Watchdog for services

Hull City Council has awarded Hull CVS (Council of Voluntary Services) a three-year contract to develop a new health and social care organisation for the city.
The Local Involvement Network (LINk) will bring together individuals and voluntary and community groups to scrutinise services provided by the NHS, Hull City Council, private companies and charities.
It will also investigate issues of concern and inspect health and social care premises.
"We are delighted to have been selected as the host organisation for LINk," said Michael Hills, chair of Hull CVS.
"This is a real opportunity for the local community to shape health and social care services, so if you care about making services better in Hull, then join us."
For more information and to get involved call Steve Kimberley on 221372 or visit www.hull-link.org.uk

School is like a family

A special assembly was held at Clifton Primary School to celebrate it being judged as 'outstanding' by Ofsted, the Government's schools watchdog.
The school, off Beverley Road, was ranked in the top one per cent of schools nationally for progress, following a visit by an inspector who was told by pupils that "the school is like a massive family and the teachers look after us all."
Clifton is the eighth primary school in the city, out of a total of 71, to be judged as outstanding.
The others are: Bricknell, Collingwood, Gillshill, Northcott Special School, Pearson, Spring Cottage and Stepney.
In Hull, 69 per cent of primary schools are now judged to be good or outstanding compared to 61 per cent nationally.

Cash boost

Victim Support, a charity that gives confidential support to people affected by crime, has received a £20,889 donation to assist its work.
The money was raised after the former Lord Mayor of Hull, Cllr Brenda Petch, chose Victim Support as the beneficiary of her charity appeal during her year in office, which ended in May.
"I'd like to say a big thank you everyone who contributed to the appeal," said Mervyn Bishop, area manager for Victim Support in the Humber.
"The donation will help us develop the services we offer in the area."
It is hoped the funds can be used to train new volunteers who provide counselling and emotional support for victims of crime, and to open a new Victim Support public drop-in centre in the Transport Interchange.
For more information call 652442.

Pedal power

With the fifth highest number of cycling commuters in the country, and a growing number of leisure cyclists too, Hull is well known as a bicycle-friendly city.
And now three residents will be taking to the saddle after winning a competition in association with KCFM.
The radio phone-in competition – held to coincide with the Tour of Britain cycle race which visited Hull in September – offered prizes of male and female mountain bikes as well as a child's BMX.
Ian Batty from east Hull and Diane Grasby from north Hull won the mountain bikes, and Mike King from east Hull won the child's BMX.
Cllr Elaine Garland, the Lord Mayor of Hull, presented the prizes to the winners (pictured above).
The bicycles were donated by Bob's Bikes in Beverley Road.

Floating fireworks

A public fireworks display, set off from a barge on the Humber, will make this year's Bonfire Night a family occasion not to be missed.
The event, which is free to attend, will be the first time fireworks have been launched in an organised display from the Humber.
Fireworks will be lit on November 5 at 6.45pm, although people are advised to arrive at Hull Marina, Victoria Pier, Humber Basin and Humber Quays at 6.30pm to ensure they get the best views.
"I'd like to thank Associated British Ports, Humber Work Boats, and the other partners assisting us in staging the event," says Cllr Kalvin Neal, who has responsibility for quality of life in Hull.
There will be free parking at Osborne Street multi storey car park between 5 – 9pm, plus disabled parking on Blanket Row surface car park.
The public are advised to check weather reports before attending as high winds and fog could effect or cancel the event.

Who are we?

What does it mean to be British? What are the things we care about as a nation? To whom do we owe our loyalty?
Throughout history there have been vigorous debates on these issues, and the Government believes it's now time to begin a new discussion.
As part of the Governance of Britain campaign, people across the country are being invited to join the debate by taking part in online discussions or attending local events.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice is seeking 500 people from across the UK, who will be representative of the population as a whole, to form a Citizens' Summit.
Together they will decide upon a national Statement of Values to help identify what binds us together as a nation.
For more information visit http://governance.justice.gov.uk

Park celebration

One of Hull's finest green spaces will be 100 years old in 2011 – and hopes are high that the site can be upgraded to stage a centenary celebration.
Pickering Park opened on July 13, 1911, thanks to the generosity of benefactor Christopher Pickering, who established the park for the people of the city.
Now local residents, who have formed the Friends of Pickering Park group, want to draw up a master-plan and raise funds to refurbish the site ready for the centenary.
Ideas so far include restoring the park gates and staging a living history exhibition.
Friends of Pickering Park is just one of the groups in the city working to improve facilities at local parks and playing fields.
For more information and to get involved call your Area Team, whose numbers are in the back of this magazine.

Alpaca jacket

The winner of September's competition to name the baby Alpaca born in East Park is Mr D.
Giles, of Moorhouse Road.
Mr Giles came up with the name 'Jacket' because, he says, Alpaca jackets were very popular at one time, and the name could be shortened to 'Jack.' Mr Giles receives a prize of free gym membership for six months with Hull Leisure.