The Closing Ceremony for Liverpool 2018 Takes Place at the TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show

THE TheraPlate Liverpool International Horse Show took place, at the Echo Arena over 28 December to 31 December 2018, marking its 4th year with an equestrian competition and a family extravaganza, that attracted around 30,000 visitors and is now the biggest indoor equestrian event in the North of England.

The 2018 event also played host to the:- 'Closing Ceremony of Liverpool 2018,' an event that marked the culmination of an extraordinary 12 months, a decade on from Liverpool being the:- 'European Capital of Culture.'

The official finale of the 2018 programme took place as part of the show's action packed programme with a short address from Deputy Mayor of Liverpool, Wendy Simon, followed by an emotive whistle stop video tour through the highlights of the year.

The show also closed with an exhilarating 'Ride and Drive' display, where the world's best show jumping talent took part in a heart pounding display of horse power and pyrotechnics, as international riders raced against the clock on their horses, leaping off to finish the timed round in a car.

A lucky recipient was also presented with the winning:- 'Golden Ticket to 2019' by Nina Barbour, Show President for The TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show and the Deputy Mayor. The 'Golden Ticket to 2019' price package included a pair of tickets to the Bordeaux Wine Festival Liverpool, on Sunday, 2 June 2019, a pair of tickets to Feis Liverpool, on Saturday, 6 July 2019, a pair of VIP tickets to both days at Liverpool International Music Festival, over Saturday, 20 July and Sunday, 21 July 2019, plus flights and accommodation for 2 nights in Bordeaux; the home of the Bordeaux Wine Festival.

Bob Prattey, Chief Executive of The ACC Liverpool Group which includes Echo Arena said:- "This has been another action packed, fun event, and what a way to end with a spectacular night of celebration on New Year's Eve and also to mark the fantastic Liverpool 2018 programme."

Deputy Mayor of Liverpool Wendy Simon commented:- "2018 has been a remarkable year for the City and the excitement of this show has finished it on a real high. So many people visited the City to experience a series of special moments involving:- sport, technology, art and music, all delivered with the guts and creativity, that Liverpool is known for. As 2018 draw to a close, but really it's the end of the story, it is just the beginning, as we look forward to 2019."

Nina Barbour, Show President for The TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show, added:- "We have been thrilled by the reaction of the crowds at this year's event, and tonight was no exception. We were honoured to host the Closing Ceremony for what has been such an important year for the City. We continue to share our thanks for the support the City has given us in putting on our very special show in Liverpool."

For further information about the show visit:- LiverpoolHorseShow.Com.

John Leech responds to Julia Grant's passing

MANCHESTER based LibDem, Julia Grant, who became a pioneer and a leader in the LGBTQ+ community after she was 1 of the 1st people to allow TV cameras to follow her gender transition in the late 70's, has passed away at the age of 64. Julia's transition was documented in a BBC documentary called:- 'George to Julia - A Change Of Sex' which followed her story over several years, beginning in 1979, and was watched weekly by more than 20 million people. For many, Julia was the 1st trans woman they'd ever seen on television; she went on to completely shape the national trans debate and inspire people with gender dysphoria to come out and seek medical help.  She also was well know for helping the LGBTQ+ community in other areas, outside Manchester, including on Merseyside.

Gay rights campaigner and Manchester Liberal Democrat Leader John Leech responded:- "I'm really sad to hear the news that Julia Grant has passed away. She was rightfully looked up to by many as a leader in the LGBTQ+ community, in particular here in Manchester, but also across the country. Throughout her life, she took on issues that others couldn't quite bring themselves to and, in the process, changed the course of thousands of people's lives. Even as recently as last year, I know she was just as angry as I am about the overdevelopment and destruction of heritage and history in our Gay Village. Whilst this is a sad day, it is also a day to remind ourselves of her immense contributions to society and an even better day to renew our fight for true equality. The fight for Manchester's Gay Village is not over and I promise the Liberal Democrats in Manchester will do everything we can to protect our City's LGBTQ+ history in Julia's memory. All my thoughts are with Julia's loved ones at this time."

'The Ways to Work…' Works!

THE training and employment programme:- 'The Ways to Work…' has smashed all targets and helped more people than ever before to get the help they need in finding the job they want. This program is open to anyone in the Liverpool who is not working or studying full time. The programme offers a range of services, including:- weekly Job Clubs, that help people search for work. It also offers techy tips on how to be smarter on the web, write a winning CV and application letter and anything else that helps improves employability. Ways to Work also acts as a gateway to Liverpool City Council's extremely successful Adult Learning Service. Funded through the European Social Fund in 2018, the programme was originally set a target of signing up just under 6,000 people. At the end of 2018 the 'Ways to Work' team has been celebrating surpassing this target by more than 1,000 people.

Liverpool Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Business, Economy and Skills, Cllr Gary Millar, said:- "Ways to Work continues to achieve excellent results in terms of recruitment onto the programme. These latest figures mean that it is now one of the most successful schemes of its type, in the City Region and beyond. We are lucky enough to have an extremely talented and professional team who can provide support based on people's specific needs. They work with other organisations across the City to find the right routes into training and employment for their clients. We are delighted to say that since the programme began we have helped more than 2,000 people in jobs or educational opportunities."

And there are exciting times ahead in 2019, because the 'Ways to Work' programme has now launched a new phase in its operation that seeks to work with residents who have additional barriers to getting into work.

Liverpool City Council's Mayoral Lead for Equalities, Cllr Anna Rothery, said:- "We are very proud of the work that is delivered through the Adult Learning and Ways to Work Employment and Skills teams. We provide 1 to 1 support to help all of our residents and in the communities that need it most. We help people gain confidence and enable them to progress on their journey through further learning and finding suitable volunteering opportunities that can take them onto finding the right job."

2019 promises to be another bumper year for Liverpool's Ways to Work and Adult Learning programmes who new courses starting early in the new year.

If you want more information give the Council's Adult Learning Helpline a call on:- 0151 233 3026, or visit:- Liverpool.Gov.UK.