British Musical Fireworks Championship 2022

THE British Musical Fireworks Championship took place on Friday, 23 September and Saturday, 24 September 2022, with fantastic displays from 5 competitors.... Sadly, Sunday, 25 September 2022 had to be cancelled due to weather. Both contenders were AJ Pyrotechnics Ltd and Gala Fireworks had almost finished rigging the shows before the plug was pulled. But both teams....

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Exclusive interview with Miss Liverpool City Region 2022

THIS is an exclusive interview with the new Miss Liverpool City Region, 25 year old, Georgia Austin, from Childwall, who was presented with the 2022 Title on:- Thursday, 25 August 2022. If you have...

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Miss Liverpool City Region 2022, Georgia Austin, to host charity fashion show!

"ON Sunday, 9 October 2022, I'm hosting a charity fashion show!!! All proceeds will be donated to the beauty with..."

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Formby Reporter

HOME Instead Southport and Formby has been declared a '5 star' employer, showing that care is a worthwhile career path to take. The home....

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Interview with Laura Macy

A few weeks back we had the pleasure of interviewing Laura Watson, who goes by the performance name Laura Macy, is a self-employed dancer and also the Musical Director at CODYS Productions. Readers will know that in our 5 September 2022 Edition...

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UCLan's Advice and Resolution Centre ready to work with community

THE President of the Law Society of England and Wales has officially opened a new Centre at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) that will link students with the local community to offer advice on legal and cybercrime matters. Run by UCLan's students and graduate legal...

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Are you interested in learning more about a fulfilling new career?

PEOPLE are being invited to call into a Social Care Jobs Fair taking place in Southport, over September 2022. Representatives from 6 local companies will be on hand to answer any questions and to chat about their experiences of life in the social care sector. The Jobs Fair takes place at the Southport Salvation Army Centre, on:- Shakespearee...

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Police Dog and handler named as nation's top crime fighting duo

A 'formidable crime fighting duo' with just 2 and half years of service under their belt have won a national award for their outstanding operational...

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Public buildings across the Liverpool City Region plot path to net zero

ST George's Hall, the Williamson Art Gallery and St Helens Town Hall are among 50 public buildings across the Liverpool City Region set to move closer to net zero under new funding secured by Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Combined Authority, which it...

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Dogs Trust warns many families are in danger of losing their dogs to the financial crisis this winter

48% of dog owners in the North West think it is now more difficult to give their dog all they need, compared to before the cost of living crisis began. As new Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's mini budget looms, the UK's leading dog welfare charity, which has....

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Children in care's artwork to be displayed

SCHILDREN in care who entered an art competition earlier this year are getting ready to see professional recreations of their work. The Stand By Me art competition, organised by Liverpool City Council's Fostering Service, asked children and young people to create artworks showing the people in their lives who stand by them. Now local artist Ali Harwood has transformed these original...

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Southport fundraisers host afternoon tea in support of North West Cancer Research

A group of fundraisers from Southport recently hosted an afternoon tea and raised almost £2,000 for North West Cancer Research. North West Cancer is an independent charity dedicated to putting the Region's cancer needs 1st by funding life-saving research and education to tackle the cause, improve the care...

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Funding application marks next phase in ambition for step free Stations across the Liverpool City Region

PLANS to make the Liverpool City Region rail network the most accessible in the UK remain on track as a bid to make 10 more Stations step free is confirmed. Improving accessibility at our rail Stations so that more people can travel by train is a key part of...

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This mist STOP! Dangerous roll call of items thrown at trains and left on the track

TRAINS operated by Northern were the target of almost 70 dangerous attacks in the last 12 months. Since August last year, its services across the North of England were struck by 42 bricks, stones and rocks thrown from bridges and railway embankments. Its carriages also collided with...

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River of Light is back for 2022!

ONE of Liverpool's most popular events is back next month to light up the City Centre. River of Light is set to illuminate the waterfront across 17 nights from:- Friday, 21 October to Sunday, 6 November 2022, and will showcase 10 artworks from a host of local, national and international artists along a 2km route. The installations will include a mix of brand new, never before seen...

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City set to approve 3 Civic Honours

COUNCILLORS are set to approve honours for 3 more people who have made a lasting contribution to Liverpool. Ahead of tomorrow's Full Council meeting, elected members will consider nominations for the Freedom of the City for both Dame Lorna Muirhead and Elkan Abrahamson, and a nomination for Levi Tafari to be made a...

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MP praises charity which helps boost potential of young people in Sefton

BILL Esterson MP has praised the work of a Sefton charity which aims to transform education for young people; boosting skills, attitudes and opportunities. The Windmills Foundation, led by Peter Hawkins from Formby, is a creative grass roots charity...

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Latest strikes by RMT and ASLEF unions force train operator Northern to advise customers 'Do Not Travel' on 3 separate dates in October

STRIKES by the RMT and ASLEF unions in October have forced the train operator Northern to advise its customers across the North of England 'Do Not Travel' on 3 separate dates. Action taking place...

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Mesothelioma Awareness Day - 39% of Liverpool tradespeople encounter asbestos every year

NEW research has found that 39% of tradespeople in Liverpool are exposed to asbestos every single year. Ahead of Mesothelioma Awareness Day, 26 September 2022, an event aiming to bring more attention to the...

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Project EDWARD 17 October to 21 October 2022 Week of Action

POLICE Chiefs and Forces across the UK; along with Police and Crime Commissioners; are backing the week of action for Project EDWARD; Every Day Without A Road Death; which launches with its most ambitious week of events to promote good practice in road safety. 3 road trips will criss cross the country from Monday to Friday, visiting the very best examples of road safety projects across England and Wales...

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Mayor Rotheram's £2 bus fare now available across the Liverpool City Region

NEW £2 bus fares for the Liverpool City Region has come into effect this week. Launched by Mayor Steve Rotheram, the reduced price tickets will help residents save money during the cost of living crisis. The new single fare began on Sunday, 18 September 2022,  on all bus services now cost a maximum of £2, making it...

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CLA respond to ELM reform rumours

THE Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has commented on rumours implying that Defra could water down environmental land management schemes (ELMS). CLA Director North, Lucinda Douglas, said:- "In recent days we have heard persistent rumours that Defra is planning to row back on..."

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Liverpool City Region chosen to pilot fund to drive innovation

THE Liverpool City Region is 1 of only 2 places to pilot a new programme of up to £15m to drive innovation beyond South East England. Innovate UK's Launch Pad pilot programme will initially offer up to £6m in competitive grants of between £15,000 and up to £1m for businesses of all sizes and...

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'Tax advantage' of limited companies potentially returns, and with it, problems for lower paid agency workers

THE Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) is warning that changes to off payroll working rules announced could result in more agency workers finding themselves working through single person limited...

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ON 26 September 2022, Sefton Council told us that they are asking residents in North Sefton who have been affected by the recent Bank Holiday green bin collection disruptions to continue to leave their bins out for collection. In a statement emailed to us, it said:- "The Local Authority's Waste..."

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"DEAR Southport and Mersey Reporter Editor... Thousands of children and young people are subjected to horrific exploitation and abuse across the UK every year. Predators groom children in person and online, then exploit them for sex or use terrifying threats and violence to force..."

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Calling time on cyclists who ride dangerously

THE Former Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, recently proposed a Whitehall review of how cyclists who break the law should be tracked and prosecuted. Initial ideas put forward to facilitate this include insurance cover for riders and registration plates for bikes, and it appears from the latest research by...

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Will SDLT changes benefit sellers more than buyers?

THE Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has highlighted HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) research that questions whether stamp duty threshold changes announced will be effective in terms of making home buying more affordable. The Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has...

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Statement from Damien Moore MP on UK's Chancellor economic announcement

IN a press release sent to us, Southport's MP Damien Moore said:- "The UK's Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, has announced a ground breaking set of measures to assist with the cost of living and get our economy growing. The...",

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LITRG stresses need to consider benefits impacts of tax and NIC changes

THE Government announced, in the Growth Plan 20221, that they intend to reduce the UK basic rate of income tax to 19% (from its current 20%) from April 2023. This is in addition to yesterday's...

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Piece by piece

CARE England, the largest and most diverse representative body for independent providers of adult social care in England, has welcomed the new Government measures to support the social care sector contained within the publication 'Our plan for...'

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Re-Tour de Ned: ITV's Ned Boulting adds final touches to his 1 man cycling stage show

WITH just 2 weeks to go, the countdown is on to Ned Boulting rolling down the ramp and treading the boards for the 1st time in 4 years with his 1 man cycling stage show, Re-Tour de Ned, that will be...

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Letter to the Editor:- "No 1 wants to see more veterans on our streets this winter"

"DEAR Editor... As the cost of living crisis deepens, we welcome any action to prevent the very real possibility of more people ending up homeless on our streets. Since the start of..."

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FSB Merseyside and Cheshire responds to Government's mini Budget

RESPONDING to the mini Biget 'fiscal event' and the Government's response to FSB calls to place small businesses at the heart of plans for economic revival and growth, Michael Sandys, Liverpool City Region Area Leader for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said:- "In this..."

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Health and Social Care Secretary announces Government's new 'Our Plan for Patients' to improve care for this winter

OUR 'Plan for Patients' will inject £500 million of additional funding into adult social care to help people get out of Hospitals and into social care support. The Plan was unveiled by the Health and Social Care Secretary and...

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National Eye Health Week report finds nation's EYE Q is missing the mark and putting millions at risk of avoidable sight loss

1 in 3 of us will suffer sight loss in our lifetime, yet half of this could be avoided. Routine eye tests, to ensure early detection and treatment of eye conditions, and adopting healthy lifestyles are key to preventing unnecessary...

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Electric car charging increasing and high fuel prices are pushing UK drivers to their limit

MERSEYRAIL will run a limited train service on Saturday, 1 October 2022, due to a planned 24 hour strike by Network Rail staff who are members of the RMT Union. The Liverpool City Region rail network is affected by the UK wide national walk out, as Network Rail signalling and...

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Health and Social Care Secretary to set out new plan for patients

A new drive to improve access to general practice appointments will be the centrepiece of a new Our Plan for Patients that will be unveiled by the Health and Social Care Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister. As...

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Hypermiling techniques more popular than ever, despite potential dangers, due to cost of living crisis

UK drivers are increasingly turning to potentially risky "hypermiling" techniques, with a 17% increase in the practice since April. Many...

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Over 21 million people at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning this winter

HIGHT fuel prices are pushing UK drivers to their limit, as 76% of drivers admitting they need to drive to survive, as they are not able to continue working without them. The shocking findings published...

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Yodel announces new northern depot following a year of record growth

FOLLOWING a record year of growth in which it secured its 1st profit, UK independent parcel carrier Yodel has announced plans to open a brand-new depot in Huyton. With the growth in...

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Doctors in training given the support they need to continue their training journey

ENGLAND'S Doctors in Postgraduate training are benefiting from a further £25m investment by Health Education England (HEE) during 2022/23 to support the continued recovery of medical training which is essential to service recovery and patient...

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Annual data on Hospital admissions published

THE latest annual report on Hospital admissions in English NHS Hospitals has been published by NHS Digital. The Hospital Admitted Patient Care Activity 2021 to 2022 report includes data on Finished Consultant Episodes (FCEs) and Finished Admission Episodes (FAEs). The data is...

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New report shows devastating triple blow pushes rural communities into a cost of living emergency

RURAL communities are facing a triple blow in the cost of living crisis, as higher domestic and transport energy poverty, coupled with lower wages, pushes rural areas into a cost of living emergency...

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North West Industry calls for seismic Emergency Budget as growth forecasts for 2023 slashed

NORTH West manufacturers are calling for a seismic emergency Budget on Friday on the back of a substantial revision downwards of prospects for 2023 in response to the eye watering increase in energy and other business...

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More than 76,000 children get cycling with Bikeability in the North West Cycling to School

BIKEABILITY cycle training is booming across the North West, with 76, 151 children learning how to cycle between April 2021 and March 2022. Following an uplift in cycling across the country, Schools...

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Continued high inflation could impact the expected business rates hike

WHILE many were shocked; experts included; that the month on month inflation fell from:- 10.1% in July to 9.9% in August, it is still very close to the UK's 40 year record high. However, now specialists are worried that if inflation...

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£6.1m funding boost to accelerate digitalisation among Southport manufacturers

A trailblazing programme that has backed Southport manufacturers to adopt new digital technology and skills to create growth and jobs has secured £6.1m funding to continue for 3 more years...

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North West Industry calls for seismic Emergency Budget as growth forecasts for 2023 slashed

NORTH West manufacturers are calling for a seismic emergency Budget on Friday on the back of a substantial revision downwards of prospects for 2023 in response to the eye watering increase...

Read

More than 76,000 children get cycling with Bikeability in the North West Cycling to School

BIKEABILITY cycle training is booming across the North West, with 76, 151 children learning how to cycle between April 2021 and March 2022. Following an uplift in cycling across the country, Schools...

Read

Continued high inflation could impact the expected business rates hike

WHILE many were shocked; experts included; that the month on month inflation fell from:- 10.1% in July to 9.9% in August, it is still very close to the UK's 40 year record high. However, now specialists are worried that if inflation...

Read

£6.1m funding boost to accelerate digitalisation among Southport manufacturers

A trailblazing programme that has backed Southport manufacturers to adopt new digital technology and skills to create growth and jobs has secured £6.1m funding to continue for 3 more years...

Read

£6.1m funding boost to accelerate digitalisation among Southport manufacturers

A trailblazing programme that has backed Southport manufacturers to adopt new digital technology and skills to create growth and jobs has secured £6.1m funding to continue for 3 more years...

Read