Liverpool Life 4:12 February 17 2016

17 - February - 2016

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ISSUE...

NEWS

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LIFEextra

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SPORT

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SAVE OUR SUNDAYS Granby Four Streets Project awarded £250,000

Charity sets up blind dates for dogs and potential owners

LJMU football team storms to top of highest division

... OR SHOP ALL DAY?

By CHRISTY JADE BIGGAR Additional reporting by AMBER PRITCHARD and BETH HUGHES

A proposed relaxation of The Sunday Trading Act is stirring up controversy across Merseyside.

The amendment to the Enterprise Bill will dissolve the rules surrounding the hours when businesses are allowed to trade on a Sunday, and will give councils the power to decide whether to extend trading hours in their area.

Currently, historic Sunday

Controversy over bid to extend trading hours

trading laws mean that larger shops in England and Wales can only trade for six hours on a Sunday, but in Scotland are free to trade as any other day. Local authorities will be able to restrict the longer hours to certain zones – such as high streets and city centres.

James McCully, a Catholic priest, from Walton, said: “From a religious perspective it is seen as wrong due to the day of creation when God rested and traditionally, it is the day of

resurrection. So it is meant to be sanctified and a holy day of obligation. Hence the Sunday mass is the main mass of the week.”

For many retail workers, working Sundays offers benefits such as time-and-a-half pay or a day off in lieu in the week.

John Hannett, general secretary of shop workers’ union USDAW, claimed some workers felt pressurised to work on Sundays.

He said: “The Sunday Trading Act is a great British compromise, which has worked well for

over 20 years and gives everyone a little bit of what they want.

Retailers can trade, customers can shop, and staff can work.

“The chaos that devolution of Sunday trading will bring will have a detrimental effect on family life. The plans are a betrayal of shop workers and all those who regard Sunday as a special day.”

But the people of Liverpool are of a mixed mind regarding the changes, with some supporting and some not.

Marjorie Bourne, 67, from Wavertree, said: “It’s not a really religious day anymore, a lot of shops are open on a Sunday anyway so it doesn’t matter what time it is they’re open.”

But Nicki Watling, 49, manager of Rennies Arts and Crafts on Bold Street, said: “There are pros and cons because for retail workers, it would make it harder for people to be with their families or friends. You need a day off and a seven day working week would be very hard.”

Andrea Wall, councillor for the Kingsway ward of Halton Borough council, tweeted her support for keeping the bill as it is, using the hashtag ‘Keep Sundays Special’.

If this amendment to the Enterprise Bill goes ahead, it would come into force this autumn. However under the plans, employees would also be able to give one month’s notice to say they do not want to work Sundays and have the option of opting out of extra hours.

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Merseyside life expectancy below national average Ladies

By BETH HUGHES Life expectancy of people over 65 has risen to its highest ever level around the UK. However, Merseyside is struggling to keep up.

A new survey by Public Health England found that men at the age of 65 can now expect to live for a further 19 years and women a further 21.

This means average life expectancy across the UK rose from 75.7 years in 1990 to 81.

A Liverpool Royal hospital spokesperson said: “Essentially it’s down to better standards of health care being provided by the NHS and by people having a greater awareness of what they need to do to live healthier life styles.”

However, even though the expectancy has risen in the UK, the North West expectancy is

MERSEYSIDE’S ELDERLY: Merseyside is falling behind the rest of the country © Beth Hughes around two years lower than other regions.

Another study published in the British Medical Journal’s Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that Industrial areas like Liverpool have poor old age survival rates.

The research looked at survival rates between 1991 to 2001 and 2001 to 2011 and found the chances of living to a ripe old age in Merseyside remained stubbornly low.

The study examined many different factors influence old age survival, including

disease states.

One of the members of the team who developed the device is Professor Chris Probert, from the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Translational Medicine.

He said: “Using the Odoreader to test patients means taking less invasive methods, for example testing for bladder cancer would simply require a urine sample instead of doing an invasive bladder endoscopy, which is known as a cystoscopy.

“Patients can simply provide a urine or stool sample which might prevent the need for other investigations, or if patients have a disease already we can use it to follow them up.”

“It will help to prevent people from being diagnosed too late to be treated and it will be less tricky for them to be diagnosed

too.”

Thanks to the Odoreader, patients will also no longer to have to undergo an invasive procedure every time they have a follow-up check for prostate or bladder cancer. This makes the process less stressful for patients, as well as reducing the risk of infection from having tests carried out.

The Odoreader might also be made available at GP surgeries and pharmacies, making it even easier for people to access the new technology.

From testing the Odoreader on a small sample, the bladder cancer test is 96% accurate and the prostate cancer is 90% accurate which, according to Professor Probert, is much better than the existing technology – a promising development for research into fighting cancer.

socioeconomic circumstances, genes, lifestyle, pollution, and access to healthcare.

The Royal Liverpool Hospital stated that in order to live longer and healthier we must adapt our lifestyles.

A spokesperson said: “We can all do better by eating less fatty foods, drinking less alcohol and not smoking.”

In the past, statistics have tended to focus on life expectancy at birth but now that most deaths in England occur in people over the age of 80, patterns of death in older age groups are becoming paramount.

However living longer doesn’t necessarily mean in good health. A larger older population also means that conditions linked with old age such as dementia and injuries to the joints, ligaments, muscles and

nerves are more common.

Other illnesses faced by people who lived longer include hearing and vision loss and depression.

Professor John Newton, Chief Knowledge Officer at Public Health England, said: “Our current evidence shows that people are living longer but many are doing so in poor health.

“This report is an opportunity to remind people that, even during mid-life, it is not too late to improve your health.

“Most of us could make changes today, like stopping smoking, being more active or eating better, that would allow us to look forward to healthier later years.

“Moderate exercise, like a quick 30-minute walk each day, can lower your risk of heart problems.”

‘Smelling’ device to help diagnosis

By EMILY CURREN

A new device has been revealed which can help to detect and diagnose certain types of cancer by ‘smelling’ samples taken from patients.

Research teams from the University of Liverpool and the University of the West of England in Bristol have developed the Odoreader device, which uses gas chromatography to detect the signs of bladder or prostate cancer by smelling urine or stool samples.

The Odoreader works by placing urine samples into the device, which then goes through a tube that separates compounds from the sample. The results come up on a sensor which show different patterns for different

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A new project has been unveiled at Calderstone’s Park this month as part of a redevelopment programme.

Reader, an award-winning charitable social enterprise, is the company behind the fresh scheme, the Storybarn.

Launched this week and available to visit up until Sunday April 17th, the Storybarn is Liverpool’s first interactive storytelling centre and boasts a robot and a hot air balloon that children can sit in whilst listening to live reading sessions.

The experience provides children with the chance to learn and play in the converted barn as well as embarking on a

By KATIE BRAITHWAITE

Save the date on your fashion calendar, for February 19th as it marks the start of SS16 in Liverpool.

Designer, She Shea are hosting a Ladies Lunch and fashion show at The Restaurant Bar & Grill as they debut their Spring/Summer 16 collection. Their collection is set to include bridal wear and graduation dresses as well as regular party wear.

Ellie Phillips, organiser of the event, told Liverpool Life: “This is the first time that I have ever done something like this. I want to create a beautiful and fun atmosphere for everyone, bringing local customers and designers together for one lovely afternoon.”

Guests will have the chance to preview Liverpool’s designers as well as being dined with a 2-course lunch and a glass of champagne on arrival. You’ll also get your hands on a goody bag which will include exclusive fashion and beauty brands throughout the North West.

During the event there will be lots going on, from beauty demonstrations from luxury beauty brands like Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar to live music from Liverpool DJ Mark Armstrong.

It’s guaranteed to be a beautiful day!

The event runs from 3pm-6pm.

Educate Awards open for entries

By AMBER PRITCHARD BREAKTHROUGH: Prof. Chris Probert, developer of the new Odoreader © The University of Liverpool

New interactive storytelling centre

By NATHAN BURGESS

lunch to launch new fashion

literary adventure. The Storybarn also features a number of games and crafting activities to get young people more involved with reading.

Calderstone’s Mansion House is Reader’s international flagship project and the overall site is expected to be fully functional this year. Each segment of the Mansion Hotel has been developed in a number of stages to ensure young people get the best out of their reading opportunities.

The centre is hoping to encourage people to experience the pleasure and power of great literature through shared reading events, festivals and arts and crafts.

One company working at the event was Ginger Island Arts and Crafts.

Employee Laura Kearns said: “I’m delighted to be a part of the whole Calderstone’s experience.

It’s a great initiative to help and encourage young children to read.

“It makes reading interesting and the children really seem to be enjoying themselves.

“We’ve been helping the children make Valentine’s arts and crafts in the Ice Cream Parlour.

It was really pleasing to see the children getting so involved and the parents too. It was so much fun.”

The reading magic doesn’t stop there, however, as children can read or purchase the latest stories from the children’s bookshop whilst also picking up an interactive map to assist them in exploring the surrounding park.

The fifth annual awards to celebrate North West schools are now open for entries.

The Educate Awards 2016 is open for schools, colleges, parents and pupils to vote for their favourite in each of the 21 categories.

Two new awards have been added this year including ‘Most Inspirational 16-18 Education Provider’ which is looking for the most outstanding delivery of education provision, as well as ‘School Support Star of the Year’, which will award an individual who consistently goes that extra mile in the school setting.

Every aspect of the school’s curriculum, teaching and staff is rewarded across government funded and independent private educational establishments in Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire.

This year’s ceremony will be held at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Friday November 18.

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Fans unite to pay number one tribute

By BETH HUGHES

Fans of the Warrington band, Viola Beach, who died in a tragic car crash in Sweden, are campaigning to get their single ‘Swings and Waterslides’ to number one.

The four band members and their manager Craig Tarry died last Saturday, after their vehicle plunged more than 80ft from a bridge into a canal.

The group was made up of singer Kris Leonard, guitarist River Reeves, bass player Thomas Lowe and drummer Jack Dakin.

Johnny Gibson, an ex-member of the band, encouraged the

download of the song. He said: “I think it’s good the support we’re seeing with this campaign to get them to number one. It’s really good that everyone is coming together. But obviously it doesn’t make up for the tragedy that’s happened.”

A Facebook group entitled ‘Get Viola Beach to number 1’ is being used by fans and members of the public to pay tributes and share their condolences.

Ethan West, the group’s admin, left a message on the Facebook page, which read: “Rest in Paradise to those talented guys and my thoughts are out to their family, at least they died as a band and doing what they loved the

most. True talent and a great inspiration!”

Another fan, Niamh Caroll commented: “They had so much potential as a band and that has been ripped away from them.

RIP Viola Beach you will forever be in my heart.”

The band’s record company, Communion, has said that proceeds from their music will go to the families of those who died.

The company also described them as having “great songs, passion, talent and drive”.

Jack’s mother Joanna Dakin paid tribute to him, saying: “Jack was really lovely young man, full of fun, wit and cheek. He was loved by everyone that met him.”

©Andrew D. Hurley

TRAGIC The four members of Viola Beach, who died alongside their manager last week. © Viola Beach

Funding boost for plans to revitalise Granby Streets

By AMBER PRITCHARD

DEVELOPING: The money will be used to redevelop two derelict properties ©JMU Journalism

Turner prize award winners, Assemble and the Community Land Trust, have been awarded nearly a quarter of a million pounds for the Granby Winter Garden and Common House.

Granby’s Four Streets have received a boost in funding by the arts council as part of a long-term plan to revitalise the neighbourhood.

The collaboration between Assemble architects and the Community Land Trust will

be created within two derelict terraced properties on Cairns Street, Granby.

Assemble member, Amica Dall, told Liverpool Life: “Being commissioned to make a piece of public art gives you an extraordinary level of agency, and often extraordinary access to resources and support to act within a place or a situation.

“We’ve always understood this as a serious responsibility, and increasingly try and use these opportunities to open up this agency to act within

the built environment to other people.”

The space will be a community-owned resource for socially engaged arts activities.

This aims to continue the DIY approach in which art and creativity is an everyday part of the process of rebuilding the area.

Anthony Engi-Meacock of Assemble, said: “It’s a way of nurturing the existing DIY culture in Granby...where new residents can become part of what’s going on.”

Charities respond to mental health report

By STEPHANIE SWEENEY Liverpool charities that aim to help those suffering with mental health issues have expressed their thoughts on the report by an NHS England taskforce.

The independent report into mental health care in the UK has flagged up major concerns nationwide about the efficiency of the system.

The shocking review revealed that one in four people suffer mental health problems but three-quarters get no help at all.

It also confirmed that suicide rates are rising, as is self-harming, with services so bad that lives are “put on hold or ruined” for lack of care, with mental health patients dying 15 to 20 years earlier than others.

Beds are so scarce that 2,000 acutely ill patients a month end up sent far from home.

After his battle with depression led him to attempted suicide, Liverpool comic Jake Mills set up his charity, ‘Chasing the Stigma’.

The aim of the charity is to bring all mental health support together in one place, which he calls ‘the hub of hope’.

He said: “It’s horrendous at the moment- it’s costing the government a lot of money – we should be intervening before it gets to

crisis point and helping people before so that they don’t have to be putting pressure on A+E services which are already struggling.

“There needs to be a change from top to bottom- and that does mean more money going in, all the actions that the task group are asking of the Government, they are going to need additional investment”.

The government have committed to an extra £1bn spending and to treat 1m more patients by 2020, but the funding is from the £8bn fund that they already have.

He continued: “We talk about getting rid of the stigma- it will always exist until we teach mental health in schools.

“We should be teaching kids as young as we can about their feelings and to normalise feelings of anguish and stress.

“We are almost feeding that stigma by not teaching them it’s ok to talk.”

Lucy Gettings, Healthwatch Information and Project Officer, also welcomes the Taskwatch recommendations, but also believes more should be done in schools.

She said: “I think awareness of how to maintain good mental health and what to do when mental ill health occurs is as important as physical health and

By CHRISTY BIGGAR A memorial will be held this Friday at the Anglican Cathedral for Liverpool singer Colin Vearncombe.

The singer, known by his stage name Black, was best known for his song Wonderful Life, which reached number three in the UK charts in 1987.

He died at the age of 53 on January 26th following a car crash in Cork.

His wife and children issued a statement after his death, saying: “The funeral will be a private one but we will be holding a memorial service for him in Liverpool as we know there will be many, many people who will want to celebrate Colin’s life and work.”

It ended: “No need to laugh or cry. It’s a wonderful, wonderful life.”

Hundreds of music fans from around the globe are expected to attend to celebrate his music and his life in the Cathedral, for one last ‘wonderful’ send off.

His family has chosen two different charities if friends and fans wish donate in his memory. Bru Columbanus, a facility which provides home for home accommodation to relatives of seriously ill patients in Cork Hospitals and West Cork Rapid Response Team, a service funded entirely by donations that provides pre-hospital critical care at the scene of accidents.

By STEPHANIE SWEENEY

Right: Jake with Everton manager Roberto Martinez © Jake Mills

“This will be delivered by YPAS and Spinning World PSS under the auspices of Liverpool CAMHS.” Luciana Berger, Labours Shadow Minister for Mental Health, and MP for Wavertree, said:

Service for the life of Colin

Kanye fest is coming to town

CHASING THE STIGMA: Liverpool comedian Jake Mills (far right) has recieved a lot of support for his charity.

should be taught in schools from a young age.

“In Liverpool there is a new initiative called ‘Seedlings’ which will provide an early intervention therapy service to all primary schools.

MEMORIAL: The late Liverpool musician Black

“Given that mental health already receives just under 10% of the total NHS budget, it’s difficult to see how the funding announced today could be considered as ‘additional’ if it is being taken from the pre-existing pot.”

A club night dedicated to Kanye West is coming to Liverpool 24 Kitchen Street tonight.

With over 100 tickets selling within the first hour, the event is set to be a sell-out. Tickets cost £5.

West fans can expect a night filled with all his famous hits, visuals and even cut outs, so you can take the perfect selfie with the rapper and his wife, Kim Kardashian.

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Future looks sunny Tweddle for tourist hot-spot

RECOVERY: Beth Tweddle

tweets smiling picture

By BETH HUGHES

Beth Tweddle has tweeted a photo after being discharged from surgery following an accident on Channel 4’s The Jump.

Beth was airlifted for emergency medical treatment on Saturday February 6 during a serious accident on the snow slopes of Austria.

Surgeons took a piece of bone from her hip, used it to fuse the two vertebrae that were fractured, and pinned them together.

She posted a picture on her Twitter account yesterday of her smiling in a neck brace, holding a bouquet of flowers.

The caption of the picture said: “Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know the good news that I am being discharged from hospital today.”

Aunty to the rescue

By EMILY CURREN

A Merseyside woman is appealing for to help buy her niece a wheelchair which will enable her to go to the beach.

Jackie Williams is hoping to raise £5000 to buy a special wheelchair that works on sand and snow for her 11-year-old niece Tanika.

Tanika, who has a condition called arthrogryposis which causes her arms and legs to bend inwards, gets frustrated when she can’t join in with same activities as her younger sister Latia.

A new wheelchair with special tracker wheels would give Tanika something to look forward to, as it would give her more variety in where her wheelchair can go outside.

To donate to Tanika’s wheelchair, visit gofundme.com/ p4msfam4.

By CHARLOTTE MANN

Plans have been annoucted to establish New Brighton as an all year round tourist destination and plans to boost the local economy have been submitted to the government.

The aim of the economic plan for New Brighton is to attract even more day trippers, overnight stays and to increase employment rates.

Wirral Council’s Wallasey Team Constituency Team have been working with New Brighton Coastal Community Team to produce the plan, with help from local residents, businesses and visitors to the area. The plan has been submitted to the Department for communities and Local Government.

New Brighton now has a visitor economy which is worth £25.5m compared to just £15.8m in 2009. It has the fastest growing economy in the Liverpool City Region and currently attracts 470,000 day visits annually by people from outside the Wirral. This figure has increased by 60,000 between 2009 and 2014.

The plan is building upon the current success of the £1.1m

WATER SPORTS: There will be increased opportunities to particpate in water activites. Picture by Wirral Council ©

public realm improvements made by Wirral council and £80m Marine Point Development. This regeneration is supporting 500 new jobs, further growth could extend this success to the rest of the resort.

Included within the plans are new initiatives for New Brighton and the vision is to attract large scale development, including plans to develop an annual events programme and bringing life back to Marine Lake.

Cllr Pat Hackett , Wirral’s Cabinet Member for Business and

Tourism Told Liverpool Life “By the Council working with all the stakeholders including the current developers and others to attract further large scale investment. We will also potentially go out to the market place and look to bring further development to the area that residents and businesses tell us they would like to see like a Water and Skate Park and other leisure facilities” The plans set out an ambition to attract new hotel accommodation and the potential for a new outdoor gym. The full re-

LANDMARK: Wirral Council hopes New Brighton will become tourist location. Picture by Wirral Council © port states economic growth in New Brighton must benefit the residents making it a more attractive place for people to live.

Cllr Pat Hackett said to Liverpool Life: “New Brighton is rightly recognized as a regeneration success story, but there is still much potential to be tapped into.

“Some people are coming back who have not been here for 30/40 years, initially for nostal-

gic reasons, but when they got here they were amazed at how much it had been transformed and came back with their families on regular visits. Others visit after hearing about it by word of mouth and the publicity surrounding the resort and its must see attractions of the old like the Fort Perch Rock, the Palace, the new Floral Pavilion Theatre and the new like the Marine Point, Cinema and Adventure Golf.”

Funding boost is shot in arm for Unity

By JACK WHITEHEAD A theatre group based in Liverpool has received £435,000 of funding from Arts Council England.

The Unity Theatre, which is part of the Hope Place Community Association, is undergoing redevelopment work conducted by architect group K2.

The building, which is located on Hope Place, has been home to Unity theatre plays for around 35 years. Before that it was used as a synagogue and a photo studio.

The money that has been allocated to them by Arts Council England will help the regeneration of the internal and external landscape of the building.

Chairman of Unity Thea-

tre’s Board, Chris Bliss said: “We’re thrilled that Arts Council England have chosen to support the theatre’s redevelopment. It’s a real vote of confidence in the work the Unity is doing - and once complete - the project will enable the theatre to play an even bigger, more ambitious role in Liverpool, the region.”

Plans are in place for a £750,000 redevelopment of the site which will hopefully bring a high quality 21st century theatre house.

There is still around £125,000 left to raise for the company, they hope to achieve this target through raising £75,000 though trust funds and get another £50,000 through donations.

The venue has two theatre rooms, however due to the lack of soundproofing equipment there can only be one in use at a certain time.

Liverpool, which is city known for its famous theatre houses, would welcome the rise of Unity and the announcement excites all involved.

Theatre Artistic Director and CEO, Matthew Linley, added: “I joined the Unity almost a year ago to the day, and ever since that first day it’s been really clear to me the very special role Unity plays here in Liverpool, the region and indeed beyond.

John Bishop, Liverpool comedian and patron of Unity, spoke of his delight on the theatres website.

He said: “As a patron I think its great news that the Arts Council and the City council have committed to supporting the Unity with its continued work to bring new and established local and national works to its growing audi- INVESTMEMT: The Unity Theatre recieved funding to develop the 35-year-old building © Jack Whitehead ence.”

Liverpool food festival is back again Independent Liverpool have announced that they will be holding a two-day spring food and drink festival to celebrate the city’s independent businesses, writes LEWIS PRICE. The festival will be held over Easter weekend at the Great Baltic Warehouse.

An array of the City’s independent bars, shops, restaurants, breweries and bakeries will make an appearance at the festival.

There will be live music from local bands and DJs and a range of activities including an Easter egg hunt to get into the Easter

spirit. The festival will see the re-opening of the Liverpool gin garden, which was a major hit when it was launched at the Baltic Triangle last year.

Last year’s festival (pictured, left) was very popular and saw hundreds make their way to the Baltic Triangle enjoying food

and drink from the likes of, Lucha Libre, American Pizza Slice and Free State Kitchen to name a few.

The full line up of independent businesses will be confirmed within the next few weeks. Tickets range from £6 for a day ticket to £10 for the weekend.

Payout on cards for rail misery

By JACK WHITEHEAD Hundreds of Merseyrail passengers may now be seeking compensation after a series of delays on the Northern and Wirral lines earlier this week.

The freezing weather has played a part in the disruption, but the main problem was caused by a train failure at Sandhill station at around 7am yesterday morning.

Hunts Cross was a station that was affected, some services were severely delayed or cancelled.

At the time, a statement on the Merseyrail website read: “Train services from Hunts Cross are returning to normal but some services may still be cancelled or delayed.”

Many passengers complained and bemoaned Merseyrail services with lots of them saying that as a result of delays they were late for work and could get in trouble for it.

Most took to Twitter to vent their frustration. One tweet from Dave Wilson, read: “Only a matter of time before I face HR disciplinary thanks to your incompetence and nonsensical timetable.”

Steph Sweeney, a student journalist at LJMU, was also affected.

She added: “It made me late for university and once again the train was busy and full of angry commuters.”

Merseyrail have since tweeted to apologise to all those affected by the train breakdown and that they may be entitled to compensation.

Their tweet read: “Have you been affected by today’s disruption? You may be entitled to compensation. Please visit merseyrail.org/refunds for more information.”

Cilla left fortune to sons

By STEPHANIE SWEENEY Cilla Black has left her £15.2m fortune for her three sons.

The Liverpool star, who died in August, left the sum to her three sons Robert, 45, Jack, 35, and Ben, 41, in her will.

She also left £20,000 to Penelope Walker, her long term housekeeper.

Cilla’s £15,217,454 estate is listed in the will as being for her children. Her husband Bobby Willis died of cancer in 1999 and she never remarried.

Cilla died of a stroke after falling and hitting her head at her Spanish villa.

The 72-year-old was sunbathing when she lost her balance, fell and hit her head, which knocked her unconscious.

Dreams become reality

By CHRISTY JADE BIGGAR

A new Merseyside charity, Dreams for Children, is hoping to grant its first wish this year after receiving official charity status.

The charity was set up in memory of Catherine Strickland, a 12-year-old girl who suffered with a rare bone cancer called osteosarcoma. She fought the cancer bravely for two years, but before she passed away, her family aimed to make her remaining time as special as possible.

Dreams for Children cofounder, Jay Connolly, told Liverpool Life the charity was in the process of granting its first wish when the child’s condition took a turn for the worst.

He said: “We hope to be able to reach out to any families who may not be able to afford to do something special for their child at such a difficult time.

“We believe the people of Merseyside will prove to be instrumental in helping us help

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DREAMS: Catherine Strickland with her parents on their wedding day. © Dreams for Children

and identify families in need “This year the charity aims to provide our first few special days for children and families.”

The criteria for acceptance into Dreams for Children are children aged between 3-18 who live in Merseyside and have lifethreatening or serious illnesses.

Jay added: “If anyone would like to refer a child to Dreams for Children then please get in touch so we can send you an

application pack.

“Our aim is to make sure as many children as possible have the chance to see their wishes become a reality because the best dreams are the ones that come true.”

Future events for the charity are being discussed later this month, but over the past year their events have proved a huge success to help raise funds to be spent on their first special days

for seriously ill children.

The charity, which has a temporary base in Sefton, has been overwhelmed by the support of people across Merseyside and described it as “amazing”.

Liverpool celebrity Danielle Lloyd has shown support for the new charity on social media, saying: “So very sad but what a lovely way to be able to allow people to fulfil their dreams at the end of their life.

Museum takes stroll through LGBT history

By BETH HUGHES

EXHIBIT: The Museum of Liverpool will host ‘Pride and prejudice’ exhibit © Reptonix/Creative Commons

The Museum of Liverpool is hosting a guided tour going back in time to celebrate LGBT history month today.

The research project entitled ‘Pride and Prejudice’ will showcase stories of LGBT people represented in the museum.

The tour will begin at 1.30 and will tell the stories of iconic moments of the LGBT community in Liverpool, like Brookside having the first lesbian kiss on TV. Matt Exley, the project researcher who will be taking the guided tour, said: “It will be

a gentle stroll through the museum showing some of the objects we have on display which are pertinent to the LGBT communities of Liverpool and an opportunity to tell some of the stories of LGBT people, groups, and movements that are represented in the Museum of Liverpool’s collections. We will also talk about the Pride and Prejudice project in a bit more detail to show that National Museums Liverpool is committed to representing the stories of everybody connected to Liverpool.”

He added: “Liverpool has so much to be proud of, being

the first city in the UK to have rainbows on its street signs and having the first civil-partnered mayor in Britain, but there is also the flip side that Liverpool was scene to the homophobic murders of Michael Causer and Nelson Asu. The project aims to research and present the stories of LGBT people in the city of Liverpool whether they be stories of pride or prejudice.”

The research is funded by Esmee Fairbairn Collections Fund which focuses on timelimited collections work.

You can still catch another tour on Sunday the 28th at 11.30am for free.

Detectorists find Roman Cheshire chest

By CHRISTY JADE BIGGAR Two collections of Roman treasure have gone on public display for the first time at the Museum of Liverpool, after being discovered by detectorists in Cheshire in 2012 and 2014.

The two discoveries named the Cheshire Hoards, will be on display until June 19th 2016. The treasures date back to 32BC and include jewellery made from cast silver with decorative stone settings, over 100 coins, issued between 32BC and 2nd Century AD, and gilt brooches worn by Roman soldiers.

The artefacts, which may have been buried for safekeeping, will give the public an extraordinary

insight to Roman life.

The collective artefacts were discovered by detectorists in Knutsford by Alan Bates in 2012 and in Malpas during a metal detecting rally in 2014.

Liz Stewart, Curator of Archaeology and the Historic Environment at the Museum of Liverpool, said: “These two hoards provide fascinating evidence about the wealth, trade, lifestyles and identities of people in the North West in the early Roman period.

“It’s very special to be able to acquire and display these items for the region and to explore the long history of the area with our visitors.”

The hoards have undergone conservation work, specialist identification and analysis, and

have been prepared for display.

The exhibition of the hoards has been supported by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the head of the fund, Sara Hilton, has urged local people to “take this opportunity to get inspired and delve into this history”.

She said: “It’s fantastic to see these two important hoards on display to the public for the first time. They reveal so much about the way our ancestors lived and how the community around here developed into what it is today.”

To celebrate the first public display of the Cheshire Hoards, the Museum of Liverpool is hosting a free public conference on February 27th from 10am to 5pm which will feature expert speakers from across the UK.

DISCOVERY: Selection of artifacts on display © Museum of Liverpool

Life|Entertainment|6 The EXIT team in Action ©Jack Croft

Dream come true for EXIT

by LEWIS PRICE

‘The EXIT team are feeling very positive about things at the moment we have dreams and aspirations to take EXIT much further and grow it into a dominant night not only in Liverpool but further afield’

A

n act of faith by the father of a local lad, Jack Croft, has enabled Jack and his pals to open their own clubbing events company which is now attracting the attention of Europe’s biggest partying destinations.

Jack Croft, 20, and his friends borrowed £4000 from Jack’s father in order to get their business idea off the ground.

They named the events company ‘Exit Liverpool’, and specialise in hosting house music events every month across various locations throughout Liverpool city centre.

After a successful opening night, the group managed to repay the money that they had borrowed from the first event and managed to even make enough to plan for their next date.

Jack has always dreamed of owning an events company and told Liverpool Life: “It all started after attending Liverpool Community College for two years studying Events Management and also promoting Rubix, a now techno

heavyweight in Liverpool, which put me on the right path.”

“An underground house music event was something I always wanted to do, along with one of my best mates, Liam.

“Then two of my other mates, Connor & Jake, wanted to join ship as well so we got together and set up what is now, EXIT Liverpool.”

Jack was overwhelmed by the reviews that the company had received and by December business was booming for the young entrepreneurs,.

He said: “We booked Maff Boothroyd who is known for his massive hit ‘Music is the Answer’.

“The night was a massive success, locking out by 12 o’clock with over 300 people in attendance and after that night we received an astounding response with phone calls from Liverpool biggest promoters to work with them. This included Empire, Passion and Wonderland (now escape).”

S

ince their launch in September 2015, EXIT Liverpool’s reputa-

tion has grown rapidly and has been invited to co-host a series of boat parties and a number of club nights in Ibiza and Croatia this summer.

“In terms of Ibiza, the EXIT team are moving over for the full season to try and take the brand to the best venues and to host the best parties on the White Isle.

“We will be a part of Ibiza’s biggest new festival, Glow in the Park, details are going to be announced very soon.

“We are also returning to Croatia with Sin Sunday’s to host an even bigger and better Hideout Festival after party in Novalja’s hottest venue, Cocomo Club.”

From an early age the four local lads have travelled and have gained experience from some of Europe’s biggest music destinations.

They said: “We have regularly attended house music events together over the past few years so we had a lot of experience in different house music styles and different type of events such as Cream, Circus, Chibuku, Warehouse Project, Ibiza, Tomorrowland, Hideout Festival just to name a few, but overall our favourite style is Deep House.”

The Liverpool EXIT group have also managed to hire some big local and national DJs for their events: “We have managed to secure some big names for our events including, the Queen of Ibiza, Sam Divine, who plays Defected Amnesia, most Tuesdays in Ibiza.

W

e took over Garlands Bedlam one Friday in December, with Mark Ingham, Josh Miller & Liam Cooper, Day Maguire and joining us for his first ever EXIT night with Juice FM’s Liam Hincks. It was an amazing party and the after party at Escape lasted until 7am.”

The group is looking forward to a bright future and hope they can continue to make waves across Europe.

They said: “The EXIT team are feeling very positive about things at the moment we have dreams and aspirations to take EXIT much further and grow it into a dominant night not only in Liverpool but further afield.

“We are only just getting started and I hope that we have many more successful years to come.”

‘We are only just getting started and I hope that we have many more successful years to come’

Pictures © Jack Croft

Life|Arts|7

Sheer determination led Hayley to her dream job EMILY CURREN speaks to graduate Hayley Minn about her determination after university and working for OK!

A

fter finishing university, many graduates expect to get their first jobs and begin a career instantly – but for Hayley Minn, it was a matter of patience and determination to get her dream job.

Immediately after graduation, Hayley took unpaid internships at places like the Mail on Sunday, Entertainment Wide and Reveal magazine. During the year after she left university, she attended many interviews and was often in the final few of the selection process, but never managed to get the job.

While all this was going on, Hayley was also waitressing parttime.

She said: “That year was really horrible but I just kept going, I knew I would get a job at some point!”

Eventually, Hayley found a job at a tech news website called ShinyShiny through one of her friends on Twitter. Although it wasn’t quite what she wanted to do, she took the job because it was a step in the right direction

in the journalism industry.

While she was working at ShinyShiny, Hayley was given the opportunity to cover a shift for a friend who did freelance work with celebrity news outlets. The job was to do red carpet interviews at the Jingle Bell Ball for the Daily Star.

Hayley added: “Obviously I said yes to the offer, it was my first paid celebrity news experience.”

A few months later, Hayley was made redundant from ShinyShiny.

But within a week she was back in a job with celebrity news agency Bang Showbiz after being successful in a trial day shift and interview.

“It didn’t pay very well but it was more of what I wanted to do. Then while I was there, someone I knew had a contact who works at OK, and asked if I wanted to be put in touch with her. So I went in for an interview and got the job!”

After working at Bang Showbiz for four months, Hayley ac-

MUSIC

Leona Lewis Liverpool Empire Theatre, February 21, 7pm Leona Lewis is to perform in the Liverpool Empire theatre this weekend following the release of her new studio album I Am, Leona.

She’s broken countless sales records and smashed chart records universally. Her 2010 Labyrinth Tour won her critical acclaim.

The tour will see Leona performing tracks taken from her brand new album as well as some her biggest hits including; Bleeding Love, Run, Better In Time and Happy.

COMEDY

Hot Water Comedy Club ‘New Material’, - The Jacaranda Club Basement, Slater Street. 8pm to 10:30pm.

Every Wednesday, you can hear new comedy material in the Jacaranda Basement. This show will feature lots of pro-comedians testing out new material. This show will also have one of Liverpool’s resident comperes along with a pro-headliner to close the show.

LEFT: On the set of Eastenders

cepted a job at OK Magazine as an online showbiz reporter, and she finally feels like this is what she wants to do.

She told Liverpool Life: “It is like I’ve got my dream job – although the hours are not what I thought they would be in my dream job but it’s a start!”

Hayley’s job involves keeping

BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT: A perk of Hayley’s job - mingling with celebrities at glamorous events. Although not the working hours she had planned, Hayley appreciates the position she is in.

That year ‘ was really

horrible but I just kept going, I knew I would get a job at some point

Pictures © Hayley Minn

,

up with celebrity news every day – she has to keep track of who has died, married, got engaged or had a baby– as well as writing between eight to ten articles a day. She also writes about TV shows, and tweets while the shows are on air.

“I think it has probably actually always been my dream of where I wanted to work, when I was younger that’s all I wanted to be.”

Hayley has always enjoyed the print aspects of journalism, and her favourite part of the course at LJMU was the news days in her final year.

“It felt more like real life, like you were going to work on workshop days.”

Her advice for current students would be to not be disheartened when looking for a job after graduation.

She added: “I would definitely say, if you know what you want to do – if you have a dream don’t give up. If I’d have given up in that year then I wouldn’t be here now.”

What’s On ARTS Liverpool Lantern Company’s Luminous Landscapes, Garden Festival site February 18-20, 5.30pm-9pm Liverpool Lantern Company’s Luminous Landscapes Spring Festival of Light takes place at the city’s festival gardens this week.

THEATRE

Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty Liverpool Empire Theatre, 16-25th February New Adventures 25th Birthday concludes with the world premiere of Matthew Bourne’s latest re-creation of a ballet classic. Sleeping Beauty sees Bourne return to the music of Tchaikovsky to complete the trio of ballet masterworks that started with the Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

FILM

Triple 9, Livepool One Odeon, February 19.

The event will be open from 5.30pm till 9pm each night from ‘Triple Nine’ is released in cinemas on Friday, the story of a group of Thursday, February 18 to Saturday, February 20. criminals and corrupt cops, blackmailed by the Russian mafia, who Tickets to the event are £6.25 per adult and £3.50 for under try to pull off a dangerous heist so they can escape.

16s. As space is limited, organisers say babies in prams/pushWhile half of them try to take down a rookie cop in a 999, police chairs will need a child ticket code for “officer down”, to keep the rest of the force busy, the other half will steal the loot. Tickets are available from the Odeon website.

Life|Culture|8

‘Tim’s presence and work continues to help and inspire people’

‘People were making us aware that Tim was very celebrated and he was going to go down in history. I didn’t even know’

J

udith Hetherington smiled as she recalled her son Tim mischievously grabbing a book from a shelf during a shopping trip when he was a toddler. Although he was made to put it back, the next time they entered he went straight to the same volume and made such a fuss that the assistant said: “You’d better buy it for him!”

The story illustrated the Liverpool-born photojournalist’s determination even at an early age – a determination he exhibited to the full in a career brutally cut short when he was tragically killed in Libya, aged just 40.

His mother Judith was in Liverpool last week talking

Judith Hetherington, mother of late photojournalist Tim Hetherington, visited LJMU to talk about her son’s legacy and the trust that has been launched in his name. Charlotte Mann reports to LJMU journalism students detailing her son’s legacy, working in conflict zones and his death, murdered by forces of Colonel Gadhafi during the Libyan Civil War in 2011.

Judith talked about Tim and the worker that he was. She described him as a Sagittarius, like fire, a prolific worker working 20 hours out of 24.

It’s clear that Tim had a very strong work ethic but it was when he was connecting with people that he was happy.

Judith said: “He was a great communicator and connector.

He was once misquoted by the press as saying that he was not that fussed about photography, however his actual statement was ‘I’m not too fussed about photography per-se, what I’m really interested in is connecting with people and communicating with people.’

When he was communicating he would be happy.”

Gradually as he made more trips to conflict zones he would go home and share his horrendous stories with his parents, talking to them about what he had seen.

LJMU Professor Emeritus Chris Frost with (right) Judith Hetherington and Josie Timms (centre), an LJMU graduate who won the first Tim Hetherington Fellowship © Index on Censorship

Judith said: “He saw terrible atrocities and it took me quite a long time to realise that as I went off to work in the morning that he was actually off-loading, he was telling me about it. I’d go off to work and I’d be thinking about these awful things. I will never forget some of the things Tim told me about.”

Tim as a dedicated working artist was too busy to be selling his pictures. After his passing, Judith and his father Alistair went to his flat in Brooklyn, New York, and discovered a large archive of work.

She said: “He was meticulous at keeping things.

Me and Alistair were novices and we just went in there to make lists. People were making us aware that Tim

TALENTED: Tim was killed in Libya in 2011 © Wikimedia Commons

was very celebrated and he was going to go down in history. I didn’t even know.”

T

im also left 37 work diaries, including a journal he had in his pocket at the time he was murdered.

Judith said: “There in his pocket was the journal, his blood-stained journal, which was last written in the night before his death. So we know for the 14 days when he was in Libya what he was thinking.”

In his last diary he wrote about a multimedia piece that he thought he was going to make when he came back from Libya. Judith has hope that this will be made at some stage.

Some people want it to be made exactly how Tim wrote in his diary, but Judith said artists start with one thing and end up with another, thinking the idea would have developed far more if Tim were to have had the chance to work on it further.

Tim’s legacy is very much still alive. The Tim Hetherington Trust, including the executive director Stephen Mayes and Judith, have spent four years deciding the right place for Tim’s archive to be kept.

Judith said: “The Americans would have liked it to be there and the British would have liked it to be here. I think from the Trust’s point of view Tim was British, he was here for 38 years.

“It doesn’t really matter where it is in the world because you can go wherever you want to research. We want it to be very accessible.

The archive will be open very soon and you will hear about it in the press.”

Judith fhopes to return to LJMU. She said: “It is so good to see that Tim’s presence and work continues to help and inspire people, especially young students - that is definitely the way forward for me, at least.”

MEMORIES: Tim Hetherington’s mother Judith chats to JMU Journalism reporters after the guest lecture.

Picture by Caoimhe Harkin © JMU Journalism

Life|Music|9

The tables are turning I ROCHELLE BEIGHTON attends the ever-growing Premier Records vinyl fair

OLD IS GOLD: Vintage vinyl is making a comeback amongst students. © Rochelle Beighton

t’s being called the big vinyl revival.

Amazon recently revealed its highest selling item over Christmas was record players.

Independent record shops are booming across the country and the tables are turning in the music industry as fans return to records from the world of digital downloads.

Liverpool shoppers had the chance to rediscover the joys of vinyl when hundreds of people attended the return of Premier Records vinyl fair at the city’s Holiday Inn. Music fans were able to filter through hundreds of records and CDs with over 10 traders and 30 tables of different genres to choose from.

The fairs normally attract around 200 people but the latest event saw over 300 record fans in attendance.

Premier Records organiser Bernard McMylor puts its success down to Facebook advertising, he said: “What we do is organise different events until we get really good venues and today has been one of the busiest fairs I’ve ever done. Our fair in December was fairly quiet but this is our first fair of

2016 and it’s been manic.

“We do seven events a year in Liverpool but today has been the best. So far we’ve had roughly 300 people come along, it’s because of our advertising on Facebook.

“I always keep a record of who comes from where and three quarters of those who’ve attended today saw us on Facebook.”

Set up in 2001, Premier Records offers fairs throughout the country with records from all over the world.

Although haggling is encouraged, record prices range from £2 to £30 with plenty of bargains to be found as well as a variety of rare LPs for more serious collectors who can find gems worth £60, £70 and even £600.

Bernard said: “The traders come from all over the country but a few of them are from Liverpool. Records are very popular in Liverpool especially when it’s the Beatles weekend in August. Most people are looking for 60s era music such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, heavy metal records also sell very well here. We’re finding that vinyl is back in fashion

PACKED HOUSE: Unprecedented crowds attended the Premier Records vinyl fair.

as lot of students have come in today to find music and also to meet new people and converse.”

Local record trader, Dave Caryl, who once owned a thriving record shop named Eric’s on Matthews Street, swears LPs are back.

He said: “I definitely think LPs are back in fashion, I mean they always have been but they died and now are back, especially with students. The young people have been going for all the grunge sounds like Nirvana and the Misfits but also Fleetwood Mac and the Beatles, so it’s really across the board what LPs people are buying.

“Some of my records that I’m selling today are from when I had my shop but I also trade and exchange from Europe. Today’s been really good because of the organisers. It’s not as laid back as usual, it’s more professional and has more of an age variety. The turnout has been six times more than usual.”

Liverpool’s Premier Records Fair will be back on April 3rd for more bargain hunting and quality music.

©Rochelle Beighton

WORLD MUSIC COMES TO SEFTON JESSICA BOND looks ahead to the hottest ticket in Liverpool this summer The Liverpool International Music Festival is back for its fourth year from Thursday 21st until Sunday 24th July, to celebrate Liverpool’s diversity in the creative industry in Sefton Park.

This year the free summer festival is all about redefinition, exploring the city’s musical heritage and looking ahead to what new artists are going to bring this year.

Previous line ups have set a high standard for the city of music, however 2016 promises to be the best yet with Sigma, The Wombats, Lianne La Havas, Kwabs, Netsky, Ms Dynamite, Maverick Sabre and many more.

There is also a live show by BBC 6 Music’s Gilles Peterson called ‘From The Soul’ and a celebration of Liverpool’s counter-culture over the last 40 years with ’76-16:

From Eric’s To Evol’.

In keeping with this year’s theme, ‘House Nation’ where renowned Liverpool-based DJ and Producer Yousef will explore what defines house music in four international cities.

The award winning LIMF Academy gives budding artists aged 13-25 exclusive access to activities and insider knowhow from the music industry The academy stage is a place for local talent to showcase their music and offers them a chance to rub shoulders with big names at the festival.

LIMF Curator, Yaw Owusu told Liverpool Life: “LIMF continues to move forward in its ambition to be one of the most dynamic, diverse and inherently different festivals in Europe! Year four is all about us shining a light on

FOURTH BIRTHDAY: The Liverpool International Music Festival returns this summer. ©LIMF

re-defining musical moments and movements, as well as the artists that lead these!

“I hope that music lovers from anywhere and everywhere, of all ages and backgrounds, revel in a number of special experiences at LIMF 2016.”

The Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson said: “It’s clichéd, but this year really offers something for everyone whether your musical tastes lie in pop, dance, indie or classical; established or emerging artists, LIMF caters to it all, ensuring that once again, it stands out as an incredibly diverse yet accessible festival.

“Each year the popularity of the event grows. Key players in the music industry are eager to be part of it, which goes to show not only its reputation for showcasing top acts but that the artists know they are going to get a warm welcome from our audience.

Keeping you in touch with the success stories of LJMU Journalism alumni The 2015/2016 edition is available now at

www.jmu-journalism.org.uk

Life|Theatre|11

© LoveHistory

City crime through time

St. George’s Hall is taking its audience on a gruesome journey... Jessica Arnell reports

L

ovehistory, a theatrical production company and producers of the popular, ’Catacombs of Liverpool’s Dark History’ series, are set to delve deeper into the city’s gruesome history to bring some of the city’s most notorious crimes to light.

During Victorian times Liverpool was a breeding ground for crime anything from fraud, violence and murder, it was a time were many scandalous and outrageous crimes took place.

Friday 8th April will be an evening of crime, murder and mystery when Lovehistory… Loves Crime! will be teaming up with Bill Elms at St George’s Hall’s famous Concert Room to re-enact four of Liverpool’s most immoral crimes.

A team of five versatile actors in period costume, along with effective lighting and sound effects will transport you back to the horrible setting of the past to recreate some truly shocking stories.

Judy McLean, Director of Lovehistory Events said:

“Lovehistory… Loves Crime was an opportunity for us to experiment with different theatrical tricks, sound effects, stage lighting and so on. St Georges Hall has so much history; in particular its dual purpose in the city. Through our research for events in the Hall we learnt that St George’s Hall was designed to illustrate Liverpool’s stature at the time but also to deal with the crime that was also prevalent.”

The Trial of Elizabeth Kirkbride in 1877 is one of the crimes that will be in reenacted on the night, it was a murder case that caused shock and horror across the city and beyond.

Elizabeth Kirkbride was a widowed school teacher who was arrested after the remains of five infants were found at her previous address, the discovery caused outrage and anger and calls for justice against the baby-killer.

Her silence and reluctance to give any explanation as to circumstances surrounding the deaths has baffled many and remains a mystery to this day.

In the slum of Victorian Liverpool, where life was unforgiving, William Miller wrote his name into Liverpool’s dark

history when he murdered a man because of his sexuality, a crime which in 2016 would be classed as hate crime. On the 19th of February 1895 a young and bloodied man, George Needham, screamed his way through the streets of Liverpool reporting a murder had occurred… “A man did it!” he shouted as by passers tried to assist him. The trial of William Miller, the ex-lodger of the murdered Edward Moyse, heard how Miller began an unprovoked and frenzied attack upon which left dead Moyse and Needham fighting for his life.

J

udy spoke about how exposing how people lived during the Victorian era interests her, She said: “When we are writing the scripts we feel it is important not to sensationalise these stories and try to tell them within a social context. Most of our stories, specifically the darker type of stuff we do, expose how many people lived during a specific time, mainly Victorian Liverpool. That interests me.

It always has and now we have the opportunity to work in the best venue in the city.”

Also featured will be another crime that shook the city, the case of the burning woman is a violent tale of a lady burned

to death in a horrific alcoholfuelled murder. In 1884 a young prostitute, Mary McNamara, was burned alive during a horrific domestic dispute that left many questioning the savagery that existed in some of the poorest areas of Liverpool.

In a scandal that swept Victorian England, The Liverpool Bank Robbery of 1878 retells the tale of a shrewd and calculated plan where a young bank clerk, William Ohlman almost got away with the sum of £15,000 as he tried to escape the city with his mistress, Miss Mclean who subsequently vanished without trace. This infamous bank robbery stunned the well-to-do of the city, who perceived bank robbers to be violent, hooded men with guns or knives, whereas this was clean and well planned.

Judy added: “People should expect an evening of great theatrical storytelling. We have four stories from Victorian Liverpool that we hope will engage the audience and highlight the conditions of the time and demonstrate how people lived.”

If you are looking for a theatrical evening of crime, murder and mystery, tickets are available to purchase in person at TicketQuarter, Queen Square, Liverpool or online at www. ticketquarter.co.uk

One of the actors from the upcoming show. ©LoveHistory

Ready for the pantomine? Oh yes, she is!

A

By BETH HUGHES

© Laura Smtih

Liverpool student has written and directed a successful pantomime in Birkenhead.

Laura Jones’ twist on the classic story ‘The Princess and the Pauper’ was performed this weekend at the Little Theatre, in Birkenhead.

The play told the story of two girls, one a princess and one a pauper. Both witnessing each other’s lives, they decide to switch roles and see if the grass is greener on the other side.

Of course any pantomime wouldn’t be complete without a loveable villain which takes form of an evil Queen. The

evil Queen plans to marry the princess (actually the pauper) to the evil Prince Slick.

And like any good pantomime, there was a happy ending, lots of laughs and chances to singa-long.

The 18-year-old told Liverpool Life why she decided to take on this project.

“I was in Terry Pratchett’s the Wyrd sisters with the Greasby Players last summer and they were looking for ways to raise funds for their next show. I volunteered to write a show and they let me.

“I have always wanted to write, ever since I was a child it was books, stories, plays, anything.”

Although the show was a big hit for Laura she stressed that

it was hard to organise: “It has been unbelievably difficult getting it all together. Being 18 and having to sort out a theatre, backstage crew, cast, costumes and props as well as juggling university has been a struggle, to say the least.”

Laura has been involved in drama since she was a little girl. This insight, matched with her writing skills, helped her to write the panto. The show was performed at the Little Theatre which first opened in 1930.

“It is a lovely theatre and I know it very well having performed on it from a young age.

The people there have been very helpful in advertising and stage props. Since I have gone into this almost blind it has been nice having the help.”

T

he LJMU Journalism student is so happy with the success of the show that she now has big plans for her playwriting future: “I am using the funds raised from this show to start up youth and adult theatre groups of a summer under the Something New name to introduce musical theatre to people who maybe cannot afford to go to other youth or adult societies, training them up in the hope of doing a very big, grand show once every four or five years.”

She added: “If you have never experienced theatre before and live locally, keep an eye out for our workshops in August. I think you might get the bug.”

Life|Community|12

Be a Lover not a Fighter Support grows for campaign to raise awareness against domestic abuse

By Jessica Bond

W

irral medics are supporting a new campaign to help end domestic abuse.

The ‘Be a lover not a fighter’ campaign has been launched by a Public Health Partnership across Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire and aims to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

The Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust has spent the last four weeks focusing on the serious effects of domestic abuse, by having quality conversations with patients, visitors and other members of staff about the risk to a person’s physical, emotional and mental well-being.

Education is crucial to raising awareness, because victims of abuse can often be confused

about what is happening to them and are therefore unable to understand the severity.

The Trust has special safeguarding measures in place to enable victims of abuse to understand and report any incidents in confidence, and direct them towards appropriate support.

Michelle Beales-Shaw, Lead Specialist for Domestic Abuse and Harmful Practice at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “As a Trust we play an important role in that we can be a first point of contact for families and can see people privately in a safe environment. We can very quickly offer support and contact the relevant agencies to offer continued support for the families.

“If a patient or visitor has any concerns about domestic abuse

they can speak to a member of staff in confidence who will then follow the appropriate Safeguarding process.”

The campaign was launched in the run up to Valentine’s Day. ‘Be a lover not a fighter’ also aims to highlight the impact that domestic abuse has on children, in light of a new statistic that reveals 90% of domestic abuse is witnessed by children.

A key message of the campaign is that children who experience domestic abuse should not have to hide behind closed doors, but should speak out about their experience.

Gaynor Westray, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at the Trust, said: “The campaign is important because it brings the issue into focus and especially the affect it can have on children.

©Wikimedia commons

“People think that if children are not in the room while an incident is taking place that they are not affected by domestic abuse but they can still hear it and the scars can be long-lasting.

“Anything we can do as a Trust to raise public awareness on this issue can only benefit people in the community.”

As part of their support for the campaign nurses from the Wirral hospital released a picture holding their hands in the shape of a heart, as the symbol of being a lover, not a fighter (above).

Local celebrities Crissy Rock and Ann Marie Davies also posed on social media to spread the message across the internet, in keeping with the campaign’s hashtag #hearthands.

For more information visit: www.lovernotafighter.org.uk

Life|Family|13

Can you help us to find our fur-ever home?

Furever homes is a charity that helps find homes for dogs, by setting up ‘blind dates’ with the potential owners. Jessica Arnell reports

F Lottie

© Finding forever homes

inding Furever homes, a dog charity dedicated to finding canines a forever home with a loving owner, have launched a new campaign #Pawfect Pals, which enables potential owners to ‘blind date’ a dog that is in search of a new home, without seeing what they look like.

It is a sad fact that each day at least 25 dogs in UK pounds are put to sleep simply because nobody is there to save them, offer a safe space, a loving home or a second chance.

Sadly, each year this amounts to more than 9,000 dogs killed through no fault of their own, but simply because pounds and recues are completely full.

The experiment launched to try to match up potential owners with dogs in celebration with Valentine ’s Day, has been put into place to emphasise that a dog should not be chosen on looks alone.

Andrea Newton, Chair & Trustee of Finding Furever Homes, said: “This campaign is designed to stress that people shouldn’t choose a dog based on looks alone and should take into account temperament, lifestyle and exercise needs.

“Too often fabulous dogs are

overlooked in favour of “cute” ones when actually the family are not capable of taking care of the breed.”

Until february 20th, the charity will replace the photos of dogs on its website and Twitter feeds with black silhouettes, and will focus on the characteristics and traits that best describe the dog.

Andrea added: “We’d really like to promote the over bred, underappreciated lurchers and staffy crosses that are floating around the rescue system and dying every day thanks to irresponsible people who don’t appreciate their value if it is not monetary” This is not the only campaign the charity has running, another campaign running alongside #Pawfect Pals is #RescueReady organised to ensure that a dog is not returned because their new family is not ‘rescue ready’ or prepared for the needs of their new canine.

Andrea spoke about how the campaign should help dogs that are otherwise overlooked, she said: “We have four pups all the same age - one has had tons of enquiries as a Dalmatian puppy the other three, cross breeds, have not had any and are far better suited to a lot more families than the high energy, wilful Dalmatian breed will be.”

Ginger

© Finding forever homes

Tico

www.findingfureverhomes.org.uk/ Tico

© Finding forever homes

George

© Finding forever homes

Life|Sports|14

In oar of dedicated coach

T

he length of Liverpool’s Salthouse Dock to Brunswick Dock is exactly 1,800 meters. These waters have been the home of Mersey Rowing Club since 1986 and also the second home for its Club Captain, Ian Marr.

The 47-year-old from Prescot Road, Kensington, has been described as the backbone of Mersey. In recent years he’s become the coaching father of Liverpool John Moores University Rowing Club (LJMURC).

His hands are of a rower, blistered, cut and hardened from years of being on the water. To him, rowing is his life.

The LJMURC coach recalled on how he got involved with rowing: “I got pestered into it by a lad in school. His brother had been away to university and had discovered this brand-new exciting thing called rowing.

“His little brother wanted to do it but his elder brother was too embarrassed to be seen with him. So this lad just went round school saying come rowing, come rowing, come rowing.

Liverpool Life’s Tiernan McGee talks to members of Liverpool John Moores University’s Rowing Club about the passion of its coach Ian Marr. We look into his life and experiences at the head of one of the city’s most successful rowing clubs

Until he got four people and I was one of them.

“It’s a big massive part of my life, it’s more of a habit now I think than anything else,” Ian added.

‘You’d go that extra stretch for a longer and harder drive for a more powerful stoke, and this was for him’

Stephen Parish, LJMURC’s Men’s Vice-Captain, said that he never enjoyed training in the build-up to a race.

“However, when Ian is out on the motorboat alongside your crew of four or eight, you always put a real shift in for him.

“You’d go that extra stretch for a longer and harder drive for a more powerful stoke, and this was for him. He has that effect on you, a guy you didn’t want to disappoint.”

The Men’s Vice-Captain remembered when the squad’s moral was dampened after a poor training session. Ian’s passion for coaching raised the winning mentality across the changing room.

Stephen said: “The men’s squad were having a debriefing of Wednesday’s late water session and the pressure was building as race days were coming in fast.

“The biggest race of them all was the 2015 Liverpool Varsity against University of Liverpool and that was on everyone’s mind.

“Ian wanted everyone to be focused and on point. His desire was not to feel embarrassed, hid-

MAN OF THE HOUR: Ian Marr poses with his boats ing behind the bushes with his eyes closed while LJMU raced other universities.

“Ian jumped up out of the changing room bench and shouted: ‘Yes! Come on! That’s what I want to feel.’ That boosted moral for us. Ian wanted the squad to be successful, winning everything while taking pride in watching us race.”

Apart from his Land Rover, Ian Marr’s single scull rowing boat is his favourite toy. You can easily find him when he’s out on the water, wearing his recognisable orange high visibility jacket that has been torn and marked throughout the years.

His long grey beard has been attacked by strong gale force winds from being out on the motorboat and his ageing squared frame glasses need cleaning from the dock’s salt water that has splashed on his face.

T WORDS OF WISDOM: Ian Marr talks to his rowing team

©Tiernan McGee

he keys for the boathouse are always attached to a small red floater by a blue badly worn rope around his neck. The black cap he wears keeps his long hair in shape.

That’s the Ian Marr that everyone at Mersey Rowing Club recognises.

The Mersey Club Captain has seen the best and worst days on

the water. A significant moment he’ll never forget was during his time attending Newcastle University studying chemistry, where he felt he did more rowing than chemistry as he put it.

“Durham University used to rent space in Newcastle’s boathouse.

They haven’t got a big river, where as Newcastle has got theTyne.

“They used to stick two of their boats in the boathouse so they’ve lots of water to practice on.

Their coach, a guy we used to call ‘Davros’ from Doctor Who because he looked like him, was on the selection committee for the Henley Royal Regatta and he selected our boat over his own boat, because every time we rowed together we smashed them,” Ian said with pride.

Ian fondly recalls a moment that would define him as a coach. Ellen Thomas joined Mersey Rowing Club and had never rowed before. Ellen went on rowing for Team GB in 2011.

She won gold in the women’s under eighteen junior quadruple scull at the Coupe de la Jeunesse in Ottensheim, an international rowing regatta in Austria.

Recalling the moment when Ellen nearly missed out selection for Team GB, Ian told Liverpool Life: “I had to take her to a selection trial. All of the competing

© Tiernan McGee

rowers had to be top of the course and then race back down again to get them into time trial order.

“Ellen would normally come top 10 and the deal was the top 18 stayed and everyone else had to go home. So she had to come into that top bracket, Ellen came in next to last and she was devastated and was absolutely in tears. My face dropped with despair, this is awful, what do I say now, what do I say now?”

R

aising a smile on his face, Ian explained that the judges realised that everybody was in the wrong order. They reckon five or six people had gone down the course and changed their route which was wasn’t right.

The results were so different from every result the judges had decided that the rowers had to do it again.

Ellen completed her selection trial and was placed top 10 as expected; she went on having a successful rowing career.

The days when Mersey Rowing Club used a shipping container on the side of Wapping Dock as their boathouse in the 80s is history now but they’re memories that Ian will never forget.

A piece of him is within his beloved club.

Life|Sport|15

‘Deadly’ 2016 Grand National set to be the richest to date rugby first XV run riot

By BETH HUGHES & NATHAN BURGESS

By MICHAEL HENRY LJMU Rugby Union 1st XV demolished the University of Liverpool 3rd XV by a score of 40-0 in last Wednesday’s local derby at Wyncote Sports Grounds.

The JMU team bounced back after a disappointing defeat to Manchester University last time out in terrific style as they ran riot in the first half to lead 30-0 at the break. Captain Row Birch opened the scoring, followed by further first-half tries all converted by deadly kicker Niall Davison. The second half brought another two tries.

The resounding victory is typical of how the last few seasons have gone for the JMU 1st XV, as last season they won every game to be promoted two divisions. They have been highly competitive in Northern Division 3A after their double promotion, currently sitting third in the table with three games left.

Skipper Row Birch was delighted with his team’s victory, which concludes a fantastic double over their local rivals after a 43-5 success earlier in the campaign.

He said: “It feels good to win twice against our local rivals.

We know their first team are in a much higher league but it’s always nice to get a win especially when there are bragging rights to be won.

“To keep a clean sheet without them scoring was brilliant too. We feel we’ve had a good

Reds aim for Euro progress

By NATHAN BURGESS

Liverpool will be aiming to get their Europa League knockout phase off to a perfect start when they travel to Germany to face Augsburg.

The Reds will be looking to push on from their 6-0 thrashing of Aston Villa, however the German outfits will provide a much sterner test.

The German side, who finished 5th last term, have struggled in the league this season and sit 14th in the Bundesliga. However, the club will be hoping to pin their success in the cup competition and progress to the last 16 over the two legs The FA Cup returns this weekend and Everton will be targeting to cement their place in the Quarter-Finals when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to face fellow Premier League opponents Bournemouth.

Tranmere will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run to six matches when they host high-flying Cheltenham Town, the in-form team in the league.

This year’s Grand National is set to be the richest of all time with almost £3 million in prize money on offer over the three days.

The famous racing event, sponsored by Crabbie’s ginger beer will run from Thursday 7th April to Saturday 9th.

The Aintree spectacular is the most anticipated horse race of the year.

The biggest race takes place on the third and final day with over 30 fences and four miles,

two furlongs and 74 yards. This race alone has a price fund of £1 million.

The prize funds for each race have all been boosted this year, some by £15,000 and more.

John Baker, Aintree and North West Regional Director for Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “We’re very pleased with the fantastic entries for the Grand National race with 126 entries who all hope to make it into the final 40 horses for the big race itself.

“This is a fantastic increase of 28 horses more than last year which is another indication

of the return of the Feel Good Festival returning to Aintree.”

Officials confirmed late last year that the Grand National will now be run at the later start time of 5:15pm.

The race will be available to watch on Channel 4 once again this year - but it is the last time it will be shown there for a while after ITV won the contract to air race for the next four years.

The Grand National weights were announced yesterday at London’s Sky Garden as the bookies shaped their odds for the grand slam racing event of

the year.

The bookies’ favourite to clinch the title is Many Clouds, who has been handed the top weight of 11st 10lb.

Many Clouds won the race last year and will be looking to become the first horse since Red Rum in 1973-74 to win back to back Nationals.

The nine-year-old, trained by Oliver Sherwood and owned

by Trevor Hemmings, carried 11st 9lbs last year to secure the title.

Liverpoll Life’s top tipster Lewis “The Price is Right” Price, gives his top three tips

for this year’s Crabbie’s Grand National.

He said: “The Grand National Chase is so unpredictable it is hard to predict an outright winner.

“In saying that based on recent form it would be hard to rule out last year’s winner Many Clouds.

“Another horse that I believe has a shot is in-form Irish Horse Mountainous who is valued at 40/1.

“Finally at 25/1, Holywell deserves a spot in our top three.

The Irish horse’s form has been superb this year.”

By MICHAEL HENRY

position for the title.

Dale Hodge, co-chairman of the LJMU Football Society and 1st XI midfielder, was happy with the performance last week and is excited by the prospect of a rematch against MMU in the cup.

He said: “It was a tough game but we scored three great goals in the first half and by that stage we only needed to keep it tight in the second half. We were superb last week and hopefully that will spur us on to bigger and better things, especially when we play Manchester Met in the cup again on Wednesday.”

The JMU boys are now six points clear of nearest challengers Manchester University 1st XI with only one game left to play.

Nevertheless, Manchester University do have a game in hand

which could bring them level to within three points of JMU when the two teams meet in Manchester in what will be a crunch encounter on the final day of the season.

Hodge was seemingly in confident mood ahead of the season’s final make-or-break fixture, insisting his side have the required passion and skill to clinch the title.

He said: “We only need a draw against Manchester University in our final game and that’s assuming Manchester win their game in hand.

“I sincerely believe that we will be good enough to win the league and it will be thoroughly deserved by all the boys. Just one more push to get us over the line.”

Feet on the pitch ... hands on the trophy

VICTORY: LJMU Football team win 3-0 ©Michael

The LJMU Football 1st XI recorded an impressive 3-0 victory last Wednesday against North West rivals Manchester Metropolitan University 1st XI to ensure that they have one hand on the 1A Northern division championship trophy.

On a day which was potentially season-defining, JMU showed no signs of anxiousness as they marauded into a 3-0 half-time lead through goals from joint-top scorers Matthew Robinson, Luke Robinson and Kieran Mortiboys.

Although they could not add any gloss to the score line in the second half, JMU held on for what was a comfortable victory, and one that puts them in pole

Team draw a line in the ice

By TIERNAN MCGEE

BIG THRILL: Defenceman scores four goals

Widnes Wild Ice Hockey performed a thrilling 7-7 draw against their Welsh rivals, Deeside Dragons on Sunday evening, closing the promotion playoffs gap to the National Ice Hockey League North One. Playing to home advantage at a packed Sliver Blades Ice Rink, Widnes didn’t start as they hoped by trailing from the first period in the face of unstoppable play from Deeside’s on-form forward Adrian Palak, who scored within seven seconds of the puck dropping on the ice. Palak then added another three goals.

However this didn’t stop the team from Merseyside, who fought back from a fantastic team display which saw Widnes Wild defenceman, Kieran Strangeway, score four goals to assist his team in earning a draw from the dying seconds of the game.

Kieran told Liverpool Life: “As a defenceman I felt very proud and happy to help my team achieve the 7-7 draw by scoring

GOAL: Action on the ice

Photos ©Tiernan McGee

four goals. Sometimes you have games where you can’t hit the net at all and others where every shot goes in, it was just one of those games for me.”

Deeside needed to beat Widnes in order to win the National Ice Hockey League North Two and lift the league trophy on home ice.

The Welsh side have only lost one game from 25 with three games remaining in the season.

Widnes now need only six more points from their remaining six games of the season to hold second place within the league table and will also seal that all important spot in the promotion

playoffs for a chance to play in the National Ice Hockey League North One. Kieran, a 20 year-old student from Liverpool John Moores University, added: “The 700 plus fans who came really created an amazing atmosphere and gave the team a great boost whilst playing, it was a great game and very enjoyable to play in.

“The game plan going in was to go and play to our specialities, all the pressure was on Deeside. We knew Palak would cause us problems so it was just a case of keeping him out of the game as best we could. A draw pushes us that one step closer to promotion.”

Liverpool

LifeSPORT 17 February 2016

LJMU HOCKEY GIRLS HIT IT HOME

By MICHAEL HENRY LJMU Women’s Hockey 1st team clinched the Northern Division 2A title in style after an enthralling 8-0 demolition of the University of Manchester Women’s 2nd team.

The result meant that the Liverpool John Moores Ladies had acquired an unassailable 10 point lead at the top of the league, while also completing a remarkable double over their Mancunian rivals whom they had comfortably beaten 3-0 at IM Marsh in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season.

The JMU ladies were

quick out of the blocks in a game that they knew had the potential to be the perfect way to wrap up an impressive promotion.

They raced into a 6-0 win at half-time with goals from Abbie Khokhar, Shannen White, Olivia Fuller and a Jenny Skelly treble.

Although the title was seemingly wrapped up, there was no sign of complacency in the second half as JMU went on to score twice more through Lydia Perry and a further Olivia Fuller strike, ensuring that the league championship was headed to Liverpool after coming agonisingly close in the previous two seasons.

Long-serving club captain Katie Barker spoke of her delight at finally clinching the league title in what would be her last season as a team member.

“I am absolutely thrilled for the girls.

“I have played in the first team for three years now and we have come so close each year, so it feels absolutely amazing to have finally won the league.

“I am so proud to be the captain of such a great club and it gives me great pleasure to see the team succeed after all the hard work that has gone in this season,” she said.

Barker also described the cohesion and close bonds within the team,

CHAMPIONS: LJMU Women’s hockey are victorious something she hopes will hold them in good stead next season despite her absence, as the team advance to the notoriously difficult Northern 1A division.

She said: “Our only secret is teamwork and dedication, and the fact that we are all such good friends

also helps on the field.

“Next season will be tough for the girls but they definitely have the quality to keep progressing, and I have no doubts that the results can be equally impressive.

“Unfortunately it’s my final year, but I wish them

With 14 points on the board and one game to spare, American football team, LJMU Fury have been confirmed as champions of the North West 2A American Football Division.

The team are yet to lose a game this season and could complete their campaign with a 100% winning record if they beat second place Bangor University on Sunday afternoon.

This is the first time that Fury have won the competition in their history after improving on their fourth place finish last year, making their success even more special.

The season has provided the

all every success next season and it has been an absolute pleasure not only captaining, but being a member of this fantastic club.”

The team will now aim to continue their winning streak when they compete in Varsity next month.

coaching staff all put in hours of their own time away from training to help prepare the players for each opponent.

“This helps the players know exactly what to do when it comes to Sunday.

Winning becomes a habit and once the players start to get on a winning streak you work harder to make sure that you protect your teams

team with a number of memorable moments which include doing the double over their Merseyside rivals University of Liverpool and their 49-0 triumph over Keele Univerisity.

Former Fury coach Rob Evans, who now plays forthe

team, was buoyant about his team’s achievement and told Liverpool Life: “Topping the North West Division is a great achievement, and is the first time the club have done it in their history. It was one of the targets we set ourselves at the

beginning of the season, and it goes to show what can be achieved when a team pulls together with the same goal in all the players minds.”

“Being unbeaten is a result of the hard work and preparation of the players and coaches. The

Coach is star of the show

©LJMU Wocky

Fury rise again as champions

By LEWIS PRICE

Inside Sport

record.”

The team will be looking forward to playing within the North West’s top division where they will play some of the UK’s finest American Football University teams.

Fury will play away at Bangor this weekend.

LJMU boys football success

Top of the tips for National