Harry Potter director David Yates awarded Honorary Doctorate by Edge Hill University

THE filmmaker who directed the last 4 films in the Harry Potter series, as well as numerous feature and short films and television programmes, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Edge Hill University.

David Yates, considered to be 1 of Britain's most celebrated directors, is originally from Rainhill, and started making short films with a Super 8mm camera given to him by his mother after being inspired by Steven Spielberg's Jaws. He continued writing, directing and producing his own films through his undergraduate years, in Essex and Washington DC. He also studied at the National Film and Television School.

He spoke to graduands from the Department of English, History and Creative Writing in the ceremony at the University, on Friday, 20 July 2018. He said:- "I love beginnings; the 1st chapter of a book, the 1st chord of a song, the 1st page of a script; because you're never quite sure where it's going to go. It's always full of promise and possibilities and, as I look at you lot, I can see a lot of promise and possibilities. I feel a kindred connection with you as when I was growing up, just down the road, I wasn't supposed to go to university no 1 in my family went to university. I was the very first 1 who got that ticket, who was lucky enough to do quite well in my Alevels and ended up in university, and in many ways that was the point at which, as many of you guys will realise, you can create your own story. You don't have to have a story imposed upon you. You can create that story for your future starting now."

Early in his career, Yates directed various short films and became a prolific television director. His credits include the 6 part political thriller:- 'State of Play' (2003), for which he won the 'Directors Guild of Great Britain Award' for 'Outstanding Directorial Achievement;' the adult 2 part documentary drama 'Sex Traffic' (2004); and the 'Emmy Award' winning TV film:- 'The Girl in the Café.'

He rose to prominence by directing the final 4 films in the Harry Potter series, starting with:- 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' in 2006, followed by:- 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,' and Rowling's final book:- 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,' presented in 2 parts in 2010 and 2011.

In 2011 David was honoured for his work on the Harry Potter series with BAFTA's John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing, an honour more recently bestowed upon Kathryn Bigelow and Mike Leigh. In the same year, and along with cast and crew members of all 8 films, the Harry Potter series was awarded the Michael Balcon Award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema.

Yates's following projects included:- 'The Legend of Tarzan' (2016) and the:- 'Fantastic Beasts' films, the 2nd in the series:- 'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald' is set to be released in cinemas in November 2018.

He said:- "When I came out of film School there was a process of trying to raise money to make projects, and for a number of years I really struggled, it was tough. Those experiences, in a way help you build certain muscles. They make you strong if you use them in the right ways, and you will use them as you walk out of the doors of Edge Hill and into your life that awaits you."

Merseyside Fire and Rescue supports 'Escape the Control' campaign to help tackle domestic abuse

MERSEYSIDE Fire and Rescue Service has teamed up with Knowsley and Sefton Councils to support a new campaign aimed at helping people spot the signs of controlling behaviour and domestic abuse.

2 fire engines from the service have had their liveries updated as part of the:- 'Escape the Control' campaign, including important messages and details on how people can find out more information. Taxis and buses in the area will also feature similar messages.

Controlling money, always criticising and being purposely isolated from friends and family are just some of the examples being highlighted as:- 'coercive control' in a new campaign on domestic abuse was launched across Knowsley and Sefton, on 23 July 2018.

'Escape the Control,' which is being run jointly by Knowsley and Sefton Councils, aims to help people understand how extreme controlling behaviour is Domestic Abuse and what signs to look out for, if concerned about friends or family.

Coercive control is an act, or a pattern of acts such as threats, humiliation and intimidation that is used to punish or frighten the victim. This can include things like controlling where they go and what they do, or exaggerated expressions of love such as they:- 'can't live without you.' In 2015, coercive control became a crime in England and Wales, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine.

Posters and leaflets explaining the signs to look out for will be available from next week in GP and Health Centres, Leisure Centres, Dentists, Hairdressers and many more everyday locations where victims and those worried about others can access them without having to go through official channels.

'Escape the Control' will also be featured across local buses, taxis and fire engines, in Knowsley and Sefton.

Group Manager Mark Thomas from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said:- "Our communities are at the heart of everything that we do and when we can have a positive impact to make our communities safer then we will do so. Like our partners, we recognise that domestic violence in all its forms is unacceptable and we are very happy to support this campaign through branding of our fire appliances and raising awareness."

Councillor Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods for Knowsley Borough Council says:- "Insight from Knowsley and Sefton indicates that although anyone can experience domestic abuse irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation, the majority of cases are amongst women under 35. We need to ensure that people understand that extreme controlling behaviour such as telling what you can and can't eat, or what you can or can't wear, is domestic abuse and where they can find more information and support."

Domestic Abuse is an issue which affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men, accounting for 16% of all violent crime, with more repeat victims than any other crime. (British Crime Survey).

Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, Trish Hardy, says:- "The number of people accessing domestic abuse support services continues to increase, with the number of high-risk clients being supported increasing by 63% between 2013/14 and 2014/15. Extreme controlling behaviour or coercive control often begins very slowly and can be hard to understand. We want people to be aware of the signs, both for themselves and for friends and family and to know what to do in that situation."

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside, Emily Spurrell, says:- "I welcome this new campaign to highlight the signs of controlling behaviour and how individuals can help themselves or others. Everyone has the right to live free of fear. If you are unreasonably under suspicion from your partner or a member of your family to the point where you are unable to remain in contact with your circle of friends; if you are constantly questioned about who you were talking to or who you were texting; perhaps you have no access to money, even the money you earn. This is coercive control which is domestic abuse and that is a crime. Merseyside Police take coercive control extremely seriously and would urge anyone with concerns to report it."

Dr Emma Katz, Lecturer in Childhood and Youth at Liverpool Hope University, has carried out in-depth research into the impact of coercive control. She says:- "Coercive control is at the core of a lot of cases of domestic abuse. The perpetrator uses coercive and controlling behaviours to gain all the privileges, freedoms, power and rights in the relationship, while leaving the victim with none. They want the victim's life to become all about pleasing the perpetrator and doing what the perpetrator wants. Due to the fact that perpetrators are extremely clever at excusing, minimising, justifying and denying their behaviour, the partner or family member may have little understanding of domestic abuse and may not realise that they are experiencing it."

More information about the Escape the Control Campaign, including stories from people who have lived through it, is available on their website or you can follow the campaign on Facebook and or Twitter, using the hashtag '#escapethecontrol.'

Calling artists of the future!

THIS year to celebrate Southport Flower Show, Southport and Formby Hospital is inviting local children to send in their best artwork, to be in with a chance of winning 2 tickets to the show. The winner will also have their work professionally framed and mounted on the stand at the show, then displayed in the Hospital after the event.

Mini-artists should try to show what the NHS means to them, using whatever medium they choose. Send pictures to Philippa Bray, at Southport Hospital, before 4pm, on Monday, 13 August 2018. 3 categories cover the under 11s, 11 to 16, and 16 plus.

The Hospital has a recruitment stand at the flower show this year, to reach out to local people about the vast array of careers available within the NHS and at the local Hospitals in Southport and Ormskirk.