The Kensington & Fairfield Voice is

produced by The Kensington & Fairfield Voice CIC

Issue No. 9 June/July2010

FREE! June/July

2010

Inside This Issue;

PARTY!!!

With Margi Ellison

Fill Ye Face!!!

With The Mystery

Scoffer

Shiver Ye Timbers

With a Bit of

Old Dick

In an innovative approach to Community Radio KVfm is using the internet as a way of getting its message across to this community. Previously KVfm the local community radio station has been limited to broadcasting to Kensington and Fairfield for a short period of time via an FM frequency. This has been due primarily to the legal aspects of community broadcasting in the UK. There are a very limited number of full time licences available, and the only alternative is to pay for an RSL (Restricted Service Licence which means limited number of days on air) which is both expensive and short lived.

As a way of ensuring the area has access to full time community radio, KensingtonVision CIC (the organisation behind KVfm ) has decided to go online with their shows and programmes. Steve Faragher a director of KensingtonVision pointed out that “the advantages to being an online radio station are that as long as people have an internet connection they can tune in and listen. The disadvantages are that you cant listen in your car but if people have internet on their mobiles, then KVfm Online should come through loud and clear anywhere!” To kick things off KVfm WWW (Wireless Wireless Week) will be

launching with a week long schedule of programmes starting on Saturday 26th June Live from the Newsham Park Arts Festival . This is followed closely by a full five days live online programmes covering a wealth of interesting community centric topics. Once the WWW week is over KVfm Online will be webcasting 24 hour schedule of locally produced programmes including, “The Reading Room” (read along with your local BookClub) “TheLOOP” (covering arts and culture across Merseyside) “The LiverpoolJazz Programme ”, (all you need to know about the Liverpool Jazz scene) “Make Do and Mend” (handy hints, tips and lots of inspiration) and also the ever popular pensioner Maggie Pye , presenting her spin on music, stories and chat. KVfm programme manager Wendy Miller said “There will be something for everyone on KVfm Online , our aim is to educate, inform and entertain, we feel too much radio these days dumbs down the medium and treats listeners like idiots”. To tune into KVfm WWW (26/6/10 to 3/07/10) and KVfm Online then visit their website WWW.KVFM.CO.UK or read their BLOG WWW.KVFM.WORDPRESS.COM

Kvfm Online Bridges the “Digital Divide”

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Summer Family

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The Mystery Scoffer tries to be Holier than thou at the City Church Cafe We spotted the Mystery Scoffer entering the City Church on Jubilee Drive a couple of weeks ago. Not known for his religious-ness, we were wonder what he was up, let’s find out... Straying like a lost sheep from the flock of so called normal eateries I decided to try a local church which every Saturday morning turns itself into a “greasy spoon”. As you will probably know the Full English Break-fast features high on my list of favourite meals, the FEB can act as a barometer or yardstick for an eating establishment’s standards. Between 10 and 12 every Saturday the City Church throws open its doors and miracu-lously turns into a community café, with astonishingly cheap range of breakfasts. I arrived quite late on (11.55 am to be pre-cise) and thought I would be turned away,

but the staff were very welcoming. My lateness did mean that all the sausages had been consumed so I had to make do with two eggs instead of one. So for the princely sum of a mere £1.30 you get toast, mug of tea, egg, bacon, beans and mush-rooms, and oh yeah a sausage if you’re more punctual than I was. For an equally measly £2 you get the same but double portions!!!!, they also have cere-als and fruit juice available if that’s more to your taste. The meal came promptly and the portions were good, nicely cooked and the whole plate was quickly cleared with gusto. I then sat for a while to let the meal digest and take in the décor, when I was approached by one of the café’s staff to enquire whether I wanted any more eggs and toast as there was some “going spare”, it was like a sign from heaven, almost a miracle! Two more eggs and two slices of toast later and realising I was on the verge of being eggbound, I was ready to get on with my weekend tasks. Now I have to say that in my cynicism I was sort of expecting to have religion as well as full English breakfast rammed down my throat because of the location of the café, but fortunately it was a religion free zone.

So hats off to the good people of the City Church who just seem to be doing good things in our community, and the best thing to do is to spread the message tell others about this fantastic food facility and go their yourself and avail yourself of their generos-ity. Praise the Lord and pass the Brown Sauce! The Café is open from 10 to Noon every Saturday. The Mystery Scoffer gave the Café in the City Church Jubilee Drive 5 loaves and fishes out of 5.

Welcome to the latest edition of your local community newspaper, packed as ever with a healthy dose of local news and views. We welcome back the verbose Ms Ellison with her views on 24 hour drinking, in response to our last front page ‘story’. Margi is well known around the drinking establishments of Kensington for her unquenchable thirst (for the facts) and has been out night and day researching for her latest article. You can take a read of the centre pages while Margi sleeps it off! Our very own Mystery Scoffer has been searching out one of Kensington’s more elusive eateries, hidden away in City Church, Jubilee Dr, and was so impressed he has sworn his allegiance to there ‘Full English’ Your VOiCE also has a chat with local business Botanic Cars to ask the usual “Have ye been busy?” and “What time are ye on till?”, but you know what taxi drivers are like, we couldn’t get a word in edgeways. Regular readers may spot a missing dog this issue, we are sorry to say Kenny has had to take a little break. The pressures of fame we know can be exhausting and Kenny’s vets have advised complete rest away from the media glare. A spokesman for Max Pooh (Kenny’s master) told the VOiCE “Kenny can’t even pooh in peace with paparazzi dogging his every move, they hide in the bushes in the park and the fans are just as bad, lingering around the pooh bins for souvenirs. It’s all just got too much for him but don’t worry he’ll be back, bigger, stronger and smellier than ever.” And finally if you dare sample a bit of ‘Old Dick’ with another chilling tale entitled ‘Give Peas a Chance’,a strange pulse related phenomenon, apparently!

Editorial

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Botanic Cars have been serving Kensington and Fairfield for over 15 years, a family run, local business with many local lads and lasses on the road or in the office. Manager, Paula Deveney explained to the VOiCE why a local private hire company is a vital service to any community “Lots of our elderly residents and clients with specific needs, who can have difficulty using public transport, rely on our service to get them out and about. The fact that we limit the amount of drivers on our system means or regular clients get to know the drivers and they appreciate that familiarity. Only the other week we had a phone call off an elderly lady who uses our service for her regular TJ’s visit, she rang to praise the driver who had not only took her to the door but went in and carried her basket round while she shopped as she was feeling unwell. A bigger firm just wouldn’t be able to offer that personal touch.” Although drivers won’t generally do your shopping with you, Botanic drivers can be relied on for a first class service and get to know their regular fares well. The telephonists too get on first name terms with many of the regulars and are always ready with a considerate manner and a sympathetic ear. Drivers are often required to have the listening skills of a councillor or priest “its like a confessional box on wheels, you wouldn’t believe the things you get told,” Bob a driver explained “alls you can really do is listen, for some people its easy too offload to a stranger and you can tell

sometimes it just helps to talk and get it off their chest.” As well as leaving their problems behind when they reach their destination many fares leave more besides. “We can find all sorts left in the cars from mobile phones, glasses, shoes, false teeth

and even a pram once that was never claimed.” Paula told us, “If the drivers find anything in their car they will bring it in to the office and we hold on to it in the hope someone will call trying to track their lost items down.” Paula says she has seen a lot of changes in the industry over the years “in ’94 there where 2,000 private hire cars on the road but today that figure has more than doubled, there is still the same amount of work but more competition for it. The recession hasn’t helped either, as more people are losing their jobs and seeing driving for a living as an ideal opportunity. At Botanic we stick to our limit though and we won’t take any more drivers on when we have reached it, we like to keep our service local and personal taking too many drivers on would damage that reputation.” Another issue that frustrates many local drivers is the competition coming into the city from neighbouring boroughs. “Sefton drivers and firms pay their licence and operating fees to Sefton Council, Knowsley pay theirs to Knowsley Council, only Liverpool drivers and firms pay Liverpool council but they are then having to chase the work alongside other drivers from firms outside the city. If some of the smaller neighbouring councils are issuing to many licenses then many of those drivers end up straying into Liverpool chasing work destined for our own drivers” Hackney cabs have strict regulations governing where they can pick up, if a black cab drops a fare outside the city boundary the driver must return to his own borough before he can pick back up, private hire drivers have no such regulations. A spokesman for the Licensing Department in Liverpool Council told the VOiCE,

“It is an open and very

competitive market and

Liverpool firms need to be sure

they are offering

the best service they can to attract Liverpool custom.”

Paula accepts “many people are not aware, or even care, where the car comes from when they phone for a cab and often don’t understand the concerns around which council issues the licenses, but if they where more aware I feel sure people would be more supportive of our own local Liverpool firms and drivers, rather than lining the pockets of firms and councils from neighbouring boroughs, as scousers we look after our own, don’t we?” Peter, one of Botanic Cars longest serving drivers, told us “the lows of the job are the long hours and being stuck in your car in the heat in summer, but every day and every fare is different. People think that dealing with drunks of a night must be the worst part of the job but to be honest you can often have a great laugh with them, everyone’s a comedian when they’ve had a drink.” With more and more people giving up their cars as the costs of fuel, tax and insurance continue to rise and with the current concerns for the environment and the changing climate, a local hire company is an ever more essential service. An economical, environmental alternative to car ownership and a superior substitute to public transport. Our local private hire service is supporting our community, support them back, ring 220 2020 for a door to door service 24 hours 7 days a week 365 days a year.

Round, Round, Get Around in

Kensington, Fairfield and Beyond...

Party People Whether alcohol is involved or not everyone loves a good time. Summer sunshine, smiles and laughter paint the perfect picture when remembering summers from our past. Holiday romances, the smell of the barbeque, Fab lolly ices and cans of ‘totally tropical taste’ will never be forgotten. And then my friends, there’s the music. As soon as the first bar is played......you know. You remember who you were with, what was said, how you felt and every time you hear that first bar.....WOW.....you’re back there. Music plays a big part in everyone’s life, from the ‘Beatles’ and ‘Gerry and the Pacemakers’ right up to a very personal favourite of mine, David Guetta. I think the point I’m trying to make is, good company, music and a bit of alcohol thrown in, makes me feel good and I guess that’s what they call having fun. Paradise In an ideal world people wouldn’t fight, there would be no backstabbing, bullying or jealousy and crime would be none existent. All humanity would be at peace and having fun would be the only law passed. ‘Utopia’, as such, could be a long way off as yet. 24 hour drinking is just around the corner..... literally.

Costa Del Kenny! The old ‘Sellars Bistro’ is about to be transformed into the hottest nightspot in Kensington, the place to be seen at 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Situated at 135 Prescott Road Kensington, the proposed licensing hours will be 10:00 - 06:00 Monday to Saturday, Sundays and bank holidays such as Christmas and

Easter, they will be open 12:00 - 06:00. Hours like those certainly don't leave much time for the wicked to rest. The drunken behaviour we either choose to ignore or confine to the streets of some poor seaside town in Europe, could be on your doorstep. As I said before, in an ideal world should this concern me? Will it concern you?

Killjoy! I would certainly take offence to being labelled a party pooper. In fact anyone who knows me will tell you quite the reverse. The thing is, I know when I’ve had enough (well almost). I want to go home to a peaceful place where I can nurse my huge hangover and quietly try to regain my senses and composure (which takes a while, believe me). On a night out, I most definitely don’t want to be faced with fighting, argumentative people, being ill in the street or causing any kind of nuisance to anyone. All I want is my bed, paracetamol and a gigantic jug of water for when I wake up in the middle of the night with the mother of all thirsts . Family It’s funny to see ‘old uncle Albert’ staggering down the road after a few too many, ‘auntie Aggie’ tottering after him with her skirt tucked in her knickers, images we can all conjure up when remembering past family parties. It’s very funny once, even slightly amusing the second time, would we manage to raise a smile on the third, fourth or fifth occasion? I’m sure we’d all become a bit fed up with that behaviour after a while. I mean ’Fawlty Towers’ is a hilarious classic comedy but would you watch it every day?

Education Steve Maudsley, who runs ‘Valley fm radio’ (you may have heard him on KVfm in December ‘09) diagnosed himself an alcoholic a few years ago. On reflection he realised he was a binge drinker but luckily enough found help and today, is in complete control. “I had to get totally smashed, one or two wasn’t good enough. I couldn’t understand how or why people went out, had a couple and went home. To me, that was a complete waste of time and effort”. Although Steve doesn’t live near any 24 hour licensed premises, he stands thoroughly opposed to them. “24 hour licenses are suicidal to the community as a whole.

We already have a culture of binge drinking, why does this behaviour continue to be ignored? Can you imagine the effect the likes of A.A (Alcoholics Anonymous) would have if they were allowed to teach in our schools? Experts like this would be invaluable at explaining the consequences of alcohol. How it can get a grip and spin out of control.

“I feel sorry for people who don’t drink. When they wake up in the morning, that’s as good as they’re going to feel all day.” Frank Sinatra

By Margi Ellison

“Beer is the cause and solution to all of life’s

problems.” Homer Simpson

Got something to say? Want your voice heard? Then write for the VOiCE!!! Forward your copy to: kfvoice@yahoo.co.uk

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075 320 310 46

I’m certain we’d be living in a different society altogether if this was the case. Teaching awareness and self confidence without having to rely on ‘dutch courage’ would surely create a stronger person, someone who could believe in themselves.” Instances of alcohol abuse are reported in newspapers across the nation daily, it doesn’t take rocket science to work out that something’s wrong. Reading the ’Liverpool Echo’ on the 17th May, it was reported that a man was jailed for battering his mother in a drunken rage after an all day drinking session. On the 20th May in the ’Daily Mirror’ a girl of twenty who lives in a really nice area and comes from a stable background, was nicknamed the ’Asbo Queen’ after receiving a nationwide alcohol ban because of her drunken behaviour. On 22nd May, the same newspaper reported a student who was jailed for a drunken attack on a paramedic, the very people who were trying to help her in her drunken stupor. Need I go on?

Europe In Europe, children are introduced to alcohol at an early age. The family evening meal is of great importance. Not just to ask how everyone’s day went, but to experience togetherness and warmth, a feeling of belonging. Conversing without the interference of ’The Simpsons’ or ’Emmerdale’ might help us discover what it is our kids want and more importantly, how and why they think the way they do. Turn the telly off and find out what your kids know about life! What are their views on alcohol? How do they feel about it’s availability 24/7? Would it make them want to hang out until 5am just so they could exercise their right to purchase it? How would they feel if it was you hanging out until 5 in the morning just to buy a bottle or a few cans? All valid questions, but for some reason, questions such as these are always put to adults. It’s supposed to be all about our kids isn’t it? Temptation The root of all evil? If alcohol is available 24/7 does it mean it’s going to be consumed 24/7? Does it actually matter how far away the 24 hour ‘offy’ is? During a telephone conversation I had with Frank Dunne (Independent Candidate for

Wavertree in the last election), it struck me that although not all politicians, shall we say, stretch the truth, most tend to dance a little ‘tango’ when faced with a direct question. Asking Mr Dunne how he felt about 24 hour licenses in residential areas, he replied, “Lib/Dem gave out these licences willy nilly. Anyone who applied for one got one. Labour now controls the city council, so we’ll have to wait and see how effectively Labour deals with the issue”. I don’t mean to rude Mr Dunne but I still have no idea of how you feel on the matter, or if it would concern you to have one of these licenses on your doorstep.

Laying Down The Law There are four main objectives which are of paramount consideration at all times when applying for a license. 1. The prevention of crime and

disorder. 2. Public safety. 3. The prevention of public nuisance. 4. The protection of children from

harm. Within the Licensing Objective is an admission of elevated crime and disorder surrounding late night/early morning venues supplying alcohol and refreshment to large numbers of people. But, the Licensing Authority does expect all individual licence holders to regularly review their arrangements in addressing this issue. I feel safer already! Could this be the reason why Allerton Road L18 and Lark Lane L17 were issued with a Special Cumulative Impact Policy (which refers to the problems of crime, disorder and public nuisance) on 3rd March this year? Do they

think that won’t happen in Kensington or is it assumed that Kensington people can handle and will want to handle all that accompanies 24 hour licensed premises. It seems to be that in this instance, what’s good enough for the goose, is definitely not good enough for the gander!

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Hello me Dearios, Old Dick here the Seer of Kensington and Fairfield out to shiver your timbers and make the hairs on the back of your neck stand perfectly erect. My latest tale is also one of the most recent I have had to investigate, in December last year a strange pulse related phenomenon occurred in the F&C Traditional English Chip Shop on Prescot Road. Chris German the Proprietor of the F&C had prepared a freshly boiled pan of mushy peas for that night’s opening and as the boiled legumes cooled on the works surface, Chris rubbed his eyes in disbelief because as he looked into the pan the surface of the pea confections had settled into a pattern which resembled the face of none other than dead Beatle singer John Winston Lennon. “It was like he was in the room” said Chris “When I saw the face

I blurted out “JESUS CHRIST” but my wife said “No it’s John Lennon”, I rushed home to get my digital camera and then took a few snaps, and within an hour the face had disappeared as mysteriously as it had come” added an ashen faced Chris. The explanation for this food based apparition is quite simple! It was caused by the invocation of the restless spirit of Lennon caused by the overplaying of the recording “Give Peace a Chance” on local community radio station

KVFM 87.7, which was temporarily on air during the time of the “Pea Face” spirit episode .

KVFM was running an on air promotion for the F&C Chip shop (“probably the best traditional English

Fish and Chip Shop in the city”), people could go in and ask for peas for free by simply saying “I love KVFM”, the on air announcement would then follow on with an excerpt from the song “Give Peace a Chance”, with new lyrics “Give Peas a Chance”, I believe the advert insulted the spirit of Lennon enough to make him want “Appear” one last time. This event follows on closely to an investigation I carried out on the 25th anniversary of his death, this time the cheeky Beatle appeared in an Eccles Cake! This event was closely tied to the fact Kensington (the former site of Percy Phiilps recording studio on Kensington) is the place where the Quarrymen recorded their first song. Other food and celebrity related events have included Rick Waller in a bag of Monster Munch and Hank Williams in a tin of Spam.

Since December Chris has been inundated by Beatles fans and occasional nuns and priests all wanting to “peer at his peas”, in order to see Lennon. There is also a rumour that the F&C is to feature in the Magical Mystery Beatles Coach Tour. We can only hope that John’s spirit returns from whence it came and that KVFM does not resort to such dangerous tactics. Remember if you have any strange shennigans in your larder or the faces of long dead pop stars in your food then don’t call a psychiatrist, call Old Dick or better still email me on

olddick@kvfm.co.uk.

You cant beat a bit of Old Dick!

Give Peas a Chance

Peas Release Me!!Peas Release Me!!

The views expressed in the Kensington and Fairfield VOiCE and the information contained therein are no t necessarily those of The Kensington and Fairfield Voice CIC or our funders and we do not vouch for or necessari ly endorse views expressed by contributors.

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