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ALL WHITE TAXISSOUTHPORTTAP THE APPCARD PAYMENTS IN ALL CARS29 March 2017www.champnews.comVol 24 ● Issue 13CRAZY CASH GIVEAWAY Terms and Conditions apply. Please call for details.John pens new book on Reds’ early journeys into Europe Police officer hit by stolen bike in chase A POLICE officer was injured after he was involved in a collision with a suspect who was attempting to flee the area on a suspected stolen motorbike. An 18 year old man has been detained by Merseyside Police on suspicion of an unauthorised taking of a vehicle without consent following the incident which happened on Hargreaves Street in Southport at around 7.30pm Monday (March 27). Earlier in the evening patrols including the police helicopter and the British The scene on Transport Police were seen in pur- Hargreaves Street suit of two males on motorbikes through the town centre. One male remains at large. A police spokesperson said: “The incident happened at around 7.30pm on Hargreaves Street when a motorbike was reported to have been in collision with a police officer and a parked car. “An 18 year-old male was detained at the scene on suspicion of unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle. He remains in custody. “The motorbike and a helmet were recovered from the scene. “A second male left the scene and a search is ongoing in the local area. “An investigation is underway and house to house and CCTV enquiries have been carried out. The police officer suffered bruising.”Now Stocking LILY'S KITCHEN FOOD Please call inWIN tickets in our Ghost giveaway!SECURITY FIRM HAD ‘ZERO IMPACT ON TACKLING CRIME’Police say no instances of them receiving help from Battle Investigations Report by Ollie Cowan A SECURITY firm paid by businesses to fight crime in Southport had zero impact, according to Merseyside Police. Police say they are unaware of any incident or crime which has been stopped or solved by private security firm Battle Investigations. They were brought in to ‘take the pressure off’ officers who were perceived by a town councillor to be struggling to cope with anti social behaviour and vandalism. The comments were made at a public meeting of the Southport Area Committee at Southport Town Hall in front of a packed crowd of residents, local authority officers and councillors. Despite a much-hyped arrival in the town and a strongly worded statement by bosses at Battle Investigations saying they did all they could to stop crime, it has been revealed that there are as yet no confirmed instances where they have actuallyhelped Merseyside Police in the town. In fact Battle left the town as quietly as they arrived – leaving no trace whatsoever of their presence in the town. A spokesperson for Battle would not comment on the remarks. However the company did post a message to social networking site Twitter on December 12, 2016 stating: “A three month contract to infiltrate anti social behaviour in Southport ended on December 3. Proven visible results gained.”2016 Gold Award Winning Clinic www.catfriendlyclinic.org New Kitten 'Best Start' Packages now availableThe brainchild of Southport councillor David Barton and funded by local businesses, the decision to bring Battle Investigations private security firm to Southport was taken in September last year and residents were promised round-the-clock protection, patrols on the streets and even surveillance vans scouring crime hot spots. This was done on a three month trial basis and Battle finished their works in December 2016. They claimed to have ‘dealt with’ fourteen incidents in the town during their patrols but according to North Sefton Neighbourhood Inspector Graham Fisher of Merseyside Police, they made little or no effort whatsoever to converse with them. And although Battle have a strict ‘no comment’ policy, the firm made the unusual decision to break their silence two months later to say they had, at the time, dealt with 14 or more incidents of anti social behaviour. Yet in a public meeting at Southport Town Hall last week, Sefton Inspector Graham Fisher of Merseyside Police was questioned on the actual impact Continued insideThe Champion ● Wednesday 29 March 20172 ● Visit us @ www.ChampNews.comPRE RACE’S SALE NOW ONOVER 100 DISPLAYS SPECIAL OFFERSolid Oak SurroundSURROUND CHAMBER & HEARTH NORMALLY £1199NOW £799£599COMPLETE WITH FIRERRP £599 OUR PRICE£299RRP £799 OUR PRICE£399£399 ELECTRIC SUITEUP TO £200 OFF any stove with this package£5 £599 COMPLETE WITH FIRE£899RRP £899 OUR PRICE£499Exclusive stockist of: ExclCOMPLETE WITH FIRE£649ALL FABER FIRES AT INTERNET PRICEStainable deal that protects the future safety across Merseyrail services to be put in place. The company should take up that offer of further talks as a matter of urgency. “Merseyrail are completely ignoring the clear wishes of their own passengers, who overwhelmingly oppose the idea of Driver Only Operated trains on their network. “ That pig-headed attitude has forced the union’s hand and the idea that we would compromise on the fundamental issue of rail safety is absurd. “The ball is now firmly in Merseyrail’s court.” Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde, Merseyrail’s managing director, commented: “As we predicted, the RMT has sunk to a new low by inflicting their strikes on the Grand National. “Damaging the company and its passengers is one thing, but damaging the whole of the Liverpool city region on one of its proudest and most important days of the year is impossible to understand. “It cannot be right that the RMT executive, sitting in London, has taken an unnecessary decision that represents a barefaced attack on the reputation of our region. “The Saturday of the Grand National is one of our busiest times of the year, and we will make every attempt to ensure that we successfully move around the high volumes of people who choose to travel with us that day. “Timetables for the day are currently being developed and will be published very soon.”for new ideas in Kitchens & Design FREE Home Visits No obligation all across the North WestOVER 70 STOVES ON DISPLAYExclusive stockists of Chesney Fires and Stoves, Bell Fires, Laura Ashley, Faber, Portway, Jet Master, Barbas and many more the largest display of FIRES in the country ALL FABER FIRES AT INTERNET PRICESFITTING SERVICE AVAILABLE ON ALL PRODUCTS VAT FREE ON ALL NEW HOUSESEXCLUSIVE FIRES UNIQUE TO MERSEYSIDE ALL SALE STOCK CARRIES A FULL MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY F I T T I N G S E R V I C E AVA I L A B L E O N A L L P R O D U C T S VAT F R E E O N A L L N E W H O U S E SBIGGEST SELECTION OF FIRES AND WOOD BURNING STOVES IN MERSEYSIDE one-off Deals Available27-29 ORMSKIRK ROAD AINTREE L9 5AD (OPPOSITE RACECOURSE)0151 523 6816 OPEN 7 DAYSReport by Henry JamesHETASRRP £999SpecialWORKERS at Merseyrail and Arriva Trains North are set to walk out on the day of the Grand National (Saturday, April 8) over plans to introduce driver-only trains in 2020. Many race goers heading to the Grand National at Aintree, which is the biggest horse race in the world, use Merseyrail services to get to the event. Aintree station is close to Aintree racecourse and a special train timetable is usually put in place during the Grand National festival. Disruption was caused on Merseyrail and Arriva Trains North during a 24-hour strike earlier in March and talks between Merseyrail and the RMT union broke down on Monday, March 20. Merseyrail are working on putting together a timetable for the day of the strike. In addition, the union will be stepping up the campaign, involving the general public and targeting politicians across the area served by Merseyrail, aimed at maximising political and public support for RMT’s fight for a guaranteed guard on the company ’s services. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “It is that cynical and hostile stance from Merseyrail which has left us with no option but to put on this additional strike action. “RMT recognises the severe impact that the action will have on Grand National Day but we are dealing with an employer that refuses to listen or engage with the union on the critical issue of safe rail operation and we ask the public to understand that we have no option but to take this high-profile action to force the company back to the negotiating table. “There is ample time between now and April 8 for genuine talks to take place and for a safe and sus-Sales Staff + Fitting. Complete fit available on surrounds, stoves, Liners etc…EnamelOUR PRICERail staff plan to strike on Grand National dayOPEN EVERY SUNDAY11am - 4pmLarge car parkMonday - Thursday 10am - 5.30pm • Friday - Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 11am - 4pm Late nights by appointmentQUALITY QU Q U KITCHENS C S AT AFFORDABLE O PRICES C S from the traditional to the cutting edge... we do it all Take Tak Ta ke tthe he ski skill killll off our ttalented allenttedd ddesigners esiigners wit with ithh th the llatest attest st EEuropean urop ur opea eann st styling, yliling aadd dd a spri sprinkle inkl kle of your individual requirements and blend them together to produce high living, user-friendly kitchens that dare to be different! Visiting our showrooms will confirm the difference that makes us stand out from the rest. Call now to arrange a FREE home visit.WE UNDERTAKE ALL ASPECTS OF BUILDING WORKS TO MAKE YOUR LIFE HASSLE FREE• All kitchens made to measure • RIGID built units (no flatpack) • German appliances and fitments • ALL building and alteration work catered forSofa Company to Wig antonto Ashto St Helensto Newtown & PembertonASDAALDI SupermarketRobin ParkKitchen Emporium104-108 Ormskirk Road [opposite Aldi], Wigan WN5 9EB01942 241220 • www.kitchenemporium.co.uk All units are rigid built in our own factory we do not offer flat pack kitchenswww.fireplacestudio.netGRANITE WORKTOP SPECIALISTThe Champion ● Wednesday 29 March 2017Visit us @ www.ChampNews.com ● 3MP speaks of day of terror at Westminster SOUTHPORT MP John Pugh has spoken of the traumatic day at the House of Commons during last Wednesday’s terror attack. The MP was trapped inside Parliament for more than five hours after being rushed into the House Of Commons following the sound of gunfire. Mr Pugh said: “What started as a week like any other in Westminster ended in the worst way. “I am proud to have MP John Pugh at his office overlooking achieved much this Westminster Bridge week, despite the best what was happening outside. efforts of someone that doesn't “Three or four hundred MPs were believe in the liberal democracy that trapped in the House of Commons for we all share. well over four hours with little contact “My condolences go out to all those with the outside world. affected by the events. “We immediately got on to our “It should have been a normal week mobiles and called our families, tryin Parliament. ing to find out what was going on and “I had questions ready on education, tried to get in touch with our staff. asbestos, and lots to say – there was “The only way we found out that supposed to be lightheartedness for anything had really happened was by Red Nose Day as well. all of us crowding round a TV screen. “But then things changed dramatic“Eventually we discovered that an ally. extremely tragic event had unfolded “My staff were ‘closeted’ in my in an area most of us are very familiar offices overlooking Westminster with and we are to some extent still Bridge by security forces and we could scratching our heads wondering how see ambulances and emergency ser- it got as far as it did – because this vices piling up outside and causalities place is well fortified. on the road. “This was a very tragic episode “This must have been very traumatic where a brave policeman gave his life and upsetting for them. for the protection of this building and “I had just left the chamber from a democracy and he is appreciated provote when we were forced back inside foundly and deeply by every member by the staff for our safety because of of the House of Commons.”Student was hit by attacker’s car Report by Ollie Cowan A POLITICS student who lives in Ainsdale is back home after being injured in the terror attack. The unnamed male, who is studying at Edge Hill University, was part of the group of students on Westminster Bridge in London at the time of the attack. Originally from the Netherlands, the student returned home late last week after receiving hospital treatment for his injuries sustained when he was hit by the car driven by the attacker. One of his fellow students, Travis Frain, suffered serious leg injuries and faces a long battle before he is able to walk properly again. Lecturer and former Southport resident Paula Keaveney, who stayed in London while her students were treated for their injuries, said: “We had just met Rosie Cooper MP and were having a break “The students were strollingnear the building and I was having coffee. “The first I knew anything was wrong was a bang and some screaming. “We still didn't know what was going on until the police came in and told us to move along into another room. “This ended up happening several times as I ended up locked into Parliament for hours. “At one point I saw counter terrorist police going through the building checking corridors “While in there I was in touch with the students and I was told that the first group were fine. “The second group however had been involved in the incident on the bridge and although I asked, the police wouldn't let me out to go to them. “I kept in touch by phone as much as possible. “As of yesterday, one student remains in hospital. “Edge Hill organised for the students to meet up with parents etc and organised a pick up from the station for those returning.”£10,000 grant for St Luke’s Church roof repair work ST LUKES Church is set to benefit from a £10,000 repair grant to help fix its dilapidated roof. The National Churches Trust Repair Grant t is designed to help the church on Hawkshead Street to fund urgent roof repairs which will help to remove it from the Heritage at Risk register. Consecrated in 1882 and enlarged and embellished in 1897, St Luke’s has been a friendly, open and welcoming parish in Southport and the Diocese of Liverpool for over one hundred years. Water penetration in the kitchen, toilets and south aisle are causing dampness and deterioration to internal surfaces. If left much longer timber decay in the roofs will become a real risk.St Lukes Church in SouthportM&S EYEWEAR SPECTACLE MANUFACTURERS WE HAVE MOVED TO14b Upper Aughton Road, Southport TWO PAIRS FOR £60 PR8 5NA Tel/Fax: 01704 04 56 567459 459 www.mandseyewear.comCROSBY DOGS CANINE FEED SPECIALISTHigh Quality Natural Raw & Complete FeedsFREE DELIVERY T: 0151 924 0482 www.crosbydogs.comThinking about Cosmetic Surgery?Crosby Dogs, 79 Liverpool Road, Crosby L23 5TDAlteration and Repairs All types of clothing alterations, repairs and re-designEXPRESS SERVICE AVAILABLESophie and Anna DressmakersWe would like to invite you to one of our exclusive cosmetic surgery ‘meet the surgeon’ dates, where you will be able to talk directly with one of our consultant cosmetic surgeons and have a private, no obligation chat to discuss the procedure you are considering.Meet the surgeon at Renacres Hospital12 Hoghton Street, Southport PR9 OTF01704 538507Your invitation to ‘meet the surgeon’www.sophiemaddocks.co.ukBe OriginalOn Tuesday 18th April 2017 from 6:00pm With Consultant Cosmetic Surgeon, Mr Adel Fattah. Places are limited, so to reserve your place please:R.L BlundellThe name you can trust Est 1984Call Sharon Howard:01704 842 057Visit: www.renacreshospital.co.uk/eventsMaster Craftsman of Bespoke Jewellery Engagement Rings & Special Hand Crafted Unique Wedding Rings Expert in Repairs & Remodelling of all Jewellery No job too SmallR.L Blundell2a Eastbank Street • Southport PR8 1DW (01704) 547216LOOKING FOR A FRIEND? Check-out Champion FriendsSIGN-UP FOR FREE friends.champnews.comChampion Media Group is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK’s magazine and newspaper industry). We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think that we have not met those standards and want to make a complaint please contact the editor on 01704 392402 or email
[email protected]. If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about IPSO or the Editors’ Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit www.ipso.co.uk.The Champion ● Wednesday 29 March 20174 ● Visit us @ www.ChampNews.comMigrant worker group commended for raising awareness of loan sharks A SOUTHPORT based charity which aims to help migrant workers across Sefton has been commended for helping raise awareness of loan sharks. This week the team at Migrant Workers Sefton Community received a highly commended award for their 2016 project which warned migrant workers living in Sefton of the dangers of borrowing from loan sharks. The charity worked with The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT), Multimedia Company Handstead Films and Sefton Neighbourhood Team to produce a short film to demonstrate the perils of getting involved with an illegal money lender and to promote the help and support available to loan shark victims through the IMLT. The title for the film ‘Stop Loan Leeches’ cameabout after the charity found that the term ‘loan shark’ did not translate well in to Eastern European languages. In order to get the message across to migrant workers, the short film was translated in to six different languages: English, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Romanian and Russian. The project was funded by Sefton Council with support from the IMLT. Cllr. Trish Hardy, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing in Sefton, said: “In Sefton we have always extended a warm welcome to migrants who choose to call our borough home and enrich it through their contribution to community life. “Unfortunately, they often face real hardship, meaning it can be all too tempting to seek out illegal money lenders.”Cath Williams, Eileen Saunders and Graham Parry with the Stop Loan Sharks Highly Commended AwardTURN YOURCAR INTOCASHATTENTION... All Mercedes Benz Drivers!Merc Benz Service CentreSAVE up to 50on Main Dealer Prices • We can service your Mercedes without invalidating your warranty • Genuine Mercedes Star Diagnostic Machine • Over 50 years main dealer experience • Servicing to Mercedes Benz Schedules (no hidden costs) • We can stamp your service book (inc digital services) • MOT Testing*HYVS9H[JSPɈL Lancashire Bowel cancer survivorFAST!FREE COLLECTION AND DELIVERYTel 01744 886652 • 07493 485485Unit 1 Venture Court Sandwash Close Rainford Industrial Estate Rainford WA11 8LYadverts.champnews.comCREATIVE KITCHEN DESIGN KITCHEN DESIGN AND INSTALLATION Luxury Kitchens at an affordable price.Manufactured in our own Local Factory Workshop, all units made to measure, rigid built (no flat packs) plus base units with solid tops.This little kit could save your life. Aged 60 – 74? You’ll be sent a free bowel cancer screening kit in the post once every two years. It’s meant for people ^P[OUVZ`TW[VTZHUKJHUÄUKIV^LSJHUJLYH[HULHYS` stage, when it’s easier to treat successfully. If you have questions, call NHS Freephone 0800 707 60 60QUALITYAT A GREAT PRICE!100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEEDWe recommend you have three quotes… We would welcome the chance to be one of them… You won’t be disappointed! All Projects Fully Managed including Building Work. Solid Quartz Specialist.PHONE PHON NE FOR R YOU YOUR UR QUOTATION QUOT TATION NN NOW OW 01704 8 893757 93757 The Area’s Premier Kitchen Company The Old Post Office Building, Liverpool Road North, Burscough L40 4BYDon’t ignore it. Take the test.www.creative-kitchen-design.co.ukSearch ‘Be Clear on Cancer’Must be registered with a GP to receive a kit. Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666) and the Isle of Man (1103). © Cancer
