Knowsley Online

Young Knowsley and Liverpool Filmmakers

Honourd at Oscars-Style Ceremony

Budding young filmmakers from Knowsley and Liverpool have been honoured at a high-profile screening and awards ceremony.

Merseyside actor Michael Starke - star of Brookside and Coronation Street - and X Factor finalist Chris Maloney were among the VIP guests who presented awards at Neet TV’s ‘The Producers’ evening at the Showcase Cinema on East Lancashire Road.

Other VIPs included Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside Abi Pointing, Knowsley MP George Howarth and Knowsley Council Deputy Leader Cllr Mike Murphy.

In total around 400 people attended the event, including 120 of the young people who made the films - most of whom have learning disabilities and difficulties – and their families.

Nominate a sporting or cultural hero!

Nominations are now being taken for the 2015 Knowsley Sports and Cultural Awards.

So, if you know somebody deserving, talented and committed to either sports or culture in Knowsley, now is the chance to earn them the recognition they deserve!

The awards take place on Friday, October 9 at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, and nominations must be submitted by Friday, September 4.

Knowsley’s Sports and Cultural Awards recognise people who live or work in the borough who are committed to sports or culture, and who make a real difference to local communities. It could be an up and coming athlete competing at school level, an artist with exceptional talent, or somebody who gives up their time to help others develop their skills – by coaching or running a community group, for instance. Nominations are also being sought for an overall 2015 ‘Cultural Champion’.

Last year’s award winners included volunteers, coaches, junior achievers, school sports teams, sports clubs and people who’ve fought back from illness.

So if you think you know somebody worthy of recognition, make sure you contact Katy McLoughlin on 0151 443 5749, or email [email protected] for a nomination form.

Festival Season Underway in Prescot

Festival season is well underway in Prescot as the town’s arts and music festival prepares to enter its second decade.

June began with a sell-out promenade production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, then continued last weekend with the Prescot Producers’ Market, the first ever Prescot Artisan Craft Fair, and the annual Elizabethan Fayre.

Now it prepares to host its 11^th annual festival, this year featuring internationally celebrated brass band Foden’s, fest newcomers the Chilled Lemons Jazz Quartet, a return visit from Liverpool Phil resident cinema organist Dave Nicholas and other artists from across the North West.

“June is fast becoming 'festival season' in our historic Lancashire town,” said Artistic Director Dr Robert Howard, who founded the festival in 2005.

“We’re seeing a revival of so much that featured heavily in Prescot’s past, including crafts, theatre and a broad range of arts.

“As ever, we’ve strived to offer a diverse line-up at the festival, from choirs and orchestras to jazz, poetry and acoustic music.”

The 11^th Prescot Festival of Music & the Arts runs from Friday 19 to Sunday 28 June. Tickets are available at Poco Coffee at 30 Eccleston Street, Prescot, by phone to Ticketweb on 08444 771 000, or online via the website at www.prescotfestival.co.uk.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream returns to Prescot

Due to popular demand, award winning MATE Productions in partnership with Shakespeare North and Royal Shakespeare Company Open Stages programme has arranged another performance of Midsummer Night’s Dream in Prescot.

So if you didn’t get chance to catch the sell-out event last week in Prescot, you can now book tickets for the additional performance on Saturday, 8 August at 7pm.  The finale event will take place in the beautiful 15th century church and woodland gardens of Prescot Parish Church.

Over 100 local community actors, dancers, musicians, singers, sewers, crafters and volunteers aged 8 – 79 years have been working for the past 7 months with MATE Productions’ team of professional practitioners to create this magical outdoor promenade performance of Shakespeare’s most loved comedy.  With live musicians and singers, fairy dancers, stunning design and a talented local cast, this production promises to be magical, unique, family-friendly and fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

The surrounding woodland in the churchyard is transformed into a midsummer’s fairyland, with dream catchers and magical artefacts hanging on the trees which has been made by local school children.  Families are being encouraged to bring their children to performances dressed as flower fairies or naughty sprites.  There will be a BBQ and facepainters before the show and during the interval and children can choose fairy flower designs or the tribal markings of a sprite.

As well as the additional date in Prescot, you can also catch the performance in Halewood at St Nicholas Church gardens, Church Road, Halewood on Sunday, 21 June at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Outdoor seating will be on comfortable camping chairs (provided) or you can sit at the fron on one of our picnic blankets.  Don't forget waterproof clothing in case of rain – please no umbrellas unless you are seated at the back as it will obscure the view for other audience members. 

Tickets are on sale from Poco Coffee, All That’s Glam and Jessie’s Jewels in Prescot and St Nicholas Parish Centre and the Arncliffe Centre in Halewood, or purchase online from www.mateproductions.co.uk For more information or images, please email Gaynor La Rocca [email protected]

Skylights Shining Bright!

Local band Skylights are heading for the stars with the recent success.

The five piece band from Knowsley were formed only a few years ago as part of Knowsley Youth Music Group EnChord.

The band has recently performed at The Three Queens Waterfront Music Festival and have secured a slot at this weekend’s Mersey River Festival.

Skylights have recently won BlastBlast battle of the bands competition which has secured them a place at Blackthorn Festival in Stockport.

With many gigs and competitions in the pipeline, Skylights have a very busy summer ahead.

You can catch them at:

Mersey River Festival on Saturday, 7 June - Mann Island Stage at 2.15pm-3pm

Blackthorn Festival on 16-18 July - Stockport

Ten Years After Music Festival on Saturday, 1 August – McGoldrick Park, Huyton at 1pm

Liverpool Pride on Saturday, 1 August – Liverpool City Centre at 6pm

Knowsley Flower Show on Sunday, 9 August - Court Hey Park, Huyton from 4pm

To find out more about the band you can find them on:

Instagram: skylightsliverpool

Facebook: www.facebook.com/skylights Twitter: @SkylightsBand

EnChord is a youth music project for young people aged 13-19 years who reside in Knowsley. If you or someone you know would like to join, contact Eliza Brittles on 0151 443 2543 or email [email protected]  

Knowsley residents are taking steps to improve their health

An increasing number of residents in Knowsley are having their free NHS Health Check according to the latest figures.  Over the last six months, over 1,200 residents have visited their GP to have their free Health Check.

The NHS Health Check, available to 40 -74 year olds, is an important step for many people towards improving their health and wellbeing. Through relatively simple lifestyle changes, like healthy eating and being more physically active, people can lower their risk of developing serious, but preventable conditions such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and dementia.

The Health Check Practitioner will:

• Ask some simple questions about things like family history and current lifestyle
• Measure height and weight
• Make a note of age, sex and ethnicity
• Measure blood pressure
• Check cholesterol with a simple blood test (finger prick test)

 A health check could help to identify any conditions early, enabling residents to receive preventative treatment, which will ultimately add years on to people’s lives.

Cllr Eddie Connor, Cabinet Member for Public Health & Wellbeing, said “The Health Checks provide a real opportunity for people to take control of their own health and it is encouraging to see so many people in Knowsley actively engaging in this.  We know that by making a few simple changes in our behaviour and lifestyle can have a major positive impact on our health and wellbeing.  That is what the Health Check aims to do and I would encourage as many residents as possible, aged between 40-74 years, to arrange their appointment today.”

If you live in Knowsley and are aged between 40-74 years, call the Health Check Nurses on 0800 032 5821 or 07976 148 617.  They can advise if you meet the eligibility criteria and will also be able to book you in for a health check at your GP or a community venue.

2015 opening of the Prescot Festival

11th Annual Prescot Festival of Music & the Arts

Highlights include:

Opening Night: Bentley Operatic Society

Friday 19th June, 7.30pm (£5)
Prescot Methodist Centre, Atherton Street, Prescot. L34 5QN

The festival opens in spectacular style with a return visit from our old friends, featuring highlights from Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.

Choral Classics - The Armed Man & More

Saturday 20th June, 7.00pm (£5 - under 16s free if with an adult)

Prescot Parish Church, Church Street, Prescot. L34 1LA

Prescot Festival Chorus (100-strong in 2013 and 2014) perform Karl Jenkins' incredibly popular The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, conducted by James Luxton (Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral) with Peter Kwater (organ).  See website to 'Come & Sing.'  The second half features the highly-accomplished Parbold Chamber Choir.

Classic Film: Brassed Off with Fish & Chip Supper

Thursday 25th June, 7.00pm (£7)

St Paul's Church, Bryer Road, Prescot. L35 5ND

To tie in with Saturday's return visit from Foden's Band, we present this 1996 comedy-drama featuring Ewan McGregor and the late Warrington-born actor Pete Postlethwaite, in which "Grimley" Brass Band battle for survival amid pit closures.  Includes supper courtesy of The Big Chippy.  Certificate 15.

 

The Chilled Lemons Jazz Quartet

Friday 26th June, 7.00pm (£8)

Prescot Town Hall, 1 Warrington Road, Prescot. L34 5QX

Enjoy a Cottom's hot pot and dessert before a full-length professional jazz concert featuring sax, piano, bass & drums. Licensed bar open.

 

Brass & BBQ with Foden's Band

Saturday 27th June, 7.00pm (£9)

Prescot Parish Church, Church Street, Prescot. L34 1LA

Following their rapturous reception at the 10th Prescot Festival, 2012 Double Champions Foden's return by popular demand with a dazzling new programme. This Brassed Off-themed concert includes a delicious BBQ.

Festival Finale with South Liverpool Orchestra

Sunday 28th June, 7.30pm (£5 - under 16s free if with an adult)

Prescot Parish Church, Church Street, Prescot. L34 1LA

The excellent Hope University-based South Liverpool Orchestra is conducted by Rob Howard in classical favourites by Rossini, Purcell, Sibelius, Elgar and Bizet.  We also welcome stellar soloist Hannah Mackenzie (RNCM) playing Haydn's Trumpet Concerto.  Flag-wave and sing along to 'Jerusalem' and 'Rule Britannia' in this Proms-style conclusion to the festival.  With Tim Hall (organ).

Schoolchildren turn back time at The Watch Factory reminiscence event with KHT

Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) took pupils from Evelyn Road Primary School in Prescot on a trip through time at a special reminiscence event at its latest development, The Watch Factory.

KHT, part of the First Ark Group, guided the twelve children, aged nine and ten, through the history of the site via a variety of artefacts which brought the development’s historical story to life. KHT also showcased its plans for the site’s new homes, where retaining the heritage of the existing buildings remains a priority.

Historical photographs showed the site as The Lancashire Watch Factory, which formed the hub of Great Britain’s watchmaking industry on its opening in 1889. Further photography depicted the 6.75 acre plot of land’s position as a barracks for a battalion of Pals during World War One. Household objects from the 1950s were handed around to invoke the building’s role as headquarters for C.Tinlings & Co printing company, which published books and the Liverpool Evening Express throughout the period.

Finally a group of older residents at a nearby KHT sheltered housing scheme, Cross Street, were invited to attend the event to share their memories of The Watch Factory and its history.

This is the first of several events involving the KHT Watch Factory team and Evelyn Road Primary School, which is a neighbour of the new development. Pupils at the reminiscence event have been invited to generate ideas for street names at the development. The winning student will take a tour of the site and bury a 2015 time capsule which will be compiled with their classmates.

Executive director at KHT, Ian Thomson, said: “It’s great to bring young and old together to look back at the varied past of The Watch Factory and its site. We plan to bring the history of the development into the plot’s transformation with the original Watch Factory listed building forming the centre of the site. However, we will also be reaching forward into the future via our work, installing state of the art Extra Care facilities at the site as well as up-to-date communal areas, such as a restaurant, a hairdressers and activity rooms.

“Every property at the development is designed to be a home for life, and each can be adapted around the future needs of residents, making the area a great place to live for communities for years to come.”

The Watch Factory’s first phase, on Albany Road, Prescot, is being built by KHT together with partners Iliad, Knowsley Council and Harbur Construction, and comprises an initial 70 new Extra Care homes with accompanying Extra Care facilities. The site offers residents 54 one-and two-bed apartments and 10 two-bed bungalows for affordable rent plus 6 two-bed bungalows for shared ownership , all of which have been designed to cater for the future accessibility and care needs of those aged over 55.

To find out more about Knowsley Housing Trust and The Watch Factory, visit: www.k-h-t.org.