Letter to the Editor:-  "Litter on Formby Point"

"I would like to let your readers see the letter I have sent to the National Trust. 1 of the reasons I sent the email is Pope Francis has launched a year of Laudato Si, and we all need to play our part in making the world a better place. I also work for CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development and I see and hear about the effects of what damage we cause in the developed world and the impact it has on the poorest countries. I have been to the beach this evening and brought home 3 cans (2 with dates of 1986) and 4 bottles, 1 a very heavy Tizer bottle. These had been exposed by the strong winds we have had over the last few days. So rubbish is not a new problem, but wouldn't it be great to eradicate it or get it to a minimum.

My Letter I sent, to the National Trust, is as follows:-

'Hope you are all well. Like many people I am appalled by the amount of rubbish left on the beach by the scum bag minority of visitors. I like many locals do often pick litter when I visit the beach, but it would be ideal if people didn't leave it in the 1st place. Just a few ideas that I hope may be able to be implemented which may deter some from leaving trash everywhere on our beautiful beach / pinewoods.

1. Could a little video be produced using photos of the rubbish left so it can be distributed on social media? I'm sure a number of us could provide photos, and members of the Formby Beach Angels Facebook Group.

2. Significantly more signage to tell people to take their rubbish home.

3. Significantly more bins.

4. I appreciate bins on the actual beach is tricky due to our tides coming up quite high sometimes, BUT during busy times what about either the land rover (or a dune buggy type thing) with a trailer on the back patrolling the front each hour encouraging people to put their rubbish in. Maybe it could be designed in such a way it encourages kids to bring their rubbish over (a bit like that metal fish to catch plastic bottles/cans).

So space for recycling, but also for general rubbish. This could be a bit of a feature, and maybe could be driven by volunteers? (I'd be happy to volunteer on a rota at weekends to drive or assist with something like this). Also with a system to be able to play sound/music or announce to indicate the vehicle is there. Maybe something like this (but separate place for non recycling). It could become a bit of a feature.

5. Dog poo bins! I can't believe how many people chuck or dump the little poo bags!

6. I appreciate all this will cost money, but if you can give us an idea as to how much it would cost then maybe we can try and raise some extra funds or get people / businesses to sponsor bins / signage.

7. Can we ask Formby and Freshfield Station to have signs up re-taking rubbish home / binning it.

8. If the Council charge for disposal of waste is there some agreement they could come to to try and reduce the costs to the National Trust, as you endeavour to keep the place clean and tidy.

Many thanks for your consideration.'

Lets hope we can get something sorted!" Siobhan Farnell, Formby.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Survive respond to fire on Coastline

OVER the week leading up to Bank Holiday, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service have had a number of callouts to fire on Dune Land and within the Pinewoods along the Sefton Coastline, These are photos taken by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service as they dealt with a large fire within Ainsdale Pinewoods, on Saturday, 23 May 2020. Please remember that all sections of the coastline from Crosby to Southport, due to potential fire risk, injuries caused by discarded barbecuing kits and potential damage to habitats, barbecues or any types of fires are strictly banned.