NON CHERIE!
Shouts of “Tell your Fella not to go to War!” rang around Overdale, as Kirkby school pupils from Ruffwood greeted Cherie Blair on a visit to a Sure Start project this month. The protest was organised by workers and volunteers at Kirkby Unemployed Centre who have been protesting in Kirkby Town Centre on fridays from 1-2.

INDULGENT MINISTER?
Patricia Hewitt, the Trade & Industry Secretary, came in for some stick from Anti-war campaigners outside Blackburne House on her recent visit. Hewitt accused one of her aides of being self-indulgent, after the aide resigned over the government’s support for Bush’s war. One of the protestor’s placards read: “Indulge yourself Patricia: give yourself some principles.”

YOUTH ON THE STREETS
At least 3,000 people aged 16 to 25 are homeless on Merseyside, according to a survey by Shelter. The figures include those sleeping rough or staying on friends’ floors, in hostels or b&b. Also 1 in 14 young people are worried about being made homeless. According to the government’s figures the number of empty properties in the North West is increasing – up to 46,669 houses last year, but this is a society with tough anti-squatting laws designed to protect the interests of property owners, not the poor.

THE DOGS GOING TO FAZAKERLEY
Fazakerley residents are fighting a new 3,000 capacity greyhound racing stadium. It would be built on open space next to the Ecology Park, threatening the wildlife and the peace of locals with noise, lights, traffic and litter. The greyhound industry relies on alcohol sales and betting for big profits but is offering very little for the area, and is responsible for the injury, killing and abandonment of many thousands of dogs a year. The Greyhound Racing Association has the money to smooth talks with the council, but locals have time to act.
Contact: Red Alert Fazakerley, PO Box 233, L’pool L69 7LF or greyhoundaction@ blueyonder.co.uk

URBAN CAT
The Urban CAT (Centre for Appropriate Technology) is an idea for a place in Liverpool that will promote sustainable living, based on the centre in Machynlleth, Wales. It would be a training base showing practical examples of cutting electricity bills, saving water, composting waste etc, as well as providing fun activities for children and supporting a website and other projects. If you’d like to see it happen contact Mick Green by email: emgee57@hotmail.com

AT LAST! KERBSIDE RECYCLING FOR LIVERPOOL!
Pilot schemes are getting underway to collect certain kinds of rubbish from peoples homes with plans to cover the whole city in 18 months. The council may still not meet government recycling targets, however.