|
"No to Violence" March 2008
SUNDAY, 31 August
2008 saw people from all around Merseyside and even further afield,
taking to the streets in protest. A march had been organised by the
National Schools Campaign, Termtime. Although this demonstration
represents just Liverpool, this is a national problem of ever
increasing proportions and was aimed at increasing awareness and
showing the government and the powers- that- be that the people
urgently wish action to be taken to deal with this issue. Termtime
are lobbying for tougher sentences but also for more constructive
things for young people to do as much of the negative behaviour
stems from boredom. Termtime is also there to advise and runs its
own magazine containing much factual information in palatable form.
Their message to youngsters and also to their families is, Don’t be
afraid to talk. If children can’t talk to family or schools,
Termtime are willing to listen. It seeks to get people actively
engaged in pursuing a solution.
It was heartening to see teenagers and young adults join those of
older generations to stand up and say NO to Violence, and taking an
active stance in the community. The miserable weather undoubtedly
will have deterred some that might otherwise have joined the march
but, despite the rain, the campaigners strode out briskly from the
concourse of the Anglican Cathedral, through the city streets down
to finish in Derby Square. There they, and others who had joined
them, were addressed by the organisers and then, eloquently, by a
lady who has suffered the tragic experience of losing a child to
knife crime. She stated that raising awareness was essential and
campaigns such as this did that. She exhorted all parents to talk to
their children about knife crime and violence, and if their children
had a knife it was their responsibility to deal with it!
Schools also had a part top play, especially in relation to raising
drug and alcohol awareness. We were all in this together. She
commented that both victims and offenders were getting younger and
younger but that the majority of young people are decent and want
things to improve. It is only a small minority who seek to bully,
threaten and kill. Now youths are themselves making a stand. They
want violence off the streets. "You are the future",
she said; she was proud of them, doing
something like coming on the march, to make their voices heard -
"NO to Violence!"
We also heard from Alex Holmes, now in his 20s, who was bullied
himself at school but bravely decided whilst still a pupil to do
something constructive about it. He sees bullying as a root cause of
the escalating violence we are seeing today. We must change this
culture now. After leaving school he joined with MTV in a Beat the
Bully campaign, aided by Dame Kelly Holmes (no relation). The young
need positive peers as visible role models to empower them. Schools
could help by teaching life skills and reinforcing positive
behaviour. Government should make funds available for this to be
done in after-school projects too. Everyone has a part to play in
tackling this problem.
Next to address the crowd was Dean Sullivan, ex-Brookside actor, on
behalf of City Talk, who remarked that it was unbelievable that
people were still facing bullying today but that they need not face
the problem alone. The day’s meeting showed that such support was
really there waiting. He later added that he was pleased to be able
to help the campaign.
The meeting finished with the familiar, and appropriate,
"You’ll Never Walk Alone" and there was a petition to be
signed, for presentation to Downing Street.
Click
here to see more photographs
taken at this event.
For further information about the campaign and/or for advice and
assistance, log on to
www.termtime.com.
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
---
MORE NEWS REPORTS BELOW --- |
|
Rosetta spacecraft meets asteroid Steins |
|
HAVE YOUR SAY ON LIVERPOOL’S NEW PUBLIC ART MURAL CELEBRATING THE LINKS BETWEEN LIVERPOOL AND IRELAND |
|
Letters to the Editor:-
"New martial arts club in Southport" |
|
Southport Vue
Film Showing
Times |
|
Charity family fun day to get the heart beat racing in Birkenhead |
|
THE 8th WONDER OF THE WORLD COMES TO LIVERPOOL |
|
EDGE HILL JUDGED TO BE ‘OUTSTANDING’ |
|
WRVS launch 2 new fruit and vegetable co-operatives in Southport |
|
Family fun at Transport through the Ages |
|
PARENT & TODDLER GROUP STARTING IN ST. GABRIEL’S WARD 6th SEPTEMBER AT THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE, HUYTON |
|
All systems go for Alsop school |
|
SOUTHPORT BOY STEPS FORWARD TO MAKE A GREAT SAVE AT MANCHESTER CITY |
|
Fire & Rescue 2008 |
|
BT EMPLOYEES IN NORTH WEST REWARDED FOR WORKING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES |
|
NO SEX PLEASE, WE’RE SNACKING |
|
St. Helens in diabetes walk |
|
RAIL STRATEGY SIGNALS A BETTER RAILWAY FOR LANCASHIRE AND CUMBRIA |
|
Mathew Street Music Festival 2008 - Photographic Report Part 2 |
|
The true meaning of green |
|
Popular Saturday Morning Classes return! |
|
Beatles Story announces The Beatles in India festival! |
|
PEOPLE IN MERSEYSIDE URGED TO SIGN UP FOR THE START LINE |
|
Craven Minor JFL New 2008/09 Season |
|
CREAMFIELDS 2008 |
|
"No to Violence"
March 2008 |
|
International Firefighters’ Games |
|
Lord Street brought to a standstill |
|
Southport Flower Show 2008 - Part 2 |
|
Battle of the Sexes Charity Night! |
|
This weeks Funny - Dooms Day! |
|
BBC Children in Need |
|
BOOST TO WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHPORT |
|
Missing - Ron Ferris
MERSEYSIDE
Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of a 76
year old man called Ron Ferris, who has been missing since 7pm on
Thursday, 28 August 2008.
Ron was last seen outside the Iceland store on Marion Way, Netherton,
by his wife, who was shopping in the store.
Ron suffers from a mild form of Alzheimer's and has a black terrier
puppy, called Poppy, with him. The puppy is tagged with a contact
number. He has been missing all night, and there is significant
concern for his welfare.
Ron is described as white, 5ft 7" tall and of slim build, with
grey/blue eyes and short white hair, and a Liverpool accent. He was
wearing grey trousers, a grey cardigan and a green body warmer.
Ron is known to visit Marion Way, Marion Park, the canal from
Cooksons Bridge to Swifts Lane, Rimrose Valley Park, the Strand
Shopping Centre Bootle and the Bootle area in general.
Merseyside Police would urge Ron or anyone who has any information
regarding his whereabouts are being asked to call Merseyside Police
on 0151 777 4100. |
|
|
|
|
