All Together NOW! Spring 2024 by All Together Now

HOW YOU CAN HELP KEEP THIS VITAL ‘LIFELINE’ ALIVE

TO THE END

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PAT’S AMAZING SPRING 2024

WORLD OF THE

£25k

LEGACY

Ex-headteacher remembers us in her will

NEW GOALS

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SOCCER LEGEND p2 MICHAEL AND SON JAMES’ TV SHOW

opening doors . . . broadening minds

2 All Together NOW!

What’s inside NEWS

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NEWS

STEVE MORGAN FOUNDATION

INDEPENDENT LIVING

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p12-13

TO THE END OF THE WORLD

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HEALTHZONE

p18-19

CONTACT BOARD

p16-17

THEATREZONE

p20-21

GARDENING

p23

HOROSCOPE

PUZZLEZONE

SPORT

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UNITED UTILITIES

MOTORZONE

NEWS

SPRING 2024

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p24-25

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Can YOU help? n All Together NOW! is a registered charity set up to provide a tip top news service for anyone whose life is affected by disability, long-term health condtions or age. n The charity – the only one of its kind in the UK – relies entirely on support from its sponsors, advertisers, subscriptions and donations.

– see back page

Editor: Tom Dowling 0151 230 0307

email: news@alltogethernow.org.uk

Editorial Support: Gerry Corner

Advertising/sponsorship 0151 929 3912

email: helen@alltogethernow.org.uk IT Support: Ken Almond Website: Pharos Design

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NEXT EDITION Monday April 29, 2024

All Together NOW! is published by All Together Now! Ltd, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP Registered Charity No.1106387 Company No. 5096931

NEW GOALS FOR THE OWENS . . .

DETERMINED: James and dad Michael in the new documentary, Football is for Everyone

More help on way for water bills

WATER giant United Utilities has promised to bring forward its largest ever support package for customers facing difficulties paying their bills.

Speaking at the company’s fifth Affordability Summit in Warrington, Michelle Atkinson, Revenue Director for United Utilities, outlined that its current support package would be more than doubled. She said: “We know that many customers are finding it tough and we’re continuing to see an increase in the number of people coming to us for support to pay their water bills.” As part of its draft business plan for the period 2025 – 2030, when United Utilities is proposing to invest a record £13.7 billion, the company has promised to help one in six customers through a £525m package. The company currently supports more than 200,000 customers a year through a variety of payment support schemes. Last year, saw an increase of 15% in people completing ‘Struggling to pay forms’ on the UU website. n Ofwat will give its draft response by June. The final plans will be agreed by the end of the year.

Reinstate Minister! Football challenge for star and son

OCCER legend Michael Owen and his partially sighted son James are the focus of a new TNT Sports documentary. Football is for Everyone highlights James’s experiences with sight loss after being diagnosed with Stargardt disease, aged eight, and the obstacles he faces following in his father’s football footsteps. The documentary follows the pair as they seek to understand more about James’s condition – with a behind the scenes look at England’s partially sighted futsal team. The film features candid interviews with the players and coaching staff as they prepared for the IBSA World Games.

l Stargardt disease is a genetic condition caused by a tiny alteration in a single gene. It affects about one in 10,000 people. l It causes a wasting of a central area of the retina called the macula. This area is eventually surrounded by a ring of white or yellow spots. An important layer of the retina, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), is also affected by an accumulation of ‘waste’ material called lipofuscin. l Being diagnosed can be distressing, but with the right information and support, people can cope very well. l The vast majority people with thet disease do not lose all their sight. It usually affects central vision only. l Macular Society Helpline: 0300 3030

Connecting with 250,000 people . . .

SPORTS bodies from all over the UK have joined the campaign to bring back a minister for disabled people. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak downgraded the role in December, with junior minister Mims Davies combining the position with her other work at the Department for Works and Pensions. Now, 57 leading sports organisations are backing the call for an immediate U-turn. In an open letter to the PM, David Clarke, chief executive of ParalympicGB, said: “The lack of a senior role within Government sends the message to the 16 million disabled people in this country that they do not have a voice at the top level of government.”

PAT’S AMAZING £25,000 LEGACY

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

SPRING 2024

‘We can’t afford to lose this vital newspaper’

N AMAZING act of kindness has given your free All Together NOW! newspaper a lifeline.

Last autumn, we had to tell you that, despite the clear and growing need for the paper, the future looked very bleak indeed. Ongoing production costs and less and less funding meant we were facing a year in which it would be virtually impossible to balance the books. And then out of the blue came news that we had been named as a beneficiary in a will … Former headteacher Pat (Audrey) Lowe – a dear friend and avid reader of All Together NOW! – left £25,000 to the charity to support the work of the newspaper. This is an enormous boost to morale and coffers. While it doesn’t completely get us out of the woods, it certainly gives us hope and should keep us going that extra bit longer. I first met Pat 50 years ago. As an adventurous teenager, I’d been inspired by her many epic journeys being reported in the local newspapers. She was not long back from an expedition to Kathmandu that took in a 360-mile mountain trek to the Everest base camp – the very same trip me and my three friends were planning to undertake. When I told her of our plans, she immediately invited us for tea at her home in Upton, Chester, providing us with trayfuls of scones and guides full of vital information about what lay in store for us. Unfortunately, our roadtrip in 1974 ended tragically on a roadside in Iran. During a dawn attack on our vehicle, two of us were shot. Luckily, a bullet in Ken’s head was

INSPIRATIONAL: Pat gave a lifetime to teaching children in Cheshire successfully removed. But the one that crashed between my shoulder blades left me paralysed from the chest. For whatever reason, Pat did not hear what happened to us. Fast forward 40 years and our paths were to cross again. This time she’d read about All Together NOW! in an article by ex-Echo newsman Walter Huntley – and put two and two together. Since then, I’ve spent many more hours with Pat – and scoffed many more of her scones while hearing of her countless travels across China, India, and east Africa, from where she returned with a “Crown of Flowers” presented to those who scaled Mount Kilimanjaro. Originally from Darlaston, Wednesbury, in the West Midlands, Pat spent all her teaching career in Cheshire. She was deputy head at Westlea Primary School for

13 years and became the first headteacher at Boughton Heath Primary school in 1975, retiring 12 years later. When her own health began to deteriorate, she became a devoted fan and supporter of All Together NOW! Pat constantly reminded me of the importance of the paper: ‘People just don’t realise that even the fittest of us become disabled at some time,’ she’d say. ‘That’s why we can’t afford to lose this newspaper. It is so vital for people like me who are not online. It’s my lifeline.’ ” Pat died at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Backford, Chester, on June 1, 2023. She was 94. Our sincere condolences to her family.

TOM DOWLING, EDITOR

Thanks for all your help, Peter

EVERYONE at All Together NOW! was also saddened by the death of Merseyside businessman Peter Johnson. The former owner of Tranmere Rovers and Everton, Peter founded Park

Council Approved Contractor & Suppliers Covering The Northwest

Group – now Appreciate Group – which he started 50 years ago as a Christmas Savings Club. He was also a fan of this free newspaper and initiated our annual Christmas hamper competitions.

Free Home Demonstrations

SALES, REPAIR & SERVICING OF ALL MOBILITY & DISABILITY PRODUCTS

£50m kitty to fund home adaptations

AN extra £50 million is being made available to help people to continue living in their homes. Homeowners, private renters and those in social housing will all qualify for the money, available through the Disabled Facilities Grant. It comes on top of the annual £573 million already provided to local authorities for home improvement services. Helen Whately, Minister for Adult Social Care, said: “This new funding will help thousands more people have homes fit for their needs – and faster.” See Page 12

Justice ... at last!

THE AA has finally agreed to reimburse All Together NOW! for all our expenses incurred by its “unacceptable” service. In December, the company sent us an apology and £90 compensation for failing to provide assistance after a 26-hour wait – and then telling our driver that we sort the problem ourselves! “Overall service, communication and the delays were unacceptable,” the AA said. After we complained about the amount of compensation, the AA agreed to send the charity another £260 to cover taxi fares, tunnel tolls, and the cost of getting the van back to our depot.

GCSE in BSL

PUPILS across the country will soon be able to take British Sign Language (BSL) as one of their GCSE subjects. Parents, teachers and organisations from the deaf and hearing communities provided overwhelmingly positive support, following a 12-week public consultation. Exam board syllabuses are expected to be approved from September 2025.

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Widnes Mobility Supercentre (Largest in Northwest) 62 Victoria Road, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 7RA

CITY HEALTH NEEDS URGENT TREATMENT SPRING 2024

‘Help care homes fund wages or face disaster’

CARE providers fear an “impending disaster” when the new minimum wage takes effect in April. Many employers will not be able to pay the new £11.44 hourly rate – an almost 10% increase – warns the Care Provider Alliance. The national voice of England’s adult social care providers, the Alliance says many will become insolvent. CPA chair Dr Jane Townson said: “We urge the Government to provide sufficient funding for public bodies to increase fee rates.” n The CPA say care workers should have parity with the NHS for equivalent roles. This means at least £12.45 hourly, in line with NHS Band 3 Healthcare Assistants with 2+ years’ experience. And if care providers are to compete with other sectors, such as retail and hospitality, care worker wages need to be £15 per hour or more. CPA members cover almost 10,000 organisations, employ over 600,000 staff, and support about one million people.

Unpaid leave welcomed

CARERS providing long term care for family or friends will soon be able to take up to five days unpaid leave from work. From April, the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 enables carers to take half or full days, up to and including a block of five days at once. Importantly, workers taking Carer’s Leave will have the same employment protections as other forms of family-related leave. Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “We’re expecting over two million employees to be entitled to the new rights – something we’ve been working towards for a long time.”

Find YOUR local Carers Centre – p17

Dineage’s cancer task

DAME Caroline Dinenage has been made chair of the new Government taskforce set up to improve detection, treatment, and care for children with cancer. The groundbreaking taskforce is the result of years of campaigning by Dame Caroline and her constituent Charlotte Fairall, the founder of children’s cancer charity, Sophie’s Legacy. In September 2020, Charlotte’s daughter Sophie was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and passed away a year later, aged 10.

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Medical chief’s prescription to prevent looming crisis

AJOR changes are needed if Liverpool is to avoid a huge physical and mental health crisis in the coming years.

Liverpool’s Director of Public Health says only a radical overhaul of the way the city responds to health challenges can avoid shorter lives and longer periods of ill health for its residents. An 80-page report – State of Health in the City – compiled by Professor Matt Ashton, pictured, warns that unless changes are made: l Many residents could spend more than a quarter of their life in ill health. l Life expectancy for women would fall by a year. l The number of adults experiencing depression could more than double over the coming decade. Liverpool is currently the third most deprived local authority in England, with 63% of residents living in areas ranked among the most deprived in England, and three out of 10 children living in poverty. Residents are living longer than previously, but progress has stalled over the last decade. Life expectancy at birth varies by up to 15 years between those in the poorest and most affluent areas of the city, and those in the most deprived areas live 18 more years in poor health. The report predicts that the overall number of health conditions will rise by 54% to 546,600 – with the biggest increase being seen in the number of people diagnosed with depression, which is set to more than double

– affecting 164,200 people. The number of people with major illness will be seven times the increase in the working age population, hitting government income from taxes as people are unable to work. The key health issues facing children and young people will be mental health, obesity and poverty. Professor Ashton said: “The findings are a stark and clear call for urgent action, not just by public bodies such as health services and the local authority, but for all those who have an interest in the current and future prosperity of the city. “Poor physical and mental health shortens lives lived in good health and impacts not just on individuals but on those around them, such as other family members and the wider community. “It is demonstrated to have a major detrimental impact on the economy through reduced productivity and increased demand for public services, and is a vicious cycle that needs to be broken.”

What needs to be done THE report says action is needed at local and national level. Professor Ashton says steps that can be taken in Liverpool include:

l Taking a “health equity” approach to making decisions. l Addressing challenges in housing, income, climate change, mental health and welfare. l Improving access to healthcare services for underserved communities. l Launching a “Healthy Child” programme in 2025, complementing the roll-out of five

Family Hubs, so children and young people receive the services they need to protect and develop health and wellbeing. l Integrating drug and alcohol services into a single, cohesive treatment and recovery service by 2025/26. l Implementing a food strategy to improve access to healthy, affordable foods and eliminate food poverty. l Improving the understanding of mental health and wellbeing and shaping services to increase prevention, early detection and support and recovery services.

‘Let’s summon the spirit of our pioneers’

LIVERPOOL City Council leader Liam Robinson described the report as “a sobering read which lays bare the challenges we face in improving the health of our population”. Cllr Robinson added: “There are significant challenges linked to long-standing and endemic issues, particularly around poverty and poor housing. “These have been exacerbated by cuts in welfare support and significant cuts to local authority spending which have impacted our ability to support our communities. “Liverpool should have the ambitions of a devolved nation. For example, I would argue that Liverpool needs the power to set minimum unit pricing on alcohol, which has had a positive impact on improving health outcomes in Scotland. “From the appointment of Dr William Duncan as the first ever Director of Public Health, to leading the way in making workplaces smoke-free, Liverpool has a long tradition of pioneering public health improvements. This is exactly the moment when we need to do the same again.”

Connecting with 250,000 people across the region . . .

Missing the key issues

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SPRING 2024

Employment and digital exclusion missing in new Disability Action Plan

HE vital need to tackle unemployment and digital exclusion among disabled people have been left out of the Government’s new Disability Action Plan.

No details of how disabled people will find work are mentioned in the Plan, which aims to make the UK the most accessible place in the world.

And while there is mention of improving technology, there is no commitment to help people pay for adapted equipment – nor anything to address the growing numbers of digitally excluded disabled people. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that almost 60% of adults not using the internet are disabled.

Diane Lightfoot, CEO of Business Disability Forum, said: “We question the omission of employment. Work – good work – is a key life opportunity which now is out of reach of far too

many disabled people. To make work a reality for more disabled people, we need greater investment in vital programmes such as Access to Work, yet this is missing from the Action Plan.” Criticism has also come from other charities. Mel Merritt, head of policy and campaigns at the National Autistic Society, said: “The Plan is a missed opportunity and fails to address the key issues that autistic people face. “Just 29% of autistic people are in employment, 74% of parents don’t think their child’s school place meets their needs and 85% of people are waiting more than the recommended 13 weeks for an autism assessment.” Richard Kramer, chief executive at Sense, added: “The plan contains many positive proposals. But the issues that matter the most to disabled people include pressures from the increasing cost of living, challenges with the benefits system and the ongoing social care crisis.”

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All Together NOW!

WHAT’S IN THE PLAN . . .

LOGGED OUT: New technology isn’t for everyone THE new Plan, which considered the views of more than 1,300 disabled people, includes proposals to: l Support disabled people who want to be elected to public office. l Include disabled people’s needs in emergency and resilience planning. l Include disabled people’s needs in climate-related policies. l Improve information and outcomes for families in which someone is disabled. l Make playgrounds more accessible. l Help businesses understand the needs of and deliver improvements for disabled people. l Explore if the UK could host the Special

Olympics World Summer Games. l Support people who have guide and assistance dogs. l Help the government measure how effective its policies and services are for disabled people. l Research issues facing disabled people in the future. l Make government publications and communications more accessible. l Improve understanding of the cost of living for disabled people. l Promote better understanding of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) across Government.

THE MILLIONS FACING TRAVEL NIGHTMARES T FOCUS: TRANSPORT

Bus pass holders are stuck in the house!

OLDER and disabled people are getting out and about much less since the pandemic. Backing up results of a Transport for All survey (see main story on this page), a study found bus journeys among people with concessionary travel passes are down by more than a third since lockdown. And transport experts are calling for efforts to encourage people back on to public transport. The fewest journeys are being made by the over-80 age group. Dr Andrew Seedhouse, director of transport at the University of Plymouth, which carried out the research, said: “Taking public transport can be more than just a journey. It can help people maintain contact, and avoid loneliness and isolation. “The confirmation that, since Covid-19, concessionary travel is down across England, is a concerning one.” The report found the fall in journeys coincided with a cut in bus services and an increase in people using online shopping. Dr Seedhouse added: “While there are fewer services, we do not believe that is the sole reason for such a dramatic decrease in concessionary travel.”

Your views needed

All Together NOW! readers are being asked to help make Britain a better place for disabled people. Euan MacDonald, who created the online Euan’s Guide a decade ago with his sister, Kiki, said: “Our guide is extremely important in establishing how disabled people, their families, friends and carers feel about access.” www.EuansGuide.com

Signs of rail progress

BRITISH Sign Language (BSL) screens, Goodmaps GPS guides, and stomafriendly toilets will be introduced at all 20 Network Rail-managed stations across Britain. Liverpool Lime Street is among stations that already have sign language and Goodmaps technology, and stomafriendly toilets are due to be installed there by the end of March. Network Rail is investing more than £2m to give passengers the same level of service at all its stations. Goodmaps GPS guides is a sat nav smartphone app that will provide passengers with a list of places within the station, including platforms, shops, ticket offices and toilets.

The bottom line

A NEW fully accessible toilet is now open at one of Northern’s Greater Manchester stations – Broadbottom.

SPRING 2024

RAVEL for millions of disabled people is becoming a nightmare, says a leading transport organisation.

From wheelchair users being stranded on trains without a ramp to blind people refused taxis when travelling with a guide dog, research shows access barriers to transport are rife on every mode of transport, and at every stage of the journey. On average, those questioned by Transport For All said they would make 50% more journeys every week if barriers to transport were removed. One participant said: “I rarely see other people or have social interactions. “I feel very lonely and bored with life. I struggle to get more physically fit or expand my energy capacity back to where it was before the Covid-19 pandemic because the

No internet makes it even harder to get out

l WHEN asked the main reason for not making as many journeys as they would like, 10% said the cost of travel. This was the single most disabling barrier for two out of the seven types of transport assessed (train and taxi/private hire). l The Scope charity estimates households with at least one disabled adult or child face an extra £975 in living costs per month. l A significant number of disabled people do not have access to the internet, or face barriers to using it. A resounding 42% of respondents said they plan their journeys face to face with staff at ticket offices, and over a third (36%) of respondents used printed timetables. l 56% of respondents report being unhappy or extremely unhappy making journeys, with the average satisfaction rating being just 1.37 out of three. l Disabled people make far fewer journeys than non-disabled people, with an average of just 5.84 per week. This is a third of the national average of 17 trips per week, according to the National Travel Survey. l Almost 40% cited environmental barriers such as the weather, slippery surfaces, and ungritted paths as a barrier to walking/wheeling. Another was air pollution, which was experienced by 16% of respondents.

initial hurdles are so high. I often miss out on networking which could progress my career, because I struggle to get to in-person events and meetings.” Having to navigate constant access barriers takes a significant financial toll on the disabled community as well. Cost was identified as the single most significant barrier to travelling by rail and taxi.

More expensive

One in seven of respondents reported being unlawfully charged extra by taxi drivers due to being disabled. One said: “I need to travel with someone with me and this means I have to pay more. “Even with a disabled persons railcard, it is more expensive than for a non-disabled person.” According to the charity Scope, disabled

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people already face an additional £975 a month in living costs.. Transport for All is now calling on the Government to urgently expand concessionary travel schemes and provide greater financial support. Caroline Stickland, the charity’s chief, said: “Disabled people are not listened to when it comes to infrastructure planning. “This study is part of our broader work to remedy this injustice. “It is unacceptable that millions of us are still prevented from going out, seeing loved ones, accessing work, education, and medical care because of inaccessible transport. “It is now the responsibility of decisionmakers to listen to our experiences and remove the discriminatory barriers that are holding our community back.”

New signals get the green light

COULD these pedestrian traffic signals in London become a familiar sight? The new signals were switched on at pedestrian crossings close to busy Tube stations that offer step-free access. Three-time Olympic gold medal-winning rower Captain Pete Reed suggested the new symbols. In 2019, he experienced a spinal stroke which left him paralysed from his chest down. He said: “I’m so delighted the Mayor of

London and Transport for London listened when I proposed these new wheelchair user traffic signals. “What are only five traffic lights to one Londoner represent progress, positivity and possibility to another. “I hope this makes more people feel comfortable about getting out in the city.” TfL and Google are also collaborating to provide Google Street View within 30 Tube stations across London.

Connecting with 250,000 people across the region . . .

All Together NOW!

SPRING 2024

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Change lives – that’s what we do

WHAT A YEAR! JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MAY

JUNE

Jack Binns, 7, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and had outgrown his existing trike. The Steve Morgan Foundation’s Enable Fund stepped in to pay £4,359 of the cost of a new one.

We were pleased to award Jordan £1,655 towards the cost of a lightweight wheelchair which is more manageable for his condition and improves his posture.

SEPTEMBER

The Steve Morgan Foundation donated £50 million to the Grand Challenge – the biggest-ever philanthropic gift to diabetes research – to accelerate finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Cerebral Palsy United – a charity that enables people with cerebral palsy and acquired brain injuries to play football – was awarded £20K over two years towards salaries.

We were thrilled to award The Positivitree with £90K. The Wallaseybased charity supports parents and families with children with special needs.

OCTOBER

Evelyn has Russell Silver Syndrome which makes travelling in standard car seats impossible. We were delighted to fund a specialist seat to make car journeys less stressful.

MARCH

This all-terrain wheelchair has been life-changing for Freddie. We were delighted to support the family to the tune of £14,600 for these marvellous wheels.

JULY

We launched our new website with a refreshed brand. It’s full of useful information about the philanthropic work of the Steve Morgan Foundation, our team and how to apply for funding.

NOVEMBER

Our three-year regional grant of £104,910 to Advance Brighter Futures will help to support people living with mental health issues across Wrexham and Flintshire.

Enable grants info .... Contact: enable@stevemorganfoundation.org.uk

APRIL

Brighter Living Partnership was awarded £84,750 over three years for a Volunteering Development Officer. The charity supports health and wellbeing in the community.

AUGUST

We awarded £77,100 over three years to the wonderful Credu for a Young Carers and Family Outreach Worker.

DECEMBER

The Steve Morgan Foundation Christmas party – hosted in association with our Associate Charity partner YKids – saw more than 200 children and their families from organisations join us at Carden Park Hotel.

hello@stevemorganfoundation.org.uk

Worrying evidence of dementia link with sport SPRING 2024

‘Forgotten’ athletes to star in virtual museum THE achievements of athletes with sight loss, cerebral palsy and dwarfism are to be celebrated in a new virtual museum. A £240,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has made possible a three-year initiative to preserve and celebrate the heritage of three national disability sports organisations. The Becoming Seamlessly Inclusive project is set to share the “at-risk” Paralympic heritage of athletes from British Blind Sport, Cerebral Palsy Sport, and Dwarf Sport Association UK. The project will include films, photographs and oral histories of Paralympians and the diverse array of individuals involved in the Games. Using cutting-edge technology, items from their sporting heritage collection will be digitally recorded in 2 and 3D, creating an “immersive experience for visitors in the virtual museum”.

Samantha’s back

THERE’s another book on the way from Samantha Maxwell, whose first work (CP Isn’t Me) we featured in the winter edition of All Together NOW! Disabling Ableism also contains contributions from Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Kerry Evans, Disability Liaison Officer at Wrexham football club. The launch is on Saturday, April 20 at Xplore! Science Discovery Centre, Wrexham.

HEADING FOR TROUBLE

HE long-term damage caused by repeated head injuries sustained playing sport have been revealed for the first time.

‘Put all life on the page’

THE need for disabled children to be portrayed positively in fiction has been highlighted by new research. A survey by disability charity Scope found two out of three disabled people thought non-disabled people’s opinions would change if they saw disability represented in books. The poll of 359 disabled people and parents of disabled children also found: l 45% of disabled people didn’t feel represented in the books they read as a child. l 32% have read a book where being disabled is presented in a negative way. Ruth Blazye, from Scope, said: “When children are introduced to picture books and see diverse characters, they’re being introduced to the wealth of the wonderful differences that are found in real life.”

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A pioneering study shows the effects of multiple concussions in rugby players continue to have an impact on their brain even in retirement. While rugby players were the focus of the research, the results have implications for other contact sports including football, boxing, mixed martial arts, American football, hockey, and horse racing. The impact of recurrent concussions sustained over two decades of playing rugby union at regional and international level were examined by a team from the Neurovascular Research Laboratory at the University of South Wales, Their findings shed light on the persistent symptoms of concussion experienced by retired players and their impaired cognitive abilities, which may increase their vulnerability to dementia later in life. Researchers identified a likely cause for these issues – a reduction in blood flow to the brain due to a decrease in nitric oxide, a vital chemical that helps arteries relax and deliver the necessary oxygen and glucose for proper brain function.

Professor Damian Bailey, who led the study, said: ”By understanding the underlying mechanisms and biomarkers of brain health, we can better protect players throughout their careers and develop targeted interventions to improve brain blood flow and cognitive function.” The study coincides with Professor Bailey’s contributions to the first UK-wide Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport, developed in collaboration with the Government and the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

Lack of awareness

Professor Bailey added, “One of the most striking observations from our research was the lack of concussion awareness during the active careers of these retired athletes. Players often continued playing despite experiencing classic concussion symptoms.” After retiring from professional sport many athletes undergo lifestyle changes, like poor diet, alcohol dependency and lack of exercise, which might accelerate their cognitive decline. The researchers’ next steps will be to expand the study to recently retired rugby players to pinpoint the “tipping point” when this cognitive decline accelerates.

Every extra year in sport increases risk

ESEARCHERS have discovered a link between the number of years spent playing rugby and a serious brain condition. The team at the University of Glasgow found every extra year taking part in the game added a 14% risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a degenerative brain disease which is at least in part a result of repeated head impacts and head injuries, and can lead to dementia.

Its symptoms can include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems,and depression. Detailed postmortem brain examinations were carried out on 31 former amateur and elite rugby union players whose brains were donated to the Universities of Glasgow, Boston and Sydney. CTE was found in around two thirds of the brains examined, and in both amateur and elite players. Professor Willie Stewart, consultant neuropathologist at the

University of Glasgow, who led the research, said: “These results provide new evidence regarding the association between rugby union participation and CTE. “Specifically, our data shows risk is linked to length of rugby career, with every extra year of play increasing risk. “It is imperative the sport’s regulators reduce exposure to repeated head impacts to reduce risk of this otherwise preventable sport-related neurodegenerative disease.”

‘We’ve got to tackle this issue’

FOOTBALL’S governing bodies have been urged to do more to tackle dementia among ex-professional players. The call came during a debate in Parliament after research showing ex-pros are almost three-and-a-half times more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than the general population. MP Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Commons Culture, Media & Sport Committee, welcomed a £1m Brain Health Fund introduced by the Professional Footballers’ Association and Premier League to assist former players and loved ones impacted by a dementia diagnosis. The MP for Gosport, in Hampshire, said: “This £1m health fund is a really important step forward, but there are 55,000 former male and female professional footballers in England alone. “That needs to be merely a starting point in the work that the various football associations need to put in in order to try and tackle and support this issue.”

Connecting with 250,000 people across the region . . .

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SPRING 2024

All Together NOW!

Here to help with your water bill

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SPRING 2024

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Badge holders in firing line

LUE badge holders are frequently threatened, insulted, and even attacked, new research has revealed.

Nearly a third of the 304 people who took part in a survey had been threatened; 68 had been laughed at; 52 were photographed or filmed; 43 had been followed; and 19 subjected to violence. The most frequent negative encounters were staring (80%) and intrusive questions (63%). The most common location was a supermarket carpark. One disabled woman in her 60s described her experience at a supermarket. She said a man shouted: “Why are you parking there? You’re not disabled. There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re a scrounger.” The research was carried out by Vera Kubenz, a disabled postgraduate researcher at the University of Birmingham, and is described in her report, The Politics of Parking, as part of an ongoing research project.

250,000

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READERS . . . BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER SPRING 2024

“OF ALL the marketing that United Utilities puts into the community, nothing generates as much feedback and response as All Together NOW! It is a great platform that’s helping us to get our messages to our vulnerable customers.” — Louise Beardmore, Customer Services Director United Utilities

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“WE HAVE supported All Together NOW! for the past 16 years and are proud to be one of the charity’s main sponsors – recognition for the way in which the newspaper helps bring together so many people and organisations. There is no doubting the importance of this excellent publication. “All Together NOW! makes a unique contribution to improving the quality of life of disabled people and their families. We are delighted with the huge progress the paper has made, and we know from the number of telephone calls we receive from people who have read the paper that distribution is on the increase and is reaching the right audience.” – Steve Morgan CBE, chairman Steve Morgan Foundation

A LIFELINE TO THOUSANDS NOT ONLINE More than a newspaper – the key to independence

All Together NOW! has been a real help to us. We’ve been involved with the paper since its launch in 2004 and always get a great response to our adverts. Here’s wishing the paper every success.” — Steve Curran, co-director, DaVinci Mobility

“All Together NOW! is a valuable link to hundreds of thousands of disabled people. We have used this free charity newspaper to promote the services of our mobility shops and the annual Disability Awareness Day and know that it is reaching huge numbers of people who otherwise would go uniformed.” — Dave Thompson Warrington Disability Partnership “WE HAD a brilliant response to your article about our Atrial Fibrillation Ambassador programme – and lots of people phoned us to find out how they could become an AF Ambassador. Thanks to All Together NOW! many more people with an irregular heart rhythm will now be detected, get the right medication and this will prevent them from having strokes.” — NHS Innovation Agency

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You can benefit from our in-paper and online audiences with cost-effective advertising and sponsorship.

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seen by local, and highly relevant readers – don't let your business miss out on our huge audience!

Tel 0151 230 0307 Contact us now

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“WE’VE advertised in All Together NOW! for the past 14 years – and haven't missed a single issue. It's a fantastic publication that does a brilliant job of presenting disability interests and issues in a positive and inclusive manner. We get a great respons to our advertising – and the team is always great to deal with.” – Donald Pow, MD, Allied Mobility

“WE HAVE proudly advertised in All Together NOW! for over 12 years. It is an excellent newspaper, with endless, interesting and helpful facts for all readers. “We have always received great responses to our advertisements. “The newspaper is freely available to so many people throughout the North West and is appreciated by so many.” – Heather Maddox, A-Line Mobility

www.alltogethernow.org.uk Registered Charity: 1106387

All Together NOW!

SPRING 2024

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Grant yourself peace of mind

How to apply for home adaptations

EED help and advice deciding on vital home adaptations due to disability? Read on . . .

l Disabled Facilities Grants are awarded by local councils if they judge your home needs adapting and that the work is both reasonable and practical. l You can apply whether you are a homeowner or tenant but need to be able to show you intend to occupy the premises as your main or only home throughout the grant period, currently five years. l A landlord can apply on behalf of their tenant. l DFGs can be used to pay for

work such as widening doorways and installing ramps for wheelchair access; improving or installing a suitable heating system; altering heating or lighting controls; providing access to bathroom facilities, either by means of a stairlift or a new ground floor bathroom; and improving access to and around the home. l An occupational therapist will visit your home to assess your needs and the adaptations.

How much is a DFG?

l The amount you get will vary, depending on your income, any savings, and what the council assesses as reasonable financial

ON THE UP: stairlifts can be funded

outgoings (actual expenditure is not considered). Applications for people under 19 will not be means-tested this way. l Savings under £6,000 are disregarded. If you have a partner, your joint income is assessed. Some benefits like Income Support and Disability Living Allowance are also disregarded. The amount of grant could be anywhere from zero to 100% of the work. l The maximum amount councils

are obliged to pay is £30,000 in England, and £36,000 in Wales. They have discretion to pay more.

How do you apply?

l Contact your councl housing department and ask for an application form. Don’t start work before you are awarded your grant. The council must give you a decision within six months of the date you apply. If the works are major, you will also need to apply

MARKETPLACE

for planning permission and/or building regulations approval. l The grant may either be paid in full when the work has been satisfactorily completed, or in instalments at agreed stages. l Most grants go to owneroccupiers (61%), followed by those in social housing (32%) and private rented accommodation (7%). l The average grant is £7,255, with 58% at £5,000 or less.

. . . dryrobe® Adapt

Ready to splash out?

ETTING dry after a dip can be a pain – especially for wheelchair users.

Lifehouse Liverpool, 0151 709 0121

But this amazing new coat is changing all that. Unveiled at last year’s ISA World Para Surfing Championships, the dryrobe® Adapt consists of an upper and lower half that zip together. It can even be worn as a coat or as a sleeping bag!

A waterproof and windproof outer shell is made from recycled nylon, while a warm inner lining is made from recycled polyester. Special features include a drawcord adjustable fleecelined hood, deep fleece-lined external pockets, an internal waterproof zip entry pocket and bright red drawcords for those visually impaired.

dryrobe® founder Gideon Bright said: “We’re incredibly strong believers that anyone should be able to enjoy getting active outdoors and we’ve worked closely with the para-sports community to develop this product.” The dryrobe® Adapt also comes with its own stash bag. n Price, £165, from www.dryrobe.com

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ANY employers are now actively recruiting people who have dyslexia.

Organisations are recognising the benefits and creativity that “dyslexic thinkers” bring to the workplace, according to Eleanor Rogers, a solicitor specialising in employment law. Meanwhile professional networking site LinkedIn has added “Dyslexic Thinking” to its list of vital skills. With an estimated 3.3 million dyslexic adults in the UK workforce, many organisations are now adopting more inclusive processes to accommodate neurodiverse individuals. But Eleanor warned all employers should be aware of their obligations to make reasonable adjustments under existing equality legislation. She said: “Dyslexia can be difficult to spot and no two experiences of dyslexia are necessarily the same. It is important that employers do more to support and empower neurodiverse employees, as well as broadening their recruitment processes to be more inclusive. “Dyslexia, along with other forms of neurodiversity such as autism, has long been recognised by employment tribunals as a possible disability. “This can give dyslexic individuals protection under the Equality Act 2010. To be protected, dyslexia must have a long-term and substantial adverse effect on the person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-

SPRING 2024

Dyslexia: Time to see things differently

day activities. Discrimination against disabled employees or job applicants is unlawful even if it is unintentional. “It is essential that employers understand their obligations to make reasonable adjustments to avoid falling foul of the law.” Reasonable adjustments can include providing assistive technologies like speechto-text software or allowing extra time for tasks involving processing lengthy documents. Often the adjustment can be very small but

provide significant benefits to the employee. Occupational health advice or suggestions in a dyslexia assessment can be helpful when looking at reasonable adjustments. Such advice or an assessment should be discussed with the employee, along with any suggestions they have about changes that could improve their working life. Eleanor, a specialist with Furley Page Solicitors, added: “In recent years, there has been increased focus on employers to ensure that their recruitment practices are

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inclusive for neurodiverse individuals. “Employers can obtain a dyslexia-friendly quality mark from the British Dyslexia Association as an outward sign of a commitment to best practice to support dyslexic employees. “By training staff, employers can increase awareness and understanding of neurodiversity, including dyslexia. An open and understanding culture should help ensure potential issues are constructively addressed.”

DARREN’S AMAZING BID TO SIT-SKI TO

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SPRING 2024

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PUSHING BOUNDARIES: Darren plans South Pole record attempt.

TO THE END OF THE WORLD RIGHT, celebrating the Antarctica stage of his World Marathon Challenge

ECORD-breaking adventurer Darren Edwards is plotting yet another first – the longest sit-ski expedition in the history of polar exploration.

Paralysed from the chest down and operating at the absolute limit of what is possible with a high-level spinal cord injury, Darren is aiming to ski 333 kilometres to the South Pole in -20C temperatures, in just 20 days. The furthest distance currently travelled by a sit-skier to reach the South Pole is 111 kilometres, making Darren’s attempt a massive undertaking. The 32-year-old will be supported by a team of three friends – Matt Luxton. who saved Darren’s life on the day of his life-changing

climbing accident; Megan Hine, survival expert, TV adventurer and Bear Grylls’ right-hand woman; and Chris Brookes, who has served in the Army Reserve and is a paramedic with the Midlands Air Ambulance. Antarctica is a dangerous place for anyone, let alone someone with Darren’s physical limitations. “There will be new challenges,” said Darren. ““I won’t know if my legs or feet are getting frostbite. There is no textbook to explain your body will respond. So we won’t know until we get into the ice.” In addition to changing perceptions of disability, the purpose behind Darren’s South Pole Challenge is to raise £300,000 for the charity Wings for Life, which seeks to find a cure for spinal cord injury.

Darren was rock climbing in Snowdonia with pal Matt in 2016 when his future was altered forever. He fell 40ft when a section of rock unexpectedly shifted below his feet. Matt dived on him to prevent him tumbling further to certain death, but the damage was already done. What followed was an arduous five-month journey through intensive care, surgery and rehabilitation, a determination to not be beaten, and the start of a series of daring and gruelling challenges. To date, his record-breaking adventures include becoming the first person with a spinal cord injury to kayak from Land’s End to John O’Groats in June 2021, and – less than a year later – the first to row the English Channel.

In October 2022, he was the first disabled person to complete the World Marathon Challenge – the iconic test of running seven marathons in seven days on seven different continents. The following spring he was part of the first all-disabled team to cross Europe’s largest ice cap, the mighty Vatnajokull in Iceland. While preparing for the seven marathons challenge, Darren revealed the motivation that drove him on. He said: “I am excited to show that anything is possible. “In my opinion, it is vital that we all push our own boundaries, both physically and mentally, regardless of the challenges we all face in life.”

O THE SOUTH POLE

ernow.org.uk

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SPRING 2024

500,000 people across Merseyside and Cheshire

Across Africa – alone with Parkinson’s

ANY drivers dream of completing a major overland journey – but very few even attempt it.

Last year retired army officer Guy Deacon fulfilled a childhood dream to drive the full length of Africa, going solo down the west flank of Africa to Cape Town in his 4x4 VW 5.1 Transporter. What made this journey all the more remarkable was that Guy did it with very little use of his hands, poor spatial awareness and often appearing drunk with slurred speech. Guy, 60, has been living with Parkinson’s disease for 10 years – the fastest-growing neurodegenerative illness worldwide with no known cause or cure. In Africa, it is often linked to witchcraft and

black magic, leaving people ostracised by their communities. The journey was not without its hazards: Guy crossed 25 borders, endured five major breakdowns, an emergency evacuation from Sierra Leone, and carried 3,650 prescription pills to help manage his condtion. His incredible overland journey has been turned into a Channel 4 documentary and a book titled Running on Empty, both out on World Parkinson’s Day on April 11.

Covid epidemic

Guy’s last adventure, 18,000 miles across Europe and down Africa, would take the father of two more than a year. He set off in November 2019 making it as far as Sierra Leone in March 2020 when the Covid epidemic struck.

DIGITALLY EXCLUDED

With the borders closed, he was evacuated by the British Government on an emergency relief flight leaving his trusty van behind. By the time Guy restarted the journey in March 2022 his condition had deteriorated significantly: everything from the simplest tasks like emptying pockets and tying shoelaces, to going to the loo, putting on clothes and preparing meals became a herculean effort. Several times he came close to giving up. He had a phone to keep in touch with friends and family, but with his limited dexterity it was not easy. It was the kindness of strangers that restored his faith and spurred him on in his darkest hours. Guy lives in Dorset with his wife and their dog. He has two grown up children.

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SHOPMOBILITY

n ALTRINCHAM . Tel 0161 929 1714 n ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. Tel 0161 339 9500 n BARROW. Tel 01229 434039 n BIRKENHEAD. Tel 0151 647 6162 n BLACKBURN AND DARWEN. Tel 01254 690566 or 07757 502217 n BLACKPOOL. Tel 01253 349427 n BOLTON. Tel 01204 392946 n CARLISLE. Tel 01228 631564 n CHESTER. Tel 01244 312626 n CHORLEY. Tel 01257 260 888 n COLWYN BAY. Tel 01492 533822 n ELLESMERE PORT. Tel 01244 312626 n KENDAL. Tel 01539 740 933 n LEIGH, Wigan. Tel 01942 777 985 n LIVERPOOL. Tel 0151 707 0877 n MANCHESTER Trafford Centre. Tel 0161 747 2684 n MANCHESTER Arndale Centre. Tel 0161 839 4060 n NELSON. Tel 01282 692 502 n NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel 01244 312626 n OSWESTRY. Tel 01691 656882 n PENRITH. Tel 01768 895 438 n PRESTON. Tel 01772 204 667 n RHYL. Tel 01745 350665 n ROCHDALE. Tel 01706 865 986 n RUNCORN, Halton Lea Tel 01928 710144 n SHREWSBURY. Tel 01743 236900 SKELMERSDALE. Tel 01695 550066 n STOCKPORT. Tel 0161 666 1100 n WARRINGTON. Tel 01925 240064 n WARRINGTON. Birchwood Tel 01925 822 411 WIDNES: 0151 511 8833 n WIGAN. Tel 01942 776 070 n WINSFORD Tel 01244 312626 n WREXHAM. Tel 01978 312390 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM. Snow Hill Railway Station. Tel 0121 236 8980. Level 2, Centre Car Park, Bullring. Tel 0121 616 2942 n STAFFORD. Tel 01785 619456 n STOKE ON TRENT. Tel 01782 233333 n SUTTON COLDFIELD. Tel 0121 355 1112 n TAMWORTH. Tel, 01827 709392 n WALSALL. Tel 01922 650781

SPRING 2024

Pearls of wisdom

PIC OF THE LITTER – that’s Willow, Joseph’s award-winning picture

Lensman Joseph snaps a winner

O WONDER Joseph Tranter is smiling – he’s just snapped up a top prize for his beautiful image of “Willow the Dog”. Joseph’s picture won the People’s Choice Award in the Down’s syndrome Association’s (DSA) international photographic competition, My Perspective. Photographers with Down’s syndrome from across the world entered the contest. Joseph, from Northwich, Cheshire, who won the adult category and honed his skills during Covid, said: “I like taking photos so I can show people and so I have memories.” DSA chief, Carol Boys, said: “The competition gives people with Down’s syndrome the chance to show the world from their point of view.”

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE

n BLACKPOOL Disability Information and Support. Tel 01253 472 202. Textphone 01253 476 450 n CHESHIRE CIL Tel 01606 331853 n CHESTER Dial House Tel 01244 345655 n DENBIGHSHIRE Tel 01745 354445 n ELLESMERE PORT DICE Tel 0151 355 1420

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n HALTON Disability Service Tel 01928 717222 n KNOWSLEY DISABILITY CONCERN. 0151 480 4090 n LANCASTER DISC Tel 01524 34411 n ACSIL (Amputees and Carers), Tel, 0151 261 1166 n THE BRAIN CHARITY Tel 0151 298 2999 n MANCHESTER (GTR) Coalition of Disabled People Tel 0161-273 5154

n MOLD Flintshire Disability Tel 01352 755546 n RHYL Tel 01745 350665 n STOCKPORT: Disability Stockport. 0161 480 7248 n WARRINGTON Disability Partnership. 01925 240064 n WIRRAL WIRED Tel 0151 670 1500 n WEST LANCS HELPLINE Freefone 0800 220676 n ST HELENS DASH Tel 01744 453053

EALTH and happiness were two common themes when care homes residents were asked what makes for a good life. Ray, 90, and Pauline, 89, shared the advice “be happy” and “enjoy your life and have fun”. Miriam, 79, and Mary suggested “keep fit and mix with the older generation”. “Always look on the bright side of life,” said Max,79; Brenda, 79, shared “your life is as good as your mindset”; and Jock, 76, said: “Live your life to the full.” George, 92, had this thought for young people feeling demotivated: “Just keep going my friend.” Eileen, 96, shared the lovely thought to “be kind to each other” and Vera, 93, said: “Make life more simple.” Rachel Gittins, head of lifestyle for Elmfield Care, Wiltshire, said: “We loved the advice our residents shared.”

n Personal Budgets Helpline Tel. 0330 995 0404 Opening hours: 9.30am-1.30pm, Tues and Thurs personalbudgets@ disabilityrightsuk.org n Disabled Students Helpline Tel. 0330 995 0414 Opening hours: 11am-1pm on Tues and Thurs students@disabilityrightsuk.org n Scope’s Disabilty Information and Advice Line (DIAL) Freephone 0808 800 3333

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SPRING 2024

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Louise to lead health’s big ideas

THE drive to improve health and care for people in the region is to be led by a woman with nearly 40 years’ experience in the NHS. Louise Robson is the new chair of Health Innovation North West Coast. Her previous roles included being a nonexecutive director at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and chief executive at Stockport NHS Trust, where she led a challenging improvement agenda. NEW CHIEF: Louise Robson Louise takes the helm as the organisation

embarks on its newly awarded five-year licence to drive the adoption and spread of innovations in health and care systems, targeted at local populations. She said: “There could hardly be a more exciting time to be joining Health Innovation North West Coast. Innovation needs to be at the heart of our efforts to tackle the challenges the NHS will continue to face in the coming years.” She replaces Gideon Ben-Tovim, who held the role for 10 years.

TV newsman Ruban’s BIG SCOOP!

UTTING issues facing disabled people centre stage in the news has earned TV actor-turned-reporter Ruben Reuter a major national award.

The 23-year-old Channel 4 News correspondent has been recognised for his “thoughtful reporting and giving a voice to communities often unheard in mainstream news programmes”. Previously a regular face on the CBBC drama The Dumping Ground, he was named Journalist of the Year at national disability charity Sense’s annual awards. Richard Kramer, the charity’s chief executive, said: “Ruben has played an important role in highlighting the many challenges disabled people face and ensuring disabled people’s stories and voices are heard in the mainstream news. “We look forward to watching him tackle many other important news issues in the years ahead.” Ruben has Down’s Syndrome and one of his key interviews last year was with Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker James Martin, who also has the

VISUAL PROBLEMS n ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 233332 n BARROW Tel 01229 820698 n BIRMINGHAM Action for Blind Tel 0121 665 4200 n BLACKBURN Tel 0125 554143 n BLACKPOOL: N-Vision Tel 01253 362696 n BURY Tel 0161 763 7014 n BURNLEY Tel 01282 438507

condition. The pair talked candidly about fears over cuts to disability funding. He has also tackled the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on disabled people and co-presented a documentary. After joining the Channel 4 News team in 2021, he has gone on to become a key contributor to the programme. Ruben, from Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, said: “I can’t believe I’ve won. It means so much to me. “I feel really lucky to be part of a great team at Channel 4 – the commissioners and producers support me and allow me to do my job. “As disabled people, we have important and interesting stories to tell. I feel privileged to help share them with wider TV audiences. “Looking to the future, I hope to carry on making reports which explore untold stories and highlight some of the issues I feel strongly about, like biodiversity and creating a healthier planet.

“You’re never too small to make a difference.”

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE

n CARLISLE: Action for Blind People Tel 01228 595121 n CHESHIRE & N WALES: Vision Support. Tel 01244 381515 n CUMBRIA (West) Tel 01946 592474 n CUMBRIA (Sth Lakeland) Tel 01539 726613 n GUIDE DOGS Tel 0118 983 5555 n HENSHAW’S 0161 872 234 or 0151 708 7055

n LIVERPOOL: Bradbury Fields.Tel 0151 221 0888: Action for Bind Tel 0151 298 3222 n MANCHESTER: Action for Blind Tel 0161 787 9252 n PRESTON: Action for Blind People Tel 01772 320550 n OLDHAM Tel 0161 682 8019 n ROSSENDALE Tel 01706 873256 n SIGHTLINE (North West)

Tel 0800 587 2252 n WIGAN Tel 01942 242891 n WIRRAL Tel 0151 652 8877 HEARING ISSUES n BIRMINGHAM Institute for Deaf Tel 0121 246 6101 n CHESHIRE Deaf Society Tel 01606 47831 n CUMBRIA Deaf Society Tel 01228 606434 n LANCASHIRE (EAST) Deaf Society Tel 01282 839180

n MANCHESTER Deaf Centre. Tel 0161 273 3415 Genie Networks. Tel 0161 941 4549. Text 18001 0161 941 4549 n MERSEYSIDE Society for Deaf Tel 0151 228 0888 n SOUTHPORT Centre for the Deaf Tel 01704 537001 n ST HELENS: Deafness Resource Centre Tel 01744 23887 n WOLVERHAMPTON Centre for Deaf Tel 01902

CARERS’ CENTRES

n ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 387 444 n BLACKBURN with DARWEN Tel 01254 688 www.bwdcarers.org n BLACKPOOL Blackpool Borough Council, Tel 01253 477 716 nCUMBRIA Carlisle. Tel 01228 542 156 Penrith. Tel 01768 890 280 Barrow-in-Furness. Tel 01229 822 822 Kendal. Tel 01539 732 927 Whitehaven, Tel 01946 592 223 n CHESHIRE & WARRINGTON Helpline:0300 102 0008 n KNOWSLEY Tel 0151 549 1412 n LANCASHIRE 0345 688 7113 nLIVERPOOL Tel 0151 705 2307 n MANCHESTER Tel 0161 835 2995 n MORECAMBE Tel 01524 833456 n PRESTON Tel 01772 200173 n RUNCORN Tel 01928 580182 n WIDNES Tel 0151 257 9673 n SALFORD Tel 0161 833 0217 n SEFTON Tel 0151 288 6060 n ST HELENS Tel 01744 675 615 n STOCKPORT Tel 0161 442 0442 n WARRINGTON (WIRED) Tel 01925 633 492 n WEST LANCS Tel 01695 711243 n WIGAN & LEIGH Tel 01942 705959 / 486923 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM Tel 0121 675 8000 n SOLIHULL Tel 0121 788 1143 n WALSALL Tel 01922 610 810 NORTH WALES n ANGLESEY Tel 01248 722828 n BANGOR Tel 01248 370 797 n CONWY Tel 01492 533714 n DENBIGHSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 0845 603 3187 nDOLGELLAU Tel 01341 421167 n FLINTSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 01352 751436 n WREXHAM CARERS SERVICE

All Together NOW!

SPRING 2024

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Sugary treats mess with your mind

MEDICAL NOTES

Diabetes drug ‘could help leukaemia’

A DRUG being developed to combat diseases such as type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s may offer new hope for people with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a form of blood cancer. Professor Vignir Helgason, who is leading the study at the University of Glasgow, said: “Research has shown that cancer cells often rely on increased uptake of specific nutrients – sugar, proteins or fats – to survive. “Our study investigated specific nutrient “addictions” in CML cancer cells. We were able to reveal that CML cancer cells use an increased amount of glucose to support their nutritional needs. “Encouragingly, we were also able to show that the same cancer cells were sensitive to a newly developed antidiabetic drug that prevents a normal breakdown of glucose, blocking the cells’ ability to absorb it.”

Cancer care is ‘mixed’

CHILDREN and young people have had mixed experiences of being treated for cancer or tumours across England. Youngsters and their parents or carers gave positive ratings of their overall cancer care in an NHS survey aimed at improving treatment for under-16s. Three out of four children said they were looked after very well by healthcare staff, and 89% of parents or carers rated their child’s overall care as eight or more out of 10. Meanwhile, in relation to care coordination, 62% of parents or carers felt that different hospital staff always worked well together, and 57% of children always or mostly saw the same staff.

Hope for Huntington’s

A POSSIBLE new treatment for Huntington’s disease has reached a “very encouraging” stage, according to its makers. Gene therapy company uniQure says the disease had stabilised in patients taking part in trials of a drug known as AMT-130. Walid Abi-Saab, chief medical officer at uniQure, said they had seen “favourable trends” in patients’ motor skills and functional independence. Edward Wild, associate director of University College London’s Huntington’s Disease Centre, welcomed the development. He said: “We enthusiastically embrace this potentially important advancement for this devastating disease.” Meanwhile, more trials will take place in Europe and the US this year.

SUGAR shrinks our brains and messes up our memories, a dementia prevention charity has warned. In the 1980s, sugar was thought to give you extra energy and Lucozade, a liquid form of glucose, was advertised as “energy for the human race”. But new studies are showing that too much glucose and fructose over time starve the brain of energy, leading to both memory loss and brain shrinkage, says the charity foodforthebrain.org.

These two sugars interfere with the energy factories within cells, called mitochondria, and deprive the brain of the energy it needs to function properly. A new study shows that 40-year-old adults with so-called normal glucose levels, but at the higher end of the normal range, increased their risk of Alzheimer’s by 15%. And teenagers with an HbA1c – the measure of blood sugar levels – of above 5.4% show cognitive decline and shrinkage of the brain compared to those with lower

levels, according to Robert Lustig, Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics at University of California, San Francisco. “Keeping your HbA1c below 5.4% with a no-added sugar diet, and for some a lowcarbohydrate diet, is one of the most direct ways you can protect your brain at any age,” says Prof Lustig. Patrick Holford, CEO of foodforthebrain.org, said: “We are calling for people to test their cognitive function with our free online test.”

HAVE A GOOD ‘D’

OW levels of vitamin D may be increasing people’s risk of developing dementia.

The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight when we are outdoors but during the winter months does not produce enough for our needs. And while it’s known to be vital for healthy bones and a stronger immune system, new research suggests that the inadequate levels commonly found in the UK are also accelerating cognitive decline. A study in France found those with low levels – below 50 nmol/L – of the so-called sunshine vitamin had a nearly three-fold increased risk of Alzheimer’s. More than 60% of people in the UK are reported to have lower levels than this. Supplements can help ward off dementia, according to a large-scale study earlier this year, which involved more than 12,000 volunteers aged 70-plus. More than a third (37%) of the participants took vitamin D supplements and had a 40% lower incidence of dementia. Dr William Grant, advisor to the dementia prevention charity foodforthebrain.org, claims we have vastly underestimated the importance of vitamin D on the brain and how much you need. He said: “All the evidence regarding cardiometabolic diseases, cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases and pregnancy outcomes shows that you need a blood level of vitamin D

above 75 nmol/L to be healthy, and the same is proving true for the brain. This optimal level is impossible to achieve without supplementation in the winter. “I recommend every adult and teenager supplements themselves with at least 1000 to 3000iu per day from October to March in line with a recent review by 35 vitamin D researchers. “The degree of obesity, darker skin colour and living further north increases need. The UK government’s recommendation of 400iu (10 mcg) a day is not enough for optimal brain health. Supplementing 800iu (20 mcg) a day for 12 months has already been shown to improve cognitive function, but you need more than this to achieve anything close to an optimal level,” says Dr Grant. “If you’re not supplementing with vitamin D in the winter then you may well be heading for cognitive decline.” Under the direction of Dr Grant, foodforthebrain.org has launched a research project to test blood vitamin D levels using a home test kit, and cognitive function with a free online cognitive function test. This will help to establish the vitamin D level you really need in order to stay free from dementia, says Dr Grant who is director of the Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center in San Francisco.

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Help for women military veterans

BETTER support for women whose military careers have had a negative impact on their lives is the aim of a pioneering study. Existing health services for veterans have mostly been developed for men. However, female veterans have been shown to have poorer brain health in later life compared to both male veterans and women in civilian life. Dr Tamlyn Watermeyer, one of the project’s leaders from Northumbria University, said: “Brain health refers to the overall state of the brain, including its ability to perform various functions effectively and efficiently. “This can include aspects such as biology (hormones, structure), cognition and emotions (mood, memory and thinking), and motor function (muscles).” He added: “In females, brain health is greatly influenced by hormonal events that change over time depending on age and life situations, such as transitioning through the menopause or experiencing a significant stressful event. “Having a better understanding of the underlying psychological, social and biological factors that lead to poorer brain health in female veterans will help the NHS and other healthcare providers create better support.” The study has been funded through the Office for Veterans’ Affairs’ Health Innovation Fund, set up to improve veterans’ healthcare.

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SPRING 2024

All Together NOW!

MEDICAL NOTES

North West is worst for antibiotic-resistant death

DEATHS from antibiotic-resistant infections are on the rise again, health chiefs have warned. And the North West has been identified as having the highest rate of such infections outside London in 2022. Figures from the UK Health Security Agency also show that the North West has consistently had the greatest levels of antibiotics prescribed across the country. In response to this, primary care providers across the region have been receiving training and guidance on prescribing the drugs responsibly. England-wide, the Agency reports that more dangerous strains of bacteria are spreading in our communities and in hospitals. An estimated 58,224 people had an antibiotic-resistant infection in 2022 – a rise of 4% since 2021 (55,792). Deaths due to severe antibioticresistant infections also increased from 2021 to 2022 (from 2,110 to 2,202).

WHAT A LIFESAVER VICTIMS: Tom Lockyer, Christian Eriksen (inset) and Fabrice Muamba (top) all collapsed during games

PREMIER League football star’s heart drama once again focused the nation’s attention on the issue of sudden cardiac arrest.

Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer collapsed during his club’s match against Bournemouth last December. He was immediately tended to by paramedics and staff on the pitch and is fortunately continuing to recover. Now new guidelines are being made available for all sports events to help save the lives of future victims of a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. For many people, sudden cardiac arrest among sportspeople first came to their notice in 2012 when Bolton Wanderers star Fabrice Muamba fell to the ground during an FA Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur.

New guidance for ALL sports bosses

The then 23-year-old’s life was saved despite his heart stopping beating for 78 minutes. Manchester United and Denmark star Christian Eriksen suffered a similar emergency playing for his country during Euro 2020. Elite sportspeople are not the only ones affected by sudden cardiac arrest – it is the leading cause of death among young athletes. Brentford FC is among the Premier League

clubs who have welcomed the guidelines from the Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK), which aim to improve the response to a sudden cardiac arrest on the field of play and increase the chances of a full recovery. The guidelines are designed for medical teams who need to respond to an athlete across all professional and amateur sports, including football, swimming and tennis. Sudden cardiac arrest is a rare but devastating event, with approximately one in 217,000 people per year suffering a sportsrelated sudden death. Neil Greig, head of Brentford’s medical department, said: “We welcome RCUK’s best-practice guidelines which provide important information. The more knowledge we can spread, the better equipped we can all be about saving lives.”

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‘Failure to act will hit our poorest’

DAME Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK’s Health Security Agency, said: “Antimicrobial resistance is not a crisis of the future, but one that is very much with us right now. “We expect that if we get a bacterial infection, an antibiotic will be available to treat us – but sometimes, already, that is simply impossible. “Unless action is taken, the availability of life-saving treatments will only diminish and our ability to drive down infections will decrease, most likely impacting those in the poorest social circumstances worst. “There are two things everyone can do to help keep antibiotics working. “First, you can help reduce or prevent infections in the first place by taking simple steps – staying away from vulnerable people if you are feeling unwell, washing your hands regularly and keeping rooms ventilated. “This isn’t just about protecting your own health – it’s about helping everyone in our communities. “Second, only take antibiotics if you have been told to do so by a healthcare professional. Do not save some for later or share them with friends and family. “Treat them with respect and they will be there to help us all in the future.”

All Together NOW!

SPRING 2024

Feb 19: Dr Michael Mosley & Dr Clare Bailey. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. The husband and wife team reveal how simple things can transform our lives. Feb 19: Peak Stuff. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Drama. Feb 19: The Makings of a Murderer. Storyhouse, Chester. Feb 20-25: Shen Yun. The Lowry, Salford. Classical Chinese dance. Feb 20: Stuart Michael: The Psychic Medium. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Feb 20: Edward Scissorhands. Empire, Liverpool. Feb 21-24: Bouncers. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. John Godber’s smash-hit nightclub comedy. Feb 21-22: Diversity. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Feb 21: Psychic Sally. Lyceum, Crewe. Feb 21: I’m Alive. Theatre Royal, St Helens. January Butler’s tribute to Celine Dion. Feb 22-Mar 2: Unfortunate – The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch. Musical. Lowry, Salford. Feb 22: The Darling Diamonds. Pavilion, Rhyl. Drag show. Feb 22: Someone Like You: The Adele Songbook. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Feb 23-24: Desperate Scousewives 4 – Kicked to the Kerb. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Feb 24: Babatunde Aléshé: Babahood. Playhouse, Liverpool Feb 24: The Haunting of Blaine Manor. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Feb 24: Tom Houghton: It’s Not Ideal. Lyceum, Crewe. Feb 25: Sir Simon Rattle. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Feb 25: The Makings of a Murderer. Lyceum, Crewe. Feb 26: An Intimate Acoustic Evening with Ward Thomas. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Feb 27-Mar 2: The Drifters Girl. Empire, Liverpool. Remarkable story of the Drifters and the truth about the woman who made them. Feb 27-Mar 2: Twelve Angry Men. The Lowry, Salford. Drama. Feb 27-28: Stranger Sings. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Sci-fi spoof musical. Feb 28: Northern Ballet’s Tortoise & The Hare. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Feb 28: Ed Byrne – Tragedy Plus Time. Theatre Royal, St Helens.. Feb 29: Jonathan Pie: Heroes & Villains. Lyceum, Crewe. Feb 29: Ben Thompson Live as Elvis Presley. The Brindley, Runcorn. Feb 29: Coleen Nolan – Naked. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Feb 29: Something About George. Pavilion, Rhyl. Feb 29: Ellen Kent: Bizet’s Carmen. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Feb 29: Professor Brian Cox – Horizons: A 21st Century Space Odyssey. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Feb 29: Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of the

BOX OFFICE CONTACTS

BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre: 01253 290190 BOLTON Octagon: 01204 520661 CHESTER Storyhouse: 01244 409 113 CREWE Lyceum: 01270 368 242 LIVERPOOL Empire: 08444 999 999 Everyman & Playhouse: 0151 709 4776 Philharmonic Hall: 0151 709 3789 Royal Court: 0870 787 1866 Unity 0151 709 4988 LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru: 01492 872000

MOLD: Theatr Clwyd: 0845 3303565 MANCHESTER Opera House: 0870 401 9000 Palace: 0870 401 3000 SALFORD The Lowry: 0843 208 6000 Access line: 0333 320 2838 NEW BRIGHTON Floral Pavilion: 0151 666 0000 RHYL: Pavilion: 01745 330 000 RUNCORN The Brindley: 0151 907 8360 ST HELENS: Theatre Royal: 01744 756000 STOKE: Regent Theatre: 0844 871 7627

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All to be revealed

DISNEY Diva Ursula (Shawna Hamic) gives her take on what really happened under the sea all those years ago. The legendary queer queen is ready to spill all, in this tell-all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers. n Unfortunate – The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch Feb 22-Mar 2: Lowry, Salford. Mar 5-9: Playhouse, Liverpool.

GO ON . . . TREAT Dubliners. Opera House, Manchester. Mar 1: Tom Davis: Underdog. Storyhouse, Chester. Mar 1: The Mersey Beatles. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Mar 1: Ukranian National Opera – Madama Butterfly. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Mar 1: Heartbreak: The Tom Petty Story. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Mar 2: Professor Brian Cox. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Journey through space. Mar 2: The World According to Kaleb. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Celebrity farmer. Mar 2: Arrival ABBA. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Tribute show. Mar 2: Ellen Ken: Madama Butterfly. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Mar 3: The World According to Kaleb. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Celebrity farmer.. Mar 3: Northern Live – Do I Love You. Opera House, Manchester. Mar 3: Something About George – The George Harrison Story. Grand, Blackpool. Mar 4-5: Revision on Tour – Macbeth. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Mar 5-16: Pretty Woman The Musical. Palace Theatre, Manchester. Mar 5-10: The Wizard of Oz. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

BRITAIN’S raciest and sassiest trio are back with some wickedly hilarious new material. n Fascinating Aida 40th Anniversary Show! Mar 6: Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Mar 7: Theatr Clwyd, Mold (show takes place at William Aston Hall, Wrexham).

Mar 5-9: Unfortunate – The Untold Story of Ursula The Sea Witch. Playhouse, Liverpool. Mar 5-6: Theatre Re – The Nature of Forgetting. Storyhouse, Chester. Mar 6: Revision on Tour – Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Mar 6: Ukranian National Opera – Madama Butterfly. Lyceum, Crewe. Mar 6: Fascinating Aida The 40th Anniversary Show! Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Mar 7: Fascinating Aïda The 40th Anniversary Show! Theatr Clywd, Mold. Mar 7: Revision on Tour: Romeo & Juliet. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Mar 7: “It’s Not Over Yet!” Storyhouse, Chester. Sir Geoff Hurst’s 1966 World Cup memories. Mar 7: Birmingham Royal Ballet – Sleeping Beauty. The Lowry, Salford. Mar 7: Guitar Heroes. Pavilion, Rhyl. Mar 8: Emily Saunders. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. The “Queen of Jazz-fusion”. Mar 8: Macbeth. Palace Theatre, Manchester. Mar 8: The Drifters. Pavilion, Rhyl. Mar 8: The Coral – The Making of an Album. Storyhouse, Chester. James Kelly and Nick Power talk about their careers.

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Mar 9-10: Cirque – The Greatest Show. Lyceum, Crewe. Mar 9: Stewart Lee – Basic Lee. Storyhouse, Chester. Mar 10: The Rolling Stones Story. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Mar 10: Northern Chamber Orchestra – Mainly Baroque. Storyhouse, Chester. Mar 11: Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Mad, Bad and Dangerous. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Mar 12-23: Come From Away. Empire, Liverpool. Musical. Incredible story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these “come from aways” into their lives with open hearts. Mar 12-16: Murder in the Dark. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Mar 12-16: Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Can you help crack the case? Audio described Mar 14; signed Mar 15. Mar 12-13: The Gruffalo’s Child. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Mar 12: 10cc. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. The rock legends are back. Mar 12: Dom Joly – Conspiracy Tourist. Storyhouse, Chester.

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SPRING 2024

LES, Ralph, Judd and Lucky Eric relive a night in a Yorkshire disco in the 80s. John Godber’s classic comedy is back and everyone will be there: the DJ, the girls, boys and the fish and chip van. n Bouncers. Apr 9-20: Octagon, Bolton.

TOUGH GUYS IN TOWN

INTREPID explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes goes beyond his record-breaking adventures to reveal the man behind the myth. Sharing stories from his legendary exploits and adventures, of the most extraordinary feats of daring and exploration, Sir Ranulph has come up with a show that will leave you seeking adventures of your own. n Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Mad, Bad and Dangerous. Mar 11: Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Apr 1: Regent Theatre, Stoke. Apr 2: William Aston Hall, Wrexham.

YOURSELVES!

Mar 13-16: A Song for Ella Grey. Playhouse, Liverpool. Magical retelling of the Orpheus myth, full of music, sound and storytelling. Mar 13-14: Giovanni Pernice – Let Me Entertain You. Storyhouse, Chester. Mar 13: Lost in Music. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Mar 13: Welsh National Opera: Death in Venice: Britten. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Mar 14: Welsh National Opera: Cosi fan tutti. Mozart. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Mar 14: Something About George – The George Harrison Story. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Mar 14: Sophie McCartney is Tired and Tested. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Mar 15-Apr 6: Come Together. Royal Court, Liverpool. Tom Connor and Mark Newnham with the music of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Mar 15: Welsh National Opera: Open Favourites. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Mar 15: Cinderella. Pavilion, Rhyl. Mar 16: Classic FM Hall of Fame. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Hosted by Aled Jones. Mar 16: Something About George. Theatr Clwyd.

Mar 16: Tim Vine: Breeeep! Everyman, Liverpool. Mar 17: Tony Hadley. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Mar 17: The Fureys. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Mar 17: Something About George: The George Harrison Story. Octagon, Bolton. West End musician Daniel Taylor tells the truly remarkable tale of one of music’s most understated icons. Mar 18-30: Sister Act. Palace Theatre, Manchester. Disco diva Deloris’ life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent! Encouraged to help the struggling choir, she helps her fellow sisters find their true voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. Mar 18: Irish Annies. Theatre Royal, St Helens. New musical by Asa Murphy. Also starring Ricky Tomlinson and Catherine Rice. Mar 19-23: My Beautiful Launderette. The Lowry, Salford. Drama. The story of young British Pakistani, Omar, who transforms his Uncle’s run-down laundrette into a thriving business – and finds love along the way. Audio

described and touch tour, Mar 21; signed, Mar 22. Mar 20-22: Opera North – Cavelleria Rusticana/Aleko. The Lowry, Salford. Mar 20: Dr John Cooper Clarke: Celebrating 50 Years in Showbiz. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Mar 20: Giovani Pernice – Let Me Entertain You. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Mar 21-25: Stephen Bailey – Crass. Royal Court, Liverpool. Mar 21-23: Opera North – Cosi Fan Tutte. The Lowry, Salford. Mar 21: Just My Imagination. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Music of The Temptations. Mar 21: Queenz – The Show With Balls. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Mar 21: Irish Annies. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. New musical by Asa Murphy. Also starring Ricky Tomlinson and Catherine Rice. Mar 22: Coleen Nolan. Naked. Pavilion, Rhyl. Mar 22: Paul Foot – Dissolve. Royal Court, Liverpool.. Mar 23: Ellen Kent: Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Mar 23: What’s Love Got to do With It? Regent Theatre, Stoke. Tina Turner tribute.

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All Together NOW!

Mar 23: Coleen Nolan – Naked. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Mar 24: Just My Imagination. Opera House, Manchester. The Temptations’ story. Mar 24: Northern Ballet – Tortoise & The Hare. Lyceum, Crewe. Mar 25: The Voice of The Moody Blues Justin Heywood: The Harmony Tour. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Mar 25-30: The Mousetrap 70th Anniversary Tour. Lyceum, Crewe. Mar 26-31: Peter Pan Goes Wrong. Opera House, Manchester. Mar 26-30: My Beautiful Launderette. Playhouse, Liverpool. Set in London during the Thatcher years, the story of young British Pakistani Omar. Mar 26-30: The Kite Runner. Storyhouse, Chester. A beautiful afternoon in Kabul and the skies are full of kites. No one can foresee the terrible incident that will shatter their lives forever. Mar 26-30: The Boy at the Back of the Class. The Lowry, Salford. Power of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn’t always make sense. Mar 26: Rosie Jones: Triple Threat. Everyman, Liverpool. Mar 26: ROH Live – Madama Butterfly. Storyhouse, Chester. Mar 27-30: Singing in the Rain – Blackpool Operatic Players. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Mar 27: The Ronnie Scott’s Story. Octagon, Bolton. Mar 28: Luther: A Luther Vandross Tribute. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Mar 29-31: Madagascar The Musical. Empire, Liverpool. Mar 29: Psychic Sally. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Mar 30: Bay City Rollermania! Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Mar 31-Apr 1: The Sooty Show. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Mar 31: The Billy Joel Songbook. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Apr 1: Sir Ranulph Fiennes – Mad, Bad and Dangerous. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Apr 2-20: Kill They Neighbour. Theatr Clwyd. Dark comedy about love, marriage and feeling trapped. Signed Apr 6 & 12; audio described Apr 10; captioned Apr 20. Apr 2-6: Cluedo. The Lowry, Salford. Drama. Apr 2-6: 2:22 A Ghost Story. Empire, Liverpool. Apr 2: Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. The man behind the myth. Apr 3: King of Pop. Floral Pavilion. Michael Jackson tribute show. Apr 4: You’re Bard! Storyhouse, Chester. Shakespeare like never before. Apr 5: Giovanni Pearce – Let Me Entertain You. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Apr 5: Paul Simon’s Graceland Reimagined by the London African Gospel Choir. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Apr 6: Giovanni – Let Me Entertain You. Venue Cymru. Apr 7: Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of the Dubliners. Empire, Liverpool. Apr 7: Giovanni Pearce – Let Me Enterain You. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Apr 7: The King’s Voice. Lyceum, Crewe. Elvis tribute show. Apr 8-13: The Mousetrap – 70th Anniversary Tour. The Lowry, Salford. Captioned, Apr 10; audio described and touch tour, Apr 12; signed, Apr 13.

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22 All Together NOW!

SPRING 2024

Continued from Pages 20/21

Apr 9: That’ll Be The Day. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Apr 9: The Searchers: Thank You Tour. Storyhouse, Chester. Apr 10: An Evening with Paul Young. Storyhouse, Chester. Apr 11: Seven Drunken Nights. Venue Cymru. Apr 11: An Evening with Anton Du Beke and Friends. Storyhouse, Chester. Apr 12: Irish Annie’s. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. New musical play by Asa Murphy. Also starring Ricky Tomlinson and Catherine Rice. Apr 12: The Bootleg Beatles. Venue Cymru. Apr 13: Coldplace. Venue Cymru. Tribute. Apr 13: Dreamcoat Stars. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton Apr 14: Gary Murphy’s I Like It. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Classic 60s hits. Apr 14: Sinatra: Raw. Octagon, Bolton. Palm Springs, 1971. Apr 14: An Evening with Anton Du Beke. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Apr 15-20: I Should Be So Lucky. Empire, Liverpool. Musical. Apr 17-20: Frankenstein (imitating the dog). Playhouse, Liverpool. Psychological thriller. Apr 18-May 19: 42 Balloons. The Lowry, Salford. Audio described and touch tour, May 16; signed, May 17. Apr 19: Showaddywaddy. Venue Cymru. Apr 20-May 11: The Legend of Ned Ludd. Everyman, Liverpool. Powerful new play about work, automation and capitalism’s impact – a show for anyone who’s ever put in a hard day’s graft. Captioned Apr 24; audion described May 3; signed May 9. Apr 21: Sir Tim Rice: My Life in Musicals. Storyhouse, Chester. Apr 21: Count Arthur Strong – And It’s Goodnight From Him. The Lowry, Salford. Apr 22-27: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Empire, Liverpool. Feel-good musical. Apr 22: Kate Rusby. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Folk singing at its best. Apr 23-27: Oh What a Lovely War. Theatr Clwyd. Satirical musical. Audio described Apr 25; signed Apr 26. Apr 23-27: The Kite Runner. Playhouse, Liverpool. A beautiful afternoon in Kabul is about to change. Apr 24-May 5: The Wizard of Oz. Palace Theatre, Manchester. Apr 24: ROH Live – Swan Lake. Storyhouse, Chester. Apr 25: Banff Film Festival. Venue Cymru. Apr 25: UB40 The Legacy. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Apr 26: John Robb – Do You Believe in the Power of Rock ’n’ Roll? Storyhouse, Chester. Apr 27: John Robb – Do You Believe in the Power of Rock ’n’ Roll? Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Apr 27: The 39 Steps. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. New stage version. Apr 28: Awake my Soul: The Mumford & Sons Story. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Apr 28: Clinton Baptiste – Roller Ghoster! Theatre Royal, St Helens. Apr 30-May 4: Life of Pi. Empire, Liverpool. . Apr 30-May 4: An Officer and a Gentleman: The Musical. Opera House, Manchester. Apr 30: Griff Rhys Jones: The Cat’s Pyjamas. Playhouse, Liverpool.

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February 2024 ARIES (March 21-April 20)

Be supportive of a partner’s dreams on the 14th even if they sound a little peculiar to you. The Lunar Eclipse on the 25th reminds you that it will take discipline and effort if you are to reach a personal goal. April’s Solar Eclipse on the 8th makes this a good time to start a diet. Discrete negotiations will go well on the 20th. You can employ stealth and circumspection to excellent effect now. The Full Moon on the 23rd opens your spiritual senses. Some strange experiences will get you thinking when these can only be described as mystical and psychic.

You will be reassessing your friendships and deciding on the company you really want to keep. Watch what you say in conversations in March and double check what you are writing. Discussing religious and cultural beliefs with people from different backgrounds will be enlightening. Even so, your focus later will be on projects that involve just a handful of people when the Lunar Eclipse on the 25th brings the successful conclusion of a joint enterprise. April’s Solar Eclipse on the 8th will get you questioning your priorities. Plans that are forming in your mind will soon become a reality. Your mind will be exceedingly active on the 15th and you will easily take in the facts of all situations.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23-December 21)

TAURUS (April 21-May 21)

As February ends, you won’t lack for things to do. You will make a worthwhile contribution to a group project in March. Accomplishing something special as a team will make you want to continue with similar activities in the future. The New Moon brings a chance for you to volunteer for a charity, while the Lunar Eclipse on the 25th will push you to break out of a rut. Activities with children and young people in April will bring some fun into your life. A colleague will be exceptionally irritating; they can’t seem to manage without your help. Some unfinished business with a past partner will be brought to your mind under the Full Moon on the 23rd.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21)

The Full Moon on the 24th brings a better arrangement for you. March’s New Moon on the 10th gently pushes you in new directions. It’s no use trying to hurry things. The more haste, the less speed. Events on the Lunar Eclipse will take you by surprise. Friends and workmates will be receptive to new ideas. Parties, social gatherings and professional events will all be valuable opportunities for networking over the next six months. Whether you are seeking employment, wanting to break into a new social circle or volunteering for a charity, making new contacts is essential for your aims. An important message will fail to reach you or the message you do receive will be incomplete.

CANCER (June 22-July 23)

Whatever fun activity you choose, your partner and family will be squarely behind you. Choose your words carefully so there can be no confusion or misunderstandings. A troubled relative will ask for some help and advice early March. You need to find healthy ways to deal with frustrations that occur under the Lunar Eclipse on the 25th. It’s not doing you any good to bottle up your emotions. Music and art are great ways to express your creative side. The Solar Eclipse on April 8th marks this as a momentous time. Routine pressures and unfair demands will be made on you. The month will not be without mix-ups and muddles and the Full Moon on the 23rd will bring a good opportunity to clear up misunderstandings.

LEO (July 24-August 23)

The Full Moon on the 24th will bring some extra money your way. Devote time in March to improving communications between colleagues. Avoid riding roughshod over the wishes of your loved ones. You might think you are taking action for their benefit but they might see it very differently. April’s Solar Eclipse on the 8th makes this a great time to go on, or to start planning a journey. There

RUSSELL GRANT CALLING . . .

may be a need to give some attention to problems of family members or in-laws. A housemate or workmate will forget to pass on some important information. Attending to family and domestic responsibilities will feel satisfying on the 23rd when the Full Moon prompts you to find ways to make life easier for those you love.

VIRGO (August 24-September 23)

Venturing into the unknown will be stimulating and you could find yourself developing an interest in subjects that never held your attention before. March’s New Moon on the 10th makes you wonder whether you are providing a partner with enough support to sustain your relationship. Tension is in the air on the 14th, too. The Lunar Eclipse on the 25th will bring an unusual offer. The next six months will be significant in helping you secure your financial position. Group and club events will be fun but avoid any strenuous exertions as your energy reserves aren’t as high as you think. Rely on logic to lead you through a tense situation.

LIBRA (September 24-October 23)

If you can dream it you can achieve it. It is time to allow your passion to take you where you want to go. The Full Moon on the 24th reminds you of the long road you have already travelled. Something strange that happens in March will take you by surprise. Make time to visit a friend or neighbour who has been feeling a little down. Having supportive people alongside you in April makes you even more determined to reach a cherished goal. A romantic outing will take you to a new place. You will have some great ideas for making money. It will be essential that you keep both feet planted firmly on the ground.

SCORPIO (October 24-November 22)

The Full Moon on the 24th will bring the end of a frustrating problem. As March unfolds, choose activities that engage your imagination.

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Steer clear of a friend who is always getting themselves into trouble. Being seen with them could damage your reputation. The New Moon in March marks this as a great time to start on a home improvement project. A sensitive friend needs to feel supported and understood. You will welcome the chance to spend more time with your family. Someone close will be making a dramatic announcement. April’s Solar Eclipse on the 8th reminds you of the importance to relax and have fun. Let other people know what is on your mind. It would be foolish to accept an offer made by someone you don’t really trust. The Full Moon on the 23rd makes it hard for you to concentrate so take care.

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 20)

The Full Moon on the 24th will get you thinking about the possibility of travelling to an exotic location with your family. Push negative thoughts away in March or these will have an impact on your performance. An optimistic friend will help you find the silver lining to this particular cloud. The end of the month is a great time to make a fresh start. April’s Solar Eclipse on the 8th will find you taking a deeper interest in your family history. A family heirloom will have an interesting history and talks with an older relative will reveal that one of your ancestors shared a similar gift or passion of yours. Running an errand could lead to unforeseen circumstances.

AQUARIUS (January 21-February 19)

New horizons are opening for you. By being adventurous and taking up a challenge, you will reach heights you never knew existed. Give a youngster in the family who is feeling neglected a little extra time and attention during March. The Lunar Eclipse on the 25th will bring a chance to travel or study. At times, you won’t believe your luck. Mistakes of the past will be discovered in April. Someone in authority will want this investigated immediately. If you are innocent, don’t get too anxious. Your mood will be escapist under a rebellious Full Moon on the 23rd.

PISCES (February 20-March 20)

If you aren’t happy with a situation, cut ties immediately. Some ideas you have to make some changes should be put into action and these will quickly take on solid form. There is great potential in blending common sense with creativity. March’s New Moon on the 10th will push you to make a start on plans you have been thinking about since the year began. A little extra money will come your way in April. Someone will be trying to contact you with an urgent message. If you’re worried about a younger relative, try to talk this out with someone you trust. Life may become difficult for a while under the Full Moon on the 23rd. Expect a number of delays and frustrations.

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HOW PLANTS GOT THEIR NAMES . . . SWEET peas are much admired in British gardens but originated in the Mediterranean area. Their colours range from white through shades of cream, red, pink, blue and purple while there are types for many purposes – long-stemmed for cutting, tall for climbing fences and trailing for hanging baskets (pictured). The plant’s botanical name is Lathyrus odoratus, which comes from the Greek Lathyros – la meaning “very” and thyros “passionate”; odoratus, from Latin, means “fragrant”.

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Heaven scent addition to the British garden

Henry Eckford improved and popularised the flower by making the bloom larger and shapelier and introducing a wider range of colours. Wem, Shropshire, where he carried out his work, stages a regular sweet pea show in honour of Eckford sweet peas. Variations were developed, some by the head gardener at Althorp Park, the Spencer family home in Northamptonshire, who introduced the variety Countess Spencer. From this name comes the term “Spencer sweet peas” which remain popular.

. . . SWEET PEA

READY STEADY GROW! M

ARCH is the month to go mad in the garden – but not too crazy.

A warm weekend in early spring can tempt gardeners to plant too early. But if the temperature drops to near freezing a few days later – perhaps for only an hour at night – young, tender plants curl up their toes and seeds rot in damp, chilly ground. The time to plant is when warmer weather is more reliable, remembering that April is the month of fastest growth. Despite this, there is plenty to prepare now to improve the chances of a flowery and fruitful summer. l PLANT shrubs and trees, also divide and plant perennial flowers which bloom in summer or autumn, such as red hot pokers, hardy late-flowering chrysanthemums and Michaelmas daisies, but not spring-blooming or fleshy-rooted

Sweet peas were unheard of in Britain until the 17th century. The earliest were sent by a Sicilian monk, Franciscus Cupani, in 1699. This form with burgundy and purple flowers, small but very fragrant, is still known as Cupani and is available as seed. In the 1880s, Scottish horticulturalist

BE PREPARED . . . Left, autumn-flowering hardy chrysanth – split the roots. Above, buddleia – prune in March. Right, petunia – plant in pots.

types like peonies, lupins, day-lilies and irises, which are divided in autumn. l PRUNE shrubs which flower on this year’s new growth, such as roses, buddleia and hydrangeas. Reduce hybrid tea bush roses to 30cm (12in) in height, cutting out dead, weak and crossing stems, then pruning to outward pointing buds. Prune mop-head hydrangeas, which may still have some of the old flower-heads which have protected the plant through winter. Remove weak growths to the ground, trim medium-thickness stems

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BASKET CASE: Trailing sweet pea

about two-thirds of the way back to plump leaf buds, and prune really old stems to new buds near the ground. Prune back shrubs which are starting to smother low-growing, sun-loving plants like spring bulbs or heathers. Clematis, which bloom in summer or autumn, should be cut back to within a foot of the ground and fed with a high-potash feed. A rose or tomato fertiliser is suitable. l BUY young plug plants of half-hardy summer flowers for bedding or patio pots, such as petunias or pelargoniums (halfhardy geraniums), when they appear in garden centres. Transfer them individually to pots 10cm (3in) wide and keep them at 10C-15C (50F-60F) in a heated greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill. Plant them out towards the end of May. l TIDY borders, removing dead leaves, stems and seedheads, thinning clumps of

self-sown flowers like forget-me-nots. Split the roots of old perennial flowers and plant young sections from the edge of the root, each with one or two shoots and some root. Discard the old, woody central part of the clump. l FEED all beds and borders with a general fertiliser – National Growmore at 60g per square metre (2oz per square yard) or blood, fish and bonemeal. l FINALLY, if the lawn is mossy, spike it all over with a tool made for the job or a garden fork, spread horticultural sand and brush it into the spike-holes. Then, a fortnight later during mild weather, apply spring fertiliser, mosskiller and selective weedkiller as necessary. Rake out dead moss once it has turned almost black with a powered scarifier or garden rake.

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The Accumulator Quiz

STARSPOT CROSSWORD Can you find the celebrity name hidden in this Starspot Crossword? Complete the crossword in the normal way then make a note of the letters contained in all the squares which are marked with shaded stars. These letters will make an anagram of the name you are looking for. 1

★

★ 10

★ 11

★

13 14

★

27 28

★

★ 30

chosen answers and keep a record of your points total. Maximum total points 120. QUESTION 10 – for 10 points: Who composed the hymn The Holy Boy? A B C D

A Bugs Bunny B Road Runner C Fred Flintstone D Yogi Bear QUESTION 2 – for 2 points: Which casino game is similar to pontoon?

★

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Strive (7) 8. Vernal ------- (7) 9. Largest ocean (7) 10. Wealthy (7) 11. Cocaine (anag.) (7) 14. Pigpen (3) 16. Afresh (4) 18. Military vehicle (4) 19. Thus (4) 20. Head of cathedral chapter (4) 21. So far (3) 23. Discovering (7) 26. Skit (4-3) 28. Porridge ingredient (7) 29. Cattle thief (7) 30. Intertwined (7)

1. Piece of furniture (8) 2. Recess (5) 3. Mischievous (5) 4. Boil (6) 5. Ballet skirt (4) 6. Raging fire (7) 7. Departure point (4) 12. So be it (4) 13. Game played by children (1-3) 15. Abominable snowman (4) 16. Old (4) 17. Squirmed (8) 18. Male donkey (7) 22. Attempt (6) 24. Unacceptable (3,2) 25. Perfect (5) 26. Sour (4) 27. Unctuous (4)

A Hay B Peat C Linen D Timber QUESTION 4 – for 4 points: Actor Tom Hanks voiced which character in the Toy Story series of animated films? A Hamm B Woody C Mr Potato Head D Buzz Lightyear QUESTION 5 – for 5 points: What was the former name of Iran?

A B C D

Phantom of the Opera Wicked Les Misérables West Side Story

A B C D American actor Tom Hanks. See Question 4

A B C D

A knight’s page An itinerant minstrel A boy who turned the spit A chimney sweep

FILL in the blank squares in the grid with numbers so that each horizontal or vertical line adds up to the total given in the box either to the left or above it. Horizontal totals are given in the top right corners of the shaded boxes; vertical totals in the bottom left corners. You can use the numbers 1 to 9, but may not use the same number more than once in any run. The number may be used again, however, in the same row or column but as part of another run.

DIFFICULT

8 2 1 4

3 9 2 4 9 1 7 6 2 8 8 4 7 2 5 8 3 1 8 5 4 7 9 5 4 1 8 7 2 5 6

8 1 7 3 7 6 3 5 1 8 3 8 7 4 6 2

9 5

2 6 1 2 3 5 4 8

A B C D

Pointillism Impasto Grisaille Tempera

QUESTION 15 – for 15 points: Where is the Thar Desert? A B C D

Belgium France Holland Germany

THERE is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box. This is a logic puzzle, and you should not have to guess.

Dylan Thomas W.C. Fields Ernest Hemingway Errol Flynn

QUESTION 14 – for 14 points: In which art technique is paint laid on thickly with visible brush or knife strokes?

Port Sherry Brandy Gin

KAKURO

A B C D

QUESTION 9 – for 9 points: In which country is the village of Passchendaele, scene of a bloody World War I battle? A B C D

Zimbabwe Kenya South Africa Zambia

QUESTION 13 – for 13 points: Whose dying words were reputedly: “I’ve had 18 straight whiskies. I think that’s some sort of a record.”?

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points: What was a jongleur in medieval Europe?

SUDOKU

EASY

Jack Reacher Jack Sparrow Jack Bauer Jack Dawson

QUESTION 12 – for 12 points: In which African country is Matabeleland?

QUESTION 8 – for 8 points: Which drink is known as a Vera in cockney rhyming slang?

A Mesopotamia B Babylonia C Armenia D Persia QUESTION 6 – for 6 points: I Dreamed a Dream is a song from which hit musical?

Benjamin Britten William Walton Ralph Vaughan Williams John Ireland

QUESTION 11 – for 11 points: What is the name of Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in the film Titanic?

A Blackjack B Chemin de fer C Craps D Roulette QUESTION 3 – for 3 points: In Canada and the US what is measured in cords?

★

Each question has four possible answers and is worth from one to 15 points. Circle your QUESTION 1 – for 1 point: Which cartoon character lives in Bedrock, Cobblestone County?

8 9

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Saudi Arabia Jordan Tibet India

MEDIUM 15

9 9

37 16 7

17 13 33 6

24 4

19 10

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Telephone dialling pads combine several letters on one key. Here we have encoded several sets of words or items by using numbers rather than letters. Then we have divided them into groups of three characters and run all the names one after another to make your task a little more difficult. Can you crack the codes?

EACH number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

2 ABC

3 DEF

4 GHI

5 JKL

6 MNO

7 PQRS

8 TUV

9 WXYZ

1 []’–

MISSING LINK Each pair of words has a missing word between them that acts as a link to both (e.g. FRONT – DOOR – MAT). The initial letters of the six answers (reading downwards) will spell out a bird.

MAKER

BULL

––––

CONE

A M C

K R

female political figures

WORD WIZARD

Here is an unusual word with three definitions, only one of which is correct. Can you identify the right definition?

C B

E M

O C

O W E

U G

LOGO-

O O

O R MAKE A DATE In which year did all three of these significant historical events take place?

S W A

E M N

A M

H W C

2) A person who is obsessed with words;

1. Former Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe is acquitted of charges of conspiracy to murder Norman Scott.

1) A chancellor, especially in the Byzantine Empire and in Norman Sicily;

THETE

R O

R I S A I P TRANSFORMER

S I

R O O K

L L

A A

–––––

PRICE

MIRROR

––––

PAPER

FACTORY

–––

Can you place the six dominoes (right) into the grid below in such a way that the number of spots in all four rows across and all four rows down totals 14?

VAULT

MAY

6. past and present 236 294 712 488 861 463 472 142 634 416 274 273 818 428 243 715 854 214 455 273 162 791 762 467 661 985 421 896 674 365 612 643 521 637 535

Starting from the central shaded letter, move one letter at a time (up, down, right or left, but not diagonally) to find 18 fictional and real-life captains.

––––

SHOW

5. jobs in the film industry 625 318 712 784 781 562 284 661 626 243 717 886 817 373 676 371 776 382 371 267 886 313 473 286 713 473 286 717 274 781 974 837 126 462 867

SPOT CHECK

BARGE

––––––

3. Blue Peter presenters 566 643 148 717 239 412 446 926 426 921 342 631 568 473 156 732 618 253 743 174 645 386 615 375 391 583 312 684 321 887 637 156 461 662 537

WALL

characters from the

2. tearjerker films 871 848 264 218 431 668 326 651 232 243 714 817 121 966 337 385 154 331 226 241 717 114 156 831 968 184 314 733 616 453 192 837 744 713 696

PATHWORDS

7 W N E

1. burrowing animals 276 234 556 192 837 186 531 244 624 455 216 337 528 133 773 812 273 827 514 267 837 122 343 714 372 451 827 268 852 174 521 244 768 651 369 4. Mario Bros. franchise 546 412 661 269 737 176 725 462 158 444 124 736 126 216 621 627 461 366 539 156 641 925 844 414 666 221 927 461 285 538 124 551 379 126 637

Spaces and any punctuation marks are represented by 1.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

DIALLING CODES

CROSS CODE

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3) A piece of computer software which enables the machine to read a variety of languages.

2. Israel and Egypt sign an historic peace treaty.

3. Trevor Francis signs for Nottingham Forest in British football’s first £1 million deal.

Add the given letter to the first word to make a new word. Clue: What the French call a novel affair.

WAS IT? a) 1973; b) 1975; c) 1977; d) 1979; e) 1981.

_____ +CE=_____CE

ALL THE ANSWERS Pathwords Cook; Blackbeard; Hook; Kirk; Silver; Smollett; Sparrow; America; Han Solo; Nemo; Ahab; Picard; Pugwash; Birdseye; Hornblower; Corelli; Scarlett; Mainwaring.

3 7 4 9 5 2 1 6 8

1 2 5 4 8 6 3 9 7

6 8 9 7 3 1 2 5 4

5 3 1 6 4 9 8 7 2

SUDOKU EASY

7 9 8 2 1 5 6 4 3

4 6 2 3 7 8 5 1 9

9 1 7 8 6 3 4 2 5

8 4 6 5 2 7 9 3 1

2 5 3 1 9 4 7 8 6

8 3 4 1 7 5 6 9 2

1 9 6 8 2 3 5 4 7

5 7 2 6 4 9 8 1 3

7 5 8 9 3 4 2 6 1

3 2 & 8 * +

4 .

)

; : 6

% 0 5 9

(

CROSS CODE

2 1 3 5 6 7 4 8 9

4 6 9 2 8 1 3 7 5

SUDOKU DIFFICULT

3 4 1 7 5 8 9 2 6

6 8 7 3 9 2 1 5 4

9 2 5 4 1 6 7 3 8

10 19 6

8 5 4

1 33

37 9

5 6

7 9 4

7 3

1 13 5

14 9

6 15

KAKURO MEDIUM

2 8 1 11 17

8 2 10

9 5 8 2 1 25

7 9 16

Accumulator Quiz 1 – C; 2 – A; 3 – D; 4 – B; 5 – D; 6 – C; 7 – B; 8 – D; 9 – A; 10 – D; 11 – D; 12 – A; 13 – A; 14 – B; 15 – D. Starspot Crossword Across – 1 Contend; 8 Equinox; 9 Pacific; 10 Opulent; 11 Oceanic; 14 Sty; 16 Anew; 18 Jeep; 19 Ergo; 20 Dean; 21 Yet; 23 Finding; 26 Take-off; 28 Oatmeal; 29 Rustler; 30 Tangled. Down – 1 Cupboard; 2 Niche; 3 Elfin; 4 Decoct; 5 Tutu; 6 Inferno; 7 Exit; 12 Amen; 13 I-spy; 15 Yeti; 16 Aged; 17 Wriggled; 18 Jackass; 22 Effort; 24 Not on; 25 Ideal; 26 Tart; 27 Oily. Star Name: JAMES BLUNT

Word Wizard No 1 is correct. A logothete is an ancient chancellor. Dialling Codes 1. armadillo; water vole; chinchilla; meerkat; ferret; aardvark; hamster; badger; gerbil; tarantula; pika; chipmunk; fox. 2. Up; Titanic; The Notebook; Beaches; It’s A Wonderful Life; Bambi; P.S. I Love You; The Green Mile; Watership Down. 3. Konnie Huq; Radzi Chinyanganya; Diane-Louise Jordan; Valerie Singleton; Lesley Judd; Anthea Turner; John Noakes. 4. King Boo; Bowser; Rosalina; Luigi; Birdo; Bob-omb; Mario; Donkey Kong; Waluigi; Goomba;

Wario; Bullet Bill; Dry Bones. 5. make-up artist; location manager; stunt performer; producer; costume director; director; script writer; animator. 6. Benazir Bhutto; Indira Gandhi; Margaret Thatcher; Julia Gillard; Mary Robinson; Yulia Tymoshenko; Angela Merkel. Spot Check A = 2; B = 4; C = 1; D = 3; E = 6; F = 5. Missing Link pole; unit; flower; fly; image; nose. Bird: puffin. Make a Date The year was 1979. Transformer Roman + CE = Romance.

Portraits Weddings Commercial Print sales Tuitian Picture Framing Photo Restoration Studio Hire.

255 Seabank Road, New Brighton, Wallasey, Merseyside, CH45 1HE. Tel: 0151 638 0412 Email: ken@42multimedia.co.uk

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SHARP SHOOTERS: From left, Robin Hood Stone, a captured archer’s fate, arrow grooves, the man himself

WAS ROBIN IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD? KEN PYE on the city’s medival archers and that legendary outlaw

OBIN Hood’s well-known fondness for redistributing wealth may have won him friends in Liverpool.

But did the legendary archer and defender of the oppressed ever lead his merry men through the Mersey Forest? Perhaps not, but one of the city’s ancient relics, the Robin Hood Stone, is named in honour of the iconic outlaw and is believed to have been used by fellow archers, if not the man himself. On Booker Avenue in Liverpool, at its junction with the appropriately named Archerfield Road, and protected by iron railings, the Robin Hood Stone is an eight feet high, three and a half feet wide sandstone monolith, deeply scored from centuries of what is said to be arrow-sharpening. Before being re-sited, in August 1928, the stone stood in a nearby field known as Stone Hey, but was moved when its original location was being built over by

the houses that now cover the area. A plaque on the base of the stone records this. Archers lived and worked here in Medieval times, in the service of the local landowner, Sir Richard Molyneux, and while there is no basis for claims that Robin sharpened his arrows on it, the stone named after him is nevertheless of considerable archaeological and historical significance.

Sharp arrows

Especially during the Hundred Years War, fought between the English and the French in the 14th and 15th centuries, all able-bodied English men, plus boys over the age of 12, no matter in what part of the country they lived, by law had to be proficient at the longbow. They would practise, and keep their arrows sharp, in case the Lord of the Manor or the King summoned an army to go to battle.

www.discover-liverpool.com

The reputation for deadly precision and for the fearlessness of the English archers was legendary among our enemies. This became particularly true following the Battle of Crecy, in 1346, and Agincourt, in 1415. With a quiver containing between 24 and 36 arrows, an archer in battle would plant his arrows in the ground in front of him for quick access. He could then release 10 arrows a minute, which meant that by the time the first one had landed, another would be in flight. English archers were not just fast, they were also deadly accurate and their bows were extremely powerful. Using the longbow, which had been introduced by the Welsh in the 12th century, a skilled bowman – and all those called to military service had to be – could put an arrow through an enemy’s helmet visor at 200 yards. English arrows came with two types of tip: long, pointed ones for penetrating

armour, and double-edge tips for attacking infantry at shorter distances. If English archers were ever ambushed or captured in battle, and were not slain, the first two fingers of their right hands would be chopped off so that they could no longer draw their longbows. They would then be sent back to their own lines as a warning to the English. However, this only provoked the archers to greater ferocity against the French.

Two fingers

Some historians believe English archers lined up ready for an attack would brandish their two bow-drawing fingers at the enemy. This demonstration of bravado would also act as a threat and a warning, and has given rise to the unproven belief that this is how the raising of two fingers, as a gesture of abuse and aggression, passed into the British lexicon of “nonverbal communication”!

Ken Pye – 0151 427 2717

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Klopp praises community team

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JURGEN Klopp has been bigging up his team of stars – but not the one aiming for Premier League glory…

Klopp is an ambassador for Liverpool Football Club’s official charity and paid tribute to its “incredible” work. The Reds’ boss, who leaves at the end of the season, was speaking as the LFC Foundation announced a 47% increase in the people it has supported – from 83,694 to 122,861 – during the last year. While sport and physical health are at the heart of what it does, 60% of LFC Foundation staff are involved in non-sport specific programmes. This includes working with young people to help keep them out of gangs or being exploited by county lines crime organisations, through youth intervention work, giving them the skills to help them get jobs, and providing specialist mental health courses. The charity has also funded projects for children and young people delivered through trusted partner charities and community groups. Klopp said: “All the people who work for the Foundation do an incredible job.”

Amputees goal: European glory GOING for European glory is the main focus of Everton’s amputee team.

Everton in the Community’s Disability Manager Steve Johnson – a former World Amputee Footballer of the Year – said: “We have so much to look forward to. “Our amputee team have qualified for the Champions League after winning the cup and league double this year and we’ve also just started a new partially-sighted team who are competing in the National Futsal League.” Johnson has more than 130 England caps and has led the charity’s award-winning disability programme since 2003, expanding it from two teams in 2002 to 12 current teams. He said: “It’s been another successful 12 months for our disability programme, and we’ve got so much to look forward to. “We’re also looking to get more disabled females involved.” The charity supports more than 130 disabled children and adults with footballing opportunities each year across Merseyside.

ADAM PUTS HIS GOLD FOOT IN IT

GIFT: Adam Hills donates his gold prosthetic to the National Paralympic Heritage Centre

RITAIN’S Paralympian movement has struck gold again – but this time it’s not a medal their efforts have won.

Comedian Adam Hills has donated his gold prosthetic foot to the National Paralympic Heritage Trust. The Australian star’s unusual gift follows him making good on a promise to the 2016 GB Paralympic squad. In the lead-up to the Rio Games, Adam – host of TV’s The Last Leg – was invited to motivate the GB team. During his speech, he made a bold vow: if the British athletes secured more medals than the Australians he would paint his prosthetic foot gold and write the names of every Great Britain gold medal winner on it. Adam’s reasoning was as humorous as it was motivational, noting that “there is no

greater incentive for British athletes than to humiliate an Australian”. True to his word, Adam has proudly worn this distinctive prosthetic for the past seven years. And now he’s decided it should have a permanent home at the National Paralympic Heritage Trust in Aylesbury, Bucks. Recently awarded an MBE for his contributions to Paralympic sport and disability awareness, Adam continues to wholeheartedly champion the cause. He said: “I’ve had a foot in the UK for quite some time now, and it’s lovely to know that will continue for many years to come – regardless of where the rest of my body is located!” “I feel so honoured to be a small part of the Paralympic Movement, and I’m chuffed to know that a small part of me will be in the National Paralympic Heritage Centre.”

Footie effort for blind fans EVERTON FC’s efforts to make match-days more enjoyable for fans with sight loss are recognised in a new guide aimed at all football clubs. RNIB’s guide – See Sport Differently – is the result of working with Premier League giants Everton, Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Football League clubs Wrexham and Plymouth Argyle to develop best practice. Matt Stringer, the charity’s chief executive, said: “Working with clubs across the football pyramid to create a guide that will

Stay ahead of the game . . .

enhance the match-day experience for people with sight loss has been a fantastic experience for us. “I’m also thankful to the EFL for sharing the guidance with all its 72 member clubs. It contains handy checklists and quick wins that clubs can implement to help make stadiums easier for blind and partially sighted fans to navigate. “It would make a big difference if stewards and fan-facing staff are trained to be sight loss aware.” The guide was produced

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following research that revealed nearly a quarter of all people with sight loss said they could not experience or access a sporting event properly because the venue was not set up to accommodate them. Two fifths of blind and partially sighted fans say lack of accessible communication like audio-described commentary puts them off attending a live sporting event. But nearly two fifths said their football stadiums had made a lot of adaptions to make viewing more accessible.

All Together NOW! is helping and inspiring tens of thousands of people. But the charity needs to find ways to balance the books. You can help in a big way by becoming one of our loyal subscribers. For a suggested £20 donation (more, if you can afford it!) we will send you the next SIX editions. NAME

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OR 18 years, your FREE All Together NOW! newspaper has been helping and inspiring hundreds of thousands of readers across the region with its unique content. But publishing newspapers is a hugely costly business – especially for a small charity like ours. Every advertisement or donation helps us to achieve that goal. We are now appealing to YOU – our loyal and devoted readers – to help us to carry on the good work by becoming a FRIEND of All Together NOW! By making a donation to the charity you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have a direct involvement in keeping this essential and unique news service in good fettle. Whatever you can afford to give will be gratefully appreciated! You can either complete the form below or, if you have access to the internet, you can donate via the Charity Checkout link on our website at www.alltogethernow.org.uk All Together NOW! is unique. You can help secure its future – and make it even bigger and better for everyone’s benefit. Thank you.

TOM DOWLING, editor Tel 0151 230 0307

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DATE: It may be that having read the information on this form you feel that your donation does not qualify for Gift Aid. If this is the case please tick the relevant box below..

I cannot complete the Gift Aid form because: I am not a UK taxpayer

Tel No: If you are a UK taxpayer, the value of your donations can increase by 25% under the Gift Aid scheme – at no additional cost to you! Please tick the box below to join the Gift Aid scheme. I am a UK taxpayer*. Please treat all donations I make or have made to All Together Now for the past 4 years as Gift Aid donations until further notice.

I do not pay enough tax each year to cover the tax on the gift

* Please be aware that you must have paid an amount of income and/or capital gains tax at least equal to the amount of tax reclaimed by all charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs on all your donations in the tax year (6th April one year to 5th April the next). We can currently receive an extra 25p for every £1 you donate. Please let us know if your tax circumstances or name/address change so that we can update our records.

Please return this form with your donation to:

All Together Now, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP

Thank you for your support