Liverpool Life 7:4 November 21 2018

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Liverpool Life NOV 21- DEC 4

Liverpool Life speaks to Bi Life star Daisie Life Thilwind Liverpool speaks to Bi Life star Daisie Thilwind

Liverpool Life contents Vol 7 Issue 4 November 21 - December 3 Success for local clothing brand

Merseyside Police face some of the hardest cuts in UK

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The Bi Life star Daisy Thilwind talks to LL

Charity night for Ellesmere Port legend

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Our pick for Black Friday’s best tech deals

Christian group bring unison to community

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Charity boxing event for No Knives Campaign

Retired couple take on Hollywood

Your guide to events in the city

Liverpool fans’ uproar over ticket price increase

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© Annie Williams

Georgian Quarter

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LL Production: Annie Williams, Lori Dunlevy, Emma Fegan, Megan Tattersley, Adele Matthews, Nick Ware, Liam Plumbley, Jake O’Neill, Christopher Megrath, Ben Higgins, Stephen Killen, Seanan McSheffrey, George Adams, Chantelle McKeever, Tiarnan Quigley, Chloe Tomkins, Rebecca Thomas, Orlaith Clinton, Ellie Watkinson, Nadia Breen, Harry Leahey, Shaun Driscoll, Abigail Lawrence, Summer Gedall, Liam Cork, Christa Daley Front cover picture: Daisy Thilwind

NEWS

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Funding cuts hit police force

By CHLOE TOMKINS Cuts to funding are having devastating effects on Merseyside Police, according to Chief Constable Andy Cooke.

Visiting Liverpool John Moores University to deliver the annual Chief Constable’s lecture, Chief Constable Cooke told Liverpool Life that Merseyside Police are the third hardest hit in the UK for funding cuts.

He said: “I speak to the government regularly. I speak to the Home Secretary regularly, as does the Police and Crime Commisioner. We explain the impact that these cuts are having on policing and I hope someday someone will listen.”

Chief Constable Cooke gave a hard-hitting reminder that the UK is seeing fewer officers on the streets, saying Merseyside now has 1,347 fewer officers than in 2010, which has resulted in f reduction in prosecutions.

“The figures speak for themselves,” he added.

His lecture focused on how

Merseyside Police are working to encourage greater diversity across police forces in the UK and his belief that anyone should be able to join the police, regardless of their economic background.

His main message to students and professionals alike was that a university degree should not be the sole route into becoming a police officer.

He said: “A university degree is not necessary to be a great police officer.

“No matter what economic background you come from, all you need is common sense.

“This will result in our recruitment being less rather than more diverse.”

Controversial stop searches were also discussed by Chief Constable Cooke, who was appointed in 2016. Merseyside Police have increased stop searches by nearly two-thirds in the past 12 months, which has resulted in the seizing of over 100 knives and guns, a figure the Chief Constable was extremely passionate about.

Chief Constable Andy Cooke

© Rose McMillan

After he revealed these statistics, he said: “I don’t care about the colour, the sex, the faith, the gender, the sexual orientation, or

disability [of people searched].

“That is over a hundred less serious woundings or murders, and that is good for our communities.”

Christmas arrives in Liverpool

Collections to help the homeless

By SUMMER GEDALL

Christmas has officially arrived in the city as Liverpool ONE’s Big Christmas Street Party kickstarted the festive events this month. The iconic 30m heart Christmas tree returns bringing the popular Bar Hutte back with it. The Christmas markets have also launched, giving St George’s hall a festive makeover. There are plenty of events taking place over the festive season for all to participate in, from the Pier Head’s ice festival to Sefton Park Palm House’s Winter Concert.

Words & picture: Annie Williams

Liverpool John Moores University will be collecting Christmas donations on behalf of the Whitechapel homeless charity for the second year running.

After a successful appeal last year, the university will be promoting the cause, which asks for donations of Christmas gifts, toiletries and food for those who will be struggling over the festive period.

There are more than 40 people sleeping on the streets of Liverpool and it is expected that there are many more families and individuals who fall into the hidden homeless category or are at risk of becoming homeless.

The organisation is looking for a range of items such as toiletries, underwear, sanitary products, children’s and teenager’s gifts, Christmas crackers and Christmas foods.

Donation bins will be at various LJMU locations and will be collected on Tuesday December 4.

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Guide’s bid to help the homeless

The new Wirral Ark badges Pics © Ashleigh Boden

By CHLOE TOMKINS A girl guide leader has partnered with a homeless charity and created a range of Girlguiding activities, includng a special badge, to highlight the ongoing crisis of homelessness and help a Wirral charity.

Ashleigh Boden, 21, from Birkenhead, leads the Rainbow unit for Girlguiding Wirral.

Her Queens Guide award opened the door for the partnership with the Wirral Ark which supports people who are homeless.

Ashleigh has created a challenge pack, which includes special

badges to help GirlGuiding groups to learn and understand more about homelessness through a range of activities.

The number of rough sleepers on the Wirral is up 63pc since 2016.

Ashleigh said: “It’s easy for people to come across homeless people and ignore them when out and about and I am going to admit I was one of those people.

“So now, being given the opportunity to make a difference in the local community, I realised that it was now or never.

“Wirral Ark are also so supportive and helpful on everything that

Girl guide leader: Ashleigh Boden

I have been doing towards their cause.”

The Wirral Ark operates from Mary Cole House in Birkenhead, and aims to provide support and guidance for individuals to secure permanent long-term accommodation.

They work with homeless people with a range of issues from mental health or drug problems to former rough sleepers and people who are begging.

Talking about what the main aims of the project are, Ashleigh said: “My main aim is to raise as much money as possible through selling this challenge badge to

GirlGuiding units across the UK. “But I also want to erase the stigma that all homeless people are just beggars who go home to comfy houses every night.

“I want to stop people looking in the other direction when they see a starving and cold man asking them for some spare change whilst they are out doing their shopping.”

Ashleigh will continue to support the Wirral Ark by hosting a handful of events herself, such as bingo events and quiz nights across the Wirral area.

For more information visit https://wirralark.org.uk/

Road campaigners fight on to save park

Protest banner at Rimrose Valley Country Park

By ABBIGAIL LAWRENCE Campaigners against a new dual carriageway through Rimrose Valley Community Park have vowed to fight on after Sefton Council’s bid for the option of building a tunnel instead was rejected by Highways England.

The decision has been made following the goa-ahead for plans to build a dual carriageway through the heart of the park.

Highways England (HWE) says this will improve traffic flow on the A5036 Dunnings Bridge Road and dismissed the tunnel proposal in a judicial review.

Residents in the community who

are unhappy with this decision have previously taken protested to put a stop to the development.

Gary Young, of the Save Rimrose Valley Campaign, says that nothing will change because of the judicial review and they will continue fighting.

Support is expected to continue increasing in numbers. At the moment thousands of members are signed up to the campaign.

Due to the scale of the plans to build the dual carriageway, campaigners say it will will cause a massive amount of disruption for the community.

Gary said: “It will have negative

Pics © Abigail Lawrence implications in terms of health.

There will be a number of trucks and machines going through a green area, increasing the level of pollution that is going into the air.

“The forefront of our campaign has always been about health. The park has been lovingly created and looked after and now it could be destroyed.”

The situation is comparable with a similar issue down South, where £6bn has been provided for a tunnel solution in London for the Lower Thames Crossing to alleviate traffic problems.

The campaign believes that budget size is to blame for the

destruction of Rimrose Valley Park as HWE is only operating with £250m.

Gary continued: “£250m is just not enough to do anything. Not without damaging people’s health, damaging the environment and taking away the last strip of green land in South Sefton.”

The Highways England’s regional delivery director for the North West Tim Gamon said: “We note the outcome of the judicial review and would like to say that now, more than ever, we want to work with the community surrounding Rimrose Valley to deliver a solution which benefits everybody.”

NEWS

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Food for thought that’s inspiring a community City hosts prestige architect awards

By NADIA BREEN An exhibition has opened in Merseyside at RIBA North, displaying a glimpse of the six schemes that were shortlisted for The Stirling Prize 2018.

The Royal Institute of British Architect’s Stirling Prize is an award that celebrates excellence in architecture.

The winning project ‘Bloomberg’ is the world’s most sustainable office. It is thought to be the largest stone building in the City of London since St Paul’s Cathedral.

Suzy Jones, Director of RIBA North, says that the prize is a vital part of RIBA. She told Liverpool Life: “RIBA North is RIBA’s biggest investment outside London so it is such a significant facility and the Stirling Prize is a big part of what we do. It is the UK’s most prestigious architectural award.

“The judges actively went out together as a group to visit each of buildings and there is a set criteria that they assess the building against.”

The award, which is named after Sir James Frazer Stirling, is granted yearly.

The renowned British architect produced a wave of largescale urban projects and he received a series of important commissions in England.

Ms Jones also explained why it is important for the exhibition to be showcased in Liverpool.

She said: “It is important to celebrate architecture here due to Liverpool’s global architectural significance.

“There is a kind of cultural hub here on Liverpool’s waterfront that you do not see in other cities, making it a perfect place to show the shortlisted projects.”

By CHRISTA DALEY Are your eyes bigger than your belly when you shop? Do you feel guilty throwing away food you aren’t going to use?

Statistics from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) shows that the average family household wastes up to £700 of food per year.

This is what inspired a mum-ofthree to cook up a social media storm with a Facebook group for people to give away their unwanted food to those who need it the most in the area.

Abigail McGann, 32, from Warrington, told Liverpool Life: “After cleaning out my freezer and putting all the unwanted food in a carrier bag, there was probably about £30 worth of food there that hadn’t been opened.

“I couldn’t bring myself to throw it in the bin, so instead of wasting it, I decided to create Free Food in Warrington.”

Flashforward a year and the page has around 4000 members, where they feed on average 20 families per week.

The goal is to help those who may not want to admit to the world they are struggling, providing them with a service with the comfort that it is confidential.

Delighted: Abigail with her award © Justin Taylor Reflecting on her own past experiences, the 32-year-old said: “I remember when I was 23 on maternity leave, with a £10 note in my hands that was supposed to feed me and my children for two weeks.

“I sat there thinking ‘How am I going to do this?’

“However, if there was a group like this at that time, I would’ve definitely gone to them privately for help.”

After winning the Warrington Guardian’s ‘Volunteer of the Year 2018 award’, Abbie could not be more grateful to everyone.

She said: “I was so overwhelmed. I couldn’t believe it as I am not used to that sort of thing.

“I could not have done this without the rest of the team and every-

body that has donated or chipped in, including ‘Warrington Open Door at Christmas’ (WODAC) who put aside £500 to us.

“It is literally the Warrington community that has made this happen, they have been absolutely fabulous.”

Abbie is hoping to one day expand and turn it into a nationwide charity across the country for every single town.

“I would love to make the world a more beautiful place and with the team doing what they are doing including all of our members, as we are one big massive family, I think slowly we are getting there.”

• More information about Free Food can be found on their Facebook group page at https://bit.ly/2Dz2DnR

Fundraiser leaves lasting legacy

By SUMMER GEDALL A charity night in memory of Ellesmere Port fundraising legend Billy Birch raised more than £3,500 for two local hospitals.

The event, held at the town’s Labour and Sports Social Club, was organised by Billy’s son Mally Birch who wishes to continue his father’s legacy.

He described his dad as an ‘exceptional man’, adding: “He gave his life and soul to people who were less fortunate than himself and his main goal was to help others.

“On Christmas Day there will be kids opening brand new toys with massive smiles on their faces courtesy of my dad’s memory, and that is very special to me.”

Billy raised over £113,000 in his lifetime for a number of local charities and organisations before

Community: Ellesmere Port social club © Summer Gedall he died on December 10 2017.

More than 80 guests paid £25 per ticket to attend the poignant event, from which all proceeds will be used to fund toys and gifts for children who will be in hospital this Christmas.

The Countess of Chester Hospital and Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral will be the beneficiaries of the money raised.

YouTube comedy sensation ‘Tiny Tim’, ex-Liverpool FC player Mark Wright and Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Justin Madders

came along to show their support and praise the work of the foundation.

Shop owner Sue Rawling put on a wedding dress raffle priced at £10 per ticket.

She said: “I’ve known Billy for a while and I’ve always been fond of the work he does.

“My shop, MayAnn Unique Design, has been open for just over a year now and I’d like to make this raffle a yearly tradition supporting whatever charity Mally and his family choose.”

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‘Adopt don’t buy’ club is a barking success

By JACK GIBSON Merseyside Dog’s Home has staged a doggy adoption event to encourage people to adopt rather than buy their pets.

Staff and volunteers for the rescue centre, based in Halewood, gathered within the dog-friendly atmosphere of the Buyers Club bar in the city centre and brought along a whole host of canine friends.

There was a variety of information available about the centre and about the dogs that need forever homes. Guest of honour was Whippet-Quick, one of the abandoned dogs who has been rescued by the centre.

Entertainment and refreshment was provided by the venue for not only the people at the event but also the animals, with a special ‘Dog Sunday Roast’ and ‘Dog Beer’ available for purchase.

Many dogs who had been adopted from the centre came down to the event to show how far they have come since being adopted. This was a great way to showcase the worth of adoption instead of buying.

Donation buckets and leaflets were also on display so people could support the rescue centre and receive more information and details about the various dogs who still need rehoming as well as having the chance to volunteer.

The event attracted a strong turn-out, with many people signing up to volunteer whilst also enquiring about adopting the many dogs at Merseyside Dog’s Home who are in need of a loving home.

Independent vet brings personal pet care to city

By ANGELICA DAY A Liverpool-born cancer survivor is opening an independent vet surgery in Liverpool city centre.

Vet Danielle Greenberg, 50, feared her dream to open up her own business was over, but after fighting and recovering from her diagnosis in the summer of 2017, her plan to open The Liverpool Vets is coming to fruition.

The premises on Cleveland Square are due to open this week after refurbishment delays.

Danielle said: “The challenging part was finding the money to fund the build. It was all about finding a location, identifying the gap in the market and then trying to find a building that I could afford because I couldn’t afford most of the rent for a place as well as having enough to rebuild.”

She told Liverpool Life that she sold her house after finalising her divorce in order to achieve her financial goal.

Over the years, corporate busi-

nesses have bought independently-owned vets in Liverpool which has made it difficult for independent vets to compete with them.

“The difference in corporateowned is vast. Staff-to-customer relationship goes from names to numbers, instead of having that personal relationship that we hope to have with our customers,” Danielle said.

“We want to have an agreement with people and fit around their schedules as there are so many big character vets - but not in the city centre.”

Recruiting staff to work for her was no challenge. Three members are more than eager to join her team, having left corporate-owned vets themselves.

Head nurse Brett Donnelly said: “I feel like independent businesses are more supported by the city and I know that this project will be successful.

“I left my full-time job to help Danielle because I want a better relationship with my customers.

“I reached out to her for this opportunity and she was more than willing to have me.”

Danielle at The Liverpool Vets © Angelica Day

Wrapping up plastic pollution

By CHLOE SMITH A Wirral recycling project has started to create environmentally-friendly building blocks to raise awareness and help reduce plastic pollution.

The WRAPPER project aims to create an eight-foot tree with surrounding benches which will be made entirely from so-called ecobricks.

An ecobrick is a plastic bottle, which is packed tightly with dif-

ferent forms of clean, dry plastic.

When it is then filled to the top, it creates a building block, which can be reused.

Emily Gleaves, 32, from Wirral, created project WRAPPER and is working alongside Wirral council to make the region reuse plastic more effectively.

She told Liverpool Life: “We came up with the idea to do something useful with the plastic, like a bench, but also something that people could see from a distance to intrigue them.

So, I thought of an eight-foot tree as people can notice it easily.”

Emily runs a shop in Birkenhead called Waste Not Want Not. She tries to get all her customers involved in making an ecobrick as she wants everyone in the community to be aware of what

recycling can do.

She said: “Even if people haven’t got time to make the brick, you can just drop off plastic bottles to me which I can then make into one, which still contributes towards the project.”

WRAPPER will be based at Birkenhead Park as that is where Emily and Wirral council will build the tree and the benches.

The project is planned to be completed by the end of November.

Ecobricks originally came from the Philippines, where there isn’t ready access to building materials. instead, they use recycled plastic in bottles to help build houses and benches.

The UK has only recently got on board with developing ecobricks, in a bid to tackle the wider issue of plastic pollution.

Emily runs workshops to teach schools and young people on how to create an ecobrick and to inform them about her project.

Follow Emily’s ecobrick Facebook page to find out more: https://bit.ly/2FjwjYB

NEWS

Awards glory for LJMU journalists

By JACK GIBSON Liverpool John Moores University graduates triumphed alongside prestigious news organisations and reporters at the recent O2 Media Awards North West.

Graduate Chris Chambers, from Capital FM, won Radio Journalist of the year award, while fellow 2004 graduate Becky Davis, news editor at Radio City, scooped the Best Radio Programme award with the station’s news team.

Reporters Connor Dunn and Lydia Morris were both highly commended in their categories.

Connor spoke to Liverpool Life after the awards.

He said: “I was honestly buzzing at being shortlisted.

“Last year I was up for the Young Journalist of the Year award, so to get a nomination in the Emerging Talent category was really exciting.

“One of the best things about the awards is just seeing the sheer amount of talent in one room and it’s great to hear and see so many other respected journalists’s work being showcased on the night alongside your own.”

Connor explained how LJMU influenced his career so far: “I can honestly say LJMU prepared me to enter into the media world and helped me get an understanding of what would be required of me day-to-day as journalist.

“That in itself set me on a path to succeed in this career, as there wasn’t a particularly big jump from the course into work. You didn’t feel at all like you were being thrown into the deep end when you started working - in fact, quite the opposite.”

Next year’s event will see the Emerging Talent award opened up to student journalists, giving LJMU a chance of picking up an

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The winners pose with their awards © O2UKOfficial award in what is traditionally a highly-competitive category. as many future reporters will also be eyeing up 2019’s prize.

The Daily Post’s Lydia Morris, who graduated from LJMU in 2015, was highly commended in the Young Print Journalist category, won by Emilia Bona of the Liverpool Echo.

The event also honoured the inspirational BBC journalist Rachael Bland, who lost her battle with breast cancer in September.

Over 250 colleagues welcomed her husband Steve as he announced the winner of the inaugural Rachael Bland Social Media Award.

Connor Dunn at the awards

Pupils on track to decorate train station

By LUCY JONES A new piece of artwork has been added to Merseyrail’s Leasowe station in Leasowe to help celebrate diversity within the community.

Pupils from Upton Girls Grammar School are helping to brighten up a Wirral train station with their latest project, ‘Everyone’s Getting On’, in the waiting room at the station.

Shelagh McNicholas, an art teacher at Upton Girls Grammar School, told Liverpool Life: “I wanted to use Merseyrail as a way to get art into the community, as it is such a visual subject; everyone should have the opportunity to see.

“I started the Year Seven art club, but the topic about diversity and equality came mainly from the girls. They started to think about Merseyrail and accessibility of others. The more the idea came together, the more the girls would say how they imagined being in a a

wheelchair and thinking about where the access would be and what would it feel like under foot. So they really took it on board and got into the grassroots of it.”

Jane English, HR Director from Merseyrail, said: “It is really important to us at Merseyrail that we continue to work with the whole of our comunities to promote the railway as a good, safe way to travel for everyone.

“The innovation and thought process that went into this project was fantastic and the quality of the art is outstanding. I am truly impressed with the standard and the students involved are a credit to Ms McNicholas and their School” Wayne Menzies, Head of Rail at Merseytravel, said: “Involving the community not only makes sound business sense but also helps to create a welcoming and unique environment for customers across the network.

“School children are our future customers and this is a great way to introduce them to the railway.”

Miss McNicholas and the art group

are already thinking about their next steps. They have discussed aintroducing the next piece of artwork with more involvement from Merseyrail staff and students.

The characters in their poster will hopefully try to develop.

They have a character whom is pregnant and potentially would like to see the future mum in the next piece of art, with a twin-buggy to see how Merseyrail would manage that.

Upton students © Upton Grammar School All pictures © Upton Grammar School

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Graffiti and litter in Picton.

Pics © Summer Gedall

New beginnings

Church hosts weekly after school club in bid to unite community

By SUMMER GEDALL

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Christian group is running a special after-school club to help Roma communities living in Picton.

After launching as a pop up kids clubs two years ago, the club is now open weekly and offers a range of different activities for local children and their families.

Its organiser, Reverend Sally Binymin, also gives support to the parents in the community by connecting them with services that can offer them further advice and support that they may have otherwise been unaware of.

Reverend Binymin said the club is helping to bridge gaps between English-speaking people and those who do not speak fluent English, as the language barrier is an issue that isolates the Roma

people from local residents.

She said: “We’ve started a learning unit to encourage them to learn English and Maths and to show them that it can be real fun.

“We’ve had a high success rate because when we first came here only 50 percent of the children were in school and this has now risen to 80 to 90 percent of children and we’re delighted.”

The group aims to give members of the Roma community a place to build relationships with other non-Roma neighbours and to integrate into the local community, whilst celebrating their traditions and values and developing their English speaking skills.

Some of the kids’ club activities include making ‘slime’, cake decorating and arts and crafts. They also provide food and host games – usually in an outside space close to where they live.

Reverend Binymin is also able to

provide clothes, shoes and school uniform to families that are in need through donations from the church and members of the public.

The Romas live predominantly in the Picton, Kensington and Fairfield areas and have struggled to relate to the outside community.

They are often misunderstood by their non-Roma neighbours because of negative stereotypes attached to them.

There are sometimes large groups of children playing out on the roads late at night without adult supervision which is perceived by local residents as both dangerous and anti-social.

Families also tend to congregate outside newsagents and corner shops, which can intimidate others – especially when there is no communication between the two communities.

The club helps the children learn to take pride in their area they live in by not littering and taking care of public property whilst still enjoying themselves.

Reverend Binymin wants to help break down prejudice towards a community of people whose members may have fled discrimination and persecution in their native countries of Romania, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, where they often will have been treated as second class citizens.

She said: “These people have been marginalised and shoved on the side but we can all help by being a community together rather than living a separate life from one another.

“We should see ourselves as neighbours in a big world that doesn’t belong to any one of us.

“We’ll continue to visit the community and help out where we can.”

CAMPAIGN

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Wirral Foodbank launches new advent appeal for Christmas

By CHLOE SMITH

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hristmas is supposed to be the happiest time of the year. Most people don’t have to worry about what presents they are going to get, or when they are getting their roast dinner.

But some people don’t know how they’re going to cope and are even anxious about how they’re going to afford something as small as a sandwhich.

This year, for the first time, Wirral Foodbank has decided to use a November advent calendar to collect much-needed items for its clients in time for Christmas.

The calendar lists an item for each day in November. If all the goods are collected, including everything from toothpaste and tinned goods to washing powder and pasta, they make up a complete Christmas package.

Liz Appleby, the office manager of the Wirral Foodbank, suggested the organisation use the calendar as part of its 2018 Christmas appeal. It enables organisers to concentrate on key items needed for the Foodbank.

Richard Roberts, manager of the Wirral Foodbank, told Liverpool Life: “There has been significant interest and we will see this at the end of the month when donations come in.”

He said: “We haven’t had much

donations yet as we encourage donors to collect an item every day in November and deliver them to the foodbank first week in December.”

The foodbank saw a 34% increase in January-June 2018 and statistics show that one in five of the UK population live below the poverty line.

The Wirral Foodbank is a charitable organisation launched in 2011, which provides emergency food and support for local people in crisis. There are multiple foodbanks across the Wirral

The advent calendar, above, and some of the volunteers.

All photographs © Wirral Foodbank Facebook which helps anyone who needs assistance, no matter what their circumstances.

National foodbank champions The Trussell Trust suggested the idea of the advent calendar a few years ago and since then it has

been used by organisations across the UK. The idea has met with a positive response, with schools, colleges and businesses taking up the idea to help people who are in need of food and other items.

Film inspires project to end period poverty

By ORLAITH CLINTON

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charity in Liverpool is appealing for donations of sanitary items for homeless women this winter.

The Homeless Period Liverpool was set up in 2016 after being inspired by the scene in film I, Daniel Blake which sees a woman go to a food bank and ask for sanitary pads.

Natalie Denny, one of the founding volunteers, described the group as a volunteer-led campaign providing vulnerable women across Liverpool with sanitary items.

She said: “There are many amazing homeless organisations and street teams in Liverpool but nothing that specifically focuses

on this issue. I read all I could and decided I could and would help.”

One of the main things that The Homeless Period succeeds at is their packing sessions. These take place twice per month and consist of a conveyor belt of pads, tampons and other sanitary items which are sorted and placed into packs which are donated to local charities such as Whitechapel.

Beth Meadows, HP secretary, told Liverpool Life: “We have had a real array of ages coming to the packing sessions. From students to older people. One time we had three generations of a family come in. Periods in homelessness is an issue which connects with people beyond.

“We have showcased the issue of period poverty through things like

exhibitions and quizzes. But now we really want to be looking more sustainably and long term because obviously the packs are great and very necessary but really this shouldn’t have to be necessary in a country that is so rich.

“We should not be in a situation where there is a gap where the people are having to fund other women who cannot get sanitary products for their periods. We really want to be pushing both at local council level and hopefully at national level.

“We want a national campaign to end period poverty, that is our goal.

“We don’t want period poverty to exist. We want everyone who needs to have access to sanitary products to be able to access them

free of charge in public bathrooms.”

“We will still continue to do the packing sessions because the need is still there and we wouldn’t see anybody without, but we are thinking more long term.

Essentially, we don’t want to have to exist in a couple of years’ time.

We don’t want to have to keep doing the packs because it just is not right.”

Beth told Liverpool Life that they are keen to get local MPs and Councillors on board with their mission to end period poverty in Liverpool.

The group packing sessions and volunteering are open to all members of the public, with all men and women urged to take part with the aim to end the poverty.

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Boxing Event returns in aid of ‘No More Knives’ campaign

By CHRISTA DALEY

L Above and below: Some of the boxers taking part © BERN GIAM

adies and Gentlemen, let’s get ready to rumble as one of Liverpool’s ultimate white-collar boxing events is returning for another year and it is about to get heated.

Step into the ring this November as Signature Fit Club present a highly anticipated black-tie ball where they aim to bring fights, food and live local entertainment for a decadent charity boxing match.

The club are doing it in aid of Claire’s House Hospice and the campaign No More Knives to make the city a safer place and their goal is to beat last year’s total.

Sarah Mapar, from Signature Fit Club told Liverpool Life: “Claire’s House Hospice is a charity we wanted to show our support for.

“We were amazed by the work they were doing as they help severely disabled and terminally ill children and their families to create memories for them and their time still here.

“It was a truly heart-warming experience visiting them and we want to try and help raise their

profile, as they are a small charity, to enable more children and families to have happy memories.

“We also have a few surprises on the night to generate awareness for the campaign No More Knives.

We feel it is so important for the city and it is close to everyone’s heart and we want to help educate people about it.”

With the support of many companies and big names in the city, the contenders will have completed a 10-week training challenge which leads them from a novice to ring-ready for the night.

All fights are evenly matched by experienced and professional trainers from the industry.

Suit up and bring your boxing gloves as the drama is set to be high for the city’s ultimate fight night at the beautiful Cunard building on the waterfront on November 30 2018.

For more information or if you would like to attend email: sarah.mapar@signaturefitclub.co.uk Or if anyone would be interested in getting involved for their next show contact: bern.giam@signaturefitclub. co.uk

Mini runners join park fun for Movember cause

By SIMRAN ROY Movember kicked off at Croxteth Park with a run to raise funds to prevent men from dying too young from health issues such as prostate and testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

Dave Krangel, 47 year-old run organiser said: “We just want Mo running to continue to grow. We have 22 locations at the moment across the UK and Ireland so the

more people that take part the better and the more awareness we raise for men’s health.”

The run began early in the morning with a line-up of marathoners in the making readying themselves for the 9:30am ‘mini mo-run’ of 1.5km exclusively for the littlest supporters of the Movember cause accompanied by either a parent or their unwavering determination.

The 5km run began at 10am

Above and right: Runners taking part © SIMIRAN ROY

followed shortly by the 10km run at 10:10am with various couples, costumes and canines following the beautiful paths of the Croxteth Country Park on their way to the finish line.

Donning his Mario hat to match his girlfriend’s Luigi was Michael White, 23 who said: “I think that we decided that we do want to get our fitness up but it’s also just a fun thing to do; dressing up, having a good laugh and raising

money for a good cause. This is definitely something we would come back to. This is my first run but I’ll probably be back for more” Running for over 15 years, the Movember foundation has funded more than 1,200 men’s projects and, by 2030; plan to reduce number of men dying prematurely by 25%. Working entirely off of donations, the Movember Foundation doesn’t take government funding.

ART

LL 11

Time to wake up together SIMRAN ROY explores the revolutionary 2018 Homotopia Festival exhibition

T

he right of every person to be who they want and live with who they love is being championed in the newest Open Eye Gallery

exhibition.

Wake Up Together and Where Love Is Illegal present the world through the experiences of queer artists.

Jacob Bolton, head of communications for the Open Eye, explained: “So much of the dialogue and conversation about queer identities is always about people who are queer, and rarely from people that are queer.

“Both the artists working on the show very much come from a place that is less about presenting an idea about queerness or identity or things that they feel are correct but, rather, are about letting people identify themselves on their terms so I think that’s a really powerful and crucial idea today” In conjunction with the

The exhibition allows queer artists to speak for themselves

Homotopia Festival 2018, Wake up Together and Where Love is Illegal are two photography exhibitions by Robin Hammond and Ren Hang.

They are being shown for the first time in the UK. Cheryl Martin, guest curator for Homotopia, said about the Where Love is Illegal exhibit: “When you look at the beautiful serenity of his images, it’s like that beauty will survive.

“I feel sad looking at it because of his loss but he did make beautiful art and I’m so happy to have been able to see it.”

She said about Wake up Together that the photographs were beautiful - “but I’m really angry on behalf of the people suffering”.

“When you look at the list of the places that are illegal, so many of them are the perfect vacation spot and the older I get the less I can deal with taking my pink pound to a place where my brothers and sisters are being persecuted,” she said.

Beautifully haunting are Robin Hammond’s portraits about families, friends, lovers and fighters staring down the camera with pride and challenge at times, daring you to challenge who they inherently are and who they love.

The vulnerability shown in the portraits is undeniably eye-catching and the handwritten notes by the photograph’s subjects are heart wrenching.

Ren Hang shone through in his photos, bringing intrigue and experimentalism with a uniqueness that was his alone.

Having committed suicide in February 2017, at the tender age of 29, Where Love is Illegal holds even more relevance to bring attention to the plight of LGBTQIA+.

• Wake Up Together is presented by Open Eye Gallery as part of Homotopia Festival 2018, running from 16 November-17 February, free of charge.

Photos © Simran Roy

THE GUIDE

PUNK PIONEERS: Exhibits from the show include newspaper clippings and original posters All photos © Christopher Megrath

Memories of punk’s walk on wild side

By CHRISTOPHER MEGRATH

A

school vinyl and magazines dating back to the late 1970s rub shoulders with print-outs of current day news articles.

Highlights include authentic clothing from artists, and musical accessories such as guitar picks and drum sticks.

Punk is a prominent sub-genre of music and moulded the popular Indie genre we have today, with iconic Scouse venues such as The Cavern Club and Eric’s hosting some of punk’s biggest names.

There is a multitude of flyers and posters spanning decades alongside set lists and stage times from the days when artists such as The Ramones were newcomers to the scene.

The free exhibition draws on extensive archives held at the British Library and Liverpool John Moores University in delivering an authentic experience whilst respecting punk’s gritty roots.

The exhibition runs until January 13th.

OLD SCHOOL: Some of the vinyl on display

n exhibition has opened in Liverpool highlighting the music phenomenon which once took the world by storm.

The display, which showcases 40 years of punk music, is a refreshing walk through the punk music scene.

The show at the city’s Central Library is dedicated to displaying posters, flyers, records and behind-the-scenes information of the time when when punk ruled Liverpool and further afield.

Featuring some of music’s most famous - and notorious - bands, such as The Sex Pistols and The Clash, the exhibition takes an in-depth look at the formation of punk rom its toots in the French Situationist movement and the New York garage rock scene.

This interesting, alternative walk down memory lane mixes the old and new of punk - physical old-

Hall hosts Christmas cinema

Ice Festival’s welcome return

By REBECCA THOMAS

S

t Georges Hall is hosting the ultimate festive cinema experience.

The Luna Winter Cinema brings everyone’s favourite Christmas classics to the big screen in a variety of creative indoor spaces.

Some classics will be shown including Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life. As well as some modern Christmas classics including, ‘Home Alone’, ‘Elf’ and ‘Love Actually’.

By REBECCA THOMAS

To get you in the Christmas spirit there will be mulled wine, mince pies and hot chocolate on offer as well as a full bar.

The cinema is running from the 22nd October 2018- 19th December 2018.

Films being screened are: The Muppets Christmas Carol Home Alone Miracle on 34th Street Die Hard The Nightmare Before Christmas

T

his year’s Christmas Ice Festival has returned to Liverpool for another year at Pier Head.

The venue has been transformed into a winter wonderland.

The festival has stalls and activities to suit everyone including, exhilarating rides and food and drinks stalls.

There is also be the opportunity to ice skate on the huge outdoor rink.

The festival also features Liverpool’s biggest ever ice slide and the UK’s only ice jet ride.

There will also be funfair rides, pop-up food, and drink stalls serving a range of different foods, including stalls serving après skate specialities including sizzling traditional German bratwurst, hot roast rolls, The festival runs from the 10th November 2018- 6th January 2019.

THE GUIDE Closer to the complex truth

By CHRISTA DALEY Closer, the award-winning play which is the first in-house production at Liverpool’s brand-new Hope Street Theatre, opened to sell-out audiences and does not disappoint.

Patrick Marber’s razor-sharp script gets a good balance between comedy and intensity that interlinks relationships in a clever way, which manages to shock and captivate the audience with a storyline that stings.

It is a cold-hearted and complex tale that follows the lives of four flawed characters and their intertwining love and sex lives which explores how the two do not always go hand-in-hand.

This is a densely plotted and messy insight of modern infatuation and betrayal that gives a real look at the danger of honesty, as they fall in and out of love, inflicting pain on themselves and one another. In the words of director Adam McCoy, the play is

“a story about good people who do bad things”.

Despite the dark subject matter, there are many examples of humour embedded within the production including the vulgarity of the internet chat room scene, which had the audience roaring with laughter.

All four cast members were in perfect form as they recreate what resembles an episode of Love Island filled with arguments, dramatic irony and harsh reality.

They do a superb job of bringing these intricate characters to life that are all relatable on a level which some people may hate to admit.

Adam McCoy’s direction really enables a complicated story to unravel with ease with creatively fluid scenes that are sometimes running simultaneously.

Sam Donovan plays Dan in a suitably smarmy way and shows the rollercoaster of emotions

experienced by the character as we watch the many layers of him unveil.

Jake Norton executes Larry’s moments of desperation brilliantly depicting the true nature of the character and spitting out spiteful lines during arguments like venom.

Ariana Fravel does great job as Anna, portraying a character who tries to bring logical thinking and common sense to her partners.

Amber Blease shines in the production as ‘Young Woman London’ Alice and is definitely the one you root for.

Phil Glenny’s AV design compliments Anna Souter’s minimalist, multifunctional set designs that allow the audience to be transported from each location that consisted of several black stools, and four screens at the back of the stage. It is simplistic and effective which lets the main focus be on the story of the characters.

© Andrew AB Photography As a collaborative effort, each person involved does a truly fantastic job at putting together an entertaining and a thought-provoking production, which certainly makes a bold impression.



Review: The Prodigy

Tale of tears, laughter and capability

"Where are all my Liverpudlians?" screamed Maxim to a rapturous Liverpool crowd as the Prodigy kicked off the UK leg of their European tour at the Echo Arena with a monumental bang.

The Essex drum-and-bass pioneers, made up of vocalists Keith Flint, Maxim and mastermind producer Liam Howlett, delivered a spellbinding set to celebrate the release of their seventh album No Tourists.

They kicked off the show with 'Breathe,' a brooding fan favourite from 1997 album 'The Fat of the Land,' before the explosive 'Omen' which erupted the crowd in to life.

At no stage did the pace let up, with the Prodigy mixing up classics such as 'Firestarter' and 'No Good' to new material such as 'No Tourists' and the outragiously catchy 'Light Up The Sky.' The sound seemed to get louder and louder, with the stunning visuals absorbing the crowd throughout.

With an encore of 'Their Law' sending fans home happy, The Prodigy have seemingly embraced their past and present to produce an euphoric set to please old and new fans.

M

By BEN HIGGINS

ia: Daughters of Fortune at the Unity is an insightful look into the world of disability and the struggles that people go through in today’s society. The play starts off with an eye-opening explication of the facts and information about people with learning difficulties.

The play is part of the DadaFest - run by the Liverpool-based disability arts organisation and explores the harsh truth of what life is like for people with learning difficulties, and the problems they can face on the subjects of sex and having children.

The show had everything needed to inform yet entertain. It had you in fits of laughter one second, then made you deeply sad the next. It showed the barriers people with disabilities have when wanting to have a family and the fear that it could all be taken from them.

The production shows the science parts, social issues and even has a very funny part in it called Don’t Drop the Baby, in which the actors answer questions to see if they would be a good parent.

Canon Ruth Gould MBE, artistic director of DaDaFest and an Honorary Fellow of LJMU, said: “Society doesn’t see disabled people as capable. We are trying to get around that. The

problem is silence.”

It is informative yet highly entertaining, and helps anyone discover an issue which isn’t regularly spoke about.

It has been created by the Mind the Gap, the largest learning difficulty theatre production company. This shows pulls at the heart strings and captures the raw challenges that people face in an honest and beautiful way.

The play featured four actors who all struggle with a learning disability themselves, namely Alan Clay, Alison Colborne, Anna Grey and JoAnne Haines.

By SHANNON LYON



14

LL MUSIC

DJ duo making sound waves Nautica’s Josh Lewis is a man with a plan, as he tells LL’s Sean Whelan

U

nder the moniker of Nautica, DJ and production duo Josh Lewis and Caolan Savage are rising quickly onto the scene – the pair are crafting their hard-hitting sound on dancefloors gathering some serious heat.

If you haven’t heard of them already, you will in the very near future.

That is if their meteoric rise is to continue.

The determined duo have come a long way in a short space of time and they’re just getting started!

Josh Lewis, one-half of Nautica laughed when I mentioned just how far the duo had come, but Nautica are no joke.

“I suppose we have come a long way. It’s been about a year since we’ve been doing it now and we’ve been playing all over Liverpool and all over places in the UK,” said a modest Josh as he acknowledged an impressive maiden year.

“We have had a lot of big releases a lot of big DJ support,

had the opportunity to play in massive venues in Ibiza amongst others, so yeah it’s gone well so far.”

It’s been a year jam-packed with highlights, but one in particular sticks out to Nottingham-born Josh.

“Selling out Kitchen Street is probably the highlight, that was class.

“It was a real little intimate party, we sold 200 hundred tickets and it was just us playing as the main headline.

“We’ve played in bigger venues but every person there was there to see us, pretty mad!”

However, it’s not all about selling tickets to this young man who radiates immense passion when talking about the industry: “One of the best feelings is just getting music out there and knowing people are having parties and listening to our music, it’s crazy!

Nautica may be just a year old, but for Josh this has been a long time coming: “I’ve always liked dance music and from the age

MEN ON A MISSION: Nautica members Caolan Savage and Josh Lewis © Josh Lewis about 14 I was listening to a lot of massive EDM artists like Martin Garrix and I just wanted to be them, I wanted to do that. I ended up buying myself a little pair of decks and just sat in my room messing around with them.

I

Nautica’s new studio in the Baltic Triangle

© Sean Whelan

’ve been doing this for five, six years now, I’ve loved it, especially the last year or so, getting recognition has been great and makes it all worth it. But with that recognition and demand coinciding with us both having a lot of work at university it has been a bit more challenging of late.”

Seeing several of his musical inspirations flourish and rise to prominence is enough to keep Josh, an avid Liverpool fan, focused: “Jamie Jones, Ritchy Ahmed and Patrick Topping have all become massive inspirations as my music taste has changed.

I’ve seen them all a few times live now, which only make me want to emulate their success even more.”

As Josh shows me around Nautica’s new studio - which they

only acquired last week - it’s clear to see that isn’t just a pipe dream.

They’re making big strides and their well on their way.

“I’m delighted, we only got the studio a couple of days ago, down in the Baltic Triangle, we’re sharing with a couple of other people. It just gives us the space to do whatever we need in there and make music without any distractions, which is the main thing.”

After such an impressive first year, Nautica could be forgiven for resting on their laurels slightly, but that is not on the agenda.

Instead, a busy few months lie ahead: “We have quite a lot of events coming up. I think we’re playing in Liverpool quite a few times both this month and next.”

The New Year promises to excite, too: “We’ve got a lot of music that’s coming out in the New Year with some big labels so hopefully from there on we just get bigger and bigger.”

Nautica. Remember the name.

MUSIC

LL 15

Big time beckons for Irish minstrel NADIA BREEN talks to singer Conleth McGeary about his musical journey

I

rish singer and songwriter Conleth McGeary has announced his headlining gig at the O2 Academy.

He is to take the stage in his adopted hometown for one of his biggest performances to date on Saturday December 1.

County Tyrone-born Conleth moved to Liverpool with aspirations of becoming a teacher but realised that music was the career for him. He then left his teaching course to follow his dreams of becoming a performer.

Conleth, who began playing the guitar when he taught himself at the age of 15 in his bedroom, is now selling out Irish pubs daily across Merseyside.

He told Liverpool Life: “I am now obsessed with playing the guitar.

“I gig every day, mainly in the Irish bars here like The Liffey and McCooleys. This is my bread and butter and I find it amazing that I am able to fill these places.

I’m very grateful for the support I have gained in Liverpool and the friends I have found through performing.”

The 24-year-old admits that when he started out singing in The Liffey in the same slot he has now, there was great room for improvement.

“It was my first paid gig ever and I was shockingly bad at this stage.

“I learnt what it took to entertain a crowd when I went to Santa Ponsa to perform seven nights a week. I gained more confidence and came back to The Liffey as a weekly sell out.”

Conleth enjoys writing songs but realises that singing covers of

popular songs is how he has made a name for himself.

“My goal is to be a household name. I’m not worried about fame but I dream of having a packedout stadium with an audience singing a song I’ve wrote.

“Covers are enjoyable to sing as they are the money-makers for a boy like me, but half of my sets are my own stuff as I love writing.

I want to be singing my own songs and hear people singing them back to me.”

Supporting bands has been a major part of Conleth’s career, which is how he managed to headline his first ever gig at the O2 Academy last year. By contacting Hermitage Green, he managed to get them to agree for him to be their support act at the venue in 2017. This was so successful that the O2 contacted Conleth with an offer of doing the same alone, just three weeks later.

“I took the opportunity with both hands and it turned out to be the best night of my life. This is how I managed to organise my upcoming gig at the O2 Academy.”

Conleth is a family man who grew up in Dungannon with his mum and older brother. He has a great relationship with his mother and this inspired him to write a song about her called, ‘You’re Making Me Smile.’ He performed it for the first time last year.

“The song is about being close with my mum and about travelling and always staying in touch with her. It has been the greatest achievement of my life and getting to perform it in front of so many people was magic.

Conleth McGeary © Nadia Breen

“She cried when she heard it and will always be my favourite song to sing, if I even I write a smash hit. When I wrote the song, I knew it would do something for my career in music.

“All my friends and family flew over for it and everyone watched my mum as I sang it. It was the craziest and the most beautiful moment ever.”

G

etting to where he is today by himself, Conleth is not looking for a manager at the minute, as he takes credit for his own success.

“If a manager came to me and offered me something I wasn’t going to achieve on my own then I’d take the opportunity but until then I’m happy doing it all alone.

“No one came to me two years to help, so I don’t need help now.

I’ve had people who wouldn’t let me sing in their bars in Liverpool who are constantly asking me to

perform now. I suppose this is a compliment.”

Going through hard times during his school years, Conleth caused difficulties for those around him.

“My mum saved me through music when I was causing trouble. She persuaded me to get back at it so that I could get out of the rough stage. I knew I was an angry teenager and was mature enough to know that I had to sort myself out. Music saved me.

“My goal at the minute is to have my songs in the Irish charts.

I have some plans for that at the minute but I currently love the live aspect of my career. I want to go to the top and get bigger but I am happy with where I am now.”

Along with his gig at the O2 Academy in December, Conleth will be touring in the Middle East next year. He is grateful that music has given him the opportunity to travel the world.

16 LL STYLE

It’s all Humbug

STYLE

LL 17

By HARRY LEAHEY

S

eeing some of his musical heroes die from drug abuse inspired up-andcoming designer Paul Lang to bring out his latest line of fashion wear.

Dubbed “Drugs aren’t cool”, Paul has created a design which aims to do its bit in raising awareness of the dangers. Printed on a pink hoodie, the design juxtaposes the bright background with a serious message.

Explaining his idea, he said: “The most recent tragedy, Mac Miller, and other artists who I follow, have been dying because of drug taking, particularly in the past year, and I think it’s becoming a big issue.

“So, when I was thinking of a design, I came up with a graphic saying ‘Drugs aren’t cool’, and although it’s simple, I think it kind of sends a subtle message.”

It is one of many ideas Paul has utilised for his own clothing brand, Humbug Apperel, which he describes as “indie and different” from the rest. When he discussed how and why he decided to start up Humbug, he had some rather interesting and eventful anecdotes to tell.

Many included problems with suppliers, printing methods and, to be expected, convincing people to buy into his brand. But before the idea to create his own clothing brand began, Paul was busy gaining experience in graphic design for clients and small retail businesses. Experience that would later inspire him to go solo and create, Humbug Appeal.

“University wasn’t for me really.

I was eager to just get out there instead, earn some money, and gain experience.

“While I was in an office, I actually had a lot of time on my hands, and started doing my own graphic designs based on my favourite bands, artists and TV shows that I liked.

“Nothing special at that point, but that’s where it started.

“I then thought about printing some of those designs onto t-shirts and stuff. And that’s how the idea of making by own clothing brand came about.

“I’ve always had a passion for clothing and, along with my passion for graphic design, they’ve kind of just merged together.”

After being given less work to do, Paul decided to leave his job and focus on his ambitions.

I asked him how he came about with the name Humbug.

It was a surprising and amusing

explanation.

Often used to avoid swearing, he explained: “Humbug has always been kind of one of my words, because I don’t curse as such, so I’ve always replaced it with “Humbug Me”, if you know what I mean.

“The first supplier I tried, the printing was very good, but it was only for large quantities.

Annoyingly, I just wasn’t able to sell enough for me to use it, so I decided to ditch that and use what’s called a drop shop shipment method.

“Sadly, that didn’t work out either. The t-shirts and the prints just didn’t print very well.

You didn’t have much customisation as to where the print would actually go either. The whole

printing process just wasn’t very good.”

“I’m now using another much larger printing company. They’ve printed my third collection of clothing, and their embroidery for my caps, hoddies and t-shirts, well they always come out very nicely.”

I

t’s been almost a year since Paul set up Humbug.

As with all new businesses, raising awareness and convincing people to buy into the brand has been difficult.

“It’s not too bad, but it’s nothing really major either, and I wasn’t expecting it to be at this point anyway, because it’s still early days.

It’s still people putting money into a brand that they haven’t really heard of before, and essentially

the best way of trying to get the brand out there right now, is through word of mouth.”

Using social media and discount codes, Paul is continuing to do everything he can do to help raise awareness of Humbug and increase sales.

It is hoped that as he continues to design more items, Paul will raise more awareness of Humbug, and gradually gain more sales over time.

“These things take time, but with some creativity, effort and perseverance, I’m hoping Humbug will be noticed more, and continue to grow.”

You can support Paul by visiting HumbugApparel.com, as well as by following the Humbug Instagram page.

18 LL STYLE

Birds eye view of the Curve festival and, right, some of the styles on display

Pictures © Instagram @curvefashionfest

BIG is beautiful

SHANNON LYON reports from the Curve Fashion Festival at St Georges Hall, which showcased some of the UK’s most famous plus size models and clothing who, showcased their plus sized ranges.

The collections included New Look, M&S, Simply Be, River Island and Boohoo.

The event certainly attracted the crowds from regular ashion fans to fashion bloggers who were asked by brands to showcase their new season looks.

Celebrity guests included Gemma Collins, Alexandra Louise Cane and Olakemi Obi but at times the long meet-and-greet queues threatened to get in the way of people trying to have a look around or buy anything from

the stalls.

Danielle Levy, a local Liverpool/ Wirral blogger, who was invited to the event by Simply Be said: “There were some tweaks that could have been made to make the event more accessible and enjoyable for everyone but overall I love what the event stands for and I met some amazing brands and incredible people.”

Organisation issues aside, the event was a refreshing and brilliant celebration of plus-sized women, with the great opportunity to see the new season pieces from lots of clothing brands.

Photo credit (©) Danielle Levy

L

iverpool welcomed the Curve Fashion Festival at St Georges Hall for the fourth year.

The festival is the UK’s largest plus sized fashion event in which thousands of women get together to experience a full day of shopping, celebrity meet and greets, industry seminars and fashion shows.

It housed some of the biggest names on the high street all of

Photo credit (©) Danielle Levy

NEWS

LL19

“ I know I’m intense, I know I’m very loud but - that’s me.”

By CHRISTOPHER MEGRATH

Daisie Thilwind gives us an exclusive look into life in The Bi Life, the villa, and her search for love

I

suppose I just wanted someone to see me for me and accept me for who I am. I know I’m intense, I know I’m very loud but that’s me and it’s not something I’m willing to change.”

The first episode of ‘The Bi Life’ followed bisexual singleton Daisie Thilwind navigating her first date in Barcelona, but it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. The fraud prevention officer showed us her lack of tolerance for men playing the field and quickly shut it down in what can only be described as the perfect sharp tongued, back handed dumping.

The Bi Life follows a group of bisexual bachelors looking for dates and love in Barcelona, hosted by Celebrity Big Brother winner Courtney Act. Over a few weeks, they’ll be going on blind dates and group dates with both genders as we get to watch all the romance and breakups unfold.

Admittedly unlucky in love, Daisie thought the show would be a great idea.

“I was going into the show to find someone, like, maybe TV was the answer to find someone, bisexuality is also such a taboo as well, for me to come on the show and explain what it’s like to be bisexual is amazing.

“I’ve come out of the villa much more confident in myself.”

The 26-year-old has one of the louder and dominant personalities in the villa but with a clear sweet and nurturing side that shines through. Seen as boisterous at first, the relationship she’s visibly built with her co-stars and the bubbly personality on show for dates is what makes Daisie one of the more interesting cast members.

“I’m in contact with everyone, they’re my family. We were together living in a villa for five weeks and everyone got very close. Especially Michael, he’s a babe and he means the world to

Matt and Daisie in the pool © E!

me.”

So far, the dates we have seen ran so smoothly it is filling us with jealousy. Why can’t we be as confident and out there as she is? However, Daisie insists it’s not as easy as it seems, especially being surrounded by cameras, saying it was “definitely intense” and she was “a lot more nervous than you’d expect.”

The rest of the villa are able to watch the dates go down through a live stream but Daisie insists this made her feel at ease.

“Knowing they were with me, supporting me along the way was a really lovely feeling.”

There is already an abundance of shows like this, such as Love Island and others MTV broadcasts so much, but The Bi Life is critically acclaimed for bringing an under-represented demographic to the mainstream.

In television history, there has never been a show dedicated to bisexual dating. Due to the reality dating show picking up attention, in recent years have there has been a public outcry for more than a straight on straight dating

[

experience.

Host Courtney Act, who also appeared as a drag queen on RuPaul’s Drag Race has championed the show’s progressiveness and the characters from all walks being showcased. Everyone on the show, including the host, have all spoken about how liberating a programme like this is for younger viewers to see people that represent them in the media.

“The younger version of me would definitely would have known earlier about my sexuality, the way I looked at myself and the way I dated.. I suppose I think everyone should definitely be who they want to be and not feel ashamed of who they are.. Just own it!”

K

eeping her lips sealed about what to expect in the future regarding love or tears, she does promise us a “a mixture of them all”. We’ve seen so many sides of all of the cast by this point, we can’t help but start rooting for them to find someone.

“I suppose I just want someone to see me for me and accept me for who I am. I know I’m intense I know I’m very loud but that’s me and it’s not something I’m willing to change. I want someone who was honest, great sense of humour. I can only say the only thing so far that’s missing was the spark...”

You can catch Daisie on The Bi Life every Thursday at 9pm on E!

The younger version of me would definitely would have known earlier about my sexuality, the way I looked at myself and the way I dated

[

By CHRISTOPHER MEGRATH

20 LL SHOPPING

Outta My Way...It’s Black Friday!

Liverpool Life’s Top 5 Tech Deals

HP 15 Specs: Intel Core i3 1TB HDD 1080p Display Price: £329 RRP: £549 Saving: £220 CurrysPCWorld

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Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H4 Wireless Headphones Price: £135 RRP: £249 Saving: £115 Amazon.com

Shopping fun for everyone or just another US import?

By HARRY LEAHEY It’s that time of year again, when the biggest sales day of the year causes shoppers to descend on Britain’s high streets to grab a bargain.

Informally known as Black Friday, the discounted day of goods originally came about in

the US, taking place on the fourth Thursday of November, following the American tradition of Thanksgiving Day. However, it was only a matter of time until the UK would later catch on and BlackFriday arrived in the UK back in 2010 and has since become an event worthy of being marked on

many people’s calendars.

Getting in on the fuss, online retailers have also launched what’s called Cyber Monday, scheduled this year for Monday November 26, although many such as Amazon have already started early, selling all kinds of goods at discount prices.

As with previous years, it is

expected that both Black Friday and Cyber Monday will generate billions of pounds in sales, with lots of shopping centres up and down the county hosting many deals on various items.

Unlike previous Black Fridays, Liverpool’s own US wholesale giant Costco, will be hosting its first-ever event this week.

REAL LIFE

LL 21

Katie’s caring mission

By TAMMY-LEE WALSH

L

Pic © Katie Walker Facebook

iverpool hairdresser Katie Walker was just 26 when she was violently attacked by her ex-partner. The assault was so brutal that he broke every bone in her face.

Seven years on, she is now using her platform to help other women in similar circumstances.

Despite the severity of her injuries and having to go through three months of facial reconstructive surgery, Katie says that it was the emotional trauma that she found difficult to move on from.

She told Liverpool Life: “I started to feel worthless and have no self-esteem. I know that counselling can be helpful for some people but in my experience, I only felt worse from constantly dragging everything back up. I would leave feeling very low and depressed.”

“It took me years, but, with help, I found the strength to get through that dark time in my life and I knew that I wanted to help other women.”

Now Katie has gone on to flourish in her career, earning the award for Liverpool’s Best Beauty Professional, a Pride of Britain award and an award for Merseyside Woman of the Year. She has also been acknowledged as a Young Ambassador for the Prince’s Trust.

With their support, she is now expanding her business to provide a service for other victims of domestic abuse.

Discussing her plans with Liverpool Life, Katie said: “We’re hoping to be finished for around March next year. I am currently renovating two floors of the building which houses my salon into a domestic abuse centre, with the necessary security so that women feel safe coming in.

“We’re going to offer services such as counselling, relaxation therapy and financial support for women who have been abused. We want to give them all the tools they need to start re-building their lives.”

In order to continue the development of the support centre, Katie is fundraising online.

She says that there is still a long way to go in terms of funding, telling Liverpool Life: “I’m very grateful and we’ve been so overwhelmed by the positive support from those encouraging this cause but we’re still doing the renovation. We’re just trying to complete the top floor now.”

Katie has already offered free pampering sessions to abuse victims in the past. She stated: “The main goal is to build their confidence back up and to show them their worth.

I want to give other women the support I wish I had. It’s about getting them to a point where they’re not going to return to their abuser. I want them to walk out of this treatment feeling positive and better about themselves.”

If you’d like to make a donation to Katie’s salon, you can find more information at: https:// bit.ly/2DjdP81

Books appeal to help refuge families

By LUCY JONES

A

Wirral mum-of-two has joined a local charity to help raise money to provide well-stocked bookcases for women’s refuges across the country, which currently does not have this scheme in place.

Book at Bedtime gives children leaving a refuge the chance to choose a book to take with them alongside a special bookmark to mark a new start and a new chapter in their lives.

Wallasey mum Amy Vickers organised a special collection at Wiggle and Jiggle’s Children in Need event at Wallasey Village Library in order to help the charity.

She told Liverpool Life: “The children in refuges often don’t have a single personal belonging. They regularly arrive not only confused and terrified but also with only the clothes, they are wearing. Schools can be changed; friends lost and cherished toys abandoned.

“Research shows that reading (and being read to) helps children to do better in school, develops language, potentially improves confidence and ultimately provides greater possibilities for their future.”

According to Women’s Aid, ‘A refuge is a

safe house where women and children who are experiencing domestic abuse can stay free from fear.’

There are over 500 refuge and support services in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Any woman regardless of martial status, who needs to escape from domestic abuse can go into a refuge at any time. It does not matter if you live with your abuser, or whether or not you have children, everyone woman is accepted.

As well as needing good quality fun books for ages up to 16, each bookcase includes a specialist set of Family Change books which enables play workers to support the children.

Amy helps provide funds and resources to fill, maintain and replenish bookcases locally. £300 provides a refuge with a bookcase, a full set of Family Change books and bookmarks and some brand new books.

To find out more information about Amy’s work with the charity, email at amyvickers78@ googlemail.com.

To donate any good quality books, hand them into Wallasey Village Library.

Pic © Amy Vickers Facebook

22 LL REAL LIFE

No rest for the retired

Richard and Lyn Gumm Š Richard Gumm

Ellie Watkinson talks to Chester locals Richard and Lyn Gumm following their journey into the world of ďŹ lm, working alongside actors such as Hugh Grant and Meryl Streep

I

f you open your browser and search ‘What to do when you’re retired’, you’ll find several listicles with recommendations such as “Complete your bucket list and prepare to say goodbye”- all very reassuring.

So here’s a suggestion - become a film extra instead. That is what Richard and Lyn Gumm decided to do at the onset of retirement and it’s turned into a second “occupation” for them both.

The retirees, from Chester, have carved a budding career on the big-screen and have featured in more than 50 films and television programmes, notably Victoria, Oscar-nominated Darkest Hour, Informer, which is currently on BBC1 and Florence Foster Jenkins.

Florence Foster Jenkins, which stars Hugh Grant and Meryl Streep, was filmed in a number of Merseyside locations, including the Cunard building in Liverpool and New Brighton, Wirral, meaning locally-based extras were in demand.

Richard, a former banker, said: “A lot more productions are being made up North. Liverpool tends to lend itself to films because of the Three Graces on the waterfront.”

It was five years ago that Lyn and Richard both joined a re-enactment group called Northern Forties. Their first role was as French resistance operatives for film Allies. The couple subsequently signed to the casting director’s agency.

The following year, the Gumms were requested to head to BBC studios at Selly Oak to be an extra in Doctors, which they described as, “the start of a snowball rolling down a mountain”.

Richard, 61, and Lyn, 62, have

REAL LIFE

LL 23

“I got a phone call from the groom, who was having a re-enactment themed wedding and he wanted me to officiate the marriage as Churchill” had their share of unusual roles. Richard, who often plays historical characters, portrayed Winston Churchill in an episode of Don’t Tell the Bride. He said: “I got a phone call from the groom who was having a re-enactment themed wedding and he wanted me to officiate the marriage as Churchill.

“When you are in a background or walk-on role it’s not the foremost feature in a programme.

However, when you say you played Winston Churchill officiating a wedding, it certainly sounds like it was!”

Lyn, formerly a computer programmer, recalled playing a grandmother for an American reconstruction film.

She said: “The lady was discharged from hospital, shot and her mother died within 24 hours.

“The poor woman went through the mill on this one day, and that is right up my street. I seem to attract playing the role of a downtrodden woman, or a dead body.”

Though retired, the Gumms face earlier mornings than most working people. A day as a film

extra entails waking up around 3am, with a long commute to the location. The job is quite a commitment for the pair.

Former directors have praised their performances, which has allowed them to get walk-on roles and to engage with cast members.

Richard played a supporting role of a cabinet minister in The Darkest Hour, and he features in many of the award-winning film’s promotional images alongside Gary Oldman.

According to Lyn, it is occasionally financially rewarding but not subtantial enough.

Richard added: “You certainly couldn’t pay a mortgage off it, but having said that, if there are two of you involved it is quite a nice little earner, say if you’re retired or even a student.”

The duo have no intention of winding down just yet. They are soon set to appear in Anne, a TV drama about Anne Williams whose son was killed in the Hillsborough disaster taking 96 lives.

The series will be shown on ITV. “You don’t give it up it gives you up,” finishes Lyn.

Above: The couple in costume Below: Lyn and Richard out of character © Richard Gumm

24 LL GRAD WATCH

Amber’s new beat Life on the Merseyside Police press team Amber on her graduation day

Gradwatch

MEGAN TATTERSLEY talks to AMBER ROBERTS

N

ot all journalism graduates end up working behind a camera or in a newsroom. Some decide to go in a new direction.

This was the case for Amber Roberts, who graduated from Liverpool John Moores University two summers ago.

The 23-year-old has found herself working as a press officer for Merseyside Police - and she loves it.

“What I love about my job is that every day is different,” she told LL. “We deal with murders to thefts to antisocial behaviour … and everything in between.”

Crime and law had always interested Amber, but it was while studying Public Relations (PR) in her final year that she realised being a press officer for the police would be her ideal job.

“I’d not really found a specific

area of journalism I loved while on the course and knew I didn’t think I’d end up being a journa list, but when I took up the PR module it gave me a flavour of something different I could put my skills to.”

For her final year placement, Amber applied to work in the police press office but because they were too busy, she ended up going to Chester Hospital press office.

Despite it not being her first choice of work placement, she nevertheless enjoyed her time there.

Amber advises anyone doing a placement to make the most out it, telling LL: “It really allows you to get a flavour of what you’re in terested in - and what you’re not!”

The PR module allowed Amber to get a perspective on both journalism and being a press

officer, which has really helped her.

Her job involves answering and responding to media queries, but that’s not all her job entails.

She also goes around Merseyside and into the communities, publicising the good work the force does, videoing raids, hosting media events or drafting key messages to help an officer who is about to be interviewed.

She also facilitates filming opportunities, such as documentaries.

Finding a job after university did not prove to be too much of a challenge for Amber. She soon got a job as an internal communications assistant with an insurance company, after a recruitment agency found her CV online.

The Welsh graduate recommends anyone hunting

“What I love about my job is that every day is different”

for a job should upload a CV onto a job site.

“Signing up for notifications and regularly checking for new jobs is important, there’s lots of jobs available, if you just keep your eye on the ball and don’t give up looking,” she told LL. She was only with the insurance company for around three months before landing the role in her current job this time last year.

For right now, Amber is happy where she is.

“I’m really enjoying my current role and can’t see myself leaving for a while,” she says.

“There are lots of opportunities that come with the job and so maybe doing some work with national teams such as the National Crime Agency would be really interesting.”

Her advice to anyone wanting to get in her position is to think outside the box.

For those in a degree they are unsure, about she says: “I panicked thinking I had made the wrong choice and I would never be a journalist - but there are so many opportunities available that the skills you learn on the course can be used for.”

SPORT LL 25

Above: The current state of New Ferry youth centre © Harry Leahey.

Above right: Alison McGovern, Labour MP for Wirral South © Harry Leahey.

Below: The Bright Ideas Fund will reinvigorate the decrepit building.

New Ferry’s new goal

Community fund backs team’s project to revitalise abandoned youth club

By HARRY LEAHEY Wirral football team New Ferry Rangers FC are leading ambitious plans to create a thriving community hub for New Ferry.

It comes following investment from the Bright Ideas Fund, which is funded by Power to Change, the independent trust supporting new community businesses in England.

The project, which could begin as soon as next year and was founded by the local team, promises to revitalise the town following a devastating gas explosion in 2016.

The proposals involve taking over an existing youth club on Cornwell Close, which is currently only used for taekwondo classes, and refurbishing it into a modern facility housing space for five-a-

side football, gym classes and a community cafe.

The project will rejuvinate sport in the New Ferry area and help a new generation of sports men and women flourish.

Simon Crabtree, chairman of New Ferry Rangers FC, said: “New Ferry youth centre project has been ongoing for a couple of years now, and we at New Ferry Rangers first got involved because we felt the centre was being massively underused, which to us is really

sad, not just for us, but the whole of the New Ferry community.

“We don’t just want to refurbish the club for New Ferry Rangers, we’re hoping that with this venue, we will be able to bring some life into the New Ferry community.

“It’s been on the decline now for over 15 years, and even more recently took a massive hit with the gas explosion. We want this project to reinvigorate the community.”

It is hoped that if the plans

become a reality, the area will provide more for young people, with the centre open for activities seven days a week.

Alison McGovern, Labour MP for Wirral South, was keen to express the importance of the project.

She said: “We’ve got some services for young people at the moment here but it’s not enough, and we need to make sure that all our young people in the New Ferry and Bebington area have got somewhere to go.

“We know that young people too often are left without the kind of leadership and support that they need when they grow up, so I’m wanting to see this youth club back into full use by New Ferry Rangers. I think it will be an incredible thing for the community that I represent.”

Sport Liverpool reveals game-changing app

By NADIA BREEN Sport Liverpool has launched a new app that allows users to access class schedules, track workouts and compete in challenges to gain rewards.

The app encourages users to engage in physical activity through different challenges.

Rebecca Goodwin, supervisor at University of Liverpool Sport Centre - part of Sport Liverpool - told

Liverpool Life: “It is unique as it has a personal touch and offers so many different things.

“Through the challenges and rewards, we can tailor things to different people to celebrate individual’s milestones.

“Our biggest aim is to promote exercise and to get more people to participate. I am hoping we can achieve this.”

The challenge this month is to raise awareness for Movember,

a charity that focuses on men’s health issues.

Participants are aiming to do 60km in any chosen way may it be running, walking, rowing or cycling.

Prizes are currently being discussed but they could include massages, free personal training sessions or extra time added to memberships.

Rebecca said: “The aim of the first few challenges is to increase

participation as much as possible and there are different challenges for different abilities.

“I’d like everyone to know they are welcome to do the challenges on the app no matter if you go to the gym once a week or everyday.”

Sport Liverpool are working on additional promotions for users but currently offer discounts for users to use at local businesses.

The app is available on Android and IOS.

26

LL SPORT Rounders round up

By LUCY JONES

Action shot: LJMU women’s team, pictured in blue

© Lance Perez

Volleyball victory for LJMU

By ANGELICA DAY Volleyball teams from Liverpool John Moores University found glory at a British Universities and College’s Sports (BUCs) tournament in Manchester.

The LJMU women’s first volleyball team won their first BUCs game and the men’s first team followed in their footsteps.

The tournament included teams from the University of Liverpool (UoL), University of Manchester (UoM) and Bangor University.

The LJMU women’s team smashed it with scores of 23-13 against UoL, 25-23, 25-17 against UoM and 25-23, 25-22 against Bangor.

After celebrating the women’s success, the men’s team felt the pressure. However, they also

brought home two wins out of two against the University of Chester (UoC) and University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN), with scores of 25-10, 25-4 against UoC and 25-22, 28-26 against UCLAN. Lance Perez, 20, from Preston, President of the Volleyball Society, told Liverpool Life: “We played really well and I wouldn’t say we had tough competition as we were the best team in there.

Our most valuable player (MVP) was Joe Garrens. I think Julien Sallard also deserved MVP, but the opposition chose them.

“The women’s team played really well. I think they had more of a competition than we did. They were passing really well and their hitting was on point, especially against UoL. They held their ground and were very focused on

court. It was a long day overall,” he continued.

The next BUCs tournament for the men is on December 8 while the women have to wait until January 9 for their next clash.

LJMU men’s team © Lance Perez

A rounders match pitting Liverpool John Moores University against Manchester Met turned into a mini tournament at LJMU’s IM Marsh campus because of the numbers of players wanting to be involved.

The committee members had arranged a rounders match, but with both teams having a large amount of people the event expanded and ended with a win for LJMU. The LJMU rounders team have been competing for two years and are a mixed all-inclusive team, welcoming all abilities.

They take part in various tournaments and friendly matches with other rounders teams across the country.

Team captain Catherine Robinson told Liverpool Life: “This being only our second year, we have achieved so much.

“In our first year, at the end of year tournament, we competed with five other universities and did very well. This year, after our latest win, we feel very positive about the rest of the year.”

Their success has also caught the eye of Rounders England.

They have been in contact about forming a league, with tournaments coming up which could involve the LJMU team.

Miss Robinson added: “We are working towards being bigger and better every week, and can’t wait to compete at the next few matches.”

Liverpool MMA star prepares to face a new rival

By CHLOE SMITH Liverpool-born welterweight Daley Hitchin is to face a new opponent on Saturday, following Chris Senior’s decision to drop out of the MMA clash.

Hitchin, who is making this his professional MMA debut at the age of 35 in the Full Contact Contender (FCC) Division at the Bolton Macron Stadium, confirmed his opponent had dropped out through his Instagram feed, where he commented: “Another one pulls again, no problem though another good opponent there in the works! There will be a fight on November 24th no matter what!!”

Hitchin will now be up against Fionn Healy-Magwa, 6’1 from Straight Blast Gym (SBG) in

Ireland. He is a 7-3 amateur MMA fighter who is also making his pro debut, so it should be “a good fight,” Hitchn commented.

Hichin told Liverpool Life: “I had a message from my head coach Sean Martin asking me to call him (Senior), and I found out that I was no longer fighting Chris. So then I was offered a new fight as soon as I spoke to Adam Teh, who is the FCC owner and promoter.”

When Liverpool Life asked if he knew why his opponent had dropped out, so close to the fight date, he said: “As far as I know it was a minor tear.”

As it is believed to be a physical injury there is no way Chris could compete without hurting himself further.

MMA star Daley Hitchin Fionn Healy-Magwa told Liverpool Life: “I found out that I was going to be replacing Chris Senior via Facebook Message from the FCC promoter, asking me to fight and I said yes straight away.

I feel prepared for this fight.”

The Division will also debut Shaun Hampton vs Ken Rich-

ardson, Ellis Hampson vs Jonno Mears, Tom Briggs vs Mark Kinsella and many more.

• Prices range from £30 for a standard ticket, up to £700 for VIP. To purchase tickets visit the official website for the FCC. https://www.fccmma.co.uk/tickets

SPORT

LL 27

Boxer’s aim to knock out the bullies

By JAKE O’NEIL

Inside Anfield

© Ben Sutherland/WikiMediaCommons

Liverpool fans fury over rising ticket prices

By REBECCA THOMAS Liverpool fans have urged their club to follow Everton’s example and freeze season ticket prices to help fans who attend matches every week.

Everton have now frozen ticket prices for the fourth year, with their supporters praising them for thinking of the average working fan. A Liverpool adult season ticket in the main stand for the 2018/19 season is priced at £869, compared to Everton’s most expensive ticket at £565.

Fans reacted angrily on social media to the pricing decision, with some users on Twitter questioning why Liverpool FC could afford to pay a £250,000 bonus to out-going Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore but cannot freeze fans’ ticket prices.

Fans were also dismayed that Liverpool were charging £95 for an Anfield brick when Everton are charging that for a child’s season ticket.

Twitter user @LF_1906 said: “Fair play with Everton’s price freeze, £95 for a child’s season ticket, while we are charging the same price for a brick. Can afford to dish out £250k to that Scudamore fella, but can’t afford to make our tickets at least £10 cheaper a game.” @stan_handsome reacted angrily to the selling of an Anfield brick and blamed the owner.

He said: “I see John Henry ownership philosophy of selling supporters the garbage left over from endless renovations of the ground works for both his clubs.”

Liverpool fan @LFCsocialist said: “Money in footy is a joke,

really struggling to keep my hopes up about the sport.”

However, not all Liverpool fans agreed with the club completely lowering ticket prices. Twiter user @anfieldxi wrote: “EFC aren’t paying £65m and £75m out, but until supporters complain about transfer and agent fees and players wages, it’s hard to argue that ticket prices should be lower.

We see our supporters wanting a player say ‘Just pay it, it’s not our money’. Really?”

Scudamore will receive the payment over a three- year period in recognition of his “outstanding work”.

He will step down after 19 years at the organisation in December, with the departing money a nice Christmas present.

Liverpool Football Club were unavailable for comment.

Relief as Rovers progress

By ELLIE WATKINSON Oxford City 0, Tranmere 2 Tranmere Rovers are set to face Southport FC in the Emirates FA Cup second round, after the club’s victory against Oxford City in a first-round replay last night.

A two-nil win for the Birkenhead club has secured them a spot against Sandgrounders in the next round in under a fortnight.

Striker James Norwood secured Rovers’ first goal in the sixth minute, followed by a second on the half-hour from forward Paul Mullin.

In the first round, Southport FC beat Boreham Wood, also by a 2-0 margin, setting up the the local derby.

The game is scheduled for a 2pm kick-off on Sunday December 2nd.

Manager Micky Mellon © Alexsimpson99

Professional boxer Johnny Quigley will be hosting free boxing lessons for children after witnessing school kids attack a fellow pupil.

The Liverpool-born boxer, who trains at Kirkby ABC Boxing Gym, confronted the attackers and took the child to safety following the incident.

Johnny Quigley told Liverpool Life: “The kid was hiding behind a tree crying and shaking so I just got out the car and shouted at the kids doing it to him because it just was not right, it was horrible.”

After his encounter Johnny thought up the idea of holding free boxing lessons for kids in the hope of building their self-confidence and physicality.

Mr Quigley said: “I put it on Facebook and I never thought it would blow up as big as it did. I have had hundreds, if not thousands, of messages and friend requests off parents who are looking for their children to take the sessions, because they have been bullied in various forms.”

Johnny, 28, is hoping to host the lessons promptly in Kirkby.

He was picking up his son from school when he saw the incident and says he does not want to teach vulnerable kids how to fight and promote violence, rather to teach them how to handle themselves if they are ever in dangerous situations.

The super featherweight said: “I am looking to start up as soon as possible. As I want to help everyone out, I may have to do a couple of classes a week along with one-on-ones.

“I am currently at the boxing club in Kirkby, so I may hold the lessons there but because of the demand and the way this has taken off, I may even have to start up my own gym.

“I would even go to schools to hold lessons to store some confidence into the kids because seeing the bullying first hand has knocked me sick.”

LL Liverpool Life

Picture by Adele Matthews

Produced by LJMU Journalism Students