Champion Newspapers

A long distance runner from Southport has completed two ultra-marathons for charity. Alison Moore, 43, raised £2,600 for the national charity Alzheimer's Research UK by running 50 miles from Liverpool to Manchester on Bank Holiday Monday in May followed by 69 miles along Hadrian’s Wall recently from Carlisle to Newcastle. Personal trainer Alison, who left the Royal Navy three years ago after 21 years of service as a Lieutenant, runs her own business ‘FiftyFiveFit’ to help older adults stay healthy and fitter. She works with community groups at Southport Community Centre based at Lord Street West Church, St Francis of Assisi church in Kew and Formby Luncheon Club and Formby Methodist Church. She also works in care homes and residential homes in Southport, Formby and West Lancashire.

Blast from the past! We've found this old photo and wanted to share it with you!!!

WEST Lancashire Borough Council, working with developers St. Modwen and partner Homes England, agreed at its council meeting on July 18 to secure funding to deliver the £19m first phase of development proposals to extend Skelmersdale Town Centre.
The decision will see the council commercially invest in the scheme to enable delivery of the first phase and partners can now focus on working towards making the plans a reality and announcing a delivery start date for the scheme.
T...he announcement follows the recent news that supermarket chain Lidl will occupy a 20,800 sq ft unit and Merseyside-based B&M will open a new large format 20,000 sq ft store, when the ambitious project is delivered.
Paul Batho, development director for St. Modwen, said: “This is a major milestone reached and a significant step towards the delivery of this long awaited town centre scheme. It is great news for the people of Skelmersdale, who have been waiting for news on further progress towards delivering the development."
The commercial investment made by the council in this first phase of the town centre scheme is hoped to be a catalyst for further investment in subsequent phases, demonstrating the council's ambition for Skelmersdale.
The new scheme coincides with another “major investment” programme as West Lancashire Borough Council progress their plans for a new and enhanced leisure and wellbeing facility for the local community.
John Harrison, director of development and regeneration, said: "The council has long been committed to the delivery of an enlarged town centre for Skelmersdale incorporating new retail and leisure development.
“This retail scheme, along with the adjacent new leisure and wellbeing facilities forms part of a major investment programme by the council and its partners in Skelmersdale. In addition, residential development is soon to start on sites located immediately adjacent to the town centre.
“This is a really positive time for Skelmersdale and the council and its partners will now be working to put in place the necessary agreements to secure commencement of the new retail development as quickly as possible.”
Plans for the town centre include “extensive improvements” to the public realm, including a new pedestrian link between the college and the Concourse Shopping Centre, as well as enhancements to the public areas outside the library and Nye Bevan Pool. The council is also working with owners of the Concourse Shopping Centre to help realise their plans for a multi – screen cinema.
St. Modwen has also released a new computer generated image that showcases the town centre scheme and highlights the location of Lidl and B&M.
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Four young musicians are looking forward to performing this Friday at the UpSteps in Southport. Ask Elliot, made up of James Jackson, Liam Sheilds, Archie Rimmer and Tom Houghton, aged 15-17 from Southport and West Lancashire, will be performing at the Up Steps on Upper Aughton Road at 8pm on Friday, July 20 followed by The Buffs in Skelmersdale and 6.30pm on Saturday, July 21.

HERE IT IS! Drama Workshop Week! A week-long summer school packed with learning new techniques to develop your skills and work towards a SHOWCASE PERFORMANCE in a Theatre on the Friday evening! You will be taught by professional performers who will cater to your personal needs for development.
Ages 6-10 will be 13-17th August Ages 11-17 will be 20-24th August. ... Both will run from 9:30am-4:30pm with a 7pm performance on the Friday!
It will be SO MUCH FUN. Limited places, book now to avoid disappointment.
Contact Voice-Plus Academy of Arts Tel: 01704 567578 Email: info@voice-plus.co.uk
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Thrill-seekers with a head for heights are being urged to take part in a charity abseil 150ft down the outside of Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral! The charity Sefton 4 Good will have a group of volunteers abseiling down and are now looking for more brave team members to take part in the free-fall drop above the vast great west door of the iconic building between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on Saturday, August 18. For more information, or to join the Sefton 4 Good team, ring 0151 920 0726 or email info@volunteeringsefton.org.uk

This year marks 100 years of the RAF. With many events happening up and down the country, including the Centenary Flight which happened on Tuesday.
This week we have a fantastic feature in the paper showcasing a timeline of the RAF right from the beginning and inspirational stories from ex servicemen and women.
We are proud to support such a fantastic organisation... . . . . . . . The Royal British Legion, Byng House North West Heating Solutions Ableworld Athena Healthcare Group Molloys Furnishers - Southport & Lytham Aughton Park Residential Care Home St. Mary's College, Crosby The Galteemore residential care home Master Lock and Safe GutterPro.co.uk Crossens Community Centre Norwood Dental Practice Armed Forces Careers Office Royal Air Force Association Crafts and Quilts Formby Models Blundellsands Optical Avacardo Homestyle Factory Kitchens Southport Football Club Windowcare NW Ltd Glade Residential Home Bogans Carpets Official Ainsdale Fine Chocolate Veterans In Sefton - CIO Denture Cosmetics Dickinson Parker Hill Southport Electric Bikes
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UPDATE: The police have released this video of the dollshouse >> goo.gl/17sTXK
A stunning handmade dollshouse, which was a treasured family heirloom, has been stolen from a grandmother-of-five while she was ill. Callum Wyatt, 34, is making an emotional appeal after his grandmother Margaret Reece's metre-high and metre-wide dollshouse was stolen from her home in Wavertree earlier this month while she was away from the house for medical treatment. The dolls house, which was ma...de by his grandfather over the course of seven years, is unique and easily recognisable. It was made by hand, with individual working lights, tapestries, wallpaper, hand-carved spindles and covered in more than 2,000 individually placed miniature clay bricks. It was made for Margaret by her husband Stanley as a romantic and its theft is especially heart-breaking for the family as Stanley passed away eight years ago – and Margaret is currently very ill with a life-limiting condition. The heartless thieves also took a TV cabinet, which was made to look like a doll's house as well. If you have any information, call the police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously at crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555111.
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Have you seen this toy? Lost on Sunday near Derby Park or McDonalds near The Strand. Has sentimental value to a local family - please get in touch if you have seen him......

***MISSING CAT*** (Message from the family) It's been nearly 4 weeks since our lovely Noah went missing. He could be lost and desperate to get home. Please check all sheds and outbuildings.
He is very nervous.
LAST SEEN in Byrom Street on 12th June. ... If seen, please call 07894 047577 Cheryl Rothwell
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A FLORIST shop in Litherland is giving away a free English rose all of today and tomorrow to all NHS staff to mark the 70th anniversary of the free service. Susan Fairclough of Suttons Florist on Bridge Road said: “Here at Suttons we are super proud of our wonderful NHS staff. To to show our appreciation for all your tireless efforts to making us well, we will be giving you a gorgeous free English rose. Simply call into our store to collect one, we are looking forward to meeting our NHS heroes.”

CARLA Lane Animal Rescue is hoping for a fairytale ending as it joins in an appeal for funds to cover the cost of a hip replacement operation and vet fees for an abandoned dog that is believed to have been run over.
Along with a Facebook group dedicated to helping lost and found pets, Netty Hodson, owner of a dog grooming business in Bickerstaffe, tried to find the stray

MERE Brow’s Magic Garden Trail is set to return for a 12th year between noon and 5pm on Sunday, July 8 when well-tended residential gardens will be opening to the public.
Two buses will ferry visitors between sites, including a vintage vehicle loaned from the William Hunter Museum on Higher Lane. The museum will also be opening its display and will serve lunches and refreshments.

Love the placement of the advertisement. Many thanks. Secret Histories

Great local paper that keeps me up to date on local news and events

At least they will print what people have to say all those idiots who have joined a pathetic group to Boycott the champion just because they printed a letter sent to the editor need to get your heads out your arseholes and find a life try eBay you never know you gang of divvies! For all you know they may have printed it to make a show of the idiot who wrote the letter in the first place but people who have no life have to create false situations in their heads and then go on likes it's there life's ambition to be a weirdo!!

Not so happy with the post about the cats being trapped as a rescue (kitty Kats) this goes against everything we stand for , you can't trap someone's cat and just put it somewhere else . People shock me with how cruel they can be .

I have to say I was disappointed to read your 'review' of Legally Blonde in the Little theatre! I massively enjoyed the show on both nights I visited. The singing was incredible and powerful. The songs have been going round in my head ever since so certainly hasn't been all that forgettable! Now I am under the impression a review should be more than a description of the plot but I've only got a journalism degree so I'm no expert. I'm not sure the theatre group can be criticised for a plot they didn't write either but they brought it to life. The last two paragraphs that contained some sort of review were the most accurate comments that the band and choreography were incredible and the entire cast certainly did do the director proud.

To allow a letter to be published that is basically informing the public to harm cats! This is not acceptable at all! I do hope champion will no longer post such rubbish!

This week's One Man & His Dog column has gone beyond the usual inanity, with the bigoted bile being spouted there. The editorial team should be ashamed for allowing such content to be published.



If Jim Sharpe objects to "lewd" advertising, he can do so without bringing sexual orientation into it. Prefixing his sentence with "I am not homophobic - but" does not fool anybody.



As for the main focus of his column - that women should appreciate the attentions of men in the street who whistle at them. Really??? What part of the ark did he come from? And can he go back there, please? Hiding behind Joanna Lumley's ridiculous comments about wolf whistling do nothing to detract from the outdated view of harassment that he advocates.

This paper is not even fit to wipe your arse with!!! Promoting animal abuse shows the mentality of these vile human beings who are a waste of life. How they can print such an awful letter written by a hateful low life scum bag is beyond stupid!! BOYCOTT THE CHAMPION

The idiotic editorial decision by Malcolm Hindle to publish the letter advocating trapping cats and releasing them "well away" from their territory constitutes support for an action that would be an offence under the Animal Welfare Act through causing the cats to suffer as a result of becoming lost strays. When I spoke to Mr Hindle about this his response was he "hadn't thought of that". Irresponsible journalism. And as for the anonymous letter writer, who "thought" this was such a bright idea, if anyone knows them they may care to pass their details to the RSPCA

Painting a picture full of greenery..kids playing with the odd car driving through the proposed new road through rimrose valley....when in fact it will cause more pollution ...cancer causing pollution ..for thousand s of people...men ..women and children alike the champion is a disgrace for supporting what is a death sentence for many .....while filling the pockets of a few

Irresponsible and shameful to advocate the trapping and removal of cats from gardens.

I was absolutely disgusted to read a published letter advocating the illegal entrapment of pet cats and releasing the far from home. As stated this is an illegal . practice but think about the poor animal lost alone and terrified and a family searching for them you must print a letter or post immediately stating that people MUST NOT do this!!!!!

I shall now put this newspaper straight in the recycling bin and never read it again after discovering it is a Tory rag! Your disgraceful headline about the doctors strike screams 'Tory' to me. Thanks for supporting the NHS.....not! Oh an by the way there was nothing in the slightest bit 'objective' about this. Also thanks for stopping people being able to comment on my post. Very 'objective' of you!

Disgusting story giving a "how to" guide to capture and harm cats. Absolutely disgusting.

Disgraceful to allow a letter to be printed like that shame on you I will put your paper in the trash where it belongs

Cannot believe that you published a letter advocating trapping an animal. Cats are protected by law. Please issue a retraction and an apology for poor judgement and for advocating by inference an illegal act.



PS see that I am still blocked from commenting on your page. Guessing the principle of freedom of speech is ignored at The Champion

As a publisher of a newspaper that is read by masses , it's disgraceful that this newspaper would allow someone's horrid opinion on trapping cats with food bait and using a rat cage. Certain this breaches RSPCA laws and bare in mind there have been reported poisonings of cats in the area. Therefore why let a sick persons message be published with no comment from yourselves to condemn such opinions?

Really think you guys ought to give some free advertisement and publicity to cat charity's in the area who will have to deal with the aftermath of this topic... go on alley cats and kittens and see what work they do.

Love the placement of the advertisement. Many thanks. Secret Histories

Great local paper that keeps me up to date on local news and events

At least they will print what people have to say all those idiots who have joined a pathetic group to Boycott the champion just because they printed a letter sent to the editor need to get your heads out your arseholes and find a life try eBay you never know you gang of divvies! For all you know they may have printed it to make a show of the idiot who wrote the letter in the first place but people who have no life have to create false situations in their heads and then go on likes it's there life's ambition to be a weirdo!!

Not so happy with the post about the cats being trapped as a rescue (kitty Kats) this goes against everything we stand for , you can't trap someone's cat and just put it somewhere else . People shock me with how cruel they can be .

I have to say I was disappointed to read your 'review' of Legally Blonde in the Little theatre! I massively enjoyed the show on both nights I visited. The singing was incredible and powerful. The songs have been going round in my head ever since so certainly hasn't been all that forgettable! Now I am under the impression a review should be more than a description of the plot but I've only got a journalism degree so I'm no expert. I'm not sure the theatre group can be criticised for a plot they didn't write either but they brought it to life. The last two paragraphs that contained some sort of review were the most accurate comments that the band and choreography were incredible and the entire cast certainly did do the director proud.

To allow a letter to be published that is basically informing the public to harm cats! This is not acceptable at all! I do hope champion will no longer post such rubbish!

This week's One Man & His Dog column has gone beyond the usual inanity, with the bigoted bile being spouted there. The editorial team should be ashamed for allowing such content to be published.



If Jim Sharpe objects to "lewd" advertising, he can do so without bringing sexual orientation into it. Prefixing his sentence with "I am not homophobic - but" does not fool anybody.



As for the main focus of his column - that women should appreciate the attentions of men in the street who whistle at them. Really??? What part of the ark did he come from? And can he go back there, please? Hiding behind Joanna Lumley's ridiculous comments about wolf whistling do nothing to detract from the outdated view of harassment that he advocates.

This paper is not even fit to wipe your arse with!!! Promoting animal abuse shows the mentality of these vile human beings who are a waste of life. How they can print such an awful letter written by a hateful low life scum bag is beyond stupid!! BOYCOTT THE CHAMPION

The idiotic editorial decision by Malcolm Hindle to publish the letter advocating trapping cats and releasing them "well away" from their territory constitutes support for an action that would be an offence under the Animal Welfare Act through causing the cats to suffer as a result of becoming lost strays. When I spoke to Mr Hindle about this his response was he "hadn't thought of that". Irresponsible journalism. And as for the anonymous letter writer, who "thought" this was such a bright idea, if anyone knows them they may care to pass their details to the RSPCA

Painting a picture full of greenery..kids playing with the odd car driving through the proposed new road through rimrose valley....when in fact it will cause more pollution ...cancer causing pollution ..for thousand s of people...men ..women and children alike the champion is a disgrace for supporting what is a death sentence for many .....while filling the pockets of a few

Irresponsible and shameful to advocate the trapping and removal of cats from gardens.

I was absolutely disgusted to read a published letter advocating the illegal entrapment of pet cats and releasing the far from home. As stated this is an illegal . practice but think about the poor animal lost alone and terrified and a family searching for them you must print a letter or post immediately stating that people MUST NOT do this!!!!!

I shall now put this newspaper straight in the recycling bin and never read it again after discovering it is a Tory rag! Your disgraceful headline about the doctors strike screams 'Tory' to me. Thanks for supporting the NHS.....not! Oh an by the way there was nothing in the slightest bit 'objective' about this. Also thanks for stopping people being able to comment on my post. Very 'objective' of you!

Disgusting story giving a "how to" guide to capture and harm cats. Absolutely disgusting.

Disgraceful to allow a letter to be printed like that shame on you I will put your paper in the trash where it belongs

Cannot believe that you published a letter advocating trapping an animal. Cats are protected by law. Please issue a retraction and an apology for poor judgement and for advocating by inference an illegal act.



PS see that I am still blocked from commenting on your page. Guessing the principle of freedom of speech is ignored at The Champion

As a publisher of a newspaper that is read by masses , it's disgraceful that this newspaper would allow someone's horrid opinion on trapping cats with food bait and using a rat cage. Certain this breaches RSPCA laws and bare in mind there have been reported poisonings of cats in the area. Therefore why let a sick persons message be published with no comment from yourselves to condemn such opinions?

Really think you guys ought to give some free advertisement and publicity to cat charity's in the area who will have to deal with the aftermath of this topic... go on alley cats and kittens and see what work they do.

Love the placement of the advertisement. Many thanks. Secret Histories

Great local paper that keeps me up to date on local news and events

At least they will print what people have to say all those idiots who have joined a pathetic group to Boycott the champion just because they printed a letter sent to the editor need to get your heads out your arseholes and find a life try eBay you never know you gang of divvies! For all you know they may have printed it to make a show of the idiot who wrote the letter in the first place but people who have no life have to create false situations in their heads and then go on likes it's there life's ambition to be a weirdo!!

Not so happy with the post about the cats being trapped as a rescue (kitty Kats) this goes against everything we stand for , you can't trap someone's cat and just put it somewhere else . People shock me with how cruel they can be .

I have to say I was disappointed to read your 'review' of Legally Blonde in the Little theatre! I massively enjoyed the show on both nights I visited. The singing was incredible and powerful. The songs have been going round in my head ever since so certainly hasn't been all that forgettable! Now I am under the impression a review should be more than a description of the plot but I've only got a journalism degree so I'm no expert. I'm not sure the theatre group can be criticised for a plot they didn't write either but they brought it to life. The last two paragraphs that contained some sort of review were the most accurate comments that the band and choreography were incredible and the entire cast certainly did do the director proud.

To allow a letter to be published that is basically informing the public to harm cats! This is not acceptable at all! I do hope champion will no longer post such rubbish!

This week's One Man & His Dog column has gone beyond the usual inanity, with the bigoted bile being spouted there. The editorial team should be ashamed for allowing such content to be published.



If Jim Sharpe objects to "lewd" advertising, he can do so without bringing sexual orientation into it. Prefixing his sentence with "I am not homophobic - but" does not fool anybody.



As for the main focus of his column - that women should appreciate the attentions of men in the street who whistle at them. Really??? What part of the ark did he come from? And can he go back there, please? Hiding behind Joanna Lumley's ridiculous comments about wolf whistling do nothing to detract from the outdated view of harassment that he advocates.

This paper is not even fit to wipe your arse with!!! Promoting animal abuse shows the mentality of these vile human beings who are a waste of life. How they can print such an awful letter written by a hateful low life scum bag is beyond stupid!! BOYCOTT THE CHAMPION

The idiotic editorial decision by Malcolm Hindle to publish the letter advocating trapping cats and releasing them "well away" from their territory constitutes support for an action that would be an offence under the Animal Welfare Act through causing the cats to suffer as a result of becoming lost strays. When I spoke to Mr Hindle about this his response was he "hadn't thought of that". Irresponsible journalism. And as for the anonymous letter writer, who "thought" this was such a bright idea, if anyone knows them they may care to pass their details to the RSPCA

Painting a picture full of greenery..kids playing with the odd car driving through the proposed new road through rimrose valley....when in fact it will cause more pollution ...cancer causing pollution ..for thousand s of people...men ..women and children alike the champion is a disgrace for supporting what is a death sentence for many .....while filling the pockets of a few

Irresponsible and shameful to advocate the trapping and removal of cats from gardens.

I was absolutely disgusted to read a published letter advocating the illegal entrapment of pet cats and releasing the far from home. As stated this is an illegal . practice but think about the poor animal lost alone and terrified and a family searching for them you must print a letter or post immediately stating that people MUST NOT do this!!!!!

I shall now put this newspaper straight in the recycling bin and never read it again after discovering it is a Tory rag! Your disgraceful headline about the doctors strike screams 'Tory' to me. Thanks for supporting the NHS.....not! Oh an by the way there was nothing in the slightest bit 'objective' about this. Also thanks for stopping people being able to comment on my post. Very 'objective' of you!

Disgusting story giving a "how to" guide to capture and harm cats. Absolutely disgusting.

Disgraceful to allow a letter to be printed like that shame on you I will put your paper in the trash where it belongs

Cannot believe that you published a letter advocating trapping an animal. Cats are protected by law. Please issue a retraction and an apology for poor judgement and for advocating by inference an illegal act.



PS see that I am still blocked from commenting on your page. Guessing the principle of freedom of speech is ignored at The Champion

As a publisher of a newspaper that is read by masses , it's disgraceful that this newspaper would allow someone's horrid opinion on trapping cats with food bait and using a rat cage. Certain this breaches RSPCA laws and bare in mind there have been reported poisonings of cats in the area. Therefore why let a sick persons message be published with no comment from yourselves to condemn such opinions?

Really think you guys ought to give some free advertisement and publicity to cat charity's in the area who will have to deal with the aftermath of this topic... go on alley cats and kittens and see what work they do.