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TOP MARKS FOR SCHOOLS 27th November 2012
Christmas in colour
Liverpool’s Christmas Market brings festive fun to the city centre shopping scene as thousands of shoppers are attracted to the annual event PICTURE: Emma Lucy Kemmery
Ofsted table reveals success story for pupils across Merseyside
By Rosie Cameron Merseyside primary schools have stormed to the top of a new league table published by the schools watchdog Ofsted earlier today. But despite the rise in standards, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw is critical of the significant differences between local authority areas. Sefton was ranked among the top five in the country for pupils attending either ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ primary schools. With a score of 90%, Sefton was came in equal third place, behind Camden, which came top of the table with 92%, and Barnet with 91%. Among the region’s other local authorities, Knowsley also scored highly in eighth place, Wirral reached 19th, while Liverpool came in at 33rd and Chester was in 46th place. Propping up the table in 150th place was Coventry, where only 42% of pupils are attending good or outstanding primary schools. The report highlighted that although schools across the UK have improved drastically within the last 20 years, there is still a lot of work to be done as the gap between the standards is still significant. The number of pupils achieving well “varies unacceptably between similar local areas,” concludes the report. Sir Michael said: “There is marked inequality of access to a good school across the country.
Pg 3
Pg 7 We look back at 50 years of the Rolling Stones
Justice Collective set for Christmas Number One
Teaching is improving but more “Why is it that Coventry has a needs to become consistently good. smaller proportion of pupils attend“In about 37% of schools, ing good or better primary schools pupils experience too much than any local authority area in teaching that is not yet good.” the country? Do parents realise He pointed out that the gap be- this? What is being done about it?” tween the best and Sir Michael was worst performing formerly head of areas ranged from Mossbourne acad92% to below 50%. emy in Hackney, His organisation which education plans to implement secretary Michael a league table that Gove has frequentwill rank local auly held up as an exthorities according ample for schools to Ofsted’s ratings in deprived areas, of their schools. and took over at “Access to good Ofsted in January. education and trainThe Department ing is far too defor Education agreed pendent on where that standards in you happen to live,” some local authorSir Michael said in ities are “simply a video introducnot good enough.” tion to the report. Stephen Twigg, “This is really Gove’s Labour unacceptable. A opposite numchild’s chances of ber, commented: getting into a good “There remains or better school are an arc of underatwice as good in chievement which some local authority is holding back too areas than in others. Percentage of pupils attending good many young people. or outstanding primary schools “Why is it that “Even in David a child living in Derby or Don- Cameron’s backyard of Oxfordcaster local authority areas has shire, there are too many coasting only half the chance of attending a schools. We need to learn from good or better primary or secondsuccess stories like Wigan and ary school compared with a child Darlington to understand why living in Wigan or Darlington? other areas are less successful.”
Pg 12 Silviniaco Conti storms to victory in the Betfair
Life/News/2
Residents’ anger at student hall plans
by Ryan McCann
Elderly residents are furious after Liverpool City Council’s planning committee approved a scheme that will see a seven-storey student accommodation block built beside an estate near Liverpool University’s Great Newton Street campus. The University of Liverpool building proposal, which was brought forward by Marcus Worthington Properties, will face the bungalows and terraced houses of already-disgruntled pensioners who have been subjected to noise and littering for years. Architects for the plans have assured residents that alongside the city planners they will devise a strategy that will eliminate noise disruption in the area and have ensured that the quality of life in the area will remain the same.
Great Newton Street resident, Margaret Rimmer, 67, said: “I have been living here for many, many years and despite what they (architects for the building) say, things have just got gradually worse in this area over the last 10 years or so.
“It’s nonsense to say we won’t be affected” “I’m not happy with the quality of life in the area at the minute, never mind when they throw up another block of flats.” Margaret’s husband Jim, 70, said how things can’t possibly remain the same: “It’s nonsense to say we won’t be affected. If you put 300 students together in one big building, they are
going to sing and shout and cause trouble when they come home drunk. And who do you think will be out cleaning the streets the next day?” Chairman of the committee, Cllr John Mackintosh said: “I do have sympathy for the population because they get hassle a lot of the time, but we can only go on our planning laws and our hands are practically tied behind our backs.” Five of the 13 matters that were addressed on the council’s planning agenda were proposals for student halls that will potentially see an additional 836 student bedrooms spring up in Liverpool city centre. Plans were also discussed for 305 student accommodation studios to be built in Seel Street, a refurbishment of Arndale House on London Road for 160 student roads, as well as 354 student rooms on Catherine Street.
by Eoghain McKane
in national tables for alcohol-related hospital admissions. Margaret Carney, CEO of Sefton Council, who spoke at the event, is one of Local Authority Chief Executives working jointly across the North West to tackle alcohol harm. She said: "We want to save lives, help people to be healthier and safer and reduce the costs of alcohol harm to the public purse." The conference hopes to reduce the total £3 billion cost caused by alcohol harm in the North West, including costs associated with crime and policing, NHS, the economy and
Changes have again occurred at Merseytravel as Frank Rodgers was appointed, third chief executive in less than a year. Rodgers takes over from Jim Barclay who took sick leave due to stress in September. Barclay took over following the departure of Neil Scales, who left to take up a £300,000 a year job in Australia. Neil Scales was also heavily criticised in the report for spending hundreds and thousands of pounds on solicitors’ fees, when the project wasn’t properly tendered for. The report also criticised Jim Barclay for not taking action in his previous role as finance director, which carries a legal responsibility to protect the tax payer. Rodgers, who is also director of customer services, has taken on the roles of interim chief executive and director general. Mersey Travel has finally set about in finding a permanent replacement of Scales after several months of upheaval and change. Councillor Liam Robinson said: “I can confirm we have now begun the formal process to find a new permanent director-general for Mersey travel.” He continued “I wish to congratulate Frank on his appointment and I look forward to working with him closely in the next few months.” Mersey travel were criticised in how they operated in a report released in October, it criticised its vanity project and revealed it is running at an annual loss of £4m a year. They were also criticised for the very expensive and unjustified moving of
workforce.
the main building to Mann Island.
Worthington Properties have decided to build this blueprint in Great Newton Street, liverpool. © The Business Deck
Experts unite to fight alcohol abuse by Hannah Ashraf Experts have attempted to tackle harm caused by alcohol consumption, which has caused the highest number of related deaths in the North West. At the North West Alcohol Conference it was discussed how to tackle the epidemic that has been reported to kill 3000 people annually in the North West. According to Drink Wise North West, up to a million people are thought to drink enough to put their health at risk, in addition to the alcohol-related crimes costing the North West almost £1 billion each year.
Senior professionals and academics from the health service, police and social services met at the “Enough is Enough” conference held yesterday at Aintree University Hospital. It included presentations by key figures from the NHS Confederation, Royal College of Physicians and Centre for Public Health. Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, Chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance and special adviser to the Royal College of Physicians spoke at the conference. He said: "Alcohol harm in this country has reached unacceptable levels. We need urgent implementation of the Government's alcohol strategy,
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including tackling pocket-money prices for supermarket drink through implementation of a minimum price for alcohol of 50p, to begin to push back the damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption." The conference involved all those in dealing with alcohol harm, from leaders and decision makers to frontline workers. Dr Steve Hood, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Aintree University Hospital who organised the conference, said: "Alcohol is damaging individuals, their families, our communities and our health. Dealing with the results of excessive drinking
Third travel chief in one year
is putting a huge burden on our public services at a time when budgets across the board are being squeezed. This conference is an invaluable opportunity for us to collectively commit to action on what is an epidemic that affects people across the country, whether they drink or not." Dr Hood attended a Parliamentary Reception on 20th November with MPs from the North of England to discuss the Government's Alcohol Strategy consultation and the public health challenge for the UK. This has resulted in 75 community clinics across the city each week and Liverpool dropping from first to fifth
Families forced out by floods by Lauren Kelly North Wales has fallen victim to the torrential rain that battered North East England this weekend, leading to the Environment Agency putting 209 flood warnings and more than 270 flood alerts in place within the affected areas. Despite some heavy rain last night, Liverpool was lucky enough to escape the damage it has caused to its neighbours in the North of Wales. Over 500 families were forced to evacuate their homes after the River Elwy burst through flood defences and people were advised to stay with their friends and family, away from the area. The body of an elderly woman has been discovered in a flooded home in St. Asaph, North Wales. This brings the total number of people to die in the floods across the county to four as the Welsh city fell victim overnight to the torrential rain that has already battered North East England and the south of the country. As rain in Liverpool and the rest of the country has eased off, some areas of the North East are still at risk of serious floods, with the added worry that they may not be covered by their insurance company to compensate the damages caused. This has led to the Environment Agency putting 209 flood warnings and more than 270 flood alerts in place within the affected areas.
Above: A fire engine struggles to travel through deep flooded waters Left: Local firefighters and home owners attempt to divert water away from homes
Life/News/3
Justice single set to be Christmas No. 1 By Joel Richards
Over 100,000 copies of the Hillsborough tribute single have already been ordered ahead of its bid to become Christmas number one, just five days after its world premiere. The Justice Collective’s “He ain’t heavy he’s my brother”, which features a vocal and guitar solo from former Beatle icon Sir Paul McCartney, is set to be released on December 17th and organisers are hoping the public will go out and buy the single with proceeds going towards the families’ fight to re-open inquests into the disaster which claimed 96 lives at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. At last week’s single launch at St George’s Hall, Labour MP Steve Rotheram called it ‘A unique event’ and revealed that the project was spearheaded by 95% per cent of scousers giving ‘a very original feeling to the record.’ He added: “I dare anyone not to tell me that what you’ve just heard is absolutely brilliant and fantastic and it’s got number one written all over it for me. “But we do need people to push it, we need to ask people to go out and buy it. If my mum was still alive we would all get it in our Christmas stockings and that’s what we need people to do.” Mr Rotheram revealed that Tesco had agreed to stock the single and explained how the organisers came to selecting The Hollies’ 1969 hit which reached number three in the UK charts. He said: “Through quite irrational and initial ambitions and as we recruited more and more industry experts, our ambition has turned to not just recording “He ain’t heavy he’s my brother” with an all-star line-up, but to see if we can get it to the Christmas number one spot. “The panel report has seen a marked change in public perception and attitudes and I always believed that once people fully understood the facts of Hillsborough, they would see the justification in our hearts. But not everybody is as aware as they should be. Our focus must be about educating people, not alienating them.”
Launch: Labour MP Steve Rotheram with Lord Mayor Councillor Sharon Sullivan Another man behind the single is The Farm frontman Peter Hooton, who revealed that the original idea was to re-release “The Fields of Anfield Road”, which reached number one in the download charts back in April 2009 to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Hillsborough. He said: “In the meantime Everton had done their own tribute and after reluctantly standing in for Pete Price one night on Radio City just after Hillsborough, I thought it was a good opportunity to get people on and interview them such as Paul Tyrrell, who is Head of Communications at Everton, and he told us it was Bill Kenwright’s idea to play ‘He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother’ at their home game with Newcastle United. “Anyone who was at the match that night, or saw it on Sky could
Domestic violence ‘worst in region’ By Alice Kirkland A report published on Monday shows that Merseyside has the highest number of women contacting the emergency services with regards to domestic violence. The figures, which were published by Labour, surveyed emergency calls which fall into the “grade 1” category- that is those situations which require an emergency response. Of the 20 forces which responded to the enquiry, on average, 12.5% of all “grade 1” calls made were in relation to domestic violence. The statistics were gathered over a two year period in England and Wales. In Merseyside, this figure is a staggering 21% of all “grade 1” calls, making the area the highest in the country for domestic violence. This relates to one in five of all 999 calls to Merseyside Police being about domestic related abuse. Other areas in the country with high call rates include Lanca-
shire and West Mercia, both with 18 per cent, and South Yorkshire and Humberside, both on 16 per cent. The statistics were released the day after over 100 women marched through the city to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Detective Superintendent Tim Keelan, from Merseyside Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: “Domestic abuse is terrible and damaging crime and one that the police and other agencies out there are keen to reduce as much as possible.” According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, an estimated 1.2 million women experience domestic abuse every year, a figure that includes verbal as well as physical abuse. It was estimated that last year, about 392,000 of these incidents were violent, a figure 35% higher than in 2010.
not have failed to have been moved by that so I thought why don’t we cover that instead?” One local singer who is involved on the track is former X Factor runner-up Rebecca Ferguson, who explained why she got involved despite being heavily criticised for having dealings with The Sun newspaper, which is boycotted on Merseyside after its allegations in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. She said: “When I started to get involved in the Hillsborough charity single it was just something I instantly knew I had to do. “There’s been so much controversy but what I will say is that I absolutely adore my city and I adore the pride and I adore the dignity and I’ll do everything that I can to make sure that justice is served. It’s just been a pleasure to be involved in it.”
Pride for Burnham By Ian Bolland Andy Burnham has had his role in the campaign for the release of the Hillsborough files recognised by the Spectator magazine, who named him as their campaigner of the year in their Parliamentarian of the year awards. Mr Burnham, who is also Shadow Health Secretary, played a key role in setting up the Hillsborough Independent Panel since the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in 2009. The editor of the spectator, Fraser Nelson, said in a speech: “The way the house came together after the Hillsborough report was one of the most poignant and extraordinary
Andy Burnham political days of the year. “The report had exposed one of the worst cover-ups in police history – and corrected a false narrative that has been repeated by many publications for decades. Even, I’m afraid to say, my own.”
Iconic black cabs no longer from Britain By Vanessa Gainford The meter is running on the future of the iconic black cab as Britain’s only black cab manufacturer is hit by financial difficulties. Campaigns are being held across the country by previous workers to help prevent the collapse of Manganese Bronze, which could result in cabs being manufactured abroad or black cabs disappearing from our roads completely. The company is currently in administration and the campaign is to persuade the administrators to keep the manufacture in Britain to protect London cabs and there are hopes to get those who have been made redundant reinstated. On Friday a group of former workers arrived in Liverpool and were met by fellow Unite members. They handed out flyers on taxi ranks and spoke to cab drivers and members of the public in a bid
to raise awareness of their fight to keep taxi cab manufacturing in Coventry. The closure of Manganese could result in thousands of cab drivers in Liverpool losing their livelihoods. The campaign states: “The black cab is part of Britain’s manufacturing heritage and part of our national fabric, like Big Ben or fish and chips. “So it is unthinkable that the historic black cab could be built anywhere else but in the UK. Unite, which represents the laidoff workers at Manganese Bronze and also the black cab drivers, is campaigning to save the black cab and to continue to have them built in Britain.” Unite is urging Price Waterhouse Coopers - the administrators managing the sale of the company’s assets, to ensure that any potential buyer commits to manufacturing
black cabs in the UK. So far the campaigns have had ‘fantastic’ responses from the cities they have visited, especially London as in London alone there are 24, 000 black cabs on the road. A Unite spokesman said: “The events in London and Liverpool went well and the workers were very well received particularly by the cabbies they spoke to. There is a lot of support for the campaign to keep Britain’s iconic black cabs being built in Britain. It’s been a successful day. “We had ten workers in London and about the same in Liverpool. They were met by Unite members who are also cab drivers. The aim was to raise the profile of the campaign to save our black cab.” Sign the petition or join the Facebook campaign; http://www.unitetheunion.org/ http://www.facebook.com/#!/SaveOurBlackCabs?fref=ts
Child’s play for takeover day By David Williamson
Children have ‘taken over’ local services as part of a national scheme. Children’s Takeover Day 2012 saw 20 children from across the Liverpool City region shadow key figures in local government and business to see how people went about their daily work. The scheme is designed to encourage young people to get involved with decision-making and to think about a career in becoming future leaders for community. The Mayor of Wirral, Council Gerry Ellis, attended a lunch at Moreton Day Centre. The lunch gave children that took part an opportunity to talk with the Mayor about his role as a community leader. Young people also got the chance to shadow leaders from Wirral Council, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, Merseyside Police, and Public Health. Radio City FM and Seven Waves Radio also provided placements. Children who attended placements enjoyed their time in the national scheme. Alisha, who visited Radio City, said: “I spoke to the director of the station, and then they recorded my voice saying Radio City.” Beth and Emily visited 7 Waves Radio, saying that they loved every minute of it. They said: “The people were lovely and explained how the station worked.” Lauren and Chloe enjoyed placements with the NHS, with Lauren saying: “I met the Strategy Manager for Teenage Pregnancy and she listened to me and my ideas.” James, who joined the Fire and Rescue service for the day, said: “I got dressed in a fireman’s uniform and used the fire hose.” Cllr Tony Smith, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Lifelong Learning said: “What an opportunity for these young people – to see how decisions are made that affect their everyday lives, and to get a chance to follow some of the region’s leaders as they go about a busy day’s work. “Building aspirations is a responsibility of all of our local business and community leaders, so giving young people the opportunity to get involved at the highest levels is a great idea.”
Anthony Walker memorial By Andrew McKenna
Rainhill High School has combined tree-planting and poetry in their recent memorial service to murdered teenager Anthony Walker. The school’s pupils hail from where Anthony grew up and hold an annual Anthony Walker day in memory of the 18-year old who was murdered close to his home in Huyton in 2005. The school raises funds all year round for the Anthony Walker Foundation, a charity which promotes racial harmony and equality through education, sports and arts events. The ceremony, attended by Anthony’s mother, Gee Walker, saw the planting of an oak tree in Anthony’s name. The tree will become the heart of a relaxation area opened in his memory.
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Liverpool people get on their bikes by Arild Skjæveland
More and more people are hopping on their bikes in Liverpool. The city is already exceeding the third Local Transport Plan for Merseyside’s (LTP3) target of 12 per cent increase in bicycle journeys over the past year. LTP3 have monitored the average daily flow of cyclists at 65 sites, using automatic cycle counters. The 2011-12 report shows an increase of 16.9 per cent on Merseyside, and a surprising 20 per cent increase for Liverpool, which is the highest increase in the region. Liverpool City Council has been focusing on people using their bike, by a comprehensive cycling programme including familyfriendly rides. Cycle maps are made available from TravelWise Merseyside. Cycle training courses are offered for free, to urge more people to choose the healthy transport alternative. Tim Moore, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport said: “These are really encouraging figures, which show that our investment in sustainable transport is having a real impact on local people. Cycling is a fantastic form of exercise and environmentally friendly. We are working really hard to break down barriers to cycling, because we understand the huge benefits it can bring – so it’s great to see that this work is paying dividends.” It has been a big year for British cycling, and the impressive results from the Olympics are likely to inspire more people to get on their bikes. Great Britain won eight gold, two silver and two bronze medals in cycling competitions at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Legend Van the man gets Phil date by Lauren Kelly
Liverpool’s Philarmonic Hall will be opening its stage tonight to the musical sensation Van Morison. The Belfast born musician has enjoyed an incredibly successful career in the past 50 years and continues to wow his audiences every time he goes on tour. Beginning his career at the age of twelve, Van was a member of numerous bands, and by the time he was seventeen he had left school and was touring Europe with his band the International Monarchs. The soul singing legend is recognized across the world for his massive discography comprising of over 70 songs and earning him multi Grammy awards. His music can be recognized in several blockbuster movie soundtracks including ‘Comfortably Numb’ in The Departed, and ‘Days like this’ in As Good As It Gets. He is also owner to the classic ‘Brown Eyed Girl’. Some of the artists that Van said inspired him when he was growing up and experimenting with music and instruments included Jelly Roll Morton, Ray Charles and Lead Belly whose style and tone are so obviously prominent in his albums.
Liverpool has registered a 12% increase in bycicle journeys this year Bradley Wiggins won his gold medal in the men’s time trial, and became the first British rider to win the yellow jersey in Tour de France this summer. Earlier this month, he was involved in a road crash with a Vauxhall Vectra outside Wigan. As many as 111 cyclists have lost their lives so far in 2012,
which already overtakes last year’s toll of 107. Next week, the BBC will broadcast an hour-long documentary film called ‘The War on Britain’s Roads’ which examines the relationship between cyclists and motorists. Cameras mounted on cars and bikes will show the growing issue
on Britain’s roads, from both motorists and the cyclists, in what the documentary-makers, Leopard Films describes as “shocking”. “As more and more people take up cycling as a way of beating the traffic or just keeping fit on their commute, the potential for conflict between cyclists and drivers has increased massively,” the BBC said.
“Now cameras installed on bikes and in vehicles will use heartstopping footage of interactions between road users to reveal a shocking picture on life on Britain’s roads. The film will follow current cases as they go through the courts and revisit the tragic stories of some of those who have lost their lives on Britain’s roads.”
on board for this important campaign. The 20 Effect aims to change the behaviour of drivers and help make our roads safer for everyone, and the branded appliances will be a highly visible, effective way of spreading the message far-andwide.” The proposed increase from 31% to 70% of roads going to 20mph could prevent at least 54 collisions every year and save £5.2m in costs associated with these incidents. The 20 Effect campaign aims to influence safer driving and heighten awareness for 20mph
limits in residential areas. The campaign is run in partnership by Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Primary Care Trust. Dr Paula Grey, Director of Public Health for Liverpool added: “This is a major step forward in improving road safety in Liverpool. Slowing down our residential streets to 20mph and changing the speed culture in the city will save lives and reduce the number of road collisions affecting some of our most vulnerable residents. Making our roads safer will also mean people will feel encouraged to walk and cycle leading to a healthier population.”
Get the 20mph message by Hayley Minn
A special logo, highlighting the 20 effect and reminding drivers that the majority of residential streets in Liverpool will have the new reduced speed limit implemented by 2015, is being carried on up to nine of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Services’ vehicles. The logo, which can be seen on one of the lockers on both sides of the appliance, has been launched to mark National Road Safety Week. Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Watch Manager, John Cousins, said: “This is about helping to keep children safe on our roads in Liverpool. We, as a service, work towards cutting down injuries on the roads by carrying out work with young people and young drivers across Merseyside. We rescue more people from road traffic collisions than we do from house fires and road safety is a key focus for us. We fully support initiatives, such as the 20 effect, that aim to help
reduce the number of those injured on our roads.” Currently, 31% of residential roads in Liverpool have a 20mph speed limit, and proposals are being put forward to increase that to 70% over the next three years. Over 90% of residents who have responded to the consultation so far are in favour of the plans and implementation of the first area is beginning shortly. Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Tim Moore, said: “I’m delighted that Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service are
Thousands expected to join Toy Run This year’s Wirral Toy Run is scheduled for the 2nd of December. The run will begin in New Brighton and finish at Arrowe Park Hospital. The Wirral Toy Run is an annual event which raises money for local children, children’s charities and donates toys to children. The
2012 Wirral toy run will be no exception, taking place on Sunday 2nd of December. Thousand’s of participants are expected to take part in the event. The Run will leave New Brighton at 11a.m. but it is advised participants get there early. Bikes normally start arriving at the
promenade at around 08:30am The Wirral Toy Run is run by the same people who host the Egg Run at Easter time. The Egg Run has become one of the largest motorcycle runs in Europe with over 7000 bikes attending annually. Anyone who is licensed to ride
a motorcycle can attend and all participants must be wearing a road legal crash helmet. Bikes must also be fully insured and it is advised that people wear appropriate protective clothing. Quad bikes are welcome, as long as they are fully licensed and legal for road use.
Death Fees hike delayed
by Eoghain McKane
Sefton council has announced plans to delay price rises to cremation and burials. The prospective price rises would have made the fees the most expensive costs in the country. However, the council decided to defer the controversial costs for further public consultation. Councillors met at Southport Town Hall to consider £16 million of cost-cutting measures, all of which were expected to be passed. The council has also agreed to burial and cremation costs as well as adult sports club rises, following calls from the Lib Dems. The Lib Dems, who claimed on previous consultation that burial and cremation fees were set for a 25% price increase, argued that the prices should go back to the public. The cash-strapped council has already reduced its annual budget by £64m in the past two years, and has to plug a hole of £43.7m in the next two years. Labour council leader Peter Dowd accepted the amendments and said: “We are prepared to take as much consultation as we can within the context of ultimately having to make a decision.”
Food Bank launch
by Eoghain McKane A new food bank scheme has been set up by Sefton council for families in crisis over Christmas. Sefton CVS, Faith organisations, community groups and Sefton council are working together to support the development of a Sefton Foodbank Network under the Trussel Trust model, who work to help those who are in crisis. The collections of nonperishable items will begin in December and continue throughout the month at some of the local supermarkets. The list of items wanted for collection include milk (UHT or powdered), 500 grams of sugar, a carton of fruit juice, soup and pasta sauces. Sefton CVS are also looking for volunteers to help out with hosting food drives and also to help out by generating enough stock by encouraging staff and volunteers to bring in non-perishable items.
Swimsuit model in US top 5
Former Liverpool Community College pupil Hannah Elizabeth has amazed judges in America after competing in Miss Swimsuit USA and finishing in the top 5. She originally won her place in the US competition following a victory at Miss Swimsuit USA Europe, which is the European version of the pageant where she was crowned the winner. She said: “I’m made up. It was such a big pageant and the questions they asked me on the night were really hard.” The final of Miss Swimsuit USA was held in Mexico where 75 glamorous women competed against each other to be given the crown. Despite not winning, Hannah did come away with a cash prize and a modelling contract with a top US bikini line.
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‘Liverpool is home’ says MP Luciana
Council consults over budget
Liverpool MP Luciana Berger has spoken of her admiration for the city that she represents in Parliament and how it is a “creative hub”. Speaking exclusively, Labour MP Miss Berger, who was elected in May 2010 to represent the Wavertree constituency, says she has settled into Liverpool life fairly comfortably and is regularly seen attending concerts and other local events. She said: “I may be from Wembley, but Liverpool is my home. I live here and this has been my home for a number of years. “I’m up every single week and I attend a lot of concerts up here, I can’t get enough of it!” Attending the recent Liverpool Music Awards Miss Berger was impressed with the musical talent the city has to offer and praised the event itself. She said: “It’s been a fantastic celebration of so much talent we’ve got right across the music industry here in Liverpool. “The venues, the artists, the producers and all of this just follow on and I just think that’s fantastic. I mean what other city has its own
Wirral Council has received over 2,400 replies in the first five days in response to a plan to conduct the largest public budget consultation the Council has ever done. e their £100 million saving over the next three years. Graham Burgess, Chief Executive of Wirral Council, said: “These early responses to the second round of consultation are very encouraging. “The Council’s Community Engagement team has also been out at local supermarkets and community centres, actively handing out questionnaires and advising people about the options available.” The plans outlined, and published on Friday the 9th of November form a cornerstone of the Council’s plans to balance the books and make sure that frontline services are protected from the government cut backs. Mr Burgess added: “Not doing anything is not an option. We have to find these savings and, whilst most of the options outlined do not impact upon the frontline, the severity of the situation means that a number of services will be affected.
by: Joel Richards
music awards? This really is a creative hub, a cultural hub and I just think it’s fantastic.” Despite the current economic climate, the Shadow Minister for Climate Change believes the city of Liverpool is thriving and praised its fighting qualities in the midst of the challenges its residents face. She said: “Liverpool is such a creative city. There are difficult times everywhere, and we do have considerably higher unemployment rates here compared to other cities. I think we just battle through in the face of adversity.” Miss Berger, who visited Liverpool Screen School last year, said: “It’s a responsibility upon all of us as MPs to do everything we possibly can to attract new opportunities, with the Liverpool Embassy in London doing our bit, and one of the things I’ve campaigned on is absolutely crucial, which is to maintain the creative industry sector. I think everyone is suffering because of the economy and we know that.” With youth unemployment estimated at around 1 million, Miss Berger believes that opportunities should be given to all and that not everyone should be forced into
university if they have other ambitions they wish to fulfill. She said: “I think we have to start earlier than 16. I was at a youth club in Kensington recently and their music group is brilliant. They have lots of volunteers and great equipment and they get the most out of it because there’s no-one there all of the time to help them with it. “I’m really worried about what the Government is doing and trying to push people down the academic route. Actually, if you look at artists like Dizzee Rascal, if he never had an opportunity in music he would have been kicked to the sidelines and written off for the rest of his life. He’s now a multi-platinum-selling artist and he took his opportunity that he was given. We have to make sure that young people are given similar opportunities regardless of where they come from.” Miss Berger has recently made her first film – about food poverty – which premiered at FACT cinema last weekend. She said: “I wanted to raise the profile about it and how serious an issue it is. As. It’s quite challenging and there are a number of issues .
MP Luciana Berger with Labour Leader, Ed Milliband
by: Dave Williamson
Scouser Postmen Press must attacked take regulation breaks by dogs seriously a new record
by Hannah Ashraf
Georgia Varley tragically fell and died at James Street station
Gaps between trains must be reduced
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has published their conclusion today following their inquest after the death of Liverpool teenager Georgia Varley. Georgia had been out celebrating a friend’s 18th birthday and fell between the platform and the train at James Street station in Liverpool on October 2011. The conclusion of the investigation decided that the 16 year old college student died due to the train guard sending the “ready to start” signal while Georgia was leaning against the train, causing her to fall between the gaps of the platform. Merseyrail have been told that they must reduce the gaps between trains and the platform and improve their emergency stop system to avoid such accidents happening again in the future.
The RAIB made three recommendations to Merseyrail, one of the most important emphasizing that a dispatcher should be able to stop a train quickly and effectively in case of emergency as it may have saved Georgia’s life. They suggest the gap between the trains and the platform be reduced, and change the way the train guards look at the platform before the train moves. Merseyrail said: “The safety of passengers remains of paramount importance to us and we respect the analysis and conclusions of this independent report. “Merseyrail will respond constructively to the recommendations made to us, believing that the report contributes positively to the continuous improvement of safety, not only on our own system, but throughout the UK rail network.”
An inquiry that has revealed 33 postal workers were attacked in Liverpool by dangerous dogs this year has prompted the need for tougher laws. The publication of an independent inquiry about dog attacks on postal workers has shown on average more than two postal workers were attacked each month in Merseyside and parts of Lancashire. The independent report commissioned by the Royal Mail has caused them to pledge to take more action against the owners of dangerous dogs. The Royal Mail chairman, Donald Brydon, said: “Dog attacks cause injuries and terrible trauma to our staff. Nobody should have to endure this and our staff are at risk of such attacks simply because of the job they do. He Said: “It is a matter of real concern to learn of the extent and frequency of attacks on postal workers, and to find that for a considerable time there has been almost general agreement, not only on the inadequacies of the present law in England and Wales but also on the nature of the reforms required to address it, but to date it remains unchanged.” Laws have been introduced in Scotland and Northern Ireland and there are plans in Wales.
by: Vanessa Gainford
Professor Chris Frost (right) at the Leveson Inquiry Leading journalism academic Chris Frost believes that there will be some form of statutory regulation as a result of the Leveson Inquiry into the press. The recommendations of the Leveson Inquiry, which was set up following the phone hacking scandal which was revealed last year, will be published on Thursday. Professor Frost, head of journalism at LJMU, gave evidence to the inquiry in July on behalf of the National Union of Journalists. Prof Frost said: “I think he’ll come up with some sort of system which will be statutory in some way. “Newspapers should be able to write what they like, but need to
start taking regulation seriously and take responsibility for what they write in the future. It was very clear the Press Complaints Commission wasn’t working and change was needed.” The pressure group Hacked Off, which includes victims of press intrusion, want the press to be overseen by an independent regulator, possibly backed up by legislation. Its director Prof Brian Cathcart said his members wanted “something effective that will make a difference”. However, Bob Satchwell, who is executive director of the Society of Editors, hoped that Leveson had not only taken headline evidence into account.
A Liverpool film maker has become the first person to set foot in every sovereign state in the world without flying, to raise awareness and fundraise for WaterAid. Graham Hughes, 33, began his expedition in January 2009 and finished today. Graham originally expected his journey to take a maximum of 8 months however it has taken him three years and 10 months. Under the watchful eye of officials, he has undergone the challenge without flying or using private transport. Last year Graham flew home as his sister was diagnosed with terminal cancer. After she passed away Graham flew back to Australia to continue his expedition. He said: “To be honest, I just staggered from one highlight to the next. I got put in a big cannibal pot in Vanuatu, spent Christmas with a Fijian family, got to meet the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, got told off for taking pictures outside Peter Jackson’s house in New Zealand and blagged a free ride on a cruise ship.” Whilst away Graham said the things he is most looked forward to were, seeing his family and friends, going out on the ‘lash’ in Liverpool and eating chips in curry sauce.
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Would you drive and dial? Some drivers continue to defy the law against using a mobile phone whilst behind the wheel
Just d rove throug ha red lig ht lol. Oo ps.
Jonathan Bridge reports
Scrolling down your twitter timeline on a Sunday afternoon and the following tweet appears: “Just drove through a red light lol. Oops.” Not something you expected to see? Well it should be familiar by now. A third of drivers admit to using a mobile phone while driving, with some logging into social network sites from behind the wheel. In the run up to Christmas there is always a fresh annual drink drive campaign, and rightly so, however alarming new research suggests it is a driver distraction with equally as deadly consequences which should also cause a real concern. Legislation to make using a mobile phone while driving illegal has been in place for almost a decade now, yet many drivers still continue to flout the law. Whether using a handheld or hands free mobile while driving, you are four more times likely to crash and injure or kill yourself or others.
1 in 3 drivers admit to using a mobile Research from LV= car insurance last week found that 1 in 3 drivers admit to using a mobile behind the wheel. Alarmingly 18% of motorists think this is acceptable, emphasising the casual crime status that using a phone while driving seems to be given amongst some drivers.
James Gibson from Road Safety GB said: “It’s amazing that 1 in 3 drivers admit to using a mobile while behind the wheel and even more alarming that 18% think it is acceptable to use a hand-held phone when driving. The facts are well known about the dangers of using a phone while driving.
It doesn’t matter how good a driver you are, if you text or talk while driving then you cannot be giving the road your full attention.
“The message that mobile phones and driving should not mix is getting through to the majority of drivers but some people are still needlessly risking their own lives and putting others in danger for the sake of a text or a call. “Road Safety GB urges drivers to switch off all mobile phones when driving and encourages the police to increase enforcement of mobile phone offences. Using a hands-free mobile phone can also distract drivers’ attention - the safest course of action is to divert calls to voicemail and switch off the phone.” However, despite it now long being a crime, only an average 100,991 motorists are fined or receive penalty points for using a mobile phone per year. Of those who admit to using their hand-held mobile behind the wheel, more than three quarters (77%) will answer calls and half (49%) will text.
However it isn’t just making and receiving calls or texting which is distracting drivers, the urge to update their Facebook status or send a tweet, from behind the wheel is too much for many, with 1 in 7 people admitting they log into social networking sites while driving. People spend more time browsing the internet and accessing social media sites on their phones than making calls, according to mobile phone company O2. With many phones now having the ability to send and receive emails, surf the internet and coming with integrated map applications, smart phones have become an essential everyday item for the vast majority of people. A quarter of the drivers who admitted to using their phone at the wheel, used them to access email accounts, while a third of them use their phone to check for directions. In a report conducted by the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) 11% of drivers admitted to accessing social media sites, such as Facebook or Twitter while driving. This figure rose to 19% between the 17-24 age group. RAC technical director David Bizley said: “New generations of drivers are missing out on vital information about the dangers of driving under the influence of drink and drugs and of using a mobile phone and social media while driving. “We strongly urge the Government to reintroduce a high profile media campaign on the dangers of mobile phone use while driving and to incorporate road safety in the national curriculum.” So the next time you see a careless Tweet or Facebook status from somebody at the wheel of their car, remember the danger they are not only putting themself in, but also other drivers too.
Legislation has been in place for almost a decade but some drivers continue to put their own life and other drivers’ lives at risk.
World’s end - again Turner Prize to be awarded at Tate by David Williamson
The end of the world is due again, this time on the 21st of December 2012. The 21st is estimated to be the end of a 5,125 year long Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. Some believe it will be a spiritual awakening for the earth and its inhabitants, others believe it will be the end of the world or some similar catastrophic apocalyptic scenario. Some scenarios suggested for the end of the world include interaction with a black hole or the collision with another planet named ‘Nibiru’ or ‘Planet X’. The idea of a collision came from a woman called Nancy Lieder. Ms Lieder describes herself as a ‘contactee’ with extra-terrestrial life from a different galaxy. Her claims have been dismissed by astronomers
Some believe the world will end and the scientific community. When asked whether they think the world will end, we got some typical responses from members of the public. Mia Goodwin, 20, from Heswall said: “I don’t think the world will end I think because the world is in that much debt there will be a worldwide stock crash and everyone will go into panic rather than it actually ending.”
Lewis Baigent, 21, New Brighton said: “Anyone who believes this “end of the world” prediction needs a good hard look at themselves. What exactly is it within them that means they fetishize death in such a way that they all collect together to celebrate it. It’s stupid, if they Mayan predictions had been true, we’d have been dead months ago, leap years and all. I think people need to get a bit of a grip really.” End of the world predictions have been listed in many different periods throughout history by many religions, groups and cults all over the world. One of the most famous predictions of recent times came from Harold Campings, who predicted on September 6th 1994, the rapture would occur, when this wasn’t the case he revised his date to October 21st 2011, but it was proved again this was untrue.
by Daniel Farrell Liverpool Tate is hosting the most prestigious modern art exhibition in Britain as the Turner Prize will be awarded in a ceremony on December 3rd. Four artists have been shortlisted to exibit their work having met the selection criteria of being under 50, living, working or having been born in Britain and making an outstanding exhibition in the previous 12 months. The four nominated artists are: Luke Fowler; Spartacus Chetwynd: Elizabeth Price and Paul Nobel. The winner will receive a £25,000 prize fund as well as the coveted title of Turner Art prize
winner. Martin boyce was the 2011 winner. The Turner Prize award was set up in 1984 to celebrate new developments in contemporary art. Perhaps the most colourful candidate is Spartacus Chetwynd, a nudist who built her career on papier-mâché Star Wars characters. She is most well known for wearing a beard and also her unusual name. Her entry includes live and recorded performances, described as ”joyful and improvised”. Glasgow-based Luke Fowler’s 2011 film ‘All Divided Selves’ is about Scottish psychiatrist, analyst and writer RD Laing. Elizabeth Price’s 20-minute video on The Woolworths Choir of 1979 earned
her nomination. Paul Noble’s entry includes drawings which are said to be “full of detail and incident”. Previous winners of the prize include Damian Hirst, who won his first Turner Art prize in 1995 for ‘Mother and Child Divided’, which saw an exhibit including a bisected cow and calf in formaldehyde. Although it represents all media, it has become associated primarily with conceptual art. This exhibition is free for members and patrons of the Tate, with £10 concessions available, and the exhibition can be seen until 6th January 2013. The results and the winner will be broadcast live next Monday night by Channel 4.
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Liverpool
Life What’s On...
50 Years of the Rolling Stones by David Williamson The Rolling Stones have kicked off their 50th anniversary with the first of five arena shows. The widely acclaimed show was played at London’s O2 Arena and will travel to New York and New Jersey as part of the short tour. Still defying the rules, the rock stars are facing a fine of up to £200,000 for allowing their concert to overrun 35 minutes. However, this is unlikely to cause much fuss with the Stones, as it’s reported that they are expected to make an estimated £15m. The English rock band formed in 1962 in Dartford, and since their first self-titled album ‘The Rolling Stones’ in 1964, they have gone on to produce 29 studio albums, over 100 singles, 17 live albums, 30 compilation albums, and over 50 music videos. So what has made The Rolling Stones such a huge success? The Stones came at a time when The Beatles were in full swing and rock ‘n’ roll had a huge following, especially in the 1960’s, but what
made them different? The Rolling Stones where seen as the bad example of popular culture at the time, they were hounded by the press for drug use and bad behaviour, which made them increasingly more popular with the youth at the time. The Beatles during this time where known for their happy, poprock, songs. They appealed to a huge portion of the public and would easily be described as the light side to rock ‘n’ roll. Whereas The Stones were almost completely made in the opposite manner, defining the darker side of rock ‘n’ roll, and quite literally lived by the saying ‘Sex, drugs and rock and roll’. In 1965, The Rolling Stones released the single ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.’ It was a huge
success for the band; it reached number 1 in the US charts, and still to this day holding the accolade of number 2 in ‘Rolling Stone Magazine’ top 500 rock songs of all time. The song optimized what The band were all about, and was only played on UK pirate radio stations because of its sexually suggestive lyrics. A change in the band’s music came in 1966, which saw the first album made up of solely music that The Rolling Stones had written. ‘Aftermath’ which in the US release included the song ‘Paint it Black’ saw the band claim various number 1’s on charts worldwide, and leading to the album going platinum in the US. Another boost in popularity came in 1967, when the band released three albums but were also involved in drug busts by UK au-
thorities. Front-man Mick Jagger was sentenced to three months in prison and guitarist Keith Richards to one year in prison. Both Jagger and Richards were released the next day, and the authorities were criticised for trying to make an example of the young men. Between 1967 and 1974, The Rolling Stones experienced some huge changes in the band. Whilst being a part of the huge hits, ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ and ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ guitarist Brian Jones was asked to leave the band in June 1969. Jones died less than a month later after drowning in his swimming pool. With the departure of Jones, came the addition of Mick Taylor, who stayed until 1974, when current member Ronnie Wood joined. The band stayed popular by adapting their music to coincide with the time, but yet still being able to keep to their original style. The band has experienced a few hiatuses, notably in the 80’s but unusually has never broken up. The play the O2 London: 29 November, New York: 8 December and Newark:13 and 15 December.
Exciting line-up set for Playhouse by Alice Kirkland With the new Everyman Theatre on schedule to open at the end of next year, the line-up of productions for both the Playhouse and Everyman has been announced for the 2013 season. A range of creative collaborations with other theatre companies across the country will ensure that this year’s productions will bring original entertainment and delight to audiences up and down the UK. This year’s programme will provide something for everyone, from comedy and ballet for children, to the stage adaptation of hit novel and film The Kite Runner. Gemma Bodinetz said: “This
season includes a rich variety of premières that will see our productions reach many audiences around the country as well as at home in Liverpool. “We are tremendously excited about our collaborations with English Touring Theatre, Nottingham Playhouse and the Rose Theatre on some brave and courageous new work on the Playhouse main stage.” As the Artistic Director of the Everyman and Playhouse, Bodinetz will direct the opening play of the year with Roger McGough’s adaptation of Molière’s The Misanthrope. The trio are set to recreate the mockery of manners and morals as poet Alceste embarks on a mission against the 17th century French
society he detests so much. Following on from this French farce, April at the Playhouse will play host to the dark comedy, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg. The performance will see collaboration with the Rose Theatre Kingston on Peter Nichols’ modern classic about young couples’ tears and tribulations as they raise their disabled child. The colours and wonderment, heartache and despair of Khaled Hosseini’s international bestselling novel and film The Kite Runner will be brought to life in all its glory on the Playhouse stage in June. Younger audiences are not missed out with this stunning line-up, as the first ever piece of work specifically for families and young
people by the Complicite and Northern Ballet will be showcased, as they present Lionboy- a stage adaptation inspired by Zizou Corder’s bestselling fantasy novels about a young boy who can talk to cats. Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling and popular children’s character Spot the Dog will also showcase in production at the Playhouse which have been specifically adapted for a younger audience. Never ones to decline their audiences a bit of light hearted comedy, the Playhouse and Everyman have three one night comedy performances from Roger McGough, Mark Thomas with Bravo Figaro! and John Shuttleworth’s Out Of Our Sheds.
Music
Comedy
Echo Arena
Echo Arena
29th November: Elbow : Coming to the Echo Arena, the platinum selling band willbe supported by Here We Go Magic! Tickets - £29.50
11th - 15th December Mrs Brown Rides Again: Back by popular demand, Brendan O’Carroll (below) takes his hilarious TV show to the stage. SOLD OUT.
30th November: Alanis Morissette: Grammy award winner returns to the stage after a four year break from the music business. Tickets - £32.50-£42.50 6th December: Radio City Live: Little Mix, JLS, McFly and Labrinth join a host of artists for Radio City’s annual gig. Tickets - £25-£35-£75 Liverpool Philharmonic 27th November: Van Morrison: ‘The Brown Eyed Girl’ singer will grace Liverpool with his amazing romantic set list. Sure to be a fantastic night out for all ages. SOLD OUT 1st December: The Saw Doctors: Popular Irish rock band bring their tour to Liverpool. Tickets: £21.50 O2 Academy 28th November: Therapy?: The band play the O2 Academy as part of their headline tour. Tickets: £15 1st December: Ian Prowse and Amsterdam (feat. special guests The Ragamuffins): Merseyside hero Ian Prowse and his band Amsterdam are a 7-piece riotous ensemble bringing their tour to the O2 Academy for the first time. With support from local act The Ragamuffins. Tickets: £13.50
Theatre
Family The Civic, Crosby 30th November Cinderella: Good traditional pantomime fun for all the family. Tickets: £9 or £30 fo a Family Liverpool One 27th November - 30th December #IceFestival: Liverpool One’s exclusive winter wonderland, with Santa’s Grotto, Ice Skating, Giant Ice Slide and much more. City Centre 2nd December Santa Dash: The UK’s biggest festive fun-run returns to Liverpool,.
Fashion Liverpool One 29th November Simply-Be Pre-Christmas Shopping Event
VIP
Echo Arena
1st-31st December Late Night Shopping at L1: All shops open until 9pm
27th November - 1st December Epstein: The acclaimed stageshow about the ‘fifth Beatle’ Brian Epstein. Tickets: £10- £24
Food
Empire Theatre
Hope Street
28th November - 1st December Christmas with The Rat Pack: For all the Christmas favourites of Sammy, Frank and Dean, don’t miss this. Tickets: £10 - £33.50
1st December The Hope Street Christmas Fair: With live music throughout the day, and unique Christmas gifts and foods, get down to the recently awarded ‘Best street in the UK’
Liverpool Playhouse
Lord Street
30th November Jack and the Beanstalk: The biggest and brightest, most magical, rock’n’roll panto is back to rock the dizzy heights of the Playhouse. Tickets: £10 - £23
27th November - 22nd December Liverpool Christmas Market: The continental market returns to Liverpool, with foods and gifts from around the globe.
Do you have an event for our What’s On guide? Contact Liverpool Life on liverpoollifenews@gmail.com
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Natalie’s love of frocks bags top award By Sara Ainsworth
A Liverpool John Moores graduated who started a bespoke fashion design service has beaten off the competition to pick up an award for the best new business 2012. Natalie Beard, 28, who established Love Frocks took second place and received a £5,000 cash prize in the event, which was held at Camden Park Hotel, Chester last week. The awards were been open to businesses, charities and entrepreneurs in Cheshire, Merseyside and surrounding areas in a competition launched by entrepreneur Steve Morgan in 2001. Natalie said: “It’s fantastic to be appreciated by the judges for all the hard work, and
long hours that I put in and to receive some recognition.” She added: “I design anything that is a little bit out of the ordinary, and I don’t normally create the same piece twice.” Natalie isn’t new to awards though as she won the Wire FM New Business Award in 2009 and her collection has also appeared online at Vogue.com Since graduating from JMU in 2006, Natalie continued to design clothes for her friends and family and people would regularly ask where her clothes were from. She launched Love Frocks as an online novelty on the web with a Facebook page five years ago and Natalie said the social
networking website helped her to build up her clients as a result of customers uploading pictures of themselves in her designs and tagging Love Frocks in them. Once she realised her business had potential she set up her shop at Heath Business Park, Runcorn, in 2008 which has continued to flourish over the past four years. In June, she expanded her business by creating a showroom for her collection which is adjacent to the design studio, she has also recently hired business apprentice, Nicola Sherrett, to join her small team in carrying out administrative duties and regularly updating their LoveFrocks website with Natalie’s latest designs.
Natalie Beard bagged second place at the New Business Awards 2012 in Chester
Stay warm this winter Hansel ...with a comfy onesie and Gretel comes to the Unity by Rosie Cameron
From New Look to Jack Wills, all our favourite stores are stocking up in time for Christmas – with some festive designs to keep us snug and trendy. Girls and boys, here are some wonderful wintery onesies, the best on the market.
by Hayley Minn Hope Street Limited is bringing Hansel and Gretel to the Unity Theatre for this year’s Christmas play, however, as with The Voyages of Sinbad The Sailor last year, acclaimed playwright Jeff Young will be writing a new, original and comic take on the classic tale. The show’s Director, Nina Hajiyianni, said: “Christmas is often the only time people go to the theatre, and known stories tend to attract audiences. Hansel and Gretel is a well-known and loved story, and it’s probably one of the best Grimm’s tales. “It’s got songs in it and it’s got music in it, but it’s not strictly a musical, because it’s not mostly music-based. But there are character songs and ensemble songs, and there’s a lot of music that drives the dramatic action.” With the show being written specifically for Key Stages
No money? No problem. Budget onesie! Matalan offer this men’s all-in-one for £15.00.
© Matalan
River Island has gone multi coloured and snowflake savvy with this jolly number, for £30.
It will be a very merry Christmas with this luxurious piece. Splash out at £69.50 from the ever lavish Jack Wills.
© Jack Wills
One and Two, there are specific shows aimed at primary schools throughout the play’s run. The Deputy Stage Manager and Liverpool John Moores University graduate, Natasia Hodge, said: “It’s family fun. Even though there are performances exclusively for schools; there is something for everyone in it. There are some jokes that the adults will get, but the children won’t. If you don’t like pantomimes, but you want to see a Christmas show, it’s perfect for you.” Hansel and Gretel runs at the Unity Theatre from Tuesday 4th December till Saturday 12th January. Tickets are priced at £12 with concessions available at £8. Tickets can be purchased in person from the Unity Theatre’s Box-office, by telephone on 0844 8732888 or online at www. unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk
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Sale in two cities Will you be having a ‘Wonderful Christmas
Time’ or a ‘Fairytale of New York’ this year? By Hayley Minn in Liverpool While New York has its massive up-market department stores, Liverpool has its Christmas markets and bargain shops, like Pound World and Home Bargains selling hundreds of holiday decorations, gifts and novelty items. To make sure your guests are in the festive mood as soon as they walk through the door, Pound World are selling tinsel, baubles, Santa hats, reindeer ears, fairy lights and, even an advent calendar for dogs, so even your pets can get in the Christmas mood! So that your Christmas dinner table looks even more perfect, Tesco are selling packs of ten crackers for £10. The atmosphere wouldn’t be complete without getting some Christmas tunes on the go! Liverpool Life’s favourites include The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’, Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas is You’ and Destiny’s Child’s ‘8 Days of Christmas’. For unique gift ideas, Liverpool’s Christmas markets opened last week. If you’re looking for a cheap gift, there are wooden painted stools for £10, animal-shaped woolly hats for £10, decorative lanterns
ranging between £5 and £20, or wooden animal ornaments priced at £10 or two for £18. For that special something, there are the much pricier presents available. Huge hand-painted Russian dolls are selling between £40 and £70, or you can buy a giant chocolate Santa for £60. It’s not just the decorations and gifts that Liverpool has to offer on the cheap. Liverpool Life has scoured the supermarkets for the cheapest ingredients to cook a homemade Christmas dinner with all the trimmings on a budget, and asked students what they love the most about the meal. Everyone knows that the main ingredient of a Christmas dinner is a turkey, and Tesco is selling a frozen one, which serves between 5 and 7, for £10. They’re also selling sage and onion stuffing mix for 15p and carrots for 8p each. Lyndsey Isaacs, 21, said her favourite part of the Christmas dinner was roast potatoes, however, while it is nice to be able to roast your vegetables from scratch, it is also a lot pricier. Asda is selling frozen roasted parsnips for 91p, while Sainsbury’s have got roast potatoes in for £1.00, or two bags for £1.80. Every roast needs gravy, and,
while Kate Molyneux, 21, said that she prefers it being homemade, Sainsburys is doing gravy granules for 18p, while if you’re more a fan of cranberry sauce, Asda is selling that for 39p. Though you wouldn’t think it, Liverpool Life found that most people’s favourite part of the meal is sprouts, which Cat Evans, 21, said is because “they’re green and melt in your mouth.” Asda is selling Brussels sprouts for £1. Other favourites among students we asked were Pigs in Blankets, which Tesco is selling packs of 12 for £2 or three boxes for £5, and Yorkshire puddings, which Asda is selling for 39p. Lauren Murphy, 20, said: “I love Yorkshire Puddings. I could just eat a whole plate of them with gravy.” No Christmas meal is complete without the obligatory mulled wine and mince pies for afters. For the cheapest way of doing it, Tesco is selling Red wine for £2.99, while Asda is selling ground cinnamon for 62p. Asda are selling boxes of 6 mince pies for 60p. So, if you’re worried about money this year, you don’t have to break the bank in order to have a merry Christmas; just shop around for bargains.
Liverpool One has been decorated for the anticipated Christmas rush
New York is a major shopping destination and offers a distinctive choice for Christmas by Philippa Probert in New York Celebrating Christmas is a time for family, good food and most of all shopping. When it comes to the holiday season, one city seems to do it better than anywhere else in the world; New York. Millions of people from all locations of the globe travel to the ‘Big Apple’ over the festive season to purchase unique and memorable gifts for their loved ones. From 5th Avenue to Macy’s department store, everyone’s tastes and Christmas lists can be fulfilled with dramatic window displays and welcoming staff enticing the crowds into their stores. All over the city there is a festive glow and walking the many streets and avenues enables visitors and native New Yorkers to really get into the spirit of Christmas. Macy’s department store is the largest in the world and offers six floors of gifts and gadgets to its
customers. As you travel further up the store you enter a maze of designer clothing lines that, on Black Friday (the busiest sale day in the city) are whipped off the rails by the hungry shoppers after a bargain. Sales assistant, Maria Sewell said: “Black Friday is the day when all New Yorkers come out and find the Christmas bargains they need. “With the economy at the minute, discounted items are perfect for family’s so they can all have a good holiday season.” Bloomingdales on the other hand, has a more relaxed feel to sale shopping with its endless designer concessions, this is where the rich and famous of New York prefer to prepare for Christmas. Unlike many designer stores, Bloomingdales offers international customers a 10% discount on purchases, and over its seven floors that include cosmetics, home and the holiday shop, there is something for everyone. New Yorker, Courtney Sanchez said: “I love this store. When I
come here around Christmas, it’s the best time of the year. I get all my family’s presents from here.” The real sparkle of New York City comes from 5th Avenue and the famous Cartier bow. This can be seen from avenues away and is a major attraction to visitors. Lining the avenue are all the major designers; Louis Vuitton, Dior, Emporio Armani to name a few and just off 5th avenue is the Rockefeller Christmas tree and ice skating rink. The 24 vibe of the city means that there is always a perfect time to do some Christmas shopping and after all the gifts are purchased there are plenty of restaurants to choose from to wind down and enjoy a more relaxed aspect to New York City. Owner of Tramonti Italian restaurant Jimmy King said: “ New York is definitely the place to come for the Christmas season. Good shops, good food and good weather. “Especially after Sandy, families are looking forward to Christmas.”
Double victory for Ferguson at Juice FM Style Awards
At the double: Award winner Rebecca Ferguson
Liverpool-born star Rebecca Ferguson looked sleek in black as she collected two gongs at this year’s Juice FM Style Awards. The sixth annual Style Awards, sponsored by Tessuti, took place at the Anglican Cathedral on Saturday and saw the former X factor runner up win both the Music Award and the Stylish Scouser award. The 26-year-old spoke of her joy at winning the award and the love she has for her home city. She said: “I’m just really happy and feel really grateful to all the Liverpool people that have picked up the phone and voted for me so thank you so much! I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have the backing from my city.” She showed the extent of her modesty after picking up her second award of the night as she added: “I don’t think I’m the most stylish scouser, but thanks anyway! I just can’t thank you all enough for the support and you give me and I’m so grateful and just thank you so much.” The radio station’s crew played
host to a number of celebrity guests including local Olympic athletes Beth Tweddle and Natasha Jonas, footballer Harry Kewell and some cast members from the cancelled show Desperate Scousewives. The guests enjoyed a threecourse meal and were entertained by pre-award performances from Brazilica Festival Dancers and RARE Dance Studios. The Juice FM breakfast hosts, Adam Weighell and Leanne Campbell, presented the event and more voters than ever before voted for the different categories including retail and fashion. MOBO’s Unsung winner, Esco Williams, won the Up and Coming award and was quick to praise the city for their constant support. He said: “I’ve just been trying my best and just been trying to represent Liverpool in the best way that I physically can and people have just got behind me so this award is basically from the people that have been supporting me; I’m just happy. I am just honoured, I’m guessing Liverpool just
likes to recognise and see its own people doing well and I think that’s reflected in what I’m doing so I’m honoured. I’m having an amazing time.” Winner of the Fashionista Award, Emma Hill, was delighted to collect her prize. She said: “it really, really is a massive honour because I couldn’t tell you how many black tie does I go to in a year, but Juice FM Style Awards is an event that everybody gets dressed up for and your listeners are so stylish so yes, absolutely brilliant!” Fellow Liverpudlian and football captain Steven Gerrard was also successful as he won Stylish sporting star award. The show ended with performances from X Factor winner Matt Cardle and R&B singer Angel. Matt Cardle spoke of how he was enjoying the night which was celebrating Liverpool as one of the main style cities in the UK. He said: “I feel good! Unfortunately I’ve not been so well so my voice has kind of gone, but I hope I managed to sound
Performer: Matt Cardle half-decent. The support has been amazing ever since I came to the X Factor show, having two second top ten albums now, “I was really not expecting that so I want to thank everyone that’s supported me especially the people here tonight. It’s been lovely; there’s lots of lovely people around. I think it’s great, absolutely great.”
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Price gets ready for Skelton bout
By Joe Barnes
Tributes: Gary Speed
Tributes pour in for Speed By Eoghain Mc Kane Today marks the anniversary of the former Everton footballer Gary Speed’s death. The former Wales manager tragically committed suicide and stunned the entire footballing world. Speed was a highly talented footballer and was the first player to make 500 appearances in the premier league and also managed to score in every season of the premier league before he retired from playing football in 2010. Speed will be remembered as one of the greats in Welsh football having made 85 appearances and scoring seven goals making him Wales most capped outfield player. He also went on to captain the team, and led the Welsh team to a 1-0 win over Italy at the Millennium stadium in the Euro 2002 qualifier. A childhood Evertonian he was signed by Joe Royle in 1996 for £3.5m from Leeds United. In his first season,he scored 11 goals and was joint top goal-scorer along with Duncan Ferguson. His great performances were acknowledged by Everton as he was voted their Player of the Year. He left the club shortly after his relationship with new manager Howard Kendall had soured eventually selling him to Newcastle United for £5.5m. .he went on to make 213 appearances for and scoring 29 goals for Newcastle United.
Liverpool’s David Price is set to continue his route to the top of the heavyweight division when he takes on Matt Skelton at the Aintree Equestrian Centre on 30th November. The defence of his British and Commonwealth titles comes only a month after the Liverpudlian dispatched Audley Harrison in 82 seconds at the Echo Arena. However, unlike Harrison, former kick boxing world champion Skelton does not come without his challenges. Fight promoter Frank Maloney described the threat posed by Skelton: “There is a reason I pick every opponent and I think he is the most dangerous opponent we have got. “He brings something that David has never had to face before. He will come in rugged; he will come in like a bull. We know that is something David hasn’t had to face yet and we hope David is going to win and we hope that he is going to learn something from that fight.” Some have questioned the bout and how it is a sideways move for Price, but he hit back, say-
Heavy training ahead of clash
ing: “There is no denying that he [Skelton] was a better professional than Audley Harrison and he has achieved. He has been British, Commonwealth and European, fought for a world title. “He has been a right handful over the years. It is a massive progression again.” With only 48 days to prepare for the fight, spoke about how he plans to counter Skelton’s style of boxing: “I am going to have to be pushing Transit vans around car parks, to get used to something strong and big leaning on me. “It is a different type of fight, but I will have a nice big ring to move around, I will be moving my feet. It is something different but I think it will bring the best out of me again.”
Promotion poster for the Price Vs Skelton, heavyweight clash
Rodgers: we can climb table By Arild Skjaeveland Brendan Rodgers hopes for a win at White Hart Lane on Wednesday night where the Reds have struggled for the last few years. Theyhaven’t taken a point away to Tottenham since Andriy Voronin and Fernando Torres scored in a 2-0 win back in 2008. Liverpool, who are currently four points behind Andre Villa-Boas’ team, are in good form after beating West Ham 3-1 on Sunday, climbing to eighth in the Premier League, while Liverpool could only manage a goaless draw away to Brendan Rodgers’ and Joe Allen’s former side Swansea for the first time since they changed clubs in the summer. Rodgers is confident of a turnaround at his pre match conference: “If we can just turn some of these draws into wins it will take us further up the league. If you go away to one of your rivals and
win there, it will give you confidence. And that is what we look to do” Andre Wisdom may have missed the Swansea game through injury but the boss expect him to return, but is not so optimistic with Lucas Levia, who has been out since hobbling off against Manchester City in August. “Wisdom will be back and available. Lucas is back in training, so the squad is getting there and looking strong. Lucas won’t be involved against Tottenham,” said the manager. Jose Enrique may have struggled for form since joining Liverpool but Rodgers is pleased with the improvements he has seen to the Spaniard’s game: “He has been outstanding, and it’s a great credit to him. We spoke earlier this season to improve his game. He is a good guy and wants to do well for this club.” The Spaniard has been used in
an attacking role in the last couple of games, and Rodgers said: “He has good qualities to do the role, and looks comfortable in the position.” After sending Andy Carroll out on loan in August without replacing him, Liverpool have only had one senior striker available in the first half of this season. The Reds are expected to strengthen in January, and Rodgers said previously that he wanted two or three players, but it does not seem like there is much money available. “If you haven’t got the investment, you will have to look to other ways of doing it, and that’s where we are at. Can we develop young players and bring them through, or can we find a bargain somewhere?” Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe has hit form recently, and was on fire against his former club West Ham on Sunday. Liverpool has conceded 16 goals in 13 league games
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers © Trinity Mirror this season, and will have to keep an eye out for him: “He is bright around the box, and we have to pay attention to him. “Then you got Gareth Bale on
one side and Aaron Lennon on the other. “But more important is our own performance, and to make sure we play a good game.”
No Rafa apology By Arild Skjaeveland Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez did not want to apologise for comments he made about Chelsea when he was manager of the Reds. The Spaniard is back in the Premier League, and was met with boo’s and banners when he led Chelsea to a nil-nil draw against Manchester City on Sunday. Chelsea supporter groups have been vocal about wanting an apology from Benitez who said about Chelsea: “We don’t need to give away flags for our fans to wave – our supporters are always there with their hearts and that is what we need. It’s the passion of the fans that helps to win matches – not flags.” He said no when asked about an apology at the pre-Fulham press conference at Stamford Bridge today, but said: “I will try to prove fans that I’m here for the right reasons. I will try to win their trust.”
BOOS: Benitez ©Trinity Mirror
Last gasp LJMU beat rivals
Life/Sport/11
Winless Tigers keep their tails between legs
by Andrew McKenna additional reporting by Eoghain McKane
by Arild Skjaeveland
John Moores Cricket team climbed to the top of the league table this weekend with a win over city rivals, the University of Liverpool. LJMU Cricket ‘A’ team played Liverpool University in a game that saw the two best performing teams in the league pitted against each other. Liverpool Uni batted first scoring 117 for 3 in their 10 overs. Roberts was imperious in his batting, again not losing his wicket and ending on 46 not out. His main support came from Uni of’s Ganapathi who ended on twenty-four not out. Wassim Javed was the pick of the LJMU bowlers only going for fifteen of his two overs. LJMU ‘A’ set about their task in quick fashion lead by Hamish Dunlop and Robbie Lambert who put on 35 before Lambert surrendered his wicket to a poorly called run out. Dunlop ended on 33 not out supported by Javed, 28 retired and Astbury 21 not out as they overtook Liverpool University with 7 balls to spare ending on 118-3 and remaining unbeaten and on top of the league.
The Mersey Tigers remain rooted to the bottom of the British Basketball League and without a point after yet another winless weekend. On Friday, Tony Walsh’s men took on Surrey Heat in front of their home crowd but were comfortably defeated 54-74, a result which left Surrey in third place. It was yet another poor performance from the Tigers who suffered a humiliating loss earlier in the season, on that occasion Surrey crushed them 103-51. The Tigers started well at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, but failed to play well for the duration of the game. As the clock ticked Surrey became more assertive and began to turn the screw. After the match Tigers’ captain Josh McCinn spoke to UK American Sports Fans, saying: “It’s the third and fourth quarters where we really need to start nipping in the bud. We were at a huge loss without Chris Bigley tonight; he would have helped inside and on the boards. The lack of strength and depth is tough, but we will get there.” On Sunday the Merseyside team travelled to London to meet 7th
placed London Lions at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. Bigley was back for the Mersey Tigers, and showed his worth, being the visitors’ top scorer with 15 points but it was all to no avail as the home side ran out 86-60 winners. The Lions were high on confidence after beating Worcester Wolves 48 hours earlier, and continued their good form against the struggling Merseysiders. The Tigers defence was solid throughout and the team found themselves just 11 points behind at the end of the third quarter, but in the fourth quarter it was the same old story. They ran out of gas, while London Lions stepped it up. Walsh and the Tigers will want to get their first points this weekend but the must face familiar opposition in the form of the financially hit Cheshire Jets. The task will be a difficult one as they have already lost twice against the Jets this season. Only six points separated the teams earlier this month and the Tigers will be confident of getting their first win of the season. On Sunday they face fellow strugglers, the One Health Sharks Sheffield who have just managed two wins, and are only four points in front of Mersey Tigers.
Another deafet leaves Merseyside’s Tigers rock bottom
Teary Hitman Hatton retires by Arild Skjaeveland
Ricky Hatton has announced his retirement from boxing following his loss on Saturday night. The 34-year-old fought for the first time since 2009, against Ukrainian Viacheslav Senchenko. Despite huge support from 20,000 at the MEN Arena, Hatton had to leave the ring in tears after a vicious body shot ended his challenge in the ninth round. The Hitman cut a dejected figure as he announced his retirement in the press conference following his loss. He told reporters: “I needed one more fight to see if I had still got it, and I haven’t. I couldn’t have done any better. I have got the answers I needed. I can look at myself in the mirror and tell myself I did my best. “A fighter knows, and I know it isn’t there anymore. I gave it my best and I’m proud of myself, but I haven’t got it anymore. I got in the best shape I possibly could but if I hadn’t been hit with that body shot I would have just scraped over the line with a point win and I honestly think I would still be telling you all the same thing.” Ricky Hatton’s career ends with him having 48 professional fights – winning 45 and losing three. He first retired after losing to Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas in 2009, and suffered personal problems after that defeat, and decided to give it one last go – in the end it was just one bout too many.
County cricket returns in 2013 by Ian Bolland Lancashire will only make one visit to Liverpool for the 2013 cricket season as they look to return to the first division of the County Championship. Lancashire will play their four- day Division two game against Gloucesteshire at Aigburth starting from 29th May, as Aigburth returns to hosting its usual one fixture a season. The 2011 County Champions, who were relegated from the first division in 2012, played the majority of their County Championship home games at Aigburth for the past two seasons whilst the county’s usual home, Old Trafford, was undergoing construction work. Lancashire will open the season at home to Worcesteshire at Old Trafford on 10th April at Old Trafford, whilst Southport will host Lancashire’s home fixture against Hampshire at the end of August.
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Liverpool
LifeSPORT Tuesday, 27, November, 2012
CONTI TAKES KAUTO CROWN Kauto Star was met for one last finished strongly in third, proving By Ian Bolland that his run at Cheltenham wasn’t the one-off that many had thought. time, by rapturous applause at Despite finishing in the first three Haydock on Saturday, but not in in all of his 23 career starts, Long his usual racing manner, as the Run looks as though he will four-time winner of the Betfair continue to face stiff competition Chase was paraded in front of a from Silviniaco Conti, as Walsh and packed grandstand shortly before Nicholls will now look to target the this year’s renewal. Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March, The multiple champion who with Long Run’s next big race likely won at the course in scintillating to be at the King George VI Chase fashion last year was retired in at Kempton, which he is currently the summer and returned to the favourite to win at 5/1. scene of his last win, much to the Early prices for the Gold Cup signal appreciation of the sellout crowd. that the six year old winner of the In the race itself it was the 7/4 Betfair Chase is highly fancied at second favourite, Silviniaco Conti 8/1 with Long Run available at 9/1. who led the race from the start and The favourite however is the Willie ultimately followed in Kauto’s Mullins trained Sir Des Champs famous footsteps, cruising to at 7/1, with The Giant Bolster as victory despite the bad conditions. long as 26/1 to go one better than The result was yet another last year.In other races at Haydock positive one for the Paul Nicholls on Saturday, odds favourite Balder and Ruby Walsh trainer/jockey Success won the first race of the day partnership, who have won this in the British Racing Hurdle with race on four previous occasions YesYouCan winning the Betfair with Kauto Star. Handicap Hurdle at 14/1, whilst There was massive sense of deja Grand National winning trainer, vu, with Walsh fending off the Donald McCain, had a poor day with challenge of Sam Waley-Cohen, odds-on favourite Baltimoar losing who was on board 2011 Gold Cup out to Ballyben in the National Hunt winner and 11/8 favourite Long flat race. Run. In a carbon copy of last year’s There were also wins for Venitia race the Nicky Henderson trained Williams’ trained Quartz De Thaix Long Run seemed to struggle over and Monsieur Cadou. The next race the fences, unlike Silviniaco Conti meetings on Merseyside include the who dominated and looked in Betfred Becher Chase day at Aintree complete control, with a mistake which includes two races over the at the final fence not denying a two Grand National course on December and a half length victory. 8th, with the Blue Square Tommy The 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup Whittle Chase Raceday at Haydock runner up, The Giant Bolster, on December 22nd.
Kauto Star being paraded to fans ahead of the Betfair Chase at Haydock
Gerrard in World XI Merseyside Blind FC By Arild Skjaeveland
Steven Gerrard has this week been named as one of 15 midfield players to be short-listed to the 2012 FIFPro World XI. The final team which is selected by a panel of more than 50,000 professional footballers will be announced during the presentation of the Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player at a ceremony in Zurich on January 7th. The Liverpool and England captain gained his 100th international cap only a matter of days ago and also reached 600 club games for Liverpool in a season which saw him lift the Carling Cup at Wembley. Gerrard (pictured right) is joined on the list by ex-Liverpool player Xabi Alonso, but it is the Spanish giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona who dominate the list. The full 15-man shortlist includes: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Frank
Lampard (Chelsea), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Yaya Toure (Manchester City) and Xavi (Barcelona). The FIFPro World XI was introduced in 2005 and Liverpool has previously been represented 5 times. Gerrard made the cut in 2007, ‘08 and ‘09 and the Liverpool-captain was joined by Fernando Torres in both ‘08 and ‘09. Barcelona holds the record with 27 appearances.
claim first win Merseyside Blind Football Club got their first win last weekend at the RNC Indoor Pitch in Hereford as they defeated East Midlands 1-0. This is the club’s first season in the National Blind Futsal League and so far they’ve got off to a tough start to their campaign. The league matches are played in Hereford once a month, as Merseyside Blind FC put in a solid performance to end their torrid start to the season and break their run of two consecutive defeats. Last month the league debutants were beaten by 1-0 by RNC Academy and 4-0 by reigning league champions, West Bromwich Albion. The Liverpool club were up against formidable opponents side in their first match. Worcester Blind had won both their matches last month, and they proved too strong for the Merseysiders in the match, winning comfortably 2-0. Worcester also met West Midlands later that day, and won 3-0. They now sit top of the table with four wins out of four.
East Midlands was the next opposition for the captain Craig Lundberg and Merseyside Blind FC. Roy Turnham, who played for Team GB in the Paralympics, got on the score sheet in the 17th minute, and the goal from the 26-year-old was enough to give Merseyside Blind FC their first win of the season. Three points meant that they climbed from sixth to fourth in the table. The next matches will be played in February after a Christmas break. Merseyside Blind FC