THE word of the year in 2017 was "Youthquake." 

But whatever happened to it?

At the last General Election we witnessed an encouraging blaze on the horizon.

The biggest ever turn-out and participation by young people in politics.

Many believed this was a sign that the youth of the country were finally realising and accepting that all political elections affect us all.

At school we were never taught that the elections closer to home than Westminster were also so important.

Sadly, last weekend, I watched the BBC's Sunday Politics programme and heard experts say that they did not envisage a 'Youthquake' again or indeed an 'Adultquake' in the North West.

Yet councillors spend our money on refuse and street cleaning, essential services, education and elderly care.

The decisions made in our 150 local authority Town Halls affect the community and our immediate quality of life.

There are 4,000 council seats being contested in England this year so why do only four in ten bother to vote?

In General Elections and referendums people realise that they hold the 'X' factor – and their votes will shape all our tomorrows.

Many believe that local elections 'pass them by' even though party leaders campaign as you have read in the Globe's columns by their respective leaders.

I know - as a reporter covering local elections - that they lacked the glamour of the big general elections. Not sexy.

Now people seem to take more interest in the outcomes of our football seasons – promotion, relegation and play-offs.

Even TV light entertainment voting polls garnish more activity.

Let's hope all those eligible to vote do not stay at home.

Here's my apolitical Inferno alert: "There is no point complaining on Friday morning." 

It's time to make our councillors quake in their boots tomorrow.

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THE Fear of flying is still with a lot of people many of whom rely on a few stiff and G and Ts to get them through.

Now the boffins are keen for ways to make our flights more enjoyable and less stressful.

But I was a bit bemused by one suggestions put to the Avation Society recently ... bird songs in the toilets.

It's a good job I have been made aware of it now.

If I had been on a flight and heard birds chirping away in the loo, I would have been wondering "how on earth did that get in here? Did someone leave a window open?" 

These are tweets I can do without.

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HOW often have we heard the phrase: "did you get out the wrong side of the bed today?" 

More than half of us get up feeling irritable.

Dr Meadows of the London Sleep Clinic believes we should get up at the same time every single day as it has real benefits.

It was excellent bedtime reading.

Having spent my working life in newspapers working shifts, I always woke up to the fact that a lack of sleep creates grogginess, reduced memory, sloppy decision-making and diminished productivity.

Politicians please learn from my mistakes.

After a poor night's sleep, it seems 52 per cent of adults admitted to being more irritable.

Six per cent said they consistently nodded off during meetings.

But putting aside all the research, I feel there is one sinister culprit contributing to our sleep deprivation.

It sits there all night on the bedside table waiting ... and waiting.

Yes (cue Hammer horror music) the mobile phone.

Now I won't lose any sleep.

I leave it sleeping ... downstairs.

YOU can-t beat a good old-fashioned knees-up and who better than Chas and Dave who are at the Liverpool Empire next month.

Chas Hodges and Dave Peacock have both overcome illnesses and personal tragedies to remain feel-good troubadours.

Chas has even taken on his cancer battle with a fighting song called Sling Your Hook

I once interviewed them in a London hotel and after our chat they got a few rounds in and had a sing-song around the piano.

The made me an honorary cockney for the night.

And this terrific twosome have royal fans such as Prince Charles and Camilla.

Let's hope these pearly Kings might one day become Sir Chas and Sir Dave.

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TALKING of memorable Knights ...

Doddy's legendary kindness lives on, so much so that Sir Ken's laughter legacy and generosity are remembered in the same breath.

Jimmy Tarbuck, who made an outstanding contribution to Ken's funeral service, is currently touring with Des O'Connor.

The two showbiz stalwarts have name-dropping connections – Des knew Buddy Holly and Tarby went to school with John Lennon.

Tarby is now putting his money where his mouth is and supporting the homeless - a charity close to Doddy's heart.

The Whitechapel Centre will benefit from Tarby's inspirational mate from Knotty Ash.

HOLY holograms as a virtual Batman would say.

Like robots they are taking the place of our pop stars on stage.

Roy Orbison recently wowed the Echo arena.

And at Christmas Abba will unveil their Abbatar Hologram tour on ITV.

As much as I find them a novelty, I do hope we never end up with Everton and Liverpool in hologram teams.

On the positive side, I could order a hologram of myself that way avoiding travelling on trains and queuing in supermarkets.

I'm only human ...

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AND finally ...

Thank you to the Mersey Morris Men who were out dancing atop Bidston Hill at 5am yesterday with the equally delightful Mockbeggar Ladies.

They danced on May 1, to ensure the sun rises and provide light and warmth and bounteous crops over the coming year.

And I hear the youngest marvellous member of the MMM is 20 years of age ...

Does this make him a Morris Minor?

Peter Grant