Knowsley Online

A Tudor makeover

An historic Tudor building in Prescot has been restored to its former glory.

Skilled craftsmen have been working on the Grade II listed, timber framed building in Eccleston Street for several weeks.

The building at Number 30 is thought to date back to the 17th century and has a date of 1614 carved into the timberwork.

Under cover of scaffolding and polythene, the decorative timber work has been repaired and the wattle and daub plasterwork washed in lime.

The oak pegs that hold the mortar and tenon joints together have been replaced and the existing timbers recoated with Scandinavian tar.

Before work could begin, the plans had to be agreed by English Heritage, the owner, the architects, Knowsley Council and the current
tenant.

Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills Cllr Graham Morgan said: “This restoration work will ensure that the building will continue to be used now and yet remain an important heritage asset in one of our most historic towns.”

Bogus Official Warning

Residents in Prescot are being warned to be on their guard, following reports of a bogus official operating in the area.

A woman from the Shaw Lane area contacted Knowsley Council’s Trading Standards team after a woman claiming to be from the council knocked at her door.

The caller claimed to be conducting a survey on behalf of the authority and asked a number of questions but, when challenged, was unable to provide any form of ID.

The Council does not have anybody currently carrying out surveys in the Prescot area.

Cllr Ken Keith, Cabinet Member for Corporate and Customer Services, said: “Residents should remain vigilant after this incident. This resident did exactly the right thing by asking to be shown a form of identification. Anyone working on behalf of Knowsley Council will show ID to prove who they are.”

If residents have any concerns about doorstep crime or have encountered problems, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.

Tudor fun in historic Prescot

There is a chance to sample the Maytime festivities of Elizabethan England in Prescot this month.

An Elizabethan Fayre is to be held next to the historic Prescot Parish church on the last Saturday of May.

There will be all sorts of stalls and activities for the family to enjoy, as well as a circus skills workshop, a potter, thatcher, wood turner, instrument maker and a lute player. There will also be dance performances with an Elizabethan feel.

The event celebrates the long history of the town which dates back to the 14 the century in its original form.

May Fayres were extremely popular in the era of the first Queen Elizabeth and Prescot would almost definitely have had its own.

A recreation of the town Fayre was held for the first time last year and proved such a success that it is being repeated.

This year there will also be the opportunity to enjoy a tour of the beautiful Prescot Parish church, which is approaching its 400th anniversary.

The entertainment will have a distinctly Tudor feel but there will be something of interest for all ages and admission is free.

The event runs from 12.30pm until 4pm on Saturday May 30.

So, experience May time merriment from years gone by and enjoy Prescot as it was in the first Elizabethan era.

Joe Gibiliru returns as manager

Prescot Cables are delighted to announce the appointment of Joe Gibiliru as their new manager, with Dave Riddler as his assistant.

This marks a return for Joe, to his first position in management, as he was Player-Manager in the early 1990’s.

It is also a return to his roots for Dave, who played for Cables under Joe as a teenager, before embarking on a professional career with Wrexham, Macclesfield, Shrewsbury, and Scarborough.

Alan Roberts
Press Officer

Crackdown on underage drinking in Knowsely

Knowsley Council’s Trading Standards Officers, working with Merseyside Police, are continuing the crackdown on underage drinking as part of its borough-wide ‘Get Real’ campaign.

A joint test purchasing initiative took place on Wednesday, 16 April in off licensed premises in Huyton and Prescot.

A 15 year old volunteer attempted to buy alcohol in five off-licences. In three premises, the sale of alcohol was refused.

Two sales took place and both sellers have been issued with £80 Fixed Penalty Notices for selling alcohol to a person under the age of 18 years. Both premises will be subject to a licence review and further legal action is being considered.

Trading Standards and Police in Knowsley regularly conduct alcohol test purchase exercises with the assistance of volunteer youngsters acting as the purchaser. Staff that sell to underage people are liable to an £80 on-the-spot fine. Licensees face prosecution and premises can have their licence to sell alcohol revoked.

Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Corporate & Customer Services commented “As part of our Get Real Campaign, Officers from our Environmental Health and Consumer Protection Team will continue to carry out test purchases across the borough throughout the coming months. We are very pleased that the majority of premises refused to sell alcohol to our under age volunteer, which demonstrates retailers understand the law and their responsibilities. Retailers are thanked for this and we will continue to work with our partners and retailers to ensure the sale of alcohol to under 18s is prevented.”

Licensing Sergeant, John Atkinson, added “We will continue to work in partnership with Trading Standards Officers to carry out joint underage test purchasing initiatives across the borough and take robust action against licensees who sell alcohol to under age persons. Breaches could ultimately lead to licensees losing their licence. Our message to licensees is simple – if in doubt, ask for proof of age

Clnical Town punish Cables

Prescot Cables  0 v  Hednesford Town 5.  Saturday 18th April 2009.

On a bright sunny day Cables fans turned up hoping to see their favourites record their first win on a Saturday this season. Hednesford Town, still in with a chance of finishing in a play-off place, started the game playing positive attacking football, Cables with some young inexperienced players in their side struggled to contain, Hednesfords play, and in was no surprise when they took the lead when a shot by Marshall was fumbled by Hunt Cables young keeper and Barnett prodded the ball into the net.

Hednesford continued to press forward and they increased their lead, just 5 minutes later. Dyer latched onto a through that beat a static defence, went round the advancing keeper and scored from a tight angle. Barnett and Dyer were causing panic in the Cables defence and both missed glorious chances to score from further chances created by good attacking play.

Cables had taken a long time getting into the game but they started to pass the ball around much better and they certainly caused Hednesford some problems but could not create many clear chances, although Byers Cables centre forward did create a chance but his cross was headed away from under the bar with the keeper beaten.

Cables were punished right on half time when Barnett scored with a clinical finish from the edge of the penalty area. Cables made two substitutions at the start of the second half. The half started with both sides playing open football and Hednesford scored possibly the strangest goal this season.

Durrell broke clear of the Cables defence, Hunt Cables keeper challenged for the ball but Durrell prodded the ball towards the goal and slipped over, McIntosh slid across and cleared the ball but his clearance hit the post and rebounded to Durrell who although still lying on the ground shot the ball home. Green who had come on for Cables was making his presence felt and he like McCulloch pushed Cables forward. Cables were playing some good football and taking the game to Hednesford but they couldn’t make the breakthrough there play deserved.

Hednesford looked dangerous when they attacked but Hunt made some important saves, he was looking more secure than in the first half. Durrell scored Hednesford’s fifth when after a swift break he converted a cross from just 6 yards out. Cables went down to ten men right on time when Dalton was sent off for a second bookable offence. Although Cables were beaten by the better side they contributed to an entertaining game.

Cables: Hunt, Dalton, Bowden-Davies, McCulloch ( C ), Bell, McIntosh, Croxton, Shinks, Byers, Connolly, Williams. Subs. Taylor, Mahama ( 45mins for Shinks ) Forsyth ( 82mins for Williams ) Owens, Green ( 45mins for Connolly )

Clinical Eastwood punish Cables

Prescot Cables 1 -  Eastwood Town 5

Unibond Premier League Saturday 4th April 2009.

Eastwood Town punished a sloppy display by Cables, with some clinical finishing, in a professional performance in today’s game.

Eastwood started the stronger of the two sides and after only 2 minutes Cables defence were caught out by a long through ball and Knox shot confidently past Paxton to give Eastwood an early lead. This was the worst possible start for Cables and try as hard as they did they could not get into the game. Eastwood gained control of the game and should have increased there lead but Robinson headed wide with only the keeper to beat left clear in the Cables box.

It was no surprise when clever play by the now dominant Eastwood found Meikle with only the keeper to beat, he rounded the keeper and tapped the ball into an empty net. Cables were trying to get into the game but Eastwood’s clinical finishing was the major difference between the two teams.

Paxton in the Cables goal made an excellent save from a close range header on 24 minutes to deny Eastwood a third goal, and things could have been even worse , when later in the half Meikle blasted a shot over Cables bar when clear of the defence. A tackle by Smith Cables left back, created a flashpoint in the game, just before half time, which ended with the managers of both sides being sent too the stands by the referee.

Cables came out in the second half, trying to take the game to Eastwood and they did put the Eastwood defence under some pressure without creating any chances, there play was ruined when a dreadful mistake by McCulloch allowed Cooper to score from close range. Immediately after this set back, Hopkins for Cables struck home a fierce shot from the edge of the box. This goal shook Eastwood and Cables suddenly came into the game and looked the better side.

Eastwood where now having to defend well, as Cables tried to score again, and Deakin in the Eastwood goal saved well to prevent a second for Cables. Sadly for Cables they were punished by two goals in the final 8 minutes.

Again a defensive lapse, this time by Paxton left Hume with an easy header on 83 minutes and five minutes later, Robinson’s shot from just outside the penalty area, struck Bell and deflected over the keeper.  Eastwood were now completely in control and Cooper nearly scored number 6 but his powerful shot struck the bar and was cleared away.

Cables: Paxton, Dalton, Smith, McCulloch ( C ), Bell, McIntosh, Mahama, Deakin, Hopkins, Croxton, Williams. Subs: Connolly, Owens, Cowdall.

Entertainment. 3.    Man of the match. McCulloch. Prescot Cables.

Changes at Prescot Cables

Historic Change to Club announced at AGM on Thursday 26th March 2009.

At the Prescot Cables Annual General Meeting the Board of Directors announced to the supporters the details of the club’s conversion to a Community Interest Club. The Board was pleased to state that Companies House had approved the conversion of the club to a community interest company, this also involves a change of name to Prescot Cables Football Club CIC.

This has been achieved with assistance of Supporters Direct and their solicitor Thea Longley of Bates Wells & Braithwaite LLP, for which the club are very grateful.

A CIC is a limited company with special features which allow for the running of a business for the benefit of the community. The CIC will shortly be issuing shares which will be in the form of an annual membership and elections to the board will be held before the start of next season.

In addition to the first team who play in the Unibond Premier League, the club has reserve & youth teams as well as numerous children’s teams that all play under the Cables banner. The club hope that their CIC status will assist in developing facilities for all their teams as well as the wider community.

Knowsley ceremonies broadcast over the internet

Ceremonies at Knowsley Council’s Registration Office can now been seen across the globe, thanks to the launch of a new webcam.

The service allows friends and relatives from across the world to view their loved ones special day.

Knowsley is believed to be the first Registration Office in the North West to offer a webcam service.

It was launched last week at a Citizenship Ceremony but the webcam will be rolled out to cover all ceremonies – including Weddings, Civil Partnerships, Renewal of Vows and Naming Ceremonies – later this spring.

Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Corporate and Customer Services, said: “This service is a fantastic new addition and it will be of particular benefit to people taking part in Citizenship Ceremonies, as their family and friends around the world can join in the celebrations.

“We are always looking for ways to innovate and improve the service we offer to Knowsley residents and I am sure the webcam will prove to be a major asset.”

At last week’s ceremony 23 people from places including India, the Philippines and Canada became UK citizens at a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Knowsley, Cllr Michael Foulkes.

The webcam service is available to all ceremonies booked for the Priestcote Room at Knowsley Registration Office in Prescot.

The Citizenship Ceremonies can be viewed via the Knowsley Council website www.knowsley.gov.uk but all other ceremonies will only be broadcast with the consent of the parties involved.

The Mayor of Knowsley, Cllr Michael Foulkes, is pictured at last week’s ceremony, which was broadcast over the internet.

Knowsley Youngsters Becoming Craftspeople of the Future

Knowsley’s young people are learning about traditional building skills as part of an exciting heritage programme.

Over 20 pupils from Sir Edmund Arrowsmith School and Prescot School, enrolled on the young apprenticeship scheme in construction, are learning the traditional skills they need to conserve historic buildings.

Part of the Young Conservation Officers Group, the pupils have tested their hands at a variety of skills which will help to prepare them for potential careers in the heritage sector, particularly in the area of traditional building skills, where there is a national shortage.

Cllr Graham Morgan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills said:” The future of Knowsley’s heritage will soon become the responsibility of our young people and it’s important that they learn about the heritage and culture of the borough. By working with our young people to develop their skills in this area we are also giving them an advantage in an area of work where skilled people are in short supply.”

As part of the programme the young conservation officers have visited some fascinating buildings currently being restored, including St. Andrew’s Church in Liverpool and Victoria Baths in Manchester, to see the conservation first hand and talk to the craftspeople carrying out the work.

They also had the opportunity to work with a professional stone mason and try lime plastering, help National Trust rangers build defences to conserve the sand dunes at Formby and make tiles and a cob oven at Norton Priory.

There is currently a national shortage of skilled craftspeople and with this project Knowsley Council is providing young people with an understanding of the career choices in heritage and conservation and a head start in the competitive world of work.

“This programme has demonstrated that if we can provide interesting challenges for youngsters, it is likely that they will respond in a positive manner and often surprise us with what they achieve. Learning by doing is a great motivator, learning to work in ways developed by our ancestors in order to protect our environment for future generations was a definite hit for our Young Apprentices of today.” Charlie Marteau, lecturer at Knowsley Community College.

During the rest of the project Knowsley primary school pupils and construction students in Knowsley College will have the opportunity to learn about and try traditional building skills in other programmes within in the project ‘Look to the Future: Celebrate our Past’. 

Photo Caption: Cllr Morgan showing some of the work from the Year 10 Conservation Officers at St Edmund Arrowsmith School. From left to right: Jonathan McQuinn, Jordan Hughes, Ellis Winstanley, Michael Scales, Cllr Morgan, Mr Coyle Head of Year and Kieran Gaughan.