OFFICERS COMPLETE 100KM CHARITY HIKE

A team of Merseyside Police officers have battled through the pain barrier to complete a gruelling charity walk on a rugged Scottish island.

Sergeant Gary Sorrell, a neighbourhood officer based at Marsh Lane police station in Bootle, seven police constables, and Poppy the black Labrador, overcame steep mountain paths, disorientating fog and over-stuffed backpacks, to complete a 100-kilometre trek around Arran Island in just four days.

In doing so the team raised £4,000 for two charities - Cancer Research UK and the Alzheimer's Society - and met a host of friendly locals along the way to boot.

"Throughout the walk we spoke to many people who kindly donated towards our fund-raiser. Everyone was extremely friendly and we are very grateful for everyone's kindness and hospitality during our brief stay. Two local businesses in Bootle also kindly sponsored our minibus, so we could get to and from Scotland." said Gary.

The officers, none of whom are experienced walkers, started on 10 May 2009 with a race against time to make the 9.40am ferry from the mainland, across the Firth of Clyde to beautiful Arran, which is only 19 miles long and 10 miles wide.

They then embarked on the hike itself, walking through Brodick, a village that is the 'capital' of Arran and the island's spectacular 18 hole golf course before tackling Goatfell, Arran's highest peak.

"We were making good progress and really enjoying the walk. We all had our backpacks and were carrying everything we could possibly need but it soon became clear that we did not need 90% of the equipment we were carrying on our backs and we certainly paid for it on the climb to the summit!" said Gary.

And that was not the only challenge the team faced. They lost their way descending from the summit and ended up taking the long route down.

Our map-reader led us down a valley, continually reassuring us that 'the path is down here. However this valley was quickly renamed 'Death Valley' by the rest of us as it didn't seem to end, with endless rocks, heather and streams. After four hours of not seeing anyone else since the summit of Goatfell we eventually made it to woodland and followed tractor tracks to a road and we were able to get back on our route. Getting to the end was a great feeling, although we were absolutely shattered and had blisters the size of onions on our feet!  Arran is a very beautiful but challenging place to walk around and there was a real sense of achievement that we had done something really worthwhile for two charities which are close to a lot of the lads' hearts." said Dave.

RSPB LAUNCHES SUMMER GARDEN WILDLIFE SURVEY

A massive stock take of summer wildlife is taking place this week as the RSPB launches its new survey, Make your nature count.   Running from 8 June to 14 June 2009, it is the first time the charity has asked people to count the wildlife in their gardens over the summer. The RSPB hopes Make your nature count will build a picture of the wildlife visiting gardens and define how important gardens are for some of our breeding birds and summer migrants.

It's not only birds people are being asked to record. The RSPB also wants to know about some of the other wildlife visiting gardens, like frogs, toads, squirrels and even badgers.

At this time of year, gardens are alive with young birds and the RSPB is asking people to record blackbird, robin and song thrush chicks. Song thrush numbers have declined by 50% since the 1970’s but in recent years have started to make a bit of a recovery. Counting young birds will help give an indication of how successfully they are breeding across the UK.

This year, the RSPB celebrated 30 years of its Big Garden Birdwatch. More than half a million people took part. Big Garden Birdwatch has identified trends among wintering bird populations, and it’s hoped Make your nature count will provide a similar snapshot of summer wildlife.

Matthew Capper, who co-ordinates Make your nature count in Northern England, said:- “Each year hundreds of thousands of people take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. Afterwards they always ask for more. Well, this year that’s exactly what we’re offering. The chance to tell us about the wildlife they see in their gardens over the summer.”

Alongside common birds such as blackbirds and blue tits, the RSPB predicts good things for goldfinches. Since 1994, numbers have increased by 39% and are increasingly being seen in gardens, possibly due to more nyjer seed being used in feeders. Long-distance migrants like swift and house martins are also likely to be seen in flight over gardens.  Chris Packham, RSPB vice-president and BBC Springwatch presenter, said:- “Gardens are teeming with wildlife in the summer and we finally have the perfect excuse to sit back and enjoy it. But as well as giving us an excuse to discover an amazing variety of creatures, it will also help with the hugely important task of monitoring which species are thriving in our gardens and which might need a helping hand in the future.”

To take part, simply spend one hour during the week of 8 June 2009 to 14 June 2009, counting the birds and any other wildlife that visit your garden, and record the highest number of each species seen at any one time.  Matthew added:- “We hope thousands of people will make their nature count and let us know what crawls, hops, flutters and flies in their garden.”

For further information about Make your nature count and an online survey form:- www.rspb.org.uk/naturecount.  Alternatively, Make your nature count forms can be obtained by phoning 0300 456 8330. The hotline number will be operational until 10 June 2009.

Are you going to the "Rouge Jazz and Pop Band Night" at the Formby's Swimming Baths?

JAZZ night at Formby Pool promises to be a fantastic night out for all music fans.  This evening event will be run at the Formby Pool, in the centre of Formby Village, on Saturday, 4 July 2009, from 7.30pm for 8.00pm. Tickets cost £10 which includes a glass of wine or soft drink. With Barbeque buffet. The proceeds will go to the Doves Trust. Tickets can be purchased from reception.