Her Majesty's Lord
Lieutenant of Merseyside opens charity's sensory trail
BARNSTONDALE'S 1st ever sensory trail
was officially opened by its Patron; Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of
Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead (DBE) on Wednesday 1 April. Around 70 invited
guests, who included Lord Mayor of Wirral, Cllr. Steve Foulkes, and those who
helped fund and develop the space, were the 1st to explore the completed garden,
which has been designed specifically for children of all abilities to enjoy.
Barnstondale is located within a rural setting and is surrounded
by over 12 acres of woodland. The trail provides a relaxing and stimulating
outdoor space, aimed at engaging visitors with the environment around them. The
first phase of the project began in April last year and was completed that
Autumn. A garden was created that features a sheltered decking, stone path,
water features and huge planters filled with perennial foliage plants, chosen
specifically for the smells and textures. Local tradesmen then began work
installing the trail, which includes textures, surfaces, musical instruments and
balance ramps. Large animal statues and hand crafted seats complete the
experiential element.
Barnstondale is a family friendly activity facility and overnight
getaway destination. The charity hosts many families, groups, schools and
charity organisations for away days and activity breaks. Whilst fortunate that
visitor fees cover overhead costs, the charity relies heavily on donations and
fundraising to pay for new projects and improvement work. Barnstondale received
funding from various donors for this specific project. They include Wirral
Lions, Santander, Camelia Trust and Wirral Fund for Children with Special Needs.
Commented George Jones, centre manager at Barnstondale:- "Barnstondale's
aim is to be accessible to everyone. We've created a space that is designed for
all our visitors to enjoy and it is a great way for them to experience the local
rural environment. The garden and sensory trail is an exciting development for Barnstondale,
and it's one that all the team is very proud of. We are always looking to
develop and improve our facilities, enabling us to offer services that modern
customers want and enhancing the visitor's experience. We hope to include
elements of the trail to other parts of the site in the future."
Commented Dame Lorna Muirhead (DBE), Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside
and Barnstondale Patron:- "It is an honour to be Patron of Barnstondale,
which has stood as a charity in one form or another for over 100 years. What I
find most charming about this inspirational place is that the sun never sets at
Barnstondale and the team is always busy working on the next development. The
children who come here are always active, always playing and always smiling. I
am an advocate for social inclusion and child development, which Barnstondale
excels at. It gives me great pleasure to have opened this sensory trail on
behalf of the charity, which marks another significant moment in its history."
For more information about Barnstondale visit:-
Barnstondale.Org. |
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Charity wastes no
opportunity to make savings
A leading bowel cancer charity is looking for
volunteers to help at a local collection. Beating Bowel Cancer has booked a
collection in Southport Town Centre on:- 13 June 2014 and is looking for
volunteers to help raise vital funds by shaking a bucket for bowel cancer.
Beating Bowel Cancer works to save lives from the UK's 2nd biggest cancer killer
and all money raised from these fundraising events will be used to help raise
awareness of bowel cancer and support patients and their families coping with
the disease. Regional Community Fundraiser for the North West, Rachel Thomas,
said:- "We are looking for people to give up just a few hours of their day
to help Beating Bowel Cancer make a real difference to bowel cancer patients and
their families." Anyone interested in helping at these fundraising
events should call Rachel on:- 07825 910943 or send
email to them. Bowel cancer is the UK's 2nd biggest cancer killer
because many patients are diagnosed too late. Each year more than 41,000 people
across the UK are diagnosed with bowel cancer. However, if diagnosed early over
90% of cases could be cured. For more information about Beating Bowel Cancer,
including ways you can get involved in fundraising for the charity, visit:-
BeatingBowelCancer.Org or call:- 08450 719
300. CCTV images
released after Woman touched inappropriately
MERSEYSIDE Police have released a CCTV
image of a man officers would like to speak to in connection to 2 incidents
during which a woman was touched inappropriately. The 1st incident occurred on
Thursday, 12 March. At about 1pm a woman who had been travelling on the
Southport to Liverpool train reported that she had been touched inappropriately
by a man. The 2nd incident occurred on Thursday, 19 March 2015. The same woman
reported that at about 4.10pm the same man approached her in a supermarket on
Old Hall Street, grabbed her and attempted to kiss her. A member of staff at the
store intervened and the man ran away. Although uninjured the woman has been
left distressed following the incident. Officers believe the man pictured may be
able to assist them with their enquiries and they would urge him or anyone who
recognises him to get in touch. Anyone who recognises the man or anyone who
witnessed either of the incidents is asked to call Merseyside Police on:- 0151
777 4068 or Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111.
Lord Mayor to remember
victims of Rwandan Genocide
THE Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councillor
Erica Kemp CBE will join Assistant Mayor Ann O'Byrne and Philomene Uwamaliya
from the Liverpool Rwandan Community to remember victims of the Rwanda genocide.
On Tuesday, 7 April 2015, at 11.30am, at St John's Gardens (at the back of St George's Hall)
a wreath will be laid at the Memorial Stone to pay tribute to those who lost
their lives in the Genocide 21 years ago. Councillor Kemp CBE said:- "It
is vitally important that we remember the victims of such atrocities and honour
their memory. We should take this opportunity to remember all victims of
persecution and raise awareness to encourage us all to be more tolerant of
others."
Police ask residents to get
in touch ahead of Grand National
MERSEYSIDE Police are yet again
encouraging residents in Aintree and Maghull to share any issues or concerns
they have ahead of the Aintree Festival which gets underway next week. With more
than 150,000 race-goers set to attend the event from Thursday, April 9 to
Saturday, April 11, the community's dedicated Neighbourhood Officers want to
make sure that there is minimal disruption for residents during the event.
Despite the large crowds attending the festival, the vast majority of race goers
have a safe and enjoyable day and a multi agency operation involving Police
Officers from across the Force will once again aim to ensure this is the case
for this year's event. Neighbourhood Officers will be speaking to residents
living in some of the busiest streets around the racecourse to let them know who
they can contact if they experience any problems with issues such as car
parking, litter and anti social behaviour during the event. Inspector Phil
Hatton said:- "The Aintree Festival puts Merseyside on the sporting map
and the world stage. Thousands of visitors have a great time and we are grateful
to local residents for their patience and co-operation in helping us to
successfully Police the event every year. We recognise that large numbers of
people can impact the local community and I want to reassure people that, as
well as the Policing operation for the event itself, my neighbourhood team will
be there to address any concerns that residents may have. Not only will these
officers be dedicated to responding to any calls about issues such as anti
social behaviour and disorder outside the racecourse, they will also be looking
to speak to anyone living locally who may have experienced problems in previous
years. We want to hear from these people so we can talk to them and make sure
those problems don't crop up again so the event is a winner for all."
Aintree and Maghull residents can contact their neighbourhood team by sending
them an
email or call the non-emergency number:- 101. |