The Challenge January 2020

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Issue: 391 January 2020

KNOWSLEY AND NORTH LIVERPOOL’S BIGGEST NEWSPAPER

FURTHER FUNDING SECURED FOR KIRKBY ollowing the announcement that Knowsley Council had purchased St Modwen’s assets in Kirkby town centre, there is more good news for the town.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has confirmed that the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will be stepping up to support the Council’s purchase by investing £10 million allocated from the Single Investment Fund.

The Combined Authority has also set aside a potential further £5m for further regeneration of the town centre.

Steve Rotheram said: “I’m so happy to see the regeneration of the ‘Townie’ is finally happening. There have been too many false dawns caused by broken private sector promises but I’m really proud that we have been able to play a part in bringing this much-needed development to the area I grew up in.

“Devolution is all about taking back control from Westminster and shaping our own destinies.

“When I was elected, I promised that no borough would be left behind and it’s fantastic that, in partnership with Knowsley Council, we will see the heart put back into Kirkby again.”

Knowsley Council’s purchase of St Modwen’s assets in Kirkby will be the first time in the town’s history that the Council has owned and managed the town centre.

Crucially, the purchase will allow the

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• Continued on page 4

Katarina JohnsonThompson going for gold with Listening Ear - Page 3

Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley MBC with Steve Rotheram the Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region

New war honour for Huyton hero - Page 6

INSIDE: Tom Slemen • Sports News • Knowsley ARC • Education News • Business News

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WINST WINSTANLEY! ANLEY!

2 January 2020

APPEAL FOR WITNESSES FOLLOWING COLLISION Merseyside Police are appealing for witnesses following a collision on Hall Lane in Kirkby on Wednesday 20 November.

A man in a wheelchair was struck by a vehicle on a pedestrian crossing near to the roundabout with the junction of Kirkby Row at around 2.50pm.

The pedestrian, in his 50s, suffered a serious leg injury and was later taken to hospital for treatment. The vehicle which failed to stop is believed to be red.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage is asked to contact @MerPolCC or 101 quoting ref.

19100682391 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The Sensory Hive, receives generous donation from business award finalist

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The Sensory Hive, a not-for-profit company connection to the Sensory Hive and is a cause the which is the result of a lot of hard work by cocompany say they are proud to be able to support founders, Sharon Alcock and Hayley Peden will and will ensure the donation stays in Knowsley. take a step closer to opening in the coming Kevin Jones from JJ Smith (and uncle to Hayley months when the finishing touches are Peden), said: “It is lovely to be able to help. The completed with the land and building.

Sensory Hive is going to be an amazing place. I am The project is run by Sharon and Hayley who are over the moon that the company I have worked at for parents of children with additional needs. The charity 35 years has embraced my passion for supporting aims to open their sensory and therapeutic centre in Hayley and Sharon with this wonderful contribution Whiston, Knowsley in 2020 and will support to The Sensory Hive, which will become a real individuals who have neuro-developmental Knowsley asset.” conditions.

Hayley said: “The funding is an unexpected boost Prior to opening the dynamic-duo have received and very generous. It is so thoughtful of JJ Smith to an unexpected funding think of us. It has all boost from a local happened so quickly. My company that has been uncle was only telling the based in Merseyside for team about us a few weeks It is lovely to be able almost 100 years and was ago. to help. The Sensory Hive shortlisted at the “Just based on what he is going to be an Knowsley Business has told them about our Awards in November. plans for The Sensory Hive amazing place Rachael Baker from JJ they have now donated this Smith & Co, finalists for amazing amount. It is such a two awards at the Knowsley Business Awards this family focused company with many long serving year, said: “Unfortunately, we didn’t win an award on employees. the night but it was fantastic to be shortlisted and “Kevin’s dad (my grandad), Jack Jones was a recognised for our success within our industry, both crane operator at JJ Smith in the 1980’s so I feel a locally and on a global scale.” real connection to the business.”

“Being shortlisted for Small Business of the Year Sharon said: “We will put this funding towards the 2019 and Apprentice of the Year 2019 was an cost of some of our resources. achievement in itself.

“We still have a lot of funds to raise but this money “As a family business we build long-term can go towards two much needed swings that will relationships with suppliers, customers and be specially built for our visitors. The swings will be employees; with our belief in the value of good durable so this funding will bring smiles to apprenticeships being a key feature of our business thousands of children and young adults over the model. years.”

“Over 1/3 of our current employees started their The Sensory Hive still need more support. They careers with us as an apprentice and we look have more resources to purchase, but they also forward to seeing what the future holds for our need help with decorating and refurbishment before current apprentices.” the building can open.

JJ Smith did not leave the awards empty handed If there are more Knowsley businesses, like JJ though. Sales director John Stanley won £1,000 in Smith, who want to see the Knowsley £ making a the raffle on the night. On stage John announced real difference and would like to support Sharon and that the winnings would all be donated to The Hayley in getting The Sensory Hive up and running, Sensory Hive. please contact Knowsley Chamber at One of JJ Smith’s long serving employees has a www.knowsleychamber.org.uk

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January 2020 3

Olympian shows supports for Halewood-based charity

KJT going for gold with Listening Ear Two-time Olympian Katarina Johnson-Thompson (KJT) has joined Merseyside counselling charity Listening Ear as their first charity ambassador.

KJT, who hails from Woolton, is a proud supporter of the work that Listening Ear does to help children, young people and adults cope with loss, separation and bereavement.

Best known for her excellence both on the track and in the field as a multi-eventer KJT is no stranger to success. At the tender age of 26, the two-time Olympian has an impressive athletics resume which includes her most recent victory in Doha, Qatar, which saw her crowned as the World Champion Heptathlete.

Katarina said: “I know that Listening Ear has played a huge part in helping so many people through difficult times by providing counselling and support at critical times in their lives. It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to support this work by becoming their ambassador.”

KJT confirmed herself as the world’s leading multi eventer in 2019 by taking the World Championship title in Doha and breaking the British Heptathlon record at the same time.

Listening Ear CEO Richard Brown said: “It’s great to welcome KJT as our first ever charity ambassador.

“Last year, we supported more than 2,000 children, young people and adults through the distress of bereavement and separation.

“We have also developed Amparo – a new service to support people who have been bereaved by suicide.

“We look forward to working with Katarina in the months and years ahead as we seek to help more people in more places.”

And fans of BBC Sports Personality of the Year contender KJT can help boost the charity’s coffers too.

Listening Ear and KJT have teamed up to give fans to access signed autograph cards by means of a small donation through the charity’s website. For a minimum donation of £3 each fan will receive a signed autograph card from KJT and simultaneously provide vital support for the charity, with all profits going to Listening Ear. Visit www.listening-ear.co.uk/kjt for your own card

4 January 2020

NEW PROJECT TO GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE A SAY IN THEIR COMMUNITY

A landlord is on the look out for young people in Stockbridge Village who are passionate about making a difference in their community.

ForHousing is running a Community Ambassador Programme (CAP), which will provide people aged between 11-16 years of age with an opportunity to have a greater say about what goes on in their neighbourhood.

Annie MacLean, Community Development Officer at ForHousing explained: “There are lots of younger people who live in Stockbridge Village, and we want to make sure they have a voice in the community and a positive influence on where they live.

“We hope that the programme will help develop some clearer ideas about what younger people want to see, so we can continue to invest in the kind of projects that improve lives and open up new possibilities for people.”

Those taking part will complete a personal development plan, gain experience in delivering social action programmes, networking and volunteering, and be offered accredited training opportunities.

They will also have their volunteer hours recorded and receive a certificate of completion, which can help them with future employment and education options.

ForHousing is looking for 10 young people to join the programme which will last one year. They will work with Knowsley Youth Mutual on fun creative sessions to help identify what’s missing from the community, with the opportunity to bring their ideas to life.

There will also be the opportunity for two people aged 16 – 25 to be youth mentors on the programme, and the possibility of working towards an accreditation.

Annie continued: “I am beyond excited that we have this opportunity coming to Stockbridge Village, and that young people will have the chance to influence what happens.

“It’s brilliant to be part of a programme that will provide the budget, so they’ll be able to see some of their ideas become reality, whilst learning and having fun on the journey.”

This programme is funded by Clarion Futures working in partnership with UK Youth, with ForHousing awarded £10,000 to deliver the programme alongside Knowsley Youth Mutual.

Anyone interested in taking part should contact Annie on annie.maclean@forhousing.co.uk or 07872 807955.

FURTHER FUNDING SECURED FOR KIRKBY • Continued from page 1

Council to push ahead with regeneration plans which include a new 45,000 sq ft Morrisons, nine new retail units, two drivethru restaurants, a petrol station, and associated car parking.

Councillor Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council said: “The people of Kirkby have waited long enough for the regeneration of their town centre. The private sector has failed to bring forward the development it has promised for almost 20 years and that’s why we stepped in.”

“This is the largest investment which Knowsley Council has ever made, so agreeing this additional support from the Combined Authority is great news and yet more evidence of our strong partnership.

“It provides us with additional reassurance that our decision to intervene in Kirkby is the right one.”

Knowsley Council announced its intention to buy St Modwen’s assets in Kirkby on 19 July 2019 with the £43.8 million purchase finalised only four month later (19 November 2019).

The deal includes the purchase of 87

shops (with plans to build an additional nine new retail units) and 12.4 acres of land. This includes the existing shopping centre, development land, and costs associated with building the new facilities.

The development will lead to nearly 500 new jobs being created in Kirkby, alongside 278 construction jobs during the building phase. This will help to create a £15.3 million boost to the local economy each year.

In addition, it is anticipated that the completed scheme will generate £650,000 per annum in business rates which can then be ploughed back into key public services and support.

In addition to the retail development in the town centre, good progress is also being made on plans to deliver a cinema and associated food and drink outlets (on the former Kirkby Library site on Newtown Gardens).

The Council is also progressing with plans to purchase the Knowsley Community College site on Cherryfield Drive and facilitate the College’s ambitions to open a new facility at the heart of the town centre.

Knowsley remains loyal to Labour Knowsley has remained loyal to Labour, re-electing Sir George Howarth as MP in the 2019 General Election.

His share of the vote was down 4.6 percent, which still kept it at an overwhelming 80.8 percent.

In the neighbouring constituencies, St Helens South & Whiston, Marie Rimmer, Labour held the seat with 58.5 percent of the vote, 9.3 down on the 2017 election.

Whilst in Garston and Halewood, Maria Eagle, Labour held the seat with 72.34 percent of the vote.

In the wake of the election result which saw the Conservatives sweep to power The Challenge spoke to George Howarth about the impact this result could have on Knowsley.

How do you feel about being reelected as MP for Knowsley?

“Obviously, personally delighted but disappointed that the great result we managed for Labour in Knowsley was not repeated elsewhere.”

Do you think there will be an impact on the borough after the election result?

“Unfortunately, yes. All of the problems we highlighted in the election campaign about poverty, benefit cuts and the underfunding of public services will sadly not be addressed.”

What does the result mean to local people?

“People will feel that all the hopes they invested in a different kind of government will have been dashed. My hope is that,

contrary to all expectations, the government will recognise that places like Knowsley should get the support we need and deserve.”

What are your priorities for your next term?

“My first priority, as always, is to work for and stand up for the people of Knowsley.

I will work closely with Knowsley Council, the NHS, Merseyside Police, our local schools and community groups to help bring about changes we need locally.

“Two recent examples of that have been the renewed commitment from Knowsley Council to the regeneration of Kirkby Town Centre, which they have demonstrated by actually buying it, and; the fact that we have been able to get the Shakespeare in the North theatre project off the ground in Prescot.”

January 2020 5

Adult courses starting from January 2020!

Adult Enrolment and Information Event

0800 99 66 99 www.sthelens.ac.uk

0151 477 5850 www.knowsleycollege.ac.uk

6 January 2020

Community projects receive council approved grants Eight local community projects have been awarded a share of £116,000 from the council’s community fund, in order to deliver valuable projects to benefit of the residents of Knowsley.

Friends of Court Hey Park put in a successful bid for £19,000 in order to tackle criminal damage in Court Hey Park.

The site has been targeted by vandals since the closure of the National Wildflower Centre in January 2018. As a founding community stakeholder, the Friends of Court Hey Park want to ensure that the site is safe, accessible and protected in order to encourage local

people to invest time and resources in it.

The grant will pay for a number of initiatives, including the installation of CCTV, opening site lines around the park and conducting diversionary activities to engage local children and young people.

Al’s Club in Prescot have been supporting people with learning difficulties and complex health needs in Knowsley for over 10 years. The Community Interest Company have secured a grant of £10,000 which they have match funded with £8,000 in order to re-wire and improve accessibility at its premises in Prescot, allowing them to

grow their offer and develop the centre into a community hub.

“Get Away ‘N’ Get Safe” was established to educate inspire and empower young people to take control of their futures by avoiding getting involved in gangs. The organisation has been awarded £20,000 to deliver their Gangs Programme to 20 schools in Knowsley, with the aim of creating safer communities free from crime and antisocial behaviour, and inspiring young people to achieve their full potential away from gangs.

The Imaginarium Theatre Community Interest Company, which has a long history of delivering high quality cultural community activities and events in the borough was awarded £20,000 to help fund the Prescot Creative Community programme, a 12 month arts programme designed to entice Knowsley’s young people and adults into arts activities.

Other organisations to have benefitted from the fund include Liverpool Ganesh Temple, Healthwatch Knowsley, Faiths4Change and the Me2U Centre in Kirkby.

New war honour for Huyton hero 94-year-old George Bleasdale from Huyton has been awarded France’s highest order of merit, the Legion of Honour for his role in 1944’s D-Day landings.

George was just seventeen and a half when he enlisted in the Royal Navy.

After just 10 weeks of training, in February 1943 George was deployed to his post in the Light Coastal Forces, serving on a naval Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB) which patrolled the Channel, protecting the Navy’s flotilla from the German’s heavily armed E-boats.

During D-Day, George and the crew of MTB 710 were tasked with escorting the American Rangers to their landing post at Omaha Beach, an event in military history infamously fraught with challenges and set-backs, and in which heavy casualties were inflicted on the Allied forces.

George continued his naval career until 1946, even after his boat collided with a mine leading to the loss of 17 lives. George was one of 14 survivors and one of only six of the crew to escape without any injuries.

On the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, in June 2014 the French President announced that the Legion of Honour would be awarded to all British Veterans who fought for the liberation of France during the Second World War. George, who is partially sighted, was notified of his eligibility and assisted with his application for the insignia by his community support worker from the charity organisation Blind Veterans UK.

January 2020 7

Yew Trees Day Centre branches out into the community A new-look Yew Trees Day Centre has been unveiled at an opening event.

The refurbished building on Capper Grove in Huyton provides a social, rehabilitation and clinical environment for service users with moderate to severe mental health illnesses.

As part of Knowsley’s place based strategy, North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust committed a capital investment of over £270,000 to refurbish and modernise the building.

Yew Trees Day Centre is now a welcoming and vibrant community hub that promotes social inclusion. The multipurpose facility has been designed to create a safe, welcoming and uplifting space for all service users.

Through more efficient use of space, there are now additional areas for communal activities and community events, which will maximise the building’s usage.

At the opening event people saw firsthand the type of local groups that would be made available to assist the rehabilitation process, such as independent living skills, animal therapy, reiki and the rehab kitchen.

The building was unveiled by patients and special guests that included the Mayor of Knowsley, Councillor Jackie Harris, former Everton footballer Graham Stuart and Michael Starke, who is best known for his role as Thomas ‘Sinbad’ Sweeney in the soap opera Brookside.

Emma Wilson, clinical manager at Yew Trees Day Centre, said: “We are really excited to have an opportunity to develop and expand this service, which will offer daily living rehabilitation to Knowsley residents with a mental health diagnosis.

This will enable them to reintegrate back into the local community and strengthen relationships with peers and service

Staff from the Trust alongside the Mayor and Graham Stuart. From left to right: Rebecca McCarren (assistant clinical director of Knowsley), Nicky Over (assistant director of Knowsley), John McLuckie (deputy director of finance), Councillor Jackie Harris (Mayor of Knowsley), Simon Barber (chief executive), Graham Stuart (former Everton footballer), Emma Wilson (clinical manager at Yew Trees Day Centre) and Claire Timmons (head of quality).

providers.”

Dianne Johnson, chief executive at Knowsley Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We are delighted to have worked with all parties in developing this fabulous facility and supporting infrastructure which reflects our shared ambition to support people to live independent lives, closer to home in their own community.

The wider community engagement in this development is also a positive step forward in helping to break down stigma regarding mental health and wellbeing.”

Michael Starke with a barn owl provided by Home Safari for the animal therapy session

8 January 2020

SANTA PAYS A VISIT TO PRESCOT Santa paid a visit to Prescot before the Christmas rush to meet with over 250 children at the Friends of Eaton Street Parks (FOESP) Grotto and helped to raise almost £1000 to be reinvested in the park and free events during the school holidays.

The interactive grotto had forty volunteers dressed as the various characters to delight the children who then enjoyed a seven stop grotto experience. There was also a separate period of time over the weekend allocated for children with special needs (volunteers all have autism awareness training).

An elf guide was allocated to each family and took them on a magical journey to each of the experiences at their set appointment time.

1st stop The children met Santa, had a photo taken and received a gift.

2nd stop Children met Mrs Clause and saw the elf workshop and found out if they had a naughty or nice certificate for the past year.

3rd stop Children made a craft with their creative elfs.

4th stop Children were amazed at the amazing magical show.

5th stop Children met Grandfather Frost and the Ice Princess and played a game of the Grotto XFactor.

6th stop Children went to the micro cinema to see a Christmas cartoon with popcorn and a drink.

7th stop The naughty elfs were at it again and causing mayhem. All followed by a trip to the Pavilion and milk shake and cookies.

Jo Burke, chair of FOESP said: “We are unique in that our aim is not to make money but to create memories.

“Our volunteers shop all year round to get gifts for the children in the sales to keep our prices low but provide a top quality innovative experience on a shoestring.

“They put in massive amounts of hours in the preparation and actual delivery of the grotto and the creativity and energy is boundless. We are always looking for more volunteers so please get in touch via our FB or Twitter both Friends of Eaton Street Park.

“We were also very fortunate to have the assistance of the Army Cadet Force from Prescot Squadron for the second year and what a credit these young people are to our community”.

January 2020 9

Make time for yourself this New Year with FREE creative courses If your 2020 resolution is to make time for yourself then you won’t want to miss Knowsley Council’s ’10 Ways to Wellbeing’ FREE creative courses.

The free sessions with professional artists are open to all adults and will give you the chance to explore a range of creative arts including creative writing/ storytelling, photography, drama, drawing or visual arts.

Part of Knowsley’s ‘10 Ways to Wellbeing’ the courses, which will run over 4 weeks, will provide the opportunity to learn a new skill and make new friends while making time for yourself.

The ’10 Ways’ are simple actions and activities which if done regularly can make a real difference to how you feel and cope with life’s ups and downs.

Storytelling/Creative Writing Join our creative writing course and let your imagination flow. Learn how to write a compelling piece, be it a poem, short story or lyrics to a song!

Wednesdays at 6pm to 8pm Stockbridge Leisure Centre, The Withens, Stockbridge Village, L28 1AB January 29th February 5th, 12th, 19th Thursdays 6pm to 8pm New Hutte Neighbourhood Centre, Lichfield Road, Halewood, L26 1TT January 30th February 6th, 13th, 20th Drawing for Health: Four Pictures Make Your Story

Using different styles of drawing, you will work on four related pictures, which will build over the four sessions, to tell a story of your life experiences. These sessions are all about understanding and telling your own stories through pictures.

You don’t have to have drawing skills already, we will show you the way!

Saturday mornings 10.30am-12.30pm Kirkby Resource Centre, James Holt Avenue, Kirkby, L32 5TD February 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd Visual Arts Experience how visual arts can make a positive difference to your mood while learning to express yourself creatively.

Friday mornings 11am to 1pm St George’s Church, Primrose Drive, Huyton L36 8DW February 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Photography taster course Learn how the power of photography can improve your mental wellbeing whilst connecting with the world around you.

All sessions start and finish in the libraries but will involve visits to local parks to explore the natural environment.

Saturday mornings 10.30am to 12.30pm Huyton Library Culture Hub, Civic Way, Huyton L36 9GD March 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Prescot Library, Prescot Shopping Centre, Aspinall Street, L34 5GA April 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th

Drama techniques Join a practitioner from Imaginarium Theatre as they introduce simple drama techniques to improve health and wellbeing. Learn how physical movement and expression can help you feel better, increase confidence and improve your mood. No previous drama experience is necessary.

Fridays 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Bryer Road Community Centre, Bryer Road, Prescot L35 5DW March 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th No previous experience is necessary, you just need to bring a lot of enthusiasm!

Register your interest for any of these courses by contacting Knowsley Culture Development and Events Service on 0151 443 5353 or emailing katy.mcloughlin@knowsley.gov.uk

The Spine – an inspirational play about brotherhood, and reaching and scoring goals The Spine explores what it’s like to be a man in the 21st century and shines a spotlight on a system that promises the world but leaves most young men on the side-lines – the football academy system.

Kyle, Liam and Hakeem dream of football, fame, and fortune. After spending most of their teenager years being the spine of their team, the premier league is now at the fingertips.

But could the issues surrounding football that are often kicked under the rug be what’s keeping the boys from reaching for that golden contract? Years of institutional racism and hyper-masculinity is playing a big part in the game. Will the boys be strong enough to stick together or will they elbow their way to the top?

This play is being delivered by 20 Stories High, one of the UK’s leading theatre companies. 20 Stories High works with young people at every stage of the theatre making process and pushes boundaries of what theatre can be.

You can watch The Spine at Prescot Library on Thursday 20 February at 6pm, and at Huyton Library on Friday 21 February at 2pm and 7pm Ticket costs are on a pay what you can basis – a donation of any kind is appreciated.

Tickets are available on www.eventbrite.co.uk by searching Spine Knowsley.

You can also call 0151 443 5353 Please note this play is aimed at an audience 13+

10 January 2020

January 2020 11

ANWYL OPENS TWO SHOW HOMES AT EDENHURST GRANGE With more than 20 properties already reserved, Anwyl is opening the doors to two stunning show homes and a new sales centre at Edenhurst Grange in Bowring Park on Saturday 18 January.

Superbly located just off the M62, Edenhurst Grange is a beautiful new residential development of thoughtfully designed high quality three and four bedroom family homes that is surrounded by landscaped open green space.

It is proving popular with local homebuyers, many of whom have already secured their dream home off-plan, with others eagerly awaiting their first opportunity to view the new show homes at the forthcoming launch event.

With elegant interiors that reflect the latest design trends and styles, Anwyl’s show homes have been professionally decorated to perfectly showcase the free-flowing open plan layouts and superb standard specification for which the award-winning housebuilder is renowned.

Head of sales, Matthew Gould, said: “Our brand new show homes combine a relaxed easy elegance with the latest aspirational design features to highlight the quality of finish that Anwyl has refined to an exceptionally high standard over the last 90 years. We are delighted with the show homes and are confident that homebuyers will be equally impressed.”

Potential purchasers are welcome to join the Anwyl team for celebratory refreshments and to explore the new show homes for the first time at the grand launch event which takes place on Saturday 18 January from 10am until 5pm.

On hand at the launch event to advise and assist homebuyers with all aspects of their purchase will be Anwyl’s experienced team of professional home advisors, plus independent new build specialist financial advisors who can provide expert advice on the financial products available to get people moving.

Matthew Gould continues: “With the Government’s Help to Buy scheme and our own innovative Move Simple scheme both available at Edenhurst Grange, we can make it simple and easy for people to make their dream move a reality.

“With Move Simple we will help you sell your existing home and even make a contribution towards estate agency fees.

With more homes set to be released for sale in the New Year, join us at the launch for all details on the latest availability and purchase schemes such as Help to Buy and Move Simple.”

For further details on the launch event, or to make an appointment to view the show homes, please contact Gyllian in the sales office on 0151 5417 807 or visit www.anwylhomes.co.uk

Photography competition images on tour An exhibition of the winning photographs entered into Knowsley’s Year of the Environment Secondary Schools Photographic Competition is being staged at venues across the borough.

The 12 finalists’ images are currently being displayed at the Prescot One Stop shop from Monday 6 to Friday 17 January, and then to the Halewood Centre from Monday 20 to Friday 31 January.

It is hoped the exhibition will then appear at local libraries, with dates to be confirmed.

Around 100 13 to 15-year-olds from six schools entered the photography competition calling on secondary pupils to take photos highlighting ‘Knowsley’s Inspiring Environment,’ with the winning image taken by 13 year-old Samantha Soden-Barton from Halewood Academy. Samantha was presented with a framed version of her winning entry by the Mayor of Knowsley.

Samantha’s image, along with the photographs from 11 finalists will also appear in a 2020 calendar produced in celebration of the 2019 Liverpool City Region Year of the Environment.

Knowsley Council organised the competition as part of its activities during the Liverpool City Region Year of the Environment 2019. The initiative was aimed at celebrating and encouraging a greater exploration and understanding of the borough’s biodiversity and green spaces.

Pictured left: The February image: SPINNY REFLECTIONS from Kirkby High School taken at Acornfield Plantation.

12 January 2020

January 2020 13

A warm welcome for new residents at Knowsley’s newest independent living complex The new residents of an extra care scheme in Kirkby came together last week to meet their new neighbours and hopefully future friends, prior to them moving in early next year.

The Maples on Westhead Avenue is the latest housing with care complex from North West housing group, Torus.

The £20m purpose-built development will provide 100 affordably rented one and two bedroomed apartments.

Here the focus is on helping people live their lives as independently as possible with the added reassurance that, if their needs increase over time, support is available on their doorstep.

Sensitively designed and planned, each individual home will be part of a vibrant community where older people and those in need of extra support will live sociable, fulfilling and independent lives.

At its heart, The Maples boasts a communal sensory garden and a range of amenities, including a bistro and hairdressers.

Debbie Cason, Torus extra care network manager, said: “We felt it was really important to give the new residents the opportunity to meet their new neighbours before they moved in, to make the move less of a daunting experience.

“The bistro and hair salon are going to be an important part of the community, so we made sure that the business operators were locals.

“In fact, the two women who’ll be running the on-site bistro and hair salon were familiar faces for many of the new residents.”

Excited new resident, Tommy Lewis, said: “I’m really looking forward to moving in to a safer and more modern environment. I’m a really social person and, until today, I didn’t realise how much is on offer to bring us all together as a community.”

Another new resident, Lily Williams, said: “I’m really looking forward to moving in, making new friends and playing lots of bingo.”

Maxine Murphy, who is taking over the on-site hair and beauty salon, said: “It’s an exciting new opportunity for us.

Having worked in this community for over 30 years, both in a salon and as mobile hairdresser, hopefully we’ll be familiar to lots of the residents, which can be reassuring with all the change.”

Another familiar face is local café and business owner, Maria Naylor, who is

Above: L to R: Leonie Merrutia-Norton (Maples scheme manager, Torus), Lily Williams (new resident), Tommy Lewis (new resident)

taking over the on-site Bistro, who said: “I have lived in the local area all my life and because of this I have a great connection with my customers.”

The Westhead Avenue complex is the latest addition to Torus’ growing portfolio of homes designed to support independent living at every stage of life.

In addition to the extra care homes, there will be 16 supported housing units and 54 new homes available via Rent to Buy – a new option that helps prospective home owners get on the property ladder without overstretching themselves financially.

The Torus group is fast establishing an unrivalled reputation in the provision of independent living with care schemes and is currently developing two similar schemes in Warrington and St Helens.

A fourth extra care development on the Wirral is set to commence in 2020.

Applications for the rented apartments are now open. Anyone interested should call 0800 678 1894 or email info@torus.co.uk

Wanted: Joshua Harrison Officers from Merseyside Police are appealing to the public for help in locating a 24-year-old man who is wanted.

Joshua Harrison from Huyton is wanted for breaching his licence conditions after serving a sentence for possession of a firearm. Harrison is described as white, 5ft 7in, slim build with ginger hair and brown eyes. He is known to have links to Crewe in Cheshire.

If you have information regarding the whereabouts of Joshua Harrison or you recognise him from the attached photograph, please DM @MerPolCC, call 101 or get in touch with @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.

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14 January 2020

CHALLENGE EDUCATION

News from around the region

College lands exclusive partnership St Helens College’s aviation department, have announced an exclusive partnership with the world’s largest airline ground handling company Swissport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport!

The partnership comes in light of the company’s new Swissport Academy, which the college will be helping to develop. It aims to provide local and budding new recruits with the perfect stepping stone into the industry.

Currently the academy has a number of links to further education colleges across the UK, however for Liverpool John Lennon Airport, St Helens College is the first!

For students studying on the Level 2 Diploma in aviation environment at St Helens College, this new opportunity means they will now have access to a number of new learning resources, guided airport visits and a guaranteed interview scheme at the end of their course, with a view to a position with

Swissport.

Swissport are a globally renowned organisation, which provide a range of ground support services at 310 airports worldwide, including baggage services, lounge hospitality, passenger check-in, boarding, ramp handling and cargo services.

The new opportunity will not only open up a number of exclusive career opportunities for local students, but will also provide them with invaluable experience that will prepare them for life in the aviation world.

From exclusive visits to both Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Belfast International Airport, they will get to see first-hand the range of employment opportunities available to them right on their door step, on successful completion of the course.

Aviation and tourism tutor, Daniel Murphy, said: “We are extremely proud of our partnership with Swissport and the opportunities that this will bring for the

aviation and travel students.

“The specialist insight into the industry will ensure that the students have the

most up-to-date sector knowledge possible, to be able to achieve their career goals”.

Kirkby High School raising money for Cancer Research There were some very proud students from Kirkby High School who took part in carol singing in Liverpool Lime Street recently.

The pupils raised an amazing £55 in the 40 minutes they were there, which will be donated to Cancer Research.

The school wishes to thank Merseyrail for the fabulous opportunity to raise much needed funds for the charity!

The pupils had a great time singing Christmas songs and spreading Christmas cheer to all the commuters! #raisingmoney #CancerResearch

January 2020 15

16 January 2020

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Two Upper Sixth students from Carmel College, Finley Moss and Ellis Evans recently represented England at the TriNations Basketball Tournament in Manchester.

The event took place at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester on December 21 and 22 and provided an opportunity for Under-16 and Under-18 players from across Britain to come together to showcase their talents. It also consisted of select teams from Scotland, England and Wales.

A selection process which monitors players’ performance through statistics picked out the two basketball academy students, Finley and Ellis.

The team selection is also based on a video review and coach recommendations. It is the first time either student had the opportunity to play for England.

Finley who studies A-level PE, maths and business studies and Ellis who studies BTEC sport, are supported by the

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) at Carmel.

They both have their eyes set on playing in America next season and have already received full scholarship offers to different universities. Alongside their academic studies, the boys train four times per week.

They play 2-3 games per week and also take part in video analysis sessions and strength and conditioning sessions.

In addition to their college commitments, they both feature for coach Dominic O’Neill at club level for St Helens Basketball Club and several other clubs.

Basketball Coach and TASS mentor Dominic O’Neill, said: “I am over the moon that the boys represented England Under 18’s. They are fantastic players and deserve recognition as some of the best young basketball players in the country.

“I hope they relished the opportunity to make a name for themselves and continue to have further international success. I hope it inspires current and future players in our program.”

Sylvester Primary Academy retains its ‘Good’ inspection rating Sylvester Primary Academy in Huyton has maintained its ‘Good’ Ofsted rating following an inspection last month.

Inspectors noted that it’s a great team effort that makes Sylvester Academy a happy place for pupils, including the school staff, pupils, parents and the wider community.

Staff have high expectations of the pupils and history, science and physical education are particular strengths at the school, which pupils enjoying learning in these subjects.

Early years at the school is well-led and leaders have a carefully designed curriculum with reading and maths a priority. Inspectors highlighted that pupils are progressing and ready for year one.

Across the school, pupils are achieving well in a range of subjects including reading, writing and mathematics and the quality of teaching was praised with Inspectors noting that staff are skilled at teaching phonics and reading, as well as well trained and skilful teachers that are helping pupils to develop strong mathematical knowledge to tackle challenging mathematical problems. Teachers ensure that effective support is provided for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and / or disabilities (SEND).

The mathematics curriculum sets out precisely what pupils should learn and when and Inspectors describe it as a strength of the school.

Personal development was also highlighted as a strength and the curriculum is enriched by many opportunities for pupils to learn about how to look after themselves.

January 2020 17

CHALLENGE EDUCATION

News from around the region Rainford High donates toys and food for those in need at Christmas The kind students and staff from Rainford High have been thinking about others less fortunate this Christmas and have donated generously to local causes.

The student council visited the children’s ward at Ormskirk Hospital to deliver over 100 toys to the boys and girls who will sadly be in hospital over the Christmas period.

The school had collected toy donations from students and dropped them off to nurses and healthcare assistants at the hospital.

Following the highly successful Christmas Fayre at the beginning of the month, the school raised an incredible £2,445 which will now be donated to

local charities, including Wish Upon a Star, St Helens Young Careers and Pets As Therapy.

In addition, The Salvation Army has also received a huge delivery of food by the support staff at Rainford High.

The student council also attended a senior citizens Christmas lunch at Rainford village hall and spent time socialising with the older community and handing out chocolates.

Further students attended the Christmas Care Leavers event in St Helens which helps to transform the festive time for young people who may not have anyone to buy them a gift.

Director of business and finance at Rainford High, Alexandra Marsh, led the

Winstanley sports team success in AoC Regionals

The women’s volleyball team with Ben Rutherford, sports enrichment officer

It’s been a busy yet successful few weeks for Winstanley College’s sports teams competing in the AOC Sport Regionals.

Women’s volleyball won their regional competition with a strongly fought, high quality contest, defeating a talented Xaverian College side 2 sets to 1. They are now through to the national championships.

Other highlights included two men’s badminton students (Sam Wells and Josh Mo) and cross country runner, Lewis Royle, qualifying for the National Championships.

College sport enrichment officer, Ben Rutherford, who has travelled to regionals with the sports teams said: “Each and every student has done superbly well. The girls (in Volleyball) did fantastically, especially considering they lost to Xaverian in the group stage. They showed great character and played some outstanding volleyball in the final.

“It was a pleasure to watch and I can’t wait to see how they get on in Nottingham for the nationals. Sam and Josh did great making it two years in a row qualifying for badminton, and Lewis got a very strong time in the cross country”.

fundraising at the school. She said: “It is so important for us to teach our students the real meaning of Christmas and to think about those who are less fortunate than us.

“Visiting Ormskirk Hospital was quite an emotional experience and it made us realise that some children sadly aren’t able to spend the festive period in the comfort of their own family home.”

Alexandra added: “We really hope our

food donations help The Salvation Army at this busy time. We are so grateful for all that they do and we’re delighted to be able to give back to them.”

The last day of term also allowed students to don their finest Christmas jumpers. In return, they were asked to donate £1 and a chocolate orange, which is part of a national appeal that gives chocolate oranges to NHS staff who work over the Christmas period.

18 January 2020

New tree planting bears fruit at Court Hey Park

Challenge Editor joins ‘Meet the media’ event

It was a full house at Fazenda Liverpool for the inaugural Knowsley Chamber ‘Meet the media’ event recently.

The event gave members of Knowsley Chamber the chance to listen to a medi panel talk on how the media landscape is ever-changing and what is on trend both through news and social media, also what makes a good story and how to get attention to their stories.

Members of the chamber also had the opportunity to ask the panel various questions.

Event organiser, Neil Roscoe said: “Special thanks to the wonderful Julia at Fazenda for hosting and to our media panel for providing fascinating answers to all our questions.

Our thanks go to: Alan Birkett, Editor, The Challenge; Neil Hodgson, Journalist, thebusinessdesk.com; Alistair Houghton, Editor, BusinessLive; Tony McDonough, Journalist, LBN; Jess Molyneux, Knowsley Community Reporter, Liverpool Echo and Andrew Bowman, Editor, BBC Merseyside.

A new mini orchard of fruit trees is the latest attraction to welcome visitors to Court Hey Park in Huyton.

Knowsley Council Leader Cllr Graham Morgan was joined by the Friends of Court Hey Park (FOCHP) and local school children to plant fruit trees, as part of the Mersey Forest’s Defra-funded Trees for Learning programme.

In recent weeks local school children from Blacklow Brow and Malvern primary schools have planted two small copses and hedging to enhance the existing garden and sun dial area.

Ben Greenaway, from The Mersey Forest Team, said: “This project is part of the Trees for Learning initiative which has been funded nationally by Defra as part of their aim to plant one million trees with primary school children by 2020.

“The children involved will learn about the trees they are planting and why it is so vitally important to plant more trees, leaving a lasting legacy for their community.”

In addition to the planting at Court Hey Park, Children from Roby Park Primary School joined Swanside and Roby Councillors to plant 579, trees as part of the ongoing Green Space Enhancement Plan at Roby Fields.

The pupils planted plant a row of alder trees and whips of hawthorn, holly, goat willow, hazel and crab apple – all of which were selected to thrive in the wet conditions on the field – along the boundary with the railway.

Funding for the trees came from Network Rail, when the trees are fully grown they will obscure the railway line that run along the back of the field creating an attractive vista for local residents.

Cllr Morgan said: “We all know what a gem Court Hey Park is, and I’m delighted that with planting initiatives like this we can raise awareness of this beautiful green space on our doorstep. In the spring, the fruiting flower blossoms will provide an eye-catching addition to this quiet garden space and hopefully attract more people to come and discover the area.

“We are committed to encouraging people to get out and about in our parks and I’m thrilled that children from local primary schools have worked alongside committed volunteers from the Friends of Court Hey Park to create this beautiful space. We want to engage youngsters to enhance and really value our green spaces, and as a result, make sure future generations are invested in spending time in our parks and gardens”.

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January 2020 19

The Coffee House opens in Huyton Village Centre Two brothers from Lymm in Cheshire chose Huyton as the location for their latest venture as part of a mission to help rejuvenate local high streets with their expanding chain of independent coffee shops.

Both in their early twenties Chris and Stephen made the decision to quit their jobs and to set out in changing the way that people could enjoy fantastic coffee, homemade food and brilliant service all in their local vicinity.

After spending time planning their venture they opened the doors to the first Coffee House in Lymm Village in 2011.

Proving to be huge success they have since opened further stores in Sale, Partington and Widnes.

Chris and Stephen have worked alongside Knowsley Council to develop their plans – with both partners committed to development the village centre. The team has transformed two empty shop units to make way for a substantial 1700 sq. of space making it fifth and largest Coffee House to date. It will play an integral part in offering local people a place to meet family, friends and work colleagues.

“What we do, we will do well’ says

Owner Chris Shelmerdine. “We believe that by providing excellent service, our own unique blend of coffee, fresh food made daily in our own kitchen, a fantastic range of homemade confectionaries to eat in or takeaway will provide the perfect

place for people to enjoy breakfast, brunch and lunch locally.”

“It’s been hard work and long days, but what we have achieved opening Huyton is very exciting,” says Chris.

Grand charity concert You are invited to attend the grand charity concert in aid of Lyndale Knowsley Cancer Support Centre on Friday 24 January at 19:30pm.

It promises to be a fantastic night of entertainment and for a good cause.

Join Volair and a host of music acts for a fabulous night of entertainment. To get tickets (£15 each) contact Lyndale on 0151 489 3538.

Knowsley team shortlisted for social work award Knowsley’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) has been shortlisted in the prestigious Cheshire and Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership Awards, celebrating excellence in social work.

The MASH is the first point of contact for professional and / or the public to raise concerns regarding the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and adults who may be at risk of harm and require support and / or protection.

It consists of representatives from Knowsley Council, Merseyside Police, health, education and housing.

The team has been shortlisted for the ‘Outstanding contribution to the Social Work sector’. This award is open to qualified and non-qualified workers who have developed a career in the social work sector and have become inspirational role models for the profession.

The ceremony takes place on Thursday 19 March 2020.

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BELLWAY BRINGS AMATEUR BOXING GYM TO HUYTON With several developments in the Huyton area, housebuilder Bellway was delighted to lend its support to Dovecot Boxing Academy, a new amateur boxing club located in the Granada Building on East Prescot Road.

The project has taken five months to come together, with the new facility to be run by a trio of local residents Peter White, Owen Ryan and Lee Moleneux.

The boxing club will have six to eight trainers, all volunteers, who will offer a number of bespoke boxing sessions to youngsters during the week, as well as offer boxing-based fitness classes, catering for all ages.

Upon hearing about Dovecot Boxing Academy, Bellway immediately made a donation of £500, which was used by the club to put the necessary regulations and insurances in place.

Peter White said: “We are very grateful to Bellway for its generous donation. The money they contributed allowed us to pay for all affiliation and insurances to get the gym open and functioning, which is just super news.

“Our aim is to train youngsters, teaching them the skills of boxing, but also some valuable life skills too, such as respect, discipline, self-confidence, team work and

communication.

“We will actively encourage children from the age of six upwards to get involved, steering them towards a more positive future and navigating them away from anti-social behaviour and crime.

“In addition to the boxing, we want to make a difference in the community and the youngsters will be asked to help out, for example by picking up litter and visiting the elderly in local care homes.

“We want them to be proud of the area and enjoy a sense of achievement when helping out.

“And, who knows, hopefully we will find the next World Champion at Dovecot Boxing Academy!”

Jenny Bell, sales director at Bellway, said: “What Peter and the other gentlemen, plus the trainers, are setting out to do is incredible.

They have strived to source all the necessary funding for the amateur boxing club and we are pleased to have a played a small part in the opening of the facility, which will no doubt prove to be a big hit with youngsters in Dovecot and the wider Huyton area.

“We want to wish Dovecot Boxing Academy all the very best; they really are going the extra mile to make a positive difference to the lives of those living locally”.

Bellway’s sales advisor Jo Lunt with the housebuilder’s donation for Dovecot Boxing Academy

22 January 2020

CHALLENGE HEALTH Healthy Knowsley HEALTHY KNOWSLEY Cllr Sean Donnelly, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care I hope you’ve all had a good festive break.

Many of you will be a few days into your new year’s resolutions so if increasing your level of activity is on your ‘to do’ list (like it is mine!), then visit www.healthyknowsley.co.uk for lots of ideas and inspiration.

Being more active can help to prevent the onset of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity and it can also help manage high blood pressure.

With recommendations on how much activity you need, to different types of activity as well as setting yourself goals, you’ll find it all in the ‘Moving’ tab. Any activity is better than none and more is better still.

As temperatures start to dip, it’s really important that we keep a look-out for our elderly neighbours and relatives – take a few moments of your time to check that they are safe and well, or if they need any food or medicines picking up, so that they don’t have to go out in the cold weather.

Winter illnesses such as coughs and colds are common at this time of year, so if you start to feel unwell, don't wait until it gets more serious.

Your first port of call should be your local pharmacist, who can advise you on the best course of action to help you get better. They can also recommend medication to help your symptoms.

Remember it’s not too late to take part in Dry January – an opportunity to stay alcohol free for a month, particularly if you’ve over-indulged over the festivities! As well as losing the hangover and reducing your waistline, you’ll also get better sleep, have more energy and save money. It will also help you to rethink your drinking habits too!

Find out more at www.dryjanuary.org.uk

Help us help you this winter by choosing the right NHS service North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is helping people to choose the right NHS service so they can get the most appropriate treatment for their medical needs.

The number of people attending A&E and calling 999 for an ambulance is growing each year. Ambulance services, hospitals, GP surgeries and walk-in centres get especially busy during winter.

By choosing the right health service, you will help to relieve pressure whilst also being better placed to look after yourself and others.

This further reinforces the national ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign, aimed at easing the pressure on NHS urgent care and emergency services. Below is a list of options depending on your medical need: Self-care This is the best choice to treat minor illnesses and injuries. A large range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home or with over-the-counter medicines and plenty of rest.

NHS 111 If you’re not sure what to do and need

medical advice fast, call 111 for free!

There is also the online version at www.111.nhs.uk Pharmacists (chemists) Are a great source of health care advice and information. They are experts in medicines and will help you decide if you need to see a doctor.

GPs Can help if you have an illness or injury that won’t go away and any long standing conditions. Other examples may include vomiting, ear pain, stomach ache and backache.

Walk-in Centres Provide consultations, advice and treatment for new minor injuries and illnesses.

A&E or 999 Is for life threatening situations and emergencies, such as choking, chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, blacking out and blood loss.

The Trust has also produced a short animation to help people decide when to visit a walk-in centre, which provide consultations, advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses.

The animation can be viewed at: www.nwbh.nhs.uk/are-you-winter-ready The Trust has three walk-in centres in Knowsley (Halewood, Huyton and Kirkby) and one walk-in centre in Litherland, Sefton.

Louise Johnston, head of adult community services (physical health) said: “With the festive season fast approaching, it’s really important to choose the right health service this winter that can best support you and your family.

You can help yourself to stay well by keeping warm, having your flu jab if eligible, eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids.

“If you do become unwell, its essential you know what to do and which service will ensure you have a speedy recovery.

Our walk-in centres are there to provide an important service to the community but they cannot do it alone. If you are unsure of the best option, contact NHS 111 for advice.”

January 2020 23

Deadly as smoking around 100 cigarettes each year, charity warns

Air pollution is worst in areas of North West People living in areas of the North West worst affected by air pollution have an increased risk of death that is the equivalent to smoking around 100 cigarettes a year, a leading charity has warned.

The new analysis of data by the BHF highlights that Liverpool has the highest average daily level of air pollution out of all local authorities in the North West.

People living in Liverpool have an increased risk of death that is on average equivalent to smoking 103 cigarettes a year.

This is the same as Knowsley (equivalent to 103 cigarettes a year), and closely followed by Salford (equivalent to 101 cigarettes a year), Halton (equivalent to 100 cigarettes a year), and

Manchester (equivalent to 100 cigarettes a year).

The new figures come as the BHF urges the UK government to urgently adopt into law tougher World Health Organization (WHO) air pollution limits.

The UK currently subscribes to EU limits on levels of fine particulate matter called PM2.5, which are not as stringent as those set by the WHO. This fine particulate matter is the most dangerous kind of air pollution, finding its way into the circulatory system when inhaled. BHF research has shown that PM2.5 can have a seriously detrimental effect to heart health, making existing conditions worse, and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Every year around 1,400 coronary heart

Lee Cooper Foundation supporting and boosting mental health in young people

disease and stroke deaths in the North West are attributed to particulate matter air pollution.

In July 2019, the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) published findings which found that implementing WHO guidelines on air pollution is “technically feasible”.

Jacob West, executive director of Healthcare Innovation at the British Heart Foundation said: “Air pollution is a major public health emergency, and over many years it has not been treated with the seriousness it deserves. Unless we take radical measures now to curb air pollution, in the future we will look back on this period of inaction with shame.

“As these figures show, the effect of air pollution on our heart and circulatory system is profound, and we have no choice over the air we breathe in the places we live.

“Legislation was passed over a decade ago to protect people from passive smoke, and similarly decisive action must be taken to protect people from air pollution.

“The last government accepted that it is possible to implement tougher WHO air pollution limits, and it must now do so protect the health of the nation.”

Before parliament was dissolved for the general election, the government introduced the Environment Bill, which

set out a commitment to binding targets for fine particulate matter, but did not commit to adopting World Health Organization guideline limits.

The BHF says such a commitment is a crucial step in protecting the nation’s heart health. Binding 2030 targets, set in law, will ensure effective action to reduce air pollution and the risk it poses to the nation’s heart and circulatory health.

A Knowsley Council spokesperson said: “Our understanding is that this report remains unpublished therefore we’ve not had an opportunity to review the figures quoted. However, I can advise that we have recently extended our air quality monitoring points in Knowsley and we continue to monitor levels against the National Air Quality limits where currently we have no air quality management areas.

“We continue to take proactive steps to maintain air quality including Environmental Health reviewing and providing comments on all planning applications in relation to future potential developments and associated air quality matters, whilst working with neighbouring authorities to develop cross-border air quality plans and sharing best practice along with air quality being embedded in the Council’s policies including the provision and expansion of electric vehicle charging points.”

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Representatives from Knowsley Council, as well as partner agencies, attended a presentation by the Lee Cooper Foundation about their work in Knowsley and how they are supporting young people across the borough.

The Foundation was set up by teenagers who lost their friend, Lee Thornley, to suicide in February 2018.

Lee, from Huyton, was described as always being there for his friends, however, he struggled to find the right support when he needed it most.

The group are passionate about making a change to the mental health sector and providing help for anyone who may need it.

The Foundation is also one of the Mayor of Knowsley’s nominated charities for 2019/2020.

Issues can be discussed in confidence and the Foundation help teens to love who they are, with lots of advice and support available to help teens boost their mental health.

Every Tuesday, there’s a #Let’sChat drop-in session tailored to a personal journey with a focus each week on a different aspect of mental health and wellbeing. It takes place from 5pm until 7pm at Comics Youth, 76-78 Lord Street (fourth floor), Liverpool City Centre.

The Foundation would love to have a space in Knowsley to meet up, and also welcome guest speakers to come along and engage with young people. If you can help, please email theleecooperfoundation@gmail.com.

Colette Dutton, executive director for Children’s Services, said: “The presentation by the Lee Cooper Foundation was truly inspiring – the Foundation has so much passion for what they do and they are an invaluable service here in Knowsley.

“The group is created by teenagers for teenagers to tackle the important issue of mental health amongst young people. They are doing great work here in Knowsley – well done!”

Further information about the Lee Cooper Foundation is available at www.theleecooperfoundation.co.uk

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24 January 2020

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has granted Cobalt Housing the highest rating for governance and financial viability

Cobalt Housing is upgraded to the highest rating Cobalt Housing is upgraded to the highest rating for governance and viability, after first In Depth Assessment as a standalone organisation.

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has granted Cobalt Housing the highest rating for governance and financial viability.

The RSH has upgraded Cobalt Housing’s rating from a G2 governance rating to a G1 governance rating. Cobalt has also retained its V1 viability rating.

The RSH visited Cobalt in September this year to carry out its first In Depth Assessment (IDA) since Cobalt demerged from Onward Homes Ltd in September 2017 to become a standalone organisation. The assessment focused on factors such as Cobalt’s strategy, risk management and stress testing, financial resilience, governance, and value for money.

To achieve its G1/V1 rating, Cobalt had to meet stringent governance requirements and prove it has financial capacity to deal with a wide range of

scenarios.

Kieran Timmins, Chair of Cobalt’s Board said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the result which is a great reflection on all the Cobalt team and their commitment to the communities we serve. It demonstrates we’ve got some really strong foundations on which to build up our investment in our neighbourhoods and new homes within them moving forward.”

Cobalt’s Chief Executive, Alan Rogers, said: “We welcome confirmation that the Regulator has upgraded Cobalt to a G1 and V1 organisation. It clearly shows the improvements we have made in all areas and puts us in the best possible place to deliver services to our tenants. The fact that this is reinforced by improved performance and higher satisfaction levels is especially pleasing”.

The RSH concluded that Cobalt has developed a clear strategy and that it has implemented new governance, risk management and business planning arrangements that meet their governance requirements.

Now entering the third year as a standalone organisation, Cobalt plans to build 500 homes by 2023. They aim to broaden the types of homes they offer, and are working closely with world-class researchers at the University of Liverpool

and Liverpool John Moores University to ensure existing stock, and any new developments in the coming years, will support the wider social and economic development of the neighbourhoods in which it operates.

Seniors and tots get crafty at Christmas Money worries?

Despite a 100-year age gap, nursery school children and older residents taught each other festive crafts and performing in a school nativity, as part of a mutually beneficial intergenerational care programme, developed by a local housing trust.

Knowsley Housing Trust is working with residents, including Sarah Whittaker, aged 103, who lives at Bluebell Park Apartments in Huyton, took part in a Christmas craft session alongside five older people and six nursery school pupils from St Aloysius Catholic Primary School in Huyton.

The one and half hour sessions were hosted at Bluebell, the £14.4m development owned by the Trust, and were overseen by three primary school teachers, two care workers and a representative from Knowsley Housing Trust.

The classes saw both generations trading skills - everyone will learn to make Christmas decorations and older residents will join the choir at the school nativity and sing the carol ‘Away in a Manager.’

Sarah Whittaker, a Bluebell resident, aged 103, said: “It has been lovely having the children here at Bluebell. They have created some beautiful drawings and art work, me and the other residents have really enjoyed their company, especially when we talked about Christmas.

“It brought back fond memories of when I was a young girl with my brothers and sisters, spending time with my family and enjoying the magic Christmas brings.”

Eve Starkey, an early years teacher at St Aloysius Catholic Primary School, said:

“Our children have been attending Bluebell for six weeks. The visits are something they look forward to all week.

They love to hear stories about the childhoods of people who are a hundred years older than them and the adults enjoy listening to what the children have been doing in school.

“After each session everyone involved has a smile on their face. Research shows that interaction between the elderly and young people has a positive impact on the well-being of both generations and this has been demonstrated throughout our project.”

Léann Hearne, group chief executive officer at Knowsley Housing Trust, part of First Ark Group, said: “There may be a century between three-year old pupils and our older residents, but research carried out over the last few years has proven that this type of intergenerational care benefits everyone.

“It helps youngsters with their creative and social skills, language development, greater confidence and the development of empathy and supports older people to socialise who suffer from depression and isolation.”

Help is available

This time of year can be very expensive. Whether on gifts or food, it can sometimes feel like all you do is spend money.

Whatever you do, don’t ignore money worries and support is available to help you sort out your finances.

For advice on your doorstep, visit Citizens Advice Knowsley on 0300 330 9008 or visit their website at www.citizensadviceknowsley.org.uk or call into their offices in Huyton and Kirkby.

Citizens Advice Knowsley provides free, impartial, independent and confidential advice to residents of Knowsley. The team provides information, signposts to other services and provides practical support such as debt management advice, benefit application support and help accessing food and fuel assistance.

The Money Advice Service provides free and impartial money advice to help you to improve your finances, provides you with tools to help keep track and plan ahead and provide support over the phone and online. Find out more at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk or call 0300 500 5000.

Stepchange provides advice around debt management. Further information is available at www.stepchange.org or by calling 0800 138 1111.

For money saving tips and budgeting advice, visit Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert’s website at www.moneysavingexpert.com. You can sign up to a weekly email for money saving tips straight to your inbox.

January 2020 25

Successful slimmer?

Your loss could be Merseyside’s gain Slimming experts in Merseyside are celebrating a successful year helping thousands of people lose weight.

Now they have launched a campaign to recruit more people with a passion for helping others for the “best work in the world” with a special Slimming World careers opportunity event planned at The Holiday Inn Express in Knowsley on Sunday 5 January 2020 at 4pm.

Lynn Titherington, who manages a team of consultants who run Slimming World groups in the South East of Liverpool said: “We’re going through a period of steady growth. In 50 years, millions of people have changed their lives with Slimming World’s brilliant combination of a hunger-busting eating plan, increased activity and weekly group support.

“Now, with obesity at an all-time high – two out of three adults in the UK are overweight or obese – and government predictions say that 80% of men and 70% of women will be overweight or obese in the next decade – the demand for our unique warm and friendly approach has never been greater.

“At Slimming World we have the best

eating plan in the world where members can, and do, lose weight without ever having to go hungry.

“We have the best understanding of the psychology of slimming and we choose consultants for their empathy, warmth and understanding. We have the best training in the business too.

“Every consultant who comes on board goes through an in-depth training programme and is awarded diplomas in nutrition and the psychology of weight management, as well as successfully running their own slimming business.”

Slimming World is looking for people who have lost weight themselves with the organisation, people who can share their own weight-loss success to build a fabulous career.

There are also vacancies for experienced managers to help coordinate the work in the area and ensure that our unique support is available in every community.

Lynn added: “Every Slimming World group helps members achieve long-term success through healthy lifestyle changes.

“Food Optimising is a unique and

Monday NETHERLEY Christ Church Brownbill Bank Netherley Liverpool L27 7AE 6.30pm Helen 07779 266870

“

Every consultant who comes on board goes through an in-depth training programme

”

healthy eating plan which satisfies the biggest of appetites.

“It encourages people to fill up on unlimited amounts of satisfying foods such as meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, fruit, eggs, pasta and much more, and to enjoy meals with the whole family. Meals like curry and rice, lasagne, Sunday roasts and even fish and chips.

“Members love the fact that they aren’t restricted.

“Just as importantly, we provide support 52 weeks of the year and our members know from the minute they first walk through the door, often when their selfesteem is at its lowest, that they will never be judged, that their details are completely confidential and that they are with people who understand them – because we’ve all been Slimming World members ourselves”.

Slimming World consultants are all

former members. The role is part-time, with the potential to earn £100-£400 a week for working 10-20 flexible hours as a self-employed franchisee.

In-depth training is offered with a wellrespected and recognised brand that has been established for more than 47 years, and all consultants get the benefit of excellent support from more than 300 head office staff based in Alfreton, Derbyshire.

Slimming World provides administrative support, centralised marketing and PR, stock services, a host of up-to-the-minute website support plus nutrition and research expertise.

Slimming World magazine, which is produced at head office, is the highest selling title in the diet and health sector.

Anyone looking for a career that offers opportunities for growth and development and flexibility around family life could find that opening a Slimming World group offers the perfect solution.

There are opportunities across the whole of the UK and Ireland.

For more information contact Lynn on 07739 167051 or go to www.slimmingworld.co.uk/careers

Wednesday DOVECOT St Margaret Marys Parish Centre, Huyton, L14 0JB. 9.30am & 6pm Julie 07779 538790 NETHERLEY Woodlands Community Centre 16 Woodlands Square Liverpool, L27 5RZ Tuesday’s 9.30am 4.30pm & 6.30pm Helen 07779 266870

Thursday CROXTETH PARK St Cuthberts Church (portacabin) Langley Close, Croxteth Park 5.00pm & 7.00pm Dawn Tel: 07732 845118

Tuesday ECCLESTON St James Church Hall St Helens Road 9.00am, 11.00am, 4.30pm & 6.30pm Lynn 07739 167051

LIVERPOOL The Liverpool Public House 14 James Street (Next door to James Street Station) 12pm Linda 0151 256 1681

Friday DOVECOT The Holy Spirit Community Hall East Prescot Road L14 2EH 7.30am and 9.30am Julie 07779 538790

WEST DERBY The Crown Inn Leyfield Road West Derby, L12 7HX 9am & 11am Marji 07739 167048

WEST DERBY At The Crown Inn Leyfield Road West Derby, L12 7HX Tuesday 4.30pm & 6.30pm Suzanne 07855 278313

Saturday NORRIS GREEN St Christophers Church Hall Lorenzo Drive 7.45am & 9.30am Debbie 07774 699694

PRESCOT Prescot Town Hall Warrington Road 8.00am & 10.00am Lynn 07739 167051 WEST DERBY The Crown Inn Leyfield Road West Derby, L12 7HX Saturday 8am, 10am Marji 07739 167048 BELLE VALE Gateacre Comprehensive School Hedgefield Road, Belle Vale 9.00am Graeme 07775 918576

26 January 2020

Local charity’s success in Christmas hamper appeal Local charity Caring Connections has completed its annual Christmas hamper drive delivering over 45 fully packed hampers to socially isolated

individuals at Christmas.

Hampers were filled with mince pies, jams, soups, sweets all items donated by kind individuals and business all with the

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aim of supporting vulnerable individuals those at Christmas.

John Parry from Utility Depot who donated to the appeal, said: “We chose to donate because its heart-breaking thinking of those alone at Christmas and as a business we wanted to give something back, when we heard about the hamper appeal we were inspired to get involved”.

Hampers were delivered across the whole of Merseyside to individuals in Knowsley, Sefton and Liverpool. All individuals being overjoyed with the kind gift.

Rachael Fraser registered manager of Caring Connections said: “As a charity we love doing this and just seeing the smile on people’s faces when the carers deliver the hampers makes all the hard work worthwhile.

“As a social care organisation we often see people who are very isolated and lonely and are always on the lookout of ways we can reduce this”.

In 2018 Age UK found that 1.7 million older people in England can go for a month without meeting up with a friend, and that 300,000 over 65s have not even had a conversation with family or friends over the same period.

The report found also that in 2018 over 230,000 older people who will be on

their own at least one day over the Christmas period, in which 530,000 people aged 65 and over aren’t looking forward to Christmas because for them it’s ‘just another day.’

Paul Growney CEO of Caring Connections said: “The issue of socially isolated / lonely older people really needs to be addressed and as a charity we are passionate of tackling this step by step”.

Mayor of Prescot’s Charity Christmas Concert a great success Prescot Festival and the Mayor of Prescot would like to thank everyone who helped make this year’s Christmas Concert an unforgettably festive time.

As well as providing some spectacular entertainment, the event attracted an audience of almost 500 people and raised a brilliant £1,419.96 for the Mayor of Prescot’s Charity, to be distributed among specially selected local causes.

Two jailed for a total of 34 years following death of James Meadows in Huyton Merseyside Police has welcomed the sentencing of two men following the death of 17 year-old James Meadows in Huyton in October 2017.

Officers were initially called to Lyme Cross Road at 9.40pm on Sunday 8 October 2017 to reports that James, who was a pillion passenger on a motorbike, had fallen off and suffered a head injury.

James was taken to hospital where a scan uncovered that he had a head wound consistent with having been shot.

He died in hospital the following day.

Dylan Westall, 29, formerly of Whiston and Michael Roberts, 25, of Woolfall Crescent in Huyton, were convicted in October this year of manslaughter and conspiring to possess firearms with intent to endanger life at Liverpool Crown Court following a lengthy trial.

Westall was also convicted of s18 assault and false imprisonment in relation to a separate case.

He was sentenced to life to serve a minimum of 22 years for manslaughter and conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life. He was also sentenced to 14 years for s18 assault and false imprisonment which will run concurrently.

Westall’s partner Samantha McDermott, 31, of Rudgate, Whiston, admitted perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to 17 months in prison.

Left: Dylan Westall and left: Michael Roberts

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Warlow said: “Criminals involved in gun crime have no regard for anyone else and unfortunately James Meadows paid the ultimate price for the reckless actions of others.

“This has been a long and challenging investigation but it demonstrates Merseyside Police’s commitment to tackling gun crime and putting offenders behind bars.

“I am pleased that justice has finally been done and Westall and Roberts will now spend a considerable amount of time in prison.

“I hope that James’ family will take some comfort in this and will now be able to move on with their lives.

“I would also urge the local community to come together to help us take a stand against the use of firearms and violence on our streets”.

January 2020 27

HAUNTED MERSEYSIDE with Tom Slemen

WHEN SPRINGHEELED JACK CAME TO HUYTON One of the most intriguing entities in the sphere of the paranormal is a humanoid who was known only as Spring-Heeled Jack – a bizarre-looking figure of fear who was first seen in 1837 in the borough of Lambeth in south London.

He earned his nickname because he was reported to make superhuman leaps into the air – clearing high walls and even jumping from the pavement to rooftop and back.

Understandably, the first reports of the “Leaping Terror” (another of his monikers) were dismissed as far-fetched tales and tricks of the light, but as more and more people – many of them credible witnesses such as doctors and policemen - encountered Spring-Heeled Jack, it became obvious that something very strange was going on.

In addition to Jack’s high-jumping there were also reports of him spitting fire in the face of some victims so many wondered if he was indeed an insane fire-eating circus acrobat.

As the years went by, Spring-Heeled Jack moved out of the London area to embark on a trek of terror to many towns and villages across the country, and around 1888, as that other mysterious Jack – the Ripper – was terrorising the people of the capital, Jumping Jack was seen in Liverpool and its suburbs, and the descriptions of the baffling bounder were very consistent.

Jack wore a type of helmet, a long leathery-looking tight-fitting one-piece suit, usually black, a long cape, and upon his chest there was some apparatus that gave off light – and from this, a glowing blue vapour spurted, often blinding his victims.

His eyes were always described resembling burning coals, and his mouth sometimes looked incandescent. Some of those he attacked said his ears were pointed and that he sported two little horns on his forehead. He also wore a turned up moustache and a pointy van dyke beard.

He was seen in Childwall, parts of Halewood, Huyton, Toxteth, Wavertree

and Everton. Every time the police would arrive on the scene, Spring-Heeled Jack would simply roar with laughter and make enormous leaps into the night.

Eventually the attacks became less frequent and by the late 1900s they ceased.

People often wondered just who – or what – Spring-Heeled Jack was and why he carried out his attacks (mainly on women). Some believed him to be a demon, others thought he was Blackburn-born Victorian circus performer John Higgins, billed as “The Human Kangaroo” because he could allegedly leap three times his own height.

Higgins was just 5ft 3in whereas Jack was always described as around six feet tall.

Another theory had it that SpringHeeled Jack was some visitor from a planet that was a lot larger than earth and that his muscles – which would have been accustomed to a more powerful gravity on his home planet – would have found our gravity field weak – and so he could have made phenomenal leaps through the air.

An astronaut on the moon (which has only 17% of our gravity) can easily leap well over 10 feet from the lunar surface.

There were also encounters with Springy decades into the 20th Century, and most of them have been in Liverpool. He was allegedly seen in Toxteth in the 1920s and 1980s, and there was even a report of a being that sounds just like him in Huyton in the Seventies.

On Saturday 29 January 1972, a group of four students sharing a terraced house on Blue Bell Lane threw a party after one of them – a 22-year-old man named Barry – won a hundred pounds on the horses.

The party started at 7.30pm and around 9pm an old flame of Barry – a 20-yearold petite blonde named Callie – turned up with a friend, which caused a bit of friction between Barry and his latest girlfriend Judith.

The police came out at 10:30pm after complaints from residents in the area about the loud music being played on the

“His eyes were always described resembling burning coals”

stereo at the house. Barry turned the music off but it was back on at 11pm.

By midnight, there were about sixty guests crammed into the house and Judith told Barry: ‘Your old girlfriend keeps pushing me as I dance. Either she goes or I do!’

Barry promised Judith he’d have words with his ‘ex’ – Callie – but at one o’clock, Judith found Barry and Callie being intimate in a corner of the kitchen. Judith stormed out the house and ran up Blue Bell lane in tears and Barry ran after her.

Despite Judith went missing near to the cemetery wall of Huyton Parish Church.

“Judith?” a baffled Barry shouted, looking around, “Where are you?”

He heard a female scream come from across the road – from a poorly lit spot on the corner of Stanley Road that was

sheltered from the light of the full moon.

Barry ran across the road and saw a very strange sight. Judith was being held by a tall cloaked figure in a black tight-fitting suit, and he had a ghastly face – a prominent nose, glowing eyes and a pair of horns – like the devil.

He had his hand clamped over Judith’s mouth.

Barry ran at the figure, and it jumped high over his head and landed in the grounds of the church, then made another leap into the distance. Barry had to carry Judith to his house because she had fainted.

She could not recall how she had ended in the clutches of the weird figure – which was surely Spring-Heeled Jack... * Haunted Liverpool 32 is out now on Amazon

Recycle your Christmas tree with Willowbrook Hospice After a hugely successful Christmas tree collection in 2019, the Willowbrook Hospice Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme is back for January 2020.

Their last Christmas tree collection in St Helens and Knowsley raised just over £2, 785 for Willowbrook Hospice. So why not go green, get your tree recycled and help raise money so that they can continue to care and support our patients and their families.

All you need to do to register for your real tree to be collected is donate a minimum of £5 and call the Willowbrook Fundraising Team on 01744 453798, email events@willowbrookhospice.org.uk or go online at: https://willowbrookhospice.charitycheckout.co.uk/christmastreerecycling#!/ They are collecting from Monday 6 January to Friday 17 January 2020 (weekdays only) and are able to collect from postcodes: L14, L28, L34, L35, L36, WA9. WA10, WA11, WA12 and WN5 (not Orrell). Unfortunately, they are unable to collect from other postcodes.

You don't need to be in on the day! Simply leave your tree outside your house and you can even specify where during registration.

28 January 2020

KNOWSLEY ARK

Bringing history alive

Back to school: A New Year in class After enjoying the festivities of Christmas and bringing in the New Year, reality bites as we ease ourselves back into our normal routines.

For children and young people of school age, preparing to go back to school after the Christmas break heralds a return to study and routine.

We are very fortunate to have a small number of wonderful school log books dating back to Victorian times in the Archive, which tell us the head teacher’s point of view on school matters.

One such book records the life of Prescot Lower Grammar School.

This lockable edition was produced by George Philip and Son, the Liverpool based bookseller and stationers who had offices in London and in the Caxton Building, South John Street, Liverpool.

In 1877, Charles Frederic Buckham had just spent his first Christmas as Master of the Lower Grammar School. He had come into post on 23 July 1877, and as part of his duties, he kept a detailed log book of the day to day activities of the school, its staff and pupils.

School had broken up on 21 December for a period of three weeks and the first entry in the log book for the new term is made on 14 January 1878, when Mr Buckham states that he ‘Commenced work again this morning’.

Attendance was high on the Master’s agenda: two or three boys had left the school over the break, with several more ‘away’; George Robinson had found work and two more were to return once the Board School re-opened.

Some of the boys were ill – Willis and Whitfield had reported in sick – and there were yet other issues.

It seems that two brothers had been refused access to the school due to the non-payment of their fees, although three others had been allowed as Mr Buckham had received part payment of £1 for their schooling after school had broken up for Christmas.

Another problem recorded by Mr Buckham was some maintenance work that had been completed over the holidays.

Although the ventilation over the door had been completed, he was not happy with the arrangement of the desks, which had not been ‘placed according to (his) instructions’. Although pupil attendance

“

continued to be an issue for the remainder of the school year, Mr Buckham did not record whether or not the desks were rearranged to his satisfaction.

Records tell us that Mr Buckham was born in Northumberland in around 1856.

In 1881, he was lodging at a house on Blue Bell Lane, Huyton and in 1883, he married Maria Louise Madelene Demont at Prescot, St Mary’s.

The log books in general indicate that attendance was a primary concern for the head master.

A much earlier document in the collection gives us an insight into the obligations which pupils who were being taught free of charge had to meet in order for them to continue their education at the school.

The framed document is dated 9 December 1765 and it specifies that boys taught free at the school must prove that they have made good progress during the school year.

The boys had to provide a specimen of handwriting to the Trustees at the Town Hall at the meeting after Christmas, declaring how long they had been at the school, what level they had attained in reading and arithmetic and how often they had been absent.

They also had to provide details of their date of birth, their current age, their parents’ names and most importantly, whether they wished to continue their education at the school.

‘The poor boy’, states the document, ‘who writes the best will receive two shillings, the second best eighteen pence and the third one shilling’. Attempts to influence the Trustees’ decision would be met with expulsion.

The New Year certainly brought many challenges to the boys as they tried to maintain their school places.

Hidden away in the archive is a lovely set of Knowsley Village School log books, covering the Infants’, Boys’ and Girls’ Schools from Victorian times through to the 20th century.

The binding of the Girls’ School log book in particular is very fragile, with severe damage to the spine and wear to the cover boards.

Like the Prescot Lower Grammar School log book, this edition was produced by George Philip and Son, in

The log books in general indicate that attendance was a primary concern

”

Prescot Lower Grammar School log book

1870. As with many log books of this type, the book was originally secured with a lock; only the receiver remains as the key and mechanism have long been lost.

The new century began quietly at Knowsley Village School: an entry in the Boys’ School log book made on 12 January 1900 records that the school reopened on Monday 8 January 1900, with many pupils absent due to illness and bad weather.

For those boys who made it into class, Thursday 11 January was an examination day, with all boys being tested in reading, writing and arithmetic.

Over in the Girls’ School, illness meant that the Mistress was also absent for all of the first week of the new term due to illness.

The following year, in 1901, despite some very cold weather, attendance at the Boys’ School on the first day back

after Christmas - Monday 7 January - was fair, with a heavy snowfall on the Tuesday and Wednesday preventing some children from getting in to class.

Thursday 10 January was a much more joyful event, as Lord and Lady Derby entertained the boys in the Village Hall.

Even so, the attendance recorded for the week was 59 out of a possible 71.

The Girls’ School log book records the appointment of two new assistants, Netta Wilson and Alice Brown.

Netta, who was put in charge of the First and Second Class infants, was 20years-old and originally from Manchester.

In 1901, she was lodging with the Naylor family on Sugar Lane, Knowsley Village.

On 2 October 1907, then aged 27, she married Charles Ernest Hornby, a manager in a Liverpool cotton broker’s office, at St Mary’s Church in Knowsley Village.

Knowsley Village School

Find out more by visiting http://archives.knowsley.gov.uk/ or you can following the ARK on Twitter @knowsleyarchive

January 2020 29

Knowsley Chamber announces its first executive partner following ‘most successful year ever’

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Knowsley Chamber of Industry & Commerce has posted its strongest set of results in its 32 year history.

The figures, revealed at the AGM in December, were boosted further with the announcement of its first executive partnership arrangement with ABGI-UK, which will start in the this month.

Knowsley Chamber reported a 25% increase in Chamber memberships in 2019. This increase in memberships alongside additional contract wins during the year for further business support (such as Brexit Readiness) all contributed to a bumper year.

The good news continued as ABGI-UK was announced as the Chamber’s first ever executive partner.

Lesley Martin-Wright, chief executive, Knowsley Chamber, said: “Knowsley Chamber has had a very strong year on the back of solid economic growth, across Knowsley. We appointed our first business development manager back in June and now we can reveal that we have stepped up our engagement offer with our first executive partner.

“This higher level of partnership support will help us to deliver more networking events, provide more support for our members and help the Chamber to steadily grow.

“We are delighted to welcome ABGIUK into membership.”

ABGI-UK will become the official sponsor of the popular Knowsley Manufacturing Network for 2020. The network, chaired by Rod Wah, Beverston Engineering, is one of the most active and well supported business networks in Knowsley. The Partnership will allow ABGI-UK to raise their profile in Knowsley with co-branding at events and speaker opportunities during the year.

Russell McGrath, innovation funding specialist for ABGI-UK, said: “We are really looking forward to working with Knowsley Chamber and meeting the

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members. Knowsley has a fantastic manufacturing sector and with a constant focus on innovation, the manufacturing and engineering industries are vital to the UK economy.

Whether companies are developing prototypes or enhancing their manufacturing processes, making better use of the various innovation funding available to UK businesses should help these companies free up more funds for reinvestment in innovation within the sector.”

The addition of former Jaguar Land Rover communications executive, Neil Roscoe, as business development manager from June has also helped to take Knowsley Chamber to the next level.

Alan Seeley, chairman of Knowsley Chamber, said: “Knowsley Chamber is reflecting the growth and confidence we are seeing across Knowsley. Adding Neil to the team in the summer, with his experience, gained at one of the UK’s biggest brands, has helped us to take Knowsley Chamber up to the next level and I expect to see further growth next year.”

Other successes/achievements highlighted at the 2019 AGM included: • 811 company engagements and 325 business meetings • 34 events with over 1100 delegates • 100 calls to Quest for legal support, 2000 legal website views and 700 document downloads • In depth Brexit Business Readiness support and 1:1 surgeries • Launch of inaugural Knowsley Apprentice Partnership Programme with All Saints High School • 18 Wellbeing grants delivered and 105 businesses received Wellbeing support • Launched The Shakespeare North Playhouse 100 Club • Inaugural business forum bringing together Armed Forces Covenant award winners from across the City Region.

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30 January 2020

News from around the region

Incredible growth in Knowsley’s economy sees borough shortlisted for national award An ambitious growth programme which is heralding a prosperous future for Knowsley has seen the borough shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

Knowsley Council has been named a finalist in the 2020 Local Government Chronicle Awards in the Driving Growth category.

It recognises the success of the council’s bold strategy which is bringing investment, homes, jobs and opportunity to the borough – even in the face of some of the harshest Government cuts of any local

authority in the country in recent years.

The shortlisting reflects an incredible few years for Knowsley, which is outperforming many national growth statistics and delivering major projects which are changing the face of Knowsley for the better.

With more than 2,200 new homes built in Knowsley in the past five years, the borough has exceeded its ambitious housing target, in fact in the last year alone 840 new homes have been built compared to a target of 450.

Knowsley plays a pivotal

KNOWSLEY METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 KNOWSLEY METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL (PROHIBITION AND RESTRICTION OF WAITING AND LOADING AND PARKING PLACES) (CIVIL ENFORCEMENT AND CONSOLIDATION) ORDER 2015 (EXPERIMENTAL AMENDMENT NO 51A) (NO STOPPING AT ANY TIME RED ROUTE CLEARWAY AND NO WAITING AT ANY TIME RESTRICTIONS – HORNHOUSE LANE AND SOUTH BOUNDARY ROAD, KIRKBY) ORDER 2019 NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (“the Council”) on 6th January 2020 made the above-named experimental traffic regulation order (“the Order”) under Sections 9 to 13 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 which comes into operation on 13th January 2020.

The effect of the Order is to provide on an experimental basis a Red Route Clearway no stopping at any time on both sides of Hornhouse Lane Kirkby from its junction with Coopers Lane to its junction with South Boundary Road and no waiting at any time restrictions on both sides of each carriageway of South Boundary Road between Moorgate Road and Coopers Lane. The 2015 Order would be amended by the revocation of the Map Tiles specified in the First Schedule below and the insertion and addition of the Map Tiles specified in the Second Schedule below.

A copy of the Order, a plan showing the parts of the highway and areas affected by the Order, a copy of the Map Tiles and a statement of the Council's reasons for making the Order may be inspected free of charge during normal office hours Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays and public holidays) at the reception desks at the Council’s One Stop Shop offices at; Norwich Way, Kirkby; Archway Road, Huyton: Aspinall Street, Prescot and Roseheath Drive, Halewood.

The notice, plan and a statement of the Council's reasons for proposing to make the Order may also be viewed on the Council’s website:- www.knowsley.gov.uk/consultations This experimental traffic regulation Order shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months and the Council will be considering in due course whether the provisions of the Order should be continued in force indefinitely. Within a period of 6 months beginning with the day on which the experimental Order came into force, or if the Order is varied by another order or modified pursuant to section 10(2) of the 1984 Act beginning with the day on which the variation or modification or the latest variation or modification came into force, any person may object to the making of an order for the purpose of such indefinite continuation. Any such objection must be in writing, state the grounds on which it is made and be sent to Mrs Y Hanson, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Legal Services, 2nd Floor, Municipal Building, Archway Road Huyton Merseyside L36 9YU quoting reference “Legal/YH/ TRO objection/Hornhouse Lane/51a” within the 6 month period.

If any person wishes to question the validity of the experimental Order or of any of its provisions on the grounds that it or they are not within the powers conferred by the 1984 Act, or that any requirement of the 1984 Act or of any instrument made under the Act has not been complied with, that person may, within 6 weeks from the date on which the Order is made, apply for that purpose to the High Court.

Schedule 1 – Map Tiles to be suspended for the duration of the experimental order Road

Ward

Extent of Restriction

Map Tile Number(s)

Map Tile Revision

Hornhouse Lane

Northwood

As per plan PT/TM/6453/A

P21,Q21,Q22 and R22

3 and 4

South Boundary Road

Northwood

As per plan PT/TM/6453/A

P21,Q21,Q22 and R22

3 and 4

role in advanced manufacturing and freight and logistics in the Liverpool City Region. Knowsley Business Park, the second largest of its kind in the North West, is home to 800 businesses and 15,000 employees.

Investment by businesses has opened up opportunities for local workers and brought more and more skilled jobs to the borough – all of which has seen an impressive jump in the average salary of a worker in Knowsley.

This grew by 16.3% from 2017/18 to 2018/19 compared to just 3.4% over the same period nationally.

Investment from both the private and public sector is taking place in all three of the borough’s main town centres.

In Prescot, plans for a new Shakespeare North Playhouse have accelerated business investment in the town, as well as an £3.2m programme restoring historic buildings through the Prescot Townscape Heritage Initiative.

In Kirkby, the council is in the process of acquiring and developing up to 95,000 sq ft of modern retail space, whilst in

TO ADVERTISE IN THE CHALLENGE TELEPHONE

0151 709 7567 KNOWSLEY METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14(1) (SPRUCE GROVE, HUYTON) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 2019 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in order to facilitate essential sewer connection works on Spruce Grove, Huyton (“the Works”) and in order to facilitate traffic management, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council made the above named Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (“the Order”), The effect of this Order will be to temporarily prohibit vehicles (except emergency services) including pedal cycles from proceeding along: (i) Spruce Grove, Huyton from its junction with The Withens for a distance of 35 metres in an easterly direction.

Schedule 2 – Map Tiles to be added for the duration of the experimental order Road

Ward

Extent of Restriction

Map Tile Number(s)

Map Tile Revision

Hornhouse Lane

Northwood

As per plan PT/TM/6453/A

P21,Q21,Q22 and R22

4 and 5

South Boundary Road

Northwood

As per plan PT/TM/6453/A

P21,Q21,Q22 and R22

4 and 5

Dated 6th January 2020 Mike Harden Chief Executive

No diversion route will be provided however a temporary road will be provided over the adjacent strip of land north of Spruce Grove, to maintain vehicular access. The works will also necessitate a footway closure which will result in pedestrians having to follow a short diversion in accordance with the temporary signage in place. It is anticipated that the works will take place from Monday 6 January to Friday 17 January 2020.

The Order came into force on Monday 6 January 2020 and will have a maximum duration of 18 months.

Exemptions are provided in the Order to permit reasonable access to properties, so far as it is practical without interference with the execution of the said work and for works vehicles, any vehicle used in connection with the police, fire or ambulance purposes and anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

Dated the 6th January 2020 Mike Harden Chief Executive

communities to tell their stories, provide homes for creative industries and continue to deliver outcomes in the future.

Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development said: “We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for the Driving Growth Award.

“Knowsley has such a strong and inspiring story to tell when it comes to driving growth and developing the local economy for the benefit of our residents.

“Since 2010 we have been one of the worst-hit local authority areas by the Government’s austerity agenda but we made a conscious decision not to ‘manage decline’ but instead to come out fighting for our borough and our communities.

“It’s a really exciting chapter in Knowsley’s history.”

The LGC Awards will take place on 18 March, 2020.

Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence NORWASTE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD of Norwaste Environmental, North Mersey Business Centre, Knowsley Industrial Estate, Liverpool L33 7UY is applying for a licence to use 110-111 North Mersey Business Centre, Woodward Road, Knowsley Industrial Park, Liverpool L33 7UY as an operating centre for two goods vehicles.

Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office

KNOWSLEY METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14(1) (PARK BROW DRIVE, KIRKBY) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 2019 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in order to facilitate essential gas utility works (“the Works”) and in order to facilitate traffic management, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council proposes than in not less than seven days from the date of this Notice to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (“the Order”). The effect of this Order will be to temporarily prohibit vehicles from proceeding along: i) Park Brow Drive, Kirkby- from its junction with County Road to its junction with Rushden Road.

The main diversion route for vehicular traffic affected by the road closure on Park Brow Drive, Kirkby will be via County Road, Broad Lane, Park Brow Drive and vice versa.

It is anticipated that the works will take place from Monday 27 January to Friday 7 February 2020.

The Order will come into force on Monday 27 January 2020 and will have a maximum duration of 18 months.

Exemptions will be provided in the Order to permit reasonable access to properties, so far as it is practical without interference with the execution of the said work and for works vehicles, any vehicle used in connection with the police, fire or ambulance purposes and anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

Dated the 6th January 2020 Mike Harden Chief Executive

PUBLIC NOTICES

CHALLENGE BUSINESS

Huyton the council has plans to redevelop and strengthen the borough’s civic hub and attract new commercial and employment generating investment.

And it doesn’t stop there – Knowsley has a portfolio of major developments underway that include the new Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot. Knowsley will also be home to one of only 14 Garden Village developments in England.

Halsnead Garden Village will create a vibrant new community with 2,600 new homes with new community and education facilities as well as 22.5 hectares of employment space and a country park, delivering £40.05m GVA to the local economy. Knowsley is expected to continue exponentially.

A new long terms strategy and vision for the borough, Knowsley 2030, alongside a new culture strategy will allow

January 2020 31

Centre goes from strength to strength Bryer Road Community Centre in Prescot, is going from strength to strength having secured funding to recruit a centre development manager from the Steve Morgan Foundation.

The vital community initiative has received a three-year grant totalling £55,000 from the foundation, which has helped with the recruitment of a centre development manager.

Bryer Road Community Centre was handed over to Innovate Volunteering, a social enterprise, in 2017 on an asset transfer from Knowsley Council.

Born and bred in Knowsley, Innovate Volunteering delivers volunteer-led community projects, across the Knowsley area, to reduce isolation and enhance the emotional health and wellbeing of children, young people and adults.

Innovate invests heavily in its volunteers to ensure they are equipped and confident to carry out their roles effectively.

Over the last three years Innovate has grown considerably as an organisation, having developed ourHUB on Manor Farm Road in Huyton.

This facility consists of a ‘Pay what you can’ community shop and a safe space where local people can access support and a listening ear.

In addition, Innovate has been commissioned by the CCG and Knowsley Council to deliver the Borough’s community navigator service, supporting local people to access activities in their community to prevent isolation, and more recently taking over the running of Bryer Road Community Centre, in Prescot.

Leanne Mallinson, director with Innovate Volunteering, said: “We have been tasked with bringing Bryer Road Community Centre back to the thriving centre it once was. We have achieved so much over the past two years with the support of our volunteers, who really do go above and beyond for local people.

“Receiving this funding from the Steve Morgan Foundation has enabled us to recruit Robin, our centre development manager.

“This new role will really help us to develop the centre even further, ensuring we meet the needs of local people and provide a thriving centre of activity right in the heart of Prescot.”

Fellow director Angela Bergquist added: “The support we have received from the Steve Morgan Foundation has been invaluable. Not only do they believe in our service, but have provided lots of support and guidance along the way.”

Robin Connolly, now filling the new centre development manager role, will be recruiting a team of volunteers to help her develop the centre for local people.

Robin said: “This funding will help regenerate the local area and help us to work with other organisations to tackle some of the local issues faced on our estate.

Jane Harris, Director of Regional Funding with the Steve Morgan Foundation, said: “Innovate Volunteering is a fantastic example of a charity

providing so many different services at grass roots level for the benefit of their local community.

“Since moving into Bryer Road Community Centre, Innovate have introduced a new programme of activities for people of all ages, and the numbers using their services has doubled.

“In order to continue to develop activities in line with the needs of the community, there was the requirement for a new centre development manager role.

“Our trustees were delighted to approve the application for funding, and we wish Robin all the very best in the position and look forward to Innovate

Knowsley to provide innovative liver scans Innovative liver scans will be available in Knowsley in the New Year to help to detect the early stage of liver disease.

Liver disease is a silent killer and people often don’t know that they have a problem until it is too late. It is, however, detectable and if caught early, is treatable, can be halted or even reversed by making simple lifestyle changes.

Several organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside, supported by the Champs Public Health Collaborative, with funding from Public Health England (PHE), are working to address the issue of excessive alcohol consumption and its risk to health, through diagnosis and by helping people moderate their drinking habits.

To support these efforts, pilot projects are being launched this month to provide free liver scanning services (using Fibroscans) in a variety of settings across Cheshire & Merseyside, including Knowsley.

This painless scan is a form of ultrasound that can measure inflammation in the liver, a key marker of liver disease caused by excessive alcohol use. Where identified, support and further treatment can then be discussed.

Cllr Sean Donnelly, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said “I’m delighted that Knowsley is part of the pilot project. People don’t know they have liver disease so this initiative will help to identify issues at an early stage for treatment to then be implemented.”

It is proposed that the service will be available in Knowsley through a mobile unit. Further details will be published this month once the timetable has been confirmed.liv

continuing to go from strength to strength.”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer at Bryer Road Community Centre, or anyone with any thoughts as to what they would like to see from the Centre, is asked to e-mail Robin at robin@innovatevolunteering.co.uk

Kirkby Valley Golf Club masterplan The owners of the Kirkby Valley Golf Club has put forward an initial masterplan for the site including an adventure golf course, a 65,000 sq ft sports hall, clubhouse, football pitches, and tennis courts.

The initial proposals include a comprehensive overhaul of the golf course including the demolition of the existing clubhouse and replacing it with a “fit-for-purpose” facility; outdoor tennis courts; football pitches; a single-storey driving range; bowling green; a lake; adventure golf; and additional parking.

The new clubhouse would extend to around 22,000 sq ft, while the driving range building would be 16,000 sq ft. The largest element is the sports hall at more than 65,000 sq ft.

The course sits off the A506 and the M57 within Knowsley, and is owned by Liverpool City Council, which leased the course to operated L32 in March 2019. The outlined investment in the course is set to be in excess of £10m.

An EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) for the redevelopment of Kirkby Valley has now been submitted by Roman Summer with a planning application likely to follow in the coming months.

The new-build elements, said the planner, would be “in keeping with a modern, good-quality golf course”.

Roman Summer’s EIA said: “The golf driving range is clearly compatible with a golf course and will introduce an exciting new facility likely to attract more custom.

“Likewise, the adventure golf facility will attract a wider range of customers and introduce youngsters into the world of golf in a fun, informal way.

32 January 2020

challenge sport Sport from around the region K Prescot hockey player selected for England irsten Bottom first started playing hockey at junior school, although she had no real experience of competitive matches until she joined Prescot Hockey Club in 2014.

As an inexperienced 13-year-old, Kirsten hopped between the third and second teams for a season before being invited to county trials and standing out enough to be selected for Lancashire.

This proved to be a real boost for Kirsten’s confidence, and she soon developed into a solid second team player with the occasional first team appearance to increase her exposure to the demands of ladies’ hockey.

It was during the 2015/16 season that Kirsten was made captain of the Lancashire U16 side. From this platform, she was nominated to join the Manchester Junior Regional Performance Centre and subsequently selected to represent the North of England.

Kirsten finally made her real breakthrough into the ladies’ first team at Prescot Hockey Club in the 2016/17 season while continuing to captain the Lancashire County side.

As a student at Carmel College, she qualified to compete at the Association of Colleges National Championships and only narrowly missed out on a medal as a representative of the North West. It was also during this same 2018/19 season that Prescot qualified for the England Hockey National Cup semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history.

Despite not making it to the final on this occasion, the team went on to win the league, the regional Division 1 Cup and All Divisions Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup to secure promotion into the North league.

In the Summer of 2019, Kirsten was selected to play for the senior Lancashire County team at the Northern County Championships.

As one of the youngest players in the competition, she was put forward to take part in the Wales National Player Pathway at the beginning of this season. Kirsten is now part of the North Aspire programme and working hard to be nominated for the National Age Group Squad (NAGS) in the coming months as a prospective member of the Welsh National team.

Most recently, Kirsten was invited to Reading to take part in the final round of trials for the College England team.

After an intense day of training with top-class students from around the country, Kirsten was selected for the England National Colleges side and is now looking forward to playing alongside another new set of quality players over the coming season.

Only 22 players from across all the UK colleges have been selected for the 2019/20 ladies squad.

Kirsten said: “I really can’t thank the coaches and setup at Prescot Hockey Club enough for the role they have played in my journey so far. Securing a second consecutive promotion with my home club would be the icing on the cake of what has been a whirlwind season already, so watch this space!”

Prescot Hockey Club are delighted for Kirsten and that all her hard work at training and playing competitive hockey has paid off. It’s an outstanding achievement to be selected for the England College team.

If you have any sports news contact the Sports Desk on 0151 706 7411 or email: thechallenge@merseymirror.com

CAPTAIN HITS 400 GAMES

Huge congratulations to James McCulloch who recently reached 400 games for Prescot Cables against Pickering Town in Decembers 1 nil win, playing the 90 minutes and being his usual impressive commanding presence in the team.

McCulloch, who has been with the club for over ten years, reached his 200th game in April 2015 and has been a virtual ever present in the following 200 games.

Knowsley Challenge is a free community newspaper to serve the Borough of Knowsley. Circulation 30,000. Editorial Office: Suite 4 Pacific Chambers, 11-13 Victoria Street, Liverpool L2 5QQ. Telephone: 0151 706 7411.

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