Welcome to “Sunday Snippets” a weekly feature from birkenhead.news. It is a round-up of important local news stories from the last seven days. Click or tap on each story to read the full article.
Wirral Council faces criticism over sale of Bromborough Library
Wirral councillors have been slammed over the sale of a local library.
The local authority was criticised by a library friends group following a decision on 12 July by councillors at a Policy and Resources committee to put Bromborough Civic Centre up for sale.
The library was put up for sale as part of a group of assets the local authority was looking to sell to balance its finances. This is after it approached the government in 2021 for emergency financial assistance, known as a capitalisation directive, or face bankruptcy.
Young poets from Seacombe school to showcase award-winning art at the Floral Pavilion
Award-winning young poets from a Wirral primary school will get the chance to showcase their art on the big stage.
The children, from Riverside Primary School in Seacombe, have been invited to perform their poems to parents and the wider community at the Floral Pavilion Theatre in New Brighton on Tuesday 18 July.
The youngsters, performing under the name ‘Kingfishers’, are fresh from wowing the audience at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London after their success in the final of the nationwide ‘Poetry by Heart’ competition, which was founded by former Poet Laureate, Sir Andrew Motion.
Residents urged to stop putting batteries in bins
Wirral residents are being urged to stop putting batteries in their bins, as they can cause fires and pollute the environment.
Batteries can contain hazardous materials, such as mercury, lead and cadmium which, if they are not disposed of correctly, can cause fires in waste collection vehicles, household bins and at Recycling Centres.
Material Focus research has identified that over 700 fires in bin lorries and tip sites are caused by batteries that haven’t been removed from electricals.
Join Birkenhead News on Facebook
Keep up to date with all the latest Wirral news by liking our Facebook page.
Community swimming pool manager ‘absolutely delighted’ at plans approval
A historic community swimming pool that has run for more than 100 years is to be upgraded after Wirral Council signed off on new plans.
The Calday Grange Swimming Pool Trust had submitted proposals to improve the facilities at Gourleys Lane in Newton. This included a new single-storey training room, reception area, accessible facilities, and expanding the changing rooms and create “a facility fit for public use.”
The pool has been open for more than a century, first opening as an open-air swimming pool in 1921 and these new plans have just been given conditional approval by Wirral Council with the pool hoping the improvements will “take it to the next level.”
Wirral Unplugged aims for eCargo bike to help with deliveries
Wirral Unplugged was founded in 2019 as a local community group dedicated to helping parents and carers balance their family’s time on and off screens.
The aim is to make ‘unplugging’ both easy and cool, through fun events and quality, learning-through-play boxes, and by inspiring carers and children to explore, create and unplug together.
Now, Wirral Unplugged hopes to acquire an eCargo bike, a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional delivery vehicles with the target of enhancing services while minimizing their carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices.
Leverhulme planning inquiry ends
A decision over whether Leverhulme can build 788 homes on Wirral’s countryside is expected at the end of September.
This is what Planning Inspector Katie McDonald said as she concluded a lengthy inquiry on 4 July over whether developer Leverhulme Estates will be able to build the homes on sites within Wirral’s greenbelt.
The 788 homes are made up of seven planning applications and are the first stage of proposals by Leverhulme to build thousands of homes on countryside across Wirral.
Hoylake expects record-breaking attendance as The Open returns
People have been warned not to travel in Hoylake and West Kirby during the busiest periods of the Open.
The warning comes as Hoylake expects to receive 250,000 visitors for one of the most prestigious competitions in golf. The 13th time Hoylake has hosted the Open, this year is expected to bring in more visitors than ever before with the event taking place between 16 and 23 July.
To deal with the demand, Wirral Council has brought in temporary car parks and parking restrictions to help manage traffic. People are being encouraged to come in by public transport with train services doubling. West Kirby train station will also be closed for the event.
See also:
Parking restrictions to be introduced in Hoylake during The Open
Bin collection date changes implemented in NW Wirral during The Open
Paul O’Grady given Wirral’s highest honour
The late Paul O’Grady has been given Wirral’s highest honour as politicians paid tribute to the star “who never forgot his roots.”
The legendary entertainer, who was born in Birkenhead, died suddenly on 28 March, prompting a huge outpouring of love and tributes from across the country and beyond.
Former Wirral Council leader Janette Williamson after his death proposed the council give Mr O’Grady, also known for his drag persona Lily Savage, the Freedom of the Borough posthumously.
See also:
Calls for new stray dogs’ home to create ‘a real and lasting legacy’ of Paul O’Grady
Major funding decision ahead for ambitious Birkenhead development project
A major development of nearly 1,600 homes on the Wirral could take another huge step forward if funding is approved on Monday.
On 17 July, an economy and regeneration committee has been recommended to approve £2.255m to go towards developing the Hind Street Urban Village.
The planned development would be located behind Birkenhead Central Station on what is currently derelict, industrial land. It is an ambitious plan to create new shops, a primary school, hotels and new public spaces alongside the 1,578 new homes.
Birkenhead music venue set for pedal-powered festival of music
WAX + GEARS is a one-day family festival of music, cycling culture and climate activism, all taking place in an off-grid, pedal-powered arena within the large outdoor garden space at Future Yard in Birkenhead.
Drawing together the ideas of music discovery, cycling, analogue and sustainability – and with an eco-conscious aesthetic – Wax + Gears is a platform based around community, collective enrichment, and celebration.
After the success of the inaugural event in 2022, the music venue will be welcoming another diverse selection of Merseyside artists to this summer’s family-friendly event, plus an eclectic mix of DJs and workshops.
Wirral girl selected for England boxing team
A Wirral schoolgirl has been selected to represent England to box in the European Schools Boxing Championships in Maribor, Slovenia In August.
Letitia McKee, a year 8 pupil at St John Pleasington High School, came through a tough selection process to get the nod.
Letitia, who boxes for The Birkenhead Venture Boxing Club, won the England Boxing National Schools Title for the second year running, one of three National Champions from the club last season, joining Leon Burns Jnr and Jess Bethel.
Wirral Police weekly news round-up
This is the birkenhead.news weekly round-up of police activity in and around Wirral during the previous seven days.
What’s On? Guide
Visit our “What’s On?” guide for Wirral and the surrounding areas in the coming weeks.
Why not follow birkenhead.news on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter? You can also send story ideas to news@birkenhead.news
Sign up for our FREE newsletter using this form:
Facebook comments