Anti Racism & Fascism Rally

THE 2004 Merseyside May Day Festival Unite Again Racism and Fascism March and Rally is going to be held on 1 May at Central Park, Wallasey from 12 noon to 7:00pm. 

The march should you wish to join will start at 12 noon at Wallasey Town Hall Town Hall (Brighton St.) and will proceed to Central Park for rally and speakers. 

The day will have the Wallis Funfair, Live Music, Punch & Judy shows, Under 13's 5 a side football, Donkey Rides, Face Painting, Children's Play Area, lots of stalls, Beer Tent and food stalls…. Show your support and turn up.

Our Reporter Clive Takes Off

Report by Clive Dally

THE day began at 10:00 am. After our arrival we had a safety and site briefing in the clubs lecture room, this is obviously a very necessary part of the day, highly informative, and gave all of us a flavour of what was to come. 

Flying commenced at around 11:00 and I was to go up second. My instructor was Geoff Guttery Chief Flying Instructor of the club. 

Once in the glider we completed all the final safety checks, and I then watched nervously as the first launch took place. 

Well, I couldn't believe it, after a short run along the ground the glider seemed to go up like the space shuttle. I should point out that the method of launching the glider was by Winch. As my time approached, the instructors tried to calm my fears by saying the lunch looks worse that it is. It was fantastic. Once in the air, we were set free and began what was to be a highly memorable flight. Geoff said that weather conditions were perfect as I looked down from the glider on a glorious day. As the flight progressed we were one of three gliders airborne at the same time, this was very impressive, however Geoff always made sure that we were at a safe distance. 

Soaring above the country side at about 45 to 50 knots and approximately 1600 feet, it was during this period of the flight that an offer was made to see if I would like to take the controls, but I must admit I decided to leave that to the experts. 

After 30 minutes it was time for us to return and I started to think about the landing and hoped this would be as smooth as the take off. The decent only seemed to take a few minutes but was also a great experience as we twisted and turned for what was to be a text book landing. 

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CUSTOMS SEIZE STUN GUNS AT LIVERPOOL DOCKS

CUSTOMS officers have seized 49 stun guns along with 32 telescopic metal batons at Seaforth docks in Liverpool.

The weapons were discovered concealed in container carrying furniture that had arrived from Thailand. Enquiries are ongoing.

Customs Head of Detection North West Jeremy Lee said:- "Customs detection teams at Liverpool have stopped a significant amount of potentially harmful weapons reaching the streets of the northwest. Customs are committed to effective targeting at ports such as Liverpool to combat organised criminal importations."

PRESTON MAN JAILED FOR CIGARETTE SMUGGLING

A PRESTON man was one of three jailed at Hereford Crown Court today after pleading guilty to smuggling two million counterfeit cigarettes into the UK following a Customs investigation.

John Alan Nuttall, a HGV driver from 96 Longacre, Preston, Lancashire was jailed for 15 months. The estimated duty evaded is £276,240.

Assistant Chief Investigation Officer, Pete Wiltshire said of the case:- "Both Customs and the Courts take a very serious view of cigarette smuggling. It is not a harmless tax fiddle. In fact, this type of activity harms honest businesses, and costs this country billions of pounds in lost revenue that ends up lining the pockets of criminals instead of funding vital public services. 

Through existing legislation, including the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, we are determined to continue to give this area of crime high priority, ensuring we use all available methods to strip ill gotten assets from the offenders"

Upon sentencing the men, His Honour Judge Matthews said:- "This was a sophisticated and professional smuggling operation of significant quantity and value."

Do Not FORGET! JAZZ NIGHT

ON THE 6 May, we have or first Jazz Night at Casablanca, Pleasureland, Southport.  Taking to the stade for the first of our Liverpool Reporter Jazz Nights will be Dan Forshaw and his band with support act from Southport's very own Wendy Clarke.

Entrance will be Free for this night and doors open at 7:30 for 8:00pm start.  

Please note that lighting effects will be used as well as smoke effects.  Asthmatics and Epileptic should take note.