Liverpool Life 5:2 19/10/2016

19 - October - 2016

NEWS

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Retro fashion on show

© Twitter

Ex-homeless man plans community Christmas dinner

LIFEextra

© Andrew Nuttall

Reality talk

SPORT

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Paddy ‘The Baddy’ hosts charity variety show

GIVE MY JAMIE A CHANCE

© Hamish Ellwood

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ISSUE...

By JAMES HARRISON

HANDS ON: Phil Charnock gets to grips with SwapBots A Liverpool hi-tech company is making waves in the field of augmented reality and the toy-to-life market. SwapBots game developers, who are based in Hardman

Street, are now on the road to success after gaining praise from critics around the world and securing a deal with a prestigious hardware company. More on P9

the competition he will win £1000. My intention was to donate £240 of that money to A crowdfunding project has been set up for an eight-year- his own chosen charity such as Save the Children, we are old boy from Birkenhead very socially aware in this to compete in the final of house and Calais Migrant/ Liverpool’s Next Top Child Syrian War children have Model. bothered him in a big way, Keeley Buckley set about I know that sounds odd for making the crowdfunding an eight-year-old, but he is page for her son Jamie after a very interesting kid. This failing to find a business way, whoever sponsored sponsor to support him.

Jamie has entered LMI Liv- him with the crowdfunding erpool’s competition and has would know that at least been chosen from thousands some money went to a cause.” of applicants to be compete The competition is also as a finalist, but he can only in aid of the James Bulger compete with a sponsorship fee of £240. The final will see Memorial Trust and all enthe young model take part in trants will be taking part in photo shoots, be creative with fundraising for this brilliant charity. outfits and walk a catwalk at The James Bulger MemoThe Echo Arena in Liverpool. rial Trust offers and provide Keeley told Liverpool Life: free holidays and respite to “I am not a fan of crowdfamilies. To date, LMI have funding. It goes against my raised a total of £22,642 for very ethos to ask people to the charity. The Trust’s aims help fund my child through something. But with the £240 and objectives are to benefit needed by the end of October and support young people who are disadvantaged by and us just not having the reason of having become the funds, I had to give it a shot victims of crime, hatred or as my son really wants to be bullying. in the competition.

Continued on P3 “If by chance Jamie did win

CATWALK: Eight-year old Jamie Buckley, who is hoping to be a model © Keeley Buckley

Life|News|2

Aigburth station has stories for all country have meant that libraries have closed in various areas.

“We believe that we are helping to provide a free lending service to our communities to try and help in promoting reading and literacy to all ages.”

Since 2010 three library service points have closed in Liverpool, and the number of paid staff has almost halved.

Sally adds: “Our exchanges are not meant to replace libraries.

“In fact the Wirral Line projects are supported by the Wirral Libraries and we promote the services their libraries provide at the exchanges.

“Reading is a fantastic way to relax on a rail journey and anybody, not just rail users, are able to take books from these exchanges and then, when they have finished, put them back to be reused.

“Only second hand books are used, to impress upon people that books can be reused time and time again for everyone’s enjoyment.”

By PAIGE FRESHWATER Aigburth Station is now home to one of Merseyrail’s lending libraries, a service which promotes reading and literacy to all ages.

Merseyrail were contacted by an Aigburth resident who proposed the idea of setting up a book exchange in the waiting room at the train station.

Lending Libraries have proven to be a success at stations of the Northern Line and the Wirral Line, and the resident believes the exchange would improve the waiting room and increase public access to free books.

Merseyrail’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Sally Ralston said: “I was contacted by a resident who was interested in setting up the lending library.

“She is an ex-teacher and is passionate about literacy and reading.

“Spending cuts across the

Life

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Editor Paige Freshwater News Editor Lewis Jennings News Amber Roberts Joshua Doherty Nicole Quinn Matthew Noonan Features Editor Amelia Eccleson-Davies

Features Gabriella Sanghera Victoria Howkins Danyaal Yasin Jessica Harris Sports Connor Bennett James Jones

By JAMES HARRISON Liverpool’s iconic Royal Liver Building has been put up for sale for the first time in its history.

The landmark, which stands at the Pier Head as one of the Three Graces alongside the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool building, has been set a guide price of over £40m.

The commercial real estate services and investment firm CBRE is selling the building on behalf of the Royal London Mutual Insurance Society.

The property, which extends to over 330,000 sq ft of office and events space, is now home to a few well-known companies, including ITV, Princes Foods and HSBC.

LENDING LIBRARY: Aigburth station promotes sharing free books © Paige Freshwater

John Lennon Airport to raise £100,000 for Alder Hey

#LIJALoves: Lots of upcoming fundraising events will help the airport raise £100,000 for Alder Hey children’s charity

Royal Liver goes on sale

By MOLLY COPOC John Lennon Airport has teamed up with Alder Hey children’s charity in a bid to raise around £100,000 over the next 12 months.

A launch event was held in one of the airport’s hangars where LJLA Senior Management explained how the decision to support the charity was a part of the airports strategic priorities to enhance community engagement The airport has launched its #LJLALoves charity branding, the hashtag will be used to promote a host of upcom-

JOHN LENNON AIRPORT: ©Wikimedia Commons ers, young patients and ing fundraising events. their families. The funds Alder Hey’s latest initiaraised by the airport will go tive is to create a world class towards this. ‘digital hospital’ that harEmployees at the airport nesses the latest in digital are encouraged to fundraise technology and applies this as a team through planned in the children’s hospital activities including a world environment, to transform record wheel barrow pushcommunication and engageing attempt. ment between care provid-

By ISABEL EATON A leading animal charity in Merseyside has welcomed the offer of used bedding from a Liverpool hotel for use in their shelters.

The Marriott Hotel, Liverpool has agreed to donate used mattress toppers to animal shelters across Merseyside after people took to social media on Monday night to complain about a skip outside of the hotel which was overflowing with used bedding. People then took to social media and made appeals to the hotel to donate the mattress toppers to homeless charities and animal shelters across Merseyside.

A spokesperson from the RSPCA Merseyside said: “We had members of the public bring in some of the bedding on Monday, it’s very useful to us as we use it all year round, We’re always open to donations, we take anything that can be used for both cats and dogs like food, bedding and toys.”

Merseyside Dogs Home said: “We are always interested in bedding for our dogs for the cold harsh winter nights and so far people have been brilliant at bringing in their unwanted towels and bedding.

Unfortunately, we haven’t got the facilities to retrieve the

Marriott Hotel set to give sweet dreams to unwanted animals

bedding from the Marriott.

Several hotels and student digs have all done the same and some have managed to bring the excess bedding to us.”

A spokesperson from The Marriot has said: “This was actually a misunderstanding and bedding that is suitable does get donated to charities, we do operate as a green company and will donate items when we have the opportunity.”

Animal charities are in desperate need of equipment all year round. To donate, visit: •www.rspca.org.uk/ local/liverpool-branch •http://merseysidedogshome. org/

Award for justice fighter

By RHYS EDMONDSON A mother who lost her son in the Hillsborough disaster was awarded with the Women of the Year special award in recognition of her 27-year-long campaign for justice.

Margaret Aspinall accepted the award from the Prime Minister at London’s 2016 Women of the Year Lunch on behalf of all the families of the Hillsborough victims.

Mrs Aspinall’s son, James Aspinall, was one of the 96 who died in the football stadium tragedy in 1989.

Theresa May said she was honoured to present the award: “This April, when the fresh inquests delivered their conclusions, they made clear to the whole nation what the Hillsborough families have known to be true from the beginning - that the fans were blameless.

“Thanks to their resolve we now know the truth about what happened that day. This award is for all those who lost their lives at Hillsborough, and their families.”

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Life|News|3

Slavery campaign comes to Liverpool

By CAI GRIFFITHS-STURGE Anti-Slavery campaigners took to the streets of Liverpool yesterday to raise awareness of the horrors of modern day slavery.

It is estimated that between 21 to 45 million people are still held in the slave trade around the world today, which includes an estimated 13,000 in Britain alone.

Members of ‘Stop the Traffik’ along with the United Nations global initiative to fight human trafficking and Spellow Lane Church used a UN Gift box on Church Street to educate the public on the hidden issue of modern day slavery. Similar boxes have been erected in major towns and cities across the country to raise awareness of the campaign.

Ann Marie Donohue, a volunteer from ‘Stop the Traffik’, told Liverpool Life: “We have four gift boxes, each to raise awareness of a different area of exploitation.

This one is specifically about sexual exploitation. The idea is that the box is representative of trafficking, on the outside looks like a gift and is very welcoming, but the inside shows the harsh reality

of trafficking with real life stories to show that not everything is as it originally seems “Traffickers use positive ways to traffic to attract people such as ‘come to a new city, come to a new job, or a new flat and have a wonderful life’ and then actually what happens to people that are trafficked into different types of slavery this way when those opportunities don’t actually exist.”

Ms Donohue said that people should stay vigilant of their neighbours as modern day slavery comes in a multitude of forms so is not always easy to spot, it could be anything from sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, to slave labour or even keeping people against their will in a home.

Anti-Slavery day was started in 2010 through a private member’s bill to parliament in order to inspire governments, businesses and individuals to help eliminate modern day slavery. The day is part of a larger two-week ‘Stop the Traffik’ campaign, which is a global movement which aims to shine a light on the issues of trafficking through campaigning, community work and the sharing of information on slavery.

Jamie’s modelling dream

more than aware that there is a chance that people at church street may have been trafficked, let alone in Liverpool in general which is a certainty. Our main aim today is just to raise as much awareness as possible.”

New Chinatown to bring new investment

By RHYS EDMONDSON Work is well under way on the £200million Chinatown regeneration which will transform the area around Great George Street and put the heart of modern China into a World Heritage City.

The project, which started in April and is due for completion in 2019, is already attracting the interest of wealthy investors from China after President Xi’s visit to the UK last year.

The regeneration is also being hailed as a huge draw for Chinese students as developers plan over 850 new homes to be built.

Leo Lee, a 22-year old manager at Chung Wah Supermarket in Chinatown said: “The Chinatown in Liverpool is not as well established as places like Birmingham, Manchester or even London so hopefully the new Chinatown will have a positive impact.

“I think it will attract more students but we have so many international students already, from China, in Liverpool. The cost of living in Liverpool is

CHANGING: New China Town is already attracting interest also relatively lower than in other cities, especially in London.”

As a trading port, Liverpool has a historical connection with China that dates back more than two hundred years with Chinese seamen arriving in the city in the nineteenth century.

Today, the city also plays host

to the largest Chinese archway outside the country itself and thousands of international students arrive in the city each year to study.

Alongside new homes are proposals for over 150,000 sq ft of commercial space including shops, restaurants and drinking establishments.

©Rhys Edmondson Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield have also seen billions worth of investment pour into their property market in recent months as the Chinese edge their bets on the so-called Northern Powerhouse.

Among those who welcomed the move was Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson who said: “Liv-

By MOLLY COPOC Plans have been announced to relaunch Liverpool’s local TV station with a new line-up of programming.

Bay TV Liverpool went into administration last August and was acquired by Made TV, which is the largest local TV operator.

The reincarnated channel, Made in Liverpool, goes live at 6pm tonight after two months of being off-air.

All 17 staff members will be staying on the live news programme, presented by four hosts.

A nightly three-hour magazine show called The Lowdown Liverpool will follow.

A weekly football show: Across the Park, music show The Liverpool Sound and local history format Streets of Liverpool are some of the other original, local programmes that will also air weekly.

AWARENESS: Stop the Traffik campaigners on Church St and, right, the box © Cai Griffiths-Sturge Church Street Chaplain and member of Spellow Lane Church Stephen Power told Liverpool Life: “I’m here because I find the problem of human trafficking horrendous and as a chaplain at Church Street in Liverpool I am

Local city TV station returns

erpool and China links are long established but this creates a new phase in supporting the whole North to grow. Experience and partnerships with China can boost the Northern Powerhouse in developing infrastructure faster.”

Delia He, a 22-year-old exchange student from China, also welcomed the investment: “I think some people, like me, want to experience a different culture and meet different people so they come to Liverpool. Liverpool has a long history with China and I understand Liverpool was one of the earliest cities to welcome Chinese people to live here.

“More and more people come from China to Liverpool to study and of course they will get homesick or long to find some familiar things from their hometown.

From what I have seen I haven’t seen many shops or restaurants that cater to these needs.

“There are some in the centre but I don’t think they are quite suitable for students so I think this regeneration is much needed.”

• Continued from page 1 LMI holds four modelling competitions each year. Each event allows entrants across a range of categories including Baby, Toddler, Teeny-Tiny, Tiny, Mini, Little and Teen.

The four main events are Little Miss and Mr Liverpool, the Face of Liverpool, The Liverpool Walk Off and Liverpool’s Next Top Model. Training is offered in the weeks before an event, a day of catwalk and pose training is arranged and is optional for all models to attend.

Keeley said: “I entered the competition for him two days before the closing date just to see what happened.

“We were happy that he was a finalist, and the first photo shoot he did, he loved, so I will probably pursue a modelling agency for him even if he doesn’t compete in the competition. ““The fact that he likes it and he seems to have the face for it is a positive that has come out of the competition as I would never have thought of it before now.”

The date of the competition final is Sunday 20th November 2016.

City gridlock nightmare

Commuters in Merseyside wasted more than a day and a half in gridlock last year.

INRIX Traffic Scorecard revealed that an average of 37 hours per person was spent in traffic in congested areas.

Life|News|4

Unions ready to join forces

Christmas day dinner for 300

By CHEYENNE HANSEN

By JAMES HARRISON North West Chief for Unite Union has welcomed the merging of his union with another union to make a stronger force.

The merger between Unite and UCATT union was voted for back in May this year. UCATT’s future has been passionately thought out by its members and chief who have decided the merger would allow the union to preserve its existing structures and to continue to maximise the representation of construction workers in all sectors.

A spokesperson for North West Unite, Nick West, told Liverpool Life: The merger will benefit both UCATT and Unite members because it will create one construction union for the whole building site. Unite has electricians and mechanical trades, we have all the other trades.

He said: “The significance of having one construction trade union means greater industrial power. “

Greggs to deliver to your door

By JAMES HARRISON Greggs is currently trialling a delivery service in Cobalt Business Park in North Tyneside before it rolls out the initiative nationally.

The next cities up for the trial are Newcastle city centre, Manchester city centre and London.

If the delivery service is successful it could very well be available in Liverpool.

You will be able to order from a range of sandwich platters, aausage rolls and other pastrybased foods, as well as other sweet snacks.

CHRISTMAS: Cooking dinner for 300 © Twitter

An ex-homeless man is set to provide a two course meal for 300 underprivileged people in Merseyside this Christmas.

Simon Whitter, 43, is fundraising to cater for socially excluded families and people living in poverty.

He is aiming to provide a selection box for any children who attend and a five pound voucher for a toy store.

A small bag of essentials for members of the homeless community. will include a hat, scarf and gloves He will also be giving everybody a free phone call to ring a loved one.

The ex-homeless man chose to help those in need after growing up in the care system. He told Liverpool Life: “I think that we

all have a social responsibility, it’s not about whether you have been homeless or not, if you can help, why wouldn’t you?”

Last year, Simon planned to cook a Christmas Day breakfast for around 30 members of the homeless community.

Instead he ended up feeding and brightening up the day of 170 people. He added: “I did it last year, so I’m just following on from that.”

The venue for this year’s Christmas dinner is yet to be decided.

However, Simon has some places in mind and is also organising live music for the day.

Simon is aiming to raise £5000 by using the crowdfunding site: Just Giving. To support this cause, search for ‘yummys16’ on Just Giving.

He said: “We will reach our tar-

get, there is no doubt about that.”

It works out at around £15 a head and that provides a dinner, a lunch to take away and the bag of winter esstentials for 300 people.

The donation page was set up on Friday October 14th and has already hit £1000, although it’s still important for people to donate what they can.

Volunteers are crucial to make a project like this work in Liverpool. Simon said: “We’re looking for people to give up their time on Christmas Day which is an unreal sacrifice.”

Christmas isn’t the only time Simon lends a helping hand. He said: “I do go a few times a week to feed the homeless, along with Scouse Kitchen and Angie and Nick, two homeless outreach teams in Liverpool.”

Bonfire safety to be boosted by fund

By AMY SHIRTCLIFFE

Cash raised by Merseyside Police from selling unclaimed property is being used to fund initiatives to cut anti-social behaviour around Bonfire Night.

The Police Commissioner’s Police Property Act Fund is designed to give one-off grants of up to £5,000 to community and voluntary organisations.

The funding comes from the sale of property where the owner cannot be identified or where a court order has been made.

Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy has awarded £45,000 to 22 youth initiatives that will run events over autumn half term.

The events are expected to host more than 12,000 young people.

The initiative is in its third year and has seen success in its previous runs.

Last year Merseyside Police reported a 23.4% reduction in reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the half

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term period compared to 2014.

There was also a 16% fall in all calls to the service.

The Commissioner said: “Bonfire Night is a time of fun and celebration for many across Merseyside.

“Sadly, the fun often gets out of hand and leads to young people getting involved in behaviour that could be considered dangerous to themselves and their communities.

“My aim in funding these youth projects across Merseyside is to help thousands of young people enjoy the festivities in a safe and enjoyable way at organised and well-managed events.

“It will also reduce the strain on the emergency services during this critical period, complementing the excellent divisionary work they already carry out and making sure people can enjoy the celebrations during the holiday season.”

The Commissioner’s office received 68 applications for the

FIREWORKS: Bonfire celebrations at Sefton Park © Merseyside PCC funding, totalling over £250,000.

The applications were reviewed by a panel of the office and the Community Foundation for

Merseyside, who manage the fund on the Commissioner’s behalf.

Nine organisations in Liver-

pool and five in Knowsley will receive funding, along with three in Wirral and St Helens and two in Sefton.

McBoatface will only be a yellow submarine

By HOLLIE HAYES and CAI GRIFFITHS-STURGE Sir David Attenborough visited Merseyside for a keel-laying ceremony for a new polar vessel being named in his honour.

The boat, which will be built in Birkenhead, gained worldwide attention over the summer after the name ‘Boaty McBoatface’ won an online public poll to name the vessel.

Despite more than 100,000 voting for the name, organisers decided the name ‘RSS Sir David Attenborough’ was more suited. The scientific venture has been described as the biggest investment in polar science since the 1980s. The organisers instead dubbed a

small remote control submarine with the winning name.

The BBC’s veteran naturalist and documentary maker said: “The thought that this extraordinary vessel, the cutting edge of research, is to carry my name gives me deep pleasure and deep honour.

“I’m sorry it’s such a long name, I apologise for that. How it will be abbreviated, I don’t know and I won’t specify. But what I will know is to thank you and all involved for giving this astonishing ship my name.

Thank you so much” The Merseyside-based shipyard Cammell Laird, partnered with Rolls-Royce, won the rights to the £200m project despite competition from across

ATTENBOROUGH: Vessel named in legend’s honour © Hollie Hayes the globe.

Managing Director at Cammell Laird, Linton Roberts,

told Liverpool Life: “We’ve increased the capability of the company year upon years since we restarted over 16 years ago.

We’ve been building aircraft carriers and commercial ferries.

“Currently we’re building sections of nuclear submarines for BA Systems in Barrow as well, so this is another step forward for the capability of the company and a very proud day.”

British Antarctic Survey Director Prof Jane Francis said: “To have a ship named after one of the greatest of naturalists in the country and known all around the world is a really good signal that we’re really trying to understand the environment.”

Life|News|5

New homes for city by 2033

By AMY SHIRTCLIFFE Liverpool City Council have announced plans to build 29,000 new homes in the next 15 years.

Liverpool’s draft Local Plan has shown that the population of Liverpool is set to rise to around half a million people by 2033.

The Local Plan will manage the projected growth and the draft is available to the public until the end of October.

A series of pop-in sessions, presentations and debates will run from the October 18th-31st as part of a consultation exercise.

The city council is seeking feedback on the 300-page plan which outlines priorities such as protecting Liverpool’s parks, using brownfield sites for regeneration and job creation and limiting the concentration of hotfood takeaways.

Councillor Malcolm Kennedy from the Cabinet of Regeneration said: “Liverpool’s Local Plan is a roadmap for the city’s growth.”

The final plan is expected to come into effect by late 2017.

College unveils 12-storey scheme

By MOLLY COPOC

Liverpool International College have revealed plans for a 12-storey building on the site of the old Archbishop Blanch School.

Liverpool International College helps students from overseas prepare and adapt to life as students at the University of Liverpool.

Students are taught a range of skills such as the English language and how to think critically in order to succeed in a British university.

Bosses say the new facility on Grove Street will provide 260 students with a home, and enhance the so-called Knowledge Quarter - which aims to attract science and technology industries to the city.

Motion to eclipse S*n

By ISABEL EATON

A proposal to remove the Sun newspaper from shops in West Lancashire will be put forward to West Lancashire Council today.

This motion comes after other regions such as Wirral have unanimously voted to remove the tabloid from all shops.

The campaign Total Eclipse of the S*n has over 38,000 supporters on Facebook.

Community clean up Mersey woods

By HOLLIE HAYES

Mossley Hill residents have joined forces to clean up Mersey woods.

More than 20 volunteers gave up a morning to clear the area of refuse in one of many clean up schemes organised by the River Oaks Residents’ Association (RORA) and Liverpool City Council’s StreetScene Department.

Terry Jones, chairman of RORA, has led the scheme for the past seven years and believes in taking great care of the local area and also organises events within the local community, including a “legendary Easter egg hunt”.

RORA have won four awards, Britain in Bloom ‘outstanding’ for two years, a Biffa Waste grant, Liverpool Garden Competition and the Liverpool Echo Environmental Award for their efforts and dedication to the community.

Mr Jones said: “I think that was the most surprising of all really. We never really thought we would win but it was lovely after seven years of hard work.

It’s all been beautifully planted now and families have planted roses there too. They have their own plaques there too to remember Grandad, or a child born.”

Many areas in Aigburth are kept clean by RORA throughout the year.

Those who participated in the

COMMUNITY SPIRIT: Mossley Hill residents during clean-up weekend clean-up found a range of waste in the overgrowth like footballs, toilet seats, litter and road signs.

Local councillor Patrick Hurley got stuck in with the team of volunteers.

He said: “I arranged for a skip, litter pickers, gloves, bin bags and I’m down here getting stuck in myself this morning. I’m all dirty and all messed up. It’s a great

event to see.”

However, recent government budget cuts have made it difficult to carry on events like these which benefit the community. Since 2011 the Neighbourhood Fund budget has dramatically plummeted from £35,000-£45,000 to just £9,000. The impact of these cuts will cause events like these to disappear.

“If the government’s current trajectory of spending cuts continues up to 2020 I’m expecting it’s going to be even less in years to come,” added Councillor Hurley.

Community Clean-Up events take place every couple of months within the area covering Mossley Hill train station to the river and parts of Sudley. However, because the StreetScheme covers

© Hollie Hayes such an extensive area of Mossley Hill the project finds it difficult to clean every area frequently.

He said: “We tend to put these events on, the ‘Community Clean-Ups’ we call them, every two or three months.

“It’s the sort of thing that brings together a diverse group of people. They get to know their neighbours, they get to clean up their streets.”

Damn it, Janet! Rocky Horror Show is halted halfway

By AMY SHIRTCLIFFE

OFF STAGE: The cast of the show

© Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show

Guests at the Empire Theatre were left disappointed last night after the opening of the Rocky Horror Show was cancelled mid-performance.

Theatre-goers were told after the interval that the show would not go on.

The Facebook page for the theatre released the following statement: “We regret to confirm that, due to unforeseen circumstances, act two of tonight’s performance of The Rocky Horror Show at the Liverpool Empire was cancelled.”

The Rocky Horror company and theatre management

worked hard find to a solution to the issue as swiftly as possible, but it became evident there was insufficient time to reach a resolution before the second act was due to go ahead. So, the difficult decision was made to cancel the performance.

Many people who were in attendance commented, with some unhappy with the treatment of guests while the theatre attempted to resolve the issue.

One patron said: “It would have been nice if the cast could have come out for a round of applause, and maybe some free drinks or snacks while we were waiting as the audience were very understanding.”

Life|Theatre|6

© Bethany Slinn

CREEPY © ABPhotography

CABARET A performance like no other as Cabaret From the Shadows comes to Liverpool. Sachi Kondo reviews

O

ut in the hills live a group of misfits, existing amongst the shadows.

Five international artists, including one Scouser, have chosen to move to Liverpool, forming a theatre company and a cabaret show, thanks to the immense support the local community has to offer.

Teatro Pomodoro was created by an international ensemble of performers from Canada, Japan, Spain, Italy and England that met in Ecole Philippe Gaulier, a famous clowning school in Paris.

They gathered in Liverpool

almost two years ago and have been performing in the city and playing festivals in other parts of the country ever since.

Co-founder Leebo Luby said: “There’s a great support network for artists who are creating work in Liverpool. People just want to see work being created so they would go out of their way to help you create it,” Canadian performer, Duncan Cameron, added: “In Liverpool, it’s literally like ‘Oh, I have this idea,’ and someone’s like ‘Hey I have a venue, do it here, here’s some money’ and suddenly you’re doing it. We’ve been in

other places and you say these things and we never make it anywhere.”

“We take satirical approaches to our act. Also because of our own individual performances, we bring our own styles like theatre clown, comedic acting, physical theater, there’s even a bit of dancing and songs but it everything has an edge and that’s the point just to have a bit of an edge to it,”

T

heir play, Cabaret From The Shadows, performed at the Regent road venue the Invisible Wind

Factory, is a mixture of different styles of clowning that lean towards dark humour and not the traditional clowns as we know.

T

heir genesis of the idea came from Bouffon, which essentially portrays individuals that society refuses to accept but they come together to perform for beautiful, perfect people of society to fundamentally mock powerful people, such as politicians.

They’ve also taken inspiration from jesters which were known as social rejects who were brought to the king as entertainment.

The play is more surreal than horror. They aim to bring back traditional cabaret from the

Teatro Pomodoro performing Cabaret From the Shadows. © Mark McNulty 20s where people used to dress grotesquely, making satirical and political statements, and being a bit risky with the audience. The current killer clown craze has given performers of clowning a bad name, they said.

Michelle Ruston, 42, from Bill Elms Associates PR, said: “These clowns are sinister, nasty, and it has anti-social elements to it.

This show’s tradition is quite old, coming from Paris and has nothing to do with traditional clowns with red nose and big shoes.”

Apart from satirical mockeries, these artists managed to

incorporate relatable real life situations as well. For example, people’s obsession with cats, a certain political party, even the royal family, however slightly distorted and a grotesque exaggeration of how things actually are.

Cabaret From the Shadows mostly attracts audiences with a zany sense of humour, who are fans of ridiculous, dark comedy, and something that challenges from the norm. They are planning a regional, possibly national, tour next year aiming to play in smaller towns to expose ‘edgy alternative theatre.

Retro fashion on the road

By ISABEL EATON

As the cult of vintage fashion continues to grow, one company is taking the best of retro clothing to venues across the country.

University Vintage Fairs visited Liverpool John Moores University, offering students an opportunity to buy retro and reworked clothing at discounted prices.

University Vintage Fairs first started in 2013 and the company travel to universities around the UK opening one-day pop up shopping events.

Scott Bartram, 31, from UVF said: “We get our clothes from all over Europe, the Netherlands and the United States. We have a total of 104 universities which we travel to, offering these free

one-day shopping events for students.”

The Vintage Fair offered a wide range of different clothes and accessories from American basketball shirts to reworked Levi’s denim jackets.

Kieran Dooley, 22, a P.E. and Educational studies student at LJMU, said: “I’m really impressed with the variety of clothes on offer

here, I’m on the lookout for vintage football shirts from either the ‘80s, ‘90s or early 2000s.”

If you missed the Fair on Thursday, there’s no need to worry as UVF is returning to the Redmonds Building on November 29th from 11am5pm, but if you can’t wait until then Liverpool have a variety of stores at hand which stock retro

clothing.

Pop Boutique on Bold Street offer a huge range of vintage clothing and accessories for both men and women.

Pop Boutique has been open in Liverpool for around 11 years, with branches in Leeds, London, Manchester and Sweden.

Resurrection, also on Bold street, stock clothes mainly from

the 1980s and 1990s.

Their clothes offer a more modern twist on much-loved vintage pieces such as check shirts, playsuits and denim. The store which was first founded in 1991 has evolved from a small vintage store in Quiggins, Liverpool, to the two-storey building which is now situated in the heart of Bold Street.

Life|Arts|7

LIFE EXTRA Passion for words helped Josh land a senior role A passion for literature and ‘the best three years of his life’ ultimately helped Josh Parry in securing his dream career as a journalist.

Growing up as a studious boy from the Wirral, who preferred staying in and getting lost in books to playing football like other boys his age, Josh had always wanted to pursue his keen interest for writing. He didn’t stray far from his initial career path when he successfully landed a full-time job as a senior reporter for the Liverpool Echo, just a few years after finishing his degree.

“At the time, I didn’t particularly know that being a journalist would be for me, but I definitely wanted to be a writer. I was in college when I decided what I wanted to do. I’d just sort of grown up a little bit – I was always checking the news, see what goes on around, and it was then I thought that was the sort of writing that I wanted to do.”

Liverpool had always been

Sachi Kondo talks to LJMU grad Josh Parry about his life before becoming a senior reporter for the Echo

Josh’s first option to pursue his higher education, as he described the city as busy and lively, which he thought would be a perfect place to be a journalist.

Other than the social aspects that the city has to offer, LJMU’s International Journalism course, which is known for its practical teaching, had appealed to him.

Josh believed that it would give him the relevant skills for a career in journalism and eventually finding a job.

“My university experience has 100% helped me get to where I am now. I absolutely loved it. It was the best three years of my life.

“The course itself is brilliant as it is really practical. The news days we had are not at all different to what I’m doing today, now that I’m actually in the industry – it’s

WHAT’S ON MUSIC: THE VOODOO BALL: 29th October @ Invisible Wind Factory LADY LESHURR @ 02 Academy 22nd October

very realistic.”

He believes the tutors and lecturers were a reliable support system as well, who were a helping hand throughout his time at university, even after he had graduated. Josh emphasizes how the careers module, and the practical journalism coursework, such as working on the JMU Journalism website and Liverpool Life newspaper are countless of times more advantageous for the students as they are taught by experienced journalists.

He said: “They just knew what they were talking about – they didn’t just read a book and teach us all the theory and the academic work. These are people that could put it into a practical context and that makes the course stand out.”

Josh began his employment for

the Liverpool Echo during his final year at LJMU as a community reporter covering the Wirral area.

His other work experience included working for T3 magazine in London and ITV Tyne Tees in Newcastle, which all helped him shape his chosen career path.

Luckily, his work had been noticed by several future employers during his placement, who then offered him paid shifts once he became a qualified journalist.

The first story he had done as a community reporter for the Echo had made it as a page lead on page three of the paper.

When asked what he would tell journalism students today, he said: “My number one advice to any student is to take your work experience seriously because it’s the perfect chance to make an impression. My work experience is what essentially got me my job.”

He also advised all student journalists to make sure they master 100 words per minute shorthand or simply practice shorthand regularly – and also learn how to drive.

Josh now works as a senior reporter for the Echo

Josh enjoying life after university

Do you want a job in journalism?

• • •

Don't underestimate how important it is to make a good impression during your work experience Master the NCTJ 100 wpm in Teeline shorthand Learn to drive as soon as possible - and try to keep it clean for your CV

SPORT:

THEATRE:

COMEDY:

ARTS:

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL: Every Wednesday @ Greenbank Sports Academy 19.00.

THE RIVALS @ Liverpool Playhouse Now-29th October

Camp and Furnace Every Saturday – Doors 7:30pm, Show 8:30pm

AFRO SUPA HERO @ International Slavery Museum Now – 31st October

This romantic comedy is set in the streets of sunny Bath and follows a social climber that is determined to find her niece Lydia a wealthy husband. Lydia has other ideas and wishes to fall in love with a penniless man.

The Liverpool Comedy Club held Camp and Furnace is Liverpool’s new home of live stand-up comedy and will appear here every Saturday night. It will feature Steve Royle and Martin Mor compered by Tony Simpson.

This expedition provides a snapshot of Jon Daniel’s personal journey.

It displays Daniel’s journey of selfdiscovery through his collection of pop cultural heroes and heroines of the African diaspora.

LIVERPOOL FC vs WEST BROMWICH ALBION @ Anfield Stadium 22nd October

COURTEENERS @ Echo Arena

EVERTON vs WEST HAM UNITED @ Goodison Park

18th November

30th October

Life|Family|8

‘I might have been born in Liverpool – but I grew up in Hamburg’ - John Lennon MEINE FAMILIE: Au Pair Kriston pictured (left) with his host family

© Kriston Murphy

Meet Herr Au Pair From cooking to cleaning, to ice skating and football, KRISTON MURPHY tells all about his life as a nanny in Germany

W

aking up to three loud and energetic children is not what I thought I’d be doing at 19 but there I was, a boy in childcare.

I had acquired an eight-yearold, a six-year-old and a four year-old. Working as an au pair was definitely a shock.

It’s safe to say I was out of my comfort zone and unsure of how I would cope with this new responsibility.

I spent the first couple of weeks speaking in extremely broken German and using a lot of mimes to achieve the simplest of daily tasks.

However, after the initial struggles I started a language course and quickly learned how to cope in my new environment.

I started to flourish as I became more confident and began to enjoy the experience.

Meeting new people and forging a friendship group was high on my list of priorities and thanks to Facebook groups such as; Au pair in Hamburg and Native English speakers living in Hamburg I quickly made friends with people from all over the world.

The Reeperbahn is Hamburg’s famous nightlife area and The Beatles played on Grosse Frei-

heit a number of times in the 1960’s including 48 consecutive nights at The Indra Club.

John Lennon famously said: “I might have been born in Liverpool – but I grew up in Hamburg”. This is the case for me too. I learned a lot about myself and matured greatly during my time away.

During the year my duties would range from cooking, cleaning and days out with the boys. I was a part of the family and helped out just like any other family member would.

Taking the boys ice skating or to the park to play football was a regular activity and we stayed active as much as possible.

M

ale au pairs are rare but there is a demand. Families who live in rural areas are more likely to opt for a male au pair as they believe they are more comfortable driving.

The main issue potential male au pairs face is old stereotypes around child care.

It is still seen as a female vocation. Rebecca Haworth-Wood of A2Z Au Pairs told Liverpool Life: “Old stereotypes that haven’t disappeared is the problem. It depends on how you were brought up and your experience of child care when you were young.

"Families just want to be comfortable that they are leaving their children with someone responsible. I definitely place more male au pairs now than I did when I started 20 years ago”.

Lanny Watson who was an au pair in Hamburg said: “Being a male au pair was totally fine, the family actually thought it made them look super cool! Some people had amazing experiences, I think years a great thing to do, you just got to find a family that fits right” Being an au pair provides you with a platform to explore a country and its culture in a unique way.

Living with a family for a long period of time allows you to really immerse yourself in a way of life that you can’t experience in any other way. During my year I explored Hamburg extensively and made friends that I’m still in touch with.

PALS ON TOUR: Kriston and his fellow au pairs © Kriston Murphy

AU PAIR TOP TIPS: 1) RESEARCH YOUR FAMILY - Make sure you fully understand who you are going to be working for and likely living with.

2) OUTLINE YOUR DUTIES - Be careful to not take too much on! You are in charge of children mainly, your contract must include what you’re comfortable with.

3) SUPPORT SYSTEM - Before you relocate, ensure you have set up a support system to keep yourself sane. This can include fellow au pairs or speakers of your native language.

Life|Tech|9

Reality check: from napkin to Silicon Valley T he future of augmented reality is huge, but according to an innovative Liverpool technology company, it’s already a pretty big deal.

Developed for mobile devices and tablet computers, SwapBots is being developed in Draw and Code’s office on Hardman Street and represents a new direction for the augmented reality and toys-to-life market.

The initial concept was devised in an unconventional way as explained by the company’s marketing manager, Phil Charnock.

He said “Our two directors, John Keefe and Andy Cooper, were over in San Francisco just over two years ago in a bar, just sketching out the cube idea on a napkin.

“What we’re offering are these collectable toys, and they come in three parts so you can swap parts within them and keep making different combinations of toy.

“So, around 216 different combinations of toys will come out in our first series of six toys so that’s quite incredible and then, as we release more waves of toys you get into really silly numbers where you’d probably need a mathematician!”

SwapBots has gathered critical success lately in more ways than one, with a host of awards and grants under its belt in its early stages of life.

More recently, the company became part of the HAX Boost Accelerator Programme, the world’s first and largest hardware start-up programme. As part of the deal, SwapBots was given its own offices out in the United States of America where two members of the team are currently based.

John Keefe, SwapBots Technical Director, is currently based in the company’s Silicon Valley offices and has been for the past two weeks.

He said: “It means a lot to be part of an accelerator such as HAX Boost in San Francisco.

“To be in and around Silicon Valley’s software and hardware elite is a credit to the amazing team we have in Liverpool.

“My co-founder, Andy Cooper, and I came up with the idea for SwapBots nearly three years ago in San Francisco so it seems only right to be continuing the journey here.”

The SwapBots team has had meetings with Hasbro in Rhode Island and met with Universal Studios in Florida about the direction of augmented reality experiences.

D

raw and Code’s Brand Ambassador Jack Brewitt, who is also in the States, said: “It’s great being out in San Fran on a full time basis. People out here really see the future of SwapBots which is amazing. A lot of people out

HARD AT WORK: The development team in Liverpool

How augmented reality has taken SwapBots game developers from a small office in Liverpool to the technology capital of the world. ANDREW NUTTALL reports

here who we have spoken to have been where we are right now and succeeded with their products - so they have a huge amount of expertise which they are happy to share with us.”

A

nother achievement SwapBots has attained is the UK Games Fund Award, a company that was established to aid the UK games development sector.

Speaking about the award, Phil Charnock said: “It was amazing that UK Games Fund saw the potential in SwapBots and had the faith in us, especially with making such an unconventional game with so many challenges around it, all be it with such big potential to do well, we’re just so chuffed that they recognised that potential.

“Relatively speaking, it wouldn’t have been that pricey if we’re just talking about software element but we’ve got to build and manufacture these toys.

There’s so much that goes into that as we are learning all the time.”

Compared to the completely immersive experience of virtual reality, augmented reality tech-

COMING TO LIFE: Kabuto the Samurai nology is hands-down more easily reached by the average player.

This technology is all around us, from the ever popular Snapchat filters to the recent Pokémon GO phenomenon.

However, the company want to bring something to augmented reality that hadn’t been done before.

“We wanted it to feel like that customisable play you get with Lego or Minecraft but have that

© Andrew Nuttall

reflected on your phone or tablet screen.

“With the technology that’s available now, it looks really convincing that this video game character, in your hand, has come to life on the table in front of you, or crawling around on the floor in a kids bedroom or wherever it may be!”

Phil added: “Augmented reality is something that’s super accessible because we’re using ordinary phones and tablets (Android and iOS) to be able to bring our toys to life.”

The SwapBots game is aimed at a younger audience and recent figures published by Ofcom for 2015 display this accessibility trend identified by Phil lines up with technology that children already possess.

An Ofcom report claims that access to a tablet computer at

© Andrew Nuttall home for five to fifteen year olds has increased to 81% since last year, and, the report identified that at least three in four children surveyed live in a household with a tablet computer.

Also, there has been an increase since 2014 among children in playing games on a tablet as, on average, six in ten children aged between 12 to 15 play games online.

“This kind of accessibility isn’t the case with virtual reality where you’ve got to go and buy a slightly more expensive headset, or have it tethered to the newest PlayStation or hooked up to a high powered, and usually expensive, computer.”

Draw and Code aim for SwapBots to be available to the public in 2017, with no set date depending on how the production progresses.

‘As we release more waves of toys you get into really silly numbers where you’d probably need a mathematician!’

Life|Wellbeing|10

In the pink!

REAL MEN WEAR PINK: McGee Group getting their #wearitpink hi-vis on in aid of Breast Cancer Now

© McGee Group / Twitter

For the entire month of October men and women around the UK are raising awareness for Breast Cancer.

CHEYENNE HANSEN speaks about the terrifying statistics and what we can do to help

W

ork places, schools, universities and even social media profile pictures are all turning pink this month for one shared cause: Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Every October, men and women everywhere wear pink ribbons and hold fundraising events.

The worldwide annual campaign involves thousands of organisations, who are all working together to highlight the importance of breast cancer awareness.

The pink ribbon is now used as a global symbol to raise awareness of the life-threatening disease which was first used in the 1990s. In 1993 Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of the Estee Lauder Companies, established The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, using the pink ribbon as its symbol.

According to Breast Cancer Now, the UK’s largest breast cancer research charity, during this month alone more than 4,000 UK women will hear the devastating words “it’s breast cancer.” And nearly 1,000 will die from the disease.

Many charities are campaigning to try and change this. On Friday 21st October, workplaces, schools and homes will be wearing pink to help raise money and fund lifesaving research. Every year the campaign: wear it pink, raises around £2 million throughout October… simply by asking

supporters to wear pink and donate whatever they can. The money is used to fund life-saving research in the UK and Ireland.

T

he national charity: Coppafeel, are aiming to prevent the late detection of breast cancer by encouraging people to check their breasts regularly and to go and see a doctor if something doesn’t seem right.

Since 2010, volunteers at universities around the country have been on a mission to make students more aware of breast cancer.

English student, Elliss Baxter, is a volunteer for Liverpool John Moores University’s Coppafeel team. She told Liverpool Life: “I wanted to join the society because it is such a worthy one to join, making sure people know what to look out for could potentially save someone’s life.”

The group of students share one main aim: to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer amongst men and women. According to Breast Cancer Now, one in eight women in the UK will face breast cancer in their lifetime.

Joanne Rausch, 64, from Stoke on Trent, was diagnosed in 2010. She told Liverpool Life: “When I finally got my diagnosis I felt relieved. I finally knew what I was dealing with. Leading up to the diagnosis I was tearful at work, it took three weeks

before I got the results and knew what the treatment would be.”

Joanne was eventually given the all-clear in October 2014, four years after she received the devastating news.

LET’S TALK: Boobette campaigners want more women to be confident in talking about their breasts © Twitter

Make a difference with Breast Cancer Care’s pink products

Canvas shopper£7.99, Breast Cancer Care

Pink ribbon mug: £7.95, Breast Cancer Care

Notebook: £12.95, Breast Cancer Care

T-shirt: £8, George at Asda

Watch: £10, George at Asda

Rovers look to climb up table

By HAMISH ELLWOOD Tranmere Rovers will face Solihull Moors in the National League this Saturday.

Tranmere are currently sitting at seventh, with a win putting them in contention for promotion this season, while Solihull Moors are in 14th place.

An additional three points to Tranmere could shoot them from 7th to 3rd. The match will be held at the Automated Technology Stadium and will kick off at 3pm.

Liverpool are playing West Brom next week at Anfield, kicking off at 5:30. Following a disappointing 0-0 clash against Manchester United, the Reds will be raring to secure another three points. Liverpool are currently sitting at fourth while West Brom are 12th in the table.

Everton will clash with Burnley on the 22nd, away from home.

Everton are at sixth place at this early stage in the season, and will be looking to secure an important three points against Burnley who are 14th in the league.

The last time the two clubs faced off in October 2014, the blues took home a convincing 3-1 win.

Meanwhile, Southport FC will come up against Sutton United in a home game at Haig Avenue.

Southport are currently at the bottom of the National League in 24th place, with 15 games played so far this season. Sutton however are doing better at 13th, but hopefully the local team will be able to gain a third win of the season this Saturday. The match kicks off at 3pm.

Life|Sport|11

Safety fears over £17m 3G pitches

By ANDREW NUTTALL The leader of the Liberal Democrats for Liverpool has written a letter to Mayor Joe Anderson questioning the safety of artificial 3G football pitches.

The letter follows a report, covered in last week’s edition of Liverpool Life, which saw plans for four new football hubs in the city as part of a £17m deal.

Cllr Richard Kemp has written to Mayor Anderson asking him to suspend installation of artificial 3G football pitches, which the council is planning to incorporate into four new football hubs in partnership with the Football Association (FA).

In the letter, Cllr Kemp also claims that as each pitch needs to have 120 metric tonnes of rubber crumb surface, this is

LETTER: Cllr Richard Kemp © Nathan Archer, JMU Journalism

the equivalent to 20,000 shredded tyres.

He said: “I point out that there is clear concern in both the US and Holland about the nature of the product.

“The pitches are made from reused rubber, which is shredded and crumbed - and it is impossible to track where the rubber comes from, which means that there is a possi-

bility that much of the rubber comes from industrial plant.”

Research in the United States has shown that cancers have been caused to some players who use the pitches regularly, and 3G surfaces across Holland are being ripped up and replaced with conventional grass football pitches following their own investigations into the issue.

Yesterday afternoon, Cllr Kemp attended a meeting within his own ward of Allerton, where he aimed to raise the concerns of local residents who share these concerns over the proposed material.

He said: “If they intend to proceed with their plans, at a cost of £204,000 extra on a £16m capital programme, they should have a much better surface which is guaranteed to be safer for our young residents.”

Champ Bellew issues stark warning to Haye

By HAMISH ELLWOOD

Warriors in Unplugged battle

By CONNOR BENNETT Paddy ‘the Baddy’ Pimblett and Chris Fishgold are set to be a part of the BT Unplugged fight card for Cage Warriors. Pimblett, the newly crowned Featherweight Champion is set to take on former UFC prospect Julian ‘Juicy J’ Erosa.

The ever-confident Pimblett is set for big times in the world of Mixed Martial Arts and is set to defend the title that UFC sensation Conor McGregor never did.

Fishgold, in his second defence of the Lightweight title, will square off against Nic Herron-Webb.

Fishgold has been dominant so far in his MMA career, with a record of 15 wins, one loss and one draw.

Both bouts will take place on November 12th at the BT Sports studio, London.

GRASSROOTS: Last week’s story on the announcements of 3G pitches

CHAMPION: Tony Bellew with his belt

© Lawrence Lustig, Matchroom Boxing

Tony Bellew played “Pretty” Ricky Conlan in the latest instalment to the Rocky film series, Creed. In the film Bellew plays a boxer with a record not too different from his own.

Bellew currently stands with a professional boxing record of 28 wins, 18

by KO and two losses. Haye however has 28 wins, 26 by KO and similarly has two losses.

WBC cruiserweight boxing champion and Hollywood movie star Tony Bellew had an explosive title defence on Saturday. The Liverpool boxer retained his title after defeating American contender BJ Flores in the third round. After downing Flores three times in the fight, a left hook proved to be the finishing blow for the 37-year-old American.

However, it wasn’t the brawling antics of the fight that has everyone talking, it was his explosive outbursts at David Haye between rounds and after the fight.

Bellew mocked Haye for his two recent opponents, as well as stating he would enjoy “punching Haye in the face” if the showdown could happen.

David Haye has responded stating that he would accept the fight on his one term, they fight at heavyweight.

Bellew is a natural cruiserweight of 200lbs, however increasing his size to Haye’s natural heavyweight of over 200 lbs could be an issue for the boxer.

The two boxers had to be separated by security with Bellew leading DAVID HAYE: Catching attention the taunts at his potential future © Lawrence Lustig, Matchroom opponent.

Boxing

Liverpool

LifeSPORT 19 October 2016

THE BADDY’S KINDER SIDE

By HAMISH ELLWOOD Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion from Liverpool, showed his softer side this week as he hosted a variety charity show for children’s hospital Alder Hey. The event was held at Kingdom Nightclub in the town centre, offering a mixture of local acts and performances.

The night saw a variety of performances from local acts to a fashion show. The event, named ‘Lyrical Liverpool’ was organised by Andrea Heffernan, 20, from Huyton, who has volunteered at Alder Hey in her spare time for three years.

Andrea told Liverpool Life she was “made up” with the event and hopes to have raised a good sum of money for Alder Hey. Paddy said: “I’ve always said it, it’s great my home city, I’ve always got to do whatever I can to give something back. Without this city I wouldn’t be where I am, I wouldn’t be the person I am”.

Whilst working a full-time job, young entrepreneur Andrea managed to organise an actionpacked evening, she told Liverpool Life: “Alder Hey is the main charity in the city and its just within me to help others.

“I’ve volunteered at Alder Hey for about three years now and it’s so important to put money into

Star backs charity event our children’s hospital”.

Liverpool is very close to both Paddy and Andrea’s hearts, so was it natural for them to work together for such a great cause.

Paddy, the 12-1 Mixed Martial Arts fighter, representing Next Generation UK, hosted the event with his usual mixture of humour and Scouse charm. Those who are fans of the Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion will already be more than aware of his charitable side when it comes to his hometown.

He has worked with autistic children, hosts regular children’s classes, has visited and spoken at his old school and has spoken publicly about cystic fibrosis and prevention of suicide in men.

He recently visited his old school, where he gave a lengthy talk to year 9 pupils.

Paddy said: “It’s just great teaching the kids and giving them something to look forward to. It was great going to my old

school and I went into my junior school as well. It’s mad walking into the schools and seeing the kids’ jaws drop. It’s amazing because I’ve been sat in their chair and I know exactly how they feel.”

Paddy is looking to help children, not just in Liverpool but all over the country.

He said: “It’s not just in Liverpool it’s kids all over the country. I do my part because I’m from here. Everybody knows everyone around here we’re all cut from the same cloth. I’ll always have Liverpool like that.”

After winning his belt in just 95 seconds at Cage Warriors 78 in front of his home crowd at the Echo Arena, the 21-year-old Scouse star is heading for big things.

The young rising star recently acquired Irish superstar Conor McGregor’s old belt, which was never defended before going to the UFC. Paddy is planning on making a bigger wave as the 145 lb CWFC belt holder, all in an effort to take himself and Liverpool into the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

When quizzed about his immediate future, Paddy told Liverpool Life: “I’ll be defending my Cage Warriors title in the next four weeks and I’ll be defending it again, when I win in April. After that I’ll be going to the UFC”.

• Unplugged Battle - P11

Inside Sport

© WikiMedia Commonsdge

Are new 3G football pitches safe?

CHAMP: Paddy ‘the Baddy’ Pimblett. © Alistair Baker

© Lawrence Lustig, Matchroom Boxing

Bellew floors Flores to defend belt HOSTS: Paddy and Andrea Heffernan. © Hamish Ellwood

Liverpool fans praised for behaviour against United

By ANDREW NUTALL Fans of Liverpool and Manchester United have been praised for their behaviour at Monday night’s match.

The games between the two great rivals usually end up heated on and off the pitch but this year was different. Both sets of fans were impeccably behaved inside and out of the stadium.

After the game, Merseyside Po-

lice Match Commander Superintendent Paul White said: “I would like to thank the fans of both clubs for their exemplary behaviour last night, before, during and after the game.

This follows an incident close to Junction 5 on the M62 at Whiston ahead of the match, where police were forced to remove an offensive banner referencing the Munich Air Disaster on 1958.

Ahead of the game, a joint-statement from both clubs read: “Both

clubs, their supporters and football fans around the world are looking forward to this historic and passionate match between two of the sport’s biggest rivals.

“There is a great rivalry between our fans and it was pleasing to see supporters being respectful throughout a game watched in over 200 countries.”

“There is great rivalry between our fans and we ask all supporters to be respectful and help eradicate all forms of offensive and discriminato-

ry behaviour from the game.

“If any supporters are found to be engaged in any form of offensive or discriminatory behaviour by stewards or via CCTV then they will be immediately removed from the stadium, risk arrest, prosecution and be reported in accordance with the club’s ground regulations.

“This is an unrivalled fixture in the Premier League calendar and we thank all fans for their continued support in this important area of the game.”

© WikiMedia Commons

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