Knowsley Online

Cronton Colliery Competition Finalists Announced

The challenge to design a pioneering new visitor destination on a former colliery has inspired creative teams across the world to push the boundaries of landscape and architecture. Four of the most inventive schemes have been invited to the final stage for the chance to see their vision become a reality.

The Land Trust’s international design competition attracted 50 entries from all over the world, including innovative projects designed by teams in South Korea, Japan and Italy. The national land charity is now one step closer to finding the most inspirational design and funding solution for a new visitor destination and public open space at the former Cronton Colliery in Knowsley with the finalists being Hassell, Hawkins/Brown, Michael Lee Architects and Edward Architecture & Matthew Riley.

Matthew Bradbury, Director of Operations at the Land Trust, commented “We were blown away by the creativity and vision of the proposals. Each one offered a unique take on the brief, demonstrating empathy and understanding of the site based on its past and future contexts, in tune with the vision and values of the Land Trust.”

Knowsley to host Paralympic Flame!

Knowsley is to host the Paralympic Flame on its way to the London 2012 Games.

The Paralympic flame will visit just four areas in the North West - Knowsley, Manchester, Preston, and Ellesmere Port

It will arrive at Kirkby Sports College over the August Back Holiday weekend.

There will be a welcoming ceremony and a community event to celebrate the local people, athletes and groups who are involved in Paralympic sport.

Knowsley is providing training camps for Paralympians from Romania and Namibia at Kirkby Sports College in the lead up to the Games.

Several GB Paralympians already train in the borough and Knowsley will also be hosting the Disability Grand Prix in May, in partnership with UK Athletics.

Knowsley achieves biggest reduction in teen pregnancies on Merseyside since launch of National Teenage Pregnancy Strategy

Figures released today (Tuesday 28th February) from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reveal that the conception rate in young women under 18 has fallen to 39.1 per 1,000 in Knowsley. This makes Knowsley’s percentage reduction the highest on Merseyside and greater than the national average since the teenage pregnancy strategy began in 1998.

Over the last twelve years there has been a 28.6 per cent reduction in teenage conceptions in Knowsley, compared to an average of 16.8 per cent across Merseyside and 24 per cent nationally.
Sue Drew, Director of Public Health for Knowsley said: “NHS Knowsley, Knowsley Council and other partner agencies work together to target young people with advice and services, prioritising those most in need of our help.

“Programmes in Knowsley such as the Family Nurse Partnership and Teenage Health in Knowsley (THinK) are tailored toward the needs of our young people, helping to ensure that advice is available for them in the community. Staff are trained to deliver important messages on relationships, delaying sexual activity and general sexual health in a manner which is young people friendly.”

Councillor Graham Wright, Knowsley's Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services said:

“These results are great news for the young people of Knowsley and I’m delighted that we are continuing to improve on the high standard achieved last year. In Knowsley we’re committed to working with young people and educating them about their options and today’s results are testament to our effective partnership working. “

Ticket deal for the Mersey Tigers

Knowsley-based basketball stars Mersey Tigers are offering cash back to groups and charities that book tickets for their games.

The team play at the new Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park in Huyton and are currently 10^th in the British Basketball league (BBL). 

They are also the current, reigning champions of the BBLTrophy and Play Offs for the 2010-2011season. 

Tickets for their games cost £10 per adult and £5 concessions. 

They are making a cash back offer for groups or charities that make block bookings and sell tickets to members. 

Pupils inspired to reach for the stars

Pupils in Prescot have been inspired to aim high by professionals from range of industries.

Police officers, firefighters, an entrepreneur and football coach were among those who met with children at Evelyn Community Primary School to talk about their work.

Pupils found out about the different career paths into each visitor’s work and heard from them how important the subjects learnt in school have been in helping them do their job.

Evelyn Primary holds a biennial Aspirations Day for all pupils to show the children how they will need to use the subjects they are taught in classroom in their future careers and day-to-day working life.

Inspired by their conversations with the visitors the pupils went on to share their own aspirations with their classmates and captured them on a mobile which is now on display in the main school hall.

Carole Arnold, Head Teacher at Evelyn Community Primary, said:

“Aspirations Day was a huge success. The pupils were really inspired by meeting and talking to so many people doing such a variety of interesting jobs. The children were very interested to find out from each of the visitors how they got into their job and how what they learnt in school has helped them in their role."

Therese Brown, Learning Mentor, added:

“I think it’s really important that pupils find out first-hand how the subjects they learn in school will be really important in their adult, working lives whatever career they decide to pursue.”


Pupils inspired at Evelyn Community Primary Aspirations Day

Be a BMX-er!

Fans of BMX cycling are invited to join a new club in Knowsley.

A new BMX track is opening later this year at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park in Longview Drive in Huyton. 

It will be in the centre of a 400 metre outdoor cycling velodrome and is unique in Britain. 

It is hoped a club of enthusiasts will help co-ordinate the use of the track and encourage as many people as possible to give it a go. 

It is to be called the Knowsley Knights Community BMX Club and the search is on for volunteers to coach and be committee members. 

The club will be supported by both the British Cycling Association and Knowsley Council’s leisure and culture department. 

An open forum is being held on Wednesday March 7 at 7pm at Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park in Longview Drive to get your views and ideas on the club. 

 If you would like more information about the club, the open forum or getting involved in BMX cycling, contact Kevin Lynch on 0151 443 5713 or email kevin.lynch@knowsley.gov.uk

Bush tucker trials in Knowsley

Beer goggles, bush tucker trials and homemade face masks are just some of the unusual features of a new health project aimed at young people in Knowsley.

‘Make Space for Health’ is new to the borough and aims to educate youngsters on eating well, exercising and looking after their emotional well-being.

The project is being run throughout the borough in schools and youth clubs, including the new OurPlace youth facility in Huyton, and has proved extremely popular amongst young people in Knowsley.

The Make Space for Health programme, which was developed by Knowsley Council’s Youth Service in partnership with 4Children, is split into three key areas – eat, move and feel. The ‘eat’ aspect of the project teaches young people how to cook healthy meals, eat a balanced diet and even try new foods through a ‘bush tucker trial’ activity.

KHT pushes ahead with solar PV panel scheme before tariff cuts

A Merseyside housing association is fitting solar panels onto its offices and some properties to help reduce tenants’ energy bills, and its impact on the environment.

Social landlord Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT), part of the First Ark Group, is working with contractors Dodd Group Ltd to install the PV panels to 21 low rise blocks, 10 mid rise blocks and two of its offices – its headquarters in Prescot and its Page Moss local office.

KHT is spending £750,000 on the scheme, which will generate a return over the next 25 years through the Government’s Feed in Tariffs to cover the cost of installation.

Ian Thomson, Executive Director of Asset Management at KHT, said: “This scheme will help tackle fuel poverty in our communities and reduce our carbon footprint.

Knowsley Works Recruitment Success

Knowsley Council’s specialist jobs agency has helped another up and coming company recruit the right staff.

The authority’s Knowsley Works team offers a wide variety of services aimed at finding work for people who have been jobless for some time.

It offers employers free recruitment and selection services and helps to prepare and train possible recruits before their interview.

Catch the Phil in Knowsley this Friday!

The world famous Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is performing hits from the West End in Knowsley this Friday. (Feb 24)

The top class musicians and singers will be accompanied by gifted young performers from the area for “A Touch of the West End” at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park.

The young singers are all members of Knowsley Music Theatre, a ground breaking group run by Knowsley Music and Performing Arts Service.

Several former members have gone on to succeed in London’s theatre land.

The show starts at 7.30pm and features hits from Les Miserables, Cats, Evita, Chicago and Phantom of the Opera, amongst others.

It will be conducted by West End star Anthony Gabriele with singers Rachel Barrel, Annalisa Rossi, Glyn Kerslake and Ian MacLarnon.

There are still some tickets available. They are £12.00 and £10 for children and concessions.

You can turn up on the night or collect tickets before Friday from Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park or Kirkby and Halewood leisure centres. Alternatively call 0151 443 5619.