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Reminder Andy Briggs is to do talk at Southport's Bijou

AUTHOR and filmmaker, Andy Briggs is set to host special events in Southport's new arts cinema on 1 March 2020, from 7:00 pm to 11:45 pm. The event will see him talking about his career and also providing information about what it is like to be both an author and also a filmmaker. He will also try to inspire those wanting to go into the industry with his Q&A session, before a showing of his critically acclaimed film:- 'Crowhurst' which is set in 1968. This film focuses on an inexperienced sailor who enters around the world race, which he fears he won't be able to complete yet alone win. In order to save his dignity, he decides to cheat to come last, but things don't go according to plan. Andy Briggs' career started as an unaccredited writer working on story development for TV series:- 'Highlander' in 1991. Andy has since also become an accomplished Director and a Producer, working extensively in the UK and US and in China too, on TV projects for the:- BBC, Syfy, Netflix, ITV Sci-Fi Channel, BKN Kids, Disney XD and Amazon. Currently Andy, on the convention circuit, is best known for his work on movie projects such as:- 'Judge Dredd' and 'Freddy Vs Jason' and 'Foreverman,' along with his work with Paramount Pictures, as well as:- 'Spiderman' creator, Stan Lee and legendary producer Robert Evans. Andy has also been engaged in Warner Bros animated:- 'Aquaman' as well as UK/Chinese movie:- 'Legendary' that starred both:- Scott Adkins and Dolph Lungdren. That's not forgetting:- 'Supervised' which was directed by:- Steve Barron, starring:- Tom Berenger, Beau Bridges and released in 2019; along with:- 'Ghost Town,' 'Rise of the Gargoyles,' 'Passage of the Four' (aka 'Screaming Night'), 'Dark Relic,' 'Legendary - Tomb of the Dragon,' 'Legendary - The Shocate,' along with:- 'Blake - Double Identity.' This fantastic event takes place at:- Southport's Bijou Cinema, 8 Post Office Avenue, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 0US, UK. Doors Open at:- 6:30 pm and the talk starts at:- 7:30 pm. Tickets are now on sale, online via Ticket Source, as well as from the venue's Box Office. Please note that the film, showing after the talk, is a 12A. Both the talk and film will require adult supervision of anyone under 15. More information go to:- VAMPHire.Com and tickets go to:- TicketSource.Co.UK.

Housing Secretary confirms new support for survivors of domestic violence in the North West

THE 'Novel Coronavirus' (COVID-19) is a new strain of Coronavirus 1st identified in Wuhan City, China and ever since has been dominating headlines all around the World. In the UK, Public Health England says it is ready to tackle the virus, but people are getting increasingly worried about the idea of a Pandemic. On 10 February 2020, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, announced strengthened legal powers to protect public health. Since the start of the outbreak the UK became 1 of the 1st countries outside China to have a prototype specific laboratory test for this new disease and can now test people quickly. If you have returned to the UK from any of areas affected by the virus or think you have been exposed, in the last 14 days, and have developed symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath, you should immediately:-

Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu.

Call NHS on '111' to inform them of your recent travel to the country or where you think you came into contact with the virus.

In Scotland phone your GP or NHS on:- 111 out of hours. If you are in Northern Ireland, call:- 0300 200 7885.

Then follow this advice even if your symptoms are minor! Correctly, the Public Health England are asking people who might have the virus not to go to their Doctors and self isolate themselves.

Based on current evidence, the virus presents flu like symptoms including:- fever, cough and/or difficulty breathing. The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild. Those who have died appear to have had pre-existing health conditions.

According to the NHS there is no specific treatment for Coronavirus and currently treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the infection.

On 23 February 2020, the NHS confirmed that they are treating a patient with Coronavirus (COVID-19) within the Royal Liverpool Hospital's Infectious Diseases Unit. The Hospital's Press Office have told the media that:- "There is no risk to other patients or visitors. All of our services are operating as usual. If you have a Hospital appointment then you should attend as planned."

Also, we have been told people are getting worried about people who look Chinese after reading misleading social media posts. This is a growing problem and has lead to racist attacks on the UK Chinese community. There is no evidence that they, are carrying or spreading the virus around the country. Please disregard and report any social media comments that are alleging this to the Authorities.

It is hoped that the disease will disappear like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars), did, following an outbreak that was also 1st detected in Southern China, back in 2002. But the coming days and weeks are crucial for determining which path the epidemic will take, as it could evolve or stick around like the flu.