Liverpool Life 7:2 October 24 2018 by Steve Harrison

NEWS FROM THE HEART OF THE CITY

FREE

EVER FORT Y NIGH

ISSUE 2 Oct 24 - Nov 6

Liverpool Life

Making Mischief

Halloween guide inside

Liverpool Life contents Vol 7 Issue 2 October 24 - November 6 Work begins on platform upgrades Tourism Tax bid to tackle cuts Homeless to Hero Building hope brick by brick

Capturing the real Humans of Liverpool

New vegan market sprouts up

Insight into life on Death Row

McGann goes back to his roots

20-21 23

Our Halloween Guide for Liverpool

International Stardom for Cage Fighter

14-15

View from Albert

LL Production: Simran Roy, Orlaith Clinton, Harry Leahey, Shaun Driscoll, Abigail Lawrence, Summer Gedall, Liam Cork, Nadia Breen, Rebecca Thomas, Chloe Tomkins, Christa Daley Front page picture © Angelica Day

NEWS

LL 3

Commuters braced for pain as train revolution rolls ahead By Chloe Smith Merseyrail is undertaking eight months of work to change station platforms in preparation for new futuristic trains that will be arriving in 2020. The work will involve adjusting the platforms so that they are at the correct level for the new sliding step technology. This will mean that there is no gap between train and platforms, which will improve safety for passengers. Managing Director Andy Heath said: “These works are vital to prepare our network for the arrival of the new state-of-the-art trains in 2020.” The upgrade on the platforms will consist of 11 phases to realign tracks at 58 stations and is

CLOSURES: Stations will shut during upgrades © Chloe Smith planned to start this month and continue until June 2019. The renovation of the stations will not only affect the Wirral line but also the Northern Merseyrail line. As the work cannot be completed while the stations are open, during each phase selected stations and rail lines will be closed.

However, while the stations are closed, rail replacement buses are being put in place to enable commuters to travel to and from the city. The work carried out will only affect certain stations at a time, as the upgrade is split into different phases.

Mersey station hits the buffers By Rohin Jalota Merseyrail has defended its record after Liverpool Central was voted in the 10 worst stations for the umber of delays or cancellations in the UK. Coming in at tenth place, according to an investigation by Which? magazine carried out between January to September 2018, 49% of services from the Merseyrail station were delayed, with 1% cancelled. When questioned about Which’s findings, Merseyrail said: “Liverpool Central is one of the busiest stations outside of London. “The frequency of services, with a train arriving or departing every two minutes, can result in more than one train being affected by a single incident.

This will allow people to still access alternative stations if theirs is closed. Phase one of the platform upgrade, running until November 9th, will affect the Ormskirk line. Merseyrail said: “We’re doing our very best to make sure your journey is as easy as possible. “It is very important to us that while the works are going on, you get to where you need to as quickly as possible.” Passengers travelling to and from the city are advised to plan their journey in advance and leave more time for their journeys in case of any delays. For more information about what date each phase starts and what stations are affected visit: https://www.merseyrail.org/ platform-upgrade-works.aspx

1. Manchester Oxford Road (68% of services delayed or cancelled) 2. York (65%) 3.= Gatwick Airport (60%) 3.= Birmingham New Street (60%) 5. Bristol Temple Meads (58%)

DELAYS: Liverpool Central is among UK’s worst © Robin Jalota “Merseyrail remains one of the most punctual operators in the country with train service performance levels of 95.2% in 2018.” Commuter, David McFerran, 30, of Leasowe, told Liverpool Life he was not surprised by the findings. “I use the station every day as

I work in town and 90% of the time if my train is not late in the morning it definitely will be in the evening. It’s unbelievable,” he said. Commuters have faced difficult times with Merseyrail recently, with regular strike action due to plans for driverless trains causing major disruption.

6. Manchester Piccadilly (56%) 7.= Sheﬃeld (54%) 7.= Clapham Junction (54%) 9. Manchester Victoria (51%) 10. Liverpool Central (49%)

LL NEWS

Stop the seasonal splurge By HANNAH CONBOY A Wirral mum has launched a scheme to help the city’s poorest families, and save the environment, with Liverpool’ first ‘Coat Exchange’. With the help of the community, children’s outgrown winter coats, hats and scarves, along with other warm clothes, can all be donated in exchange for new ones that fit, in time for the cold weather to set in. Mum-of-four Angela Hill, from Irby, Wirral, thought of the brilliant idea to get parents to stop the seasonal splurging while she was scrolling through Facebook. She told Liverpool Life: “I spotted a post shared from an Australian website where they had implemented this idea in their daycare centre, and I thought, ‘That’s genius!’.” Angela continued: “Mum and dad dash out and buy them, but they don’t get worn for very long. I started to realise that we were accumulating a growing pile of immaculate coats year on year, and they aren’t cheap. “It just seemed a shame that these fabulous coats don’t get

By TAMMY-LEE WALSH

WINTER WARMER: Scheme helps local families © Angela Hill worn, are quickly grown out of, and inevitably end up in landfill, harming our environment.” As well as helping those with less income to keep their children from the cold, Angela said one of the key elements behind her idea was the importance of the environment for these children’s futures. “I personally have cut down massively on the amount of clothes I buy and inevitably waste, buying one coat of good quality that will last, is what will make a massive difference to the environment.

“Not disposing of things as soon as they’re no longer ‘trendy’.” The exchange scheme has already been a roaring success, not only spreading from the Wirral, across Liverpool, but it’s already making an impact on the whole of the UK. Angela added; “We have had a huge amount of interest across our schools. “They’ve picked up on it in Wigan, in Scotland, and I’m excited for it to get off the ground. “It’s benefiting the parents, as well as the planet. There’s no losers here.”

Triple anniversary sculpture is celebration of the colourful By DAVID HAYCOCKS Today marks the 10th anniversary of Liverpool European Capital of Culture, the 20th anniversary of Liverpool Biennial and the 30th anniversary of Tate Liverpool - so what better way to celebrate a colourful triple anniversary than a vibrant sculpture. The Tate and Liverpool biennial are displayng a sculpture on the Albert Dock reated by artist Ugo Rondinone and standing at over 10 metres, the sculpture stands out and adds life to the Albert Dock through colour. The artwork is part of the buildup to a larger cultural plan, David Roscoe, Chairman of Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, said. “Ugo Rondinone’s striking and inspiring work is an exciting new landmark for Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, playing a key role in

Redrow plans set to get go ahead

our plans for the Dock’s future as we build up to the 175th anniversary in 2021, and ensuring the Dock remains relevant in the ever-changing landscape of Liverpool’s UNESCO World Heritage Waterfront and the wider city region,” Mr Roscoe explained. “We’re thrilled to partner with Liverpool Biennial and Tate Liverpool to bring this Liverpool 2018 project to the Dock, and to be its guardian long after the big reveal as its legacy lives on.” Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone has been recognised for his work in major cities in recent years, most notably Las Vegas and Miami, hich have hosted his sculpting masterpieces in recent times. His work, backed by Liverpool Mountain, has brought eye-catching colour to well-known areas through artwork made from pieces of pyramid rock.

Controversial housing plans for the land surrounding Allerton Priory are more likely than ever to be approved this week. Locals have campaigned for years to prevent Redrow’s scheme to build houses on what they have deemed ‘the most beautiful green space in Liverpool’ and the council has previously rejected the plans. However, the site has now been approved for outline planning permission to go ahead with the development of up to 160 homes to be built on the 33 acres of land. So far, Redrow has only announced plans to build 100 houses in order to maintain open areas of public space and to avoid interfering with the views of surrounding areas, such as Allerton Priory Farm. Despite these precautions, locals are reluctant to accept the plans due to concerns for wildlife in the area, including rare species of bats, hedgehogs and barn owls.

Arrested at airport A man has been arrested as he tried to go through border control when returning back to the UK from Spain. John Brew, 34, of Bradford Road, Liverpool, was arrested in the early hours of yesterday morning at the airport. A warrant for his arrest was issued after he failed to attend court back in May for possession for cannabis.

Sculpture © David Haycocks

NEWS

Tragedy inspires baby charity By TAMMLY-LEE WALSH For many parents, visiting the hospital for their baby’s 12-week scan is a time of excitement and joy. Yet, for one St Helen’s couple, this was the day that any hopes for a future with their baby were snatched away. Now, they have set up a charity to help other families in the same heart-breaking position that they were in. Daniel Thompson and Georgina Wills, of Newton-le-Willows, were told that their child would likely die straight after birth. A scan revealed that their baby had exencephaly, an early stage of anencephaly, a condition where the foetus’s brain forms outside the skull. Despite this, Mr Thompson, 30, and Ms Wills, 27, decided it would be best to carry on with the pregnancy and to seize whatever chance they had to spend time with their beloved baby. Even if they would only have a few hours. The couple of five years set up a crowdfunding page and raised money for a ‘cuddle cot’, a device with a special cooling system that would preserve the baby’s body for longer after the death, giving

Baby Ava-Marie with her parents © Daniel Thompson the parents time to grieve in the comfort of their home. On July 11th 2018, daughter Ava-Marie was born. She surpassed her life expectancy of ten hours and went on to survive for 11 days. Commenting on the little time spent with his daughter, Mr Thompson told Liverpool Life: “Ava-Marie defied all odds. In fact, she is one of the longest surviving children to be born with anencephaly in the UK. Every day that went by was a blessing and

we were grateful for each passing hour. “The time spent has now left us with a lifetime of heartache. We spent each day making memories with her. We had hand casts, hand prints, lots of photographs, we even had the charity Remember my Baby come along and provide us with professional photographs free of charge.” Mr Thompson credited the cuddle cot for helping him and his partner to cope during their grief. He said: “To have access to a

cuddle cot was an amazing opportunity. “This allowed us to spend quality time with our daughter and to make memories, which we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do without it. “Having a cuddle cot helped us with the grieving process after losing Ava-Marie as it allowed us to spend every minute with her at home.” They have decided to donate the cuddle cot to Warrington hospital so that it may benefit another family under similar circumstances. The experience also inspired the couple to set up their own charity, the Ava-Marie Foundation. Mr Thompson, who works as a maintenance worker at the YMCA in St Helens, aid: “Our aim is to provide ‘memory boxes’ to parents who have just lost a baby or who are pregnant with a baby with a life-limiting condition. “These memory boxes will contain items such as hand casting, inkpads, teddies and books to read to the child. We hope to become registered with the charity commissioner over the next coming weeks.” Donations can be made at: www. avamariefoundation.org.uk

Centre helps turn tables on a nightmare ‘tradition’ By ANGELICA DAY A youth centre based in Huyton is helping to tackle youth crime in the area. Knowsley Better Together has funded the youth centre’s upcoming initiative, ‘Living Nightmare’, as a way to keep the kids off the streets. Rhian Canavan, 28, the project manager at the youth centre based at the Gate building - told Liverpool Life: “The community does a lot of voluntary work all year and we even work alongside the pensioners as a way to give back. We have IT buddy sessions with them to show their family tree and in return they come in and bake cakes with the children. “It is quite a deprived area where a lot of gang crime happens but having the after-school club, the youth club and the special needs club helps to break the barriers down. “We have children coming from all areas, but unfortunately we

don’t have enough space or funding to be able to accommodate everybody.” Living Nightmare came about in 2014/15 and sparked plenty of funding for the youth club, rewarding the children with a trip to Gulliver’s World. It is a way of keep youngsters entertained on the night before Halloween, known as ‘Mizzy Night’ on Merseyside, it is a night devoted to pranksters who see the night as an opportunity to be mischievous at people’s expense. As a part of a ‘long-standing tradition’, what happens on the night before Halloween varies from setting off fireworks to smashing eggs and wrecking the streets which cause a nuisance to neighbourhood’s in and around Liverpool. Complaints of anti-social behaviour about the evening around Merseyside rocketed by a fifth last year. The Knowsley Better Together funding allows them to provide the children in and around the

FUN: Fancy dress at the youth centre © Angelica Day area with somewhere to go to instead of hanging about on the streets. “They can be a little bit naughty and mischievous, but they’re not bad kids, they’re just misunderstood,” added Rhian, from Page Moss. With the area being a part of the council’s regeneration scheme,

there are a lot of empty houses and children were getting into the houses, sometimes attempting to set fire to them. The community centre aims to get them away from doing that and further built a relationship with the fire support network, which is the community side of the fire service.

LL NEWS

New partners for festival return By ANNIE WILLIAMS Liverpool’s cultural ties with Ireland came to the fore once again as the Liverpool Irish Festival returned to the city this month. Now in its 16th year, the festival returned with new partnerships, new and upcoming music and artists, the launch of the Irish Centre and a new theme. This year’s 10-day festival included special performances by podcast sensation The Guilty Feminist Deborah Frances, and one of Ireland’s greatest music acts, Kila. Launched on the 18th and running untill October 28th, with more than 60 events at venues across the city, this year’s festival explores themes of migration, with artists and performers exploring the relationship between cultural identity and place, and how Irish identity is changing on

a global scale Talking about the importance of the festival, Emma Smith, director of Liverpool Irish Festival, told Liverpool Life: “The Office of National Statistics reports that 50% of people born in Liverpool are thought to have Irish ancestry. “It is clear from that and the amount of Irish that migrate to Liverpool even today, that the Irish and Liverpool are inseparable.” Mrs Smith added: “This festival isn’t just for Irish people, it is about them and anyone can be a part of it. It is about sharing culture.” For the first time, the festival joined forces with the Liverpool Literary Festival and this month’s Mental Health Festival. Mrs Smith said: “We started conversations with Liverpool’s Mental Health Festival last year on how we could incorporate the

Artwork from exhibition at the festival theme in our festival this year. We have looked at things which help promote positivity and self-care, looking at Irish travelling health and wellbeing. We have worked together to do nice things with a creative output whilst still being informative about mental health.” Other performances included

Cathedral to host centenary celebration with Requiem choir collaboration By LORI DUNLEVY One hundred years on, Liverpool and Hanover have joined forces to celebrate the end of the First World War. Choirs from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Hannover NDR Philharmonic in Germany have collaborated to create a concert dedicated to commemorating 00 years since Armistice Day. The teams are presenting Britten’s War Requiem, a concert transporting its guests back to life in 1918. Leading the two UNESCO cities’s performance will be Andrew Maze, famous guest conductor for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Sandra Rotheram, 75, a guide at the Liverpool Cathedral, told Liverpool Life: “The concert is based on an amazing part of history. I think it will interest not just the older generation but younger people as well because it will give them an insight into what life was like during the war. “The cathedral is the perfect place for this event because it’s so big. We get no funding so holding a concert is a good way to intro

Joanne Ryan’s multi award-winning Eggsistentialism and The Morning After the Life Before at the Royal Court Downstairs, David O’Doherty and Lizzie Nunnery’s new screenplay To Have to Shoot Irishmen at the Everyman. •For the LL guide to the weekend line-up see p12-13

Will Trump last four years as president? BY JMU JOURNALISM

duce new people to the cathedral and receive donations.” Orchestral musicians, choristers and world-class soloists from both Britain and Germany will unite to honour a century since the guns fell silent. The concert will be held at Liverpool Cathedral on November 10th from 7:30pm–10pm. • To get tickets, contact the Philharmonic Box Oﬃce on 0151 709 3789

Liverpool Cathedral All pictures © Lori Dunlevy

The people of Liverpool have given their verdict on the future of Donald Trump’s presidency. JMU Journalism sent a team of 100 reporters onto the city’s streets to ask: “Do you think Donald Trump will last the full four-year term as US President?” and even former White Stripes frontman, Jack White, who was in the city for his weekend concert at the Echo Arena, had his say. The 43-year-old ‘Seven Nation Army’ singer from Tennessee told JMU Journalism: “Yes, I think he will but he shouldn’t. I think the system is already set up in his favour. All the Republicans are just in protection mode.” The result was an overwhelming. A 72% majority (349) were of the belief that 72-year-old Trump will see out his mandate until at least 2020, when he would have to run for the White House again. Just 23% (113) felt he is destined to go before then, with 5% (22) stating that they did not know.

NEWS

LL 7

Tourism tax bid to tackle cuts By ADELE MATTHEWS A hotel tax could be implemented in Liverpool, following the council’s efforts to stop £1m being axed from their culture and tourism spending. The so-called “tourism tax” could see the city raise up to £3m a year if the plans go ahead. Common across European cities such as Rome and Paris, a recent city report suggested that a small charge – perhaps £1 a night could be levied on hotel rooms. Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham expressed his interest in the new tax initiative. He said: “If the Government are

looking for a pilot area it could be the Liverpool City Region, whose tourist industry is literally booming at the moment.” However, UKHospitality, the body which represents thousands of hotels, said it opposed any new tax. With a shrinking budget for culture, other solutions such as new parking charges and the installation of solar panels have also been considered but are yet to be confirmed. Liverpool’s hotels have had an impressive year, with over one million people visiting the city for the Giants, with the Christmas period still to come.

BUSY: Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool

Poppy-Mae joins runners for family fun run By ANNIE WILLIAMS

Ambassador Poppy-Mae

When more than 1,000 runners took part in the second Alder Hey 10k and Family Fun Run earlier n October at Croxteth Hall and Country Park, they were joined by a very special guest starter, five-year-old Alder Hey patient Poppy-Mae Jones. Poppy-Mae became an ambassador for the charity this year, as well as being one of the faces of Alder Hey’s #BeASuperStar2018 campaign. Since her birth, Poppy has suffered with bowel conditions and regular pain and discomfort. After numerous hospital stays and tests, Alder Hey are now looking at surgical procedures to help her conditions. Sharon Jones, Poppy’s mother, told Liverpool Life: “Alder Hey

Children’s Hospital and charity have been brilliant, as has Poppy’s paediatrician, and Poppy wanted to give something back. “She has completed a walk from Ellesmere Port to Chester Zoo and raised over £2,000 for Alder Hey.” Sharon added: “After being told her appointment with a surgical team will be in October, Poppy got worried that she would be in hospital over Christmas and Santa might not know where she is. “I explained that there will be lots of poorly children in hospital over Christmas, to which she replied ‘Let’s buy them all presents in case Santa forgets them, too!’.” Poppy and her mother went on to set up a toy appeal for all the children in Alder Hey and has since been asked to campaign for Matalan’s Christmas catalogue.

Firework championship winner issues danger warning By STEPHEN KILLEN A winner of the firework championships in Southport has issued a stark warning about the dangers of firework misuse on Bonfire Night. Each year thousands of firework fans across the city gather to find the best display in Liverpool. However, some decide against braving the crisp November weather to host their own event with fireworks bought from local retailers. Unlike the council-organised

events, the back garden pyrotechnicians are not professionals and do not alway consider the safety precautions. Simon Harding, director at Sirotechnics, was crowned winner at the champions event in 2017 at the British Musical Firework Championships held in Southport Speaking to Liverpool Life, he outlined the dangers of fireworks. “If you want to use the fireworks in your garden, just follow the instructions on the back of the box; the main safety precaution is don’t go back to a lit fire,”

he said. Many parents will allow their children to hold a sparkler while displays are lighting up the sky. However, a simple sparkler can reach temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees Celsius and a standard rocket can travel up to 150 miles per hour. The most common injuries treated from bonfires and fireworks are burns, smoke inhalation and debris. More than 4,500 people visited A&E for treatment on firework-related injuries in 2014-15. Mr Harding added: “A lot of

accidents you see are when the firework is in the ground but not secure. If you look at all the professional firework displays, they all have a stake with tape around it which stops it firing out uncontrollably. “There’re plenty of powerful fireworks you can buy out there, if you treat them with respect, you’ll have a safe enjoyable experience with the family,” he added. There is also help on the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service website.

LL PEOPLE

The Peoples Poet - Tony Chesnut © Tony Chesnut Facebook

Homeless to hero

he number of people sleeping rough in Liverpool is at its highest since records began. At least 85 people currently live on the streets of the city, with a further 120-plus at risk of joining them. Tony Chestnut was once part of the 85, but has now turned his life around and dedicates himself to helping those in need. Tony, also known as The Peoples Poet, spent 18 months living on the streets tackling serious drug and mental health issues. He was taken in by the Whitechapel Centre who gave him the support he needed to recover from his problems. He said: “They got me a support worker, and eventually from a street to a hostel to supported housing, then into the flat I now happily reside in.” This Saturday Tony hosts his second fundraising event in aid of the Whitechapel Centre at the Invisible Wind Factory, bringing together a host of local bands and artists. This is just one of the ways he looks to give something back to the people who helped him when he needed it the most. “This is me finding a great way to give back not just to Whitechapel but also to support the brilliant local bands.” The first event was a great success, according to The Peoples Poet. “The first one was successful enough to have

By Rohin Jalota

a bigger and better one this time. Two hundred pounds went to Whitechapel and we want to do much better than that this time.” He added that he hopes the event will help others understand the causes and symptoms of homelessness. The number of rough sleepers in Liverpool has increased more than five-fold since the Tory government came into power, according to statistics gathered by the Liverpool Echo. In Tony’s eyes the current government is

“We need to provide support”

firmly to blame. He said: “Homelessness is increasing due to austerity being a political choice not a necessity - Tory heartlessness. Universal credit is a mess and there are nightmare rulings affecting 16 to 21-year-olds.” Some members of the public have treated the increasing numbers of rough sleepers with hostility, with homeless people often subjected to abuse. Tony believes that there is a serious lack of support networks for those most in need. “There are no provisions for them and they

are put into desperate situations, especially drug users. Yes, that’s a reality so we need to provide support,” he said. The poet went on to mention that the UK needs to take a leaf out of other European country’s book: “We need to provide support like Portugal, Germany and Holland.” Tickets for this Saturday’s event are £7.50 or £5 for concessions on the night. Doors open at 6pm. • For more information, visit the events Facebook page ‘Whitechapel fundraiser 2 @ IWF’.

‘No place like home’: A poem by Tony Chesnut © Tony Chesnut

NEWS By MEGAN TATTERSLEY The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity is building a replica of its new hospital - but this one is made entirely from Lego. The creative campaign is to help raise half a million pounds towards the £1.5m appeal for the new hospital, and the charity is aiming to do it within this period to mirror the actual construction schedule. The new hospital, which is located in the city centre, is scheduled to finish in Spring 2020. Ian Ogilvie, who works for the charity, said: “Generally with things like this, a ‘hire a brick campaign’ is used. However, our hospital is being made from glass, concrete and steel. “Therefore, the next best thing was Lego. It is a great visual to boost our profiles to engage with schools and companies - and to be honest, who doesn’t love Lego?” A company called Bright Bricks are creating ‘The Big Lego Brick Hospital’ with the help of the Clatterbridge design team to ensure it is an exact replica of the new build. The Lego structure has already raised £6,000 pounds towards the target. People can buy a brick from £1,

which will help create the garden or road and can be purchased online. Schools and companies are now interested in raising money to build a model, such as a ward. This means donors have to raise enough money to cover all the bricks it takes to build the model. Once this is achieved, they will receive a kit and they can put their logo on it. Clatterbridge Cancer Charity wanted a main base to give easy access to most of their patients. Mr Ogilvie told Liverpool Life: “Out of the 29,000 people we see each year, most of them live north of the river Mersey.” The government wants to ensure that no one receiving cancer care has to travel more than half an hour. Being based in Wirral means Clatterbridge is not always achieving this. Having a centre in Liverpool will also allow the hospital to have easy access to an A&E department and search blood team. The new Liverpool Royal, once it is completed, will be across the street from the new hospital. Once the 11 ﬂoors of the Lego construction have been completed, it will displayed in the foyer or winter garden at the new facility.

Building hope brick by brick

The Lego design. All Lego photos courtesy of Ian Ogilvie.

The hospital in Liverpool in the process of being built © Megan Tattersley

“Who doesn’t love Lego™? ”

LL What’s On

Beautiful, black and blooming By ANGELICA DAY and LUCY JONES Each year, black history month is commemorated in October through food festivals, music workshops and educational seminars and lectures. As Liverpool received the European Capital of Culture award in 2008, it has since become a popular venue with a variety of people from different cultures eager to celebrate difference. Liverpool Student Union (JMSU) embraced this idea by hosting an event called ‘Embrace the melanin’ as a way of welcoming everyone in the community. During the evening, they had a panel debate to discuss topics around Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority groups (BAME). Those who attended had the

opportunity to express their views and ask the panel of previous JMSU members and current university staff about concerns and situations they may have come across in a bid to tackle issues in university. The Vice President of the Community engagement at the Student Union, Howisha Penny, said: “I remember the first day I walked into high school and a student asked the teacher why I was so dark. “From then, I realised that people will always be looking, judging and that I will always be different.” The event organiser, continued: “We are all the same at the end of the day, we are all people, and we all love one another so embrace the friendships.” The main topic of discussion

The Embrace the Melanin panel © Angelica Day/Lucy Jones that had been brought up was how universities deal with racism. The number of racist incidents in universities across the UK has surged by more than 60 per cent in two years. Another major talking factor was about mental health. According to The Guardian, one in four students are seeking help from counselling services at some institutions. The universities minister, Sam Gyimah, is calling vice-chancellors to prioritise student mental health. The minister, announcing plans for a new deal on mental health for students, said: “There are

some vice-chancellors who think that university is about training the mind and all of these things are extra that they don’t have to deal with.” Curtis Reid, a former John Moores student, voiced his opinion on mental health when he said: “Mental health isn’t spoken about enough and it is more in the UK. However, I feel like there are different pressures for cultures and mental health could be different.” The event also celebrated different cultures with a Caribbean buffet, free henna and a live performance with interactive entertainment.

Exhibition shines spotlight on city’s dark past By CHLOE SMITH Visitors to Liverpool’s International Museum of Slavery gained a unique insight into the history of slavery in the city as the venue marked Anti Slavery Day. Liverpool’s past as a maritime and trading city is closely linked to the history of the slave trade, which was a major part of the Liverpool economy from the 1780s right up until it ended in 1807. Even though few slaves passed through Liverpool, the city still became rich due to the slave trade and we cannot forget how that shaped the Liverpool we know today - several streets around Liverpool are actually named after slave traders and suppliers. Anti-slavery Day, created by an Act of Parliament and held every October, is a way to remember that heritage and to mark the event this year the International Slavery Museum in Albert Dock held a guided tour for members of the public and allowed them to see objects up close and hold them. Normally objects cannot be handled but the museum permitted it

The Merseyside Maritime museum to give people a better under standing about the history of Liverpool and the Slave trade and an opportunity to see objects up close and to hear stories and facts from people affected by them. The tour included information about modern day slavery and human trafficking and the ‘Journey to Justice’ exhibition, which was launched at the start of October. This is now open to the public and will run until April 7th 2019.

A wall of messages

“They will remember that we were sold, but not that we were strong. They will remember that we were bought, but not that we were brave” - William Prescott

This section of the museum focuses on how the US civil rights movement helped to move the rest of the world to fight for their rights. The exhibition features music, audio, photos and is filled with personal stories from men, women and children struggling for freedom and also about people taking action. From the moment visitors enter the slavery section of the museum they are surrounded by quotes all over the walls. One powerful quote from 1937 by William Prescott, a former slave, reads: “They will remember that we were sold, but not that we were strong. “They will remember that we were bought, but not that we were brave.” The museum is open Monday-Sunday, 10am-5pm and admission is free. The slavery and Journey for Justice Section is open on the third floor.

GOING OUT

LL11

“The noblest art is that of making others happy” One night only tribute to the Greatest Showman By EMMA FEGAN Fans of the award-winning movie now have the opportunity to become part of The Greatest Showman as a new festival heads to Liverpool. The Greatest Festival will take place in Liverpool’s Metropolitan Crypt for one night only on November 3rd. It will be an immersive cinema experience featuring live singers performing the movie’s biggest hits, as well as few old time classics and songs from Disney, ABBA and The Beatles. Singers will be encouraging audience participation, turning it into a karaoke sing-along show.

Oliver Wilson, general events co-ordinator director, said: “We want the audience to come and feel that they can take part. We don’t want anyone in any sort of way to feel intimidated and we want them to feel like we are like their friends and they can get involved. “Generally if you go to a theatre or pantomime you will just sit and watch it, but this is very different as the audience will be very much be included. The singers won’t just stay on stage - they can come into crowds and bring the audience into it with them.” The festival will tell the story of the main man of the film, P.T.

Hugh Jackman, star of Greatest Showman

Barnum, and his journey as an American showman. “We are trying to show a bit behind the man himself and who he really is. I’d say a lot of stuff from the film, people will think that’s what he is really about and I think a lot of it has actually not been shown,” Mr Wilson added. There will be a complimentary ‘Barnum’ cocktail on arrival, inspired by P.T. Barnum himself. The event will be over 18s only and the tickets are now on sale from £12 up to £26 for the VIP experience. These can be found on the festival’s website: thegreatest festival.com.

Circus performer © CC0 Public Domain

THE GUIDE

Gaelic spirit shines through

he Irish festival continues to dazzle as the culturally-rich event continues into its final weekend. The festival launched on October 18 but there are still plenty of events yet to happen!

in to a stirring tale of militarism, corruption and the power of rebellion. The play will take place at the Liverpool Everyman, Hope Street at 8:00pm-10:00pm. Tickets are £10 and available at Everyman.

Rat in the Skull 24.10.18

Countess Markievicz and the votes for women campaign in Britain and Ireland 26.10.18

Rat in the Skull is an interview between a Royal Ulster Constabulary inspector and a Catholic man in London detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. It will take place at St Georges Hall Concert room at 8:00pm-10:15pm and tickets price is £15. Tickets available at Ticket Quarter.

Kitty 25.10.18 Liverpool author, Carol Maginn (Daniel Taylor, Ruin), turns her sights to the 1830’s Derry woman, Kitty Wilkinson. Commemorating the significant influence Kitty played in Liverpool by helping to turn the tide on an epidemic spreading through the city; cholera. The show will take place at Liverpool Medical Institution, Mount Pleasant at 5:00pm6:15pm and will cost £5 per ticket. Tickets available at Ticket Quarter.

The first wave of the feminist movement was based on a single issue – securing votes for women tracing the story of Countess Markievicz, the first woman elected to both the House of Commons, and Dail Eireann (government of Ireland) We will see the complex and intriguing connections between the suffrage movements in Ireland and England. This will take place International Slavery Museum, the Anthony Walker Centre, Mersey Maritime Museum, Albert Dock at 2:30pm4:00pm and tickets are free! Samhain with Conleth McGeary 26.10.18 Fresh from his Irish tour in summer 2018, Conleth is a Kelly’s and LIF regular. This year has seen some incredible success, with almost 600k views of his YouTube version of Grace. He will be performing at Kelly’s Dispensary 154-158 Smithtown Road, at 9:00pm10:45pm. Tickets are not needed for this event.

To Have to Shoot Irishmen 25.10.18 Easter morning, 1916. Gunshots ring out in the Dublin streets. In her suburban sitting room Hannah prepares for revolution. Inspired by true events, this absorbing production weaves movement and live folk song

South Liverpool Heritage Walk 27.10.18 Walk though Liverpool’s historic Rodney and Hope Street areas, discovering colourful

characters and long-lost histories. The walk will meet at St Luke’s Garden, St Luke’s Church from 10:00am-12:00pm

Family Céilí 28.10.18 The Family Céilí is one of the most popular family events at the Liverpool Irish Festival and returns this year to the spiritual home of the Irish community on Merseyside. The event will take place at the Liverpool Irish Centre 6 Boundary Lane between 2.00pm5.30pm. Tickets for the event range from £2£5 and can be purchased at Ticket Quarter.

THE GUIDE Hold your horses By ANGELICA DAY

he International horse show is returning to Liverpool for a fourth year running. The showcase , which is set to take place at the Echo Arena, on the Liverpool Waterfront. runs from December 28 - 31 and is set to feature top-rated show jumping and family entertainment. The event will combine other attractions, from a luxury shopping experience to Shetland ponies and motocross. WeMindTheGap has launched a charity partnership with the Liverpool International Horse Show. The charity provides new opportunities in life and work to under-served young women in local communities by providing traineeships and on-going support. •There are season tickets for all six sessions available on the website www.liverpoolhorseshow.com. The ticket prices for individual tickets, per session, range from £13.72 to £100.17.

Show stopping show jumper © Liverpool International horse show

Biennial returns

iverpool Biennial is returning to the city after a two-year wait. The theme for this year is ‘Beautiful world, where are you’. The city’s biggest art festival has kicked off with the ‘Big Draw’ at Tate Liverpool and will go on to consist of 15 weeks of exhibitions, performances, family events, film screenings and talks. In total, around 40 artists from 22 countries will participate, including renowned artists such as Ugo Rondinone, Suki Seokyeong Kang and Inci Eviner.

Making it with Maggie By SHANNON LYON

rand new musical Maggie May by Bob Eaton, was an insightful look into the struggles a woman trying to follow her dreams finds. The musical expertly staged at th Royal Court, follows Irish-born Maggie May in the outbreak of the First World War, who travels to Liverpool from Ireland to complete her journey by boat to New York. However, before her journey can continue, she finds all of her worldly possessions - including the money she needed to travel to America - stolen. In a world where a young woman has the odds stacked against her, it is difficult to imagine how she will find what she is looking for. The musical pulls at the heartstrings with its amazing live songs accompanied by the talented cast

of actor musicians. The story hooks you in and has you rooting for the characters to find happiness in their troubled times. The upbeat musical contrasts with the soft, sad folk songs to make sure every emotion is felt during the production. The actors gave a well-rounded performance full of the skill of their craft to portray the lives of the characters. So much so that you feel yourself invested in their lives and wishing it would never end. The soulful voices of the actors filled the jheatre with their strong vocals and the choreography created beautiful visions on stage. The actors involved in the production included Christina Tedders, playing Maggie, and Cheryl Fergison, Michael Fletcher

and Tom Connor leading the cast in this popular musical. The story of Maggie May fills you with the hope that even if everything feels lost happiness can still be found.



Museum Diary National Museums has announced Liverpool’s new exhibitions programme for 2019. Among the highlights is ‘Charles Rennie Mackintosh: making the Glasgow Style’ (March 15th–August 26th) at £9 for adults and £2 for children. ‘Leo Fitzmaurice: Between You and Me and Everything Else’ will also be on until March 17th and is free. ‘Astronomy Photographer of the Year’ will be held from May 3–September 1 and is also free. John Lennon fans will get the chance to see the iconic ‘Double Fantasy – John & Yoko’ until 22 April.

LL HALLOWEEN

Spooky goings

Festival makes welcome come-back from the dead

By CHRISTOPHER MEGRATH

he Festival of the Dead is set to make a welcome return, this time with a host of new spectacular characters, performers and a bigger, brighter venue than ever. Not many events have 10 foot crystallised skulls hanging from the ceiling as a disco ball, but the Festival of the Dead does not shy away from making a statement. Along with a fully decorated venue at Mountford Hall, taking visual inspiration from the Mexican religious holiday, Dia de los Muertos- a spiritual journey to pray for family members that have died - you can expect a bounty of colour in the form of calavera, papel picado banners and cempazuchitl flowers. The walls are set to be adorned with ritualistic carvings and paintings in a sea of colours, making the 2,000-capacity venue feel like you have been transported straight to streets of Mexico City. Festival of the Dead promises a show-stopping array of circus performers, including fire breathers, aerial acts and fully costumed hosts in traditional Dia de los Muertos attire, adorned with the iconic calavera floral headpieces. Acrobat artists will also take the stage to hypnotise partygoers as the aerial acts

Pictures © Festival of the Dead website dance in the air above their heads as if spirits are filling the room. If you like birds, you’re in luck as a 15ft vulture will be joining the 20ft skeleton in making its way around the venue to add a frightening, Disney-doesHalloween-esque vibe as it pecks and scares the crowds. Having their own unique show, heads will roll with the amount of spectacular and other worldly goings on throughout the hall. Attendees will have their choice of authentic cocktails, including Margaritas, Ponche and whole lot of tequila, in an exclusive menu created for the event. Prizes and giveaways will also be up for

grabs but in the form of the classic party celebration piñatas. tequila and piñata beating ... what could go wrong? Prizes include free drink tokens, organisation giveaways and a whole lot of candy that can be won throughout the night. Several DJs will be taking you through the witching hour with a set of authentic holiday tunes mixed in with commercial house and dance music loud enough to rattle your bones. Expect a lot of hard-hitting music backed by an intense lighting show, CO2 cannons and lots of confetti. The show starts on November 3rd and carries partygoers through until 3am.

HALLOWEEN

on in liverpool events

he Monster Halloween Ball presented by The Lantern Company is set to return to Sefton Park for the first time in three years. Located at the Palm House this weekend (October 24th, 25th and 26th), the family fun event will host three days of both day and night workshops, dance-offs and parades. Children of all ages are invited to take part in creative activities such as making monster masks and decorating their own lantern, and they will later be able to reveal their designs at the mini Halloween parade. The events that follow include a Mini Monsters Party, a meet and greet with giant puppet guests and Halloween fun and games. Tickets start at just £7.50 available online at Ticket Quarter.

rachnobot, the enormous robotic spider, will be wandering the streets of Liverpool One, searching for those brave enough to say hello. The huge creepycrawly will hoping to tap into people’s Halloween spirits interacting with adults and children alike with its life-like movements. Arachnophobes needn’t worry, this giant spider is fun and family friendly!

repare for a scare, as infamous characters from Liverpool’s darkest history books lurk in the depths of St George’s Hall. The spookiest fright-night in town, Chamber of Horrors: Gallows Eve, returns this Saturday, more terrifying than ever before. Willing souls brave enough to enter will experience suspense-filled stories telling tales of the horrors hiding around every corner. The theatrical performance provides not only the unique and frightful journey through this historic building but also expect a showcase of some of the best horror movie scenes in Hollywood’s Halloween blockbusters. Listen out, as on Gallows Eve, things always, go bump in the night.

Looking forward to Bonfire Night

he River of Light is set to return for bonfire night celebrations this November. Both sides of the river Mersey will be alight with fireworks, complete with a music display. People around Liverpool are already eagerly anticipating the event after being wowed by the jaw-dropping display in its previous two years. Tens of thousands of people are expected to line the waterfront for the spectacle, which will round up the China dream season, part of the city’s 2018 cultural programme. The sensation will include a series of art installations themed around the five elements that underpin Chinese philosophy: water, fire, earth, metal and wood. It seems the River of Light is set to be a firm highlight of the year, shining a light on Liverpool’s beautiful waterfronts.

Pictures Wikimedia Commons

LL 15

16LL ARTS

Adam Thompson: The man behind @humansoﬂiverpool

Capturing the real Humans of Liverpool By ADELE MATTHEWS

bustling and thriving city, Liverpool is often admired for its beautiful architecture and stunning views - but very little is said about the people who make it the place it is today. That was until Adam Thompson began his journey of unmasking them. Instagram has an estimated 800m monthly users, one of which is Humans of Liverpool, a social documentary page created by Adam that brings the people of Liverpool to the forefront. Inspired by Humans of New York, the social media page regularly documents the stories of regular people on the streets of Merseyside accompanied with a relaxed image of them in their own environment. Humans of New York began as a photoblog in 2010 when Brandon Stanton began collecting portraits and interviews from the streets of New York. Eight years later with two books, the author has now amassed over 8m followers across Instagram. Did Stanton’s creation set the foundations for Adam’s Humans of Liverpool? “I remember when Humans of New York had millions of views across Facebook, I was really into it even when I was in college.”

“The idea started a couple of years ago, I really wanted to do social documentary but because I was studying English for a couple of years I didn’t really have any time but I’ve doing it for about two months now. “It’s kind of exposing people’s humanity, I really want to break down the stigma surrounding homeless people, addiction and mental health because you hear their stories and they become an almost three-dimensional human that you care about.” A recent English graduate from Loughborough University but originally from Widnes, curator Adam Thompson started the page following his increased interest in journalism and his innate knowledge of the city.

Above: One of Adam’s images

imply armed with a camera and his phone to record a short quote, Adam approaches people on the street, some well known within the community, some just waiting for the bus. The process of addressing them is easy in his eyes - if they look busy, they probably are. He said: “If they look like an interesting character then I’ll usually go for that but pragmatically, if they’re not running somewhere or walking somewhere and just sat down, I’d probably be more likely

to approach them.” One of Humans of Liverpool’s most popular posts is an image of Pete/ ‘P.M Rocky’, the busker outside Church Street’s H&M who you’ll often find with his eccentric suits and display of small guitars. Adam told Liverpool Life: “You know their faces but you don’t know their story. I didn’t know anything about Pete, I wasn’t sure if we’d be able to have a proper conversation but he’s a really sound guy, very family-orientated and is performing to help out his partner.

“So, when I heard his story, it inspired me to think that, people will want to know this, I’d want to know.” As the account grows with followers - over 2,000 already transfixed - what does the future hold for Humans of Liverpool? “I’d love to make a book out of it, because no one’s done Humans of Liverpool before and so I feel like it is mine.” You can find Adam’s Instagram account under the username: @Humansoﬂiverpool

FOOD

LL 17

New vegan market sprouts up By Chantelle McKeever

eganism has been named as the top consumer trend in 2018 by Just Eat.The diet is becoming more accessible and affordable and Liverpool is leading the way with a range of pop up events, vegan markets and vegan restaurants. A new market has been launched by Independent Liverpool at the Baltic Triangle bringing together shoppers and traders. I arrived to check it out on its first day, I was pleasantly surprised by the room packed with people struggling to find seats to enjoy their food. The delicious array of smells was overwhelming but enticing, then a brief thought popped into my vegetarian mind: “Am I enjoying the smell of the vegan food located on the left side of the room or the permanent food vendors serving up meat infused dishes on the other side?” One side of the room was filled with almost 20 vegan food and vegan products vendors, while on the other side permanent street food traders added a vegan option to their menus in support of the event. The room had a rustic, warmlylit vibe. I headed over to the fully

vegan side of the room and was greeted by tables with ranges of vegan food, desserts and products. At the very front of the market was the award-winning Gluten Free Pie Company offering up a table full of pies that looked deceptively ordinary. The company creates 100% gluten free vegan pies and sells them to shops and cafes all across Liverpool. The company was started nearly four years ago by Denise Pendleton, after the frustration of not being able to find anything to eat while out and about due to suffering from coeliac disease. Denise’s husband, Matt Snape, was manning the stall at the market. He said: “We started off from the gluten free angle so all the pies incidentally were vegan. We sell to more people who are vegan than people who have allergies, especially in the last six months. “I think there are a lot of people eating a plant based diet for health reasons rather than from an ethical animal rights point of view. Anything that keeps meat off people’s plates is good.” It’s estimated that there are

Baltic Triangle marketplace All pictures © Chantelle McKeever

over 100 veganfriendly restaurants in Liverpool, some of which serve up vegan only food, such as The Caledonia, which turned fully vegan in 2017, offering vegan food, desserts and alcohol. Other restaurants, such as Our Kitchen on Bold Street, offer a vegan option alongside their regular food. More than just a trend, veganism has sky rocketed in recent years with more and more people choosing to be vegan.

“Anything that keeps meat off people’s plates is good.”

ccording to a 2017 survey conducted by comparethemarket. com, there has been a significant increase in veganism since 2016 with 3.5million British people identifying as vegan. Veganism is becoming more of a lifestyle choice with people becoming more conscious of clean eating and the moral implications of eating meat and dairy products. One influential factor in becoming vegan that many people have admitted to are the online documentaries and advocacy films, documenting the damage of animal agriculture on the planet, the negative effects of meat eating on the human body and exposing

the cruelty of slaughterhouses and factory farms. However, for some people a vegan diet is a medical requirement. Coeliac is a lifelong autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues when gluten is eaten. While people who suffer from coeliac disease are still able to eat regular meat and fish products, many sufferers opt for a plantbased diet due to the similarities between vegan and gluten free diets. If carried out properly, a plantbased diet can be healthy and even beneficial to some people. However, a vegan diet can still lack many important vitamins and nutrients such as calcium, B12 and folate which can all be found in meat and dairy products. Inadequate consumption of vegan replacement foods or the lack of introduction of vitamin and mineral supplements can cause nutritional depravation which can lead to a number of medical issues. Nutritionist and weight loss expert, Jackie Keller, said: “If you’re not getting enough B12, you may feel weakness, fatigue, constipation and lack of appetite.” Veganism is no longer niche and is becoming more affordable and readily available, which means it’s only going to become more and more popular - and with events like the Baltic Triangle market, vegans in Liverpool have reason to celebrate.

18 LL FASHION

Vogue, vamps and ballroom battles

Vogue Ball © Andy Green

LUCY JONES reports on a night of wild creativity and glamour

his year’s Vogue Ball theme was The Toy Box Ball - and it brought a three-daybender to Liverpool, celebrating the drag and gay scene art of vogue. The multi-award winning event, based at The Invisible Wind Factory, presented wildly creative styles and alternative cultures, welcoming local, regional and international houses to come together for the ultimate battle in

vogue supremacy. The four judges - including the Deputy Mayor of Liverpool, Lynnie Hinnigan - gave their verdict on the groups after every round, while dancing to everything from Destiny’s Child to Rihanna. The theme of imagery and imagination of toys, as to be expected, was a success with the crowd. The eye-catching fantastical costumes, splashed in glitter and sparkles, combined with the striking performances and technical excellence

in vogue dance had the crowd cheering away all night. ‘Voguing’ originally emerged on Harlem’s drag and gay scene in the late ‘70s. Dancers would mimic the fashion runway in fierce ballroom battles, striking a pose with serious attitude. The style later came to worldwide attention due to singer Madonna’s famous single Vogue. launched in 2010, the Vogue Ball was also based on the iconic vogue film ‘Paris Is Burning’,

an American documentary film directed by Jennie Livingston. Filmed in the mid-to-late 1980s, it chronicles the ball culture of New York City and the African-American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities involved in it. Artistic Director of House of Suarez, Darren Suarez, said: “What an incredible weekend. It has been my creative vision to bringa Vogue Festival to the city and the first three-day-bender has exceeded my expectations.”

20 LL REAL LIFE By ANNIE WILLIAMS

ia Willis was 17 when she first met her abuser. Funnily enough, she said from day one he was arrogant, overconfident and had a sense of superiority. However, the arrogance soon turned to charm, the overconfidence became enticing and the superiority became comforting. The day Mia realised she had been a victim of domestic violence was not the day she had her phone smashed up, it was not the day she was pushed down the stairs in a hotel on holiday, it wasn’t even the day her abuser took a knife to her stomach. The day Mia realised she was a victim of domestic violence, was the day she woke up and decided she had had enough. According to the latest statistics from Office for National Statistics, an estimated 1.9 million adults between the ages of 16 to 59 in the UK experienced domestic abuse between March 2016 to March 2017. Within that number 1.2 million of those adults were women. In light of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a new campaign has been launched in Cheshire to help people talk about domestic abuse and bring it out

from behind closed doors. Open the Door aims to give people the tools to feel confident enough to start conversations about unhealthy relationships. “It begins with small comments, the kind you wouldn’t even notice are harmful - ‘Are you really going to wear that?’ and then the comments about your friends and family, comments which get you thinking about their intentions and before you know it, you’re shutting out the people who mean the most to you,” Mia told Liverpool Life. Can you imagine if the one person you trusted, the person that every American romantic movie makes you believe is your ‘protector’ and is supposed to make you feel safe, was to one day raise a hand to you during a bicker? What about if the thing that provoked them to that level of anger was because a friend had ‘liked’ your post on Instagram? Arriving home from university one day, Mia was greeted with a cold reception from her abuser. After 10 minutes of silence and a frosty atmosphere he quizzed her on the name of a male friend. It turned out this friend had liked a photo she had posted, little did he know the backlash that would cause. After moments of shouting, ac-

cusing and interrogation, this was the first time Mia’s abuser hit her. From that moment, just eight months into her new relationship, a milestone which many would still consider the ‘honeymoon phase’, the abuse proceeded to get worse. Soon it was a normal addition to every argument, or just a response to her abuser’s bad day. But why didn’t she just leave? “This is a question which gives me mixed emotions. Anger, upset, but more embarrassingly, guilt. Growing up, I was that person who would never let a boy control me. I would never let someone tell me what to wear, who I can have on social media, when I can see my family. How could anyone ever let someone treat them like that? “But it’s not until you’re fully consumed into that kind of relationship until you realise it has happened, in my case, it wasn’t until two years later until I realised. “We shouldn’t be asking why we don’t leave, we should be asking why someone is capable of this behaviour. The truth is, we don’t leave because we’re made to believe we’re nothing without this person, or in my case, we’re scared to leave. The fear of ‘What will happen if I try and escape?’.” Cheshire West and Chester

Councillor, Louise Gittins, told Liverpool Life: “In 2017, Cheshire Constabulary recorded 2,887 domestic abuse crimes. In West Cheshire, our domestic abuse intervention and prevention service receives 140 referrals a month, and this figure only continues to increase.”

rom an early age, we are educated that people are mean to us because they like us. “He’s only saying that because he secretly fancies you”, every little girl has been told this at some point while growing up. He would throw objects at you in class, bump into you aggressively and say it was a joke, call you names on the playground. We were all made to believe that this was what it meant when someone liked you. Luckily enough, Mia did get out, but not everyone does. As the police told Mia on the day of her final fight and the first day of starting to live again, many people, both women and men, spend years entrapped by their partners, whether they’re scared to leave, unaware that they’re living in an unhealthy relationship, or maybe they never get the chance, with recent statistics showing that two women are killed every week in England by a partner or expartner.

“He’s only mean because he likes you” The true story behind one woman’s experience of domestic violence

For support or more information about domestic abuse, you can visit www.openthedoorcheshire.org.uk or call the free National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247. There are also thousands of support centres across the country you can talk to. Pic © Angelica Day

EXPERIENCE

LL21

“It’s a gift to receive your letter” Annie Williams talks about writing to an inmate on Death Row

hat is an appropriate way to start a letter to a stranger? What about if that stranger just so happens to be on Death Row in Texas? Most people have thought at some point that they would love to know what goes on inside the head of a killer, I just decided to find out. Human Writes is a British organisation founded for the purpose of befriending prisoners on Death Row in the USA. The organisation does not campaign against the death penalty and is not linked to any political or religious groups, it is simply to give those living their last days in a cell the opportunity for normal conversations and human interaction. I decided I wanted to get involved in this back in 2015. Some people like watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S, I like the idea of writing to prisoners … each to their own! After reading other people’s experiences of writing to inmates and looking into the (very little) terms and conditions the website provides, I decided to apply to be a penfriend. The main requirement Human Writes asks of pen-friends is for their commitment to write: “It can be devastating for a prisoner if their pen-friend stops writing for no apparent reason,” says the organisation.

You are required to write a letter which explains information about yourself and why you would like to get involved with Human Writes - I bet reading those letters would be an interesting job. This is so the organisation can ensure participants have thought their decision through properly and are getting involved for the “right reasons”, rather than those simply in search of excitement. I was given the details of Ruben Cardenas Ramirez, a Texas inmate convicted in 1997 for the kidnapping, torture and murder of his 15-year-old cousin. Writing the opening line of my first letter proved to be more diﬃcult than I had anticipated, but I went with “Hello Ruben,” simple, but friendly, before going on to ask what a day in his life consists of. “It is a gift to receive your letter,” his first line read. Ruben went on to describe life, or ‘death before death’ as

he referred to it, was like on Death Row. “I fill my day doing many diﬀerent things each day. I start my day by praying and then eating breakfast, this is done by 6am. I then like to work out for 45 minutes then shower in my cell. I try and do all that by 7:45am.” Ruben then went on to explain the process of ‘yard time’, each inmate has the option to have three hours of yard time twice a week, where they can either walk around, or play basketball or volleyball. The yard holds 32 people a time and inmates are not told in advance whether it will be their turn for, what is known as, recreation time, therefore inmates have to be awake and ready for 7am, just in case an oﬃcer comes to their ward that day.

total of seven letters were sent and received between the two of us over the duration of eight months, in which Ruben pleaded

As of October 12th, there were 2,697 Death Row inmates in the United States. In the USA, the death penalty remains legal in 31 states and a total 23 people were executed in the US in 2017

innocence but regret for the ‘small involvement’ he had had. “I am a human being” appeared seven times in his four letters. We spoke about how he would be living his life if he was outside the prison walls, his childhood and what he misses about his old life. In the run up to his scheduled execution date, US media began questioning the reliability of the evidence against Ruben’s case. One article published at the time stated: “The case has been plagued by claims of unreliable forensic evidence, conﬂicting statements and witnesses, concerns about ineﬀective lawyers, and allegations of a coerced confession.” Mr Ramirez’s defence team petitioned the court for DNA testing just weeks before his execution date. Ruben was executed in November 2017 by lethal injection, the primary method of execution in the US. His execution in Texas sparked an outcry of the Mexican national’s human rights, as Mexico abolished the death penalty in 2005. President of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto, tweeted: “I firmly condemn the execution of Ruben Cardenas Ramirez in Texas, which violates the ruling of the International Court of Justice.”

22 LL PEOPLE

Introducing the cookie dough connoisseur I turned down many “graduate opportunities to follow my desire to have my own business and to do what I really love

“

©Leah Harwood

SHANNON LYON meets dessert entrepreneur LEAH HARWOOD

iverpool University graduate Leah Harwood has put aside her degree in Media and Communications to focus on her dream to create her own dessert business. When we meet, Leah Harwood, 23, from Southport, is sitting in a relaxed manner and her eagerness to talk about her new business is shining through with every question asked. Her interest in food came from her experience of working for a hotel at an early age, which continued throughout her studies. She found that she had a ‘knack’ for food and her main inspiration for her cookie dough desserts came from her own obsession with the dessert in Pizza Hut. When talking about her business she said: “I have always wanted my own business.” When coming up with the ideas for the different flavours for her desserts she believes that “simple is better” . She focusses on making desserts that are what everyone would love, or what is trending. She wants her place to be loved for the products that she is producing and wants her creations to speak for themselves. Leah’s business is based opposite the Peaky Blinders Bar,

in the Baltic Market, a location she chose as she believes it’s one of the “coolest places in Britain”. Her business opened last month and saw many people hurrying to buy her delights so now she is constantly coming up with new ideas to make her business even more popular. Her latest ideas include a breakfast menu, homemade cheesecakes and even cookie dough fries. The running of her business is down to her and a small team of ssistants who help her when times are busy. Leah is open to having her desserts delivered by the likes of Just Eat and Deliveroo.

he said: “I would definitely put my doughnuts on Deliveroo, but, I wouldn’t put my cookie dough. I believe that it is it best when it comes out of the oven and I don’t want people to get the wrong impression and experience.” She takes her interior seriously and says the decorations were the most costly thing about opening her business but, she said: “I just wanted it to be really pretty.” Leah believes that her social media is very important as a way of boosting her business but stresses that she wants to do it all organically from people who really like her products, rather

than buying followers. From being open for just over a month her customers are already choosing their favourites, which are her Salted Caramel Cookie Dough and her Nutella Doughnut. Leah told Liverpool Life: “I know that everything on my menu has something that are people’s favourites.” Her career goal is to continue growing her business and branch out to selling her desserts on the road in a pink campervan and at festivals, as she wants to travel. Leah told Liverpool Life: “My boyfriend owns a healthy café and hopefully in the next three to four years open our own business. We want to combine them both.”

PEOPLE

LL23

McGann goes back to his roots Paul prepares to speak to drama students at Liverpool John Moores University © Stephen Killen

s eager drama students awaited the arrival of the acting legend, Paul McGann threw open the door, glanced up at the institutional lights and sighed: “Oh, it’s like Marks and Spencer’s lighting in here!” Wearing his military-green overcoat and distinctive brown shoes, the man who’s been in the acting industry for nearly 40 years prepared to share some of his trade secrets with budding thespians. Holby City star Paul, 58, told Liverpool Life that he believes that there are a lot tougher obstacles for working-class film and theatre performers in Liverpool than there were when he started out 20 or 30 years ago. “Becoming a working-class performer involves more of a struggle - mostly because it’s tougher to train, or really the obstacles to train are different to the way it used to be 20-30 years ago, “It is not impossible, but I think we have to be careful as well. I don’t want to feel too negative because it is still possible to get into what [fellow actor] Ian Hart, Dave Morrissey, Stephen Graham, or I did. “But if you want to train it’s tricky because the big five London schools are trying their

The Liverpool actor talks to Stephen Killen about his concerns for workingclass actors, Jodie Whittaker’s brilliance as the new Doctor, and Liverpool’s unsuccessful bid to be the next home of Channel 4

best with bursaries and directors trying to counter the fact that it’s becoming a middle class sport.” The growing concern about acting becoming a preserve of the middle classes was highlighted by a 2016 survey which found that 73% of performers in British theatre and film were middle class and 67% of British Oscar winners and 42% of BAFTA winners went to private school. On the other hand, Paul was born in Liverpool’s Kensington and grew up surrounded by actors. He and all three of his brothers starred in the 1995 BBC One series, The Hanging Gale.

e said: “Probably the biggest obstacle is in your head, it’s whether you think it’s feasible. “Say you’re a kid from here, or working class Glasgow, and you’ve got to travel to London to train, well then, London’s expensive, it spits you out, thing appears to be hard enough as it is. I hope it changes.” Paul, who starred as Dr Who in the 1996 film of the same name, welcomed the casting of West Yorkshire-born actress Jodie Whittaker as the current Time Lord in the latest reboot of the popular franchise.

He believes that the 36-year-old actress is perfectly suited to being the new face of the show, “She’s obviously brilliant, she’s obviously the best person for the gig. “I think it can only be a good thing, but then again the things taken a change of directions, the format is probably going to get changed, she’s just great, so it’s boom time! “This is how progress happens, six months from now nobody with ever talk about it. She’s the perfect person for the job.” The onversation switched to the recent announcement that Liverpool had failed in its bid to be the new broadcasting hub for Channel 4. He felt it was a “big loss” for the city. “I mean on the face of it, it would’ve been great. Naturally it was going to mean more spaces for funding and venues then it is a loss.” Naturally it was going to mean more spaces for funding and venues then it is a loss.” However, he spoke defiantly of how it shouldn’t affect those up-and-coming local artists. “I can’t see how it’ll stop being from doing what they’re doing, I guess in a few years we can look at the result and then compare,” he said.

24 LL GRAD WATCH

Lewis perfects his Big Write Hook

Gradwatch LIAM CORK talks to LEWIS PHILLIPS-CALVERT

ewis Philips-Calvert has been a fan of boxing since the age of ten. He recalls the 2002 bout between his namesake Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson as the event that drew him into the sport. He carried that love of sport to university and when he graduated from LJMU in 2016 he knew what he wanted to do. During his studies, Lewis launched his own blog, named Big Write Hook, and his first digital magazine went live in March of 2017. Fifteen digital issues were produced before the launch of his first printed edition alongside the current website. After graduating, Lewis was awarded a grant from the LJMU Centre for Entrepreneurship to kick-start the publishing of his magazine. He said: “it was a real vindication of all the time and effort that I had put into the brand over the previous twelve months.” He added that people laughed at the idea of him making his own magazine and expressed his gratitude towards the people who believed in him.

Lewis also cares greatly about the personal aspects of his work. He said: “I give every person who gets in touch the chance to write for us, regardless of ability.” The independent nature of the magazine shines through with the inclusion of writers who may otherwise struggle to get themselves published. Besides a desire to “dominate the world and become a billionaire”, Lewis explained that a fulfilling career would keep him happy, whether in marketing, publishing or for a creative company. Having always been into journalism and stand-up comedy, it seems that social commentary will always be a main component of his work. In his younger days, Lewis named former Echo sports reporter Chris Bascombe as one of his main inspirations, aspiring to one day take the same job. As he grew older, he enjoyed the political opinion pieces of the Mirror’s Brian Reade and Louis Theroux’s innovative documentaries. He said: “Any job where I can watch Liverpool, be funny and lambast the Tories would be ideal for me.” While at university, he volunteered as a news reporter for Wirral Radio for six months and presented a weekly show for RedmenTV, a Liverpool FC fan channel on YouTube. He said: “Creating content was really fun, I’ve made some good mates and learned a lot of Photoshop and video editing skills.” Not surprisingly, the transition from student journalist to self-employed editor and writer was one that Lewis greeted with a

Issue two will be available on 1st Nov

Magazine boss Lewis on holiday in Europe keen attitude. He said: “In uni, there are a lot of rules and that’s a great base to learn from, but when it was just me and Ryan Wilson, the magazine designer who came on board, all the rules went out the window!” Despite his current position, graduate life was quite a struggle at first for Lewis. After taking a job at the Stroke Association he spent six months applying for graduate jobs with over 100 rejections before landing his current job. Managing his own publication also presented its own problems.

He said: “I’m not as good a writer as I thought I was. I have published authors and professional journalists write for me and they are so much better than I am.” Aside from the magazine, Lewis has more personal plans as he proposed to his girlfriend earlier in the year: “I got down on one knee at the Trevi Fountain in Rome and luckily enough she said ‘Yes’. So we’re getting married in August of next year.” The second issue of Big Write Hook is due to launch next week on November 1st.

Lewis and the Big Write Hook Team

SPORT

LL25

Wrestling

Rugby League

For the first time, the WWE NXT UK will make an appearance in Liverpool, gives you the chance to see your favourite NXT UK wrestlers live in action. Location: Liverpool Olympia, Date: November 24th/25th, 7pm

Rugby League test match: England v New Zealand. England’s face tough opponents in New Zealand, nd will battle it out in three test matches this autumn, with the second being played at Anfield. Location: Anfield, Liverpool Date: Sunday November 4th, 2:30pm kick off.

This sporting month LL’s pick of November’s events across track, pitch and arena

Netball

International Netball Test Match: England v Uganda. England Netball team warm up for the 2019 World Cup, with a three match test match against Uganda. With the world cup to be hosted in Liverpool. Location: Liverpool Echo Arena, Date: November 7th, 7pm.

Basketball

Cheshire Phoenix v Manchester Giants BBL. Phoenix face the Manchester Giants in the British Basketball League. Phoenix lost by a 10 point margin the last time these teams met. Location: Cheshire Oaks Arena Date: November 18th, 5:30pm

Horse Racing

Aintree Community Raceday Aintree is to host an action-packed jump-racing day, which will show the work to inspire adults and children alike to be the best they can be through the power of horseracing. Location: Aintree Racecourse. Date: November 10th, 10:30am

Football

Marine FC V Hyde United: Non-league fixture The Northern Premier league sees Marine FC take on Hyde United, in which both teams are looking for maximum points as they are close to the bottom of the table and scrambling to avoid the drop zone. Location: Rossett Park, Crosby, Date: November 3rd. 3pm Kick off.

26 L

L SPORT

Meet the Scouser making his pro MMA debut at 35 By DAVID HAYCOCKS

“With my age time isn’t really an option for me; I’m turning pro at 35.” Daley Hitchin is a Liverpool born Welterweight exactly a month away from having his professional MMA debut at 35 years old, weighing in at 77 kg (21 stone) he is fast, fearless and mature in his approach. The official date of the fight is Saturday November 24 and he will be taking on Chris Senior in the Full Contact Contender (FFC) division at the Bolton Macron Stadium. Despite his age, fighting has been a constant throughout

Daley’s life, he said: “I’ve always been fighting since I was a kid and I was always fighting in school, I was always getting in trouble. “As I got older I went on the doors and then just went into fighting from there, I just had to defend myself from when I was younger.” During his life, Daley has had many influences and he fell in love with the sport after seeing the first he ever watched. Daley started with boxing, watching people like Manny Pacquiao but then began admiring UFC fighters such as: Robbie Lawler, Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva. Daley grew up in a single parent environment and his family were

Poster for Daley Hitchin’s bout at FFC22 in November

Tranmere wait for FA cup opponents By JAKE O’NEILL

Tranmere Rovers have found out their opponents for the first round of the FA Cup. Rovers will play host to Hemel Hempstead Town or Oxford City depending on the replay result in said fixture. This is the first time Rovers have avoided the qualifying rounds since 2014/2015, after returning to the Football League with manager Micky Mellon. Fans took to social media to air their thoughts on the draw. Keith Stewart tweeted: “Decent draw, will hopefully set us up for Wrexham at home in rd2.”

Steve Davis said, “Let’s get to round 3 and beat Liverpool at Anfield.” However, not all fans were positive about the tie. @henryiww tweeted, “Can just tell we will lose this 1-0.” Tranmere will face either the Tudors or City the weekend commencing November 10.

(instagram: Daley_Hitchen83) struggling, he was a lot less committed to his current craft and had developed some bad habits before taking fighting more seriously. He said: “I was smoking,drinking and taking party drugs every weekend, I went from doing nothing to eating my greens and taking vitamins and MMA just gave me that direction.” Daley fell into fighting through work. He was on the doors at clubs and was still involved in tussles through work as clubs in Liverpool can be very hostile most of the time. A friend of his on the door, Danny Roberts, was a professional boxer and Daley would motivate him, after a while he decided that he would take a crack at fighting himself.

The Hitchin family are not big fans of the sport themselves as his mum and sisters do not go to watch him fight as they find it too aggressive, however they still support him. He said: “My mum and sisters hate me fighting, they’re not fans of it but they see how it inspires me through life and gets me through day to day an see how it’s done me good. You say cage fighting and people are like ‘oh’ and my mum and my sister still have that look on it, they think it’s like a human cock-fight.” Overall, Daley Hitchin is inspirational; he was born into hard culture, hostility and even took drugs but still managed to make something of himself through hard work and determination.

Fury chief looks to future By TIARNAN QUIGLEY American football is one of the fastest growing sports n the UK, and Liverpool is home to some exciting teams, prompting one Merseyside player to urge new fans to get involved. Matthew Hynes, president of LJMU Fury, founded in 2006 and now one of the biggest sports team in the university, said: “Since its formation the club has grown rapidly in size. We are currently playing our games in Division One of the BUCS leagues and pushing for a premier division spot. “In 2015/2016 we won the Division Two championship and

hope to replicate this success in division One.” “There are three main divisions within the university competitions but there are a range of teams for non-students. These include junior, flag football, women’s only and senior leagues. The teams are all over the country and are all in constant competition. “I’d urge anyone with an interest in the sort to try it. Here in Merseyside, the nighthawks are the main team who also have two junior teams which catersfor juniors up to the age of 19. “There are also the two university teams at LJMU and University of Liverpool.”

SPORT

LL 27

Lee celebrates his 2017 win of the Cage Warriors World Title at the Echo Arena

International Octagon stardom beckons for Chadwick By SEAN WHELAN

Liverpool fighter Lee Chadwick could be forgiven for being irate. He was forced to relinquish his Cage Warriors World title in August after failing to make weight. The 33-year-old has instead focused on the future, a future that has never looked brighter. Just last week ‘The Butcher’ signed a lucrative new deal with a new management organisation. “This new deal means a lot, it’s the beginning of a big journey, and they have a good contract in line for me,” he said. “I have to wait for my Cage Warriors contract to end on December 21st before I can sign a new one for a bigger organisation.” MMA fans will not have to wait long to see Chadwick back in the Octagon, representing arguably the second biggest MMA organisation in the World. “I’ve been offered a good contract by Bellator MMA, it’s definitely worth going for, so I’m going to be signing that and hopefully fighting early next year in Bellator.” The two-time World MMA Champion spoke openly on the disappointment of being stripped of his title in August. “It felt harsh, but I do understand that Jonas Billstein was ready to fight, so it wasn’t

Above: Lee signing his contract with Heavy Duty Management

fair on him because I hadn’t made weight.” “But he’s not really fought anyone title-worthy, so it’s made the belt look a bit stupid. I have tried to get another fight for the title but the organisation want me to sign an 18-month contract to do so which means I wouldn’t be able to sign this Bellator contract so it’s just not worth it.” Chadwick, ranked number six in the UK, stressed just how difficult it was to cut weight prior to the fight. “I was training two or three times a day, I was hardly eating anything I was just picking at bits of small healthy meals. “I had a few personal issues at the time and higher stress levels lead to higher insulin resistance, which leads to more fat storage. I was struggling with muscle wastage, higher fat storage, once I hit 87kg my body was struggling and I was in a bad way.” However, under new management and with a Bellator deal on the table, that disappointment is firmly in the rear view mirror now. “I can’t wait, I’ve told management I want to get this contract out the way, get some wins under my belt and then have a title shot with my next contract. That is what I want to be going for, I have always challenged for

titles in every organisation I have fought in and this is no different, I want to be Bellator champion next.” Despite winning an array of titles in his illustrious career, the two-time British MMA Champion still regards his Cage Warriors World title win at the Echo Arena as his greatest achievement. “It was the pinnacle of my career so far, to be honest. That win was amazing the feeling I got after it was amazing, that Cage Warriors World Title is something I have wanted to win for years and go onto the UFC afterwards. “But winning that title in Liverpool, I’ve done it, I’ve been there and I’ve done it and it’s time for me to move on to a bigger organisation and go for their title.” Locals will be happy to hear that Chadwick may be fighting in Liverpool again in the not so distant future. “I would love nothing more than to fight in the Echo arena, it was the best stage I have ever fought on and I’d love to come back anytime. I believe Bellator are putting on several shows next year, hopefully, one of them will be in Liverpool and I could maybe be top of the bill.”

LL Liverpool Life

Picture by Sam Forrest

Produced by LJMU Journalism Students