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Issue:- Saturday, 25 July 2015

Record 500,000+ people renew Tax Credits online

MORE than half a million people have renewed their Tax Credits online, 278,000 more than at the same time last year. However, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning people who haven't renewed that their payments might stop if they don't do so before the 31 July deadline. This year, everyone can renew their Tax Credits online using HMRC's new, simple and quick online service. More than 540,000 claimants have renewed using the online service, which now takes less than 10 minutes on average, with satisfaction rates reaching 90%. n Nick Lodge, HMRC's Director General, Benefits and Credits, said:- "This year, everyone can renew their Tax Credits online at a time to suit them. This secure online service is quick and easy. So far, more than 2.3 million claimants have renewed their Tax Credits or reported changes. Anybody who needs to renew should take action now and go online."

During the whole renewals period last year, 409,000 people renewed their Tax Credits and reported changes online. People can renew their Tax Credits claim online, at any time and from any device, online.

Robbery at The Blue Anchor in Aintree, Merseyside

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for information following a robbery at a pub in Aintree in the early hours of Monday, 20 July 2015. At around 1.30am, 4 masked men carrying crowbars and screwdrivers forced entry into The Blue Anchor Pub, on School Lane. They threatened the pub manager and his partner and took them into the office where they stole a quantity of cash. They then made off in a black car which travelled up Aintree Lane towards Kirkby. Forensic teams attended the scene and an investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the incident is continuing. The males all spoke with Liverpool accents and were all described as wearing dark/blue clothing and North Face type hats which covered their faces. Detective Inspector Mike Dalton said:- "This was a frightening incident for the couple involved. Fortunately robberies such as this are rare and I would like to reassure people that we are doing everything we can to arrest the people responsible. I'd like appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or has any information about the incident, to call officers from Sefton CID on:- 0151 777 3014 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on:- 0800 555 111."

A man has been arrested following a burglary at a chemist in Formby

AT about 11.30pm on Tuesday, 21 July 2015, officers were called to a report that a man had forced entry to the front of Boots on Chapel Lane. Merseyside Police say that:- "The alarm sounded and an offender was seen making off from the scene on foot. Officers attended at the scene and CCTV opportunities are being explored. The forensic examination of the scene is now taking place and an investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the incidents is continuing."

Following on from that, a 45 year old man from Bootle was later arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.

Police also say that:- "A quantity of electrical items and medication were recovered."

Formby Neighbourhood Inspector Jim Atherton commented:- "Fortunately there was nobody in the chemist at the time, but significant damage was caused to the premises which will take time and money to repair. Thanks to information provided by the public and prompt attendance at the scene by my officers, we were able to arrest a man and recover the property that was taken in the burglary. Their swift action has prevented those prescription drugs, which could have been dangerous if taken by someone they had not been prescribed for, from getting into the wrong hands. We would appeal to anyone with any information that might help our enquiries into this incident to contact us."

Anyone with information can call officers on the:- 101 number or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.

Heritage Lottery Fund helping Stick 'n' Step's children to explore Mersey Maritime Heritage

A group of children and parents from Stick 'n' Step, a charity that provides free conductive education and support to children with cerebral palsy, enjoyed an exciting day trip on Mersey Ferries and at the Museum of Liverpool on Monday, 20 July 2015, thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). HLF has awarded Stick 'n' Step a grant to pay for a series of trips to some of Liverpool's heritage sites during 2015 and to create a DVD documenting their experiences.

The trip to the Museum of Liverpool saw the young visitors spending the afternoon learning about Liverpool's growth from a stone age settlement through to the diverse and vibrant City that we know and love today. They got to experience travelling on a ferry across the Mersey, leaving from Woodside and arriving at the Pier Head in Liverpool. The children enjoyed a day full of learning about the history and culture of Liverpool, and finding out about the City and its stories.

A previous trip in late May saw another group of children visiting the Maritime Museum at the Albert Dock. Plans for further outings will be made over the next few months allowing as many different children as possible the opportunity to participate. The HLF distributes money raised by National Lottery players to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about. The aim is to create a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities.

Commented Sarah Smithson, Operations Manager at Stick 'n' Step:- "The children who have participated so far have thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. For many of them it will have been their first trip on a ferry or experiencing a museum environment. It's fantastic to be able to bring the children together in groups to have a day out away from their usual environment at the Stick 'n' Step centre. They were fascinated with what they learnt and we feel it is very important for the children to understand the local heritage and what makes Liverpool so special. Everyone is very grateful for the opportunity that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us and the children."

Stick 'n' Step provides free conductive education sessions, which are not offered by the NHS, to help children with cerebral palsy learn vital life skills, like walking and talking, through participating in group activities. It's a place where they can make friends and grow in confidence, and where parents have access to respite and support. Families travel each week from across the North West and North Wales to the Stick 'n' Step centre in Wallasey to receive this life changing service. Stick 'n' Step receives no government funding and relies completely on fundraising to cover its annual running cost of Ł350,000. For more information about Stick 'n' Step and how you can help, visit:- StickNStep.Org or call:- 0151 638 0888.

Cut Your Own Firewood in Formby

DO you have a stove or open fire and are after cheap logs? Happy to cut them yourself? If so then a Wood Allotment might be for you. Wood Allotments gives you a carefully marked number of trees to chop down yourself for firewood in a local woodland that is in need of thinning. You get glorious fresh air and exercise, as well as locally sourced, sustainable logs. And it's great for the woodland too, letting more light in so that the flora and fauna can thrive. The Mersey Forest, on behalf of Sefton Council's Coast and Countryside Service, are trying to gauge the demand for a Wood Allotment in the Formby area. If you are interested then please visit:- Woodallotments.Org.UK and fill in your contact details by clicking on the 'golden axe' on the map close to:- St Luke's Road. You will then be contacted in late August with further details. Alternatively call The Mersey Forest on:- 01925 816217 and leave your details. Paul Nolan, Director at The Mersey Forest, said:- "We're really excited that the first wood allotments in the country started in The Mersey Forest, and we now have new opportunities in Formby. The woodlands are enjoyed by many residents and this is a great way for them to help improve the quality of the woodland for wildlife and other visitors to enjoy." This initiative is made possible with funding from The Heritage Lottery Fund via The Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership.

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Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

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