Knowsley Online

QVC’s Knowsley Call Centre goes the extra mile for Breast Cancer Care

•  Annual on-air event raises over £350K
• Knowsley call centre takes over 11,000 calls on the night
• Staff raise £8,500 to add to total

QVC’s Knowsley Call Centre had one of its busiest nights of the year, answering 11,000 calls during the company’s annual Breast Cancer Care charity show. But despite the red-hot phone lines, the staff still found time to do some of their own fundraising by organising cake sales, a “dress in pink” day and raffles.

This was the ninth year running that QVC has run the three-hour on-air charity event, which involves every area of the business, from the distribution and call centre in Knowsley to the presenters and broadcasters in London. Breast Cancer Care is QVC’s biggest charitable partner, having raised over £2.6m for the charity.

The Knowsley team entered into the spirit of the event by distributing drinks, sweets and cakes throughout the evening. There was even an unexpected treat when X-Factor boy band Eaton Road dropped in to show their support for both Breast Cancer Care and QVC’s dedicated and hard working contact centre operatives. The boys gave out raffle prizes and posed for photographs, raising further funds for Breast Cancer Care as the staff are now buying the pictures.

Senior Operations Manager Ingrid Arnold said: “It was a great night, the atmosphere in the contact centre was electric and it was really encouraging to see our people so enthusiastic about raising money for such a worthy cause.”

“QVC’s annual Be Aware Show You Care programme is a highlight of our year”, said Murray Lindo from Breast Cancer Care. “Every year it’s astounding to see the phone lines go crazy. The three hour show, not only raises a phenomenal amount of money, but also means that thousands of QVC viewers now know where to turn should they be affected by breast cancer. We couldn’t raise a single penny without the help and dedication of QVC staff both in Knowsley and London.”

Man arrested on suspicion of illegal money lending

The North West Illegal Money Lending team, working with Knowsley Council and Merseyside Police, executed a search warrant at an address in Halewood on Monday (October 27).

A 40-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of illegal money lending.

He has since been bailed for six weeks, pending further enquiries.

Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Corporate & Customer Services said “This warrant was executed in response to information from the community.

“I would appeal to anyone who believes there are illegal money lenders operating in their area to contact Knowsley’s Loan Shark hotline on 0151 282 1122 or 0300 555 2222.

If you are the victim of a loan shark our officers will be able to offer you help and support too.”

Kirkby children plant 20,000 Spring bulbs

Resident groups in Kirkby have been taking part in a massive bulb plant which will have colour bursting out across the town come Spring.

Resident group members of all ages, including school children and their parents, joined Knowsley Council’s Kirkby Pride Team and Environmental Services to plant around around 20,000 daffodil, tulip and bluebell bulbs during the half term holiday.

The bulbs will flower between March and May and should add a welcome splash of colour as the Winter makes way for Spring.

Planting has taken place in Tower Hill, Southdene, Northwood, Westvale and Field Lane.

Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Delivery, Cllr David Lonergan, said:“The massive bulb planting project has provided a great opportunity for local people of all ages to come together and work with the Kirkby Pride team in a venture to improve the look of the town while also enjoying the outdoor activity.

“Local resident groups helped decide where to plant the 20,000 bulbs which was then organised by the council’s North and South Kirkby Neighbourhood Management teams.

“When the town bursts into colour come Spring the resident groups will be able to take great pride in knowing they have provided everyone in Kirkby the pleasure of beautiful, colourful blooms.”

Tower Hill Resident Group member and Mum of three Sam Gridgeman, said:“The children really enjoyed planting the bulbs and it is something they will remember doing for years to come. It will be great to see the efforts of their labour next Spring.”
(left to right) Jasmine Moran, Alex Gridgeman and Daniel Moran planting bulbs in Tower Hill

Extinguishing the threat of bonfires

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is hoping to reduce problems with bonfires, by removing combustible material before it can be set alight.

It is working with local councils, the Fire Support Network and the Probation Service to remove any build up of potential firewood.

This year sees the biggest operation to date to remove firewood from the streets ahead of November 5.

So far more than 175 tonnes have been removed by the various agencies in the last couple of weeks, found in community areas or dumped on people’s property. On Friday, over five tonnes of wood was cleared from a single garden in Kensington.

Skips have also been placed in the community for residents to remove their rubbish safely.

Group Manager Chris Case, who heads up Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s Threat Response Group, said: "The build up to Bonfire Night is our busiest time of the year and this scheme is a great way of removing potential temptation from arsonists.

"Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service would like everyone to enjoy Bonfire Night without mishap, nuisance or injury and action will be taken against anyone who is caught making bonfires in the street. Our advice is to go along to the organised displays and enjoy the fireworks in safety."

Potential firewood is being removed seven days a week until November 7.

Police Community Support Officers, Neighbourhood Wardens, fire crews or patrolling police officers are on the look-out for anything which may attract potential arsonists.

The materials can often be hazardous due to the treatments they have received, such as paint or acrylic that can give off noxious fumes when burnt.

When discarded materials are found, which could be used to build bonfires, a team will swoop in to clear it away.

Knowsley schoolgirl kickstarts goal to be next keeper legend

A North Huyton schoolgirl’s nomination for a national footballing award could kickstart her goal to become the next Neville Southall.

Fifteen year old Lisa Scott has been shortlisted for outstanding personal achievement in the first Kickz awards, to be held at Wembley stadium on Thursday 30 October.

The Kickz programme aims to create safer and more respectful communities through developing young people's potential, and is run through local professional clubs working with a range of partners, including Knowsely Council, co-ordinating and delivering individual projects.

Lisa has undertaken a number of training programmes including a refereeing course operated by Liverpool and Everton football clubs. When she began, Lisa was the only girl in a group of 20 boys. A mad Evertonian, she also gained work experience at her beloved club through Kickz.

Lisa is delighted to receive the nomination, she said:“It was strange being the only girl on the scheme when I started and it took a while for the lads to get used to me. It feels good to get this nomination and although I plan to study for A levels next year, I would love to become a football coach or develop my goalkeeping skills like the legendary Neville Southall.”

Cllr Graham Morgan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economic Development, said: “The Kickz nomination for outstanding personal achievement is a great accomplishment for Lisa and she should feel very proud. Lisa’s shown great commitment to the programme and it seems to have really inspired her self confidence.

“Knowsley Council has worked in partnership with Kickz to support a number of footballing projects across the borough. The programme shares the council’s goals to create safer and more respectful communities through developing young people’s potential.

“As a council, we put a lot of emphasis on providing good quality sporting facilities for our young people, and this is just one of the many healthy living programmes going on in the borough.”

Fifteen year old Lisa Scott who has been shortlisted for outstanding personal achievement in the first Kickz awards.

Prescot Cables 2 Nantwich Town 0

Tuesday 28 October 2008.

Precot cables moved out of the bottom four after an impressive performance against Nantwich town, in the latest game in the Unibond Premier league. After a period of scrappy play, in which both defences were on top, Cables started to build up the pressure and pinned Nantwich back in their own half. Williams played a prominent part in Cables attacks and he had two long range efforts saved by the keeper.

As the pressure grew, so did the home fans expectation of a break through, and on 25 minute the goal finally came. A clever through ball found Cables Darren Byers clear of the defence, and he calmly beat the advancing keeper, to give Cables a deserved lead,

After this Nantwich threatened for the first time and a mix up in defence nearly cost Cables the lead, but as the angled shot went across an empty net, no Nantwich player was on hand to put the ball into the net.

This scare only made Cables put on more pressure they continued to press Nantwich back and on 40 minutes Williams was brought down in the penalty area, Thomas Moore, who was having an excellent game, converted the spot kick, putting Cables 2-0 up.

The second half started as the first with some scrappy play. Both defences were on top, and chances were few in number but it was Cables who were looking the most likely to score.

Nantwich tried to change things by bringing on two substitutes and for a time this worked. They put Cables under pressure but the Cables defence was not going to crack. Hibbert the Cables keeper made an excellent save at the end of the game to prevent Nantwich a consolation goal, and kept a deserved clean sheet.

Prescot Cables: Hibbert, Smith, Flood, O’Donnell, Moore, McIntosh, Cooney, Taylor, Byers, Connolly, S. Williams. Subs – McEwan, Mahama, Henders (for Connolly, 78), P. Williams, McCulloch.

Get a pedal on for Knowsley cycle rides!

A free bicycle ride will be held in Halewood providing participants with a fun family event and the opportunity to get fit.

The ride will take place on Saturday November 1 between 1pm and 3pm starting from Halewood Country Park.

The ride will be suitable for all cyclists, but is ideal for people who want to rediscover the fun and fitness value of cycling. The ride will be along the Trans Pennine Trail and is all off road. Bicycles and helmets are also available for the duration of the ride, subject to booking.

The bike ride is one of a series which will run throughout the winter, and will be continued across Knowsley in 2009. Pedal Away forms part of the borough’s Target: Wellbeing in Knowsley which offers local people the opportunity to participate in a variety of free, fun cycling programmes.

The cycle rides are organised and delivered by fully qualified National Standards Cycle Instructors who are happy to help and support you.

Everyone is welcome to take part, however, children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Future bike rides will be held at Stadt Moers Park on November 29, Halewood on December 7 and Cronton on January 24.

For more information about the rides, or to borrow a bicycle or helmet, contact Kelly McKeown on 0151 443 2148.

Hands up who wants to stop Domestic Violence?

Hands up who wants to stop domestic violence? That’s the latest message from the Safer Knowsley Partnership as they launch their latest campaign to tackle domestic violence.

The message will be seen across the borough on taxis, buses, ad vans and bus shelters and is aimed at those committing, those suffering and those who are condoning domestic violence.

The high profile campaign has been launched to raise public awareness about domestic violence and to promote where help and support is available.

The campaign has been launched to coincide with White Ribbon Day on 25 November. The White Ribbon Campaign is part of an International Campaign to end male violence towards women. On this day, people are asked to wear a white ribbon to symbolise their commitment not to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women.

Councillor Jackie Harris, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Social Inclusion commented “The Safer Knowsley Partnership is committed to providing support to those suffering from domestic violence. Unfortunately women are more likely to be at risk in the home than outside of it. Men can also experience domestic violence and the same advice applies to them. If you are in an abusive relationship, don’t suffer in silence – help and support is available to you.”

Angela Cholet Chief Executive of Knowsley Domestic Violence Support Services “We offer free, non judgemental services for victim/survivors of domestic abuse, providing time to talk over individual situations and discuss the options available. We also offer a service for males who perpetrate domestic abuse and want to change their behaviour. Information about all of our services can also be accessed from our website: www.kdvss.org.uk

For information, advice and support, call Knowsley Domestic Violence Support Services on 0151 548 3333.

MMR plea to Knowsley parents

Parents in Knowsley are being reminded of the importance of giving their child the MMR immunisation following an outbreak of measles across Cheshire.

There have been three laboratory confirmed cases and a further 11 probable or possible cases reported in the Sandbach and Middlewich areas, raising concerns that the outbreak could begin to affect parts of Merseyside.

Children in Knowsley will be particularly vulnerable to catching measles, due to the low uptake of the immunisation in the Borough.

NHS Knowsley held MMR catch up clinics last Saturday (25th October) and out of 131 children age two to four years of age invited only one child was brought to the clinic.

Further immunisation sessions are taking place across the Borough over the coming weeks and any parents who have received invitation letters are urged to attend.

MMR immunisation is the safest way to protect children against measles, mumps and rubella which are diseases that can have serious consequences for babies, young children and their families. Not all children respond adequately to a single dose of vaccine, so to ensure protection, children need to receive 2 doses of MMR.

However, there are still children who haven’t been immunised with the MMR vaccine, or have not received the full course and could therefore catch measles or mumps or rubella.

Dr Diana Forrest, Director of Public Health for Knowsley said,“We have already has reports of isolated cases of measles in Knowsley and we want to ensure that should the outbreak spread into Merseyside our residents are as protected as they possibly can be. Use of our catch up clinics has been disappointing so far.

Any school child/young person up to the age of 18 years can be given the immunisation, so if your child has missed one or both of his/her jabs, I would encourage you to attend one of our clinics, contact your local family doctor or child health clinic and arrange to have the immunisation.”

Top of the class

A primary school in Knowsley has been voted Merseyside’s favourite school.

St Laurence’s Catholic Primary in Kirkby has won £10,000 after being chosen as School of the year, following a poll of the public and a panel of judges.

The school, in Leeside Avenue in Southdene, has seen a transformation of its fortunes in recent years.

When the current head teacher Paul Cronin took over 18 years ago, the school was on the brink of closure with just 165 pupils.

Since then, it has secured two outstanding Ofsted reports, several major sporting successes and the commitment of parents, staff, governors and pupils to succeed.

St Laurence’s now has more people wanting to send their children to the school and nursery than it can cater for and has more than 400 pupils.

The prize money from the competition, which was run by the Liverpool Echo and sponsored by Barclaycard, will be used to complete work to revitalise the school playground with an adventure activity area.

Head teacher Paul Cronin said: “We are all absolutely delighted to win the award – it’s a great tribute to both the school and the community who took the time and trouble to vote for us.

“To be chosen as the best from all the primary and secondary schools in Merseyside, both public and private, is amazing.

“The success is due to the hard work and commitment of staff, pupils, parents and governors.  I think what might also have swayed the judges is the way we have transformed the school in recent years.”