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.
Ukrainian family thanks Wirral community for warm welcome under Homes for Ukraine scheme
The Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Jeff Green, has led Wirral’s tribute to the bravery of the people of Ukraine at ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Tatyana, who has moved to Wirral under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, said, “Five months ago I arrived in Wirral with my children and met our Sponsors, who are a very friendly and a loving family.
“They gave us everything our children needed. My children go to a local school and really like it because they are very fondly accepted.”
West Kirby vet saves Labrador’s leg after freak injury
After undergoing a three-hour surgery to mend a leg tendon that was torn in a freak accident, a beloved pet is now on the road to complete recovery.
Amber, a five-year-old Labrador, underwent an operation to fix her injured ankle joint thanks to the veterinary team at a West Kirby practice who decided to proceed with the operation.
It meant a full general anaesthetic for an operation at Acorn Veterinary Surgery while advanced certificate veterinary surgeon Nick Whieldon repaired and reconnect the damaged Achilles tendon in Amber’s rear left leg.
‘Ron’s Place’ in Oxton up for auction
An unassuming property in Oxton is, on closer inspection, unique and like no other property.
From the outside, it simply looks like a typical, sturdy, Victorian semi-detached house of which there are many examples in the area.
But step inside and you are confronted by a roaring lion fireplace and frescos depicting Egyptian and Roman scenes.
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West Kirby Promenade to get new surfacing as flood defence work continues
Works on the West Kirby Promenade are progressing well with the new finished surfacing on the promenade starting next week.
The construction of the new flood defence wall at West Kirby has caused inconvenience for residents and visitors along South Parade and in the town since last summer.
However, the latest update to the programme of works shows that sections of the project are due to complete by Easter, allowing some parking to be reintroduced along South Parade and access to the new promenade for visitors.
Hoylake’s ‘The Coral’ to play Liverpool waterfront festival
On the Waterfront festival returns to Liverpool’s Pier Head this summer, following a triumphant debut in 2021 which attracted over 40,000 people.
The 4-day festival has just revealed the line-up for the finale show on Sunday 2 July, curating a northern powerhouse of legendary bands.
First up are Manchester legends James, whose performance coincides with the band’s 40th Anniversary tour and soon-to-be-released double album which features a full orchestra and gospel choir in celebration.
Wirral-based Ukrainian teen pianist performs in Liverpool to mark anniversary of invasion
A Ukrainian teenager who had previously provided comfort to refugees in camps in her home country and Poland by playing the piano, performed in commemoration of the one-year anniversary since the invasion began.
13-year-old Alisa Bushuieva originally stayed in South Wales before moving to their host family in Wirral.
At Liverpool ONE, she wore traditional dress and performed her country’s national anthem before observing a minute of silence at 11:00 GMT.
Don’t miss out on your right to vote, urges Wirral MP
Margaret Greenwood MP has raised concerns in parliament that those people of voting age who have poor literacy and digital skills may find it more difficult to comply with requirements to show photo ID in order to vote in polling stations at future elections.
The Wirral West MP was speaking during an Urgent Question in parliament as Labour described the government’s voter ID plans as ‘a thinly veiled attempt to make it far more difficult for people to vote.’
From 4 May of this year, people will need to show photo ID when voting in person at polling stations in some UK elections or referendums, including local council and mayoral elections, UK Parliament by-elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales.
‘Invitation to Play’ project introduces activity boards in parks
Play activity boards have been revealed in Mersey Park, Birkenhead and Victoria Park, Rock Ferry. They join Central Park, Liscard and New Ferry Park, New Ferry in hosting a suite of interactive activity boards for children.
The project, called ‘Invitation to Play’, aims to create resources in the community to prompt ‘learning through play’.
Each activity board features the ‘Play Pack’ characters; Freddie Fox, Hana Hedgehog and Olly Owl, who share play ideas with families to try in the park and ideas to carry on at home. They also include key information for the adults, sharing why play is important and how it helps their children learn and develop.
Lady Lever Art Gallery presents Flower Fairies exhibition
The Lady Lever Art Gallery will explore 100 years of Cicely Mary Barker’s ethereal illustrations in a new exhibition Flower Fairies – from 15 April to 5 November 2023.
In association with Penguin Ventures (part of Penguin Random House UK), the exhibition looks at the delicate work created by Barker.
Flower Fairies, features around 45 exquisite and botanically accurate, original illustrations, including Barker’s best-loved flower fairy creations and early sketches, alongside digital projections, items from National Museums Liverpool’s botany collection and costumes inspired by the fairies, designed by award-winning costume designer Vin Burnham.
Birkenhead Sixth Form College named finalist for prestigious education award
Birkenhead Sixth Form College has been named as a finalist for a prestigious award for the best Further Education College of the Year in the North of England.
Educate North Awards celebrates excellence in the education sector in the North, and the College has been recognised as a leader and innovator in the field of sixth form provision.
The award shortlisting comes as Birkenhead Sixth Form College bucked the national trend of a downturn in A Level results in 2022 following Covid measures for awarding grades without sitting formal exams. Where the picture in the UK saw high grades fall following a return to students taking exams, the College’s high grades jumped 15%.
Council to consult on new market at former House of Fraser Site
Consultation events for Wirral’s new Birkenhead market will begin in March.
Wirral Growth Company (WGC) – a 50:50 joint venture between Wirral Council and nationwide placemaker, Muse – is inviting people to share their views on their emerging design ideas.
The former House of Fraser site, owned by the council, is set to be the home for the new Birkenhead market.
Ukrainian refugees in Wirral receive free English classes
24 February 2023 marked the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014.
The invasion has caused tens of thousands of deaths and instigated Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II. In the first week of the invasion, the UN reported over a million refugees had fled Ukraine; this subsequently rose to over eight million by 31 January 2023.
Abi Williams is qualified as a CELTA teacher (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults), Abi noticed there were a number of Ukrainian people locally who wanted to learn English.
Manchester Collective’s ‘Black Angels’ UK tour to visit Birkenhead’s Future Yard
Manchester Collective will take audiences on a captivating journey through the darkness with “Black Angels” – an innovative performance combining string quartet and live electronics, touring across the UK from 16 – 24 March 2023.
Avant-garde masterpieces lie at the centre of the programme with George Crumb’s cult 1970 work Black Angels sitting alongside a new commission by Los Angeles-based hip-hop artist, activist, poet and composer Moor Mother (Camae Ayewa).
The show sees the world premiere of Moor Mother’s DREAM CULTURE, the artist’s first chamber commission. A self-taught musician with a drive to dig up the untold, Moor Mother is one half of the art collective Black Quantum Futurism (along with Rasheedah Phillips) and is known for her experimental music work, mixing in influences from jazz, blues, hip-hop and other Black classical traditions.
Wallasey born TV sports legend Dickie Davies dies
Dickie Davies, the television personality who fronted ITV’s sports coverage for over twenty years, has died at the age of 94.
He hosted the program World of Sport every Saturday afternoon during the 1960s until it ended in 1985.
Richard John Davies was born in Wallasey on 30 April 1928. After passing his eleven-plus, Davies enrolled at Oldershaw Grammar School in Wallasey. Following his education, he completed his National Service with the Royal Air Force before working as a purser on the ocean liners RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth.
Caldy grind out win against determined Richmond
It was déjà vu all over again as Caldy ground out a win against a determined Richmond side in this dead rubber cup tie.
Caldy’s backs coach Richard Vasey summed up the prevailing. “There is gulf in the match day intensity between league and cup. The run of cup games in February has stifled the momentum we were building up in January. We picked a strong side for today’s game but despite the win it felt more like a pre-season friendly. We have a lot of work to do before we fly off to face Jersey in a fortnight.”
Richmond’s preparations for the game suffered a setback when second-row Sam Collingridge broke his ankle in the warm-up but the London side took that in their stride and dominated the first quarter of an hour, denying Caldy any possession and scoring a fine try through Miles Wakeling to take an early lead.
Tranmere Rovers claim impressive victory over Stevenage with late penalty
Tranmere Rovers secured an impressive 1-0 victory against promotion contenders Stevenage, thanks to a penalty from Josh Hawkes in the 74th minute.
This result means that Stevenage have now gone five games without a win, causing them to slip down to third place in the league standings.
Securing a hard-fought victory in Hertfordshire, Tranmere Rovers delivered a much-needed three points at The Lamex Stadium, with Josh Hawkes’ goal proving to be the decisive factor.
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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