Knowsley Online

Meet Crime Writer Mandasue Heller

Mandasue will be visiting Whiston Library on

Tuesday 24th March 11.00 to 1.00

To launch her new book Snatched.

Win a signed copy of her new book!

‘Wonderfully wicked . . . Suspense intersects brilliantly with savage pop culture satire’
Publishers Weekly

‘Cracking page-turner . . . a gritty compassionate account of life on the margins’
Manchester Evening News

For more details and tickets ring Whiston Library on 0151 426 4757
Praise for Mandasue Heller’s novels:

‘Wonderfully wicked . . . Suspense intersects brilliantly with savage pop culture satire’
Publishers Weekly

‘Cracking page-turner . . . a gritty compassionate account of life on the margins’
Manchester Evening News

‘Alarming . . . beguiling . . . exhilarating.’

Scotsman

‘Sexy and slick’

Look magazine

‘Crammed with gangsters and glamour girls this is a sassy take on the usual crime thriller.’
Woman magazine

Mandasue Heller moved to Manchester in 1982. She spent ten years living in the notorious Hulme Crescents and worked as a singer in bands playing on the local pubs and clubs circuit. It wasn’t until a savage attack on her home and a period of time suffering from illness that that she began to re-evaluate her life and decided it was time to try to fulfil her ambition of becoming a writer.

Mandasue had always loved reading crime novels and so literally sat down one day and wrote about what she knew: hard-hitting tales of life on the estates in Manchester. She sent in her first novel to Hodder & Stoughton and it was bought within a few months. No agent, no contacts in the publishing world, just a woman with a wonderful ability to write and some great stories to tell.

Her debut novel, The Front, was published in January 2002 and received great praise from reviewers, booksellers and readers. Since then she has had six more books published – Forget Me Not, Tainted Lives, The Game, The Charmer, The Club and Shafted – all of which have won her more and more fans.

Mandasue’s eighth novel, Snatched, is being published in March 2009. She continues to live in and write about Manchester.

Designated Areas introduced in Knowsley

Three ‘Designated Areas’ have been introduced in Kirkby and Whiston in order to combat anti-social behaviour.

The orders, introduced in Kirkby and Whiston, were introduced yesterday (25 January 2009) and will remain in force for 6 months.
The powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act mean that police officers can move youths on and arrest those who return within 24 hours.

Two designated areas have been introduced in Kirkby, which operates from 5.00 pm until 2.00 am, 7 days a week. The designated areas are bounded by and include:-

• Whitefield Drive to the junction with Elstead Road, past Eastfield Walk, to the boundary of the M57. Following the perimeter of the M57 to the junction with Ingoe Lane to the junction with Whitefield Drive. This includes all roads and public places within this area, including Denver Road and Newick Road.
• Richard Hesketh Drive to the junction with James Holt Avenue. James Holt Avenue to the junction with Kirkby Row. Kirkby Row to the junction with Whitefield Drive. Whitefield Drive to the junction with Richard Hesketh Drive.

The designated area in Whiston operates from 4.00pm until midnight, 7 days a week and includes the area bounded by:-

• Manorwood Drive from its junction with Lickers Lane, Lickers Lane to Driveway. Driveway, up to and including Whiston Railway station, (running along the perimeter of the railway line), to Gresford Close. Gresford Close to Berrywood Drive, Berrywood Drive to Manorwood Drive. Manorwood drive to Lickers Lane (including all of the open grassed area known as ‘The Moonhills’).

Merseyside Police has worked in partnership with Knowsley Council to secure the designated areas to help them combat anti-social behaviour in the area which has been causing distress and making life difficult for residents in the area.

Councillor Jackie Harris, Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Social Inclusion said "This is a fine example of the police, council and partners working with local communities to address their concerns. We will use all the powers at our disposal to stop this type of activity and ensue that Knowsley remains a safe place to live, work and visit."

Chief Inspector Claire Richards added "We are making great inroads in the area in tackling anti social behaviour by targeting the areas causing the most concern. This has been tremendously successful but there are still some youths who persist in acting anti-socially and their behaviour is just not acceptable. High visibility patrols will ensure the designated area is not breached and its introduction will complement other tactics we are using to reduce anti social behaviour in Knowsley.”

Designated Areas introduced in Knowsley

Kirkby and Whiston are the latest areas in Knowsley to introduce a 'designated area' to combat anti-social behaviour in the Borough.

The orders will be introduced on 25 January 2009 and remain in force for 6 months. 

The powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act mean that police officers can move youths on and arrest those who return within 24 hours.

Two designated areas have been introduced in Kirkby, which will operate from 5.00 pm until 2.00 am, 7 days a week.  The designated areas are bounded by and include:-

Whitefield Drive to the junction with Elstead Road, past Eastfield Walk, to the boundary of the M57.  Following the perimeter of the M57 to the junction with Ingoe Lane to the junction with Whitefield Drive.   This includes all roads and public places within this area, including Denver Road and Newick Road. 

Richard Hesketh Drive to the junction with James Holt Avenue.  James Holt Avenue to the junction with Kirkby Row.  Kirkby Row to the junction with Whitefield Drive.  Whitefield Drive to the junction with Richard Hesketh Drive.  

The designated area in Whiston will operate 4.00pm until midnight, 7 days a week and includes the area bounded by:-

Manorwood Drive from its junction with Lickers Lane, Lickers Lane to Driveway.  Driveway, up to and including Whiston Railway station, (running along the perimeter of the railway line), to Gresford Close.  Gresford Close to Berrywood Drive, Berrywood Drive to Manorwood Drive.  Manorwood drive to Lickers Lane (including all of the open grassed area known as ‘The Moonhills’).

Merseyside Police has worked in partnership with Knowsley Council to secure the designated areas to help them combat anti-social behaviour in the area which has been causing distress and making life difficult for residents in the area.

Councillor Jackie Harris, Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Social Inclusion said "This is a fine example of the police, council and partners working with local communities to address their concerns.  We use all the powers at our disposal to stop this type of activity and ensue that Knowsley remains a safe place to live, work and visit."

Chief Inspector Claire Richards added "We are making great inroads in the area in tackling anti social behaviour by targeting the areas causing the most concern. This has been tremendously successful but there are still some youths who persist in acting anti-socially and their behaviour is just not acceptable.  High visibility patrols will ensure the designated area is not breached and its introduction will complement other tactics we are using to reduce anti social behaviour in Knowsley.”

Knowsley Helps Residents to Get Energy Smart

Knowsley residents can learn how to stay warm, keep fuel bills low and deal with debt at local ‘Get Energy Smart’ events.

The ‘Get Energy Smart’ events are just one of the ways that Knowsley Council is providing support to residents who are affected by the credit crunch and who are experiencing financial difficulties.

The events will take place in Whiston and Halewood on:

•  Wednesday, 21 January 10am-2pm at Southmead Children’s Centre (Zebra Room), Lickers Lane, Whiston
• Wednesday, 28 January 10am-2pm at Oak Tree Children’s Centre (Chestnut Room), Lichfield Road, Halewood

Knowsley Council and its partners are using the ‘Get Energy Smart’ events to raise awareness of the problems facing local people who struggle to affordably heat their homes and the role that energy efficiency can play in making their homes warmer, more comfortable and easier to heat.

Residents will have access to energy saving hints and tips, fuel switching information and fuel debt advice. There will also be information to help people to stay healthy in the cold weather, keep their home warm and advice on benefit entitlement.

Cllr Morgan, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development said: "Knowsley Council works all year round to help local people keep their homes warm and healthy. It’s especially important in the current financial climate that people are aware of the help and support that the council can provide.

The ‘Get Energy Smart’ events will give people the chance to talk to a number of different groups all in one place. They can find out about grant information, advice on staying warm this winter, saving money on fuel bills and what to do if they are worried about debt.”

For more information about the Get Energy Smart events please contact the Energy and Financial Inclusion Teams / Sally Carter on 443 2216 or sally.carter@knowsley.gov.uk

Marine 3 Prescot Cables 6

Friday 26 December 2008

A stunned audience witnessed a remarkable Unibond Premier League match in which Prescot overcame their Arriva Stadium hoodoo in some style.

Darren Byers opened the scoring spree as early as the 3rd minute as he managed to impart enough pace on his header to beat keeper Lake.  Cables increased their lead on 12 minutes when Byers fired a blistering shot past the helpless Lake.

Prescot let Marine back in when a botched clearance from a corner allowed Lawless to volley past Jones in the 20th minute.

Cables restored their two goal lead on 23 minutes when Smith located Byers whose pass inside the penalty area was met by McCulloch and he took advantage of defenders ‘ball watching’.

Only a minute later the score read 1-4 as Mike O’Donnell blasted the ball past Lake from close range. Byers was denied a hat trick by the woodwork.

With nothing to lose Marine cut their arrears on 51 minutes when Brazier headed home.

Byers was not to be denied a third goal with a tap in on 62 minutes.  Two minutes later McCulloch scored his second with a volley. 

Bizarrely Jones in the Prescot goal was the busier keeper in saving attempts although could not stop Brazier from scoring his second in the 78th minute.

Prescot’s second instalment with Marine continues at Hope Street on New Years Day, kick off 3pm.

Hednesford Town 4 Prescot Cables 1

Saturday 20 December 2008

A tale of mixed fortunes in this Unibond Premier League encounter as there were six occasions when the attacker had only the keeper to beat – Hednesford scored three times, Cables failed in their three attempts.

As early as the 5^th minute Prescot’s Williams ‘one on one’ situation with Brock saw the Hednesford keeper parry the ball away.  Tommy Taylor also had opportunities gifted to him by the home defence.  On each occasion the net could not be found with only the keeper in front him. 

In between Hednesford took the lead on 35 minutes when a Cables free kick was cleared down field.  Draper evaded the Prescot offside calls to provide top scorer Barnett with his first goal.

 

Hednesford increased their lead on 52 minutes following a Cables corner that was booted away.  Barnett rounded keeper Jones to stroke the ball into the net.

The home sides’ third goal followed a similar pattern as a Prescot free kick was cleared away towards Durrell who raced towards Jones and calmly found the bottom corner in the 72^nd minute.

Cables pulled a goal back when Byers converted a cross from Flood on 83 minutes.  Hednesford restored their superiority two minutes later when Durrell scored his second.

 

Cables travel to Crosby to play Marine on Boxing Day followed by the return match at on New Years Day. Both games are 3pm kick offs.

 

Early Christmas Present for St Lukes School Children

Children at St Lukes after school club have received an early Christmas present from local business Glen Dimplex Home Appliances.

When their old appliance stopped working, Glen Dimplex Home Appliances (GDHA) generously donated a new LEC fridge freezer to staff and children at the club.

Christine Lankertis, of St Luke’s explains: “To ensure we supply our children with high quality food we need to keep the food fresh. When the fridge freezer broke we called Knowsley Council’s business support team for help’

The After School Club at St Luke’s is an important facility for staff who work at nearby Whiston Hospital and for other local working families.

St Luke’s were not able to access any grants but due to the urgent nature of their request, Knowsley Council’s business team went out of their way to help and approached GDHA to see if a donation was possible.

‘We are really grateful to both Glen Dimplex Home Appliances and Knowsley Council for their support. The money saved on this will helps us to provide further support to families to enable the children to join other children on school trips and out of school activities.’ said Christine.

St Lukes After school club can be contacted on 0151 477 8580.

Dan Connell of Glen Dimplex Home Appliances was on hand to present the new LEC fridge freezer to St Lukes after school club at the Shaw Lane School in Whiston.

Pictured are left Mrs 'LK' Christine Lankertis with Mrs Sylvia Dooley
(Right) and pupils L/R Luke Irwin, Ronan Feeney, Danny Feeney, Charley Glynn and Gregory Crook

Cables draw after extra time in the 3rd round

Prescot  Cables.  2. v  Marine 2. (After extra-time)
Unibond League Challenge Cup. 3rd Round.
Marine won 4-1 on penalty’s.

Both teams made changes from the previous week's derby, in the Liverpool Senior Cup, but there was no let up in the excitement for the fans of both sides.

Marine certainly started the better but were unable to create many chances but it was Cables, on 20 minutes, who should have opened the scoring, when Forsyth broke clear but with only the keeper to beat shot over the bar. This miss did not prove to be to costly because only three minutes later, Cables Byers diverted an excellent cross from Mahama into the corner of the net. Marine came more into the game and wasted a great chance when Tuck completely missed the ball when attempting a header, when only 6 yards out from goal. The game was now end to end but without any further chances being created.

The second half started with Marine pushing forward and looking very dangerous and it was no surprise, when Brazier struck with a fierce shot from just inside the area to equalise. Both defences were now coming under increasing pressure as each side tried to make a decisive breakthrough. Marine brought on Cumisky and nearly scored with his first kick but his shot went just wide. 

Extra-time was looking certain but with only 5 minutes left, Tuck scored with a header. Cables threw everyone forward and deep into injury time Byers hammered home a deserved equaliser. Byers nearly won the game but had a close range shot saved by the keeper.

Jones in the Cables goal made two excellent saves to deny Marine taking the lead, in the first period of extra-time. Cables started the second period the better of the two teams but could not score although Taylor forced a brilliant save from lake in the very last minute of the game. So the game, in which neither side deserved to lose, went to penalties. Marine’s players kept there nerve the better and made Cables pay for missing two of there attempts.

Marine 3 v Prescot Cables 1

Tuesday 18th November 2008.

A local derby is always something to look forward to and when it is also a Liverpool Senior Cup game, excitement is an added element. On reading the programme notes, the last sentence said “enjoy the game”. The players obviously read the note, because from the start both sides played a passing and movement game, which was visually pleasing to all the fans. This provided a game of many chances, both defences being put under a lot of pressure, it was end to end, but without that vital breakthrough.

Just on half time Cables nearly scored as Green forced Lake in the Marine goal to beat away his shot, the keeper recovered to make another fine save from Flood. Lake’s double save became even more important because in their next attack Marine were awarded a penalty, and Hussey converted the spot kick to put Marine ahead right on half time.

The second half started with Cables pushing forward, and Henders equalised after Connolly cut through the Marine defence and squared the ball across the area. After the goal Cables pressed forward but were unable to score again, although a fine diving header from Connolly went inches wide. Both sides were now starting to create more chances and Hibbert had to be alert to push over a shot from Hussey.

Marine scored the important second goal, when Hussey headed in a cross from Tuck. After this Cables pushed forward to try and grab an equaliser but were caught on the break in the fine minute and Tuck forced home the 3rd gaol after a scramble in the Cables area.