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.
Arrowe Park Hospital sees 130 people abseil to raise money for neonatal unit
Last year almost 400 babies were born needing extra help from the Neonatal Unit at Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital at Arrowe Park in the first few days and weeks of their lives.
The Wirral University Trust Hospital (WUTH) Charity needs to raise £1.5 million to extensively refurbish the Neonatal Unit. The money raised will help to fund the refurbishment and expansion of the Neonatal Unit including world-class medical equipment and enhanced parent facilities. The funds are needed to provide the best possible Neonatal Unit for the babies and their families.
On Friday 10 and Saturday 11 September, many people took part in the abseil to help raise the funds needed. Victoria Burrows, Head of Fundraising at WUTH Charity, said, “This is the ‘Tiny Stars’ abseil and it is the first time we’ve done it in two years. In fact, this is the first fundraising event we’ve done since we’ve been able to hold events again.
Hundreds of cyclists enjoy Leverhulme Summer Cycle
Several hundred people of all ages took part in this year’s Leverhulme Summer Cycle.
The event was held on the treelined tracks around the Leverhulme Estate at Brimstage Hall & Courtyard in Wirral.
Cyclists were also able to enjoy a feast of stalls run by independent producers including Ginger Cat Coffee, Pen-y-Lan Pork, Windsors Fruit Liqueurs, Hyacinth Vintage Ice Cream, Carriages Café Bar and The Chocolate Cellar.
Port Sunlight classic car show a great success
Port Sunlight Village Trust hosted a Classic Car Show and Foodie Feast as part of the ‘Heritage Open Days’ events throughout the country. Tame Valley Vintage and Classic Car Club (TVVCCC) had many members’ cars and motorcycles on display from a Mk1 Ford Escort 2000, to Knightrider’s car, ‘KITT.’
Despite the drizzle, hundreds of people including everyone from car enthusiasts to local families who attended the event.
Taking place on Museum Green, between the Lady Lever Art Gallery and the Port Sunlight Museum, it was a perfect setting for all of the vehicles on display.
Have your say on Wirral Library Service
Wirral residents have one last chance to share their ideas for libraries with just under a week left to go before the consultation ends.
The 12-week consultation, which aims to find out what residents want from Wirral’s Library Service, comes to an end on Monday 20 September.
Residents have the chance to tell the council what they like most about the library, what they don’t like, what they want more of and what is most important to them.
Wirral-based musician reunites band for new album with all-star guest ensemble
Maniac Squat made their last record in 1996 and promptly split. Now they are back, with three members of the original line-up reconvening to record a stunning concept album of experimental art-rock.
The Cloud Upon the Sanctuary, which also leans heavily towards jazz, has been inspired by the work of eighteenth-century Christian mystic, author and philosopher, Karl von Eckhartshausen.
For The Cloud Upon the Sanctuary, the band has teamed up with an all-star ensemble of guest musicians headed up by legendary Bowie/Iggy Pop sideman, Kevin Armstrong, who also produced the album. Joining Kevin – and the original Maniac Squat alumni of Tom Wilcox, Scott Pearce and Michael Giaquinto – are Iggy Pop’s drummer, Mat Hector; PJ Harvey’s sax player, Terry Edwards; and rising star Manchester-based rapper, El Zeeko.
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Tap or click to follow birkenhead.news on Twitter The Greasby neighbours giving nature a helping hand
A group of Greasby neighbours has ‘adopted’ a small piece of green space in their community and are now tending it with the aim of reinvigorating the area to create a wildlife-friendly environment, that enables the reintroduction of wildlife.
After consultation with Wirral Council and Wirral Wildlife Trust, the neighbours have been given the go-ahead for a community project to regenerate the green space and, as part of phase 2 of the project, the pond between Bromsgrove Road, Malmesbury Close, and Willow Park.
Their plan is to maintain the site, which measures approx ⅔ acre, on an ongoing basis. The first phase is to dig over an area of the green space so that it will be ready to re-sow with wildflowers and grasses and to thin out the overgrown brambles and ivy. About 5% of the site will be regularly mowed, to allow for children to play and families to be able to sit and have picnics, but the rest of the site will be left to nature, with a bit of management to help it thrive and look its best.
Wirral Met students announced as national finalists in the WorldSkills UK competition
Luke Turner and Michael Kier, both students at Wirral Met College, have been announced as finalists in the prestigious WorldSkills UK competition.
They will now compete in the national finals from 9 – 19 November, after having been selected as the top performers in their chosen skills of Carpentry and Welding from National Qualifiers held across the UK.
Luke is one of only seven students across the UK to secure a place in the final for carpentry. The 21-year-old joined Wirral Met in 2020 on a Level 2 Bench Joinery Diploma and has since progressed on to a carpentry and joinery apprenticeship with local employer Magenta Living. Luke spends one day a week at the college’s world-class Wirral Waters campus and four days a week at Magenta Living, undertaking a variety of joinery projects.
Landmark moment as first new offices in Birkenhead are given the green light
Wirral Growth Company has received planning approval for two new Grade-A office developments in Birkenhead, marking the first phase of its extensive regeneration masterplan.
The announcement follows the recent approval of the formal site development plan for phase one of Birkenhead Town Centre’s masterplan, as well as the WiredScore Gold standard rating that the two buildings secured earlier this summer, which will see them placed among the best in the country in terms of broadband and telecom infrastructure.
Once complete, one of the two five-storey developments will be occupied by Wirral Council, which will see 800 members of staff move into high-quality, future-proofed workspace in the heart of the town. The second building will be available to let on the open market, helping to address the Liverpool City Region’s shortage in Grade-A space and creating opportunities for local businesses to grow and level-up their working environment.
REVIEW – Jesus Christ Superstar joyous, tragic, bitter, biting, and fabulous
What’s the buzz? I’ll tell you what’s a-happening: HAWK’s long-awaited, Covid-postponed production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight, that’s what. But is it worth waiting for?
I should say so. Not only did it give Jesus (Jack Parry) enough time to grow his hair to Biblical proportions, and not only is there a simple joy in hearing music raw and live again, but, for an amateur cast who had to rehearse principally on Zoom, it’s beltingly good.
Of course, it’s hard to go wrong when the lyrics and tunes are as fabulous as any Rice/Lloyd Webber collaboration but the pitfall of an entirely sung rock opera is that there’s no dialogue to drive the narrative: the vocals have to be proficient enough to keep the audience in thrall. The Hoylake and West Kirby Theatre Group manage to pull this off.
The Martin Gallier Project receives £2k donation from Bromborough company
On Friday 10 September 2021, Bromborough based global fashion company Oh Polly alongside both sister companies, Bo+Tee and Neena Swim, donated 10% of all profits to The Martin Gallier Project. The brands have confirmed the total amount donated was £2,103.97.
The ladies fashionwear company wanted to raise awareness and draw attention to World Suicide Prevention Day. They posted a series of Instagram stories to inform and educate their followers who are mostly aged between 18 and 34. Due to this, the brand felt a responsibility to promote a cause they truly believe in.
The donation from Oh Polly, Bo+Tee and Neena Swim is part of an ongoing relationship with The Martin Gallier Project. Recently, the global fashion house was announced as The Martin Gallier Project’s main sponsor for their ‘well-being weekend’ at Woodside Ferry Village, Birkenhead on 28 and 29 August 2021.
Glen Affric scoops 9 medals in the 2021 Asia Beer Challenge
Glen Affric Brewery has announced that on top of the 7 medals they won recently at the 2021 World Beer Awards, the Birkenhead brewer has picked up 9 more medals at the Asia Beer Challenge including 2x Double Golds:
- Highland Suntan – Double Gold (Standard Pale Ale)
- I Can’t Believe It’s NOT-Ella – Double Gold (Chocolate)
- Loch & Load – Gold (German Pilsener)
- Tart An Typhoon – Gold (Fruit)
- Brighter Daze Ahead – Gold (American Pale Ale)
- Forres Haze – Silver (New England IPA)
- Ingimund IPA – Silver (Speciality)
- Rutting Stag – Bronze (American Amber Ale)
- Berried Alive – Bronze (Fruit)
A spokesperson for Glen Affric said, “Snapping up not one, but two Double Gold awards is an outstanding achievement in and of itself, but to receive them on top of another 7 medals is a truly humbling experience.
Wirral songwriter makes final 10 of International Song for Kindness Contest
Inspired by John Lennon’s global hit and peace anthem, Imagine, international charity tuff.earth started the search for the world’s best new song of hope and optimism on what would have been the former Beatle’s 80th birthday, 9 October 2020, with the aim of raising spirits in what has been a traumatic 18 months for the planet.
More than 1500 songs from 28 countries were received by the July 2021 deadline and among them is ‘In the End’ by Jonny Fowlds.
Jonny has now been invited to perform his song live alongside the other nine finalists at the legendary Cavern Club on 9 October 2021, John Lennon’s 81st birthday.
Paul Lavelle Foundation charity football match raises £2000
On Sunday 12 September 2021 at Heswall Football Club, #TeamDDB held the inaugural Paul Lavelle Charity Football Game and Family Fun Day.
The event was a huge success with over 300 people in attendance, the sun shining, and over £2,000 was raised for The Paul Lavelle Foundation. The foundation is a local charity that does fantastic work in both raising awareness of male domestic abuse, and in supporting male victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
The day itself was mainly to remember Paul Lavelle, who sadly died from domestic abuse in 2017, and for the local community to come together to enjoy all of the entertainment that was on offer.
Council issue updates on Wirral Leisure Centres
A number of leisure centres will resume operating services with increased access and capacity across Wirral from Monday 20 September.
West Kirby Concourse, Europa Pools, Guinea Gap Leisure Centre and Wirral Tennis Centre will be operating at increased capacity for customers visiting the gyms, swimming pools and exercise classes.
Fitness facilities at Leasowe and Oval Leisure Centres will continue to operate within the current operating procedures.
BTR Mersey Tunnel 10k returns – Rare opportunity to run under the River Mersey
Next weekend more than 2,000 runners will take on the challenge of running under the River Mersey and through the Mersey Tunnel in one of the most unique races in the country.
The 15th BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K is on Sunday 26 September, starting in Liverpool at 9.30am and finishing across the river in New Brighton.
Fondly known locally as the ‘new tunnel’, The Kingsway Tunnel was opened by The Queen in June 1971 with this year marking its 50th anniversary.
New Brighton Lifeboat station receives an amazing donation from Bore family
Volunteers from New Brighton Lifeboat station were visited on 16 September by members of the Bore family.
They presented volunteers from the station with an amazing donation of £1888.44 from the estate of the late Leslie and Paula Bore.
The family has connections with Liverpool as far back as 1840 and family members also served in the Royal Navy during the war.
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