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YHA
warns North West parents - 'when school's out, crime could be in'
ENSURING the North West's
kids are as busy as possible could be key to keeping many of them
out of trouble during the summer holidays, claims YHA (England and
Wales). The national youth hostel charity is now targeting concerned
parents with news of its Do it 4 Real residential summer camp
programme for 10 - 19 year olds.
Worryingly, a survey by StreetChance found that teenage boredom was
a primary cause for the riots in London last summer. It also found
that the majority of kids get bored only half way through holidays
and two thirds admit to lying to parents about what they do during
the holidays.
YHA has run its hugely successful Do it 4 Real residential camps -
Action Adventure, Go eXtreme, Performing Arts and Future Leader -
since 2005, with more 60,000 young people experiencing them during
this time. Activities on the camps include gorge climbing, film
making, quad biking, archery and raft building.
Do it 4 Real camps also give the
region's young people the opportunity to achieve the John Muir
Award, an environmental award scheme focused on wild places. It
encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment,
in a spirit of fun, adventure and exploration. Additionally, YHA's
Future Leader Do it 4 Real camp counts towards the residential
expedition element of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.
Caroline White, YHA (England and Wales) Chief Executive, commented:-
"For many parents, the six week school break is one long
headache to ensure their teenagers are both entertained and have
adequate adult supervision. The great thing about YHA's Do it 4 Real
camps is that parents can be confident their children are being
looked after in a safe, fun and challenging environment. At the same
time, their youngsters are being given the opportunity to try new
activities, face new challenges, learn new skills and make new
friends. Without fail they grow in confidence. It is no surprise the testimonials from young people
and their parents about YHA's Do it 4 Real camps are glowing."
Recently YHA was praised by Tim Loughton MP, the Parliamentary Under
Secretary of State for Children and Families. He said:- "YHA,
and the hands-on experiences it offers children through its Youth
Hostel network, gives young people real life experience. It triggers
their imagination, encourages teamwork and really brings them out of
their shells. It is a great example of the National Citizen Service
in action."
Do it 4 Real camps are run at 6 YHA locations in the East Midlands,
Lake District, Heart of England, Midlands and South West. Prices
start from £270 for a 4 night, 5 day residential Do it 4 Real camp.
Prices include all snacks and meals, instruction and activities.
Payment plans are also available.
For details of YHA's Do it 4 Real camps contact:- 01629 592 530 or
visit:-
doit4real.co.uk.
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EU cuts mobile
charges again
LOCAL Euro MP Brian Simpson
has taken part in a vote in the European Parliament that will see
the price of using a mobile phone whilst travelling abroad within
the EU slashed.
From 1 July 2012, charges for calls will be reduced to a maximum of
29 cents per minute and texts will cost no more than 9 cents per
message. Prices will continue to drop and by July 2014 it will cost
no more than 19 cents a minute to call and 6 cents per message to
text.
Brian Simpson MEP said:- "It is about time that we tackled the
ridiculous roaming costs levied on people travelling abroad within
the EU. It shouldn't cost the earth to call Wigan from Warsaw, or
Preston from Paris. Companies have got away with charging far more
than necessary, for no other reason than pure profit. The new rules
will be in place in time to help people going on holiday in other
parts of the EU, and will also help reduce costs for tourists coming
to the North West this summer."
Mr Simpson not only voted to reduce charges for calls and texts, he
also supported a reduction to data roaming costs, which will be
capped at 70 cents per MB from 1 July, falling to 20 cents by 1 July
2014.
"More and more people are using phones with internet facilities, but
until now have faced astronomical charges for downloading whilst
abroad. By putting a cap in place, we can help ensure people aren't
surprised by a massive bill for surfing online."
In addition, the new legislation will include 'bill-shock
protection', so people will receive a warning text if their
phone bill exceeds 50 Euros whilst they are abroad.
Mr Simpson also said:- "Labour MEPs believe that there is no
reason for roaming charges to exist at all, but unfortunately right
wing MEPs have blocked our efforts to get rid of these charges all
together. I know that roaming costs can be a serious problem for
constituents travelling in Europe, and I will continue to campaign
for a complete end to these charges. In the meantime I am delighted
that we have successfully reduced the call tariffs that local people
will face when abroad. Labour Euro MPs are on the side of consumers
and we want to see our constituents fully benefit from EU consumer
laws. Reduced call charges are just a drop in the ocean when it
comes to the countless advantages we can achieve in Europe."
Also adding to the comments was Liberal Democrat MEP for North West
England, Chris Davies who also voted for the new package of cost
cutting measures. Davies said:- "Everyone relies on being able
to use their phones whether they are at home or away on business
trips or on holiday. With the price of everything else increasing it
is good that MEPs have taken action to keep the cost of keeping in
touch down within the borders of the EU. With the proliferation of
iPads and with people needing to access the internet wherever they
go, the new limits on data charges will bring relief from shocking
bills for millions of holidaymakers and travellers. If mobile
providers were prepared to be responsible there would be no need for
this legislation but as long as big companies want to rip off
consumers the EU will step in."
Attempt burglary in Waddicar Lane,
Melling
MERSEYSIDE Police are
appealing for witnesses following an attempt burglary at a
newsagents in Melling on Sunday, 6 May 2012. Officers from the force
were called to McColls newsagents on Waddicar Lane following the
incident which happened at around 10pm when 3 men with their faces
covered attempted to gain entry to the shop. They failed to get into
the premises and left the scene empty-handed in a black Ford C-Max
parked nearby. The 2 shop workers were not injured during the
incident but were left very shaken. It is thought that one of the
men may have been in possession of a hammer. The offenders then
drove off down Waddicar Lane in the direction of Aintree at high
speed with no lights on. It is believed that the same car had been
seen earlier that evening around the Rainbow Drive and Liddell
Avenue areas of Melling. Officers have been conducting
house to house enquiries, seeking CCTV footage and have carried out
forensic examination of the scene. DC Adrian Jones said that:-
"This was an upsetting experience for the 2 staff members and we are
appealing to the community to help us find those responsible and put
them before the courts. Merseyside Police takes these kinds of
incidents extremely seriously and our officers are working hard to
identify the offenders. We ask anyone who may have seen a black Ford
C-Max with at least three male occupants in the Melling area on
Sunday night to call us in case they have information that could
help the investigation." Anyone with information is
asked to call DC Adrian Jones at Marsh Lane CID on:- 0151 777 3055,
or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111. |
