1st part of ₤20m community sports development opens its doors to Liverpool residents

A major new community sports complex has opened its doors in Liverpool. Jeffrey Humble Playing Fields has become the 1st facility in the City to open as part of a ₤20m, 4 site development project.

The new facility, which is part of the 'Parklife' project, features 3 floodlit third generation (3G) artificial grass pitches (AGP), male and female changing facilities, car parking and an 80 station gym, with group exercise classes available as part of the ₤20m development across Liverpool. Jeffrey Humble Playing Fields will be the home for the Walton and Kirkdale Junior Football League; 1 of the largest junior leagues operating in the City.

Parklife is a 5 year commitment to building multi pitch hubs across towns and cities in England with the aim of raising playing standards and opportunities for all. Introduced in 2016, the ₤200m programme is a national scheme whereby councils, local football leagues, the Premier League, The FA, the Government, the Football Foundation and Sport England work in partnership to address the issue of poor pitch quality. It is delivered by the Football Foundation, the country's largest sports charity.

With nearly 1.8m people participating in some form of football weekly, the aim of the Parklife Programme is to increase the number of 3G AGPs, facilities and participation programmes available across the country. The programme puts particular emphasis on funding in areas where pressures on the local game are greatest.

Overall, the Parklife project in Liverpool will see the creation of 12 floodlit 3G AGPs, as well as health and fitness and coaching facilities across 4 different sites; representing a major overhaul in grassroots football provision throughout the City.

Liverpool City Council worked alongside the Football Foundation and the Liverpool FA to compile a 5 year Football Development Plan, which is a vision of how sport will be played on site with an emphasis on increasing participation.

It is anticipated that the new football hub at Jeffrey Humble Playing Fields will contribute to an increase of over 6,500 people playing the national game over the next 5 years, which represents a growth of 355%. Of this, a significant rise in the number of females playing football is predicted, with over 750 new players within this demographic creating an 810% boost.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: I'm delighted to see the 1st of the hub sites opening. These are some of the best state of the art facilities in the country and part of our huge investment in facilities for grassroots football to last a generation. Players, young and old, are going to see a huge difference in where they play. "We've worked alongside partner organisations to make this happen, it's been a real team effort, and we're absolutely thrilled with the results."

David Pugh, Chief Executive Officer of Liverpool County FA, said:- "With over 10,000 people already registered to use them, we're excited to see the 1st of the 4 new Parklife hubs, at Jeffrey Humble Playing Fields, open its doors. The superb facilities available will have a huge impact on a vast number of people involved in grassroots football within the local community and beyond. In addition to the Walton and Kirkdale Junior Football League, Jeffrey Humble will become the home of the Liverpool County FA Girls League and the North Liverpool Junior League, highlighting the number of young players in particular that will be able to enjoy football in a state of the art environment."

Managing Director of The Pulse Group, Chris Johnson, said:- "We are delighted to be opening this fantastic gym and football facility in partnership with Liverpool City Council and the 'The Parklife Project' stakeholders. Jeffrey Humble is a great example of an excellent and affordable sporting venue in the heart of a community, offering a top quality football training experience and state of the art inclusive gym for all. We are thrilled to see so many people and teams of all ages and abilities already signed up and we look forward to welcome more over the coming weeks."

More than 60% of parents in the North West have no will

THE study, carried out by Will Aid, found that 64% of mums and dads have not prepared this vital piece of paperwork; up from 57% last year. A staggering 79% of Northern Irish parents and 74% of parents in the North East were without wills. Meanwhile in the north west 64% of parents had no will, 63% in the south west and 60% in Wales.

The news comes as solicitors across the country begin to take bookings in preparation for Will Aid Month where each November solicitors waive their fees for will writing services, instead inviting clients to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid, with these funds supporting the vital work of the nine partner charities.

Peter de Vena Franks, campaign director for Will Aid, said:- "Writing a will is a chance for a parent or parents to leave clear instructions about who they would like to care for their child in the event of their death. If you die without appointing a guardian, and there is no other parent with parental responsibility, an application would need to be made to the court to decide with whom your child will live, in the event of a dispute about this. Preparing a correctly worded will with a solicitor is the best way to ensure your wishes are carried out."

Today Will Aid patron Robert Peston urged everyone to prepare this vital piece of paperwork.

The journalist, Political Editor of ITV News, presenter of the weekly political discussion show Peston and founder of the charity Speakers for Schools, who had 2 sons with his late wife Sian Busby, said a will helped clarify a person's wishes after their death.

Peter de Vena Franks commented that:- "Although the act of writing a will can be upsetting, the pain and disruption for your family if you have not written one is likely to be far worse. When my late wife Siān Busby and I wrote our wills in our early 40's, we assumed this was boring insurance for an event that would never happen. Only 10 years later, Siān died after a horrible illness, and it fell to me to sort out her affairs. Devastated by grief, not really thinking straight, I was so grateful that she had written down what she wanted to do with her money and possessions, and had given clear instructions about what should be done with her ashes."

Will Aid Month takes place across the country, from 1 November to 30 November 2018. Solicitors who take part provide the will writing service for local people and waive their usual fee, instead you are invited to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid which then supports the work of nine of the UK's best loved charities. Our suggested voluntary donation for a basic Will Aid will is ₤95 for a single will and ₤150 for a pair of mirror wills.

In 2017, Will Aid raised more than ₤1 million for the vital work of its charity partners:- ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (Northern Ireland).

Those who wish to make a will can book their November appointments now via:- WillAid.Org.UK by calling:- 0300 0309 558.