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.
Out of this world photography exhibition at Williamson Art Gallery
The Williamson Art Gallery & Museum in Birkenhead is hosting a spectacular exhibition of never-before-seen images from the Apollo moon missions.
The photographs are set to be displayed in the USA and the only other venues where the exhibition has been held are the Royal Albert Hall in London, The Glasgow Science Centre, and in the UAE, proving what a rare opportunity this is to see the photographs.
The exhibition at the Williamson presents the photographs on a large scale, offering awe-inspiring insight into one of our greatest endeavours and it will be the biggest exhibition of the photographs staged anywhere in the world to date.
Local Council Elections 2023: Who will you vote for this May?
Local elections in Wirral and throughout the United Kingdom are due to be held on Thursday 4 May 2023.
The move to whole council elections will mean that from this year the council elections will be held once every four years, rather than previously being held in three out of every four years. The change comes after councillors passed a resolution to change to whole council elections.
The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station.
Bereaved dad runs six marathons in six days in memory of son
Jason Frain is running six marathons in six days this Spring, aiming to raise £5,000 for Claire House Children’s Hospice in memory of his son Aubrey.
Jason, age 34, who is originally from Rochdale, moved to Chester to complete a master’s degree at the University of Chester, soon after Jason and wife Katie found out they were expecting their first child.
Aubrey was born prematurely on 30 April 2022 and passed away six days later on 5 May. To honour his first birthday and to celebrate the six days that Jason and Katie got to spend with Aubrey, Jason plans to run a marathon every day for six days, starting on Sunday 30 April 2023.
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Full list of Wirral roads set to change to 20mph
Wirral Council is looking to introduce more 20mph speed limits.
To do this, the borough has been split into different zones, and over the next four years, the council will be looking to introduce 20mph speed limits on almost all residential roads across the borough. As part of this process, residents will be asked for their thoughts on the schemes before they are introduced.
The introduction of 20mph speed limits is most beneficial in residential, shopping and school areas and therefore each of the zones has therefore been chosen based on the type of area as well as collision data. Main roads (also known as A and B roads) are suggested to keep their current speed limit and not be changed to 20mph unless it (or parts of it) run through local centres (such as residential areas, schools and shopping places or leisure facilities, hospitals and public transport routes).
Astronomical society to hold open day at Bidston Observatory
The Liverpool Astronomical Society is arguably the oldest continuous amateur astronomical society in the world.
Founded in 1881 the Society has over 140 years of experience behind it and can offer advice on a wide range of related astronomical subjects.
Members of the society will be at hosting an open day at Bidston Observatory on 6 May 2023 with solar telescopes to safely observe sunspots and solar flares and our Sun (weather permitting!)
Lorry driver hailed for saving life of man on motorway bridge
A lorry driver has been praised after stopping his truck to save the life of a man intending to jump from a motorway bridge.
Quick-thinking Wallasey resident, Kieran Walsh, sprang into action when he saw the man on a bridge above the M1 in South Yorkshire in the early hours.
Kieran tried to calm the man, then told him he was just going to step away and call his office to let colleagues know he was delayed – but instead he rang the police.
Wirral MP renews pressure on government over new voter ID measures
Margaret Greenwood MP has raised concerns that new voter ID measures brought in by the government will see some people unable to vote in the local elections on 4 May.
Figures show that only around 4% of those who need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate have done so.
The Wirral West MP has been highlighting the issue in recent months. She made her latest intervention during an Urgent Question in the House of Commons in which Labour pressed the government on arrangements in place to record the number of voters who attend at a polling station and are denied a vote because they are not in possession of valid photo ID.
Liverpool exhibition showcases Birkenhead-based artist who fled war in Ukraine
Eurovision is everywhere at the moment and one venue in the host city is keen to remind us why the contest is in this country in the first place.
Birkenhead-based artist, Aram Manukyan, was happily living in Ukraine until 2022, when suddenly Russia invaded and the country was thrown into turmoil.
Aram was born in 1964 in Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia. His father, Alexander was a metal artist and encouraged his son’s creativity from an early age, first teaching him to draw and then how to create art from metal.
Wirral volunteer named a Coronation Champion
An outstanding volunteer from Wirral, has been recognised by Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort as part of the official Coronation celebrations in conjunction with Royal Voluntary Service.
Paula Staunton founded and volunteers with Earth Moves, and has been recognised for her contribution and crowned a Coronation Champion.
This follows a call out to the nation to nominate their volunteer heroes. Almost 5000 entries were received, with nominations made for individuals aged 14 up to 103.
Birkenhead Sixth Form College named North of England college of the year
Birkenhead Sixth Form College has been named the best in the North of England by a prestigious education awards.
Educate North Awards celebrates excellence in the education sector in the North, and the Wirral-based institution was chosen as Further Education College of the Year 2023 by the panel of judges.
The award follows Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s extraordinary A Level results in Summer 2022, bucking the national trend of a downturn in high grades after students sat final exams for the first time since COVID-19 lockdowns. The College secured a 15% increase in grades A* – B with students sitting exams for the first time, as opposed to struggling with the new demands.
Youngsters unite for Eurovision kite-flying display in New Brighton
Children from across Liverpool City Region will unite with youngsters in Ukraine in a poignant kite-flying display, representing their soaring dreams and shared aspirations.
On Friday 5 May, as part of Liverpool’s Eurovision host city programme, 450 primary school pupils will gather on The Tower Ground, New Brighton, to fly a kite at exactly the same time as 450 children in four Ukrainian cities – Kyiv, Lviv, Khmelnytskyi, and Poltava. These cities have been chosen as when connected, they form a rhombus shape on the map, reminiscent of a kite.
In this moving project which is called Land & Sky, Home & Dreams, each pupil has designed their own flag during dedicated workshops, using their artwork to showcase what their hopes are for their future.
Wirral Chamber Music Festival returns this summer
Wirral Chamber Music Festival has announced the programme for its third festival weekend, featuring world-class musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra alongside some of Wirral’s finest musicians and special guests.
The festival will feature a thrilling variety of programmes in venues across Wirral from Friday 30 June – Sunday 2 July.
Founded in 2021 by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s leader Thelma Handy and Orchestra cellist Alex Holladay, the festival, which sold out all concerts and venues in its inaugural year, showcases young local talent, world-class musicians living locally, and visiting international artists.
Birkenhead care home placed into special measures following ‘inadequate’ CQC rating
The Quality Care Commission (CQC) has given the Dundoran Nursing and Residential Care Home in Birkenhead the lowest possible rating of “inadequate” following its latest inspection.
As a result, the care home has been placed into special measures.
The inspection included a review of the infection control and prevention measures in place, to understand the service’s preparedness in preventing or managing an infection outbreak.
Warriors make history during busy weekend
Warriors Pentathlon and Athletic Club had another busy weekend, as they showed why they are one of the most exciting and fastest-growing clubs in the Merseyside area.
It all started on Friday evening when Isla Pastor and Meg Hoshiko travelled to London with the North West team to compete in the mini-marathon on Saturday morning.
Both ran really well, Isla finishing 25th in the country and Meg finishing 11th. It was a rapid turnaround for both of them as Isla headed to the Peak District and Meg headed for Bath.
Birkenhead Park held to draw as Baker, Bachhav, and Harris shine
Birkenhead Park CC 1st XI were held to a draw by Highfield, despite a hat trick from opening bowler Alex Baker and fifties for Alex Harris and the returning Satyajeet Bachhav.
After losing the toss on an overcast Saturday lunchtime, Park were put into bat by Highfield captain Michael Farrell.
For a second consecutive week, Matty Langford launched a majestic straight six back over the bowlers head. However, a mix up in the middle saw him run out for ten.
Tranmere draw at Wimbledon
Tranmere Rovers secured a crucial point in their last away game of the season, thanks to a late equalizer from Sam Taylor.
Tranmere maintained the same starting lineup that had previously won against Grimsby, with only Joe Murphy returning to the bench as the sole change to the squad.
The game started with an early chance for Wimbledon as Ali Al-Hamadi attempted to advance into the Tranmere box, but Jordan Turnbull tackled well to prevent a potential goal.
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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