Queen Victoria Appears at The Atkinson

THE Atkinson's new exhibition:- 'Why Look at Animals' has received the stamp of royal approval!  'Why Look at Animals' examines how our relationship with animals has changed  and features a wide range of animal paintings and sculptures by leading British artists from the last 200 years.  1 of the stand out highlights is a group of watercolours and prints from Her Majesty the Queen's collection at Windsor Castle. Stephen Whittle, The Atkinson's Museum and Gallery Manager made the trip to the castle to select the work and to view the Royal Collection. The rarely seen paintings include watercolours by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, both taught to paint by Sir Edwin Landseer, whose drawings they often copied and who also has several paintings and drawings in the exhibition. Queen Victoria played a leading role in what became a national craze for keeping animals, particularly dogs, as domestic pets. Among the artwork on display are pictures of Eos, Prince Albert's favourite dog, a beautiful greyhound bitch whom was adored. Eos was accidentally shot and badly injured by the Queen's uncle Ferdinand. The Queen was so furious that another of her uncles, King Leopold of the Belgians was reported as saying:- "It would have been better if Ferdinand had shot another member of the royal family." Paintings from The Atkinson's own remarkable collection include work by the leading cat painter of the Victorian age Henrietta Ronner and an outstanding equestrian painting by Sir Alfred Munnings. The exhibition also includes several contemporary pieces from the Arts Council. Have a look at the artwork on loan to The Atkinson visit the Royal Collection Trust website and search for The Atkinson. 'Why Look at Animals' can be seen until March 2018.

₤1bn vision for Wirral takes the next step

THOUSANDS of jobs are set to be created throughout Wirral as the Council's ambitious regeneration plans take an important step forward.   1st announced at international property conference MIPIM earlier this year, the Wirral Growth Company will now officially go to market seeking an investment partner for a potential ₤1bn development programme. Council leader Phil Davies says there has already been interest from major global developers and he is confident that residents will see 'spades in the ground' on new schemes within the next 12 months. 

Cllr Davies said:- "Following the recent successes of Liverpool and Manchester, I am proud to be putting Wirral forward as the next great Northern regeneration opportunity.  Only a few months ago we went to the world's largest property and development conference to introduce Wirral to the globe's biggest investors and developers. We shared our vision for ₤1bn worth of development opportunities but we also knew we needed to put a modern, commercially viable organisation in place to help us deliver our goal.  The Wirral Growth Company is that organisation and next week I will be asking my Cabinet to approve the business case which will allow us to formally find the investor partner who will turn our plans into the bricks and mortar developments, jobs and economic growth we all want for Wirral.  We will start the competition at the end of this month, inviting developers and investors to submit their ideas and proposals, and we will be in a position to sign up with our new partner by the end of the year.  Residents will see spades in the ground on new construction developments in the borough by early 2018."  The Council is putting in land and other assets into the growth company and the successful partner will be expected to match this commitment with capital and other resources to quickly drive regeneration projects at key sites throughout the borough.  Key opportunities include:-  

► The waterfront area around the Woodside Ferry Terminal in Birkenhead, overlooking the Liverpool Skyline.

► Transforming Birkenhead Towns Centre with new retail, leisure and civic developments.

► Building on the success of New Brighton with more residential and commercial developments.

► Revitalising communities such as Moreton, Bebington and Seacombe with a mixture of residential, commercial and leisure projects.

Cllr Davies added:- "These schemes will create communities and places people want to live and work in, and developers will invest in.  It is about having big ambitions. We have got the investors interested, we have got the vision and ambition and, setting up the growth company, we will have the organisation to actually deliver." 

Local architects, developers and urban planners have already contributed ideas as to what Wirral could look like in the future. Images and more information about the Wirral Growth Company is available online.
 

New Ferry now fully open for business after explosion

THE next phase of the New Ferry recovery operation is now underway as contractors have been able to reduce the cordon around the worst affected properties and restore access past the site of the explosion. The fencing off of just the most badly damaged properties on Bebington Road means that direct through access for pedestrians; which has not been possible since the explosion, on 25 March 2017, can be restored. It has also allowed repairs to Boundary Road to take place, meaning that traffic is now running through this part of New Ferry and Port Sunlight for the 1st time since the blast happened. Contractors are now able to work safely behind the hoarding to either repair or remove the properties as appropriate. Repair works on other damaged properties close to the blast site are also taking place under the instructions of insurers.  David Ball, who is leading Wirral Council's recovery team, said:- "We have now completed all the emergency works that have been necessary in such complex circumstances and we are pleased to be able to restore full access for residents, shoppers and motorists. New Ferry has remained open for business throughout the recovery phase but we know that the closure of the road and restrictions on pedestrian access, which was unavoidable, has impacted on footfall and trade. I hope circumstances will now improve and I urge everyone to support their local businesses. We are continuing to meet regularly with New Ferry residents and businesses to update them on progress of the recovery operation and once again I pay tribute to their patience and resilience through these difficult times."