September marks new season and opening of Annual Print Exhibition for Crosby Camera Club

CROSBY Camera Club is inviting budding photographers to come along to the start of its new season this September. On Wednesday, 5 September 2018, the 2018/19 season opens with President's Night, which will feature an introduction to the club and tips on how to take your photography to the next level. 

That same week, the club's annual photography exhibition will open for public viewing. Over 100 of the best photographic prints produced by the club's members will be unveiled on Tuesday, 4 September 2018, in the Reading Room within Crosby Central Library. The exhibition runs for 4 weeks and features both colour and black and white photography including last season's:- 'Print of the Year' winners.

Stephen Lang, President of Crosby Camera Club, said:- "September is always an exciting time for us, with the start of a new club season, so it's fantastic that our annual print exhibition could coincide with this. Our members produced some truly outstanding work last season and I can't wait to see these prints on display within Crosby Library. I would like to invite members of the public both to come along and enjoy our gallery display and also to join us on Wednesday the 5th for the 1st meeting of our new season. Don't worry if you're a photography beginner or you just take snaps with your phone, you're very welcome and I'm sure you'll learn a lot about this popular and rewarding pastime."

Founded in 1950, Crosby Camera Club has been part of the local community for almost 70 years. Meetings are held every Wednesday, from 8pm to 10pm, from the 1st week of September to the last week of April at Crosby Central Library's Small Lecture Room (where election polling takes place), on Crosby Road North, Waterloo.

The 2018 Print Exhibition will be open for viewing during the library's normal opening hours.

Further details about Crosby Camera Club's new season and the 2018 Print Exhibition are available at the club's website.

Life changing diabetes technology now available in Merseyside

A new technology that is potentially life changing for many people with diabetes is now available across Merseyside. After Diabetes UK successfully campaigned to make Flash Glucose Monitoring available on the NHS last year, health leaders from:- NHS Knowsley, Liverpool, Southport and Formby, South Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have approved its use, which means some people with Type 1 diabetes who meet local criteria will be able to get it free of charge on prescription for the 1st time.

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. Many people with diabetes need to self monitor their blood glucose levels. This is usually done with a finger prick blood test using a meter that indicates the blood glucose level at the time of the test.

Flash Glucose Monitoring is a different technology which uses a small sensor that people wear on their skin. The sensor continuously reads and stores the last 8 hours of glucose readings which can be read by scanning the sensor when required. It can free people from the pain of much of their frequent finger prick testing, making it easier to keep on top of sugar levels.

Crucially, the device can help with better control of the condition and, in turn, reduce the risk of serious diabetes related complications such as:- amputation, blindness and stroke.

Even though in principle it is available on the NHS, its use is subject to approval by local health bodies, and there are still many areas in the country where it is not offered on prescription. Diabetes UK wants to see people all over the UK, who can benefit from the ground breaking technology gain access to it.

Yvonne Browne, Improving Care Manager at Diabetes UK, said:- "It's really good news that people in Merseyside who can benefit from Flash will be able to get this new technology free of charge on prescription. This sadly isn't the case for everyone living with diabetes across the country. We believe everyone with diabetes should have access to the right technology to support them, not just those who can afford it. We are calling on local decision makers across the country to ensure everyone with diabetes who could benefit from Flash get it, no matter where they live."

To find out if Flash is right for you, what you need to do to access it and how you can make the case for it to be made available in your local area, can do so online now.

You can also call the Diabetes UK helpline on:- 0345 123 2399, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 6pm, or alternatively send them an email.