Knowsley Online

Marathon effort for cancer research.

Knowsley Council boss Andrew McCormick is aiming to raise £12,000 by running 12 marathons in 12 months during 2012. 

Andrew, service director for the Directorate of Wellbeing Services, is a keen runner and a regular marathon man. 

He is raising the money for research into prostate cancer. His father died from the condition last year. 

His first marathon was in January in Gloucester. That will be followed by Cambridge in March, Manchester in April and Belfast and Edinburgh in May. 

The events in June and July aren’t confirmed yet but he is planning to run the 26 miles of a marathon on a treadmill at the Knowsley Flower Show in August. 

He will run in Yorkshire in September, Liverpool and Dublin in October and possibly New York in November. 

Andrew said: “This is my Olympic effort for 2012. I ran three marathons in six weeks a few years ago, so this time I’ve upped my game. 

“My father died from a series of illnesses including prostate cancer and I wanted to do something to help others in the same situation.” 

If you’d like to sponsor Andrew in his Olympic effort go to his Just Giving website page at www.justgiving.com/Andy-McCormick

Get set, ready, grow!

Twelve year old champion gardener Rowan Williams says she hasn’t only got green fingers – she’s got green blood.

“My grandfather was called William Green and he was a prize winning gardener,” said Rowan, who lives in Huyton in Knowsley.

“I’ve been gardening since I was two and grow everything from plants and flowers to vegetables.

“Everything is organic – I gather my own seeds and make my own plant feed. I just love growing things. It makes me feel happy.”

Rowan’s a regular entrant in the Knowsley Flower Show and last year won every category in the children’s section and was overall winner.

Spring into Sport Relief.

Its time to start limbering up for a charity run through Knowsley in March.

The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile starts at Stadt Moers Park in Pottery Lane, Whiston on Sunday March 25.

It is one of a series of events throughout the country for the charity Sport Relief, which raises money for a variety of causes at home and abroad.

People taking part do not have to be regular runners and can choose to complete 1, 3 or 6 miles, depending on their ability.

“This is the first time the Sport Relief Mile has taken place in Knowsley,” said Cllr Eddie Connor, KMBC cabinet member for Leisure Community and Culture.

“March might seem a long way off, but now’s the time to get out the trainers and start getting in shape.

“This event is open to everyone, from children to grannies and Sport Relief does some fantastic things for some of the neediest people.”

There is a weekend of Sport Relief events, starting off on Friday March 23, with a night of Sport Relief fun and information on BBC One.

There will be more coverage throughout the weekend on BBC radio, online and TV and it will be rounded off by the Sport Relief Mile.

To enter the Knowsley Mile visit www.sportrelief.com.

Take the Challenge to get fit.

Do you feel like your fitness has slipped over the winter? Feel tired and run down?

Why not set yourself the target of taking part in this year’s Knowsley Active Challenge?

The event is on May 23 at Knowsley Hall so there is plenty of time to get fit beforehand.

The event includes a 3 and 8 kilometre walk, a 2 kilometre run for young children only and a 5 kilometre run for adults.

All are free to enter, apart from the 5 kilometre event for adults, which costs £7 per person.

All of the activities are wheelchair and pushchair friendly, apart from the 8 kilometre walk, which is suitable for keen walkers only.

The 2k run is for children in years 3 to 11 at school.

`How’s My Driving’?

A housing trust is asking residents ‘How’s My Driving?’ in a new campaign to increase road safety.

Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) has launched the campaign to encourage residents to report bad and good drivers when its fleet of vehicles is on the roads in communities.

A dedicated phone number is now live and is displayed on the back of all KHT vehicles.

HT is working with Knowsley Council’s Road Safety Team to help make roads safer and improve driving standards within the borough by all road users.

“Serious traffic incidents should always be reported to the police. We are encouraging people to report incidents where a KHT driver may not have broken the law but has acted in an unprofessional manner, as well as reports of good driving,” said Russell Thompson, KHT Executive Director for Maintenance Services.

“The ‘How’s My Driving’ campaign is just a small part of how we intend to develop skills, knowledge and promote road safety within our organisation and also in the local community.”

To contact the ‘How’s My Driving’ campaign call 0800 561 0007.

Halewood Village Fair

An event not to be missed - our Village Fair on 5th February at the Hollies Hall, Halewood Village, from 11.00 am until 3.00 pm.

This fair follows our successful Christmas event, regarded by one shopper as “the best fair of that type I’ve ever been to … so varied and such quality...” It brings to the village a selection of local producers of homeware, crafts, delicacies and more; giving them a much needed outlet in these tough financial times.

Our aim is to help small and local producers in this way, whilst offering shoppers an interesting and varied range of quality products within a warm and friendly local environment.

Hopefully, this will encourage other local people to develop their own creative talents and join us at future events.

To book a stall or for further information please contact Lynne:- 07545 704617

Councillor Gary See says “It is fantastic that we are working in partnership to organise this Fair to continue the success of previous events.  Events such as this are a great way for local producers to showcase their produce to the residents of the Halewood Community.  We look forward to seeing you on the day”.

Prescot market returns next month

Due to popular demand, the producers’ market in Prescot will return a month earlier than planned, on 4 February.

Eccleston Street will again come alive with the sights and sounds of this busy market, running from 9am on the first Saturday of every month in 2012.

Cllr Dave Lonergan, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration Economy and Skills, said, “It’s fantastic that the market has proven so popular that we are able to bring it back earlier than planned. 

These events give us the chance to showcase the best in regional produce in the heart of historic Prescot. I would urge people to come and see for themselves what’s on offer”.

For more information, visit knowsley.gov.uk or call 0151 443 2270.

KHT granted suspended possession order after firearms found at property

Knowsley Housing Trust has secured an order to prevent a man convicted of keeping firearms at one of its properties from returning there for five years.

Ryan Porter, 20, was convicted last year after police seized a semi automatic hand gun and ammunition.

KHT has now been granted a suspended possession order by the courts against his mother Pauline Porter, who is the tenant at the property.

The order has been suspended for five years to allow her to remain in her home under the condition that she does not allow Ryan, who is serving a five year sentence, into the property during that time.

KHT has worked closely with Merseyside Police to take a tough line against firearm incidents and securing the order is a significant achievement.

KHT Operational Director of Landlord Services Terry Bonner said: “Our priority at all times has to be the safety of our tenants.

“We will move swiftly to take action against those possessing dangerous weapons, or those who tolerate such activities.

“Tenants should be aware that there are repercussions to criminal or anti-social behaviour that will impact on their family and potentially their home.”

 

 

 

Children's centres score well for the inspectors

Two children’s centres in Knowsley have been given the thumbs up by a government watchdog.

The new Stockbridge Village (Acorn) Children’s Centre was inspected six weeks after opening and Jubilee Children’s Centre in South Huyton was inspected the following week. Both have been rated good with outstanding features by Ofsted inspectors.

Inspectors found the Stockbridge centre is “building a strong and increasingly positive reputation within the community and this has established trust and confidence in the staff, partners and the services it delivers”.

They also noted “families who are experiencing change and challenging circumstances in their lives share their concerns with staff because they trust them and know they will receive effective support”.

The report acknowledges how well staff and partners understand the community and the challenges it faces and that parents take part in exciting activities, whilst building their confidence, relationships and parenting skills.

Financial help to create jobs

Small businesses in Knowsley are receiving financial help to move into new markets and create jobs.

Knowsley Council’s Small Business Growth Grant offers financial assistance to growing small businesses in the borough to further encourage business growth and job creation.

Harrison Collier in Prescot is one company to benefit from this support. The company designs, manufactures and installs bespoke kitchens, bedrooms and furniture specialising in large, luxury developments. The firm recently received a £10,000 grant to invest in a CNC machining centre, enabling it to expand its services and increase production capacity. As a result the company is creating four new full time positions and one part time post.

Simon Harrison, Managing Director of Harrison Collier, said: “Following our expansion onto the new Prescot Business Park a few years ago, the business has been very successful in attracting prestigious clients. To enable an increase in production capacity we needed to invest in new equipment. The CNC machining centre will allow us to speed up the processing of bulk components which will give our craftsmen more time to concentrate on handcrafted parts and installations.”

Road closure

From Monday 16 January 2012 to 26 February 2012 (6 weeks) Seth Powell Way will be closed to all vehicular traffic between the junctions of Woolfall Heath Avenue and Stockbridge Lane in both directions.

The signed diversion route is via Stockbridge Lane – Knowsley Lane- Liverpool Road and Vice Versa. Long delays are expected.

Southbound traffic on the M57 exiting at Huyton (Junction 3) are advised to exit at Junction 2 (Prescot).  

The work is to enable National Grid Gas to renew their existing medium pressure cast iron gas mains.

Kirkby Road Closure for United Utilities Work

From Monday 16 January 2012 to Sunday 5 February 2012 (3 weeks) Boyes Brow and Headbolt Lane will both be closed to all vehicular traffic at the Junction with County Road, Kirkby.

Local signed diversions will be in place. There will also be 2 way temporary traffic signals controlling the traffic on County road at the same location. Long delays are expected.

 The work is to enable United Utilities to renew their existing Victorian cast iron water mains.

Make a drama in your spare time.

Would you like to put a bit of drama into your life?

A community theatre group is starting up on February 1 in Stockbridge Village in Knowsley.

The group ran as a project last year for local adults and was so successful, it’s to be run again.

Around 23 people got involved last year and staged an adaptation of Jim Cartwright’s play, “Two”, renamed in this production as, “Happy Hour”.

They played to audiences of around 50 people on two nights at St Albert’s church hall in Stockbridge Village and those taking part said they really enjoyed it.

Maureen Clunan from Stockbridge Village played Irene in the production. It was the first time she’d tried acting.

She said: “I didn’t think I would ever have been able to get up and do a monologue but I did.

"It was an experience and a good one. The group became like a family to me. Meeting up with them once a week was my chill out morning.”

Knowsley Council runs the project in partnership with local company Altru Drama.

It starts up on Wednesday February 1 from 11.30am to 1.30pm at St Brigid's Space for Sports and Arts in Waterpark Drive, Stockbridge Village.

Sessions are free and open to any local adult aged over 19.

For more details, contact Kristy at Altru Drama on 0151 443 0333, email kristy@altru.co.uk  or Katy at Knowsley Arts and Heritage Service on 0151 443 5618, email  katy.mcloughlin@knowsley.gov.uk

Get a running start to the New Year.

Fancy having a go at road running?

Knowsley Council has organised free, taster sessions in road running throughout January at a variety of locations during the week and at weekends.

As the name implies, the sport involves running on an established road although some of the practice sessions will involve running on track.

The sessions are open to people of all abilities and they are supervised by the organisation, Liverpool Running Bugs, whose coaches will supervise those taking part.

• Road running taster sessions are being held:Every Tuesday and Thursday at Halewood Leisure Centre, 7-8pm (suitable for runners of all abilities).
• Every Tuesday at Kirkby Sports College Athletics Track, 7-8pm (suitable for more experienced runners).
• Every Saturday at Halewood Visitors Centre, Okell Drive at 1pm where there will be a 5K timed training run. This is free to enter and is for all abilities.

The taster sessions are part of Knowsley Council’s so called Golden Sports programme that provides taster sessions in every activity that will feature in the London Olympics.

If you’d like to kick start the New Year by learning how to road run, why not turn up to one of the taster sessions?

If you’d like more details, contact Peter Green on 443 2120 or go to www.liverpoolbugs.co.uk

Knowsley boy wins Princess Diana Award

A Knowsley boy who battled through massive health problems to become a  star pupil has been awarded the Princess Diana Courageous Citizen Award.

Ten year old Rhys Forshaw from Huyton was born with several facial problems.

In his early years he had surgery to repair a cleft palette, bone grafts and eye operations.

Recently he has had treatment to reshape his nose and more bone surgery to repair his jaw and hip.

Yet, in his time at St Aidan’s primary in Adswood Road Huyton he has maintained almost 100 per cent attendance.

He has worked hard to develop his emotional and social skills to make friends and has become popular.

He is now a member of the School Council and talked to the other children about his eye and hearing problems during a disability focus week.

“Rhys is the most ordinary yet extraordinary young man,” said head teacher at St Aidan’s, Moira Kenneway.

“He’s always smiling and is very accepting of his situation - he just gets on with it.

Time is running out for applications

Parents and carers have only a few days let to apply for a primary school place for September 2012.

If your child lives in Knowsley, you can apply online via the Knowsley Council website or by completing a paper copy, available in the Knowsley admissions booklet, whichever is easier for you.

The online form can be amended at any point up to the closing date by logging back into the application.  If any changes are made and the application is re-submitted, an email will be sent out when the application is received by the council.

An email confirming a place will be sent out on the same day that offer letters are posted out in April.

The closing date for primary school applications is Sunday 15 January 2012.

Please visit the Knowsley Council website to complete an online application form: www.knowsley.gov.uk

The Philharmonic comes to Knowsley.

The famous Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra returns to Knowsley for a big night of classical favourites with music from popular West End shows.   

This show is on Friday February 24, 2012, at 7.30pm at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park.

The orchestra is conducted by Anthony Gabriele and includes pieces from some of the best loved West End musicals.

There is lots of parking at the leisure and culture park and this is a great opportunity to catch the internationally renowned orchestra on the doorstep.

Tickets are £12 for adults and £10 for children and concessions. Group booking tickets; buy 10 get 1 free. 

You can book online at  www.wegottickets.com/knowsleylcp or you can call into the Leisure and Culture Park or ring  Knowsley Arts & Heritage Service on 0151 443 5619.

Pamper yourself for a perfect price.

As the New Year rolls in, why not take the opportunity to create a new you?

Knowsley has a new luxurious Spa facility offering all sorts of facilities, therapies and beauty treatments.

It is in the new multi-million pound Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park in Longview Drive, Huyton.

There are luxury treatment rooms, a relaxation area, a manicure and pedicure lounge, an aroma steam room, a rock sauna and salt inhalation room.

A team of highly-trained therapists offer everything from massages and facials to spa days, where people can enjoy hours of relaxation and treatments.

There are pampering treatments for pregnant women, mother and daughter offers, all sorts of eyelash enhancements, detox body wraps, spray tans and gel nails.

There are also treatments for men, including chest waxing and energizing face therapies.

Party packages for children are also available and include a hand and toe nail paint, a mini makeup and nibbles and drinks for just £15 a head.

There are a variety of offers on for the New Year including a Decleor body wrap, mini facial and scalp massage for just £39, Jessica gel nails for only £15, 20% off all Decleor 1 hour facials and a free brow tint with every brow shape.

The Leisure and Culture Park also offers a range of fitness classes, two swimming pools, a gym, badminton and squash courts, a café and a theatre.

To find out more, call into The Spa at the Leisure and Culture Park, ring 0151 443 2580 or visit The Spa’s website www.thespaknowsley.co.uk .

PAWS – Pet dogs help children with Autism in Liverpool

A new set of PAWS workshops, devised by charity Dogs for the Disabled, which aim to help parents with a child with autism explore the potential of a pet dog in assisting their son or daughter’s development, are to be held in Merseyside.  The charity says there are still places available and urges parents from across Liverpool to come along and find out more.

As any parent will know, encouraging your children to do what you want, when you want, can be tough! Bed-time tantrums, refusal to eat the meals you’ve lovingly prepared, toilet training troubles and teeth cleaning tears all feature in family life from time to time.

If your child has autism, their clinical condition can mean that those sorts of challenges can take on an altogether more serious and demanding perspective.  In extreme cases it can be exhausting, demoralising and impact hugely on your relationships and other children in the family.

The PAWS project (Parents Autism Workshops and Support) was set up by Dogs for the Disabled in 2010 and since then over 200 families across the UK have benefitted from taking part.  The next set of workshops is about to be held at the Dogs Trust Centre in Merseyside.

Josie Brown from Liverpool who has attended previous workshops says: “PAWS is an excellent service. We got Maxwell, our Golden Retriever, before hearing about PAWS, but it wasn’t until we put into practice the techniques demonstrated by the PAWS team that Stefan, my son who has severe autism, started to take notice of Maxwell. PAWS has enabled my family to take part in everyday family activities like going for walks in the park - something that used to be extremely difficult due to Stefan’s condition. I urge any family with a child with an autism spectrum condition to consider PAWS to help manage the challenges faced as a result of their child’s condition.”

Words of encouragement from dementia pilot scheme in Knowsley

Reading groups have been found to vastly improve social interaction, concentration and mood in people with dementia, a pilot project in Knowsley has found.

Knowsley Health & Wellbeing commissioned a pilot scheme from The Reader Organisation which was trialled in two care homes in Knowsley. The ‘Get Into Reading’ project has shown such vast improvements in people with dementia that it is now set to be rolled out in care homes across the borough.

The pilot scheme saw a facilitator host read aloud groups for between eight and 10 patients at St. Bartholomew’s Court Nursing Home and Haven Lea Residential Care Home each week which included reading poems, stories, group discussions and even sing-alongs.

As a result, 92 per cent of dementia patients taking part in the reading groups had better social interaction, 92 per cent had improved mood and 83 per cent had improved concentration and were noticeably less agitated.

Barbara Sergison has been activities co-ordinator at St. Bartholomew’s Court Nursing Home in Huyton for three years and has seen first-hand the difference ‘Get Into Reading’ has made to residents. She said, “Having worked with people with dementia for many years, we have developed a programme of various activities designed to stimulate and engage them. The residents’ reactions to the weekly reader project groups have been really encouraging.