Birthdays, football and reading awards: 7 things we learned in Orford, Padgate, Woolston, Fearnhead this week

A SALON has celebrated its 21st birthday by holding a day of activities for its clients.

More than 80 people attended Lisa B’s Salon in Orford on June 13 to mark the occasion with raffles, a chocolate fountain and face painting amongst some of the activities.

Owner Lisa Sherratt, who opened the salon in 1994, said: “It was just a thank you very much for the last 21 years.

“We are a small family-run business and we all look out for each other. I didn’t think we would stay open this long but I am hoping it will be around for another 21 although I may have to hand the business over to my staff.

"We all really enjoy coming to work here."

Lisa B’s opened on Norris Street but after outgrowing the rented premises moved to a new home on Hallfields Road in 2007.

Football fan treated to 'unforgettable day'

A FOOTBALL fan has been finding out what life is really like playing in the Premier League.

Matt Jones, from Woolston, won the opportunity to play for his favourite team, Liverpool FC, as part of a competition organised by the club's official car sponsor Vauxhall.

The 24-year-old met with other competition winners at Anfield and travelled to the Liverpool Academy on the first team coach where they were met by Reds legends John Aldridge and David Fairclough.

Aldridge and Fairclough then went head to head in a managerial battle as the two legends selected their teams for a match between the fans which Aldridge’s team won 10-3.

Matt said: “It has been the most unforgettable day of my life. We got to travel on the team coach and were given brand new personalised kits to play in and keep.

“I think the biggest cheer of the day came when the managers were announced.

“We couldn’t believe Aldridge and Fairclough were the managers. It just topped off a phenomenal experience. I won’t forget this for a very long time.”

The players, who were from across the UK, had taken part in a national competition run by Vauxhall on their Liverpool FC Facebook page facebook.com/vauxhallliverpoolfc.

Former Liverpool FC players David Fairclough and John Aldridge with Vauxhall competition winner Matt Jones

Primary school rewarded for reading progress

A PRIMARY school has received a Reading Recovery Leadership Award.

Oakwood Avenue Primary School accepted the award from Professor Michael Arthur, Provost of UCL (University College London).

The awards celebrate the 25 year achievement of the Institute of Education’s (IOE) Reading Recovery Centre in helping hundreds of thousands of children with complex literacy difficulties to learn how to read.

Professor Arthur said: “Children who are helped through Reading Recovery have won a golden ticket to the rest of their lives.

“I am proud to present these awards to the children and the teachers who have helped them to learn how to read.”

The judges chose Oakwood Avenue due its Key Stage 1 literacy outcomes being above the national average.

They said: “Lack of reading progress in not an option for head teacher Gary Cunningham and his team. Well done Oakwood Avenue Primary.”

School to hold garden party

A SCHOOL is holding a garden party on Saturday.

The party is taking place in the infant school's garden at Christ Church Padgate where there will be a variety of stalls, refreshments, raffle and children' s games and activities from 2pm.

Dentist urges residents to register

A DENTIST is urging residents to register for NHS dental treatment after it was revealed that people who visit the dentist annually reduce their risk of tooth decay by 60 per cent.

Research from the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) also revealed that 31 per cent of adults have tooth decay and 29 per cent suffer from regular dental pain.

Lisa Hanley, practice manager at mydentist on Dam Lane, Woolston, said: “We see the impact on patients’ teeth if they don’t visit the dentist regularly.

"We want people to know they can get treatment on the NHS so they register and receive regular treatment.”

The practice provides NHS and private dentistry from two surgeries offering the full range of dental treatments.

To find out more, call 814079 or visit mydentist.co.uk.

Councillors to hold surgery

LABOUR councillors are holding a surgery on Saturday.

Rixton and Woolston representatives Cllr Paul Bretherton, Cllr Bill Brinksman and Cllr Tony McCarthy will be at Woolston Neighbourhood Hub from 10am until 11am.

Last triathlon to be held at park

THE final Go Tri triathlon at Orford Park is being held on July 19.

LiveWire has partnered up with Go Tri to deliver a series of multi-sport and triathlon events that everyone can take part in regardless of ability, experience or equipment.

The event is being held from 10am until 4pm and costs £12 if booked in advance and £15 on the day.

For more information call Lou Shannon on 624996.

Inflatable swim sessions to relieve holiday boredom

INFLATABLE sessions are being held at Orford Jubilee Park during the summer holidays.

The sessions are being held for children aged between eight and 15 on July 23 and 30 from 3pm until 4pm and July 25 from 4pm until 5pm.

All children must be accompanied by an adult in the pool at all times and must complete a 25 metre safety swim before the session which will be assessed the lifeguard who will decide if a child must wear armbands.

No adults or children wearing armbands will be allowed on the inflatable.

Visitors are asked to arrive at the pool for 3pm for the lifeguards to go through a safety talk and swim.

Entry is £3.15 for adults and £2.05 per child.

Call 572504 for more details.