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Issue:- Monday, 28 March 2016

Headlines and reports on this page = 6 news items. Page - 14.

Innovation funding awarded to Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner for early intervention work

LANCASHIRE'S Police and Crime Commissioner has welcomed news that 2 bids to the Police Innovation Fund have been successful securing almost Ł900k for pioneering work to help support vulnerable people to lead more fulfilling lives.

The Commissioner joined forces with Lancashire Constabulary and other public services from across Lancashire to bid for Home Office funding to support their pioneering early action work. The money will bring together public and emergency services to improve co-ordination ensuring vulnerable people receive support and intervention before they reach crisis point. This approach can help reduce demand on the Police and other public services and improve life chances for the individual.

The money will be used to set up a single Lancashire Public Service Volunteer hub which will support public service volunteering across the County. It will also help support individuals and communities more effectively whilst making the most of volunteers' time and expertise.

In addition funding has also been allocated for a new case management system that will allow better sharing of data between agencies.

Speaking about the successful bid Commissioner Grunshaw said:- "In Lancashire we have put early intervention at the heart of what we do. We know that prevention is better than cure and working with vulnerable and at risk people at the earliest opportunity gets the best results for them, whilst reducing the need for more complex work at a later date. This money will support our ground breaking work and put Lancashire at the forefront of this approach nationally. The work will meet the priorities of reducing crime and protecting vulnerable people set out in my Police and Crime, reducing Police demand and improving outcomes."

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Bates said:- "This is a fantastic opportunity for partners to work together to the benefit of our local communities and seeks to encourage people to play a part in making communities safer, more resilient and healthier."

Clive Grunshaw, the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for:-

► Recruiting the Chief Constable and holding him to account for the work of the Police.

► Setting and updating a county wide Police and crime plan.

► Meeting and consulting residents about crime and anti social behaviour.

► Setting the Police budget and agreeing the Council Tax precept that goes towards funding the Police in Lancashire.

The Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan includes 4 priorities. These include defending front line policing, protecting vulnerable people, tackling crime and re-offending and championing victims' rights.

For more information about the work of the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner visit:- Lancashire-PCC.Gov.UK.

Prescot Festival Celebrates Shakespeare

A Merseyside arts festival is asking budding writers to take inspiration from William Shakespeare, in the 400th year since the death of the great playwright. The Prescot Festival of Music and the Arts has chosen 'in a pickle' as the theme for its annual short story contest, now in its fifth year. The phrase was 1st documented in the tragicomedy The Tempest, likely Shakespeares final play. Shakespeare has a special connection to Prescot he counted among his rich patrons the first Earl of Derby, whose family seat to this day is Knowsley Hall in the town. And Prescot made national news this March when Shakespeare Norths project to build an Elizabethan Theatre and College in the Town received local and central government funding to the tune of Ł11 million. During festival week (17 June to 26 June 2016), the brilliantly entertaining MATE Productions will be performing:- 'pop up Shakespeare' (Sunday, 19 June at the Prescot Carnival) and musical theatre company BOST will doff its cap to the Bard with selections from Kiss Me Kate and West Side Story, based on The Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet, respectively. in its Songs from the Shows concert on Saturday, 25 June 2016. Other highlights of this years Prescot Festival include Swingshift Big Band, Nigel Ogden of BBC Radio 2s The Organist Entertains, and a come and sing performance of Mozarts Requiem by the Prescot Festival Chorus. Full programme information, as well as details on how to enter the 2016 Prescot Festival Short Story Competition (deadline 30 May), can be found online.

The Blow Monkeys 2016 Live Dates

FOLLOWING the success of The Blow Monkeys latest album the self released "If Not Now, When?" in 2015 the band are ready to spread the love and share the music out there "live" once again! They will open their UK tour at Liverpool's St George's Hall, on Thursday, 21 April 2016, at 7:30pm. Since they reformed in 2008 The Blow Monkeys have been recording and performing again with almost indecent haste. This is a chance to catch a legendary band with all four original members performing at the peak of their powers with a mix of "classic hits" and brand new songs all infused with that enigmatic simian soul. "We are so looking forward to coming back to Liverpool, especially playing at this magical venue! We have strong ties to Liverpool all the photos on The Blow Monkeys current album 'If Not Now, When?' were taken there and it almost feels like coming home. For me Liverpool is still the No 1 music City in the UK!" said Dr Robert. The Blow Monkeys will be forever synonymous with those international hit songs from the 80's such as:- "Digging Your Scene" and "It Doesn't Have To Be This Way", with Dr Robert the iconic frontman. But the man himself prefers to live in the present, he added:- "We've made 4 albums in the last 6 years since we reformed. We're on a roll! It's not about nostalgia and never will be. Of course we play the old songs live and love doing them, but the buzz also comes from doing something new. Our audience is hip enough to know that." Live, the band are a sight to behold. Mick Anker on bass, the man who used to wear sideburns topped off with a bowler hat, continues his mesmeric swaying ways whilst playing intricate bass lines of funk and grace. Neville Henry, multi instrumentalist best known for his achingly beautiful tenor sax lines and stylish suits. Tony Kiley on drums, a powerhouse from the valleys of South Wales, who can explode like Buddy Rich and swing like Gene Krupa. And of course Dr Robert, the iconic front man and songwriter, spouting opinions and poses in equal measure with a canny sense of knowing and a suitcase full of killer songs. So here we have it, a "must see" band! Invigorated, charged and on a roll, playing their unique and unmistakable Blow Monkey boogie. Robert says:- "We're really only just beginning to get the hang of all this. We can't wait to get out and play it again it's where it all becomes real." Tickets can be purchase in person at TicketQuarter, Queen Square, Liverpool, online or via calling:- 0844 800 0410.

Letters to the Editor:- "Southport is now a grotty Town!"

"I can't see why Southport is still known as 'England's classic resort?' I never thought I would say this, but we popped into Southport on our holidays, for run up to Easter. I remember Southport looking amazing from my childhood. I returned a few years back when we for the Air Show and it looked nice back then as well. But I have never seen it looking so bad as it does now. 1st we found parking was horrendous and then found out, travellers have moved in to Town Centre car park! Then we spotted most of the small shops had close down. Letter in the side roads and in the flowerbeds... What has gone wrong with the Town? It was a magical, butiful place to visit once... The other annoying thing is we got accosted by people asking for cash all the time. It just felt to us that the Town was rundown and people just did not care anymore. I'm shocked by the deterioration of the area. Plus what is it about the Traffic wardens in the area? We spotted them all over the place! How did Southport get so bad?" Jane, from Llandudno.

Editorial note:- "We have read your comments and are very sorry to hear your views. We do hope you will come back to Southport in the Summer. That way you can see the Town in a better light, when all the major attractions are taking place. Sadly the Town is going though a change recently and it is off season, so many businesses are re-painting and building, plus the weather is not helping."

Please email your views to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com on this issue. Do you agree that Southport is a:- "Grotty Town?"

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Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

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