St.Helens

FIRST UK ESSENTIAL OIL AND WILDFLOWER FARM

A BRAND NEW FUTURE April - July 2008 FirstSt.Helens Council’s Community Magazine

From belly dancing to bling Check out your local community centres

On the cover Check out your local St.Helens community centres – Contents see page 16. Chief Executive’s Inside this issue April - July 2008 column

The Audit Commission 7 9 has reported that St.Helens Council continues to be one of the best authorities in the country. In fact, its score for use of financial resources earned it third place in the country as St.Helens continues to improve year on year offering value for money for 12 24 Teentalk its council tax payers. The Annual Features News Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) report P4 Fostering update P23 Taking a peep inside P5 Bin men save the the Transport day for May by the Audit Commission P6-7 Direct Payments Museum reveals the results of making a difference P9 Ethan takes on USA countrywide inspections of to everyday lives P24 The Future is here P12 Fair Trade town councils, announcing that St P10 A sporting chance P26-27 Beacon Centre is a Helens has again retained its P13 New business centre top 4 star rating achieving its P14 St.Helens Live 08 shining light takes shape best scores ever. P15-22 Around and about  P25 Moss Lane 150 Financial management including more years on and use of resources was news on ward again assessed as excellent. committee projects The Council continues to deliver service improvements whilst setting inflation only increases in council tax. Other highlights included Editor: Chris Cahill News Editor: improvements in the Kay Dingsdale priority areas of economic St.Helens Council, Press and Public development, adult social Whether it’s to find out how By text: Ask about signing up to to recycle your household our new SMS text alert service Relations Office, care and health services, waste, check what’s on, pay when you call the Contact Centre. Town Hall, St.Helens, services for children WA10 1HP your Council Tax or request a and young people and specific service, the way you At the library: Call into any To contact your news contact the Council is up to you! library in St.Helens to pay team with suggestions for articles community safety and crime your Council Tax. Online: www.sthelens.gov.uk about you or your organisation and disorder strategies. Email: contactcentre@ St.Helens Council offers a Tel: 01744 456166/5 I hope you enjoy this sthelens.gov.uk translation and interpretation Fax: 01744 456168 service including foreign Email: [email protected] edition of St.Helens First Telephone: 01744 456789 languages, British Sign Language, St.Helens First is printed on recycled paper. (8am – 8pm, Monday – Friday Braille and Audio Tape. All public which is packed with and 10am – 2pm, Saturdays) areas in the Town Hall have interesting news and disabled access. Minicom: 01744 671671 Talking Pages feature items. Face to Face: Contact Centre, This magazine is available Wesley House, Corporation inin talkingtalking bookbook andand BrailleBraille Carole Hudson, Street, St.Helens (open 9am – on request by contacting 5pm, Monday – Friday). 01744 456166/5. Chief Executive Designed and printed by Engage Group www.engagegroup.co.uk Group Engage by Designed and printed Fostering feature

If you don’t foster, who will? If you have the enthusiasm, energy, commitment and love to care for someone else, room in your home and in your heart, then fostering could be for you.

he Council’s Fostering Team There are many misconceptions Look out for events and adverts is always seeking foster carers about who can and cannot foster but in the local press during Fostering for children of all ages but restrictions are minimal. Fortnight (10th – 24th May) which it is particularly looking for will give more information about Tpeople to care for older children – 7 You can be single, married or fostering or go to the Council’s teenagers who need a stepping stone living with a partner website www.sthelens.gov.uk to independence. Likely to be working or studying, they only need a foster 7 Employed, unemployed or retired home for a couple of years but many will keep in touch with their carers for 7 Live in your own home or rented years after. accommodation All who foster in St.Helens 7 You don’t need a big are provided with much help, house or garden encouragement and training from a comprehensive support network. They 7 You don’t need to be able to have their own support worker, are drive or own a car linked to an experienced carer, meet regularly with other foster carers and 7 There’s no age limit and you have access to advice and training. can have pets

If you think you have what it takes to foster or want more information call the Fostering Team on 01744 456256 or email [email protected]

4 www.sthelens.gov.uk News

Bin men save the day for May

A group of St.Helens bin Beesley, John McNamara men saved the day for a and trainee David Mustard Haydock pensioner who waiting for her with had inadvertently lost her the lost MoT and car MoT and £40 worth of tax money. car tax. They had seen the May Hughes, 74, put envelope and cash drop off an envelope on the bonnet the car and waited for her of her Ford Fiesta as to return to be reunited she sorted out her car with her lost property. keys and handbag. But Says May: “The lads she left it on the bonnet were really friendly and as she set off to get her wanted to make sure I got car taxed. my things back as quickly After searching as possible. They do a everywhere she arrived grand job and they deserve back home to find bin some praise for their men Neil Groves, John thoughtfulness.” Bin lorry driver Neil with May

UK’s first essential oils and wildflower farm Fields of lavender and based at the National relocate its processing wildflowers will become a Wildflower Centre in and visitor education familiar sight in St.Helens Knowsley, will jointly facilities to the farm, which with the prospective develop Inglenook Farm will become a colourful launch of the UK’s first in Rainford producing addition to the already essential oils and national crops, undertaking research thriving rural economy wildflower farm. and creating a haven for in St.Helens. The project Phytobotanica UK wildlife. is an integral part of the Ltd, founders of the first Subject to securing borough’s Rural Economy essential oils research planning permission for Action Plan (REAP), as centre in Europe, and reuse of the outbuildings, well as the wider City Landlife, a wildlife charity Phytobotanica will also Growth Strategy.

19th Century Mansion new venue for civil ceremonies

The historic Mansion choice of table layouts and other rooms overlooking House in Victoria Park menus to suit all tastes plus parkland, some with has thrown open its helpful wedding planner water feature views. impressive doors to civil staff to help with your Older townsfolk ceremonies. special day. will remember it as the Built in 1850 and set Once a Victorian town’s former museum. in panoramic parkland gentlemen’s residence Age Concern now near the town centre, it boasts an imposing run the building. the Mansion House entrance and central hall For further has a number of rooms with elegant staircase details contact available with a large ideal for photographs plus 01744 752644.

www.sthelens.gov.uk 5 Adult social care and health Direct Payments are opening up a world of opportunities A scheme which offers a cash amount for people to purchase their own care and support is opening up a new way of life for people across the Borough.

esidents who are eligible for A Champions Group was set up This includes people with physical Community Care Services as a point of contact to bring issues, or learning disabilities, older people, (CCS) can choose Direct problems, and suggestions to the mental health problems, disabled Payments which offer a way group. Common queries include people aged between 16 and 17, people Rof receiving the care they need. whether a specific bit of equipment with disabled children and carers. It’s a cash amount from the Council’s would be available through a direct Once in receipt of payment it means Adult Social Care and Health payment or whether someone has you can employ your own carers or Department and is completely separate capacity to consent to a direct personal assistant, decide on the hours from the Department for Work and payment if they have Alzheimers. they work and how they give support. Pensions direct payment scheme. They also share information and The Council’s Direct Payments Team The amount you receive is based good practice about creative use of will offer help and advice with a wide on a financial assessment and will not direct payments. range of issues to help you. affect your finances or benefits. Your Anyone who uses or is eligible for For more details ring 01744 456204 contribution, if any, will be dependent CCS can access Direct Payments. or 456200 on your financial circumstances.

6 www.sthelens.gov.uk Adult social care and health

Jane’s new life thanks Holiday to Direct Payments boost

Since Jane Parr received her Direct Payments it has opened up a The parents of one 15 year old whole new world for her. St.Helens youngster have been able to Jane, who has learning difficulties, has been able to follow up her have a holiday, safe in the knowledge dreams and ambitions. Working with her Personal Care Assistant, that their son is being well cared for. Angela, she has joined a social club and is a lady who likes to lunch The much needed respite break to improve her social network. was made possible thanks to Direct But her main boost has been to develop her love of cats by Payments. They have been able to volunteering to make blankets for the Cat Protection League. Every pay for respite care in the form of week, with her mum, they knit blankets, and with Angela’s help a nursery assistant who has known takes them to the local branch to fund raise. their son from being a toddler. She Via her Direct Payments Jane can enjoy a family holiday with steps in from time to time while mum mum, dad and Angela who provides respite care so that everyone and dad have a care break. can have a good time.

Emma is dancing with delight

Thanks to Direct Payments Emma Hough is now enjoying her favourite hobby of dancing thanks to help from her Personal Assistant. Emma, who has learning difficulties, now attends dance classes plus visits to the cinema and clubs. And, because, her Personal Assistant is 18, it has opened up a network of new friends her own age.

Emma with her mum

www.sthelens.gov.uk 7 Children and young people Playing the generation game

People of different generations have a lot to teach one another. This is the valuable lesson that families in St.Helens are learning.

cross the Borough young The funding will support existing children, parents, carers and parents’ groups and create new grandparents are enjoying ones, provide more high quality, learning and having fun fun learning opportunities and help inA schools and children’s centres children to continue learning beyond boosting their skills while bridging the classroom. There will be more the generation gap. Now, these ‘learning through play’ groups for opportunities are set to be extended the under ones and their families, and further enhanced thanks to BIG extensions to the successful Sure Start Lottery funding of £400,000. MATCH project for men and their This will, over the next four years, children and more support for the allow the Council to implement its SHARE sessions in schools where FLaSH programme. FLaSH (Family parents work alongside their children Learning across St.Helens) will to promote their development. give youngsters and adults more FLaSH will create opportunities for opportunities to experience things new and innovative ways of learning Others to benefit from the BIG together from learning Spanish, to and will always be inter-generational Lottery Fund are: exploring the countryside, visiting and lots of fun. galleries and museums and helping To find out more about Family and St.Helens District Sports Council one another to learn. Community Learning opportunities (£9,850) to develop their marketing please contact 01744 677312. strategy to boost awareness of their work plus more work with volunteers. St. Mark’s Church, Haydock (£9,846) towards the purchase of an old school for use by the community. Earlestown Cricket Club (£9,750) to buy new ground maintenance equipment to improve playing surfaces. St.Helens Cricket Development Group (£9,300) towards attending more and varied courses aimed at players and coaches to develop skills. Liverpool St.Helens Junior Rugby (£6,484) to fund coaching courses for volunteers and playing equipment to offer extra provision and after school activities.

8 www.sthelens.gov.uk News

Budding ‘Tiger Woods’ What a classic! Interested in classic takes on America cars? Then the St.Helens Classic Car This time last year Negotiations with are providing Ethan with Association is for you. promising young golfer Eccleston Park Golf Club’s equipment and advice. The club has been Ethan Davies was on the Head Professional, Bryan Rob said: “As a result going for six years and verge of quitting the game Mulhall-Joelson and Club of Ethan’s immense ability has a mix of classic and he loves and excels at. Captain Derek Wright OBE, and the support network modern cars as well as He had become resulted in Ethan becoming around him, he has now old favourites such as frustrated at the seemed the youngest ever member been selected to represent Moggie Minors, lack of opportunities of the club. Bryan coached a European team (under Spitfires, MGB’s, locally for players of Ethan in preparation for 9) to play against a team Cortinas, Granadas, his age and his parents his first major competition from USA in the European Land Rover, Sunbeam had to travel from their - the Young Masters Championships. Rapiers, Rovers, Jaguars home in Rainhill to National Finals and more. Leeds to enable nine- - where It meets on the third year-old Ethan to play in despite Thursday of every competitions. only month at the Bull and But after his mum having a Dog, Sherdley Park. Jo contacted St.Helens couple of Contact Dave Jones School Sports months to prepare, 01744 637052 or Partnership, doors of he narrowly missed email davidjones66@ opportunity opened for out on a top three blueyonder.co.uk Ethan. As part of the finish. Bryan is Council’s drive to support also working gifted and talented closely with the Golf individuals Rob Vaughan, Foundation’s PE and Partnership Development School Sport Club Sporting success Manager, put together a Links programme and for gym club help package. Nike Golf who A local gym club for disabled people is going from strength to strength. Spartac Special Needs Stuttgart celebrations Gym Club hope to follow their most successful year St.Helens has been Square, a schools’ exchange she spent many happy yet in 07 with another celebrating the 60th trip and table tennis holidays with and the equally as busy. anniversary of its links tournament. two women are still As well as performing at with Stuttgart this month in contact today. Edna the World Gymnaestrada – believed to be the first Memories are also visited as secretary in Austria, the London British/German ‘partner made of this of the Lyndale Singers Festival and the Scottish town’ agreement after the Edna Platt got in touch who performed as guest Gymnastics, to name but Second World War. after reading a Stuttgart of the MSV-Vaihingen a few, the group also carry Twenty five Stuttgart article in the last edition Choir in 1976 then took out local displays including visitors spent a weekend of St.Helens First which part in Stuttgart’s 50th the St.Helens Gymfest. in the town visiting local highlighted St. Helens’s anniversary celebrations Their calendar is already attractions and enjoying links with the German in 1988. Also taking part full for 08 which again sees a civic dinner. A week town. in the visits were local them at the Scotland even long series of celebrations She went on an exchange girls Norma Naylor (nee in May and the London included a concert from trip to Stuttgart in 1953 Hill) and Beryl Pugh (nee event in October. the St.Helens Sinfonietta, and met exchange partner Miller) who were also For further information floral displays in Victoria Susanne Schoch, who Lyndale members. contact theillidges@ hotmail.com

www.sthelens.gov.uk 9 Sports news Sports clubs with something for everyone Come and see what St.Helens Sports Clubs can offer YOU is the message to youngsters and their parents.

n a bid to increase the number obesity and social inclusion. youth centres and has been promoted of five to 18-year-olds taking The St.Helens School Sports via the local press. It is hoped part in sport in their own time a Partnerships in conjunction with that more than 200 people will I Sports Fayre has been organised in the Council’s Sports Development attend the fayre. St.Helens RLFC St.Helens to which pupils and parents team organised the event, with their players will also be at the event and are invited. partners, after noticing that while pupils and their families will be able It is the first of its kind on pupils do sport in school, many do not to enter a raffle to win tickets for a Merseyside and will allow youngsters continue enjoying it in their spare time. Saints match. to meet sports club representatives There is a particularly noticeable drop- Just turn up on the night or and find out how they can get involved off rate at aged 16. for more details call on 01744 675926 in the wide range of sports available The Sports Fayre will take place or Julie Fraser on 01744 455367. locally. The event aims to increase at the Town Hall on 16th April A directory of sports clubs is listed physical activity among young between 6.30pm and 9pm. It has been on the Council’s website people to help them live healthier widely advertised in schools, sports www.sthelens.gov.uk lives while tackling issues of ill health, clubs, leisure centres, libraries and

10 www.sthelens.gov.uk Recycling Message in a bottle

A plastic bottle recycling trial in St.Helens proved such a big success that it is being rolled out across every household in the Borough.

he pilot scheme was cleaning bottles, milk bottles, shampoo Asda, Kirkland Street, introduced last year and and shower gel bottles are among the Town Centre initially saw 20,000 plastic items that can be recycled. bottles being recycled every The Council launched the trial after Tesco, Chalon Way West, T listening to what residents said they week. The containers are emptied every Town Centre two weeks as part of the kerbside wanted to recycle. recycling scheme. Items such as cordial You can also take your plastic Tesco, Earle Street, bottles, household detergent and bottles to be recycled at any of the following sites: Newton Tesco, Church Road, Haydock

Netto, Haydock Street, Newton

For more information, please call the Council’s Contact Centre on 01744 456789.

Also, watch out for more details in your local press and information coming through your letterbox

And there’s more……. The Council is boosting the number of green bins across the Borough by a further 5,000. This brings the current total to around 60,000. This is just one element of a major recycling campaign being launched across the Borough. Watch the local press and your St.Helens First for further details as schemes come on line.

www.sthelens.gov.uk 11 Fairtrade

Residents across St.Helens have been doing their bit to promote Fairtrade Fortnight which aims help disadvantaged farmers and workers in developing countries. All’s fair in St.Helens

special coffee morning Pupils from St.Helens high schools Fairtrade was launched in 1994 was held in the Central attended a special event at St. to help economically disadvantaged Library where people were Cuthbert’s to promote Fairtrade. people or those marginalised by invited to sample Fairtrade Pupils were told how they could do conventional trading. Aproducts while a similar Taster session their bit to alleviate poverty and help St.Helens is on the road to was held at St.Helens College Foyer. sustainable development. becoming a Fairtrade town and this year hopes to announce the Fairtrade title. In order to do this a certain number of retailers and catering outlets need to have a regular stock base of 2 or more Fairtrade products. At the moment there are still too few catering outlets such as coffee shops, restaurants and pubs stocking Fairtrade to meet the strict criteria. St.Helens Fairtrade Steering group in conjunction with St.Helens Council are working hard to encourage more businesses to get on board but the best way to get the message across is a higher demand for the products. To do this we need the help of residents and visitors to ask for Fairtrade products in their local shops, cafes and restaurants.

For more information contact Cheryl Taylor on 01744 456442 or email [email protected]

12 www.sthelens.gov.uk News St.Helens means business

A new business park is taking shape that will create hundreds of quality new jobs. Top of the range offices are being built at Mere Grange through a joint venture between developer Langtree and national regeneration agency English Partnerships. Construction is progressing on the £12 million phase one of the business park, which will provide space for around 130 jobs when complete in June 2008. Further phases will be developed after this, totalling 27,870 attract new businesses to St Helens. successful industrial sites south of square metres (300,000 square feet), Mere Grange, the old Lea Green the town centre. leading to a total of around 650 jobs Farm West, has been reclaimed using Phase one of the development and around £50 million investment funds from the English Partnerships’ will provide 5,574 square metres by 2015. National Coalfields Programme, the (60,000 square feet) of self-contained The 12-hectare (30 acre) business EU and Merseyside Objective One office space in 10 units of between park will provide good quality and programme. It is in a prominent 306 square metres (3,300 square cost-effective commercial space for linkroad position (A570) which links feet) and 901 square metres (9,700 local companies to grow and to help to the M62, and is close to existing square feet).

A kind of magic Dyslexia drop in New flats for evenings Rainford The Animal Magic article in the last issue generated so much interest that we have been asked St. Helens Dyslexia Association The Council has approved a to provide further details. meets on the third Tuesday scheme to build 18 self- Teacher Steven Lewis-Neill of each month at 7pm at the contained flats in Victoria runs wild workshops in schools Millennium Centre, Corporation Street, Rainford. The two to teach youngsters the habits of Street. bedroomed flats will be various animals. Contact Attendance is free and the available for people aged 55 01925 220197 or log on to association provides advice and and over and there will be www.wildworkshops.co.uk support. Contact 0151 426 9989. parking facilities. Walk this way Back by popular demand is the supported by the St.Helens Star, and supporting patients’ Moonlight Walk which last year saw the Council, Pilkingtons and families and carers. ‘Time for 1,000 women pounding the streets Merseyside Police. Caring’ is the ethos of after dark to raise £67,000 Sponsorship money raised Willowbrook Hospice. for Willowbrook Hospice. will enable the hospice to continue For an application pack Organisers hope that this year’s enhancing the quality of life of contact Diane at the Fundraising ladies only event will attract twice as people living with life limiting Office on01744 453798 or many walkers. The 10km walk, which illnesses. Staff do this by visit the website starts at 10pm, on Saturday, June 7, is providing specialist palliative care www.willowbrook.org.uk

www.sthelens.gov.uk 13 Culture Club Join in the fun for St.Helens Live 08 Tickets are now on sale for St.Helens Live 08 – a series of quality concerts featuring high profile and well known artistes, hosted at St.Helens Town Hall throughout the year.

With renowned names such as the You can purchase tickets for any of Liverpool Philharmonic, The Black the performances in advance at the Dyke Brass Band and the Lancashire following outlets: Hotpots, St.Helens Live 08 is attracting • St.Helens Council Contact Centre, massive interest and demand for tickets Corporation St (cash sales only) is high. Organised by St.Helens Council and • Online at Ticketline.co.uk (booking supported by Capital of Culture, this is fee may apply) - http://www. one of the Borough’s main contribution ticketline.co.uk/news.php?id=3895 to Liverpool Capital of Culture 08 and • Tourist Information Centre @ hopes to attract hundreds of people to The World of Glass (booking fee Events include: the Town Hall Assembly Room. may apply) • The Citadel Ticket Office 17th May – “Showtime!” An evening of Musical Theatre with St.Helens Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Pilkington Musical Theatre Company and Rainhill Amateur Operatic Society - £7.00 For more information, 20th June – “The Way We Were” please call 01744 An evening of dance and memories 455305 or visit with the Sophie Garner Band www.ticketline.co.uk £5.00 and www.sthelens.gov. uk/events 19th July – Liverpool Philharmonic The Lancashire Hot Pots presents “All Around the Bass” £12.00 20th September – An audience with the Lancashire Hotpots £10.00 18th October – Jive and Swing Night with Oo Bop Sh’Bam £10.00 22nd November – The Black Dyke Brass Band £12.00 20th December – Christmas Carols – Schools’ Performance £5.00

The Black Dyke Mills Band

14 www.sthelens.gov.uk Around and about

Lottery boost for Vocational excellence is at historic heritage site

the heart of new centre A historic heritage site in St.Helens has been awarded £865,500 from the A brand new learning centre, offering vocational Heritage Lottery Fund. studies for teenagers, opens its doors in September. St Helens Council, the Mersey Basin Campaign, Groundwork Merseyside Based at St.Helens College’s engineering, construction, motor along with a range of partner Technology Centre, Pocket Nook, vehicle, building services, hair and organisations have been awarded the the Collaborative Learning beauty, complementary therapies money for the Stanley Bank Triangle Centre will provide a completely and health and care. Project. It will be used to enhance and new learning environment for The need for such a centre was promote the heritage of Stanley Bank 14 to 19-year-olds, focusing identified in a review undertaken in Blackbrook. In the late 18th century Stanley predominantly on the 14 to 16 age by the Greater Merseyside Learning Bank was a hive of activity. Iron group. At the heart of its concept and Skills Council and a number ingots supplied by the forges at Carr is ‘vocational excellence’ and of partners including the college, Mill were rolled flat and slit into flat opportunities for young people to schools, the Council and St.Helens bar for use in the nail making trade work and learn new skills in an Chamber were involved in its and for bands around barrels. adult environment. development. The building itself A copper works was established in The kind of courses available in is sustainable with features 1772 by Thomas Patten. The copper the high tech centre will include including high levels of insulation workers were accommodated in to reduce heat loss, solar panels, Copper House Row and relaxed in the use of recyclable materials, the works owned pub (now called the good daylight and automatic Ship). control of artificial lighting and Today, nature has reclaimed the site, rainwater recycling facilities. with nationally important wildlife habitats masking the rich heritage, which lies below the surface. Works will begin in April.

Former school Allotments flourish as take up rate soars gets new lease Council run allotments across exercise, people can learn much from St.Helens are flourishing, almost gardening and allotments also of life all are now occupied and there is a provide an important habitat for A former infant school has waiting list for some. flora and fauna. been given a new lease of A few years ago just 66% were Contact 01744 456789 for life by St. Mark’s Church, occupied but that has now risen to more details. Haydock. 98% with avid gardeners producing The Church has acquired flowers, fruit and vegetables and the Richard Evans Infant others rearing poultry too. Many of School building on a long the Council’s 480 plots are operated lease. After a complete on a self managed basis or refurbishment it is now form part of a Community home to community and Allotment Association which church activities, the church’s involves people working catering facilities and local in a group. community project TANGO. Allotments not only help The ‘something for to provide a sustainable everyone’ centre can be source of healthy food, contacted on but working on them 01744 625046. is a good source of www.sthelens.gov.uk 15 Around and about

From belly dancing to bling From belly dancing to digital photography classes your local community centre has ‘something for everyone’.

f you fancy brushing up on a foreign a range of new activities on offer at can bet that you can find something of language, or bringing some bling into one centre. And if you don’t know interest at one or more centres. your life with jewellery classes, it’s your jpegs from your pixels there are Some events are free and many odds on that your local community photography courses plus computers of the activities on offer have special Icentre has something for you. made easy sessions, local history and rates for certain groups. Many offer Even Arabic Belly Dancing is among heritage talks to name but a few. You crèche facilities.

Centres include:

Crownway Community Centre Chain Lane Community Centre 01925 222907 01744 677705

Deafness Resource Centre Derbyshire Hill Family & 01744 23887 Community Centre 01744 601436

Newton Family & Community Association Peter Street Community Centre 01925 224731 01744 677555

The HOPE Centre Clock Face Recreation Club 01744 26414 07734 096321

The Leaf Centre Starting Point 01744 820044 01744 698800

YWCA Sure Start Children’s Centres 01744 25813 01744 678258

Sutton Manor Extended Primary Chester Lane Centre & Library 01744 678 700 01744 677115

St John’s Centre T.A.N.G.O 01744 758991 01744 625046 Details about more Fairbrother Community Centre community centres 01925 292221 is also available from the Council for Voluntary Services on 01744 457100. 16 www.sthelens.gov.uk Your local ward committee Making a difference to your community

St. Helens First takes a peep behind the scenes at some of the work being done via the 16 Ward Committees which give people the chance to voice their vision for their community. Each Committee has an annual budget of £30,000 to spend on environmental projects of their choosing. Residents have a say in how and where the money is Across all wards dozens of spent. Here is a snapshot round up of some of the work in progress. Many more extra dog bins have been projects are in the pipeline. Getting involved could not be easier and will give you an installed by popular demand. opportunity to make a real difference in your ward. See contact details on page 20.

Billinge and Seneley Green

Changing the goal posts! Football fans using Bankes Park can Other initiatives in the ward include now enjoy improved facilities thanks widespread bulb planting as part of to alterations to goal posts. Due to Billinge and Garswood in Bloom plus the terrain of the park the goal posts additional seating areas in Main Street were eroding the soil. A new rubber and Simms Road. The roundabout net surface has been installed to stop at Elm Avenue is also being given a erosion and allow the grass to planting makeover with new bulbs. grow through.

Blackbrook Bold Earlestown

Be prepared Cleaner and greener Popular bridge restored Road improvement work Environmental The well used Cloghe outside the Blackbrook initiatives include Wood footbridge has Scouts Headquarters tidy ups around been refurbished as have been carried out Dunsop Avenue, part of environmental and continuing the visual Horny Crescent and works in the wood. environmental theme Wray Avenue; new Other initiatives more waste bins have kerbs and drainage include tree planting been placed outside works on Union in Market Street, ten schools in the area. Bank Lane and new street signs Football fanatics are additional litter bins a pedestrian barrier on now enjoying new goal in Forest Road and Market Street and two posts on the Bosworth Walkers Lane. Christmas trees. Road field.

www.sthelens.gov.uk 17 Your local ward committee

Eccleston Haydock

Woodland boost New fencing and More tree planting at clean up St. Benedict’s Wood Land around has been carried out Windermere Road along with exensive has been given bulb planting to a clean up with give a Spring splash. substantial fencing. Improvements are More litter bins being made to the hard and sweeping has surface area at the rear also been carried out of shops in Gillars across the ward. Green.

Moss Bank

Thumbs up for new look safer park Graham Roberts, chair of the Haresfinch Park is now a safer more Friends group said the Police have pleasant place to visit say local confirmed a reduction in calls residents who have been working for Police assistance in the area with the Council to improve it. of almost one-third – one of the The Friends of Haresfinch Park largest reductions on Merseyside. installed security lighting and Other initiatives include new street a Mosquito alarm after receiving lights in Haresfinch Park, more funding from the Council’s Ward benches and improvements to Committees network. The alarm, the courtyard in Moss Bank Care which releases a high pitched noise Centre, new lights at the front of that only people aged under 25 can shops in Bassenthwaite Avenue and hear, is designed to tackle anti-social benches in the children’s play area behaviour by moving on groups in Kentmere Park. of youths.

Newton

New allotment for youngsters The project now forms part Children at Newton Primary of the school’s curriculum and School now have a brand new youngsters have been busy allotment, the result of partnership planting bulbs and strawberries. working with the Mesnes Park Money has also been put allotment group and the ward aside for a new sensory garden committee. More than £5,000 at the new £10-million Newton has been put into the allotment Community Hospital. Here plants by the ward committee to will appeal to all five senses, sight, create a horticultural haven hearing, taste, smell and touch. for the youngsters. It also has The ward committee also funded new disabled access, new water the Christmas festive display supply and improved walkways. which included a tree and lights.

18 www.sthelens.gov.uk Your local ward committee

Rainhill Parr

Memorial seating improvements New fencing Two seating areas will be New fencing has been put placed at the Memorial in the in place in Evelyn Avenue, village. There have also been Chancery Lane and Hargreaves improvements to fencing to Street. A new vehicle turning the Old Lane Playing Fields point has been built in Surrey and footpath and fencing Street and access has been improvements at Manor Farm. restricted along O’Brien Improvements are also being Grove and Seath Avenue. made to the entry project in Improvements have also been Rainhill Road. made to land near the Co-op on Parr Stocks Road.

Rainford

Floral boost for village Extra hanging baskets and floral displays in Rainford were among the most requested projects which have also included Christmas lighting and new benches. Other work includes improvements to Crank Recreation Ground and access improvements to the Linear Park in Junction Road. More hanging baskets are adding a splash of colour across the Borough

Sutton

A ‘dam’ good scheme Environmental work continues on the popular Sutton Mill Dam which is being given a makeover to include improvements to woodland and pathways. Repair and improvement work is also being done on Dale Crescent.

www.sthelens.gov.uk 19 Your local ward committee

Thatto Heath

Makeover magic Landscaping boost for ward The passageway to the rear of Extensive landscaping on land at Heyes Street has been given a Sherdley Road is being carried clean up while at Reeves Court out with a new flowerbed for new pathways are being built. College Street. New goal posts have been Two further Christmas trees installed at Sutton Health Road/ were funded from the ward Elton Head Road and more litter budget along with more hanging bins have been placed around baskets across the area. the ward.

West Park Windle

Grass is greener project Waste land booster Work to resurface the Waste land off Cooper Street is grass veres at Lacey Street, to be reclaimed and tidied while Lugsmore Lane, Dodd the path between Hard Lane Avenue and Leslie Road and the Windlehurst estate will is being done while some benefit from a clean up. More planters have been removed tree planting has been carried on the side steets leading out at Victoria Park while up to Rivington Road bollards have been replaced on from Cambridge Road Windle Hall Drive and more to improve access and speed limit signs have gone up visibility. around the Hard Lane estate.

Your Ward Committee dates St.Helens North St.Helens South Billinge and Seneley Green; Blackbrook; Earlestown; Bold; Eccleston; Parr; Rainhill; Sutton; Haydock; Moss Bank; Newton; Rainford; Windle Thatto Heath; Town Centre; West Park 2nd June 2008 3nd June 2008 1st September 2008 2nd September 2008 27th October 2008 28th October 26th January 2009 27th January 2009 23rd March 2009 24th March 2009

All meetings run from 7.00pm – 9.00pm

For more information about your next Ward Committee contact 01744 456958, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/wardcommittees or e mail [email protected]

20 www.sthelens.gov.uk Around and about

Walkers scale Charity another peak boost St.Helens and District Rambling Club is celebrating its 80th A St. Helens couple have birthday by organising more worked tirelessly for charity great walks and other activities. since the death of their daughter. The club has a packed 2008 23 years ago, raising thousands including fortnightly Sunday of pounds to buy much needed rambles in places including the equipment and holidays for sick Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and disabled children. and Snowdonia, Friday evening Marjorie and Arthur Hurst talks during winter and local formed the Helen Marie Friends walks during summer, weekends charity after their daughter away and short breaks. Helen died of a brain tumour All walks are carefully graded at the age of just 12. All of for distance and height to the money raised is spent on suit individual walkers, from St.Helens children. Mrs Hurst events over the years have strenuous hikes of 12-18 miles said the fund commemorates included sponsored walks, barn over the fells to easy five mile the “lionhearted spirit” of their dances, fun runs, treasure hunts, strolls in the valleys. daughter whose greatest love was pub crawls, jumble sales, fayres, New members are always to help others less fortunate football and cricket matches and welcome. For more details than herself. fashion shows. contact Membership The couple, who live in Islands Anyone who wants to Secretary, John Dyson on Brow, and their charity members contribute to the fund raising 0151 493 1266 or visit the have in the last year raised efforts of Mr and Mrs Hurst can club website at www.btinternet. around £6,000. Fund raising contact them on 01744 734155. com/~dandjwalks/SHDRC/ Shdrc.htm

Log on for a wealth Meet the neighbours of information St.Helens Council’s website Two neighbourhoods in while the Newton le Willows (www.sthelens.gov.uk) contains a St.Helens have been selected scheme will be centred wealth of information ranging from to celebrate European around Woods Court where school admissions to licensing and Neighbours Day. residents have asked for an local events. People living in Newton event including music, games, Constantly updated and providing le Willows and Sutton will quizzes, food and fun. up to date news from the Council’s take part in the May 27 event Other areas in the North Press and PR Office, the website which will also see the launch West included in European also provides links to several local of a series of Sports Taster Neighbours Day include events, community events groups and events held across a 13-week Trafford, Liverpool, Southport neighbourhood services. period. and the Wirral. Organisers Mysthelens.org provides details Residents in these two hope to link each area with of over 350 community events with areas living in Maritime, an “Olympic Flame’ type information about local services. Arena and Helena homes are procession. Sthelens.gov.uk/events explains how to being consulted on the event For further details please plan an event and tells you what’s on. which includes a clean up ring Peta Stephens on Coming soon - new pages for the morning followed by a fun event 0844 7360066. Go Active leisure scheme, councillors’ blog pages, and online payments for event tickets.

www.sthelens.gov.uk 21 Around and about Kids tackle healthy living Around 1,000 primary pupils have undergone sports training and picked up some tips on healthy living too thanks to professional rugby coach Neil Seabrook. eil, a coach with said Neil. “With obesity on the Haresfinch ARLFC, increase and schools being told they applied for £10,000 from must provide more physical exercise, Awards for All - half the programme is ready made. Nwent to the club for equipment and I look to give young children the remainder enabled him to take a the skills and confidence to sports programme into local primary participate in all sport sand schools and the community. He encourage them to get involved worked with five to seven-year olds in sporting activities out in the on their fundamentals of movement. community. This will help to increase With support from the Council’s the level of participation across Healthy Living Team the sessions also the Borough. The sessions are fully encouraged pupils to eat healthily. inclusive and no child is excluded, “The programme has been well whatever barrier they might face.” received by the children and teachers,” Contact him on 07765 801288.

Unique ceramic service Get ready for the Blackbrook Bonanza takes to the road and the Parr de Gras A Ceramic Café launched in Earlestown Two popular community events, host of other attractions. is taking to the road to provide a back by popular demand, are The Blackbrook Bonanza unique service for townsfolk. the Blackbrook Bonanza and will take place on June 14 on Originally run from a shop in the Parr de Gras. the fields behind Blackbrook Standley Street, owner Rob Manfredi More than 1000 people flocked Rugby Club from 12 – 4 while has decided to take to the road with a to the 07 events and this the Parr de Gras will be held on new mobile service. year promises more attractions August 16 at Bold Miners in Customers paint their design on to than before. Fleet Lane. the ceramic which is taken and glazed. Activities will include For further details contact It is then be returned as a fully useable music, entertainment, face Eddie McConville on 01744 751097 piece. A totally unique gift!” painting, Morris Dancing and a or Hilda Sines on 01744 22349. For more information ring 07790 309149.

computer and internet classes. You library in the Central Library. You Libraries – can also hire blockbuster films, chart can see what your ancestors were more than music CDs and DVDs, for a small fee. doing and how they lived and they And now, you can also pay your may even have a photo of where just books Council Tax at your local library they lived as well. (cards only) and drop off Council Libraries are available 24/7, If you thought your local library Tax, Housing Benefit forms and Blue from any computer connected was just shelves of books, think Badge applications. to the internet. All you need is again! Whether you’re a certified You can also get a free Bookstart the barcode number from your cyber surfer, music mad or a film pack for every child under three library card. fanatic, there’s something there and there is the Summer Reading Call into your local library, with for you. Challenge Story and Rhyme Time proof of ID, for full borrowing rights. St.Helens has 13 libraries and sessions in most libraries. Telephone (01744) 456951 or visit they all offer free broadband You can trace your family tree the website: www.sthelens.gov.uk internet access. Some also offer via the Local History and Archives

22 www.sthelens.gov.uk Unique museum on your doorstep

Museum’s rare vintage

St.Helens First took a step back in time when it visited the cavernous workshop of a rather unique town centre museum.

ere in the North West collection of over 60 historic buses Museum of Road and other vehicles including classic Transport’s workshop, cars, a fire engine and bikes. It also volunteers lovingly holds special events when its vehicles Hrestore vintage buses, using tools take to the roads and hosts exclusive from the 1920s to strip, repair and visits for schools and private parties. re-fit transport of yesteryear before A highlight of 2008 is the St.Helens meticulously hand painting the buses. Trolley Bus Day on June 29th when Mechanic Rob Brown and retired saw the St.Helens trolley bus no. 387 mill worker Frank Lyon, who can turn returns to the museum for the first his hand to any job in the workshop, time in 40 years during the 50th are currently working on a major anniversary of the closure of the restoration project. trolley bus system. And on September It involves restoring a Widnes 21st, you too get a chance to visit the Leyland Lion bus from 1935 and a workshop when it opens its doors St.Helens Leyland bus from the early from 11am until 4pm. ‘60s that was converted into a bus Located in the old bus depot, for disabled people. Both have been Hall Street the museum opens donated to the museum and and it is from 11am until 4pm on Saturdays, hoped that the Widnes bus will make Sundays and Bank Holidays a guest appearance in the forthcoming excluding Christmas and New Year. 100th anniversary of Widnes Run entirely by volunteers it is keen transport. to recruit new helpers. To find out Re-opened in 2006 after a more call 01744 451681 or go to £1.5million refurbishment, the www.hallstreetdepot.info for the full museum houses a fascinating programme of events.

www.sthelens.gov.uk 23 Furniture company with an eye to the future

Caption The Future is here

Recycling is big on the uture, now owned by Arena ploughed back into the company. Its Housing Association, is a Bickerstaffe Street shop is packed with agenda now, locally community based organisation furniture including sofas which start and nationally, but one set up to train and employ from £50, cookers from £120 and Flocal people, many of whom are long three piece suites from £150. Future particular St.Helens term unemployed. It renovates and also sells some brand new furniture project has been refurbishes to a high quality furniture including fridges, washers and beds – that is donated to it then sells it on at again at affordable prices. re-using furniture for affordable costs. Initially it had just six Since becoming part of Arena, the good of local people employees, now has 25 staff and in the Future has expanded the range of for eight years. past year has trained 33 people, more furniture it sells and is going into than 40 per cent of whom found jobs contract furniture, providing items or went on to further education. for housing associations and sheltered Recycling around 250 items a accommodation. It also supplies month, Future is run as a social property services, mainly to housing enterprise and any profits made are associations but also to the public. These include cleaning properties, gardening, painting and decorating and testing electrical equipment such as computers.

If you have any unwanted furniture that you want to donate to Future, whose staff will collect it from you, please call 01744 616951. The shop opening hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4.30pm on Friday and 9am to 4pm on Saturday.

24 www.sthelens.gov.uk News

Rugby club celebrates

Stars from the world schools playing the game Internationals who played of rugby have been in Victorian costume and for the club include Alan descending on Liverpool a re-enactment of the first Ashcroft, John Horton, St. Helens which is game of rugby played in Nigel Heslop and the celebrating its 150th Liverpool. current club President anniversary and is the It can trace its origins Ray French. world’s oldest open rugby back to 1857 when Liverpool and St. union club. Liverpool Football Club Helens merged in 1986 The Moss Lane club was formed. and furnished home have been staging a St. Helens RUFC was international players in Dewi series of events including founded in 1919 as Morris (England) pupils from local primary St. Helens Old Boys. and Simon Mason (Ireland). Famous faces from rugby at one of the recent events.

Valuing volunteers Where Should New Housing Go? This year’s St.Helens not be possible. Set up The Council has stage – submission to Volunteer Awards, to promote and develop undertaken a ‘Call for Government. It is hoped celebrating their 10th voluntary sector activities Sites’ to give everyone that submission will take anniversary, are set to be across the Borough, the the opportunity place in Autumn 2008, bigger and better than ever CVS continues to initiate to suggest where when you can comment attracting hundreds of and develop new projects new housing and further. people to the high profile and services while the employment could be Documents are also awards ceremony. Volunteer Centre promotes built. Sites suggested being prepared to deal The St.Helens CVS and volunteering which benefits will now be assessed with Waste Disposal, Volunteer Centre Awards others and the volunteer and those found Affordable Housing, have rewarded more than themselves. suitable will help the Climate Change 1,400 volunteers since they The awards will be Council to identify and Transport. Your began and around 500 launched in June during housing supply for the comments will be groups have submitted National Volunteers Local Development invited on draft versions nominations. The Police Week and the ceremony Framework – the new of these documents later and St.Helens District will take place at Haydock development plan for in 2008. If you would Sports Council are among Park Racecourse in the Borough. like to be consulted those who use the awards October. Consultation on the when these and other to recognise the efforts Look out for more details Local Development documents are available, of their cadets and sports in the local press Framework Core simply add your details volunteers. or go to the website Strategy was completed to our database, either As the CVS celebrates www.sthelenscvs.or.uk late in 2007. Your via the web site ldf. its 75th anniversary it To nominate someone call comments will be sthelens.gov.uk or says a big thank you to St.Helens Volunteer Centre used in preparing the contact Planning Policy award sponsors without on 01744 751759 or email document for the next on 01744 456190. whom the event would [email protected]

One million hours of kindness Could you really make a working together in 50,000 aimed for the rest is being co-ordinated by difference by contributing delivering hope to the of Merseyside and 1-million Merseyfest locally. The to a national initiative to country. In St.Helens nationally. event will run from May provide 1-million hours local churches are aiming Churches, local residents, 24 to June 14. of kindness? at providing 5,000 hours businesses and voluntary For more information Hope 08 involves of kindness as its organisations are signing contact 0151 648 1200. thousands of churches contribution to the up to the project which

www.sthelens.gov.uk 25 Community news New Beacon Centre leads the way The new Beacon host of St.Helens Council face’ information and advice about services now operate training, education and employment Building in College St from the Beacon centre opportunities and use of on-line is now home to a wide along with the YMCA, facilities. AConnexions, St Helens College and On Tuesday’s (3pm and 4pm) the range of services for Primary Care Trust. PCT School Nursing Service provides young people and the The move to the building is part a confidential service, Clinic In a Box, wider community. of a range of developments to create where young people can drop in and Integrated and Targeted Youth Services. have a chat about health issues. The building has a Sports Hall, CIB offers pregnancy testing, gym and coffee shop for people of condom issuing and emergency all ages and is already well used as a contraception. You can get sexually gathering point. transmitted disease screening from CIB There is also a ‘state of the art’ or through the Terence Higgins Trust nursery with computers, areas for on Thursdays between 3pm-5pm. quiet games, art, craft, mark making, a Office accommodation houses ‘home corner’, reading and experts working to help young outdoor play. people and families with training, The ground floor Connexions education and employment, teenage Centre offers young people ‘face to pregnancy, leaving care, education

26 www.sthelens.gov.uk Community news New Beacon Centre leads the way

welfare, youth and sports development and community safety issues. These include activities across the Borough as well as on site weekends and evenings, covering Sports Leadership, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, sex and relationship education, food hygiene. Many more are planned for the future. St Helens College Sports Department, provide both on site training for young people studying a variety of sports and fitness courses as well as running the gym and sports hall on the ground floor.

If you are interested in joining the gym ring 01744 738572.

For more information on the nursery call 01744 750848.

Teenage pregnancy figures fall

As more young people choose to complete their education and find work professionals have accessed informal become parents later in life, teenage before having children. relationships and sex education pregnancy rates in St.Helens have Teenage Pregnancy workers continue sessions in the last couple of years fallen for the third year. to reach out to young people in a and now Speakeasy courses have Awareness raising activities bid to reduce under 18 conception been arranged for parents which help organised by the Council and its rates further and to help those who them to speak to their children openly partners over the last 10 years do become teen parents to continue about sex and relationships issues. has seen a drop in the numbers of their studies and find employment. The training is completed in around teenagers becoming pregnant. There has been a steady increase in 14 hours over five or six weeks in St.Helens has a tradition of early the numbers of young mums and dads community venues. Look out for details parenting but this is changing as going back into learning. in the local press. To find out more call today’s young people choose to Hundreds of young people and 01744 675665.

www.sthelens.gov.uk 27 You make thePantone choice. 549c Pantone 367c

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May - August 2008

If you’re organising or taking part in an event then let us know about it. Please upload your event at www.sthelens.gov.uk/events or post them to Marketing Services, Wesley House, Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1HF or call 01744 455305

Highlights Garner Band 20th June ST HELENS FESTIVAL 7.30pm 01744 455326 “All Around the Bass”: 5th – 6th July, 12-6pm The Royal Liverpool Sherdley Park Philharmonic 19th July 7.30pm Building on the success of the first St.Helens Festival, ST.HELENS MARCH this years event guarantees AND HYMN TUNE to be the biggest must-visit FESTIVAL event in the 2008 calendar 31st May in St.Helens! Expect to Victoria Square see more attractions, playing for you in the Park more entertainment and St.Helens Council in Bankes Park Chester Lane 22nd June more interactive activities association with Lancashire 01744 815586 Centre & Library 2.00pm – 4.00pm and fun than ever. The Contests presents a brass 01744 677081 two-day quality event is a band competition as part of Clinkham Wood Reading Group

celebration of everything the Borough’s contribution Mesnes Park 01744 815586 Wednesdays 01925 229021 good that St.Helens has to to European Capital 7th May, 4th June, 2nd July Exotic Pets: A display of You make the choice. offer from arts, heritage, of Culture 2008, while Victoria Park 7.00pm – 8.00pm exotic creatures from Pantone 549c Pantone 367c culture and music to craft, showcasing an important 01744 815586 Story Time around the world entertainment, sport and part of out heritage Every Monday (term time much more. There will 8th June Ashton Green only) 2.30pm – 3.00pm 1.00pm – 4.00pm be colourful displays and Open Space Toy Library Service Exotic Pets: A display of Health Trainers Pantone 179c Pantone 204c shows, interactive stalls, Ranger service 01744 815586 Borrow a toy for two weeks exotic creatures from jaw-dropping stunts Some of the Rangers for £1 (four items for around the world and a full timetable of Service events have limited Willow Park children age 0-5) make the dierence! entertainment, guaranteed 13th July 01744 815586 availability, please call for 1.00pm – 4.00pm Pantone 320c Pantone 116c to leave visitors wanting more details and to book Rural Crafts Display: Rainhill Library Newton Music Festival more. you place. Traditional crafts from 01744 677822 We are a free and con dential service oering 18th-20th July a bygone era Reading Group ST HELENS LIVE 08 Sankey Valley 26th May 8th May, 12th June, 10th Sherdley Park 01744 455305 Country Park 12.00pm – 5.00pm July 7.00pm – 9.00pm support and motivation to local people wanting to 01744 815586 St.Helens Town Hall 01744 677772 Storytime (0-4yrs) St Helens Festival Guided Walk Two Beacons Haresfinch Park 6th May, 3rd June, 1st July 5th-6th July make positive changes toward a healthier lifestyle. A fantastic year-long Walk: 12mile Hike 01744 815586 12.00pm – 6pm programme of live concerts 18th May Eccleston Library Race for Life: 2008 Cancer featuring some of the 10.00am Downall 01744 677575 Research event for women Health Trainers will Contact your local Health biggest national names Bird Watch: Early morning Croft Green Story and Rhyme Time 18th June support you to: Trainers at: in an eclectic variety of bird watch, looking and 01744 815586 genres will take place all listening for up to 45 Afternoon Reading Group Siding Lane r

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Pantone 320c Pantone 116c Highlights Rangers Libraries Leisure Walking Sports Schools and Colleges Arts Crafts Heritage Other

Thatto Heath THE THOMPSON Library CENTRE (within Allanson 01744 677842 Street Primary School) Story Time for 4-8yrs with 01744 678144 adult parent/carer Martial Arts club for adults Every Tuesday and children (term time only) Every Tuesday 3:45pm – 4:30pm 5.30pm – 7pm Toy Library Service Borrow a toy for two weeks Heart Smart Healthy Living for £1 (four items for initiative which includes children age 0-5) Tai chi Every Wednesday Every Wednesday 2:00pm – 3:30pm 6.pm – 8pm Toy Library Service Borrow a toy for two weeks for £1 (four items for walking children age 0-5) Get Yourself Every Friday Lively . . . Walking! 2:00pm – 4:15pm 01744 697433 Free Healthy Living Get Yourself Lively Walks: Activity Session A series of short-guided 12th May walks in parks and open spaces around the Borough Haydock Library aimed at promoting a 01744 677801 healthier lifestyle. These Storytime weekly walks offer a variety Every Monday of difficulty levels too suit (term time only) everyone and distances 10:00am –10:30am range between 1 and 4 Indian Head Massage miles long. They are open Sessions to anyone an new members 8th May are always welcome. 2-4pm. For a full programme of the above walks and further leisure and details contact Linda on 01744 697433. community centres sports Sutton Haydock Leisure Centre Park Races 01744 677375 01942 725963 HAYDOCK LEISURE www.haydock-park.co.uk Old Newton Cup Day: CENTRE Lancashire Oaks 01744 752695 5th July Climbing Club Totesport Silver Bowl Every Wednesday 24th May 6pm - 9.30pm Betfred Swinton Hurdle Saturday Morning 10th May Climbing Club Every Saturday St.Helens RLFC 10am - 12pm 0870 7505252 Billinge Library Newton Le Parr Library www.saintsrlfc.com 01744 677535 Willows Library 01744 677580 Newton Le Saints Vs. Les Catalans Reading Group 01744 677885 Storytime for under 5’s Willows Family Dragons Tuesdays Adult Reading Group Every Friday and Community 17th May 13th May, 10th June, 7th May, 4th June, 2nd July (Term time only) Centre Saints Vs. Hull KR 8th July 7.30pm – 9.00pm 2:30pm – 3:00pm 01925 224731 6th June 7.00pm – 8.00pm Teenage Reading Group Toy Library Adult Dancing: Jive, Quick Saint Vs. Bradford Bulls 30th June, 28th July Every Thursday Step, Latin American and 13th June Garswood Library 4:00pm – 5:00pm 10:00am – 12noon many more. Saint Vs. Huddersfield 01744 677797 Pre–School Story Time Free Healthy Living Every Tuesday Giants Storytime Every Thursday Activity Session Children’s Ballet Classes: 29th June Every Monday (term time only) 28th May Suitable for beginners and Saints Vs. Castleford Tigers (term time only) 2:30pm – 3:00pm those with experience 11th July 1:30pm – 2:15pm Afternoon Tea with Peter Street Every Tuesday themed speakers Library Express Arabic Dancing: Short Matt Moss Bank Library 12th May, 2nd June, 7th July 01744 677896 An enjoyable way of getting Bowling Club 01744 677988 2:15pm-3:30pm Storytime for the and keeping fit. St David’s Church under 5’s Every Thursday Clinkham Wood Every Thursday (term time only) 9:45am – 10:15am 30 www.sthelens.gov.uk/events Highlights Rangers Libraries Leisure Walking Sports Schools and Colleges Arts Crafts Heritage Other

POWERBOAT RACING workshops St.Helens Amateur Nine Below Zero: Blues ST. HELENS FOLK @ CARR MILL DAM 30th June-4th July operatic society music DANCE CLUB 01744 25494 St Helens Youth Music 01744 297770 3rd May 01744 754810 / 01744 www.lprc.info Awards: No information available at 7.30pm 734394 National Championships 1st July time of print Overload: Under 18s event Meeting’s held at The and Comcare Trophy 7.00pm - 10.00pm 9th May, 13th June Unison Club, Bishop Road, 17th-18th May St.Helens Gilbert & 11th July St.Helens every Wednesday The Daily Mirror Trophy ST.HELENS COLLEGE Sullivan Society 7.30pm / for more information 1st June 01744733766 01744 612485 John Cooper Clarke: Punk about our dances please “Here and Now” at Godfrey “Showtime” St.Helens Poet contact us. West Park Pilkington Art Gallery: Live 08 11th May Rugby Club Exhibition of students 17th May 8pm RAINHILL GARRICK 01744 26138 artwork 7.30pm Popa Chubby: Blues Music SOCIETY www.westparksthelens.co.uk 16th-29th May 16th May 01744 813429 No details available at time PILKINGTON MUSICAL 8pm A performance of Summer of print. Please log onto the ‘Field for the British Isles’: THEATRE COMPANY The Hamsters: Blues Rock End by Eric Chappell website for updates of the Exhibition by Antony 01744 602855 17th May 15th –17th May 2008 programme. Gormley “Showtime” St.Helens 8pm July & August Live 08 Frank Sidebottom & GODFREY Liverpool 17th May Bernard Thresher PILKINGTON ART St.Helens RFC 7.30pm 23rd May GALLERY 01744 25708 ARTS 7.30pm 01744 455492 www.liverpoolsthelens Haydock Male St.Helens The Muffin Men: Tribute Open Art Competition: rugby.co.uk Voice ChoiR Organ Society Night Annual exhibition of No details available at time 0151 4306744 01744 22463 24th May selected local artists of print. Please log onto the www.haydockmvc.com www.organfax.co.uk/clubs/ 8pm 2nd-23rd July website for updates of the No details available at time st.helens.html Stairway to Zeppelin: 2008 programme. of print. Please log onto the Tribute Night THE WORLD OF website for updates of the St.Helens Youth 21st June GLASS YMCA St.Helens 2008 programme. Brass Band 8pm 08700 114466 01744 23956 01744 755257 Rubberneck: www.worldofglass.com Summer Dance: Several NADOS www.sthybb.pwp. Local Band night ‘SL Art’ Exhibition: different styles of dance 01942 724842 blueyonder.co.uk 12th July celebration of work by boys and girls (4yrs to www.haydockmvc.com A Band Concert: At Liverpool 8pm Supported Learning from 16yrs) Outside Edge: a comedy Parish Church The Jamm: Tribute Night St.Helens College 24th , 31st of July about cricket 13th May 25th July 17thJune – 27th July 09.30am to 12pm 1st - 3rd May 3.00pm 8pm Summer Gymnastics: Recital Evening: At Bold ST.HELENS CAMERA For Children (from 4yrs) St.Helens Miners Centre PARR SILVER BAND CLUB 23rd, 30th July / 6th,13th Sinfonietta 9th June 01744 883157 www.sthelenscameraclub. August 10am-12.30pm and 01744 600846 7.3 0pm Music in May: Unique co.uk 1.30pm-4pm www.sinfonietta.org.uk A, B and C Bands concert of popular music in Weekly Meetings: The Violinist Entertains Gala Concert aid of Willowbrook Hospice. Police Club, Bishops Road, WAVERTREE SPORTS Talk & Recital by Patricia 30th June 9th May St.Helens. COMPLEX (Please Donnelly 7.30pm 7.30pm Every Monday call sports development 8th May 2008 01744675923) 7.30pm Theatre Royal RAINFORD LADIES’ REGENCY ROOMS Merseyside Youth Games Lunchtime Recital 01744 756000 CHOIR 01744 759466 5th-6th July 28th May www.sthelenstheatreroyal. 01744 884563 Adult Dance Classes: 1.00pm co.uk Music in May: Unique Absolute Beginners The Prescot Festival The Citadel concert of popular music in Every Sunday SCHOOLS AND 27th June 01744 735436 aid of Willowbrook Hospice. 8pm COLLEGES 7:30 pm www.citadel.org.uk 9th May RAINHILL HIGH ARTS A Lunchtime Recital of Jazz The Men They Couldn’t 7.30pm SCHOOL MEDIA ARTS Don May & Tom Sykes Hang: Folk music COLLEGE and friends 2nd May ST.HELENS FILM 01744 677205 23rd July 8pm SOCIETY Media Arts Week: Wide 1.00pm 01744 817130 range of arts activities and No information available at the time of print.

www.sthelens.gov.uk/events 31 What’s on

01744 813429 Highlights Rangers Libraries Leisure Walking Sports Schools and Colleges Arts Crafts Heritage Other

BILLINGE HISTORY ‘In Touch With the Past’: ST.HELENS MULTIPLE

crafts SOCIETY National Archaeology Week SCLEROSIS SOCIETY St.Helens www.billinge-history.com 12th July 01744 735242 Council Meetings Creative Crafts 01744 456110 Association Local History Presentations 1.00pm – 4.00pm Meetings Second 01744 750606 First Tuesday of each month Tuesday of every month 7:30pm at Windle Pilkington www.creativecrafts-online. other co.uk House at 7:30pm unless THE NORTH WEST AGE CONCERN – otherwise stated. MUSEUM OF ROAD MANSION HOUSE, heritage TRANSPORT ST HELENS TRAINING AND www.hallstreetdepot.info 01744 752644 COURSES ST.HELENS NATIONAL 01744 621518 Free courses beginning Age concern run courses TRUST GROUP FREE Bus Tours around January 2008 - 01744 26484 from Mansion House St.Helens for Museum Various community Council Lectures are in the including: visitors – 1st Sunday of based venues including: 14th May, 9th July United Reformed Church, • IT classes for older Every Month • Computer courses King Street. Admission is people 50 + Executive • Family First Aid free for members, and • Arts & Crafts for older 15th May , 25th June SMITHY HERITAGE • Learning Through Play non-members pay a £1 people 50+ CENTRE • Parent Time Licensing and donation to the • Exercise & Dance for 01744 730744 older people 50 + • And more…. Environmental National Trust. Protection Committee Jumpers for Goalposts: Tea Dance Enquiries to Adult 28th May , 2nd July, How children lived in Every other Tuesday and Community ST.HELENS the past through to the Learning 01744 677312 30th July 2pm HISTORICAL SOCIETY modern day or your local Community 01744 23141 Planning Committee 21st June or Children’s Centre. Meetings at St Helens 20th May, 15th June 1.00pm-4.00pm College at 7:30pm unless Standards Committee otherwise stated. 23rd June

Adult Social Care and Health 9th June, 14th July

Children and Young People’s Services 2nd June , 7th July

Budget and Finance 5th June

Call In and Audit Panel 4th June

Audit and Governance 30th June

Communities and Neighbourhood 11th June, 23rd July

Some information contained within this guide was collected from sources outside St. Helens Council and therefore St. Helens Council accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of the information, or content of any outside organisations websites.

32 www.sthelens.gov.uk/events TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK teen PUPILS GET A 7 LICENCE TO THRILL BE THE CENTRE 7 OF ATTENTION NEW BREAKDANCE 7 PROJECT 7 VOLUNTEERS talk HONOURED

News Page 2 Be the centre of attention

News Page 4 Double Daniel Craig link with St.Helens

www.sthelens.gov.uk 33 TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK1 TEEN TALK Teen talk is a magazine aimed at young people. It’s a magazine for you and about you. So if you would like to submit an article contact your teacher or ring St.Helens First on 01744 456166/5. Be the centre of attention Fed up? Nothing to do? Then you may not know that there is a range of activities for young people on your doorstep. So if you are into M.Cing with instruction from local M’ers, football, cricket, cyber cafes you can access them through a network of centres.

he Council has a range of Grange Valley Youth Centre, dance. Following discussions with facilities including libraries, Clipsley Lane, Haydock provides youngsters who use the centre the leisure centres and youth activities for young people every building has had a mini make over centres which all aim to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday with the development of a ‘comfy provideT young people with a wide and Sunday. It has a multi functional corner’ with state of the art audio variety of leisure activities. main hall providing space for pool visual systems complete with play and table tennis and also music and stations. The most popular activity arts projects, drama and currently at the Grange Valley is M’Cing with young people having the opportunity to access the latest equipment and instruction from local M.C’ers. On the nearby King George V Park a new artificial turf pitch has been installed. Here youth workers organise football, cricket and rugby

What an adventure Congratulations to 13 students from Newton High School who have passed the Adventure Service Challenge and Health Motivation Course. The course has eight sections including first aid, camp craft, rambling, road craft and cookery. The service is provided by St.Helens Council’s Youth Service.

TEEN TALK2 TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN competitions for youth club members. garden, which has been developed Derbyshire Hill Youth Club, open by members of the youth club plus seven days a week, has a main hall two multi use ball courts offering the which is used for both sports and arts opportunity to get involved with a Cash to boost based activities. There is a coffee bar, wide range of sporting and cyber café, lobby with pool tables cultural activities. girls cricket including a large screen audio visual Other facilities used by St.Helens system used for watching films and Council’s youth Service include St.Helens Cricket Development playing video games. The centre Newton Girls and Boys Club which Group has received £4,970 from also has a number of smaller rooms meets on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Merseyside’s Expanding Horizons used for group discussions and craft Sunday in a purpose built facility on Social Capital fund, to fund girls activities. Outside, the centre has two Market Street, Earlestown. cricket across the Borough. recently refurbished multi use There are also outdoor education The Group is made up of ball courts. facilities in Taylor Park where people professionals and volunteers Windlehurst Youth Centre, Gamble can access sailing, canoeing, dragon tasked to strategically deliver Avenue, also open seven days a week, boating, archery, orienteering, cricket within the Town with the is set out on three levels including problem solving, raft building and aid of external funding. a main hall, large meeting room, abseiling in a safe yet challenging For more details contact café area and a number of smaller environment. Shaun Anders, the Lancashire offices. Outside the centre has a For more details contact the Youth Cricket Boards Development Service on 01744 675575. Officer for St Helens Council on 01744 456789.

Da Beatz is da business Eight young people have been taking part in the Urban Arts Initiative in Liverpool. Da Beatz is part of Triskel’s Arts Centre’s youth programme aimed at people aged between 14 – 18. The Council’s Youth Service hosted a similar project at the Peter Street Centre in March for 40 young people. Activities included vinyl, CDand DJing techniques and vocal delivery techniques.

TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK TEEN TALK3 TEEN Licence to thrill for young film makers

Award winning film makers from modern day slavery, was written by Sutton High Sports College have been the students, with the support of on the set of the new Bond movie, television writer Andy Lynch. Quantum of Solace. For more information about It was a double James Bond/ The 18 pupils met top film makers Clapperboard ring 07973 783 140. Daniel Craig link for St.Helens when and backroom experts at Pinewood Casino Royale stuntman Sebastian Studios. They were invited to the Foucan popped into town to shoot famous studios following their for a pivotal chase scene for the big success in winning Best Overall Film budget British action thriller The in the Clapperboard Youth Projects. Tournament. He was seen leaping Their film was judged by Johnny from roof to roof in Church Square. Vegas, writer Frank Cottrell Boyce Sebastian is pictured on P1 of Teen and Lime Pictures Chief Executive Talk filmed in action. Caroline Reynolds. Daniel Craig (pictured) was born in The film, which focuses on nearby Chester.

Young people in award ceremony Democracy Breakdance More than 100 young volunteers who in action project have given up their time for others St.Helens Council has given An innovative Breakdance were invited to the Park Inn for a many 17 and 18 plus year olds project, designed to improve celebratory evening. the chance to help out on the physical activity levels and boost The 11 to 25-year-olds have, May 1 Polling Day. This gives the ‘feel good factor’, is being between them, given more than 7,700 them the opportunity to learn piloted in St.Helens. hours of their time, worth around more about democracy and the Tom Glynn from the £60,000, to local organisations. They chance to earn some Breakdancing UC Crew has received awards in recognition of their extra money. worked with Hannah Jones commitment. For more information & Jen Brown, Health They helped groups such as the Fire about how to be involved in Improvement Specialists, Service, training providers, girl guides opportunities within the Youth to devise a 10 weeks after- and people wanting to become cadets. Service telephone 01744 675575. school Breakdancing If you are interested in becoming a programme. volunteer call 01744 675685. The programme includes weekly Health Improvement information sessions covering: Physical Activity, Self Esteem, Hot paint! Sexual Health, Drugs, Tobacco, A group of St.Helens teenagers Service and the Y4V (Youth for Food & Nutrition and Positive have decorated their youth base at Volunteering) project they put Mental Health. Initially, this Millfields Fire Station, Eccleston. forward two successful bids for funding project is targeting Year 8 The Youth of Eccleston group which they used to buy decorating children and interest by these was formed last year with the help materials and then set about adding a children has greatly outweighed St.Helens Council, Merseyside Fire touch of colour to their youth base. the places available on the and Rescue and Police Community Currently around 600 local young programme. Support Officers who between them people are involved in volunteer For more information gave the young people a base at projects. contact Jen or Hannah on Millfields Fire Station. To find out more ring 01744 697433. Supported by the Council’s Youth 01744 675575.

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