Want a drink? Then don't drive

THE IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) has this week issued a simple reminder to keep safe on the road this Christmas:- "If you are going to drive, then don't drink, if you are going to drink, don't drive.  "

With the seasons festivities upon us between Christmas parties and family get-togethers we can all get a bit carried away.  Christmas can be a time of overindulgence and the odd tipple to toast the festive season is too easy. 

The IAM says that even the smallest amount of alcohol can affect a driver's ability to drive.  People's tolerances to alcohol are different depending on factors such as their weight, metabolism, gender, age, what they have eaten, their stress levels and the amount of alcohol they have taken.

So remember that house party measures will be much larger than those typically served in pubs.  A driver who thinks that they will have had "just one" could be very much over the drink-drive limit and be unaware of it.

Alcohol remains in your system the next day and for how long depends on all of the factors mentioned above.  Make a point of  leaving your car keys at home if you are going to a party.  Unless you have more alternative transport arrangements, those car keys may tempt you to get behind the wheel when you shouldn't.

St Helens Schools Invited to Enter Makeover Competition to Win a Learning Space for the Future!

NORTHGATE Education (northgate-is.com/education) has joined forces with the Building Schools Exhibition and Conference (BSEC) to offer students in St Helens the chance to win a classroom makeover as part of the exciting new ‘Design My Learning Space’ competition launched this month (December 08).

Students in years 5, 6, 7 and 8 in St Helens are challenged to come up with a design for an innovative new classroom for their school.  The right learning environment can make a real difference to delivering better learning outcomes, and even bigger benefits can be seen when young people play an active role in shaping their own space.  The competition provides an opportunity for pupils to develop a concept for a learning space, with one winning team of designers seeing their scheme implemented in their school by Northgate Education, EC Harris and Wates Construction.

All entries will form part of a major exhibition to be held at BSEC 2009 at Manchester Central showcasing the work of budding young designers.  The winning team and top two runners up will also be invited to attend the conference on Thursday 12th February where they will be awarded their prizes by Jim Knight, Minister of State for Schools and Learners, Department of Children, Schools and Families.

Competition sponsor, David Hyland, Managing Director of Northgate Education commented:- “We are delighted to be working so closely with students as part of this competition, student opinion is vitally important so that we continue to engage excite and motivate learners.  Technology is a hugely significant part of education today, through innovative resources and modern technologies we encourage new styles of teaching and learning.”

To enter the competition, participants must submit a design for a learning space (no bigger than A3) accompanied by either a 200 word explanation, and/or a video or powerpoint presentation outlining why winning the make-over will make a difference to the pupils and their school.

Rob Lozowski, Event Director for the Design My Learning Space competition commented:- “This competition has been created to encourage pupils to take an active and positive role in creating their own environment in which to learn.  This exciting new competition provides a unique opportunity for pupils to be recognised for developing an innovative classroom design and use solution.  When it comes to selecting the winning entry, the judges will be particularly interested to see evidence of young people working effectively as a team and incorporating ICT into their design."

The deadline for entries is Monday, 19 January 2009.  Each school can deliver up to ten entries.  To register your intention to participate in the competition and to receive more detailed guidance for teachers and pupils please contact Gill Wilson via phone on:- 0151 236 2351 or email:- gillian.wilson@echarris.com and send your entries complete with contact details for the school and the names and ages of the pupils involved to:-

Gillian Wilson
EC Harris LLP
Silkhouse Court
Tithebarn Street
Liverpool
Merseyside
L2 2LZ

NEW TITANIC WRECK EXHIBITS
Merseyside Maritime Museum

FASCINATING objects salvaged from around the wreck of the Titanic 2.5 miles down on the ocean floor are new attractions at the Merseyside Maritime Museum.

The exhibits are a wrist watch, spectacles, a White Star Line cup, lead ventilation grill, a gold wristwatch, five tie pins and a five dollar banknote.

When the Titanic sank on 15 April 1912, with the loss of 1,500 lives, she broke up as she plunged down into the depths.  The bow and stern sections of the wreck lie 1,970 ft apart surrounded by debris scattered far and wide.

Numerous expeditions have been down to the wreck since Dr Bob Ballard first discovered it in 1985 after an exhaustive search.  The Titanic’s salvors later presented the above items to the Liverpool and London Steamship Protection and Indemnity Association which has loaned them to the museum.

The Association - based in Water Street, Liverpool, at the time - settled compensation claims from crew and passengers in the traumatic aftermath of the liner’s sinking.  It was founded in 1881 by legendary White Star chief Thomas Ismay with other steamship owners from the two ports. 

Dr Alan Scarth, curator of the Titanic exhibition, says:- “These objects are very evocative of the most famous shipwreck of all time.  The personal items are particularly moving because they represent the terrible human cost of the disaster.”

You are invited to preview the exhibits at 1030 hours this Monday 15 December 2008.  Please report to the Merseyside Maritime Museum information desk on the ground floor foyer – Dr Alan Scarth will be available for interviews.

The new exhibits go on display in the museum’s Titanic, Lusitania and the Forgotten Empress exhibition from this Friday, 19 December 2008.

Merseyside Maritime Museum Albert Dock, Liverpool Admission FREE

Open 10am to 5pm every day Information 0151 478 4499

Website:- www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk.

Kids party at Liverpool Town Hall

UP to 200 of Liverpool’s most deserving youngsters attended a party on Tuesday, 16 December 2008 at Liverpool's Town Hall.

Atomic Kitten singer Natasha Hamilton, football coach Sammy Lee and Hollyoaks star Loui Batley where among the guests at the Lord Mayor’s Childrens Christmas Party at the Town Hall.

The event had been organised by the Lord Mayor’s Office in conjunction with celebrity hairdresser, Herbert Howe.  It was funded by Queenie’s Christmas, the charity which he set up in memory of his late mother three years ago.

Lord Mayor, Cllr Steve Rotheram, said:- “This is a great way of celebrating the magic of Christmas and allowing hundreds of Liverpool’s most deserving youngsters to rub shoulders with the stars.

I would like to thank Herbert for his generosity in funding this event.  I know the party will be a glitzy affair that will bring a smile to hundreds of children's faces.”

Herbert Howe said:- “My late mum used to absolutely love the festive season and this is exactly the type of party she would have really enjoyed.

Last year’s party was a great success and I was determined to do it again.”

Children attending the event enjoyd a festive buffet and where entertained by clowns, face painters, balloon artists, a disco with full animated puppets.  Naturally, their was an appearance by Father Christmas.

For more information about Queenie’s Christmas, log on to www.queenieschristmas.co.uk.

Update - Arts in Prescot

"A merry Christmas to all of you all from Arts in Prescot. We would like to say as usual a big thank-you for your continuing support.  Our Christmas Concert will be our last event for 2008 and featuring Knowsley Youth Orchestra, Prescot Parish Church Choir, Prescot Methodist Choir, singer-songwriter Rachael Dunn & other guest artists.  The event will be held on Thursday, 18 December 2008, 7.30pm at the Our Lady & St Joseph's Catholic Church, West Street/Vicarage Place, Prescot.  Tickets £3 on the door.  www.artsinprescot.org.uk"