Animation artists Illuminos once again lit up The Atkinson with the:- 'Nightingale, The Song' projection

IT was just before lockdown in March 2020 that the international projection artists Illuminos lit up The Atkinson with this fantastic display, as part part of Sefton Borough of Culture 2020. The group returned on Sunday, 27 March 2022 to give those who could not see it back then a chance to see it again. This spectacular celebration of Sefton's coastline, entitled:- "The Nightingale's Song" was also projected onto Waterloo Town Hall and Bootle...

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Wayfarers Arcade will be supporting National Pet Month

WAYFARERS Arcade is commemorating April being National Pet Month by supporting Southport, Ormskirk and District RSPCA, who are a separately Registered Charity to the National RSPCA. The charity is completely reliant upon donations, legacies and monies raised through their...

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Southport MP's West Lancs plan dismissed as:- "nonsense"

A proposal to effectively move Southport from Merseyside and into West Lancashire has been described as:- "unworkable nonsense" after it was revealed that Council leaders had already dismissed the idea before it was made public. Earlier this week, Southport Conservative MP Damien Moore touted the plan as...

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North West England Mayors arrive in Dublin to kick off joint mission to boost trade and cultural links

THE Mayors of both Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester have arrived in Ireland for a joint visit to strengthen trade and cultural links between the North...

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Liverpool ˝ Marathon Attracts 2,300 Runners - Countdown Now On To 30th Anniversary In 2023

A field of 2,300 eager runners took to the streets of Liverpool at the weekend for 1 of the Region's biggest road races. The 29th Annual 13.1 mile BTR Liverpool Skyline ˝ Marathon returned, on Sunday, 27 March 2022, and the event also included the 11th Annual...

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New Little Sparks play space and cafe to open in Churchtown this Easter

LITTLE Sparks; 'a chocolate box cottage with a twist, where little ones take their grown ups' will open at 25 Botanic Road, at the site of the former Watkinson and Bond Ltd printers. It is suitable for children aged between 0 and 5 years old. The brand new play based learning space and cafe is owned by former estate...

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1st Slavery Plaque To Be Installed In Liverpool

SUBSCRIBE to our email breaking news updates and emergency notice service for the Liverpool City Region. This service sends you emails for FREE, allowing you to keep up-to-date with important news developments. All subscribed email addresses are not shared with any other organisation and under both...

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Climate and Biodiversity Crisis - Recognise the Strength of the Linkages to Safeguard Human Civilisation

EASAC was formed by the national science academies of the EU Member States:- Norway, Switzerland and the former EU member state, the United Kingdom, to collaborate in giving advice to European policymakers. EASAC currently provides a means for the collective voice of European...

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New Step Forward on Mersey Tidal Power Project

MAYOR Steve Rotheram's plans to develop a Mersey Tidal project are taking another step forward as the Region's Combined Authority seeks to appoint an expert technical advisor and designer to develop the next stage designs for the scheme. The massive renewable energy project could generate enough clean, predictable energy to...

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Consultation begins over future governance

A 3 month consultation has begun asking residents how Liverpool should be governed. In April, a letter will be sent to every household in the City, with a secure link to an online portal, to answer the...

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Steve Rotheram reopens the Liverpool City Region's ₤500,000 Community Environment Fund

A ₤500,000 fund that brought wildflowers, bees, upcycling, food planting and climate awareness to communities across the Liverpool City Region has been re-opened for 2022 by Mayor Steve Rotheram. Applications for Phase II funding are now open; with grants available for high...

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Liverpool's Hottest Sightseeing Ticket is back just in time for Spring!

WANT to experience all the best that Liverpool and Wirral have to offer this Spring? Look no further than the amazing River Cruise and Sightseeing Bus Tour from Mersey Ferries and City Explorer Liverpool Bus Tours, on sale on Friday 1 April 2022. 1 of Liverpool's most popular tourist attractions, the River Cruise and Sightseeing Bus Tour offers a:- 'must do...'

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Love Music, Hate Racism

MORE than 40 music artists and DJs will take to stages in the Baltic area of Liverpool in a show of unity against racism. Liverpool Against Racism (LAR) Music Day takes place on Sunday, 24 April 2022, taking over Camp and Furnace and District from midday to 9pm, and 24 Kitchen Street from midday to 8pm. On the line up are legendary bands such as...

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Free Covid19 tests will only be available to help protect specific groups and new Covid19 guidance to be published

PEOPLE at risk of serious illness from Covid19, and eligible for treatments, will continue to get free tests to use if they develop symptoms, along with NHS and adult social care staff and those in other high risk settings, Health and Social Care Secretary...

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Liverpool launches consultation on public realm strategy

LIVERPOOL City Council has launched a major public consultation on how future development schemes can improve their surrounding environment. A statutory 6 week consultation on the Council's draft Public Realm Strategy begins today and runs until Monday, 9 May 2022. The public can go online to read...

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Step out with Walk for Parkinson's

SPEOPLE in the North West can now sign up to Walk for Parkinson's to help fund vital research to find better treatments and a cure for the condition. Parkinson's UK, Europe's largest charitable funder of Parkinson's research, has launched its annual Walk for Parkinson's series, which includes a walk at:- Crosby Beach, Liverpool, on Sunday...

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Landlord prosecuted for failing to repair open sewer

A Liverpool landlord has been fined for failing to repair an open sewer in the garden of a rental property. SRA Property Limited has been prosecuted by Liverpool City Council under Section 99 of the Building Act 1984, after refusing to fix an...

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A party that's right up your street!

LIVERPOOL City Council is making it as easy as possible for residents to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with their neighbours. The special bank holiday weekend runs from:- Thursday, 2 June, to Sunday, 5 June 2022, and it is expected that local communities will be eager to organise an outdoor get-together to mark the...

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Over 50% of smokers say being judged by non smokers only makes it harder to quit

NEW research shows how negatively smokers are judged by non smokers; although most non smokers think more should be done to help adult smokers find less harmful alternatives if they don't quit... 30% of smokers say they have been unfairly treated because they smoke. 57% say people's...

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Utilita Energy Energy chief launches 'public service announcement' for all households

FROM Monday, 4 April 2022, a new national advertising campaign will appear on television screens across Great Britain to help every household cut their energy costs by as much as ₤332; cutting the average energy bill by nearly a fifth. The campaign has been launched after Utilita's own research of 5,000 households...

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The City of Liverpool College and Vital Energi join forces to support net zero targets

VITAL Energi has partnered with The City of Liverpool College for the 2nd year to deliver bespoke renewable energy and heat network apprenticeship programmes across the country.  Scaling up heat networks and generating energy from renewable technologies is at the heart...

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Can you help the UK's Biggest Beach Clean and Litter Survey in Formby?

THE National Trust in Formby taking part in the UK's Biggest Beach Clean and Litter Survey. The event will take place at the National Trust Victoria Road car park, at a location...

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People with COPD asked to share their views

PEOPLE with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Cheshire and Merseyside are being asked to share their views about their care. A campaign is underway to recruit hundreds of people with COPD from across the Region to share their experiences via an online survey. Survey responses will...

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Homes for Ukraine - LGA on data and homelessness

THE Local Government Association, which represents Councils across England and Wales, gave evidence on support for Ukrainian refugees to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee on 30 March 2022. The LGA raised concerns about a lack of data being provided to Councils about those arriving under the Ukrainian Family Scheme or people...

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CLA comments on BT's halt on removing landlines

BT has halted plans to replace landline phones with digital ones after the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) raised concerns about adverse impact on those living and working in rural areas. The controversial roll out, which saw copper landlines ripped out in favour of fibre optic cables, resulted in some...

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Peter Capaldi returns to host national creative writing competition for care experienced children and young people

THE Actor Peter Capaldi will return to host the 7th Annual Edition of Voices, the national creative writing competition for children in care and young care leavers run by the charity Coram Voice and sponsored by UK management consultancy Cadence Innova. The competition is now in its final week for entries, closing on 14 April 2022, and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London, on Saturday, 21 May 2022, co-hosted by Peter and former...

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Strike action at University of Liverpool and Liverpool Hope begins

STAFF at the University of Liverpool and Liverpool Hope University have been holding a 5 day walkout. Staff at both Universities are striking over deteriorating pay and working conditions. Staff at the University of Liverpool are also striking over a 35% cut to guaranteed pension income. Staff will be picketing main University entrances. On Wednesday there will be a rally attended by staff from both:- Universities and Speakers, include:- University and College Union (UCU) President, Vicky Blake. The...

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Health and Social Care Secretary statement on Ockenden Review

THE UK Government's Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:- "Donna Ockenden's report paints a tragic and harrowing picture of repeated failures in care over 2 decades, and I am deeply sorry to all the families who have suffered so greatly. Since the initial report was published in 2020 we have taken steps to invest in maternity services and grow the workforce, and we will make the changes that are needed so that no families have to go through this pain again. I would like to thank Donna Ockenden and her..."

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Extra protections for seafarers as Government introduces new maritime laws

THE UK Government, on Wednesday, 30 March 2022, announced a suite of new measures to protect seafarers, following P&O Ferries' decision to summarily sack 800 workers earlier this month. The Transport Secretary confirmed he will bring forward new legislation to ban ferries which don't pay their workers the National Minimum Wage from docking at British ports. It means all ferry staff working in and out of British ports and when in UK waters, will earn the National Minimum Wage...

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Cost of Living Crisis, Experts explain simple hacks that will save those crucial pounds

THE cost of living has hit a 30 year high with inflation soaring to 6.2%, so it is vital to understand how to better manage our money. Many people pay large lump sums of money towards utilities and services; however, insurance expert Catherine Grayson from A Plan Insurance looked at ways to manage your money more effectively. She reveals some top tips and tricks for switching to monthly payments and spreading the cost to help make your cash flow a little bit easier. TV Licence... A TV...

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New 'Really' series. Applications now open!

THE Casting Assistant Producer from Red Sky Productions, Kirsty, has contacted us about their exciting new TV series. Hosted by Amanda Lamb, Saved and Remade Workshop (working title) it will see a team of expert craftspeople take much loved, but unused objects, from members of the public and transform them into something completely different; giving them a new lease of life and a real purpose, changing these items into something that their owners will actually use..!

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Grand Central Liverpool issue statement following its closure

THE operators of the Grand Central Hall, The Dome Theatre, The Liffey Pub and the Nelly Foleys Pub have issued a statement confirming that the venues have closed. The venue said that this was down to massive problems ythat have arose over the last few years with the Landlords which have now culminated in High Court action being taken against the Landlords. The Spokesperson for Maureen Bramwell also stated that:- "Despite over 300 complaints to the Landlords confirming their concerns..."

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CLA hosts MP Julian Smith visit to Bolton Park Farm

THE CLA (Country Land and Business Association), held a meeting on 25 March 2022 with Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith. CLA members gathered at Bolton Park Farm near Skipton to raise various farming concerns and Government policy matters as it relates to rural areas.  Discussions specifically covered related issues and included:- Agricultural input costs - especially fuel and fertiliser costs. Agricultural Transition - Basic Payment Scheme reduction, replacement income streams...

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The genuine article? 1 in 3 internet users fail to question misinformation

THE UK Regulator Ofcom has published its annual research into children's and adults' media use and online lives. More than a third of internet users are unaware that online content might be false or biased, according to new Ofcom research. It reveals that 30% of UK adults who go online (14.5 million) are unsure about, or don't even consider, the truthfulness of online information. A further 6%; around 1 in every 20 internet users; believe everything they see online. Misinformation can spread quickly on social media platforms. More than 4 in 10...

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Work resumes at Belong Birkdale care village

WORK at Belong Birkdale, the new state of the art care village on Oxford Road, has resumed this month following the dementia care specialist's appointment of Whitfield and Brown to complete the ₤19 million project. Preparatory work has now commenced at the site close to Southport Town centre, ahead of the building works restarting in April 2022. The Widnes based contractor has been selected for their experience and expertise in specialist dementia accommodation, and take over from Cruden Construction which went into administration at the height...

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Health Care Workers face a ₤90 million combined car parking bill for NHS Car Parking

HARD up NHS staff face a whopping ₤90 million combined car parking bill, from Friday after the Conservatives reintroduced charges. Figures from NHS Digital show in the financial year 2019/20; the year before charges were lifted for the Pandemic; health workers paid ₤90.1 million in car parking fees. Workers in the Midlands paid out the most, forking out ₤18 million in the year, followed by the North West (₤17 million), then the North East and Yorkshire (₤16 million). Following sustained pressure from GMB Union..

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Lime Street Central to Celebrate Grand National weekend in style

FROM delicious bottomless brunches, live entertainment, to DJs and pop up photobooths, Lime Street Central is the perfect venue to enjoy the racing event of the year! With thousands of people expected to descend on Aintree Racecourse next week for the Grand National festival, Lime Street Central has announced 3 days' worth of entertainment for racegoers to enjoy. The festivities will start, on Thursday, 7 April 2022, with live music, from Ethan Allen, who will play from 7pm till late. On Friday and Saturday, the venue will also play host...

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Failing landlords to be named and shamed as Government steps up support for social housing tenants

THE Government will:- "name and shame" failing social housing providers as part of major reforms to give residents a stronger voice and drive up standards. The move means social landlords providing sub-standard housing and services would be publicly called out on the Government's website and across social media channels. Measures announced also include a Resident Panel that will allow tenants who live in social housing to be heard directly by Government. Around 250 social tenants...

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Up to ₤4.5m in training grants for Liverpool City Region employers as expansion of Mayor's skills service goes live

AN expansion of the Liverpool City Region Mayor's award-winning Be More apprenticeships portal has today gone live with training grants totalling ₤4.5m. It is part of an ambitious ₤9.4m training and careers programme that will help plug skills gaps and support up to 10,000 people across Liverpool City Region (LCR) this year. The website was launched in 2019 as the UK's 1st UCAS style apprenticeship portal as part of Mayor Steve...

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Data experts warn of looming insolvency crisis as Covid19 support measures end

AS businesses and households continue to grapple with the impact of spiralling energy costs, data experts warn that the UK economy is facing a Post Pandemic insolvency crisis as most Covid19 support measures come to an end on 24 March 2022. Data from Red Flag Alert; a business intelligence platform that provides real time analysis of the health of companies by compiling thousands of datasets; highlights that in January 2022, the number of insolvencies recorded in England and Wales was...

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Touchscreen ban: Learners CAN get fined for new mobile phone highway code offences

30% of Brits are unaware that you can get points on a Provisional License. It's already illegal to use your phone to make a call or text while driving, but new high way code rules introduced on Friday, 25 March 2022, ban any use of a touch screen device, including:- streaming music and playing games. This means that selecting a song or flicking through a playlist could land you with a ₤200 fine and 6 points on your license. But research from learner driver insurance provider, Veygo...

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₤2.5 million package announced to help disabled people travel more confidently

THE Government has announced a ₤2.5 million package to support disabled people travel more confidently on our transport network as it reopens after Covid. The new funding will include ₤1.5m allocated to support all 13 Mobility Centres across England roll out a:- 'Hubs Mobility Service.' These vital services help people stay mobile after they have been advised to stop driving or if they are unable to learn...

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Study finds 'Traffic Light' tool used by GPs to assess seriously unwell children is 'unreliable'

A tool used by GPs to help identify seriously unwell children may not accurately detect or exclude acute illness, according to an evaluation using data from UK general practice. The study, led by Cardiff University, assessed data from more than 6,700 cases and concluded the widely used National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Traffic Light system:- "cannot be relied upon..."

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Liverpool Schools receive new sexual violence education programme

NEW sexual violence prevention training is being rolled out to schools across Liverpool exploring misogyny, sexual harassment, peer on peer abuse, and the sharing of online images. Split into 2 parts, Schools will be offered training sessions for Primary Teachers to deliver through their PSHE sessions, and pupils will be offered a new KS2 resource called:- 'Send me a selfie' which looks at the issues arising from the...

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Appeal to find the Next of kin Ian Glennie

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for information to trace the next of kin of Ian Glennie, who was aged 67, from Southport. We are told that he sadly passed away at Southport Hospital, on Thursday, 17 March 2022. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. It is believed that Ian may have family residing in the Formby area and in the Newborough area of Scotland. Anyone who can help the Coroner identify or trace any potential next of kin...

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