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.
Shops and cafe’s efforts to maintain Wallasey Village’s unique atmosphere amidst changing times
Shops and cafes along Wallasey Village said they’re trying to preserve its “happy atmosphere.”
Wallasey used to be a village separated by countryside from Liscard, Poulton, and New Brighton for hundreds of years. It was even mentioned in the Domesday Book as having seven households in 1086.
The early 20th century saw a massive urban expansion that saw what once was a village now become part of the town of Wallasey with over 60,000 residents.
Government says it won’t step in over Leverhulme planning appeals
The government has confirmed that it will not be recovering seven planning appeals by Leverhulme Estates regarding applications to build nearly 800 homes on green belt land in Wirral.
This latest development comes after Wirral West MP Margaret Greenwood and Wirral Council Leader and Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Stuart and Cllr Jean Robinson visited Downing Street last month to present a letter calling on the Prime Minister to protect the green belt in Wirral and to instruct the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to recover the appeals.
However, in a letter to Margaret Greenwood MP and Cllrs Paul Stuart and Jean Robinson, the government’s Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities, Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE, wrote:
“I understand your concerns and I fully respect these…However, after careful consideration we have concluded that the appeals should not be recovered. A decision will therefore be issued by the independent Planning Inspector.”
Mum cries as daughter able to pursue her dream to be a nurse after receiving her A Level results
A mum cried after her daughter achieved results that means she can now pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.
Ellie Lane, who was also celebrating her 18th birthday on 17 August, was one of millions of people across the UK opening their A Level, T Level and BTEC results.
Despite grades dropping across the country, students at Birkenhead Sixth Form said they were “shocked” to find they did better than expected.
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‘Flipping’ marvellous fundraiser hits £5000
A Wirral community interest company has raised £5000 by flipping two 100kg tyres 2.5 miles from Wallasey Town Hall to New Brighton on Sunday 13 August.
Kaizen Wirral Mindset CIC, a physical and mental health service for men based at the Wirral Wellness Centre on Price Street in Birkenhead, had initially hoped to raise £3000, but through a combination of donations on the day and online contributions, it has secured £5000.
The funds will go towards expanding access to the CIC itself and help it deliver subsidised mental health awareness coaching.
Acclaimed international artist Helene Appel to exhibit new work in Birkenhead
Berlin-based artist Helene Appel creates images that straddle the threshold between realism, sculpture, and abstraction.
Appel paints ordinary materials from everyday life, working in a 1:1 scale.
Appel’s work highlights the sometimes-overlooked beauty of ordinary objects such as the bark of a tree, sand on a seashore, an envelope, the headlight of a car, and a loose fold of fabric.
Consultations continue for Wirral regeneration programme
The next few months are a crucial period in Wirral’s regeneration programme as a series of consultations on schemes to revitalise areas of the borough open up.
The latest consultations follow engagement events asking for people’s views on proposals for Seacombe at Scott’s Quay and Northside, near Wirral Waters (which remains open for contributions until 2 October).
Through the remaining summer months and into autumn, there will be opportunities to shape further proposals which will be key in transforming the borough’s Left Bank area of Bromborough, through Birkenhead, Wirral Waters, Seacombe, to New Brighton.
New shop in West Kirby showcases local artisans and creators
MerseyMade has opened a brand new shop in Wirral, which is set to support local artists, artisans and makers by bringing their work to the heart of West Kirby.
The inviting MerseyMade shop, located on Banks Road, is the much-loved independent’s first Wirral venture and its second store opening since launching in Liverpool city centre in 2019.
A treasure trove of original artworks, ceramics, jewellery, candles, gifts, and cards, MerseyMade showcases and sells the work of over 100 of the region’s most talented creatives, with the addition of a further 30 Wirral-based independents being signed up as part of the recent expansion.
Planning granted to transform historic New Brighton building into energy-efficient apartments
An extension that will “tremendously” improve an apartment block once a pub and hotel has been given the go-ahead.
Montpellier Mansions sits between Montpellier Crescent and Albion Street in New Brighton. Built in 1835, it used to be the Albion Hotel and Pub which closed in the early 2000s and was later converted into 14 flats in 2006.
The extension would see the floor area of the building increase but the number of flats drop by one providing larger flats with better energy efficiency.
New Merseyrail trains to start service on Wirral Line
New Merseyrail trains will begin rolling out across the Wirral from next week.
Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram made the announcement following the rollout of the new trains on the Kirkby and Omskirk lines earlier this year.
The new trains will appear on the West Kirby, New Brighton, and Chester lines in a gradual rollout. For those on the Ellesmere Port line, no date has been confirmed yet.
University place for Chloe against the odds
Final year student, Chloe Salisbury, has beaten the odds to achieve exceptional BTEC results and secure her first choice of university place.
A looked after child from a young age, and living with a visual impairment disability, Chloe Salisbury has beaten the odds to achieve level 3 merits and distinctions at Birkenhead Sixth Form College. She will now go on to study Sports Science at Edge Hill University at degree level.
In 2022, only 6% of care leavers looked after in England including adoptions, went on to higher education, and there remain major barriers for those with a visual impairment to equitably access education to fulfil potential.
Future Yard and Wirral Met announce strategic partnership
Future Yard and Wirral Metropolitan College have announced plans to align in a strategic partnership as part of their shared regeneration vision for Birkenhead.
The partnership will create meaningful pathways to employment and offer opportunities beyond study for young people and adult learners, enhancing students’ social and cultural wellbeing whilst creating a flagship relationship between Wirral’s most exciting cultural organisation and leading further education institution.
Since opening in 2021, Future Yard has reimagined a live music venue as a learning opportunity for young people. By utilising skills and training programmes to nurture the talent of young creatives, Future Yard creates clear routes to careers in the music industry, providing transferable skills and raising aspirations for local people.
Wirral Council takes next step towards selling car parks, libraries, land, and buildings
Wirral Council has taken the next step towards selling off 23 car parks, libraries, land, and buildings it owns.
The local authority has given Lambert Smith Hampton £495,000 to help with selling off the assets over the next three years. This is on top of previous work by the contractor to support the council in disposing of things it owns.
It was decided to sell off the assets at a controversial meeting in July that saw places like the location of Clare Mount Specialist Sports College (pictured), the site of the former Bebington Town Hall, and Bromborough Civic Centre put up for sale. The council may sell off other assets in the future.
Swimmers’ concerns over water quality amid sewage discharges in River Mersey
Every weekend, dozens of swimmers descend on Wirral’s beaches for early morning swims along the coastline of the peninsula.
Those who have been swimming in Wirral’s waterways for years say they have seen the water quality in the river improve in recent times, pointing to wildlife found in the river, from sharks to dolphins.
However, they feel progress is now stalling with concerns about the level of sewage discharge into the River Mersey with swimmers saying they have seen evidence of it firsthand.
Celebration of Ben Harrison’s life to be held at Prenton Park
On Wednesday, 9 August, Tranmere Rovers reported the passing during the previous night of Associate Director of the Club, and Chairman of the Tranmere Rovers Supporters’ Trust, Ben Harrison.
Both sets of fans observed a minute’s applause on the 60th minute of the fixture against Harrogate to celebrate Ben’s life.
A book of condolence has been placed in the club shop so that supporters can share their memories and thoughts.
The ten-year-old phenomenon taking the martial arts world by storm
In a stunning display of skill and determination, Mason Sweeney, a ten-year-old prodigy from Birkenhead Mushin Ryu Martial Arts & Fitness, has just secured the IBKO International Ring Championship.
Mason’s dedication is unmatched for someone his age and with an impressive training regime of three sessions per day, this young martial artist has been paving his way towards greatness.
Every day leading up to the Championship bout, he embarked on a rigorous training routine. His day would start promptly at 6 am with an intensive morning training session.
Tranmere lose to Salford in 4-3 thriller
Tranmere experienced a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Salford City in an electrifying battle at Prenton Park.
Tranmere took the lead twice during the opening half, with Connor Jennings and Kristian Dennis finding the net on either side of Mathieu Smith’s strike as they headed into halftime with the advantage.
Yet, it was Callum Hendry who commanded the second half, netting three goals to the delight of the exultant away fans and clinching the victory.
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.
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