Natural England hosts free Easter family event at Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR

FOLLOWING the appointment of a new Community Adviser at Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve, Easter weekend heralds the start of a new series of events at the site managed by Natural England.

Easter Saturday will see the reserve hosting a free event with a range of activities designed to appeal to all members of the family. From self guided nature trails to face painting and Easter crafts as well as a traditional Easter egg hunt, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Eva Tregidgo, Community Outreach Adviser at Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR said:- “The event offers a great family day out and a chance for everyone to visit the reserve, explore the dunes and pinewoods and learn about the diverse wildlife on their doorstep. As well as great crested newts, the reserve is home to one of the most important populations of natterjack toad in the country. Sand lizards are also often seen here and the pinewoods are home to a large number of red squirrels.”

Liz Newton, North West Regional Director for Natural England, said:- “This event is a great opportunity to introduce young people to nature. Having contact with nature is important for everyone, but it is especially important for our children. Whilst many skills can be gained in the classroom, others can only be learnt through direct contact with nature and the sorts of experiences that these events provide.”

PRE-SEASON TESTING CONCLUDES FOR BRITISH F3 DRIVER JAMES COLE

ON 25 March 2010, British Formula 3 National Class driver, James Cole, from Southport, concluded pre-season testing at Silverstone yesterday and is now preparing for the first round of the Cooper Tires British F3 Series to be held over the Easter weekend. After over 1500 testing miles, Cole is confident that he has the competitiveness to be winning in National Class. The 21 year old Merseysider first drove his T-Sport F3 car at Snetterton in February, followed by further testing at Rockingham at the beginning of March and a day at Cole’s home track, Oulton Park. The Silverstone test draws an end to pre-season track preparations and the focus now moves to the first race weekend of the thirty race championship. Cole has graduated to F3 from the British Formula Ford Championship, taking the title crown at the penultimate round of this series last year. He says of his 2010 campaign:- “After winning the Formula Ford championship it was a natural progression to F3. The cars are quite different though, so I’ve really needed the testing days to become acclimatised to the car, particularly the greater downforce and grip levels. “The first day of testing was an eye-opener, spending time getting used to the amount of downforce I had. There was a bit of a fear factor moment, feeling that I was going to crash if I pushed harder but knowing that the car had the downforce to take the corners faster. I think it is heightened by coming straight from a Formula Ford car which has zero downforce and is always moving about. I’m appreciating the grip levels now, gaining the confidence to use them and understanding how to make the most of the downforce available to me. After over six days in the car and working closely with my engineers I think I’ve been making good progress, but the real test is the race weekend and particularly the qualifying session. At that point I’ll have a better idea of where I am performance-wise and hopefully we’ll be the quickest National Class car, as well as knocking on the door of the top ten International Class cars. It’s not going to be easy as I have a very strong team mate and he’s going to be my biggest opposition in National Class. He’s usually been quicker than me in testing as he has had more experience of ‘winged’ cars, but it’s always different when you’re racing.” Cole has a roster of commercial partners supporting his British F3 campaign including DHL, Racestar, Highland Spring, The Beatles Story and Maui Jim. The first round of the British F3 Series kicks off at Oulton Park circuit, Cheshire over the Easter weekend, with racing on Saturday, 3 April and Monday, 5 April 2010.

Peter Brown Craven Minor JFL
Results Week Ending 28 March 2010

Under 11A
Southport Trinity 1-3 Formby FC Juniors

Under 11B
Tarleton Corinthians 2-3 Southport FC Black
Ainsdale Juniors 0-9 Burscough FC Juniors

Under 12
Redgate Rovers 0-4 Town Green
Burscough FC Juniors 9-1 Hesketh Colts
Southport FC Yellow 4-1 Southport FC Black
Southport Trinity 3-2 Birkdale United

Under 13A
Ormskirk West End 3-2 Redgate Yellow
Formby JSC B 4-3 Formby JSC A
Southport FC Juniors 1-2 Birkdale United N
Town Green 6-2 Southport Trinity

Under 13B
Birkdale United G 5-0 Hesketh Colts Blue
Ainsdale Juniors 6-0 Formby FC Juniors
Crosby Stuart 9-1 Hesketh Colts Red
Billinge 7-1 Redgate Rovers Green

Under 14 – Allen Langfeld Cup
Town Green 8-0 Southport FC Yellow

Under 14B
Ormskirk West End Blue 1-0 Jaguars

Under 15 Peter Brown Cup
Town Green 3-1 Southport FC Juniors

Under 15
Ormskirk West End 0-1 Redgate Rovers

Under 16
Ormskirk West End 1-7 Halsall
Southport FC Juniors 3-2 Billinge
West Lancs Colts 0-1 Town Green
Seldons 1-3 Formby JSC Black
Formby JSC A 1-0 Hesketh Colts
Forefield Rangers 3-0 Ainsdale Juniors

Reports Week Ending 28 March 2010
Under 16 - Southport FC Juniors 3 Billinge 2

SOUTHPORT'S Goalkeeper earned man of the match with a string of fine saves especially in the first half from Hook and two from Frederick, which allowed Southport, kicking down hill with the wind behind them, to profit from three uncharacteristic individual errors.

Southport went in at half time with a 3-0 lead with the referee commenting how he had never seen a half like it, as Billinge had played all the football.

Credit must be given to Southport who despite conceding two goals in the second half held on to the win.

The game was lost by Billinge due to errors at the back but Billinge must take heart from the fact that they had 70% of the ball and created numerous chances but came up against a goalkeeper who demonstrated the strength of his all round game time and time again.

Southport are in a rich vein of form at present and Billinge take heart from the fact that they played well, ran out of time at the end and lost today and must not let this effect them going forward.

A mention must go to the referee who was excellent today.

...MAN OF THE MARCH...

MOM - For Billinge – Frederick.
MOM - For Southport - Their keeper.