Latest news with #StHelensBoroughCouncil
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
St Helens World of Glass museum fears closure over rising costs
Staff at a museum dedicated to a town's glass manufacturing history have said they fear rising costs mean they "won't be able to keep our doors open" after three free World of Glass venue in St Helens, Merseyside has been visited by more than 1 million people since opening in director Sarah Taylor said: "It's just got a bit difficult lately - we are seeing rising costs with energy costs and staffing costs."More than £10,000 has been donated to the venue, run by an independent charity, after it launched a crowdfunder to raise £50,000 to help it remain open. Ms Taylor said: "We're just in a position now where if we don't raise the money, we won't be able to keep our doors open in the next three months."The museum recently reduced opening days to lower running costs, with the museum closed on Mondays and local library, which is located at the venue, will remain open on those days. Councillor Sue Murphy, cabinet member for culture at St Helens Borough Council, described the museum, which offers glassblowing demonstration and school visits, as "a much-loved visitor attraction that plays a vital role in preserving and sharing our borough's rich industrial heritage".She said that "now more than ever, while our town centre is undergoing transformative regeneration to restore its vibrancy and vitality, we sincerely hope they can find a sustainable path forward".The council said the building receives 100% relief on its business rates and is supported by council officers' advice on external funding sources. Core funding for UK arts and cultural organisations fell by 18% between 2010 and Taylor said: "Despite the continued support from valued partners like St Helens Borough Council, the financial pressures we face as a charitable organisation have become unsustainable under current conditions."We've been in the centre of St Helens culture for the past 25 years and want to be around for the next 25 and beyond." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
ITV News
26-06-2025
- ITV News
Residents still out of homes after explosives found in St Helens house
Hundreds of people are preparing to spend a fourth day away from home after a hoard of explosives was foun d at a man's house following his death. "Explosive ordnance" was discovered at john Nelson's home on Chadwick Road in St Helens on Tuesday, Merseyside Police said. The "reclusive" 64-year-old's property was packed with wartime memorabilia, including devices and detonators which officers feared could explode. More than 200 homes nearby were evacuated with some families being moved to a local community centre and then a school hall. Residents have yet to be given an estimate of when they can return to their homes. A bomb disposal team carried out a series of safe detonations in a nearby field. They were continuing to work through the house on Thursday to ensure it was safe. Merseyside Police earlier said the address "presented a challenge" as all the rooms in the house contained a "considerable number" of belongings that Mr Nelson had collected over the years. In a later update, the force revealed more improvised explosive devices (IEDs) had been found. It said the area would remained cordoned off overnight into Friday due to concerns that further devices could be found. Some of the ordnance is believed to date back to World War Two. Merseyside Police said Mr Nelson's father was believed to have been in the Home Guard. Chief Inspector Chris Barnes said: 'We realise this will be a really frustrating time for those who have been displaced from their homes and would like to reassure them that we will work our way through the house, with EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) specialists, as quickly as we can, but public safety is our ultimate priority and we have to make sure the search is done properly.'Residents have been incredibly understanding and patient throughout and I know the community, families and friends have pulled together to minimise the impact this incident has on all those affected.'St Helens Borough Council continues to provide assistance based at Chain Lane Community Centre, supported by our PCSOs and I would encourage anyone with concerns to visit the centre where help will be at hand.'Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the road while emergency services remain at the scene.
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Calls for new Labour mayor to be sacked after photo of him dressed as Adolf Hitler at charity event resurfaces
NAZI BLUNDER Calls for new Labour mayor to be sacked after photo of him dressed as Adolf Hitler at charity event resurfaces Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NEW Labour mayor who dressed as Adolf Hitler in a shocking resurfaced picture is facing calls to be sacked after being labelled a 'bully' and 'not fit for public office'. Seve Gomez-Aspron MBE was installed into the ambassadorial role at St Helens Borough Council in Merseyside this month - with multiple fellow councillors reportedly storming out in protest. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Seve Gomez-Aspron dressed as Adolf Hitler during a 2009 charity event 5 Gomez-Aspron was sworn in as mayor of St Helens this month Credit: St Platt 5 Calls have been made for him to be removed from the ambassadorial role A string of controversies have marred his time as an elected official, including a photo of him dressed up as the Nazi leader surfacing in 2019, resulting in a council inquiry - though no action was taken by his party. He has also been brought before the council's standards committee in the past over complaints about remarks he made on social media. While cops previously attended the town hall itself to serve Gomez-Aspron with a Police Information Notice in relation to harassment claims made by a member of the public. However, it must be noted, receiving such a notice does not mean an acceptance of wrongdoing and it does not appear any further action was taken. READ MORE NEWS TERROR NAZIS GUILTY Neo-Nazis who hoarded weapons & planned mosque terror attack face jail One councillor - who wished to remain anonymous - told The Sun: 'He is reviled throughout St Helens for his inappropriate behaviour and attitude. 'Many feel that he is not fit for public office, never mind the prestigious role as mayor.' A reported 11 councillors walked out in protest during the swearing in ceremony on May 14. The Hitler photo has been circulating again online since Gomez-Aspron's induction as mayor. And a parliamentary petition has been launched - which currently has around 1,000 signatures - calling for him to be removed. It describes the decision to make Gomez-Aspron mayor an 'outrage' and labels him a 'bully'. Mystery of Hitler's secret tunnel labyrinth in Poland where 5,000 workers died… and no one knows why it was built It adds: 'His poor conduct as a councillor is disgraceful and how he has gotten away with his behaviour for so long is hard to contemplate and now he has been elected mayor is just plain and simply disgusting.' Gomez-Aspron - who once scooped £100,000 with a pal on TV gameshow Million Pound Drop - last year apologised after comments he made during a full council meeting were reported to the authority's Monitoring Officer. He described a fellow councillor's intention to vote against a council tax rise as having 'diatribe' reasoning and said he has 'not a clue what he is talking about'. In the row, Gomez-Aspron described two independent councillors as the 'Earlestown Brain Trust', and later said that 'it was wrong to imply there was a brain'. The council subsequently confirmed the complaint was upheld and resolved with an 'alternative resolution', with Gomez-Aspron going on to apologise. The council was also forced to apologise in 2015 after Gomez-Aspron allegedly used a euphemism for a derogatory word when speaking to a constituent on Facebook. Gomez-Aspron ended a conversation with a woman on the social network website by writing 'See you next Tuesday'. But, the expression was reportedly abbreviated into text speak, using 'C' and 'U' for the first two words and a capital 'N' at the beginning of the word 'next'. St Helens Council's Standards Committee was told the expression is widely known to be a euphemism for a derogatory four-letter word. Gomez-Aspron denied he knew the expression could be offensive. The councillor was also previously censured by the authority and it was recommended he be removed from its personnel appeals committee, and replaced as armed forces champion, in relation to his alleged comments on social media. In 2017 the council's standards committee found 12 complaints made by residents were in breach of the council's code of conduct in full or in part. A further complaint saw a resident allege Gomez-Aspron had thrown eggs at his house, though a report stated this could not be proven. 'I have matured and learnt' The controversial Hitler snap was taken in 2009 during a fundraiser dinner for a children's charity, with Gomez-Aspron - not then a member of Labour or a councillor - later describing the outfit choice as a 'clumsy' decision. He claimed it was part of a satirical comedy routine he did alongside pals inspired by Mel Brooks' film The Producers - and that others dressed as German soldiers were cropped out of the photo that subsequently went viral. Speaking in 2019 he said: "I have matured and learnt a lot since then, and it goes without saying that I would not do this now. "I know how this could be seen as insensitive and how it could cause hurt and offence. "That was not at all my intention and I sincerely apologise." The photo had originally surfaced while Labour, then led by Jeremy Corbyn, was dogged in an anti-Semitism row. Gomez-Aspron did not wish to comment when approached by The Sun. We also contacted the Labour Party for comment. 5 Nazi leader Adolf Hitler is responsible for WW2 and the Holocaust, and considered one of the most evil people in history Credit: Getty Images
BBC News
27-01-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
St Helens: Plaque to honour town's Nuremberg trials prosecutor
A former MP who played a major role in bringing Nazi war criminals to justice has been honoured in his Hartley Shawcross, who died in 2003 aged 101, was elected as Labour member for St Helens in 1945 and represented the area for thirteen years.A blue plaque has been unveiled in recognition of his role as Britain's lead prosecutor in the Nuremberg plaque was unveiled at a special ceremony at St Helens Town Hall as part of an annual Holocaust Memorial Day event. Lord Shawcross's son Sir William Shawcross, who attended the unveiling along with representatives from the council and the deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, said his father had played "a hugely important role in history"."I think he realised it was a crucial part of his life, perhaps the most important part of his life, to bring to justice the criminals who had committed such appalling atrocities, waging aggressive war throughout the world and committing the atrocious crime of murdering six million Jews," he Shawcross's daughter, Dr Joanna Shawcross, said the family was "incredibly proud" and "incredibly moved" by the blue plaque is the third to be unveiled by St Helens Borough Council as part of an initiative to honour and acknowledge individuals, places and events that have contributed to the heritage of the borough. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
