Events for National Science & Engineering Week 11 March to 20 March 2011

LIVERPOOL Astronomical Society can trace its history back 130 years to 1881. It is one of the oldest amateur astronomical Societies in the world, and for the first ten years of its existence the local society was second only to the London based Royal Astronomical Society. With this experience behind it the Society can offer advice on a wide range of related astronomical subjects. The society therefore invites interested members of the public, young and old to extend their knowledge and enjoyment of the Science of astronomy in friendly company. With these aims in mind, and as part of The British Science Association, National Science and Engineering Week, the Society will be staging some meetings and events to help members of the public to explore the night sky, without their feet leaving the ground. From 7pm on Saturday, 12 March 2011, members of the Liverpool Astronomical Society will be staging the Wirral Star Party, in association with the Wirral Ranger services, at the Thurstaston Visitor Centre, Thurstaston. Society members will be on hand to help people to look at the Moon, the planets Mercury and Jupiter with telescopes, but low in the West after Sunset, and many other objects in the night sky. There will also be astronomy talks inside the Visitor centre, membership information, and plenty of members on hand to give advice on telescopes, plus getting involved in the fascinating science of astronomy. There is plenty of free car parking at the centre itself, and hot Tea/Coffee will be available for those who brave the elements. Even if the weather is unkind to us the Society membership will still be there to help you travel around the Universe from right here on planet Earth. On Friday, 18 March 2011, the special guest speaker for the Liverpool Astronomical Society monthly meeting, is Mr Paul Abel, from the Physics & Astronomy Department of the University of Leicester. Paul is a very accomplished visual astronomer, drawing the planets, and night sky objects he observes at his telescope. He is also a regular reporter on BBC’s Sky at Night program. This Meeting will take place at the:- Quaker Meeting House, 22 School Lane; Liverpool City Centre, L1 3BT Doors open 7pm.

Air Training Corps honoured

THE Merseyside Wing Air Training Corps will be awarded the City’s highest honour Saturday, 12 March 2011, when they are admitted to the Freedom Roll of Associations & Institutions of the City of Liverpool. The Air Cadets is a chance for young men and women to get actively involved with all aspects of aviation. It encourages members to become good citizens and to take on board the spirit of their motto “Venture Adventure”.

Liverpool’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Hazel Williams, said:- “I am delighted to be admitting such a deserving group to the Freedom Roll of Associations and Institutions. This award is not only for all those that have served in the Air Training Corps, it also recognises the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who give up their time to support the Corps.”

Squadron Leader Eddie Challoner, said:- “I would like to thank Liverpool City Council for publicly recognising the service that the Merseyside ATC have given to the community. This is a great reward for cadets past and present for their continuing hard work, enthusiasm and commitment.”

Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead DBE, said:- “This award is a tribute to the dedication of everyone involved in the Merseyside Air Training Corps. It is a great honour and I congratulate them.”

On Saturday, 12 March 2011, from 11am, the Cadets will march from St Nicholas Church, Chapel Street, Tithebarn Street, Moorfields, Dale Street, Exchange Street West and on to Exchange Flags where they will be inspected by Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside, High Sheriff and Lord Mayor of Liverpool. The Inspection will be followed by a March Past and salute.

The Merseyside Wing comprises 30 Squadrons throughout the County and it has approximately 1500 cadets, with over 300 volunteer staff. Are you involved? Let us know... Also please let us know your views on this award by emailing our newsroom via:- news24@southportreporter.com.

Exclusive Interview with Miss Rocking Asia 2011, Andrea Lesbirel

THE stunning winner of the 'Miss Rockin Asia 2011' was Andrea Lesbirel, if you did not see our report in the 3 March edition. First of all, we would like to say:- "thanks" to all of you who told us that we did put 2010 not 2011 and that:- "It is being corrected!" So to business, on Saturday, 5 March 2011, hot on the heels of her win on 26 February 2011, we had the chance to interview her.  Press on play to hear the interview that has been played on our Liverpool Reporter website already.

To see the photographs again from the event, you can use this link. Also, orders are still being taken for prints from the night.

UNISON CHIEF PLEDGES MASSIVE FIGHT BACK AGAINST BLOOD SERVICE PRIVATISATION

DAVE Prentis, general secretary of UNISON, the UK’s largest trade union, have pledged a massive fight back against government plans to privatise parts of the NHS National Blood and Transfusion Service (NHSBT).

Speaking in London to an angry meeting of blood service workers from across the UK, Dave Prentis said:- “This is crunch time for the blood service. The government wants to open it up to private companies with DHL and Capita already in the frame. The prime motive of these companies is money and we will fight this all the way. The blood service is the Big Society writ large. Hundreds of thousands of donors regularly give up their blood to help save lives for free, untainted by the profit motive. If any part of the blood service was handed over to companies who are making a profit, then this turns the whole thing on its head. In fact it is possible that many people will not want to give blood free if they believed that private companies are making money out of it and will simply walk away; putting lives at risk.”

The Government is planning to outsource the transportation and storage of blood but given the drive to privatise huge swathes of the public sector UNISON believes that ultimately the whole service is at risk.