News reports located on this page = 2.

Vandalism attack at allotment leaves foodbank gardeners shocked

THIS week, reader Baiba Leimane has contacted us about vandalism on the 226 plot allotments, located on Moss Road, Southport. If you have any information that can help identify those responsible for this, please contact the Lancashire Constabulary, on:- 01282472107, using reference:- '04/167430/20.'

Baiba told us that:- "I'm very upset. Our gardens were demolished, vandalised. It happens every year when it starts to become dark outside, but it has never been as devastating as this year. Last year was the same, but different area of the allotments. I have chosen this time to talk about it, because I wanted it to stop. Maybe they'll listen to me and have a heart in their chest. We are a community Birkdale Irrigation Allotment Site with 226 plot holders, and their families etc. 19 nationalities, some with disabilities. 38 people who are older than 75.

The story of our site goes back to the 1870's/1880's when Birkdale District Council (BDC) and Southport District Council (SDC) were separate and independent.

Allotments until the advent of the 1st World War when food shortages became an issue. It was the SDC who initiated the process to provide arable land for its residents who were housed in areas whose gardens could not support food growth due to size (and also the sandy nature).

Every year our dreams are destroyed, our built, our kind, the monument that we have been entrusted with managing with the permission of the Sefton Council.

We are quiet and very friendly. We like nature and silence around us. Watch birds, drink morning tea/coffee in our garden. See how our plants grow, vegetables grow. We're very tough and hard working.

We're quiet. But did you know that many of us are donating vegetables to foodbank. This lovely lady takes care of Janet Oldham.

Every year someone comes and breaks our harmony. I want to be protected and my garden friends would like that too.
Yes, it cannot be measured in money, what damage is done. Because the heart and soul can not be measured. We build everything from nothing. These are our dreams. Our memories."

She continues to tell us:- "For some in the garden, plants have travelled from afar so we don't forget our homes. I have strawberry plants and blackcurrant bushes like those I had in Latvia.

We show up as many cultures in 1 place that can be loved as friends.

There is no hatred in us, no anger.

We have love. for nature, for people side by side.

I feel a great good-natured family beside me, too, in my pain for the garden.

Please protect us from fear... from fear every year.

Help us to be....

Don't let anyone hurt us. We can only do this with your help. Both the Police and fellow people who listen to us.

It's not easy for me to tell about it and show it because I'm quiet.

Let's stop all these evil actions together. Please talk and tell those who do it to stop. The Police are investigating.

Please don't hurt us anymore... Make us smile...

Thanks to everyone who wants to support us.

Thanks for all the lovely words you have said to me for all of these days.

Thanks my job colleagues for the kindness.

(BPS) It gave me the power to work again.

If you want to learn more about us and how to help us.

Thanks for listening to our pain, not just mine."

Plant nursery near Southport launches Christmas Drive Thru to support local firms

THE contactless, Covid safe event will take place, on Saturday, 12 December 2020, at Happy Plants, on Southport Old Road, in Formby; strictly by appointment only. The firm provides wholesale plants to garden centres. Customers will be able to buy goods from firms including:- Ainsdale Fine Chocolate; children's books from Jude Lennon; Crosby Coffee; Wild 'n' Bee chutneys and jams; No Lies Skincare; J&A Japonicas; Bee Original Woodshop; and Happy Plants.

Happy Plants Director Nat Porter said:- "With the Covid19 situation still ongoing, we are excited to let you know that we have expanded our Christmas drive-thru event to include products from a carefully crated selection of local businesses. Not only does this mean you can buy wonderful, locally made gifts for your family and friends safely, without even leaving your car, but you can also do so whilst supporting small local businesses! We hope this event will help mitigate the damage a Covid Christmas might cause to these local businesses through cancelled Christmas fairs etc. We have set up the event as a not for profit, meaning that each vendor receives the absolute maximum amount of money from the retail price, with only a very small adjustment made to cover our site costs, taxes and staffing on the day. On this basis, please note that our usual discount codes, including member discount, will not be valid against any 3rd party items. You can still shop our Happy Plants products with the discounts but it really is important that we use this event to help our collaborators recover as much money as possible. We hope you will love this event as much as we have loved putting it together! As usual, we are available for questions or discussion through:- Orders@HappyPlants.Co.UK We will also be collecting for Southport Foodbank. Any Drive Thru customer who brings along one or more items for the foodbank will receive a free Happy Plants primrose by way of thanks.1 free prim per customer. Food bank donations must be sealed, in date and storable at room temperature."

If you are not comfortable ordering online, you can call the Happy Plants office on:- 01704 828732 between 9am and 3pm, Monday to Friday. 1 of the team will be able to take your order over the phone. Please note, this additional service is available for this event only. Or you can email them at:- Orders@HappyPlants.Co.UK or visit:- HappyPlants.Co.UK