Happy Christmas
and
Best Wishes
for 2007
to all Walrus
Readers

Photos of Old Wallasey

Dear residents

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year from all of us in Wallasey neighbourhood.

We want you and your family and friends to have a great time over the festive period. Here are a few tips to help keep you safe…

At home:

• Always lock your windows and doors

• If you have UPVC doors, remember to lock them from the inside

• Keep house and car keys out of sight

• Don't leave presents or valuables where they can be seen through windows / doors

• Don't leave packaging or boxes from gifts outside your home for the bin men - don't advertise your Christmas presents to potential thieves (we suggest you cut them up and put them inside bin bags)

• Use internal timer switches for lamps, radios and TV's - to give the impression someone is home on dark nights

In your car:

• Never leave anything on display in your vehicle from high priced valuables to CD's & spare change - you will be surprised how little it takes to attract a car thief

• Always remove your portable Sat Nav system - and don't hide it in the glove compartment

• While shopping, don't return to your vehicle to off load items then continue shopping

• Always use a steering wheel lock if you own one

• Always park in secure car - parks

All the very best.

Insp John Hogan

THIS IS TOMORROW CALLING

The end of the year and the beginning of another is always a time for a bit of quiet reflection. Too often it can be time - as well - for regrets about all those things that didn`t happen, or the things that did happen that didn`t feel quite right. But if that`s so, then there`s also an opportunity to look to the future rather than dwelling on the past. It`s easy to criticise - and like Marge Simpson said "So much fun too.." (!!), but eventually it has its limits when complaints and criticisms need to become ideas and actions so that something positive can be achieved to help move things on.

Community involvement is like that too. It`s unlikely that people coming together with ideas for change or improvement will always have the same thing in mind. Sometimes too, what were thought to be common goals turn out to be mistaken understandings. But instead of allowing suspicion and mistrust to set in, it`s harder but finally better to talk it through, to communicate and to listen to what other people have got to say regardless of who they are, so that when final decisions are taken they can be taken in an informed manner. Communities - or at least the individuals in them - aren`t always going to agree, aren`t always going to understand each other, but never will unless they keep trying to do so.

So it`s important that as individuals in our communities we continue to support some of the local work that continues to be done. Support and help to the ongoing work of the "Friends of.." groups like the one in Vale Park, the recently established one for Rake Lane Cemetery, the proposed one for The Tower Grounds, the idea of community "adoption" of New Brighton Railway Station, the probable addition in the new year of another part of the New Brighton area as a conservation zone - and so it goes on.

These are all ways of coming together to create positives in the community, ways to make places accessible for all, and ways to include as many as possible in that process. And in the next twelve months we should all be looking to the attractions of our area which can be used to best effect and which can continue to attract not only local people to use the amenities available (while we continue to develop new ones) but also the continuing welcome that has traditionally been given by this area to those from more distant places. If we want to, our area can benefit from some of the initiatives that are currently taking place over the water, and in 2007 we can put ourselves in a position to be ready to be part of it all.

Get involved !! This is tomorrow calling !!.

BP Humphreys

Pensions Service at the New Brighton One Stop Shop

• State Retirement Pension
• Pension Credit,
• Attendance Allowance (65 years and over)
• Disability Living Allowance (60-64 years),
• Bereavement Benefit,
• Carers Allowance
• Social Fund (loans and grants)

If so, why not pop in to your local council One Stop Shop based in New Brighton Community Centre in Hope Street.

We have experts from the Pension Service here once a fortnight who can answer your queries and check you are receiving your correct entitlements.

Just drop into the One Stop Shop between 11-00am and 3pm Mon to Friday to make your appointment.

We can also deal with all your Council related issues while you wait.

Chris Mercer - music and minstry

St Georges Medical Centre Extension - Field Road Campaign for a Residents Only Parking Scheme

While residents and myself applaud the new local health services that the above extension will bring, the ongoing issues of parking and traffic concerns continue to dominate the minds of the majority of nearby residents as the deadline approaches to the proposed extension of the present St Georges Medical Centre.

Whether the Primary Care Trust (PCT) or our own traffic officers agree or not with their surveys, there is a fear among the local community that the amount of vehicles (which they tell me is bad enough now) parking outside their homes will increase dramatically once the proposed Centre is in place.

That's why I am joining with the local community in calling for a campaign for the PCT to ease resident's fears and introduce a "Resident's Only Parking Scheme" in this area. Chair of Field Road Residents Association, Mr Danny Doyle said, "We feel as if the PCT and the Council are completely ignoring our concerns, time and time again we have not been listened to. To restore community relations we are asking the PCT to fund a "Residents Only Parking Scheme" to enable residents to enjoy some peace and quiet in front of their own homes, otherwise we will continue to campaign vigorously until those traffic concerns are met".

Councillor Pat Hackett & Danny Doyle, Chair, Field Road Residents Association

• How Adults Learn- Learning Styles
• How Adults Learn- Domains of Learning
• Writing learning outcomes and structuring learning and development sessions
• Using Learning and Development Methods
• Writing an effective learning and development sessions

• Facilitation Skills: Communication
• Facilitation Skills: Dealing with Groups
• Facilitation Skills: Managing Conflict Positively
• Evaluation and individual action planning

J & J's Nutrition Club

Vale Community Centre, Vale Park, New Brighton
EVERY WEDNESDAY EVENING FROM 7PM-9PM
Contact JACKIE: Tel. No: 0151 630 0814/07723351000 Time: 7PM - 9PM, Start 6th December 2006
Early Bird Booking Entry £2.50 or pay on the night

New Brighton Christmas Services 2006

Birkenhead Sixth Form College

Birkenhead Sixth Form College is delighted to announce that it has extended its Outreach provision into Vale House. The Outreach department, which caters for adults, began in 1996 in a very small way with one member of staff and three centres, these being St. Peter's in Rock Ferry, New Ferry and Prenton delivering basic IT courses using laptops. Courses were funded by money from Europe and designed to support learning within the community.

We now have more than 30 teaching staff in 23 centres across the Wirral offering over 30 courses, which serve about 1500 students a year.

The courses planned for Vale House, starting in January 2007, include: First steps with computers
First steps on the Internet
Be a better speller
Beginners sign language
Hatha yoga
Glass painting
Handmade cards
Interior design
Spanish

For more information please telephone the Outreach team on 0151 651 3728

VALE HOUSE UK ONLINE CENTRE

NEW UK ONLINE CENTRE AT VALE HOUSE COMMUNITY CENTRE OPENS TO THE PUBLIC ON MONDAY 11TH DECEMBER 2006 AT 10AM. TO CELEBRATE THIS OCCASION WE INVITE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO OUR UK ONLINE OPENING DAY. BETWEEN 10AM & 7PM YOU CAN COME ALONG TO USE OUR NEW OPEN ACCESS COMMUNITY FACILITY AND SURF THE WEB.

WE WILL BE OPEN FROM 10AM - 4PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY ON AN OPEN ACCESS BASIS FOR LOCAL PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO USE THE UK ONLINE FACILITY, FREE OF CHARGE, FOR JOB SEARCH, FIRST TIME ONLINE TASTER SESSIONS, INITIAL ASSESMENTS, E SKILLS PASSPORT, FURTHER LEARNING AND HOW TO USE E GOVERNMENT SITES. TO HELP YOU WITH THIS WE WILL HAVE AN ICT FACILITATOR ON SITE TO PROVIDE HELP, SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE.

FAIRTRADE FESTIVITIES

Imagine how great it would feel if it was FAIRTRADE wine and chocolates, knowing that you were supporting farmers in poor countries at the same time. FAIRTRADE can be bought in supermarkets, Coop, Oxfam, Liscard Road Charities Bookshop, Wallasey Village Charities Bookshop, the Haven café on Seabank Road, Vale House Café, Dollies Café in Victoria Road???

Ask for FAIRTRADE wherever you go. We have a voice to make the choice!

So eat, drink and be merry this Christmas and make a difference.

Call Wirral LA21 on 639 2121 for more information.

Romanian Juggernaut Appeal 2006 Newsletter

It's so good to be able to report what a great trip we had this year. We were in Romania for 14 days, not counting the 2 days travelling, during which time we worked our socks off. As well as the institutions we usually support, we were asked to help 1) a mother and baby unit (a very new concept for Romania), 2) a special needs orphanage for children with severe learning difficulties, 3) 2 soup kitchens, 4) 8 flats in which teenagers live and an old folk's home. As you can imagine, we really had our hands full this time but, even as we speak, work has already started to comply with their wishes for next year.

A special THANK YOU to everyone who was kind enough to help with our Pasta collection earlier this year. It was divided between the various institutions as well as the individual Roma families. Pasta is a great addition to soup or stew and will really add substance to any hot meal. So thank you everyone for your kindness.

As we look forward to Christmas, many people will be filling their shoe boxes ready for being transported out to various communities in Eastern Europe. For those of you filling OUR shoeboxes, thank you so muchfor paying special attention to the elderly population. Remember, it's not only children who like to get a gift at Christmas adults welcome presents too. Up to now we have collected 680, although there are still 2 pick ups to do before they go out early in December. It is hoped that we can get some photos of everyone actually receiving their gift but, if things are as hectic as usual, we might be trampled in the stampede!

Just a word about our forthcoming Christmas fair which is at HULME HALL on Saturday 3rd DECEMBER. Come along and see our selection of pretty decorations, all being sold towards our charity funds. Remember, pound for pound, this is probably the most cost effective charityyou will ever have the opportunity to support. There are:-

NO FAT CATS - NO EXPENSE ACCOUNTS - NO COMPANY CARS - NO PAID EMPLOYEES - it is run exclusively by VOLUNTEERS

And finally, it has been said that, as now Romania is going to join the EU, we should stop supporting them. We cannot agree with this. We will continue our worj as long as there is a need. When THEY say "no more", then we will give up, but not until.

Once again, many thanks for all your kindness in the past. We look forward to your continued support in the future.

Anyone who would like to make a donation towards our work please contact JENNY (Secretary and GDB) on 0151 922 2121 after 9.30 pm as I work until 9 each night.

10th and 17th December - Christmas Fair at CROXTETH HALL.

Floral Pavillion Panto 2006 - Cinderella

DECEMBER 2006
Friday 22nd December		7.00 pm
Saturday 23rd December	2.00 pm	7.00 pm
Tuesday 26th December	2.00 pm	7.00 pm
Wednesday 27th December	2.00 pm	7.00 pm
Thursday 28th December	2.00 pm	7.00 pm
Friday  29th December	2.00 pm	7.00 pm
Saturday 30th December	2.00 pm	7.00 pm
JANUARY 2007
Tuesday 2nd January	2.00 pm	7.00 pm
Wednesday 3rd January	-	7.00 pm
Thursday 4th January	-	7.00 pm
Friday 5th January	2.00 pm	7.00 pm
Saturday 6th January	2.00 pm	7.00 pm
Sunday 7th January	2.00 pm	-
Tuesday 9th January	-	7.00 pm
Wednesday 10th January	2.00 pm	7.00 pm
Thursday 11th January	-	7.00 pm
Friday 12th January	-	7.00 pm
Saturday 13th January	2.00 pm	7.00 pm
Sunday 14th January	2.00 pm

See the Floral Pavillion website for more details.

Problems Afoot

Problems Afoot For all you chiropody & podiatry needs. 249 Seabank Road New Brighton 0151 639 9576 07856 828 403

Message Board

New Brighton Photos

Paper Collection Calendar 2006

Your collection dates for 2006 are:

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

More information at www.wirral.gov.uk/recycling/.

WALRUS

This edition of the Walrus is sponsored by Riverside Housing. We would like to thank them for the support they have given to community projects in New Brighton.