Category: Youths

History walk (Bidston Hill) Saturday 5th November & fireworks displays

There will be a history ramble tomorrow on Bidston Hill between 10am and 12.30 tomorrow starting at Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm led by the ranger. Due to bat hibernation the windmill won’t be open on this walk. It starts at Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm, Boundary Road, Bidston CH43 7PD and it’s not for dog walkers. … Continue reading “History walk (Bidston Hill) Saturday 5th November & fireworks displays”

There will be a history ramble tomorrow on Bidston Hill between 10am and 12.30 tomorrow starting at Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm led by the ranger. Due to bat hibernation the windmill won’t be open on this walk.

It starts at Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm, Boundary Road, Bidston CH43 7PD and it’s not for dog walkers. For further details contact 0151 653 9332 or email tamoshan@wirral.gov.uk .

There are also a variety of public firework displays starting at 6.30pm (except for the one at Ridgeway that starts at 5pm). The locations are listed below.

Lingham Park, Moreton
Upton Park, Moreton
Woodchurch Leisure Centre
Birkenhead Park
Central Park, Wallasey
Mersey Park, Tranmere
Mayer Park, Bebington
Leasowe Adventure Playground (including a community organised bonfire)
Ridgeway High School, Noctorum (5pm)
Beechwood, “Greenacres Court Site” (off Bidston Green Drive)

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service are advising people to take part in the public displays and will be removing any bonfires on public land. The local fire service recommend anyone with a wheelie bin to keep it away from doors and windows and if possible away from the public to lessen the risk of wheelie bin fires. For a free home fire safety check including free smoke detectors, to report an illegal bonfire (or build up of material) which will be quickly removed or for arson prevention advice contact Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service free on 0800 731 5958.

Merseyside Police will be running Operation Banger, which include high visibility policing, seizing illegal fireworks and other activities such as reducing underage sales of alcohol to young people.

Free half-term football & tennis sessions at Wirral Tennis & Sports Centre (for teenagers)

Wirral Council are running free sessions of football and tennis over the half-term holidays for teenagers at Wirral Tennis Centre. The sessions are free, however advance booking is required, either in person, by telephone on 606 2010 or online on Wirral Council’s website. There are also a number of free sessions at other leisure centres across the Wirral (which also need to be booked in advance). Details are below.

Wirral Tennis and Sports Centre

  • Football – October 24th, 26th and 28th, 2pm-4pm
  • Tennis – October 25th and 27th, 1.30pm-3.30pm

The Oval, Wirral

  • Football – daily from October 24th-28th, 1pm-3pm

Guinea Gap

  • Football – October 25th and 27th, 3pm – 5pm

Leasowe Recreation Centre

  • Zumba, Dance Mats and Wall – October 25th, 26th and 27th, 2pm-2.45pm and 2.45pm-3.30pm

Play Areas Gautby Road Play & Community Centre

I welcome the Ilchester Park play area in Bidston as mentioned in this Wirral Council press release.

However 200 yards away from Ilchester Park (as the crow flies) and just a few minutes walk away is a play area next to the Gautby Road Community Centre. The land the play area is on is owned by Wirral Council. Most of the time it is kept padlocked.

Cllr McLachlan stated in the Wirral Council press release: “Local children deserve the best play equipment near their homes and these sites are spread across the borough so that everyone can access them.” Cllr McLachlan (along with Cllr Harry Smith and Cllr Jim Crabtree) are all on the Gautby Road Play & Community Centre Joint Management Committee which manages the community centre and adjacent play area.

I agree with Cllr McLachlan and am pleased that local children can now access the play area in Ilchester Park (I’ve seen children already playing here when I’ve been walking to Birkenhead North train station to get a train). However many children live nearer to the play area which is part of (and next to) the Gautby Road Community Centre. Unlike the Ilchester Park play area it is surrounded by railings.

I have heard many reasons why the Gautby Road play area can’t be used from Wirral Council officers. These range from children could slip in the rain, to children need supervising, to concerns about vandalism. All seem to be a reason to keep it locked up and stop children playing there. The problem has been ongoing for some time and has been brought to my attention by a number of residents.

However it would be great if it could be open at least some of the time and the public made aware of when these times are.

Padlock, Gautby Road play area, Bidston

Gautby Road Community Centre and Play Area, Gautby Road, Bidston

Gautby Road Community Centre and Play Area, Gautby Road, Bidston

Local news: Teenager stabbed to death in Wirral Partnership Homes flat (Corporation Road)

I noticed the Birkenhead News and Wirral Globe story about the death of Darren Brewster (aged 17) from a knife attack last Thursday in Corporation Road.

The photo next to the article shows the block of WPH flats between Jamesbrook Close and the junction with Beaufort Road/Patten Street/Price Street.

Police have arrested and charged a 17-year old with murder, who appeared at Wirral Magistrate’s Court on Saturday.

Planning Committee 9/8/2011 | Part 5 | Agenda item 13 – SECTION 106 LEGAL AGREEMENT – REEDS LANE

Cllr Mitchell also referred to resident’s concerns about derelict land. He asked why it had taken so long to make a decision? He was going for option a which was the original decision. He said a certain area of land had been dedicated for it.

The Chair said it was unique. He referred to the £75,000 spent nearby, which mitigated the problem. He was not sure how valid it was. They had in the past agreed in some cases to make changes that went against the Unitary Development Plan such as a sports facility in an industrial area. He was not going against policy and making a precedent but encouraged members of the Planning Committee to “be their own people”.

Cllr Kenny said he had heard Cllr Mitchell and supported what he was saying. He supported option A which was consistent and argued against antisocial behaviour. He said it was strange that every day society had its troubles, with young people not having enough to do. He didn’t agree that there should not be a play area here and the money should be given back. It couldn’t be used for another one, so what would happen to the land? He said the song “Where Do The Children Play?” was by Cat Stevens. He was going to support recommendation a. They had been told there were twenty six people against, but not told the number of people that would welcome a play area that had previously been agreed by Planning Committee.