All Together Now Magazine - Issue 33 _ October2010

YOUR AWARD-WINNING DISABILITY MAGAZINE THAT’S FOR EVERYONE!

When you have finished reading this magazine please pass it on to a friend or neighbourWhen you have finished reading this magazine please pass it on to a friend or neighbour

TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!

MATTERHORNBACK TO THEAAllll TTooggeetthheerr NNooww!!iiss ssuuppppoorrtteedd bbyy::

NEW HORIZONS

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WIN! WIN! WIN!WIN! WIN! WIN!Your chanceto make it avery HAPPYCHRISTMAS!

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YOUR AWARD-WINNING DISABILITY MAGAZINE THAT’S FOR EVERYONE!

MATTERHORNMATTERHORNBACK TO THEBACK TO THEBACK TO THEMATTERHORN

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER, 2010

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EDITOR TOM DOWLINGRETURNSTO THE ALPS— FORTY YEARS ON!

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Ån easierway tocomplainproposed


REFORMS making iteasier to complain ifyou suffer poor publicservices have beenproposed.

A shake-up ofprocedures to make iteasier for the public toseek redress, and to bringconsistency to the waypublic servicesombudsmen do business,is suggested by the LawCommission, the bodythat advises theGovernment on lawreform

The public servicesombudsmen have wide-ranging powers toinvestigate complaintsagainst health serviceproviders, housingassociations and a host ofGovernment departmentsand agencies.

Complaints are dealtwith for free and canresult in financialcompensation and anapology.

But the procedures formaking a complaint areoften outdated andinconsistent, say theCommission.

For example, complaintsmust usually be submittedin writing and in somecases can be made onlythrough an MP.

The proposed reformswill help to keep casesout of court – undercurrent rules theombudsman should notdeal with a complaint aftercourt proceedings havebegun, even if thecomplainant was badlyadvised to go to court.

The consultation paper,“Public ServicesOmbudsmen”, is availableon www.lawcom.gov.ukn Comments, to bereceived by December 3,should be sent either byemail to:[email protected]

Or by post to: KeithVincent, LawCommission, SteelHouse, 11 Tothill Street,London SW1H 9LJ.

APIONEERING safetycourse for mobilityscooter users has been

given a massive thumbs up.Dozens of people took part in

the event, hosted by NorfolkConstabulary and aimed atimproving safety awareness forusers and building theirconfidence.

There were also some vital tipsin a new film, Safe Scoot,narrated by actress Sheila Reid,who plays Madge in ITV’sBenidorm series.

Thomas Antill, 72, has used amobility scooter for almost fiveyears. He said: “I thought thecourse was very good and I thinkit’s important that people whooperate a scooter understandhow to use it safely.”

Gill Akerman, 58, said: “I foundthe course difficult because it isvery narrow in parts, but it is

realistic to the obstacles mobilityscooter users face.”

Currently, people do not needto take a test to use a mobilityscooter – and insurance is notrequired by law.

Jim Rawlings, seniorinformation officer with nationaldisability charity Mobilise, said:“Some of these scooters cantravel at up to eight miles perhour so if you were hit by oneyou would certainly know aboutit. I think a training course suchas this is a good move.

“We have been involved in

consultation with the governmentabout potential changes inlegislation and improvements intraining is something we stronglyadvocate.”

Superintendent Jim Smerdonsaid: “The fact there is notraining requirement for mobilityscooter users raises the issue ofroad safety.

“The ability to be mobile isextremely important for people.However, we need to ensure thatpeople use mobility scooters in asafe and appropriate manner.”n www.safescoot.co.uk

Now it’ssafer byscooter!

EASY DOES IT: The course helps buildconfidence. Left: Madge from Benidorm

SCOOTER SCHOOL: Scooter users are put through their paces on the new course

CONGRATULATIONS to the four lucky winnersof our summer gardening competition.

All winners will receive £25 vouchers from one ofBritain’s leading lavender suppliers, Norfolk Lavender.Mr Ken Taylor, Leigh Way, Weaverham, Cheshire.He writes: “All Together NOW! is an excellent andinformative paper and I enjoy reading it.”He picked up his copy at Burleydam Garden Centre,Ellesmere Port.Mrs S Kay, Aysgarth Court, Whernside, Blackpool:

“I’ve never seen this paper before, but hubby and Ithink it’s very interesting as we are both disabled.”(Booths, Blackpool).Mrs Mandy White, Bayswater Road, Wallasey,Wirral: “An entertaining read while waiting around inhospital.” (Arrowe Park Hospital)Mrs Barbara Styles, Llandderfel, Bala, Gwynedd:“We do not have access in Bala to any papers relatingto disability. I look forward to picking up my copy atMold. (Daniel Owen Centre, Mold)

Are you a lucky lavender winner?

We’re alwayshappy tohappy tohearhearfrom you . . .from you . . .

We’re always

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Benefit cuts will hitdisabled families

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FAMILIES with disabled children willbe hit hard by housing benefitreforms, claims a leading children’scharity.

Contact a Family says that familiesalready affected by existing unfairhousing benefit rules and strugglingto meet their housing costs will beforced into housing that is notsuitable for their child when the newmeasures take effect in October 2011.

The Department of Work andPensions estimates that all housingbenefits recipients will see anaverage decrease in benefit of £12per week.Helpline: 0808 808 3555, textphone0808 808 3556. www.cafamily.org.uk

See Property Page 6

n All Together NOW! is aregistered charity set up toprovide a tip top news servicefor anyone whose life isaffected by disability, long-term health condtions or age– and raises awareness abouthow people can overcomepersonal challenges.

n The charity relies entirely onsupport from its sponsors,advertisers and from generalsubscriptions and grants.

YOU CAN nowpick up yourFREE copy ofAll TogetherNOW! fromSainsbury’sstores on theWirral – atUpton, Prentonand EllesmerePort.

All Together NOW! has beennamed among the 25 semi-finalists in the 2010 BarclaysTrading Places Awards.

The awards, set up to recogniseand reward small businesses thathave overcome huge obstacles toachieve success, attracted entriesfrom all over the UK.

Steve Cooper, chair of the judgingpanel and managing director,Barclays Business, said: “The calibreof this year’s entries is outstandingand we hope that with thisrecognition, All Together NOW! willcontinue on the road to success.

“We also hopeother buddingentrepreneurswill comeforward and turntheir ownbusiness dreams into reality.”

Mark Prisk, Minister for Businessand Enterprise, added:

“The Trading Places entrants arean inspiration to everyone andembody the best of the UK’sentrepreneurial spirit.”

The overall winner will receive£10,000 for their business, and therunner-up, £5,000.

Microsoft and Yell will also beoffering packages for the tennational finalists. And there is also aspecial £3,000 community award,courtesy of The Sun.

YOUR award-winning All TogetherNOW! magazine is going placesfast!

More than 60,000 FREE copies are nowcirculated every two months acrossMerseyside, Cheshire, GreaterManchester and Lancashire.

And now helping to spread the word areArriva North West and advertisingcompany, CBS Outdoors.

Colourful advertisements are nowemblazoned on more than 20 busesoperating around the region.

Debra Mercer, marketing andcommunications manager for Arriva NorthWest, said: “All Together NOW! is

extremely popular in the North West andit’s fantastic that our buses can play apart in letting even more people know thatthey can pick up a free copy.

“Arriva is fully committed to making all ofour vehicles fully accessible as quickly aswe possibly can.”

If you – or your company – would liketo help the All Together NOW! charityplease contact me at: The BradburyCentre, Youens Way, Liverpool L142EP. Tel, 0151 230 0307. Email:[email protected]!

Tom Dowling, editor

We’re on the buses!We’re on the buses!We’re on the buses!

Barclays’ boost!BARCLAYS’ BOOST!ALL ABOARD: Pictured (from left): Claire Thames (volunteer), TomDowling, Ben Dowling and Peter Sass, manager, Arriva Bootle. Below,some of the All Together NOW! team with Arriva staff – Debra Mercer,marketing manager, Carl Fitzgerald, Peter Sass and Mark Wynne

Want to help?Want to help?


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What young childrenthink about disability

ANEW control is being fitted to mobilityscooters that will enable Orthodox Jewsto stay mobile on holy days.

During Shabbat and other holy days Jewishpeople are normally unable to work, “make fire” –or start and operate machinery such as a mobilityscooter.

But the new Shabbat electronic controller on theSuffolk-based TGA scooters is operated indirectlyby clever electronics.

When the Shabbat mode is activated, a separatecircuit board results in steady acceleration with nothrottle lever activation required.

This initial process is considered an ‘indirectaction’ and, because the motor relay circuit waschanged while in Shabbat mode, varying thevoltage to the motor by the throttle lever and hencealtering speed during motion, is not considered aviolation of the Shabbat principle.

The Shabbat controller is also used for turningthe scooter on or off and for changing direction.

David Stone, managing director of TGA, said:“We felt the time was right to provide custom fittingof this system to a wide range of our scooters inthe UK with the aim of satisfying both Jewishreligious law and the growing desire forindependence.

“People of Jewish faith who unfortunately live withrestricted mobility now have the ability to visit thesynagogue on the Shabbat.”TGA mobility scooters are engineered in Israel by aleading specialist, Afikim Electric Vehicles.Operating from within a Kibbutz since 1987, thequality of its products are renowned worldwide.

Holy solution

TRYING to get yourchildren to do what YOUwant, when YOU want,

can sometimes be tough.If your child has autism it can

be much, much tougher.In extreme cases it can be

exhausting, demoralising andimpact hugely on yourrelationships with your otherchildren.

But help is at hand – and it’scoming from an unlikely source.

Specially trained dogs andhandlers from the nationalcharity Dogs for the Disabled areready to step forward and showparents another way of helpingtheir children.

The groundbreaking projectcalled PAWS (Parents AutismWorkshops and Support) isholding its first set of three

workshops at the Dogs TrustRehome Centre on Merseyside.

Course leader Katie Bristow-Wade said: “We believe there isnothing else like this in theworld.

“The workshops will bring awealth of new opportunities andbenefits to families that facehuge challenges on a dailybasis.

“We urge any family with achild affected by autism whoeither already has a pet dog, oris considering bringing a dog intothe family, to come along to theworkshops and find out more.”

With a team of expert trainers,the Dogs for the Disabled charityhas worked wonders for over 21years, training assistance dogsto help people with disabilities,including children, in their homes

and out and about.For the last two years the

charity has been training dogs towork with children with autism.

Katie added: “We take familiesthrough every step of theprocess, from choosing the rightdog for your family and how toapproach breeders or rescuecentres, through to the earlydays of introducing your family toa dog and of course the all-important training.

“As the project develops everyfamily will also be able to accessonline support and informationand share experiences withother families.”

Workshop dates at the centrein Whiston Road, Huyton, areOctober 14 and November 11.n Tel. 01295 252600.www.dogsforthedisabled.org

Dogs trainDogs trainthe kids!the kids! A QUARTER of a

million people caringfor an ill or disabledfriend or relative couldbe missing out on atop up that protectstheir basic and secondState Pensions.

An estimated one millionpeople have given up workto care for someone andPensions Minister SteveWebb wants ‘hidden’carers who could beeligible for Carer’s Creditto benefit.

Steve Webb said: “It’snatural that people caringfor a loved one oftenforget about their ownneeds and thoughts aboutthe future are pushed toone side.

“But this is a very simpleway for carers to protecttheir State Pension.”

People giving up theirtime for 20 hours or morea week to provide unpaidcare for a loved one, whoare not already claimingCarer’s Allowance, couldqualify.

There are currently lessthan 1,000 people gettingCarer’s Credit.

Many people lookingafter an elderly parent, illspouse or disabled childdo not think of themselvesas carers.

In fact, according toresearch from natoinalcharity Carers UK themajority of people whocare for relatives take overa year to realise that theyhave become a carer.

But if you are giving uptime to cook, clean, shopor provide personal care,unpaid, for someone youcould be entitled to Carer’sCredit.

Carer’s Credit is not acash sum now but meansthat a carer’s financialfuture can be protected. Itcredits a person’s NationalInsurance record for thetime they are caring,helping them to build uptheir State Pension.n www.direct.gov.uk/carers or call 0845608 4321 (Telephone) or0845 604 5312(Textphone).www.carersuk.org

PRIMARY school teachers are beingtold they must do better when itcomes to dealing with disability.

Progress in teaching childrenpositive attitudes towards disabledpeople has been slow and patchy,according to a study – DisabilityEquality in English PrimarySchools.

The study found children tendedto believe that disabled peoplewould not be able to have partnersor marry, and that they could not beemployed.

They also believed disabledpeople should not have childrenbecause they might pass onimpairments.

However, Dr Angharad Beckett,who led the research, said: “Mostyoungsters appear to have a keensense of what is socially just andconsider the way that society treatsdisabled people to be very unfair.”

The study was funded by theEconomic and Social ResearchCouncil.

DISABLED people still get a second-rate service from the air travelindustry, more than two years afternew EU regulations to combatdiscrimination.

A report by the Trailblazerscampaigning network found manyyoung disabled people facedproblems across the tourismindustry, including extra costs, pooraccess information and disabilityawareness and a shortage ofaccessible hotel rooms.

A Civil Aviation Authorityspokeswoman said the reportconcluded that the regulations hadimproved the experience of disabledpeople when travelling by air.

“However, the CAA feels furtherimprovements are possible, and isdriving them by working withdisability groups and the aviationindustry.”

THE government has confirmed it hasno objection to disabled people usingpart of their council-funded personalbudgets to pay sex workers.

The confirmation follows the mediastorm created by the release of a newsurvey of councils by the Outsidersand the TLC Trust, which bothprovide advice and support aroundsex and disability.

The survey found only three percent of local authorities had a policyon the use of sex workers bydisabled service-users, with the samenumber happy for sex workers to bepaid using money from a disabledperson’s personal budget or othercouncil funding.


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ALL you have to do to stand a chanceof winning your dream hamper isanswer these two questions:1) What company operates the UK’sbiggest Christmas savings club?2) What is their web address?

The first correct entry drawn out ofthe hat on Friday, November 12, willwin the hamper.

Send your answers on the back of apostcard – telling us where youpicked up your copy of All TogetherNOW! AND what you think of thepublication – to: Park HamperCompetition, All Together NOW!, TheBradbury Centre, Youens Way,Liverpool L14 2EP

You can also enter online atwww.alltogethernow.org.uk

ENTER NOW!

CHRISTMAS is coming earlyAGAIN for All Together NOW!readers.

We’ve teamed up with Park – the UK’snumber one for Christmas savings – togive you another chance to win their topof the range Christmas hamper.

The Empire hamper is worth £517.50– and it could be all yours if you win oursuper competition.

Last year’s Park Hamper competitionwas a resounding success so don’t missyour chance to win!

This monster of a hamper contains a

huge amount of Christmas food anddrink goodies to keep even the biggestfamily fed over the festive period.

It’s filled with top brand confectionery,desserts, soft drinks, beers, wines,spirits, pasta, soups, vegetables, freezerfoods and the finest quality meat.

You even get six crystal wine glassesso you and your loved ones can offer atoast to your finest Christmas dinnerever!

For more than 40 years Park has beenproviding top quality hampers forhundreds of thousands of customers

across the country.Founder and Park Group chairman, Mr

Peter Johnson said: “We are delightedto offer All Together NOW! readersanother chance to win our top-of-the-range Christmas hamper.

“Last year’s competition caused plentyof excitement. We are confident that ournew competition will be even morepopular with readers.”Why not save with Park for a debt-free Christmas. Get your FREEcatalogue now atwww.getpark.co.uk/ATN10

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than £517!By entering the competition you confirm that youunderstand and agree that the information youprovide will be held on a Park Group database andthat it will be shared by all companies within the ParkGroup. A full list of those companies is available bywriting to the Data Controller, Park Group Plc, ValleyRoad, Birkenhead, CH41 7ED. Park Group plc shallbe the data controller for the purposes of the DataProtection Act 1998. The information you provide willbe used by Park Group and any necessary thirdparties to provide you with the goods and servicesyou request. Companies within the Park Group maywish to contact you for customer care purposes or tokeep you informed about the latest offers,promotions, prize draws, and competitions, usingpost, telephone, e-mail, SMS and any otherappropriate means, including new technology. If youwish to be contacted via email or SMS, pleaseprovide us with your e-mail address and/or yourmobile telephone number as appropriate.If you donot wish to be contacted by any member of the ParkGroup for marketing purposes, please indicate thison your entry.

WIN A HAMPERWIN A HAMPER


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ANEW survey has revealed whatwe at All Together NOW! knowonly too well – that there is an

appalling lack of information aboutthe care system for older people.

The study by national charity Counseland Care reveals that out of 1,300adults (ranging from 18 to 90), just fiveper cent believe the social care systemis easy to navigate.n 79% thought that not enough is doneto tell people about the care optionsavailable.n 74% were unsure of the level of carethat they, an older friend, or relative, areentitled to.n 71% did not think the government hasa clear and consistent policy on careand support of older people.

Although most of the respondentsthought that care is provided throughpersonal finance, 64% said they hadnot even thought about how to fundtheir own care – despite the fact thatone in five of today’s 65 year olds willneed care costing more than £50,000.

Seven per cent expected to receivefull financial support from their localcouncil, leaving just five per cent whohad already made specific provisions.

One-third (33%) believed that centralgovernment should be responsible forcare funding and raise the moneythrough taxation.

Almost one fifth (19%) thought localauthorities will meet all their care costs.

The survey also highlightsrespondents’ uncertainty over what careadvice and provision they are entitled tofrom their local council.

Forty-two per cent did not thinkcouncils offer a free assessment of anolder person’s needs when in fact allcouncils must provide a freeassessment for anybody who appearsto be in need, regardless of a person’sfinances.

Almost half (48%) were unaware ofthe range of day-to-day help that theirlocal council might provide.n Counsel and Care hepline: 0845 3007585www.counselandcare.org.uk

FOOTNOTE: Currently, older peoplewith savings of under £23,250 areeligible for financial support fromlocal councils towards their care, butthis depends on the level of needthat the individual council will meet.Those with savings over £23,250, nomatter where they live in England,are not eligible for council funding,but may receive AttendanceAllowance if they need care orsupervision.

Widespreadconfusionover carehome costs

THOUSANDS of people in the NorthWest face debt and homelessnessif the Government goes ahead with

planned housing benefit cuts.That’s the warning from Crisis, the

national charity for single homeless people.The Government announced cuts of

£1.8bn to housing benefit in its emergencyBudget soon after coming to power.

According to an impact assessment bythe Department of Work and Pensions,virtually all of the 131,180 households inthe region reliant on Local HousingAllowance – the form of housing benefitpaid to tenants in the private rented sector– will be affected.

This represents the largest number of

people affected in any region outsideLondon.

On average, claimants in the North Westwill see their LHA cut by £10 per week, or£520 per year.

These cuts, say Crisis, will leave tenantsfalling into rent arrears and increasing debtor being forced to leave their homes and atworst becoming homeless.

For people living in one-bed properties,those in Manchester, Salford, Liverpooland St Helens will be especially badlyaffected.

In St Helens, those living in one-bedroomflats will have their support cut by £780 peryear.

In Manchester and Salford, the cuts to

those in one-bed flats will be £624 and£676, respectively.

Although the impact of the cuts onindividual claimants is somewhat smaller inLiverpool (£468 per one bed flat), the cutswill affect 12,620 households of all sizes inthe city – the fourth largest total afterLondon, Birmingham and Leeds.

Similarly, in Blackpool, the cut to eachone-bed flat is not as high as in someother areas (£416) but 12,420 householdswill be affected by reductions for all peopleon LHA.

Other figures reveal that 3,720households will be affected in St Helens;10,210 households in Manchester; and5,470 households in Salford.

SIMPLE measures would make iteasier for thousands of wheelchair-users to find accessible homes,

says a housing charity.The Mind the Step report estimates that

about 78,000 – or 13% – of households inEngland that include a wheelchair-user areliving in homes that are not fully wheelchair-accessible.

The report, from the accessible housingassociation Habinteg and London SouthBank University, says only about 16% of allhomes in England would allow a wheelchair-user to enter easily through the front door.

Sandra Ruddick, a wheelchair-user and aHabinteg tenant and board member, saidthere was “such a vast amount of need outthere” for wheelchair-accessible housing.

She also pointed to the contrastingprovision in different parts of the country.

Nearly one in four wheelchair-userhouseholds in the North West of Englandand nearly one in five in London are inaccommodation that is not fullywheelchair-accessible, compared withless than one in 10 in the south-west andone in 20 in the south-east.

The report concludes: “The figures are nothuge, the solutions are not complicated andmost of the mechanisms to increase thesupply of suitably designed homes andimprove the accessibility of people’s existinghomes are already in place.”

Among its recommendations, the reportcalls for more new homes to be built towheelchair-accessible standards and for thegovernment to recognise the importance ofadaptations to homes.

It also criticises the inefficient allocation ofexisting accessible and adaptable socialhousing – in 2008-09 only 22% of local

authority and housing association“wheelchair standard” properties wereallocated to households that included awheelchair-user.

Councils, it says, should set up accessiblehousing registers to hold information onaccessible properties and housingapplicants who need wheelchair-accessiblehousing.

The report also calls for continued fundingfor wheelchair-accessible housing from theHomes and Communities Agency, whichsponsored the report, and for localauthorities to ensure that wheelchair

standard homes are included in all newdevelopments with reasonable access tolocal amenities.

It suggests that local authorities should usethe report’s figures on unmet housing needto set their own five-year targets for thedevelopment of new wheelchair-standardhomes.

And it calls on estate agents and lettingsagencies to use accessibility as a sellingpoint in advertising homes for sale or rent.n Estate agents embarrassed– I WANTMORE!Page 15

by JOHN PRING

There issuch a vastamount ofneed outthere forwheelchair-accessiblehomes

‘

Housing benefit cut threatens thousands

Dearth of suitablehomes ‘easy to fix’


www.morganfoundation.co.uk Tel. 01829 782800www.morganfoundation.co.uk Tel. 01829 782800


What we fund GRANTS may be considered for a range ofpurposes and could include:Single awards for capital projectsStart-up and/or ongoing running costs forspecific projectsMulti-year revenue grants for core fundingThe type, size and time period of the awardis decided on the basis of the perceived‘difference’ that our support will make to theorganisation, to the project and to thetargeted beneficiaries.It is important that you tell us in yourapplication the full extent of the funding youreally need to achieve your aims andobjectives, in order for us to assess howbest we can contribute.How to applyFIRST, please ensure that you are eligibleunder our policy:

Check that your organisation/project isbased within our geographic area.

Check that your organisation/project is notlisted in our exclusions.

If you are unsure about your eligibility orhave queries about any aspect of yourapplication, please call us prior to submittingyour application.

We welcome preliminary telephoneenquiries.

Application procedureCALL us first! You will have a muchbetter chance of success if you tell usabout your project – before sending yourapplication. Then you can print off and fill inthe application cover sheet from ourwebsite. This will let you describe yourorganisation, its history, activities,beneficiaries, achievements to date andcurrent funding needs.

Please enclose copies of most recentreports and accounts.

If you have a project, describe its purpose,targets, budget, and timescale.

All applications will be acknowledged andwe will contact you for any furtherinformation we require.

All charities and projects will be visitedbefore a grant is approved.

Trustee meetings are held regularlythroughout the year and there are nospecific dates for applications to bereceived. However, applications areconsidered in chronological order and it cantake up to six months for the process to becompleted.What we don’t fund (exclusions)IN LINE with our funding policy and toensure the most efficient use of resources,we do not fund the following areas of work:Animal Welfare Arts/Heritage Conservation/Environment Expeditions and Overseas Travel General Fundraising Appeals Individual and Sports Sponsorship Large National Charities Mainstream Education Promotion of Specific ReligionsUnsuccessful applicationsLIKE most charitable foundations we receivemany more applications than we can fund,so, unfortunately, we do have to turn downsome projects even if they fall within oureligibility criteria.

TIMES are tough – andespecially so for charitieswho are doing geat work

but struggling to make endsmeet.

Here at The Morgan Foundationwe want to help organisationswho share our philosophy –Making a Difference!

Created in 2001 bybusinessman Steve Morgan OBE,founder and chairman of Redrowplc, chairman of the BridgemereGroup of Companies andWolverhampton Wanderers FC,the Morgan Foundation supportscharities across North Wales,Merseyside, West Cheshire andNorth Shropshire.

Our aim is to provide fundingfor small to medium sizedorganisations who areaddressing specific needs inthese regions.

We are particularly keen tosupport those who have alreadybegun to make an impact, butneed a helping hand to expandtheir work and increase theireffectiveness.

We focus our help mainly onthose who work directly withchildren and families but werecognise that many wider issuesmay also affect their welfare, sowe are interested in any projectwhich contributes to the qualityof life of the people in our region.

WOLVES Community Trust is the officialcharity of Wolverhampton WanderersFootball Club.

Via Wolves Aid, which is supported byThe Morgan Foundation, it helpscommunity groups in the Wolverhamptonarea.

Wolves Aid has the same remit as TheMorgan Foundation and, according to theFootball League Trust, is the biggest clubcharity of its type in football.

Organisations within Wolverhamptonwanting to find out more about Wolves Aidshould contact Rachael Heyhoe-Flint on0871 880 8442n www.wolves-aid.co.uk

Download the cover application formfrom our website:www.morganfoundation.org.ukYou will also need Adobe AcrobatReader installed on your PC.

APPLYNOW!

making adifference?

So is charityYOURYOUROur Wolves’ link

THIRTY-THREE people frombusinesses and charities rightacross the region have beenshort-listed in The MorganFoundation EntrepreneurAwards 2010.

Final judging for the prizes –worth more than £100,000 –takes place during Octoberwith a glittering awardsceremony planned at CardenPark Hotel, Cheshire, onThursday November 11.

The finalistsBest New Business: NatalieHaywood (Leaf Tea Shop and Bar,Liverpool); Andrew Shields(Training Strategies Ltd, Liverpool);Stephen Dutton and Fiona Milne(SPD CAD Services, Liverpool);Jim Williams and Malcolm Sutton(Tender Management, Liverpool);Bala Croman (The ChocolateCellar, Liverpool)Best Young Entrepreneur:Thomas Darlow (Bright Headway,Liverpool); Amelia Nutting (ShugaBudz, Wolverhampton); JamesClarke (True Reflections Design,Conwy); Donna Redgrave (RMDMemory Matters, Liverpool); KrisMcDonald (Keyhole Productions,Liverpool)Best Charity or Social Enterprisein Liverpool (Liverpool Visionprize): Chris Caterall and JaneDavies (The Reader Organisation);Jacqui Nasuh (Chrysallis DomesticViolence); Julia Samuels and KeithSahah (20 Stories High); PaulAinsworth and Helen Johnson (TheAriel Trust)Best Social/EconomicContribution to the Region:Catherine Miles (Contact Company,Wirral); Susan Fisher (C&S CareCompany, Wolverhampton); SusanHughes and Josie Kelly (Access toBusiness, Wolverhampton);Jessica Houghton (ExpertLanguage Services, Southport);Julia Samuels and Keith Sahah (20Stories High)Best Entrepreneurial SocialEnterprise or Charity: ClaireMorgans (Y Kids, Bootle); JaneHughes and Fiona Trappe (ConwyFest, Conwy); Ben Donnelly (ElixirFoundations, Bootle); TerrieJohnson (Fruit to Suit, Wirral);Brian McManus (Dee-Tex,Flintshire) Against All Odds: Jo Wood(RASA Merseyside, Wirral); DebbieStone (Blow Hair and Beauty,Liverpool); Jan Williams (NorthwestLaser & Aesthetics Clinic Ltd,Frodsham); Ben Donnelly (ElixirFoundations, Bootle); BrianMcManus (Dee-Tex, Flintshire).


Merseytravel is making sure thatPublic Transport on Merseysideis easy for everyone to use.

AD346A

0871 200 22 33Calls cost 10p per minute fromland lines, mobiles may vary

Textphone users can dial 18001 then 0871 200 22 33 for a typetalk assisted call.

We care about the accessibility of ourbuildings, vehicles and information.

All of our staff are trained to be courteous and considerate, particularlywhen our customers have specialrequirements.

Whether it be automatic door-openersin our head office, availability oftextphones for main points of contact,or producing timetables in large print,we want to make public transport easier for everyone to use.

Among our services and facilities are:Merseylink – a door to door fully accessible transport service for peoplewho are mobility impaired.ree concessionary travel for over

48,000 people with disabilities.Modern, low floor, fully accessiblebuses, which are developed inpartnership with local authorities andbus companies.Information in a variety of formats,including the Merseytravel AccessGuide – containing access details for allbus and rail stations on Merseyside.

TRAVEL ambassadors from acrossthe region attended a specialgraduation ceremony.

Hosted by Merseytravel, the eventrecognised the achievement of 35 peoplewho have gained a NOCN Level 2Qualification in travel training.

The project, part of the To Go projectand delivered through Transform, equipstrainees with travel training skills to helplocal people, including those with adisability.

Councillor Mark Dowd, chair ofMerseytravel, said “Whilst we atMerseytravel make information availablein many formats, we realise that there are

still some people, in particular people withdisabilities, older people and someyounger people who need a little extrasupport.

“They can find it difficult to navigate thenetworks or understand the informationthey are provided with and some peoplecan experience difficulties with road safety.This is why training programmes such asMerseyside Travel Ambassadors areinvaluable.”

Liz Chandler, Merseytravel’s director ofcorporate development added:“Merseytravel have been at the forefrontof supporting travel training at the groundlevel by supporting a number of

organisations to deliver travel training tocustomers for some time.

“The Merseyside Travel Ambassadorproject has been a trailblazer in being thefirst to deliver accredited travel training toa nationally recognised level. We havebeen working with The Department forTransport and GO Skills, the sector skillscouncil for transport, who are keen tosupport the development and roll out oftravel training schemes so they areavailable to as wide an audience aspossible.”

Lila Bennett, director of Transform, said:“The Department for Transport is keen forall users of public transport to have

equality of access and independence, notjust disabled people, for example olderpeople, ethnic minorities and long termunemployed people.

“We see a real value in this programme,not only for those who have graduatedtoday but also for the people who they willgo on to work with, opening up newhorizons and ultimately offering themindependence.”n Merseytravel established the To Goproject in 2003, the first InternationalYear for Disabled People, in responseto research that highlighted gaps intransport provision for small pockets ofdisabled people.

We’re here to help

Merseytravelchair,CouncillorMark DowdandMerseytraveldirector ofcorporatedevelopment,Liz Chandler(centre), withsome of thegraduates


HELP . . .

CHECKLIST

Disabled and need advice on gardening? Contact national charity THRIVE.Tel. 0118 988 5688. www.thrive.org.uk or www.carryongardening.org.uk

FLOWERS: Plant daffodils inOctober and tulips inNovember. Pinch out the tips oflong shoots on wallflowers tohelp them grow bushy. Checkborders for self-seededfoxgloves, aquilegias,campanulas, forget-me-notsand other biennials.SHRUBS AND TREES: Guardagainst wind damage to wallshrubs and climbers bysupporting and tying them.Inspect old ties to ensure theyare not too tight. Check trees,shrubs and roses after strongwinds to see if they needresecuring.PATIOS: Move pots into thesunniest position and raisethem on bricks or pot feet sothey do not stand in puddlesafter autumn rains.LAWNS: Damp or mossylawns should be spiked 10cm(4in) deep and the samedistance apart, ideally with ahollow-tined aerator, otherwisewith a garden fork. Make a50:50 mixture of gritty sand andgarden compost or good soiland brush this into the holes. Ifnecessary, apply moss-killerand autumn lawn food – notspring fertiliser.PONDS: Keep ponds clear ofdebris by cutting back deadfoliage of aquatic plants,removing any blanketweed andclearing fallen leaves regularlywith a net.VEGETABLES: Plant over-wintering varieties of broadbean, onions and shallots.When rhubarb leaves have dieddown at the end of November,sprinkle a handful of generalfertiliser round each plant andapply a generous layer ofmanure or garden compost.FRUIT: Prune apple treeslightly, shortening the leadingshoots by one quarter – ideallywithin fruit-picking height – andtrimming sideshoots back tofour or five buds. On lessvigorous trees, cut back theleading shoots harder, to halftheir length, to promote growth.HERBS: Pot up parsley andchives and grow them on anindoor windowsill. Grow freshbasil from cuttings – stand themin a glass of water on an indoorwindowsill until roots appearthen plant in pots of compost.HOUSEPLANTS: Those whichflowered earlier in the year

need only enough water tokeep the compost slightlymoist. Plants which are stillto bloom, like Christmascactus and cyclamen, needfood and water regularly.

COTONEASTERS are the scarlet ladiesof autumn with berries that linger intowinter and look just as pretty dusted

with frost.As well as scarlet, the berries come in other

shades of red and purple and, in some cases,the leaves turn red or bronze.

There are numerous species from woodlandand rocky areas of Europe, Asia and Africa,ranging from small ground-hugging shrubs tosmall trees growing to six metres (20ft).

Some lose their leaves in winter but othersare evergreen. All are hardy and will toleratepoor or dry soil and partial shade.

Only one species is native to the UK,Cotoneaster integerrimus, which grows wild onthe Great Orme above Llandudno, though italmost became extinct there in the 1970sbecause of the depredations of goats!

Cotoneasters produce pink flower buds,generally along the stems, in spring or earlysummer. These open to reveal small whiteblooms. Many species are smothered withthem, filling the air around with their almondscent and attracting bees.

The berries form during summer, colour up inearly autumn, and often cling on after theleaves have fallen, to adorn the garden andfeed birds in winter.Here are some reliably hardy kinds worthconsidering for problem places in the garden:n Cotoneaster horizontalis is the mostreadily available and is prized for its ability tobecome ‘verticalis’ and grow upwards to coverwalls, fences and banks as well as spreadingacross the ground. It is also known as fishbonecotoneaster because of the attractive fishbonepattern of its branches. The prolific flowersproduce a long-lasting show of scarlet berries.n Cotoneaster adpressus has similarqualities – plus scarlet autumn leaves – but it iseven lower-growing.n The evergreen Cotoneaster dammeri isexcellent for sheer ground-covering power. Itgrows no more than 20cm tall but spreads upto two metres (8in x 6ft), though it can berestricted easily by annual pruning.n Cotoneaster conspicuus is a mound-forming evergreen shrub for ground or wall

cover, growing 1.5 metres tall and spreadingmore than two metres (5ft x 6ft-8ft). It hasstrongly scented flowers and plentiful pale redberries. For darker, crimson berries, grow thevariety ‘Red Glory’.n Cotoneaster integrifolius is similar butsmaller, reaching one metre x 1.5 metres(3ft x 5ft).n For restricted spaces, choose the red-

berried Cotoneaster congestus whichreaches only 30cm or so in height and spreadsone metre (1ft x 3ft).n Cotoneaster divaricatus makes a moreconventional deciduous shrub, two metres highand wide (6ft x 6ft), and isextremely reliable forautumn fruit and foliage. It isexcellent for hedging.

AUTUMNDISPLAY:The scarletberries offishbonecotoneaster

SSCCAARRLLEETT LLAADDIIEESS


GOOD tools can halve the effort needed to keepa garden smart and productive. And they don’tcome any better than the prize package to bewon in this competition.

We are offering a £285 set of nine tools fromBulldog’s Premier range.

Bulldog have made tools at Clarington Forge,in Wigan, for no fewer than 230 years, starting in1780 when the American war of independencewas at its height and Mozart was writing operas.

Bulldog use a unique type of steel whichcombines exceptional strength with shock-absorbing qualities and lasts for a lifetime. Thehandles are made of traditional ash which is asdurable as it is attractive.The tools are: digging

spade, garden fork, borderspade, border fork, Dutchhoe, lawn edging knife witha half-moon blade on a longhandle, hand trowel, handweed fork, and Warren hoe,which has a triangular headwith a pointed tip and isideal for making deep orshallow drills, earthing upvegetables such aspotatoes and leeks, andlevelling mounds of soil.

What better way to start

putting the garden to bedfor winter and preparing fornext spring than with thissuperb collection of tools?

To enter the competition,answer this question:How long have Bulldog beenmaking tools at ClaringtonForge?

Send your entry with yourname and address on apostcard or sealedenvelope, stating where youpicked up your copy ofAll Together NOW! – and

what you think of thepublication – to: BulldogCompetition, All TogetherNOW! The Bradbury Centre,Youens Way, Liverpool L142EP, to arrive by Friday,November 19, or enteronline atwww.alltogethernow.org.uk

n For the full range ofBulldog tools or a copy ofthe firm’s 230th anniversarycatalogue, go towww.bulldogtools.co.uk

TOP TOOLS: From Bulldog

WIN! WIN! WIN!Bulldog Premierprize awaits ...


Your guide to theatrelandYour guide to theatreland

Promote your shows with us – 0151 230 0307 ...


Tel: 0151 230 0307

One advertgoes along, longway . . .


Sep 16 - Oct 30: Tis a Pity She’s aWhore, The Everyman, Liverpool.Audio Desc. Oct 28.Sep 23 - Oct 9: Arcadia, Quays, TheLowry, Manchester. Tom Stoppardclassic. Audio Desc. Oct 5, Touch TourOct 5, Capt. Oct 8.Sep 28 - Oct 30: Anthology, TheEveryman, Liverpool. Innovativedrama.Oct 4 - Oct 9: Bedroom Farce, GrandTheatre, Blackpool. Comedy.Oct 4 - Oct 9: Rocky Horror Show,Empire, Liverpool. Oct 5 - Oct 9: Calendar Girls, RegentTheatre, Stoke. Oct 5 - Oct 9: Boogie Nights, GrandTheatre, Wolverhampton. Oct 6 - Oct 7: That’ll be the Day,Lyceum, Crewe. Oct 6 - Oct 23: Dancing at Lughnasa,Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Oct 6: Me, Mum and DustySpringfield, Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Oct 6: 80s Mania, Southport Theatre. Oct 7 - Oct 9: Flying Feathers,Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight.Farce. Induction loop system.Oct 7 - Oct 9: The Caretaker, CharterTheatre, Preston. Oct 7: Sally Morgan, Guild Hall,Preston. Psychic.Oct 7: Gurkhas Spectacular, PavilionTheatre, Rhyl. Oct 7: Billy & Wally’s Big Pop &Comedy Show, Theatre Royal, StHelens. Oct 8 - Oct 9: The Armstrong andMiller Show, Palace Theatre,Manchester. Oct 8: The Sensational 60sExperience, Venue Cymru,Llandudno. Oct 8: Justin Moorhouse: Live, OperaHouse, Manchester. Oct 8: Sally Morgan, Floral Pavilion,New Brighton. Oct 8: Charlie Landsborough, PavilionTheatre, Rhyl. Oct 8: Masters of the House, TheatreRoyal, St Helens. Songs from themusicalsOct 8 - Nov 13: Anthony andCleopatra, Playhouse, Liverpool.Starring Kim Cattrall. Captioned. Nov6. Audio Desc. Nov 11. Oct 9 - Oct 10: Revolution, GrandTheatre, Blackpool. Oct 9: Vampires Rock, Venue Cymru,Llandudno. Oct 9: Elkie Brooks, Floral Pavilion,New Brighton. Oct 9: ABBA Mania, Guild Hall,Preston. Oct 9: Peter Aliss, Pavilion Theatre,Rhyl. Golfing anecdotes.Oct 9: Whole Lotta Led, Citadel, StHelens. Oct 9: An Evening with Fred Dibnah,Theatre Royal, St Helens. Oct 10: Andy Kirkpatrick - Off TheWall, Venue Cymru, Llandudno. TheUK’s only ‘stand-up mountaineer’.Oct 10: Tango Passion, VenueCymru, Llandudno. Oct 10: Ardal O’Hanlon, Quays, TheLowry, Manchester.

Oct 10: Laurel & Hardy, PavilionTheatre, Rhyl. Oct 10: The Armstrong and MillerShow, Regent Theatre, Stoke. Oct 11 - Oct 12: Room on the Broom,Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Oct 11: Gordon Smith - BeyondBelief, Venue Cymru, Llandudno.Medium.Oct 11: Judy Tzuke, Lyric, The Lowry,Manchester. Oct 11: Ladyboys of Bangkok,Charter Theatre, Preston. Oct 12 - Oct 30: The Sound of Music,Empire, Liverpool. Oct 12 - Oct 16: Oklahoma, OperaHouse, Manchester. Oct 12 - Oct 16: Spend, Spend,Spend, Quays, Lowry, Manchester. Oct 12 - Oct 16: Chess, GrandTheatre, Wolverhampton. Oct 12: The Habit of Art, VenueCymru, Llandudno. Alan Bennett play.Oct 12: Mark Watson, CharterTheatre, Preston. Comedian.Oct 12: The Platters, PavilionTheatre, Rhyl. Oct 12: Home to Roost, The Brindley,Runcorn. Drama.Oct 12: Derek Acorah, Theatre Royal,St Helens. Oct 13 - Oct 16: Jesus ChristSuperstar, Floral Pavilion, NewBrighton.Oct 13 - Oct 16: Confusions,Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight.

A play by Alan Ayckbourn.Oct 13 - Oct 15: ShakespeareSchools Festival, Charter Theatre,Preston. Oct 13: Shakin’ Stevens, PavilionTheatre, Rhyl. Oct 13: Hardeep Singh Kohli, TheBrindley, Runcorn. Oct 14 - Oct 17: Romeo & Juliet,Palace Theatre, Manchester. Oct 14 - Oct 16: Charlie & Lola’s, TheBrindley, Runcorn. Kids’ TV.Oct 14: Maximum Rhythm ‘n’ Blues,Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Oct 14: Nils Lofgren, Lyric, TheLowry, Manchester. Oct 14: Shakespeare 4 Kidz, RegentTheatre, Stoke. Oct 14 - Nov 6: Love on the Dole,The Octagon, Bolton. Drama.Oct 15 - Oct 16: Farndale Avenue,Citadel, St Helens. Oct 15: The Basil Brush Show, GrandTheatre, Blackpool. Oct 15: Illegal Eagles, Guild Hall,Preston. Oct 15: From The Jam In Concert,Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl. Oct 15 - Nov 13: Lennon, RoyalCourt, Liverpool. John Lennon story.Oct 16 - Oct 17: Room on the Broom,Regent Theatre, Stoke. Oct 16: Back For Good, Guild Hall,Preston. Take That.Oct 16: Fireman Sam, PavilionTheatre, Rhyl.

BLACKPOOLGrand Theatre: 01253 290190.BOLTONOctagon: 01204 520661.LLANDUDNOVenue Cymru: 01492 872000.MOLD:Theatr Clwyd: 0845 3303565.CREWE:Lyceum: 01270 537333.STOKE:Regent Theatre:0844 871 7627.MANCHESTER:Library Theatre:The Lowry: 0843 208 6000.Opera House: 0870 401 9000.Palace Theatre:0870 401 3000.LIVERPOOL:Empire: 08444 999 999.Everyman & Playhouse:0151 709 4776.

Royal Court: 0870 787 1866.NEW BRIGHTONFloral Pavillion: 0151 666 0000.PORT SUNLIGHT:Gladstone Theatre: 0151 643 8757.PRESTON:Charter Theatre: 0845 344 2012.RHYL:Pavilion Theatre: 01745 330 000.RUNCORNThe Brindley: 0151 907 8360.SOUTHPORT:Floral Hall: 0844 847 2380.ST HELENS:Theatre Royal:01744 756000.Citadel: 01744 735436.WOLVERHAMPTONGrand Theatre:01902 429212.

BOX OFFICE NUMBERS

Get out . . .

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250,000 readers across the North West

and enjoy life!Oct 17: Jane McDonald, VenueCymru, Llandudno. Singing star.Oct 17: Bryan Adams, Lyric, TheLowry, Manchester. Oct 17: High Tease, Quays, TheLowry, Manchester. Sexy comedy.Oct 17: Magic of Motown, PavilionTheatre, Rhyl. Oct 18 - Oct 23: Rocky Horror Show,Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Oct 18 - Oct 23: Her Benny, TheatreRoyal, St Helens. Oct 18: Joe Brown, The Brindley,Runcorn. Rock ‘n’ roll.Oct 19 - Oct 23: Swan Lake on Ice,Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 19 - Oct 23: Enron, Lyric, TheLowry, Manchester. Award-winningdrama.Oct 19 - Oct 23: Horrible Science,Palace Theatre, Manchester. Oct 19 - Oct 23: A Funny ThingHappened on the Way to the Forum,Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight. Oct 19 - Oct 30: Annie, RegentTheatre, Stoke. Oct 19 - Oct 23: Oklahoma, GrandTheatre, Wolverhampton. Oct 19: Jeff Beck, Guild Hall, Preston.Rock legend.Oct 19: Swan Lake, Pavilion Theatre,Rhyl. Oct 19: Talon Hotel California Tour2010, Southport Theatre. Oct 20 - Oct 21: Hamlet, FloralPavilion, New Brighton.

Oct 20: Collin Fry and TJ Higgs - FreeSpirit Show, Opera House,Manchester. Oct 20: Dave Swarbrick, The Brindley,Runcorn. Oct 21: Vampires Rock, Opera House,Manchester. Oct 21: Colin Fry - Free Spirit Show,Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl. Oct 21: Andrew O’Neill, The Brindley,Runcorn. Surreal comic.Oct 22: Al Murray, Venue Cymru,Llandudno. Oct 22: Hit Me!, Quays, The Lowry,Manchester. Ian Dury story.Oct 22: Asaf Sirkis Trio, Floral Pavilion,New Brighton. Drumming star.Oct 22: Nils Lofgren, Guild Hall,Preston. Oct 22: Dan Antopolski: Turn of theCentury, Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl. Stand-up.Oct 22: John Hegley, Citadel, StHelens. Comic poet.Oct 23 - Oct 24: Peppa Pig’s Party,Opera House, Manchester. Oct 23: Stewart Lee, Quays, TheLowry, Manchester. Comedy.Oct 23: Ken Dodd, Floral Pavilion,New Brighton. Oct 23: “Sing Out” Choir, Citadel, StHelens. Oct 24: That’s Amore, Venue Cymru,Llandudno. Dean Martin tribute.Oct 24: Strictly Big Band, Lyric, TheLowry, Manchester.

Oct 24: The Gypsy Bible, Quays, TheLowry, Manchester. Oct 24: Charlie Landsborough, GuildHall, Preston. Oct 25 - Oct 30: Joseph and theAmazing Technicolour Dreamcoat,Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Oct 25 - Oct 30: Morcambe, Quays,The Lowry, Manchester. Tribute tocomic genius.Oct 25 - Oct 30: Lark Rise toCandleford, Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Oct 25: Sixties Gold, Venue Cymru,Llandudno. Oct 25: Sean Lock, Southport Theatre.Comedy.Oct 26 - Oct 30: Chess, Lyric, TheLowry, Manchester. Oct 26 - Oct 31: Room on the Broom,Quays, The Lowry, Manchester. Oct 26 - Oct 30: Jesus ChristSuperstar, Grand Theatre,Wolverhampton. Oct 26: Essence of Ireland, Guild Hall,Preston. Oct 26: Born to Rock ‘n’ Roll,Southport Theatre. Oct 27 - Oct 30: Beauty & The Beast,Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl. Oct 27 - Oct 30: The Full Monty, TheBrindley, Runcorn. Capt. Oct 28CONTINUES

PAGE 20 TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!

www.�oralpavilion.com0151 666 0000

Tue 2nd Nov, 7:00pm. | Wed 3rd Nov, 10:30am & 1:30pm. �u 4th Nov, 10:30am & 7:00pm.

Fri 5th Nov, 10:30am & 7:00pm. | Sat 6th Nov, 2:30pm & 7:00pm.

Birmingham Stage Company presents— and here are some other greatevents taking place this autumn Oct 11-Oct 12: Eastham Ferry Family Fun Day toraise awareness about the Forsight Appeal, ArrowePark Hospital’s fundraising charity for their optometricsdepartment. Tel. 07904 307 925Oct 13: Sensory Impairment Open Day (10am-3pm),Christopher Grange, Youens Way, Liverpool. Everythingyou need to know about coping with losing your sight.Wide range of exhibitors displaying latest equipmentand services. Tel, 0151 220 2525Oct 16, Nov 20: Frodsham Food and Craft Fayre.Come down to the garden centre where you can enjoythe opportunity to stroll the market stalls selling localfood, drink and crafts. Gleaves Home and GardenCentre, Frodsham. Tel. 01928 735713Oct 16: Cheshire Crafts and Gifts Fair, Tatton Park.Lots of of ideas for Christmas shopping. Booking notneeded. Suitable for groups. Normal park entry chargeapplies including NT members. Tatton Park, Knutsford.Tel. 01625534400Oct 21: Chainsaw Wood Carving. Ever seen a chunkof wood transformed into a beautiful wood-pecker,using only a chain-saw? The end product will bedisplayed on The Bridgend’s new Tree Trail. ViewingFree! Carving – 1pm - 3pm. Bollington Viaduct,Bollington. Tel. 01625504114Oct 23-Oct 31: Spooky Halloween at Gulliver’s

World, Warrington. The ultimate HalloweenExperience for the whole family! Tel. 01925444888Oct 23-Oct 31: Hallowe’en at Biddulph GrangeGardens. Brave the Egyptian tomb and marvel at thepumpkins. Tel. 01782 522 447 Oct 29: Lancashire Hidden History Talk – Ghosts ofLancashire: Join Peter Leeson in Lancaster Castle fora chilling journey through the county’s darker past. Oct23-Oct 31: Dark Age Dressing Up. Junior visitors cantry Dark Age dressing up costumes – and King Arthur’scavalry helmet. Beeston Castle, Beeston, Tarporley. Tel.01829 260464. Entry fees.Nov 6: Clitheroe Fireworks and Bonfire Night. Aspectacular display and laser show in the grounds ofClitheroe Castle.Nov 6: Lancaster Fireworks Spectacular, Castle Hill,in the vicinity of the ancient Castle and Priory Church.Nov 6: Audlem Bonfire and Fireworks Display.Fairground rides, stalls and a thirty foot high bonfire.Audlem Playing Fields, Audlem.Nov 20-21: George Formby Convention. ImperialHotel, Blackpool. Tel. 01253 623971Nov 25: Kidz Up North, Reebok Stadium, Bolton.More than 90 exhibitors will be displaying all sorts ofequipment to help families with disabled children.Plenty of advice, too, from various experts.

BlackpoolHOTEL

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PARTY at the Bond Hotel Blackpool, where the great fun atmosphere is a very popular choice for many of our guests. The hotel has 65 bedrooms, most of which are wheelchair-accessible, and all the extra facilities that you might require during your stay. With great food, and nightly entertainment, this hotel offers the perfect Blackpool holiday!

RELAX in our sophisticated new hotel in St Annes. Recently refurbished to the highest possible standard, this stylish 26-room hotel overlooks the sea, and offers a choice of luxurious wheelchair-accessible accommoda-tion - from single rooms up to 3-room suites. The new Bond Hotel, St Annes is the ideal venue for those looking for the chance to unwind in style.

ENJOY our de-luxe holiday homes at scenic Marton Mere. If you would prefer a self-catering break, these superbly appointed holiday homes could be just the thing. They sleep up to six, have central heating and all mod cons, are fully accessible, and overlook the beautiful lake and wildlife area at this popular resort.

LUXURY travel wherever you choose to stay, you will have access to Bond Accessible Coaches Ltd who will pick you up and take you home at very reasonable prices

So come and explore a whole world of special holidays for very special guests. Whether it's a week with the stars of “Coronation Street or Emmerdale”, a break on a nature reserve, or a luxury room with a great sea view, we can provide it - and at a great price too!

Specialist holidays for carers & service users


Tell 250,000 readers about your venue


Tel: 0151 230 0307



‘We’ve hada hugeincrease incallers whotell us thatthey haveseen ouradvert in AllTogetherNOW! We aredelightedwith theresponse’

— Mrs Joan Almond,Irton House Farm

Holiday Breaks in the Lakesnear Keswick

Self catering apartments for 2-6 people.Specially designed with the wheelchairin mind. No steps. Beautiful views in a

superb location. Friendly owners inresidence. Open all year.

IRTON HOUSE FARM

For a colour brochure

Tel: 01768 776380www.disabled-holiday.net

email: [email protected] now!

THE average cost of claimsfor repatriatingholidaymakers taken ill

while overseas has passed the£25,000 mark.

And those with inadequateinsurance are having to meet thosecosts themselves.

An analysis of claims handled bymedical travel insurance specialistAllClear shows that insurers areincreasingly having to fork out hugesums to get travellers home, evenfor apparently minor injuries orailments.

One case, for a broken ankle, ledto an 11-day stay in a hospital inMenorca and a claim of £28,000 onreturn to the UK.

Small print“For travellers that are adequately

insured, falling ill abroad – whileunwelcome – does not have to endin disaster,” says Chris Blackman atAllClear.

“The trouble is that manyholidaymakers either don’t take outmedical insurance, or don’t readthe small-print, and as such canfind themselves literally strandedwithout the means or the finance toget home.”

AllClear analysed the payoutsfrom thousands of claims. Whereassmall claims for about £5,000 werecommon, claims in excess of half amillion have also been recorded.

“The cost of repatriation variesenormously depending on thecountry you visit, and, of course,the condition you suffer,” continuesMr Blackman. “The problem is, ifyou’re not insured, then you will beliable for the cost.”

Mr Blackman warns that evennon-life-threatening accidents canleave tourists in a parlous state

when it comes to getting home:“The average cost of repatriation

from the USA, Canada orCaribbean, for example, would bebetween £25,000 and £30,000.Even something simple, like abroken leg, can be more than£10,000.”

“You don’t realise it unless youhave been in that position before,or work in the industry, that aserious broken leg or injured backmay require a first class seat,possibly two, just to accommodatethe immobility and extra roomrequired. Additional to this would bethe pay and expenses for aqualified medical practitioner toprovide the medical escort and theirseat there and back.

“When you look at the cost ofshort notice scheduled airlinebookings, you begin toappreciate that £25,000 is quiteconservative even for astraightforward case like this.”

A medical repatriation for Europe,the Mediterranean, and North Africatends to be less expensive, partlybecause they are within the rangeof UK-based air ambulances whichwould fly out with UK paid medicalpersonnel.

“These aircraft are either purpose-built for the task or business stylejets, such as the Learjet 45, withmedical equipment modules.” MrBlackman said.

“Typically, this kind of repatriationwill cost around £15,000 but if thepatient has spinal or brain injuries,they may have to fly at sea levelcabin pressure and that can doublethe cost due to the high fuelconsumption at lower altitudes andthe frequent refuelling stops.”

Mr Blackman also highlighted theneed for those with existing medicalconditions to declare thoseconditions in advance of theirholiday: “Some travellers do notunderstand the potentialconsequences of their pre-existingmedical conditions.

“For example, someone whopreviously suffered some from aheart problem or cancer may say,‘well if it comes back while I’maway, I’ll just get on a plane andcome home’.

Disaster“This can often end in disaster. If

you don’t read the small print youmight not be covered and yourinsurer will be within their rights notto honour the claim because youhave not made a full declaration.”

One of the most unusual casesrecently involved a man with ahistory of heart problems who feltunwell and ran up bills of £13,000just having tests to find out whatwas wrong.

“In the end there was nothingwrong with him, but the casedemonstrates how doctors willalways err on the side of caution forthose with a medical history.

“Just having a history of illnesscan cause treating physicians to bemore cautious about discharging apatient without thorough tests anda period of observation, all of whichcost money.”n allclearretail.co.uk

Don’t let dreamtrip turninto areal nightmare

It couldcost youdearly


– advertise NOW! 0151 230 0307

ScreenTest

with DAN SANDERS

SPOTLIGHT ON . . .The Godfather

WELCOME to thesecond ScreenTESTcolumn, where we look

through the archives and lookback at some classic films.

This issue focuses on FrancisFord Coppola’s epic gangster film.Originally thought to be highlycontroversial due to itssympathetic portrayal, the film hasgone on to be a highly significantpiece of culture.

During filming, in fact, Mafiamembers were so worried aboutits content that Coppola and castmembers received death threats.

This caused the final film to bequite different than was originallyplanned!

This is one of my favourite filmsof all time, and gets a ten out often from me.

Try these 12 questions to seehow much you can remember ofthe film.

1) Who directed the film?2) Which character is played by AlPacino?3) What role in the family doesTom Hagen have under Sonny?4) How is Tom Hagen related tothe family?5) Who plays Sonny?6) Who “sleeps with the fishes”?7) What is the name of Michael’sfirst wife?8) What is the surname of the filmdirector who refused to giveJohnny Fontaine a part in his film?9) Who wrote the novel on whichthe film is based?10) What is Connie Corleone’shusband called?11) Who was the traitor that VitoCorleone had warned Michaelabout?12) Name the five organised crimefamilies of New York shown inthe film.

ARTISTS from all over the worldwill be performing – andexhibiting their work – at

DaDaFest International 2010, a twoweek extravaganza celebratingdisability and deaf arts.

‘Objects of Curiosity and Desire’ is thetheme for this year’s festival, which runsfrom November 18 until December 3.

Some of the most celebrated andinfluential disabled and non-disabledartists will descend on Liverpool in itsyear of Health and Wellbeing for acelebration of truly inspirational andthought-provoking art.

Among the highlights will be the UKpremiere of the New York dancesensation GIMP, a performance from TheFish Police, Australian artist Stelarc,famous for transplanting an ear onto hisarm in conversation with the BBC’s LizCarr, stark political comedy fromMerseyside comedian Laurence Clark –and two major exhibitions in St George’sHall and the Bluecoat, with many moreartists showcasing amazing works.

Ruth Gould, founder and chief executiveofficer of DaDa - Disability and Deaf Arts,said:

“Each year we aim to inspire andcelebrate talent and excellence indisability and deaf arts, which is the coreethos of DaDa – Disability and Deaf Arts.

“Now in its 10th year, the festival gets

more exciting with each year as wemaintain and develop current andemerging artists.

“Garry Robson, our artisitic director, hasdone a marvellous job in bringingtogether artists from across the globe toexplore the theme of Objects of Curiosityand Desire, investigating identity and ourplace as disabled and deaf people in anever changing world.”

Councillor Wendy Simon, cabinetmember for culture, said:

‘’DaDaFest is one of the great legaciesof Liverpool’s bid for European Capital ofCulture. Its rise over the past ten yearsas a global leader in disability arts,

attracting artists and visitors from acrossthe world, has been a wonderful exampleof Liverpool’s blossoming, internationalcultural reputation.

“It is a celebration that deeply enrichesour cultural calendar and is a festival weare proud to support and lucky to have.

“DaDaFest has also proved a brilliantplatform for many up and coming artistsand educates, informs and entertains inways rarely explored before - and for thatalone is a culturaljewel both inLiverpool’s and thenation’s crown.’’

n DaDaFest is the biggestdeaf and disability artsfestival worldwide. Theprogramme of eventsincludes theatre,performance art, dance,visual art, workshops,talks, conferences andfilm.

n DaDaFest is producedin collaboration withleading culturalorganisations in the

North West including theBluecoat, Metal, FACT(Foundation for Art &Creative Technology),Merseyside DanceInitiative, LiverpoolBiennial, Tate Liverpool,Homotopia, AbandonNormal Devices, NationalMuseums Liverpool, TheUnity Theatre and theEveryman and PlayhouseTheatres.

n DaDaFest International2010 is funded by ArtsCouncil England, CultureLiverpool (Liverpool CityCouncil), 2010 Year ofHealth and Wellbeing. Thefestival sponsor isUNISON, and the YouthVolunteer Programmefunding partner ismygames, powered by v.n DaDa - Disability andDeaf Arts can be found atwww.dadahello.com


DaDaFest fact file

DaDaFest FEVER!n Visit www.dadafest2010.co.uk for the full programme of events

Worldclassclassacts onacts onthe way

World

the way

STAND UP:Policticalcomedy fromLaurence Clark

WINNER of our Psycho quiz was SydRawcliff, Alice Street, Accrington,Lancs. Syd correcty said that MarionCrane was on her way from Phoenixto Fairvale. A DVD of the film is onthe way, Syd!

1144 AAllll TTooggeetthheerr NNOOWW!! OOccttoobbeerr//NNoovveemmbbeerr 22001100 wwwwww..aallllttooggeetthheernow.org.uk

SCALING THE HEIGHTS AGAINSCALING THE HEIGHTS AGAINSCALING THE HEIGHTS AGAINTHE MEMORIES are as sharp

and as clear as a blueAlpine sky . . .

With one foot in Italy, the other inSwitzerland, I was experiencing one ofthe best moments of my life – andsharing it with my great pal, Phil.

We were both just 17 and werestriding across snow-packed ridges highin the Alps, staring, almostincredulously at the beautiful, mightyMatterhorn that towered above us.

It was our first attempt atmountaineering and within hours wewere hooked.

Until then I’d been totally preoccupiedwith football, thoughts of Spanishholidays, and all the other “normal”things that teenage lads are supposedto do.

But waking at dawn to the sight of theMatterhorn filling the entrance of oursmall, triangular tent somehow changedmy outlook forever.

And I owed it all to Len, my oldphotographer and climbing friend at theEllesmere Port Pioneer, who had

persuaded me to change our CostaBrava plans for a trip to Switzerland.

“Buy a tent and a train ticket toZermatt,” he said, “and you’ll comeback absolutely hooked on themountains.”

He was right. And I’ve still got the £29ticket – three weeks’ pay as a juniorreporter – from Chester railway station.

After our Matterhorn adventure wewent on to spend the next threesummer holidays trekking around theAlps. I would probably have continuedto do so for many years to come, too,had fate not intervened in the shape ofa bandit’s bullet on an Iranian roadside.

Everest base campOur self-planned overland journey to

the Everest base camp ended tragicallywhen we were attacked as we sleptinside, and on top of, our old minibus.

One bullet smashed into the head ofone of my friends (he miraculouslyrecovered), but the one that caught mebetween my shoulder blades left mecompletely paralysed from the chest.

Since that bleak June dawn back in

1974 I’ve always yearned to go back tothe mountains.

But I’m hopeless when it comes tonegotiating my wheelchair up and downsteep and uneven trails. Somethingsuddenly flips in my brain and I feelcompletely vulnerable. Frequently Ifreeze on the spot – even in town whenrolling going down a relatively short andsafe pavement or path, or wheneverthere is a steep edge to one side!

In my case, mountains andwheelchairs definitely don’t gotogether . . . Or they didn’t until a fewweeks ago.

“What about going back to theMatterhorn?” my wife, Lynne, suggestedafter watching a mountaineeringdocumentary. “Maybe we’ll see some ofthe sights that you keep talking about.Perhaps we might even be able to getinto some of the cable cars.”

A call to Switzerland Tourism and I gotall the answers (and confidence) Ineeded.

Yes, the trains and cable cars areokay for people using wheelchairs. Yes,I can get to the tops of the passes. Yes,

there are plenty of wheelchair-friendlyhotels in Zermatt. And yes, a mid-weekbreak was available. All we needed todo was to book. The rest would go likeclockwork. Swiss clockwork, I was told.

Once we’d sorted things for our threeteenage boys, our 11-year-old crossCollie, and our two young tortoises, wewere on our way to Manchester airport.

The plane took off at nine in themorning, we boarded the Zurich-Visptrain at lunch, and three hours later wewere meandering up and through thelush green, steep-sided, snow-cappedmountain valleys, arriving in thechocolate box Zermatt resort for tea.

Milk float taxisSituated at more than 500 metres

higher than Snowdon, Zermatt isencircled and dwarfed by 38 peaks over4,000 metres. The only vehicles you willsee are electrically propelled, andalthough there are lots of convertedmilk float-style taxis none yet arewheelchair accessible.

But that didn’t stop us from gettingaround the reasonably level and

bustling streets (there’s soon to be awheelchair friendly bus in town).

An hour later, as the sun began to set,and we were on our bedroom balcony,staring, silently and open mouthed atthe Matterhorn.

I was caught in a time warp – and in itI remained for the next 36 hours . . .

Amazingly, the Matterhorn Focus hotel– run by Sonya and Chris Noti, andapproached via a short tunnel and lift –occupies a site within 20 metres ofwhere Phil and I had pitched our tent allthose years ago.

And the view that Lynne and I werenow enjoying was virtually the same asI had from the tent – give or take thepositioning of the odd star or two!

It was also a coincidence that thecable car station was sited next door– perfect for the hair-raising, spinetingling trip on Europe’s highestmountain railway to the KleineMatterhorn.

Again, there were no problems gettinginto the ‘pod’ and half an hour later wewere right up – and inside – the KleineMatterhorn, overlooking the fabulous

glacial paradise that I so vividlyremembered, now being occupied by anew generation of skiers, walkers andclimbers.

Although I couldn’t quite get downonto the glacier, access for wheelchairusers was really very good. I rolled outof the cable car and pushed along the50 metres’ tunnel – about a similardistance from the summit – beforespending an hour daydreaming inglorious sunshine. There was even anaccessible toilet – not bad at 3,883m!

ScreamsBy this time I was beginning to feel

very smug with my new-found sense ofconfidence – until the moment on ourdescent when our ‘pod’ raced over themountain’s edge and I felt my stomachdrop and heard myself scream.

I suddenly wanted out. But this was notime, nor the place, for quitters.

Next stop was Gornegrat and theKulmhotel.

Forty years ago it had taken us fourhours, a lot of sweat, and a few brokenblood vessels to reach the hotel, which

at 3,089 metres the provides absolutelystunning views of 29 snow-cappedpeaks.

Getting there this time was mucheasier – and in just 40 minutes, thanksto Europe’s highest open-air cogwheelrailway, which sets off in the centre ofthe village.

The hotel, while still retaining all itscharm, has been completely refurbishedand now has two disabled friendlyrooms facing either the Breithorn(4,164m) or Monta Rosa (4,634m).

The idea of a night’s stay wasexciting, but our whistle stop trip wasalmost at an end.

There was just time to catch the lasttrain back to Zermatt and to grab ameal at one of the many qualityrestaurants.

Next morning, we were on the wayhome again. Our three-day break wassuddenly all over. It was just like adream. But like all the very best ofdreams, it was far too short.

Next time, we’ll make it longer! And,hopefully, I’ll be ready to tackle a fewmore hills . . .

Forty years ago . . .

byTOM DOWLING

1199OOccttoobbeerr//NNoovveemmbbeerr 22001100 AAllll TTooggeetthheerr NNOOWW!!heerrnnooww..oorrgg..uukk

II WWAANNTT MMOORREE!!

Kaliya Franklin is a disability rights bloggerand activist. Dedicated to challenging herdisability while the bureaucrats challenge her

IMOVED recently to a moreaccessible flat and alandlord who volunteered

to put in adaptations.Previous landlords gave

permission for adaptations andprovided basics like grab railsbut I would have been liablefor the cost of major work. Arisky undertaking in a privatelyrented property for whichlandlords only need to give youtwo months’ notice to quit andwith no way of recouping thecosts.

Accessible housing in thesocial sector is very limited andhugely oversubscribed and mynew landlord’s willingness is instark contrast to the difficultiesmost disabled people havefinding accommodation.

Although The DisabilityDiscrimination Act imposes alegal duty to make reasonableadaptations to goods orservices, there is no obligationon private sector landlords toprovide access facilities oradaptations.

To gauge the extent of theproblem in the North West, Iphoned some estate agents inLiverpool to see what theycould offer a full-timewheelchair user needing athree-bedroom property. Theanswer was nothing.

EmbarrassedOnly one agent could come

up with the details for a two-bedroom flat for sale, and onlyknew it to be accessible asthey’d happened to sell anidentical flat in the same blockto a wheelchair user.

All were remarkably honest,one saying that they “had nodetails, we just have to gothrough and guess”. Three outof four tried to providealternative sources of relevantinformation; the same threesounded very embarrassed tobe unable to help.

Access Liverpool, a databaseset up to show the availabilityof accessible properties in thesocial sector, and partly run byLiverpool City Council,admitted their list had not beenupdated since 2006 and hadno idea how long the wait forappropriate accessible housingmight be. They are, theystressed, in the process ofupdating the database.

The Accessible PropertyRegister, set up by ConradHodgkinson, Dr ChristineBarton and Lindsay Yarrowoffers a little more hope.

HerculeanChristine and Lindsay are

wheelchair users sounderstand the difficulties.They list properties as eitherAccessible or Accessible Plus,the former including basiccriteria like level access toliving areas. Accessible Plusoffers more details such aswhether there are wideneddoors.

It’s free to advertiseproperties for sale and easy touse. The downside is that only24 accessible homes wereadvertised for sale across thewhole North West; Lancashireand Greater Manchester beingbest represented with eightand seven respectively, andCumbria worst off with one.

Rentals were even harder tofind with three advertisedacross the region, none inCheshire or Lancashire.

Finding a suitable home isdifficult at the best of times;when that home needs to beaccessible the challengebecomes Herculean. TheAccessible Property Register isan ideal solution but untilestate agents and vendors arerequired to provide accessdetails on every property theyhandle, it seems doomed toremain an ideal.

www.benefitscroungingscum.blogspot.com

Home is . .where theproblemsstart

GHTS AGAINGHTS AGAINGHTS AGAINeets (there’s soon to be ariendly bus in town).ter, as the sun began to set,e on our bedroom balcony,ntly and open mouthed atorn.ght in a time warp – and in itor the next 36 hours . . . , the Matterhorn Focus hotelnya and Chris Noti, and via a short tunnel and lift –site within 20 metres ofand I had pitched our tent all ago.ew that Lynne and I wereg was virtually the same ashe tent – give or take theof the odd star or two! a coincidence that theation was sited next door the hair-raising, spineon Europe’s highestilway to the Kleine

re were no problems gettingd’ and half an hour later wep – and inside – the Kleine overlooking the fabulous

glacial paradise that I so vividlyremembered, now being occupied by anew generation of skiers, walkers andclimbers.

Although I couldn’t quite get downonto the glacier, access for wheelchairusers was really very good. I rolled outof the cable car and pushed along the50 metres’ tunnel – about a similardistance from the summit – beforespending an hour daydreaming inglorious sunshine. There was even anaccessible toilet – not bad at 3,883m!

ScreamsBy this time I was beginning to feel

very smug with my new-found sense ofconfidence – until the moment on ourdescent when our ‘pod’ raced over themountain’s edge and I felt my stomachdrop and heard myself scream.

I suddenly wanted out. But this was notime, nor the place, for quitters.

Next stop was Gornegrat and theKulmhotel.

Forty years ago it had taken us fourhours, a lot of sweat, and a few brokenblood vessels to reach the hotel, which

at 3,089 metres the provides absolutelystunning views of 29 snow-cappedpeaks.

Getting there this time was mucheasier – and in just 40 minutes, thanksto Europe’s highest open-air cogwheelrailway, which sets off in the centre ofthe village.

The hotel, while still retaining all itscharm, has been completely refurbishedand now has two disabled friendlyrooms facing either the Breithorn(4,164m) or Monta Rosa (4,634m).

The idea of a night’s stay wasexciting, but our whistle stop trip wasalmost at an end.

There was just time to catch the lasttrain back to Zermatt and to grab ameal at one of the many qualityrestaurants.

Next morning, we were on the wayhome again. Our three-day break wassuddenly all over. It was just like adream. But like all the very best ofdreams, it was far too short.

Next time, we’ll make it longer! And,hopefully, I’ll be ready to tackle a fewmore hills . . .

TIME WARP: Above, the Kulmhotel, Gornegrat, and Philbringing back the drinks. Below, 40 years on . . . with Lynne

AAllll TTooggeetthheerr NNOOWW!! OOccttoobbeerr//NNoovveemmbbeerr 22001100 wwwwww..aallllttooggeetthheerrnnooww..oorrgg..uukk1155

ACCESS FOR ALLWith Allied Mobility, having your ownwheelchair accessible car doesn’t haveto cost the earth.

PEUGEOT HORIZON™

£395Lowest WAV Advance Payment on Motability

» Up to 7 seats plus wheelchair passenger

» Lowering air suspension » EasyFold™ ramp

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» Lowered floor » Automatic transmission

» Lightweight folding ramp

» CD player & air conditioning

NEW RENAULT AUTOGRAPH™CITROËN INDEPENDENCE™

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» Lowered floor for easy access

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ADVANCEPAYMENT

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FROM ONLY

CARRIES UP TO 8 PEOPLE

0800 916 3028www.alliedmobility.com

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AND WINCH

TRANSPORT can be difficultfor many families with adisabled child.

And for Julie Mostyn and her 10-year-olddaughter, Lucida, life with their standardcar was becoming very difficult.

So began their search among mobilitycars to find the right one to meet theirneeds.

Allied Mobility was recommended by afriend and now mum and daughter arenow enjoying hassle- free travel in theirvery own wheelchair accessible PeugeotHorizon.

Julie said: “Allied Mobility’s consultantmet us at school and after the test driveLucinda was certain it was the car for her.In a matter of weeks we received our veryown wheelchair accessible car – it hasmade a massive difference to our lives.

“Lucinda loves to be independent anduses different mobility aids to help her getabout each day.

“We can now take her walker and her

scooter inthe Horizonwhich wecouldn’t dowith our oldcar. We really are delighted with our newset of wheels!”

Lucinda, who lives in Cheshire, hascerebral palsy, which affects hermovement and co-ordination – but thisdoesn’t let it stop her from going shoppingand attending drama and dance classes.

And being able to stay in her wheelchairin the vehicle instead of previously having

to transfer to a car seat makes life somuch easier – for everyone!

Mum Julie said: “I often struggled to liftLucinda’s heavy wheelchair so we werevery happy to find Allied Mobility and nowhave a mobility car that allows us to travelwithout the need for any lifting.

“The service from Allied has been great.My mobility rep was so helpful and made

Continues next page

HAPPIER DAYSAHEAD: Julieand LucindaMostyn with

their newPeugeot Horizon

Lucinda’s newHorizon

‘It has made a massivedifference to our lives’

1166 AAllll TTooggeetthheerr NNOOWW!! OOccttoobbeerr//NNoovveemmbbeerr 22001100 wwwwww..aallllttooggeetthhernow.org.uk

35%

I N S U R I N G Y O U R I N D E P E N D E N C E

Monday-Friday 9.00-5.00. Terms and conditions apply. Fish Administration is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Telephone calls may be monitored or recorded for security and training purposes. Fish Insurance is a trading style of Fish Administration Ltd. Registered in England No. 4214119

FREEPHONE 0500 432141

If you’re disabled driver you can drive a better deal with Fish Insurance. As the UK’s leading disability and Independent Living insurance

specialist, we know a disabled driver is a safer driver.

That’s why you can enjoy savings of up to 35% and take advantage of car insurance specifically designed for disabled drivers, including

wheelchair accessible and specially adapted vehicles.

So if you are disabled or drive for a disabled person, whether the vehicle is modified or not you can put the brakes on costly car insurance!

3130_Motor Ad 100x135.indd 1 24/9/08 11:27:59

continued from Page 15things very easy for us.”

With a low Advance Payment of just £395– the lowest available on Motability – theHorizon is well worth considering forwheelchair users and their families lookingfor a wheelchair accessible vehicle with an

affordable price tag.

n For information on Allied Mobility’swheelchair accessible cars and MPVs,call FREE on 0800 916 3062, [email protected] or visitwww.alliedmobility.com

Lucinda’s new Horizon

VAUXHALL’s strong support of the nationalMotability scheme has been recognised atthe fifth annual Supplier Awards of

Motability Operations.The company’s continued commitment to Motability

was highly commended, while Vauxhall retailerswere winners in three of the 13 award categoriesincluding the customer-nominated ‘Motability SalesSpecialist’ award which went to Gavin Gray, ofVauxhall retailer Bristol Street Motors.

In making the commendation, the judges said:“Vauxhall had worked tirelessly to demonstrate its

continued commitment to Motability and thatexceptional levels of customer care set thebenchmark for customers.

“Vauxhall’s new and exciting models are availableto Motability customers and a dedicated VauxhallMotability team are highlights of the company’s long-term commitment,” the commendation stated.

And it added that consistent competitive pricing,including increasing the number of models availableat nil advance payment, resulted in great value formoney, ensuring Vauxhall models remain some ofthe top choices for Motability customers.

Steve Catlin, Vauxhall Fleet Marketing andMotability Manager, received the company’s award.He said: “I’m delighted that our long-standingcommitment has been recognised at the 2010Motability Operations Supplier Awards.”

again in style

REVVING UP: The young Denny Denley on his European adventure

231 Liverpool Road, Widnes, WA8 7HLtel: 0151 420 5535

e-mail: [email protected]: www.glynnandrewscarsales.co.uk

Glynn Andrews Car Sales LtdSuppliers of quality pre-owned vehicles

Glynn Andrews Car Sales have been establishedfor over 17 years, but our history in the motortrade goes back much further. Between VictorSillery and Dora Andrews there is over 60 yearsof experience.

Please look at ourshowroom as weare sure you willfind the used carthat suits yourneed. Should yourequire previousowner’s detailsthis can be madeavailable at yourrequest. You canbe confident thatthe vehicle youdrive away fromour showroom isas good as itlooks.

ALPINE ADVENTURERALPINE ADVENTURER

NEXT YEAR’S Mobility Roadshow returnsto the East of England Showground,Peterborough. The three-day event takeplace from June 30-July 2.

Lookers SpekeSpeke Hall Road, Liverpool0844 659 2656

www.lookers.co.uk/vauxhall

At Lookers Vauxhall, both at Liverpool and Speke we understand the frustrations and difficulties ourcustomers face simply through the necessity of being mobile. That’s why the motability scheme is so easy. If you receive the higher rate motability component of the Disability Living Allowance you can use all orpart of it to drive away a huge selection of brand new Vauxhalls from us.

Over 95% of the 1/2 million people currently using the motability scheme would recommend it to theirfriends however an estimated 1.3 million people are eligible to join but have not taken advantage of doing so. Why continue to not be fully mobile? At Lookers we are so confident in our Vauxhall vehicles, we askyou to simply take a test drive and we will give you £25 worth of Marks & Spencer’s vouchers plus a motability customer you are entitled to all the benefits of the scheme including:

At Lookers our team of dedicated specialists have to demonstrate, advise and assist in every way possible. There are no forms, no paperwork, no medicals, no credit checks and no means testing. You don’t even have to worry about the depreciation of the car because you can drive up to 60,000 miles within 3 years and then start all over again with a brand new Vauxhall of your choice. All you have to pay is the fuel!!So why not contact us today. We are here to help and speak Vauxhall and Motability fluently!

Lookers we believe in Customers for Life.

“Before my Motability car I was housebound, now I am able to get outwherever and whenever I want.” - Mrs Williams, Liverpool

“Understanding the scheme is easy, I don’t know why we didn’t use it before.’’ - Mr Parker, Crosby

“The team at Lookers were so helpful – I’m thrilled with my new Corsa.’’- Mrs Simpson, Speke

� Nil Advance Payment on a variety of vehicles� Specialist Adaptions� Complimentary servicing and complimentary

insurance for up to 2 drivers� Complimentary MOT (when applicable)

� Complimentary RAC Cover� Complimentary replacement tyres� Easy, relaxed purchasing� Home visits a pleasure� The very latest Vauxhall model range

Lookers LiverpoolDerby Road, Liverpool0844 6592663

Find us at:

Vauxhall does it

1177OOccttoobbeerr//NNoovveemmbbeerr 22001100 AAllll TTooggeetthheerr NNOOWW!!thheerrnnooww..oorrgg..uukk

ationalised at

Motabilityers

ories Salesof

aid:rate its

ailablexhally’s long-.cing,vailableue forme of

award.g0

97 Lytham Road, Southport, Merseyside PR9 9UG Email: [email protected] www.brotherwood.com

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Inva 165x265 7-10:Invatravel 16/7/10 09:59 Page 1

HOT SEAT: Denny back in his Argson tricycle

DRIVING up and down steepmountain passes can bescary – especially if you

are disabled and need to get outof the vehicle if things go badlywrong . . .

Imagine what it must have beenlike for a young man, paralysed withpolio, who drove his “invalid tricycle”on an incredible Alpine adventuremore than 50 years ago.

Oswald Arthur Denly – or Dennyas he became widely known – didjust that and went on to spend therest of his life finding newadventures, pushing back theboundaries, and campaigning to getdisabled drivers a better deal.

In June 1947, aged 22, he set offto conquer the Alps in his 147ccpetrol-driven Argson tricycle, or“invalid carriage”.

His journey took him 1,500 milesover the Alps, including a climb ofalmost 8,000 feet through steep

mountain passes.“I never hurried, did just as I

pleased and stayed the night wherethe mood took me. One evening mytricycle made its first climb up to themountain resort of Grindelwald,3,400ft. There was little power tospare, but already I was beginningto wonder if I could achieve theimpossible and cross the Sustenand Furka passes in order to drivedown the Rhone Valley to Geneva.Nobody thought I could make it andI was quite prepared to resort tothumbing a lift with the tow rope Iwas carrying.”

As the terrain became steeper,Denny had to resort to frequentstops to let the engine cool,although finding a level spot proveddifficult.

“As I saw the road above me highon the face of the mountain Ithought I would never make it, butmy tricycle continued to take me

higher and higher.”Denny completed his journey,

taking in some spectacular sceneryand enjoying much hospitality alongthe way including from a Frenchfamily in Provence: “I stayed up untilthe early hours, listening to takes ofthe German occupation, theresistance movement, and presentday conditions in France.”

At the end of his trip Denny said:“My chair had more than justifiedher name of ‘Iron Lung’. When I getinto her she keeps me going.’

Denny, with friends Robert andNora Lee, went on to set up theInvalid Tricycle Association, whichlater became the Disabled DriversAssociation. The DDA then mergedwith the Disabled Drivers MotorClub in 2005 to become Mobilise.n Denny died, aged 86, during thesummer. A memorial servicetakes place at The Queen’sHouse, National Maritime

ADVENTURERADVENTURER

s it


FORMER greyhound trainer Phil Bradley, who lost bothlegs following complications with diabetes, is helpingpeople to walk again.

Phil, who trained 10 classic winners before being diagnosedwith diabetes, needed a double amputation three years ago.

As soon as he got used to his prostethic limbs he was back atCrewe’s Leighton Hospital helping others going through thetrauma of losing their limbs.

“When my second leg came off I thought ‘how am I going tocope?’. But seeing others in the hospital gym spurred me on. Ican now walk without the aid of stick around the house and canget to the paper shop and back.

“Helping others in my situation came natural. I start by walkingacross to them and then take off my two false legs. When theysee the stumps their faces drop. I talk through all the issues andhave a bet with them that if I can do it so can they.

continued from Page 11Oct 28 - Oct 30: Half aSixpence, Floral Pavilion, NewBrighton. Oct 28: Circus Hilarious,Charter Theatre, Preston. Oct 29: Swan Lake, CharterTheatre, Preston. Oct 29: Paul Carrack, GuildHall, Preston. Oct 31: Postman Pat, CharterTheatre, Preston. Nov 1 - Nov 6: BloodBrothers, Grand Theatre,Blackpool. Nov 1 - Nov 6: Witness Forthe Prosecution, Opera House,Manchester. Nov 1 - Nov 6: Thriller Live,Palace Theatre, Manchester. Nov 1 - Nov 6: Twelfth Night,Quays, The Lowry,Manchester. Nov 1 - Nov 6: BedroomFarce, Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Nov 1 - Nov 3: Rolling Backthe Years, The Brindley,

Runcorn. Nostalgia show.Nov 1 - Nov 6: House ofGhosts, Grand Theatre,Wolverhampton. Nov 2 - Nov 4: The MerryWidow, Lyric, The Lowry,Manchester. Nov 2 - Nov 6: HorribleScience, Floral Pavilion, NewBrighton. Nov 3 - Nov 6: Hobson’sChoice, Charter Theatre,Preston. Nov 5 - Nov 6: TheAdventures of Pinocchio, Lyric,The Lowry, Manchester.Signed Nov 6.Nov 8: John Isaacs - Swinginto Autumn, The Brindley,Runcorn. Nov 8 - Nov 20: BloodBrothers, Empire, Liverpool. Nov 9: Sleeping Beauty, FloralPavilion, New Brighton. Nov 9 - Nov 12: Hit Me!, TheEveryman, Liverpool. The lifeand rhymes of Ian Dury.

Nov 9 - Nov 10: RichardAlston Dance Company,Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Nov 9 - Nov 13: TheNightmare Room, CharterTheatre, Preston. Nov 10: Syd LawrenceOrchestra, Floral Pavilion, NewBrighton. Nov 10 - Nov 11: Flawless,Regent Theatre, Stoke. Nov 11 - Nov 13: Charlie andLola’s Best Bestest Play,Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Nov 12 - Nov 13: Flawless,Palace Theatre, Manchester. Nov 12 - Nov 27: Panto’s onStrike, Opera House,Manchester. Comedy.Nov 15 - Nov 20: RockyHorror Show, Palace Theatre,Manchester. Nov 16 - Nov 20: George’sMarvellous Medicine, GrandTheatre, Blackpool. Nov 16 - Nov 17:Shakespeare Schools Festival,

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Nov 16 - Nov 20: Titanic, TheBrindley, Runcorn. AudioDescribed, Nov 17.Nov 16 - Nov 20: Jesus ChristSuperstar, Regent Theatre,Stoke. Nov 17 - Nov 19: The CiggieRun, Theatre Royal, StHelens. Nov 18 - Nov 19: Ross Noble,Lyric, The Lowry, Manchester. Nov 22 - Nov 27: How NowMrs Brown Cow, Empire,Liverpool. Comedy.Nov 23 - Nov 27: Slave - AQuestion of Freedom, Quays,The Lowry, Manchester.Audio Described, Nov 25,Touch Tour Nov 25.Nov 23 - Nov 27: Cinderella(Ballet), Lyric, The Lowry,Manchester. Nov 24 - Nov 27: Teechers,Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Nov 25 - Nov 27: West SideStory, Floral Pavilion, New

Anumber of unrelated events have cometogether in the last couple of days toget me thinking about the risks that

carers run when trying to move the personthey care for.

Anybody who works in a job where they arelifting heavy weights receives manual handlingtraining; the risks associated with the lifting arecarefully assessed, and equipment is specifiedto minimise the possibility of injury to the lifter.

Even so, musculoskeletal damage is common.Chatting to a friend who supplies stairclimbers

(devices to carry a wheelchair user up and downstairs), I heard about the experience of aparticular NHS Ambulance Trust who introducedpowered stairclimbers and saw the rate ofabsenteeism due to musculoskeletal injurydecline from 48% of the total to 6%, in an 18-month period.

And this is among people who have had all thetraining designed to prevent them hurtingthemselves when lifting.

Another conversation with a long-termcorrespondent based in the US, who sells acleverly designed lifting vest which makesmanual transfers safer and more dignified forboth parties, revolved around the costs ofmanufacturing in the States and labyrinthinesystems of distribution in the UK, both of whichtend to push the price of his product to a levelwhere he feared it would be out of reach ofpotential customers.

He said: “For the life of me I could notunderstand why people would not pay to preventback injuries to themselves and injuries to theirloved ones.”

To which the answer is probably they would, ifthey could afford it, or perhaps they would, ifthey understood both the risks and thealternatives. Which brings me back round towhere I started . . .

by FRANCES LECKIEOrganisations that employ people who are at

risk of injuring themselves in the course of theirwork have a real financial incentive and legalrequirement to measure and minimise the risks.

But when it comes to family carers, who areestimated to save the NHS and social servicessome £87 billion a year on services that wouldotherwise have to be provided to the people theycare for, who assesses and minimises theirrisks?

Very occasionally, I hear about a manualhandling training event aimed at non-professionals, but they are rare and not well-publicised.

Am I right to suspect that nobody wants to “findout” about carers running the risk of injuringthemselves because they would then need to dosomething about it, and that would cost money –even though keeping those carers fit and healthyis actually cheaper than replacing them whenthey are unable to carry on?

The final part of my injury/cost jigsaw was thestory of former miners taking their formersolicitors to court for not getting them fullcompensation for their inability to do various jobsaround the house following damage to theirhands caused by vibrating machinery.

If a carer could point to some statutory bodyand demand recognition of damage to theirhealth caused by caring, the risk assessors,equipment providers and manual handlingtrainers would be on the case in the next fiveminutes.www.independentliving.co.uk

The risks thatThe risks thatcarers run . . .carers run . . .

“This almost always does the trick.I see them as they go through theirphysiotherapy and the next thing I’llsee them walking through theshopping centre.

“Only a few give up hope.”That’s not all Phil does for the

community. The keen gardener hastransformed a courtyard in the LightleyCourt sheltered housing block, run bythe Plus Dane Group, a Neighbourhood

investor with over 15,000 homes inMerseyside and Cheshire, into athriving vegetable garden.

“When I knew I was losing my legs Iturned to the Plus Dane housingassociation who got me a lovelybungalow,” Phil said.

“I began growing vegetables butwanted an allotment. There were noneavailable so my Plus Dane warden,

Angela Johnston, suggested I take overthe courtyard.”

Phil travels to Lightley Court threetimes a week to care for the crops,which are popular with the 28 residents.

Angela, a Plus Dane communitysupport co-ordinator, said: “Phil is aremarkable man. Plus Dane handymenand residents help out a little, but Phildoes all the hard work.”

Why Phil is a realfavourite

YOUR GUIDE TO THEATRELAND IN THE NORTH WESTYOUR GUIDE TO THEATRELAND IN THE NORTH WEST

For your comprehensive guide visit . . . www.alltogethernow.org.uk

“REMARKABLE”: Phil Bradley at Lightley Court

Double amputee helps people walk again


Each question has four possible answers and is worth from one to 15 points. Circle your

chosen answers and keep a record of your points total. Maximum total points 120.QUESTION 1 – for 1 point:What name is given to a rabbit’s tail?

A ScutB SkitC SkatD ScotQUESTION 2 – for 2 points:Which of the following is an island in the Mediterranean Sea?

A MondeoB CortinaC CapriD FiestaQUESTION 3 – for 3 points:What is the name of Dorothy’s dog in the book The Wizard Of Oz?

A TobyB TutuC TrustyD TotoQUESTION 4 – for 4 points:In which country are sausages with chips and curry sauce a popular takeaway snack?

A BelgiumB HollandC DenmarkD GermanyQUESTION 5 – for 5 points:What is the currency unit of Brazil?

A RealB EscudoC DollarD CentavoQUESTION 6 – for 6 points:What does the German word ‘tannenbaum’ translate as?

A Large barrelB Christmas treeC Hunting hornD Shoemaker

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points:In which comedy series did Sheila Hancock make her TV debut?

A On The BusesB The Rag TradeC Beggar Thy NeighbourD Only When I LaughQUESTION 8 – for 8 points:Which country is the world’s largest producer of beer?

A BelgiumB GermanyC RussiaD ChinaQUESTION 9 – for 9 points:On what part of a horse would a frog be found?

A FaceB BackC HoofD Neck

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points:Which of the following is a shade of bright red?

A MagentaB ViridianC SepiaD VermilionQUESTION 11 – for 11 points:Which Gilbert and Sullivan opera has the alternative title The Slave of Duty?

A The GondoliersB PatienceC IolantheD The Pirates Of PenzanceQUESTION 12 – for 12 points:Who was the Roman goddess of hunting?

A CeresB GalliaC Diana D FaunaQUESTION 13 – for 13 points:The Marquess of Blandford is the eldest son of which English duke?

A MarlboroughB NorfolkC WestminsterD BedfordQUESTION 14 – for 14 points:When is Australia’s official national day?

A January 26B March 26C May 26D August 26QUESTION 15 – for 15 points:Which is the highest group of waterfalls in the USA?

A Malachite FallsB Yosemite FallsC Punch Bowl FallsD Niagara Falls

Actress Sheila Hancock. See Question 7

1. Not expressly stated (8)6. Oil reservoir (4)8. Little demon (3)

9. Fearless (8)10. Cycle of duty (4)12. Pry (5)14. Capital of Vietnam (5)17. Bend (4)18. Permanent inhabitant (8)20. Towards the side (8)24. Cleanse (4)25. Bailiff (5)26. Large group of fish (5)29. Pledge (4)30. Sumptuous, spacious (8)31. Ocean (3)32. Counter-tenor (4)33. Cured (8)

71

7

9

10

11

17

20

25

23

29

29

32

2

21

11

12

3

22

31

11

19

28

4

18

27

30

33

13

26

5

8

22

23

14

6

10

24

13

15

28

14

16

★

★ ★

★★

★★

★

★

2. Excavation (4) 3. Voice-box (6)4. One taking a prisoner (6)5. Ocean phase (4)6. Extend, scatter (6)

7. Proposal (6)11. Bid (5)12. Strong fabric (5)13. Famous diarist (5)14. Rose fruit (3)15. Himalayan country (5)16. Irritating (5)19. Female sheep (3)21. Enumerate (6)22. Nevertheless (4,2)23. Jewish greeting (6)24. Needed (6)27. Stout pole (4)28. Labyrinth (4)

Can you find the celebrity name hidden in this StarspotCrossword? Complete the crossword in the normal way thenmake a note of the letters contained in all the squares whichare marked with shaded stars. These letters will make ananagram of the name you are looking for.

ACROSS DOWN

The Accumulator QuizSTARSPOT CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

2 1 7 5 6 36 2 44 6 3 7

3 1 9 4 28 1 9

4 7 15 7 4 6 2 8

8 1 2 7 57

THERE is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, andso must each 3 x 3 box. This is a logic puzzle, and you should not need to have to guess.

EASY DIFFICULT

FILL in the blank squares in the grid with numbers so that each horizontal or vertical line adds up to the total given in the box either to the left or above it. Horizontal totals are given in the top right corners of the shaded boxes; vertical totals in the bottom left corners.You can use the numbers 1 to 9, but may not use the same number more than once in any run. The number may be used again, however, in the same row or column but as part of another run.

21 22 4 714 3

22 2826

418 11

1413

13

7

2315 18

717

23

MEDIUM

KAKURO

7 8 91 5

2 86 2

1 8 48 4 1

6 39 7

1 5 4 9 8


CALLING ALL CHARITIES . . . THE GODFATHER ANSWERS – see Page 11

AADDVVEERRTTIISSEE HHEERREE –– 00115511 223300 003300771) Francis Ford Coppola. 2) Michael Corleone. 3) Consigliere. 4)Adopted by Vito. 5) James Caan. 6) Luca Brasi. 7) Appollonia. 8)Woltz. 9) Mario Puzo. 10) Carlo Rizzi. 11) Salvatore Tessio. 12)Barzini, Corleone, Cuneo, Stracci, Tattaglia.


SIGHTLINE VISION (NORTH WEST)

ARE YOU AFFECTED BY SIGHTLOSS?

Telephone Sightline Free on

0800 587 22526pm - 10pm every

Thursday, Friday, Saturday,Sunday & Monday

Support for you, your family and friendsfrom those who understand

5 22 3 18 7 23 1 17 5 17 17 4

6 20 13 18 20 15 7

26 17 4 12 20 21 17 16 13 6 12 9

15 9 15 24 22 10 17

6 18 9 17 24 8 17 4 4 20 26

12 24 7 25 17 13 17 7

20 25 17 15 18 17 26 6 24 24 18

21 19 6 12 16 17 24 17

5 20 16 6 16 20 13 20 1 16 17

20 13 20 2 14 13 1

18 5 17 13 21 20 5 17 15 7 15 11

17 21 18 26 15 10 4

13 17 17 24 10 4 1 18 16 17 13 3

Can you place the six dominoes (right) into the grid below in such a way that the number of spots in all four rows across and all four rows down totals 9?

A

B

C

D F

E

1 2

3 4

5 6

CROSS CODE

SPOT CHECK

O S E N I S I P E P E

Y E S A N H O P E C U

B E H P O I N O R E B

E O C P L S T O B A R

C T A M E E A R S L E

H A M O T P P E R T Y

I S E L T A R T A A B

D H Y B E A A I N T A

A C R R E R N S I C S

R R A N B E T E M O W

E S R O H R S E C R O

Starting from the central shaded letter, move one letter at atime (up, down, right or left, but not diagonally) to find 18sauces.

PATHWORDS

DIALLING CODES

EPONY-CHIUM

Here is anunusual wordwith threedefinitions, onlyone of which iscorrect. Can youidentify the rightdefinition?

WORD WIZARD

1) In ancientGreece asong ofvictory, or anode in honourof the victor;

2) The celltissue andassociatedmucousmembranesthat cover theouter surfaceof the body;

3) A narrowband ofcuticle overthe base of anail.

Telephone dialling pads combineseveral letters on one key. Herewe have encoded several sets ofwords or items by using numbersrather than letters. Then we havedivided them into groups of threecharacters and run all the namesone after another to make yourtask a little more difficult. Canyou crack the codes?

1. Barbra Streisand films

435 561 365 591 843 192

919 319 373 193 685 121

782 714 712 676 138 669

144 751 661 212 532 713

291 942 817 187 136 21

387 984 642 712 322 412 697 162 848 126 639 161 538 476 188 551 765 423 154 634 732 763 177 332 217 776 881 264 625 716

766 637

4. pop groups

2. people in the serviceindustry

924 873 771 626 691 242 833 387 178 392 731 227 836 337 123 554 671 687 736 243 126 664 774 662 473 146 873 533 737 122

738 253 7

272 437 919 283 717 656 122 364 686 613 362 464 158 361 227 322 551 934 448 543 846 414 653 178 734 641 668 672 925 464

177 827 4

5. competitive sports

3. towns and cities in the USA

882 766 162 347 661 246 246 628 412 678 661 627 484 553 167 526 361 726 134 346 172 723 362 172 272 636 861 244 224 613

678 196 784

564 615 394 716 275 712 631 773 623 713 323 642 671 837 261 548 853 966 371 274 671 787 373 784 127 321 266 871 667 747

667

6. chain stores andsupermarkets

1[ ] ’ –

2ABC

3DEF

4GHI

5JKL

6MNO

7PQRS

8TUV

9WXYZ

Spaces and any punctuation marksare represented by 1.

Each pair of words has a missing word between them that actsas a link to both (e.g. FRONT – DOOR – MAT). The initial lettersof the six answers (reading downwards) will spell out thesurname of a British playwright.

SCHOOL – – – – HOUSE

GET – – – SET

MILD – – – – – – SPORTS

MIDDLE – – – GROUP

VAPOUR – – – ALONG

LET – – – – CAST

MISSING LINK

In which year did all three of these significanthistorical events take place?

1. Thirteen republican marchers are shotdead by British troops in Derry on whatcomes to be known as ‘Bloody Sunday’.

2. Iceland announces a 50-mile territoriallimit in order to protect its fish stocks.

3. Gough Whitlam becomes Australia’s firstLabour prime minister since 1946.

WAS IT?a) 1970; b) 1972; c) 1974; d) 1976; e) 1978.

MAKE A DATE

TRANSFORMERAdd the given letter to the first word to make a new word.

Clue: Make grid whirl.

_ _ _ _ _ + Y = _ Y _ _ _ _

Accumulator Quiz1 – A; 2 – C; 3 – D; 4 – D; 5 – A; 6 – B; 7 – B; 8 – D; 9 – C; 10 – D; 11 – D; 12 – C; 13 – A; 14 – A; 15 – B.Starspot CrosswordAcross – 1 Implicit; 6 Sump; 8 Imp; 9 Intrepid; 10 Rota; 12 Snoop; 14 Hanoi; 17 Flex; 18 Resident; 20 Edgeways; 24 Wash; 25 Reeve; 26 Shoal; 29 Pawn; 30 Palatial; 31 Sea; 32 Alto; 33 Remedied.Down – 2 Mine; 3 Larynx; 4 Captor; 5 Tide; 6 Spread; 7 Motion; 11 Offer; 12 Serge; 13 Pepys; 14 Hip; 15 Nepal; 16 Itchy; 19 Ewe; 21 Detail; 22 Even so; 23 Shalom; 24 Wanted; 27 Spar; 28 Maze.Star Name: CLIVE OWEN

Word WizardNo 3 is correct. Eponychium is a band of cuticle.Dialling Codes1. Hello Dolly; The Way We Were; Yentl; A Star Is Born; Funny Girl; On A Clear Day; What’s Up Doc?2. waitress; nanny; chauffeur; steward; bartender; bellhop; nursemaid; commissionaire; housekeeper; caretaker.3. Tucson; Madison; Cincinnati; Boston; Nashville; Orlando; San Diego; Pasadena; Sacramento; Chicago; Fort Worth.4. Eurythmics; Beach Boys; Oasis; Boney M; Jethro Tull; Police; Lindisfarne; Prefab Sprout; Animals; Osmonds.

5. archery; water polo; badminton; fencing; judo; baseball; weightlifting; golf; surfing; motorcycling; squash.6. John Lewis; Marks and Spencer; Debenhams; Tesco; Littlewoods; Argos; Superdrug; Asda; Boots; Morrisons.Spot CheckA = 2; B = 6; C = 5; D = 1; E = 4; F = 3.Missing Linkcook; off; winter; age; rub; down. Playwright: Coward.Make a DateThe year was 1972.TransformerGrate + Y = Gyrate.

U1

J2

Y3

L4

P5

A6

I7

F8

K9

B10

G11

C12

R13

Z14

N15

T16

E17

S18

X19

O20

M21

H22

Q23

D24

V25

W26

547891362826374159391526748475162893913758624268943517782619435639485271154237986

982147563736925841154683927318594672275368194469271385597436218643812759821759436

SUDOKU EASYSUDOKU DIFFICULT

CROSS CODE

212247143

222826

41811

1413

13

7

231518

717

23

9512

416357

83

49241

52163

698

87819

837

KAKURO MEDIUM

Pathwordspesto; barbecue; pepper; onion; hoisin; apple; tomato; cheese; soy; béchamel; tartare; parsley; tabasco; Worcester; horseradish; cranberry; béarnaise; mint.

ALL THE ANSWERS

EACH number in our Cross Code grid represents a differentletter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control gridto start you off.Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, thenuse your knowledge of words to work out which letters shouldgo in the missing squares.As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the samenumber in the main grid and control grid. Check off thealphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

U1 2

Y3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17S

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

AAllll TTooggeetthheerr NNOOWW!! OOccttoobbeerr//NNoovveemmbbeerr 22001100 wwwwww..aallllttooggeetthheerrnnooww..oorrgg..uukk2222

EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . .RRIIGGHHTTSS . . . BUSINESS . . .TECHNOLOGY

DESPITE the gloom and doom on theemployment front, disabled jobseekersin Sefton have been promised the

support they need to find and take up newjob and training opportunities.

The borough’s new Work-Ability project aimsto help disabled people reach their full potentialby providing guidance on the sources of supportthat are available – and how to access them.

The service will also help employers tobecome more inclusive with advice on how tomake the workplace more accessible and howto support disabled employees.

Work-Ability manager Emma Ellison said: “Wewill give personalised, one-to-one support toresidents with a disability or a limiting long-termillness.

“By helping people to explore the work andtraining opportunities available, we can give

them the chance to exercise real choice andcontrol over their lives.”

The scheme was officially launched at anevent at SING Plus, in Seaforth. Guestspeakers included representatives of JobcentrePlus, the employment organisation Remploy,and disability consultancy Difference Matters.

“The feedback has been overwhelminglypositive and we’re already working with our firstclients and employers,” added Emma.n Work-Ability was set up by Sefton CVSand ABILITY, a network representingdisabled people in the borough. Work-Ability: 0151 285 4027.

PICTURED : Emma Ellison, right, with chair ofthe ABILITY network Kevin Donnellon, front,and (from left) Adele Hoskisson-Clark, CarlSaunders, Sue Holden and Sam Campbell

Do not despair! We’re here to

TALENTED and highly-educated young disabledpeople still miss out on

opportunities for training,employment and a career, saysa new report.

Two-thirds of disabled peopleinterviewed believe they may havehad job applications rejected byemployers because ofdiscrimination. So says the Rightto Work investigation byTrailbazers, a group ofcampaigners from the MuscularDystrophy Campaign

A similar number claimed the jobapplication process puts them at adisadvantage, while about 70%said physical access to theworkplace was one of the biggestobstacles they faced in obtainingpaid work.

UndercoverOne in seven disabled graduates

– with an average age of 26 – hadnever had a paid job, while one infive survey respondents felt theyhad been forced out of a job dueto poor disability awareness.

Some said interviews or workexperience had been called offwhen the employer realised theywere disabled.

Members of Trailblazers alsocarried out undercoverinvestigations of access atJobcentre Plus offices andrecruitment agencies.

Now they want the governmentand employers to set up a nationaldisabled graduates trainingscheme, promote the businesscase for employing talented,qualified and dedicated disabledcandidates, and encouragedisability equality training for linemanagers.

They also want more accessiblefacilities at recruitment agencies,more disabled people employedas disability employment advisersand greater promotion of theAccess to Work scheme, whichthey say should be extended toinclude disabled volunteers,interns, and those on workplacements.

Jagdeep Sehmbi, a wheelchair-user and multimediacommunications graduate, said:“When I was applying for jobs, Inoticed that as soon as Imentioned I needed wheelchairaccess the attitude changed.

“Whereas I initially felt aconversation was leading to aninvite for interview, it suddenlyended with being told they would

get back to me, which neverhappened.”

Tanvi Vyas, 26, who has themuscle-wasting condition spinalmuscular atrophy, said:

“Everyone should have the rightto the same opportunities at work,but getting paid is only one part ofthat. It’s the social aspect of a job,too - if you’re working from homeor in a different office, you missout on that.

“I once was called to an interviewfor a job where the interview tookplace in a Job Centre. I found outafterwards from someone elsewho worked there that the officewas inaccessible, which made mefeel the time I’d put into preparingfor it was wasted.

“I’ve been told before that I’dhave to go in the goods lift toget into a building, and otherTrailblazers have had the sameexperience. That’s not anacceptable way to get to yourjob each day.”

Trailblazers project managerBobby Ancil said: “More thananything in this report, we werestruck by the amount of talentedand bright individuals employersare missing out on because theycan’t see past disability.

“It is shocking that so many well-qualified people who want to workare unable to find jobs.”n www.mdctrailblazers.org

An awful wasteof young talent

Prejudice inworkplaceis exposed

SOME fantastic work fromstudents with learningdifficulties and disabilitieswent on show at a specialevent at Mid-CheshireCollege.

And among the long list ofstudents receiving awardswere Melanie Brown andNicholas Allen.

Melanie, 21, from HolmesChapel, has been at thecollege since 2007, starting onthe Towards Work programme,an entry level course allowingstudents to try variousvocational areas of study suchas catering and care as well aslearning literacy, numeracy andmoney management skills.

“I really enjoyed learningbeauty and hairdressing skills,”said Melanie.

Nicholas (pictured), 35, from

Goostrey, near Crewe, hasalso been at the college formany years and is taking partin the Towards Independenceprogramme, which will equiphim with the skills required tolive an independent lifestyle.

College principal John Reillysaid: “We have a great team oftutors supporting all studentswith learning difficulties. Weare very proud of ourreputation of being a fullyinclusive college.”

Top workgoes onshow atcollege

wwwwww..aallllttooggeetthheerrnnooww..oorrgg..uukk OOccttoobbeerr//NNoovveemmbbeerr 22001100 AAllll TTooggeetthheerr NNOOWW!! 2233

EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . .

Programmes forbetter prospects...Thinkingabout...

Let Liverpool Community College equipyou with the skills employers wantIf you are unemployed, recently made redundant or ready tostart work we can improve your chances of success in thecurrent job market

Let us prepare you for work with relevant training and helpmatch your skills to current vacancies in security, hospitality,business administration, care, retail, and many more.

We also provide training in how to set up your own business

For further information contact:

0845 013 1515www.liv-coll.ac.uk

Ourfuture.It’s inour hands

Liverpool Community College‘Working with Business’

Can Istart right

away?Will I get helpfinding work?

Where canI go to retrainor gain skills?

help you find the right job

IMPRESSED: Peter Little, left, and Brian Quinn, director at TPM

FANTASTIC support for people withdisabilities has earned top praisefor the training provider TPM.

“TPM are having such a positive impacton the participation and progress oflearners with learning difficulties anddisabilities,” said Peter Little, chair of theDepartment for Education’s AdvisoryGroup for Learners with LearningDifficulties or Disabilities, on a visit toTPM’s refurbished Liverpool premises.

“Over 90% of these learners achievetheir qualifications, surpassing the 80%

success rate of learners withoutdisabilities or additional needs.

“Not only does this reflect the excellentsupport that TPM offer their learners, butit nails the myth that having a disabilityrestricts achievement and productivity.

“TPM’s success shows how independentproviders have a key role to play in theachievement of government objectives inthis important area, and I will be usingthem as a national example of bestpractice.” n www.tpmnow.co.uk

e

Trainingchamps!


CHESHIRE and Wirral Partnership NHSFoundation Trust has received more recognitionfor its innovative way of obtaining feedbackfrom service users with learning disabilities.

Their ‘Patient Stories’ programme won the CareProgramme Approach association award for‘Excellence in Monitoring and Evaluating the CPAProcess’ .

The programme uses patients’ own experiences ofthe Cheshire and Wirral Trust to learn lessons andimprove the service. Sheena Cumiskey, CWP’s chief

executive, said: “I’m extremely proud of our staff.“Their determination to provide the best possible

service for our users is the reason for this success.“The ‘Patient Stories’ programme is a fantastic and

innovative way of making sure that we give peoplewith learning disabilities the platform from which tohave a say in how we care for them.”

The programme also won CWP the much-coveted‘Patient Involvement Award’ at the HealthcareQuality Improvement Partnership national clinicalaudit awards earlier in the year.

DREAMLAND!DREAMLAND!THE TRANSFER of

services from Waltonhospital to a £34

million state-of-the-artsurgical and outpatientscentre at UniversityHospital Aintree is underway.

Day surgery, ophthalmologyservices, and the breastservice have already movedinto their new home in theElective Care Centre (EEC).

The rest of the services willfollow from mid-Novemberand December.

James Birrell, chiefexecutive of AintreeUniversity Hospitals NHSFoundation Trust, which runsboth hospitals, said: “Themove of our services to onehospital will help us improvethe quality and range ofclinical care for patients.

“Walton hospital has givengreat service over the years,but patients deservepurpose-built facilities whichmeet the highest modernstandards.

“The ECC has beendesigned around patientsand their privacy and dignity.At the same time, it will giveclinical teams cutting-edgetechnology.

“This means that we canexpand the range of daysurgery we offer. Clinicianswill also have access to themost modern IT systems tohelp them offer the bestpossible patient care.”

The hospital’s new 1,250space multi-storey car parkhas been built next to theECC.

nMERSEY Care NHS Trustplans to develop and builda modern mental healthfacility on the old Waltonhospital site.

The new TIME (ToImprove Mental healthEnvironments) Project willprovide in-patient care forlocal people who have amental health problem.

Building work is expectedto start next spring, withcompletion in 2013.

Friends handover 32 cotsto hospital

VOLUNTEERS at Arrowe ParkHospital have proved yet againthey are the best of friends – by

donating a gift to benefit newbornbabies and those being treated at thehospital.

The League of Friends, which has beenraising cash for the hospital for almost 30years, presented 32 new cots to thehospital’s maternity unit.

Beryl Dare, deputy League chairman,said: ”Although the facilities for women andchildren are exceptional, we weredelighted to be able to purchase thesenew cots and provide that extra bit ofcomfort for babies and peace of mind forparents.”

Since its inception in 1981, the League ofFriends at Arrowe Park has raised morethan £2 million to help to provide betterservices, treatments and facilities for

patients. It is now well on its way to the £3million milestone.

The majority of the League’s fundingcomes from profits made by the shop,staffed by volunteers and sited in the mainfoyer. Significant donations are alsoreceived from legacy giving.

Beryl added: “The League is now a well-established component of hospital life and

our volunteers help out in almost everydepartment, on wards, in clinics as well asin the shop.

“We are always on the look out for newvolunteers, if only for a few hours a week.If any All Together NOW! readers areinterested in joining in our team, we wouldlove to hear from them.” nArrowe Park Hospital, tel. 0151 678 5111.

BABY JOY: William and Sarah Edwards with baby Daisy, pictured with Gill Diskin,maternity ward manager, and members of the League of Friends

It’s allsystemsgo atAintree

Lesley Gledhill at CWP withCPAA chair Tony Earp

Patient stories lead to more success

Declan makes the going easierHELPING to make life better forpatients at Wythenshawe hospitalis student Declan Brady.

Declan, 21, who is studyingbuilding surveying at the Universityof Salford, has been working withUniversity Hospital SouthManchester staff to develop the newadmissions lounge.

As part of a team of three, Declanhas being helping to design,contract and manage the building ofthe £700,000 lounge, which will help

reduce the amount of time patientsspend in hospital before beingadmitted for surgery.

The new facility will let peoplecome in on the day of theiroperation, get prepared, haveconsultations with their consultantand team and go to theatre, all ofwhich frees up essential bed space.

The lounge is expected to seeabout 60 patients go through on adaily basis and is due for completionin November.

Paul Featherstone, director ofestates & facilities, said: “This newfacility is going to have a reallypositive affect on managing our bedcapacity and improving the patientexperience here at UHSM.

“Declan has worked extremelyhard for the Trust during his “year-out” placement and has deliveredthe project to a high standard.”nUHSM is fully accredited as atraining organisation by the RoyalInstitute of Chartered Surveyors.DECLAN BRADY


n NHS North West iskeen to hear fromreaders about yourexperiences of NHSservices.n They also want anyideas or suggestionsthat could improvetreatment and carefor others.n Please send yourcomments to:CommunicationsTeam, FREEPOST,NHS North West, 3Piccadilly Place,Central Manchester,M1 3BN

TELL USYOURVIEWS

SHADOW health secretaryAndy Burnham visited the newWhiston Hospital where hemet patients and members ofstaff on the one of theChildren’s and Young People’swards.

Mr Burnham spoke to staff andpatients about the ‘Hospital atHome’ scheme, which reducesadmissions to hospital and thelength of time patients need to

stay, by enabling them to receivea range of treatments at home.

He said: “The new WhistonHospital is a state-of-the-artfacility providing patient-centred,high quality care.

“I visited the children’s wardand heard about the Hospital atHome scheme, which helps illchildren stay at home as muchas possible.

“However, when they do need a

hospital stay, this new worldclass hospital provides anenvironment that they feel athome in. The staff and patients Imet were proud of the newhospital – and they should be.”

n A NEW catheter laboratory isalso providing Whistonpatients with services closerto their homes.

Previously patients had totravel to Liverpool orWarrington for angiographyservices (investigatingabnormalities in thearteries around the heart).

The new ‘cath lab’ isequipped with the latestfacilities and can care foraround 1,000 patients eachyear, with most proceduresavailable as day cases.

Ann Marr, chief executiveat the Trust, said:“Providing excellent patientcare is central toeverything we do at theTrust and the new catheterlaboratory is helping us toexpand the range andenhance the quality ofservices we offer.

“By offering patientsaccess to services closerto their homes we aredelivering a betterexperience for patients andimproving the care theyreceive.”

Andy impressed at Whiston

THE Wirral Mothers’ Milk Bank, based atClatterbridge Hospital, provided an idealresting place for cyclist Steve Haberfield en-

route from John O’Groats to Land’s End.The 1,000 mile, 10-day challenge raised funds for, and

highlighted, the remarkable work of the United KingdomAssociation for Milk Banking.

Launched in 2004, the Wirral Mothers’ Milk Bank –one of 17 facilities in the country – houses specialequipment to test, pasteurise and store donor breastmilk, which is then used to treat sick and prematurebabies across the North-West.

It is part of Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS

Foundation Trust, which runs Arrowe Park andClatterbridge hospitals.

Since opening six years ago, more than 2,000 litres ofhuman milk have been donated by almost 500 mothersliving in Wirral and other parts of the region.

Each year more than 300 babies are born at theWirral Women and Children’s Hospital at Arrowe Parkwho are unable to take milk from their mums becausethey are born prematurely or because they are ill.

n To find out more about milk banking visitwww.ukamb.org or contact the Wirral Mothers’ MilkBank on 0151 334 4000, ext 5000.

MILK ROUNDMILK ROUND

PICTURED: Cheryl and Adrian O’Malley (parents of baby Jasper, in foreground, andrecipients of donor milk); Annie Atkinson, Wirral Mothers’ Milk Bank manager; SteveHaberfield; Paul Harvey; Gill Brady, Milk Bank co-ordinator; Gillian Weaver, chair of UKAMB

YOUNG people in Wirralwill now receive care andtreatment in brand newfacilities when admitted toArrowe Park Hospital.

Children requiringinpatient care moved to anew purpose-designedchildren’s ward on the firstfloor of the Wirral Womenand Children’s Hospital,based at Arrowe Park.

The ward offers highquality facilities includingsingle en-suite rooms toensure the privacy anddignity of patients, as wellas space for parents to stayovernight with their son ordaughter.

A new space for olderchildren, complete withcomputer games andtelevision, aims to helpyoung patients take theirmind off being unwell,while a parents’ area, withtea and coffee facilities,means that mums and dadscan have a break in a quietspace of their own.

Pauline Riding, children’sservices matron, said:“Although we were veryfond of the old ward in themain hospital building, it’swonderful to be in ourbrand new home.

“Parents and childrenhave already told us thatthey love how light andbright the new ward is, andI’m sure that our staff willreally benefit from workingin this environment, whichis second to none.”

WORLD CLASS:Mr Burnham andJanet Benthammeet youngJames Davies

Children’shospitalopensits doors

Check out our 2010 programme of events . . . www.2010healthandwellbeing.org.uk Check out our 2010 programme of events . . . www.2010healthandwellbeing.org.uk

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CONSTRUCTION work has started on an £8 millionscheme that will bring together health, education andlibrary services for people in Childwall and the wider

community.The development is part of Liverpool Primary Care Trust’s vision

for a ‘New Health Service for Liverpool’ which is deliveringimproved and more accessible health services in communitysettings.

However, the Childwall project is unique as it also includes alibrary and a college, bringing together three important communityfacilities in a single building.

Gideon Ben-Tovim, chair of Liverpool Primary Care Trust, said:“This development is part of Liverpool PCT’s commitment and

long-term vision to deliver improvedpatient care, closer to people’shomes.

“We know through our experienceon projects such as those we havedelivered in Picton, Breeze Hill andEverton, the difference thesefacilities can make to communities.”

The Childwall Partnership Projectis being developed by Liverpool andSefton Health Partnerships onbehalf of Liverpool PCT, LiverpoolCity Council and Childwall SchoolSpecialist Sports College.

It will incorporate a NeighbourhoodHealth Centre as well as deliveringbenefits for the wider community, asplans will see the existing libraryservice moving into the newbuilding, providing a more enhancedservice in a state-of-the-art building.

Graham Pink, chief executive ofLiverpool and Sefton HealthPartnership, said: “We are delightedto be undertaking this importantdevelopment which demonstrateswhat can be achieved whenorganisations work together inpartnership to the benefit of thecommunity.”

The new health facility will provideChildwall Sports College with threemodern learning spaces and twooffices for use by sixth formstudents and staff, making up amodern education centre withaccess to the new library facilities.

It will also support the school’sstrong focus on health and wellbeingand will provide an important link tothe work of the PCT – opening upeducational opportunities forstudents and health professionals.

Councillor Wendy Simon, LiverpoolCity Council’s cabinet member forculture and tourism, said: “This dealis great news for the people ofChildwall and will provide them witha fantastic community hub that willalso make a real impact to life-longlearning in the area.”

COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITY: Gideon Ben-Tovim, chair of Liverpool PCT (front, with spade) is picturedwith many of the people involved in the project, including (front, from left) Cath Densmore, business managerat Childwall School; Alan Metcalf, interim head of libraries; Dr David Orlans, Childwall Valley Road Practice andCouncillor Wendy Simon, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for culture and tourism

It’s jab time!

Health, learning andlibrary combined inunique £8m scheme

MAN FLU is an annual joke amongoffice workers. But for somegroups getting the flu is far from

funny and can result in serious illnessor even a spell in hospital.

Sometimes, it can also be life-threatening.

Thousands of people at risk, who maybecome seriously ill from the virus, arebeing advised to strongly considerprotecting themselves with a flu jab.

The seasonal flu jab is recommended forpeople of all ages with: heart or chestconditions, including bronchitis oremphysema; diabetes; liver or kidneydiseases; people who have had a stroke orministroke (TIA); those with loweredimmunity due to disease or treatment(such as steroid medication or cancertreatment); neurological conditions, forexample multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebralpalsy; and spleen problems, like sickle celldisease, or if you have had your spleenremoved.

The jab is also recommended for peopleaged 65 or over, people living in residentialor nursing homes – and for people who arethe main carer of an older or disabledperson.

This year, the seasonal flu jab is alsorecommended for all pregnant women ifthey have not already had a swine flu jab.

This is because swine flu will still becirculating this winter and can causesevere disease in pregnant women.

The seasonal flu jab will protect againstswine flu this year as well as othercirculating flu strains.

Dr Emer Coffey, public health consultantwith Liverpool PCT, says: “People withunderlying medical problems and older

people can be hit badly by the flu. Theycan get bronchitis or pneumonia. Theirunderlying health condition can flare upand sometimes people can end up inhospital.

“In the worst cases, flu can cause death.

The key message is that people at risk canprotect themselves by getting a free flu jab.

“It is best to get the jab between now andearly November. If a district nurse alreadyvisits you at home, you can ask them ifthey can give you the flu jab.”

RADIO presenter Pete Price is once again backing the annual campaign. He said: “As someone with a chest complaint, I get myself vaccinated every year

and understand how important it is that I’m protected against the flu.“Flu is a horrible illness. For most people it means a week recovering in bed but

for someone like me, it could mean ending up in hospital.“I, like so many other people, lead an extremely busy life and cannot afford to

spend weeks feeling ill.“Getting the jab every year gives me peace of mind and I would recommend that

anyone who is more ‘at risk’ of becoming seriously ill should make an appointmentwith their GP to get vaccinated.”

Don’t be knocked out by seasonal flu JABBED! Pete Price getting his annual jab from Dr Hilary Kevan


by Beatrice Fraenkelchair, Mersey Care NHS

Understanding MND

Your chance to improve the way GPs treat us

Stomach bug study

We can deliver your health messages 0151 230 0307

DO YOU have a gripe about the way youare treated at your doctor’s or athospital?

If you think you are getting an unfair dealcompared to others then here’s your chanceto put things right.

Patients, doctors and the organisationsthat represent them are being invited by theGeneral Medical Council to providecomments for its new equality scheme.

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the GMC,said: “Our role is to protect patients by

regulating doctors and improving medicalpractice, so we have a major part to play inensuring that both patients and doctors aretreated fairly.

“It’s crucial that we do what we can toimprove the standards of care for everybodyand use our influence to reduce inequalities.

“Our equality scheme defines our aims tovalue equality and diversity and to makesure our services work well for everyone.We want to hear as many views as possibleto help us shape our plans to achieve this.”

The GMC especially wants to improve thequality of care that people with disabilitiesreceive from their doctors, and is planningto develop materials to raise doctors’awareness of the needs and experiences ofpatients with learning disabilities.

The scheme also includes a proposal tohelp doctors who qualified overseas toimprove their understanding of UK medicalstandards and ethics.n The online consultation is available at www.gmc-uk.org

OBESE people are four times morelikely to develop osteoarthritis ofthe knee as high blood pressure

or type-2 diabetes, according to aleading arthritis charity.

But whereas high blood pressure anddiabetes may be substantially improved onlosing weight and are relatively easy tocontrol with therapy, the changes resultingfrom osteoarthritis are irreversible, as worncartilage cannot currently be repaired.

However, according to Professor AlanSilman, medical director of the ArthritisResearch Campaign, there is good newsfor the obese and overweight whose kneesbecome painful due to osteoarthritis as aresult of their weight.

“Research shows that losing weight,however modest, when combined withexercise, is a panacea at every stage,” saidProfessor Silman.

“Achieving a healthy weight reduces therisk of developing the disease in the firstplace, relieves existing symptoms andhelps to prevent further deterioration. Andweight loss and exercise has been shownto achieve the same level of symptom relief

as joint replacement surgery.”The medical research charity is concerned

that while rising rates of obesity have beenlinked to a number of serious disorders andhealth concerns, the risk of potentiallycrippling osteoarthritis has been under-estimated.

The charity says the true impact of obesity

in the development of knee osteoarthritishas only recently become clear. They pointto a study which reveals that at the mostextreme, very obese people with a bodymass index of 36 or more, have a 14-foldhigher risk of knee osteoarthritis comparedto those in the healthy BMI range.

Professor Silman warned there was a realconcern that unless rocketing rates ofobesity were tackled, the numbers ofpeople needing joint replacement surgerywould soar, having a considerable impacton the NHS.

Joint replacements are more likely to failearlier in obese patients, and the heavierthe patients the less likely it is that surgerywill bring about an improvement insymptoms.

Very obese women are 19 times morelikely to need knee replacement and fourtimes more likely to need hip replacementsurgery compared to women of a healthyweight.

n The Arthritis Research Campaign’sreport, Osteoarthritis and obesity, is onits website at www.arc.org.uk

A RESEARCHER has won half a million poundsfunding to investigate whether one of the world’sbiggest cancer killers is caused by stomach bugs.

A possible link between bowel cancer and bacteria in thegut will be studied by Dr Brian Jones, senior lecturer inmicrobiology at the University of Brighton. He has beenfunded by the Medical Research Council.

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer worldwideand it is estimated that more than 100 new cases arediagnosed daily in the UK.

In England and Wales, it is the second most commonform of cancer in women and the third most common inmen.

SCIENTISTS believe a discovery could help treat the symtomsof motor neurone disease and other neuromuscularconditions.

MND is a progressive and incurable neurodegenerative conditionthat leads to muscle weakness and wasting.

The University of Aberdeen researchers found that a proteinproduced by the muscle helps motor nerves – nerves that tell ourmuscle to work – produce a big enough stimulus to trigger musclecontraction. Like a signal booster that improves TV pictures, theprotein, called TGFb2, amplifies the signal motor nerves use toactivate muscle fibres.

This signalling process is crucial if our muscles are to respondproperly – especially during prolonged activity.

n Over six million people over 45 in theUK have painful osteoarthritis in theirknees, and over 600,000 in their hipsn Osteoarthritis is a disablingcondition – about 80% of people withosteoarthritis have compromisedmovement, and 25% are unable toperform normal acts of daily living.n Joint replacements are more likely tofail earlier in obese patients. Theheavier the patient, the less likely it isthat surgery will bring about animprovement in symptomsn Increased exercise and weight losscan drastically improve symptoms.

FACTFILE:

Obesity leads toObesity leads tobig arthritis riskbig arthritis risk

WHAT does mental healthmean? When I talk to peopleabout the fact that I chair a

mental health trust, I realise howlimited most people’s understandingof mental health is.

Often they don’t like to ask. TheGovernment’s ‘New Horizons’ reportreveals one in six people have a mentalhealth problem. For more than half, theproblem will last more than a year.

Public perceptions of what iscategorised as a mental health problemare blurred – dementia being a case inpoint even though it affects 77,114people in the North West and isincreasing year on year.

In general terms depression andanxiety are among the most commonproblems. We all have times whenstress and emotional triggers can affectour wellbeing. Some cope better thanothers, some have the right support tohelp them do the things they value, andwe are all individuals so the reason forone person having a problem may bedifferent from another person.

It’s fair to say the focus used to be onmental ‘ill’ health. Our understanding isbetter now and reflects that mentalhealth problems are part of a spectrum,with wellbeing at one end and severedistress and disturbance at the other. Itis also true that recovery is the goal ofmodern mental health services like theone I represent. Recovery refers to theoptimism that everyone can strive for alife with meaning and fulfilment, even ifthey still have times of coping less well.

World Mental Health Day on October10 is important in raising publicawareness,and tackling the issuesaround mental health – not least stigma.

We’re taking part in the followingevents. Come along if you can:n October 4 to 10, Strand ShoppingCentre, Bootle. Mersey Care NHS Trusthas a community road show to raiseawareness and tackle stigma (9am-5.30pm Mon to Sat, 10am-4pm Sun).n October 8 (11am-3pm), WilliamsonSquare, Liverpool city centre.Information and performance arts,children’s activities, refreshments. n October 11, noon-5pm, GreenbankSports Academy,Greenbank Lane,Liverpool TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!


n BLACKBURNIndependent Living Centre,Mill Hill St,Mill Hill, Blackburn.Tel. 01254 269 220.n ELLESMERE PORTPool Independent LivingCentre, New GrosvenorRoad.Tel. 0151 337 6399.n HALTONCollier Street, Runcorn.Tel. 01928 582 920n HANDFORTHEast Cheshire IndependentLiving Centre, RedsmereRoad, HandforthTel. 01625 374080.n HARTFORDHartford IndependentLiving Centre, HartfordBusiness Park, ChesterRoad, Hartford, NantwichTel. 01605 881980.n LIVERPOOLDisabled Living Centre,Lifehouse, Summers Road,Brunswick Business Park,Liverpool.Tel. 0151 296 7742.Minicom 0151 296 7748.n MANCHESTERAssist UK,4 St Chads Street,Manchester.Tel. 0161 834 1044.n STOCKPORTSt Thomas’s Hospital,Shawheath, Stockport.Tel. 0161 419 4476.n WARRINGTONBeaufort Street,Warrington.Tel. 01925 240064.n WILMSLOWRedesmere Road.Tel. 01625 374080.n WIRRALSt Catherine’s Hospital,Birkenhead.Tel. 0151 678 7272.

MIDLANDSn BIRMINGHAM StMarks Street, Springhill.Tel. 0121 464 4942/9525.n DUDLEY St GilesStreet, Netherley. Tel. 01384 813 695.n SHREWSBURY TheLantern, Meadow FarmDrive. Tel. 01743 210820.n WOLVERHAMPTONBell Street. Tel. 01902 553 648.

DID YOU know there are over 20,000products on the market designed toassist disabled and older people?

If you need equipment to help youstay independent how do you makethe right choice?

Disabled Living Centres provideindependent information and adviceand the opportunity to see and try a

vast range of products with the aid ofexpert advisors

From beds to bath aids, showers tostair lifts, local Disabled LivingCentres provide equipment infohelplines.

So for information on equipment andhow to get it contact your localDisabled Living Centre. Many

products can be provided free on loanthrough local Community EquipmentServices.

All Together Now! has teamed upwith Liverpool Disabled Living Centreto help readers of all ages andabilities stay independent. If you havea question contact the team on 0151296 7742. Minicom: 0151 296 7748.

20,000 ways to help you remain independent Help onthe line

Scaling up

. . . with JAN LOCKYER

In the summer of 2007 the following services moved to Lifehouse:an accessible, newly renovated building at Brunswick Dock.

Wheelchair Service 0151 296 7765 Fax: 0151 296 7764

Disabled Living Centre 0151 296 7742 Fax: 0151 296 7743

Moving and Handling Team 0151 296 7750 Fax: 0151 296 7749

Communication Aids 0151 296 7408 Fax: 0151 296 7764

Adaptations Team 0151 296 7757 Fax: 0151 296 7758

Falls Team 0151 296 7769

Lifehouse is a new approach to providing services for disabled and olderpeople in Liverpool. Having all these services under one roof will improveaccessibility.

Services will be able to work together to provide the independent information,advice and practical assessment people need to make the right choices aboutequipment. The existing services will be joined by others which will greatlyincrease the range of information and advice available.

LifehouseUnits 4–5 Dempster BuildingSummers Road, Brunswick Business ParkLiverpool L3 4BLMain Reception: 0151 296 7733www.liverpoollifehouse.org

Lifehouse is a new approach to providing services for disabled andolder people in Liverpool.

All these teams are now under one roof, working together toprovide the information and advice people need to be as safe andindependent as possible .

For further information call the service you require or visit a Lifehouse Open Day

Wheelchair Service Tel: 0151 296 7765Assessment for and provision of wheelchairs for people who live in Liverpool.

Disabled Living Centre Tel: 0151 296 7742 Minicom: 0151 296 7744Independent information, assessment and advice on choosing daily living equipment and how to get it.

Moving and Handling Team Tel: 0151 296 7750Practical advice for disabled people and their carers on moving and handling people.

Communication Aids Tel: 0151 296 7408Assessment and provision of communication aids for people who live in Liverpool.

Adaptations Team Tel: 0151 296 7757Installation of adaptations to safely assist people in managing in their own home.

Falls Team Tel: 0151 296 7769A multidisciplinary team providing practical advice and assessment for people who have fallen.

Telecare service Tel: 0151 296 7733Advice, assessment and installation of Telecare equipment.

LifehouseUnits 4–5 Dempster BuildingSummers Road, Brunswick Business ParkLiverpool L3 4BLMain Reception: 0151 296 7733www.liverpoollifehouse.org

0151 296 7748

0151 296 7782

ifehouseLifehouse

For further information call the service you require or contact our main reception for alist of Open Days.ifehouseLifehouse

QI AM watching myweight but I can’tsee the dial on my

bathroom scales. Anythoughts?

AYOU can get talkingbathroom scalesthat announce your

weight in stones orkilogrammes as well asshowing it on a large LCDdisplay.

The scales have volumecontrols and some evenspeak different languages!

Some models have amemory so the scales cantell you how much yourweight has changed nexttime you weigh yourself.

Large dial scales arealso available.

The RNIB have an on-line shop atwww.rnib.org.uk andresource centres aroundthe UK where you can seeand try products.

RNIB’s Liverpoolresource centre: 0151 2983220.

QI AM going on holiday and I’m havingtrouble getting travel insurance thatcovers my mobility equipment.

ATHERE are a few firms that specialise in holidaytravel insurance for people with disabilities andpeople with medical conditions.

Cover includes equipment, medication and carers.Tourism for All have produced a Travel Insurance

Guide designed to make choosing travel insurance aseasy as possible.

The guide has information on a wide range of UKinsurance providers along with advice on types ofinsurance and factors to consider when looking for aninsurance policy.n www.travelinsuranceguide.org.ukFor a free holiday information pack call LiverpoolDisabled Living Centre, 0151 296 7742

QMY MUM gets up in the night anddoesn’t put the light on. She’s inher 90s and I’m worried about her

falling over in the dark.

AYou can get lamps that come onautomatically when a person leavestheir bed and sensor lights that come

on when you walk into the area of the light.Advice on minimising the risk of falling is

available from Falls Prevention Services.Your GP should be able to put you in touch

with your local service.You might also want to consider an alarm

system that could be used to alert you if yourMum did fall.

STAND by for a bigimprovement totraditional walking

aids.The new Flexyfoot,

invented by leading Britishproduct designer DavidGoodwin, promises to do forthe crutch, walking stick andZimmer frame what Dysonhas done for the vacuumcleaner.

The shock-absorbing, anti-slip Flexyfoot is designed toreplace the old fashionedferrule (or rubber tip) giving50% more grip on floors andground surfaces - andeasing the stress on joints.

Goodwin, who designsaward-winning products forsuch clients as LondonUnderground to ParkerPens, was inspired to inventFlexyfoot by his family.

Both his sister, who hasMS, and his 95 year-oldmother complained to himabout the difficulties anddiscomfort of using their

walking sticks. They alsofound the rubber feet woredown much too quickly andwere difficult to change.

He said: “The market isvery staid and most aids arevery institutional. I wanted tocreate a product based ongreat design, innovativetechnology, good looks andfunction.

“Funky enough for afootballer, strong enough fora soldier, but perfect for apensioner too.”

Flexyfoot comes in fourcollar sizes to fit mostcommon walking aids. It isalso ideal for shower stools– and protects againstdamage to expensive bathand shower trays.

n Available fromwww.flexyfoot.com,freefone 0800 0285 888and selected retailers,chemists and mobilityshops. Recommendedretail price is £12.99.

Flexy does it!

I worry about mum falling

Holiday cover


SHOPMOBILITY CARERS’CENTRES

Email your news to us at [email protected] .uk

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE

nACCRINGTON Tel 01254 387 444

n BLACKBURN with DARWENTel 01254 688www.bwdcarers.org

n BLACKPOOLBlackpool Borough

Council,Tel 01253 477 716

nCUMBRIACarlisle. Tel 01228 542 156Penrith.Tel 01768 890 280Barrow-in-Furness. Tel 01229 822 822Kendal. Tel 01539 732 927Whitehaven,Tel 01946 592 223

n CHESHIRE Helpline: 0800 085 0307

nKNOWSLEYTel 0151 549 1412

n LANCASTER Tel 01524 66475

nLIVERPOOLTel 0151 705 2307

n MANCHESTER Tel 0161 835 2995

n MORECAMBE Tel 01524 833456

n PRESTON Tel 01772 200173

n RUNCORN Tel 01928 580182

n WIDNES Tel 0151 257 7767

n SALFORD Tel 0161 833 0217

n SEFTON Tel 0151 288 6060

n ST HELENS Tel 01744 675 615

n STOCKPORTTel 0161 456 2808

n WARRINGTON Tel 01925 644 212

n WEST LANCS Tel 01695 711243

n WIGAN & LEIGH Tel 01942 683711

MIDLANDSn BIRMINGHAMTel 0121 675 8000n SOLIHULLTel 0121 788 1143n WALSALLTel 01922 610 810

NORTH WALESn ANGLESEY

Tel 01248 722828n BANGOR

Tel 01248 370 797n CONWY

Tel 01492 533714n DENBIGHSHIRE:NEWCIS,

Tel: 0845 603 3187nDOLGELLAU

Tel 01341 421167n FLINTSHIRE: NEWCIS,

Tel: 01352 751436n WREXHAM: NEWCIS,

Tel: 01978 310414.

n ALTRINCHAM. Tel 0161 9291714n ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. Tel0161 339 9500n BARROW. Tel 01229 434039n BIRKENHEAD. Tel 0151 6476162n BLACKBURN ANDDARWEN. Tel 01254 690566 or07757 502217n BLACKPOOL. Tel 01253 349427 n BOLTON. Tel 01204 392946n BURY. Tel 0161 764 9966n CARLISLE. Tel 01228625950n CHESTER. Tel 01244 312626n CHORLEY. Tel 01257 260888n COLWYN BAY. Tel 01492533822n CREWE. Tel 01270 580 031n ELLESMERE PORT. Tel 0151355 1420n KENDAL. Tel 01539 740 933n LEIGH, Wigan. Tel 01942 777985 n LIVERPOOL. Tel 0151 7070877n MANCHESTER TraffordCentre. Tel 0161 747 8046n MANCHESTER ArndaleCentre. Tel 0161 839 4060n NELSON. Tel 01282 692 502n NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel01606 353525n ORMSKIRK, WestLancashire Tel 01695 570055n OSWESTRY. Tel 01691656882n PENRITH. Tel 01768 895 438n PRESTON. Tel 01772 204667n RHYL. Tel 01745 350665n ROCHDALE. Tel 01706 865986n RUNCORN, Halton Lea Tel01928 717445n SHREWSBURY. Tel 01743236900n SOUTHPORT. Tel 01704 546654n ST HELENS. Tel 01744 613388n STOCKPORT. Tel 0161 6661100n WARRINGTON. Tel 01925231941n WARRINGTON. BirchwoodTel 01925 822 411n WIGAN. Tel 01942 776 070n WINSFORD. Tel 01606557550n WREXHAM. Tel 01978312390

MIDLANDSn BIRMINGHAM. Snow HillRailway Station. Tel 0121 2368980. Level 2, Centre CarPark, Bullring. Tel 0121 6162942n STAFFORD. Tel 01785619456n STOKE ON TRENT. Tel01782 233333n SUTTON COLDFIELD. Tel0121 355 1112n TAMWORTH. Tel, 01827709392 n WALSALL. Tel 01922 650781n WEST BROMWICH:Sandwell. Tel 0121 553 1943n WOLVERHAMPTON. Tel01902 556021

nANGLESEY: TARAN Tel 01407 721933

nBLACKPOOL Disability Information and Support. Tel 01253 472 202. Textphone 01253 476 450

nCHESHIRE Dis Federation Tel 01606 888400

nCHESTER Dial House Tel 01244 345655

nDENBIGHSHIRE Tel 01745 354445

nELLESMERE PORT DICETel 0151 355 1420

nHALTON Disability Service Tel 01928 717222

nKNOWSLEY DISABILITYCONCERN. 0151 480 4090

nLANCASTER DISCTel 01524 34411

n LIVERPOOL Association of Disabled People. Tel 0151

263 8366. Text 0151 260 4076nMERSEYSIDE Inform.

Tel 0151 260 4076. nNEUROSUPPORT Centre

Tel 0151 298 2999nMANCHESTER (GTR)

Coalition of DisabledPeople

Tel 0161-273 5154nMOLD Flintshire Disability

Tel 01352 755546nNELSON: Pendle Pakistan

Welfare Association. Tel 01282 603 616

nPRESTON DISC: Tel 01772 558 863. Textphone 01772 204 787

nRHYL Tel 01745 350665nSTOCKPORT: Disability

Stockport. 0161 480 7248

nWARRINGTON Disability Partnership. 01925 240064

nWIRRAL WIRED Tel 0151 670 1500

nWEST LANCS HELPLINE Freefone 0800 220676

n ST HELENS DASHTel 01744 453053

nWREXHAM Tel 01978262955MIDLANDSBIRMINGHAM DisabilityResource Centre Tel 0121789 7365Disabled People’s NetworkSolihull Tel 0121 788 1544STOKE: Disability SolutionsTel 01782 683800WOLVERHAMPTON Elderand Disabled Group Tel01902 448552ORGANISATIONS FORPEOPLE WHO ARE BLINDnACCRINGTON

Tel 01254 233332nBARROW Tel 01229 820698nBIRMINGHAM Action forBlind Tel 0121 665 4200nBLACKBURN

Tel 0125 554143nBLACKPOOL

Tel 01253 792600nBURY Tel 0161 763 7014nBURNLEY Tel 01282 438507nCARLISLE: Action for Blind

People Tel 01228 595121CHESHIRE & N WALES:Vision Support. Tel 01244381515nCUMBRIA (West)

Tel 01946 592474nCUMBRIA (Sth Lakeland)

Tel 01539 726613nGUIDE DOGS Tel 0118 9835555nHENSHAW’S 0161 872 1234

Tel 0151 227 1226nLIVERPOOL: BradburyFields.Tel 0151 221 0888:Action for Bind Tel 0151 7089008n MANCHESTER: Action for

Blind Tel 0161 787 9252nPRESTON: Action for Blind

People Tel 01772 320550n OLDHAM Tel 0161 682 8019nROSSENDALE

Tel 01706 873256nSIGHTLINE (North West)Tel 0800 587 2252nWIGAN Tel 01942 242891nWIRRAL Tel 0151 652 8877ORGANISATIONS FORPEOPLE WHO ARE DEAFnBIRMINGHAM Institute forDeaf Tel 0121 246 6101nCHESHIRE Deaf Society

Tel 01606 47831nCUMBRIA Deaf Society

Tel 01228 606434nLANCASHIRE (EAST)

Deaf SocietyTel 01282 839180

nMANCHESTER Deaf CentreTel 0161 273 3415

nMERSEYSIDE Society for Deaf Tel 0151 228 0888

nST HELENS: DeafnessResource CentreTel 01744 23887nWOLVERHAMPTON Centrefor Deaf Tel 01902 420904nN WALES Daf Association,

Tel 01492 542235

CHESTER Phab clubmembers JanetteMarsland and Val Waringwere given a taste of thehigh life when they tookpart in a Freedom Wingsday at Cranfield Airport.

“The event, aimed atgiving people with wide-ranging disabilities thechance to pilot an aircraft,

was a rip-roaring success,”said Janette.

“I’ve always wanted toexperience sitting in thecabin of an aircraft and helpthe pilot fly the plane andthanks to the Freedom inthe Air charity, my dreamhas come true!

“I was able to take controlof the plane – on the ground

and when flying 2,000 feetin the air above Berkshire.”

Val Waring, fromFrodsham, added: “SinceI’ve joined Phab my life hastaken off! I’m living the highlife and my feet haven’ttouched the ground.”n Freedom in the Air, tel.012345 752 272.www.freedomintheair.org

High life is just Phab!

HIGH FLIERS:Janette Marshlandand Val Waring,inset, fromChester Phab


Stay ahead of the game . . . www.alltogethernow.org.uk

RGK SUPER LEAGUEOct 9: Capital City RF v RGK TCATRhinos Oct 10: Essex Outlaws v TamesideOwls, Riverside Ice Leisure Centre,Victoria Road, Chelmsford.Oct 23: Sheffield Steelers v Knights,Sports Hall, Spinal Injuries Unit,Northern General Hospital, SheffieldOct 24: Essex Outlaws v RGK TCATRhinos, Riverside Ice Leisure Centre,Victoria Road, Chelmsford.Oct 24: Aces v Capital City RF, StokeMandeville Sports Stadium, GuttmannRoad, AylesburyOct 24: Tameside Owls v Knights,West Hill Sports Centre, Stalybridge,Cheshire.Nov 6: Knights v Essex Outlaws,Antrim Leisure Centre, Antrim.Nov 6: RGK TCAT Rhinos v Aces,Telford College of Arts andTechnology, Telford.Nov 7: Sheffield Steelers v TamesideOwls, Sports Hall, Spinal Injuries Unit,Northern General Hospital, Sheffield.Nov 13: Knights v RGK TCATRhinos, Antrim Leisure Centre,Antrim. Nov 14: Essex Outlaws v Aces,Riverside Ice Leisure Centre, VictoriaRoad, Chelmsford. Nov 14: Sheffield Steelers v CapitalCity RF, Sports Hall, Spinal InjuriesUnit, Northern General Hospital,Sheffield.Nov 27: RGK TCAT Rhinos vTameside Owls, Telford College ofArts and Technology, Telford.Nov 27: Essex Outlaws v Knights,Riverside Ice Leisure Centre, Victoria

Road, Chelmsford.Nov 27: Aces v Sheffield Steelers,Stoke Mandeville Sports Stadium,Guttmann Road, AylesburyNov 28: Capital City RF v Knights

DIVISION 1 NORTHOct 9: Newcastle Eagles 1 v RGKTCAT Rhinos 2, Percy HedleySchool, West Lane, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.Oct 10: Lothian Phoenix 1 v RGKTCAT Rhinos 2, Bathgate Academy,Edinburgh Road, Bathgate. Oct 16: Jaguars 1 v SheffieldSteelers 3, Magnus Sports Centre,Earp Avenue, Newark. Oct 24: Tameside Owls 2 v Jaguars1, West Hill Sports Centre,Stalybridge, Cheshire.Oct 24: Sheffield Steelers 2 v CelticWarriors, Sports Hall, Spinal InjuriesUnit, Northern General Hospital,Sheffield.Oct 24: Sheffield Steelers 3 vNewcastle Eagles 1, Sports Hall,Spinal Injuries Unit, Northern GeneralHospital, Sheffield.Nov 6: RGK TCAT Rhinos 2 v CelticWarriors, Telford College of Arts andTechnology, Telford.Nov 7: Sheffield Steelers 3 v Jaguars1, Sports Hall, Spinal Injuries Unit,Northern General Hospital, Sheffield.Nov 7: Sheffield Steelers 2 vTameside Owls 2, Sports Hall, SpinalInjuries Unit, Northern GeneralHospital, Sheffield.Nov 13: Newcastle Eagles 1 vSheffield Steelers 2, Percy HedleySchool, West Lane, Newcastle-upon-

Tyne.Nov 14: Lothian Phoenix 1 vSheffield Steelers 2, BathgateAcademy, Edinburgh Road, Bathgate.Nov 14: Sheffield Steelers 3 v CelticWarriors, Sports Hall, Spinal InjuriesUnit, Northern General Hospital,Sheffield.Nov 14: Newcastle Eagles 1 vTameside Owls 2, Percy HedleySchool, West Lane, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.Nov 27: RGK TCAT Rhinos 2 vTameside Owls 2, Telford College ofArts and Technology, Telford.Nov 28: Sheffield Steelers 2 vNewcastle Eagles 1, Sports Hall,Spinal Injuries Unit, Northern GeneralHospital, Sheffield.

DIVISION 2 NORTHOct 9: Manchester Mavericks 1 vLiverpool Greenbank 1, YMCA,Liverpool Road, Manchester.Oct 10: Leeds Spiders v LeicesterCobras 1, Morley Leisure Centre,Queensway, Leeds.Oct 17: Bolton Bulls v Leeds Spiders,Smithills Sports Centre, Bolton.Oct 17: Derby Wheelblazers vFurness Falcons, Derby College,Derby.Oct 23: Furness Falcons v LeedsSpiders, Hoops Basketball Centre,Barrow-in-Furness.Oct 24: West of Scotland v LeedsSpiders, West DunbartonshireCouncil, Play Drome, Clydebank. Oct 24: Leicester Cobras 1 v BoltonBulls, Leicester Leys Leisure Centre,Beaumont Way, Leicester.

Oct 24: Derby Wheelblazers vManchester Mavericks 1, DerbyCollege, Derby.Nov 6: Manchester Mavericks 1 vLeicester Cobras 1, YMCA, LiverpoolRoad, Manchester.Nov 6: Liverpool Greenbank 1 vFurness Falcons, Greenbank Project,Greenbank Lane, Liverpool.Nov 7: Leeds Spiders v DerbyWheelblazers, Morley Leisure Centre,Queensway, Leeds.Nov 14: Leicester Cobras 1 v DerbyWheelblazers, Leicester Leys LeisureCentre, Beaumont Way, Leicester.Nov 14: West of Scotland v BoltonBulls, West Dunbartonshire Council,Play Drome, Clydebank.Nov 14: Leeds Spiders v LiverpoolGreenbank 1, Morley Leisure Centre,Queensway, Leeds.Nov 28: Leicester Cobras 1 vFurness Falcons, Leicester LeysLeisure Centre, Beaumont Way,Leicester.Nov 28: Bolton Bulls v ManchesterMavericks 1, Smithills Sports Centre,Bolton.

DIVISION 3 NORTHOct 9: Newcastle Eagles 2 v RGKTCAT Rhinos 3, Percy HedleySchool, West Lane, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.Oct 10: Lothian Phoenix 2 v RGKTCAT Rhinos 3, Bathgate Academy,Edinburgh Road, Bathgate. Oct 16: Newcastle Eagles 2 v StokeSpitfires, Percy Hedley School, WestLane, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.Oct 16: Jaguars 2 v Cardinals-

Magnus Sports Centre, Earp Avenue,Newark.Oct 23: RGK TCAT Rhinos 3 v StokeSpitfires, Telford College of Arts andTechnology, Telford.Oct 24: Vikings 2009 v Cardinals,Lansbury Bridge School, St. Helens.Nov 7: Lothian Phoenix 2 vCardinals, Bathgate Academy,Edinburgh Road, Bathgate.Nov 7: RGK TCAT Rhinos 3 v Vikings2009, Telford College of Arts andTechnology, Telford.Nov 7: Sheffield Steelers 4 v StokeSpitfires, Sports Hall, Spinal InjuriesUnit, Northern General Hospital,SheffieldNov 13: Newcastle Eagles 2 vSheffield Steelers 4, Percy HedleySchool, West Lane, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.Nov 14: Lothian Phoenix 2 vSheffield Steelers 4, BathgateAcademy, Edinburgh Road, Bathgate.Nov 14: Vikings 2009 v RGK TCATRhinos 3, Lansbury Bridge School,St. Helens.Nov 27: Vikings 2009 v Jaguars 2,Lansbury Bridge School, St. Helens.Nov 28: Stoke Spitfires v LothianPhoenix 2, Dimensions LeisureComplex, Scotia Road, StokeNov 28: RGK TCAT Rhinos 3 vCardinals, Telford College of Arts andTechnology, Telford.Nov 28: Sheffield Steelers 4 vNewcastle Eagles 2, Sports Hall,Spinal Unit,NorthernGeneralHospital,Sheffield.

Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association www.gbwba.org.uk


BRITISH players completed a cleansweep of the men’s and women’s singlesand doubles titles at the PTR WheelchairTennis Championships on Hilton HeadIsland, South Carolina, USA, for thesecond year in a row.

Gordon Reid and Lucy Shuker, pictured,spearheaded the success, retaining theirrespective singles crowns - and winningtheir second ITF 2 Series singles anddoubles titles in successive weeks aftertriumphing in the Tennis CanadaInternational in Montreal.

Second seed Reid, 18, defeated Japanesetop seed Yoshinobu Fujimoto 6-0, 6-4 in themen’s singles final.

Reid later partnered fellow Briton MarcMcCarroll to win the men’s doubles final,the top seeds beating Chile’s RobinsonMendez and Niclas Rodhborn, of Sweden,6-4, 6-1.

World No 8 Shuker justified her topseeding to retain the women’s singles titles,coming through by far the most difficult ofher four career meetings against unseededAmerican Emmy Kaiser, 6-2, 7-6(4).

Shuker and British No 2 Jordanne Whileyalso went on to successfully defend theirwomen’s doubles title, again justifying topseed to beat second seeds Kaiser andFrancisca Mardones, of Chile, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2in the decider.

Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association www.gbwba.org.uk

DOUBLE Paralympic gold medallistEllie Simmonds wants retiredParalympians to sign up to the newParalympians’ Club website.

The 15-year-old swimmer from Walsallsaid: “I am proud to be a Paralympianand to be a member of theParalympians’ Club. Not only does theclub offer some great benefits, but it’sgreat for the public as they can use thewebsite to find out more about us.

“I would really encourage anyone whohas competed for Great Britain at aParalympic Games to join the club!”

It is hoped that the website will alsobecome a popular way for schools andcolleges to find out more about BritishParalympians in the build-up to the 2012Paralympic Games.

Paralympian Iain Gowans, whorepresented Great Britain in swimming

at the 1996 Paralympic Games, will runthe website.

“I really hope that lots of retiredathletes come forward,” he said. “I thinkit’s important that ParalympicsGB is incontact with as many athletes aspossible and I am sure that manyathletes would enjoy the opportunity toget back in contact with their formerteam mates.”

n Email Ian at [email protected]

It’s a clean Search isSearch ison foron forParalympiansParalympians

sweep inSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina

by MARSHALL THOMAS


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COMMONWEALTH boxingchampion Martin Murraywas among visitors at thenewly-established MerseyVikings WheelchairRugby League team’spre-season friendly gameagainst Bury.

“Wheelchair rugby isone of the country’sfastest growing sports,”said Martin.

“And this new club isdetermined to do well. Iwish them all the luck inthe world.”

Wheelchair rugby isopen to disabled andnon-disabled players.

The Vikings trainThursday evenings (5-7pm) at Riverside CollegeCronton Campus,Widnes. New players arewelcome.Picture: TOMMY MORRIS

ALL SMILES from cyclistsat WythenshaweWheelers – and no

wonder!The south Manchester club are

to get £15,000 from accidentmanagement company Easi-Drive to buy key equipment andimprove the general facilities forpeople with a disability.

To mark the launch of thepartnership, 13 workers fromEasi-Drive swapped their dayjobs for a 50-mile bike ride fromManchester to Chester,pedalling up an impressive£1,200 in sponsorship money!

Sue Blaylock, founder ofWythenshawe Wheelers, said:“This support will transform thewhole experience for our

members, many who come fromall corners of the North West.”

Simon Bellamy, managingdirector at Easi-Drive, added:“This is such a fantastic causefor us to be associated with.Our employees are gettingbehind this cause.

“There are a number offundraising activities plannedover the next six monthsincluding a walk up KinderScout in the Peak District.”

Wythenshawe Wheelers ownsover 70 specially adapted bikesand runs four sessions a weekat its premises in WythenshawePark.

n Contact: 07753 428937,www.wythenshawe-wheelers.org

ELITE athletes have anincreased risk of asthmaand allergies, especiallythose in endurancesports like swimming orrowing, or winter sports.

More than double thenumber of athletes areprone to asthma andexercise-induced asthmacompared to the generalpopulation, according toProfessor Connie Katelaris,at the University of WesternSydney, Australia

“Asthma can be difficultto diagnose in athletes astheir lung capacity isgreater than most people’sand they are pushingthemselves to the limit,”said the Professor.

“Athletes hate takingmedication but if they wantthe best chance to excel intheir sport their allergy andasthma has to be well-controlled,” said ProfessorKatelaris.

“There has been growinginterest in the occurrence ofrhinitis – hay fever likesymptoms – in athletes.

“Rhinitis is commonlyreported by swimmers andin skiers who report cold-induced rhinitis. Comparedto the normal population therates are definitely higher inthe elite athlete.

“This is an importantfinding because of theimpact on the quality of lifeof untreated rhinitis whenathletes do not haveoptimal management ofchronic nasal symptoms.

“Rhinitis may be animportant indicator ofunderlying asthmasymptoms highlighting theneed for screening.Treatment with a nasalsteroid spray, however,does reduce the symptoms,and improves the quality oflife and performance.”

With the Olympics inLondon just two yearsaway, Professor Katelaris iscalling for a greaterrecognition of the increasedprevalence of asthma andallergy amongst athletes.

Rugby call Wheel deal!Wheel deal!

TOP GEAR: Sue Blaylock withsome of the team from Easi-Drive

Asthmarisk tothe bestathletes

All Together Now Magazine - Issue 33 _ October2010

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Transcript of All Together Now Magazine - Issue 33 _ October2010