Liverpool Life 5:7 November 23 2016

23 - November - 2016

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ISSUE...

NEWS

PAGE 4

Road traffic victims remembered at ceremony

LIFEextra

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Vegas style christmas dinner will come to Liverpool

SPORT

PAGE 11

Father and son duo honoured by runners

LJMU’s Eleanor scoops top TV journalism award

By ROSIE STEEDMAN

One of the country’s best newlyqualified student journalists celebrated after picking up a prestigious award from high-profile broadcast experts.

The Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) 2016 Student Journalism Awards were held at ITV London Southbank on Monday, where Eleanor Davies, a graduate from Liverpool John Moores University, won ‘Best TV News Feature’ for her mini-documentary “Age - No Barrier to Exercise”.

Produced in her final year of university, the documentary looked at exercise in the older generation and whether it is done for enjoyment or health benefits.

The former Television journalism student chose the topic after noticing that a 90-year-old man who lived on her road ran marathons alongside running an impressive 75 miles a week.

Hoping for other senior citizens to

take part in similar sporting activities she put a post on Facebook asking if anyone else knew anybody that could get involved.

She told JMU Journalism: “I saw my name was under best TV feature and I was quite proud actually because there’s so many people who had been nominated but I didn’t expect to be.”

As she reflected back on her time at LJMU she added: “My highlight at LJMU was the news days, I really enjoyed them because I think there was only six of us on the TV team so we were all really close. And even now when I see the tweets from JMU Journalism I really miss them, I enjoyed it so much. Now when I’m trying to get a job I wish I was back at uni.”

After her success she was given a certificate for her achievement: “It’s good because you can put it on your CV and it’s an accredited award by the BJTC so any employers looking will know that you’ve put a lot of hard work into it and that it’s been recognised so it’ll be good for future careers.”

Proud: Eleanor Davies pictured with her award at the ceremony in London on Monday

DECREASE IN YOUNG MUMS

By ANDREW COOK

The rate of teenage pregnancy in the Merseyside area has reached an all-time low since records began after dropping over 50% from 1998. The latest figures have shown a consistent improvement in regards to conception

amongst women under 18.

The data was released by the Office for National Statistics yesterday and showed that there was a decrease throughout the whole country, not just for Merseyside. When the figures started to be recorded in March 1998 the whole of

Merseyside had 337 young pregnancies which grew to a high of 367 in December 1999. However, in the most recent results covering the three months to September 2015, Merseyside’s figure has dropped to 151.

Many think the improvement has come

after a long-term, ambitious strategy from the Labour government in 1999, in which they set a target to reduce teenage pregnancy by 50% in ten years. Since then subsequent governments have kept on the road of attempting to reduce the figures. At one stage,

England was named one of the worst in Europe for teen pregnancies.

The opening of friendly, non-judgemental sexual health centres made way to more questions being answered and a tighter grasp amongst the younger generations when it came to sexual

health.

When it comes to Merseyside, the increase in information has become most evident in Wirral where the September 2015 numbers fell more than other Merseyside borough, from 43 to 28 within the period from June to September.

Life|News|2

Grant hope for new community garden Learner

Happy travels: Ashley’s journey © Peter Moon

By LAURA HUGHES

Emmaus Merseyside has been shortlisted for the Aviva Community Fund to create a new communal garden in School Lane, Seaforth.

The project which has received the most votes and impresses the Aviva judges will be in with the chance of receiving the funds. Emmaus Merseyside received just short of 1,000 public votes, which they are hoping will be enough to be awarded the grant.

The homelessness charity plans to transform a chunk of wasteland in the Seaforth area order to create a ‘Participation Garden’ which will provide training and opportunities for volunteers and homeless people alike to work with the local

community, as well as groups and schools. The aim is to integrate homeless people into the community, in the hopes of enabling them to make a positive contribution to the area and help change negative perceptions of homeless people.

The land is currently an eyesore and attracts antisocial behaviour and crime regularly. Local residents have expressed their desires for the area to be transformed into an attractive open space, so it was down to Emmaus Merseyside to help bring these hopes to intuition.

Nigel Mellor, Chairman of Emmaus Merseyside, told Liverpool Life: “The Aviva grant will pay for the fencing, some of the raised beds, polytunnels and other works to do. It won’t go that

Ashleigh drives to £1,500

By ANDREW NUTTALL

Revival: Area in School Lane, Seaforth that is to be rejuvenated © Sefton Council for Voluntary Service/ Emmaus Merseyside far because £12,000 isn’t a massive amount of money, I mean the fencing alone has cost about £5000, but it will all help.

“We did what we could to spread the word and get people voting so we will just

keep our fingers crossed and see.”

The project has already received help from other companies for the site. The development centre for Liverpool One donated some railway sleepers to help form

the raised beds for the garden.

Nigel said: “We are applying to sources of funding following this to try and build up the project so that hopefully by this time next year we should have a good part of the site covered.”

Hundreds brave cold for transgender vigil

By HOLLIE HAYES

On a numbingly cold Monday evening, hundreds of people gathered at the Exchange Station to pay their tributes to those whose lives were lost because of transphobic violence.

Chris Owens, detective Sergeant of Merseyside police, opened the evening.

Speaking of the importance of the Transgender Day of Remembrance, he said: “For me, I’m a serving police officer in Merseyside but I’m also a trans man.

“I transitioned within my organisation four years ago and it’s been important for me to, as my confidence has grown, be able to be more visible in the community and at events like this so

Life

that I can make a difference and make the place safer for other trans people.”

At present, the strand of transphobic hate crimes stands at 858 in 2015/16 in England and Wales, accounting for a 41% rise of hate crimes since 2011/12 when the figure stood at 313.

At least half of trans young people and a third of trans adults attempt suicide.

This year alone, 295 people have died as a result of murder and suicide; some of them have been as young as 16.

A variety of guest speakers made speeches at the vigil of their own experiences, involvement in increasing visibility or simply commiserating the lives lost.

Amongst those speakers

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was Abigail Austen, the UK’s first transgender Army officer.

Speaking to the gathered crowd, she said: “I feel well and truly honoured to stand in front of so many beautiful trans men and women and I mean that both, internally and externally; beautiful people.”

Abigail made her transition in 2007 while she was on duty serving for the British Army.

She added: “That’s what gives me great honour to be here tonight, seeing so many people come together as a community to celebrate the difference. This is a day of transgender remembrance, but it is also about creating an inclusive society for all of us.”

Honour: Candles were lit during the vigil © Hollie Hayes/JMU Journalism

A learner driver from Merseyside who drove the length of the country has raised over £1,500 for two charities that are close to her heart.

Despite only starting her driving lessons two months ago, Ashleigh Howey, 21, from Halewood has driven the length of the UK, from John O’Groats to Land’s End. The world record attempt has raised just over £1,500 to date, which will be split between Alder Hey Hospital and The Alzheimer’s Society.

By her side the whole way was her driving instructor, Peter Moon.

He said: “The drive went really well. We did it in four days and had no problems at all. Ashleigh was brilliant and are still getting donations from the Just Giving page.

The gruelling prospect of driving for eight to nine hours a day would daunt even the most experienced of drivers. However, this didn’t stop Ashleigh from becoming the first learner driver to complete this route, as well as being the youngest.

Since her return, Ashleigh is set to face a much bigger challenge - her driving test!

Her instructor said: “She’s more nervous about the test than she was about driving from one end of the country to the other! She should be fine though.”

Police crackdown on city centre drugs use

By DAMIEN HORWOOD Merseyside police arrested 16 people for drug offences this weekend targeting users in Liverpool city centre and suspected dealers.

Activity over the weekend was focused on the popular night life scene Concert Square and the surrounding area including Slater Street and Wood Street, as well as the Mathew Street quarter.

Uniformed squads and officers in plain clothing visited licensees’ premises around the city in addition to patrolling the streets in the crackdown on the supply of drugs in the city.

Police also set up a temporary dispersal zone in

the city centre from 10pm on Friday to 7am on Sunday, due to reports of anti-social behavior in the area that was linked to drug dealing.

Nine people were arrested on Friday night with a further seven arrested on late Saturday night early Sunday morning.

Superintendent Matt Boyle said: “This weekend has been a great success, but we will not rest on our laurels.

We will repeat this activity on weekends throughout the Christmas and New Year period.

“Our message to those who supply drugs is clear - if you are intent on dealing drugs in the city centre we will take positive action and use all

Hotspot: Arrests were made in Concert Square this weekend © Wikimedia Commons legitimate and lawful means to bring you to justice and ensure visitors to our city stay safe.”

Anyone who has any vital information on drug

dealing and drug taking in Merseyside is asked to contact police forces on 101 or to contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Life|News|3

Increase in of�icers under attack

By DAMIEN HORWOOD

Almost 600 Merseyside police officers were assaulted while on duty last year according to recent figures.

The figures are part of a report compiled by The Home Office which aims to indicate just how common assaults against police officers are.

The report, which uses both police recorded and self-reported data, showed that Merseyside had the second highest number of assaults against officers in the North West, with only the Greater Manchester area having more. Although assaults against police officers appear to be on the rise with 110 more assaults reported in Merseyside than the year before.

Sergeant James Devereaux of Merseyside Police told Liverpool Life: “Being assaulted on duty is

becoming an increasingly damaging problem. Officers come to work understanding the dangers but recently we have seen the amount of violent incidents that result in injury to officers increase, not only in my force but constabularies around the country.”

Of the 584 assaults reported last year practically half resulted in injury to the officer, an increase from the previous year, when the report started that almost three quarters of all assaults reported were without injury.

“It is testament to the professionalism of all officers that they don’t let this fear affect them and are still willing to come into work, put their uniforms on and put themselves in harm’s way to protect their communities,” Sergeant Devereaux continued.

However, these figures do

By HOLLIE HAYES

Statistics: Attacks on the increase not provide the full picture as some of the data received from certain police forces was considered of unsuitable quality and not every assault will be reported

by the officer. Although despite its limitations the report is indicative of the scale of the issue.

But while assault on police officers has risen,

© Damien Horwood arrests for assault have fallen by over 1500 in Merseyside and by over 5000 in the north west as a whole, according to national statistics.

Liverpool stars are shining for Laura

By LAURA HUGHES

A successful live music event raised thousands for a local charity this weekend.

The Living with Laura event at St. Michaels Irish Centre in Everton saw a host of artists, renowned social media stars and YouTubers perform.

With X-Factor stars Christian Burrows and fellow scousers Tom and Laura headlining the occasion.

Living with Laura was set up to raise money for the 29-year-old who suffers with the incurable disease, Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), which damages the nervous system and affects around one in every 40,000 to 160,000.

The event played host to a family fun day with stalls, merchandise, food and drink and live performances run throughout the afternoon. A raffle was held to help raise

funds which included a stadium tour of Everton FC. Musician and brother of Laura, Jason Allan, told Liverpool Life: “I knew it was about time I did something for her and I have the contacts so I set up the event.”

The charity’s goal is to raise £5000 to help Laura enjoy the last few years of her life.

Jason added: “Once we get the money we’re going to buy her a hydro pool so then she can give her muscles a soak and she would really like that because she loves the feel of the water.

“It is our first event and it has been amazing the amount of people who have come up and surprised me and Laura. People from all over the country have come today and it means so much to us.

We will definitely be having more events the turnout has been really good.”

Publicist Harry Griffiths encouraged Jason to set up

the fund and has helped to promote the event and gain coverage, he told Liverpool Life: “I must admit to get the acts he has got is pretty impressive, I mean Christian (Burrows) having five million online views from X-Factor is massive, so to get him to confirm was great.”

He continued: “The most beautiful thing about Laura is that it’s all affected her later in life, so as Jason has grown older, his sister has slowly deteriorated, as when he was younger she would look after him and obviously now the roles have reversed.

We sat him down one day and said to him ‘look we need to do something’ and that’s why he created the go funding page. It’s exactly what should be being done for someone in Laura’s position.”

To make a donation to the Living with Laura fund visit www.gofundme. com/2hz43d8.

A public consultation for the Paddington Village redevelopment scheme was held at Kensington Fields Community Centre yesterday.

The £1bn regeneration plan has been open to the public since the beginning of the month, with the draft plan for Paddington Village,

called the “Spatial Regeneration Framework” being open to public consultation until 5pm on Friday December 23.

City councillor Mike Horne was in attendance at the consultation and spoke about the importance of the public’s input he said: “This is just a draft, there are no plans here yet. We’ve had a lot of feedback and

it’s about incorporating that into our final report.”

Though not all feedback was positive, Steve Downing, a city resident, said: “Currently there’s nothing for cyclists which is something that would need to change.”

Mayor Joe Anderson called the SRF a vital tool in spelling out how Paddington Village will be developed

Liverpool’s LGBT quarter’s completed revamp in the city’s Commercial District has officially been revealed.

The magical makeover of Eberle Street at the heart of Liverpool’s LGBT community was inspired by the Wizard of Oz as part of a £1.6m scheme funded by the Liverpool BID Company and Liverpool City Council.

Those influenced by the rich heritage and diverse range of entertainment venues in the area include the Artist Club, Passion, GBar and Garlands.

In addition to this, two bespoke designed Eberle Street signs along with bespoke LED lighting across the street compliments the hexagon shape and structure of the paving below.

Award winning Liverpool-based designers BCA Landscape and Amey Consulting have worked alongside the input of local stakeholders and BID businesses to develop a creative redesign which was built by local firm King Construction.

Backing for home scheme

By ROSIE STEEDMAN

Determined: Charity aims to raise £5,000

© Laura Hughes

£1 billion regeneration for Kensington Fields

By DAMIEN HORWOOD

Follow the LED road

and has said that the public consultations are the key to the scheme’s success.

The massive site behind the Royal Hospital, including the former Archbishop Blanch school, will be transformed into a hub of business buildings, laboratories as well as housing and restaurants Paddington Village could include a new Merseyrail

station connect to Central Station The redevelopment is the first part of a larger £2bn plan for the Knowledge Quarter, which stretches from Kensington to Lime Street, including the areas around Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool, will take over ten years to complete.

Sefton Council is backing National Empty Homes Week, which takes place next week.

From November 28 – December 2, the council is encouraging people to come forward to report any vacant houses in their area.

The council’s Empty Homes Strategy and Action Plan aims to help bring empty properties back into service to provide homes for those desperate and in need.

After being adopted in 2014, 101 homes have been brought back into use. Many of the properties have been left empty for years and were in poor condition due to neglect, fly-tipping and squatting.

If you own an empty property and want to discuss what options are available to bring it back into use, contact Sefton Council.

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Hospice charity carol evening

By RHYS EDMONDSON

An evening of festivity is coming to the Old Roan Methodist Church in Aintree village when it hosts the annual Woodlands Hospice Community Carol Concert.

The popular event will take place on Saturday December 3 where the community will get together to sing carols and Christmas songs in aid of the Woodlands Hospice.

Money raised from the concert will go towards their cause.

Based at University Hospital Aintree, the hospice is an independent charity which provides care for people with life-threatening and terminal illnesses.

Set up in response to the needs of the local community, Woodlands serves a population of over 330,000 people, covering the areas of South Sefton, North Liverpool and Kirkby.

Stephen Gent of the Aintree Ratepayers Association said: “I’ve been involved with the Woodlands Hospice for over ten years now and we do a carol concert in Aintree every year. The hospice itself has been going for over 20 years now, since 1996, and the work they do is remarkable.”

Doors open at 7pm followed by the concert at 7.30pm. For more information please contact Christine Peach on 0151 529 8117.

Carol service: choir singing ©Irish Defence Forces

Memorial day for road traffic victims

By ROSIE STEEDMAN

Five doves were released above the streets of Liverpool to remember the five people who, on average, die on UK roads every day.

The tribute was part of a special service at St. Georges Hall on Sunday to honour those who have been injured or died on our roads and was part of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

Organised by charity Roadpeace, guests were invited to the memorial service to pay their respects in St Johns Gardens where the doves were released.

Pauline Fielding, from Liverpool, who is a trustee and organiser for the event turned to the charity after her son Andrew died in a road accident in 1994 at the age of 18.

She told Liverpool Life: “My own son Andrew was killed 22 years ago in a crash caused

Remembrance: Tributes laid at memorial by a person who didn’t stop and was never traced. Following that I wanted to makes sure that the place where he had been killed was improved so that it would be less dangerous for people to use and in my campaigning to have it made safer, I was helped by Roadpeace. They also gave me emotional support and it was through them that I went to the remembrance service where I met another mother who had been bereaved and

© Rosie Steedman

we became good friends and decided to start a group.”

She added: “If somebody loses a person that they love through a road crash it changes their life forever, they can never ever be the same again.

One road crash can affect not just the friends and family but colleagues and so many other people and it can all be avoided. We all have to be reasonable if we are using the roads, whether we are a pedestrian or a driver.”

The service was conducted by the Rector of Liverpool, Crispin Pailing, who was joined by St. Nicholas singers and the Senior Choir of Merchant Taylor’s Girls’ School for a poignant hymn service.

Merseyside’s Assistant Chief Constable, Ian Critchley, said: “This was such an important experience for the families, for all our communities, for the people of Liverpool to remember each and every individual that has been affected, the victims, the families of road collisions, whether they’ve died or been seriously injured.”

“Whether it’s through loss of thought, deliberate acts, the consequences are huge and the consequences last a lifetime for the victims and bereaved families and indeed for those undertaking such dangerous road behaviour. I would ask them to think and stop and change.”

Over the last five years there

has been a 14% increase in people killed and seriously injured on the roads in Merseyside, in 2014 it went up to 613 people. Over the last two years Merseyside Police have seen a reduction by about 14%. It is their aim and ambition to reduce that number to make the streets safer.

Chief Con Critchley added: “We are undertaking a lot of work, whether that’s working with our schools across Merseyside to make our streets as safe as possible right through to working with senior road users.

“Our message is that most of these are preventable and we should both remember everybody who has been impacted on, also look at our own behaviour and make our roads in Merseyside as safe as possible.”

Remembrance services have been held each year since 1993.

Cavern Club’s 60th birthday celebration

By AALIYAH RUGG

A special show will be staged to mark the 60th anniversary of the world’s most iconic club.

The Cavern Club, in Liverpool, will kick off a year of celebrations by hosting the show in January 2017 which will feature The Overtures and special guests.

John Lennon’s sister, who is also a director of the Cavern, Julia Baird, said: “The Cavern is, of course, synonymous with the Beatles since they performed here 292 times in their early career.”

The club first opened its doors to music-hungry youngsters on January 16 1957. To mark the mo-

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ment, the show will start at 19:57pm and ticket prices range from £19.57.

The Cavern Club show aims to take audiences on a musical journey through six decades since the club opened. Radio City and Radio Merseyside are supporting the 60th anniversary and all profits from the two shows will be split between their official charities, Cash for Kids and Children in Need.

Jon Keats, the Cavern’s director of music and events said: ““The challenge will be to give music from each decade the respect it deserves.”

Tickets are on sale and are available to buy online at www.liverpoolphil.com.

Cavern Club: Opening year 1962

Cream to return

By LAURA HUGHES

Work has now begun on the huge Creamfields Steel yard superstructure at Central Docks.

The 10,000 capacity temporary arena is here for a special sell out show this weekend at Liverpool Waters featuring music from the international electronic stars Axwell & Ingrosso.

The world-renowned huge 20 metres high structure was constructed exclusively for Creamfields and dominated the site in Daresbury, Cheshire, for the August Bank Holiday weekend festival.

The structure is used because the organisers wanted a large unseated structure.

The event kicks off at 8pm on November 26.

Ex Swedish House Mafia members Axwell & Ingrosso were two thirds of the famous trio who between 2008 and 2012 ruled the international club scene and will headline the event.

Mayor Joe Anderson expressed his joy for the return of the Cream brand, following the renowned club’s closure last year, he said: “Cream is one of Liverpool’s biggest and most iconic brands, is world famous and has a reputation for pushing the boundaries.

“So to know that Creamfields is coming back to the city is music to my ears.”

• James Barton interview: p8

© Steve Hale Cavern Club

Skyscraper plan

By JOSH HODGE

Talks regarding the historic Eldon Grove site in Liverpool being refurbished and potentially turned into a skyscraper have been critisised by some locals.

The grade II rated buildings have been left in ruin for the last 16 years prompting the ‘Stop the Rot’ campaign to make use of the unused area.

Liverpool Council’s committee document propose that there shall be various internal and external works in connection with conversion of tenement buildings.

Eldon Grove is currently made up of three threestorey buildings which are

all currently unused.

The plans aim to refurbish the remaining builing for residential use as well as adding five blocks of flats to the area.

The redevelopment scheme has not been welcomed by many locals as 110 people of the 152 that were consulted gave various objections to the idea of a revamping process.

There have been frequent grievances with the idea, including that the buildings proposed are too high for the area. Eldon Grove has its own social historical importance to the City of Liverpool and parking is unrestricted and already limited.

Life|News|5

Lottery hope for Irish centre

By HOLLIE HAYES Former Irish Centre the Wellington Rooms in Liverpool could be transformed into a science and innovation hub under new plans to bring the building back to life.

The Grade II-listed building has been empty for around 20 years.

Liverpool City Council will apply for Heritage Lottery funding for the project to transform it into a home for burgeoning technology companies, education and scientific research.

However, it will need to raise an additional £60,000 for emergency repairs to the building.

If approved, the authority would work on the project alongside Liverpool University and Liverpool Science Park.

According to a council spokesman the plans are hoped to regenerate the building which could become a key part of the city’s Knowledge Quarter.

Police to limit 999 calls

By CHEYENNE HANSEN Merseyside police have revealed that they receive 2000 calls a day from people who ‘’don’t need urgent help.”

They have released some of the 999 dialled calls, which include a man who received the wrong food at a restaurant and a woman who lost her jacket.

The police have stated that it wastes valuable time which call handlers could be spending talking to people in a real emergency.

A new system has been put in place to ensure that anyone who doesn’t need to see an officer immediately can meet with them another time in order to free up resources for urgent calls.

‘The Danny’ to host artists on the docks

By GABRIELLE WALSH

An historic boat is set to play host to independent artists in the Albert Dock over the Christmas period for the first time The Daniel Adamson, also known as ‘The Danny’ is a famous vessel which survived the steam age and two world wars.

She is a small but incredibly powerful canal tug which was built to tow long strings of barges laden with goods from the inland towns of Cheshire and the Potteries to the great seaport of Liverpool.

She made her appearance on the Mersey at a time when old-fashioned sailing ships still jostled for space on the Liverpool waterfront with the great steamships and ocean liners of the Edwardian era.

The timeless ship, which has recently been restored following a £3.8 million

Heritage Lottery Fund Award, is a charity which is now a tourist attraction in Liverpool.

The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society, or ‘DAPS’ for short is the volunteerled charity behind the restoration project that has returned The Danny back to operating service.

They have recently refurbished the saloons exactly how they would have been in 1936 ready for the Christmas pop-ups.

It has opulent wood panels which is said to have been originally intended for the Oceanic luxury liners, but as they were never used, they have found their way to The Danny to create a sense of finery aboard the proud ship. Saloon seatings have been finished with fabrics copied from the original photographs of the interior, as well as the carpets and the tables which also include hidden ash tray holders.

Festive: Christmas traders are welcome on board The Danny anchored at the Albert Dock Georgia Hayes, Marketing Manager of DAPS, said: “We wanted to give people more reasons to come and visit The Danny, so we have decided to add events to attract families including our story trims on Saturdays and our pop up Christmas stalls using independent Liverpool traders.

“We are run by volunteers and they like to be as busy as possible whilst they are giving up their time.

“So the more people they can give guided tours to on the ship the better.”

Christmas stalls are offered for free but a small donation would be appreciated.

The stalls are available

11.30am to 3pm December 3 - December 18 and some evenings will also be available when the new light displays are on at the docks, which promises to be a great tourist attraction. The Daniel Adamson is now happily located at Liverpool’s iconic Albert Dock by The Pumphouse pub.

‘Help me to fight my MS in Mexico’

By AALIYAH RUGG

A Wirral man is reaching out for public support to help him raise money for ground-breaking treatment in Mexico.

Wheelchair-bound Steve McGrath suffers from Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis [MS], but does not meet the criteria for stem cell treatment in the UK. The 57-year-old said: “One of the hardest things is accepting the changes in my body this PPMS has brought about.

“In the beginning accepting using a walking stick, what I wouldn’t give now to go back to those days where I could get about with just the use of stick, my pride stood in the way for a long time before I would accept needing to use a wheelchair.”

Steve was diagnosed with

MS in 2009 and from the age of 50 he had to adapt his life, relying completely on friends and family.

In eight weeks, the campaign ‘Steve’s Story’ has raised 25k of the £50,000 needed for Steve to get to Mexico and receive treatment.

Steve said: “The response from people has been overwhelming and messages of support are a huge comfort to me and my family. I now have something to aim for and know together we can reach the target to get me the treatment for a brighter future.”

Steve does not meet the criteria for the NHS in London to receive Haematopoietic Stem Cell Treatment (HSCT) but has been accepted in Mexico. The procedure will not cure Steve, but the 95% success rate will hopefully stop the MS in its tracks and reverse some of the disabili-

ties he has.

Before MS, the former Unilever Line operator was an active man and completed the three peaks and Triathlons for charity. Now he puts himself forward for medical trials with the hope of preventing future generations from facing the disease.

The grandfather said: “One

of the hardest things I am battling daily with is to Love: Top, Steve with grandaughter Poppy. be a GranAbove: Steve with his wife, Janet. dad to our wonderful granddaugter Poppy, who’s our lives and brings a ray of now three. She is the light in sunshine each day.”

Life|Focus|6

Fighting prejudice and learning how to trust Hollie Hayes talks to representatives from the LGBT community about Transgender Awareness Month For the past 17 years November has been marked as Transgender Awareness Month. Although in the grand scheme of time 17 years is a far too narrow scale to be aware of a human’s individual rights.

Transphobia is an everyday occurrence for transgender individuals – something many have no other choice but to accept.

Liverpool is one of few cities which have been at the forefront of transgender awareness, courtsey of transgender icon and tireless campaigner for transrights, April Ashley.

Former Vogue model and actress, April Ashely MBE was one of the earliest British people known to undergo pioneering gender reassignment surgery.

The trans-icon was subsequently outed by the Sunday People in 1961 but her impact on sexual and gender debate made history. Now aged 81, her legacy continues to thrive in Liverpool. A year-long exhibition entitled ‘Portrait of a Lady’, which ended September 21 2014,

celebrated the model and 70 years of transgender history.

The awareness of transgender rights and hate crimes could not be any more topical to our generation. From the emergence of trans icon Caitlyn Jenner featured on the front cover of Vanity Fair to Laverne Cox’s cherished character Sophie Burset in renowned Netflix original Orange is the New Black, it is ever more apparent that national media and entertainment platforms are beginning to take those audacious leaps that none before them had ever dared to think of.

And these are to name a few of the ever-growing list of transgender icons.

Darren Mooney, Human Resources for Diversity and Equality at the University of Liverpool, said: “An interesting point though, is many trans people will not be known as trans post transition, unless they chose to be public role models or have been ‘outed’, the very nature of the gender reassignment process is that you become legally male or female.

“I personally know a

Illuminated: The town hall lit up for Transgender Awarness Month

number of people who have transitioned, but do not identify as “trans” as their gender, they are “male” or they are “female”. In UK legal context there is no such things as a third gender, just male or female. The scope of the definition of gender reassignment can be seen as pushing this, though I see it very much as a process, like pregnancy, it is not a permanent identity.

Equality law is protection for those going through a

process of changing their identity, not those identifying as a third way per se.”

However, despite the significant increase in transgender awareness, the amount of transphobic hate crimes reported 2011-2015 has escalated incredulously.

The number of reported hate crimes in England and Wales in 2011-12 stood at 318, that number has now sky rocketed to 6858 in 2016-16 – a 19% rise in recorded crimes.

© Hollie Hayes

Chris Cox, transmasculine representative for Liverpool LGBT+, grew up in a village in North Wales. He began questioning his gender at 25.

He said: “Any time I have to come out to someone, I have generally had a positive and accepting response. However, it hasn’t always stayed positive, as I have had some verbal abuse along the way which has affected my mental health and I now struggle to trust people.”

The rise across this strand can be considered an indicator of both the improved identification of hate crime as a factor and an increase in the occurrence of hate crime.

The progression of trans awareness provides fair and equal rights for individuals intending to undergo or is undergoing/undergone gender reassignment in today’s legal systems. The introduction of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 has enabled a married or civil partnered couple to remain in legal union without needing to divorce/dissolve their union – which was previously the case.

However other areas are in need of urgent reform.

Touching upon the topic of support from the NHS and central government, Chris added: “From personal experience, I feel that there is a severe lack in help via the NHS, especially in Wales.

"However, I try to see the situation from both sides, and am aware that there may be waiting times for appointments, etc.

"Although I do feel that the NHS can do a bit more by increasing their communication, and keeping patients in the loop throughout the process.”

The traumatic aftermath of armed con�lict

By HOLLIE HAYES

Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the main mental repercussions which affect most veterans who have served in the armed forces – yet it still receives inadequate attention. The disorder results from stress-

ful, frightening or distressing events, causing sufferers to relive traumatic events through nightmares and flashbacks.

At present, more than 28,000 members of the armed services have been diagnosed with mental health problems since 2007.

Unfortunately, there is not yet consistent care across all NHS Trusts. Although there are services currently being set up the many demands on the NHS hinder local facilities from offering specialist trauma-focused services.

In Liverpool alone there is extensive care provided by

Front line: Soldiers from the 2nd platoon as they prepare to leave the 'Restrepo' base in Afghanistan to pursue militants © Tim Hetherington

charities and organisations, such as Combat Stress, Blue Apple Heroes and Liverpool Veterans to name a few.

In the North West support groups offer confidential advice for ex-veterans and work closely with the Department of Health and the NHS to facilitate the setting up of joint clinical pathways of care that will allow veterans to access meaningful treatment.

An ex-veteran who wishes to remain anonymous served for just under six years in the rifles infantry, touring in Afghanistan 2011-2012. However, he was unaware of his medical condition until this year.

Speaking of his experiences with PTSD, he said: “Every room you go into you’re ready for a fight. It’s not so bad now. When I first left the army I was getting into quite a lot of fights and

quite a lot of drama. I was so angry I would just flip "It’s kind of like a defence mechanism in a way because throughout the army you’re trained to be ready.

You’re always on edge. The adrenaline is a constant flow through your body and you’re always on it. It’s like my head is still in Afghan.

Everyone’s a threat, that kind of thing. You have that brotherhood as well and you can’t trust anyone outside of it. There’s no trust. I have trust issues because of it, I can’t trust someone like I trusted my best friend in the army. So obviously that affects relationships and friendships.”

The former soldier now suffers from severe memory loss as a result of the trauma caused by PTSD. The implications of this have caused him to forget memories of his childhood, school and

friends. Even now he struggles to remember memories of his four-year-old daughter at birth.

He added: “I don’t show emotion like I used to. I just don’t feel like I can show love or compassion or that kind of thing. I’m not happy. I can pretend I’m happy and go to work. Or walk into a room and show my girlfriend or friend a smile and be happy as a front. But I’m not really happy.”

In the past few years several PTSD charities and organisations have grown in recognition. Their aid helps combat the absence of sufficient support for soldiers leaving the army.

Blue Apple Charity and Liverpool Veterans are just some of many Liverpoolbased charities which provide financial and health support for those in need and suffering from PTSD.

Life|Arts|7

LIFE EXTRA Try everything and don’t

be afraid of mistakes B efore starting university, Niamh Spence didn’t know what path she wanted to pursue, all she knew was that she was good at English, but didn’t want to become an English teacher.

She wanted to find a way to use her writing skills and after seeing her sister enjoy her journalism degree at Cardiff University, Niamh knew she wanted to do that same.

“The reason I chose Liverpool John Moores was because it had more of a vocational side of the course, so you actually got to go out and interview people.

Now, four years after graduating, Niamh works at Manchester’s MEC Agency, where some of their clients include Nationwide, Compare The Market and Great Western Railway.

“I start work at 9am but I get there at 8am because I like to put BBC News on, read the papers and just have that hour to get my head straight and get up to date with everything that’s happening.

Before you know it, there’s something on the news that will shape what you were going to do that day.

“I’m the only PR person

Nicole Quinn talks to graduate Niamh Spence about life after university and the personal highlight of her career so far within our department, I need to catch up with five different teams that I work across to find out where their PR campaigns are at.

“It’s about finding out what you’re doing that day but also how that shapes the bigger picture. No day is ever the same, it’s very varied, but you do use a lot of the skills you learn at university.”

Niamh was proactive in sourcing work experience and placement. In January of her third year she did two weeks at the Chester Leader and the Liverpool Echo features desk. As well as that, during holidays she also had placements at the Telegraph, London Fashion Week and Luxe Magazine.

“It’s such a competitive industry, you’re not just fighting against people who have done journalism, there are people who have done English and creative writing or

media communications. It’s very competitive to get into a lot of it comes down to who you know rather than what you know. It shouldn’t be that way.”

A

fter finishing her course, Niamh took a break from journalism and worked in Urban Outfitters and restaurants.

She slowly made her way back towards journalism, starting with a small marketing agency. Niamh went on to work for Manchester Confidential and worked across Liverpool as she had a background of the city. From that she made the move to PR and then back into marketing.

“One of the strongest skills now that I’m at MEC is the fact that because I’ve worked in journalism and PR, I understand how they both work.”

Citizen journalism really took off when Niamh was studying, particularly during the 2011 England riots.

“I’ve always used social media to share my thoughts and keep in touch with the top news stories and now from a PR point of view, using the hashtags JournoRequest and PRRequest are absolutely essential in my day-to-day work.

“My advice to students now would be, just keep absorbing everything, don’t turn down any opportunities. Everything that you do, you’re learning from, don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”

A personal highlight of Niamh’s career came this year when she wrote about endometriosis, a condition she has lived with since 14.

“One of the stories I wrote this year was very personal to me, I wrote a health piece for The Daily Mail that went into the Femail section.

“When it went live I was absolutely overwhelmed by the support I received from people suffering from the same thing. On a personal level, that’s a real highlight.

That was a really proud moment because it was a piece of journalism that has done good.”

Dedicated: Niamh Spence, above right and top, who graduated four years ago from LJMU

Record Fair@ The Bluecoat 29 Oct

WHAT’S ON THEATRE

Liver Birdsong: The Liverpool Blitz Musical @ The Epstein Theatre November 29-Decemember 3 The premiere commemorates the 75th anniversary of The Blitz. Tickets from £15.50-£24.50. Opening night all seats £18. Midweek mats all seats £15

ARTS National Museum: Liverpool’s exhibition program for 2017 will kick-start the new year with a variety of re-openings and celebrations, including: Celebrations to mark the International Slavery Museum’s 10th anniversary.

Re-opening of World

Museum’s Ancient Egypt galleries.

Transparency @ The Walker Art Gallery (March 24-June 18) Free entry Victorian Treasures @ The Walker Art Gallery (January 27-May 7) Free entry Alphonse Mucha: In Quest of Beauty @ The Walker Art Gallery (June 16-October 29)

£7 for adults / £5 concessions / under-18s enter free.

Art of Solidarity @ The International Slavery Museum (January 13June 18) – Marks 10th anniversary since opening in 2007 Free entry Coming Out @ The Walker Art Gallery (July 28-November 15) Free entry

Magic Clock @ Museum of Liverpool (October 13-May 2018) Black Salt @ Merseyside Maritime Museum (29 September-September 2018) Free entry Edo Pop exhibition @ Lady Lever Art Gallery (May 26-September 24) Transformation: One man’s cross-dressing wardrobe @ Sudley House (March 312018)

Life|Dance|8

No heels, no hangover

just dance Aaliyah Rugg finds out about the new exercise craze

C

hristmas is once again around the corner. That time of year when we all happily over indulge on sweets and treats and don’t feel bad about it.

Clubbercise: Instructor Jo Parry

P

That is, until New Year, when the guilt sets in and everyone vows to get rid of the extra pounds. But be honest, who actually keeps to that resolution?

Sure there are a handful who take out a gym membership and actually stick to it all year round, but are you one of those people?

Jo Parry is a fitness instructor who travels to different communities around Merseyside and introduces them to Clubbercise, a class that combines club music and exercise.

The instructor said: “There is a massive demand in Liverpool for Clubbercise. People love it because they love the

music. Not everyone can afford to go out due to childcare issues and stuff like that so it’s a way of enjoying all club tunes in a safe environment.

“Clubbercise is so much fun that people don’t even realise they’re exercising.

It’s exercise in disguise, a night out workout without the heels and without the hangover.”

Jo has been an instructor for five years and initially trained as a Zumba instructor.

Along with exercise classes at night, she teaches in the community in schools and helps children and adults with learning difficulties.

This year has seen a rise in Clubbercise, which is like a simple dance routine to club anthems from the 90s to the latest hits.

Unlike Zumba, Clubbercise is taught in a dark room with disco lights and glow sticks. A night out minus the alcohol.

Maxine Hannah is one of the many people who travels with Jo to join in on the classes. Starting in January, Maxine was a size 18 and thanks to the fitness class she is now a size 10.

She said: “I didn’t have any confidence at all, when I looked in the mirror I felt ugly and I wouldn’t get on any photos or go out, my social life was non-existent.

I heard that Clubbercise was coming to the Boyzee and with the way I was feel with no confidence there was no way I would’ve gone but I dragged myself there.

“I love it so much it’s addictive, now I travel all over Liverpool to go to the

Glow sticks: A clubbercise class in action classes, it’s amazing. The atmosphere is amazing and I have met the nicest friends I could ever wish for. I’ve lost three stone and I’m a completely different person.

“I’m even now training to be a personal trainer and do Clubbercise myself. It’s the best thing I have ever done.”

The Boyzee community centre in Halewood is just one of the places in Merseyside to host Jo and her class.

It sees people from across Liverpool coming in and joining the dances without a hangover the next day.

Dawn Corrie, manager for the Boyzee, said: “I think it suits all ages, you can go at your own pace and it’s like a night out plus the additional services that the centre can offer.

They do big events as well so you help raise money for local charities.”

The Boyzee, along with the Woolton Conservative Club, have both hosted a glow party where people can come along and join in a class that lasts over two hours.

This keeps people fit and also raises money for their chosen charities.

Megan Topping, a Clubbercise instructor, said: “I got into Clubbercise through Jo, I saw her advertising it on Facebook and decided to give it a go.

“You know you can just let loose and have a ball and no-one is judging what you look like or what you’re doing. There’s no right move, it’s all about keeping moving and having fun.”

Living the Cream

artying at your own nightclub every weekend and then jetting off to Ibiza is the dream for most teenagers. Now living in Malibu, James Barton achieved all of this in the 1990s and has even been recognised by his home city by being named a Citizen of Honour.

The founder of Liverpool’s worldfamous nightclub Cream, now 48, spent a quarter of a century working as a promoter and DJ in the city. James spoke to Liverpool Life about his experiences and about his latest honour: “That accolade could have come from any city in the world but it wouldn’t have been the same as coming from your home town. There’s so many moments in the history of Cream and me in that city, it makes me happy and it makes me proud.”

The Everton fan is now one of only 27 people who have been named as a Citizen of Honour, having made a positive difference to the city and the lives of those who live there.

Growing up on a council estate during the 80s, James came from a working class background he said: “We were taught from a very early age, we would be expected to work and contribute to the family and bring some money in through the door.

“I left school at the earliest point I could which was 16, I didn’t really leave with a great deal of qualifications because even whilst at school I was already working Saturdays down at Great Homer Street Market making some money.”

Andrew Livingston speaks to James Barton about being named a Citizen of Honour and how he founded Cream He went on to say: “Liverpool city centre was my playground, if you’re a teenager and you are growing up in Liverpool and it’s Tuesday night, The Jam is playing at the Royal Court or The Clash … I literally saw nearly every band that came through Liverpool.”

So, aged 19, the young red-haired entrepreneur tried to persuade the State Ballroom to allow him to start his own night: “When I walked into the State in 1988 to convince Bernie Start, the owner, to let me start a club night, it nearly didn’t happen.

“He was very hesitant and was not quite supportive from the get go and it took a lot of persuasion from me to convince him to do it. He agreed to do it, and the rest is history as they say.”

The years passed by and James opened new and different club nights until he eventually started Cream in the October of 1992.

“We launched in October and then over Christmas we did a couple of parties, we did a big boxing night event which became a big tent pole in Cream’s history.

“Within a number of months, we were already seeing that we were pulling a big crowd and that we were pulling a good

crowd, we were able to play good music and you know in a way that we wanted to.

It wasn’t long before we were selling the club out.”

Together, with the other co-founders Darren Hughes and Andy Carroll, they worked closely with the city to help the development of both Liverpool and Cream.

“Cream had become a big contributor and a big pull for Liverpool and so there was a few incidences where we had some difficulties, but I think that a combination of the council and the police realised that we were fighting.

James went on to say: “I hope that the legacy of Cream is that we set a high standard in the city for that type of entertainment, and more importantly we created the environment and the template in how the city and the entrepreneurs and the operators can co-operate and work together.”

Eventually, in 2012 the decision was made to sell Cream to Live Nation, where James himself now works. He stated: “I guess in a weird way, maybe my personal ambition was a big driver in selling the business.

“We created a scenario in which the business could be sold but we also created a scenario in which I could come to America and really do something that I’ve really had a longing to do” Through his time in Liverpool, Barton saw the growth of the city and the change of perceptions towards Liverpudlians such as himself. He said: “Through the mid to

late 80s Liverpool was bit of a wasteland … I’m a proud scouser, I’ve been the butt of the jokes, ‘don’t go there your wheels are going to get stolen’.

“The reality is that that was the perception for a long, long time and in amongst all of this a couple of people, a couple of entrepreneurs or businesses came along which started to turn that perception around and started to turn that tide.

“At the time I didn’t recognise that, but 25 years later it’s obvious to me that there were a couple of key turning points in the history of the city and one of them was Cream.”

hope that the legacy of Cream is that we set a high standard in the city for entertainment’

‘I

Life|Entertainment|9

Tasty: Master Chef Darren Wynn (left), and showdancers are getting set for the Vegas-styled event ©Gareth Jones

Gabrielle Walsh reports on the Vegas event that is set to take place in Liverpool’s Town Hall next month

A

n exquisite Vegas-style event is coming to the Town Hall this December to host a Christmas dinner with a unique twist.

‘Show Spectacular’ will offer a VIP Cirque De Soleil atmosphere with a variety of unrivalled entertainment featuring showgirls, circus acts and award winning illusionists.

Guests are set to enjoy an evening of style and glamour followed by a seasonal three-course meal made

by Liverpool’s only Master Chef of Great Britain Darren Wynn.

For this event, there will be a typical Vegas-style red carpet entrance. Diners will be welcomed with a Christmas cocktail, greeted by feathered showgirls and will then be shown to their

tables.

Straight after the starter, there will be hand balancing acrobats followed by magicians who will showcase a whirlwind of tricks that will blow the audience away.

They have promised to delight and inspire their diners from start to finish in the stunning surroundings of the Town Hall’s Grand Ballroom.

Helen Wynn, Director of Carrington’s Catering, said: “To keep guests entertained but avoid long drawn out shows the evening has short blasts of stunning but fun entertainment all the way through to leave guests mesmerised and intrigued to see what comes next.

“The quality in every ingredient of this event is what makes it stand out from the rest, it pulls on the

best everything that the city has to offer to create a show spectacular.”

She added: “We chose the Liverpool Town Hall as it’s an iconic and exclusive venue with so much history.

“We played host to the Queen in June for a lunch.

So many people have not been inside the city’s gem and we really want to get people in to realise what stunning spaces are available to the people of Liverpool.”

Guests will be treated to a choice of starters including terrine of chicken and pistachio with fig relish; potted salmon and prawns, pressed cucumber terrine, saffron jelly, toasted brioche and cream of quail and woodland mushroom soup.

Mains include breast of chicken with cranberry, chestnuts and browned

sprouts; braised shin of beef with chestnut mash, sage fritter, cranberry scented jus and braised shoulder of lamb with peppercorns, chestnut crust, bubble and squeak.

Those with a sweet tooth can then indulge in a trio of desserts; chocolate and brandied cherry torte with baileys ice cream and chocolate soil or iced caramel soufflé, followed by coffee and mince pies.

A half bottle of wine or two bottles of beer will also be served per person.

With more than 35 years’ experience in the industry, Carrington’s Catering who are behind the event is one of the North West’s longeststanding independent firms. The Show Spectacular will take place from December 2–20 with tickets priced at £75pp. For tickets and more information email: info@carringtons-catering. co.uk

Life|Movies|10

City takes on wizard role in magical prequel to Harry Potter Life Liverp

DAVID PURCELL takes a look at how our famous buildings helped in creating the latest tale of J.K. Rowling’s magical world

Film r eview

T

St. George’s Hall: Photo © Chutesy

Kowalski is a very fresh and original character who has the potential, even if he is not a wizard, to be a fan favourite. His comedy is very natural, which is something that the other three don’t really offer.

But as Newt finds out that a number of his beasts have escaped from his case, Jacob has to get serious as he looks to helps his friends to get them back, or face exposing the magic world.

Before the movie was released, some Potter fans were worried that the actors and actresses in these prequels would not be as interesting as their predecessors, but this first instalment very effectively quells such concerns.

Newt is very much a more concealed and nervous poster boy than you would expect from a project Ph of this size, but when you add to his demeanour with the warmth and mindreading skills of the Goldstein sisters, there is a dynamic that a lot of people are going to enjoy sinking their teeth into.

It could be argued that the plot in this film is not as strong as the Harry Potter movies, which is fair comment, but this set of new figures leave you wanting to see more, wanting to see what they will do when they are faced with the tough challenges that are somewhat foreshadowed to be ahead of them, and Fantastic Beasts offers a warm introduction to that journey. g Sk Gre by

idmore

THE VERDICT:

This movie will put a smile on the face of any Harry Potter fan, but you wouldn’t necessarily need to have watched, or read about, Harry Potter beforehand to enjoy Fantastic Beasts.

Inside St. George’s Hall: Photo © Mdbeckwith

Q&A

Liverpool Life quizzes Fantastic Beasts extra Brian Rooney below, about filming, the set and more.

When you found out you would be in Fantastic Beasts, were you excited?

“Oh definitely. Because one, I’d never done a feature film before, and two, with it being part of the Harry Potter franchise, everybody knows about it. So yeah, it was quite exciting to see such a massive production, and for it to be in Liverpool as well.”

What was it like, being on-set?

“There were paparazzi on top of some of the buildings, trying to get pictures, so we were totally warned that there must be no flouting of any rules. We had to hide our costumes from the press, but filming was great.

There was a great buzz about the place.”

What did you think of the film?

“The film itself looked fantastic. I enjoyed all of the special effects and everything else, but I didn’t think much of the story to be honest. I thought the story was quite weak in ways, but I wouldn’t class myself as a Harry Potter fan.”

Have you worked on any other projects like this?

“Never anything as big as this, but I have worked on Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and certain ads.”

Brian Rooney ©

Cunard Building: Photo © Sweetie candykim

os ot

he wizarding world has finally made its return to the big screen with a very different story, and Liverpool plays a pivotal role in making the movie that bit more special.

Our beautiful city is ever-present as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them brings a different dimension to the table, a conflict between magic and Muggle. Or, as they’re known in 1920s New York, No-Maj. However, the filming for much of the movie was not conducted across the pond. But instead, at Liverpool’s Cunard building, St. George’s Plateau and inside St. George’s Hall itself.

Some hawk-eyed cinemagoers might spot a few side angles of those buildings in the earlier stages of the film, but in many of the most emphatic scenes towards the latter end of the story – without giving too much away – much of Liverpool is there for all to see.

As for the movie, it’s just as impressive as the variety of landmarks that have been captured to film it. Yet, being a spin-off from the Harry Potter series, a comparison between new and old was almost inevitable.

In J.K. Rowling’s screenplay debut, we see tones of magic that far and away exceeds anything that people had grown to love in the Potter series. There are some early signs that the darkness that Voldemort- sorry... ‘He who shall not be named,’ might well be upstaged in Fantastic Beasts. Some scenes are much grimmer than we have come to expect from this world, and as the plot builds, the battle between love and hate that Rowling put so much emphasis on during the Harry Potter films, starts to shine through once again.

The three-character system that was deployed and executed so well in the past, with all its different emotional twists and turns between Hermione, Ron and Harry, has been replaced by something fresh – one that doesn’t necessarily have a leading star.

The story follows four main players, per se, which includes Newt Scamander, Porpentina (top right) and Queenie Goldstein (bottom right), as well as their newly-found No-Maj friend Jacob Kowalski.

ool

Life|Sport|11

Stadium to host festive nights

Runners' honour for father and son

By SACHI KONDO

By JOSH HODGE

Anfield has been the home of Liverpool Football Club since the 1800s and was dubbed the sixth largest football stadium in England after its Main Stand expansion last September.

With just over a month left until Christmas, the football club is giving Liverpool supporters the chance to celebrate the festive season in style within Anfield's brand new facilities.

Fans will get the opportunity to pose for pictures with LFC silverware, enjoy views overlooking the famous Anfield pitch, while indulging in a three-course meal prepared

by LFC chefs.

The fun-packed calendar of events will run from December 3 to December 18, which include live entertainment such as Christmas Tributes, Disco Party Nights, and a Christmas Lunch with Santa and Liverpool's mascot, Mighty Red, to end the festivities.

In 2014, the LFC Foundation along with LFC Official Membership had hosted a similar festive get-together in Anfield, however it was limited to 75 young Reds only.

This year's event is open for everyone. For just £25 per person, Young reds under 14 can enjoy children's carvery, face painting, party games and a disco, magic tricks for Christmas lunch joined by Santa and Mighty Red.

The annual Merseyside Running Awards 2016 have celebrated 'all that is positive and inspiring about local sport.’

Many awards were given out on the night for some great work in the running community, but not many could rival the motivational work of dad Gary Jones and his son Ben. Gary and Ben, from Aughton, are running a series of 10k distances, half marathons and marathons to encourage others to get involved in fundraising campaigns and just running in general.

In 2014 alone Ben and Gary managed to raise £12,000 and last year ran the Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon and half marathon as well as the Madrid Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon, all in a bid to raise more money and awareness.

Ben, eight, suffers from Phelan McDermid Syndrome (PMS or 22q13 deletion syndrome), a genetic condition known for global development delay, intellectual disability, absent/delayed speech, autism spectrum disorder, hypotonia and mild dysmorphic feature.

This means that although

Gerrard snubs MK role

By ALISTAIR BAKER Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has ended talks with League One side MK Dons over their vacant manager position.

Gerrard, 36, took part in initial talks with the club after it was announced he would leave MLS side LA Galaxy in December.

Gerrard has also been linked with a move back to Anfield, although it is uncertain whether this will be in a playing or coaching role.

Other clubs that have expressed interest in the midfielder, including Inter Milan and Celtic.

Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, ex-Liverpool teammate and pundit Jamie Carragher said Gerrard may have to seek more experience before entering a management role.

Ben is a happy young man, he requires 24-hour attention to care for his condition.

Every year Gary and Ben embark on a new running venture to raise awareness for both Ben’s rare condition as well as raising money for Ben’s Trust Fund, Kingsbury Special Needs school and the Phelan McDermid Syndrome Foundation.

The official Merseyside Running Awards nominee shortlist page says: “Runners say a real race highlight is seeing proud dad Gary Jones pushing son Ben in his specially adapted running buggy.

"Together they’ve covered hundreds of miles and raised thousands of pounds – not only raising awareness of Ben’s condition but also raising money for other children’s charities.

"A wave from Ben is worth its weight in gold for any runner.”

Gary attended the awards ceremony and speaking to Liverpool Life, he said: “We had a fantastic night at the awards ceremony, it was a nice surprise to be nominated for the award, but a real shock to actually win it.

"It says a lot about the running community that so many

Awards: Gary Jones with his son Ben people can come together and enjoy such a top night together.

“We started running just over three years ago, originally it was a way of getting out with Ben and it provided a lot of sensory stimulus to help with Ben’s condition.

"As we ran in more events there was an opportunity to raise some funds and aware-

© Gary Jones

ness for Ben’s syndrome. So we’re both very proud to be recognised for what we have done and win the award. We don’t get out as much during the winter, so we’re just starting to plan for spring 2017.

There will be plenty of runs again, but we’re hoping to arrange something a bit different too, any suggestions would be appreciated.”

Rivals team up to �ight local food crisis

By ALISTAIR BAKER

Supporters’ groups from Liverpool and Everton Football Club teamed up on Saturday at Goodison Park to collect donations for local foodbanks.

The partnership between Spirit of Shankly and Everton Supporters’ Trust collected food parcel donations on matchday, while also uniting football fans in a common cause of helping those less fortunate in their own community.

The partnership was present before kick-off against Swansea City over the weekend and received contributions from fans and former players alike, such as Everton legend Ronny Goodlass and former Swansea City striker Lee Trundle.

Dave Kelly from the Everton Supporters Trust is one of the organisers, and was on hand to speak about the origins of the foodbank effort and why unity between Liverpool and Everton supporters is important when tackling food poverty in the area.

He told Liverpool Life: “We’re the only constituency in the country with two Premier League teams,

Support: Chairman Dave Kelly © Supporting Foodbanks Twitter Teamwork: Seamus Coleman and chairman Dave Kelly © Supporting Foodbanks Twitter we’re also home to some of the most socially and economically-deprived people in the UK. You’ve got this multi-million-pound industry and abject poverty and hunger living side by side.

“The more we spoke about it, we realised there was an opportunity for Everton Supporters’ Trust and Spirit of Shankly to use fans as a vehicle for good within the community.”

The group has adopted two local organisations - North Liverpool foodbank and the ABCC foodbank in Anfield as the beneficiaries of any food collected by the effort, and received a record-breaking response from charitable supporters at Everton’s ground.

Dave added: “It was an absolute success. I find it

very humbling when the average fan donates a tin of beans or a carrier bag of food. It’s a brilliant gesture. The Chief Executive of Everton Football club and his wife dropped off a couple of carrier bags of stuff.

He’s come over for the last few collections at the club and spoke in glowing terms of the work we’re doing.”

The campaign comes as foodbanks expect a surge in demand in the run-up to Christmas. The group is keen for supporters to drop rivalries and come together as one to help those who need it most. Using the hashtag: #HDWCC, or ‘Hunger Doesn’t Wear Club Colours’ on Twitter, the cause is uniting both sides of the city’s football divide.

Top brass: Everton FC chief executive Robert Elstone shows his support © Supporting Foodbanks Twitter

Liverpool

LifeSPORT 23 November 2016

The upper crust of Kiwi matchday treats

By SACHI KONDO

While Anfield transformed its stadium to host the Four Nations rugby league final at the weekend, a local matchday shop welcomed fans of the sport with special-themed pies inspired by the finalists.

Anfield’s last rugby match dates back to nearly 20 years ago, and it finally staged its first ever international rugby match between Australia and New Zealand last Sunday.

Homebaked is known for their LFC-themed pies, such as Shankly pies.

However, as it was their first time catering for rugby fans, they hoped travelling supporters of NZ Rugby League and the Australian

Treat: More than just a pie

Kangaroos could enjoy the ‘Homebaked match day experience’.

Luke Pilkington-Jones, Homebaked’s operations manager, told Liverpool Life: “They’re quite big on their pies over there.

“We’ve done steak and cheese pie, which apparently is almost like a national dish in New Zealand.

“We’re also doing a fourcheese pie. The idea came from a pie company in New Zealand called Billy Bay pies – they do legendary steak and cheese pies, so we’re going to have our take on that.”

The bakery served Scouse pies, Shankly pies, and other favourites, but the special An-

tipodean steak and cheese pie was the star of the match day.

More than 35,000 tickets were sold for the final, and it was a sell-out.

Angela McKay, local resident and member of Homebaked Anfield, told Liverpool Life: “We get regular customers from Liverpool games, but hopefully we will be getting passing customers and passing trades, and people might have heard about us and come in for our pies.”

Australia’s side hammered New Zealand 34-8 and deservedly won the Four Nations title in front of 40,042 at Anfield.

© Homebaked Anfield

Homemade: Steak and cheese pie © Homebaked Anfield

Community: Pie shop run by Anfield volunteers

© Sachi Kondo

ANGLERS SPLIT ON PRICE HIKE

By DAVID PURCELL

Anglers across Liverpool have been reacting to the news that the Government has cut the Environmental Agency’s ‘Grant in Aid’ budget, despite a hike in rod licence prices that will soon come into fruition.

Next April, fishermen across the United Kingdom will be expected to shell out an extra 10pc in rod licence fees, and it has been argued that the upcoming cut in funding will cancel out those extra contributions.

Speaking at the End Fisheries Group meeting, the Chief Executive of the Angling Trust & Fish Legal Mark Lloyd said: “The rod licence is perhaps unique because it is,

generally, a popular tax and also because the funds raised are ring-fenced for a particular purpose.

“We anglers are prepared to make an increased contribution to the management and conservation of fisheries through the licence, but we expect the Government to pay its fair share in recognition of the value of fisheries to society in general, not just to anglers.”

This new upsurge in rod licence pricing means that anglers will be giving more than ever before to the cause, to ensure fisheries are kept in good order. However the EA has experienced consecutive annual cuts for the last eight years and people are starting to react.

Warren Pritchard, 18, told

Liverpool Life: “To be honest, I think we’re paying enough at the moment for our licences, and the people that get that money aren’t really feeling the benefits of that. It’s a real shame.

“I don’t go fishing too often, maybe a few times every couple of months, but what this Government doesn’t understand is that we want to help out, genuinely, but the prices are eventually going to go too high and turn us casuals away.”

According to the Angling Trust, around 1.3m people have a licence and actively go fishing in the UK, which amounts to a contribution of over £21m across the country. And while the decision to raise more funds through licensing has caused uproar

View: Leeds-Liverpool Canal in some cases, other people are slightly more receptive to the idea.

Local angler Ian Lowe, 20, told Liverpool Life: “For me, 10pc is a small price to pay, especially when you think about what the money goes towards – fish stock levels, management of the lakes and

Santa Cycle to support children

By DAVID PURCELL Cyclists will soon have the chance to get dressed up as Santa Claus for the city’s annual bike ride for Alder Hey Hospital.

Around 250 people took part in the journey from outside the Liver Building on The Pier Head to Alder Hey last year and organisers are hoping for an even better turnout this time around.

Talking about the event, the Director of Funding and Development for Breckfield & North Everton Neighbourhood Council Bob Blanchard said: “Taking part in our Santa Cycle for Alder Hey is great fun for all ages, and a fantastic way to show support to local children who are going to be staying in hospital over Christmas.”

Those taking part will not need to bring along their own bike this year, with City Bikes being available to hire out for the day.

If you would like to get involved, the Santa Cycle gets underway on Sunday, December 13, congregating at 9am and making a start at 9:30am prompt.

To sign up or for more information, contact Bob on 0151 288 8400.

Inside Sport

© David Purcell things like that.

“The Environmental Agency do a great job, although I would like to see a bit more community engagement from them, so we can see a bit more of the good work that goes on.

Then again, that might be down to the cuts.”

© Gary Jones

What award did this inspiring father and son duo win?

See p11