Tourism Minister's visit to Southport

UNIVERSAL Attractions and Southport Pleasureland CEO Norman Wallis hosted a visit from Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston and the town's MP Damian Moore on Friday. The Minister was at the park to find out 1st hand about Pleasureland's transformation to a year round international scale theme park and a focal point for the regeneration of the Town's visitor economy.

Mr Huddleston's visit coincided with an announcement from Mr Wallis that the level of investment for the development is:- "just short of ₤100 million."

The Minister welcomed the plans, particularly the commitment to delivering the UK's 1st net zero carbon theme park and its contribution to the Government's Levelling Up ambitions commenting:- "you are doing all the right things."

Letter to the Editor:- "Help keeping babies minds nourished"

"FROM the moment babies are born, their minds need nourishment, but it can be difficult to think up new ways for:- Mums, Dads, Grandparents and carers to keep them engaged. That's why, at the NSPCC, we have launched a new campaign to support anyone who helps to look after a baby across Merseyside. Did you know that every time you use silly voices, play or just sing with a baby, you're helping their mind grow? More than that, you're also helping to develop a powerful bond with the baby, which could last a lifetime. Through our Look, Say, Sing, Play campaign, we are aiming to give new parents and carers the confidence to have fun with their babies, safe in the knowledge that every song they sing or game they play will help develop their brain. Councils in:- Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral, with support and funding from Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership are working with the us at the NSPCC to promote the campaign. Your readers can sign up to receive free, weekly tips, sessions, and emails, to strengthen the bond between carer and child and help young minds develop. Parents and carers are encouraged to Look at what their baby is focusing on and how they react, Say what they're doing and copy the sounds their baby makes, Sing along to their favourite tune and Play simple games and see what their baby enjoys. As part of a new partnership, local authorities and early years professionals across Merseyside have joined together to offer this free support to parents with young babies. For more information and to sign up, readers can go to:- NSPCC.Org.UK, check their local authority's website or search online for:- 'Look Say Sing Play Merseyside'." Mubashar Khaliq, NSPCC Local Campaigns Manager

Steve and Hannah's converted van helped teachers and pupils stay working during the lockdown

SEFTON'S fascinating canal history has been unlocked in a new heritage trail created by volunteers from the Canal and River Trust charity. The trail follows the route of the 200 year old Leeds / Liverpool Canal from Litherland to Bootle; a distance of just under 2 miles. Participants can complete the trail in about 45 minutes by linking into local history information and old photos on the Canal and River Trust website, via their phones as they move along the canal.

The historical research was a lockdown project produced over the last 2 years by 2 local history enthusiasts, Rachel Rick and Marian McQueen. The 2 Trust volunteers will be passing on their knowledge 1st hand when they launch the trail with a special 90 minute guided walk on Saturday 26 March, starting from Litherland at 10am. The walk is free but places need to be booked in advance. The Trust plans to add QR codes along the trail over the next few months, making it easier to access the website links.

This is just 1 of a number of activities planned by the Trust through its Community Roots programme, which is supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery. The project aims to encourage local residents and visitors to discover and enjoy this beautiful section of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The Trust's Sefton community roots coordinator Sam Marine said:- "Our 2 volunteers have done a brilliant job in researching the fascinating history of the canal in this area. There has been a huge amount written about Liverpool over the years, but this length through Sefton is sometimes overlooked in favour of its more famous big City neighbour. We are delighted to restore some balance by creating this trail and we hope it will give people a reason to come out and get a fresh perspective on their local waterway. Thanks to players of People's Postcode Lottery this spring, the Canal and River Trust will also have a range of activities for local residents to engage in, including our popular Let's Walk, Let's Cycle and Let's Paddle sessions. Research shows that people feel happier and healthier by water, so we'd love to help them make new discoveries on their doorstep."

To book a place on the Sefton Canal Heritage Trail guided walk, go to:- EventBrite.Co.UK. The Sefton Canal Heritage Trail archive can be seen online now.