Water lovers are encouraged to dive right into a series of fantastic events at Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre over the coming months

THE popular open air lake at the Waterloo based adventure centre has now reopened with staff following strict Government guidelines to help continue the fight against Covid-19. Events such as open water swimming, Stand Up Paddleboarding Fitness, navigation and seamanship courses can now resume at Crosby Lakeside, with tickets for each event available to purchase online. All courses and events will take place subject to stringent Government guidelines to ensure both staff and guests are kept safe at all times. To find out more about lake based watersports and courses or to book your ticket, please visit:- EventBrite.Co.UK. Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:- "1st and foremost I want to put on record my thanks to all our staff who are working so hard behind the scenes to help bring back services which have been temporarily suspended due to the pandemic. The water based facilities at Crosby Lakeside are an incredible asset for us to have and we are delighted that we are able to bring back events and courses to the lake in a safe and considered manner."

'Silent Service' partners with the Sea Cadets on national competition to inspire new memorial

THE Submariner Memorial Appeal is today announcing a partnership with the Sea Cadets in a competition to design a new memorial which will mark the role Royal Navy submariners have played over the last 119 years.  The competition's closing date has also been extended until the end of August 2020. The memorial will be installed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire next year. The 1st of its kind in commemorating the submariners, and their families, for the UK. Sea Cadets takes pride in in its links to the Royal Navy, and since the 1st incarnation of Sea Cadets was formed in 1856 it has given young people aged 10 to 18 the chance to experience a different kind of adventure. As well as members of the public of all ages, nearly 15,000 Sea Cadets from over 400 units around the country are being encouraged to draw up plans for the tribute and could win prizes, including ₤1,000 for the winning design. The winner will also be invited, along with other cadets, to attend the opening of the memorial by HRH Prince William, Commodore in Chief Submarines.  The competition is open to all and will close at the end of August. To find out more and enter the competition, visit:- SubmarinerMemorial.UK. Commander Tom Herman OBE RN, Submarine Flotilla Secretary, said:- "We'd like to encourage Sea Cadets from across the country and overseas units to come up with ideas for a memorial to those who lost their lives while serving in submarines and to recognise the sacrifice of their families."

LGA and CLA responds on Government's plans to combat flooding

FOLLOWING the Government's announcement about new long term plans to tackle flooding, Cllr David Renard, Environment spokesman for the Local Government Association, said:- "Flooding can devastate communities, causing enormous disruption to families and businesses, and resulting in huge clean up bills, so this funding is good news and will support protection work by Councils to prepare for heavy rainfalls. Funding for flood defences needs to be devolved to local areas to ensure money is directed towards projects that best reflect local needs, which includes protecting key roads and bridges to keep local residents and businesses moving. It is good that flood defence construction schemes will be fast tracked, and while the Bellwin scheme for emergency flood relief funding is vital for Councils, it often doesn't cover the clean up costs. Councils need to be able to access funding for these purposes, more easily and more quickly. The Government also needs to further incentivise firms to make contributions for flood defences and introduce mandatory anti flood requirements for new homes in building regulations."

Following this news, CLA President Mark Bridgeman said:- "It's encouraging to see Government taking another positive step to help combat ongoing problems with flooding. While the pledge focuses on creating new flood and coastal defences to better protect properties, it's vitally important that there's still long term funding for maintenance of existing flood defence assets, including ring fenced funding for protection of agricultural land. Farmers and land owners often spot problems with flood defences and maintenance requirements but bureaucracy usually thwarts early preventative actions. There should be a simpler system enabling farmers to carry out minor flood defence work on their own property to protect their assets and livelihoods. The value from flooding land to protect properties and business should be recognised in future land management agreements and build in the soft engineering solutions of trees and other natural features that slow the water flow and can offer natural flood management alongside the hard engineering."