Author: Ollie Cowan

Sefton Council’s Judicial Review application against Highways England will be determined by the High Court sitting at Manchester Civil Justice Centre on Tuesday, October 23.

Sefton Council asked the High Court to review the decision by Highways England not to consult on the option of a tunnel for the proposed Port Access route when they undertook a consultation exercise to determine their preferred route option.

The council will argue that despite having promised to do so, Highways England failed to include the tunnel option in its consultation or in any event failed to include it in a lawful way.

Sefton Council believes the tunnel option would have merit and is the only option which could balance the need for improved access to the port with the needs of the local community.

As part of the hearing, Sefton is seeking an Order quashing the preferred route announcement and an Order requiring Highways England to re-consult about the tunnel option before any decision as to the preferred route is re-taken.

The Council has instructed a leading QC to represent them and although it is possible a judgement will be given on Tuesday (October 23) it may be deferred to another date.

Six schools in Sefton have been shortlisted for a number of awards at this year’s Educate Awards.

• Bishop David Sheppard CE Primary School in Southport is in the running for the Innovative and Creative Literacy Award.
• Formby High School is shortlisted for Most Inspirational 16-18 Education Provider
• Hillside High School, Bootle, is nominated for the Outstanding Arts in a Secondary School Award
• Netherton Moss Primary School is hoping to bag the Outstanding Arts in a Primary School Award
• Summerhill Primary School, Maghull, is looking to achieve the Most Inspirational Primary School accolade
• St Oswald’s CE Primary School, Bootle, is shortlisted for Spirit of Enterprise Award, whilst parent support advisor, Julie McNally, has been nominated for Support Star of the Year Award.

The Educate Awards, in partnership with Copyrite Systems and Ricoh, is now in its seventh year and is the largest education awards in the North West. From inspiring teachers, superb support staff to innovative projects across the curriculum, the awards recognises the work of schools and colleges which are delivering outstanding education and helping students achieve their full potential.

Since launching in Liverpool in 2012, the awards has grown rapidly, now recognising schools and colleges right across the Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

Commenting on the shortlist, Kim O’Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, says: “We are delighted to finally reveal the shortlist ahead of the awards ceremony in November. This year’s shortlist includes schools and colleges from all across the region.

“The awards recognise the arts, careers, sport, literacy, STEM and so much more – we believe it’s so important to celebrate all aspects of school life and champion the teachers and school support stars who bring learning to life!

“Many congratulations and good luck to all the shortlisted schools in Sefton.”

In total there are 21 award categories, from Teacher of the Year, Career Aspiration, School Support Star of the Year and Outstanding Commitment to Sport. The winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony, which takes place on Friday 16 November at Liverpool Cathedral.

Associate sponsors include Winstanley College, All About STEM, Liverpool John Moores University, CER, Progress Schools, Liverpool Learning Partnership, School Improvement Liverpool, The Foundry Agency, LSSP, The Bishop of Liverpool, The Rt. Revd. Paul Bayes, DMR David M Robinson Jewellery & Watches and BMD Law.

Scottish music legend Midge Ure returns to the UK theatre circuit in early 2019 with a special concert experience – Midge will tour his Songs, Questions and Answers in the UK from March to May 2019.

25 years ago, Midge presented a theatre show with a Q&A element to it and in 2019 he will revisit that concept with an updated version entitled “Songs, Questions and Answers”. Each show will entail a Q&A element and a musical element.

Accompanying Midge are his multi instrumentalists Cole Stacey and Joe O’Keefe. Stacey and O’Keefe will also open the show playing their own original material as India Electric Company.

There is plenty to talk about too while covering a 40-year professional career from Ultravox, Midge’s solo work to Band Aid and his Orchestrated CD from 2017 as well as anything else the audience can think of to ask him.

Midge will perform songs from the Ultravox catalogue alongside his solo work. There will be an opportunity for suggestions from the crowd to pick a song for him to perform. The show will be a selection of material that will satisfy the fans and please the curious. It’s not often the audience gets to suggest the playlist.

The tour arrives at The Atkinson on Saturday 20 April and tickets are £20 and selling fast! To book please visit https://www.theatkinson.co.uk/events/midge-ure-2019/ or call Box Office on 01704 533333 (booking fees apply).

Don’t miss out on The Atkinson events and activities – join the e-newsletter and keep up to date and receive special offers! https://www.theatkinson.co.uk/e-newsletter/

A host of famous faces have joined residents across Sefton in wishing Bootle a very happy 150th birthday.

Liverpool FC star Jamie Carragher, fashion designer George Davies and radio legend Jimmy McCracken are just some of a group of well known Bootle born celebrities who have paid tribute to their hometown on its landmark birthday

From Monday October 22 to Saturday October 27 all eyes will be on Bootle as the town celebrates its 150th year of incorporation with a week long series of events, talks, celebratory party and the unveiling of a special exhibition.

✅ 150 Candles
✅ A big Cake
✅ Celebrities

The stage is set for a big celebration! Join us to mark Bootle’s 150th birthday in style 🎉🎁😍 #MySefton

First up…@Carra23 pays tribute to his much loved hometown!https://t.co/LISnyN61jA pic.twitter.com/PDowayza1K

— Sefton Council (@seftoncouncil) October 5, 2018

It’s part of a number of special occasions across South Sefton as both Bootle Strand Shopping Centre and the Girobank building mark their fiftieth birthdays.

Bootle’s 150th celebrations will include the unveiling of the refurbished Town Charter which was signed in 1868 and has not been seen by the public for decades.

LFC and England legend Jamie Carragher said: “I’d love to wish Bootle a very happy birthday on its 150th.

“I’m sure there’s another 150 of them to come and I’d like to say Bootle has played a major part of my life and everybody else’s life around here. Thank you.”

Broadcaster Jimmy McCracken recalled some of his fondest memories of his hometown, adding: “People go all over the world and say they are from Liverpool, but not me.

“I go all over the world and say ‘I’m Bootle, me.’ There’s nowhere I would rather come from than Bootle. I would love to say a big happy birthday.”

Sefton’s Mayor, Cllr Dave Robinson, was delighted to also receive well wishes for Bootle from world renowned fashion designer and Bootle boy George Davies, as well as football journalist John Keith, who launched his best selling international football show from Bootle Town Hall.

An exhibition displaying artefacts from Bootle’s history will be open from 10am-5pm on Monday-Friday (October 22-Friday 26).

Scavenger hunts for children and tours of Bootle Town Hall, done personally by the Mayor of Sefton on Monday 22nd & Wednesday 24th at 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm will also be held.

The full list of ticketed events at the Town Hall are:

Monday 22: Sefton OPERA 150th Themed Tea Dance (1.30pm)
Tuesday 23: North West Charity Singers (1pm)
Wednesday 24: ‘From Bootle to Broadway: It’s Coming Home’ Theatrical performance by SPACE Project (4pm)
Thursday 25: Bootle History Talk with Hugh Hollinghurst (10:30am & 2pm)
Friday 26: Waterloo & Crosby Theatre Group 150th Themed Bingo (7pm)
Saturday 27: 150th Celebration Party including Buffet, Bar & live music (6:30pm)

For more information or to book tickets please call 0151 934 2062 or email mayorsoffice@sefton.gov.uk.