Welcome to “Sunday Snippets” a weekly feature from birkenhead.news. It is a round-up of our most popular good news stories from the last seven days. Click on each story to read the full article.
Local firm supports community environmental clean up
As part of a Knowsley based company’s environmental commitment, its managing director Liam Hanlon put his ‘boots on the ground’ alongside members of a local volunteer initiative, to clear litter from part of Wirral’s outdoor areas.
The Forshaw Group’s Managing Director joined a 21-strong team that helped to clean up Bidston Moss, a designated local nature reserve since 1994. Home to all forms of wildlife including butterflies and other insects, small birds and buzzards, as it lies near the M53 and A554, the approach area had instead become a habitat for litter.
Special Wedding Ceremony at Arrowe Park Hospital
A patient who is in the later stages of cancer married her long term partner at a special wedding ceremony on a ward at Wirral University Teaching Hospital.
Carole Graham, 66, married her partner of 22 years, Jean Davies, 66, following her cancer diagnosis.
She has been an inpatient at Arrowe Park Hospital since March and staff on Ward 14 rallied quickly to create a special wedding day for the couple who live in Heswall.
Police Commissioner thanks the region’s army of unsung heroes
Emily Spurrell is marking Volunteers’ Week, held every year from 1 – 7 June, by recognising and applauding the contribution made by hundreds of public-spirited individuals through volunteering across Merseyside.
While the coronavirus has put a stop to some of the fantastic activities many volunteers usually do, many are finding new and innovative ways make a difference in their communities and support vulnerable people.
She met with members of Merseyside Police’s Special Constabulary, who are also among those who have been going above and beyond the call of duty during the coronavirus outbreak. On average this year, Special Constables have been working more than double the monthly hours expected of them. Specials are requested to work 16 hours a month, but Merseyside’s 149 operational Specials have, on average, served 37 hours per month, amounting to more than 27,300 hours of service so far this year already.
No Mow May for bees, butterflies and the wider environment
Wirral Council has been doing its bit in support of a national month-long initiative that promotes the welfare of bees, butterflies and the wider environment.
The ‘No Mow May’ campaign, which is led by the conservation charity Plantlife, encouraged anyone who looks after gardens, verges and other grassed areas to lock up their lawnmowers for the month of May and let wildflowers and other important pollinators shine through.
Moreton activity centre receives £225k National Lottery grant
Moreton based activity centre ‘Happy Times Activities’ provides bespoke activities for adults with additional needs. It will be able to continue providing community support following a successful application for a grant from The National Lottery.
The grant of £226,195 over three years will allow them to provide their bespoke activities at their Moreton Activity Centre and in their outreach and online channel.
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Tap or click to follow birkenhead.news on Twitter Birkenhead firm leads the way to net zero
The government has launched the ‘Together for our Planet – Business Climate Leaders’ campaign, a new drive to encourage small and micro businesses to commit to cutting their emissions in half by 2030 and to net zero by 2050 or sooner through the new UK Business Climate Hub 
.
Family-owned energy efficiency specialists SURE Solutions based in Birkenhead offers solutions to businesses using industrial refrigeration and has pledged to become net zero by 2025.
Local volunteers awarded Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services
Pictured top left: The Friends of Birkenhead Park celebrate receiving the honour of obtaining the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services, with Mayor Cllr George Davies.
Pictured top right: IncuBabies, a group of volunteers based in Wirral, was set up to fundraise for a new extension of the neonatal unit at Arrowe Park Hospital to support neonatal provision and the families in Wirral, Cheshire, Merseyside and beyond. They are now also actively supporting research called the ASPIRE study, which is for neonates and full-term poorly babies with regards to nutrition and digestion, potentially causing fatal infections. Read more …
Pictured centre: The Hive works with up to 4,000 young people each year from across Wirral, giving them, somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to. Operating seven days a week young people can choose from around 20 activities each day including sports, arts, music, climbing, cooking and much more. Read more …
Pictured bottom left: Wirral Foodbank is one of 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them. Read more …
Pictured bottom right: Neo Community, based in Rock Ferry. Jane Harris, Director of regional grants for the Steve Morgan Foundation added, “The work carried out by Neo Community volunteers is inspirational. The volunteers work tirelessly to benefit the disadvantaged community of Rock Ferry and its surrounds with a project that has contributed to improving access to healthy food, reducing food waste, providing employment training and volunteering opportunities, reducing social isolation and improving self-esteem.” Read more…
Stunning video of ice sculptures at Wirral beach to highlight COP26 and climate change
Artists from Sand In Your Eye installed 26 ice sculptures of children on New Brighton Beach last weekend, that were set in a giant 120m sand drawing.
The artwork was to highlight the importance of the global climate conference COP26. They were be joined by 26 children and their families who stood by the sculptures holding plaques with the names of global leaders.
Claire Wardley from Sand In Your Eye described the event before it took place; “The 26 ice sculptures of children are a metaphor for the fragility of our young people’s future in the face of climate change, for melting ice caps, and for rising sea levels as the tide comes over them.”
Cradle to Career creates £15,000 Birkenhead community fund
A new community fund worth £15,000 has been made available by Cradle to Career (C2C) to support families in North Birkenhead who have great ideas to boost their community.
The Cradle to Career Working Group has created the exciting new #OurNorthEnd Community Seed Fund, to finance community-led projects that families in the area feel they need to be able to thrive.
It has been boosted by an award from philanthropist and Redrow founder Steve Morgan (pictured), who said, “The Steve Morgan Foundation recognised the importance of communities working together and the idea for Cradle to Career in North Birkenhead, and giving every child a chance, was born out of that.
MFRS to help deliver afternoon tea to 250 unpaid carers to thank them for ‘tea-riffic’ pandemic efforts
Around 250 carers across Merseyside will be treated to afternoon tea next week as part of a ‘thank you’ from local organisations for their efforts during the pandemic.
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) has teamed up with LFC, Age UK Wirral, all five Merseyside local authorities and a number of other organisations to recognise the commitment and sacrifice made by unpaid carers as part of their ‘Care for the Carers’ campaign.
Return to indoor exercise a big success at Wirral leisure centres
The return to indoor exercise has been a big success with the 50 fitness classes available at Wirral’s leisure centres proving really popular.
From Yoga, Tai Chi and chair based exercises to Kettlebells, spin classes and the new Line Dancing classes, fitness fans have been enjoying a full range of activities, where safety is of course the top priority.
Classes are available at West Kirby Leisure Centre, Wirral Tennis Centre, Bidston, and Europa Leisure Centre, Birkenhead.
1 million doses as 40% of North West adults are now fully protected
Pharmacy-led COVID-19 vaccination sites will be able to celebrate having given 1 million doses of the vaccine in the North West this weekend, just five months after opening their doors.
The news comes as it emerges that 40% of the adult population in the North West have had their first and second doses of the vaccine and are fully protected against COVID-19, while 2 in 3 adults have had their first doses.
Andrew’s Pharmacy in Macclesfield and Appleton Pharmacy in Widnes were among the very first in the country to start administering the jabs on 7 January 2021.
Foster Carers talk about their fostering experience
Fostered teenagers are just like any teenagers and more remarkable carers are needed to help take care and support them in Wirral.
There are around 821 children in care in Wirral, 341 of which are teenagers. Foster carers Garry and Pam share the rewarding journey they are on fostering teenagers.
Williamson Art Gallery & Museum welcomes back visitors
Visitors returning to the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum can experience a new exhibition as the building’s doors officially reopen on 9 June.
The gallery was closed in March 2020 due to coronavirus with art enthusiasts encouraged to view art collections online and follow the gallery’s social media channels to stay involved.
Wirral care home residents celebrate National Fish & Chip Day
Staff and residents at Barchester’s Caldy Manor care home in Caldy had a fantastic time celebrating National Fish & Chip Day on Fryday 4 June, surely one of the best days of the year!
Residents enjoyed a fish & chip lunch from the award-winning Marigolds in West Kirby. Volunteer, Annette Franz and Activities Lead, Debbie Thomas had been busy fund-raising to be able to treat residents and staff. It was a real treat and everyone celebrated with a glass of Buck’s Fizz. Later on residents enjoyed a quiz where they were tested on fun fish & chip facts.
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