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Issue:- 2 August  2012

FOOTBALL FREESTYLE TRICKSTER WOWS THE CROWDS AT BIRKENHEAD SHOPPING CENTRE

ONE of the world's top football freestylers who has performed alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard and Cristiano Ronaldo will be sharing the secrets of his skills in a special summer holiday workshop.

Youngsters visiting the Grange and Pyramids shopping centre in Birkenhead on Saturday, 4 August 2012 will have the chance to learn some impressive new football skills under the watchful eye of Colin Nell.  Colin, 27, has wowed crowds all over the world with his impressive range of football tricks since he was spotted by Nike officials aged just 15.  His wizardry with the ball has earned him the respect of some of the world's biggest footballing superstars and he recalled one of his proudest moments in his career to date.

Colin, from Feltham, south west London, said:- "Sitting in a changing room in Madrid with the Brazilian football team was an amazing opportunity and I was pretty excited. These are players I have looked up to all of my life and I could hardly believe I was sitting there with them. I have such respect for the way they play; but what is really great is that a lot of these guys saw what I could do and they have respect for my abilities too."

Colin has travelled the world, including America, Asia, most of Europe and all over the UK taking part in adverts, shows, music videos and hosting workshops such as the one at the Grange and Pyramids.  He has shot an advert for Lucozade with Liverpool striker Steven Gerrard and features in top US rapper Timbaland's music video for his smash hit The Way I Are.

Derek Millar, Commercial Director for the Grange and Pyramids shopping centre, said:- "Colin is one of the world's top football freestylers and we are very excited to welcome him and his skills to Birkenhead for the first of our summer holiday activities. I am looking forward to seeing his wizardry with a football and I expect our visiting families will be too! The workshop is just one of a range of activities we have organised over the summer break to make shopping at the Grange and Pyramids fun for everyone."

Shoppers will also find a huge, inflatable football pitch at the event which will take place between 11am and 4pm. Children will be encouraged to have a kickabout on the 20ft by 12ft pitch and if they manage to beat the goalie, they'll be a special prize.  On the following 3 Saturdays in August, there will be other events to mark the long summer break including a games challenge, circus skills workshop and a day of dance. There will also be a sport's star trail to celebrate London 2012 which will be on offer.  Faces of famous sports stars will be on show in various store windows. Families will be encouraged to pick up a form and follow the trail to be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prizes.

Colin said he was looking forward to his own trip to the town and added:- "I am looking forward to performing in Birkenhead which has a rich footballing history with Tranmere Rovers and also the big Liverpool clubs nearby. I will be looking to involve people, especially the youngsters, as much as possible and I find that people really do enjoy watching me perform. It is something exciting, something fresh, a different way to approach football and anyone can have a go at learning the skills. You just need to practice hard and be dedicated and that is true of a lot of things in life."

To find out more about the Grange and Pyramids packed schedule of summer events go to:- grangeandpyramids.co.uk.

To acts head to Preston in September for G-Fest 2012

SOME of Britain's biggest urban and soul artists are coming to Preston, on 8 September 2012, to star at the Guild music extravaganza, G-Fest. A host of chart-topping stellar acts are confirmed to appear at the all-day music festival, with soul star Maverick Sabre headlining a stunning bill along with iconic urban performer Labrinth, former N-Dubz front-man Dappy and feisty R&B girl group Stooshe.

Richly inspired by soul and urban sounds, Maverick Sabre is famed for his eerie vocals and hypnotic guitar skills. The artist maintains broad appeal, including everything from singing on Chase and Status's No More Idols to performing on Later… with Jools Holland, and his peerless album Lonely Are The Brave reached no.2 in the UK charts earlier this year. Maverick Sabre is a sensational soulful performer, who headlines G-Fest with a rousing climax to the show.

Like fellow huge stars Labrinth and Dappy, Maverick Sabre's appearance at G-Fest follows a stand-out performance at BBC Radio 1's Hackney Weekend in June, and promises to be one of the highlights of the Preston Guild City Festival which begins on 31 August 2012, and lasts for 10 days. The full line-up also features the genre-splitting collective Clement Marfo & The Frontline, Northern Soul band The Milk and alternative hip-hop act Abandoman.

Preston Guild takes place once every 20 years. It is the world's only year-long festival with a history dating back more than 800 years, and is the only Guild still celebrated in the UK.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased from the Guild Hall box office, over the phone:- 0844 345 2012, or online at:- prestonguild2012.com. Tickets are priced at £18 if booked before 23 August and £23 after this date. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

So do not forget:- G-Fest, Saturday, 8 September 2012, 12.30pm to 10.30pm, at Avenham Park, Preston, PR1 8JT

Acts:- Maverick Sabre; Labrinth; Dappy; Stooshe; Clement Marfo and The Frontline; The Milk; Abandoman.

Birkenhead loan shark convicted following trial

A Birkenhead man has been convicted of illegal money lending and money laundering following a 6 day trial at Liverpool Crown Court. Gerald Daord, 52 ran the illegal business from his home in Hampton Close for almost 4 years. He was arrested in August 2011 following a warrant by the England Illegal Money Lending Team working in partnership with Merseyside Police and Wirral Council, in which cash and documentation was seized. He started his sentenced on Tuesday, 28 August 2012. Cllr Brian Kenny, Wirral Council Cabinet member for Environment, said:- "We are pleased with the outcome of this case and credit goes to everyone involved in the successful investigation; it proves once again the value of our partnerships with the dedicated England Illegal Money Lending Team and members of our community."

Derek Payet, Head of Wirral Council's Trading Standards, added:- "We are working closely with the England Illegal Money Lending Team and we recognise that the community plays a vital role in identifying and reporting these criminals, who prey on the vulnerable and cause real misery to their victims. We have recently formed a Trading Standards Empowerment Partnership which will help us better engage the community, raise awareness and provide the consumer protection that people need."

Tony Quigley Head of the England Illegal Money Lending Team said:- "Loan sharks are a scourge on our communities. They may appear friendly at first but they cause nothing but misery. We would urge anyone who is involved with a loan shark to call us in confidence on:- 0300 555 2222"

Nationally the Stop Loan Shark Project has secured over 212 prosecutions for illegal money lending and related activity, leading to 132 years worth of custodial sentences. They have written off almost £40 million worth of illegal debt and helped over 18,000 victims.

To report a loan shark:-

Call the 24/7 confidential hotline:- 0300 555 2222  

Text:- 'loan shark + your message' to:- 60003

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Website:- direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks

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