Thieves have stolen a giant Day Of The Dead skull

SOUTHPORT we are told is eagerly awaited Pleasureland's Day of the Dead, but sadly some "Skullduggery" has been taking place. We are told that thieves have struck over the night of 21 November or the early hours We are told that an aluminium Day of the Dead Festival skull fell victim to opportunistic thieves, who are reported to have scaled the poster and wrenched the aluminium 'sugar' skull from its mount. They then head off into the dark of the early hours of 22 November 2019. Pleasureland's Day of the Dead family friendly Festival, which will see:- fire spinners and eaters, live shows, street food, drummers a dance DJ and a huge fireworks display; with rides running through the evening, on 2 November 2019.

Park owner Norman Wallis said:- "Thieves had to scale the poster site. Once up there they used extreme force to wrench the artwork from its housing to make off with the skull emblem; we want our Autumn headline event's skull back and we are keen to hear from anyone with information. This theft was also an act of vandalism; removing the icon wasn't the work of minutes. It's another example of a small minority thwarting the town's push to look good and attract visitors, and it has a cost to it. The assault on the poster is the latest, but the park walls have suffered graffiti attacks. It's another sign that we have to #standupforsouthport; we really hope someone saw the thieves in action and can offer a tip off."

We art told that the part has issued an incentive for information leading to the skull's return, in the form of an undisclosed reward. If you have information please contact Southport Pleasureland on:- 01704 531 957 or Merseyside Police on:- 101.  For more information about the Day of the Dead event go to:- SouthportPleasureland.com.

₤475k investment to get 50 metre pool at Aquatics Centre open again

SPECIALIST contractors have drawn up detailed recommendations for repairs to the 50 metre pool at Wavertree Aquatics Centre in Liverpool. The facility has been shut since April following an electrical fault in a high level light fitting which exploded and showered the pool with lots of small shards of glass. The light fittings have been replaced with new longer lasting LED lights. The glass entered the underside of the moveable floor which meant it needed to be completely drained so the pool tank could be thoroughly cleaned. Unexpectedly, it led to a majority of the floor and wall tiles lifting off the concrete; and investigative work has been taking place for the last few months to discover why this happened. This included the use of specialist x-ray equipment and the removal of rendering and tiles.

This work has taken longer than expected due to the cramped conditions under the moveable floor and the subsequent discovery of several areas of defective concrete once the pool render had been removed. Due to the extent of the remedial works, it has also taken time to source the correct type of tile and other associated pool products that will match as near as possible to the remaining pool tiles. Structural engineers have now provided plans to repair the tank and work get underway shortly to repair it, after which it will be refilled. As a result, the reopening of the pool has now been put back until the beginning of February 2020 and the total cost of the repairs is put at around ₤475,000.  The 20 metre pool is open as normal and aqua fit and aqua running clubs are operating as usual, together with most Swim Academy activity.  Elite squads have been accommodated at alternative Lifestyles centres and had a reduction on their direct debits, while other members who have the Aquatics Centre as their home club have had their membership frozen.

Deputy Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "We absolutely appreciate and understand the frustration of swimmers due to the prolonged closure of the 50 metre pool at the Aquatics Centre. We have encountered a number of unprecedented difficulties relating to defects from the construction of the pool over a decade ago. This has meant we have had to carry out detailed and complex investigative work to uncover the extent of the problem. I hope people will understand that we have taken the time and care to look properly at the issue and work out the best way to carry out a repair. We don't want a situation where we have to take the pool out of service again. Despite the fact we have real financial challenges, we have found almost ½ a million pounds to carry out this work because we know how popular the Aquatics Centre is. We will keep people informed of progress and if there is any change to the opening date we will let them know."

Meanwhile, the small pool at Park Road Lifestyles in Dingle will reopen the week commencing from 28 October 2019 and the large pool on 4 November following the completion of ₤60,000 of work to replace the filters and carry out urgent repairs on the tanks. More information is now available online.