Sleep under the stars in Cheshire and show your support for nature

THOUSANDS of people in Cheshire can carry on camping for wildlife this summer by taking part in the RSPB's 2nd Big Wild Sleep out. Over 16 June to 22 June 2014, the RSPB is encouraging people to spend a night under the stars to find out which creatures they share their homes with and raise money to help protect them.

Whether you would like to camp in your back garden or want to take part in an organised event, the RSPB can help you arrange your sponsored sleep out. The charity has produced a free fundraising pack full of everything you need to host a successful sleep out, including lots of fantastic activity ideas and great suggestions to make raising money really easy.

In Cheshire, all kinds of campers will be taking part in their gardens; adventurous ones who will be building and sleeping in dens and shelters, some sticking to the traditional tent, others planning to sleep on their garden trampoline and some who will just venture outdoors and sleep under the stars.

However, if you don't have a garden or would prefer to join an organised event, why not book onto the Big Wild Sleep out event taking place at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands.

On 20 June 2014, join the Burton Mere Wetlands team for an exclusive chance to spend the night on the reserve. This fantastic sleep out event, which will run from 5.30 pm on Friday, 20 June to 9 am on Saturday, 21 June 2014, offers plenty of fun activities, including den building, a dusk chorus walk and a meet the moths event.

Tickets, which are £30 per person (£25 RSPB member) and £15 for under 14s (£12.50 RSPB member under 14's), include all activities and an evening meal at Burton Manor Cafe. Hot and cold drinking water will be available throughout the event and hot drinks and snacks can be purchased on site. However, participants are asked to bring any other refreshments and food they will need, along with camping equipment and tents; teddy bears are optional!

Spaces are limited. For more information or to book, call RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands on:- 0151 353 8478.

The Big Wild Sleepout is part of the RSPB's 'Giving Nature a Home' campaign, which is aimed at inspiring everyone to do their bit for nature, wherever they live and however big their outside space.

Richard Bashford, Big Wild Sleepout organiser, says:- "Most people who take part will probably help give nature a home throughout the year by providing food, water and shelter. The Big Wild Sleepout is your chance to take part in the RSPB's biggest fundraising event to help give nature a home. Join family or friends for a sponsored sleepout in your back garden or at your local RSPB reserve. Put up a tent, make a shelter or sleep under the stars and discover a whole world of wildlife you can help to save."

Some of our best loved garden favourites are among the creatures shown to be in serious trouble including starlings, hedgehogs, some butterflies and ladybirds. All are in danger of further declines unless more is done to provide better habitats.

The Big Wild Sleepout is being supported by Blacks, the leading outdoor equipment specialist.

Ken Reeve, CEO of Blacks, says:- "Encouraging people; young and old; to get outdoors and experience nature first hand is something we're really passionate about at Blacks. That's why we're supporting the Big Wild Sleepout for the second year running. I can't wait to join in!"

For more information, ideas on how to make the most of your Big Wild Sleepout and to get hold of your free Sleepout fundraising pack, visit:- rspb.org.uk/sleepout.

Rising number of company closures in Southport!

FINDINGS within a new report from Duport Associates Ltd.  have revealed a rising number of company closures in Southport, as well as a falling number of company formations. Figures in the latest Duport Business Confidence Report for Southport have revealed that company closures are on the rise within the seaside resort. Over the course of the year, 430 companies were closed, representing a 9% rise on the previous year. In addition, company formations fell by 2%, leading to an overall drop in net company growth (the number of company formations minus the number of closures). Should these findings and our findings back March 2014, that local businesses, ranging from service industries to local shops are extremely concerned about the rapidly dwindling consumer footfall in Southport, raise warning flags? As the data contained in these reports is assimilated and analysed by Duport using public record data from sources including Companies House, Office for National Statistics and Ordnance Survey, we go back and ask the same question that we asked back in 2013, "Is North Sefton on the down ward slide?" But Duport Associates Ltd. do stress that it is worth noting that the previous year saw a record number of company formations in Southport! Managing Director of Duport.co.uk, Peter Valaitis commented:- "Although a drop in company formations and a rise in company closures sounds dramatic, we need to look at these figures in context. 2012 was a record year for formations, so it is natural to see a dip the following year, and for there to be an increase in closures, as some companies won't make it past their 1st year of trading." The Duport Business Confidence Report for Southport contains a variety of data and statistics to give an overview of the local business landscape. More information can be found online at:- duport.co.uk/southport. If you don't know who they are, Duport Associates Ltd. is a leading UK company formation agent, established in 1997 and registering around 10,000 new companies each year through its Companies House approved software.