Liverpool life 6:02 October 25 2017

LL

NEWS FROM THE HEART OF THE CITY

Liverpool Life ISSUE TWO OCT 25 - NOV 7

HALLOWEEN SPOOKY SPECTACULAR LIME STREET MAKES A RETURN

JAMES IN THE FRAME

FR E fo ever E rt ni y gh t

Liverpool Life

contents Vol 6 Issue 2. OCTOBER 25 to NOVEMBER 7 2017

3-7

NEWS

3

Ongoing Arriva and Liverpool Lime Street strikes causing chaos

Metro Mayor on AI and VR technology

15

8 - 28

Liverpool is the reel deal

FEATURES

Totally spooky looks and horrifically delicious cocktails

23 The guide to your Autumn wardrobe

29 - 31

30

SPORT

Cage Warriors to battle it out at the Echo Arena

Charity tackling unemployment through football

© Creative Commons OUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO A SPOOK-TACLUAR HALLOWEEN STARTS PAGE 17

LL Production: Anisah Arif, Ed Baldwin, Jade Culver, Jo Cunliffe, Matty Davies, James Farrington, Chloe George, Shelby Hamilton, Amy Harding, Jessica Hughes, Jasper Hunt, Becky Jones, Steph Kettle, Danny Moxon, Sara O’ Hagan, Jordan Reais, Lewis Rooke, Suzy Sankey, Daisy Scott, Matthew Skelly, Tom Sutton, Tom Swift,Tim Spencer Tanfield, Danielle Thomas, Shaniece Thompson, Emily Wall, Joe Watson

NEWS

Metro Mayor talks the future of technology

LL03

More rail misery on the cards

By DANNY MOXON Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has said that commercialising inventions made in the Liverpool City Region (LCR) is “one of the biggest priorities” for his tenure as the area’s Metro Mayor.

The Metro Mayor was speaking at the region’s first Digital Summit, an event intended to bring together local entrepreneurs involved in the digital industry, for them to discuss their ideas and hear the Metro Mayor’s vision for the future of the industry in the LCR. The event took place at Shop Direct, in the Estuary Commerce Park in Speke. The convention included the speech from Mr Rotheram, talks about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR), and a speech from Vice-President of Open Innovation at Wirral-based Unilever, Dr Jon Hague.

Mr Rotheram used the conference as an opportunity to talk about his plans for the region’s economy.

He said: “Since becoming the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor in May of this year, I have had the opportunity to see first- hand how we are leading and pioneering across a range of emerging and transformational technologies.

“Whether it is big data, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, autonomous systems, or augmented reality - we are still at the heart of

By CHLOE GEORGE Steve Rotheram innovation.

“Over the last five months I have been impressed, inspired and astonished by the breadth of innovation and potential across our City Region.”

In an ambitious speech to the Digital Summit, the Metro Mayor highlighted the area’s uniquely competitive asset base, including the UK’s most powerful computing centre at the Hartree Centre, and an emerging cluster of tech companies beginning to make a real global impact.

He said: “My aim is to make the city region that was the gateway to the first Industrial Revolution a globally important centre in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“By combining world-class digital connectivity and a predictable source of renewable energy we can make a uniquely attractive and compelling offer to

L-R: Clement Wargerin (MD vTime), Kevin Prescott (Head of Specialist Sales, o2 Telefonica UK), Kate Willard (Stobart Group), Alison Kennedy (Director, STFC Hartree Centre), Steve Rotheram, John Whaling (Liverpool City Region LEP)

global tech companies pledged to achieve carbon neutrality.

“When you combine that with a world-class talent pool, there’s no reason why we cannot compete successfully with leading international cities.”

There was also a very special live VR link-up from the conference with Terry Beaubois, an academic and tech guru based in Silicon Valley, California, home to many of the world’s largest technological companies, including Apple, Google and Tesla, among others.

Mr Beaubois acknowledged the strength of Liverpool’s growing tech cluster, and commended the City Region’s ambition to become a global player.

He said: “I have worked with Liverpool company Red Ninja on smart projects in India and Silicon Valley for the last few years.

“Liverpool has some amazing innovative companies and it was exciting to discuss how we how technology can change the region.”

Mr Rotheram’s technological battle-cry comes after an independent report was published last week, which recommended that the government should “work with industry and experts to establish an AI Council to help co-ordinate and grow the industry in the UK”.

It has been estimated that AI could add an additional £630bn to the UK economy by 2035 The Metro Mayor’s speech nodoubt takes inspiration from this report, and he will be hoping that an increase in the production in the LCR will help boost the local economy.

Further rail strikes have been announced for early next month as disputes continue over driveronly trains.

Travellers across Merseyside can expect disruptions on November 8th between 00.01 hours and 23.59 hours, as the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMT) announce workers will be taking strike action, due to negotiations between the union and train-operating companies failing to reach a conclusion.

The strikes, which will affect both Merseyrail and Arriva Rail North, are the next in a series of walkouts that have been taking place by rail workers across the UK. The dispute is over plans to start operating trains without a guard on board, which the union describes as being ‘safety critical’.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said; “Every single effort that RMT has made to reach negotiated settlements in these separate disputes with the different train operating companies over safe operation and safe staffing has been kicked back in our faces.

“We are left with no option but to confirm a further phase of industrial action in early November.

“It is frankly ludicrous that we have been able to negotiate long-term arrangements in Scotland and Wales that protect the guards and passenger safety but we are being denied the same opportunities with rail companies in England.”

Further talks are expected to take place between unions and train operators.

Merseyrail was unable to provide a comment at the time LL went to press. Bus strike action: P4

04

LL NEWS

Lime Street reopens after major upgrades

By OLI FELL and SHANIECE THOMPSON Liverpool Lime Street Station has finally reopened after almost four weeks of being out of use. It affected thousands of commuters coming in and out of Liverpool so many are hoping all of the hassle has been worth it.

All services in and out of the station were closed this weekend as the finishing touches were put to the project started by Great North Rail.

As part of the work at Lime Street, over 2,000 metres of track were replaced and walkways were redesigned and lengthened. Two new platforms, seven and eight, were also built.

Commuters will welcome the return of services, which are expected to be busier than normal after the Arriva bus strikes.

Liam Robinson, chair of MerseyTravel transport committee, told Liverpool Life: “It’s very positive news that we’re getting the significant work on Lime Street.

“The fact that there’s going to be two new platforms put in will give us the ability to run a lot more trains in and out of the station

and give us lots of new connections that we haven’t had for many years.

“It’s tough that we have to close the station for three weeks while it’s done but there isn’t any practical other way of doing it. It’s a bit of short-term pain for some longer-term gain.”

Extended platforms at New platform eight Pic © Oli Fell Lime Street will result in bigger trains being used, which in turn will allow more closure. @davedjh88 tweeted: “I space and seats to carry more was optimistic about Lime Street passengers. fully opening today- but then you Regular commuters might also cancelled 2 trains- nice one”. notice that the Ken Dodd and Facebook user Max Molyneux Bessie Braddock statues have added: “About time they are been taken away to be cleaned up. going to offer direct routes to Martin Frobisher, route manScotland. Having to go to Wigan aging director of Network Rail, from Lime Street results in said: “Millions of pounds are missing your train to Glasgow or being invested in the railway in Edinburgh.” the Liverpool City Region which Others were optimistic that the is vital to boost the local economy reopening would be a success for and transform train travel for Liverpool. @klouisewilson said: passengers."

“Happy Lime Street reopening However, some Lime Street day!” users were not happy with the

Arriva staff strike again

By SHELBY HAMILTON Arriva bus drivers will strike again after disputes with bosses continue to go unresolved.

Drivers and other members of staff will strike again on Monday October 30th, stopping services for 24 hours. Eleven depots in the North West will be part of the strike action. The union of which the drivers, engineers and other workers are members of is not satisfied with the current offer that Arriva has made to them.

Neil Clarke, Unite Union Regional Officer, told Liverpool Life: “They say that the offer they have made to us is what’s sustainable for the company. This is rubbish, they have workers on a quarter of a million. This offer is not in line with the rate of inflation, so it is actually a pay cut.”

Union members previously went on strike earlier this month in an attempt to get bosses to agree to a pay rise. The union decided to strike after talks between the union and Arriva, aimed at finding a solution that satisfied both parties, broke down. However, both parties are now discussing how to move forward.

Arriva were unable to comment as LL went to press.

‘Times Square’ plan to revamp city centre

By TOM SUTTON

Liverpool hopes to introduce a major public space outside the Adelphi hotel, with a brand new Knowledge Quarter transport vision - Lime Square and Lime Line.

Lime Square is the concept recently introduced by the Knowledge Quarter (KQ) Liverpool located between the Adelphi hotel and the old Lewis’s building, a very busy and highly trafficked area that they hope to turn into the new epicentre of the city.

This is the heart of the proposal put forward and KQ hope it will connect the already thriving shopping district and the knowledge quarter towards Brownlow Hill and the University area.

This plan would put a bridge between L1 and KQ which the developers hope would lead to a unique, world-class destination for students and tourists.

Mayor Joe Anderson said 21st Century Liverpool is “a visionary city full of ambition and opportunity and we are excited to see such innovative ideas coming out of the

Knowledge Quarter”.

Along with the conception of the square, Lime Line is the new innovative 24-hour transit line that the KQ hope to bring to the city.

They want the line to be a green, sustainable and 'futureenhancing' travel corridor for the city that would open the gateway from the upper part of the KQ to the area towards Lime Street.

The plan would mean that the busy city centre junction would be scrapped, leaving local buses to re-route to and from Liverpool One and Queen’s Square bus stations.

The proposals received enthusiastic backing from some locals.

Worlds Apart, a small business on Lime Street, told Liverpool Life: “This would do us a world of good we would probably see a lot more walking traffic, and it would reduce the noise we see from the bus stop directly outside us.”

Ted Brennan, 67, from Tuebrook, told Liverpool Life: “It would be great for the commu-

The Adelphi Hotel Pic © Abby Nicholson nity. If we could do this and improve the look of the hotel it would be fantastic.”

Lauren Oakey, 22, from Wavertree, said: “I think it would be good for local businesses as it’s so close to Lime Street, but it would be a nuisance having to re-direct all the traffic.”

Visitor to the city Emma Sharp, 38, from Leicester, told Liverpool Life: “I know they’re going to have to rework all the traffic, but I’m sure they can do that. They managed it in Leicester.”

The Lime Square plan will now be considered by Liverpool City Council.

NEWS

LL05

Students help war- torn Syria BY

ANISAH ARIF

Autumn for some people may mean pumpkins, puddles and falling leaves; but for students at John Moores University this time of year means raising money for charity.

The university’s Islamic Society are running their annual charity week this week, where they host several different events, which include street collections, a quiz night, football tournaments, and a tea party.

This year, the ultimate goal is to raise money for war-torn Syria and the millions of families that have been separated and dislocated due to the catastrophe.

The hard-working students took a break out of their studies and joined forces. They kicked off the week with a trip to conquer the high hills of Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. However, due to bad weather during their time, had to return from their trek immediately, 15 minutes into the walk, on the advice of mountain

rescue.

Despite the turn of events, their hard efforts did not go to waste as every single participant raised money for the event. The final total is still to be determined.

However, along with their motivation, Liverpool’s residents lifted their spirits, as students took to the streets of Liverpool City Centre to start their next challenge, street collections.

The collections started Monday October 23rd and will finish on Wednesday October 25th.

A student took it to himself to dress up in a costume to attract families.

Other events include the Fifa Night taking place this evening; The High Tea Party tomorrow, and the Inter-Society Quiz Night, which will take place on Monday October 30th.

Rababah Amjad, President of the Islamic Society, told Liverpool Life: “I think this gives us a sort of meaning and a chance to get out there and show people what we’re all about.

“It lets us connect with people

we don’t even know which means we can influence lives, which I think is quite important.

“We take little things for granted so when we’re out on the street, whether it be freezing or raining, which it was today, it kind of puts us into perspective for us because there are people out there who have it worse.

“To sacrifice our time it almost benefits us and teaches us some-

thing in some ways.”

The Syrian Civil War has been an ongoing conflict since 2011, where Syria fought primarily between the government of President Bashar al-Assad, along with its allies and in result, the U.N reported just under 200,000 deaths due to the battle.

To get involved with the society, follow their Facebook page, ‘LJMU ISOC’

Students raising funds in Liverpool city centre

Time to aim high BY

Farewell to a legend

By TOM SUTTON The Fleet Street legend who oversaw The Mirror’s Hillsborough Coverage died at the age of 69.

Phil Mellor worked on the Bury Times, Bolton Evening News and the Daily Star just to name a few, but more notably oversaw the Lockerbie, Piper Alpha, Hillsborough and Marchioness disasters in the 1980s.

He died surrounded by his family at their home in Kent after a year-long battle against cancer Former Daily Mirror news editor Tom Hendry, who worked with Phil for many years, said: “He was unique, a one-off chap.”

EMILY WALL

A number of young disabled people in Sefton have created an app designed for under-25s with additional needs.

The app, Sefton Savvy, is about giving young disabled people a voice. Users can pitch ideas or feedback on local services with each other. Designed by a group of young people, the app is also in partnership with Sefton Council’s Special Education Needs (SEN), Rix Wiki and Atomic Productions.

Councillor John-Joseph Kelly, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member Children, Schools and Safeguarding, said: “Seeing how the young people have been involved in this creative exercise and what has been achieved is inspirational.”

Alongside the app, a range of animations and short films have been produced, explaining more about the Education Health and Care Plans.

Adele Hoskison-Clark, SEN and Inclusion Policy Development Officer at Sefton Council, said: “I am really proud of the creative talents shown by our young people in the borough – which shows genuine partnership working with Sefton

Council, the young people and their families.”

There will be an official launch for the app on Thursday November 2nd at 11:30am, at the Salvation Army Centre on Shakespeare Street in Southport. The Mayor of Sefton Cllr Dave Robinson will be attending the launch. Sefton Savvy can be downloaded free from the App Store and iTunes and can be used on most mobile devices.

More information can be found on the Facebook page Sefton Aiming High, or if you are interested in attending the event, you can email Adele.Hoskison-Clark@ sefton.gov.uk in advance.

Bobbies’ BMX event

By TIM SPENCER TANFIELD Members of staff at the Metropolitan Police team in Prescot are holding a BMX event, which will take place at Huyton Leisure centre.

Open to children aged 8-16; the event takes place on October 30th and has the goal of keeping kids active and healthy by providing them with activities to take part in within their local area.

Running from 5pm-9pm, the fun-packed evening follows previous successful BMX races held at Knowsley Velodrome.

The park has previously hosted regional finals for riders hoping to make the British Championships.

06 LL NEWS

Irish festival puts writer in picture

By TIM SPENCER TANFIELD An exhibition has been unveiled at The Florrie Community Centre as part of Liverpool’s annual Irish Festival.

The event, which showcases print works from Dingle-born artist Deirdre McKenna, celebrates An Béal Bocht/The Poor Mouth, a short book by Irish writer Flann O’Brien.

The project opened to the public on Thursday and will run until November 17th. Entirely based on Flann O’Brien’s satirical novel, published in 1941, the exhibition features a series of etchings handpulled from plates using a variety of techniques.

Speaking to Liverpool Life about the inspiration behind the project, Mrs McKenna said: “Myself and my sister were asked to have an exhibition together and our work is very different, so we decided to come up with a theme.

“I had read the book some years before and we decided to do something about that, so I started on a series of graphite drawings.

From that I created some etchings that were related to the book. For me, Flann O’Brien is a genius; the novel really pokes fun at this idea

By MEG DODDS

Print works © Deirdre McKenna of what being Irish is.”

The exhibition, which is open daily from 9am-9pm, proved a challenge for the Crawford College and Art Design graduate, who said: “With this project I have gone down a more science-based route, with the stereoscopes and other techniques. I suppose I’ve had a more sculpture-based element to my work with this which hasn’t been there before. Doing this has given me inspiration for more ideas going forward.”

An Béal Bocht is just one of a number of exhibitions taking place across the city as part of the Liverpool Irish Festival. When asked about the importance of holding such events, Deirdre said: “There’s a lot of positivity surrounding events such as this.

The Florrie Community Centre I was here last year as a member of the public and I remember thinking ‘wow’!

“Liverpool as a place is really interesting and there’s so much going on here. I know that if we had a Liverpool Irish festival in Ireland it would be great craic!”

Other exhibits open in conjunction with the Liverpool Irish Festival include traditional Irish music sessions and city tours.

Get your paddles ready for Ping Pong Fight Club

By SHELBY HAMILTON Ping Pong Fight Club is coming to Liverpool and is calling on businesses to rise to the challenge.

Camp & Furnace is hosting the tournament, where businesses will go head to head in an eight-table fighting arena.

The tournament will help fundraise for Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle voluntary arts organisation.

Adrian Leigh of Pongathon, a Ping Pong promotions company, told Liverpool Life that the aim of the event is “to bring together start-ups and sector leading companies from across Liverpool in a spectacular team bonding night out where it’s not just the winning

No excuse for sexual assault

it’s the taking part in a totally unique ping pong entertainment experience.”

The event will have DJs, challenges, beer, street-food and will give people the opportunity to network and build team skills.

Ping pong gladiators from 16 companies will battle for the winners’ bragging rights.

Start-up companies and global brands such as Facebook, Google and Deliveroo to name but a few, have used Ping Pong Fight Club to help their teams bond.

The tournament bounces into action on November 2nd. Open to businesses only.

Sky Betting & Gaming vs. Better Placed Recruitment at the Ping Pong Fight Club Final in Leeds © Ping Pong Fight Club Facebook

An LJMU academic whose research has helped to tackle the issue of inappropriate touching when young people are out at night has backed a campaign to halt such behaviour at Halloween - but emphasised that it is a yeararound issue.

Senior Lecturer Stuart Taylor, from LJMU’S School of Law, voiced support for the “My Costume is not Consent” campaign, founded by Eli Sullivan from The Women’s Outreach in order to address potential sexual assault on Halloween.

It is thought that “provocative” costumes tend to encourage inappropriate behaviour. The “My Costume is not Consent” campaign is not telling people how to dress on Halloween but informs people how they should behave and that certain costumes do not mean sexual consent, regardless of how provocative they may appear.

Campaign leader Eli Sullivan said: “Someone could be wearing as much clothing or as little clothing as they want, it still doesn’t mean they’re asking for sex or any other sexual contact.”

Stuart Taylor has extensive experience of managing and facilitating empirical research studies in the area of criminal justice.

His research has played a role in shifting cultural perceptions of nightlife behaviour.

Mr Taylor argues that it is not just Halloween when inappropriate behaviour is a problem.

He said: “It’s an issue 365 days of the year. While there may be spikes in the reporting of sexual offences, this is an issue that’s engrained into the night-time economy, whether that occurs around Halloween or any other time of year.

“Certain kind of looks are expected from men and women. But that runs throughout the year.”

Campaigners are concerned that some costumes stigmatise mental health conditions, and a petition has been launched on Change.org to prevent retailers selling such outfits, including “Psychotic nympho” or “Psycho Nurse Sally”.

The petition, started by Andrew Howe, has already gained 6,000 signatures.

Halloween Special starts on p17

LL07 LJMU hosts C4 debate

NEWS

By OLI FELL

Ceremony: (L to R) Colin Chatt, Karen Clark, William Baker and Beryl Barker receiving their Alan Nabarro medals at Aintree University Hospital.

Patients celebrate two centuries of health

By BECKY JONES Four patients at Aintree University Hospital have been awarded for collectively living with Type 1 Diabetes for over two centuries.

Presented by the charity Diabetes UK, the medal is given to people who have managed the condition for 50 years.

The award was named after Alan Nabarro, who battled his whole life with diabetes. Mr Nabarro’s life-long aim was to fight against the discrimination of people with the condition. In 1922, following his diagnosis, Mr Nabarro was given just six months to live, but due to medical breakthroughs and the discovery of insulin, he went on to live for 55 years.

Beryl Barker, 64, from Stoneycroft, Colin Chatt, 62, from Bootle, Karen Clark, 57, from Netherton and William Baker, 72, from Fazakerley, all have Type 1 diabetes.

Beryl, who was diagnosed in 1965, said: “I lost a lot of weight before I was told I had diabetes.

I remember going to school as a young girl and having my teacher sneak me sandwiches, as she was worried my parents were not feeding me properly. It’s safe to say my parents were shocked when my teacher raised her concerns.

Soon after I was taken to the doctors and diagnosed with the condition.”

As an auto immune condition, Type 1 Diabetes leads to the breakdown of insulin producing cells in the pancreas, leading to raised blood glucose levels.

Diabetes can have a huge effect on the day-to-day lives of those who live with it; they require daily insulin injections for the rest of their lives.

Colin was diagnosed in 1961.

He explained the difficulty of having the condition as a child.

He said: “Being young and not being allowed to go on school trips with your friends was hard. As a child you want nothing more than to run around and experience new adventures. One time I had managed to win a competition to

appear on television but was later told by the company hosting the show that my health was too big of a concern for them to allow me on camera. The lack of understanding around diabetes back then was dreadful.”

Maureen Wallymahmed, Nurse Consultant for Diabetes at Aintree University Hospital, said: “All four of our medalists are proof that, with the right treatment, you can live a full and active life with diabetes. They are an inspiration to anyone struggling to overcome the impact of a diabetes diagnosis.

“The perception of diabetes has changed dramatically from when our medalists were first diagnosed and I would like to congratulate them all on what they have achieved.”

The Alan Nabarro medal has been awarded 473 times this year in the UK. Dr Dan Cuthbertson awarded all four patients their medals at Aintree’s Diabetes centre. The celebratory event and luncheon was attended by family and friends of the patients.

The debate surrounding Channel 4’s potential move from London was brought to Liverpool, as competing visions of the future were set out in an impassioned conversation hosted by LJMU. Phil Redmond, who is leading the bid to bring Channel 4 to Liverpool, gave a keynote address at Egerton Court, before Andy Bounds of the Financial Times chaired a lively panel discussion.

The location of Channel 4’s headquarters has been a hot topic in the media industry since a consultation process started this year, following the Conservative Party’s General Election manifesto pledge to relocate the publicly-owned broadcaster away from the capital.

Mr Redmond an LJMU Ambassador Fellow and CBE, highlighted Brookside and Hollyoaks as two of his local TV creations that, at one point, were contributing to 60% of Channel 4’s income. However, panel member Stephen Chapman, a writer for Prolific North, said: “I don’t think relocating Channel 4 is realistic now. The Conservatives promised it while expecting a big majority [in the General Election] and they didn’t get it. It will be hard to push through.”

Richard Caborn, a former Labour MP and Minister of Sport, is chairing the bid by Sheffield and he said the Steel City’s current technological mobilisation made a compelling case.

He told Liverpool Life: “I come from a different viewpoint to the others, I believe this decision should be technologically-driven.”

However, Gill Wilson, Head of Features at Channel 4, was on the side of keeping the broadcasting giant at its current home in London, but rejected the notion that this ruled out regionalisation in principle. The consultation process and debate will go on, with more than a dozen cities and regional locations lobbying the Government to reach a decision over Channel 4 in their favour.

THE Bathymetry at last year's festival, picture: Facebook

L

iverpool Music Week has teamed up with Liverpool-based website Getintothis for a closing party with more than 20 regional bands. The music festival will take over Liverpool for 10 days and nights of live music. Merseyside talent will be closing the event. Most of the events can be found at the focal point, Mathew Street.

T

T

he Jacaranda on Slater Street in Liverpool has a live music night this November to mark the second year of their Underground Sessions.

Open mic nights are every Sunday, hosted by Thom Morecroft, ex-editor of NME, and he is looking for bands and artists to be part of the night.

If you would like to be a part of that night, please contact Thom on Facebook.

F

he Cavern Club - October 24th at the iconc venue is neverending!

Starting from 11am, the home of The Beatles will have 13 hours of non-stop live music, right through the afternoon and into the evening for free.The resident acoustic artists performing include Clark Gilmour, Tony Coburn and Jay Murray, who’s been a regular performer for 16 years.

rom the outset of our ghoulish tour, we were told what terrors awaited as we entered the cold, dark corridors of St George’s Hall, slow-footed as we made our way further in.

The first scare that unnerved me happened in almost complete darkness (as was all the tour) - a demented nurse appeared at the top of the stairs with a scream and creepily approached us all very closely getting right up into the faces of everyone.

The old brickwork and tall, daunting

L

iverpool Irish Festival- the famous festival known for linking Liverpool and Ireland together since 2003 is back with bang. Events are spread across the city, ranging from art exhibitions to live music.

Visit the live performance of the Irish band ‘Breath’ on the 27th at 7:30 pm on Shaw street, or take a trip to Kelly’s Irish trad session where a group of performers play a string of instruments, taking place at Kelly’s Dispensary on Smithdown Road, from 7:30-11:30pm.

If you’re a fan of the Irish culture, Liverpool is representing it all. Get yourself on the website, https://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/ and check out all the events on offer. There is something for everyone.

TOM SUTTON explores the ghoulish goings-on at St George's Hall, where the Chamber of Horrors is open until October 31st - dare you enter? ceilings really added to the atmosphere as we proceeded further down windy stairs that lead us to a old dark courtroom, from where we had to descend into the cells . The layout of the Hall was emplyed effectively ... the distance you walked beneath and around the tunnels added a sense of reality.

We were then introduced to a number of infamous historical characters such

as Jack the Ripper and Dracula. The actors playing them put a huge amount of effort into making you feel the atmosphere of the story. This was definitely my favourite part as I love everything Dracula-related!

Booking details at www.ticketquarter. co.uk

Verdict: 

Bb

GUIDE F

ACT and the CASA will be holding the second annual North West Labour Film Festival from November 4th-9th. It will feature showings of three revolution-themed films involving the Bolshevik revolution, release of Metropolis and the Massacre of Atocha.

This will be the first year that the festival will include a feature length and short film competition, showing up-and-coming talent.

This year the judging panel will consist of former Channel 4 Economics Editor Paul Mason with the director of the large Construir Cine Film Festival in Argentina, Alejandra Marano, along with a selection of other Labour film experts from across the world.

You can claim tickets for the festival at www. eventbrite.co.uk.

By BECKY JONES

Helen Forrester's son Robert Bhatia, director Diane Belding and writer Rob Fennah outside the Empire Theatre, photo credit: David Munn

N

ew stage play By The Waters Of Liverpool will receive its UK premiere at the Liverpool Empire in 2018. Based on the best-selling book from author Helen Forrester, it follows her success of Twopence To Cross The Mersey.

Based on the award-winning true story, By The Waters Of Liverpool has sold more than a million books. Over 170,000 people have seen Twopence since it was brought to the stage and now the long-awaited sequel comes back to the theatre where it all began.

The new stage play has been fully endorsed by the Helen Forrester estate and is part of the Empire’s celebrations to mark the 10 year anniversary of Liverpool's successful European Capital of Culture year.

Tickets go on sale on Friday October 27th to ATG Theatre Card holders and Monday October 30th to the general public at the price of £12 plus booking fees.

For more information visit www.bythewatersofliverpool.com or www.facebook.com.

C

apital FM Monster Mash is returning to Liverpool for the UK’s biggest Halloween party. The event will be taking place at Liverpool's Mountford Hall, on the 26th October 2017, and Performing will be some of the biggest names in dance music, including; Kygo, Sigala, Jax Jones, Disciples, Martin Jensen, Anton Powers, Marvin Humes.

Anyone attending the event must be over 16. Tickets available from www.eventim.co.uk.

F

ollow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City and you’ll find yourself at Southport Theatre.

Regal Entertainments' production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ will tick every box expected for a night of family fun entertainment.

The performance tells the ever-popular story of young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto as they embark on a wondrous adventure over the rainbow

in the magical Land of Oz. The all-star cast - including Eastenders’ Cheryl Fergison as The Wicked Witch of the West, BBC Pitch Battle’s Maddie Hope Coelho as Dorothy and X Factor star David Heath as the Scarecrow - gave a magical performance on the night.

Although the special effects left much to the imagination of the sellout auditorium, the set designs and impressive

costumes more than made up for it. The panto had the audience on the edge of their seats with laughter thanks to the production's hilarious re-write of the classic film, and inclusion of fitting, current songs.

If you’re looking for a feel-good night on the promenade, I strongly suggest heading down to Southport Theatre before October 27th.

Verdict:



FAMILY LL10 Half-term is slowly creeping up on us and what’s more terrifying than being stuck for a week with your children twiddling your thumbs. Fear no more. Liverpool is home to a selection of free activities and family deals to keep all ages entertained and we have gathered up some of the best for each day of the week, writes DANIELLE THOMAS.

How to spend the perfect Half-Term

M O N D AY

Sefton Park: One of the more beautiful

destinations to visit this autumn time, with a bunch of bright orange and yellow trees surrounding the park. It makes it the perfect place to enjoy an autumn day stroll. The kids can enjoy running through the leaves, pretending to be aeroplanes, swinging as high as the sky on the swings or feeding the ducks on the large pond. If you are lucky and it is a nice day, take a picnic and sit on one of the many areas of greenery, where every direction you look is more of a colourful nature.

It combines wildlife and wonder in the most magical way.

W E D N E S D AY

S AT U R D AY Liverpool Sefton Park

Spaceport: Go join the inspirational journey through

T H U R S D AY

space. Spaceport is the perfect day out for a little magic and fantasy. There is no chance of children getting bored when they are taking a stroll through space themed galleries, taking part in the interactive hands on exhibits, watching the space dome show or taking a thrilling ride on the explorer 1 space ride. It is the definition of family fun. It costs a low budget of £24.50 for a family of two adults and three children. Visit the magical land of space every day of the week between 10am and 5pm.

Knowsley Safari Park

Knowsley Safari Park: You can never go wrong where animals and children are involved. It’s a match made in heaven. The safari park gives you the opportunity to drive around whilst having an up close and personal experience with the wild animals. Observe lions brushing past the car, and baboons jumping over you. The safari itself only costs £15 between seven people, which is only a whopping £2.15 each! An even bigger bonus, because its half term and Halloween, Knowsley are combining the two and creating tricks and treats for everyone. Join them on their pumpkin carvings, beast hunts and the swing after dark which see’s you taking a late night stroll up the tree tops.

Beach Days: This time of year can get

very chilly and the last thing you are thinking about doing is diving in the waves at the beach, however England has the ability to surprise you. If you are lucky enough to be rewarded with a sunny, mild day or your family are made of steel, Liverpool isn’t short of coastline destinations. You can take your pick from: Formby Beach, Southport, West Kirby or New Brighton.

Bonus, there is no danger or parking panic. The chances are, not everyone is going to be cut out for beach visits in October.

Liverpool Formby Beach

Liverpool Radio City Tower

F R I D AY

T U E S D AY

Liverpool Tate Museum © WikiMedia Commons

Hollywood Bowls: This famous bowling company has been named the UK’s best ten pin bowling alley and there is one right here in Liverpool, at the Edge Lane Retail Park (L13 1EW). There is fun for all the family with package deals ranging from £18 for a family of two adults with the under 16s. For this special week alone, Hollywood Bowls is getting in to the Halloween spirit with a range of ghoulish games on offer. The most popular is the prize monster bowl, where a strike equals a scratch card, rewarding you with a range of prizes including free toys, sweets, games and burger and fries. Scary face paints and treasure hunts on offer also. Open every day from 10am to 10pm.

S U N D AY

Museums: If you want the children to gain some culture lessons, whilst taking their well-deserved break, why not take them to visit the many museums and galleries Liverpool has to offer. Whether you fancy looking around the famous Tate art gallery, going back in time at the International Slave Museum or diving in to the history at the World Museum, Liverpool has it all and it won’t cost you a single penny to enter. All facilities are open from 10am to 5pm.

A trip like this is not to be missed.

Radio City Tower:

Heights aren’t for everybody but sometimes you feel like taking a risk. If your family has a surge of adrenaline, why not visit Liverpool’s famous radio city tower at only £15 for a family of 5. From the top, views of the entire city surround you from every angle.

You can see for miles.

FAMILY

LL11

Shaniece Thompson reports on a new storytelling experience

A lITTLE ENCHANTMENT at Chester Zoo hile being stuck with what to do with the kids this half term is every parent’s nightmare, Chester Zoo’s new interactive storytelling feature may be able to help.

The Enchantment of Chester Zoo is an automated Chatbox that allows you to have an interactive story telling experience via Facebook.

Liverpool Life spoke to PR Manager, Alex Knight about the success of the Chatbox.

He said, “The ‘Chat Bot’ is a lovely idea and has been really popular. What’s more, thousands of people came out to experience our The Enchantment of Chester Zoo event first hand on the opening weekend alone, so clearly the message is getting out there.”

The Chatbox was developed in partnership with Carat Leeds and delivers an interactive audio-visual content that continues to captivate viewers across a five-

day period.

Mr Knight said, “The Enchantment of Chester Zoo event has been lovingly created by the zoo in partnership with multi award-winning outdoor arts producers Wild Rumpus, producers of the acclaimed Just So Festival.

“Wild Rumpus are specialists in creating extraordinary worlds, telling incredible stories and bringing to life moments of wonder for all ages.”

The idea developed from last year’s The Enhantment of Chester Zoo, a live theatrical event. It is taking place this year until October 31. This year’s narrative will follow the mischief of an evil sorcerer who has cast a spell over the Zoo. Mr Knight continued: “As one of the UK’s most popular visitor attractions we are proud to offer a day out which can be enjoyed by everyone, so we are passionate about making sure our communications outside the zoo talk to

as wide an audience as possible too. This means complementing traditional press and marketing campaigns with new and innovative ideas, like the Chat Bot. Just keep an eye on our social channels for more.”

The educational Chatbox will deliver five short stories on the evenings leading up to the live event. It aims to teach viewers about the animals, their wellbeing and even gives the option to ask questions, making it completely interactive.

“

The ‘Chat Bot’ is a lovely idea and has been really popular.

“

W

With the winter months fast approaching and temperatures rapidly dropping, it is good to see that the attraction is developing in ways to keep the excitement going all year.

Alex Knight said: “We’re really a year-round attraction, with plenty of large indoor exhibits, including the UK’s largest zoo building.

However, yes visitor numbers tend to be slightly higher in the summer months so we’re delighted to be able to spread the word about such a spectacular event for people during October half term.

“Every visitor through the gates to see The Enchantment of Chester Zoo is helping to fund our vital conservation work to prevent extinction around the world.”

To interact with the Chatbot, users will need to comment with the word ‘SPELL’ on one of the specific ‘Enchantment’ posts. This will take them through to the first chapter.

You can access the Chatbox on Chester Zoo’s Facebook here: https://www.facebook. com/TheEnchantmentOfChesterZoo

LL12 FOCUS

How to make your garden a hedgehog haven

Abby Nicholson spoke to Wirral Hog Centre to find out how you can make your garden suitible for hedgehogs Hedgehogs are in need of places to stay this winter

Top Tips: Try and leave food and water out regularly, you may get visitors! 

A hedgehog house can be made under a log store from bricks, twigs and leaves. This provides great shelter from the elements and also attracts insects. 

W

ith winter on the way, a Wirral hedgehog centre is looking for the perfect place for hedgehogs to be released.

Helen Hurst, from the Hog Centre in Hoylake, told Liverpool Life how you can make your garden into hedgehog heaven: “We’re on the lookout for suitable release sites for 60-plus hedgehogs that have spent the spring and summer in our care.

“We want the best of the best for these rehabilitated hedgehogs, so please let us know if you can offer the perfect des-res.”

Here’s our top tips for how to turn your garden into a hedgehog haven.

1

You must already have hedgehogs regularly visiting your garden. This is the only way to know that the habitat is suitable and

that the hedgehogs will find a mate. You can’t just release one or two hedgehogs and hope they will colonize an area. If hedgehogs aren’t in the area, sadly, there is a reason.

2

You must be well away from busy main roads which are hazardous to hedgehogs.

3

You and your neighbours must not use slug pellets, pesticides or herbicides.

All of these can cause poisoning and death.

You must also avoid use of garden netting, check carefully before strimming and forking (and ideally not strim your garden at all).

4

Your garden must be linked to at least 10 large gardens via hedgehog holes/hedges/open fencing. The ideal garden will offer plenty of ground cover

for foraging, nest sites, wild areas for foraging and shelter.

The best release sites will be packed with native plants to attract insects such as beetles and caterpillars. These are the top two foods for hedgehogs

5

You must provide a suitable escape route from any ponds.

6

You must provide some form of shelter. This can be anything from a homemade house under a log pile, to a specially purchased hedgehog box. This will give your new resident a helping hand to set up home.

7

You must leave food and water out daily for at least the first month and ideally forever. For advice about feeding please call Wirral Animal Sanctuary Hedgehog Rescue for advice.

8

Not near badger sites. Badgers will kill hedgehogs where they live in close proximity.

If you pass the requirements or find a hedgehog in need please contact 07539524755.

COMMUNITY

Champion: Aintree’s ‘Red Rum at 40’ initiative has been nominated for an award Pic © Aintree Racecourse

A

intree Racecourse has been named as a finalist for two Racecourse Association (RCA) Showcase Awards.

The Merseyside racecourse is up for Best Community and Corporate Social Responsibility category - an award it has won twice in the past two years.

Beverley, Lingfield, Newbury and Warwick have also been nominated.

It has also been shortlisted for Best Event for the ‘Red Rum at 40 initiative’. The event was set up to celebrate the 40th anniversary of legend Red Rum’s third Grand National Victory.

Twelve awards will be handed out in total, scored by an independent judging panel featuring representatives from Great British Racing and The Guardian.

Grant Rowley, communications manager for the Jockey Club North West, said: “We’re delighted to be shortlisted for two National awards at one of British Racing’s marquee events.

“The 1977 Grand National was an iconic victory for Red Rum, so we were dedicated to ensuring the

By OLI FELL anniversary was marked in style.”

Aintree has runs the Randox Health Grand National every year, since the race was inaugurated in 1839. Red Rum holds the record for the most wins in the race.

Other finalists for the Best Event category include Catterick, Chelmsford, Cheltenham and York.

Musselburgh Racecourse claimed the Best Event award last year for their bi-centenary celebrations, with included a visit from the queen.

Stephen Atkin, RCA Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted for Aintree Racecourse for their success in being named a Finalist at the 2017 Showcase & Awards.

“It is a highlight of our year to see all of the quality Showcase Awards submissions go before the judges to measure the impact and growth of the initiatives that our racecourses have delivered and clearly Aintree have enjoyed an excellent year.”

The ceremony, which celebrates the successes of the racing season, will be held on November 16th at Newbury Racecourse.

LL 13

Aintree Racecourse aiming to be first past the post Friends: Mable the Shetland Pony visited Archbishop Blanch School Pic © Aintree Racecourse

Prize: Aintree will be hoping to win an award for its community projects Pic © Aintree Racecourse

14

LL FILM

City is the reel deal...

From the small to the large screen, JACK BUTLER brings you up to date with Liverpool’s rich TV and film history

W

alk down Castle Street and you could be in New York, Moscow or Paris … literally.

Liverpool has stood in for all these cities and more in past blockbuster movies and high-in-demand TV

series – and the city is now set to take a starring role in a new film about Lord of the Rings creator J R R Tolkien.

Liverpool still stands as one of the most-filmed locations in the UK outside London. The city’s historical architecture and high number of Victorian

buildings makes it a perfect location for filmmakers.

Whatever it is that attracts filmmakers to Merseyside, it certainly means a great deal to the local economy. According to figures from Liverpool Film Office, the film industry coming to the city has managed to generate

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

T Goodison Park used for filming parts of Creed

Creed

T

he 2015 sequel to Rocky featured several shots in locations around the city as well as a major role in the film for Liverpool born boxer Tony Bellew. Liverpool venue Goodison Park is the stage for the final fight in the film between main character Donnie and Conlan who is played by Scouser Bellew. Other parts of the film were also shot at locations in the city such as St. George’s Hall, which is a spot of the city that has been used in various films.

he 2010 film representation of J.K. Rowling’s novels was also a worldwide famous film featuring scenes filmed across Merseyside. A scene in the last film of the Harry Potter phenomenon which saw characters Harry and Hagrid riding a motorbike with a sidecar, was shot overnight in the Birkenhead tunnel whilst it was closed to the public. Fans were made aware by producers that no major stars from the film would be there for them to catch a glimpse of however, as none of the main cast members were involved in the shoot.

Birkenhead tunnel used in Deathly Hallows

upwards of £100m for the local economy over the past ten years, generating roughly £11m every year.

With Tolkien set to be the next blockbuster to be welcomed to the city for filming, here are a few others that you may have already seen that have links to the city …

Peaky Blinders

E St. George’s Hall used for Fantastic Beasts

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

arlier this year streets of Toxteth were transformed to welcome filming of the eagerly anticipated fourth series of British crime drama Peaky Blinders. Kinmel Street, South Street, and Powis Street were transformed to become more suited to the 1920s period in which the series is set. The fourth series is set to return to the screens soon, but it won’t be the first time during its story Liverpool has been used as a location. Past series saw scenes filmed at Seacombe Ferry Terminal, Croxteth Hall, and Stanley Dock.

A

nother film adaptation of one of J.K. Rowling’s world famous novels brought the world of magic to the city in 2016. Fantastic Beasts and where to find them used various locations across the city including St. George’s Hall and the Cunard Building. One of the producers of the film, David Heyman, was quoted as saying: “The architecture in this beautiful city works perfectly for our film, set in 1920s New York, and I know we will receive a very warm welcome”.

Peaky Blinders filmed at Powis Street in 2017

Fast and Furious 6

T

he sixth instalment of the seemingly never ending American franchise the Fast and the Furious came to Liverpool for four days of filming. Scenes were shot on Water Street, Dale Street and in the Birkenhead tunnel. This was just months after filming for the 2014 film Jack Ryan also came to the city centre.

Liverpool Film Office stated that having two Hollywood blockbuster movies filming in the city over such a short period of time led to a “huge amount of local investment and created employment”.

Dale Street Fast and Furious 6. © Liverpool Film Office

PEOPLE

15

Maggie searching for the boss of the future Young women from Liverpool are showing they are the boss when it comes to business, thanks to a new club aimed at boosting the city’s entrepreneurs.

Future Boss Club is the brainchild of Maggie O’Carroll who heads up The Women’s Organisation in Liverpool The club has just hosted an event focussing on money management called ‘Dollar, Dollar Bills!’ at Ziferblat, St Paul’s Square.

Abi Inglis, 25, from Buckinghamshire, and Lucy Cashman, 23, from Maghull, are board members at Future Boss Club and are both on the digital

marketing team at the Womens Org. Abi, said: “We want everyone to be in this together so we can learn from each other and grow together, building a community as we get older and become the bosses Liverpool.

“It’s like the boys’ club but reversed, this is the girls’ club.”

Lucy, said; “We do our events every six weeks, they’re all around personal and professional development. We want to help women succeed and fill those top positions.”

Caroline Bagley, 23 and a paralegal from Wavertree said: “It’s nice to be around people your own age with similar interests.”

Power: Abi Inglis, centre, pictured with members of the club

PEOPLE L 24hr charity run Neston man James Rigby will be running for a full day in order to raise money for Children in Need.

James will be running for 24-hours straight, starting at 7pm on Thursday 16th November. His route will take him two laps of the Wirral Circular Trail, a route of approximately 74 miles. You can cheers James along, or even run with him, if you can.

Lord Mayor’s blind walk Heart: Carl Cashman pictured ahead of his cardiovascular tests

Testing times for Carl Prescot Councillor, Carl Cashman, took part in a fundraiser for Willowbrook Hospice by having his cardiovascular system tested for two hours.

He said: “Willowbrook is such a fantastic cause. The loved ones of so many families spend their last days here, and these nurses really do give 100%. The hospice needs £4.5m in order to maintain their services and with each person giving just a small amount, we will make this happen.”

Councillor Cashman also donated his councillor allowance to the hospice last year.

The Lord Mayor of Liverpool Malcolm Kennedy (pictured right) has walked blind through the city centre to raise awareness for people with visual impairments.

The event was organised by Liverpool Lions Club, a locally based group well known in the area for its community outreach work.

Ian Francis, the Lions Club President, guided the Lord Mayor on his walk as he walked from the Town Hall to the Specsavers store on Lord Street, where he also had a sight test to raise awareness of the importance of regular checkups at opticians.

16

LL PEOPLE

Climbing for C

ncer

Sara O’Hagan talks to Jason Hill who is planning on conquering the world’s most famous summits in the hope of raising breast cancer awareness hen he was 16, Jason Hill suffered a major loss in his life, his mother died of breast cancer.

She was only 43 and as Jason was so young it had a huge effect on him. He didn’t know how to grieve and just blocked it out.

Jason told Liverpool Life: “Three years ago I turned 43 myself and everything came flooding back, just how young she was and what she has missed - her daughterin-law, her two grandchildren enjoying life with her friends. So I needed to properly deal with the grief and so it started.”

In October 2015 Jason completed his first challenge, climbing one of the world’s most famous summits, Mount Kilimanjaro, raising nearly £5000 for breast cancer awareness.

Even though he described the climb as one of the most physically demanding things he has ever had to do, getting to the summit

for his mum Louisa was all the motivation he needed.

Having achieved what he set out to do, Jason still felt like it was not enough.

So now, he has conceived his plan called the ‘five years of madness’. In February next year, he will be joining a team in Morocco to climb the two highest mountains in the Atlas, Toubkal and Ras, both over 14,000 ft.

His third expedition will take place in Iceland over two days, trekking across volcanic mountains including river crossings and 52 miles of harsh terrain.

“

One thing I have learnt is how positive it is to set yourself challenges

The final climb in his fantastic challenge will be to climb Mera Peak in the Himalayas, which

Next Stop ... Mars

Mars. A vast, desolate and yet beautiful arena so unimaginable to the human race that we haven’t even touched the surface when it comes to exploring outside our small blue dot we humans call Earth.

NASA hasn’t taken a man to the moon since 1972, yes, that’s 45-years ago! The last official shuttle mission concluded in 2011 with NASA’s Atlantis taking its final mission towards the Interna-

“

W

tional Space Station (ISS).

Since the early the noughties private space companies have had to take the lead when it comes to influencing and inspiring a new generation of scientists and engineers.

So many business magnates have attempted to take the exploring torch and spearhead humans in the right direction, but most have not lived up to their initial expectations, not even close.

That changed this month when

stands at 21,500ft.

A

lot of training will be required to complete his last expedition so his body will be able to operate safely at the high altitude.

Having had a major operation on his spine, he was told his mobility would get worse but the Walton Centre helped him massively and he is now able to follow his passion in the memory of his mum.

Jason said, “One thing I have learnt is how positive it is to set yourself challenges they don’t have to be as extreme as mine but having a clear goal direction in life has massive benefits and this can work in business/work life as well.”

Jason is a staff member of the Mann Island Group, who have also just become his first corporate sponsor as well as funding his clothing for his trip to Morocco and pledging £500 for Breast Cancer Now.

SpaceX wizard and boss Elon Musk announced his intentions to send the first humans to Mars.

The South African-born inventor has pledged to send a duo of supply ships to the red planet within the next five years. By 2024, Musk’s aerospace manufacturer wants to send the first humans.

Andy Newsam, Professor of Astronomy Education at LJMU, said radiation would be the biggest threat to humans on board.

If you would like to support Jason’s cause you can visit: https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/jason-hill2 or text JHIL88 with the amount to 70070.

“You’ve got a problem with tiny little particles from the sun and from parts of the galaxy. If you get too many of them then you become radiated. Therefore, you have to be protected from that.

“It’s not constant, it changes, you can get very high region levels when the sun gets very active,” He said. “That’s probably the biggest challenge, being in control of that process because if you get it wrong you’re not coming back.”

BY SHAUN KEENAN

HALLOWEEN

LL

17

LL SPOOKY SPECIAL

Shelby Hamilton faces her lifelong phobia at Blackpool Tower ... but does she manage to conquer her terrors?

R

ats, spiders and dungeons oh my.

What’s a girl to do when faced with her phobia?

I’m a person who suffers from the following: Arachnophobia, Nyctophobia and Trypophobia.

These are the fear of spiders, the dark/unknown and clusters of holes.

These phobias can be quite debilitating. If I see a spider, go in a pitch-black room or have a close encounter with a crumpet my stomach churns, hair stands on end and panic overwhelms me. It’s an intense feeling of discomfort.

This is why when an opportunity to face my fears came up I jumped at it. To celebrate national Face Your Fears day in October, The Blackpool Tower invited members of the public to go through a medieval dungeon and face their phobias.

Operations manager, Kyle Woodcock, 30, said: “The marketing team here put the whole programme together and arranged getting the rats, tarantula and things that fall in line with the Dungeon brand. We added in confined spaces with the coffins and fear of heights with the drop ride at the end of the dungeon tour.”

When I arrived at the tower, the team took me to the medieval pub where I met two adorable rats.

They were scurrying around and perching on the shoulders of those around me. This was totally in my comfort zone because rats have never bothered me.

The day I faced my fears Then I saw the eight-legged, fury arachnid in its little tank. And I swear that it was looking right back at me with its beady little eyes. Immediately I felt sick. I knew that she was used to being around people. I knew that she was with her handler Ben, who would step in at any moment to help. And I had been assured by marketing manager, Louise Forder, who is also scared of spiders, that Tilly the tarantula wasn’t as scary as house spiders.

But in my head, even though it sounds silly and irrational, all I could imagine was holding Tilly and her running up my arm and laying eggs somewhere.

T

aking a deep breath, I stepped forward to have a look her. Hoping that she would appear more innocent and that I could rise to the challenge, confront my fear, take hold of that spider and proclaim to the world “I’m not scared anymore!”

Yeah. That didn’t happen. Ben took her out of her tank and placed her in the hands of a fellow arachnophobe. Seeing her legs creep from his hands to the young woman’s made a shiver run down my spine. My mind was set. Not

Brave: Shelby faced her fears head on with Tilly the Tarantula at Blackpool Tower

today, thank you.

After my heart-racing ordeal, I got the opportunity to walk through the dungeons.

This was an amazing experience that combined historical education with comedy and fear.

I can’t tell what’s inside, because what goes on in the dungeon stays in the dungeon. But this attraction is fun that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Everyone is made

to feel involved and it caters to all ages. The day was definitely a positive experience even if I didn’t conquer one of my phobias. At least I got in the same room as Tilly the tarantula.

The Blackpool Tower Dungeon will be continuing the Face Your Fears campaign until the end of October.

18

LL HALLOWEEN

MORTIFYING

Peaches & Scream

P

By SHANIECE THOMPSON eaches & Cream have released three new Halloween-themed pigments ... and makeup lovers from all over are obsessed.

The Dale Street salon are known not to do things by half, so the launch of their Halloween pigmented eyeshadows was an event to be remembered.

The salon is well-known for making over celebrities such as Rebecca Ferguson and Atomic Kitten, Liz McClarnon.

The Peaches & Scream launch day consisted of three sell-out master classes, where those lucky enough to get their hands on tickets watched an intimate demonstrations of three looks that could be achieved with the pigments.

Peaches & Cream has become one of Liverpool’s most prestigious makeup studios with customers, travelling from all over the country to have their faces transformed using the power of a makeup brush.

What would Halloween in Liverpool be without Farmageddon? Perhaps one of the longest-running, but by no means least terrifying, events has returned this year.

Held in Farmer Ted’s, in Downholland, near Lydiate, this is the ninth year the event has been going and people are certain this is the scariest it has ever been. With four unique scare attractions, and interactive zombie paintball experience, Farmaggedon remains one of the most terrifying October nights you will experience.

Tickets: £16-£37 depending on the chosen attraction and date.

The Peaches have also been done various UK tours with Peaches & Cream pop-up shops across the UK and Ireland.

The Peaches and Scream pigments - Fangulous, Mad Moiselle & Sinderella - are said to be this season’s makeup must-have.

The launch was packed with all things spooky. There were specialized Peaches-themed cocktails, a mystery fortuneteller, and an exceptionally terrifying security guard on hand as the guests entered the studio.

The brand has a strong social media presence with almost 250,000 followers on Instagram and frequently receive requests from fans for tutorials and tips, many wanting to know what products they use to achieve their flawless creations.

Meanwhile, the city’s other makeup artists and studios are already taking Halloween bookings - and we have singled out some of the best creations.

Whether it is a subtle scar you are after or a full-face transformation, there are a wide range of talented artists available in Liver-

Getintothis say it is “a one of a kind night, a truly magical experience that is hands down the best way to spend Halloween in Liverpool”. And we agree.

Rebel Soul are running their annual Voodoo Ball. Unlike other Liverpool Halloween attractions, it is a one-night event taking place on Saturday October 28th. The Ball will bring amazing music and continuing their epic Halloween storyline where the Punks face off against the villainous Lords.

It will be held at Kazimier Club and the Kazimier Garden for a celebration of all things ‘Bogeyman’. Tickets are on sale for £16.75 and are going very fast, featuring artists such as Clap! Clap!, Nubiyan Twist and Liverpool School of Cantonese Kung Fu.

Scary: A Halloween look created by Peaches & Cream Makeup artist.

Contained are bringing the Chamber of Terror to Liverpool this Halloween. Held in the Barclay Business Park, Wareing Road, Aintree, this truly frightening attraction will take you on a journey through the large-scale walkthrough horror maze. Here you not only have to make your way through a darkness-filled maze, but we have a sneaky suspicion there may be some unwanted visitors to help guide you through.

The attraction is taking place until October 31st. There are three separate intakes each night at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. Tickets are at a set price of £15.

MAKEUP pool that can make this happen.

Freelance makeup artist Megan Eckersall is an expert in creating gory life-like Halloween makeup.

Often based in the Maghull salon Therapy, she also offers mobile services. But you’ll have to be quick if you want an appointment.

Self-taught Liverpool makeup artist Paige Medway has also been giving a sneak preview of some of her Halloween creations which are coming this year.

Based in Elements, Oxton, she is also now taking on bookings via social media @Paigemeway_ makeup For a more gruesome look, Elis Penman is your artist. She works from Queens Hair and Makeup Lounge and from her looks created last year, she is certain to book up fast.

Elis also specialises in children’s halloween makeup. She can also be contacted via social media @ elispenman_hairmakeup Wirral-based makeup artist Beth Windsor is yet another talented specialist who has been sharing her creations.

Her latest, the half-burnt face, is set to be a popular choice for customers this year. Based in Imagine Hair and Beauty, Prenton, you can book now by calling the salon to secure an appointment.

There is also nothing wrong with

‘‘

the launch was packed with all things spooky

attempting some of these looks yourself.

As Halloween approaches the makeup on offer to create your own halloween look is expanding. Virtually all fancy dress shops, specifically Smyths on Bold Street, offer a large range of products from fake blood to facial latex for you to start experimenting with.

HALLOWEEN LL 19

Must-try trends

By ALEX AMADEO

Glittery Gills

Uncover your scales this Halloween with a simple makeup trick that is trending this year. #MermaidMakeup is a quick and simple, this makeup idea is instantly effective.

Using just a pair of fishnet tights and a colorful eyeshadow, pictures of glittery gills have flooded Instagram.

The fortune teller

Typically quite an underdone makeup look in the past years, the fortune teller is making a comeback.

Using heavy makeup and lots loose glitter, this look is a showstopper.

Focusing mainly on the eyes, this makeup craze is gaudy.

Ice Queen

This is such a simple look to create, it’s basically extreme contouring and heavy eye makeup. With the addition of gems, obviously!

This Halloween look will definitely make an impact wherever you end up celebrating this year.

You can go as glamourous or as spooky as you want with this look, which goes to make it perfect for everyone.

Cute Deer

Not really a fan of the fake blood and gory face makeup?

This trend is perfect for you! Using fluffy eyelashes and a brown and white colour palette, the cute deer look can make seriously cute impact.

Knifeliner

Instagram beauty junkies have started a new winged eyeliner trend.

Using eyeliner and glitter to draw a knife along your eyelid has quickly became one of this year’s favourite Halloween look. Instagram has seen variations of this, some using fake blood to go that little bit extra, and others using 3D paint to create a realistic effect.

Half skull trend

Don’t have the time to spend hours and hours on perfecting your Halloween makeup this year?

Well, your prayers have been answered with the “half-skull trend”.

Half the time, half the effort, and half the stress.

This trend is to be just as popular as it was last year, with a glamourous smoky-eye and freaky skeleton lower half of your face. It is an easy and glam trend for those that don’t want to look too scary.

Events The prestigious Camp & Furnace event is hosting yet another Halloween Circus evening. There are only General Release Tier 4 tickets left up for grabs for £39.55 for the Saturday 28th October event.

However this is a full day time attraction and is the perfect way to get those Halloween feelings started early. There are a number of DJ’s set to play at the event such as Richie Hawtin, Darius Syrossian and Scott Lewis. The techno event begins at 2:00pm and continues until late.

As if the thought of watching a film in an old church was not scary enough! The Dome organisers have rounded up some horrifying characters to welcome guests and interact during the film. Expect all tricks and no treats, as they will be showing The Blair Witch Project.

There will be scary actors hidden around the building so organisers have advised you do not attend this event is you are pregnant, suffer from panic attacks or heart problems. Fancy dress is of course encouraged. This is one of few events that is actually taking place on Halloween itself on Tuesday 31st October and doors open just before 7pm.

The Lantern Company will be parading around the city on Sunday, October 29th.

Skeletons, ghosts, witches and other illuminated beasts will be starting from Hardman Street at 6pm.

Scary street bands and other forms of entertainment will all be a part of the carnival parade. The whole event is free, and will finish at Salthouse Quay on Albert Dock around 7pm.

The Halloween Lantern Carnival has not been in Liverpool for two years, since the last event at Sefton Park. This Halloween promises to be the biggest and best yet.

For more information visit www. lanterncompany.co.uk

20 LL HALLOWEEN

Make your own

Hand of Horror Double double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble... give your party some jelly joy with LL’s special recipe

You will need...

Ingredients: -3 tablespoons of honey

-1 tablespoon of red food colouring -2 sponge fingers -397g condensed milk -202g cubed strawberry jelly -1 packet of strawberry laces

Equiptment: -mixing bowl

Step 2:

Once that is complete, pour in the condensed milk. Next, crush the sponge fingers into chunks and stuff inside the fingers on the rubber glove

Step 3:

Pour the jelly mixture in to the glove.Place the strawberry laces into the top of the glove, making sure to keep them hanging out the bottom. Tightly zip tie the top and leave the horror hand cooling in the fridge overnight.

- x2 rubber gloves - 1 jug - 1 spoon - 2 zip ties - scissors

Step 4: Step 1:

Place jelly cubes into a jug and combine with 300ml of hot water. Stir the contents until dissolved.

Step 5:

Final touch, pour the red food dye into the honey, mix and drizzle over the hand.

Step 6:

Decorate your hand, to fit your taste. Use your favourite sweets and your spookiest decorations. You now have the perfect horror hand.

Written by: Danielle Thomas Photos by: Megan Dodd

Once removed from the fridge, carefully cut open the glove. It doesn’t matter if small chunks fall off, the more crush it is, the creepier it is.

HALLOWEEN

LL 21

DEMON DRINKS

By EMILY WALL

October is the scariest month of the year, but it also gives us all the chance to try something new. And what better way to do that, then with a stylishly different drink? With these creepy cocktail ideas, you can guarantee to have your guests drunk with delight on Halloween ... as long as they are being sensible, of course!

MANIAC MARTINI: 100ml black vodka 8tsp vanilla extract 4tbsp lemon juice 100ml apple juice 100ml blackberry liqueur

1) Pour all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well until mixed, and pour into a glass.

2) Garnish with strawberries, blueberries, or mint, anything that takes your fancy.

ORANGE BANSHEE: 60ml white rum 30ml dark rum 30ml apricot brandy 30ml lime juice dash of grenadine ice 4 orange slices

1) In a cocktail shaker, mix the brandy, light rum and dark rum before adding grenadine and lime juice. Shake well, and then pour into glasses with ice.

2) Pour the orange juice on top of the alcohol mix, and garnish with orange slices.

EL DIABLO: 130ml vodka two lemons (juice only) 15 dashes Worcestershire sauce 10 dashes Tabasco sauce 500ml tomato juice 8 ice cubes few pinches of salt and pepper

1 ) Place the vodka and ice into four tall glasses 2) Add tomato juice, worstershire sauce,

tabasco sauce and lemon juice into the glasses and stir well.

3) Season with salt and pepper, according to taste, and then serve immediately.

LL24 PEOPLE

Revolutionary minds and rhymes

T

yranny, Trump and society’s divisions – these are just some of the themes the musician and Rastafarian Benjamin Zephaniah explores on his new album.

The dub-poet performed tracks off Revolutionary Minds at Liverpool’s District at the weekend and LL spoke with him prior to the sell-out gig.

“I’ve always loved Liverpool and I do just love the accent,” Benjamin said.

He lived here in the late 1980s: “I just felt that the politics in Liverpool, especially back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, was just so in-your-face.”

Although he has fond memories of the city, Benjamin explained the struggles that Liverpool went through.

“The way Liverpool was policed was terrible, and Liverpool was so divided, but when you met the people on a one-to-one basis, it was great; but I remember people would say to me, ‘Oh, don’t go over to Walton that’s the white part. Stay in Toxteth’.”

The musician explained how his latest album took a lot longer to make than expected and over time took on a whole different form. “When I first started it, it was about four

© Meg Dodds, Liverpool Life

REVIEW: *****

Benjamin Zepheniah (right and below) performing on stage at Liverpool’s District.

Picture: David Morris

years ago, I kind of thought it was going to have another theme. The political climate was changing and it kind of got more and more revolutionary.”

The album is a compilation of political poetry that drives messages of positivity and hope and is what Benjamin describes as ‘the best album I’ve ever done’: “I wanted to make a reggae album that was modern, that was danceable, but still had the spiritual and political message.”

One song on the album, President, is believed to be about President Donald Trump, but Benjamin told Liverpool Life that it was ‘a response to all kinds of tyrants’.

“It was written at a time when I thought Trump was just a comedian and a golf course man. It’s about all people who have power and miss use it. It’s about the greed for power.

“I get Trump wants to help people, but he only wants to help people that are like him.

There’s a part of me that can understand the white man in the south of America thinking, ‘Who cares about me? Who’s going to speak for me?’

“And then someone like Trump comes along and says, ‘Well, I do’, and people believe this because they have nothing else to believe in.”

Benjamin feels music doesn’t have the same messages as it used to: “There was a time when

“

a lot of music was political. Sex Pistols had a song called No Future. That kind of song just would not be in the charts now.”

In regards to finding inspiration for his music, he rarely struggles: “I look to people for my inspiration, the good the bad and the ugly ... I just love people. When it comes to putting an album together I just think, ‘What is it I want to say to the world now?’.”

One incident the poet described was when he first experienced racism at just eight years old.

“A guy hit me with a brick on the back of my head and said, ‘Go home you black b*stard’, and I remember going home with my head cut open and my mum explained to me that some people don’t want black people here.

“All I wanted to do was find the person that did this and tell him, we were nice people!”

Benjamin believes that to seeing so much injustice in the world is what sparked his passion for being so politically engaged at such a young age.

“I remember watching wars and seeing the segregation in America on the TV and just really cared about it. Even when it came to eating meat, as soon as my mother explained to me where meat came from I was like, doesn’t the animal have a right to live?”

“

MEG DODDS speaks to political enthusiast and dubpoet Benjamin Zepheniah

I look to people for my inspiration, the good, the bad and the ugly ... I just love people

Benjamin Zephaniah returned to his old stomping ground in Liverpool last weekend for his sold out gig at District. It as a perfect way to see his new album Revolutionary Minds come together and pass on his messages about society, politics and his ideas on revolution. Zephaniah paired modern reggae sounds with political poetry throughout and the

crowd was almost electric. The atmosphere created by Zephaniah was optimistic, joyful and had a real sense of togetherness. One message encourages by Benjamin throughout was that we are all the same and we all belong to “one tribe” as he described it – a message that was received very positively by his audience.

MEG DODDS

PEOPLE

Writing a play is just like making bread

LL 25

Willy Russell spoke to students at Liverpool John Moores University about life as an international playwright

CHLOE GEORGE reports

T

he only thing I can tell you about what I know, is that when you make a play, you know absolutely nothing.”

That was the stark admission from acclaimed Liverpool-born dramatist Willy Russell, writer of the plays including Educating Rita, Blood Brothers and Shirley Valentine, who came to Liverpool to give drama students a masterclass in his craft.

He explained how his mix of working class background and education enabled him to become an internationally-renowned playwright, who cracked Liverpool, the West End and the world.

The LJMU audience heard Willy confess he knows nothing about a play when he first sits down to write, but he assured them that as long as you have gained the skills and know the craft, the story and the characters will find you.

Willy compared playwriting to baking bread: “There’s a certain amount of craft in making bread, once you have learned that craft as long you have the ingredients you will be able to make good bread for the rest of your career, and this is the same with writing a play.”

Willy started his story of how he became one of the most influential playwrights by going back to his Liverpool roots.

Growing up in Knowsley, he left school at 15 with one O level and worked many jobs, including as a woman’s hairdresser - the same job as his character Rita, in Educating Rita. However, like the character, Russell grew tired of this life, saying: “On a night, I’d go out and play as a singer/songwriter in the folk clubs, which would keep me sane.”

“I live my life with experience and to me when that comes up to the surface as inspiration, I don’t see it as regurgitation, I see it as imagination.”

In his 20s, he decided to go back to education, first gaining his O levels and A levels and later studying Drama at St Kathrine’s College and training to become a

teacher. The first of his family to go to university, Willy discussed his feelings of becoming middle class, a theme which also finds itself in Educating Rita.

Willy spoke about being a young and struggling want-to-be dramatist while at college, talking of how he loved being sent away to read plays, feeling as though he was struggling with the same problems that their writers were.

“It was a wonderful period of study for me and it meant that I had a working understanding of what plays were.”

At college, Willy wrote his first play Your Eyes Down in 1971, which marked the beginning of his long and distinguished career.

The first of Willy’s plays to gain notable attention was in 1974 with John, Paul, George, Ringo and Bert, which opened its doors in Liverpool’s Everyman theatre and later in the West End.

works, Educating Rita. “When you have to sit down and write a play it’s scary, but Rita just walked onto the page.”

The play was only to be performed for six weeks, and peers warned him that a two-hander play was doomed to fail. Starring Julie Walters and Mark Kingston, the play received rave reviews and was commissioned in the West End and later adapted into a film.

It’s the story of a middle-aged, working class woman who decides to return to education by attending a course at the Open University, and Willy

“When you have to sit down and write a play it’s scary, but Rita just walked onto the page.”

Willy, now a part of the Everyman theatres production team, was commissioned to write the play.

“This was a very specific thing, even though it had fictional elements in it, it was about four real people, the Beatles, and a lot of the decisions had already been made before I came to write it. What followed that was a play that was written very much in the Everyman house style at the time, a big rumbustious musical, Breezeblock Park, which was what they were known for, and I embraced that house style.”

W

illy confessed that at the Everyman theatre he had the advantage of having grown up in a working class family so he could use his experience to write for the working class about the working class, but could also use his education of the theatre to write at the same level as those from ‘higher’ backgrounds.

In 1979, WIlly was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company to write a play. From this came one of this most notable

pointed out that although he never set out to make the play autobiographical, there are similarities between him and Rita. “I live my life with experience and to me when that comes up to the surface as inspiration, I don’t see it as regurgitation, I see it as imagination.”

Many of Willy’s most famous plays are still touring the UK, including Blood Brothers and Shirley Valentine, which is currently cele-

brating its 30th anniversary.

For more information and to catch up on the recent BBC arts series on Willy Russell, visit www.willyrussell.com.

26 LL PEOPLE

“

I can’t let others suffer like I have

”

Why James Dunn won’t let a rare skin condition stop him from living life, helping others and leaving a legacy

By HANNAH WILKINSON

James Dunn in his specially adapted wheelchair

F

or 24-year-old James Dunn, life has never been simple. Having been born with Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare skin condition that cause the skin to peel away with friction leaving wounds all over the body, every day has been a struggle.

“Every other day I have to change my bandages which takes four hours and is an exhausting and agonising procedure. I take morphine every two hours to control the pain, but often this isn’t enough and I have to take other pain medication too.”

Epidermolysis Bullosa, also known as EB, often leads to skin cancer and can be fatal, as it spreads a lot faster than normal. In 2015, James’ cancer was diagnosed.

“If mine had been undiagnosed for a few weeks more then I most probably wouldn’t be here speaking to you now. Growing up I lost so many friends to cancer.”

Growing up in Whiston, Liverpool, James often felt left out at school, despite the fact he had a lot of friends. He felt that his condition made them too nervous to go out with him without supervision.

“I had no social life back then, not like I do now. It’s like my friends didn’t want the responsibility of hanging around with me.”

Despite this, James said his home life was normal. His family treated him as if he was an able-bodied child and taught him to accept things the way they were.

“They also surrounded me in love and positivity and I believe that this is why I’m so happy and positive on a daily basis.”

James’ positivity is obvious in both his devotion for his charity work for the EB charity, Debra, and his love for photography.

“I’m not just a guy with a terminal illness; I’m a guy that has a passion for photography.”

James had a customised cam-

era built for him by one of the UK’s top engineers, as part of a breakthrough documentary series screened on BB2 late in 2006.

Award-winning design engineer Jude Pullen adapted his camera which enables him to take photos for the first time in years. The app which Jude created allows James to control aperture and shutter speed, via an app and touchscreen that doesn’t hurt James’ skin.

Back in June, James decided to merge his love for photography and his work with Debra, by auctioning off one of his photographs.

Much to James’ surprise, the picture sold for £800,000.

T

his encouraged James to launch a campaign to gain more attention for EB and Debra, by using his love for photography as the focus point.

PEOPLE

LL27

A collection of James’ work including photographs of Alan Carr, Danny DeVito and people of London

“

I’m not just a guy with a terminal illness, I’m a guy that has a passion for photography

The campaign, #FightEB, has seen James take the portrait pictures of some of the world’s most famous names, including Tom Holland who plays Peter Parker in Spiderman, the legendary Danny DeVito, Keira Knightley, Cheryl Cole, Mary Berry, Alan Carr and many others. The aim is to get as many famous names behind the cause to raise as much awareness for EB as possible.

“That’s what we want: a campaign that all the celebs and

”

bigwigs want to get behind. We want it all over social media, I’m just telling everyone to share my videos as much as possible, plus to donate on the website.”

A

fter launching of the #FightEB campaign James, his doctor, Prof. Jemma Mellerio and the Debra charity, attended Parliament to speak to MPs about bringing Epidermolysis Bullosa to the forefront of policy makers’ minds.

“If they get behind the campaign we’re winning as they are ultimately the guys that hold the power. If they can find a way of putting more funding into research for rare diseases then that would be amazing.”

The aim of the campaign is to raise enough money to fund research trails for the drug Rigocertib that is believed to help delay or even stop the development of skin cancer within EB, and the incontrollable itch.

“This is something that is very close to my heart and ultimately why I wanted to start this campaign. I’m too young to die. It’s hard to admit but I’m terrified of death, even though I know that it is something I may have to face earlier than my peers. I can’t let future generations with the condition suffer like I have. We need to stop this.”

To help James’ cause, head to http://fighteb.org.uk or follow James on Twitter.

28 LL GRAD WATCH

From Liverpool to La Dolce Vita LJMU graduate swaps Merseyside for Rome

I

n the final year of his degree, the Italian decided to base his dissertation on the Heisel disaster. In 2010 the contacts he gained during his LFC internship proved valuable when he organised a charity game between Liverpool and Juventus fans in memory of the tragic event, the club allowed him to use one of the academy pitches and the event was subsequently covered by many major news outlets.

Serafino told Liverpool Life: “Every year since the charity match, I would write or go on podcasts talking about it, then two years ago they did a ceremony at Anfield for the 30th year anniversary of the Heisel disaster and there were two players from Juve who came over, they needed an interpreter so LFC contacted me because of my work with them

Serafino Ingardia

R

ome may be a far cry from Anfield, but for LJMU graduate Serafino Ingardia the road to success began in Liverpool.

Serafino covered the Copa America in Argentina, completed a Masters with Fifa and now works for the Italian FA. Serafino he has been a keen football fan since an early age and has always loved writing. He decided to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was a sports reporter in Sicily, by combining his passion for writing with his love of the beautiful game.

Back home in Italy the system is different to that in the UK as you cannot do a specific Journalism degree, leading the Sicilian to look elsewhere for his studies. Serafino chose Liverpool John Moores University and he has never looked back.

While studying in Liverpool, the Juventus fan had the opportunity to work as an intern with Liverpool Football Club in their media department, something he managed to get through the journalism course at LJMU. Even though it may have only been an internship, just being able to put Liverpool Football Club on his CV has really helped Serafino’s career and has helped him establish an ongoing relationship with the club.

and knowledge on Heisel. That all started with the course LJMU, if I hadn’t have done that internship during my degree I wouldn’t have done all that.”

After graduation, Serafino worked in communications for a betting company but he always continued to work freelance as a football reporter, writing for Football Italia. In 2011 he had the opportunity to go out to Argentina and cover the Copa America, an opportunity he grabbed with both hands and an experience he regards as one of the proudest of his career to date.

As he was always keen to get into football and work on the inside of the game, Ingardia completed a masters with FIFA last year, he said: “I have realised how much doing a masters like that can help you get into the industry.

If you get to work at FIFA it’s really a special place; you are very lucky to be there.”

The Sicilian is now based in Rome, where he is an Executive Assistant for the Italian FA using the skills he acquired both at LJMU and during his FIFA masters to communicate with all the national associations.

Serafino spoke highly of LJMU

By SAM O’HARA and offered some valuable advice to Journalism students, he told Liverpool Life: “The course really helped me to be who I am now.

I think what you do at university should not just be about the job you go into, it provided me with a lot of skills: speaking in public, writing, and so on, whatever you end up doing those skills are going to be extremely useful.”

The journalism graduate wants to one day be a general director of a national association or a football club, identifying that his next step would be to work for UEFA or FIFA in Switzerland.

SPORT

LL29

THE LINE UP FOOTBALL FURY

FIGHTING IN THE CAGE

30

31

KEEP ROLLIN’ ROLLIN’ ROLLIN’!

31

Fan anger leads to fixture change for Reds

By MATTHEW SKELLY

Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal has been moved to December 22nd following a backlash from fans over a proposed Christmas Eve fixture.

The Premier League proposed for the game to be played on the 24th December, however this was met with anger, particularly from Liverpool fans.

With Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday, transport back from London was very limited. Fans returning to Liverpool via train would not have made it back into Lime Street Station until after midnight on Christmas morning, or worse, been stuck in London.

The fixture change was proposed

by Sky Sports to show the game live. The game is still set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports at

19:45 on the Friday. It has now been confirmed that plans to televise any football on Christmas Eve have been dropped.

Nine other Premier League games are scheduled for December 23rd, including champions Chelsea visiting Goodison Park in a 12:30 clash, which will be televised live.

Klopp - Paul Robinson © WikiCreativeCommons

30 LL SPORTS

Charity's goal is tackling youth unemployment

By EVAN FYFE

Fury aim for the playoffs

By ROSS HILTON-INKPIN The start of the American football season is imminent for the JMU Fury, with proceedings to get under way in November.

In preparation, the team have pre-season friendlies organised against the University of Liverpool and the University of Derby.

Nasim Khan, a member of the team, said: “Pre-season games are very important because it helps us get match ready. It’s also an indicator to see where we are as a team and also individually.”

Khan is confident going into the season, he said: “We plan to go deep into the postseason and challenge the other teams during the playoffs. We expect to be the best we can be.”

The Fury have enjoyed a highly successful last few years after receiving the ‘Most Improved Team’ award in 2014 and the ‘Team Achievement of The Year’ award in 2016, both from the Liverpool SU Loves awards.

A nationwide charity is helping young adults in Liverpool build confidence and employability, whilst keeping fit through their passion for football.

Street League Football operates in 36 local communities in the UK, including at Anfield Community & Sports Centre.

Francis Hargreaves is a community coach for the charity.

He told Liverpool Life: “Our vision is to see an end to youth unemployment. We engage with a diverse range of 16 to 24-yearolds who are out of employment or education and try and get them back learning or working.”

The scheme has helped over 1500 people nationwide find employment, with 55% of those who have taken part now working in long-term careers.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has endorsed it, and FIFA provides support for the Liverpool and Manchester branches.

“The organisation was formed and is very big in Scotland, running for 13 years now,” Francis said. “In Liverpool, we’ve been going around five years, and the Anfield scheme has been open for around 18 months.”

The scheme is fitness orientated, with hands-on sports coaching and team-building exercises.

It also helps with everything else from one-to-one CV help to interacting with new people and building employment skills.

Francis explained the daily routine. He said: “We have a

Teamwork: Aiming to end youth unemployment two-hour session in the morning which is classroom based. It's practical skills that we hope will get people job ready. After that, there are two hours outdoors, relating what they learned in the classroom to the sports pitch, such as confidence building and teamwork.

"The programmes are all free and help inside and outside the

classroom.”

As well as this, Street League also runs recreational sessions on Tuesday nights at Croxteth Sports Centre, alongside a Thursday night kick-about at Anfield Sports Centre.

These are open to anyone, and for those who don’t fancy football, the organisation also runs classes in dance and fitness.

Grassroots football investment campaign picks up

By MATTHEW SKELLY A petition is attempting to establish a 5% levy on the money Premier League clubs earn from broadcasters to pump more money into grassroots football.

The Save Grassroots Footy campaign’s petition, run by Kenny Saunders, from Liverpool, has nearly got the 10,000 signatures required to be discussed in Parliament.

Between 2016 and 2019, Premier League Clubs are set to earn

£8.3 billion revenue from UK and International broadcasters.

The petition says: “Cuts by government to local councils are having a huge impact on grassroots football across the country with most authorities not able to fund grassroots football anymore .”

“As many grassroots clubs and teams struggle to survive in these difficult times with ever-increasing fees and a lack of affordable facilities both indoor and out, we call on government to impose

a 5% levy so that the billions of pounds at the top of the tree reach the roots.”

Two petitions have been drafted by the Save Grassroots campaign in an aim to improve facilities, pitches and equipment available for youth football teams in particular.

According to the Save Grassroots Facebook page, junior football teams can miss on average 10-15 weeks of football per year.

The main aim of the campaign is for more all-weather pitches.

SPORT

LL31

It’s all rolling in Liverpool!

By LEWIS ROOKE It’s something you’ve all played at some time during your life, yet in a competitive sporting sense, may not be so familiar with.

Most of us have made fools of ourselves and fallen flat on our faces whilst donning a pair of roller blades - yet for those who mastered the art, the place for skates goes far further than the streets or local park.

We decided to take a look at the curious world of Roller Derbies with insight into the sport from two experienced players, who call upon their highs and lows in a game full to the brim with action, teamwork and strategy.

Liverpool Co-ed Roller Derby player Ashleigh Hardman, 20, said: “It’s a passionate sport so tensions can run high, but it’s all on the track, afterwards in the pub everyone gets on like a house on fire. You’ll often see members of other teams join in with practice because for the most part roller derby is one big family.”

The concept of the game is like no other. TPoints are scored when the ‘jammer’, who wears a helmet

with a star, laps a member of the other team in a race format.

The rest of the skaters are called blockers, whose job it is to prevent the opposing jammer from scoring points and also to help their jammer get through the pack.

“Though it’s a contact sport, there are strict rules in place - you aren’t allowed to initiate contact going the wrong way - and you can’t hit anyone on the head. Injuries are common though, I’ve had more wheel-shaped bruises on me than I can count!

“Sometimes after practice I would go home and cry because I have literally been fighting with my body to do what I love. ” Keeping the skaters in line is no easy task, with ten people barrelling around the track all in close proximity frictions inevitably arise. Step forward, Dan Ambrose.

Dan, a referee on the Merseyside Roller Derby circuit has presided over derbies for six years, whilst playing himself for Barrow Infernos and coaching the women’s team.

“I only really dabbled in playing around four years ago after I started reffing. I gradually got more

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (centre) with LCRD player Ashleigh Hardman (centre left). ©Liverpool Co-ed Roller Derby jealous of just watching everyone play and lately I’ve just been concentrating on being the best skater I can be.

While the sport may not have taken off nationally yet, the awareness for the game is certainly on the rise, with the LCRD receiving a certain high profile visitor recently.

“Jeremy Corbyn popped along

one session,” said Ashleigh. “He asked us about the sport, and we had a bit of a laugh with him actually! He was really humble and interested to know about what we do here.”

With glowing comments from the leader of the Labour Party, the world of roller derbies in Merseyside really is for the many, not and not the few.

Cage Warriors on the way

By SHAUN KEENAN

Fishgold © Cage Fighters

It has been a sensational week for Liverpool in the Mixed Martial Arts world and it’s set to continue this weekend at the Liverpool Echo Arena as they host Cage Warriors 88.

Scousers have been tearing up the MMA scene recently and that continued last weekend when UFC lightweight Darren Till (16-0-1) knocked out UFC veteran Donald Cerrone (32-10-1) in emphatic fashion.

A Technical Knockout for Till, 24, sent shockwaves throughout MMA a week before one of the biggest MMA events set to take place at the Echo Arena.

Sixteen fights will be displayed throughout Saturday evening, with 14 professional bouts and two title fights taking place across the five different weight classes.

Cage Warriors 88 will see lightweight champion Chris Fishgold defend his title against heavy-hitting Alexander Jacobsen in the main event.

The Next Generation MMA

trainer is currently on a five-fight win streak, but Fishgold admitted he stills get nervous before every fight.

“Physically I am feeling rough, but to be honest the weight cut is better than it has ever been,” he said. “However, mentally I am feeling confident, but I’m nervous at the same time, which is natural.

It is natural to be nervous. It is those pre-fight nerves kicking in now.

“People say to me, this is my twentieth professional fight, and they say it gets easier each time. It never gets easier.

“It’s those nerves which keep you alert. The confidence makes you go forward and the nerves help you defend.”

The Liverpudlian has fought in his hometown on a number of occasions, but he told Liverpool Life there was no feeling quite like fighting in his place of birth.

“I haven’t fought in nearly a year and I just love fighting in my hometown,” he said. “All my family and that can come, and I get to

keep the belt after I win hopefully.

“My mum is meeting us out afterward and I want to give her the belt as a present because she paid for my training as a kid and that, so yeah, it’s a good feeling.

“There is a buzz off it and it’s hard to keep a Scouser down when there are 500 Scousers screaming you on.”

Liverpool’s Lee Chadwick will also contend for the vacant middleweight title against another Scandinavian fighter in Victor Cheng.

The belt was recently vacated after former champion Oskar Piechota earned himself a UFC contract.

The Swede is coming up against a submission specialist in Chadwick, who has finished 13 of his last 23 fights’ by submission stoppage.

Molly “Meatball” McCann, who fights out of Ippon Gym in Bournemouth, will fight in her hometown for the second time against Brazilian, Priscila de Souza.

LL ©Wiki Commons

Liverpool Life

Produced each fortnight by LJMU Journalism Students