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Take part in the
UK's biggest Bike Trade-in Event!
FROM Thursday, 11 July 2013 to Tuesday,
16 July 2013 Britain's biggest bike retailer Halfords is inviting
customers to dust off their unwanted bikes lying in garages or
garden sheds and bring them to any of its 460 stores.
Halfords is working with its charity partner Re~Cycle for the
trade-in event, to get as many bikes as possible to Africa,
providing much needed affordable transport for local communities
there.
Commenting on the event, Halfords' CEO Matt Davies said:-
"This is a fantastic opportunity for customers to trade-in their old
bikes, get 10% off a new one and help a great cause. Bikes can
transform the lives of people in Africa so this initiative is an
exciting example of where recycling can make a real difference."
Merlin Matthews, the founder of Re~Cycle, added:- "We're
really excited about the trade-in event, which is part of our
long-term partnership with Halfords. Our partnership helps in our
ambition to get access to all those unwanted bikes and raise
awareness of how people here can very easily assist those in need in
Africa."
In Africa a bike can dramatically improve lives by providing simple,
inexpensive transport. Cycles help children attend distant schools,
health workers get round more villages and small enterprises to
bring products to market.
Bikes in most demand by Re~Cycle are sturdy mountain bikes for
teenagers and adults. However all bikes that are in a reasonable
condition, including kids' bikes, will be accepted by Halfords
provided they are complete with no cracks in the frame and less than
25% rust.
Re~Cycle was set up in 1997 and since then has sent over 45,000
bikes, as well as bike parts and tools, to 16 different countries in
Africa where good, sturdy bikes can be difficult to find.
The charity partnership with Re~Cycle is just one of a number of
ways that Halfords is looking to create closer links with its local
communities.
More information on the trade-in event is available at:-
halfords.com/re-cycle.
if you run a local business and
are doing an offer like this, then please do let us know by emailing
our newsroom via:-
news24@southportreporter.com.
CLA criticism of
rural broadband deadline backed by new report
THE CLA welcomed a report
by the National Audit Office (NAO) backing the Association's
criticism of the rural broadband deadline.
The report states that the rural broadband programme will deliver
results 22 months late and confirms the CLA's long held view that
the original deadline of May 2015 was unrealistic.
CLA President Harry Cotterell said:- "For the past 2 years we
have said there is no conceivable way 2015 targets would be met by
rolling out superfast broadband through Broadband Delivery UK and
Local Authorities.
What really concerns me is the lack of transparency in the
procurement process. With BT the only bidder, the lack of
competition brings into question the programme's value for money."
Under the rural broadband programme, the superfast network should be
accessible by 90% of the population by May 2015.
However, the NAO report has said that only 9 out of 44, that is
22.5% of local
projects will be able to meet that deadline.
Mr Cotterell added:- "To have so few projects likely to
complete by May 2015 is a shocking indictment of the way this has
been carried out."
The CLA President is writing to Culture Secretary Maria Miller to
request clarification of concerns that the Government's other
objective; ensuring there is access for all to at least 2
megabits per second (Mbps) by 2015; may also be delayed to 2017.
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Bands – stand
out from the crowd!
LOCAL musicians are being
encouraged to showcase their talent and be part of Liverpool's
newest music festival. The Liverpool International Music
Festival (LIMF) will host 3 bandstand stages; located in Sefton Park,
Stanley Park and Williamson Square. Bands, soloists and choirs of
all ages and genres are being asked to put themselves forward and
wow audiences with their talent.
The LIMF Bandstand Festival will start on the weekend of 13July to 14 July
2013,
to coincide with 'Our Big Gig' which is a UK-wide celebration
of community music. From that date, performances will take place
every weekend from 25 July until 8 September 2013.
To see the 13 July to 14 July's line-up, or if anyone is interested in taking
to the stage visit
www.culture.org.uk/LIMFBandstand
for full details.
Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for culture and tourism,
Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "This is a really integral
element of the overall LIMF event as we want to make sure we provide
a platform for local talent. Previous bandstand events in the
City centre have proved to be hugely popular with both musicians and
local businesses all benefiting from this activity.
It will be wonderful to see two of our park bandstands being made
the most of throughout the summer; green spaces and live music is a
great combination, and, fingers crossed, if we can add some sunshine
on to the mix it will be the perfect day out!"
Headline performers across the 3 bandstands on the weekend of the
13 July to 14 July 2013 are KOF, Natalie McCool and MiC Lowry. And it's not just
musicians who are being asked to get involved. Artists and art
organisations are invited to use the bandstands to highlight their
work and raise their profile in the City.
There will also be various workshops taking place ranging from dance
to drumming to singing lessons which will be a fun way of
interacting with the audience, giving them a chance to try out a new
skill; and maybe discover some future stars!
The Take Part workshop performances on the opening weekend will be
led by Sense of Sound, BrazUKa and Jamie Broad.
Sense of Sound will invite the audience to join an exciting singing
experience, creating an uplifting and harmonious sound. BrazUKa will
bring a spectacular cultural clash, encouraging people to pick up a
drum or get up and dance to the beat. Jamie Broad will bring his
great talent and years of experience in creating hip hop lyrics and
challenge the audience to make their own.
Williamson Square has previously played host to a bandstand,
commissioned by City Central BID, which represents 630 businesses in
the retail heart of the City centre. It generated a 34 per cent
increase in footfall to the square.
Tracey Crosbie, Events Manager for City Central BID, said:-
"The Big Gig is a great way to kick off the Liverpool International
Music Festival as it puts the spotlight on local talent. We're
delighted the Liverpool Bandstand in Williamson Square is going to
help showcase the current music scene and we will be looking to
develop that further throughout August.''
Other great performances can be expected from the likes of Bolshy,
Liverpool Ukulele Orchestra, Dominic Dunn, Neil Campbell and Hot
Club of Knotty Ash with many more exciting and diverse to enjoy.
Yaw Owusu, LIMF's Music Curator, said:- "The bandstand
festival brings a real balance to LIMF which is so important. At one
end of the spectrum we have a huge celebration of pop music with the
latest chart toppers performing and then at the other, the audience
can experience a much more intimate gig as music is stripped back to
its acoustic roots.
The ethos of LIMF is to celebrate the new, and the bandstand element
achieves this; it's going to be exciting to see local talented
musicians being part of this inaugural event and showcasing their
skills to a new audience."
The LIMF Bandstand Festival is commissioned by Liverpool City
Council and co-ordinated by Open Culture who aim to engage members
of the public with art and culture. The LIMF Bandstand is part of
Joe Anderson's, Mayor of Liverpool, strategy to animate parks.
The Our Big Gig weekend of music has been programmed by Liverpool
City Council, Open Culture in association with Futurejack (F.A.M.E.)
and ME (Anita Welsh), ME will be hosting the Sefton and Stanley Park
Bandstands over the weekend of 13 July 2013 and 14 July 2013.
For full listings of Our Big Gig visit:-
ourbiggig.co.uk.
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