BREAKING BREAD TO GIVE THANKS

A YEAR of faith and spirituality is being remembered and celebrated at a special  thanks giving meal in Liverpool. Leaders from every major faith took part in 2004's themed year, as part of the build-up to Liverpool's European Capital of Culture in 2008. Now they are gathering with key members of their communities to break bread and give thanks for the success of the year.

The Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Mike Storey said:- "Excitement is building towards 2008 but the Faith in One City year shows that people in Liverpool are already involved in cultural activities with an amazing effect. A huge thank you must go out to all those who took part, whatever their faith."

Dozens of Year of Faith community projects were supported to the tune of £2 million by the Liverpool Culture Company. Chief operating officer Jason Harborow said:- "We believe that faith in Liverpool has been strengthened by the projects that were carried. The Culture Company wants to make sure that participants feel truly appreciated for their massive efforts."

Claire McColgan co-ordinated the Faith in One City themed year, supporting more than 80 projects. She said:- "At the heart of the Year of Faith was people - the beliefs, passions, good deeds and contributions made by all the city's citizens - from the oldest to the youngest – which make Liverpool such a special city. Leaders and community members pulled out all the stops and this is our way of saying well done."

Highlights included a visit from the Queen and the Dalai Lama, as well as celebrating the Anglican Cathedral's centenary. 

Projects ranged from art and photo exhibitions to producing carnivals, concerts, CDs, films, plays, mosaics which celebrated European, Arabic, African and Asian cultures.

More than 1,000 people were nominated for the Hall of Faith, which highlighted and praised those who have made a difference in their community and beyond. Nominees included religious leaders, teachers, sports coaches, social workers, parents, relatives and friends.

New £800,000 MRI Scanner at Southport & Formby District General Hospital

SOUTHPORT & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust is to benefit from a £90 million Government programme to replace all MRI scanners over 10 years old. The Trust currently has a scanner based at Southport & Formby District General Hospital serving the whole of the Trust and this will be replaced by June this year. The benefits of the new scanner are increased image quality, better resolution, faster scan times, a wider range of imaging techniques and enhanced diagnosis.

Because the scanner is a very large piece of equipment weighing around 4,000kg, a lot of work has to be done to remove the old one and install the new machine. This will mean a small amount of disruption for our patients, but we hope this will be kept to a minimum. While the work is being done to replace the scanner, a temporary mobile scanner is being brought in to work 8.00 am to 8.00 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 23 March and 3 June. 

Patients will be contacted with all the details of the new arrangements.

Ann Cooke, Superintendent in the CT & MRI Scanning Department commented:- "We hope patients will bear with us during the installation period and understand that the changes are for the good and will benefit patients."

Top Hits & Tales

Professional Cabaret
Chart Troopers & Show Stoppers

Saturday 3 April 2005 at 7:30pm
St John Ambulance Hall
Wright Street
Southport

Tickets:-  £5.50 & £4, concessions (under 16 & OAP)/  Ticket available from Justin Edwards by phone:- 01704 513 021 on the door.  In support of Rock FM's Help QA Local Child.

EXPERIMENTS WITH KIDS

FRENCH scientists are travelling to Liverpool to teach volunteers all sorts of wacky experiments for kids. Les Petits Debrouillards are an international network of scientists across 45 countries who make experiments fun for all ages. Opening up their suitcase of science, the experts are spending this week teaching volunteers how to make physics fun, chemistry cool and biology boss.

The Greenhouse Project, based in Toxteth, have thrown open their doors to the French experts and provided volunteers to be trained in demonstrating the experiments. The DIY science workshops for kids will help make sure that the fun doesn't stop when the scientists go back to France. And as Easter approaches, volunteers have taken an egg-stra special interest in certain experiments.

One task, sky s'oeuf, could lead to the 5-12 year olds getting egg on their face - as they defy gravity to help an egg land without breaking.

Volunteers are being taught how to create a fountain with a glass of water and a straw, make pepper dance and blow up a balloon without breathing into it.

The experiments demonstrate some basic scientific laws like gravity, density and surface tension, but in an easy to understand way. 

Executive member Warren Bradley said:- "Science isn't everyone's favourite subject at school, but it affects so many aspects of our lives. These sessions help make science interesting and fun for kids." 

Liverpool Culture Company has supported the creative science scheme with a £5,000 grant. Creative infrastructure manager Phil Taylor said:- "These children are quite young and their minds are open to all kinds of possibilities, which could lead to them considering science as a career. The experiments themselves are very exciting. This will probably be the first time in their lives that many of the children have seen so many practical examples of how the world works."

Les Petits Debruillards train 3,000 volunteers every year to demonstrate science to children.

The Greenhouse Project based in the Granby/Toxteth area exists to celebrate diversity and provide arts and play-based activities and events that encourage the creative development of individuals and communities, also assisting regeneration.

Project manager Debbie Wright said:- "When I first found out about this French organisation I was a bit sceptical about how science could be combined with art and culture. But I was surprised when I learnt more. What these scientists are doing is so creative, and although they are producing artistic things, like fountains, they are also looking much more to explain how things work." 

Make a splash this Welly Week in a pair of stylish charity wellies!

SPRING is fast approaching, which means the April showers are soon upon us. This year embrace the season in style during Welly Week (March 27th – April 3rd) and help raise money at the same time for the Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care (registered charity no. 1017658) by wearing a pair of Welleart’s new lavender wellies.

The lavender wellies are available exclusively from WellieArt, the seriously style-conscious Wellington boot website. By introducing this limited edition boot designed exclusively for the Lavender Trust, Wellieart is helping to raise funds for the charity and to keep you hip at the same time!

20% of the retail price of the wellies will go to the Lavender Trust, which raises money specifically to fund information and support for younger women with breast cancer. It is the only fund in the UK dedicated to addressing the particular needs of this age group. 

Designer Lou Grali was commissioned by WellieArt to design the look of the boot. Grali has reflected the signature lavender shade of the charity on the boot and offset it with a pink and white tartan pattern. For added comfort the boot is fitted with an adjustable side buckle, to ensure a snug fit. And the boot is lined in soft cotton for warmth, meaning your feet will be kept warm and toasty as you walk in style and support the charity! 

A pair of boots costs £35.99, and are available in sizes 4 to 8.

For additional info visit www.wellieart.co.uk