Liverpool Life issue 3

23rd - October - 2012

POLICE ‘DID TRY TO PIN MP tells of smear BLAME attempts ON FANS’

Inside this week

Dragon opens den in town More on page 4

by Ian Bolland

A new witness claims that the most senior serving police officer connected to the Hillsborough disaster admitted to him that South Yorkshire Police were trying to blame fans for the disaster, in evidence which was disclosed in Parliament last night Maria Eagle, MP for Garston & Halewood, made the revelations using parliamentary privilege during the House of Commons debate over the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report published last month.

She said that John Barry claims he was told by Sir Norman Bettison that South Yorkshire Police were “trying to concoct a story that all the Liverpool fans were drunk” and that they were trying to break down the gate.

Bettison, who was at Hillsborough in an off-duty capacity during the disaster, is currently the head of the West Yorkshire force though he has recently announced his retirement, planned for next year.

Eagle also claimed that she had seen a statement from a survivor after they were pressured by West Midlands Police into changing their account of the events in 1989.

Ms Eagle’s was one of dozens of statements from MPs during the historic five-and-a-half-hour debate on the findings of the report which disclosed an inadequate emergency response to the disaster which killed 96 Liverpool fans, and a police cover-up and campaign to

Devine’s big dreams of Rio More on page 10

FAST TRACK: Home secretary Theresa May announces new legislation in the House of Commons © BBC smear supporters in its aftermath.

Stephen Mosley, MP for Chester, who condemned the alteration of statements and “bullying” by West Midlands Police, told the harrowing story of Kevin Williams, whose mother Anne has campaigned for several years for a fresh inquest into the death of her son.

He said: “The truth about Kevin Williams has never been in doubt.

“The Attorney General must deliver on his promise. The previous inquests are known to be false and must be quashed by law. After 23 years the

truth has finally been revealed, and now it’s time for justice.”

The Home Secretary, Theresa May, announced that ‘fast-track’ legislation to provide the power to force retired officers to give evidence to any inquiry would be considered. She also described the panel’s findings as “shocking and disturbing” and led the tributes to the families of the victims.

She said: “Their persistence and indomitability has been an inspiration and I offer them the commitment the government will do everything in its power to

move them from truth to justice” The Home Secretary also told the House of Commons that the Bishop of Liverpool, Right Reverend James Jones, will remain an advisor on issues involving Hillsborough.

Labour’s Keith Vaz, chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee said that 304 of 1444 officers’ names received by the Independent Police Complaints Commission are still serving with the South Yorkshire force.

It has also led to the Attorney General announcing he

will apply to the High Court for inquest of ‘accidental death’.

Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that prosecutions could be made, and that serving police officers who were at Hillsborough in 1989 will be investigated.

MPs criticised senior South Yorkshire Police officers on the day, the amending of police statements in the aftermath, and The Sun newspaper for its coverage of the disaster.

Continued on page 2

Liverpool’s vintage rise More on page 8

Life/News/2

Galaxy study brings honour for LJMU star

by Lucy Baines

LJMU PhD student Claire Burke has been awarded a runner up prize for the Institute of Physics (IoP) Very Early Career Woman Physicist Award for her research and outreach activity.

Every year the IoP presents the award to a woman at the start of their Physics career who has made a substantial contribution to the subject and has undertaken activities to support and encourage others in the field.

Claire, who is in the final year of her PhD at LJMU’s Astrophysics Research Institute, was one of only four women in the running to win the award, which was presented in London on Wednesday 17 October.

To make it onto the shortlist Claire had to submit a report summarising her research and the work she has done with the public and young people.

Claire said: “My research is focused on looking at the growth of the most massive galaxies in the centers of clusters. The galaxies at the centers of clusters are called brightest cluster galaxies and they are the most massive galaxies in the Universe.

In astronomy, the further away you look into space the further back in time you are looking (because of the time it takes the light to get here from very distant objects).

By looking at very distant brightest cluster galaxies we can effectively look back in time and when we compare their properties to those nearby we can see how they have changed and grown”.

She added: “We can then effectively ‘wind the clock back’ and learn about how the galaxies originally assembled, which also tells us about the Universe

shortly after the Big Bang”.

Claire’s outreach work is varied, from talks and workshops at schools and astronomy societies, to taking part in the BBC’s Stargazing Live program. She has also consulted with an artist who wanted scientific accuracy for his exhibition, ‘Deep Field’ over the summer, and has worked with the BBC’s ‘Bang goes the Theory’ team at the Big Bang Fair in 2010 involving doing hands on science experiments with children.

Each of the shortlisted candidates gave a talk on their research.

Chiara Mingarelli, a PhD student at the University of Birmingham, spoke on her research in the field of gravitational waves, and Hayley Smith, an accelerator physicist at ISIS, described her work on the upgrade to a higher intensity beam.

The judging panel, which chose between the four short-listed candidates to award the £1,000 prize, awarded Kate Sloyan, an EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellow in the Optoelectronics Research Centre, with the honour of first prize for her initiatives for enthusing others, particularly female stu-

“I really enjoyed the award ceremony, it was a really great event” dents and school children, to enjoy science as much as she does.

Professor Paul Hardaker, Chief Executive at IOP, said: “This year’s award was particularly competitive so Kate can be a very proud winner. It is very inspirational to other early career

Liverpool

Life Team Editor Sam McDonnell News Editor Sarah Bold News Kate Molyneux Cillian McGinn Emma Callum Sophie Marsden Jessica Etherington Dani Baldwin Features editor Josh Killner

Features Daniel Farrell Maddi Cornforth Sport editor Jamie Allen Sports Eivind H. Kleiven Picture Elisha Storrow

Joel Richards Sanna Zahid

NGC 2264 & Christmas Tree cluster, © European Southern Observatory/Flickr physicists to see Kate already achieving so much at the beginning of a career, with, I’m certain, greater things to follow”.

Claire said: “I really enjoyed the award ceremony, it was a really great event and it was nice to see some women scientists talking about physics that wasn’t just astrophysics for a change”.

She added: “I was really pleased to be shortlisted for the award, it’s a great recognition of the work I’ve put into my research and outreach. I wasn’t disappointed at all to not win, just being shortlisted was quite an achievement for me so early in my career and I was really happy to be at the event”.

UK ‘failing postgrads’

The United Kingdom’s postgraduate system is failing to invest enough money in research to compete in a modern economy, a new report has warned.

The Higher Education Commission suggests that the current system is designed more to cater for overseas students rather than develop the highly skilled staff the UK needs.

The report also warns that failure to address the pitfalls could result in ‘long-term’ problems in the UK’s economy.

Trinity Mirror share slump

by Lauren Murphy The share price of the Liverpool Echo’s parent company has plummeted by more than ten per cent overnight.

The price-drop comes after it was revealed that four civil claims of phone hacking have been filed against Mirror Group Newspapers late last night.

Former England manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, has filed a High Court claim against The Mirror for allegedly hacking his phone whilst the newspaper was under Piers Morgan editorship.

Mr Morgan has repeatedly denied being any part of illegal phone hacking.

The other three claimants against The Mirror and The People publications are Shobna Gulati of Coronation Street fame, former Blackburn Rovers footballer Garry Flitcroft and Abby Gibson, who used to be a nanny for the Beckhams.

The claims are the first of phone hacking made against any newspaper publisher other than News International.

A spokesman for MGN said last night: “We have no comment; we are unaware action has been taken

Sven Goran Eriksson

at the High Court.”

The share prices had collapsed by 12.5% early this morning, they were down to 62.75p, a decrease of 9p.

Last week, Trinity Mirror’s shares reached their highest point since February 2011, hitting 75.25p.

Trinity Mirror currently publishes The Liverpool Echo and The Liverpool Post as well as three national titles, The Daily Mirror, The Sunday Mirror and The People.

Mayor backs scheme for youth jobs

by Rachael Bentham

A new trade union has been set up to guarantee employment opportunities for over 18,000 youths who are seeking job seekers allowance in the city.

The aim of the charter is to persuade public, private and voluntary employers to create opportunities for young people using a five point plan.

It hopes to guarantee a job for every young person out of work for six months and provide apprenticeships, work experience and practical support to help people stay in education, travel and stay in work.

There are currently 149,000 young people aged between 18-24 who are classed as NEETs, ‘not in employment, education or training.’

Mayor Joe Anderson said: “I am delighted to support the Charter – it’s something that as a city of Liverpool and as leader of Liverpool I am absolutely 100 per cent behind.

“We’ve got to do so much more to help young people find work, otherwise we are going to lose a generation with over a million young people unemployed and that figure is growing.

“We have got to make sure that our young people are our top priority in everything that we do in the city of Liverpool. Young people are often forgotten and not talked about and they are vitally important to the future of the city and its regeneration.”

Some help is already being provided through the council to combat youth unemployment. They have provided 700 apprenticeships for 16 and 17 year olds in the past two years.

Financial funding through the Mayoral Education and Skills bursary also ensures that 3,500 people are provided with £20 a week to help with

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson © Inniebear A.K.A Mark Harrison/Flickr travel and training expenses.

TUC Regional Secretary, Alan Manning said: “We know that Joe Anderson has a strong commitment to young people and has already taken extremely positive steps to help the city’s younger generation.

“By signing our Charter, he is giving a strong lead to employers and potential employers and sending out a clear message that Liverpool’s young people should not pay the price for the recession. They desperately need a future that works.

“We hope the Mayor’s support for our Charter will encourage others to accept their responsibilities to the next generation. Unless we take determined action, we will be condemning our young people to becoming a lost generation.”

Unemployment figures for youths

- Unemployment among the under-25s has dropped below 1m for the first time since June 2011 - falling by 62,000 from the March to May figure.

- The jobless rate among 16 to 24-year-olds is now 20.5%, down from 21.8%

MP calls for FA to face questions Continued from page 1

It has also led to the Attorney General announcing he will apply to the High Court for the initial verto be quashed.

Luciana Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree, said that families should not have to pay for any legal action that comes about as a result of the report.

She said: “For 23 years the families and survivors have been let down and we owe it to them to do ensure that we do everything possible so they finally get the justice they deserve.

Steve Rotheram, MP for Liverpool Walton said: “It has taken 8,591 days to get here, but we finally have what the families and the people of my great city have known all along. The undeniable truth.

“Many, many parts of the report are harrowing for the families and the survivors, but none more so than that numerous fans were alive after the arbitrary 3:15 cut off point, could have survived.

“One thing is for sure. The 97th victim of Hillsborough, is not Kelvin MacKenzie and how dare he claim victim status.”

Rosie Cooper, MP for West Lancashire, called for the Football Association to be held to account

for holding the game at a ground without a valid safety certificate.

She said: “They chose the venue, they allowed for it to take place at a ground without a safety certificate.

When is the FA going to be held into account within the scope of the investigation and inquiries?”

Andy Burnham MP, who had a key involvement in setting up the Hillsborough Independent Panel in 2009, echoed many of the sentiments of MPs, and he urged Lord Justice Leveson to call the Hillsborough families to his inquiry into media ethics over their experience with the media.

He said: “At last the entire country can see what Liverpool has lived with for 23 years and finally Parliament has woken up to the full horror of Hillsborough.

“The panel’s report is an opportunity to ask the most searching questions of ourselves. No political party did anything like enough to help and we had a political class that looked down upon them.”

Jeremy Hunt MP, the Health Secretary, apologised on behalf of the NHS for the role of the ambulance service.

“The panel found significant failings in the actions of South Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service. There was no systematic assessment of the victims.”

Life/News/3

Central station opens after a £20m facelift

Word on the street

Liverpool Central Station fully reopened today following its £20m refurbishment, having been shut since April.

The station had been closed to passengers for almost six months as Merseyrail, Merseytravel and Network Rail worked in conjunction to revamp it.

Although the Wirral Line platform reopened on August 25th, the station is now fully open after work on the Northern Line platform, which accounts for 70% of the station’s passengers, was completed.

Both platforms have been retiled and the ceilings replaced as part of the revamp, and all four escalators have been renewed.

On the concourse a clear-glazed glass roof and glass interior walls have been put in, making it a much lighter and brighter area. Staggered entrance and exit barriers have been installed to prevent congestion and a new seating area has been created.

Merseyrail managing director Maarten Spaargaren is pleased with the improvements made to the station.

He told JMU Journalism: “We are absolutely delighted with the improvements. The concourse is fantastic, unrecognisable and now what you would expect of a 21st Century entrance of a station, with so much more light, colour, transparency and great customer facilities. It is a modern station instead of the dark ‘dungeon’ it used to be.”

He added that customer comments have also reflect-

ed this: “The Wirral Line has been open since the 25th of August and the customer feedback we have got since then has been overwhelmingly positive.

Customers love the new station with more daylight through the window, easier to navigate around and a pleasant environment that just fits with the modern city centre around the station.

Karen Hornby, Network Rail’s Merseyside area manager was as equally impressed.

She told JMU Journalism: “I am pleased that the project has been delivered on time and within budget. There are, as with all projects, a few snagging issues that need to be rectified and the project team will be working on these throughout the week.

“I think it has been money well spent. Liverpool Central is now a fantastic station which will encourage more people back into the city centre.

“Passengers have been very patient during the closure. I am sure that they will be impressed by the work that has been carried out to give them more space, better facilities and more natural light on the concourse. I am sure they will enjoy travelling in a more comfortable and attractive environment.”

Liverpool Central Station is just one of five underground stations on the Merseyrail network to be improved in a £40m programme.

James Street, Lime Street (low-level only), Moorfields and Hamilton Square, in Birkenhead, will all see the remaining £20m spent on improvements.

£20m refurbishment: Liverpool Council reopens Central Station Picture: Joel Richards

Local transport authority Merseytravel’s new base, on Liverpool’s waterfront is running at an annual deficit of £4m, according to reports.

The move to a new headquarters on Liverpool’s Mann Island has been criticised in a new report. The relocation has been described as very expensive and as of yet unjustified. It

was one of a series of complaints about the company this week.

It was also found that directors’ pay is based on the number of subsidiary companies run by Merseytravel.

Former chief executive, Neil Scales was criticised for tallying up huge solicitors’ fees.

Mr Scales left the company for a job in Australia at

the beginning of the year before the report was published.

Acting Chief Executive, Jim Barclay, was criticised for failing to take action in his previous role as finance director which carries statutory responsibility to protect the taxpayer.

The reports come after several months of change at the company, which has seen the resigna-

Bootle man shot in chest

Busy monkeys at Chester zoo

by Jonathan Bridge

Liverpool Life asked the people of Liverpool: “Was the £20m revamp worth it?”

Hannah Price, 17, a student said: “It’s a lot nicer. I think it is money well spent.”

Sam White, 20, also a student, from Aintree said: “It’s a lot cleaner and brighter. I think it generally makes the whole experience better.”

Lydia Harper, 32, a shop assistant from Kirkby, said: “It’s ok. I was expecting a bigger improvement though and the trains still aren’t on time.”

Megan Chilvers, 28, a hairdresser from Crosby, said: “I don’t really notice much of a difference to be honest, it really only looks like it’s been cleaned and painted.”

Merseytravel missing millions at docks

by Lucy Baines A Bootle man is in a serious condition after being shot in the chest last night.

The 33-year-old called an ambulance around 8:45pm to an address off Marsh Lane, saying that he had been shot.

Paramedics rushed the man to hospital where his condition is said to be serious but stable.

Police believe the man was shot near to, or on the canal in Bootle yesterday evening.

Merseyside Police said: “Officers are currently carrying out extensive searches of the area but have so far found no evidence of shots being fired.

“Patrols have been stepped up in the local area to reassure the community and an investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances.”

A new management course in the UK is observing Apes from Chester Zoo in the boardroom, so they can gain a better understanding of their work colleagues.

The experiment aims to explain how primitive behaviour is still alive and well in the workplace.

Dutch biologist-turned-leadership expert Patrick van Veen felt that studying primate behaviour had benefitted him in his first job at an insurance company. He was particularly inspired by a boss, who reminded him of a gorilla.

It might be a new idea for a business, but the theory behind it is already well established.

Sonya Hill, a research officer at Chester Zoo, said: “It has a serious scientific backing. It’s so important that it’s got a fun side, but that it’s based on good science in terms of chimp behaviour.”

Mr Van Veen emphasises the importance of this kind of supportive behaviour at work, saying: “We spend a lot of time in chit-chat, drinking coffee with each other.

“By watching your colleagues, you learn how you use communication in the workforce to get on better. That’s grooming

Monkey business at the zoo behaviour, like primates do.”

Chimpanzees share about 99% of their genes with humans, and Chester zoo has been selected as a part of the scheme as it plays host to one of the world’s largest and most successful groups of zoo chimpanzees.

The zoo says that the study of animal behaviour, also known as ethology, plays an important role in conserving biodiversity worldwide.

tion of previous chairman Cllr Mark Dowd. The new chairman, Cllr Liam Robinson called for a review and hopes that the publication of reports will bring Merseytravel’s problems to a close.

Robinson said: “As we examine the report in detail, any further areas where action is required will be dealt with thoroughly and firmly.

“The public and our partners will be able to have full confidence in Merseytravel and its central role working with the district councils and other partners to deliver the world-class integrated transport network that is so vital of the success of the city region.”

Merseytravel’s review will take place in the near future.

Sylvia Willians, 90, Cressington, retired: “It’s wonderful, everything is clean, it’s great.”

James Woods, 20, from Chester: “It is alright, better than the old dull station but it is a bit pricey mind.”

Joe Connolly, 24, from Birkenhead: “It reminds me of the dentist, which I think is a good thing.”

Life/News/4 Law lecturer’s election hopes

By Scott Fitzpatrick A former Anfield councillor has announced his intention to stand for Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside.

Kiron Reid, now a lecturer of law at the University of Liverpool, is hoping to be elected on November 15th. Although he retired from his position as councillor in 2007 Mr Reid still feels as though he has something to offer.

He said: “I know which legal issues are relevant at the moment and I interact with practicing

barristers as I feel it is important to know what is going on.

“I plan to find ways for the law to help police to do their jobs, rather than tripping them up with technicalities. All police officers should be encouraged to think that they can solve crime and thinking like detectives, not trying to tick boxes.”

Crime levels have dropped by three per cent between September 2010 and September 2011, although theft reports did increase.

The former councillor thinks that there are ways to maintain decreas-

ing crime levels and combat the number of thefts at the same time.

Mr Reid said: “We should be targeting repeat victims to see what protection we can give them. We also need to keep track of offenders and encourage them not to re-offend.

“In areas such as St Helens and Southport we have to work with the community and encourage people to come together. “ Mr Reid has accepted that as he is running as an independent candidate, he might be at a disadvantage in persuading people to vote.

However, he sees it as a poten tial advantage for his campaign.

Mr Reid said: “Parties have networks of support and money behind them but I don’t.

Some friends in other parties cannot publicly endorse me and there are very few outlets for me to express my ideas.”

He added: “Politicians are currently unpopular so being independent means I do not have the stigma of previous policies.

My political experience as a councillor should also be an advantage for my campaign.”

Crime rates fall again Kiron Reid is a lecturer at Liverpool University

Dragon cuts ribbon at Liverpool knicker den

by Lauren Murphy Retail magnate and Dragon’s Den TV star Theo Paphitis dubbed Liverpool women “sassy and fashion-conscious” at the opening of his new lingerie store in the city centre.

The tough-talking investor opened his latest lingerie outlet, Boux Avenue, in Liverpool One before welcoming customers through the doors of the shop.

The entrepreneur said: “Liverpool was in our top 10 stores when we decided where we wanted to launch the brand.

Unfortunately we got to it fourteenth but we got here eventually.

They say some things are worth waiting for and we felt that Liverpool was worth waiting for.”

Boux Avenue, which started in 2011, offers a selection of lingerie, nightwear, swimwear and accessories. Paphitis cut the opening ribbon at 1pm on Thursday outside the store.

He said: “Liverpool is a major city in the UK with a really savvy, sassy and fashion-conscious population. You have to

be here or you’re missing out.”

Boux Avenue is placed across the way from his former under wear brand, La Senza, which went into administration early this year. The businessman pocketed around £100 million from selling the franchise.

“In 2006 somebody offered me a ridiculous price for La Senza and I’m not stupid. Everything has its price,” he said. “We thought there was now a need in the market for Boux Avenue.”

“There is nothing else like this in Liverpool,” he claimed. ”This is all about being able to see lingerie across the size range which is spectacular and really affordable.

“There is no reason you should have to buy your lingerie in a plastic bag with the cooked chicken and the coleslaw is there?”

In terms of the manufacturing of the brand, he admitted: “I don’t go sewing the products myself, I’m not that good!” I have been involved in every other aspect of Boux Avenue and every last inch of design and brand qualities… it’s my baby.”

Paphitis, who was born in Cyprus, will open three more of his stores in the UK before next year.

by Andrew Mckenna Crime statistics for Liverpool have fallen for the sixth year in a row, with rates in Merseyside as a whole falling 5.9% from last year.

Merseyside Police has managed to achieve significant reductions in drug offences, robbery, burglary, violence against the person, vehicle crime and criminal damage.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Cooke said: “For the past six years we have seen continual reductions in crime amounting to 80,357 fewer victims and we remain committed to doing all we can to provide the best possible policing service to the people of Merseyside.”

In a year where there have been budget protests and cuts to funding, Merseyside Police has achieved its aim of reducing the number of victims of crime n the city and surrounding areas.

ACC Cooke added: “Despite facing the ongoing financial challenge, the force is determined to continue to build on the good work reflected in these statistics.”

A report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary shows victim satisfaction as being “outstanding”, rating a 97 per cent. The HMIC report is carried out across the country. and Merseyside has attained one of the highest satisfaction rates..

‘Crisis’ claim backed

Theo Paphitis cuts ribbon at new Boux Avenue Store in Liverpool One © Josh Parry

Goodison Park marriage in memory of Dixie Dean father

by Adam Davies

It must be a strange feeling getting married in a place named after your own dad. However that is what happened to Barbara Dean, who married her partner of 30 years at Goodison Park.

William Ralph ‘Dixie’ Dean is one of the most famous players ever to wear the Everton shirt, and his exploits are remembered fondly by the club and fans alike.

As well as the famous statue of Dean outside Goodison, there is also a suite in the ground named after him, and his only Daughter said she could not think of a better place to get married: She said: “We couldn’t have married in a more apt place than the Dixie Dean suite surrounded by memories of my Dad; I still think he’s hanging around there.”

Although Dean was a footballing legend to every Evertonian, famous or scoring 60 goals in a season,

The Dixie Dean statue Barbara has said that she on ly saw him as just her father.

She said: “He was quite a

character, I used to wonder why people made such a fuss about him. People idolised him but to me he was just my dad.”

Dean’s ashes were scattered at Goodison Park when he passed-away, and Barbara said they thought her dad staged the whole thing by going out in style.

Barbara wed her partner, Mike Lewis in the Dixie Dean suite surrounded by 30 of their closest friends and family.

She said that it was nice to share the day with her dad and that they had their photo taken with him: “We had our pictures taken with his statue and Melanie had blue and white confetti with one red piece in memory of my youngest brother Ralph who was a staunch Liverpool fan.”

Barbara is the only daughter of the Everton idol, who started off at Tranmere Rovers before moving to his boyhood club as well as playing for England.

A leading journalism academic has today backed claims that the BBC was undergoing its worst crisis for 50 years.

Speaking on Radio Merseyside this morning, Prof Chris Frost agreed with the damning assessment of veteran BBC newsman John Simpson on the handling of the Jimmy Savile sex abuse case.

World Affairs editor Simpson had said: “This is the worst crisis that I can remember in my nearly 50 years at the BBC.” Prof Frost, who is head of journalism at LJMU, pointed out that the issue was particularly damaging because it involved a serious abuse of trust.

However, he also pointed out that enemies of the BBC were using the occasion to launch attacks on the organisation, not all of which were warranted.

National sleep day

People all over the country will get an extra hour in bed as the clocks go back next week.

Sunday 28th October will mark the beginning of winter with clocks going back one hour from 2am. Days will become shorter with the time change causing sun to set as early as 4.30pm.

The day has been known as “National Sleep Day” since being named by the Sleep Council 17 years ago. The idea behind it was to give people the ideal opportunity to enjoy some extra time in the warmth and comfort of their own bed, without any of the guilt.

Life/News/5

Ed puts his running shoes on for Uganda

by Sam McDonnell

Birkenhead School’s Head Boy is gearing up to run a half marathon to raise money to continue his charity work in Africa.

Ed Sherrard, 17, previously spent three weeks in Uganda, helping out in a local community and is now running the 13 mile Lancaster Half Marathon in order to return once more.

“I hate running! I love playing sport but running in a straight line for a long time is not the most exciting thing,” said Ed, who found out about the charity work through the Heswall Youth Fellowship group which he attends.

The group set up the ‘Rock of Joy’ charity in Uganda, which originally sponsored one local school with around 20 pupils but now has four schools which provide for over 1000 children.

Ed, who was just named the North West Young Scientist of the Year, explained: “Two years ago I spent three weeks there, working with the schools, doing some teaching, going around the community and doing odd jobs like building fences.

“It’s one of those experiences that you don’t forget and afterwards I didn’t want to just say ‘that’s it, I don’t want to do it anymore’. I’ve got a place to go in July. I’ll be there for three weeks again: two weeks in the schools and one week with the medical team because I want to be a dentist.”

Two years ago, Ed managed to

Birkenhead schoolboy Ed Sherrard with some of the children he met during his volunteering in Africa. raise £2200 running the Liverpool 10k but wants to do even better this time around.

He said: “I’m looking to top that this time so I thought I should probably up it a bit and do a

further distance.”

Ed described how in his last trip the local community water tank, which ‘Rock of Joy’ provided, cracked and lost 10,000 litres of clean water. He said: “They had to

go back to what they used to have to do before the charity started helping and walk about a mile and a half to what they called a well, but it was just part of a stream. The water was brown and you couldn’t

see anything in it because of the money that we raised we paid for a better water tank which will last about 20 years.”

Ed Sherrard runs the Lancaster Half Marathon on 4th November.

Legal highs ‘are a It’s the burger that beat a danger to eyesight’ professional bodybuilder

by Josh Parry

Students have been warned about the dangers of legal highs after a study by doctors from the Bolton Royal Hospital revealed that inhaling ‘poppers’ could lead to eye damage.

The study linked sniffing ‘poppers’- a bottle of liquid also known as ‘amyl-nitrites’- with sight problems.

Leading doctors at the Royal Bolton Hospital worked closely with ophthalmologists from across England and Wales. They found that some drug users suffered permanent sight loss after usage, whilst others’ sight returned to full health after they had stopped using it.

‘Poppers’ are banned in the UK for human consumption; however a legal loophole allows them to be sold in bottles as ‘odourisers.’

They are popular amongst the gay community as well as night clubbers.

The study was published in the Scientific Journal of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, and was written by specialists from across England and Wales, including three at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Lead author Dr Andrew Davies, who works at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, first discovered the link after a patient who was suffering from eyesight problems told him they had taken the drug.

Consultant ophthalmologist Priya Bhatt, who works at the Royal Bolton Hospital, told The Bolton News about the study: “The main ingredient in poppers was changed from isobutyl nitrite to isopropyl nitrite a few years ago, and this is thought to be the reason they have begun to affect eyesight.

“Users should tell their eye doctor they have been taking poppers and make a note of the brand they used.” she said.

Tot’s car terror

by Jonathan Bridge

Merseyside Police are hunting two men who smashed the windows of a car while a terrified child sat inside.

The child’s father was also attacked as the offenders stole two bags in the back of the car.

The victim, who is in his 30s, suffered bruising to his legs and arms and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The stolen bags contained clothes and it is not known whether the offenders thought they contained cash as the robbery took place outside Barclays bank in Childwall Valley Road.

Officers were called to the scene at around 1.10pm yesterday after receiving reports that a man had

been attacked.

After smashing the car windows the men, described as two white men wearing masks and dark clothing, got into a silver VW Golf and drove off in the direction of Hunts Cross.

DI Neil Shaw said: “This was a brazen attack on a man outside a bank.

“The man’s child was in the car at the time of the incident and although uninjured was left very shaken by the ordeal.

“This kind of behavior is clearly totally unacceptable and we hope that members of the public will help us to find the offenders so we can take them off our streets.”

Anyone with information should call 0151 777 5322.

by Paul Collins

Bodybuilder Randy Santel met his match as he took on his biggest challenge to date in Liverpool last week - a giant burger.

Santel, a professional eater as well as bodybuilder, boasts nearly 120 victories in eating challenges across the United States and Britain. He took on the Olympic burger challenge at “What’s Cooking?” in the Albert Dock, but failed to live up to the mammoth task.

The challenge, inspired by the American TV show Man VS Food, was set up as a tribute to the Olympic year, hence its name.

Contestants had to consume a burger, which includes a poundand-a-half of meat and plenty of trimmings, with chips on the side, all in under 24 minutes.

Mr Santel, also known as Atlas, warmed up at lunch time by destroying a 6lb burrito in record time to get a 118th career win.

This ultimately contributed to his ‘failure’ in the burger-based contest after he lost the challenge by a mere bite of bread.

American Mr Santel told JMU Journalism: “I thought I’d be alright to do it 8 hours later. It is a lot of food to eat in 24 minutes, I could have easily done it on an empty stomach but a loss is a loss.”

He added: “I’m not a big mayonnaise fan either so that probably didn’t sit right in my stomach. Usually the soda helps overcome it but not today.”

Mr Santel, 26, heeded the advice of “What’s Cooking?” owner Guy Lawrenson who suggested to take on the burger first followed by the fries. The bodybuilder ripped up the burger to get the huge helping of chilli-cheese out of the way early.

Mr Santel explained: “Late in

Funeral for dock worker

by Lauren Murphy

The funeral of a Liverpool maritime worker who died as a result of an accident will take place on Friday.

Geoff Hanley, 66, became trapped underwater between a pontoon and the quay at the Albert Dock after losing his balance.

The well-known member of the Maritime Community was the chief engineer of the tall ship Zebu.

Gwyn Martin, safety officer aboard the Zebu, pulled Mr Hanley out of the water near the Tate Gallery.

He recovered from the incident which occurred on 1st September but died earlier this month after his condition deteriorated. Mr Hanley was treated for secondary drowning after the incident and spent time in intensive care.

Mr Hanley’s wife, Sue, told the Liverpool Echo: “Geoff’s passing is not just a loss for me and his own family but also a huge loss for all those who cherish our high canvas heritage, which he quietly did so much to preserve.”

The inquest that was opened for the death has been adjourned.

Society helps orphans

by Richard Eves

Liverpool John Moores Islamic Society is raising money during Charity Week 2012 with something for everyone to get involved in.

The event will take place between the 29th October and the 4th November and will raise funds for orphans and needy children around the world with many activities from being a top seller on the cake stall to dressing in the most amusing costume.

For further information, contact info@ljmuisoc.org to access an online form for volunteering.

Poppy parade

by Lauren Murphy

The wife and daughter of a former Royal Marine commando will escort a giant poppy across the Mersey.

The procession, which will take place between Seacombe and Woodside, will honour Peter Dunning, from Wallasey, who lost both legs in a land mine explosion in Afghanistan in 2008. He has now learned to walk again with prosthetic legs.

The family will be joined by two TS Blackcap sea cadets on the ferry journey at 2.30pm tomorrow to mark the beginning of the poppy appeal in Birkenhead.

Professional bodybuilder Randy Santel tackles his burger task the challenge, I knew I wouldn’t want that texture.”

“What’s Cooking?” proprietor Guy Lawrenson revealed just how few people have been successful at the gut-busting food-sprint.

Mr Lawrenson said: “We’ve had 117 people do the challenge so far, 2 people have completed it: a 16 year old girl and a 24 year old man.”

Santel, who claimed to have lost an amazing three-and-a-half stone in just 10 weeks, is touring

in England with by his partner, Micaela Hill.

Ms Hill said of Mr Santel’s incredible eating habits: “In the beginning it was shocking, but I’m just used to it now.”

The pair will be staying in England until Sunday, with Mr Santel taking on various other food challenges throughout the country, firstly in Walsall before travelling to London.

Mr Santel has left the door open for a possible rematch.

Festive market

Hoylake cottage has announced details of its annual Christmas Bazaar.

The event will be held in The Royal Liverpool Golf Club on 15th and 16th November and will be opened by Wirral Mayor, Gerry Ellis.

Proceeds will go towards the “Appeal for Wheels” cause to raise funds for a new specialist minibus for Hoylake Cottage Day Care.

News/Focus/6

Get ready for a scary Scouse spooktacular

by Rachel Bentham

A host of frightening festivities and eerie events are coming to Liverpool this month to make this year’s Halloween a spooktacular affair.

Shiverpool ghost tours will be continuing their creepy walks around the most haunted and scary places in the city to fascinate audiences with a combination of history and horror. They run all year long but will also be hosting some special Halloween events.

One of these events is Scarewood Forest, a sinister fairy tale wonderland in the Formby Pine woods in an evening for family fun which transforms into a terrifying trek in an adult scare event for over 16s after 7pm. Running from 26th-31st October, scare fans will have to make their way through the haunted forest in an event run by over 50 actors. A market place full of food, games and workshops will be on the other side for those who make it through.

Talented This is the first year the event has run and it will have to compete with similar scare attractions in the area such as Farmaggedon.

Assistant Artistic Director of Shiverpool, Lucy Carew, said: “It’s been 100 years in the making and we’ve wanted to do it for a long time.

“Our Shiverpool tours are renowned for their quality and are highly thought of in the city and beyond- so we’re really excited about this event.

“We’ve teamed up with a lot of great talents for our market stall such as Camp and Furnace and Bold Street Coffee and talented actors and despite being our first year we’re already getting a lot of attention in the press, Twitter and Facebook. We’re aware that Halloween is growing more popular year after year, it’s huge and we love it! Farmaggedon is brilliant and they are very good at what they do but Scarewood Forest is unique because of the location and creative behind it.”

Internationally award winning ‘Scream Park’ Farmaggedon,

Revellers get in the Halloween spirit on Bold Street which opens every autumn, has sold out completely for the fourth year running. The event has become increasingly popular each year attracting hundreds of people to be willingly terrorised as they make their way through three horror houses ‘Terror on the Farm’, ‘Psychosis’ and ‘Insanity’.

The city will be hosting some big Halloween-themed club nights as always with some set to be the most popular including student hot spot The Krazy House with its annual costume competition on 27th October and Medication, the midweek student night, with its huge fancy dress party as Halloween falls on a Wednesday.

Popular venue Camp and Furnace will be transformed into Vamp and Furnace hired out by

Shiverpool and showing international and cult horror films whilst entertaining party goers with DJ sets, dancers and Santa Chupitos who will be making an appearance with their own bar. The Vampire themed party is aimed at students and Shiverpool are providing student discount for most of their events.

For something more family friendly, Acorn Farm will be organising a scary woodland walk with events for younger audiences on 26th October.

Knowsley Safari Park will be having a Halloween themed night where you can meet bats and creepy crawlies on 27th October and Active Adventures in Otterspool will be holding a high rope adrenaline fuelled activity with a

twist of Halloween called Ottersghoul on October 30th and 31st.

Traditional Mersey ferry rides will also be getting a makeover for Halloween with Shiverpool’s ‘Shiver on the river’ available for families and people of all ages on 28th October.

People can expect to travel across the river whilst listening to historic tales of horror from Liverpool and the Wirral.

On the same night, Sefton Park will be hosting its annual Halloween Lantern Carnival run by the Liverpool Lantern Company in a free community event.

The Anglican Cathedral will be hosting a ‘Night of the Living Dead’ to engage with people’s fear of death and connection with the spirit world.

The night will take on a religious angle, and will offer an alternative to usual Halloween activities which focus on gore and scare tactics. Other details will be kept secret until the night.

Canon Richard White will be leading the event at the Cathedral.

He said: “Halloween is now the second biggest commercial event of the year. While lots of churches offer positive alternatives for children, teenagers and young adults can often see the church as irrelevant or condemning at this time of the year.

“Our stunning Gothic cathedral is the perfect place to seize the opportunity to connect with people’s fascination with the ‘spiritual world’. It will be creative, fun and will have Christ at its centre.”

Speaking about Halloween, Shiverpool’s Lucy Carew said: “I think it’s a fascinating concept- a gripping intellectual subject. People love to be frightened and scared, it’s fun and they can be creative with costumes and characters.

“It has dark and sinister undertones but still a lot of fun. I think people enjoy the macabre and the intrigue that the dark side brings.”

Along with the extensive list of planned events, Liverpool residents will no doubt take part in more traditional activities like trick or treating, apple bobbing and carving jack ‘o lanterns whilst bringing some scouse enthusiasm to one of the most popular holidays of the year.

Ceefax switches off Scouts say ‘no’ to nicknames

by Josh Parry

‘Cee-ya-later’ BBC switches off final Ceefax signal Television sets across the country are to be brought into the digital age, as the BBC switches off its Ceefax news service.

The move comes as the last phase of the UK’s switchover to digital TV services, where analogue TV signals around the country have been switched off over the last two years.

The last analogue signal will be switched off before midnight 23rd October in Northern Ireland, by Olympic champion Dame Mary Peters.

Meanwhile, tributes have poured in via social media as Twitter users reminisce about their favourite Ceefax memories.

Andy Dixon, said: “Ceefax ends today can remember watching it on a saturday for the football having to wait to see if ur team had scored or not page302 #Ceefax” Paul Tweedle, said: “Ceefax ends today :-( Have lots of fond memories of it - Bamboozle anyone? Footy scores! It was like

by Josh Nevett

the internet before the internet!”

Although the service is now outdated, it was once at the height of technology when it first launched.

Journalists would monitor incoming news, before printing out a metre long ‘till-roll’ of news, taking it down four flights of stairs, and feeding it into a

transmitter.

Mistakes were costly, as they meant each page having to be completely re-written and loaded into the transmitter again.

As the technology developed, Ceefax enabled news to be published in an instant, earning its place as the ‘first on demand news service in the world’.

Undies, Hob Nob, Dizzee Eddie and Pig are all unfortunate nicknames we remember from our youthful days gallivanting around the playground, but recent news from the Scouts Association has brought this merry school-yard tradition into disrepute.

The National Scouts Association has banned all nicknames in an attempt to crack down on bullying amongst their younger members.

Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the adventuresome organisation thinks that branding children with derogatory nicknames could incite teasing and increase bullying throughout their ranks.

Scout leaders new and old are being encouraged to take part in training programmes to help stifle the use of shortened appellations amongst themselves. Nicknames that have a particular focus on the subjects physical characteristics are being especially frowned upon, with reference to weight, height or hair colour regarded as strictly taboo.

Typically light-hearted slurs such as ‘ginger’, ‘tubby’ or ‘lanky’ are set to be expelled from the

Local nicknames “Paddy’s Wigwam” – Met Cathedral “The Mousehole” – Mersey Tunnel “Winnie” – John Lennon “Macca” – Paul McCartney “King Kenny” – Kenny Dalglish Scout groups’ dialogue, brandished as harmful banter.

The scheme was the brainchild of Sam Marks, the association’s chief prevention officer.

He told Scouting Magazine: “Bullying can advance gradually and can start with something as simple as a nickname.

“Research and experience all highlight that name calling, whether it be nicknames or harmless taunting, is often the largest form of bullying.

“Many nicknames come from someone’s appearance to some-

thing they’ve done.

“You need to ask why that person has a nickname, if it is because they have red hair or are fat or they have a funny face, or because they did something funny and it stuck with them? They might be quite embarrassed by that.”

The founder of the Scout movement, Lord Baden-Powell was surprisingly known as an advocate for nicknames. Notoriously revered as B-P, an abbreviation of the scouting motto, ‘be prepared’.

Lord B-P also rather bizarrely nicknamed his car Jam Roll, Liverpool Life asked the people of Liverpool what weird and wonderful nicknames they have been dubbed with.

James ‘ROUT’ Routledge, 19 said: “My nickname at school was my surname but it became more well-known than my actual first name.”

Lauren ‘McNerd’ McNerlin, 20 said: “I think my nickname was quite a funny one. My surnames McNerlin, so people just ended up calling me McNerd.”

Joel Richards, 20 said: “I’ve always been known as ‘Joel the mole’.

It got on my nerves when I was little but it’s fine now.”

Liverpool

Life

Will the city of sound suffer in silence?

by Joshua Nevett Liverpool’s musical heritage is famously steeped in visionary accolades, revered as a forward-thinking hub for a thriving community of artistic creation and musical innovation. The inner canals of the city incessantly hum with flourishing musicianship as untapped talent strives to discover its platform amongst a cacophonous racket. Liverpool’s creative community happily accommodates this influx with open arms and open ears, but it’s not the city’s musicians that have fallen on harsh times recently; it’s Liverpool’s affectionately esteemed venues that are dwindling in the face of turmoil.

The recent dearth in Liverpool’s music venues and creative spaces has been a sudden and discouraging splash of cold water over a culture that prides itself on the restoration of its rich aesthetic legacy. Distinguished venues such as the Cavern Club, the Philharmonic Hall and the Echo Arena plush the underbelly of the city, giving it character and world renowned recognition for its unique fixtures. The first ominous blow was the announcement that clubbing emporium, The Masque was to close its doors in November of last year. The Masque was at the epicentre of clubbing sub-culture over the past decade, regularly hosting premium club-night dominions, Chibuku and Circus, both respectively acclaimed at the forefront of Liverpool’s night-life sector. Having also hosted a plethora of live bands including Tom Vek, the Maccabees and the Arctic Monkeys, the venue on Seel Street was no longer deemed financially viable by its management team and regrettably, shut down. A similar blow was again dealt to the same management firm, which were forced to close down

another of their valued assets, The Jacaranda bar, best known as the venue that first hosted the Beatles.

The doom and gloom continued to consume some of Liverpool’s best loved spaces for hedonistic cavorting. Back Berry Street venue MOJO was next to follow, breaking the news in January that they were to discontinue trading as a venue for live music, suddenly cancelling their entire live music programme. For the previous two years the quirky bar existed as the stamping ground for Liverpool Music Week, a free showcase of up and coming bands and internationally recognised artists. The shock move was controversial as murmurs of discontent spread across the city in utter confusion of this breakdown.

Tom Johnson, one of MOJO’s inhouse promoters, commented: “It came as a complete shock to us, and it is with regret that we won’t be able to put shows on there from now on.”

It was then Static Gallery’s turn to experience decibel related troubles as they were inundated with protests that their capacity for noise was too rambunctious in nature. Subject to noise abatement order after complaints from locals, the art gallery and creative space was stifled from twilight offerings of musical jaunts, stricken from their role as fantastical nightlife invigorators.

The arrival of Easter then saw the premature closure of La Bateu, a haven for excessive debauchery all things indie. The legendary Duke Street building was hit by financial trouble and was forced to submit to administration after two generations of students passed through its doors.

The most recent addition this dreaded blacklist is one of Liverpool’s last standing pivots for independent music and creative musings, Mello Mello. It was recently revealed that Mello Mello Café, on the corner of Slater Street is facing the threat

Picture of music venue: Copyright of Mello Mello of immediate closure after news that Liverpool City Council has reduced their business rates from 80% to 0%. This dramatic shift in rates would leave them unable to cope with their financial losses and would inevitably force the venue into administration. With gigs, rehearsals, talks, recording sessions and dance performances all taking place within the café, the burgeoning community of trailblazers that occupy the venue would be forced to evict.

Although support to save Mello Mello has been popular, with widespread support for a petition that has already acquired over a 1000 signatures.

Director and rehearsal studio coordinator at Mello Mello, Laura Powers is currently unsure of how to tackle the plight that faces the alternative venue. She thinks a total overhaul of their business model could be necessary in order to evade further financial pitfalls.

She said: “We’re thinking about becoming a charity, as a lot of the things we do are charitable. Maybe not charitable in the traditional sense but we do a lot of things for free and if you become a charity you are automatically exempt from all business rates.

“The other option is to change our business model and to rethink our entire structure in how we run. We’re a little unsure on which way to go, we might have to think a lot more commercially possibly.”

Although Laura has experienced first-hand the difficulties of keeping an alternative venue afloat, she still maintains that Liverpool’s creative community

will continue to thrive in the face of adversity. She added: “I’m not sure venues are in decline, for every venue that gets shut down there always seems to be another venue that crops up. As to whether they’re being supported I think that’s another question.

“Traditionally more alternative venues have managed to flourish in times of economic downturn.

I’m not entirely sure why that is but I’m guessing they’re dealing with quite creative minds that can see other resources other than just financial investment. Saying that, I do think it’s definitely a very difficult time for music venues and creative spaces in Liverpool.”

As uncertainty continues to ravage some of Liverpool’s best loved music venues it becomes all too easy to forget recent venue acquisitions in an opportunistic resurgence in a great time of financial doubt. From the re-opening of The Magnet on Hardman Street to the rise of Camp and Furness, a magnificent space that’s starting to host more and more events within its tumultuous holding. Not forgetting Eric’s, 02 Academy, the Echo or the Capstone Theatre, maybe it’s a city awash with transition rather than decline, an exciting phase of readjustment and adaptability. In a city rife with constant development and a maturing culture, taking the rough along with the smooth is sometimes a necessary evil to attain progression. One thing’s for sure, Liverpool remains a city that refuses to be silenced.

Life/Style/7

What’s On...

Music

Comedy

24th October: Pink Friday Reloaded Tour – Nicki Minaj – Liverpool Echo Arena, 7:30pm Following the release of her second chart topping album, Nicki Minaj brings her tour to Liverpool.

Tickets £39.50 Online from: http://www.echoarena.com

4th November Kevin Bridges Live 8pm Following the huge success of his UK and Ireland tour in 2010, ‘The Story Continues… ‘with Kevin Bridge’s brand new show at the Liverpool Empire.

Tickets £22-25.90 online from http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/

31st October: Frankenstein – The Epstein Theatre 7:30pm Clark Rundell conducts Edgard Varese’s Octandre and HK Gruber’s Frankenstein Tickets £10 online from: http://www.liverpoolphil. com 6-10th November: Steptoe and Son – Liverpool Playhouse 7:30pm Adapted from the legendary scripts of Galton and Simpson, this new production charts the tender, cruel and surprising dance of father and son.

Tickets £12-£20 online from: http://www.everymanplayhouse.com 30th October 7:30pm Sixties Gold – Liverpool Philharmonic Featuring all the hits from the 60’s stars Jerry and the Pacemakers, The Animals PJ Proby and Steve Ellis including classic Ferry Cross The Mersey and You’ll Never Walk Alone .

Tickets £25-£33.50 Online from http://www.liverpoolphil.com

Theatre 27th – 31st October A Terrifying Trio of Events – The Lantern Theatre The Lantern Theatre will be transformed into a setting of nightmares as it hosts three different Halloween events.

Visit Website for Prices http://www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk 30th October – 3rd November English National Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty – The Empire Theatre The event will awaken the world’s favourite fairy tale in an enchanted world of castles and curses, forests and fairies.

Tickets £10-£40 online from http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/

22nd-24th November Michael Mcintyre – Echo Arena 8pm Star of Michael Mcintyre’s comedy roadshow, Britain’s Got Talent and winner of the 2010 British Comedy Award for Best Male TV comic, Michael Mcintyre returns to the road for his third and biggest UK tour.

Tickets £35 from http:// www.echoarena.com

Fashion 22nd October- 24th November – 15th December The Uk’s Big Vintage and Fashion Fair – The Hub, Garden and Sandon Rooms and additional spaces at the Bluecoat £4.00 10am – 5pm Uk’s Fashion Events will transform the city centre’s creative hub into the most fabulous vintage display Liverpool has ever seen.

Activities 23rd-25th October Meet Kitty in the Cathedral – Kitty Wilkinson – The Anglican Cathedral 11am – 3pm several activities based on ‘heroes and heroines’ during half term week, the perfect family day out.

Entry is free 25th October Twilight Tower Tours – Anglican Cathedral 5.30 – 8.30pm £5 The final session of the season’s weekly programme of late night terror tours – this Thursday tickets available online at http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk

Arts 22 June – 28 October 2012 Final week: Turner Monet Twombly: Later Paintings Don’t miss Turner Monet Twombly at Tate Liverpool this summer £12, concessions available Family tickets are also available

Life/Style / 8

The rise and rise of

Rachael Bentham

explores Liverpool’s

ever expanding boutique scene

By Rachael Bentham

Vintage clothing has long been a popular choice for the fashion savvy, and now an increasing demand for garments from yesteryear have led to a sudden rise in vintage shops and fairs in Liverpool.

Perhaps the hub of the newly found love for old clothes, Bold Street has been known for its boutiques and alternative shops for a long time but is now a main attraction for vintage lovers with five current stores dedicated to the trend, three others with vintage sections and one new store about to open next week.

Shop Assistant at Pop Boutique Sarah Coffey explains what she thinks the appeal is: “Generally the quality is a lot better and the styles are recycled like there’s no new styles as such it all comes back from the 40s, 50s and now the 90s is in so it’s easier to use stuff that’s already there rather than get new stuff. For me personally it’s the materials, you can get silk shirts for under £20 and you can’t get that anywhere else.”

As large amounts of stores open, independent shops may be feeling the pressure of competition as bigger companies attempt to incorporate vintage into their market.

22-year-old Sarah said: “There’s definitely some competition between the shops on Bold Street I don’t really get involved in it but some people take it quite seriously but I guess everyone offers something different and others get a lot of different stock than we do.”

“Second hand clothing stores are now a hot spot for fashion lovers who want a bargain.”

For those who aren’t up on the trend, vintage clothing is recycled clothes from previous decades usually dating back to the 1920s.

The appeal is not only in the style of the clothes which are constantly coming back into fashion, but also the desire to have one of a kind quality pieces at a budget price.

With charity shops selling second hand clothes it’s only natural that vintage lovers should look for some gems amongst the used items. Once uncool to shop in and wear, second hand clothing stores are now a hot spot for fashion lovers who want to find a bargain.

Oxfam Visual Merchandiser

Joseph Fulton who also works at Ryan Vintage on Bold Street said: “Because of the recession people want to spend less money and buy cheaper clothes. A lot of people like it because of the nostalgia, the 2000s doesn’t really have its own fashion but other decades do.

Currently, the 90s grunge style is really in.”

However popular, traditional vintage shops might not suit everyone and although stereotypically a jumble sale shopping experience in musty rooms, a new style of vintage shop is set to hit Liverpool and other cities in the UK as it comes into mainstream fashion.

One shop that is hoping to bring a new style and change perceptions of vintage shops is Deep Vintage who already have stores in Newcastle, York and Middleborough and will open in Liverpool on Bold Street next week.

Tom Seddon, Deep Vintage Owner said: “We’re one of the best in the country, it’s not like a vintage shop, we do it completely different to everyone else and people can see that when we open. It will be the best one on the street. You could put ours on the High Street next to all the main shops and you wouldn’t be able to tell it was a vintage store really. We spend a lot and pay out and make sure that what we do is the best.”

It’s not just shops getting involved in the trend and bars and pubs are teaming up with fairs to host their own vintage nights. Pillbox vintage is one of the leading vintage fairs in the city. They started off doing small fairs 4 years ago and now hold monthly nights at Leaf on Bold Street and the Shipping Forecast on Slater Street.

They recently held their first ever wedding fair at Camp and Furnace with over 250 people attending for vintage wedding clothing alone.

Katy Moussaada, founder of Pillbox vintage said: “I think with the recession and how money is a lot tighter with everyone a lot more people are looking towards vintage and were such a huge university city and get such an influx of students, I think with students especially money is tight and they look towards vintage.

Looking at other shops like the ones in Liverpool One where you can literally see the inspiration from vintage, its literally a case of well I can spend £50 there on a jacket from Topshop or I can spend £12 on basically exactly the same jacket just because it’s got a Topshop label in it.”

Deep Vintage will take retro shops on Bold Street up to a total of six not counting the regular fairs.

As the trend continues to expand fashion lovers can expect to see 90s fashion making a huge comeback this winter and a lot less shops following the catchphrase ‘out with the old, and in with the new!’

English National Ballet brings fairytale classic to Liverpool

By Karina Galli The world’s favourite fairytale comes to Liverpool later this month in a spectacular new show.

The English National Ballets brings its own version of Sleeping Beauty to the Liverpool Empire Theatre later this month.

Kenneth MacMillan’s production of the popular classic promises to reawaken a magical world of castles, curses, forests and fairies.

This production of Sleeping Beauty features some of Tchaikovsky’s best-loved ballet music, including the Rose Adagio as well as the famous Once upon a Dream from Disney’s version of Sleeping Beauty.

The story is based in a land far away; Princess Aurora lived in an enchanted castle

where fairies bestowed her with gifts of beauty, temperament, purity, joy, wit and generosity.

The wicked Fairy put a curse on Aurora; to prick her finger and die on her 16th birthday.

The beautiful and kind Lilac Fairy cast a spell to counter the curse so that instead of dying Aurora fell asleep for a hundred years. Only the touch of true love’s kiss could awaken her and undo the evil spell.

The Guardian rated the show five stars, saying: “Both lovely and durable - a staging of Sleeping Beauty so appealing it should keep for another 20 years. The English National Ballet has a production to inspire not one but two generations” The show will begin on the 30th of October and run through until the 3rd of November and tickets are available online or from the Liverpool Empire.

Louise is wild about beauty

By Vanessa Gainford Louise Redknapp may be known for her vocals or her marriage to footballer Jamie but she is now hoping to become influential in the beauty-world, with her new cosmetic range, Wild About Beauty.

Louise cleverly learned how to conceal pigmentations and dark marks on the skin, her new range boasts, sheer light weight formulas that give a natural yet flawless coverage and radiant looking skin.

Louise started to suffer with skin pigmentations shortly after the birth of her son, Charlie. From then on she struggled to find cosmetics that suited her skin and could cover her ‘flaws’ and still looked natural.

She told JMU Journalism; “It’s really about covering up the bits that you need to cover up but leaving the rest of your face look

ing fresh and gorgeous. So it’s enhancing natural beauty rather than using a mask to cover it up.”

Co-founder Kim Jacob was the only make-up artist, out of many, who Louise worked with that could covered her pigmentations but left her skin looking fresh.

After meeting on a photo shoot for Red magazine seven years ago, Louise and Kim decided that it was time to develop a make-up range together.

“It actually does the job it’s meant to do.”

As Kim was a celebrity and international make-up artist for 25 years, her knowledge in the industry is why Louise was confident in creating the range with Kim. Kim said; “I’m a make-up artist, I know what does and doesn’t work. We have really high levels

of pigment in all of our formulations so it actually does the job it’s meant to do.”

Kim also has an interest in holistic medicine and natural products, so Louise’s aim is to marry a range of cosmetics, where the formulations work, with beneficial natural actives. In order to cover up any flaws the range ensures there are high levels of pigments in all their products including eye shadows.

Louise said; “That’s our point of difference. We have great natural ingredients but it is also a performing range of cosmetics.”

Kim said; “It will bring the celebrity status to Liverpool as Louise is very well known here but it will also bring an understanding cosmetic rangeto the city; that not only masks what ‘flaws’ you may have but to enhance your beauty.

It will bring a different dimension to the industry. It’s true to Louise as well.”

The pair believes that there are definitely a lot of regional looks

and there are a lot of girls out there ‘who seem to think that they need to cover their whole face to look beautiful.’ Their aim is to represent natural beauty as ‘it’s an aspirational range’.

They told JMU Journalism; “It’s fashion forward. The packaging is really great. It adds a bit of glamour and a bit of fun and diversity to natural products.”

Wild and Beauty: Louise modelling for the cosmetics range

Price to defend title against Skelton

Injury hit Toffees face tough derby day

by Adam Davies

The Liverpool figher is unbeaten in his 14 fights

by Scott Fitzpatrick The date that British Commonwealth and Heavyweight champion David Price will face Matt Skelton has been announced.

The two Brits will clash in Aintree on November 30th as Skelton challenges Price for the titles.

Price will hope to continue his winning run following his dominant 82 second victory against former Olympic champion Audley Harrison just over a week ago.

The unbeaten champion has received criticism for announcing Skelton as his next opponent but he has defended his decision, claiming that the 45-year-old does pose a real threat.

The main event bout will take place at 11:30pm.

The bout will top a bill that includes Wallasey’s Steve Williams receiving a second chance at challenging for the light-welterweight title against Darren Hamilton.

John McDermott will also face Dillian Whyte for the vacant heavyweight crown in another intriguing bout on the undercard.

The best of Merseyside and Chester were also in action this weekend as they looked to crown their British Ambition Boxing Championship winners.

Tom Aitchison was one of the top performers as the Knowsley Vale boxer won his bout against Jamie Smith with a unanimous decision as he laid down a marker in the 60kg division.

The England international was joined by Everton Red Triangle’s Peter McGrail, who was victorious in his 54kg Class A bout (born 1996) after stopping Warrington’s Jake Jamieson in the first round.

Luke Ackers rounded off the Class A bouts with a resounding win in an all Kirkby ABC affair against Kieren Byrom at lightweight, whilst Baz Dambadarja of Gemini was the winner against Rotunda’s Brian Phillips in a class C bout.

Finally, Higherside’s Jake Cotsopoulous was victorious after forcing his opponent Jack Dobbin (Sefton) to retire in the third round.

The winners in Liverpool and Cheshire will go to the next round on Sunday where they will take on the best of the North West region in Manchester.

With the Merseyside derby looming, both Everton and Liverpool have their concerns going into the game and for both teams the past week and a half has been very eventful. Many people will say that this will be the closest Merseyside derby for years, even though every derby is hotly contested, Liverpool’s inconsistency and failure to create chances, coupled with Everton’s injury niggles are sure to make for an interesting watch come Sunday.

David Moyes’ Everton side were dealt a big blow ahead of the Merseyside Derby on Sunday, when midfielder Steven Pienaar was shown a red card against Queens Park Rangers.

Pienaar, one of Everton’s best players this season was shown a second yellow card by referee Jon Moss, and left David Moyes fuming that one of his star men would miss the huge clash with Liverpool next Sunday.

Moyes described the decision as “rubbish” and went on to say he thought Moss’ performance was equally as poor as it had been

at the Hawthorns when Everton played West Bromwich Albion weeks ago.

However, Everton cannot appeal the sending off as it was not a straight red card and they are now hoping midfielders Darron Gibson and Marouane Fellaini will be deemed fit to face their rivals from across the park. In the absence of Gibson and Fellaini, Everton’s midfield has looked a little lightweight with the ageing Phil Neville and Leon Osman tasked with centre midfield roles in recent weeks. David Moyes will be hoping that they can get one over on their Merseyside rivals this weekend.

Meanwhile Brendan Rogers’ Liverpool finally chalked up their first win of the season at Anfield on Saturday, with youngster Raheem Sterling netting the only goal of the game. Liverpool travel across the park to Goodison, with only one recognised senior striker available in Luiz Suarez.

With Fabio Borini sidelined with a broken bone in his foot and record signing Andy Carroll on loan at West Ham, the pressure will be on Suarez to step up to

First Hurling club opened in Liverpool since the 70s

the mark and score the goals. The Uruguayan, who has been heavily criticized by both Uefa represants and Premier League colleagues for his tendency to go down easily, will be watched great intent.

Like Everton, Liverpool are also lacking power in midfield with Lucas out for another lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining another serious injury against Manchester City earlier in the season. Although captain Steven Gerrard is expected to start and will bring a wealth of derby day experience to the team as well as Real Madrid loanee Nuri Sahin who has already impressed during his short time at Anfield.

As well as this, Liverpool will have one eye on their Europa League clash with big spending Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala and there will be undoubted scrutiny on Brendan Rogers’ team selection with such a big fixture at the weekend.

The Merseyside derby is always a fiercely contested affair and since the premier league started the match has seen more red cards than any other top flight clash between rival clubs.

by Rory Kelly Liverpool Wolfe Tones GAA Club has launched the first Hurling team in the city since 1973.

It will be the first of its kind in the city, with Liverpool’s large Irish community playing a key role in the formation of the side.

The team will compete in the Warwickshire GAA League, along with teams such as John Mitchels (Birmingham), Naomh Padraig (Leicester) and Fullen Gaels (Lancashire).

Manager Michael Shine, who hails from Co. Fermanagh, is excited about the prospect of the new team competing in the league.

Life/Sport/9

Pienaar is suspended for the derby

Pic © nicksarebi/flickr

“We’re really looking forward to it now. I did a bit of research before we set the team up and we discovered that there has never been a hurling team in Liverpool in the last 34 years, which I found surprising considering the student population and the Irish community.

“Myself and my brother initially thought the idea up, as we saw an area with room for growth. With the club only being founded two years ago, the Hurling team was always an idea that I had in the pipeline. The team consists of students from all three universities, and what you find is that a lot of players stay over the summer

months too.

“The standard so far has impressed me, but we’re coaching players at every level and hoping that the students will help the team grow,” he said.

Player and student at John Moores, Cillian McGinn said: “It’s good to have a team all year round, especially when the University season ends in November. It’s tough to stick at it when it’s over so soon.

The club was set up in March 2010, and has been playing regular competitive football since 2011. The hurling team play their first match on 11th November in Wavertree, against Leeds.

nearing the end of his career may have to offer. @Burnsy90 said: “not if he’s an old passenger in the side! We have enough of them already!”

Here’s a selection of tweets that were positive to Rooney’s potential return to Goodison: @JoeJennings9: in a heartbeat. #RememberTheName @PED7 yes without any issue. @BracewellsBoots depends what age he was and whether he was doing the business still. Also finance would play a big part which we do not have. @anthony1409 Yes, He’s an Evertonian at heart, Everton gave him his chance; win, win all round. @sionydoors yes he’s still one of us @lukeofarrell Yes, I think it is time to move on from all that now. I’d have him back tomor-

row. @Mercury_13 Definitely. @GazM1878 I would welcome him back. He’s a blue and always has been and makes it clear he still is @slanester yeah why not, you can’t blame the lad for wanting to consistently vie for silverware.

Although the fanbase is clearly split in two as the next tweets underline: @Mrjohncoyne: No, he was dead to us when he left, and even more so when he kissed the badge at Goodison @leecruickshank9 no chance @BrosephBartley no. Never, not even a as a supporter of the club @Kirkham81 no thanks where not a retirement home @Burnsy90: not if he’s an old passenger in the side! We have enough of them already! @royboyriddell never

Moyes predicts return for Rooney

by Jonathan Bridge Wayne Rooney once donned a t-shirt proclaiming the statement ‘once a blue always a blue’ and Everton manager David Moyes this week predicted that the striker would one day return to the club he supported as a boy.

Moyes spoke of the excitement Rooney provided and said he would not hesitate to welcome back the boyhood Evertonian.

The Blues boss was speaking on the 10th anniversary of Rooney’s famous spectacular debut strike against Arsenal at Goodison Park in 2002.

Moyes told the Liverpool Echo: “I would definitely welcome Wayne returning here. It’s in his blood. But it’s probably more likely to be later on in his career.

I think it might be something that he’d even welcome.”

The England striker acrimoniously left Everton to sign for Manchester United in August 2004 at the age of 18. We conducted a Twitter poll of 23 Evertonians to see if they themselves would welcome Rooney’s possible future return to Goodison. 74% of fans we asked would welcome Rooney back Amongst those who would welcome back the England striker was: @SeanyG_efc who said: “yes definitely. Top player, still a fan.” @lukeofarrell said: “Yes, I think it is time to move on from all that now. I’d have him back tomorrow.” @Slanester “yeah why not, you can’t blame the lad for wanting to consistently vie for silverware” Whilst the majority of fans would be happy to see Rooney back in the royal blue of Everton, some

Blues return for Rooney?

Blues still remain angry at the way Rooney left the club. @Mrjohncoyne does not wish to see Rooney back at Goodison.

He said: “No, he was dead to us when he left, and even more so when he kissed the [Man United] badge at Goodison.”

Other fans remain cautious towards what an older Rooney

Liverpool

LifeSPORT Tuesday, 23rd October 2012

Brazil’s futsal comes to Liverpool

by Rory Kelly Liverpool City Council will launch its first ever Junior Mixed Futsal League this Friday at the Tennis Centre in Wavertree. The programme is in conjunction with the Liverpool County FA and Ash Celtic Junior Football Club.

The futsal league is aimed at kids aged 7-10, and offers them an opportunity to try football with a different set of skills in an indoor environment.

Around 30 teams have already signed up to take part in the introductory matches, but organisers are encouraging more youngsters to get involved and become part of the new league.

Cllr Jake Morrison of the Wavertree ward will launch the initiative, and thinks the event will be a great success.

Cllr Morrison said: “Liverpool is a city with sport running through its veins and we want to do as much as we can to encourage future generations to get active.

“It gives young people the chance to try out different skills, and is an opportunity for them to be part of something new, exciting and fun.”

Ash Celtic Secretary Ricky Heywood said: “Futsal is ideal for this.

With the fast pace and heavier ball along with the emphasis on skill and passing, it is our belief that the players will improve if they are brought up on this game from an early age – just like Messi, Iniesta, Ronaldinho and many others from South America and Spain.

“We believe it is time we were developing players with this type of technical skill and Futsal will give them every chance to achieve

RIO OLYMPIC DREAMS FOR PARALYMPIC STAR DEVINE

by Ian Bolland

Local Paralympic double bronze medallist David Devine has said that the experience of London 2012 was “surreal” and suggested that one day he could compete in the Olympics. The 20-year-old runner from West Derby, who came third in both the 800 metres and 1500 metres in the category for those who are partially sighted, also said that gold at the upcoming World Championships in Lyon is a real possibility.

He said: “Next year I’m going to 1500 metres and 5000 metres, but obviously the 1500 metres is my best event. I took 11 seconds off my personal best in the 1500 metres, so me and my coach have sat down and we’re looking to take another four seconds off it.

“Next year we’ve got the World Championships so that’s the next big one. I love the Paralympics but I’ve got real ambitions to one day compete in a major championships for the able bodied as well.

“Hopefully I can keep improving bit by bit every year and one day I can be in a Paralympics and Olympics as well, but we’ll see.”

Devine described the support that he and many other British athletes experienced during the games as “unbelievable” and that the success of the Olympic ath-

previously helped him relax ahead of his own participation.

He said: “Seeing the likes of Mo Farah do well made me happy. It made me realise if they’ve done it then what’s stopping me from performing as well as I can?

“If I had seen all of the GB team do badly I think I could have got a bit too nervous. But after seeing all of the Olympians do well it just calmed me down really and made me look forward to competing.”

Devine said it was a dream come true to go from a good school runner to double Paralympic bronze medalist within four years, and said that he would only have the one medal if it wasn’t for the help from the home crowd, who packed the venues just as much as they did during the Olympics.

He said: “I honestly believe that if it wasn’t a home Paralympics, I wouldn’t have got that medal in the 800 metres because if I didn’t get the response from them I don’t think I would have had the determination to catch him [Lazaro Rashid] on the line.

“I don’t think I’ve competed in front of more than 5,000 people before, so 80,000 was a big shock to the system. It was just unbelievable and performing in front of 80,000 people was just a once-ina-lifetime opportunity. It was just brilliant how the British public and everyone around the world took to the Paralympics.” He will know start preparing for Rio 2106

Tranmere Rovers play host to Doncaster Rovers tonight at Prenton Park, with manager Ronnie Moore facing headaches on team selection with several players missing out through injury.

Striker Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro definitely misses out through injury, having sustained a broken foot.

Midfielder Andy Robinson is still struggling for fitness, and Joe Thompson is set to be included again having made the bench last weekend.

Add to this, new loan signing

Jake Jervis is missing out through an ankle injury, having picked up the injury during his debut on Saturday.

Jervis marked his debut for Rovers with a goal, having signed the night before on a month long loan from Birmingham City. His injury however, means that Jervis will miss over a fortnight of action and may have to return to the Championship club prematurely.

Manager Ronnie Moore was understandably disappointed, saying that Jervis had been picked up while the team made their way to Bournemouth on Friday evening.

“Jake got injured when their

lad came through on his standing foot and jarred his ankle. There is a bad swelling on it. He will be lucky if he is fit in a fortnight.

“It might be he has to go back after playing one game for us.

The sad thing is, whether the boy is injured or not, we still have to pay his wages. So the chances of bringing in someone else are slim,” he said.

Aggrieved Rovers’ dream start to the season came to an abrupt end against Bournemouth on Saturday, going down 3-1 against Paul Groves’

by Rory Kelly

Mersey Tigers’ awful start to the season continued on Friday night, as they were hammered by a rampant Manchester Giants 102-51 in Wright Robinson College. It was another disappointing performance from the Tigers, who for the third game on the bounce, lost by more than 40 points.

The first quarter saw the Giants taking a 27-18 lead, before building up a 56-31 by half time. Former Tigers players Devan Bailey, James Jones, David Watts, David Aliu and Morakinyo Williams all featured for the Giants, and Jones and Aliu took no time in getting in on the act against their former team.

Hammered With the Giants notching up 37 points alone from Tigers turnovers, the Mersey side were the creators of their own downfall, and this resulted in resounding victories in both the third and fourth quarters.

It was undoubtedly another disappointing night for the young Tigers side, and they will be hoping they can improve their fortunes this weekend as they take on Worcester Wolves. Wolves, who beat the Tigers two weeks ago 9848, currently sit sixth in the British Basketball League, with Tigers rooted to the bottom of the table.

Smith set for title challenge

by Scott Fitzpatrick

David Devine wins 1500m T3 bronze at the Olympic Stadium

Injuries mount as Rovers suffer first defeat of season

by Rory Kelly

40 point loss for woeful Tigers

side. It was Rovers’ first defeat in 13 games, although they still sit top of League One, four points ahead of second placed Stevenage.

Moore was understandably disappointed and felt aggrieved by some of the referee’s decisions, but admitted that at some point the run would end.

“It was a fantastic run and it wasn’t going to last all season.

When you do eventually lose you like to think it is because the other team were better than you on the day. I don’t believe that was the case at Bournemouth. A lot of our problems were caused by

the referee. They are like players in that they have good games and bad games and he (David Phillips) had a bad day.

“So we have to start again and try to build another long unbeaten run. We have two home games this week and they are both tough ones,” he said.

Tonight’s fixture will also see the club run a ‘Kid for a Quid’ promotion, offering Under 16s entry for just £1.

Rovers have also been boosted by the news that ITV will cover their FA Cup First Round tie with Braintree Town live on 4 November, with a 12:30pm kick off.

Merseyside boxer Paul Smith is expected to be named the next challenger for newly crowned super-middleweight champion Kenny Anderson.

The British Boxing Board of Control have not named Anderson’s first challenger yet, but Smith is believed to be in a strong position.

The Liverpool fighter has been champion before, holding the title between October 2009 and December 2010 and would welcome a chance to fight for the belt again.

Anderson’s management also said that they would be open to a clash with Smith.

If Smith is named as Anderson’s next challenger, Liverpool has been named as a possible venue for the fight.

Anderson won his last bout against Robin Reid in less than five rounds. Smith looks to bounce back from his last fight which he lost to George Groves in London at the Wembley Arena.