BE MY VALENTINE - ONCE AGAIN!

AS ST. Valentine’s day looms large, couples will be celebrating while singletons across the region will be glad when it’s all over. But for those who have once loved, lost and rekindled their passions, next week’s celebrations may be reminiscent of teenage Valentine’s Days when it felt like love really did conquer all.

If you are part of a couple that has been reunited after a minimum separation of at least 5 years then student psychologist from Edge Hill University Gill Elliott would like to hear from you. Gill is investigating what psychological effects result with being reunited with lost loves, either through the popular Friends Reunited web site, or by any other means.  Gill said:- “At one time the process of tracking down lost loves was an arduous one but now it’s all too easy - with the click of a button a lost love can be found and contacted again.”

Gill started her research in October last year and has already interviewed some willing participants for her study, although she would still like to hear from others who have a story to tell.  “My final project needs to be completed by the end of April so I‘m still keen to speak to people of any age group in the north west region who have been reunited with someone who they were previously in love with, but had lost contact for at least 5 years.”

If you are interested in helping Gill in her research contact gillianelliott787@hotmail.com.  Tel: 079577 45563 or call the psychology office on 01695 584245. Gill will arrange a convenient time for participants to visit the University for an informal and confidential interview lasting approximately one hour. In return they will receive a copy of the research findings at the end of the project.

Can we have our equipment back, please?

EVERY day the Trust lends patients pieces of equipment to help with their recovery. Every day we ask them to bring them back when they have finished with them. Every day some of this equipment gets put into cupboards-under-the-stairs, backs of wardrobes, behind sofas and into garden sheds. We know this because unfortunately they do not come back to us. So please, can we have them back?

Jean Axon, Manager of the Physiotherapy Department said:- "We are of course always happy to lend equipment to patients who need it to help with their recovery. However, it costs a lot of money, so we ask that when people no longer need the equipment, they think of others who might need it after them and return it to the hospital. Even if people have had the equipment for some time we ask them to please bring it back."

Patients can return equipment that is in good condition to the physiotherapy departments at Southport Formby District General Hospital, Town Lane, Kew, Southport or Ormskirk and District General Hospital, Wigan Road, Ormskirk. Or just bring it to the reception desks and we will make sure it gets to where it should go.

Kids’ tournament set to be a smash hit

SOME OF the region’s best young tennis stars will be serving up a treat in Liverpool next week.  The city is welcoming more than 140 players for the inaugural City of Liverpool Junior Tennis Tournament.

It will give people the chance to see some of the potential tennis stars of the future in action, including the UK top-15 ranked Michael Ajibade. Michael, who comes from Ormskirk but trains in Liverpool, will be competing in the under-18s tournament.  But it’s not all about national stars. The tournament will feature players of all abilities and ages, from under-10s to under 18s.

Organisers have been stunned by the huge number of entrants they have received for what is the 1st tournament of its kind in Liverpool. Players will be converging on Liverpool from towns and cities across the North West, including Manchester, Preston, Chester, Wigan, The Lake District and Wirral.

Council Leader Warren Bradley said:- “Our 1st ever Junior Tennis Tournament has generated massive interest from players throughout the region – and they’ll be serving up a real tennis treat throughout the half-term holidays.  Liverpool is one of the only cities in Europe to have a year-round tennis programme and we are fast becoming a centre of excellence in the sport. The Liverpool International Tennis Tournament is a massive event, attracting the biggest names from the sport - but we’re also committed to investing in grass roots tennis and developing young talent, and that’s what this junior tournament is all about.   I’m really excited about the event growing year-on-year and becoming a major part of our annual sporting calendar.”

The City of Liverpool Junior Tennis Tournament.takes place at Lifestyles Tennis Centre, Wavertree. The action begins on Monday 12 February, with finals day on Saturday 17 February.

Tennis Development Officer at the city council, Richard Snelson, said:- “Liverpool’s tennis development programme is going from strength to strength, and to attract so many youngsters for our 1st ever youth tournament is the latest feather in our cap.  Liverpool is, of course, known as a football city, but we’re making fantastic progress in tennis. We’re really investing in our youngsters and we’re committed to developing home grown stars of the future.  This tournament gives everyone the chance to see Liverpool’s brightest tennis talent competing against the cream of the crop from around the North West.”

Ship & Anchor Pub Quiz

OUR editor Patrick Trollope and Mark Lee where at the Ship and Anchor Pub on Cable St, in Southport on Sunday 11 February 2007 conducing the second quiz night.   Questions where given out on all types of topics from national and international news to local news, music and sport.  As well as a few general knowledge questions, just put in to baffle some of the teams.

If you want to enter a team, it only costs 50p a player, so it is a cheep and fun way to spend a Sunday night.  If you did not get to this one, well the next one will be held at the same venue, on Sunday 25 February 2007.   From around 7:30pm to around 9:30pm. If late we might be able to get you up to speed....

The prizes will be:-   Winning team - 1 large juge of beer and ˝ of the cash taken for entering the quiz, so the more people who enter the more cash you win!  For the worst their will be a Booby Prize!