Triumph for Southport MEP

SOUTHPORT Lib Dem Euro-MP Chris Davies is celebrating news today that a funding mechanism he introduced will lead to over €3 billion being; put into new clean energy technologies across Europe.

The European Commission announced that financial support for 23 innovative projects has been agreed.

Money from a fund known as the NER300 scheme, steered into law by Davies, will put €1.2 billion into technologies to test renewable energy generation. The investment will lever in an additional €2 billion of private sector investment.

2 major UK schemes to test the viability of tidal power will be amongst the projects that will qualify for financial support.

Davies said that he hoped the massive investment by the EU to promote new technology would help secure energy supplies for the future and bring down carbon dioxide levels in the future.

He explained that the money would not come from the EU budget but from the sale of surplus allowances within Europe's emissions trading system.

"Energy bills and carbon dioxide emissions are a giant worry to people in Southport and innovation will eventually bring energy prices and climate change under control.  There are very few people in public life who can claim to have secured nearly £1 billion of investment to develop technologies for the future. I know that this is the greatest achievement of my political life."

NER300 funding is based on the income of the European Emissions Trading Scheme in which the sale of the 300 million allowances (which each provide the right to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide) forms the New Entrants Reserve.

Local family's ‘Christmas Charity Shop' raises money for local cancer care facilities

A family from Merseyside raised nearly £1,500 for local cancer care facilities by selling Christmas cards, decorations, toys, clothes and household goods.

In the run up to Christmas, Rose and Keith Fairhurst added to the season's festive cheer by setting up a Christmas Charity Shop. The shop in Wallasey, raised funds for people suffering from Cancer and Crohn's Disease and Colitis, a subject very close to the hearts of Rose and Graham.

Keith said:- "We have been fundraising for many years, after our son Graeme lost his battle with cancer in 2009 at the age of 30. Graeme also suffered from Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis which affected his social life and meant Graeme often spent long periods of time in hospital."

Working closely with the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and consultant gastroenterologist John Rhodes, the family have established a charity called ‘3C'. Their aims are to raise awareness of people living with the 3C's; Cancer, Crohn's Disease and Colitis and also to funds for a new centre in the Royal for young patients with either of the ‘3Cs'.

Keith said:- "We want to provide modern facilities for young patients living with Cancer, Crohn's and Colitis to receive treatment in more comfortable surroundings. We want to help them lead as normal a life as possible, improving their social experience with a new facility for the new Royal, kitted out with a recreation area with comfy sofas and laptops."

To date the family have raised around £23,000 towards their target of £40,000.

Rose said:- "We want to thank the people of Wallasey for their support, they have been fantastic once again! We would also like to thank everyone who has donated goods to us, we truly couldn't have done it without you. We are looking forward to work starting on the new Royal next year and continuing to raise money in memory of our dear son Graeme."

For more information please visit:- cancercrohnscharity.com.

Counterfeit Alert

THE UK Border Force have issued a warning over web bargains after they have seen a massive rise in counterfeit goods being sent into the UK over the run-up to Christmas. The UK Border Force said reported to the UK press that it has seized 58,000 parcels and packets at the International Postal Depot in Coventry, since the start of October 2012. They also said that "almost all of the sized items were destined for individual UK addresses." Border officers added that:- "These items are most likely to have been sent to people trying to buy Christmas presents at a bargain price. Among the goods seized so far have been were fake Armani and Cartier watches, jewellery and counterfeit clothing and footwear, including Ugg Boots, Louis Vuitton Handbags and Nike Sportswear." After seizing £12 million in counterfeit goods in the UK Border Force as told the media that "all the counterfeit goods that have been sized are destroyed. We are not responsible for telling the buyers their goods have been seized and the buyers are likely to lose their money." However, the Border Force does sometimes pass on the buyers' details to the brand-name companies whose goods they ordered, so they can then be given the chance to buy the genuine article instead. Border officers are permanently based at the UK's massive national postal distribution centre and use scanning equipment to sort the fake goods from the genuine goods. Ria Baxendale, Border Force assistant director at Coventry International Hub, said:- "It is easy to think you are getting a bargain, but our message is that if something appears too good to be true, it probably is. You could end up out of pocket - but even worse, you could end up with a fake product that is inferior and could be harmful or unsafe." Home Office minister Mark Harper said cheap counterfeits were a threat to the British economy, and at worst unsafe. "Shoppers should take great care when buying online to avoid being ripped-off, and further fuelling this illegal trade."

Hillsborough developments - statement from Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson

AFTER the by the High Court, on Wednesday, 19 December 2012, to quash the original Hillsborough inquest verdicts and an announcement that a fresh Police investigation is to be held into the disaster, Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:- "This is a watershed moment on the road to justice for the families of the 96, and I share their overwhelming relief that, after 23 very painful years, the inquest versions have been quashed. It is the only right and proper decision that the High Court could make in the wake of the overwhelming and compelling evidence uncovered by the Hillsborough Independent Panel. We must all keep up the pressure that has driven the momentum over the last few months to make sure that the families get the justice they deserve. I also welcome the new police investigation, which we all hope will result in those that played a role in causing the disaster and the monumental cover up are brought to account."

CHRISTMAS CHEER AT HAYDOCK PARK AHEAD OF THE LAST FLING OF 2012

HAYDOCK Park stages 2 more popular jump racing fixtures before the bells ring in the New Year. The racecourse hosts Blue Square Bet Tommy Whittle Chase day on the Saturday before Christmas and the popular Last Fling day on Sunday 30 December which always attracts many families over the festive period. The focus on 22 December 2012, is very much on the quality of the sport, with the principal race being the £32,500 Blue Square Bet Tommy Whittle Chase run over 3 miles. The meeting on 30 December includes The Last Fling Steeple Chase. The race is sponsored by Classic Lodges Limited, run over three and a half miles and commemorates one of the most popular horses to race at Haydock Park. Northern trainer Sue Smith; who trained The Last Fling; has a good record in the race, having saddled 2 of its winners. Racing starts on Saturday, 22 December 2012, at 12.10pm and on Sunday, 30 December 2012, at 12.20pm. Admission: Premier £45; County Stand £30; Tattersalls £20; Newton £13. All accompanied under 18s are admitted free of charge. More information about racing at Haydock Park can be found online where tickets can be purchased online.