| Wirral to honour those who 
fell at the Battle of the Somme WIRRAL is to mark the centenary of the 
Battle of the Somme with a poignant early morning vigil at the War Memorial, 
Grange Hill, West Kirby.
The War Memorial, which stands high above the peninsula looking out to Wales and 
across Liverpool Bay, is a fitting site for the vigil. It was designed by 
Charles Sergeant Jagger, the son of a miner, who gave up a scholarship in Rome 
and Venice to join the Army when war broke out in 1914. His experience of war, 
including service on both on the Western Front and Gallipoli, along with being 
wounded 3 times and receiving the Military Cross for gallantry, has influenced 
much of his work. The Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Pat Hackett, will lead the vigil 
which starts at 7.30am, on Friday, 1 July 2016. This is exactly the time that 
soldiers begin going 'over the top' at the Battle of the Somme 100 years ago. In total, 
more than 1 
million men were wounded or killed, including many from Wirral.
The Service will be taken by the Bishop of Birkenhead, the Right Reverend Keith 
Sinclair, and will include a reading by Nicola Chavasse, the great great niece 
of Captain Noel Chavasse; 1 of only 3 men to have twice received the Victoria 
Cross, the highest award for gallantry, and the most decorated soldier in WW1.  
 Cllr Pat Hackett, Mayor of Wirral, said:- "On Friday morning we will join 
people across the UK to remember the terrible events that took place at the 
Somme exactly a century ago.
We will remember the young men from Wirral and across the country who fought and 
too often died together, the terrible injuries and trauma they suffered, and the 
families that were torn apart. 
You are very welcome to join us at West Kirby or visit your local memorial and 
take a moment to reflect on the sacrifice they made and the bravery they showed 
in the face of unimaginable conditions."
 As well as the Civic Vigil, at Grange Hill, whistles will also be blown at 7.30am 
by Cadets at a number of Wirral's war memorials including (depending on 
availability) the following:-
 
 ► Hamilton Square, Birkenhead.
 ► Christ Church, Kings Road, Bebington.
 ► St Bernard's Church, Bromborough.
 ► St Oswald's Church, Bidston.
 ► St Peter's Church, Lower Heswall.
 ► Pasture Road and Maryland Lane (Junction), Moreton.
 ► Magazines Promenade, New Brighton.
 ► Osmaston Road/Prenton Lane (Junction), Prenton.
 ► The Library, Ford Road, Upton.
 ► Port Sunlight Village.
 ► Thornton Hough.
 
Young male arrested in connection to firearm offences in Southport 
A 22 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of 
possession of a firearm in Southport; on Sunday, 26 June 2016. At about 5.10pm, 
Police received a report claiming that a man had been seen threatening another 
man with a gun on Stanley Street, Southport. Armed response officers attended 
and a containment was placed on a house in Stanley Street. A 22 year old man 
from Southport was arrested by Officers nearby on suspicion of possession of a 
firearm and he was then taken to a Police Station.  Anyone who may have 
information which could help the Police with their inquiries into this incident 
is asked to contact Sefton CID on:- 0151 777 3835, or Crimestoppers on:- 0800 
555 111. Armed robbery 
in Melling MERSEYSIDE Police are currently 
appealing for information following an armed robbery, in Melling, on Wednesday, 
22 June 2016. At around 5.15pm, a call was made to Police stating that 2 men had 
entered Melling Hair Studio on Waddicar Lane, in possession of 2 bladed weapons. 
The men are believed to have stolen money from the till before leaving the shop 
and making off in a white car, possibly a Vauxhall Zafira. The men are described 
as white, in their early 20s, with scarves covering their faces, hoods up and 
wearing dark clothes. Detective Sergeant John Fitzgerald from Sefton CID said:-
"This was a shocking incident carried out during broad daylight. Although it 
was extremely distressing for staff, thankfully nobody was injured, and 
extensive enquiries are underway to identify the offenders. Given the time of 
day, we are hopeful that passing members of the public may have seen 2 men 
acting suspiciously around 5.15pm on Waddicar Lane, or may have noticed a large 
white car speeding away from the area. Any details, however small, may be vital 
to our investigation." Anyone with information on this incident is asked to 
call Sefton CID on:- 0151 777 3835, call:- 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously 
on:- 0800 555 111. |  | Partnership formed to 
tackle growing mental health and wellbeing issues faced by educators 
 
LAST week Edge Hill University in partnership with the 
Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) union held the 1st of 6 
workshops designed to address the growing mental health challenges facing 
education staff and students across the North West.
 The Mental Health for Education workshops have been developed in partnership by 
Edge Hill, the ATL and Everton in the Community in response to the increasing 
stress placed on educators to address mental health issues being experienced by 
students, often without any professional training or appropriate qualification 
to do so.
 
 A recent report co-commissioned by the ATL identified the expectations placed on 
teachers to meet the:- 'time bomb of mental health problems' (NSPCC, 2015) among 
pupils as the most common and concerning issue currently facing educational 
professionals across the UK.
 
 The pressure on teachers to manage student wellbeing is staggering, with the ATL 
report highlighting that 1 in 10 young people aged between 5 to 16 experience a 
clinically diagnosable mental illness, with 50% of all adult mental illnesses 
(excluding dementia) being first experienced during school years at the age 14, 
and 75%k by age 18.
 
 Jon Jones, Partnership Development and Engagement Manager and member of Edge 
Hill's Faculty of Education and Department of Sport and Physical Activity said 
the workshops are the first step in improving the wellbeing of staff and 
students across the North West. "There is a growing concern regarding the 
mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, but also of the 
educational professionals who are often viewed as responsible for dealing with 
their pupil's mental health and wellbeing, as well as their own.
The 6 consultation events we have developed as a result of the partnership 
between Edge Hill University, ATL and Everton in the Community offer a great 
opportunity for us to gather evidence on the day to day real world challenges 
currently being faced by educational professionals. Understanding the needs and 
challenges related to mental health, wellbeing and education will provide us 
with an opportunity to not only inform policy and practice, but to work with 
schools to provide support and training to develop school approaches to mental 
health and wellbeing and professionals understanding and skills to deal with 
mental health issues." Jon said.
 
 ATL general secretary, Dr Mary Bousted, said the North West conferences will 
lead the Union's initiatives and actions across the UK.  "ATL is 
delighted to be a partner in such an important project training and giving 
education staff the confidence to speak out about mental health issues whether 
it's in the classroom or the staff room.
We are determined to stamp out the stigma around mental ill health that is 
preventing young people and education professionals from tackling this crisis.
ATL's crucial work in the North West will be rolled out across the country to 
ensure that our members can support each other and the young people in their 
classrooms to improve discussions and take action on mental ill health."
 
 Once the workshops are completed, the Mental Health for Education partnership 
hopes to have identified common experiences and best practice to inform future 
school approaches to the mental health and wellbeing of staff and pupils.
The working group also hopes to inform the current and future policy landscape 
for mental health and education by producing research data on educational 
professionals' needs, and the impact of workplace pressures on their mental 
health and work life.
 
Somme 100 in Formby THERE is going to be a short service of 
commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, at Formby War 
Memorial, on Sunday, 3 July, at 4:15pm. This will include the last post, 
silence, reveille a short homily, readings and prayers and laying of crosses. |