MUSEUM OF LIVERPOOL SELECTED AS A FINALIST FOR PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL AWARD

THE Museum of Liverpool, designed by 3XN Architects, has beaten strong competition to be a finalist in the Public Building of the Year (In Design) category in the prestigious LEAF Awards 2007. 

The winners will be unveiled at a glamorous black-tie dinner on 29 November 2007 at the distinguished Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London, hosted by Maxwell Hutchinson a past president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), renowned architect and TV and radio broadcaster. Hundreds of well known and up and coming international architects will be present at this spectacular dinner.

The LEAF Awards 2007 have set a new record, receiving their highest ever number of entries for their eleven categories that include the International Building of the Year, Young Architect of the Year and Structural Design of the Year. Entries have been received from 33 countries including Australia, Mexico, Japan, China, India and even Kazakhstan.

The LEAF Awards, now in its fourth year, recognises excellence within the architectural and design fields with architects from all over Europe eligible to enter. Former winners include: America’s Cup Foredeck Building, Valencia, Spain; The Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Canada and The Green Building, Manchester, UK.

Simona Kastly, project director for the LEAF Awards, said:- “The level of entries for this category was extremely high and it is a great testimonial to the Museum of Liverpool that it has been selected as a finalist. This year saw a record number of entries, all of an exceptional standard, and the evening promises to be one to remember with the excitement of the awards.” 

MENINGITIS ALERT AS CLOCKS GO BACK FOR WINTER

AS the clocks go back and the nights draw in, leading meningitis charity, the Meningitis Trust is warning people to watch out for the signs and symptoms of this life-threatening disease.

Sue Davie, Chief Executive of the Meningitis Trust, which is celebrating its 21st anniversary this month says:- "Every year we see an increase in cases of meningitis over the winter months. Nearly 60% of the most serious bacterial types occur between now and March, and although the disease affects all ages, over half of those cases will be in children under 5  Fighting common infections like colds and flu weakens our immune systems leaving us all more vulnerable to meningitis. People are also at increased risk as in Winter we tend to spend more time indoors and in closer proximity to others, which means germs are spread more easily."

The early symptoms of meningitis can easily be mistaken for those of flu and include fever, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright light, drowsiness, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion and in some, but not all cases, a rash. Symptoms can appear in any order and not all appear at once if at all.

Sue continues:- "Worryingly, the symptoms can easily look like other, less serious conditions. With Winter upon us it is all the more important to err on the side of caution, be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis, and seek medical attention as a matter of urgency if you suspect the disease."

Meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning) can affect anyone at any time and can kill within hours. Survivors can be left with disabling after-effects, including brain damage, deafness and, where septicaemia has occurred, loss of limbs.

The Meningitis Trust, which has been rebuilding lives shattered by the disease for more than 2 decades, provides free signs and symptoms cards to the public. The life-saving card is designed to fit inside your wallet and displays the signs and symptoms of meningitis. The Trust currently gives out more than 1 million cards each year, but as it celebrates its 21st anniversary this month, it's urging more people than ever to request one and carry it at all times. The card is available free from the Meningitis Trust's 24-hour, freephone, nurse led help line on 0800 028 18 28.