Halliwell Jones BMW drives support for 2023 Southport Comedy Festival

THE Southport Comedy Festival team are in the fast lane for success after renowned local car dealership Halliwell Jones BMW renewed their place as the associate sponsor for the 2023 event. The next Festival will be in its 12th year, bringing some of the world's finest live stand-up comedians to Victoria Park, in Southport, between:- Friday, 29 September and Sunday, 15 October, 2023. The 2022 event saw big names including:- Al Murrary, Milton Jones, Jason Byrne, Jo Caulfield, Reginald D Hunter, Jeff Green, Ed Byrne and more in addition to the Southport New Comedian Of The Year Competition and fundraising comedy nights for local charities Queenscourt Hospice and Southport Flower Show.

People are being asked to keep an eye on the Southport Comedy Festival website, their social media pages and local and Regional press for big announcements and acts signed up to take part. Director Brendan Riley said:- "Southport Comedy Festival is delighted to once again partner with Halliwell Jones BMW as our main associate Sponsor for 2023. We very much value their partnerships along with the support of all our other sponsors, whose backing means that live comedy and the arts continues to thrive in our Region."

The entire festival will be staged once again in a giant luxury heated and seated marquee courtesy of Elite Marquees, in Victoria Park in Southport. This multi purpose event space which also hosts the annual Southport Flower Show is only a short distance from the Town Centre and promenade making it the perfect venue for such an event. Yvonne Watton, Head of Business at Halliwell Jones BMW said:- "We are delighted to be the associate sponsor of the Southport Comedy Festival for the second year running. To be able to support this great local event once again was an easy decision to make. Bren and the team delivered a fantastic festival last year and it was great to see a live comedy event thrive in the area."

To find out more visit the Southport Comedy Festival website:- SouthportComedyFestival.Com.
 

Nitrous oxide is no 'laughing' matter

LIVERPOOL City Council is working to tackle the issue of Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) misuse after links to anti-social behaviour and littering in the City; alongside a growing impact to health and the environment. Nitrous oxide is traditionally used for pain relief in medical settings, but the gas is also widely available to purchase online. The buying and selling for non-medical use is however intended for legitimate use in food production, such as freezing food.

The Government recently announced proposals; which if approved; would see a ban on the sale and possession of Nitrous oxide after links to antisocial behaviour and criminal activity. Liverpool's City Watch team are collecting hundreds of used cannisters each week, causing a significant littering problem, with the clean up costs running into thousands; and having to be absorbed by residents. Cannisters and litter discarded at a local park.

The team are also witnessing an increase in drug use, drug dealing, and drug driving, at locations across the City, linked to the gas; and this intelligence is being shared with Merseyside Police. Alongside the anti social behaviour aspect, there is also real concerns about the impact to health and the environment.

The latest data from the ONS suggests Nitrous oxide is now the second most popular drug (behind cannabis) among 16 to 24 year olds, and a recent study found that the gas is now considered more harmful than other recreational drugs such as poppers when it came to drug dependency.

Exposure to the gas; which is usually inhaled through balloons, or in many cases direct from the cannister itself, can lead to health conditions like anaemia and infertility. Cases of life changing nerve damage, such as paralysis, has also been reported.

The after-effects are known to make people faint, lose consciousness, or even suffocate. People have also reported feelings of anxiety and depression after use. Nitrous oxide is also more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide, and it is steadily increasing in the atmosphere; so the:- 'party drug' is also leaving its mark on the environment. If people are worried about Nitrous oxide, they can get the honest advice and the facts from:- 'Frank' online at:- TalkToFrank.Com.

Cabinet Lead for Neighbourhoods and Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson said:- "Although Nitrous oxide isn't currently illegal in the UK, we would welcome changes to the law due to the widespread impact it's having on our communities. Not only are local residents having to witness anti-social behaviour, but the impact it's having on the health and wellbeing of our young people is really worrying. Ahead of Government plans being announced, we were already looking at how we could make changes locally; such as the introduction of a PSPO (Public Spaces Protection Order) or by enforcing stricter rules on buying canisters from local traders."

Director of Public Health Professor Matthew Ashton said:- "The health impact on our young people could be significant, including impairment of mental function, so something that people are doing for fun could literally be ruining their future lives. Local latest data tells is that Hospital admissions from substance misuse in young people aged 15 to 24 is twice the national average, and with the misuse of Nitrous oxide now on a scale not seen before in the City, Public Health officials want to work with enforcement colleagues and the Police to not only tackle the immediate issue, but to also help educate and inform young people of the real risks of Nitrous oxide."