FATAL RTC ON THE M53

MERSEYSIDE Police are now appealing for information following a fatal road traffic collision on the M53 junction 3. Officers were called just before 10pm on Sunday, 26 September 2010, when a 33 year old woman was in collision with a number of vehicles on the Liverpool bound carriageway of the motorway. The M53 in that area was closed off for a period of time whilst investigations were on-going and officers are working to establish how the woman came to be on the roadway. All drivers stopped at the scene and are assisting police with their enquiries. Officers would urge anyone who was travelling in the area, who has any information about this collision to contact Merseyside Police Roads Policing Unit on:- 0151 777 5771.

Cannabis farm, Knowsley Road, Southport

MERSEYSIDE Police are investigating after a cannabis farm was discovered at a flat on Knowsley Road in Southport.  The cannabis plants were discovered by a council officer at the property on 27 September 2010.  Police officers were called to the scene to determine the extent of production of the Class B drug.  Neighbourhood Inspector for the area, Tony Jones, said officers welcomed the help of the public in the crackdown on cannabis production and drug crime in general.  He said:- "This discovery on Knowsley Road means more drugs have been taken off the streets and we are grateful for any information we get from the public to help us in this. If you see anything suspicious, such as people coming and going from a flat that appears to be empty, or people taking large amounts of compost into a property, they should contact the police straight away - it could be vital."  If you would like to pass on information you think might be useful to Merseyside Police, you can call Crime Stoppers, anonymously on:- 0800 555111. You can email the neighbourhood team in Southport on:- b.bcu.wards.b6@merseyside.police.uk.

 Merseyside Hospital Welcomes Dutch Invasion

A group of top Dutch health professionals descended upon a Merseyside hospital this week as part of an annual visit to study Europe’s best methods of caring for patients.

The group of 23 experts, drawn from hospitals across the Netherlands, visited University Hospital Aintree. The visit is part of an annual development programme, where the group visit an area of health care excellence in Europe. The group chose University Hospital Aintree to look at its innovative information technology which includes its new electronic patient records system. Based on System C’s Medway software, this system helps Dr’s and nurses provide safer and more effective care.

As part of their visit they also found out about how the Trust is using ‘dashboards’ to help improve performance in a variety of areas.

Dr John Hollingsworth from the Emergency Department at Aintree said:- “We always aim to provide the best care we can at Aintree, which includes using the best technology and the most advanced systems to help us deliver quality care. To be recognised in another country for this, and to host a visit of Dutch health care professionals, speaks volumes about the high level of service we are delivering at Aintree.

Bob Smith, a Medical Manager who was on the visit, said:- “Each year we visit an area of healthcare excellence in Europe. We were told about Aintree Hospital in Liverpool and how staff were using technology to help patients; by reducing the amount of time they had to spend in hospital, but also the quality of the service they received. Our visit today has definitely given us plenty of useful ideas to take pack to Holland and use in our own medical practices.”

Ward Priestman, Director of Informatics said:- “We have always been proud of the innovative culture here at Aintree, we are now seeing levels of Information Technology Excellence that is world class and enabling us to treat our patients in a safer and more timely manner.”

Cubs Are Prepared for Emergencies

BEAVER Scouts and cubs in Liverpool will Be Prepared for real emergencies thanks to a new project.

They are taking part in a project which will lead them to being awarded a special badge for emergency planning.

The youngsters will take part in different tasks including completing a family emergency plan; completing an emergency planning quiz and participating games within their own groups.

This scheme is part of a warning and informing programme developed by Liverpool City Council’s Emergency Planning Unit called Lets Get Ready Liverpool.

This highlights potential risks; including severe weather conditions, power cuts and water bursts; as well as providing some useful tips and advice on how they people can prepare themselves for emergencies

Councillor Tim Moore, City Council Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:- "I am very pleased the Beaver Scouts and Cubs are getting involved in the Let’s Get Ready Liverpool programme. With their motto of Be Prepared what could be more appropriate? And they are also strongly associated with working together in a common cause, caring for the environment and the communities in which they live. It is also important that we get these messages get over to young children and I am sure they will be keen to gain this new badge."

Helen Hannigan, Group Scout Leader at the 12th Fairfield Group says:- "It's great that the city council recognises the important role Scouting plays in developing young people to become responsible citizens within their communities. Introducing emergency planning skills to such an early age group can only be a good thing and Let's Get Ready is a fun way of doing this."

Unmissable Waterloo Flea Market!

THE Friends of Old Christ Church are holding a myriad of stalls galore selling Unusual, Unique, but their Unwanted items that could be just what you have been looking for at Unbelievable prices. The Waterloo Flea Market will be held on Saturday, 2 October 2010, between 9am to 1pm at Christ Church, Endsliegh Road, Waterloo, Liverpool. If it is raining like it is right now Old Christ Church will also be your Umbrella as it is an all indoor event. For more information of this and other event you can visit our website or if you are on Facebook look under Old Christ Church Waterloo.

Black History Month for Liverpool
Report by Rob Doyle, Plus Dane Group

MERSEYSIDE Black History Month returns on 1 October 2010 with a packed programme of events celebrating black culture and accomplishment.

Highlights of the sixth annual event include the Black Achievers Awards, 9 October 2010, at St George’s Hall, Liverpool, the Cultural Food Feast on Sunday, 17 October 2010 at Sefton Park Palm House, and a host of film nights, lectures, book launches and more.

The Black Achievers awards night is a prestigious black tie event which will be hosted by Angie LeMar, one of Britain’s top comediennes.

The night will celebrate the talent and success of Merseyside’s black community with a wide range of honours.

Among the guests will be leading members of the business and political community and high-profile figures such as Kanya King, founder of the MOBO awards, who will present the Legacy award.

The Food Feast meanwhile, which runs between noon and 6pm, offers people the chance to sample a variety of cultural cuisines free of charge. There will also be family fun activities and performances from a diverse range of local talent including poet Levi Tafari and DJ Spykatcha.

Sonia Bassey-Williams, Head of Enterprise Development for housing association Plus Dane group and chair of the event, said:- “Merseyside Black History Month exists to celebrate, inspire and advance understanding of the positive contributions that Black and culturally diversecommunities and individuals have made and continue to make on Merseyside."

Ms Bassey-Williams, who will launch the month at the Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre, on Princes Road, Liverpool 8, on 1 October 2010, added:- “There are a huge range of activities and events offering something for everyone.”

More details on how to vote and for a full programme of events visit:- merseysideblackhistory.co.uk. To buy tickets call:- 0151 707 6550.