Interview with local published Poet Paul Robert Mullen at Write Blend

ON 19 April 2018 we had the pleasure of interviewing Paul Robert Mullen about his new poetry books that are now available online and also in book shops on Merseyside, UK. If your local you might know Paul from playing in a group called:- Little Wing from Southport. Since leaving in the group, he took time out to teach in China and has taken up the pen to produce a series of poetry books. We conducted this interview at Write Blend, Bookshop and Coffee Shop, that is located in the heart of Waterloo, Merseyside.

Write Blend is 1 of the many local book shops who now sells Paul Robert Mullen's books and you can also get it via our Mersey Reporter Shop and from VAMPHire.com.

From fare to fine

A trop from Liverpool City Centre to Speke ended up costing a Halewood man more than ₤1,200 in fines and Court costs. Private Hire driver Khalid Nagi illegally picked up 2 people on Berry Sreet, in April 2017, and agreed to take them to their destination. The journey actually ended with a hearing at Liverpool Magistrates Court for Nagi, because his 2 passengers were Undercover Officers.  The 32 year old driver broke the rules of his licence by agreeing to take the pair to Speke and charging them ₤12.50. Private Hire drivers are only able to carry passengers who have booked their journey in advance. In agreeing to take the fare Nagi was also uninsured for the journey. The 2 Officers were taking part in a Liverpool City Council operation to crackdown on private hire drivers who flout the rules. At Court, Nagi, who is licensed as a private hire driver, by Sefton Council, admitted the offence, known as plying for hire. However, he argued that he would have been insured for the journey. The Court was not satisfied that he was covered and fined him ₤690 for driving without insurance. He was fined a further ₤250 for plying for hire and ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge of ₤344. He also received 5 penalty points.

Charity training for struggling small charities in Liverpool

THE Foundation for Social Improvement (FSI), a provider of free and heavily subsidised support and training for small charities, is coming to the Gateway Conference Centre on London Road to help support Liverpool's small charities who need support to remain a float.

Research by The FSI has shown small charities in Liverpool are feeling the crunch of Government spending cuts whilst a staggering 68% have experienced a rise in demand for their services in the same period. 

Liverpool's volunteers are out in force to support these small charities however, with numbers of volunteers in the City rising by 49%.

To support these volunteers and help small charities, the FSI is coming to Liverpool, on 25 April 2018, to run training, heavily subsidised, to develop skills and tackle the rising demand and lack of funding.

Pauline Broomhead, CEO of The FSI commented:- "Our research over the last 54 months shows small charities have seen a decline in funding and an overall 123% increase in demand for services.  Therefore it is incredibly encouraging to see volunteering on the rise in the Liverpool as it is more important than ever to show our support for small and local charities who deliver services to those most in need."

If you work or volunteer for a small charity and would like to attend heavily subsidised training from The Foundation for Social Improvement, they are coming to the Gateway Conference Centre, on 25 April 2017. To sign up, please visit the FSI's website. 

For more information on the FSI's 'Taking the pulse of the sector report' see:- TheFSI.Org/PolicyResearch/SCIndex.