News reports located on this page = 2.

A heritage 1st for Central Library

ON Saturday, 26 October 2019, a brand new Heritage and Culture event will take place which will see a day full of talks and sessions which help people date and trace their family history. There will also be 40 stallholders from groups such as:- Garston Historical Society, Friends of Anfield Cemetery, Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre and the Anglican Cathedral Archive who will be on hand to give advice to visitors. A series of ticketed talks will kick off at 10am, with Liverpool Record Office Researcher, Roger Hull who will look at how key dates in the City's history could have impacted on many family histories.

Other talks include:-

► The Irish in the North West 1800 to 1939; Delivered by Mervyn Busteed from Liverpool University's Institute of Irish Studies looking at the influx of Irish migrants and the impact this had on the urban landscape.

► 302 Men; There are 302 men listed on the Commonwealth War Graves database who served and died with the King's Regiment in 1919. Karen O'Rourke from National Museums Liverpool will discuss the impact of the Great War on the regiment post 1918.

► The Waterways Archive; Explore more than 200 years of waterways history and find out more about boat people, bridges and the aqueducts which cover the vast network of waterways.

► A Short History of my Experience with DNA... DNA expert Peter Cobley, will talk about background history of the finding and identification of DNA, including some examples of how Peter managed to work out who cousins are with some traps encountered on the way.

Tours will take in the conservation studios and the Black Punch exhibition which traces the history of boxing in Liverpool as part of Black History Month. A Windrush documentary called:- 'The Descendants' will be shown, followed by a QandA session with representatives from Blackburne House, who produced the piece of work.  Tickets for the talks cost just ₤5 and are available from Central Library's website or can be purchased from the library on the day. The event has been organised in partnership with the Liverpool and SW Lancashire Family History Society.

Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "Family history research, and discovering more about the City's heritage are always hugely popular with visitors to Central Library. This event is a wonderful combination of expert talks, advice about tracing family roots, exhibitions and tours around the conservation studio, which isn't generally open to the public. It's sure to be a fascinating day in the stunning surroundings of the Picton Reading Room."

Mervyn Busteed from Liverpool University who will be talking about the City's Irish community, said:- "Heritage Day is a great idea and it challenges us to try and imagine our excitingly diverse Region without the Irish contribution; which is impossible!"

Meet the PCC's new Youth Ambassadors

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner has today proudly presented her new Youth Ambassadors who will provide a powerful voice on Policing and community safety issues on behalf of young people across Merseyside. Jane Kennedy launched a search for a group of enthusiastic, skilled young people to join her team, as Youth Ambassadors, back in July 2019. After reviewing nearly 40 applications and following 2 selection days, the Commissioner has now unveiled the 10 successful applications who will become her Youth Ambassadors for the next 12 months. The successful applicants are aged between 16 and 22, represent each Local Authority within Merseyside and are currently studying or employed in a range of roles, including:- working, as a Vulnerable Person's Advocate for Merseyside Fire Service and a Young Advisor for St Helens Council. They also have a wide range of volunteering experience, including:- supporting children and young people at local Youth Centres, working with the Young Person's Advisory Service (YPAS) and the National Citizenship Scheme, as well as giving their time to local Hospices and Community Farms.

The new Youth Ambassadors will volunteer their time to support, challenge and inform the work of the Police Commissioner, her office and the wider criminal justice system. The group will meet bi-monthly with Jane and her team and will assist in the creation and delivery of a new Youth Engagement Plan, which they will help to share with other young people by visiting Schools, youth clubs and community groups across Merseyside. They will also be expected to:- attend youth engagement events, inform campaigns aimed at young people, act as influencers on key issues and review the criminal justice services offered to their peers to see how they can be improved. In exchange for their time on the scheme, the Youth Ambassadors will receive a range of training and development opportunities.

Jane Kennedy said:- "I'm delighted to unveil my new Youth Ambassadors, who will act as my advisors on youth issues in Merseyside. I was bowled over by the quality of the applications we received and the 10 successful applications have all proved themselves be passionate, motivated and determined young individuals who will provide a powerful voice for young people on Merseyside. We are privileged to have such an inspiring group of young people working with our office, influencing decision making on Policing and community safety issues at a senior level and ensuring we consider the views of young people as we work to address the key issues which affect them. The previous Youth Advisory Group did a great job, sharing their views and feedback with me openly and honestly and providing an effective forum for sharing opinions, but I took the decision to recruit a smaller group of Ambassadors, so that the young people involved could take on a more hands on, active role. I have no doubt these young people will be real Ambassadors for their peers and be a voice for change."

The new Youth Ambassador for Sefton is 21 year old Emily Jones. She said:- "I have always had great interest in regards to the Police and what they do, specifically for Merseyside. When I saw the voluntary role advertised, I knew that it was something I needed to put myself forward for. As a young adult myself, I feel like I have a greater perspective on topics related to current crime in this area and I also believe that using my voice along with other Ambassadors could be beneficial in changing other individuals outlooks on crime across the Region."

The new Youth Ambassadors have replaced the Commissioner's Youth Advisory Group which ran since 2013. The role will last for 12 months and was open to those aged between 16 and 24, who live, work or study in Merseyside.