Crosby Junior photography competition returns with springtime theme and ₤50 prize

CROSBY Camera Club is inviting young photographers to enter their best springtime images for the chance to win a ₤50 prize. The club's junior photography competition, in association with The Rotary Club of Crosby, is returning after a very successful 1st year in which many talented youngsters submitted photographs for display and judging.

This year's theme is 'Sefton in Springtime' and the judges are encouraging entrants to use their skills and imagination to produce memorable images around this subject.

The competition is open to children and young adults living in the Crosby, Waterloo and Thornton area, aged between 6 and 18 years old.

Local Schools have so far pledged their support, encouraging pupils to enter the competition by taking a photograph based on the theme and entering it as a:- 6x4" or 7x5" print.

Margaret Quayle, President of Crosby Camera Club, said:- "We're pleased to once more join forces with Crosby Rotary Club to find talented young artists in our community. This year we are encouraging young people to get out and about in their neighbourhoods, spotting the signs of spring and taking photographs of what they find.  We all see so many photos on our phones and computer screens, but our competition asks young people to choose their favourite image and then make a print to display and share with others."

To enter, students simply need to collect a label from their teacher, complete the details, title their photograph and attach the label to the rear of the print.

This year the age groups have been expanded with a category for juniors, aged 6 to 11, and another for young adults, aged 12 to 8.

The winners of each category will receive a prize of ₤50 plus a trophy, and certificates will be awarded to the runners-up at a presentation evening on Tuesday, 1 May 2018, at St Luke's Church, Crosby, from 7pm.

Prints must be returned no later than Friday, 20 April 2018 and full rules are available at Crosby Camera Club's website.

I-Spy, with my mammal eye…

WILDLIFE charity People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is calling for volunteers to take part in its annual Living with Mammals survey, by asking members of the public to survey a garden or local green space once a week, between Monday, 26 March 2018 and Sunday, 24 June 2018 and recording the wild mammals they see.

PTES is keen to hear from anyone in the UK who can give up some of their time this spring to help spot the likes of the Mrs Tiggywinkle and Fantastic Mr Fox.

Last year, volunteers in the South East and East of England regions returned the greatest number of surveys, while residents of Scotland and the North East, the fewest. So this year, PTES is particularly interested to hear from those living in Scotland or the north of England, especially as these areas are home to some of Britain's rarest mammals, such as red squirrels and pine martens.

Volunteers can choose any green space to survey: this could be a rural or urban garden, an allotment, a park, or a green space near to work, as long as the site is within 200 metres of a building. Once a suitable space has been identified, PTES is asking volunteers to visit this site for a short amount of time each week, and record any sightings of mammals, or the signs they leave behind, such as droppings or footprints.

Volunteers can submit their findings online, which is also home to a guide on how to spot mammals, and how to tell a pine marten from a polecat, if you're lucky enough to see 1!

David Wembridge, Surveys Officer at PTES explains:- "Understanding how wildlife in our Towns and Cities is changing is essential in supporting our wild neighbours such as foxes, rabbits and hedgehogs. We've always shared our green spaces with wildlife, so by counting the number of mammals each spring, we can tell where conservation efforts are needed most. By identifying population trends, finding pockets where certain species are thriving or under pressure, we can ultimately encourage biodiversity around us."

Many of Britain's mammals, including hedgehogs, foxes, grey squirrels and bats, are typically found in household gardens, recreational areas, cemeteries and brownfield sites, but other green spaces close to buildings may also provide a home to them. However, there are some mammals that only live in certain parts of the Country: for example, hazel dormice, which are rare but occasional visitors to gardens, are mostly found in southern counties of England and in Wales.

To take part in PTES' 2018 Living with Mammals survey, register online.  The survey can also be completed via a printed pack, which can be sent to your door. Just contact LwM@ptes.org to find out how.

If you want to support PTES' ongoing conservation work but can't commit to taking time out mammal watching each week, you can donate ₤3 by texting:- 'PTES18 ₤3' to 70070.

Barn Dnace and Ceili at St Michaels Irish Centre

ON Sunday, 8 April 2018, a Barn Dance / Ceili will be held at St. Michaels Irish Centre, on Boundary Lane,  (L6 5JG). The event will be hosted by Michael Coyne, who is an accomplished Accordionist, Singer and Dance caller!  The event will be helping to raise funds to take sick and handicapped 'Pilgrims' to the 'Shrine of the Virgin of the Poor,' in Banneux Notre Dame, Belgium. Doors open 2pm to 5.30pm.  The venue is has a full licensed bar and will be refreshments available. Admission will be ₤6 and children ₤3. For tickets and coach bookings contact Sr. Catherine on:- 07486131930 or 07703769903.