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Get ready for the 'Scouse Flowerhouse'

Plantastic Project: Richard Scott, Dave Roughley and Bradley Hampson sowing the seeds.

DO you know your Campions from your Cornflowers? Could you pick out a Poppy or spot a blooming Buttercup? Whatever the answer, if you want to see all those wildflowers and more in their stunning full colour glory then look no further than Liverpool's main roads and major routes this summer. It's all part of the Liverpool Wildflower Gateways Project, which is a partnership between Liverpool City Council, the National Wildflower Centre at the Eden Project and is bringing a riot of colour to sites across the City. Now in its 2nd year, the project, affectionately known as the:- 'Scouse Flowerhouse,' takes in locations across Liverpool including:- Croxteth Park, Longmoor Lane, Ullet Road and Everton Park.

Richard Scott said:- "The City Council has been brilliant in making this project happen for a second year and Liverpool really is leading the way in terms of the number of wildflowers being planted this year. The idea is to create a network of flowers that radiates out from the City Centre and all adds up to something very special. It's also important to know how rare some of the flowers actually are; varieties such as cornflowers are practically extinct in the wild so this is one way of introducing them. The aim is also to really cheer people up during these times by bringing nature and colour into the City."

A small band of intrepid flower advocates and sowers led by Richard Scott, Director of the National Wildflower Centre and based here in Liverpool, have been taking to the grass verges, public green spaces and central reservations to plant millions of tiny seeds. The sites have been prepared by Liverpool based arable and urban farmer Dave Roughley, before being sown by Dave, Richard and fellow volunteer Bradley Hampson. In 2019, the planting became a real community event in certain parts of the City, with residents taking part in mass sowings. This year the group have been encouraging residents to get involved in a socially distanced way by leaving packets of seeds on people's doorsteps. The choice of flowers has been specially chosen to reflect the country's wild heritage, with many varieties such as:- Cornflower, Corn Poppy, Corn Chamomile, Daisies and Red Campion and Meadow Buttercup; originating in cornfields.

Cornfield Colours: Wildflowers already beginning to bloom at St Agnes Field.

In addition to these wildflower areas the City has many wild areas within parks where grass is left to grow longer to encourage wildlife. The Council's grass cutting service has begun again on verges which are close to public highways, this is to ensure the right level of visibility for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. However, there are some verges where it is suitable to allow grass to grow longer and encourage more diverse planting. The Council is continue to identify suitable sites across the City. Some of the sites are already beginning to spring into life but in the fullness of time, they will all bring a suffusion of reds, blues, oranges…every colour of the rainbow in fact for everyone to enjoy. It is a real and practical response by the City in response to the Climate Emergency and Extinction crisis. You can watch the City Councils video about the project on Vimeo now.

Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Laura Robertson Collins, said:- "The Wildflower Gateways Project has transformed some areas of our City, as well as many residents' perception of some of our greenspaces. These meadows contribute fantastically to biodiversity, supporting pollinators and other wildlife. And they have brought communities together at some sites to sow and celebrate the flower, in a distanced way this year of course. I'm proud that so many sites have now been sown across the City and thank the dedicated staff and partners working on this. I'm aware from my own local area that creating a wildflower meadow has led to people valuing the space more, for example, there has been less litter dropped at St Agnes Fields on Ullet Road since the flowers grew last summer. We look forward to expanding the project, creating more meadows over the next few years."

Galloway's is inviting fundraisers to join them in Not the Morecambe Bay Walk

2 people taking part in a walk observing social distant rules... Terry Hazell, who took part in 2019 Morecambe Bay Walk, encourages people to get creative and walk 8 miles

THE sight loss charity Galloway's is asking the community to recreate their own socially distant version of the Morecambe Bay Walk and raise vital funds for blind and partially sighted people across Lancashire and Sefton. The annual 8 mile event had been planned for the weekend of 30 May and 31 May 2020, but following the Coronavirus pandemic, Galloway's is asking people to talk part in Not the Morecambe Bay Walk instead. Participants are invited to walk 8 miles in any way they can during June and get sponsored. This can be done in the garden, in the house, on the treadmill or during daily exercise outdoors. It is up to individuals how they complete the 8 miles, as long as they stick to the Government's social distancing rules. Fundraisers might want to run or skip, or maybe do a relay with family members. The fun is in the creativity.

Registration is free and everyone who takes part and sends in sponsorship money will receive a Morecambe Bay Walk water bottle. People can sign up via:- Galloways.Org.UK/Not-The-Bay-Walk Participants of the event, that is sponsored by FWP architects, can help raise funds for Galloway's by setting up a Facebook or online fundraising page or asking people to make a donation via the website. Fundraisers can also send a cheque payable to Galloway's Society for the Blind via post to:- Not the Morecambe Bay Walk at Howick House, Howick Park Avenue, Penwortham, PR1 0LS.

Nicola Hanna, Head of Income Generation and Communications, said:- "The iconic Galloway's Morecambe Bay Walk unfortunately won't be going ahead this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic but we are asking you to take part in a different way. The event is crucial to Galloway's as it raises much needed funds so that we can provide amazing services to people who are living with sight loss. Last year, we had more than 800 people walk the iconic Morecambe Bay from Arnside to Kents Bank and this year, we had hundreds of people interested. So we hope you can all support us in turning the Not the Morecambe Bay Walk into a successful fundraiser, helping us continue our services for people with sight loss."

Fundraisers are being encouraged to send in pictures and videos of themselves taking part, which can share on social media. These can be sent to the Galloway's Society for the Blind Facebook Page or send them an emailed:- Natalie.Walker@Galloways.Org.UK. People are advised not walk across the bay, as it is unsafe without the official Queen’s Guide. Galloway's, which has sites in Penwortham, Chorley, Southport and Morecambe, supports more than 7,000 blind and partially sighted people across Sefton and Lancashire.