Liverpool Life 5:4 02 11 2016

02-November-2016

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ISSUE...

NEWS

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Keep cosy this winter, with these fabulous home accessories

SPORT

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Triple joy for Sefton ladies

© Jonathan Boeke/Flickr

A new campaign to help the elderly stay warm.

LIFEextra

CALM DOWN ‘Stay safe’ is message for Bonfire Night

By GABRIELLE WALSH Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service have urged the public to have ‘a safe and enjoyable celebration’ in the wake of anti-social behaviour during mischief night on Sunday.

Mischief Night, known locally as ‘Mizzy Night’, is a tradition that sees people too old to trick-or-treat engage in pranks and acts of vandalism the night before Halloween.

The service attended 64 fires across Merseyside with the majority of calls peaking between 8pm to 10pm. The service also received a number of hoax calls as part of the mischief.

People took to social media to report a number of serious incidents across the Merseyside region, such as eggs and in some cases fireworks being thrown by youths at passing cars, as well as other

instances of criminal damage to cars.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service are actively trying to reduce the number of bonfire and firework incidents across all Boroughs of the County especially in time for Bonfire Night this weekend.

Last year the service attended 473 bonfire related incidents. This is a reduction of 30% compared with the previous year.

In a concerted effort to reduce the costs and risks associated with this time of year, the Fire & Rescue Service are teaming up with Merseyside Police and are advising that the safest events are the organised bonfire and fireworks display in and around Merseyside.

They have said they want the public to have a safe and enjoyable celebration by staying safe, staying smart and

staying onside.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: “As exciting as it is to watch bonfires and displays, it’s vital to know the dangers that can arise if you’re not cautious.

“We are advising residents of Merseyside to attend local displays as there will be plenty of people around and where all local services are available in case of emergencies. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Statistics show the majority of accidents happen at private parties.

The service has said that organised displays will be safer than having personal parties.

If people do decide to host their own party, they should follow the firework code which can be found on the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service website.

If you have a bonfire, follow these simple guidelines:

• Bonfires can only be held on private land with the owner’s permission • Warn your neighbours beforehand - so they are aware and can make necessary preparations • Do not use petrol or paraffin to start the fire it can get out of control quickly • Only burn dry material, do not burn anything which is wet or damp, this causes more smoke • Check there are no cables (telephone wires etc.) above the bonfire • Build the bonfire well away from buildings, sheds, fences and trees • Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby - in case of emergencies

Doggy Trump for President As America prepares to go to the polls, this Liverpool pooch declared his allegiance. To find out more about the Howl’Oween Parade turn to page 9.

Life|News|2

Community unites to ‘Shun The S*n’

By ROSIE STEEDMAN

Campaign group ‘Total Eclipse of the S*n’, are stepping up their efforts to boycott the tabloid newspaper after the tragic events at Hillsborough 27 years ago.

For the past few months, the campaigners have been working to promote establishments that not only don’t sell the S*n, but also shops that won’t have it on their premises.

They had an amazing success with their Facebook “Penny for the Fleet” campaign, where they raised enough money to wrap eight taxis with the ‘Say no to the S*n’ campaign message.

Since then, 24 more taxis have been branded with the messages and they are now aiming to wrap 96 in memory for the 96 that died.

After gaining backing in September from travel provider Merseytravel and

Liverpool City Council to call on all retailers to stop selling the S*n and promote the campaign, organiser Paul Collins is trying to push forward the message of raising awareness.

The S*n has been hated in Merseyside ever since ‘The Truth’ headline was published where allegations which were since proven to be untrue were pinned on Liverpool fans.

The group is urging the public to get involved to like the Facebook page and spread awareness by purchasing the ‘Say no to The S*n’ stickers which can be purchased via the Crowdfunding page.

Liverpool is just the beginning for this campaign, as they hope it will spread and gain attraction across cities nationwide.

All pledges are to be made

by December 2nd when the appeal finishes.

CAMPAIGNERS: The campaign has gained support from L8 Charity Boxing (pictured above) For more information on L8’s latest event, see page 12. © L8 Charity Boxing

Demand for ‘Battle of Orgreave’ justice

By ROSIE STEEDMAN & MOLLY COPOC

MP: Andy Burnham © Creative Commons

Life

North West MPs used an urgent question in parliament yesterday to attack Home Secretary Amber Rudd’s decision not to hold a public inquiry into the 1984 ‘Battle of Orgreave’.

Andy Burnham, MP for Leigh, tabled the question regarding one of the most controversial events in the history of the year-long miners’ strike.

After his support for the inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster, he described the situation as an “establishment stitch-up” and “a purely political act”.

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He told MPs: “Orgreave is one of the most divisive social events in British history. It is simply staggering the Home Secretary has brushed this away.”

The government has said it is not in the public interest to open an inquiry but campaigners believe that South Yorkshire Police’s culpability in the deaths of the 96 Liverpool fans who died at Sheffield’s Hillsborough football stadium in 1989 could have been prevented had earlier action been taken to investigate Orgreave.

The fabrication of evidence around the tragedy was one of reasons for needing an inquiry into

Orgreave.

Yesterday, Maria Eagle, the Labour MP for Garston and Halewood, spoke of the link with Hillsborough and said that if South Yorkshire police had been held accountable for their actions in 1984, it is possible that Hillsborough may never have happened.

The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign had stepped up their fight for a judicial review after Home Amber Rudd refused to investigate clashes between police and miners.

The Orgreave battle was described as the most violent day of the strike as thousands of pickets met huge lines of police outside the Orgreave coke works.

Thinking this would help win back their strike, the miners would stop lorry loads of coke leaving for the steelworks.

Violence soon began from both sides but the debate on who acted first still remains and both miners and police officers were injured.

South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings said he had supported an inquiry into the battle, saying he was “absolutely devastated” and “in shock” at the refusal.

Earlier this week, campaigners said they would consider creating a crowdfunded bid to fund a judicial review if they aren’t successful with the court review.

Light festival switches on the city

By GABRIELLE WALSH People of Merseyside are set to enjoy a huge firework event on the River Mersey this Bonfire Night.

Liverpool and Wirral councils have joined forces for the first time ever to create a display which will see the waterfront ignite in a spectacular show.

The free firework display will wow the crowds on both sides of the river, along with some added extras turning it into one of the most ambitious fireworks events in the country.

Star Fireworks, one of the most successful and experienced firework display companies in Europe and the current British Fireworks

Champions of Champions, will be delivering the show.

As well as the fireworks, famous drummer group Les Commandos Percu and Deabru Beltzak will perform, parading along the city centre route filled with music and lights.

The celebrations begin at 4pm with street entertainers including fire performers, circus skills, dancers and flow art promoters. These events will take place at four locations – Hamilton Square, Albert Dock, Mann Island and Prices Parade.

From 5.30pm the world renowned drummers will set off from Liverpool Town Hall along the city centre route. The firework display itself will begin at 6.30pm,

lasting for approximately 20 minutes.

This year’s event will be replacing the annual displays at Sefton and Newsham Park.

Marketing and Event Officer, Adam Yates said: “We are delighted that the event will take place in one of the city’s main attractions rather than the parks this year. Not only will it offer a special show it will see lots of stuff going on including crafting workshops and face painting for the little ones.

There will be wide variety of food and drink stalls with mini markets where you can purchase wintery goods. It’s really going to go out with a bang.”

Local transport services will run as usual.

Police look for missing man

By LAURA HUGHES Merseyside Police are seeking any information of the whereabouts of a missing person.

Wirral man, Andrew Rowlands, 46, was last seen on Martins Lane, Wallasey at 12:45pm on Sunday October 30th.

He is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, of large build with short, mousey coloured hair.

When he was last seen he was wearing a black raincoat with no hood, a black T-shirt, black jogging pants and black boots and was carrying shopping bags.

Anyone who recognises Andrew’s picture or knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 101 quoting log 276 of 31/10/2016 or the Missing People charity on 116 000 or by emailing 116000@ missingpeople.org.uk

© Merseyside Police

UKIP Party battle

By DAMIEN-JAMES HORWOOD Bootle born Paul Nuttall is one step closer to becoming the next UKIP leader after Raheem Kassam has quit the race after only just three days. Nuttall, 39, originally said that he wouldn’t be running for party leadership following Nigel Farage’s resignation in July, however last month following Diane James’ announcement that she would not become leader despite winning the election Paul declared his intentions to run for leadership.

Raheem Kassam, a former aside for Farage, launched his leadership campaign in a Westminster pub but has since failed to raise enough money to campaign., he said he has realised: “The path to victory is too narrow”.

Kassam’s exit leaves Suzzane Evans, John Rees-Evans and Peter Whittle as Paul Nuttall’s only competitors for the leadership.

Life|News|3

Advice for elderly to survive winter

Speedo Mick campaigning against cancer ©Twitter

Speedo Mick at Pride of Britain

BY RHYS EDMONDSON Survive: The drop-in event campaign held at BBC Radio Merseyside

BY HOLLIE HAYES Hundreds of elderly residents attended the launch of a new campaign on Wednesday to help survive the winter within the Liverpool area.

The drop-in event, organised by the city council’s Healthy Homes team, provided advice and information on various methods to save money this winter.

These areas included fuel bills, Warm Homes Discount Scheme, energy grants for heating/insulation methods

and emergency heating for vulnerable households.

Jo Krasner, BBC Radio Merseyside A-Team Manager, said: “It’s the start of winter so people are prepared to know that they can help themselves through the winter months so that they’re safe and warm.

“The purpose of this event is to give our listeners help and advice through the winter months.

“So to learn where they can maximise their fuel benefits, who to speak to to get a health check and to just help

© Hollie Hayes

them when they might not want to go and see a GP.” A number of agencies supplied helpful information throughout the day to boost the message about how elderly people should prioritise keeping warm, safe and active during the chilly winter months.

However, although the scheme has been run in the past organisers are finding it increasingly difficult to fund the project ahead of recent Government cuts to elderly care.

A recent review to govern-

ment spending suggests cuts to elderly care are expected to hit care of elderly residents in the poorest areas.

Gary Cotton, advocate for the Healthy Homes Team, said: “In the past we’ve had access to more funding so we have been able to help people with warm clothes, draft excluders, that kind of stuff – we haven’t got that anymore. So we have to scrabble around.

“I mean it’s not mutually exclusive. We have run this scheme in the past but it’s just more difficult now to im-

plement it in the face of Government cuts.

“Like I say, we’re having to contact charitable organisations, we’re having to go cap in hand to try and get contributions from charities so we can do what the government should be doing as a matter of course.”

The Winter Survival Regional Event will take place Wednesday 9 November at St. George’s Hall between 10am and 2:30pm.

Should a takeaway cuppa cost the earth?

BY POPPY BACKSHALL

The government has announced that there are currently no plans to introduce a tax on coffee cups, despite the success of the 5p tax on carrier bags.

Currently 2.5 billion disposable cups are thrown away every year in the UK – around 7 million every day.

According to some estimates, fewer than 1% of the 2.5 billion paper and plastic cups used in the UK each year are recycled, leading to criticism of High Street cafes for stamping them with recycling logos.

In October, England became the last of the UK’s nations to bring in a 5p charge on plastic bags, aimed at reducing litter and environmental damage.

Following this, campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has taken the issue on as part of the BBC 1 programme ‘Hugh’s war on waste’.

Disposable coffee cups can be difficult to recycle because most are made with a combination of paper and plastic. There are only two specialist facilities in the UK that have the equipment to separate the materials,

despite this some sections of the cups have a recycling logo on which could be misleading.

Some coffee shop chains say they work to make recycling their cups easier and offer incentive schemes to encourage consumers to use their own refillable cups.

Liverpool Life hit the streets to find out what people in the city centre think Helen McMahon, 22, from Liverpool, said: “I don’t think it would make that much of a difference but coffee is expensive enough as it is. It should be up to the shop to do the right thing.”

Daniel Harwood, 18, from Huyton, added: “I think they should do it. Coffee shops shouldn’t be allowed such misleading packaging. I thought they were already re cyclable.”

Christine Calvert , 36 , from Liverpool, said: “I always take my own Starbucks cup anyway. I think it should be down to each person to be aware of what they are wasting, not the government.”

Martin Granger, 52, from Liverpool said: “If I do want a coffee I will always sit in but if putting a tax on the cups stops people wasting things, then yes I do agree.”

A host of famous faces attended the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards in London on Monday, including Everton fan, Speedo Mick.

The prolific fund-raiser from Dovecot had been nominated in recognition of his extensive charity work.

The 50-year-old first came to fame after attending Everton matches in his swimming trunks and crossing the English Channel.

Since then, Mick has raised £50,000 for the Woodlands Hospice Charitable Trust in Liverpool after hiking to Wembley in his trunks.

Despite losing out on the award, the lighting engineer, real name Michael Cullen, brushed shoulders with a variety of celebrities including Prince Charles, Nicole Scherzinger and Mary Berry.

Mick said: “I am really overwhelmed and I can’t believe that this is happening to me.”

Coffee for a Coat

BY LAURA HUGHES

War on waste: Helen McMahon, Christine Calvert and Daniel Harwood

© Poppy Backshall

Liverpool’s Paper Cup Project has launched their “coffee for a coat” initiative with the help of Liverpool coffee shop company Bean.

The initiative, which runs until November 4th is hoping to provide warm clothing to Liverpool’s homeless before the onset of winter.

Bean will be accepting donations of coats across their stores in exchange for a free coffee.

Coats must be clean, warm and waterproof and can be donated at all Bean’s stores across Liverpool, including: Brunswick Business Park, Princes Dock and Liverpool Innovation Park.

If they wish, donators can offer their free coffee to be distributed along with the coat. The Project is a Liverpool-based group which offers food and hot drinks.

Life|News|4

Write your wills and give to charity

By ALISTAIR BAKER Solicitors in Merseyside are teaming up with Will Aid once again this November to help some of the UK’s bestloved charities.

Will Aid is a partnership between the legal profession and nine charities in the UK. Every November participating solicitors waive their fee for writing a will in return for a donation to charity.

This year the partnership is focused on guardianship

of children after research by Will Aid revealed 53% parents had not made a will.

This would mean that in the circumstance of death to those parents without a will, the courts would decide who received custody of the children.

Liverpool solicitors; Michael Rose & Baylis is one of many firms in the partnership to offer their will writing service for free in turn for a donation to charity.

Graham Twist from the firm

was keen to emphasise the importance of writing a will to ensure the guardianship of children is protected in the event of death.

He said: “Most people think of wills as assets, properties, money, but if you’ve got children under the age of 18 and you don’t have a will for guardianship, essentially the courts will have to decide who will look after your children.

“Your children should be your biggest asset; someone

needs to look after them if something happens.”

Kate Bracegirdle, also from Michael Rose & Baylis solicitors urged younger parents to think about the consequences of not preparing for the worst: “It is not something people like to think about, especially younger people. A sad fact is everyone is going to die, so a will is important.”

Out of 51 million adults living in the UK, 27 million (53%) dont have a will.

Will Aid logo © WikiCommons

Branson makes Walker gallery debut

By LAURA HUGHES

Richard Branson has arrived at the Walker Art Gallery in a mesmerising exhibition.

Visitors have until February 2017 to immerse themselves in Benedict Drew: KAPUTs work which explores the concept of space tourism through thrilling, immersive installation.

A large, luminous image of Richard Branson with orange cables poking from his eyes, is the focus of the new exhibition. Using a combination of video, audio and sculptural elements, artist Benedict Drew reflects on society’s uncertain relationship with technology.

Artist Benedict Drew said: “KAPUT considers how the once utopian idea of space tourism was lost to the ultimate oligarch adventure, fronted by Virgin Galactic.

“KAPUT proposes an alternative; to self-oscillate into a trance, to trust in the visions – there is knowledge in the visions – and to travel the inner space ways.”

The Walker Art Gallery has a new partnership with the Arts Council Collection, a national collection with around 8000 works by leading modern and contemporary artists.

One of the principles of the collection is trying to get it viewed across the whole country.

After the gallery successfully bid to become a venue for the collections they received a grant which covers exhibition programming over three years.

Meanwhile running alongside KAPUT, the Walker is also exhibiting Looking North, a selection of works by artists who are nationally recognised but are from the North West.

It showcases paintings, ce-

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ramics, sculpture and film, some of which have been drawn from the Arts Council Collection.

Sandra Penketh, Director of Art Galleries at National Museums Liverpool, told Liverpool Life: “Both displays we have launched today are amazing. I think Benedict Drew’s work, KAPUT, is an incredibly ambitious work it is full of amazing insight and it has so many components to it.

“It is a very complex but very thought-provoking work, you walk in to that room and you go ‘Wow’. It’s a big space and the scale of the piece really takes your breath away.”

The Walker is known as a gallery full of historic examples of art from the Medieval period to the Victorian period but the Walker was in fact built to house a contemporary art exhibition.

Sandra said: “By being involved in this it will ena-

Author’s message to get creative

By KRISTON MURPHY Inspirational author and library campaigner Alan Gibbons has been encouraging aspiring writers to get creative at a workshop at Bebington Central Library.

The children’s author won the Blue Peter Book Award ‘The Book I Couldn’t Put Down’ in 2000.

Alan said: “Writing is a solitary activity. There are many writers, but very few successful ones.

“The purpose of the workshop was to bring together a group of local writers in the company of somebody who does it for a living and share thoughts, experiences and tips to encourage and focus people who might seek publication or just satisfaction from this most personal, often frustrating, of activities.”

The event was hosted by the Friends of Bebington Library. The group received a grant during the summer for a young people’s book fest which was run by Alan and Cathy Cassidy, a fellow author from Coventry.

Lethal bug alert

By JOSH HODGE Eye-popping: One of the displays ble us to work with a much broader range of audiences. We will be able to bring works here by some of the leading names of British contemporary art so people in the Liverpool City Region will have the chance to see examples of the work.”

“We hope to work strongly

©Laura Hughes

with all the student population in the region and all those that are interested in art and contemporary issues, they will be able to come to The Walker and see fantastic and inspiring work and we hope they will become real followers of the gallery and regular visitors.”

In Cheshire and Merseyside, it will take until at least 2037 to treat those with Hepatitis C. There are currently 9, 630 people living in Merseyside and Cheshire with Hepatitis C, a potentially life-threatening virus that attacks the liver, and at the minute only 453 people are to be treated for it this year.

Left Unity Labour alternative

By JOSH DOHERTY

Liverpool played host to Ken Loach’s Left Unity Party this weekend as they held their annual conference in the city.

The party, founded by the film director in 2013, was created to provide an alternative choice to Labour for left-wing voters and aims to tackle issues surrounding privatisation of public services such as the NHS, fracking and defending women’s rights.

However, despite gaining their first councillor seat in 2014 and growing to 2,000 members, Left Unity has seen their numbers shrink since Jeremy Corbyn was elected as Labour leader in September 2015.

Nevertheless, Left Unity member and conference organiser Felicity Dowling maintains the party is still a viable alternative to Labour.

Speaking to Liverpool Life, she said: “We are a traditional left-wing organisation and we have immense admiration for Jeremy Corbyn as a person, but he’s still had to make compromises on a range of issues and we’re simply not prepared to do that.

“We are not just about fighting against the privatisation of vital public services, we’re about standing up for people who are struggling, for the working classes and will not take part in any bashing of benefits claimants.

“One of our roles over the next couple of years will be

Message: A poster at the conference © Josh Doherty to continue to grow and to build ideas that represent people to the left of the Labour Party.”

Liverpool was seen by Left

Unity as an ideal location to share such ideas, with Felicity Dowling telling Liverpool Life: “We have had a fantastic response from Liverpool as it has a tradition of being a city of struggle and one that, by and large, can identify with our Party message. The same can be said of inner-city London and places like Newcastle, but we also reach out to people from country-side areas too.”

Workshops and discussion on a range of issues took place across the weekend. Speaking about saving Liverpool Women’s Hospital at one of the health discussions, Lesley Mahmood said: “The hospital is vitally important for women and is in a good area, it’s free of the heavily trafficked and polluted roads that the new Royal Hospital is surrounded by.

Life|News|5

Snakes alive! Halloween prank was actually real thing Silent bid for charity jackpot

By DAMIEN-JAMES HORWOOD

A Liverpool John Moores University student was shocked out of her skin after finding a snake in her bedroom.

Kelsey Griffiths-Thorn, aged 20, from Kensington, returned home from a weekend away to find the snake on her bedroom floor.

She originally thought it was fake and that it was part of a Halloween prank.

She realised the snake was alive after tapping it with her foot.

Kelsey told Liverpool Life: “It was so strange, I thought it was a joke. I’d locked my door before I left and I just wasn’t expecting to find a snake in my room.”

Kelsey rang her landlord to help her capture the

snake after having contacted the RSPCA to make sure it was harmless. The snake, which turned out to be a corn snake, then managed to escape and get lost in the bedroom again before being found in Kelsey’s drawers.

Kelsey’s roommate, Sarah Williams, placed the snake in a shoebox with holes in the lid so it could breath.

Sarah, aged 21, posted on the Liverpool and Northwest pets lost and found Facebook page looking for the owner.

She told Liverpool Life: “It got a lot of responses, I think people really loved the story. Eventually we got in contact with the owner and it turns out they lived on our road a few doors down.”

The Snake and its owner have since been reunited.

By ANDREW NUTTALL

Scary: The reptile found in a Kensington bedroom

© Elena Fernandez- Moreno

Brighter ideas for Pensby community

By HOLLIE HAYES

Members of the Pensby Community Association are leading a new campaign to light up the town centre this Christmas.

The bright idea has come after the residents lost the appeal to save the Pensby Hotel earlier this year.

Leader of the recently formed Pensby Community Association John Kipper Hughes said: “We as a community stood together to fight the owners and contractors and this brought us together. So as a community we are going to make Pensby our community and have a say in what goes on and make a difference.”

So far, the crowdfunder page has only raised £40 of their £6,000 target. However Mr Hughes has applied for outside funding and will be holding fundraising events for the campaign including bingo and raffles.

Mr Hughes told Liverpool Life: “Our first project is to light up Pensby at Christmas, if not this year then certainly next year. This is something

Two LJMU students are in a bid to raise massive amounts of money for cancer research charity MacMillan by Silencing a Scouser and Waxing a Leg. Aaliyah Rugg, 20, studying Journalism, will be attempting to remain silent for 24 hours.

She said “I’m happy I’ve been asked to fundraise for the charity again as I have a target to beat. It’s going to be tough as me being silent.

I’m quite offended so many people want to sponsor me to shut up, but it’s all for a good cause!”

In a bid to beat last year’s total, Josh Hodge, who also studies Journalism, is having his legs waxed for the charity.

He told Liverpool Life: “I’m glad I’m doing it as it is for a good cause. It will be painful but it’ll be worth while.

Currently, the pair have raised over £450 for the charity and have no plans to stop.

Both events will take place on November 16th and the leg wax will be live streamed across Facebook on the day.

The JMU Journalism students are also organising a Christmas ball to raise more funds for MacMillan.

Success for pet project

By PAIGE FRESHWATER

Lights: Pensby residents are hoping their town centre will look as cheerful as this our community has never had.

“I believe projects like this will bring the community together and give us all a chance to meet up.”

Additionally, the group have also received backing from Wirral Council who have secured a £1,000 grant from the council.

Cllr Mike Sullivan, ward councillor for Pensby and Thingwall, said: “We have started a residents association with the sole aim of raising enough funds for Christmas lights.

“I’m hoping we’ll have raised enough money (£8,000)

by Christmas 2017 however the chair of this group is hop-

ing one major business in the Wirral will fund the whole sum in time for this year.”

Alongside Christmas illuminations the community are also hoping to acquire a giant Christmas tree as well, which will be placed in the centre of the town.

Their next meeting will take place on October 26th at the

© Wiki Commons Pensby library. This will be an open evening where the community can talk to the elected councillors and discuss any questions or concerns they might have and how they can bring the group forward.

The website for the scheme can be found at: http://www. crowdfunder.co.uk/light-uppensby-this-christmas

#LiverpoolLifeNews

Children are always asking their parents for a family pet, but one Aigburth father received a pitch like no other.

Elizabeth Fay, aged 12, and Charlotte Fay, aged 9, impressed their parents by creating a five-minute PowerPoint presentation on why they should be allowed a hamster.

Dad Neil Fay said: “When I saw the laptop hooked up to the TV, I was expecting a show or something – not a presentation on why they should have a hamster.”

Neil added: “I tried not to smile but was impressed with their tactics and at that point they had already won me over with their inventiveness.”

Life|Focus|6

C

Will Kirkby get the future it deserves?

louds of uncertainty have heavily lingered over Kirkby town centre for over a decade.

The pact of silence between Knowsley Council and the site owner, St. Modwen, has left so many questions unanswered while they pieced together their strategy for the town. But last week, their complete proposals to regenerate the area were finally presented to the public.

Members of the project team revealed that they expect the new retail space to be completed and occupied by the winter of 2018, which will include the introduction of a major food retail store to anchor the scheme, along with several new restaurants to surround a cinema development.

Will Martin, Planning Manager (North) at St Modwen, told Liverpool Life: “In all of the years that I have been doing town centre development, I would say that this is an appropriate size for Kirkby.

It fits with the town centre, but it’s what Kirkby needs.

It’s a main food store which will give that offer which the town centre is crying out for.”

The plans attracted chiefly positive feedback from local shoppers during the public consultations, although there is still a sense of scepticism among some local people.

One Kirkby native, Ryan Lowe, 18, told Liverpool Life: “The cinema seems like a decent idea, but we’ve been promised a lot over the years and it’s all fallen through, so it’s hard to get excited.”

So much has been in the pipeline over the years, whether it was the supposed arrival of a new retail park or

David Purcell looks back at the ups - and the downs - of the Kirkby project a redevelopment project with Everton Football Club involving a brand-new stadium and a potential Tesco store - none of which came to fruition.

E

verything seemed to be set for the Everton stadium to be built in Kirkby, which it was claimed would provide a myriad of new jobs for an area that has struggled for quite some time with high unemployment.

Public enquiries in 2008 raised concerns about the “Kirkby Project,” such as the potentially adverse effects on local businesses.

Questions were also asked about whether the town had the infrastructure in place to cope with the pressures that a new stadium would bring about, and the government eventually came to the decision not to give the venture the green light in 2009.

Everton might well have exited the frame, but Tesco’s interest in the area didn’t end there. After acquiring land across the town centre and surrounding areas, Tesco worked with Knowsley Council to prepare the site for their arrival – which included the demolition of 72 houses on Cherryfield Drive.

But 2015 proved to be a difficult financial year for Tesco, and the retailer decided to shelve 49 new store development across the country.

Consultation: St. Modwen’s public exhibition

Kirkby was one of them.

The chairman of a local political party, First for Kirkby’s Dave Kelly, told Liverpool Life that the decision to demolish homes while being aware that Tesco were no longer committed to the scheme “was an act of municipal vandalism.”

He said: “We advocated that Knowsley Council do something similar to Liverpool City Council had done. Introduce them back into the local housing stock and sell them to people that had the sources and expertise to put them back onto the local housing market.”

“Kirkby town centre, probably for about three years, hasn’t resembled a shopping centre or a retail park, it’s actually resembled a building site.”

A

ll the optimism that surrounded the project was sucked away by Tesco’s imminent departure. It was yet another attempt to take Kirkby town centre to the next level, but another failure and a massive blow to those that worked on the scheme.

Ray Halpin, an elected member of the Labour Party for Shevington, spoke to Liverpool Life last year - just after the Tesco announcement was made - and he said the Council’s reaction

Masterplan: Future vision poster for Kirkby town centre was of “disappointment rather than frustration.”

“Tesco and the Council have worked on the scheme for a long time and visible progress on site had commenced which was to be shortly followed by the construction of the new retail,” he said.

“It is therefore disappointing to have come this far only for the scheme to halt at this stage through no fault of its own or the Councils.”

St. Modwen’s acquisition of the town centre last year for £35.8m marked a fresh start for the project. And now, with the regeneration specialist locked in negotiations with two major food retailers, with plans to bring more restaurants and possibly a cinema too, this could very well be the start of a positive multiplier effect for Kirkby.

Getting involved: consultation

© David Purcell

Locals

outside

the

Kirkby public © David Purcell

© David Purcell

‘Members of the project team expect the new retail space to be completed and occupied by the winter of 2018’

Regeneration: Mapping out the future of Kirkby town centre

© David Purcell

Life|Arts|7

LIFE EXTRA How Chris became Influential I n the short space of five years after finishing his degree, Chris Bradley’s career has sky rocketed from graduate to PR specialist.

While Chris studied at Liverpool John Moores University he engaged in a number of experiences and opportunities. In those terrifyingly short three years he wrote for blogs, covered the 2010 General Election for Politics. co.uk, worked on JMU Journalism as much as he could and completed the LJMU World of Work programme.

This, according to Chris, is crucial practice.

“It is vital to begin training as a reporter as early as possible. I remember some of the third years in my year who didn’t and when it came to having to source and create content for the website they struggled and they are not working in journalism today nor did they ever get jobs on a news desk.”

HOLLIE HAYES meets LJMU graduate Chris Bradley, who tells his success story from leaving John Moores and entering the working world

Unlike most graduates the path to success came naturally. After he graduated in 2011 Chris first began his road to success as a freelance writer for the Mirror Online before moving into PR. Nobody can predict where they’ll be at the end of university. This was the same for Chris. But he didn’t fall victim to the pressures of the working world.

He said: “To be honest, I didn’t really think about where I would be or what I do. I felt like the transition from student to journalist would be smooth so I didn’t

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In his element: Chris (bottom left) with the Fun Lovin' Criminals.

have any expectations. I just wanted to work, find stories and get published.”

A

lthough he initially struggled to organise his ideas in the high-pressured environment of a newsroom, Chris eventually found his feet. Fast forward five years later, he now works for Influential PR managing a span of clients, including ChargePoint Technology, Pullman Liverpool and One Magical City. His daily routine consists of writing press releases, securing coverage in local, regional, national and

specialist media, organising and running media events – everything journalism students are taught in theory Chris puts into practice. Chris was also lucky enough to have interviewed two of his favourite musicians, Fast and Frank, from Fun Lovin’ Criminals.

When asked about the highlight of his career, Chris’s list seemed never ending.

He said: “Winning the Pulitzer. Just kidding! There have been many highlights – having stories published on the front page of every national newspaper, seeing my stories in Time, Washington Post, The New York Daily News, discussed on BBC, ITV, I’ve won two journalism awards.”

However it isn’t all work and no play for the graduate.

In his spare time he lifts weights, clubs and enjoys movies, cooking and eating out.

He has also recently returned from a mountain-top festival called Modernity in Gstaad, Switzerland.

Speaking of his future plans, he said: “I don’t try to look far ahead. I focus on today to make sure I have options later. That’s my ethic, really."

For Chris, the wise words of Liverpool Life’s very own Steve Harrison were impressionable and have since stuck.

“In doing so I have been able to master much of my craft and I’m in an exciting

© Chris Bradley position now.

"There was a great quote given to me by favourite lecturer Steve Harrison, which was: ‘To be employed is to be at risk, to be employable is to be secure.’ That always stuck with me and it’s very true."

For the students who are lost or stuck for motivation, Chris emphasised a balance whilst at university. Giving advice to current journalism students, he told Liverpool Life: “Spend as much time in the library and work as hard you can. You will never have the opportunities that you have now, so make the most of them. Enjoy uni though, it’s amazing. But work hard, play harder later.”

FILM:

THEATRE:

ARTS:

MORE:

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

DREAMBOYS

TRACEY EMIN & WILLIAM BLAKE

REBECCA FERGUSON

18/11/16 LIVERPOOL ONE ODEON The first spin-off from the world of Harry Potter is on the horizon.

Book tickets with ODEON

The world-famous male strip group are coming to the EPSTEIN THEATRE. 04/11/16 Tickets 0844 888 4411 Or in person at the EPSTEIN THEATRE £26.50 pp

Can you discover the link between Emin's 'Bed' and poet William Blake?

Take a trip down to TATE Liverpool to visit the exhibition. www.tate.org.uk

Former X Factor star is holding a meet and greet event on Hope Street.

04/11/16 Contact Liverpool Philharmonic for tickets on 0151 709 3769

Life|Style|8

lights. t bath with these bath Enjoy taking a nice ho okonow.com) From Smoko - £17 (sm

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Keep cosy this winter A It’s all velvet!

s the clocks went back last Sunday morning, it’s becoming more noticeable that the winter nights are creeping in with the UK set to have the heaviest snowfall in years.

Forecasters have announced that Britain will be facing four months of heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures.

Thermometers are about to plunge amid predictions of crippling snowstorms and major whiteouts lasting right into February.

So it could be a white winter after all.

After several mild and wet, winters 2016 will buck the trend with the UK facing the coldest and snowiest winter for at least six years.

Britons are warned to prepare for the winter ahead and not be lulled from the warm temperatures that September brought.

Regardless of the season, you can always benefit from making your home look cosy with some new items added to your décor. So we’ve devised a list of the best things to keep your home looking cosy and keep you warm this winter.

Cushions from themarketplace.co.uk - £95 each!

Patchwork bedspread from HomeSense - £34 (homesense.com)

Faux fur bean bag from John Lewis £65 (johnlewis.com)

Life|Pets|9

Canines in costume make it a Howl’Oween to remember Liverpool answered the age-old question as they let the dogs out. Emma White reports

T

he Howl’Oween puppy parade brought people and their best friends together for a barking mad walk around Liverpool City centre.

Spiders, superheroes, pumpkins, and Nemo made an appearance at the parade on Sunday, with our four-legged friends making the most of the Halloween celebrations.

Leading the way were a group of pugs with all different shapes and sized paws following behind.

The walk was organised by BrewDog bar on Colquitt Street, raising money in aid of Merseyside Dogs Home and Muffin Pug Rescue.

Colquitt Street was bursting with atmosphere with hundreds of dog owners coming from afar, including from Wolverhampton.

BrewDog saw many donations including dog food, blankets and toys as well as hundreds of pounds.

Muffin Pug rescue team offered to share half of their donations with Merseyside Dogs Home.

The charity aims to help those pugs who are in need of a new home as sadly many end up in

rescue centres due to being such a popular breed.

Emma Logan, fundraiser for the event, said: “You may not know that we receive no government or lottery funding, which means we rely on donations from our supporters.

“We work closely with dog warden services of Merseyside to take in, rehabilitate and rehome the unclaimed and unwanted stray dogs in this area.”

Not only was it a day for the dogs but owners truly enjoyed this sociable event with a deserving doggy drink and some stronger stuff for the owners back in the BrewDog where the walk ended.

Emma said: “It’s been such a great turnout today with people making such an effort with their dog’s costumes.

“We’re really hoping that today will see more people adopting these dogs and giving them a warm and loving home for the winter.

“We rehome around 12 dogs per week, however this depends on the time of year.”

The winner for best costume will be announced on Friday.

Pups on parade: Owners dressed their dogs up for the city centre fundraising event on Sunday © Emma White

Dogs home will host fundraiser

drawal from the region.

Dunne opened the only stray dog rescue centre this century, Each year thousands of dogs with a vision of saving dogs’ lives are abandoned on the streets whilst improving people’s lives of Merseyside, left to fend for as well. The founder wants the themselves. centre to be more than a place to Merseyside Dogs Home is the rescue dogs, but also to rescue only rescue in the area to deal people. with local stray dogs, relying It relies solely on donations completely on public support. from supporters as it has no On average, 3,000 dogs are government funding. The centre found in the area. works closely with dog warden The home find homes for around 600 dogs a year that have services across Merseyside in been lost or left alone, from large order to take in, rehabilitate and rehome stray dogs.

Bulldogs to tiny Chihuahuas.

The fundraiser said: “We rely Emma Logan told Liverpool on support from dog lovers to Life: “There are many reasons help us to continue saving lost why someone might abandon dogs. their dog, for example, they “We provide activity days open might not fully appreciate the level of responsibility of owning to members of the public as well as pioneering a ‘pets-as-therapy’ a dog and as the dog gets older, program in collaboration with they do not want to care for it.” the local homeless Whitechapel Merseyside Dogs Home was founded in 2013 by Paul Dunne centre in Liverpool to help vulnerable people’s rehabilitation. in response to a gap in the market left by the RSPCA’s with- This is because we recognise

By AALIYAH RUGG

the importance and benefits of human-dog interaction.”

Around 12 dogs a week are rehomed with a family that best suits them. However, quite often it is not as easy as it sounds.

Merseyside Dogs Home sees dogs from all different backgrounds and sometimes dogs will come to them with behaviour problems as a result of poor ownership.

Emma told Liverpool Life: “We help orphaned dogs, dogs with behavior problems and use aid dogs to help people with difficulties. The staff are great at helping dogs with extra needs.”

Based on Greensbridge Lane in Halewood, the home is open seven days a week and is always looking for support from local people around Liverpool.

They are holding Halewood Music Night on November 11th in order to raise money for their trust, donating every penny to the lost dogs in the area.

Appeal to find Mama Flea-a a forever home

By EMMA WHITE

A friendly face: Mama Flea-a welcomes Liverpool Life to Merseyside Dogs Home © Emma White

Merseyside Dogs Home’s ‘Dog of the Week’ plea is for mixed breed Mama Flea-a.

She arrived at the home in July when she was found abandoned whilst heavily pregnant.

She gave birth to a litter of six cross-breed puppies who have since found new forever homes. The babies were named after each of the main characters from the comedy series ‘Friends’.

Mama Flea-a is a sweet-

natured dog who enjoys a lot of human attention. She loves the company and other dogs but does not like being left on her own.

She was a great mum to the puppies and has recovered very well. She’s now ready for rehoming.

Emma Logan, Charity fundraiser said that if Mama Flea-a hadn’t found a home by the Howl’Oween puppy parade, then she would take her home herself.

Life|Sport|10

Everton ladies planning to make their mark

By AALIYAH RUGG

There has been much debate throughout the year of women’s sport versus men’s sports and there is undeniably more hype around the latter.

In a city full of sport loving fans, why is it there is not as much fuss over women’s sports around Liverpool?

When asked about women and sports, Everton striker Claudia Walker said: “I think if women are interested in it and if that’s what they want to do then I think nobody should stop them doing that.

“I think if their heart is in it then obviously pursue a career in sport.

“It’s not as big and not as well funded as the men’s sport is but you can still get there and still be the best you can be.”

Having loved sports from a young age, Claudia joined Everton Ladies in February 2015, signing from Merseyside rivals ‘Liverpool Ladies’ in Liverpool.

The ladies team played Bristol City WFC at the Select stadium in Widnes on Saturday at 6pm with Bristol City winning 2-3.

Although losing out on promotion, Walker wrote on her Twitter page: “Gutted is an understatement - devastated with the result but we will use this and come back stronger and get back to where we belong.”

Ahead of the game last Saturday, tickets were free in order to help out families and generate an interest for women’s sport.

When asked about the free tickets, coaching manager, Andy Spence, said: “We felt

it was a nice idea to give opportunities for families to get a chance to see a really good, competitive game between two of the best teams in our league “It’s more to give people a taste of what it’s like in terms of women’s football and I think we’ve got a perfect game for that because of the ability of the players on show.”

The club started in 1983 as Hoylake WFC and in 1995 they officially became known as Everton Ladies Football Club and now continue to make their mark.

The team will next take on the London Bees on the 6th of November as they prepare to come back from their 2-3 defeat at the weekend.

They’ll have to deal with the away pressure but hopes are high.

Speaking out: Claudia Walker and Rosella Ayane

©Aaliyah Rugg

‘We are committed to being a �irst choice employer’

By ALISTAIR BAKER

Everton Academy entrance ©Aaliyah Rugg

Everton FC have this week signed up to the Living Wage Foundation, becoming only the second Premier League Club to do so.

Everton join Chelsea to be accredited by the foundation which ensures workers receive a wage deemed fit to match living costs in the UK in 2016.

The real living wage is £8.45, apart from in London where it is £9.75. The rate is calculated by the best available evidence about living standards in the UK. By becoming an accredited Living Wage employer, Everton will ensure 700 contractors working for the club will receive a pay rise of an

additional £2,000 a year.

On top of this, 250 casual and part-time staff will see their wage rise to meet the £8.45 Living Wage.

Everton Deputy Chief Executive and Director, Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale said: “Here at Everton we are committed to being a first choice employer and becoming Living Wage accredited is a natural step towards that.”

She added: “It is extremely important to us that we treat all of our colleagues well and reward people fairly in terms of their pay.

“Supporting the accredited Living Wage is quite simply the right thing to do; it improves our employees’ quality of life but also benefits

our business and society as a whole.”

Director of the Living Wage Foundation, Katherine Chapman welcomed the accreditation, saying: “We are delighted that Everton Football Club have become the second Premier League football club to sign up as a Living Wage employer, ensuring that all their staff - from caterers to match day staff - receive a real Living Wage that covers the cost of living.”

The move by the club has also been backed by supporters.

The Blue Union, an independent Everton supporters group directly liaised with the Everton hierarchy to push for the Living Wage ac-

creditation.

Dave Kelly, Chairman of the group said: “It’s massive, it’s ground breaking and a long time coming. I think that especially as Everton proclaim themselves as the people club, they can fly that proudly above Goodison Park.”

The group campaigns for a variety of different causes involving football supporting, and hopes that city rivals Liverpool FC can follow suit: “This was a campaign promoted not just by an individual fan groups, but something promoted under then wider football supporter’s federation.

“I would urge Liverpool Football Club to do the honourable thing.”

Cycling on the rise following Revolution pledge

By ANDREW LIVINGSTON Liverpool residents are increasingly taking to cycling to get in and around the city.

Cycling journeys across the city have reportedly increased by 10.2% according to a report released by Liverpool City Council.

This came soon after the City Council announced that they hoped to boost cycling by 2025, through their 12 year ‘Cycling Revolution’ pledge.

Developments on the road are believed to be the cause of the uptake of two wheeled travel.

Cabinet member for regeneration and transport Councillor Malcom Kennedy is

pleased that they are meeting their targets. He said: “A rise of more than 10% of journeys made by bike is a significant increase in the number of people travelling by bike.

“This is good, not only for their health, but for their pockets. And with more cycle-friendly schemes being introduced in the highways network we can look forward to further increase in cycling in Liverpool.”

In September it was reported that the Citybikes had covered over a million miles since the initiative was launched in May 2014.

Cllr Kennedy said: “We always knew the Citybike scheme would be popular,

but to hit the million miles landmark a little over two years after launching the initiative is staggering.

“There is a real mass appeal of our green bikes – whether it’s tourists exploring the city, residents getting out and about or business people using them to get from A to B – there is a huge variety or users who are making the most of this value for money service.”

More often than not, riding around the city is relatively harmless and a nice city to ride around.

However there will always be the odd occasion where you will meet an inconsiderate driver.

Wheely good: Liverpool’s much-loved bikes. © Andrew Livingston

Life|Sport|11

Local rugby top of the pile

By ANDREW LIVINGSTON Liverpool Collegiate will hope to strengthen their position at the top of the table when they face their next opponents Warrington Eagle’s this weekend.

Currently sitting top of the South Lancashire and Cheshire Division Two, they will look to come away with a bonus point victory against their next opponents who currently sit bottom of the table and are yet to score a single point.

Collegiate mounted the top of table after a strong away performance on the Isle of Man last weekend.

Tries from Marc Ando, Joe Bowmer and Thomas Logan saw them defeat Vagabonds 22 – 14.

The Blues captain Chris Lloyd was pleased to have come away with the win.

He said: “It was scrappy but we dominated possession and territory in the second half. It was only a strong defence from them that stopped us getting the bonus point.”

Last year saw the first team relegated into division two.

If Collegiate can continue with this run of good form promotion back to division one will be assured.

Lloyd believes that consistency for the starting 15 is crucial for a successful season.

He stated: “We try to keep squad selection as consistent as possible. Unfortunately, a few injuries and player unavailability means we may have no choice.”

Ex-Blue football school

By ANDREW COOK Ex-Everton striker Andy Johnson has started a football academy on the Italian island of Sardinia.

The former Goodison striker scored 22 goals in two seasons at the blues, including a memorable brace against city rivals Liverpool in 2006.

The Chia Laguna Football Academy, gives young children a chance to play football at the resort of the same name, they will run throughout the summer next year.

On top of the accomplished Johnson coaching at the camps, recent Everton signing Yannick Bolasie is rumoured to be visiting the

New rules to beat gender inequality

By SAM HEYHIRST Various sporting ruling bodies are clamping down on gender inequality in the boardroom after setting strict requirements in their governance codes.

The latest guidelines were set out by UK Sport and Sport England in their Code for Sports Governance earlier this week.

They state that a sporting body must contain at least 30% of each gender within their ranks.

These rulings are only to be considered and adhered to by national bodies but will undoubtedly have a domino effect on grassroots organisations that rely on these bodies for funding and support.

Greg Clarke, the current FA Chairman, said: “The FA welcomes the new Governance Code for Sport in the UK. It will help ensure that governing bodies are moving

in the right direction and are creating the most effective environment for their sports to thrive.”

Local sporting organisations such as the Liverpool County FA want the Football Association to meet these requirements for monetary reasons.

In addition, they will have to incorporate them into their own organisation.

Sports minister Tracey Crouch was very vocal about the changes that are being put in place.

She said: “We want to ensure they operate efficiently and successfully while being transparent and representative of society,” She added. “We have been clear that we will expect them to adhere to the new code if they are to receive public funding in the future.”

Currently, the tennis governing body, the LTA is the closest to the required thresh-

Vocal: Sports minister Tracey Crouch

© Foreign and Commonwealth Office

old of women to men in their board with three women and eight men (27%). Huge organisations such as the FA and the England and Wales Cricket Board has a mere 8% and 15% respectively.

Mr Clarke continued: “It will rightly protect public investment in sport by ensuring that transparency, controls and financial probity are pre-requisite for all organisations in receipt of

Government money.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Sport England.”

Only time will tell whether or not these new guidelines will be handled well by national sporting bodies, but whatever the outcome it is sure to change Liverpool grassroots organisations in the near future.

FA chairman Greg Clarke was visiting Liverpool

By ANDREW COOK

the FA has reportedly asked football’s governing body if they can play the Last Post before kick-off and have a two-minute silence.

The poppy has caused a clash of heads between the FA and FIFA before, after England v Spain in November 2011 fell close to Armistice Day. After lengthy discussions the poppies did not appear on the shirts, but did grace its vibrant red on black bands worn on the day.

The FAs of England, Scotland and Wales, who face Serbia in Cardiff on the following evening, have contacted FIFA on account of possible punishment for

yesterday as part of a tour of England’s local FA organisations.

The Liverpool County Football Association, located in Walton new Stanley Park, is one of many local FAs around England.

Anna Farrell, Football Development Manager at the Liverpool FA, said he was having an introductory meeting with all of the FA chief executive officers.

England and Scotland FA’s face poppy ban

Dispute: Poppies have led to a row with FIFA © Andrew Dunn

The Football Associations of both England and Scotland have been blasted for failing to challenge FIFA’s decision to ban poppies in light of next Friday’s game between the two British nations.

The countries’ football players have been banned from having poppies emblazoned on their shirts after FIFA deemed the remembrance flower a political symbol. The poppy is a symbol used as a commemoration to remember those who have died in battle.

The game itself will take place just two days before Remembrance Sunday and

printing poppies on their jerseys. FIFA could sanction a points reduction if the countries go ahead with the plans, yet they have not yet indicated whether a punishment that severe would be considered.

An FA statement read: “We are working closely with the Royal British Legion once again this year to honour and remember the sacrifices made by those serving in the armed forces.”

“In recent weeks, the FA has led remembrance discussions with FIFA to allow the England team to show its support for the poppy appeal during the World Cup qualifier with Scotland.”

Campaign for visually impared participation

By ANDREW COOK A group of Liverpool-based organisations with the aim of supporting the visually impaired (VI) have been offering sports sessions throughout the city with the aim of getting VI people of all ages to take part in more physical activity.

VISPA (Visually Impaired Sport & Physical Activity) is a project created by a host of non-profit organisations including: Henshaws, Daisy Inclusive UK, Liverpool Football Club Foundation, Everton Football Club in the Community, SAVI Northwest, Merseyside Sports Partnership and Action for Blind People. There are also

many more involved.

The project’s aim is to get more visually impaired people involved in sport and exercise, as research shows that VI children and adults are less active than those with the ability of sight. VISPA’s mission is to ensure that these people have the same access to sporting activities that those who are not VI have. The VISPA project currently offers popular sports such as Archery, Cycling, Football, Swimming and Tennis and have many more on offer.

The sport was initially created as a means of assisting visually impaired World War II veterans, and consists of

two teams of three attempting to throw a ball with encased bells into the other team’s goal.

Not only is the sport available to the visually impaired, but as the teams are required to wear blindfolds, those who have full-sight can also join in on the fun. The sport requires the use of the other senses, and was played during the 2016 Paralympics.

If you or anyone you know is visually impaired and fancies getting into sport contact VISPA on Twitter @ LiverpoolVispa or on Facebook and get in touch with the community. VISPA are offering a free goalball taster event in November.

Goalballer: Sarah Kennedy makes a save for Australia at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games. Copyright: John Sherwell/ Australian Paralympic Committee

Liverpool

LifeSPORT 02 November 2016

©Miriam Freya Warren

By HOLLIE HAYES

than half of these occasions.

In what was a physical match, both teams were punished in the scrums but were able to push past the physical strain and see it out until full time.

The game is Sefton’s third win thus far in the Women’s Championship North 2 League, but Birkenhead’s third loss of the season.

The Panthers are set to play Sheffield Ladies, who are currently dominating the league table undefeated so

far, having already beaten Sefton Ladies 43-10 at the beginning of October.

On the same day, local Liverpool team Mossley Hill took on Llangollen, suffering an unfortunate 53-20 loss on Sunday in their second away match against the Welsh side.

Mossley fought hard for the entire 80-minutes, producing some cracking tackles to stop the oppositions’ aggressive attack.

However, unfortunately

it wasn’t enough to stop the home team from achieving their victory.

Becca Billingham bagged a brace of tries, Gwen James and Howisha Charley also scoring, but none of them were converted.

The squad will be hoping to improve on their play-offs in preparation for their next match against Waterloo’s development team on November 6th, in what looks to be their biggest hurdle as of yet.

Boxing night boost for homeless charity

By CAI GRIFFITHS-STURGE

Amateur fighters, some formerly homeless, have helped raise money for the Whitechapel homeless centre.

The organisers are aiming to raise £4,000 for the Whitechapel charity, with Barclaycard also promising to match any donations up to £4,000.

The overall total raised so

far is yet to be released, but the night’s JustGiving page has raised over £1,000.

The event in the Adelphi Hotel, the second they have held for L8 Boxing, gave the amateur fighters the chance to have 10 weeks of free training.

It was the first major fundraising event since the Whitechapel centre was granted the Freedom of the City by the Liverpool City

Council last month.

Craig Medding, an amateur boxer at the event, said: “In 2005 I was homeless myself.

“I had gambling problems, family problems and a lot else. Now that I’ve changed my life around I want to help others.”

The night held 15 fights in front of a capacity crowd, two of which were local title fights, each being a maxi-

mum of three rounds, with both male and female applicants taking part.

Speaking at the event, organiser Karl Hogg said: “We have donation books, booklets and great raffle prizes alongside the boxing to raise extra money.

“Any money we raise tonight, up to £4000, will be matched by Barclaycard so it is important that people give as much as they can.”

Prepared: Ready for the bouts. ©Cai Griffiths-Sturge/ Liverpool Life

Collegiate visit to Isle of Man

Soccer chiefs to �ight poppy ban

© John Haslam/ Lest We Forget

Sefton Ladies proved too much for the Birkenhead Panthers in their fifth game of the season, securing an emphatic 24-0 victory.

An unfortunate loss for the Panthers but an impressive win for Sefton, the wide score was reflected in the away sides mobile game.

The winning team created and retained a strong defence from start to finish, keeping the Panthers within

their own half.

Although Birkenhead enjoyed the majority of possession throughout, Sefton made a number of break-away lines which resulted in the impressive 24-0 win, Sinead Doria converting two of these tries.

However, what Birkenhead lacked in defence, they made up for with scrummage.

The Panthers dominated the better part of their scrums and were able to turn over the ball on more

©Liverpool Collegiate/ Facebook

TRIPLE JOY FOR SEFTON

Living wage pay delight for Blues

© TheBigJakielka/ English Wikipedia

Tussle: Sefton Ladies and Birkenhead Panthers in action.

Inside Sport