Knowsley Online

Free fun event to welcome the Tour of Britain to Knowsley

There’s a host of free activities planned at Knowsley Safari Park to welcome the Tour of Britain Cycle Race on September 10.

Stage 2 of the event will reach a spectacular climax at the Park with thousands of people expected to gather to cheer on more than 100 of the world’s best cyclists. 

There’ll be lots of other things going on to keep people entertained as they wait for the riders. 

Athletics, mini golf, hula-hooping, cycle racing and a bike-themed treasure hunt are just some of the activities planned. 

People will also get the chance to create huge chalk drawings of animal prints in the Park, that it’s hoped will be included in aerial shots of the race. 

There’ll be football coaches from Everton in the Community, local cycling groups and lots of information about bike security, safety and maintenance. 

The Safari Park will be open from 10am on the day and the last safari drive will be at 12.30pm. 

Plans are in for new £5 million Kirkby public services centre

Proposals to create a new council facility in Kirkby have been submitted for planning approval.

The plans, which are a key part of the £200 million regeneration of the town centre, will transform the former Kirkby Suite building into a state-of-the-art modern facility housing a number of essential public services including the One Stop Shop, Library with local history archive, Gallery and more.

In addition to the internal transformation, the proposals also outline the council’s vision to modernise the exterior of the building to create a welcome visual addition to the soon to be regenerated town centre.

James Thomas – A Model Footballer – On and off the field

David Beckham has managed to integrate being a professional sportsman with modelling and the fashion industry. The world of non –league football however, can be a tough and uncompromising world. Playing football during the cold and wet winter months around the North West of England is about as unglamorous as it can get at times. But that is all about to change.

James Thomas who plays as a Striker for Prescot Cables in the Evo-Stik Northern League is introducing a slice of style and panache around the ground at Hope Street in Knowsley, both on and off the field.

Thomas who is nicknamed ‘Smiler’ by fellow players and Supporters due to his always happy and positive approach to the game is known equally for both his stylish play and sartorial dress sense.

Whilst he is considered a favourite by the fans at Prescot for his skill and the goals often scored from set pieces he is also admired for his clothes when he emerges from the changing rooms after the match.

Now James will be putting his style, smile and looks to the test when he enters the 2012 Final of the Flawless 2012 Model Pageant at Liverpool’s Moniques Party Club on Monday 3^rd September. James who has played for a number of Clubs around the North West as well as representing England Under 18’s against Italy, hopes that if he won the event it may kick-start a successful modelling career.

The Flame for the Paralympics in Knowsley!

The English Flame for the Paralympics arrived in Knowsley, brought from a ceremony in London by former Paralympian and Halewood councillor, Terry Powell. 

Support flames were carried by fellow Paralympians, Gerry Kinsella, head of Liverpool charity the Greenbank Centre, and Lizzie Simpkin, from Crosby Watersports Centre. 

There was an official welcoming ceremony at Kirkby Sports College in Bracknell Avenue, with dignitaries from across Merseyside. 

This was followed by a free event at the College the following day where the public could see the Flame and take part in all sorts of sports and activities. 

Hundreds of people came along, to get into the spirit of the Games and try out some of the sports that will feature in the Paralympics. 

Income team recognised for excellent service

Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) has achieved a prestigious benchmark for the way its income team manages rents and supports tenants.

The Merseyside housing association has received accreditation from the HQN Rent and Income Excellence Network.

KHT’s income team went through a rigorous assessment process to achieve the accreditation and are among only a handful of housing associations to have received it.

Peter Davison from KHT said: “This is a great achievement for the team and KHT. Feedback from partners and tenants in the assessment was very positive, which was hugely rewarding.

“There are challenging times ahead for housing associations with welfare reform and it will be more important than ever to work with tenants to maintain their tenancy and help them stay out of arrears.

New Street lighting

Knowsley Council is working with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) to carry out a multi-million pound revamp of the borough’s street lighting.

Work is scheduled to commence in the Whitefield ward, Kirkby, in October.

Members of the community in the Whitefield ward are invited to attend a consultation event being held on Thursday 6 September at Westvale Community Centre, Richard Hesketh Drive, Kirkby. Representatives from both Knowsley Council and SSE will be on-hand to answer any questions residents may have regarding the work that will be taking place.

The event will start at 6pm and will begin with a presentation outlining the street lighting scheme, along with details of the timescales and benefits it will bring to the area. This will last for around 15 minutes and will be followed by an opportunity for residents to ask questions, until approximately 7pm.

Cllr Dave Lonergan, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said, “The street lighting project is a major investment for Knowsley that will bring a range of benefits to local residents as well as helping the environment. It’s important that we keep residents informed as the scheme progresses.

Fun of the fair comes to OurPlace!

Live local bands, circus skills, a BBQ and rodeo bull are just some of the things you can expect to see as the fun of the fair comes to OurPlace!

The youth facility, in Huyton, is hosting a FREE spectacular event on Thursday 30 August from 3pm to 8pm for 11 to 19 year olds.

The OurPlace festival – ‘fun of the fair’ will also include a skate display, DJ set and traditional fairground games including a coconut shy and skittle alley.

Organised by the youth workers at OurPlace, the festival marks the end of an extremely busy summer holidays at the facility.

“This is the first summer OurPlace has been open, and we have seen hundreds of young people coming through the door to make the most of the fantastic facilities and activities on offer,” explains Rachael McGowan, Senior Youth Worker at OurPlace.

She added, “Anyone aged 11 to 19 from Knowsley come along to the fun of the fair event, whether you go to OurPlace often or have never been before. It promises to be a fantastic event for everyone!”

For more information, ring 0151 443 5323, find OurPlace on Facebook or follow it on Twitter@_OurPlace2012

Community event marks the arrival of the English Flame in Knowsley for the Paralympics.

Families are being invited to Knowsley on Saturday August 25 to an official event marking the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Celebrations. 

The Flame Celebration runs from 10am to 3pm at Kirkby Sports College in Bracknell Avenue and will give the local community the chance to get into the spirit of the games with a host of sports and activities. 

It follows the arrival of the English Flame to the college on Friday August 24. The Flame will be delivered by Paralympian and Knowsley councillor, Terry Powell, whose two sons Dan and Marc will compete in this year’s Team GB Paralympic squad. 

Joining Terry with support flames will be fellow Paralympians, Gerry Kinsella, chief executive of the Liverpool charity, The Greenbank Centre and Jamie Burdekin, representing Crosby Watersports Centre. 

Wiggins confirmed in Tour of Britain line-up

Olympic gold medallist and Tour De France champion Bradley Wiggins will be among the competitors in the Tour of Britain, which comes to Knowsley next month, it has been confirmed.

Bradley will be joined by his team mate Mark Cavendish, a double-stage winner in last year’s Tour of Britain and the current World Champion on the road.

Stage 2 of the Tour of Britain will reach a spectacular climax at Knowsley Safari Park on September 10, with thousands of people expected to gather to cheer on more than 100 of the world’s best cyclists.

The 180.7 km race commences at Nottingham Castle, and will travel through Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Cheshire before the climax at Knowsley Safari Park where riders from teams such as Team Sky, Liquigas – Cannondale and Endura Racing will battle it out for victory.

The Tour is expected to arrive in the borough just after 2pm, arriving at Pingwood Lane in Kirkby, then travelling through Headbolt Lane, County Road, South Boundary Road and Coopers Lane.  It will then travel along Knowsley Lane, through Knowsley Village and then into Huyton along Primrose Drive, Liverpool Road, Bluebell Lane, Huyton Lane, and then making its final journey to the finish along the A58 to Knowsley Safari Park in Prescot.

KHT Roadshow takes the party to the people

Hundreds of people turned out to help Knowsley Housing Trust celebrate its 10^th birthday last week when a special roadshow hit the streets.

The KHT Roadshow toured Prescot, Kirkby, Huyton, Halewood and Page Moss with entertainment to help residents join in the celebrations.

It was joined by community radio station KCC Live in Kirkby and Huyton town centres where they provided music, entertainment, face painters and more to over 500 Knowsley residents.

Residents also got the chance to sign a giant birthday card and find out more about connecting with KHT through its new smartphone app, website, digital TV channel and Facebook page.

KHT Chief Executive Bob Taylor said: “We had a fantastic time on the streets of Knowsley and were very pleased to see so many people come out and join the party.

“Our residents really are at the heart of what we do and they have helped shape our journey so far. However our most exciting times are still to come and we will continue working to improve lives and communities in Knowsley.”

KHT, part of The First Ark Group, turned 10-years-old on July 15 and many events and activities are planned throughout the year. The celebrations started with the burying of a time capsule outside its Lakeview offices in Prescot and continued with its Community Day in June which attracted 2,000 people.

This year’s KHT Community Achievement Awards in September will also celebrate the milestone.