Aintree Festival of Motorsport
19 November to 21 November 2004
50th Anniversary of the UK's 1st Classic Grand Prix Circuit

THIS year's Festival will celebrate 50 years since the creation and launch of "The Liverpool Circuit" within Aintree Racecourse. The Festival will be "non-competitive" but will permit cars to be driven at speed on the 3 Mile Grand Prix Circuit for the first time in 20 years, to the day. The circuit was first used in 1954 and last used in Nov 1984 for a Special Stage on The Lombard RAC International Rally and also included a parade of over 200 cars including John Surtees driving a Vanwall.

The aim is run this event every year, ultimately to open up the circuit for racing again and therefore support is being provided from Vintage, Historic and Contemporary Racing circles. On the Friday, we will make use of the entire Aintree facility, including the 20,000 capacity stands, hotel standard hospitality and the historic Grand Prix Track. On the Saturday and Sunday the Festival will combine Motorsport and Steeplechasing. On these days track displays and parades will take place before 1pm and share with Steepchasing in the afternoons. During horse racing there will be static displays in the paddock area and trade/hospitality areas. Two gala dinners will celebrate the occasion and help raise funds for local charities Liverpool Habitat for Humanity; Give a Child a Chance and the Echo Sunrise Fund.

Having such a high profile, unique event in association with a race meeting will enhance attendance at both events, putting Aintree on the map as a venue for spectacular events throughout the year rather than simply the Grand National meet. Attention is being paid to marketing and PR, obtaining sponsorship and support on a global scale. The creation and development of a strong 'brand' identity is being undertaken. In 1954, a journalist from the "Daily Telegraph" wrote:- "Aintree is a Mecca of motor sport". Therefore to revisit this fifty years on would be a poignant and momentous retrospective!

Sir Stirling Moss MBE and Tony Brooks have kindly agreed to act as our hosts and hospitality track drivers.

Bentley, Mercedes, Jaguar Racing, MG, Austin Healey, TVR, Lotus, etc will attend this year's event. This is the first of 5 annual Festivals leading up to 2008.

BURGLARY IN CROSBY

CAN you help? Merseyside Police are appealing for information about a burglary in Crosby.

Between 6:30pm and 10:30pm on Friday 16th July an offender smashed adownstairs window of a house on Poplar Avenue. The offender left the scene taking with them:

18ct solid gold ladies watch, with black dial made by Zenith

22ct yellow gold band ring encrusted with 18 diamonds. 

White gold band ring with diamonds (petal shaped, large central diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds.

Gold bangle encrusted with one diamond.

2 Swarovski crystal figures;- Isadora the dancing lady and Antonio the Spanish dancer, both in presentation boxes.

Anyone who has information about the burglary or knows the whereabouts of any of the above items is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

LOUISE MAKES THE NEWS

A former Oldershaw School and 6th form student who graduated from Edge Hill College of Higher Education, is already on the road to a career in broadcasting.

Louise Mollart, 21 of New Brighton joined around 30 future journalists, the first cohort to complete the programme at Edge Hill, to graduate with a BA (Hons) in Journalism, at a degree awards ceremony at Lancaster University.

As a freelance broadcast journalist, Louise is already putting her new-found reporting skills into action, in the newsroom at Wrexham's local radio station, MFM.

Louise developed her passion for radio broadcasting at Edge Hill, on the industry accredited NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) undergraduate programme, after trying her hand at newspaper reporting, as well as TV news.

"I was really attracted to the course at Edge Hill, as it offered a broad based training in a range of media. Having spent the first year learning the basics of news reporting, we then went on to TV and radio production and I managed to secure work experience with the BBC and the independent sector on North West Tonight, Radio Merseyside and Juice FM. I'm really enjoying the freelance work at MFM and I'm hoping to either gain a full time post, or develop my freelance work."

Tony Turjansky is programme leader in journalism at Edge Hill. He said:- "Our journalism graduates have worked very hard over the last three years and it's great to see so many of them embarking on successful careers. The NCTJ approved degree offers all journalism students the opportunity to graduate with a professional qualification respected by employers. I wish them all the best of luck in the future."

Louise was awarded her degree with around 1,000 students who graduated at a ceremony at Lancaster University, which accredits Edge Hill degrees. A further 525 students gained Professional Graduate Certificates in Education.

Appeal for Witnesses

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for information regarding a fraud after releasing pictures of two men and a woman who they believe have vital information regarding the incident that took place at Southport in May this year.

On Sunday 18 May, a 57 year old woman was dining at a Lord Street Hotel with her handbag on the floor alongside her. It is believed that two men sat behind the lady and one of the men took the lady's purse out of her bag. The purse contained cash and banker's cards.

Police also want to speak to a woman they believe may have information about a fraud in Ainsdale. At 7:13pm the same evening a women entered the Spar Shop on Liverpool Road. It is alleged that the woman then used the stolen banker's card to purchase goods.

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