduced by £19.9m and now stand at only £45.1m.

Ian Ayre, the club’s Managing Director, has recently praised owners John Henry and Tom Werner. He said: “We could not have a better set of people owning and running the club. They want what the fans want.”

The club’s annual turnover has increased by 9%, and is now standing at up to £206.1m.

As well as this, both their commercial and media revenues have increased substantially.

Ayre has outlined the importance of the kopite fans saying: “I think people often focus on the business, we of course on revenues and sponsorship, but all of that comes from fans.”

These new financial records come at a time when Liverpool FC players are reigniting the power of their top four presence; hitting the back of the net 38 times in 28 games.

With only 11 matches left to play in this season, the Reds are currently sitting in second position of the league table, only 4 points behind leaders, Chelsea.

Champions League revenues can usually bring up to £30m revenue to a club. By holding their position in the top four, Liverpool FC could well bring Champions League football back to Anfield road, and give their turnover a further boost.

side’ of the subject that we all study and enjoy so much.

“The increased information, research and reasoned discussion will only help push the professional game forward.”

Dr Martin Littlewood, Lectur-

er of Sports Science and Science and Football, explained how the course’s ability to attract speakers such as Leon Collins enables the Science and Football programme to remain ‘current and industry leading.’

Scout Leon Collins finished his visit by saying to his audience at John Moores University: “I look forward to meeting up with Dr Richardson and his colleagues again for further such discussion.”

Stars growing beards 4 Joe

by Will Shaw Nearly two months after the Grow 4 Joe initiative was set up, almost £5,000 has been raised for Leukemia & Lymphoma Research.

The fundraising idea was set up after Tranmere Rovers footballer. Joe Thompson was diagnosed with Nodular Sclerosing Hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer and encourages fellow professionals and fans to grow their hair and beards for a year to raise money and awareness of the disease.

The campaign has currently collected over 160 donations and Thompson aims to use his sporting platform to help raise awareness regarding the symptoms of cancer and also bring to light the work and research currently taking place to cure the disease.

The fundraising scheme has gained support from many

Jamie Turley©twitter/Turls822

ex-professionals like Stilian Petrov, who was forced to retire after he was diagnosed with cancer, while playing for Aston Villa a few years ago in the league.

The campaign’s twitter page has been a hotbed for fellow professionals and teams to come forward and show their support for the Rovers midfielder.

England striker Wayne Rooney has been the most recognised

star to offer their help by donating one of his Manchester United shirts which he has signed: “To JT, Best Wishes, Wayne Rooney x.”

Tom Kennedy, Barnsley FC defender, also tweeted a picture of his new hairdo and said: “@ grow4joe: barnet is coming along nicely! Supporting the #grow4joe cause! frriiiiiiinnngggee!!!!!”

Taxi ambassadors prepare for Golf Open

by Hazel Miller Wirral taxi drivers are to receive customer service training ahead of the Open Golf.

The training which will be provided by WorldHost, who trained volunteers for the London Olympics, will be providing the training free of charge.

Karen Atherton a driver from A Team Taxis said: “I’ve completed the training as an added extra to the training we receive prior to licence. I’ve just completed the World Host Ambassador course which I enjoyed and feel it’s beneficial to all. I believe that taxi and private hire drivers should receive regular training in customer service and vehicle maintenance, after all we trust our nearest and dearest with these strangers.”

A Team Taxis believes that it will be a great opportunity for private hire and taxi trade to

shine and represent their community and surrounding areas.

The event, which is expected to attract two and a half-million visitors this year, will be delivering an economic benefit of £75m to the region.

Not only will the borough be training up its taxi fleet but also other services, such as the restaurant and retail industry.

Cllr Bill Davies, chair of Wirral council’s licensing committee said: “Wirral and the wider Liverpool city region will be firmly in the spotlight this year, so it is vital that we do what we can to maximise the opportunities the events taking place will offer us.”

The borough will also be introducing a unique hovercraft service between Wirral and North Wales, which will allow visitors to arrive at the event in style.

The borough will be co-hosting this year’s International Festival for Business in the summer.

Taxis outside Limestreet Station, Liverpool©Flickr/CARLOS62

Liverpool

LifeSPORT 04 - March - 2014

‘The Best’ American wrestler in town Inside Sport

Footballers ‘Grow 4 Joe’ Page 15

GETTING TO GRIPS: Liverpool’s very own American wrestler Tom Donnel (centre), aka ‘The Best’, is set to showcase his skills at Saturday’s ‘Revenge’ showdown. Tom has had his fair share of injuries over the years including a cracked bone in his neck. Full Story: page 14 ©Tom Donnel

FOR LOVE OF TENNIS

by Simóne Foggin

SMASHING: World Tennis Day activities

©Simon Killips

Students from across the city are being encouraged to participate in a range of tennis activities, all in support of The International Tennis Federation’s 100th birthday.

The federation is the organisation that sanctions some of the biggest tennis competitions in the world, such as the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Throughout the month of March, tennis is expected to be showcased in a variety of ways across the globe and LJMU’s Tennis Society is going to be joining in the celebrations.

Dominic O’Hara, the university’s tennis co-ordinator, said: “Tennis is so much more than what we see on our TV for two weeks every summer down in Wimbledon.

“Tennis is a sport for life and university can be the best place to pick it up, regardless of your

previous experience.”

Yesterday marked the second annual World Tennis Day and to mark the occasion ten students from the university took part in a timed tennis competition.

The contest involved each participant playing as many games as possible in an allotted time, usually 15 minutes.

This type of fast-paced competition is part of a new British Tennis programme which seeks to encourage university students to participate in the sport and try their hand at the competitive side of the game.

Simon Killips, who ran the event said: “I think the event went really well, and we managed to get students to interact with a new style of tennis.”

The competition was the first of this month’s events and took place at Wavertree Sports Park.

Simon added: “We are hoping that this will lead to increased participation over the next few

months, gathering momentum towards next year when we hope to make tennis at JMU a major sport.”

He described the competition as very close, but this year’s winner was Jonny Dow, a third year Sports Science student.

As well as this, at the end of the month, the Society will be teaming up students from the Sports Development course in order to showcase one of the most recent alternatives to traditional tennis, touch tennis.

This new option of the much loved game follows the same principles but is played on a mini court using short rackets and foam balls. It is designed to improve both a player’s rallies and angles.

On March 28th, members of the society, along with somesports development students, will be hosting a university wide tournament at the IM Marsh campus.

Manchester City scout visits LJMU Page 15

MP tackles ‘health of the nation’ Page 14