Liverpool Life 3:11 February 3 2015

3 - February -2015

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ISSUE...

NEWS

PAGE 2

St Julies High School gets a £20 million investment

LIFEextra

SPORT

PAGE 11

#SmearforSmear in the frame

PAGE 14-16

Alan Kennedy and Graham Stuart take part in 96.5K

ERA OF THE TRIPLE-DNA BABIES ZOO WELCOMES NEW VIP Mersey MPs in historic debate

By MELISSA MCFARLANE and JAMES BUSBY

Fara makes her debut. Full Story on page 5

© Chester Zoo

History was made today when MPs cast a landmark vote to allow the use of a technique to prevent deadly genetic diseases being passed from mother to child.

The UK has now become the first country in the world to legalise so called “three-person babies” - this would help out about 150 couples of year.

The measure to allow the use of “mitochondrial donation” was passed by 382 votes to 128, a majority of 254.

The technique was developed in Newcastle, as a result of a campaign by Sharon Bernardi from Sunderland who has lost all of her seven children to the disease and whose son Edward died last year at the age of 21.

In the Commons this afternoon, Jane Ellison, the health minister, opened the debate and gave details about the effects of mitochondria and what they do.

She said there had been extensive consultation with the public on the matter. So far there have been three reports into the safety

of mitochondrial replacement techniques and has been subject to more reviews than any other technology.

Liverpool Wavertree MP, Luciana Berger, Shadow Public Health minister, said: “Legalising these techniques would enable us to eliminate mitochondrial disease that would break the chain of misery affecting families.”

She told MPs that the regulations make it clear that a mitochondrial donor would not be treated as a parent. The process has been subject to extensive reviews and said those using this treatment for the first time would have to take a “leap of faith.”

Prior to the vote, Steve Rotherham, MP for Liverpool, Walton told Liverpool Life: “The research process has been long and considered and the regulations are very specific and cover only mitochondrial DNA, not the nuclear DNA that determines our physical characteristics.

 Continued - page 4

Life|News|2

Delight as school unveils new look

By ALICE KERSHAW

The first images have been released of the new St Julie’s Catholic High School, which will benefit around 1,000 young people and their families in Woolton.

The £20 million development will create a new building for up to 1,100 pupils as well as opening up most of a privately owned woodland behind the school to compensate for the loss of less than five percent of a neighbouring field.

The building will replace a worn-out 1960s design which is no longer fit for modern teaching methods and needs significant repairs and maintenance to be brought up to standards.

The new school is being sympathetically designed in line with the Woolton Village Conservation Area, and will be further away from the Grade I listed Woolton Hall than the existing school.

The complex will also include a multi-use games area and sports hall which will be available for use by the local community, and will give the school more outside play space than it currently has.

Councilor Jane Corbett, Cabinet member for children’s services, said: “This scheme will deliver a fantastic new school for the area, benefiting hundreds of families who live in and around Woolton, as well as the wider community.

“It is vital that the area gets a new school and we have been

By ALICE KERSHAW

In with the new: £20m facelift plan revealed able to come up with a plan which delivers a new school largely on the existing site.

“There is also an exciting opportunity here to develop a new piece of public space which can be used by the whole community, and deliver an increase in the amount of land available for use by local people.”

Tim Alderman, head teacher of St Julie’s, said: “We are absolutely

Cunard Queens to carry Magna Carta to Liverpool

By JAMES BUSBY

A copy of the Magna Carta will be carried on two of the iconic Cunard’s ‘Three Queens’ liners when they arrive on the River Mersey in May. Salisbury Cathedral is lending the rare facsimile of its Magna Carta to the Liverpool-based luxury cruise line and is one of only four original 1215 documents in existence.

The Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria will carry a reproduction of the most important document in English history – signed 800 years ago – during their visit to Liverpool to mark the 175th anniversary of Cunard.

The document will be dis-

played in the Grand Lobby of Queen Mary 2 from early May until September and will be transferred to the Queen Victoria when the ship docks in Liverpool – along with the Queen Elizabeth.

Chairman of Salisbury Cathedral Robert Key, who will accompany the document on board and explain its history, said: “The impact of the Magna Carta was not only felt ashore, but in these lectures we have a golden opportunity to explain and explore those fundamental freedoms that give Cunard ships the right to sail the seven seas – rights that we won 800 years ago and for which people the world over are still prepared to fight and to die.”

Life Team

Bringing you the news every Tuesday Editor Stevie Pickering News Editor Olivia SwayneAtherton News Matthew Judge Laura Schumann Hannah Anderson Rebecca Cookson

Bright lights to save millions

Features Editor Josh Kelsall Features Amy Nicholson Megan Hill Amy Holdsworth Emma Marsden Sports Editor Emily Lewis Sports Sam Peers Liam Cotton

© ZBI

delighted with the plans for our new school, which will enable current and future generations of students in this community to benefit from fantastic educational facilities.

“I hope the community will use our range of facilities out of school hours too, as well as enjoy the woodland areas that the Trustees have said could form part of this proposal.”

Out with the old: The current building © St Julie’s Catholic High School

Speaking out against stigma

In the frame: People showing their support for the campaign

By JOSH HANDSCOMB A campaign has launched on the streets of Liverpool this week to challenge prejudice and reduce the stigma of mental health issues.

Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust are working with a number of partners to promote the national ‘Time to Talk’ campaign.

‘Time to Talk’ day will take place this Thursday but the city will see a number of events this week to help generate awareness of mental health issues and to encourage people to talk about their feelings.

Lord Mayor Councillor Erica Kemp CBE is encouraging everyone in Liverpool to take part in the big conversation by talking for five minutes with friends or family members.

She said: “This is a great initiative challenging the stigma that can sometimes exist around the subject of mental health, and enabling people to feel more comfortable to talk about how they are feeling.

One in four people in the UK will experience mental health problems at some point in their life.

On Thursday, giant speech bubbles and photo frames will be moving around the city to encourage conversations through face to face and social media alongside trained health promotion staff to answer any questions.

A LJMU graduate who suffers from anxiety spoke to Liverpool Life about the difficulties that surround talking about the problem.

The ex-student, who wished to remain unidentified, said: “There

© Twitter

is a lot of stigma and discrimination attached to mental health issues which is one of the reasons why people like me find it hard to talk about their personal problems.

“Not just that, you feel as though no one will really understand how you’re feeling because, quite honestly, neither do you. Mental health issues affect the way you’re thinking so it can be hard for people to think in a way which will help you to take steps forward in making positive changes to your life.”

Paul White, Mental Health Lead for Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust, specified the problem of silence in men.

He said: “We know that men aren’t always good at talking about how they feel, especially if they are feeling down or struggling to cope with stress or anxiety about things.”

Thousands of Liverpool’s street lights are being replaced in a programme which will produce millions of pounds of savings to the city.

More than 20,000 of the city’s existing yellow sodium lights, which have concrete columns, are being replaced with LED lights on steel columns. So far more than 8,200 lights have been replaced.

The first phase of the programme, which is being delivered by Amey, one of the largest companies working for the public and regulated sectors in the UK, is due to be finished in March and will save up to £275,000. Around 900 tonnes of carbon has also been saved.

Overall there will be an 82% reduction in energy consumption and on-going maintenance costs will also be reduced by more than £100,000 per year when the programme is completed.

Mayor Joe Anderson said: “We have decided to bring LED street lighting to Liverpool to improve the lighting across the city and make our streets safer.

This will help to make our city greener and a better place to live by saving over 1,400 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

“Our maintenance costs will also reduce by £2.7m overall over the next five years once all of the street lights have been converted. We can then reinvest this saving in to other key services for the benefit of our local communities and the prosperity of Liverpool.”

The new vehicles incorporate the latest health and safety design features and also have fuel-efficient engines.

Pupils to brush up on tables

By JAMES BUSBY

The government has announced that all children in England will be expected to know up to their 12 times table when they leave primary school.

Pupils would re-sit planned new tests until they passed, but the school could be subject to measures if they failed.

A school that fails to get every pupil to pass the tests for two years running could end up being paired with an outstanding school to gain extra support. There could even be a teacher swap where heads of departments from good schools take over temporarily. Healh Secretary Nicky Morgan, said: “We have to be ambitious for our young people. If you don’t get it right at primary, then it becomes much harder.”

Life|News|3

Fresh make-over for smash Mersey show

By JAMES TOMLINSON

A best-selling book and musical is to return to Liverpool next month as a straight stage show.

Twopence to Cross the Mersey is back in March at the Epstein Theatre.

It began as a best-selling book by author Helen Forrester and became a musical in the noughties which had a series of successful runs at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009.

The new version, which is a straight play, is being staged by Pulse Records LTD in collaboration with producer and stage writer Rob Fennah and new co-producer Bill Elms. They are joined by director Bob Eaton.

Producer and stage writer Rob Fennah said: “This is a new stage play adaptation of Helen’s book and follows our very successful musical version.

“But I must point out, everything about this production is different; new set, new script, new director.”

Twopence tells the true story of a young girl and her formerly wealth family as they are suddenly thrown into poverty during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Mr Fennah added: “Together with the strong and talented cast we have found to tour this Spring, taking the play across Merseyside theatres and introducing more theatregoers to Helen’s fascinating story is something we are all looking forward to.”

Members of the cast include Liverpool theatre veterans Jake Abraham and Emma Dears.

Christopher Jordan, Maria Lovelady, Daniel Stephen Davies and Brian Dodd make up the rest of the eight person cast.

Jordan, who plays the Father in the play, told Liverpool Life: “There are a lot of similarities between the time this is set and now, such as the struggle for jobs. There are a lot of parallels and we share some of the same problems.”

The touring production opens with a three-week run at the

Epstein Theatre from the 10th of March, followed by visits to Southport, St Helens and New Brighton.

Brian Dodd, who plays Mick and others, also told Liverpool Life: “I feel like it makes sense for Merseyside and beyond. It makes sense for people to see it because it feels so important.”

Jordan added: “The unique thing about this city is that the productions are done for the citizens, and the support is great.

There seems to be a lot of interest.”

Theatregoers also have an extra incentive to catch the show following a collaboration with Merseyrail – they can travel to selected performances at two Merseyside venues for just two pence.

More information can be found at www.merseyrail.org/twopencemarch or www.merseyrail. org/twopenceapril.

Tickets are on sale at Epstein Theatre, Southport Theatre, St Helens Theatre Royal and the Floral Pavillion.

Pic © Ida Husøy

MERSEY RETURN: The Twopence cast. © Özgür Gülaşik

Student eyes help for science project

By MATTHEW JUDGE

A Liverpool student is hoping to generate more interest in her grant-aided communities project which provides free science curriculum for families across the city before funding runs out.

Jackie Bell, 26, saw her ambitious plans to deliver science tuition for children and parents in North Liverpool beat off applicants from across the country to receive more than £20,000 in support from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in September last year.

The initiative, which is called ‘CommuniSCI’, the only free-ofcharge science project catering for families in North Liverpool, sees children and parents attend classes in the areas of Anfield,

Everton and Walton every week to develop their knowledge of the subject.

Bell, a University of Liverpool PhD student in Theoretical Physics and long-term youth worker for Walton Youth Project, is keen to banish the “geeky” tag which is often attached to science and wants the subject to become popular amongst kids in the city by making it more accessible.

She told Liverpool Life: “I went to a couple of conferences and saw that most science outreach is catered towards gifted and talented young people.

“I decided I wanted to make the subject accessible to everyone and take science into communities.

“As well as the children, I really wanted to get parents involved

and educate them, too. Parents sometimes don’t know about what their child is learning in science and that can put the child off.

“Parents’ attitudes towards science can have a big impact on how their child feels towards the subject.

“I think it’s really important that the children and the parents take something home with them.

I have found that the parents ask a lot of questions which has been great.”

However, while ‘CommuniSCI’ is currently pulling in numbers of 20 to the Anfield and Walton classes, with the lessons in Everton reaching around 10 families, funding for the project runs out in April this year.

The funding has provided three

places for families to receive their science education in the shape of Walton Youth Project, Evertonbased Shrewsbury House Youth and Community Centre and St Columba’s Church in Anfield, along with trips out and equipment for experiments.

Bell, who is assisted by two young volunteers at the classes, says she is pleased with the response her project has received from local communities and hopes more interest and backing can help a bid to get further funding come to fruition.

“The funding from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills runs out in April so if I can generate more interest in the project then hopefully I can apply to more funding bodies,” she added.

“I’ve had great backing from one of the local communities I work closely with, Pinehurst, and St. Columba’s Church and Walton Youth Project have also supported me. I have to spend the money upfront and then claim it back from our funders and Walton Youth Project have been really helpful with all of that.”

Everton classes take place from 3:30pm to 4:30pm on Tuesdays, Anfield lessons are held from 3:45pm to 4:45pm on Thursdays and Walton Youth Project hosts sessions in that area from 5:15pm to 6pm on Fridays.

For those interested in more information regarding ‘CommuniSCI’, they can email Jackie at communisci@gmail.com or alternatively via Twitter on @ CommuniSCI.

Chinese New Year kicks off with a bang in China Town

By JOSIE O’SULLIVAN

CELEBRATIONS: Chinese New Year gets underway in the city

© Josie O’Sullivan

The start of Chinese New Year celebrations saw the ‘opening eye’ ceremony take place in Liverpool’s China Town this weekend ahead of the Year of The Goat which will commence on the 19th of February.

The ceremony saw the performers from Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu School wearing the traditional dragon heads accompanied by a percussion band. The event was attended

by Deputy Councillor Li and Councillor Woo of the Chinese Embassy in Manchester.

In the run up to the New Year, Celebrations across the city will welcome the New Year in with many events from arts companies, with one being Pagoda Chinese Youth Orchestra - who are the first and largest Chinese Youth Orchestra in Europe.

Just a few of the celebrations will include: Chinese New Year

Exhibitions, Chinese culture open day various workshops and a final celebration which will feature an afternoon of Chinese food, music, dance and lion dance to celebrate the year of the Sheep.

A spokesperson for Pagoda Arts, Zi Ian, told Liverpool Life: “Liverpool is one of the oldest Chinese communities in Europe.

“It is a very nice way to showcase the community cohesion within the Liverpool people.

Chinese New Year symbolises family being together. This gathering will symbolise we are a one big family.”

All members from Pagoda will take part on the day of the celebration, expecting over 50 members doing various performances and about 30 volunteers helping out throughout the day.

The last time it was the Year of the Goat was all the way back in 2003.

Wintry weather set to hit city

By ALICE KERSHAW

Liverpool has been given a severe cold weather warning with the possibility of snow throughout this week.

The Met Office has warned that Liverpool is at 90 percent risk of snow and ice and has warned people to keep an eye on those who are more vulnerable in cold weather. The warning also states that delivery service may be disrupted.

From today, cold conditions will persist, with widespread overnight frosts, locally severe, and low daytime temperatures, until Tuesday 10 February.

The cold conditions will be accentuated at times by strong winds, most notably across eastern and southern England later in the week.

Snow showers will occur, some becoming heavy, especially across Northern England, leading to slight accumulations of snow.

There is also a risk of icy stretches or widespread ice forming on untreated surfaces during the night time periods, particularly across eastern areas.

New PR head for council

By MICHAEL GLYNN Liverpool City Council has appointed Kevin Meagher, who acted as a special advisor in the Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement, as their new head of PR. Mr Meagher has also acted as a special advisor to St Helens MP Shaun Woodward as well as for a number of large successful organisations such as Birmingham and Cheshire East authorities.

He is taking over the role as head of communications at the council which has been vacant since June 2014 when Louise Douglas left the post.

As Northern Ireland secretary, Mr Meagher took a key role in the final part of parliamentary devolution in Northern Ireland.

Liverpool City council has struggled to replace John Ramsden as head of PR when he left in 2011 and was embroiled in a political row over the appointment of the former head of PR at Coventry council Mark FletcherBrown, who left after 75 days in September 2013.

Life|News|4

Centre opens new unit

By MICHAEL GLYNN

The Walton Centre has opened its Sid Watkins Building which provides new accommodation for relatives of patients who can now stay there while their loved ones receive treatment at the trust.

The new facility was paid for entirely by public donations which totalled £50,000 and around £63,000 was raised by former Liverpool striker David Fairclough, who hosted the ‘Jan Fairclough Ball’, named after his late wife, to raise money for the trust.

The building has been named after a famous Neurosurgeon from Liverpool, Sid Watkins, who played a significant part in the Trust and greater NHS when he was alive.

The unit provides 30 beds for patients in need of intensive rehabilitation while recovering from injury and illness, replacing a previous 20-bed unit. A large gym, therapy rooms and a specially designed courtyard in the centre of the building offer therapeutic activities, among other facilities.

The centre is the only specialised brain and spine hospital in the UK and the added eight bedrooms ensure that relatives of patients with no place to stay can remain close to their loved ones.

Comic stable

Liverpool comedian Ted Robbins, who collapsed on stage on Saturday, had been due to have routine heart surgery.

The 59-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest during the opening night of the Phoenix Night Live show at Manchester Arena. He received a lifesaving procedure in the arena, performed by a doctor and paramedic who were in the audience.

His collapse was down to a pre-existing condition of rheumatic fever that Robbins suffered from as a child which damaged his heart valve. He was due to have a routine heart procedure within the next three weeks.

His family have confirmed he is now stable and doing well in hospital.

Walton brightened up with new mural

By JAMES TOMLINSON

ART: The mural on County Road

© Instagram: laurenvlr

A new mural has been unveiled on County Road in Walton.

The street art features a woman with multi-coloured flowing hair on the former Ethel Austin building, which has been empty for years.

It has been created by prolific street artist Whoam Irony, with scaffolding being removed over the weekend to reveal the huge mural.

Local Councillor Roy Gladden said: “I know people are going to be absolutely blown away by the artwork that has been created on this building.

“This is a landmark site on County Road and the mural will grab the attention of people as well transforming a building which has lain empty for a while.”

It comes as a part of a regeneration plan for County Road, one of the main shopping districts of the area.

Cllr Gladden added: “This is just the first stage in a series of exciting plans that we are work-

ing on to improve County Road.

It is a very important shopping district in the city and we are committed to working with traders to make it better.”

The Country Road Regeneration group commissioned the mural from Mark It Street Art Festival.

The project was funded by Mary Portas High Street Regeneration money.

Pamela Sullivan from the Liverpool Street Art Festival, said: “This is a very new thing for County Road, the area has seen a lot of problems and issues with vandalism over the last few years.

“Shops are closing down and many buildings are falling into serious disrepair. The Ethel Austin building, once a sign of real economic growth in Liverpool, had been empty for over 10 years with no sign of a tenant or buyer.

“The mural on the whole has been well received, the people I spoke to during the painting loved it and thought it was a really positive thing for the area.”

City becoming a dumping ground for rubbish

By JOSIE O’SULLIVAN

A residential road near Liverpool City Centre has become a hotspot for fly tipping and a target of night time bin rummaging.

Little Canning Street is a prime target for rubbish being dumped with builders and landlords abandoning gas boilers, flooring, showers and rubble.

The issue of rubbish has had over 100 complaints from one resident of Little Canning Street, Andrew Morris who told Liverpool Life: “I moved to Canning about two years ago and refuse and fly-tipping has been a persistent problem, I’ve reported over 100 incidents to Liverpool City Council, it makes the area undesirable for families.”

Residents are worried that people rummaging through bins at night may be related to identify theft. Mr Morris added: “I had to chase a woman away

from Little Canning Street last night who I saw rifling through the bins for documents.”

Due to low levels of recycling combined with very few bins available the refuse has worsened. Recycling collectors aren’t able to take bins if rubbish inside is classed as ‘contaminated’ - items which are not on the Liverpool City Council recycling list which leaves people with no option but to leave their rubbish on the street.

Greenbank Ward Councillor James Roberts told Liverpool Life: “As a local councillor, I have been very keen to work with different partner organisations to ensure that streets all over the city, are kept as clean and tidy as possible. We have worked very closely with LSU’s Community Reps who have run a number of initiatives, including community events and litter picks.”

Liverpool City Council were unable to comment on the matter.

TIP: Rubbish left on Liverpool streets

© Josie O’Sullivan

MPs say yes to three-DNA babies  Continued from page 1

“I appreciate that for the parents who are at risk of passing on mitochondrial inherited disease to their children time is precious, so it important there is no further delay.

“That is why I will be voting in favour of these regulations, subject to strict safeguards, in today’s vote.”

Not everybody agrees. Sandra Jones, who has over 30 years of nursing experience, told Liverpool Life: “This is a good debate, I can understand why they are doing it, however rather than an expectant mother putting herself and child through this complicated treatment, why not adopt a child?”

The Advanced nurse practi-

MP Steve Rotheram ©Steve Rotheram tioner added: “This could be an accident waiting to happen, and although designing babies for the “perfect gene” is considered wrong, nobody has considered the psychological effect this could have on the child who would then have three parents, in the future.”

The mitochondria compartments are in every cell in the human body, their process converts food into useable energy.

Defective mitochondria which are passed down only from mother to baby can lead to brain damage, muscle wasting, heart failure and blindness.

Today’s decision will bring hope to families across the UK and will be welcomed by those whose lives have been devastated by the condition.

Claire House hospice, Wirral, cares for such children. Speaking in an interview last year, Jemma Gregory, whose daughter Isabelle visits the hospice, regularly said, “When we were introduced to Claire House, it was for end of life care.

“There was no talk of respite when she was older, but just

knowing that Claire House would be there to support us when the worst happened, was so comforting.”

When Isabelle was born, a 34-week scan showed Jemma and her husband Craig that something was wrong and that their daughter would only live for days after she was born. But she is now approaching her third birthday.

The ground-breaking new technique uses a modified version of IVF to combine the DNA of the two parents with the healthy mitochondria of a woman donor.

As a result, three-parent babies will have 0.1 per cent of their DNA from the second woman and is a permanent change that will be passed through generations.

Life|News|5

Student village under way

By JAMES BUSBY

The University of Liverpool has started its £250m master-plan to upgrade and rebuild campuses across Liverpool.

The project will start with the building of a new £90m student village in the south of the city – with the aim to create brand new halls of residence, and renovate the existing facilities on the university’s Greenbank site in Mossley Hill.

Under this renovation will be the 18th century Greenbank House, which was left to the university by the Rathbone family, and will benefit from a £5m investment which will increase the number of rooms available to students by 40%.

The plans for a student village were announced last year

by Kelvin Everest, the former pro-vice-chancellor for student experience who, said: “We know that there is increasing demand for accommodation on our city campus and we hope to better meet the requirements of our diverse student community and provide an environment that matches the high standards of this popular residential area of Liverpool.”

The opening of Vine Court and Crown Place in 2012 provided more than 2,000 additional rooms, with students being able to live in close proximity of Sefton Park and various restaurants and shops.

It is hoped that new project will bring new students to the city to study and take advantage of the new facilities that will be available to them in the future.

City celebrates its rainbow community heritage

By JOSH HANDSCOMB

LGBT History month is well underway in Liverpool The city is celebrating its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender heritage with a series of events to raise awareness and promote welfare of LGBT people.

An exhibition of April Ashley, the first UK citizen to undergo gender reassignment surgery, is entering its final month at the Museum of Liverpool.

One of the final exhibition tours ran today on the same day that the Home Office LGBT network, Spectrum, hosted their annual conference at Liverpool’s Hilton Hotel.

This year’s theme was ‘LGBT and…’ which looked at the multiple identities LGBT people have beyond their sexual orientation

and gender identity.

The conference featured speeches by Home Office sexual orientation champions alongside the director of diversity, LGBT faith groups, UK Black Pride, Gay and Lesbian Humanist Society and Home Office staff sharing their own personal stories.

Kay Jones, Curator of Community History and Curator of the April Ashley Exhibition at the Museum of Liverpool, told Liverpool Life: “For National Museums Liverpool and a lot of museums now, it is really our responsibility to tackle hidden histories and untold stories.

“Obviously we deal with Liverpool’s history from the present day right through to the ice age but within that it is really important to tackle subjects like this for

people to have that wider understanding so we can tackle social justice through lots of different subjects, themes and working with different community groups to help them tell their story in their own words.”

Liverpool-born April Ashley, formerly George, knew from an early age that she wanted to be a woman but the subject was considered taboo even among the most liberal in society at the time Following two suicide attempts, she was imprisoned in a mental hospital where she was pumped with male hormones and subjected to electric shock treatment.

She escaped to become a frequent face of Vogue magazine but her success was short lived after a friend sold the story of her surgery.

Kay added: “People will hope-

ROLE MODEL: April Ashley; UK’s first transgender

©SallyPayne/CreativeCommons/ Flickr

fully understand more about April’s personal story. She is probably best known as a Vogue model and an actress but more recently she was a massive pioneer for trans rights.

There is lots of negative press about the trans gender community and transphobia in the media so hopefully an exhibition like this which presents the trans community in a very positive way will help change opinions.”

In another boost for the city’s LGBT community, the former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Gary Millar, has been commended for his active role in making a difference for LGBT people in business.

Gary ranked 16th in a list published by The Telegraph last month.

He was the UK’s first out LGBT Lord Mayor and has raised money at over 1,500 LGBT events.

Beatle Chester zoo celebrates the circle of life house under auction

By ALICE KERSHAW

The childhood home of Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney is to go under auction.

McCartney lived in the three-up, two-down terrace council house in Speke with his parents Jim and Mary from the age of four, in 1947, until the mid 1950s.

He has described the property as “the first house I remember” and reportedly speaks highly of his time there.

It’s expected to go for upwards of £100,000 in the auction at the Cavern Club on February 26th at 7pm.

The property is expected to be sought after by any keen Beatles enthusiast wishing to own a significant part of Paul McCartney’s history.

The auction came after former bandmembers houses have also been sold on the market to the public.

John Lennon’s childhood home at 9 Newcastle Road sold for more than three times its guide price at £480,000 in 2013, and George Harrison’s at 25 Upton Green sold for £156,000 last October.

Chester Zoo is celebrating the birth of Fara, an endangered Black Rhino.

17-year-old mum Kitani gave birth to the rare baby at 8:15 on Saturday morning. The calf landed safely after a ‘textbook’ birth according to the zoo’s curator of mammals, Tim Rowlands.

He said: “Kitani and her new arrival are doing well and the

rhino house has been closed to give the pair some special time together.”

This is the first time Fara’s father, 15-year-old Sammy, has sired a calf since moving from Japan in 2002 to join the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme for the critically endangered animals.

Mr Rowlands said: “We put great effort into protecting black rhinos in the wild, supporting

a number of sanctuaries across Africa.

“However, as the demand for rhino horn intensifies, poaching continues to become a bigger and bigger problem.

“We hope that, one day, we can put an end to this crisis once and for all.

But in the meantime we need to ensure we have an insurance population and that’s why this arrival is such brilliant news.

“This means there’s a very happy team of keepers, vets and conservationists here at Chester Zoo today.

“Fara will also one day play her own breeding role in a programme, which, in some cases, has already seen some black rhinos return to Africa to help boost numbers.

“For the time being though she is forging very important early bonds with mum.”

Some black rhino facts: They are classed as a critically endangered species; the average height of a black rhino is 5ft 2in (1.6m); Black rhinos weigh between 1,760 - 3,080lbs (798 - 1,397kg and the animals live in tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas and deserts, they are also native to Africa and are found in other countires of the world such as Namibia.

Ferry receives the first dazzle ship makeover ready for spring return

By JAMES TOMLINSON

A Mersey Ferry has received a ‘dazzling’ makeover to celebrate World War I centenary events.

British pop artist, Sir Peter Blake, the man who co-created the legendary Beatles Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover, has been commissioned by Liverpool Biennial in conjunction with Tate Liverpool, 14-18 NOW and Merseytravel to ‘dazzle’ the Ferry called the Snowdrop.

The Ferry is the third in a series of Dazzle Ship commissions after Induction Chromatique à Double Fréquence pour l’Edmund Gardner Ship / Liverpool, Paris 2014 by Carlos Cruz-Diez on the Liverpool Waterfront and Tobias Rehberger’s Dazzle Ship on the River Thames in London.

Sally Tallant, Director of Liverpool Biennial, said: “It is an honour to commission Sir Peter Blake to revisit the practice of

‘dazzle camouflage’ and to invite him to paint the Snowdrop – an iconic Mersey Ferry.

“Millions of people will have the opportunity to see and engage with the artwork and we are delighted to be able to bring this exciting project to Liverpool.”

Artist Norman Wilkinson founded the technique during World War l known as ‘dazzle camouflage’.

He explained that it works not by concealing but by baffling the eye, making it difficult to estimate a target’s range, speed and direction.

It consists of complex patterns of geometric shapes in contrasting or monochrome colours interrupting and intersecting each other.

The ship is the first of the Dazzle Ship commissions to be a working vessel, as it continues its commuter service, River Explorer and Manchester Ship Canal Cruises.

As well as being a moving artwork, visitors who board the Snowdrop can learn more about the history of dazzle and the role that the Mersey Ferries took in the First World War in a display developed by curators from National Museums Liverpool and Tate Liverpool.

Jenny Waldman, Director of 14-18 NOW, said: “We congratulate Peter Blake on this wonderful artwork.

“Snowdrop offers a completely new way for visitors to experience Dazzle ship and learn more about the rich maritime history of Liverpool and the Mersey Ferries during the First World War.” It is also underpinned by an education programme which includes a digital resource for schools and commissions by artists and writers.

The public have plenty of time to see the Snowdrop as it can be seen on the River Mersey from Spring 2015 until the end of 2016.

LAUNCH: Mersey ferry sailing

© Ida Husøy

Life|News|6

Student Union launches vote register plan

By KALTUN ABDILLAHI (with additional reporting from Melissa McFarlane)

Mag stands up for victims of abuse

By BRADD CHAMBERS

Cosmopolitan magazine has taken a stand against the abuse of women.

A ‘mock up’ of February’s front cover shows a woman suffocating in a plastic bag, urging the reader to rip it open to save her.

Karma Nirvana, a UK charity helping those affected by arranged marriages and honour-based abuse, appears at the bottom of the page with writing ‘Remember the British girls who have lost their lives through honour killings.’

The cover, created by Leo Burnett Change, is believed to represent Warrington girl Shafilea Ahmed, who was killed by her parents after she refused to agree to a forced marriage in 2003, and aims to raise awareness for women living under these circumstances.

Afrah Qassim, the chairwoman of Liverpool’s Savera, an organisation set up for such victims, believes the cover raising awareness is great.

She said: “We campaign all the

time to raise awareness of this issue so people can become aware.”

Although the organisation has only been around since 2010, Afrah believes they’ve tried their best to get their name out there.

“We have done a lot of work around engaging with the communities because our point is about engaging with them, raising the awareness, letting them know how it’s affecting those young people or people that are a victim of this issue,” she added.

“The family lose their child and the child lose their family so it’s difficult both ways.”

Afrah and her team are trying to give young people choices and bring the family together rather than the issue tearing them apart and are urging people who need help to contact the police immediately.

She said: “They can contact Woman’s Aid helpline, our service helpline, any services that will be able to support that young woman to get out of that situation.”

Liverpool Student Union has launched a Generation Vote campaign aimed at getting students to register their vote for the upcoming general in May 2015.

President of Liverpool John Moores Student Union, Sam Davys, has spoken out about the importance of students making their votes count in the upcoming general election.

She told Liverpool Life: “All of us here at LiverpoolSU believe that students going to the polling stations and making their collective voice heard is highly important. The student population is a large and influential demographic that is often forgotten about by politicians. This must change.”

The student representative organisation is encouraging the 24,000 plus students that go to Liverpool John Moores to make their vote by offering the opportunity to register with the Student Union. By voting in the general election, students are told that they can force government to pay attention to them despite young people being one of the lowest voting groups in elections.

Sam believes the student vote will only help hold the next government to account when it comes to student issues.

The SU President added: “The activities that all Students’ Unions across the U.K. are undertaking highlights the collective commitment in holding the next government to account on changes they make and making sure they’re relevant to the student population.” Some of the activities planned by the SU for their work with students registration to vote includes working on a collective manifesto that caters for students from LJMU, Liverpool Hope and also University of Liverpool.

“From there they will holding a hustings in April to engage students in going out to the polls and exercising their right to vote.”

More than 60,000 students live in or around the Merseyside area which this means they can make a difference both locally and nationally. Liverpool has one of the 197 swing seats in the UK and if the majority of students living in that ward exercised their right to vote, the result would change the make-up of politicians in that area.

Councillor James Roberts, who represents Greenbank Ward and is a former JMU History student, told Liverpool Life: “Only 44% of 18-24 year olds voted in the 2010 general election, compared to 76% of people over the age of 65. If politicians know that a particular group are unlikely to vote, or only vote in small numbers, they are less likely to take their concerns seriously.”

LiverpoolSU will be across campus this week encouraging students to register to vote.

Mini LiverpoolSUs will be rebranded to become Registration Stations encouraging as many students as possible to register and make their voice heard.

At certain times Domino’s Pizza will also be on site to help out. All students need to do is register to vote and enjoy a slice of pizza. You can register on the following dates and times.

PRESIDENT: Sam Davys

Wednesday 4 February, 10am - 2pm at the Mini LiverpoolSU Space at Tithebarn Street.

Thursday 5 February, 9am 3pm at the Mini LiverpoolSU Space at Byrom Street.

Friday 6 February, 10am - 3pm at the Mini LiverpoolSU Space and LiverpoolSU Student Social Zone in the John Foster Building LiverpoolSU’s student staff will also be in reception areas in a range of halls in the next few

days.

Wednesday 4 February 5-8pm at North Western Hall, Grenville Street and Apollo Court.

Thursday 5 February, 5-8pm at Capital Gate.

Friday 6 February, 5-8pm at Grand Central.

Saturday 7 February, 3-6pm at Capital Gate Sunday 8 February, 5-8pm at Marybone Monday 9 February, 5-8pm at Atlantic Point

Life|Arts|7

It’s hard work but a lot of fun!

CRITICS’ CHOICE MUSIC

Kate Bush Tribute: Before the Dawn Be blown away by the genius music and breathtaking vocal styling of one of the UK’s most successful solo performers of the past 35 years.

Saturday 14th February at the Lantern Theatre Liverpool.

CRAFTS

Jewellery making with Helen Leigh Dolan Learn the basic techniques of jewellery making in metal and make your own stunning creations!

Includes how to use a jewellers piercing saw, drilling, filing and polishing metal correctly and how to create colour, texture and patinas on metal. All materials and tools will be provided. Tuesday evenings starting 27th January 2015 at the Bluecoat. (£160 for 10 sessions).

SPORT

M

SOPHIE LOCKETT spoke to JMU Graduate Judy Cogan about her role as a Lifestyle Editor living and working in Dubai.

aimi, Panama, Jamaica, Azerbaijan, Lebanon.

Just the start of an incredible list of places that JMU graduate Judy Cogan has travelled to after she was bitten by the travel bug at the age of 19.

Her journey began in China on an internship at The Shanghai Star, where she knew that she wanted to combine her love for travel whilst working as a reporter full-time.

She told Liverpool Life: “I was terrified doing interviews in a completely different culture and environment, but I learnt so much and it was a good boost to my confidence.”

After graduating, Judy found herself in the disheartening position of being a fully-fledged journo battling for jobs until she read BBC reporter Kate Adie’s autobiography.

“She mentioned she applied for jobs all over the country and refused to be tied to a location.

I took her game plan and ended up in Berkshire! How exotic.”

She began working for Wessex Features Agency where she learnt to juggle stories and meet

deadlines. She found herself talking to commissioning editors on publications like News of the World, The Guardian, Grazia and LOOK. She said: “My first major feature at Wessex stands out for me.

It was really-hard hitting and I’d never tackled anything like it before. It involved a domestic violence case which turned into one of the biggest gun sieges in UK Police history.

“A woman was held captive and only got help by writing ‘Help Me’ in her own blood on the bedroom window. It was very harrowing and I was completely out of my comfort zone, but it got a great response.”

Judy also travelled to Florida with the Sunday People in 2010 to write about Caudwell Children’s charity ‘Destination Dreams’ trip, where children with life threatening diseases and their families visited Disney World.

She said: “I was honoured to be there and having spent time with the staff, volunteers and families I felt a real responsibility when writing it up. What surprised me was how fun the trip was too and the amazingly strong people

World Cup Challenge I met.”

Although she wanted to make the move abroad, Judy wasn’t keen on the soaring temperatures in Dubai at first and said it felt, “a bit like a ghost town”.

However, after taking up the offer of covering maternity leave at Gulf News Friday magazine as Lifestyle Editor, Judy was ready for the challenge and began to fall in love with Dubai.

“It’s hard work but a lot of fun and fast-paced so you never get bored. There’s so much going on all the time and exciting people visiting like Kim Kardashian, Sarah Jessica Parker and Prince Harry.

I

t’s more cosmopolitan and there’s such a wide scope of nationalities living here. I’ve got colleagues from the UK, India, Africa, Canada and the Philippines. With that comes different ways to dress, food, and of course work ethics.”

Judy thinks that being able to write well and having a good reputation is more important than 100 words per minute shorthand.

“Keep in touch with people you meet,” she said. “I’ve had to call in favours with contacts from the strangest of places, but return those favours and you’ll end up making great friends.”

She firmly believes in traditional values like a good attitude, hard work and enthusiasm, but what are her final pearls of wis-

The World Club Series will be played in the UK over three days from Friday February 20 to Sunday February 22, climaxing in the World Club Challenge to determine the world’s best rugby team.

LIVE

Top Gear Live at the Echo Arena Top Gear will embark on its first ever UK-wide arena tour with the presenters set to perform their latest and greatest stunts in arenas up and down the country. Coming to Echo Arena on Friday 13, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February 2015, and fronted

by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, Top Gear Live brings to life the massively popular BBC 2 TV programme.

Above: Dubai’s vibrant skyline and Judy makes a new friend. dom?

“Always check your spelling and don’t be late. Take your online presence seriously. Don’t take people’s outbursts personally. Oh, and never ever wear a tangerine velour skater dress in a national newspaper that sells 3.3mil copies a day! That’s hard to shake off !”

THEATRE

Simon Amstell at the Epstein Theatre Following an incredible year welcoming national and internationally acclaimed comedy acts through its theatre doors, The Epstein Theatre continue with their first 2015 offering, as British Comedy Award winner Simon Amstell comes to the venue on Thursday 12th & Friday 13th February.

Life|Driving|8

GREAT

THE

INSURANCE

As insurance prices for under 25s continue to rocket, STEPH BEWLEY investigates...

A

sk any 17-year-old what they want – it’s to bag that driver’s licence and hit the road in their very own wheels. But this eager mentality comes with a costly price tag.

A new survey conducted by gocompare.com shows that those under the age of 25 are having to push the boat out to get their new car –the average cost of getting on the road has gone up by 18% over the last five years to almost £6,768.

New driver 21-year old Allana McGivern purchased her first car last month and pays £2,488 for the insurance on a Ford Fiesta.

She said: “I think the price of young drivers’ insurance is ridiculously overpriced.

We all get penalised by such high prices because of a handful of young drivers who are over confident on the roads. They are the drivers who are likely to be involved in an accident.

But, you also have a lot of older drivers whose prices are around a third of what young drivers pay – and they are road racers and get dirt cheap insurance prices.”

Youngsters are spending an average of £3,825 on their first car, up from £2,477 in 2009, according to gocompare.com. The website states that car insurance makes up a third of the total bill at an average of £2,232 for a 17-year-old driver, down from £2,455 in 2009.

22-year-old Daniel Burns has been a car owner for the past four years and only pays £770 a year.

He said: “It depends on the person and how they drive.

It’s easy to generalise about young drivers. I can see how drivers with little experience on the road are a higher risk, but the starting point of prices are too high.”

Scott Kelly, car insurance expert at gocompare.

com defended the cost of insurance.

He said: “Inexperienced drivers tend to pay substantially more for their car insurance than more experienced motorists because, statistically, they are more likely to have accidents and incur higher claims costs.

Radical measures have been suggested to restrict how, when and what such groups can drive.”

According to Diamond Car Insurance women have a different driving pattern to men.

In fact, it’s young ladies who are better drivers than men because they have fewer expensive accidents.

This was previously reflected in how much a female’s car insurance premium was compared with their male counterparts - but not anymore.

On 21st December 2012, a change to the Insurance & Pensions Directive was implemented that meant insurance companies could no longer calculate insurance premiums based on gender.

Car insurance company, Diamond said: “This change is likely to have an impact on how much young females pay.”

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) found that male drivers under the age of 21 are 10 times more likely to have an accident than male drivers aged 35 years or over. Before the changes, young women could pay up to 40% less than young male drivers due to the fact they are statistically safer.

After all this number talk - we’ve been kind, and put together techniques which could slash the costs of that killer insurance. But, for some young drivers, the premiums will always be excessive. You need to decide - is it really worth it?

!

© JMU Journalism

!

S P I T P TO - DO FIT A SECUITY DEVICE - DO REDUCE YOUR MILEAGE - DO PARK AND DRIVE CAREFULLY - DO TRY MULTI-CAR POLICIES IF YOU LIVE WITH PARENTS - DON’T ASSUME THIRD PARTIES ARE CHEAPER THAN COMPREHENSIVE - DON’T PUT SOMEONE ELSE AS FIRST DRIVER IF IT’S YOUR CAR - DON’T PIMP YOUR CAR - DON’T BE TEMPTED TO LIE

New Year, New You?

Life|Fitness|9 It’s been just over a month since the first of January. A time where New Year’s Resolutions were in full force. Be it that you wanted to stop smoking, exercise more or just limit the amount of alcohol that you consume, most people looked to better themselves with a new rule or two.

and more.

Have many even stuck to the promise they made to themselves when the bells struck 12 on January 1st?

But those unused gym memberships, along with January’s Blue Monday and other excuses just seem to stack up more

With spring fast approaching and nights staying lighter for longer what better reason to get your body fighting fit for 2015?

Beach body season is looming too so get the body of your dreams with Liverpool Life’s top tips.

Exercise even if you can’t afford the gym:

Jogging is free, find your nearest park or find some home workout videos on Youtube.

Compete with a spouse, partner, or friend: It’s been proven that exercising with a friend can improve your dedication to exercise regimes!

Make it a habit:

It takes 7 days to make a habit of something, get into a routine and make time to exercise.

Find a sport or exercise that you enjoy:

Working out can be fun if you’re doing somthing you enjoy as well as working as a team.

Make sure you mix up your workouts:

Set a specific goal:

Enter yourself into a charity run or event which you can train for and build up your stamina.

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, by mixing up your workouts you dont get bored of the same routine.

Liverpool Life’s Angharad Millington and Dan Wright went out onto the streets of Liverpool to see whether people made resolutions and actually stuck to them

l nes, 33, Liverpoo

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Life|Style|10

Looking feeling good great If your New Years resolution has lasted until February it’s time to treat yourself to our gym wear top picks.

Clothes

trainers

bags www.asos.com

Brawww.asos.co.uk m y G h s o o w S £26 Asos Nike Shape

£72www.nike.com Nike

gings

Active Prin t e d F u l l L e n gth leg

£21 American Apparel £60 New Balance www.asos.co.uk

www.asos.com

£69.99 Mi-Pac Liberty £63 Adidas

www.adidas.co.uk

£15 Misguided www.missguided.co.uk

£35 Topshop

www.Topshop.co.uk

£40 Nike at JD Sports www.JDsports.co.uk

£56 Stella Mccartney for Adidas

Yoga Seamless Three-Quarter Tee www.adidas.co.uk

£59 Nike at Asos www.asos.com

£30 Nike

www.johnlewis.co.uk

£72 Nike Roshe

www.asos.com

Nike Swoosh Long Sleeved T-Shirt £20 Asos

www.asos.com

£50 Reebok

www.asos.com

£28 Lazy Oaf

www.asos.com

Life|Health|11 Girls all over social networking sites such as Twitter and Instagram are taking selfies with their lipstick smudged as part of a campaign by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust by hashtagging SmearforSmear.

Why not share your #SmearForSmear selfie to raise awareness of cervical cancer this month?

Liverpool Life reports on the trend by looking at celebrity selfies, facts about smear tests and why they are so vital.

Saving lives with lipstick Celebrities such as catwalk model Cara Delevingne, Georgia May Jagger and Rita Ora have all taken to Instagram to share their #SmearForSmear selfies.

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust says that one in three women between the ages of 25 and 29 ignore their smear test invitation, which is why the charity wants to spread the message for to encourage more girls to attend their appointments.

vingne

Cara Dele

According to the charity in the UK along eight women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every day in the UK and the trust is inviting people to nominate their friends when their selfie is shared, to reinforce the message that it is vital that cervical cancer can be treated as soon as poissble.

Runway model Cara Delevingne was nominated by fellow model Georgia May Jagger. Cara nominated her friends Kendall Jenner and Zoe Kravitz to share the message.

ms

Chloe Sim

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is the largest cervical cancer charity in the UK. The campaign was launched after they followed reports showing the number of women diagnosed has soared in the last decade. New figures revealed more than one million failed to attend smear tests last year.

Rates of women failing to attend smear tests have risen 4.8 per cent in the past year.

agger

ay J Georgia M

The #SmearForSmear campaign is said to be as big as the ASL water challenge which happened last year.

A cervical screening test (smear test ) detects

What to do?!

Rita Ora

rSmear o F r a e #Sm

abnormal cells on the cervix which could lead to cancer.

The earlier on the cells are spotted, the better as once the abnormal cervical cells are detected they can be removed.

The smear test itself is not a screening to test for cancer but just to check the cells of the cervix on women. According to the NHS around 1 in 20 women the test will show abnormal changes.

In some cases the cells have to be removed so they don’t become cancerous. However in most these changes won’t lead to cancer and may just go back to normal by themselves.

According to the NHS around 3,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK. The smear test usually takes around five minutes to carry out using an instrument called a speculum.

Sex and relationship expert Tracey Cox said: “I had cervical cancer when I was 30 years old. If I hadn’t had a smear test, the doctors said I would have been dead within two years.

Getting a regular smear test stops it ever getting to the frightening stage.

“I’ve spent my life telling all my friends to get regular smear tests. They all dutifully go now and I love knowing they’re safe and healthy.”

Text ‘CCPW01 £3’ to 70070 to donate

Words: AMY HOLDSWORTH

Put on your lipstick Smear your lipstick and take your selfie Hashtag #SmearForSmear and @JoTrust Share it on your social networking Get your friends to take a selfie

Life|Arts|12

A happy return for Rita!

One of Liverpool’s best-loved plays is to return to Merseyside for a special birthday show

Dan Kenyon ©

By Georgie Whitworth Willy Russell’s ‘Educating Rita’ is returning for a revival production in Liverpool to celebrate the 35th anniversary of its London premiere.

The hit play, which charts the relationship of a university lecturer who tutors a Liverpudlian working-class hairdresser, will run at the Liverpool Playhouse theatre from 6 February to 7 March.

The lead roles of Rita and Frank will be played by Leanne Best and Con O’Neill. Julie Walters was the first to play the role of Rita on stage in 1980, and went on to reprise her role in the 1983 film adaptation alongside Sir Michael Cane.

Russell praised Best and O’Neill as “superb actors” whilst expressing his delight to have the play performed in the place where his career began.

Born just outside of Liverpool, Russell shot to fame with 1974 Beatles-inspired play at the Everyman- John, Paul, George, Ringo...and Bert. He achieved further recognition with Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine and Blood Brothers The play will be directed by the Everyman and Playhouse’s artistic director Gemma Bod-inetz who said: “I’ve had a lovely collaborative conversation with Willy for months now about the play.

“And it’s really exciting. He was very keen on Leanne and Con. We’ve all been aware that Leanne has got to play Rita one day! It’s thrilling for us.”

980 in rs June 1 ad role in d Walte e mier yed the le h Julie l Caine e r ic p h a w la it film in Sir Michae the 21st ting R e Walters p e into a Educa li 1980- n, where Ju as adapted Rita opposit e title role in 2002, o w h s d e in ord. a y n k la o le L too t yhous The p ing ro Clarke erpool Pla r Glen Walf la 1983- d her starr e g Liv An e ouse ecto repris y-born ction at the artistic dir l Playh b o k o ir p r K Live 2000- rsary produ r Everyman o the urns t t e annive d by forme r y la e The p direct 2015-

‘Sometime students end up being the best teachers’

Life |Culture |13

countdown to culture A new report has revealed that 2014 was a record breaking year for Culture Liverpool.

The report from the Liverpool council found that summer events in Liverpool brought £55 million to the local economy, funding secured nearly 1500 jobs and a record number of 1000 weddings took place at St George’s Hall.

The report also found that The Giant Spectacular, the International Mersey River Festival, Music on the

Waterfront and Liverpool International Music Festival brought in 1.4 million people, with 173,000 coming from outside the North West and 34,000 from overseas.

Director of Culture Claire McColgan said: “Liverpool is an incredibly ambitious thought provoking international place and an inspirational canvass for all artists, creative and entrepreneurs. And 2015 promises to build on this.”

Liverpool Life counts down the to the year ahead ...

Words: Georgie Whitworth

12. Christmas Shopping Markets- December The continental market opens on Lord Street and Paradise Street in November and runs until December.

Williamson Square will host a food and craft village and St George’s Hall holds a Winter Arts Market, with stalls selling handmade jewellery, paintings, photography, cards and decorations.

11. Bonfire Night Celebrations- November 1. Chinese New Year- 19-22nd February As in previous years, there will be organised fireworks displays at Sefton Park and Newsham Park. Both displays, which will be synchronised to music, will start at around 7.30pm on Wednesday 5 November.

10. Pumpkin Picking for Halloween- October Preparations for Halloween are gathering pace at one Merseyside farm, where you can spy a sea of orange from the road as you drive by. There are many to choose from: Church View Farm in Lydiate, Downholland near the Scarisbrick Pub and Poplar farm in the same vicinity.

9. North West Fashion Festival – 12/13 September 2015 The North West Fashion Event, hosted by Chic Networking and Events, will be returning for their annual event for the weekend in September. Featuring an array of fashion exhibitions, pop-up shops, free hair and make-up demonstrations and short seminars from industry experts – the fashion show is set to be packed full of North Wests best.

As we wave goodbye to the Year of the Horse, Liverpool is getting ready to welcome the Year of the Goat with celebrations commencing on Sunday 22nd February. A street parade will take place as part of the celebrations, starting at 12 pm from the Arch in Chinatown.

2. St Patrick’s Day- 17th March As Liverpool has the highest proportion of residents with Irish ancestry of any English city, it comes as no surprise that St Patrick’s Day is one of the biggest days on the city’s social calendar. Revellers across the city come together to enjoy a wide range of music, cultural events and the traditional parade.

8. Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF)- August

3. Grand National- 9th- 11th April

LIMF celebrates greatness, discovers the new and inspires the next. The festival has grown from the Mathew Street Music Festival, developing the city’s biggest music event into an international showpiece, looking not just to the past, but to the future.

Each year Liverpool’s Aintree Racecourse welcomes thousands of spectators to watch world famous horses and jockeys race across the legendary fences including Becher’s Brook, Canal Turn, Valentine’s and The Chair.

7. Independence Day- 4th July 4. Sound City- 21st- 24th May Independence Day celebrations with the Departure of Queen Mary 2 Liverpool to New York. The world’s biggest ever ocean liner, the Liverpool Sound City is the largest international music, digital and film RMS Queen Mary 2, leaves the Mersey for North America on US festival and conference in the UK, responsible for bringing some of the Independence Day. most exciting breakthrough artists to the city. Previous years have seen performances from the likes of Florence and the Machine, The Maccabees and Ed Sheeran. In 2015, Liverpool Sound City will be moving from 6. Africa Oye- 20-21st June its original home in and around the venues of Wolstenholme Square to the iconic Bramley Moore Dock Africa Oyé is the UK’s largest free celebration of African music and culture and takes place annually in Liverpool’s Sefton Park.

5. Cunard Line’s Three Queen Meeting- 25th May To celebrate its 175th anniversary, Cunard will return to its original home in Liverpool this May. Cunard’s three Queens – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria – will meet on the famous Liverpool waterfront in a special event expected to draw tens of thousands of people to the banks of the Mersey.

Life|Sport|14

Triple champs’ play-off joy

By IMOGEN SWEENEY The ladies team from Firwood Waterloo Rugby Club have qualified for the Premiership play off against Thurrock following their championship title win for a 3rd time in a row.

Their recent victory against Loughborough Ladies resulted in a 43-5 score placing them at the top of the Rugby Football Union for Women league table within the North.

Helen Duggan, forwards coach for the U12s and club director is preparing the ladies for the playoff match taking place later this month.

She said: “The girls have been going from strength to strength each season. They are now 49 league games undefeated. It has helped bring players into the team and Firwood Waterloo is extremely proud of the side, it has helped inspire our mini and juniors and increased support for the ladies team across the club.”

She added: “The ladies are feeling confident. In rugby you can get a bonus point if you win by five tries or more and the fact they win the league on maximum bonus points is a great boost going into the playoff.”

With an upcoming match this weekend, coach Helen, who joined the club in 2005, hopes the Premiership will help promote local rugby.

She said: “It’s all about pulling together as a squad, making that commitment to turn up to training even when it’s cold. Many of them are eating right and hitting the gym to gain that extra edge.

“We also have three cup games to prepare for against Premiership sides so everyone is pushing themselves to win their place on the team sheet.”

LJMU lecturer Mark Smith has volunteered as a coach for just under a year, following encouragement from his son to get involved in sports activities.

He said: “The success of the teams across the club is very exciting, from mini, junior, academy and senior men and women’s. All the players and coaches are great role models for every young person, they embody the ideals of hard work, having fun and supporting your friends.”

The club, which is run by volunteers including directors, coaches and players, believe the ladies’ unbeaten season of 14 game wins will bring huge success in the upcoming playoff.

He added: “It would be fantastic for the women’s team to go up into the premiership.

“The playoff match will be incredibly tough, but if they play to their full potential there is no reason they cannot win.”

FLYING HIGH: Ladies are currently unbeaten in 49 competitive matches

Deadline Day Round-up Toffees sign Aaron Lennon on loan from Spurs

Liverpool to host Netball World Cup

By ALICE KERSHAW The International Netball Federation (INF) has today announced that Liverpool will host the 15th Netball World Cup in 2019, the first English city to do so since 1995.

The tournament will be held at ACC Liverpool which has previously hosted the World Netball Series.

INF president, the Hon. Molly Rhone, OJ, CD, said: “On behalf of the Board of the International Netball Fed-

eration, I am delighted to announce that Liverpool will be the hosts of the 2019 Netball World Cup. “England put in a strong bid and we are confident that they will deliver an outstanding event in an excellent venue in the city of Liverpool.

“It is an exciting time for netball right now, which is growing at an unprecedented rate throughout the world. We look forward to seeing this growth continue to soar and to working with the Organising Committee in bringing the

INF’s most important event to England in 2019.”

The 2019 Netball World Cup forms part of UK Sport’s Gold Event Series, which is investing around £40million of National Lottery funding to bring up to 100 world-class events to Great Britain to help build a strong legacy from London 2012 and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The news will be a boost to English netball players, as the host nation automatically qualifies for the tournament, along with the holders.

Liverpool sell midfield duo Suso and Oussama Assaidi Lambert rejects Villa move to fight for place at Anfield Reds make no new signings in January transfer window

©Twitter @WaterlooRugby

New deal for Jennings

By LAUREN PULFORD

Steve Jennings has signed an 18-month contract extention at Tranmere Rovers.

Extending the 30-year-old’s third spell for Rovers until summer 2016.

Recruiting Jennings was a priority for Tranmere manager Micky Adams, who took the player on a loan from his former club, Port Vale, in October.

In an interview with the Liverpool Echo he said: “This place is a big part of my life, I’m glad I’m settled again and I can knuckle down.”

Jennings established himself as the midfield anchor in Adams’ Tranmere side, providing defensive balance.

He has had a significant role in turning Tranmere’s results around since Adam took over at Prenton Park.

He is confident results will continue to move in a positive direc-

tion and push Tranmere up the table.

Jennings began his career in Tranmere’s youth team before turning professional in 2002, making his first-team debut the following year.

By the time he made the move to Scottish Premier League club Motherwell as a free agent in 2009, Jennings had played 167 games and scored 10 goals for Tranmere.

A move back to League One club Coventry City in 2012 initially went well until the club ran into financial difficulties with Jennings contract being terminated.

Jennings was a free-agent for over a month before agreeing a half season deal at Prenton Park last year.

Jennings said: “I’m happy to be back and have a contract sorted out now. I will be here for the next 18 months, playing for the cause.”

Life|Sport|15

Boxing round-up

Derby kick-off plea dropped

By KALTUN ABDILLAHI

INSPIRATION: Courtney Jones

Picture: Anthony Fisher@JMU Journalism

Fry plans youth sport

By ANTHONY FISHER Boxer Courtney Fry is set to open a business in Liverpool to help encourage underprivileged people to compete in sports.

The London-born fighter, who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, moved to Merseyside after the games in Australia, during which time his Liverpool-born girlfriend became pregnant with his first child.

He told JMU Journalism: “The business is all about working within communities. For many years now I have used my sporting background as a tool to build rapport.

“The business has strong beliefs in ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ and wants to encourage a healthy lifestyle to support ongoing success.

“Sports, engagement games and goal-setting are just a few ways I am able to spring board into helping others.”

The 39-year-old cruiserweight is still juggling his boxing career alongside his newly-found passion and admits it can be difficult, saying at times he has even

considered quitting the ring in order to focus on his career within the community.

He said: “I once worked as a security officer in a community hall. There were lots of unruly young people causing trouble, smoking and drinking. I knew I could have worked against them and I often did when they stepped out of line, but then I decided I wanted to help them.

“When the sports hall was free, I would arrange for them to compete in different sports together and tried to encourage them to be more proactive. I found a job I loved.”

Speaking to those who believe that boxing is teaching aggression in youths, Courtney said: “It’s a load of rubbish.

As a young person I was mischievous and angry and boxing actually calmed me down.

“It has shown me great focus, determination, dedication and discipline.

“Fighting is the last thing on my mind as a boxer.

“What boxing does to young people is take out any need for aggression, it starves it so any anger is left at the gym.”

Merseyside police have withdrawn from what became a legal challenge to bring the kick-off time of the Merseyside derby forward to lunchtime.

The much-anticipated derby is set to be broadcasted live on Sky Sports and due for a 5:30pm kick-off, making it the latest for the game to start in 15 years. Just five days before the game, Police had made an appeal at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court for their decision against the late kick-off but have now withdrawn their appeal.

Police may not have been confident of winning the legal battle, but despite its withdrawal, it has publicised its strength in not caving into broadcasters demands.

Anne Whyte, representing the Police, said that the hosts for the game, Everton, had undertaken to “alter and improve” segregation arrangements between fans from both clubs.

Everton Football Club have already confirmed to the Premier League that it can host the game at its scheduled kick-off time but any late changes to the scheduled time will have caused problems for both for the broadcaster and fans travelling arrangements.

An earlier kick-off spot is already taken up on Saturday for the North London derby

HOPEFUL: Everton prepare to face their old rivals at White Hart Lane due for a kick-off at 12:45pm and will be televised on BT Sport.

Liverpool supporters’ union, Spirit of Shankly, voiced its disappointment at the Police decision to lodge a legal challenge against the scheduled kick-time for the Merseyside derby. In a statement the group said: “It is disappointing that the police have again sought a change, but more disappointing that such a change is being pursued at this late stage.

“Supporters of both sides will have made travel arrangements and plans for the day. Instead,

they face uncertainty. It is our understanding, having taken advice, that there is very little supporters can do other than await an outcome.”

The statement added: “The reason for this would be that we are not an ‘Interested Party’ under the act which the police are taking this action. We find it incredulous that supporters are not seen as interested party.

Once again, loyal and paying supporters are taken for granted and not even given the courtesy of being informed, let alone included in decisions that directly impact on them.”

Liverpool’s European and commonwealth medallist for Team GB, Tom Stalker, is to make his comeback at the Echo arena on March 6.

The 30-year-old light-welterweight is set to make his return on the undercard of the city’s biggest ever boxing show.

He had his first career loss in a fight against rival Jack Catterall in October last year.

He said: “Unfortunately for me the fight with Catterall was the night that it all went wrong.

“I came up short but my team at the MGM have done a great job and stuck by me.”

He added: “There’s no shame in it, it happens in boxing and the

main thing is that you stick at it and come back stronger and now I’m looking to the future.”

The fight is an eight-rounder and is headed up by Derry Mathews’ challenge for the WBA World Lightweight title against champion Richar Abril.

Stalker is using Mathews, who lost nine times in his career, as inspiration to get his career back on track towards championship honours.

He said: “He’s had an incredible career, he’s lost and come back.

“He’s stuck at it and now he’s fighting for the world title in our home city which is fantastic.

“If that’s not inspirational, I don’t know what is.”

Police have stated that the late kick off would put a strain on their services and concerned that the time could fuel anti-social behaviour from drinkers who will gather around the city to watch the game in bars.

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson had his request to the Premier League asking for the game to be moved to an earlier time rejected, while City Council’s licensing committee turned down a police request to bring the game forward to 2pm or earlier.

Grand National fast approaching

By LAUREN PULFORD Aintree is preparing for eight days of jump racing with the highlight being the three-day Crabbie’s Grand National Festival which runs from Thursday, April 9 to Saturday, April 11.

The entry date for the race has now closed and the names and numbers will be announced by the BHA (British Horseracing Authority) tomorrow.

Last year there were 115 entries, an increase of 31 on the 2013 renewal.

The BHA Head of Handicapping will take the list of entries and decide which horses will carry the heaviest weights and which will carry the least.

The handicap system is designed to give every horse a fair chance of winning the race, good horses will carry more weight than those perceived to have less ability.

Bookies are taking ante-post bets on some horses that are not yet official entrants in the 2015 Grand National.

Ante-posts bets can be placed on some well-known horses such as Rocky Creek, Shutthefrontdoor, Balthazar King, Teaforthree, Spring Heeled, Across the Bay, and many more.

Stalker in Echo Arena comeback

By LAUREN PULFORD

© JMU Journalism

PRESTIGE: They’re off! © Ponderosa Group

Debut match for Six Nations rugby

By IMOGEN SWEENEY

The first match of the 2015 Six Nations Championship is set to kick off this Friday between Wales and England at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Wales’s winger George North is thought to be making his comeback to international duty after missing a Welsh victory over South Africa in November because of concussion.

The 22-year old from Northampton, who has scored 19 tries in 45 Tests for Wales is currently under pressure from Coach Warren Gatland.

He said: “We don’t think he has played that well in the Welsh jersey in the last few games, so there is a lot of pressure and expectation on him to perform.”

England won the championship in 2011, whilst Wales’ hasn’t lifted the trophy since 2013.

Without a doubt it is the world’s greatest rugby tournament, with national team players from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales touring across Europe.

Games between Italy and Ireland, and France and Scotland,

will also be shown live the following day.

The match will be shown live on BBC1.

The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving teams such as England, Scotland and France and is sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Liverpool

LifeSPORT RUNNING FOR THE 96 3 February 2015

by ANGHARAD MILLINGTON AND DANIEL WRIGHT

CHARITABLE: Football legends Graham Stuart, left, and Alan Kennedy support event © Daniel Wright

Liverpool and Everton legends Alan Kennedy and Graham Stuart are joining forces to support a new community running event in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster.

In what is already a massive week for football in the city, with the highly anticipated Merseyside derby to be contested on Saturday, the pair are putting aside their rivalries to promote the run in remembrance of the 96 victims of the tragedy.

‘The Run For The 96 5K’, backed by the Hillsborough Family Support Group, will take place at Stanley Park in April, in the shadow of both Anfield and Goodison Park, which is a fitting backdrop to the event, according to Kop veteran Kennedy.

“From my point of view it’s great,” he said.

“I can’t do enough to support the Hillsborough Family Support Group. I must admit I’d do anything for them and always ask how we can help.

It’s wonderful to get Everton involved like we did with the Rhys Jones charity. We can’t do enough for each other and for me that’s what it’s all about.”

The event also seeks to fundraise for the charitable arms of both clubs – the Liverpool FC Foundation and Everton in the Community – an initiative for which former Toffee Stuart is an ambassador.

He said: “Irrespective if you’re Red or Blue, this is an event for both sides to come and support us, to raise awareness and run for the 96 – not only for those who lost their lives but also for their families.

“It’s gone on too long and nobody should be put through that length of pain.”

However the duty of promoting the event has not just been left to the city’s football royalty but also to Hillsborough survivors such as Chris Lam who has in the past run from as far as Sheffield back to Liverpool in homage to the 96.

“I was 19 at the time and I’d gone with a friend. Luckily all of us made it out of Hillsborough but some of my friends and people I stood with on the Kop didn’t make it out,” he said.

“It’s always with you and not something that could go away.

I was one of the lucky ones but there’s 96 families who are still struggling for justice and having to go through very harrowing experiences at the inquests.”

The official date of the run has

been set for Sunday 19th April with both Kennedy and Stuart set to take part, but the duo have yet to make a start on training for the event.

Graham, who played for the Blues from 1993 – 1997, said: “I haven’t done an awful lot to be honest – don’t want to peak too soon. There’s a method in the madness. I’ve got a little bit of time and it’ll do me the world of good.

“It’s also important that I give the message that it’s not about how quickly you can get around – it doesn’t matter how long you take or whichever way you choose to do it walk it, sprint it, jog it doesn’t matter just please lend your support. It’ll hopefully be a warm Sunday morning.”

Kennedy, 60, said: “Training will be just like any other day – I’ll worry about it when I get round to training. I did the Santa Dash in December and I do honestly look forward to it - it gives me chance to get in shape.”

But when asked about this weekend’s derby, neither could call it. Graham said: “It’s really tough to call. Liverpool are in a decent run of form at the moment but slowly but surely Everton are turning things around.”

Alan, said: “As long as it’s a fair game, that’s the main thing.”

Coutinho signs new Liverpool deal

by IMOGEN SWEENEY

Liverpool Football Club midfielder Philippe Coutinho has extended his stay at Anfield with a new four and a half year deal.

The 22-year old Brazil international dubbed Liverpool FC’s ‘little magician’ by manager Brendan Rogers will now play for Liverpool until 2020.

Coutinho signed from Inter Milan for £8.5m in 2013, and since then Rodgers has been keen to reward the midfielder for his outstanding performance in recent months.

The Liverpool boss said: “The rhythm of his game is good. His courage and bravery to get on the ball is fantastic. If he can continue to improve – he can improve his goal scoring ability – then he will get into that

bracket of being world class.”

Rodgers has praised Coutinho for his performance against West Ham in Saturday’s 2-0 win.

He added: “The first pass was incredible invention, he was half looking away when he made the pass and the second one looks an easy pass but he has put it to the correct side for Daniel’s touch and finish.

Hopefully in the years to

come, the goals will come more readily for him.”

Rodgers has likened Coutinho’s role at Liverpool to the contribution of Real Madrid duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

He said: “He is a top class player who opens the door for the team in the centre of midfield. Toni Kroos is another of that type - a wonderful footballer and a great passer.

“Those two maybe don’t get as many goals as their technique would suggest but that goes back to their role in the team.”

The change in system for Liverpool has returned Coutinho to his role behind the striker and Rodgers added: “He’s a class act, and he’s still got so much growth and development to undertake here.”  Derby date: p15

Inside Sport

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Ladies Rugby Club win again p14

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City to host Netball World Cup p14

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Local champions inspire p15