Southport and Mersey Reporter  Link to a news item on your local online newspaper for Merseyside (UK).

Updated news stories weekly. Published online only. en Southport and Mersey Reporter

Your online newspaper. Your words.

Publication date:- 2017-03-03

user-generated Headlines and reports on this page = 3 news items. Page - 1.

Reformation 500th Anniversary in Liverpool

Liverpool Bach Collective at Christ Church, Waterloo

THE celebrations of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation are in full swing, and Liverpool's 2 Lutheran congregations are joining together for a celebration which will include:- 'Johann Sebastian Bach's Reformation Cantata.'

As neither the German Church in Bedford Street or the Nordic Church, Park Lane will be large enough to house the expected gathering, the 'Gottesdienst' service will be held in the Church of St Vincent de Paul, St James Street, Liverpool (L1 5HA), and it will be led by the pastors of the German Church, Revv DiemutCramer and Olaf Burghardt.

Liverpool Bach Collective at Our Ladys Church, Birkenhead

The 'Reformation Cantata Ein feste burg ist unser Gott' is based on Martin Luther's hymn of the same name:- 'A Mighty Fortress' is our God, 1 of the flagship hymns of the reformation, and it will be performed as part of the 'Gottesdienst,' by the Liverpool Bach Collective. The event will take place on Sunday, 5 March 2017, at 6.30pm.

The 8 singers of the Collective will be joined by a dozen instrumentalists, playing oboes, oboes d'amore, bassoon, violins, viola, cello and double bass, organ and harpsichord. The music will be directed by Philip Duffy.

Liverpool Bach Collective was founded 3 years ago, and each month it performs 1 of Bach's 200 cantatas as part of 'Sunday Evensong' in a church around Merseyside.

To date it has performed 26 cantatas in 18 different churches, from Hightown to Rainhill and Ince Blundell to Birkenhead. The ensemble has gathered quite a following of interested listeners, and a large congregation is expected.

It so happens that the Reformation Cantata is a set work for this year's A level music syllabus, and music students from years 12 and 13 of local Schools have been invited to attend the performance. It will provide them with the rare opportunity not only to hear a live performance of the cantata, but to experience it in the liturgical context for which Bach composed it in the 1st place. For more information about this event and many others across the 67 European Cities taking part, click on this link now, or visit the Liverpool Bach Collective's Facebook Page.

Winstanley College named 6th Form College of the year

WINSTANLEY College, won 6th Form College of the year 2017, at a glittering, black tie event hosted by comedian Rob Beckett on Friday night.

The judges from the TES (Times Education Supplement) felt that Winstanley College's "sheer range of good practice", and the extensive evidence that it was going above and beyond to support its local community, gave it the edge in this competitive category.

Winstanley College has been rated "outstanding" by Ofsted since 2000, with its most recent full inspection taking place in 2007. Standards have remained high, with impressive outcomes for students. More than 90% are highly satisfied with their experience at the college, and applications have increased by 28% since 2009. Students often progress to leading universities, with about 40% taking up places at Russell Group institutions every year, and an overall progression rate of 85%.

The college delivers access programmes for more than 150, 6th form students every year; for its own learners and those from nearby 6th forms. In partnership with local schools, it runs a programme for academically able students who might not otherwise aspire to further academic study. Winstanley College has also established a peer review and development group with other 6th form colleges to facilitate joint lesson observations, self-assessment and CPD. The partnership has supported all the colleges to achieve "good" or "outstanding" Ofsted ratings.

The judges said that Winstanley College was:- "extremely impressive and at the top of the category. Its range, impact and reach was very good."

Their victory was witnessed by over 600 people, gathered to celebrate the sector's achievements, at the prestigious awards ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London, on Friday, 24 February 2017.

Local business owners urged to act now to avoid pensions penalty nightmare

AS over 750,000 employers face new responsibilities this year to contribute to their staff pension pots, small business owners across Southport are being urged to act now to avoid hefty fines and potential prosecution. Andrew Geddes who runs TaxAssist Accountants in Southport said:- "A record number of businesses reach their so called 'staging date' this year for the new workplace pension scheme. Local business owners will have received their date from the Pensions Regulator and must automatically enrol eligible employees and contribute to their pension pot. We've been advising local businesses since the pension changes were 1st introduced 5 years ago and many business owners have planned well in advance, but 2017 will see the new rules come into effect for many more local businesses, as 750,000 UK employers reach their staging date. Business owners whose staging date was in 2014, will also need to automatically re-enrol certain staff and complete a re-declaration of compliance this year. We're urging local business owners who haven't yet put a scheme in place for their staff, to do so soon to beat the inevitable rush and avoid hefty penalties. Pension providers are likely to be overwhelmed with enquiries and many will not cater for the small business market. Business owners who fail to provide a qualifying pension scheme could face a £400 fixed penalty from the Pensions Regulator, escalating to daily fines set at a minimum of £50 per day, with the possibility of civil penalties and Court action."

	Sign up to our Daily Email News Service by clicking here now...
	Did you know we where the UK's 1st online only newspaper and we still are? Here at Southport and Mersey Reporter we are still at leading the way for local news.	All email addresses and information is held under the UK's Data Protection Act.

Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

..Paid Advert..

Contact us:- *(+44)* 08443 244 195 *Calls will cost 7p per minute, plus your telephone company's access charge.* Calls to this number may be recorded for security, broadcast, training and record keeping.
	RSS Weekly Headline Update Notices

News24@SouthportReporter.com

4a Post Office Ave, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 0US, UK

	*This online newspaper and information service is regulated by IMPRESS* the independent monitor for the UK's press.**	How to make a complaint
	This is our process:- Complaints Policy - Complaints Procedure - Whistle Blowing Policy