Named train a lasting tribute to DJ and music icon John Peel

Legendary DJ and music icon John Peel is being honoured with a train bearing his name.

Merseytravel, will name the train as a lasting tribute to John’s memory.

Family and friends of John’s, who once admitted his second favourite song of all time was Amsterdam’s “Does this train stop on Merseyside?”, will come together to celebrate his life.

Sheila Ravenscroft, John’s wife, will join Merseytravel to officially launch the “John Peel” train and travel on its first journey into the city of Liverpool.

The train will leave Merseytravel’s Liverpool South Parkway interchange at around 3pm on Thursday 23rd October after a short dedication ceremony.

Ian Prowse, from Amsterdam, will perform the song “Does This Train Stop on Merseyside?” at the event in front of guests.

Speaking about the song as part of the Radio One tribute evening, John’s wife Sheila said: “John just loved the song. He always became emotional when he played it. He wasn’t capable of playing it without crying. If he played it on the radio he’d have to put something on straight afterwards because he wouldn’t be able to speak. When he played it at home, he’d always need a cuddle afterwards.

“We are just really delighted that John is being honoured with this train. He would have loved it!”

Copies of a new book, a collection of John’s writings edited by his wife Sheila called “The Olivetti Chronicles”, will be given out to passengers on the train during the journey.

The train naming ceremony will take place two days before the anniversary of John’s death on October 25th 2004, aged 65.

Train arrivs at 2.45pm on Thursday 23rd October, 2008
Train leaves at approx 3.20pm
Location: Liverpool South Parkway Interchange, Garston, Liverpool

In honour of the great man, here’s a vid of his favourite single, ‘Teenage Kicks’ by The Undertones.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAtUw6lxcis]

Business Crime Direct at Liverpool Chamber is taking a lead in the fight against cyber crime.

The organisation is holding a conference and exhibition to raise business awareness of cyber crime and demonstrate how to manage the risks.

The conference and lunch is free of charge and Liverpool companies are being invited to attend to find out how to best safeguard their business. The event is being held at the BT Convention Centre from 2:00pm on Wednesday 29th October.

Detective Sergeant Geoff Conway from Merseyside Police’s High Tech Crime Unit will talk on IT security. Eminent national figures Mike Wyeth, Littlewoods Shop Direct national head of security and Merseyside head of Crime Stoppers, and D.I. Roy West from the City of London Police, will reveal how they have become partners and developed new tactics to tackle organised “boiler room” gangs.

The speakers, who all have extensive police experience at a national level, will cover all aspects of internet crime, from basic information on the activities of petty e-criminals, to in-depth information on how to catch out sophisticated e-fraudsters.

D.I Roy West, who heads up London’s cheque and credit card crime unit and will give a presentation featuring dramatic slides of Internet fraudsters taking possession of goods in “controlled delivery” operations. Gangs, many from West Africa are said run a call centre type operation, with fraudsters seated in rows in front of banks of computers, working away with e-mail addresses and bank details provided by supervisors.

Side by side with the conference, local firms providing solutions to IT crime will exhibit their products and explain them, and the costs, to interested businesses.

Business Crime Direct has been helping Merseyside businesses keep ahead of conventional robbers, thieves and burglars for eight years now. But increasingly they have found businesses worried about a different kind of menace.

The battle to keep IT systems from collapsing under the weight of spam, viruses and phishing attempts is of paramount importance to all businesses.

Peter Jones, Manager of BCD explained, “I remember going to visit a small shop selling expensive food supplements for body builders. The owner told me that selling over the Internet gave him a massive opportunity to expand. But he was repeatedly coming up against determined criminals using stolen credit cards or cards obtained in false identities.”

“This event will galvanise the Merseyside business community and make companies aware of the potential risks that internet crime presents to their business.”

To reserve a place, please contact Sue or Melissa on 0151 227 1234 or email events@liverpoolchamber.org.uk.