SOUTHPORT BOYS SHARE MORE THAN A BREW

AFTER a period of working hard a time at 'stand easy' has provided many a sailor with a well earned break. Used to describe the most relaxed stance when on parade, or a specific planned period of rest, sailors at HMS Sultan are used to going down to 'The Haven', part of the establishment's chaplaincy, for rest and recuperation, but for one Southport born sailor the ritual currently holds an extra twist.

Leading Engineering Technician (MESM) John Conroy, 34, who is currently on the Petty Officer Qualifying Course, is working in the same establishment as his uncle, Royal Navy chaplain, the Rev Ernie Grimshaw who is also from Southport.

Ernie, 56, joined the Royal Navy as a chaplain in the year 2000 following several successful appointments within parishes ministering within the Methodist Church and has since served within numerous ships and submarines, including 2 years aboard HMS ALBION in the USA and Persian Gulf.

Inspired, it didn't take long for John to follow his uncle into the Royal Navy. Initially joining HMS RALEIGH as a phase 1 trainee in the summer of 2003, John has forged a healthy career serving around the world as a submariner within the Marine Engineering branch.

When finding out they would be in the same Establishment Ernie said:- "It's great to have John working alongside me in the same establishment. This is the first time it's happened but sadly this is my last draft of a really enjoyable career. I love that despite the fact John is a grown man I am still able to tease him and tell him that he needs to behave."

Both men are former pupils of Birkdale High School and although Ernie now lives in London John still lives in Southport with his wife, Sarah, and children Erynn 4 and Lily 1. John said:- "I joined the Navy to see the World, but it's always good to go home to Southport."

Ernie is married to Nicky and the pair have 2 grown up children Sara 31 and Laura 27.

Vikings sign Liam Carberry

WIDNES Vikings are delighted to announce the signing of Liam Carberry from Wigan Warriors, on a 1 year contract.  The strong-running hooker or loose forward is a former Bold Miners ARLFC player and has also represented England at U18's level.  20 year old Liam admits that the opportunity to finally join forces with the Vikings was an offer too good to refuse on this occasion, commenting:- "I'm really pleased to have signed for Widnes. They are a club who have always had a strong interest in me and to tell you the truth, I almost signed for them 2 years ago. To finally get the chance to put pen to paper and pay them back for their keenness, is something I was delighted to do. I'm confident that settling in will be pretty easy and I'm hoping to feel as comfortable as possible from day one. I can't wait to get started and fortunately, I already know a few of the lads at the club and they all talk really highly of the place. The facilities at Widnes are fantastic, from the pitch that you can play on and train on all year round, to the equipment they've got in the gym. Everything is in one place and that can only benefit us and bring out the best in us, as players. Denis Betts has done a lot for the club over the past few years and I've no doubt that there is still plenty more to come from him and the team. It's exciting to realise that I am going to be a part of the set-up at Widnes and because I've only signed a 1 year deal, I'll be looking to prove myself from the very 1st day. If I can make a success of doing that, everything will surely look after itself from there on."

Equally as pleased to have finally got his man, Vikings Head Coach Denis Betts, added:- "Liam is a quality player who we first tried to bring to the club a couple of years ago. He's a big, strong, solid number nine who can also play in the loose forward position. He was a highly sought after junior player with a great pedigree and I genuinely believe that somebody else's loss is our gain. Given the untimely and unfortunate injury to Grant Gore which resulted in him sustaining a broken kneecap at the end of last season, it is important that we head into next season with plenty of depth in our squad. Liam is a player who wants to fight, wants to work hard and is keen to prove himself. He comes to us with lots of drive and plenty of desire and these are the type of attributes that really excite me, as too is his willingness to learn and get better. It's an absolute pleasure to work with young men like Liam, who are looking for an opportunity to make a real fist of it, develop their natural talents and go on to have an advanced career in the game."

Multi-lingual City has been celebrated

LANGUAGES and cultures from all over the world have been celebrated in a special event in Liverpool. Communities who have made their home in the City staged a special community day at Broadgreen International School, on Saturday, 28 September 2013, as part of the International Day of Language. This was the 2nd year this day has been held in Liverpool which highlighted the importance of language and staged by Liverpool Supplementary Schools Network. It featured singing, dancing, national dress and food from the various communities. Taking part wherre representatives from the Arabic, Greek, Polish, Iranian, Somali, Indian and Chinese communities, who where among others represented at the community day. Just before the event, The Lord Mayor, Councillor Gary Millar said:- "Liverpool is a very diverse City which is home to many communities with more than 90 languages spoken in our schools. While these communities have largely integrated into our society they also wish to retain their identity and culture and one of the best ways of doing that is through language. So, this day to mark the importance of language is a great way of celebrating the diversity of our City and it will be a very colorful and exciting event." Councillor Corbett also added:- "This day will be a wonderful celebration of the rich variety of languages spoken in our city. It will also demonstrate the great contribution the various communities make to our city."