KIDS TO STAR IN FILM NIGHT

FILM MAKERS who were praised by Cherie Blair are to get the Hollywood star treatment at a glittering film premier this weekend.

Suited in white shirts and dickie bows, the boys from Campion High School will arrive in a stretch limousine for the public premiere of their film "Hear I Am". 

They will join with hundreds of industry movers and shakers at Central Hall in the city centre on September 26.

The film, which highlights regeneration issues in the north of the city, is part of "Made In Liverpool" part of the Liverpool Biennial, the UK's only international festival of contemporary visual art.

"Hear I Am" was funded by the £2m Liverpool city council led creative community programme and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to promote Liverpool's capital of culture themed year Faith In One City.

At the launch of the Biennial last week, the prime ministers wife Cherie Blair singled out the creative community programme for its work with the Campion pupils. 

During the making of the film, truancy rates dropped by 10 per cent and the drama pupils then convinced their school, which is in the UK's second poorest ward, to provide it's first ever A-level course.

And as they prepare for their big night, Arts Minister Estelle Morris, MP, said:- "Liverpool is really fizzing with creative work at the moment, of which 'Made in Liverpool' is but the latest example. The next few years hold enormous promise for the cultural life of the city, and I can't wait to see it all come together in 2008." 

The Year 10 pupils are also now fundraising to visit Broadway in New York and Disney Land Paris to take part in theatrical workshops.

Campion Drama teacher Donna Jones said:- "We're all very excited about Sunday. This is a massive day for the boys and the whole school has been buzzing. When Cherie praised us last week, we all had to be peeled off the roof. 

To see their work showcased during the Biennial is an amazing achievement for them. They've all worked very hard for this moment and it's one I'm sure they'll never forget. I hope nights like this become part of their lives."

SYBIL WELCOMES NEW RESIDENT'S TO 'COSMOPOLITAN' FORMBY

SYBIL TURNER, the house manager at McCarthy & Stone's Hilary Court in Freshfield Road, Formby, is looking forward to being at the heart of a vibrant social scene.

With nearly half the apartments at the retirement development sold already, Sybil is busy welcoming new residents in, holding coffee mornings and afternoon teas in the communal lounge and planning future activities.

Sybil, 56, has been working for Peverel Management Services for 5 years, and has plenty of experience of running a retirement development.

She is excited about helping a new community get started and said:- "We have a good mix of people at Hilary Court, from the local area and from elsewhere. There is a friendly atmosphere already, and we are starting to do things like book entertainments for the residents lounge.

The location of Hilary Court is great if you're retired. We're so close to Formby, which is a very lively village with plenty of shops, and a cosmopolitan feel. There is a wide choice of open-air cafes on the wide, tree-lined pavements and the ground around here is flat, which is easier for older people.

Hilary Court is also really close to the train and to the buses, which go north to Southport and south to Liverpool."

As house manager, Sibyl not only helps organise social events and welcomes new residents, but is also responsible for the smooth running of Hilary Court.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:- Cancer Research

Dear Editor, 

"I would like to thank all your readers for the amazing fundraising activities of Centrica employees - who have raised over £650,000 for their chosen charity of the year Cancer Research UK, in the past twelve months.

I attended Centrica's employee awards ceremony in London last week to thank all of the workers across the UK from British Gas, AA and OneTel for their phenomenal fundraising efforts. The money was raised through a variety of activities including Race for Life, marathons, wardrobe amnesties, breakfasts and many other amazing fundraising feats in order to achieve this impressive target. 

It is great to know that so many people across the UK are motivated by such a worthwhile cause. More than 1 in 3 people will get cancer at some point in their lives, which means that cancer touches most people at some point and often with devastating effects. It has touched my life personally, and I am pleased to say that the important work of Cancer Research UK - to prevent, treat and cure cancer - can continue as a result of the overwhelming support of people like you.

To get involved in fundraising for the UK's leading cancer charity, Cancer Research UK, and to help more people survive cancer log onto 

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/getinvolved
Or call 020 7242 0200. Have fun fundraising."   Thank you,   Gaby Roslin, on behalf of Cancer Research UK.

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