Annual Open Day for Merseyside Heritage Charity

THE Merseyside Transport Trust (MTT) will be holding its Annual Open Day event, on Sunday, 14 July 2019, to raise funds for the upkeep of its fleet of over 50 historic vehicles. This is a rare and unique opportunity to see the vast collection of buses (and a train) in various stages of restoration. The event is also aimed to attract:- new members, volunteers, sponsorship and generate interest within the community.

This year's event will feature bus rides around the surrounding area, serving local pubs, several scenic West Lancashire villages and supporting local businesses. There will be numerous vehicles on display including:- visiting vehicles from other preservation groups, sales stands and talks given about the group's latest projects and how people can become involved.

The MTT and the Annual Open Day is run entirely by volunteers and the MTT is always keen to see more people actively involved as well as to see the associated skills base that goes with this expanded. Light refreshments will be available with all proceeds going to the charity and entry is free, no need to book!

A souvenir programme and guide to the day will be available for just ₤4 and any donations you would like to make to the group would be most welcome which will go towards the continued restoration and safe keeping of our unique collection.

Lee Wolfe, Publicity and Events officer of The MTT is leading the event and has been involved with the group for over a decade. Lee said:- "This event is now in its 8th year since moving to our new remises back in 2011 and has gone from strength to strength. We have been consistently attracting large numbers which is encouraging for a small charity and always looking at ways to make this event an even bigger success. All funds raised at the event will go a long way in helping to keep our collection safe for the future."

The event will be held at the MTT's base off Tollgate Road, Burscough, L40 8TG. Free car parking will be available with a free Park and Ride Bus Service, connecting the 2 sites. A free shuttle service will also run connecting the event to Ormskirk and Burscough Bus / Rail Interchanges. Doors open from 10:30 until 16:00. For more information see the Trust's website.

Huntington's Disease Association to recognise local fundraisers incredible efforts

LOCAL fundraisers, Eli and Isaac Greer from Liverpool have been nominated for an award at the annual Volunteer Awards run by the Huntington's Disease Association. The prestige Awards, which are in their 4th year, recognise the fantastic efforts supporters go to, to raise funds and help raise awareness of Huntington's disease. The Huntington's Disease Association Volunteer Awards will be held at the Birmingham Park Regis Hotel, on Saturday, 1 June 2019. Eli and Isaac Greer earned their nomination by playing the piano and singing as part of the Tickle the Ivories event over 3 slots, at Liverpool ONE, in August 2018, and managed to raise a fabulous sum for the Huntington's Disease Association. They are hoping to raise even more in 2019.

The Huntington's Disease Association is a national charity supporting people affected by Huntington's disease across England and Wales. Huntington's affects the central nervous system and is caused by a faulty gene passed down through families with each child of a parent with Huntington's having a 50% chance of inheriting it. We provide a national support network for families and professionals, specialist publications, training and social research funding. We raise awareness of the disease and campaign on behalf of people affected by it. With your help, we can achieve our vision of a better life for anyone affected by Huntington's.

Cath Stanley, Chief Executive, Huntington's Disease Association, said:- "The Huntington's Disease Association Volunteer Awards are a fantastic way for us and the Huntington's disease community to say thank you to our supporters over the past year. All our nominees have done some fantastic things to raise funds for our work. As a small organisation, we are hugely grateful for all that supporters like Eli and Isaac do for us."

When is a van not a van - the definition could cost you dearly!

A recent ruling that not all vans are vans for tax purposes and are actually cars could give thousands of van drivers and their employers higher tax bills, say leading accounting and tax advisory form Blick Rothenberg. In a recent tax case involving Coca Cola, the Upper Tribunal (UT) has held that not all "vans" (in the common sense use of the word) are vans for tax purposes, but were held to be:- "multi purpose vehicles" rather than vans. Robert Salter, a specialist in expatriate and employment taxes at the firm said:- "Any 'van' that is not held to be primarily a 'vehicle for the transport of goods' becomes classified as a multi purpose vehicle (aka a car), and results in a car benefit charge arising for the employee, where there is any 'private element' to the vehicle's use. This will apply even where private use is very insignificant, compared to the wider use of the vehicle. For example, occasional commuting in the vehicle. The annual taxable benefit charge that accrues for employees in this regard can be substantial, as it based on the core (list price) of the vehicle when new and the vehicle's CO2 emissions level. For example, if a vehicle impacted by this case had an official list price (cost) of ₤25,000 and had a CO2 charge of 25%, that could create an annual benefit in kind charge, for the employee, of ₤6,250, which would create a tax charge for a 20% taxpayer of ₤1,250. Additionally, if the fuel costs of private motoring are also paid for by the employer (even inadvertently), employees can also face a fuel benefit charge based on the car fuel rules rather than the (much cheaper) van fuel benefit rates. Whilst HM Revenue and Customs haven't formally, altered their guidance in this area following the UT's ruling, it is probable that the Revenue will regard this as a major opportunity to gain additional Revenue from:- 'white van man.' In addition, their employers will face an additional NIC (employer only) liability of 13.8%, on the value of the car scale and car fuel scale tax benefit charges, that arise for their affected employees." Does this affect you or your business? Please email us your thoughts on this taxing issue, via:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Can you help locate the next of kin of Cuthbert Miller?

MERSEYSIDE Police have issued an appeal for help to locate the next of kin of Cuthbert Miller, who sadly died aged 75, on Thursday, 23 May 2019. We are told that Mr Miller passed away of natural causes, at St George's Nursing Home in Wallasey. There are no suspicious circumstances. Anyone with information is asked to contact Coroner's Investigation Officer, James Martindale, on:- 0151 233 0129 or via emailing:- James.L.Martindale@Liverpool.Gov.UK.