Refugees are "rats in human form" response to Ormskirk Volunteer in the Calais Jungle newspaper article

Thank you to the Southport Visitor Newspaper for the coverage of ten day volunteering during August in the Calais Refugee Camp.

Photo taken in the Calais Refugee Jungle Camp

The article generated a number of responses in the comments section, most were favourable to the plight of the refugees.  Indeed the comments demonstrated that there are other people in the North West who support the refugees and are doing their own work to collect and distribute donations to the camp.

However, one person decided to respond altogether less favourably and called the refugees "rats in human form" and "filth".  In response, I wrote that I wondered if this chap suffered from a form of personality disorder, and while we should hate the actual comment, we should go easy on any poor soul who could utter such a vile thought. But on the other hand, it's perhaps dangerous to dismiss such comments as the raving of a mad man. If you replace "illegals", as he refers to the refugees, with "Jew", then we've been here before in Europe's not so distant past. The refugees in Calais are not rodents or a swarm, they are men, women, boys and girls, like each of us and they deserve our empathy and assistance.

Supporters of the refugees on the Facebook group Calais - People to People Solidarity - Action from UK took a different view to both the horrible comments and my response.  Leanne said "Can we please not equate mental health diagnoses with making hateful comments? Having a mental illness does not make a person racist!!!". Leanne is right of course, having a mental illness does not in general make someone a racist. I am not tarring all the people with a mental illness with the same brush. However, to refer to a group of people as "rats in human form" and "filth" is perhaps indicative of a sociopathic personality disorder.  On the other hand, my wife Heather said that perhaps the man is just horrible and horrible people say horrible things.

Andrew, from the organisation A Safe World For Women, said in reponse to the "rats in human form" comment "I would suggest this counts as incitement to racial hatred and most certainly hate speech".  Andrew has requested that Trinity Mirror Plc, which is the publisher of the Southport Visitor newspaper, ensures that the offensive comment is removed.

The majority of the comments to the article show once again that  despite the political differences regarding how the refugee crisis should be handled, many of us can still come together and agree that compassion for our brother and sisters trumps xenophobia.

If you want to donate food, clothes, money or volunteer your time to help refugee men, women, boys and girls please visit the Liverpool based refugee and homeless support charitable group Merseyaid

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Ormskirk Knights of Saint Columba Collect Spectacles for the Giving Sight To Africa Appeal

Ormskirk Council 64 of the Knights of Saint Columba

The Ormskirk Council of the Knights of Saint Columba are pictured here with their glasses collection box at Saint Anne’s Church in Ormskirk, West Lancashire.

(Pictured left to right: Tony Gill, Mark Condon, Jim Holland, Matthew Wright, Don McGair)

The idea for the glasses collection box came from long standing Knight and St. Anne’s parishioner Jim Holland. He said “If you wear glasses like me, you are bound to have old pairs of glasses around the house, why not put them to good use?” One batch of dozens of pairs of glasses donated by parishioners has already been passed onto Specsavers Opticians as part of their Vision Aid Overseas appeal: “Giving sight to Africa”.

The Ophthalmic Director Neil Pearson and Retail Director Lieza Albiston at the Ormskirk Specsavers Opticians are reportedly delighted with both the efforts of the Knights of Saint Columba and the generosity of the Saint Anne’s parishioners, which all go towards supporting such a marvellous campaign.

The old or unwanted spectacles collected by the Knights of Saint Columba are passed to Specsavers and recycled by Vision Aid Overseas, a charity which specialises in providing eye care for those in poverty-stricken countries around the world. The money made from recycling the glasses is used to fund the charity work of Vision Aid Overseas. Since its inception in 1987, the UK-based charity has helped more than one million people in the developing world.

About the Knights of Saint Columba. The Knights of Saint Columba is a Catholic fraternal service organisation. Founded in Glasgow in 1919, it is named in honour of Saint Columba, a Christian missionary from Ireland who helped to introduce Christianity to people in Northern Britain.

Ormskirk Knights of Saint Columba with Archbishop Malcolm McMahon July 2015

The KSC is dedicated to the principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity and has more than 4,000 members in over 300 Councils across England, Scotland and Wales. The Ormskirk Council of the KSC was founded by Squire Francis Nicholas Blundell in 1923.

More information

Knights of Saint Columba: www.ksc.org.uk

Vision Aid Overseas: http://www.visionaidoverseas.org/recycle

Specsavers Opticians: http://www.specsavers.co.uk/news-and-information/vision-aid-overseas

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The Ormskirk Has Got The Edge support video - Three years on from the Mary Portas Pilot town bid.

The Ormskirk Has Got The Edge video, first produced in 2012, has been updated with subtitles for the hearing impaired and for speakers of English as a foreign language.

I originally filmed this video back in March 2012.  It was a week before the deadline to submit the bid proposal to the Portas Pilot scheme and the video was originally filmed to form part of the bid proposal.  More on that later!  The video was shot very quickly and came together thanks to the support and help of it's many contributors.

Three years on and I am in the process of adding subtitles to all the travel videos, holiday video diaries, community stories and interviews on my Life In Another Town YouTube channel.  While typing the transcription of the dialogue in the video and repeatedly having to watch the video again and again, it caused me to think back to that time and contemplate where we are now, three years later.  Now the shouting and fanfare has died down, what has been achieved?

Ormskirk Walk of Witness Good Friday Videos 2013

Ormskirk Walk of Witness Good Friday Videos 2013

Good Friday on 29th March 2013 and Christians from the different denominations in Ormskirk come together to carry out the Walk of Witness.

What is a "Walk of Witness"?

Well according to walkofwitness.co.uk "Wouldn't it be wonderful if every Good Friday, in every Town and City in our land, there was a walk of witness to the Cross and the Saving Power of Christ?  The centrality of the Cross and the celebration of the Good Friday message accross the denominations, provide the opportunity for a united witness to the people of our nation.  The times demand and our nation requires a strong and ongoing witness to the Christian belief.  Many towns and villages already hold walks or marches of witness.

Ormskirk Good Friday 2013 Walk of Witness Service

Clergy and congregation members of all the Churches in Ormskirk were represented at the service held by the clock tower in the centre of town.  Prayers and hymns in the centre of town are not a daily fixture and the sight and sounds of the service caught the interest of many towns folk passing by, doing their shopping, enjoying a day off in the Spring sunshine.

Heather and I thank you for watching this video. Take a look at more of our original video content: video diaries, travel videos, video interviews & reportage on our YouTube channel: Life In Another Town

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Twits in Ormskirk May 2012

The Twits - Pictures from the first half of the matinee show Ormskirk Civic Hall May 19th 2012

The spring production for the Derby Players amateur dramatics group is The Twits by Roal Dahl.

The matinee show at the Ormskirk Civic Hall on Saturday afternoon 19th May 2012 was packed with children and parents, who were treated to a lively and colourful performance, filled with comedy, vibrant costumes and energetic dance routines from a hugely talented group of artistes, both young and not quite so young.

Continue reading to see the pictures from the second half of the show opening number.

Flossies Vintage Clothing and Craft Fayre at The Forum Bar Ormskirk May 2012

Flossies Vintage Clothing and Craft Fayre at The Forum Bar Ormskirk May 2012

In a recession business owners need to innovate to attract new customers.  The Forum Bar on Railway Road in Ormskirk, West Lancashire has done just that and is the venue for Flossies Vintage Clothing and Craft Fayre, held this time on Sunday 20th May 2012.

St.Anne's Youths Lourdes Pilgrimage from Ormskirk 2012

Ormskirk Youths Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2012

Article by Eleanor Cantwell

The text of a recent talk given to parishioners at St. Anne's Church

“My name is Eleanor and I’m one of over 450 young people from the Liverpool Diocese who will be travelling to Lourdes this summer.

Just to tell you a little bit about the (voluntary) work we do when we’re in Lourdes, it involves lots of late nights, early mornings and hard work, which is all made worthwhile by the people you meet there and the atmosphere that constantly surrounds you.

A typical day will involve meeting the pilgrims at St. Frai hospital and pushing them in their wheelchairs to a mass in the domain, or to the baths or maybe even take them shopping or to a café in their free time.  The "Accueil Marie Saint-Frai" was the first hospital founded in Lourdes in 1874 and can receive up to 400 sick pilgrims.

Northern Song Stars Singing Competition Ormskirk May 2012

Northern Song Stars Singing Competition Ormskirk May 2012

Earlier this year, in March, the Northern Dance Stars Competition, showcased, at Ormskirk Civic Hall, the best of local dance talent.  Dancers from the Kelly Shirley School of Dance in Burscough won several plaudits from the judges.

On Saturday night 11th May 2012, Amanda Bladwin, the brains behind Northern Stars, presented a packed audience, with another fabulous show, filled with local singing talent, all vying to be the winner of the Northern Song Stars Singing Competition.

Northern Song Stars Singing Competition Ormskirk May 2012

Ormskirk Knights family horse racing night - with a difference

Knights of Saint Columba Horse Racing Night

The Knights of Saint Columba in Ormskirk are holding a fun family horse racing night at St. Anne's Parish Centre on Friday 25th May 2012.

Unlike your typical video racing, the Knights have corralled a number of mechanically driven horses, who will 'gallop' down the track to the finishing line.  The race night made up of six races, each with six horses will raise funds for the Knights' benevolent fund.

Tickets are £5 each or £10 for a family ticket.  There will be a licensed bar. The evening starts at 7.30pm.

Ticket enquiries, please telephone: Mark Condon: 01695 573614, Tony Gill: 01695 573358, Peter Terry: 01695 571723

Ormskirk fundraising for Cambodian children living in poverty

Children and Development Organisation (CDO) Children’s Home in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Article and Photos by Hannah Ainslie

I recently returned from five months travelling in South-East Asia, during which I came across the Children and Development Organisation (CDO) Children’s Home in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Siem Reap is known for the beautiful ancient area of the Angkor temple ruins, but I mostly felt heart-broken by the level of poverty I saw, especially the begging children.

The Spice Girls get wet wet wet in Ormskirk charity Swimathon Photos April 28th 2012

Ormskirk charity Swimathon Photos April 28th 2012

The Ormskirk Spice Girls got wet wet wet over the weekend as the West Lancashire Mayoress and friends swam in fancy dress at the charity Swimathon held at Park Pool in Ormskirk.

Joey Jones & Pat Van Den Hauwe at Left Bank Brasserie Ormskirk April 2012

Joey Jones & Pat Van Den Hauwe at Left Bank Brasserie Sportsman's Night Ormskirk April 2012

The Left Bank Brasserie in Ormskirk was the venue last night (Thursday 27th April 2012) for the Joey Jones and Pat Van Den Hauwe Sportsman's Night.

Promoter Jim Buckley, brought the two Liverpool legends back to the North West to entertain guests at the £25 per ticket Sportsmans Dinner.

More Ormskirk Scouts photos St Georges Day Parade 2012

More photos taken of the Ormskirk and District Scouts St George's Day Parade 22nd April 2012

There were so many happy faces on display in Ormskirk on Sunday, that Life In Another Town needed to publish a second photo set to show all the photographs taken on the day.

Ormskirk and District Scouts St Georges Day Parade 2012

In addition to photos sets, there is a great video clip of the Scouting event in Coronation Park also on Life In Another Town.

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Video of Ormskirk & District Scouts singing on St George's Day

 

Video clip of Ormskirk and District Scouts singing There is a flag flying high from the castle of my heart

Many, many scouts from all over West Lancashire gathered at the bandstand in Coronation Park in Ormskirk on Sunday 22nd April 2012 to celebrate St. George's Day.

Ormskirk Cricket Club Video Interview Fundraiser for Bowel Cancer UK

Ormskirk Cricket Club Video Interview Fundraiser for Bowel Cancer UK

Anita Holme speaks to Life In Another Town about the Mums, Dads, Lads and Lasses Sunday Cricket Day at Ormskirk Cricket Club on 22nd April 2012

Ormskirk Servolution, Christianity in the Community Video Interview with Adrian Owens April 21st 2012

Ormskirk Servolution, Christianity in the Community Video Interview with Adrian Owens April 21st 2012

As a follow up to the photos and article on the Christian volunteers painting at Greetby Hill School, the above video was recorded with Adrian Owens on Saturday 21st April.

Christianity in the Ormskirk community

As you hear Adrian say in the video, they feel like they're painting the "Forth Bridge of Ormskirk"; so if you can help on Satruday 28th April 2012 at Greetby Hill School between 10am and 4pm, you will be very welcome.

Do you have some community news from around the Ormskirk area to share or a story to tell? Yes!

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Ormskirk Cricket Club Mums Dad Lads and Lasses Sunday Cricket raising money for Bowel Cancer UK April 22nd 2012

Ormskirk Cricket Club Mums Dad Lads and Lasses Sunday Cricket raising money for the Bowel Cancer UK charity April 22nd 2012

The Bowel Cancer UK charity was the benificiary of the Mums, Dads, Lads and Lasses Cricket day on Sunday 22nd April 2012 at the Ormskirk Cricket Club.

Ormskirk and District Scouts St Georges Day Parade Sunday 22nd April 2012

Ormskirk and District Scouts St George's Day Parade Sunday 22nd April 2012

Hundreds of local scouts from Ormskirk and District, including Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Rainbow groups, enjoyed the sunny, dry weather on Sunday and paraded from St Anne's Primary School through along to Coronation Park.

Ormskirk Servolution painting at Greetby Hill School April 21 2012

Ormskirk Servolution volunteers painting at Greetby Hill School April 21 2012

Local ward Councillor and Christian Adrian Owens and volunteers from the Ormskirk Christian group Servolution came together on Saturday 21st April to repaint the railings at Greetby Hill CE School.

Christians painting Greetby Hill School

Ormskirk Scouts will be carrying the Olympic Torch

Pamela Tompsett talks to the BBC about being nominated as an Olympic Torchbearer through Ormskirk

Pamela is a scout recruiter and has been nominated to be one of a select number of Olympic Torchbearers.

Ormskirk Scouts

'Amazing Anna' a 12 year old Ormskirk Scout will also be among the Olympic Torchbearers Article by Andrew King - Ormskirk Scouts 

Anna will be a proud Olympic torchbearer through Ormskirk on Friday 1st June 2012.  It`s twelve years since Anna underwent an emergency lifesaving operation after suffering from bowel disease, leaving her with a permanent ileostomy.  Anna has had all her large intestine and half of her small intestine removed.