SEARCH IS ON FOR THE NORTH WEST’S FAVOURITE WOODLAND WILDLIFE

THE Forestry Commission in the North West of England is asking people to help them find the region’s favourite woodland wildlife.  Interest in wildlife is stronger than ever in Britain, in part because of programmes like Springwatch presented by Bill Oddie, which returns to the BBC at the end of this month.

The Forestry Commission is carrying out a survey at its visitor centres at Whinlatter and Grizedale in Cumbria and at Delamere in Cheshire to find the most popular inhabitant of the region’s woods.

Mike Thornley says:- “We are fortunate in the North West to have such a rich variety of wildlife in our woods and forests. The sights and sounds of the birds help to make walking in woodland so relaxing and enjoyable.  People also get immense pleasure from seeing animals like deer and red squirrels and we get large numbers of people coming on organised walks to see some of the more elusive creatures such as badgers.  Everyone has their own favourite. So we thought it would be interesting and fun to see which of our woodland wildlife is currently top of the tree in the North West.”

Survey forms will be available at the 3 visitor centres until the first week in June.  The Forestry Commission organises a series of walks during the year that help people learn more about the local inhabitants. They include:-

An Osprey walk from Dodd Wood Car Park near Bassenthwaite at 8am on 24 May and then fortnightly until 30 August. Booking is essential, call 017687 78469.

Badger Discovery Evenings on 24 May and 7 June from Grizedale. To book and find out the location call 01229 860010.

The BBC’s Springwatch programme starts on BBC2 on 29 May.

The Forestry Commission places a high priority on enhancing the nature conservation value of all its forests and safeguarding special habitats.

King’s Regiment Family History Day

MERSEYSIDE Maritime Museum Free event.  Have you ever wondered if a family member once served in the famous King’s Regiment?  Now is your chance to find out by using National Museums Liverpool’s database and archives, plus the opportunity to ask specialists on King’s Regiment Family History Day.  It takes place between 1000 and 1600 hours on 24 June 2006 at the Merseyside Maritime Museum.

Created in 1685, the King's is one of Britain's oldest regiments. It has been Liverpool's regiment since 1881 and is now joined with the Manchester Regiment. Over the centuries it has been a way of life for thousands of men, during peace and war. Members of the regiment have served in 2 world wars, in Asia, Africa, America and Ireland.

The database, which has taken more than 10 years to construct, contains the biographical details of over 70,000 men who served in WWI and is the largest and most complete resource of its kind. The archives consist of war diaries from both WWI and WWII along with other printed histories from the period. All of these resources are available for use on the day. 

One of the specialists on hand is National Museums Liverpool’s Matthew Buck, curator of social history-King’s Regiment. Matthew, who was previously based at the Royal Artillery Museum, said of the Kings Regiment History Day:- ”This is not just a way to get expert advice on how to do research but an opportunity to share your knowledge. We are always looking for new information to add to the King’s database, so if you have something that you suspect may be useful we’d be delighted to hear about it!” 

Members of the public are asked to make an appointment for this free event. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to those who have not used the service before. Those using the service are invited to bring along their photographs and other objects relating to the Kings Regiment for the experts to look at.

Bookings must be made before 1 June 2006 by calling 0151 478 4441. 

Merseyside Maritime Museum Albert Dock, Liverpool.  Admission is FREE. Open 10am to 5pm every day.  For more information visit the museum website

Waiting times in Accident & Emergency best in SHA

FIGURES released this week show that over the whole of last year, Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust deals with more of its A&E patients within 4 hours than at any other hospital in Cheshire and Merseyside. Between April 2005 and March 2006 99.2% of patients were seen, treated and either admitted or discharged within four hours.

Jayne Norbury, A&E Manager commented:- "Clearly we are very pleased to be in this position as it is obviously good for our patients that we are able to achieve this. It is down to the hard work and dedication of all who work in both the adult and children's A&E departments and in the minor injuries unit at Ormskirk and to the support from the rest of the hospital team."

Help wanted.  Serious assault in Marsh Lane, Bootle, Merseyside
Report thanks to Merseyside Police

ON Sunday, 14 May 2006, Merseyside Police were called to an incident of assault outside the Georges Tavern Public House on Marsh Lane, Bootle.

The victim, a 24 year old Bootle male had attended the Strand Tavern Public House, Bootle earlier that evening. There was a disturbance outside these premises and it is believed that the later assault on Marsh Lane is connected with this earlier incident.

Merseyside Police detectives are requesting information from the public who saw the first attack take place outside the Strand Public House, were a number of people were able to witness the altercation.

Detectives are also very interested in information on a dark coloured Audi and a dark coloured Renault Megane, which were seen at both incidents.

Anyone with information are requested to contact the incident room at Copy Lane Police Station on (0151) 777 3163 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
 

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