Knowsley Online

Making Chatter matter in Kirkby

Children's communication Charity 'I Can 'joins forces with the Knowsley partnership to improve local children's communication skills.

Local Kirkby families are being invited to Make Chatter Matter with children’s communication charity I CAN on Saturday 14th November 2009, in the area by the bandstand in Newtown Gardens, Kirkby Town Centre.

This family fun day event, taking place from 10am – 5pm, has been organised in partnership with The Knowsley Partnership, Knowsley Council and Knowsley Health & Wellbeing Services to provide information and advice to local families about developing all children’s speech, language and communication skills in the early years.

Representatives from these agencies will be presiding over a jam-packed day of free children’s magic, face painting and singing and rhyming sessions delivered by local staff from South Kirkby & Northwood Children’s Centre and South Kirkby Childcare and Early Years Team. 

Parents and carers will be given ‘communication’ goodie bags filled with information and resources that help develop children’s communication skills. This includes I CAN’s Chatter Matters DVD, which shows parents how to turn everyday situations - such as food shopping - into fun and interactive communication opportunities.

Local Kirkby speech and language therapists and I CAN’s expert professional advisors will be on hand all day to support families and answer questions. Representatives from The Communication Trust, a 35 strong coalition of community and voluntary organisations with expertise on speech, language and communication, will also be supporting the event to find out what children and young people in Kirkby think makes a good communicator.

This event marks the launch of a co-ordinated approach from partners in Kirkby to provide children with the best chance of future success.

‘Making Chatter Matter in Kirkby’ will include a range of creative activities to develop speech and language at children’s centres, as well as better access to speech and language services and information for families.

Damian Allen, Executive Director for Knowsley’s Children and Family Services, said: “Good communication skills are an important foundation upon which all future learning and social interaction is built. The importance of promoting a child’s communication abilities and confidence cannot be underestimated. This fun event is a unique way of getting important information to parents, and directing them to the best place should they need help, whilst their children have a really good time and are entertained.”

I CAN Regional Communication Advisor for the North West, Louisa Reeves, says; “Communication skills are the bedrock learning skills for the 21st century. Children need to possess the ability to speak, listen and understand. Starting this ‘communication’ journey as early as possible really helps children to make friends, learn and achieve their potential in life.

We are absolutely delighted to be working with our partners in Kirkby to address the speech, language and communication needs of local children in Kirkby and beyond. Supporting parents to develop children’s communication skills and identify children who require extra support is a passion that we all share. We want to ensure that Kirkby is building future generations of little chatterboxes!”

Communication difficulties are life limiting. A child who struggles to speak will find it hard to read, write and make friends. In Kirkby, one in ten children will have more severe communication difficulties that may require long-term support. Evidence suggests that in socially deprived parts of the UK, upwards of 50% of children are starting school without the communication skills they need to learn, thrive and make friends.

I CAN is the children’s communication charity. www.ican.org.uk or www.talkingpoint.org.uk

Knowsley youngster makes history in the Commons

A fifteen year old schoolboy from Kirkby joined over 300 Members of the UK Youth Parliament to make history when they took over the House of Commons Chamber in Westminster on Friday.

It is first time in 300 years that anyone other than MPs have debated in the Commons and sat on the green benches.

This historic move saw Chris Browne a pupil at Springfield Special School and 12-18 year olds from across the country debate on issues of concern to young people.

The five issues being debated were:

1. Youth crime and how to tackle it
2. Public transport for young people 
3. Jobs for young people and the economy 
4. Lowering the voting age to 16  
5. University fees

Chris Browne, Member of Youth Parliament for Knowsley, said:

“I was very excited to visit the Palace of Westminster and felt really privileged to speak in the House of Commons on this ground breaking occasion, raising the voice of Knowsley’s young people.

“Having Members of Youth Parliament in the House of Commons shows young people do care about politics. It was fantastic to debate the issues which are really important to children and young people in Knowsley and throughout the country.”

Damian Allen, Executive Director for Children and Family Services, said:

“This historic trip to the House of Commons gives young people first-hand experience of what life is like in Parliament, perhaps inspiring Chris and the other Members of the UK Youth Parliament to become a future parliamentarian and certainly improving young people’s interest, involvement and engagement with both local and national politics.”

Fun tails on the farm

Chickens, hens, rabbits and even a rat were amongst the book lovers who enjoyed a good story down on the farm.

Acorn Venture Farm, in Kirkby, hosted the storytelling event, which welcomed children under five and their parents to listen to a story with a difference.

Visitors gathered in the barn on bales of hay before being treated to a live story telling performance by professional company Zoolab.

The children also had the chance to meet special guests Tracey the tarantula and Trudy the rat, and to learn all about the different animals found on a farm.

Organised by Knowsley’s Library Service, the event formed part of the borough’s Around Knowsley in 80 Reads challenge, which has seen authors popping up to tell a story in unusual places across Knowsley.

Damian Allen, Knowsley Council’s Executive Director for Children and Family Services says, “Listening to stories is always great fun, but experiencing this on a farm amongst the animals is really exciting for children. Events like this not only help to develop their love for books, but also a love for animals.”

“It is important we encourage our children to read from an early age. Incentives such as ‘Around Knowsley in 80 Reads’ has helped bring storytelling to life, and demonstrated how fun reading can be.”

Andrea, from Kirkby, enjoys reading with her two-year-old daughter Eva amongst the farmyard animals.

Order,order,order

Budding young politicians in Knowsley have been given an exclusive ‘behind the scenes’ look at how the Council operates.

Pupils from All Saints in Kirkby and the Halewood Centre for Learning visited Knowsley Council as part of Local Democracy Week.

During their visit, the pupils learnt about the political history of the Borough, were given a tour of the Mayoral Parlour and Council Chamber and found out about the importance of Electoral Registration and voting.

The youngsters, who are members of their School Council, also took the opportunity to quiz the Mayor of Knowsley, Cllr Dave Smithson, and Cabinet Member, Cllr Ken Keith, on a wide range of topics including the roles of the Mayor and Elected Members and how Knowsley’s new Learning Centres originated.

Liam Corrigan, 14, is a pupil at All Saints in Kirkby. He said: “It is a really good insight into what happens inside the Council and I found the visit really interesting, particularly being able to see how the Council makes decisions and I also enjoyed seeing the Council Chamber and the Mayor’s Parlour.”

Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate and Customer Services, said: “This has been a really worthwhile experience, not just for the pupils but also for the Council. It is extremely important and useful for us to engage with the young people of Knowsley and hear their views. These youngsters will be eligible to vote in a few years and it is good that they know more about the Council and the democratic process.

“I was very impressed by the level of interest they showed during their visit and by the questions they asked me.”
 

 Cllr Ken Keith and the Mayor of Knowsley, Cllr Dave Smithson, with pupils from All Saints in Kirkby inside the Council Chamber.

Sports personalities show support for local talent and sporting achievements in Knowsley

Knowsley will be recognising local people who have made outstanding achievements in the field of sport and physical activity, at a star studded event on Monday 19 October at Kirkby Suite.

The event organised by Knowsley’s Sport and Physical Activity Alliance, acknowledges individuals who have excelled in sport and those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to inspire local people of all ages to get active, strive for great achievements or have impacted on an individual’s health and wellbeing.

Guest speakers on the evening will include sporting personalities, Steve Smith, Great Britain High Jumper, Paul Sculthorpe, ex St Helens and Great Britain Rugby League Captain, and Eddie Hemmings, Sky Sports presenter who will compare the evening.

Steve Smith is Britain’s most successful ever high jumper and is still the current British Record Holder. An achievement he set 16 years ago at a staggering 2 meters 37 or 7ft 10’!. Steve is now one of the country’s best motivational speakers with extensive experience of working with leading corporate organisations and elite level sport.

Knowsley hosts major Bengali festival

Over 3,000 people from across the globe will descend upon Kirkby over the next few days for one of the biggest Bengali festivals in Europe.

The Hindu Festival of Durga Puja will be held at the Kirkby Suite from Thursday 24 September until 28 September.

The activities during the festival will include prayer, singing, dancing and dining. The food will be prepared by specialist chefs trained in India and is of the highest standard. The event provides an educational and cultural experience to the many different faiths and school children who attend.

The event has been held in Knowsley for the past 29 years. This is England’s only major Durga Puja celebration outside London, and visitors are expected to attend from Newcastle, Birmingham, and Leeds. Families are also expected to come from India to share the celebrations with their family.

Councillor Ron Round, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: “Knowsley has a proud history of welcoming people into the borough, which is underpinned by our Respect and Good Neighbour campaigns.

“Hosting the event is an excellent example of how people from all backgrounds are welcomed in Knowsley to celebrate their proud history.”

Durga Puja is the annual Hindu Festival that celebrates the worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It is the biggest Hindu Festival and the most significant cultural event in Bengali society.

According to Hindu tradition, the goddess Durga killed the evil demon Mahishasur. She is depicted as having ten arms, carrying a weapon in each, and riding upon either a lion or a tiger.

Durga Puja takes place over six days, with the exact start date changing each year according to the traditional Hindu calendar.

Take your places for Knowsley’s Fun Olympics!

The residents of Knowsley are getting into shape for the second annual Older People’s Olympics on September 25 at Kirby Leisure Centre.

Events include traditional sporting activities such as badminton, table tennis, netball/football shootouts to more unusual sports such as boccia bowls, welly throwing, scrabble and interactive computer games.

This year the competition reaches a new level as ‘Zigzaguk’ have supplied the event with two state of the art ‘Espresso bikes’. The bikes allow competitors to compete interactively with the bicycles linked up to a TV screen of a virtual cycle route.

Athletes will receive an opening address from the Chair of NHS Knowsley, Rosemary Hawley, MBE and Leader of the Council, Cllr. Ronnie Round who will be cheering on the teams as they compete for the title. 

Four teams will compete in the Olympics representing Huyton, Halewood, Kirby and Prescot and in true Olympic style each will have their own customised anthem which will be played when the team wins an event.

People over the age of 45 who live in the Knowsley borough are welcome to attend the free training sessions held at:

• Kirby Leisure Centre – Wednesday 16th, 1pm – 4pm
• Halewood Leisure Centre – Wednesday 16th, 10.30am – 12pm
• Whiston Willis School Sports Hall – Thursday 17th, 1pm – 3pm
• Huyton Leisure Centre – Thursday 17th, 1pm – 3pm

This years Olympics plan to build on the success of last year’s event which attracted over 140 people over the age of 45 with the Halewood team emerging victorious. The teams which triumphs this year will be presented with their medals by The Mayor of Knowsley, Cllr. Dave Smithson.  

Cllr. Eddie Connor, Knowsley Council’s cabinet member for Leisure, Community and Culture said: “The Olympics are a great way for the older residents of Knowsley to stay active whilst having fun and socialising with other residents within the borough.

“Last year over 140 people took part in the Olympics and this year, we hope even more will take part.”

The training sessions will resume after the Olympics to encourage people to continue to stay active and transport will be provided from each locality to and from the venue in Kirby.

‘Decay’- an exhibition of works by Mike Kirkby

Knowsley Arts and Heritage Service are proud to present ‘Decay’, a painting exhibition by Mike Kirby.

Mike Kirby’s career in illustration spans over 25 years working for most of the major London advertising agencies. Michael relocated back to Liverpool in 2002 to concentrate more on his painting, his main interest being portraiture and landscape, and the effects of light together with textures. This series of paintings on inner city decay is Mike’s first solo exhibition.

The world deteriorates, humanity decays, but do we consider the Consequences?

We see this deterioration every day in the fabric of our inner city structures.

We give such significance to them, yet they all fall away to nothing.

First and foremost the series is not just about decay as depicted in these works, but it’s concerned about human decay, not only physical but also spiritual. Do we really think about the future, about death and what that means to us as individuals?

The series, by using buildings as a focal point, aims to ignite a thought process that will lead to the suggestion of there being something more permanent than this finite existence.

Opening Times: Mon, Fri 9.15am-5pm: Tues, Thurs 9.15am-7pm: Sat 10am-4pm: Sun 12-4pm: Closed Weds. For further information please contact Knowsley Arts service on 0151 443 5619 or e.mail: arts.galleries@knowsley.gov.uk

Families get a sure start in Knowsely

NB Get a taste of what goes on at a Knowsley Children's Centre by watching the video on the council's YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4uzFazp49Q

Knowsley’s Children’s Centres are urging children and their families to come along and see what’s on offer during National Sure Start Children’s Centres week from September 14 – 18.

Families in Knowsley are never far from a Sure Start Children’s Centre – there are 15 across Knowsley, offering a range of activities, advice and support for parents and children aged 0-5, and even up to age 11.

As part of the national week, families are being challenged to find out more about what is on offer near them, and to try out one or more of the activities or sessions.

These include music and dance sessions for under fives ‘Baby Moves’ at St Chad’s in Kirkby and The Robins in Huyton, and ‘Diddy Dance’ in Tower Hill, Kirkby. There are also creative play sessions, Sing and Sign sessions for babies, teddy bears’ picnics and more. In North Kirkby, a Fun Day takes place on Tuesday September 15 from 12-4pm at Eden Children’s Centre on Melverley Road, Westvale, with animals, puppet shows, face painting, massage for grown ups, and plenty of fun and games.

Cllr Graham Wright, Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services at Knowsley Council, said: “In Knowsley, we’re extremely proud of our fantastic Children’s Centres which offer so many things for local parents, most of them completely free.

The only alpine scene in Kirkby is unveiled

A small piece of Kirkby has been transformed into a scene more suited to the Alpine mountains after Fairhaven’s new mural was unveiled.

Kirkby Arts and Crafts painted a 20 foot mural of a picturesque mountain scene after local residents decided to brighten up their area in Fairhaven, Tower Hill.  Radio presenter and local celebrity Sean Styles was on hand officially unveil the painting at a ceremony recently.

Residents approached Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) for help after deciding that the area needed a ‘facelift’.  KHT with help from Knowsley Council funded the project by planting trees, fitting benches and then approached Kirkby Arts and Crafts to paint a scene to remember.

“The Alpine Scene was a popular choice from residents,” says Stella Lang (pictured) from Kirkby Arts and Crafts. 

“Something like this would normally take 3 weeks to complete, but because of the weather it has taken 4 months to paint by hand, however it has all been worth it seeing the reaction of residents here.”

Local resident Pauline Williams is delighted with the result: “The Mural is beautiful.  Everyone who passes comments positively on it and we are all made up with it.”

KHT’s Neighbourhood Manager Sandra Williams said; “The Mural looks fantastic and everyone at Kirkby Arts and Crafts have done a great job.  We always try to act upon what our residents are telling us as their views are so important to us.”

 DJ Sean Styles and Stella Lang from Kirkby Arts and Crafts, photo was taken by Geoff Roberts