Mentor ‘mates’ are marvellous

MORE than 100 Liverpool teenagers who act as role models for other young people have been rewarded later this week.  The “Youth Participation Celebration” at the Town Hall last Thursday saw certificates presented to teenagers who gave up their time to work with the Youth Service to mentor and assist other youngsters.

There were 4 groups who have been invited to the event:-

55 ‘Health Mates’ who delivered a programme of activities for children aged 8 to 13 teaching them the importance of sports, games and healthy eating. A total of 11 of the Health Mates will also be presented with ipod’s for ‘outstanding achievement’

44 ‘Street Mates’ who encourage children and teenagers to take part in after school and holiday activities through the ‘Splash’ programme

11 teenagers who developed questionnaires and diaries for more than 700 children and young people to find out what they thought of the ‘Splash’ programme

20 teenagers who took part in a confidence and team building training course entitled ‘Participate and Achieve’ to help them with their Youth Service work

Councillor Colin Eldridge, executive member for leisure and community safety, said:- “This event celebrates the work of many fantastic teenagers who are doing an incredible job making a massive difference to the lives of other young people.  They play a crucial role in helping to influence, advise and support many hundreds of children across Liverpool and have much more of an impact because they can relate to them.

Far too often we only hear a negative portrayal of young people, but here are a group of teenagers who are making a real difference to other children and having a lasting impact on their lives.  They are a credit not only to their families, but to the city as a whole.”

NEW HIGH FOR TRAINS ON TIME

THE NUMBER of Northern Rail services arriving on time in Merseyside has reached record levels over the last 7 months.  On average 95% of Northern Rail services have arrived on time since March 2007 compared to 88.2% in the year before Northern Rail began operating in December 2004.

Northern Rail services use the City Line and share that route with other passenger and freight train operators.

Jamie Ross, Area Director, Northern Rail said:- “We have worked really hard to achieve this high level of punctuality and it has helped us to attract 10% more customers to the City Line in 2006/07 compared to the previous year.  We have worked in partnership with Merseytravel to meet that growing demand by providing 250,000 more seats every year, by replacing 4 Class 142 units (some of the oldest rolling stock in our fleet) with 6 newer and higher quality trains.  This is great news for customers but we are determined to keep improving.”

Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, Merseyside’s Passenger Transport Authority, said:- “These figures are very pleasing. The people of Merseyside want and deserve regular, punctual, good quality rail services and we are working hard with Northern Rail to ensure they get it.”

Councillor Chris Blakeley, Chair of Merseytravel’s Rail Services Committee, added:- “Our investment in better rolling stock on the City Line is beginning to pay off and we hope the service continues to go from strength to strength.

This is a great platform from which to build on further.”

Badger Baiting Dog Left Behind On The Wirral

THE RSPCA is looking for the owners of a dog, left behind after they were caught setting him on a badger on the Wirral.  2 men, walking their dogs, stumbled across the scene in woodland in Puddington, at about 6pm on Sunday evening. Hearing screaming, they went to see what was going on and found 2 youths encouraging four dogs to enter a badger's set, and attack the animal.

RSPCA inspector Nadine Pengilly said:- "1 of the men ran after the youths, but they managed to escape. The other wrestled with the dogs to get them off the badger."

3 of the dogs, all Staffy-Patterdale cross-breeds, made off with their owners, but the man managed to keep hold of the 4th. He took it home and phoned the RSPCA.

Nadine said:- "He's a very distinctive dog, a young male, and really lovely. He's been treated for facial injuries at the vets but otherwise he's okay."

The youths are described as aged between 16 and 20 years old, white, and were wearing black tracksuits. "In a village like Puddington, they would have stood out. They must have had some local knowledge to find the set in the first place, but I suspect they are visitors to the area and may have had a car waiting nearby," said Nadine.

It is illegal to take, kill or injure a badger, interfere with a set, or be in possession of any part of a badger under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. There is a presumption of guilt under the legislation, which carries a maximum of a 6-month prison sentence and/or a £5,000 fine.

Nadine said:- "According to the two men, the badger disappeared underground in all the commotion. We've no way of knowing how badly hurt it was during the attack, but the fact that it got away is hopefully a good sign."

Anyone who think they saw or know the youths, or recognise the seized dog, should call the 24-hour RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.