Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day 2011

THE SIT consortium, consisting of the UK’s principal Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) charities, is launching a campaign in order to raise awareness of spinal cord injury and the different ways in which the SIT charities are supporting those people affected by it. The campaign is set to coincide with the annual Spinal Cord Injuries Awareness Day on Friday, 20 May 2011.

"We are so pleased that the five SIT charities are working closely together to raise awareness of a condition which changes the lives of the injured individual, their family and friends, and wider community in a blink of an eye and can lead to incredible physical and emotional trauma without the correct support network in place." said Louise Wright, CEO, The Back-Up Trust.

The awareness campaign is based around the official website everyeighthours.com, and focuses on providing general information about spinal cord injury, detailed case studies on people living with the condition, how to get involved with the campaign, and details about the five partner charities.

"Getting the right support and information is vital for anyone following a spinal cord injury. It still amazes me how little I knew before I had my accident, and how little my friends and family still know ten years on." - Dan Burden, Head of Public Affairs, Spinal Injuries Association

Many Spinal Cord Injury Centres across the UK will mark the occasion by holding Quiz Nights on 20 May to supported by SIT.
The events will not only help to raise awareness of SCI, but will also allow newly injured individuals the chance to understand the various support networks which exist for them.

Miles Kane for 10 date October tour

MILES Kane will embark on a 10 date tour of the UK in October. Starting in Middlesbrough, the tour will take in shows in Sheffield, Glasgow and Miles’ hometown Liverpool before ending at London’s Electric Ballroom.

Miles Kane’s debut album ‘Colour of the Trap’ was released last week and has been heralded with rave reviews with Q Magazine stating:- "It’s a little slab of pop perfection." "He’s got style and presence." said the Times and MOJO added that Miles is:- "fast becoming one of Britain’s landmark composers."

Tickets for the tour go on sale at 9am on Friday, 20 May 2011. Tickets for the previously announced London Electric Ballroom are already available:- gigsandtours.com.

For his live shows, Miles will be joined by his band, featuring Jay Sharrock from The Sand Band on drums, singer-songwriter Eugene McGuinness on vocals/rhythm guitar and Ben Parsons and Phil Anderson from Cherry Ghost on keyboards and bass guitar.

Miles will be appearing as special guest to Arctic Monkeys at their two Don Valley Bowl shows in June along with many festival appearances throughout the summer.

Details of the October tour are below:-

Thursday, 13 October 2011 - MIDDLESBROUGH, Empire
Friday, 14 October 2011 - SHEFFIELD, Leadmill
Saturday, 15 October 2011 - LEEDS, Met Uni
Monday, 17 October 2011 - COVENTRY, Kasbah
Tuesday, 18 October 2011 - BIRMINGHAM, HMV Library
Wednesday, 19 October 2011 - GLASGOW, Garage
Friday, 21 October 2011 - LIVERPOOL, O2 Academy
Saturday, 22 October 2011 - MANCHESTER, Ritz
Sunday, 23 October 2011 - CAMBRIDGE, Junction 1
Tuesday, 25 October 2011 - LONDON, Electric Ballroom

Southport Access For Everyone Update

THE next meeting of the ‘Southport Access For Everyone’ forum will be held at the Community Room of the Southport Fire Station at the corner of Manchester Road and Lord Street, on Thursday, 26 May 2011 at 7.00 pm. People who experience access problems to the town's facilities because of a disability are welcome to attend and discuss their problems. The premises are fully accessible for wheelchair users. Enquiries:- 01704 567046.

Public welcome at Trust board meeting

THE Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust will hold its next board meeting on Wednesday, 25 May 2011, at 1pm. The meeting will be held in the Board Room in the Corporate Management Office at Southport and Formby District General Hospital. Members of the public are welcome to attend as observers. Anyone wishing to attend with a special requirement should contact the Trust in advance on:- 01704 704714. Minutes of the last public board meeting March are available on the Trust website at:- southportandormskirk.nhs.uk.

4 Oaks Primary School takes root

WORK is on a brand new primary school integral to the regeneration of north Liverpool. Council Leader Joe Anderson has
join pupils and staff to help kick-start work on the £8.8 million Four Oaks Primary School in Everton, on 19 May 2011.

The school will cater for all 259 existing pupils, and new children moving into the area once regeneration proposals are fully developed.

It was created last year from the federation of Hope Valley and Breckfield Primary Schools, and is currently based in the former Hope Valley building on Walton Breck Road. The building dates from Victorian times and is not suited to modern teaching methods.

Under the proposals, a new two form entry state of the art primary school with a 26 place nursery is being created on a new site at the former Adam Street playground.

Councillor Joe Anderson said:- "This new school will be located in the heart of the Anfield/Breckfield regeneration area and is a key part of our plan to breathe new life into the area. It is great news for the ongoing improvements we are making to the area, and means that as more people move into the neighbourhood there will be a top quality primary school for children to attend."

The 2 storey building has been designed by the city council’s design joint venture partnership, 2020 Liverpool, around 2 large courtyards and the main hall. It will also include dedicated areas for use by local residents and community groups.

Outside there will be extensive play area - designed as a mini park, and the first floor will have access to an internal "play deck" with roof lights to let in large amounts of natural light and sunshine.

Cabinet member for education, Councillor Jane Corbett, said:- "This scheme will make a major difference to education for generations of pupils, giving them a fantastic place to learn. It is no more than the children and staff deserve."

Funding for the scheme has mainly come from the Primary Capital programme.

Headteacher at Four Oaks, Sara Howard, said:- "The children can’t wait to get into their new primary school and it is great news that work is getting started. It will really enhance the learning and enjoyment of our pupils, and the whole school community is really excited about it."

The new school is expected to be completed in April 2012.