BOLD STREET 'RESPECT WEEK'

LOCAL Southport Celebrity and NHS supporter, Kenneth Cope (famed for his role in legendary private detective TV series ‘Randall & Hopkirk'), had his blood pressure tested at the NHS Choice Roadshow in Chapel Street, Southport on 21 April 2009. The Roadshow is in town until Saturday, 25 April 2009, to let people in the Sefton area know about the choices they have when it comes to their healthcare.

The roadshow will be stopping at:-

► Chapel Street, Southport Town Centre - 10am to 6pm, Wednesday, 22 April 2009 and Thursday, 23 April 2009

► Southport Extra, Town Lane, Southport - 10am to 6pm, Friday, 24 April 2009 and Saturday, 25 April 2009

Mini roadshow events will also be taking place at the following:-

► Tuesday, 21 April 2009, 10am to 6pm – Netherton Activity Centre, Glovers Lane, Bootle and The Strand Shopping Centre, Bootle

► Wednesday, 22 April 2009, 10am to 6pm – Netherton Feel Good Factory, Glovers Lane, Bootle and The Strand Shopping Centre, Bootle

► Thursday, 23 April 2009, 10am to 6pm – Mecca Bingo, Garrick Parade, Lord Street, Southport and The Strand Shopping Centre, Bootle

► Friday, 24 April 2009, 10am to 6pm – Mecca Bingo, Garrick Parade, Lord Street, Southport and Southport Library, Lord Street, Southport

► Saturday, 25 April 2009 10am to 6pm – Boots, Chapel Street, Southport and Bootle Leisure Centre, Washington Parade, Bootle

MedicAlert bring their life-saving service to Southport!

THE Charity MedicAlert will be in Southport from the 24 April until 26 April 2009, as part of the Lions Convention being held at the Ramada Plaza Convention Centre.  MedicAlert hopes to help raise awareness of the service to many people from across the North West.  Chris Lunn from MedicAlert says:- "We have members from across the North West and many thousands in the Lancashire area. We are particularly keen to hear from health care professionals who would like to know more about our work and how to access free resources."  MedicAlert is the only registered charity that provides a life-saving service for people with hidden medical conditions and allergies.  MedicAlert Members wear a bracelet or necklet (known as an Emblem) engraved with a personal identification number, main medical condition(s) and an emergency telephone number.  Each tailor-made Emblem bears the internationally recognised symbol of the medical profession. In an emergency, medical personnel have immediate access to vital information on the back of the MedicAlert disc. By phoning the emergency number, they can also gain further medical and personal information such as your name and address, doctor’s details, current drug therapy and next of kin details. A translation service is available in more than 100 languages.  Any individuals who are interested in joining MedicAlert can visit:- www.medicalert.org.uk or call freephone:- 0800 581 420.

MOTORISTS WARNED TO LOCK IT OR LOSE IT

MERSEYSIDE Police are urging motorists to either remove completely from view any valuables or preferably take them out of the vehicle in a bid to combat car crime.

This advice follows an increase in the number of thefts from cars where items have been left on display. Once a thief has spotted an item they will either smash the rear windscreen or side windows to the car and grab what they can.

Police are urging the public to improve their security as this can deter a car thief and minimise the risk of becoming a victim of car crime.

When you leave your car:-

► Always lock and secure your car - check windows and sunroofs are closed

► Don't leave anything on display in your car - Sat Navs (including the cradle), mobile phones, laptops; coats, bags and CDs can be a target for thieves. Also remove any spare change any item suggesting there might be a item of value in the car e.g. a phone charger.

Parking:-

► Try and park in a well lit area that is not hidden from public view

► Your car can still be at risk when parked outside your house. If you have a garage, use it. If you park on the driveway, if you have them close and lock the gates leading to the driveway.

As part of our ongoing commitment to tackle the problem, your Neighbourhood Policing Team invites you to bring along your valuables (including Sat Navs (including the cradle), mobile phones, laptops, coats, bags and CDs) to Iceland, Marion Square, Netherton between 11am and 3pm on Thursday 23, April 2009 to have them security marked with UV pens. This ensures your property, should it be stolen can be identified and easily returned to you.

If you have any information on car crime or any other crime within your area please contact your Neighourhood Policing Team via 0151 709 6010 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A Rather Unusual Apprentice Joins Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR

STAFF at Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve recently met, and lost their hearts to, a very special and important new team member. A surprising reaction, perhaps, but not when the new colleague is an eight-week-old border collie puppy called Molly.

Molly has recently joined the National Nature Reserve team as an Apprentice Sheepdog. The daughter of Roy, the current World Trial Champion Dog (working dogs category), Molly brings with her some superb sheepdog heritage as well as inherent herding skills. Ainsdale’s current sheepdog, Tato, still has several years work to do before he retires, but by that time Molly should be ready to take over in a vital and highly regarded role.

The grazing of sheep plays a major role in the dune habitat management work at Ainsdale and Cabin Hill NNRs. A decline of wild grazing species on the reserve has meant an increase in scrub and coarse, woody vegetation which could swamp species-rich grasses and other dune plants. The dune ecosystem is delicate and the livestock grazing helps the dune habitats to survive, and in turn ensures that the fantastic wild flowers, amphibians and reptiles are also encouraged to flourish.

However, herding 175 sheep quickly and efficiently from one enclosure to the next can only be done with the aid of a fully trained sheepdog. Molly is currently undergoing obedience and socialisation training which every puppy undertakes, but will also be spending a significant amount of time at the Reserve to acclimatise to her surroundings, the people and, of course, the sheep. Her formal sheepdog training is expected to start at 6 to 12 months.

Alice Kimpton, Senior Reserve Manager at Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve says:- “Molly is owned by Natural England, and, along with Tato, makes her home with Tony Meadow, Reserve Warden at Ainsdale and Cabin Hill NNRs and handler for both dogs. It will be quite some time yet before Molly is fully grown and ready to take on her duties, but until then she will no doubt be the darling of the Reserve!”