Knowsley Online

Residents are invited to find out about street lighting work in Huyton

Knowsley residents living in Swanside, Huyton are invited to attend a public consultation event on Thursday 19 February to find out more about the next phase of the borough's multi-million pound street lighting programme.

Knowsley Council is working with SSE Contracting to carry out a multi-million pound revamp of the borough's street lighting.

The next phase of the project will see work starting in Swanside at the end of March.

Members of the local community are invited to attend a consultation event being held on Thursday 19 February at Swanside Community Centre at 6.15pm.

Representatives from both Knowsley Council and SSE Contracting will be on-hand to answer any questions residents may have regarding the work that will be taking place.

The event 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.

Cllr Dave Lonergan, Knowsley Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said, "The street lighting project is a major investment for Knowsley and it's important that we keep residents informed as the scheme progresses.

"I urge members of the Swanside community to go along to the consultation event to see what the project will involve and how it will benefit them."

The four-year street lighting project will replace the majority of the borough's street lighting, traffic signs and bollards with the latest, energy efficient technology.

The video which will be played at the event, giving residents a better idea of what to expect from the new lighting, is available to watch on You Tube.

Third Merseyside Club Kicks On With Expansion Plans

Hot on the heels of Liverpool FC and Everton, a third football club on Merseyside has unveiled redevelopment plans after also outgrowing its existing facilities.

Liverpool FC has begun expanding Anfield and rivals Everton has made no secret of its ambitions of moving away from Goodison Park to a larger stadium.

Now Huyton Juniors FC is following suit after its expansion plans gained both the council and funding support required to move forward.

The club, which has 13 teams ranging from under 5s to under 12s, is set to redevelop its facilities on the Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields after receiving backing from Knowsley Council and a £12,000 grant from Cory Environmental Trust in Britain (CETB).

Club Chairman Stephen Smith said: “The funding received from CETB will help us create an accessible and vibrant football club for the children and young people of Page Moss and Huyton through developing the capacity of the home facilities at Jubilee Park.

Kind Huyton Students up for national award

Kind hearted pupils from a Knowsley school have won an award for helping their neighbours fight crime and their fear of crime.

Anti social behaviour was causing some problems for residents of a sheltered housing scheme near Huyton Arts and Sports Centre for Learning.

Some pupils had been using Marshfield Close as a short cut to and from school and this had caused some damage and made the residents anxious.

The students realised that fear of crime had become the problem and this  stemmed from a lack of any relationship between the two groups.

They set up a project to promote a positive image of young people and invited the residents to come to some of the after school activities.

The residents held sessions to teach the young people how to knit and the students entertained them with acting, singing and bingo.

Get in shape in 2011 - Free weight management clubs for the whole family in Knowsley

Christmas is a time to celebrate - watching what you eat and drink is the last thing on your mind. We all overindulge at Christmas, starting the New Year with the best of intentions to lose weight. It is a well known fact that most resolutions are out of the window by the third week in January. But CWM Health can help the whole family get back on track and make a fresh healthy start to 2011.

CWM Clubs, the FREE family weight management programme funded by Knowsley Health and Wellbeing, start on Saturday 22^nd January and will run every Saturday morning and afternoon in Kirkby and Huyton. It is a 10 week programme, followed by a 12 week follow up and exclusive online access to a member’s site.

The Clubs are for children aged 4-17 who are concerned about their weight, and attend with a parent or carer. They are a great way to kick start the New Year, meet new friends, take part in fun activities and learn about healthy lifestyles. So don’t miss out – join a CWM Club today!

Clubs are available at:

• Huyton Arts and Sports College, Seel Road, L36 6DG for 4-16 year olds from Saturday 22^nd January at 9:00 – 12:30pm

            and

• Kirkby Sports College, Bracknell Ave, L32 9PP for 4-16 year olds from Saturday 22^nd January at 1:30 – 5:00pm

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Clubs programme is invited to attend a FREE taster session at one of the venues below, healthcare professionals are also invited to learn more about the Clubs programme:

Saturday 15th January at 10:30 – 12:30am at Huyton Arts and Sports College, Seel Road, L36 6DG

and Saturday 15th January at 2 - 4pm at Ian Kirkby Sports College, Bracknell Ave, L32 9PP

To book your place at the drop in session or apply for a Clubs place, please call Claire Baldwin on 0151 443 4855 or email [email protected].  To secure a place on the January cluub, an application form can be completed which can be downloaded or filled in online visit: www.cwmhealth.com/knowsley.

Alternatively applications can be completed over the phone or sent in the post. You can text CLUBKNO6 and YOUR NAME to 88020 and we’ll call you back.

 

Ex prisoners steer pupils away from crime.

The dangers of a life of crime were spelled out to children in Knowsley in a hard hitting campaign to steer them away from trouble.

Former prisoners talked to nine and ten year olds from five primary schools in Huyton about the choices people make and the impact they can have.

The children were also taken into a recreated “cell” to show them what life can be like after criminals are caught.

“This really brings it home,” said Carmel Perry, one of two learning mentors involved in the so-called Cells project.

“The ex offenders are real people, talking about what really happened to them and the effect of the mistakes they made on everyone around them.

“By going into a “cell”, the children see the lack of space and privacy the inmates have – sharing a toilet and a tiny space with someone they don’t know.”

Thomas wins Gold at Commonwealth Games

Thomas Stalker, 25 from Huyton boxed his way to victory winning a Gold medal at the recent Commonwealth Games held in India.

The worlds finest turned up at the Games in a bid to scoop first prize, but it was Thomas who proved he had what it takes when he beat Josh Taylor from Scotland 11-3 to win Gold at this prestigious event.

A local lad at heart, Thomas splits his time training with the GB squad in Sheffield and coaching young people in his home town of Knowsley where he works as a Sports Coach for Knowsley Council’s Sports Development Service.

Thomas said: “I am really proud to represent my country and to come away with a gold medal is absolutely fantastic. I work hard training for these competitions and would like to dedicate this win to friends and family who have supported me along the way.

“As well as the training I enjoy working as a sports coach, training young people in the area. It’s great to be able to use my experiences to give them advice and to act as a positive role model to inspire others to achieve their own goals in life.”

Thomas is straight back into training for the World Championships in August 2011 and the Olympics in 2012.

His next contest is at the Echo Arena GB Championships in November.

If you want more information on boxing clubs in your area, or you would like to volunteer contact the Sports Development Team on 0151 443 3878.

Listening Event for COPD Patients

A series of “Listening Events” are being held across Knowsley for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (sometimes called COPD or emphysema).

The events will give local people an opportunity to share their views with service providers and say how they feel patient experience could be improved. 

Discussion will focus on:

•  What services are available
• Patient experiences 
• The information provided to patients about COPD 
• What areas of service are good and what could be improved
• How people can stay involved with improving services

The events will take place on:

• 15 November at  The Kirkby Suite Cherryfield Drive, Kirkb
• 17 November at  Prescot Leisure Centre (opposite People’s Garage) 
• 26 November at  The Huyton Suite, (next to Huyton Town Centre Library)

All events will start at 10am and finish at 12.30 p.m.

If you would like to attend one of the Listening Events contact Kelly Jones on 0151 244 3457.  If you have mobility issues or transport needs this will be discussed with you.

The events are being organised by NHS Knowsley, in partnership with all local service providers and Hospital Trusts.

Have your say on Pharmacy Services

If you use your local Pharmacy, NHS Knowsley wants you!

Local pharmacies are a focal point in communities across the borough and we’ve all got opinions about the service we receive, what works, what doesn’t and how we could make things even better.

If you’d like to have your say about local Pharmacy services you’ll get your chance at two events in November.

The ‘Pharmacy Needs Assessment’ events will be held at Huyton Suite on Wednesday 10th November from 12pm-2pm and again from 6pm-8pm.

The events will also be an opportunity for local people to find out about current pharmacy services and to let local pharmacies know what people think of the services they provide.

For more information about the events contact Kelly Jones on 0151 244 3457.

Historic church makes the grade

An historic church in Knowsley has been given special status by English Heritage.

St Mary’s Church in Knowsley Village has been re-graded as a Grade II * listed building because of its national importance as an historic asset.

The church was built between 1843 and 1844 in the Early-English style with an elegant tower and spire.
Interesting elements of the building include the richly detailed Derby chapel, the vaulted tower base and wooden vault of the Derby Chapel.

The church is linked to the Stanley Family – the Earls of Derby who lived at Knowsley Hall.

The Derby Chapel houses the memorial to Edward Stanley who is a former Prime Minister

There are also items in the church that have been brought from Knowsley Hall, including a 17th century seat and the Royal coat of arms of Elizabeth I.

Grade II * listed buildings are rare - Knowsley has one Grade I listed building - St Marys Church in Prescot - four Grade II* and 117 that are categorised as Grade II.

Barnardo's furniture shop holding volunteering event

Barnardo’s only furniture store in Huyton is holding a volunteering day on 26 October from 11am-3pm, to offer local residents a valuable insight into the work of the charity, which helps vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

By giving up just four or more hours of their time per week, volunteers help to raise funds towards Barnardo’s vital work. The shop’s new branch manager, Anne Barry says:

“We very much value the support of people from Huyton and the plan is to make this the area’s most successful second hand furniture store. Every year we help thousands of children turn their lives around, but we cannot do it without our volunteers.”

The shop is also making an urgent appeal for donations of quality furniture; tables, beds, sofas etc.

“By making donations to our furniture shop on Huyton Hay Road, you will enable us to raise essential funds to support children who are facing extremely difficult issues, such as poverty, sexual abuse and neglect.

“Every little helps; just £10 a month can help us maintain the ‘runaway helpline’ for children who have runaway from home, £20 a month can feed a child trying to escape sexual exploitation and £100 can pay for psychologist sessions to help a child rebuild their life after sexual abuse.”

For more information about volunteering, call into the open day on at 18 Huyton Hay Road, L36 5RT. To arrange free pick-up of your donation, please contact Barnardo’s on tel: 0151 449 2070.