We’re cleaning up Kirkdale!

KIRKDALE is the latest area to be targeted by Liverpool’s crime and grime busting Respect programme.

A squad of workers ranging from street cleaners and graffiti teams through to truancy officers and high visibility police patrols will be descending on the area from next Monday, 13 July 2009 to improve life for local residents.

Skips will be placed throughout the neighbourhood for residents to place rubbish in, pest control will be calling at properties to tackle rats and mice and dog wardens will be reminding people to clean up after their pets.

Two new Neighbourhood Watch schemes are being launched to help make the area safer, and the north Liverpool Community Justice Centre on Boundary Street will be throwing open its doors all week so people can sit in and observe cases. On Tuesday, 14 July 2009 at 6pm there will be a mock sentencing event so they can see how justice is delivered.

Councillor Marilyn Fielding, executive member for safer, stronger communities, said:- “Our Respect weeks of action are improving life for people right across the city. By concentrating resources in a specific area we can make a visible difference to the area and make it a better place to live Liverpool is already one of the safest metropolitan cities in the country and this pioneering programme is helping contribute to our incredible progress in recent years. There are a wealth of community events taking place throughout the week including exercise classes, walking clubs, cookery lessons, home fire safety checks and job advice sessions. During last year’s week of action in Kirkdale, 33 tonnes of rubbish were removed, 88 reports of graffiti and fly tipping were tackled and there were 28 arrests.”

Councillor Berni Turner, executive member for the environment, said:- “It is crucial during our Year of the Environment that we concentrate on keeping our neighbourhoods as clean as possible. We are making a real effort to clean up graffiti, tidy up eyesores and encourage people not to fly tip their rubbish.”

Highlights of the community events taking place during the week include:-

Thursday 16 July 2009

10am to 5pm:- Work Pays session with advice on creating a CV, completing application forms and interview tips at Kirkdale Community Centre, Stanley Road, Kirkdale

6:30-9:30pm:- Indoor wall climbing for young people over 14 at Awesome Walls Climbing Centre, Athol Street

Friday 17 July 2009

1pm to 3pm: Young mum’s group for 16 to 21 year old women at Fountains Children’s Centre, Fountains Road, Kirkdale

Sunday 19 July 2009

11am to Midday:- Respect church service at St Athanasius Church, Fountains Road, Kirkdale

More information about events taking place as part of Kirkdale Respect week is available at:- liverpool.gov.uk/enforcement

Sajjad Karim MEP welcomes financial aid for British Businesses

THE North West Conservative Euro MP, Sajjad Karim, has welcomed the European Commission’s proposal to introduce a one hundred million euro micro finance facility to provide credit to small businesses across the EU, including his North West England constituency.

The European Commission hopes that the facility will assist in providing employment opportunities across all EU Member States, where there is an anticipated loss of 3.5 million jobs this year alone as a result of the economic crisis.

Across Europe, over 91% of businesses have less than 10 employees, which makes them micro enterprises and of new start-up businesses, 99% are micro or small enterprises and a third of these are launched by unemployed people. Consequently, the European Commission’s proposed micro finance facility is expected to bring loans under 25000 euro to target small businesses and also the unemployed and inactive people across Europe who want to start up their own businesses.

Commenting from Brussels this morning, Sajjad Karim MEP stated:- “I am delighted that such a facility will be available to some of the small and micro businesses across my North West England constituency. It is vital that micro and small businesses receive assistance in order to keep people in employment in such difficult economic times. Equally, start-ups must receive the assistance they so deserve; easier access to credit and assistance in generating employment could not come at a more decisive moment. The fact that the proposed loans are to be accompanied with further support measures such as training and assistance in the preparation of a business plan, makes them all the more welcome. Now, the European Commission’s proposal will need to be considered and approved by the other European Institutions; the Parliament and the Council before coming into effect. Should the proposal be approved, I look forward to seeing the benefits of such assistance here in my North West England constituency.”

Are you brave enough to go over the edge?

THIS week Action for Children wants to sign up brave and willing participants to abseil 50m down the Mersey Tunnel Ventilation Shaft in Birkenhead.  The challenging fundraising event which will offer stunning views across the River Mersey is back by popular demand and taking place on Sunday 27th September 2009. General places for the event no longer available but charity places with Action for Children are still up for grabs. The event promises to give participants an experience to remember, as well as raising much needed funds for the children’s charity.  The registration fee is just £30 and participants are asked to raise a minimum of £100 for Action for Children. This fee includes qualified and professional instructors, all equipment and registration. Action for Children Fundraiser, Helen Noble said:- “The Ventilation Shaft provides an ideal venue for both first time and more experienced abseilers looking for an adrenaline rush. We’re asking local people to take time out of their weekend to help us raise as much money as possible. All money raised will help support some of the most vulnerable and excluded children, young people and their families in Merseyside - dare yourself to descend!”  No experience is required as all training will be given.

For further information and to register for a place, contact via email  or via telephone:- 01925 715385.

Bishop of Liverpool and Merseytravel unveil artistic tribute to “Amazing Grace” writer John Newton

THE Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones, joined Merseytravel to unveil a brand new commission by artist Stephen Broadbent dedicated to the memory of reformed slaver, former Tide Surveyor of Liverpool and author of the hymn “Amazing Grace” – John Newton.

It is the 1st memorial to Newton, a former slave ship captain who found the faith and campaigned with MP William Wilberforce to abolish slavery, on this side of the Atlantic.  The commission is one of the last phases of the new £10.5million Pier Head Ferry Terminal building, an exciting new addition to the spectacular regeneration of Liverpool’s waterfront.  Merseytravel commissioned the work as part of its ground breaking public art programme.

Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said:- “The Pier Head has transformed in recent times and we are absolutely delighted to unveil this wonderful piece of art at our new Pier Head Ferry Terminal.”

Neil Scales, Merseytravel’s Chief Executive and Director General, said:- “We are very proud of what we have achieved with the new terminal building, we are proud of our public art strategy and we are proud of this magnificent new installation, the only honour to John Newton in Europe.  We are trying to give our facilities and infrastructure a unique and memorable quality. Travelling shouldn’t just be a journey, it should be an experience.”

The Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones, said:- “I’d like to pay tribute to Neil Scales and the leadership of Merseytravel in creating this installation at the Pier Head. For many years, ever since I came to Liverpool, and knew the history of John Newton I have felt it was appropriate that there should be a memorial to this extraordinary man.

John Newton commanded a slave ship and didn’t realise the inhumanity that he was guilty of. John Newton was the only slave ship commander to give evidence to the Parliamentary Commission that led to the abolition of the slave trade. On the streets of this city the battle was fought to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire.  So when we unveil this memorial for this universal anthem we do not do it lightly. By unveiling this tribute to this anthem we pledge ourselves to continue to strive against the racism in our society and throughout the world.”

Liverpool and NW-based artist and sculptor Stephen Broadbent, who specialises in public art, is well known internationally with numerous projects including the ‘Reconciliation Triangle,’ confronting the legacies of the slave trade.  In Stephen’s words, the artwork celebrates the connection between the lyrics of Amazing Grace, written in 1772 by John Newton as part of a volume of hymns called the Olney Hymns in 1779.  Stephen added:- “Creating this work has been a journey. As an artist you get taken into these worlds and the story of Amazing Grace is one that has travelled across three continents. The lyrics are John Newton’s and the melody came from the southern states of America.”

The artwork is comprised of 3 pierced steel plates which represent the 3 continents, Africa, America and Europe.  They are connected by a glazed panel representing the Atlantic and etched with patterns of the former slave trading routes.  The words and musical notes from ‘Amazing Grace’ flow through the artwork.

The Sense of Sound Choir, finalists in this year’s BBC Choice of the Year competition, performed Amazing Grace at today’s dedicated ceremony, as well as “Happy Birthday” to artist Stephen Broadbent, who was 48 on the same day.

The new Pier Head Ferry Terminal building, in front of the Three Graces on Liverpool’s World Heritage waterfront, now boasts a new Mersey Ferries ticket office, shop, improved passenger facilities, Hamilton’s café and a new extension to the Beatles Story, with its Fab4D experience and world first “White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon” exhibition.  It will also soon have a new rooftop restaurant with stunning views of Liverpool’s world renowned waterfront.

The project was funded by Merseytravel with grant funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Northwest Regional Development Agency, through the Mersey Regional Waterfront Park.  The project was also supported by Liverpool City Council and by Liverpool Vision.

Dave Moorcroft, Director of Economic Development at The Mersey Partnership said:- "The investment in the new Pier Head Ferry Terminal has been a priority for the Mersey Waterfront programme. This investment will further enhance the Pier Head as a world class visitor location.”