Last Thursday together with Cllr Chris Blakeley I went to the Moreton Community Centre which was playing host to the BBC’s Roger Philips Show. It was the first time the show had been broadcast live from Moreton. It was very interesting to watch how the show is managed. Having regularly listened to the show I had an idea how things fitted together. It’s extremely different when you actually see it. At the event sometimes things were a bit manic but the output to the radio sounded as everything was running smoothly. Roger Philips does a brilliant job of staying calm and collected when all around him he is getting phone messages, e-mails and notes from his producer, as well as holding his microphone to the mouth of one of the audience members.
As well as myself and Chris there were representatives from Wirral Partnership Homes, Merseyside Police, Moreton Townswomens Guild, VCA Wirral and Citizen Advice Bureau. There were lively discussions on a range of subjects from Pensions, Strikes, Moreton’s history, Crime to local services. The event was hosted by Mike Griffiths, the Manager of the Centre who explained to Roger all the good activities that take place there and about the differing users availing themselves of the choices.
All in all a great day and a good positive event for our area.
After a very busy number of weeks the elections are now over and I am delighted that my colleague Cllr. Chris Blakeley was re-elected with a 900 majority. We knew that these elections were going to be difficult across the Wirral. We were correct in that we lost 5 excellent councillors, Ian Lewis. Sue Taylor, Sheila Clarke MBE, James Keeley and Tom Anderson. I wish them all well and I’m sure we will see alot of them again politically in the future.
On a happier note, another reason for me being so busy was that I became a Grandad to a Grandaughter Elsie May. After her birth both she and my daughter were in and out of hospital so that was a little distracting. However both are now doing fine.
Back to Moreton & Saughall Massie and on the run up to the elections Chris, our other colleague Cllr. Simon Mountney and I worked tirelessly around the ward. We tried to talk to as many residents as we could and got literature to every house in the ward. We also had days walking around the Town Centre again talking to people and distributing leaflets. We feel we have learned many of our residents feelings and concerns. It will be tough at the Town Hall as the Labour Group have gained 7 seats, but we three will be pushing even harder for the good of Moreton West & Saughall Massie. Another welcoming result in the elections was the return of Cllr. Leah Fraser who won the Wallasey ward by a convincing 1062.
Thanks to all that voted for Chris, and keeping our ward 100% Conservative Councillors.
This afternoon I went to the opening of a Rape Crisis Centre at Hoylake Holistics, in Market Street. Also attending was my friend Esther McVey MP. We were very impressed with the centre which appears to be exactly what is needed for victims of such crimes. We were shown around by Jo Wood MBE, a Moreton resident. Jo is the Service Manager for RASA (Rape and Sexual Abuse).
We also met John and Penny Clough the parents of Jane Clough who was brutally murdered in 2010. Jane was stabbed to death by her ex partner in the hospital car park where she worked. He had been given bail having been charged with 3 counts of rape on Jane. Whilst we were there a cheque for £1000 was presented to Jo from John and Penny who have run the ‘Justice for Jane’ campaign.
This morning I went to Birkenhead Town Hall, an ideal setting for the Wirral History & Heritage Association’s Annual Fair. The event was opened by the Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Moira McLaughlin, and Professor Steve Harding who has studied Vikings in Wirral since he was a child.
The event hosted numerous stands of local groups and businesses. The range included Genealogy, History societies, Lighthouse friends groups, footpath groups and postcard sellers. Many were dressed in traditional costume and parked outside was an old Ribble bus of the Wirral Transport Collection.
A brilliant event and an excellent turnout of visitors attending making it a very successful day.
After years of campaigning, especially by my colleague Cllr. Chris Blakeley, we finally had a street party signalling the start of the development. I attended last Tuesday with Chris and Cllr. Simon Mountney. It went very well with over 200 residents calling in. There was fish & chips supplied by Sid from the Town Meadow Supper Bar. Chris, Simon & I all said we wouldn’t have the fish & chips as our weights were still suffering the effects of Christmas, but on getting the smell we all succumbed to a portion each! Debbie from Deborahs Hairdressers made a fantastic cake in the shape of the new development.
Mr Bullah from the convenience store provided the soft drinks. Music and compering was provided by 7 Waves Community Radio. Merseyside Fire Service provided a fire engine for an hour and entertained the children with hose useage, and trips around the fire engine. There was also a Bouncy Castle and Face Painting for the youngters.
Wirral Partnership Homes the owner and developer had many staff in attendance answering questions and organising the event. Speeches were given by Chris and Wirral Partnership Homes Chief Executive, Brian Simpson.
The work of the development, three new shops and twenty four dwellings starts Monday 20th Ferbruary and should take about 18 months to complete.
Yesterday afternoon I went to the Floral Pavilion for the Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration. About 700 children from 27 schools across Wirral were in the audience. Many are Year 11 History and Humanities students. Despite have attended four times it ceases to amaze and inspire me. The main part of the day is a talk from Rudi Oppenheimer, a Holocaust survivor. Despite being 80 years old Rudi talks for about an hour and a half, colourfully describing events from him being a young boy to present day. He also displays a great sense of humour.
It is always so interesting to see so many youngsters come into the theatre quite noisy and boisterous, yet after Rudi has started talking, and they see realise the enormity of it, in the auditorium you can hear a pin drop. Some students took part in a candle lighting ceremony and 2 in particular, Holly Pierce and Olivia Dragicevic from Prenton High School, gave an entertaining talk about their recent visit to Auswicz and Bergen Belsen.
This is the 11th year of this event. The initial speaker was Paul Oppenheimer, Rudi’s elder brother who sadly died in 2007. Following this Rudi took his role in ‘spreading the word’ about these atrocities. There is an excellent book available From Belsen to Buckingham Palace that was written by Paul.
This years commemoration went extremely well thanks to the organisation headed by Deidre Smith, Principal Manager of the Children & Young People’s Department and her team. A very poignant address was also given by Mark Parkinson, Acting Deputy Director. The Mayor of Wirral, the Bishop of Birkenhead, Jane Owens who is the Chair of Wirral Governors’ Forum, and five fellow councillors also attended, and all agreed it was an excellent awe-inspiring event.
On Thursday I went to the Floral Pavilion to attend the 20th Annual ‘Volunteering Wirral’ Long Service Awards Ceremony. It was good to see that as there were so many recipients, there had to be 2 seperate ceremonies. The afternoon was hosted by Steve Mowbray, the Manager of Volunteering Wirral, with the awards being presented by the Mayor of Wirral, Cllr. Moira McLaughlin.
The awards consisted of ’100 hours certificates’, Bronze medallions for 3 years service, Silver for 5 years service and Gold for 10 years. There were nine presentations of Platinum medallions which is for over 20 years service. One of the Platinum recipients was of special interest to me as it was my mum, Margaret Harrison who has run the Wirral Deaf Blind Group for over 20 years.
Three guest speakers interspersed the awards by giving short talks. They were Jan Griffin from Working Life, Alison Bell of Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology, and Kathy Wootton from Wirral CAB. All were interesting and very enlightening. Entertainment was provided by Bernie Fawcett, keyboard and vocals, who kindly donated his fee again to Clatterbridge Hospital Cancer Research Fund.
After the full Council Meeting at the Town Hall on Monday which was quite heated, it was a pleasure to attend a few Christmas events this week. Above was the scene on Tuesday when most of the pupils from Foxfield School went to Moreton Baptist Church for a carol service conducted by the pastor, Andy Frith. The children were in high spirits and sang through every song. On the piano was one of my Town Hall colleagues, Cllr. Wendy Clements. Many of the Baptist Church congregation were involved, helping the children and serving refreshments after the service.
Wednesday morning saw another Carol Service for the Children of Foxfield at Moreton Methodist Church. This service was performed by the pupils and their parents also attended.
After the excellent service by the children, Headteacher Andre Baird, and the minister of the Church, Rev. Arnold Dixon gave speeches and thanked the pupils.
On Thursday I called in on the Foxfield School Christmas Panto. This is a pantomime performed by the staff for the pupils. This showed off some acting and musical talents including the Foxfield Band. Another good afternoon, with the children literally singing and dancing in the aisles.
Last night with Cllr. Chris Blakeley I went to the switch on of the Christmas Light Display in Amberley Close, Moreton. This is the 8th year that the George and Williams families have produced a magnificent spectacle. Many residents turned out to support the switch on. The proceeds from the lights go to Claire House Childrens Hospice, and last night we were honoured that the lights were switched on by Claire House’s very own Claire Bear.
Mrs Williams told me that she was also doing more fundraising this year by holding raffles at the Grange Pub. Over the Christmas period there will be a raffle for signed football shirts, and customers can help the charity by buying lots of tickets.
If you are on the area take time to call at the Close and see the lights and more importantly please donate to Claire House.
The George and Williams Families with Claire Bear
Today in front of a crowd of about 100 the Moreton Christmas Lights were again turned on. The event was once again organised by Moreton resident Angela Pouncey with help from her family and friends. The afternoon started about 3.00 in the Coach & Horses Pub where there was a disco, kindly provided by Mark of ‘XL Nights Disco’, who kept many children (and adults) entertained. There were drinks, a massive buffet and a draw.
At 5.00 the crowd from the pub went outside and joined others in the road for the switch on. Merseyside Police were in attendance for road safety, closing the service road for the event. The lights were switched on by celebrity Hairdresser, Herbert of Liverpool. He was a big hit with the crowd and had time to chat to many of the ladies who wanted to talk “hair”. Cllr. Chris Blakeley didn’t seem interested in the hair talk!
All in all a great afternoon that will hopefully assist Moreton traders with the lead up to Christmas and help by making the town look so festive. A big thanks to Angela Pouncey, The Coach & Horses, Merseyside Police and the traders and residents who have donated to the event.
