Liverpool Against Racism's 'Together we progress'

MUSICIANS, artists, actors, athletes, historians, media personalities, politicians and activists will unite in Liverpool in a City wide statement of solidarity against racism and hate. A week long series of impactful, thought provoking, entertaining and creative events will form Liverpool Against Racism (LAR) - a unique festival which doesn't shy away from shining a spotlight on the subject of the prejudice endemic in today's society. Thought to be the 1st of its kind in the UK and the brainchild of Liverpool's Mayor, Joanne Anderson, LAR takes place from Sunday, 24 April to Saturday, 30 April 2022.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, said:- "I have been committed to tackling social injustice my whole working life. When I became Mayor I wanted to use that position of power to make a positive change and tackle prejudice and hate acts in Liverpool. The events of the past 2 years, particularly the death of George Floyd, has given me additional momentum; the world responded and demanded that something has to change. People of all races stood together to demand an end to the racist behaviour we are surrounded by on a daily basis. Many organisations made anti-racist statements and pledges. Liverpool Against Racism is a cultural response and an opportunity for our cultural organisations in the City, and wider Region, to share with us what action they have taken in recent years. The festival is part of the ongoing debate we have about racism, how it impacts and look at what meaningful change really means. All people of all backgrounds are welcome to join in and participate. Shining a spotlight on the topic may well be uncomfortable and, for some, upsetting, but it is also empowering, thought provoking, ambitious, impactful and quite simply, essential. I couldn't be more proud that Liverpool is hosting this unique event which is of huge cultural importance; once again, we're leading the way and speaking out against social injustice and taking positive action."

Some of the main highlights are:-

► Sunday, 24 April 2022 - The programme kicks off with an impressive 1 day music showcase which will take over venues in the Baltic area of the City. Camp and Furnace, 24 Kitchen Street and District will play host to some incredible Liverpool acts including The Christians, The Farm, Lapsley, John Power, Sense of Sound and Greg Wilson all forming part of the 50+ strong line-up. Tickets for the full day will cost just ₤5 plus booking fee, per venue.

► Tuesday, 26 April 2022 - The latest addition to the Liverpool skyline, The Spine, will be host to a boundary pushing in person conference that will feature local, national and international contributors from across the world of media, sport, fashion, business and education. They will passionately share their thoughts, experiences and advice in addressing racial and social inequalities, and debate what meaningful change really looks like. British historian David Olusoga, leading diversity and inclusion consultant Joanna Abeyie MBE and American author and journalist Kevin Powell will join Mayor Joanne Anderson as the day's keynote speakers. 'In Conversation' sessions, workshops and presentations will be led by contributors such as TV presenter Charlene White and former boxing champion Tony Bellew. There will also be representatives from the likes of Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs as well as leading diversity, inclusion and equality practitioners. The full day conference is ticketed and will cost ₤20 per person plus booking fee. Places are limited.

► Friday, 29 April 2022:- The focus shifts to young people, and in partnership with the Anthony Walker Foundation and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), the Youth EMPOWER conference will take place at LJMU Student Union across the day. Teenagers from Schools across the City will be encouraged to explore what racism means to them. Creative workshops will sit alongside open and frank discussions, as the 13 and 14 year olds produce work responding to the topic, culminating in a showcase at the end of the day. Inspirational figures such as champion boxer Natasha Jonas will share their inspiring story with attendees.

Cultural organisations are supporting the week of events by staging their own activities;- which range from walking tours and poetry workshops right through to skating festivals and talks around understanding the City's role in the transatlantic slave trade.

The whole programme has been curated by Creative Consultant Yaw Owusu. Creative Consultant Yaw Owusu told us that:- "When Mayor Joanne approached me last year to curate Liverpool Against Racism I didn't need time to think about it. It's 1 of the most important projects I've worked on for years, and doing justice to the myriad of topics which are intrinsically linked with the subject of racism is at the forefront of my mind day and night. Music, creativity and debate are incredible outlets for expressing the complex narratives around racism and these all form pillars of the week in April. The reaction we received from the musicians and speakers we approached to be part of LAR spoke volumes about the importance, and uniqueness of this event. And of course the line up is significant in its multiculturalism; racism isn't just an issue for 1 sector of society; it's for us all to acknowledge and address. It is set to be a fearless, frank and meaningful week which will raise awareness which can create a path to change."

For the latest event and line up information, or to purchase tickets, head to:- CultureLiverpool.Co.UK.

Advice to dog owners during lambing season

THE CLA (Country Land and Business Association) is urging dog owners in the North of England to ensure their pets are under control around livestock to avoid the risk of sheep being badly injured and killed during the lambing season.

Lambing season can be a wonderful time of the year, but livestock worrying, which can be caused when dogs chase or attack sheep, can have serious effects on animals including stress, injury, abortion and death.

Sheep do not cope well with stressful situations and can even die from shock days after the event. It can also have a devastating impact on the owner of the animal with veterinary costs and seeing their animals suffer from the ordeal.

The CLA North office, which represents thousands of landowners, farmers and rural businesses across the North in Cumbria, Lancashire, the North East, and Yorkshire is offering advice to dog owners to help avoid problems this season.

CLA Director North Lucinda Douglas said:- "We would advise owners to keep their dogs on a lead or under close control when walking through fields of livestock, particularly sheep at this time of year, and to always stick to public rights of ways. If you live near land with livestock in it, ensure that you know where your dog is at all times, and that your property is secure so your dog can't escape at any time. It is the owner's responsibility to keep their dog under control and we are also raising awareness about the potential consequences of not doing so. Livestock worrying is a criminal offence and a fine can be handed out. It is important that every instance of livestock worrying is reported to the Police. This will allow for a more accurate picture of the scale of the problem to be built up and assist the Police and Local Authority to determine what resources and powers are required in order to effectively tackle the problem."

Where a dog is in the act of worrying livestock and there is, or is likely to be serious damage to those livestock, call Police on 999. Alternatively, dial 101 to report an incident where the dogs are no longer present after an attack or to report problem dog behaviour. Photographs and videos of the worrying incident and/or the damage it caused can be extremely useful.

Countryside Code resource pack for Schools and youth groups:-

► Last year the CLA teamed up with LEAF Education to help improve understanding of the Countryside Code by creating a resource pack for teachers and youth group leaders. The code, which was 1st introduced in 1951, was refreshed by the Government last year, but is not taught as part of the curriculum.

► The CLA has written to Duke of Edinburgh Award, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, including:- Chief Scout Bear Grylls, Sea Cadets, British Orienteering and local education authorities asking them to teach children the free lesson plan on the code.

► Aimed at Key Stage 2 children the lesson plans, developed together with Leaf Education, centre around the code's messages of respecting everyone, protecting the environment and enjoying the outdoors through many fun filled activities including:- a soil investigator's exercise, sky lantern role play activity and waymarker memory game.

► It is hoped these packs will help children and young adults understand that safe and responsible behaviour in the countryside is fundamental to enjoyment of it.

The pack is free to download from the CLA's website and is also available on the Countryside Classroom; a website regularly used by teachers seeking materials related to rural affairs.