Letter to Editor:- "Boxing Memories"

"50 years ago, I held the:- 'King's Cup,' an Award for the:- 'Best Young Bootle Boxer of The Year.' Meanwhile, on the other side of Town, Jimmy Duncan held:- 'The Bessie Braddock Trophy.' as the:- 'Best Fighter in Liverpool.' It was a rivalry as intense as anything Liverpool Stadium had ever seen, and fight fans threw nobbins (cash) into the ring in appreciation of 2 fighters who simply didn't want to lose. But the thing most fight fans never get to see, is the respect a fight like that generates between both fighters. We forged a friendship that's lasted a lifetime. So yesterday, for my 67th Birthday. Jimmy secretly travelled for 2 hours to treat me to a special breakfast in Penelope's. And in amongst all the flashbacks, I remembered what a fan I'd been when I 1st saw Jimmy fight back in 1975. He was ferocious, but supremely gifted. And I'm reminded (now) of an article I read recently that said:- 'some people are brought into your life for a reason; to learn from.' And a loss in a boxing ring can be the perfect learning experience to catapult you on to greater things. It's a metaphor for life. My life is so much richer for having met Jimmy Duncan at the height of his career, and as much as it was an honour to share a ring with him all those years ago, it's an even greater honour to have him as a friend still half a century later." Stephen Jones, Southport.

Southport Reception children head to the polls in real life democracy lesson

RECEPTION children at a Southport Primary School have been getting to grips with democracy, casting their very own votes in a classroom polling station inspired by this month's elections taking place across the country.

Staff at Linaker Primary School transformed a classroom into a fully functioning polling station, complete with ballot papers and a secure ballot box, giving children as young as 4 the chance to experience the democratic process 1st hand.

Children voted on different stories to be the classes' next home time reading, with pupils making the case for several different books.

Every young candidate put forward a compelling argument, encouraging their peers to think carefully about their choice before heading to the booth.

Once all votes were counted, a winner was declared:- 'The Scarecrows' Wedding' came out on top, to the delight of the whole class.

Headteacher Mark Cunniffe said:- "We were so proud of how respectfully the children listened, took turns and celebrated the outcome together. Our Reception children took to it brilliantly."

The activity formed part of the School's ongoing work on British Values, with a particular focus on democracy and the importance of every voice being heard.

Linaker Primary School, part of Endeavour Learning Trust, was recently named School of the Year at the:- 'Grand Pride of Sefton Awards,' a recognition of the School's commitment to enriching, meaningful learning experiences that go well beyond the classroom.

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Letter to Editor:- "Boxing Memories"

Southport Reception children head to the polls in real life democracy lesson