Knowsley Online

Awareness day is new way of tackling ASB

 People experiencing anti-social behaviour (ASB) were brought together to share their experiences and explore new ways of dealing with the problem.

Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) invited people who experience the negative effects of ASB in their neighbourhoods and residents who have already stood as witnesses in legal action against perpetrators to an anti-social behaviour awareness training day.

It is the first time KHT has hosted such a day and it is hoped that by showing residents what they can expect from KHT’s ASB services and the court process, they will become more confident to report it and act as witnesses.

Terry Bonner, Operational Director of Landlord Services at KHT, said: “We work very hard to combat ASB in our communities and have had a lot of success, but we know there is more we could do and this session will help us greatly.

OurPlace youth facility opens!

An exciting new development for young people in Knowsley has opened its doors last Friday the 28th  October.

The £5m OurPlace youth facility, on Longview Drive in Huyton, has been funded by the Big Lottery Fund.  It has been developed by young people for young people, aged 13 to 19 years.

The Mayor of Knowsley, Cllr Christina O’Hare, today officially launched the events programme which will take place at OurPlace.

Throughout the day, a selection of activities will be showcased, from 3.30pm until 9.30pm, including cheerleading, dance performances, martial arts, aromatherapy, DJ workshops, wheelchair basketball, comedy workshops, plus much more!

Residents celebrate the opening of new Stockbridge Village supermarket

The opening of the new Parry’s supermarket at the heart of Stockbridge Village has been celebrated by the local community.

Residents of all ages turned out for a fun filled community event, with Radio City’s Simon Ross providing the soundtrack.

As part of the celebrations, Christ the King Centre for Learning and The Elms School were presented with cheques for £1,000. Both schools had been chosen as beneficiaries of the store’s ‘Making a Difference Locally’ charity that seeks to contribute to good causes and establish a commitment to support the local community.

Flood hit shops are all back in business

The worst affected of the Huyton shops flooded after a water main burst in July has reopened.

Poppys Florist, on Liverpool Road, was forced to shut for three months while drying out took place, but owner Jackie Roper is now looking forward to welcoming back customers at the grand re-opening on Monday (October 31).

Poppys is one of nine shops on the parade which were affected when the water main burst earlier this year. Since then Knowsley Council and United Utilities have been working with homeowners and retailers to help them return their properties and businesses to normal.

Jackie, who specialises in funerals, weddings and gift bouquets, said: “Obviously, I am sorry the flood happened. The last few months have been difficult for me, but I feel more for the local residents.

Apply by Monday for a Knowsley secondary school place

Parents and carers have only a few days let to apply for a secondary school place for September 2012 if their child resides in Knowsley.

You can apply online via the Knowsley Council website or by completing a paper copy, available in the 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 (for secondary schools, this is March and it will be April for primary schools).

The closing date for secondary school applications is Monday 31 October 2011 and primary school applications is 15 January 2012.

Family fun to raise money for vulnerable children

Families are invited to an action packed evening of fun to raise money for a voluntary group that runs low cost and free activities for vulnerable children.

The Family Voices = Family Choices group run activities to encourage families and youngsters who need extra help to get involved in their community.

On Friday October 28 they are running “Phoenix Night” - an evening of fairground rides, stalls, activities hot food and fireworks from 3.30pm until 8.30pm.

It will be held in the Phoenix Children’s centre in Bryer Road in Prescot. The fireworks display will begin at 8pm on the Phoenix centre field.

The group focuses on people living in the Knowsley Village, Prescot, Cronton and Whiston areas but everyone is welcome to the event.

It is free but donations are welcomed to support the group’s work. There will be a charge for the fairground rides.

For more information, contact Cheryl Hoyland or a member of Family Voices on 0151 443 4562

 

Olympic glory for the over 50s

Halewood swept to victory for the fourth year running at the annual Older People’s Fun Olympics in Knowsley.

The event encourages people who are over 50 to get more active and the four teams that take part train weekly throughout the year.

The “Olympics” pits the teams from Huyton, Kirkby, Halewood and the combined forces of Prescot, Whiston, Knowsley Village and Cronton against each other.

It’s the fourth year the event has been held and Halewood has won every time.

“This is making the others all the more competitive,” said Michelle Gilmurray, Olympics Coordinator with Knowsley Council.

“Most of the competitors treat the event as a bit of fun, but Halewood keep stealing the show and that’s getting to them!

“We held the event in the new leisure park this time and that made it something special.

“We used the entrance atrium to run stalls offering freebies and advice on everything from health and heating to managing your money.”

At the weekly meetings, the team members share a cuppa and a chat as well as activity sessions.

If you’d like to know more about getting involved in Knowsley Sports Development, contact 0151 443 5712.

The women from the Kirkby team enjoy a laugh at the Knowsley Older People’s Fun Olympics.

Adoption - need your help!

Brothers and sisters, older children and youngsters with complex needs are in need of loving, stable, adoptive homes.

Knowsley Council is using National Adoption Week to highlight the many different children and young people in the borough who are waiting for a new family home.

The Adoption Service would welcome interest from people who have the space in their homes to accommodate sibling groups or children with complex and special needs.

National Adoption Week, begins on Monday 31 October this year.

Cllr Wright, Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services said:

Pregnant women in Merseyside urged to get vaccinated against flu

Midwives and doctors across Merseyside are backing the campaign to encourage all pregnant women to get their flu jab this year.

The flu jab is recommended for all pregnant women at any stage in pregnancy to protect themselves and their unborn babies against flu, which can cause serious illness for expectant mums and be dangerous for unborn babies.

Pregnant women are advised to contact their GP surgery now to book a free flu jab and ensure they are protected from flu this year.

Cathy Atherton, head of midwifery at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, said: “It is very important that all pregnant women get a flu vaccination.

“There have been some really upsetting cases over the past few winters where pregnant women have caught flu, become seriously ill and in some cases have died. Unfortunately if you are pregnant you are at risk of serious complications if you catch the flu virus. The best thing you can do to protect yourself and your baby is to have the flu vaccine.  It is safe for you and your baby at any stage in pregnancy, and it is available for free.

Changes to County Road Car Park, Kirkby

Shoppers in Kirkby are being advised of changes to County Road car park as a result of work beginning on a new health centre for the town.

Construction work on the Kirkby Health Centre, which forms part of the multi-million pound regeneration of the town, is due to begin in November.

It means that the car park will close to the public on Sunday, November 13.

Alternative long stay parking can be found in Hall Lane, Webster Drive and Kirkby Multi Storey Car Parks and in Kirkby Market car park on non-market days.

Signs will be prominently displayed in the car park to advise visitors of the new arrangements in advance of the car park closure.

The new health centre is expected to open in 2013 as part of the town centre regeneration which will see £200m of private sector investment, including a new Tesco superstore, new retail units, improvements to the existing town centre, the remodelling of the Kirkby Suite and a £1.5m investment in Kirkby Market.