Vessels on the River
Mersey
IT has been confirmed that an
investigation is under way after a Mersey Ferry, The Royal Daffodil
and tanker came within 60m of each other on Friday, 24 October 2009.
Merseytravel told the media that the vessels came within 60m of each
other as the ferry left the Woodside terminal. It is reported that
the ferry was on a sightseeing trip to HMS Illustrious when it came
close to the other vessel. "A major collision was avoided due
to both vessels having highly trained pilots on board. As soon as
the situation occured, both vessels took appropriate action, in
accordance with the rules of the sea. We have launched an
investigation because the vessels got closer than they would
normally be." said a spokesman for Merseytravel. After the
incident, witnesses on the ferry and on the bank of the Mersey
described hearing a horn before watching the tanker perform a sharp
right turn.
Fact point - The last incident on the
Mersey happened was back in February 2007, when a the Seacat
passenger ferry collided with a cargo ship in fog. See
archive report.
DEALERSHIP TURNS SHOWROOM INTO SANTA’S GROTTO
A local car
dealership is being turned into a Santa’s grotto for the next few
weeks – all in aid of a charitable campaign which sends
present-filled shoeboxes to needy children in developing countries.
Polar Ford in St Helens will be a drop off point for the 2009
“Operation Christmas Child” shoebox appeal. The appeal encourages
people to send some festive cheer to children less fortunate than
most, across the world.
Run in conjunction with the Samaritans Purse charity, “Operation
Christmas Child” entails filling shoeboxes with toys and gifts to
send to children around the world in hospitals, orphanages, refugee
camps, homeless shelters and impoverished neighbourhoods.
Graham Woods, general manager at Polar Ford, said:- “This is
the third year that we have taken part in the appeal. Last year we
collected 100 shoeboxes at our old showroom, each wrapped in
Christmas paper and filled with small toys, crayons, clothes and
sweets, and this year we are aiming to collect even more. It’s an
extremely worthwhile cause and we are looking forward to taking part
again this year.”
How to pack your shoebox:- Remember to make your box both fun and
educational!
All shoebox items should be new and can contain gifts such as:- Toys
in the form of Bear, soft toy, tennis ball, finger puppet, jigsaw,
yo-yo, building blocks, small musical instrument. For boys trucks
and cars, for girls dolls, clip on earrings etc.
Educational supplies:- Felt pens, pens, pencils, pencil sharpener,
eraser, colouring book, notepad, picture or puzzle book, chalk,
pencil case, stickers etc.
Hygiene items:- Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, comb, hair clips,
bar of soap, flannel etc.
Other items:- Sweets (sell by date to be at least March of the
following year), gloves, scarf, sunglasses, cap, hat, bangles,
necklaces etc.
Shoeboxes can be dropped off at the Polar Ford showroom on Sherdley
Road until Tuesday, 18 November 2009.
For further information about
the campaign and what items to include in your shoeboxes, please
contact the dealership on:- 01744 610600 or visit:-
operationchristmaschild.org.uk. |
Chocolate treats now
in store, in more shapes than one!
THE The Chocolate Cellar, Hanover
Galleries, Liverpool, is celebrating Halloween with a very unusual
approach by not only having a fantastic range of chocolates in
Halloween style, but also by holding a raffle for Cancer Research to
win a Chocolate Bra! To find out more pop in or call them on
0151 200 2202. Tickets cost £1 per ticket. to find out
more information about the shop click on
here.
"Happy Spells For
Good Fairies and Ordinary Folk"
THIS is your chance to get what
might just be a local best seller for Christmas a few days before
the Christmas rush and also get it signed! "Happy Spells For
Good Fairies and Ordinary Folk" is a fantastic book aimed at
fulfilling the personal potential. Jenny Pearce says in the book
"Banish your clouds and open the path for a brighter future for
yourself and those you hold dear. I hope to help many people to
combat their problems and reveal the true magic that the universe
has to offer by fulfilling personal potential." If you want
to know more, then pop on over to see Jenny who will be at a book
signing at The Emporium, Wayfarers Arcade on Halloween, Saturday, 31
October 2009, from 1pm. All books sold at this event will be subject
to a 10% discount. Also please note that the book is now available
on
Amazon.co.uk and all big retail
bookshops in the UK.
"Evenin' all"
Said the Police Man
WELL it is not just the removal
of the word History from some 'Departments of Past Times',
at Universities that have hit the headlines as the PC culture
continues to destroy our everyday language and customs. Now the
greeting made famous by TV character Dixon of Dock Green could be
consigned to 'times of past', as new guidelines for
police officers advises not to use the greeting. In fact, the Sunday
Telegraph on 25 October 2009, suggests police officers to take care
when referring to the time of day. According to the Sunday
Telegraph, one police force says that "evening" is a
"subjective" term that can vary depending on a
person's culture or nationality. Other words that officers are urged
to take care when using include "child" and
"homosexual". What we want to know is, has your workplace,
school, collage or university banned or advised not to use any words
or phrases like this? Email us now on
news24@southportreporter.com. |