WALRUS

SEASON’S GREETINGS

TO EVERYONE IN

NEW BRIGHTON.

Vale Park Calender

The calendar has been produced by the Friends of Vale Park, New Brighton. All photographs were taken by local residents and all profits from the sale of this calendar will go towards improving the facilities at Vale Park.

Vale Park Calendar.

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Soroptimist International

Are you looking for a club which acts globally and thinks locally?
Do you want to meet women from different walks of life?
Would you like to find out more about Human Rights Issues, Child Labour, Trafficking of Women, Land Mines?
Will you get involved in supporting local projects and initiatives?

Then perhaps Soroptimist International is for you.

Soroptimist International is a Non Governmental Organisation for Women, with direct access to the United Nations. Over 3,000 Clubs in 120 Countries working together for others in an effort to make a difference.

Locally we are involved in Beachwatch and carry out regular surveys of the pollution over a measured distance on New Brighton Beach.. We support the Wirral Women and Childrens Aid, the Ark Project for the Homeless, the Elderly and a Special Needs School.

If you would like to know more about S.I. Wallasey ring 639 7700 or 638 5579.

We meet twice a month at the Hollins Hey Hotel and would be pleased to talk to anyone who might be interested.

Jackie Culpin.

Dear Sir/Madam

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

APPLICATION BY NEPTUNE DEVELOPMENTS LTD

LAND AT KINGS PARADE/MARINE PROMENADE NEW BRIGHTON WATERFRONT WIRRAL

I am writing to inform you that the first day of the above Inquiry, will take place at 10.00 am on Tuesday, 7 February 2006, in the Civic Hall, Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wallasey. The Inquiry is expected to continue for approximately 16 days.

Yours faithfully

Mark Reaney

Head of Legal and Member Services

WALLASEY VOLUNTEER CENTRE

As the Volunteering Development Officer for the Wallasey & District area and Heswall & District area I am currently promoting volunteering across Wirral. We have 5 volunteer centres based in Wallasey, Heswall, Birkenhead, Bebington and Hoylake. Please feel free to contact the Wallasey office for contact details of individual offices and further information regarding volunteering.

The Volunteer Centre aims to encourage people from all walks of life to get involved in their community. It provides a link between individuals and organisations in need of volunteers to help them fulfil their aims. Volunteering covers a range of activities, much wider than many people realise. Volunteers are needed for office roles, assisting children in schools and Playschemes, counselling and advice work, volunteering with animals, assisting at a day centres or befriending elderly people, to name but a few!!

People volunteer for a number of different reasons. Some volunteer to enhance CVs or UCAS forms, others volunteer to socialise and meet new people, some even volunteer to explore potential career paths. Whatever your reasons we can find the right opportunity for you. Volunteering is happening all over Wirral right now. You choose where and when you want to volunteer and we will work from there!
In the Volunteer Centre we pride ourselves on the individual attention we give to prospective volunteers to find the best situation for them. It is helpful if a prospective volunteer makes an appointment to discuss their ideas with our co-ordinator, but we can usually offer some assistance at any time the office is open.
Contact: Michelle Thomason (Development Officer)

Wallasey Volunteer Centre

224 Liscard Road

Wallasey, CH44 5TN

Tel: 0151 606 4167

Good news! Vale Park’s children’s play area is awaiting ordered new play equipment. Many thanks to all concerned, especially Roger Calvert of WBC’s Parks and Open Spaces who has been really co-operative.

To continue and finish this project a major piece of play equipment needs funding. The Friends of Vale Park and local residents are together identifying funding and putting any necessary bids together. For updates on this or to suggest any fundraising ideas please contact myself or Rusty through Friends of Vale Park. Notices of any future developments or news will be displayed in the park!

Lisa Shaw November 18^th 2005.

TIME TO SPEAK OUT.

Now is the time for us, the people of New Brighton, to pull together and do our bit to ensure a new dawn and a brighter future for our town. The plans by Neptune Developments to spend £75 million regenerating and restoring New Brighton to its rightful place as a leading seaside town are facing a public enquiry on February 7^th. The vast majority of us support and wholeheartedly welcome these great plans, plans that will give us a new, completely rebuilt Floral Pavilion and create a new conference centre. Plans that will create 1,000 new jobs for our community. Plans that will give us a new promenade, a state of the art Marine Lake, an outdoor lido, restaurants, a cinema complex, café bars, new supermarket, an upgraded and enhanced Tower grounds park, a new model boating lake and crabbing pool. We must now show that support by signing the petition to prove that this is the true voice of the New Brighton community and we want Neptune to be able to deliver their promise to create a new New Brighton. This is our last chance to make a difference and make our voices heard. These exciting new amenities will not only attract and encourage lots of new visitors to come and spend their time and money here, they will provide much needed facilities for us to enjoy. That small minority who seem determined to keep New Brighton rotting in the 20^th century must not be allowed to have their way and it is time for us, the majority, to stand up and be counted. How many of us have walked along the promenade to see the old marine lake silting up, the Floral Pavilion so urgently in need of restoration, and very little to make visitors want to come and spend the day here? The situation is desperate. We want new jobs and new investment and we have the opportunity to make that happen almost within our grasp. If we allow this last chance to slip away, what is the future for New Brighton? What is the future for the generations to follow? There are no more chances. Sign the petition and sign up for a future with huge benefits for us all.

Petitions can be found in the following locations: Liscard Precinct, New Brighton Community Centre, Vale House Café, Chocoholics, (opposite New Brighton Station), Bargain Booze, (Victoria Road), or the Flying Dutchman, (Seabank Road). Or you can email your support to ournewbrighton@hotmail.co.uk

Rob Woods. Secretary. New Brighton Trade and Business Association.

Pride in our Promenades

Mersey Waterfront is a partnership working to transform, energise and connect the collective potential of all our waterfront areas, threading them together to create a special sense of place. A place that draws people in to visit, live, work and invest and where the famous warmth and spirit of all our people can flourish.

A key theme for the partnership is Pride in our Promenades, which aims to restore and revitalise several kilometres of promenade along Merseyside’s waterfront. It is complex because it is a pan-Merseyside programme involving several partner organisations. Over recent months discussions have continued with local authorities and funders, and a Programme Co-ordinator (Jo Hayes) has been appointed. The stretch of promenade between Seacombe and New Brighton has been identified as one of the priorities. The next steps will be to progress designs and secure funding in consultation with local people through Mersey Waterfront’s People’s Panels. For further information please contact Jo on 0151 237 3524.

ACACIA - for all your horticultural needs

Does your garden need a seasonal tidy up? Would you like regular garden maintenance? Are you looking for advice about your plant, soil type,pruning, plant positioning or a complete garden re- design?

Acacia is a "not for profit" social enterprise and is passionate about horticulture! Call Robert Price, our professionally trained horticulturist for quotes and more details. Mobile: 07880670401.

A NEW BUSINESS – ATHERTON CARDS AND GIFTS Opposite New Brighton Station CARDS – GIFTS – FLOWERS.	IRENE MURPHY Daily office and carpet cleaners 0151 678 3483 Mobile 0778 754 6885
VALE HOUSE CAFÉ 3 COURSE CHRISTMAS DINNER £10.95 From Monday 5th December. 638 2666	KUTTING EDGE Top hair stylists!! 141,Mount Road New Brighton 606 4446

SEABANK ROAD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Congratulations to Cllr Tony Pritchard and the New Brighton Trade and Business Association – especially Rob from SHIVA – for creating such a wonderful Christmas display on Seabank Road. The lights were switched on by PETE PRICE from RADIO CITY with local schoolchildren AIDAN McCULLOCH and ALICE LUCKING lending a hand on Saturday 26^th November with Carols from the children of NEW BRIGHTON PRIMARY SCHOOL and EMMANUEL CHURCH CHOIR and entertainment by SEVEN WAVES LOCAL RADIO. Two snow machines generously provided by SNOWSTARS added to the excitement.

VALE PARK CALENDAR

Once again the Friends of Vale Park have produced a calendar of photographs taken by local people. These are available for £3.50 at Vale House Café, Seabank Road Post Office, Kim’s, Shiva, Gill’s Family Store and Earlston Library. All proceeds go towards projects in the Park.

THE GORSE MILLENNIUM GREEN TRUST will be holding its ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING on Saturday 14^th January at 11 am at Vale House. All welcome.

WALLASEY CITIZEN of the YEAR 2005 WILF BARTON

Wilf Barton is a man whose lifetime of voluntary work has never been adequately recognised by his fellow citizens.

He began by joining the Scout movement as a boy but, having completed his career as a boy and youth, he then became a Scout Leader and was soon the Group Leader of the 7^th Wallasey Scout Group. He held this position for many years and ran a highly successful Group that gave instruction, guidance and pleasure to successive generations of Wallasey youth. His work was recognised by the Scout Association - he holds the Silver Acorn - but has never been acknowledged by Wallasey, the town whose children benefited from his work.

When he reached the age at which he was required to retire from active involvement with Scouting he became the leader of the Wallasey division of the Wirral Scout Post, an organisation that has raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities and other worthy causes. Each year, for the last several years, Wilf has dedicated a lot of his time to this project, to the great benefit of the recipients of the grants made from the money raised.

He has also been, for some years, the Treasurer of the North Wirral Crime Prevention Panel. As further evidence of his character, it might be noted that in all the local clubs and social groups he has joined he has very soon become one of the organisers himself, again devoting much time and effort for the benefit of his fellow citizens.

Wallasey Civic Society is pleased to present the Wallasey Citizen of the Year Award to Wilf Barton. The Mayor of Wirral Councillor Chris Meaden presented the Award at the Society's AGM on 16^th November.

WALLASEY TIME BANK

How do you sell a great idea to the general public where everyone’s time is valued equally, the community is enriched, friendships blossom, and there is an all round feeling of the good old days when we all looked out for each other?

Well! You start a “Time Bank” where you can earn shares by simply being a good neighbour and giving someone a helping hand – like walking a dog, babysitting, gardening, basic DIY, shopping, household chores, sewing etc.

Your good turn is recorded and then you can choose from a list of services and skills that others can provide for you. No money changes hands – just a greater sense of community spirit.

Find out more about the TIMEBANK and how it works.

Contact Carol Nolan on 637 1234 – Mobile: 07932 233 668.

New Brighton’s TIMEBANK will meet monthly starting in January

FAIRTRADE ON WIRRAL - Christmas time!
Goodwill to all at Christmas time - buying Fairtrade is one tasty way of putting this into practice! When you are having a Christmas "do" out in a cafe, restaurant or hotel, it is a perfect opportunity to ask for Fairtrade tea and coffee. It is a gentle reminder to the manager that small changes here can bring great benefits to the farmers in developing countries, plus their customers are receiving a quality drink and a warming feel good factor!
Vale House cafe are selling Fairtrade, Haven bookshop on Seabank Rd, Oxfam in LIscard, Christian Bookshop(serpentine Rd Family Church) opposite Central Park, and all the supermarkets. Also Fairtrade Stalls at Christmas fayres, carol concerts etc are usually very well supported.
For more information call Alison at Wirral LA21 Network on 639-4310.

Holly Higgins – Christmas Review

This year will be a very exciting year for the children at New Brighton Primary School. During December, New Brighton Primary has many exciting and festive things to look forward to.

Firstly, the nursery children will be watching a performance. This will be performed by the ‘Busy Bee’ theatre company and all the children are looking forward to seeing this exciting event.

Secondly, key stage one are performing their play called ‘Jesus’ Christmas party’. Cunning actors, singers and a number of instruments add to this brilliant event. There will be stunning costumes and scenery that will be organised by the brilliant teachers.

Key stage two will put on a production of ‘Alice in Wonderland’. There will be actors, singers, the choir, dancers, costumes and scenery, all help to produce this fantastic event. Of course, the teachers are to thank for organising this event. It is sure to be a spectacular production.

All of the children at New Brighton Primary School will be attending a Christmas carol service at St Peter and Paul’s Church. They will sing carols led by the choir and have soloists perform beautiful songs. There will also be a short play, this will be an extremely enjoyable event.

In addition, the children at New Brighton Primary are looking forward to their class parties which will be a great time to have some festive fun on the run up to Christmas.

As you can see, this will be a spectacular Christmas at New Brighton Primary School and year to remember. We hope you all enjoy a lovely Christmas too.

By Holly Higgins (Year 6 pupil)

Message Board

Do you want to comment on the Walrus magazine, the Walrus website or talk about what's happening in New Brighton and Wallasey? Leave a message on our board.

New Brighton Photos

We have some more photographs of New Brighton and Wallasey, both today and of old.

Paper Collection Calendar 2005

Please put your bag out at the edge of your property nearest to your pavement on your day of collection by 7:30am

Your collection dates for 2005 are:

September 13^th, 27^th
October 11^th, 25^th
November 8^th, 22^nd
December 6^th, 20^th