Liverpool Life 5:10 February 1 2017

01 - February - 2017

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ISSUE...

NEWS

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PAGE 8

Best-selling children’s author new project

SPORT

PAGE 12

Mossley Hill Ladies’ flawless victory

Photos by Cheyenne Hansen and Alistair Baker, © JMU Journalism

The whacky welly challenge for Comic Relief

LIFEextra

PEOPLE vs TRUMP

City unites in protest over Trump’s Muslim travel ban

By ALISTAIR BAKER and CHEYENNE HANSEN Thousands of angry protesters gathered at St. George’s Hall Plateau on Monday night to rally against President Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban on people from Muslim countries entering the US. Crowds gathered to oppose the executive order from the President of the United States, which will temporarily ban travel to the US from seven Muslim majority countries: Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Similar rallies have taken place across the UK, including London and Manchester. While this is the

second protest of its kind in Liverpool against President Trump, following his inauguration 11 days ago.

Despite the demonstration being organised in less than 24 hours, thousands turned up in full voice to shout chants against the controversial measures announced by the Trump administration.

Among the speakers on the night was Deputy Mayor Ann O’Byrne who urged for unity against the travel ban. Speaking to the crowd, she said: “Tolerance, diversity, and understanding are virtues, and are built within the moral fibres

of our city. We are a city built on immigration; it is our openness that makes us such a special place to be.

“This is about who we are as people; it is about the difference between right and wrong. It is not politics, it’s human decency. I firmly believe we are now living in a time where we have to stand up and be counted, otherwise we will look back and be ashamed of ourselves.”

Kevin Buirna, from the political activist group Momentum, told Liverpool Life: “It is a good turnout. We have a lot of demonstrations and this looks very big so far, so in that respect it’s very pleasing

but not surprising because Donald Trump’s presidency and his order to ban people from Muslim-majority countries is something a lot of people feel strongly about.

“I think he is a danger to world peace, and his laws and world view poses a serious threat to our environment too.”

Following Theresa May’s recent visit to America, more than 18,000 people from Merseyside have signed a petition for the Prime Minister to cancel a state visit from Trump later this year.

Speaking to the crowd, event organiser Steven Fletcher urged people to unite against the President of the US: “Unless people

stand united, unless people stand together, unless people disagree with something that they believe to be wrong, wherever that may be and stand up, things will never change.

“Liverpool is well-placed to stand united with the rest of the UK and America as an example of how solidarity, in the face of real injustice, can make a big change.

“As a minority facing ridicule, lies and abuse, Liverpool [Hillsborough] families won the right for what they believed in. They changed opinion, and so we have to carry on through their example.”

• Corden’s support: P5 • Global links: P6

Life|News|2

City celebrations for year of Rooster

By LAURA HUGHES Hundreds braved the cold weather in Liverpool city centre at the weekend to welcome the Chinese New Year of the Rooster.

This year festivities were bigger than ever before with Liverpool marking the occasion with three days of celebrations.

From Friday January 27, lumiere projections lit up the Chinese Arch, the BlackE and The Arch for an hour each night, telling the story of Jingwei and the Ocean.

Liverpool, which is home to one of the oldest and largest Chinese communities in Europe, hosted a family fun day of celebrations on Sunday including the traditional dragon parade through the streets.

Many people were covering their ears as the loud bangs from the firecrackers were set off at several points throughout the noisy parade.

Liam Fortune from the Liv-

Shun the S*n march planned

By LAURA HUGHES

CELEBRATIONS: Liverpool takes part in Chinese new year celebrations © Laura Hughes erpool Chinese Business Association, told Liverpool Life: “There is a lot of traditional Chinese things going on today like the lion dance, the stands at the top of the street with the Chinese meals and the stage just down the bottom with all the shows on.

“Also the light projections are

really good - I was here last night myself and I thought they look really nice.”

Comparing to the previous turnout, Liam added: “Looking around now it doesn’t seem as busy as it was last year but that’s because it’s a lot bigger this year.

“I think there is plenty of people here but there just spread out

in different areas at the moment.”

The city waved goodbye to the Year of the Monkey in style with a variety of singing, dancing and performing acts during the day.

Lucy Green, 35, from Liverpool, told Liverpool Life: “This is the first time I’ve been to these celebrations. ”I don’t normally come to China

town so it’s nice to see this area and part of the city. It’s good because there’s plenty of stuff to keep the kids entertained and it’s a nice atmosphere.”

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Rooster are said to be loyal, trustworthy individuals, who are blunt when it comes to offering their opinions.

penalty double to six points on their licence. This means new drivers could potentially lose their license for committing one offence.

The week of action used a variety of measures, including undercover vehicles, which police say they hope will raise awareness of the changes and dangers of using mobile devices while driving.

Merseyside Police’s Chief Inspector Tony Jones, head of Matrix Roads Policing, said: “Merseyside Police is committed to reducing the number of people killed or

injured on our roads in 2017 and we are determined to target motorists who flout the law and recklessly endanger lives.

“People who ignore this advice present a massive danger to other road users, pedestrians and to themselves and their passengers.

They are distracted from the road, their attention and the reflexes are impaired, and such behaviour is equal to drink and drug driving, and the non-wearing of seatbelts, for sheer recklessness.”

It has been illegal to use

a mobile device, held in the hand, whilst driving or stopped with the engine on, since December 2003. However, more than 500,000 used their mobile phones while driving each day, according to a study conducted by the Government in 2015.

Chief Inspector Jones added: “The new laws will particularly hit new drivers.

A new driver prosecuted for using their mobile phone will face losing their licence after just one offence, which reflects how seriously we treat all irresponsible and dangerous drivers.

“If you know people who use their mobile phones at the wheel, challenge them, make sure your friends and family do not lose their licence, their job, or cause a serious accident through their behaviour.”

It is believed that one in four car accidents are caused by using mobile phones behind the wheel.

You can only use a handheld phone if you are safely parked or need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency otherwise you can risk serioulsy harming yourselves or others.

New £200 �ine for phone behind wheel

By HOLLIE HAYES

Merseyside police have released official warnings to motorists using their mobile phones and other handheld devices whilst driving as part of a week-long national enforcement and awareness campaign.

The crackdown comes ahead of new legislation expected to be introduced by the Government from the beginning of March which will increase the fine for using a mobile device from £100 to £200. Motorists can also expect to see the point

Life

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Editor Molly Copoc

News Editor Hamish Ellwood News Lauren Reece Andrew Nuttall Gareth McCullough Cai Griffiths-Sturge Features Editor Cheyenne Hansen

REMEMBERING:Liverpool joins together © Wiki Commons

Features Rhys Edmondson Sachi Kondo Amy Shirtcliffe Sports Lauren Walker Kriston Murphy Matthew Maguire

Liverpool Life asks WHO should be the new doctor?

By LAURA HUGHES

Since Peter Capaldi shocked fans with the announcement of stepping down as Doctor Who there has been much speculation as to who will be taking over the famous role.

Liverpool Life held an exclusive online poll asking ‘Who should be the next doctor?’ the options were: Ben Whishaw, Olivia Colman, Jason Flemyng and Hayley Atwall. With almost half of the votes was the bookies’ favourite, actor Ben Whishaw, best known for his role as Q in James Bond, he received over 47%. Olivia

Colman came second in the pole (33%) followed by Hayley Atwall (20%) and Jason Flemyng (0%) Capaldi first stepped into the Tardis in 2013 and is set to leave on the Christmas 2017 special after three seasons at the same time as writer Steven Moffat exits the hit BBC sci-fi series. The twelfth actor to play the star announced the news during a BBC Radio 2 show with presenter Jo Whiley and said, “I feel it’s time to move on.”

In November 2013, David Tennant’s Doctor was voted “The UK’s favourite Doctor”

Dr Who © Wiki commons in a survey held by the Radio Times magazine. He famously played the ninth doctor for three series from 2008 - 2010.

Liverpool actor Paul McGann was the eighth incarnation of the Doctor in the 1996 Doctor Who and appeared in the much-adored mini-episode “The Night of the Doctor” in 2013.

The campaign group Shun the S*n are arranging a march to be held in Liverpool city centre.

Organisers are calling on supporters to join in the peaceful protest that will be held on February 18, as they continue their calls for the sale of the paper to be banned across Merseyside.

The group has more than 72,000 fans on social media and enjoyed success in getting individual shops to stop selling the publication that is reviled in Merseyside following its coverage of the Hillsborough disaster.

The march is expected to start at midday at the steps of St George’s Hall. .

Retail jobs at risk

By DAMIEN HORWOOD One million retail jobs could be under threat unless the industry is given Government support, a new report has warned.

The year-long review by the Fabian Society found that the rising business costs coupled with the rapid growth of online shopping is threatening to change the sector forever.

It said that retail employs more workers than any other industry but has been absent from all the governments major speeches on industrial strategy.

Some firms were even squeezing costs by outsourcing whole areas of the business and paying workers as little as legally possible, a task force of retailers and unions has found.

They said: “Online retailers threaten to destroy high streets and pound shops are sprouting up in the space that’s been left behind.”

Life|News|3

The charity challenge for a ‘welly’ good cause

By AALIYAH RUGG

WACKY WELLIES: Sharron wore her infamous rainbow wellies for almost 50 days © Sharron Darnell

Comic Relief is once again fast approaching and is calling on the kind people of Liverpool to raise money and help change lives worldwide.

Widnes woman, Sharron Darnell’s 2015 challenge of wearing her wellies for 48 days raised over £1,500 and resulted in her being invited to 10 Downing Street.

She was asked by Samantha Cameron to visit the Prime Minister‘s home and meet the charities who benefitted from the money they raised.

Sharron said: “Last time was the mad welly challenge! It is crazy how much it took off! I cannot believe,

even now, that I was invited along to Downing Street.

“Wearing a posh frock and rainbow wellies to meet the Prime Minister and his wife, could you even imagine it?”

Previously, Sharron has done a charity sky dive for asthma awareness and zip-wired off the Runcorn Bridge.

However, this year, Sharron is planning to double up when it comes to her footwear.

She said: “This year I’ll be wearing slippers AND wellies to raise money, slippers for inside and wellies for outside. I don’t think we’ll match last year’s brilliant total but I’m more than willing to give it a go!”

Baby steps for two new zoo arrivals

By HOLLIE HAYES A rare Asian elephant has been born at Chester Zoo, making it the second newborn arrival in a month.

The healthy newborn has been named Aayu and the first calf, a female, has been named Indali.

Both calves were warmly welcomed by the rest of the elephant heard named ‘Hi Way’.

Keepers describe the births as “a great family occasion for the herd.”

The male calf arrived to 20-year-old mum Sithami Hi Way after a 20-minute labour on January 18.

His sister, Indali Hi Way, was born just a month earlier on December 16 to 12-yearold mum Sundara after a 22-month gestation.

Merseyside transport company set to expand Merseyside-based haulage company Abbey Logistics Group has acquired a leading liquid food transport business, for an undisclosed fee.

The takeover of Armet Logistics will bring about a further expansion to Abbey’s current fleet of trucks, as they

Gino D’Acampo was spotted filming for This Morning at The Albert Dock.

The celebrity chef and media personality, best known for his food-focused television shows and cookbooks, was filming scenes for a new series for This Morning – set to be aired next month.

It sees the morning TV show return to the Docks, once its home in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Gino filmed outside PANAM Restaurant & Bar, which was once the home of Richard & Judy.

Last year, the Italian chef revealed he was opening a new restaurant in Liverpool city centre in 2017 during the Liverpool Food and Drink Festival.

Body found in Parbold Police in Parbold have found a body in connection to missing 14-year-old Louis Simpson.

A body was found yesterday evening in the barn, set ablaze on Sunday and is believed to be missing teen Louis Simpson from Parbold.

Louis went missing on Sunday after a fire broke out at Fairhurst Hall in a barn containing around 250 tons of stored hay. Following the fire, Lancashire Police searched the surrounding areas failing to find the teen until yesterday night, when a body was found inside the barn, with officers believing it to be Louis Simpson.

Police say they are unable to identify what ignited the fire, but will continue to search for any answers.

A post-mortem examination will be conducted soon to understand the cause of death which remains inconclusive at this point.

Picture © Chester Zoo

look to grow further across the continent.

CEO for Abbey Logistics Group, Steve Granite, said: “This acquisition is an ideal fit for Abbey and we are delighted to be welcoming the Armet team into our business.

“By combining our people, fleets, depot networks

By HOLLIE HAYES

By JOSH HODGE

NEWBORN: The newest member of the herd takes first steps

By DAVID PURCELL

Top chef spotted at Albert Dock

and services we will create the ability to deliver an unrivalled customer experience that is focused on compliance, flexibility and outstanding customer service.

“The Armet acquisition is an important milestone in building Europe’s best bulk tanker business and I very much look forward to working with

the combined teams to deliver just that.”

Charles Lucy, the Managing Director of Armet Logistics, is set to remain in a Director’s post and the branding of both businesses will be integrated, following a period of “familiarisation.”

Both companies - Abbey and Armet - are currently based in

Liverpool and this new acquisition could see the creation of 300 new jobs, according to the business’ projections - and they are looking to take on some 700 new employees, per this expansion.

But, it is not yet clear whether or not these jobs will be based in Liverpool.

• Road to Brexit: P9

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Life|News|4

Ditto named world leader

By HOLLIE HAYES

Liverpool-based Ditto has been named one of the best-selling music publishers in the world, according to research by brand leaders Sony, Warners and Universal.

The firm now has offices across the globe and remains solely by brothers Matt and Lee Parsons, who launched the company from their bedroom in 2005. Ditto, 24th on the list, had published music for 100,000 bands worldwide, and launched over 19,500 record labels.

Matt Parsons said: “Our success is solely down to our artists. When my brother and I started Ditto back in 2007 there were no outlets for releasing music independently. Ten years later we are finally at the same table as the majors and we are going to continue to bridge that gap.”

Jaguar invest in Halewood

By HOLLIE HAYES Jaguar Land Rover is investing £130m into its Halewood plant - including an extension towards Speke Boulevard.

In the five years to 2015, JLR invested more than £600m into the site and is now planning yet more investment. However, JLR says the huge investment will not create any more jobs, as the plant is already at capacity.

Building work began on a £7m extension of the southern end of the factory and significant changes will be made to the front of the plant as they extend the logistics of the building and the front of the plant.

Tax increase proposed to protect local police

By DAMIEN HORWOOD

Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy is holding a series of public consultations across the region to determine if people are willing to pay a tax increase to protect local policing.

The tax increase would be in response to the governments proposed 1.4% budget cut, which would leave Merseyside police facing a grant reduction of £3.3 million in the next year in comparison to this year.

The Home Office, in their official financial statement, included a 2% increase to the policing element of the Council Tax Bill paid by local people in order to fill the funding gap that the cuts

TAX: Jane Kennedy © Dep. for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs create.

However even if the increase is approved it

will only raise £1.4 million which is less than half of the money lost in the grant reduction.

This means that, should the increase be rejected, the polices budget will effectively be cut even further, however before making the decision to go ahead the increase expected by the government Jane Kennedy wants to hear what the public think.

She is holding a series of consultations to see if people would be willing to contribute roughly 4p a week to make up for the government shortfall and limit the impact of these cuts.

She has said: “I am extremely reluctant to ask local people to once again put

their hands in their pockets to help supplement the funding for policing Merseyside. However, yet again, my hands are tied. I have been left with no choice, if I don’t increase the amount of council tax collected towards policing, more police officer posts will go.

“Merseyside Police has already had its budget cut by more than £84m over the last six years. This has led to the loss of more than 1,600 officers, PCSOs and staff.

We cannot afford to lose any more.”

Public response has been mixed so far with some people understanding the need for the tax increase while others feel the government should scrap the planned

cuts.

Yvonne Northall, a Merseyside taxpayer, said: “The government has promised to protect police budgets and they should stand by that promise. We need police in our local areas but it shouldn’t come at the expense of a tax hike.”

The proposed increase expected by the government works out as about £2 a year extra for a band A household, which is the lowest council tax category and the amount paid by the majority of Merseyside tax payers.

If you are unable make it to any of the consultations head over to www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/helpingtoprotectlocalpolicing to take part in the survey.

Liverpool scientists lead Arctic research

By HOLLIE HAYES

Scientists from the University of Liverpool’s School of Environmental Sciences are leading a £2.6m project to explore Arctic Ocean ecosystems.

The project, funded by the Natural and Environmental Research Council (NERC) will analyse how these ecosystems are being altered by climate change.

Liverpool Ocean Scientist, Dr Claire Mahaffey, who is leading the project, said: “The big challenge is being able to detect if and how climate change is altering the marine ecosystem the Arctic above the natural ecosystem variability.”

Ocean scientists and marine biologists will undertake a 3.5 year research project aiming to better understand how climate-driven changes to the Arctic will affect the

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productivity at the base of the food web and two Arctic seal species, the harp seal and ringed seal.

The Arctic Ocean is undergoing unprecedented rates of environmental change.

Sea ice is declining by 10% per decade and causing open water regions to expand.

Starting in February 2017, this research is funded through NERC’s £10m ‘Changing Arctic Ocean; Implications for Marine Biology and Biogeochemistry Research’ Programme which supports four research projects and involves 15 UK research institutions.

NERC Chief Executive, Professor Duncan Wingham, said: “This £10m investment demonstrates NERC’s commitment to high-quality research in the Arctic region, building understanding of how this complex marine

environment is changing in response to global climate change.”

The university will also be collaborating with 21 project partners from Norway, Canada, USA, Germany, Sweden and France who are experts in Arctic research. The pan-Arctic project will use satellites to map sea ice extent; productivity and ocean temperature; satellite tags to track Arctic seals; archived seal tissues collected to detect past changes in foodwebs, and mathematical models to better understand the impact of the changing Arctic on the base of the foodweb.

Prof. Wingham added: “It is vital to understand our changing Arctic Ocean, both to help manage environmental change globally and to inform appropriate decisionmaking around the use of our natural resources.”

POLAR COMPANIONS: Mother and cub on ice drift © Creative Commons Share Alike 4.0 International

Museum’s farewell to Mummies

By DAMIEN HORWOOD An exhibition displaying mummified animals at the World Museum in Liverpool will close later this month after a successful four-month run.

More than 10,000 people have visited the Ancient Animals Revealed exhibition since it opened at the end of last October.

The exhibition is the first in the UK exploring ancient Egyptian animal mummies and will officially close on Sunday February 26.

Around 60 specimens including mummified jackals,

crocodiles, cats and birds are displayed alongside rare cultural artefacts that includes a bronze Ibis statuette – one of only two in Britain.

The exhibition features a series of photographs, archaeological archive material and travel journals that show how the animal mummies were excavated and then distributed as curios and souvenirs, particularly in Britain. As well as showing how the study of mummies using X-ray and CT scanning technology has led to greater knowledge about the subject, though has still yet to reveal conclusively how animals and people were

able to be mummified.

Exhibition Curator, Dr Ashley Cooke said: “We’re thrilled that Animal Mummies Revealed has been so popular, with visitors enjoying the mummies that have come in all shapes and sizes, and not always what they first seem.

“The exhibition has been a good pre-cursor to the new ancient Egypt gallery at World Museum that is currently being renovated and refurbished to include more amazing objects and displays.

It re-opens in the Spring, so visitors won’t have to wait long.”

POPULAR: Mummified Jackal © Kate Weightman

Life|News|5

Activist launches ‘Outing the past’

By AALIYAH RUGG The Museum of Liverpool is set to be the national hub for the LGBT history throughout February as part of marking the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of male homosexuality.

As part of ‘Outing the Past: the 3rd National Festival of LGBT History’, Stuart Milk, the global LGBT human rights activist, will launch the museum’s day of talks and performances throughout the month.

Janet Dugdale, director of the Museum of Liverpool, said: “It is the relationships we develop and maintain with our partners that enable us to deliver such a dynamic and important programme and help us to create a truly participative museum.”

There will be a variety of speakers and presentations, from a presentation to Kop Outs about their work to enable LGBT fans to attend a football match with confidence, to psychiatric responses to LGBT people.

Political speaker Stuart Milk will be opening ‘Outing the Past 2017’ on February 25.

Ale Festival whets the winter whistle

By LAURA HUGHES

St George’s Hall Winter Ales Festival returned to the city this weekend. The third annual event saw thousands of beer-lovers attend to try over 200 real ales and ciders from microbreweries around the UK. Liverpool Organic Brewery hosted a hand pull bar and Liverpool Distillery hosted a spirits bar with a collection of local gin, rum, vodka and whisky. As well as enjoying the vast selection of beverag-

es, the patrons of the festival also enjoyed music and food in the grand hall.

Daniel Simpson, beer festival coordinator at Real Ale events, told Liverpool life: “This weekend some of the UK’s best beers from some of the best breweries will be here, regardless of their size it’s the quality of the beer really that shines through. You won’t find big names in general here, instead you’ll find smaller breweries. We try to encourage as many people across the UK as possible to

promote their beer here.

“It works both ways, it’s beneficial because we’re giving out great products and the breweries are getting more and more people to try their beers.”

Despite the festival being in dry January, it sold over 4000 tickets, Daniel said: “The problem with this month is that a lot of people are doing dry January so we’re fighting against that a little bit, but the Friday and the Saturday are the really big days, Thursday isn’t as busy.

CHEERS: Winter Ale beer glass

Corden praises protest

ST GEORGES HALL: Thousands of beer lovers attend the annual event

By MOLLY COPOC

By DAMIEN HORWOOD

James Corden has taken to Twitter to announce he is proud of the people of Liverpool for the anti-trump protest that took place on Monday evening.

James shared photos of the masses that turned up to the rally on the social media site with the post being retweeted more than 2,000 times and receiving more than 9,500 likes.

The demonstration in Liverpool was the second in just a matter of days, after the US President signed an Executive Order which stopped refugees coming to the US, as well as all immigrants from several Muslim-majority countries.

The beginning of February can only mean one thing: Dry January is finally over!

The month-long campaign

by Alcohol Concerns attempts to make social drinkers aware of the benefits of cutting down their alcohol intake.

However, giving up alcohol for a month can make it quite difficult to remain social, especially when you consider most people head straight to the pubs or clubs just to hang out.

Fortunately there are other alternatives, places like The Brink, on Parr Street, have been providing the perfect setting for a dry January.

© Laura Hughes

“The iconic Grade 1-listed building provided a great atmosphere for the popular event, Daniel added: “St George’s Hall is the best venue in Liverpool, I don’t see how you can find a better venue, there’s not many things that you could put in here that wouldn’t be good.”

Anne Currie and her husband, from Roby, came along to the festival for their first time, she told Liverpool Life: “I think it’s really good here, there’s much more of a turnout than I expected.

© Laura Hughes “We thought we would come, as it’s something to do in the evening when we’ve finished work and as there’s something on in Liverpool, why not! For me I prefer beer to a lager because there’s more flavour to it.”

The festival, sponsored by Morecrofts Solicitors and DSG Accountants, will return in September for its summer festival with the selection of beers on offer being more refreshing and lighter compared to the darker winter ales.

End is in sight for drinkers on the Brink David Barnicle, who manages events at the bar, has said they’ve seen a lot more people discovering The Brink and suggesting it to their friends on social media this month.

He said: “We’re expecting to see a lot more people in the future months as more people have been made aware of us and the wide variety of drinks we offer.”

Offering everything from mocktails to their new Heavenly press made with sweet potato, pear and pinapple, there is countless to choose from whether or not it’s Dry January.

Although, even with the perfect alternative to the bars, some Merseyside res-

idents were unable to stay dry for the whole month, as Marcello Leo was quick to point out.

The 23-year-old said: “I was doing so well to begin with but then about halfway through everyone was going out for a friend’s birthday and I ended up drinking. £Then I felt like there was no point keeping up with it because I’d already failed.”

And for some like Katie Hunter, 22, from Formby it was easy given the circumstances.

She said: “I actually found out in early December I was pregnant so Dry January wasn’t really a thing for me, I can’t drink for the next six months anyway.”

The Brink: Perfect for dry January

© Damien Horwood

Life|Global|6

From Stateside to Merseyside

By Andrew Cook

A

s the world watched the passing of the torch between Barack Obama and Donald Trump from across the Atlantic, its impact has also been felt across Merseyside. At the moment we observe our descendants from across the pond with a sort of parental dismay, as if they were a rebellious teen, dead-set on rebelling against their elders. Yet instead of sneaking out in the middle of the night to go to a dodgy party with their friends, they have voted an arguably under-qualified, some say racist, man into one of the strongest positions of power across the globe.

With all the commotion and campaigning going on across the world, it is clear that people here really care what is going on in the States.

Liverpool had its own anti-Trump rally on Monday in opposition to Trump’s “Muslim Ban” and another is expected to follow in the coming days.

More than 1,000 Scousers turned up to the show of solidarity, with the message being that Islamophobia is wrong and that Trump’s ban is illegal, racist and will tear the world apart.

Meanwhile, about 18,000 people across Merseyside have also signed a petition calling for the cancellation of the President’s state visit to the UK, which Theresa May announced last Friday at the White House.

America’s position at the forefront of Western Culture has certainly rubbed off on Liverpool as a city.

Even before the US became recognised as the world’s leading superpower, we still interacted and took some of their ways as our own, bringing them over to Merseyside.

For example, Liverpool is well known for its music, specifically the ‘Merseybeat’ genre - bands like Gerry and the Pacemakers, and the international sensation that was The Beatles. Both bands and others from Britain attacked and toppled the American charts like no other wave of music before. On the face of it, it looks like a British/ Mersey influence on American culture. However, it is completely the opposite.

Beat music - in its essence - is a fusion of good ol’ fashioned rock n’ roll, doo-wop, skiffle and rhythm and blues (now affectionately known as R&B).

Bands like Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry influenced Merseybeat.

The Americans also created the ‘rock group formation’ we all know and love today: lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass guitar and drums.

Music isn’t the only American influence that wormed its way into Mersey life. Food from across the Atlantic has popped up in restaurants around the city.

The Moose & Moonshine is a café on Hope Street that specialises in stacks of American-style pancakes, French toast and poutine.

The increasing popularity of streaky bacon is also apparent in the city, with many people starting to prefer it to traditional English back-bacon.

Soul Café on Bold Street is also themed in the backdrop of the old South, but don’t be fooled by their menu, the pancakes are French crepes (gasp). Things do go the other way, however, and there are some instances whereby Liverpool has made changes to the US. The Titanic might have left for her tragic maiden – and final – voyage from Southampton towards New York, but the ship was actually registered to the docks in Liverpool.

The Upper Deck of the Titanic used for passenger accommodations had a long passageway that ran alongside it, known as ‘Scotland Road’, named after the famous street in Liverpool.

Not only that, but the Olympic, another famous ship, was also registered to the city.

There is also a small village in the state of New York named Liverpool, after our own city. It is located on Onondaga Lake and was originally inhabited by French Jesuits in the mid-17th century.

The settlement was originally named ‘Little Ireland’ but changed in 1830.

The reason for the name change was due to the village’s production of salt. Liverpool, UK, was a leading salt producer at the time and the village leaders wanted to ‘cash-in’ on a famous industry name.

It is important to remember in times of turmoil, such as those that America are going through right now, that we remember why we are similar and how we influence each other, as well as remembering how different we all are at the same time.

(Above left) Donald Trump: Pic © Michael Vadon via Wikimedia Commons (Top right) Titanic Movie: Pic © Media Library (Middle right) The Beatles Pic © Wikimedia Commons (Bottom right) American Pancakes: Pic © Michael Stern

Danyaal’s Border Story With the ‘Muslim Ban’ coming into effect in the United States via Donald Trump, it is important to highlight why this is a problem.

Danyaal Yasin, a student journalist at LJMU, visited the US as a tourist two years ago and had issues crossing the border due to his ethnicity.

This is his story.

In 2014, I visited Florida with my friend (who is from America) for a holiday. As she is an American citizen, we had to go into different lines when we arrived.

As I got to the end of the line, my passport instantly beeped and security were called over the intercom. I was taken into a separate room straight away and had no way of telling my friend where I was.

While waiting, I heard another man being asked: “When was the last time you visited Syria?” After a while, I was called in, and questioned about the time I went to Pakistan when I was 10, even though this was eight years ago and I had only spent a day there.

They asked me a lot of questions, such as if I have family there, why was I there, did I speak to anyone when I was there, where did I stay and so on. They asked me all about my friend’s life, why did she move to England, why did her parents get divorced, why did she come back to Florida.

This was during the Obama presidency. I felt very unwelcome and unnecessarily questioned. Because of my name and background, I was flagged up and was detained for an hour in a foreign country with no one to contact.

The Trump ban instantly brought back these memories and I feel strongly about how this will affect not just me, but people across the globe.

The ban is reminiscent of the Holocaust in my eyes, and I am so glad people have taken to the streets and social media to protest. I am so glad they have not stayed silent. I will probably not return to America while he is the president as I know the border patrol will be even tougher and they have detained children already, I have no hope.

Life|Arts|7

LIFE EXTRA

Josh Hodge talks to LJMU graduate Kieran Etoria-King about his time at university and his exciting new job hours of the morning. Sometimes he would leave his work until the last minute and because of this, it would be come become increasingly hard for him to find stories for his news days.

Regardless of his struggles, Kieran admits that the news days were the thing that helped him the most, when transitioning into the world of work. He said: “News days helped me the most because it’s like pretending you’re working for a real organisation, especially due to the teamwork side of it. That combined with the gathering of real stories and using InDesign all help develop your skills for when you move into a real working environment.”

After graduating from LJMU in July 2015, Kieran

WHAT’S ON ARTS:

won a place on the Tim Hetherington Fellowship, a yearlong work opportunity with the Index on Censorship, which was set up in honour of Tim Hetherington, a journalist from Liverpool, killed in Libya in 2011.

He insists that when applying for the Tim Hetherington Fellowship, comedy and being able to add humorous elements hold great value in the judge’s eyes. His comedic nature was evident with one strange news story pitch being about Ice Cream Gangsters while on work experience at the Independent.

He said: “I spoke to an ice cream man who said around that area, ice cream men had different territories and constituencies almost like a gang landscape. But of course I

was made to look silly when I pitched it at the Independent because my original source didn’t get back to me, which proves having reliable contacts is really important.”

Now working as Editorial Assistant for Index on Censorship, Kieran is enjoying his chance to write and express his views upon the world.

He describes Index as an organisation that “defends freedom of expression and freedom of the media around the world. We defend that through our magazine, through direct advocacy and through lobbying."

When asked just how far he would go to protect freedom of expression, Kieran said: “It’s a very tricky area.

Personally I’d like to think that I would do all I could to go through to protect it, but you look at somebody like Edward Snowden, he’s basically lost his life, and has to hide out for the foreseeable future.

"You would have to wait to see whether the story is in the public interest or not.”

FILM:

THEATRE:

MUSIC:

MORE:

Hacksaw Ridge

Stand By Me

Two Door Cinema Club Liverpool Guild of Students

Liverpool International Jazz Festival

ODEON Liverpool One

Liverpool Empire Theatre

Not Necessarily in That Order

In cinemas now

4th February 2017

Turner Townsend Gallery

Standard Cinema Price

£30.15

Andrew Garfield takes on the role of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector during the Second World War in Mel Gibson’s war epic based on a true story.

Inspired by early rock and roll, Stand By Me is the musical adaptation of The Drifter’s challenges, controversy and conflicts on their way to becoming motown icons.

29 January - 17 February 2017 In this exhibition, the viewer tells the story, while the artists present the image.

WINNER: After graduating in 2015, Kieran won the LJMU Tim Hetherington Fellowship, a year-long work opportunity with Index on Censorship magazine

© Hannah Machlin

S

ince leaving LJMU, Kieran Etoria-King has thrived in the world of work. He reminisced sitting in the same position just two years earlier, never dreaming of what would await him in the future and what his journey has been so far since graduating from university.

Kieran Etoria-King grew up in London, even though his mother’s side of the family grew up in Liverpool and his father’s side of the family resides in Jamaica. However, no matter where he was living, Kieran always had an idea that he wanted to be a journalist.

“I knew that I was good at English in school so I thought what job involves lots of writing. Then the more that I looked at what a journalist does; I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

During his degree, Kieran admits that he did not have the easiest time. He was a late night worker and would be in the library until the early

© Shaun Gallagher

I would do all I could to protect freedom of expression ...

Thursday 2nd February 2017 Tickets: £23.10 Indie rockers arrive in Liverpool on their ‘Gameshow’ tour after a three-year hiatus from creating new music.

Liverpool’s Capstone Theatre 23 - 26 February 2017 Featuring Upon Awakening

by Fallen Angels Theatre Group, Malta’s Zfinmalta Dance Ensemble’s HOME and Kick the Bucket and many more. Ticket prices vary.

Life| Entertainment |8

Time to go on a bear hunt!

Bear Hunt, Chocolate Cake and Bad Things comes to Liverpool One

SNEAK PEEK: Inside the set of the Bear Hunt trail

R

e-living your childhood can be somewhat impossible these days. However, a visit to Liverpool ONE within the next 12 weeks may just change that once and for all.

A ‘Bear Hunt’ experience has been set up in the heart of Liverpool to create an exclusive story-telling experience like no other. ‘Bear Hunt, Chocolate Cake and Bad Things’ is an immersive family centre based on and inspired by the work of Michael Rosen.

Michael is a best-selling children’s author and the man behind ‘We’re going on a Bear Hunt’. He wanted to turn his world-famous story into a reality where people can enjoy a real hunt, crawl through the grass and wiggle through tunnels ... almost like you’re inside the book.

Michael is also well-known

Gabrielle Walsh reports on the interactive family experience that gives visitors a glimpse inside Michael Rosen's mind from appearing on TV, making radio programmes and teaching at universities about children’s literature.

He writes non-fiction novels, picture books and stories from other cultures, as well as writing poetry.

The 70-year-old has been shortlisted for, and won, many awards. Michael has said that the Bear Hunt exhibition is one of the most exciting things to have happened in his writing career.

The Children’s Laureate attended the launch on Friday and signed books in Waterstones.

The interactive family attraction was brought to the city by charity The Reader, Storybarn and the Discover

Children’s Story Centre.

Their bear project has set up home in a giant inflatable structure near Chavasse Park.

Connor Clarke, Project Manager from Storybarn, told Liverpool Life: "We are part of The Reader organisation, which is a charity that promotes reading for pleasure and fostering social inclusion.

"Inside the attraction, you will meet our talented story hunter who will bring the space and stories to life.

They will take you on the bear hunt and will ask you to find things and join in along the way.

“We’ve also got a giant chocolate cake, an old shed

full of terrible and scary things, and lots of things to do for the kids to engage with the stories and the books.

You quite frankly step into the pages of the book and we can hopefully create a very meaningful and lasting experience.”

He added: “It’s a truly magnificent event where all members of the family can get involved and have fun on this enticing adventure. It’s not one to be missed.”

Schools can also take part in 45-minute curriculum sessions where children can explore the exhibition, engage in workshops and other dramabased activities.

Sessions are open to the public on the hour, every hour, seven days a week until April 23.

A single person ticket is £7 and a family of four ticket is £25. Tickets can be purchased via the Storybarn website.

© Gabrielle Walsh

BEAR PROJECT: The exhibition was set up by The Storybarn, who promote reading for pleasure © Gabrielle Walsh

Life|Brexit|9

on the road to brexi PREPARED: The Liverpool-based company is looking to thrive following Brexit © Abbey Logistics

A

By DAVID PURCELL s Abbey Logistics Group looks to be climbing to the heights of haulage in the United Kingdom, could the country’s decision to leave the European Union put a dampener on their optimistic vision for the future?

The liquid food transporter has been making significant strides in trying to fulfil their aspirations of becoming a major player across the continent, such as their recent acquisition of Armet Logistics Ltd. While details of the transaction weren’t disclosed, one thing is certain - Abbey is committed in its quest to grow even further in the coming months and years ahead.

CEO for Abbey Logistics Group Steve Granite said: “This acquisition is an ideal fit for Abbey and we are delighted to be welcoming the Armet team into our business.

“By combining our people, fleets, depot networks and services we will create the ability to deliver an unrivalled customer experience that is focused on compliance, flexibility and outstanding customer service.”

B

oth businesses are expected to generate in excess of £70m of combined turnover in this calendar year, targeting revenues of over £100m by 2021.

During that time, Abbey expects to create an extra 300 jobs and employ around 700 people, which is a positive to take away from this acquisition. However, taking on more drivers could prove to be problematic.

The most recent report conducted by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) in 2016 showed that the industry is in need of almost 35,000 truck drivers – an alarming statistic for employers.

With the country taking the decision to leave the European Union, coinciding with such a low uptake in this line of work, Abbey Logistics Group Marketing Manager Michael Fox spoke about the challenges that could lie ahead.

He told Liverpool Life: “The vast majority of our business is UK-based, so it hasn’t affected our strategy or how we’re planning to approach the market.

“But certainly some aspects of that [leaving the EU] could be a challenge to us in terms of driver recruitment, because driver shortages is one of the biggest threats to our industry as a whole. To have drivers available from Europe is certainly one of the ways of addressing that.”

Until the Brexit vote last June, no other member-state had triggered Article 50.

The future relationship between the UK and other European countries in terms of movement of peoples remains unclear.

“The vast majority of our drivers are British but there are people from all over Europe working in our industry and if that workforce is no longer available, then that is something we need to be aware of.”

M

ichael continued: “Ideally, what you want to do is educate and bring drivers in through the system in the UK, but unfortunately it is an industry-wide problem where we know we’ve got an ageing workforce and there’s not enough young people coming into the industry.”

It’s not only chief executives of haulage firms who have worries about the driver shortage and the UK leaving the single market in around two years.

The drivers themselves are starting to voice their

OPPORTUNITIES: Abbey plans to create 300 new jobs by 2021 © Abbey Logistics

concerns.

Scott Woods, 23, told Liverpool Life: “I haven’t found it hard to get work, and that’s because of a driver shortage.

“I can contact an agency on a Thursday and by Monday, I start work. It’s that easy, when you know where to look.”

Scott also stressed more potential issues.

He said: “Once we leave the EU, UK drivers won’t have the support they would normally have when being abroad within the EU. “Border crossings will be stricter and it will cost companies more money to send a truck from the UK over to France, for example.”

With great access to jobs in the field, and an industrywide ageing workforce,

Abbey Logistics have developed new ways of educating youngsters about the opportunities that come hand-inhand with a life on the road.

Steve Granite has set up an educational initiative called ‘Think Logistics,’ funded

by DAF Trucks, which comprises Matthew Kibble Transport Ltd, BIBBY Distribution and other companies from around the country to speak to students about the possibilities of working in haulage.

The programme aims to strengthen ties between schools, colleges and haulage companies to bring young adults into work, with Abbey taking on a number of interns in various roles.

Despite their efforts, it seems attracting people to working

BREXIT: The referendum vote to leave the EU has left many companies with an uncertain future © Creative Commons. on the trucks is proving to be a difficult task.

At a time where certainty is harder to find than the main character in a ‘Where’s Wally’ children’s book, Abbey Logistics are confident that they will sail through

these uncertain times and meet their targets, despite the Brexit vote.

What the future will look like for such an optimistic company looking to expand its horizons to markets across Europe remains to be seen.

Life|Sport|10

This year in sport W

ith Liverpool and Everton both crashing out of the FA Cup and EFL Cup, and Liverpool’s struggles of late in the premier league, it’s looking like a trophyless season for Liverpool’s football teams.

However, there is still plenty to get excited about in sport this year with international netball, Premier League Darts and WWE Live some of the highlights.

February sees the England Roses and New Zealand Silver Ferns go head-tohead in what is sure to be a scintillating affair. The England Roses lost out on a place in the Netball World Cup Final to New Zealand in Sydney back in 2015 and will be looking for revenge at the Echo Arena.

March throws up an interesting event, An Evening with Floyd Mayweather.

Boxing fans will get to listen to a 45-minute interview with Floyd Mayweather where the 49-0 world champion will discuss his career and the possibility of a match between himself and UFC

Kriston Murphy looks forward to the leading sporting events of the year lightweight champion Conor McGregor.

The British Gymnastics Championships will also be taking place in March. GB heroes Max Whitlock and Claudia Fragapane took the prestigious all-round titles last year and will be keen to reclaim their titles against Britain’s other world-class superstars. The weekend starts with the men’s U16 allaround and apparatus finals and the women’s junior allaround finals. The all-around sees the men compete on six apparatus and the women over four, with scores from all the apparatus combined to find the very best allrounder.

The Randox Health Grand National, arguably one of Liverpool’s biggest events, takes centre stage in April with the annual event taking place at Aintree Racecourse always a big hit. Other events to take place in April include Cage Warriors, Premier League Darts and the European International Taekwondo Federation Championships.

Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett, who currently has 13 wins and one loss to his name, and Chris Fishgold will be the big attractions for the Cage Warriors event with the proud Scousers eager to put in a good performance for their hometown fans on April 1.

The world’s top darts stars will be returning to Liverpool on Thursday April 13. Michael Van Gerwen, Phil Taylor and Gary Anderson will be competing for the prestigious title. The event will be broadcast on Sky Sports and around the world.

More than 1000 athletes from over 30 European nations will compete across four days at the European Taekwondo Championships.

The multi-disciplined Korean-born martial art will captivate spectators with its speed, grace, power of its techniques and camaraderie between competitors.

April’s action-packed month also sees Liverpool’s own Liam Smith taking on Liam Williams in the boxing ring in Manchester

and he has admitted that the fight is a ‘backwards step’ after he lost his WBO light-middleweight belt and his unbeaten record in his previous fight against Petr Petro.

WWE Live is the main event in May when it makes its return to the Echo Arena.

Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens will be some of the megastars battling it out in the ring.

May is also the end of the football season and, unlikely as it looks currently, Liverpool could be crowned Premier League champions if they go on an incredible run and other results go their way in the coming months.

The Trampoline, Tumbling and DMT British Championships will be coming to Liverpool in September. Spectators will be able to see history-making Olympic Silver Medallist Bryony Page as she takes on Liverpool’s very own and current British champion, Pam Clark. The men’s and women’s disability trampoline gymnasts will also battle to be crowned the best in Britain. Gymnasts will soar 20ft into the air and perform gravity-defying somersaults.

Top: Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett: Paddy, left, with Liverpool Life’s Alastair Baker © Hamish Ellwood Above: Randox Health Grand National: The finish line at Aintree racecourse © Wikimedia Commons Left: Liverpool Echo Arena: Host to many of Liverpool’s biggest sporting events © Liverpool Echo Arena

Tickets: February:

April:

May:

England Roses V New Zealand Silver Ferns

Randox Health Grand National Tickets from £27 via aintree. thejockeyclub.co.uk

WWE Live!

Tickets from £28 via www.echoarena.com

Tickets from £16 via www.echoarena.com March: An Evening With Floyd Mayweather Tickets from £50 via www.echoarena.com British Gymnastic Championships Tickets from £8.50 via www.echoarena.com

Cage Warriors Returns Tickets from £25 via www.echoarena.com Premier League Darts Tickets from £26 via www.echoarena.com European Taekwondo Championships Tickets from £9 via www.echoarena.com

September: Trampoline, Tumbling and DMT Championships Tickets from £25 via www.echoarena.com

Life|Sport|11

Klopp wipes Gerrard out

By ANDREW COOK

Steven Gerrard has conceded that training sessions under Jurgen Klopp have left him “wiped out”.

The Liverpool legend and former captain has re-signed for the Reds in a coaching role but admits that Klopp’s training methods are the hardest he had ever taken part in.

He was talking to John Terry before tonight’s clash with Premier League leaders Chelsea. He said: “From game to game it was very light [before Klopp took charge] but with Klopp it was running, a lot of counter attack a lot of high speed running, you’d come off the training pitch wiped out.”

Gerrard is fully expected to be groomed into a futuremanager by the Liverpool hierarchy, something that many of the fans would be happy about.

However, for now it looks like Klopp will stay and run his Red’s team ragged in training.

Fit for me mission under way

By POPPY BACKSHALL

Fit for me joined forces with the Black-E to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Fit for me is an organisation set up to help inspire people of all ages to keep active.

Only one in 10 people are getting the exercise they need to stay healthy each week. Fit for me are attempting to change this by raising awareness across Liverpool.

The activities that were available during the Chinese New Year celebrations included circus skills, table tennis and smoothie bikes.

The Fit for me team chatted to people in the crowds about the importance of health and fitness as well as having their own stall. Their mission is to make Liverpool the healthiest city in the UK.

Everton goes green for cancer charity

By ANDREW LIVINGSTON lage Hotel Leisure Facilities.

Everton players will warm up in green shirts on Saturday when they face Bournemouth in the Premier League.

With the hopes to raise funds for Liverpool’s first specialist cancer hospital and wearing the tops will kickstart the ‘Go Green’ campaign, which is being carried out by The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (TCCC).

The collaboration between the two organisations takes place on not only World Cancer Day, but will also mark 29 years of Everton in the Community (EitC).

Supporters will be offered the chance to purchase scratch cards that will help to raise £90,000 over three years, which will go towards the Clatterbridge’s target of £15m.

The scratch cards will offer £25,000 in cash as well as free cab rides with Uber, 50% of Everton Soccer School experience and day passes for Vil-

Phil Duffy, Executive Director for EitC, hopes that the charity can help cancer patients living in Merseyside.

He said: “We’re delighted to be able to support The Clatterbridge Centre with their upcoming ‘Go Green’ campaign.

We hope that together we can make a difference to people in Merseyside and beyond, living with cancer.”

“It really does mean a lot to us to be celebrating our 29th birthday with the fans next week.

This is a chance to not only raise awareness of the charity but to also thank our fans, staff members and participants for their continued support over the last 12 months.”

Head of Charity at TCCC, Katrina Bury, hopes that the venture with EitC will go some way to reaching their target for fundraising.

She said: “We are delighted to be part of such a significant moment in the history

of Everton in the Community and to be working in partnership raising funds for our brand-new cancer hospital in Liverpool.

“We are launching our appeal to raise £15m towards this much-needed facility at the game, on World Cancer Day.” She also said: “One in two of us will develop cancer over our lifetime so this

new hospital is vitally important for the people of Merseyside and Cheshire.

“We are only going to get one chance in our lifetime to build a brand new facility like this, which will transform cancer care for generations to come.

We hope everyone will get behind us by going green and help to build

a cancer hospital that we can all be proud of.”

Since 1988, EitC have aimed to ‘use the power of sport to motivate, educate and inspire people in the local communities to improve their life chances’.

In the last five years, EitC has picked up over 90 international, national and regional awards for their work.

#RunAndTalk about mental health

By ANDREW LIVINGSTON hoping to encourage people LJMU Recreational Running club are encouraging the public to tackle mental wellbeing through exercise and communication.

The club has organised an England Athletics’ #runandtalk event today at the Liverpool Waterfront in hopes to breakdown the stigma associated with mental health by getting people talking about it.

Club founder, Hayley Walker, was pivotal in organising the event. She said: “Mental health is something that affects many people in a variety of ways; therefore we felt that hosting this event would give us the opportunity to encourage people to walk, jog and run whilst supporting a great cause.

“I believe that being physically active and engaging with others can help take your mind of certain things and help to increase your mood, many people do not express how they feel so are bottling a lot of things up.

“Therefore, tomorrow we are

to be active whilst interacting with one another as we recognise that not all issues are visible and that you could be helping someone without even realising it.”

Twice a year England Athletics asks clubs to host #runandtalk events; the first was in October and collaborated with World Mental Health Day, while today’s coincides with Time to Talk Day. Time to Talk Day is on 2nd February and hopes to end mental health discrimination by encouraging everyone to talk and listen about mental health whilst either running, jogging or walking.

The LJMU Recreational Running Club’s own event will feature 45 minutes activities and then drinks in Bierkeller to try to encourage conversation.

The #runandtalk campaign is supported by the mental health charity Mind. Hayley Jarvis, Community Programmes Manager at Mind, is delighted to be backing the initiative. She said: “It’s well known that regular

exercise is good for our bodies, and there’s good evidence that being active improves our mental wellbeing too.

“Mental health problems are more common than people think with one in four people experiencing one each year. #runandtalk is a great initiative that everyone can get involved with to support their own mental health, while meeting others in their local communities.”

In previous #runandtalk events clubs have attempted different ideas to get people talking; such as no technology runs, running in small groups continually changing and even invited local Mind charities to come and give talks.

Hayley hopes that people outside the club will join the activities. She said: “Anyone is welcome to come. You do not have to be a member of the club and you do not even need to be a student.”

To join the LJMU Recreational Running Club, meet them today by the Royal Liver Building at 2pm to help challenge the stigma of mental health.

Liverpool

LifeSPORT 01 February 2017

Whitewash victory for Mossley Ladies

© AllCoachingAL

Smiling after victory: Mossley Hill Ladies celebrate their hard-fought victory.

Mossley Hill Ladies were once again successful on Saturday as they snatched a 32-0 win in a rematch against Llangollen Ladies, who had previously beaten Mossley 54-20.

The Liverpool-based women displayed plenty of perseverance and determination against Llangollen’s vicious attack after a disappointing defeat three months prior to the game to claim a convincing victory.

Throughout the game Mossley switched their players positions which brought results from the get-go. After a heavy attack early on was

brilliantly defended by Llangollen, Hollie Hayes broke through the Welsh pack’s line putting Mossley ahead early at 5-0.

After the initial setback, Llangollen Ladies fought back, stealing every opportunity they had to gain ground on their opponents. Llangollen were able to quickly clear out their rucks. However, their efforts were met with a turnover ball from Sophie Brown who managed to snag the ball out of a ruck.

As the game progressed the weather conditions worsened causing many dropped balls and slips for both teams.

However, both teams fought hard regardless of the terrain.

Halfway into the first half Gabi Corby made an impressive break up to her opponents 22-line but unfortunately ended her dash with a knock-on.

Chloe Garner then worked her way up field from Llangollen’s half and touched down with a second try – no conversion for Mossley Hill.

The away team did not let these breaks bring them down, turning over the ball with haste and maintaining a majority victory from every line out, as they sought for

their first try of the match.

However, Mossley were able to reassert their control and dominated the scrums from each side’s put in. Sophie Brown added another five points to her side after picking up from the scrum and driving through Llangollen’s defense.

To finish off the first half captain and coach Alessandra Lewis set up a final try with a great pass to Gabi Corby, who then proceeded to convert the steal.

The second half of the game played out in a similar fashion to the first, with both teams dominating their

respective attacks and refusing to give up ground. After several minutes of defending a gruelling attack from Llangollen, Gabi Corby then stole a hat trick under the sticks, pushing Mossley to 27-0.

With the game beyond the Welsh side now, the winning team showed no mercy, persistently attacking Llangollen’s defence for the final 10 minutes of the game. Hollie Hayes once again made a break up the wing gaining another try, leaving the score at 32-0 at full-time. Hayes, sponsored by ALL-Coaching, was crowned player of the match for Mossley Hill.

Merseyside lively in January transfer window

By ANDREW LIVINGSTON

The transfer window has now officially closed for January. Everton and Liverpool have had their opportunity to add a gem, ship out dead weight or loan a youth player so they can get their opportunity lower down the leagues.

With all the excitement of deadline day now over, the dust has settled and fans can now contemplate if their club is for the better.

Everton have spent the month mainly thinning out their squad. Oumar Niasse, Thomas Cleverley and Gerard Deulofeu have all gone out on loan, whilst both clubmen Darron Gibson and Bryan Oviedo have

both been sold to Sunderland as David Moyes continues to bring the old Everton gang back together.

With a bit of money to spend thanks to the new owners, Ronald Koeman has brought in Morgan Schneiderlin and Ademola Lookman for £24m and £7.5m respectively.

As for the red side of Merseyside, the expenditure sits at zero. With the £20m asking price, no one was willing to purchase want-away Mamadou Sakho. However, Crystal Palace stumped up £2m to loan him till the end of the season.

Another five players made it out the door; four of them also on loan, most notably the £21.25m signing Lazur

Marković has made his third loan move, this time joining Niasse at Everton.

Josh Green, who is on the committee for the Merseyside Branch of the Liverpool FC Supporters Club, does not seem fazed by the lack of new signings.

He said: “As supporters we have to support and trust the manager.

“It is very rare that a transfer gem can be picked up in January. After all, a [Luis] Suárez comes along once every blue moon.

“Instead of any panic buying I think the manager is right to hold off until the summer when hopefully we will have Champions League football to help entice top players.”

Ping pong for the elderly

By POPPY BACKSHALL Merseyside Sports partnership is working closely with the Ping Pong care campaign to encourage active ageing.

The goal is to encourage older members of the public to watch the film that follows the over 80’s world ping-pong championships in Inner Mongolia. The aim is to inspire people to challenge the perceptions of what it means to grow old.

Working with a team of partners in Liverpool, following a successful Ping!

Liverpool event last year, Merseyside Sports Partnership is working to arrange a launch event later this year, for organisations to find out more about the project – Day Centres, Housing Associations, Nursing Homes, Merseytravel and Age UK. A free ping-pong pack can be applied for which includes the DVD and a ping-pong set.

Andrew Brit, ETTA events co-ordinator, said: “People’s reactions to the film is different, some laugh, others are amazed.

Everyone is inspired by what can be achieved by older people, despite health issues.

“It’s an excellent way of engaging with older people and groups.”

Inside Sport

LOANED OUT: Deulofeu © Wikimedia Commons

HEADING OUT: Lazar Markovic © Wikimedia Commons

GONE: LFC’s Sakho © Wikimedia Commons

© @LJMURunning

Pg.11: #Runandtalk