Wirral letters: August 18

Aug 25 2010 by Donna Price, Birkenhead News

Make most of our beautiful green spaces

I WOULD normally write with a grievance of some kind; but I'd like to congratulate Wirral for having some of the finest green areas in the country; certainly an abundance of green areas.

There are so many beautiful places to walk and visit, Birkenhead Park, Bidston Moss, Storeton Woods, Bidston Hill, Arrowe Park, Roydon Park, Vale Park, Thurstaston, Wirral Country Park, the many beaches, being just a few; we really are spoilt for choice.

Birkenhead Park in particular seems to have a very negative image, but it is a lovely place, rich with history and great people.

If you're bored of the summer holidays now, or are looking for free days out, go and visit some of these areas.

Get a book on Wirral Walks, or use the internet, you'll be amazed how many different walks we have right on our doorstep.

Mrs Gemma Ahearne

Oxton

Wealth of wildlife

THE flower-rich meadow known as Heswall Fields is a well visited local beauty spot overlooking the Dee Estuary.

At this time of year it is a wonderful wildlife resource with a wealth of wildflowers in bloom – clovers, vetches, knapweed and wild carrot to name but a few.

As well as having an intrinsic loveliness it is visited by many butterflies, moths, bees, hoverflies, bumblebees etc. which are exploited by swallows and other migrant birds laying down fat to fuel their long migration South to the tropics.

It was therefore with dismay that I found yet again at their most productive the fields have been mown and so lost to this wealth of wildlife.

This happens every year-last year just before a coachload of visiting entomologists arrived to study the butterflies. I am sure this is expediency not an act of wildlife vandalism but the effect is the same and I appeal to all local National Trust members, in this Year of Biodiversity, to appeal to the Trust to, in future, delay the cutting (necessary to maintain the variety of plants) for two or three weeks thus maximising the wildlife value.

Valerie McFarland,

Quaker Lane, Heswall

Memories of war

REGARDING your article in the Wirral News about World War Two, I was three when it started.

My father went to Africa for three years, so mum and I had to look after ourselves. I remember so much, such as the home guard asking us to go into the shelter, mum said no and we hid under the stairs. Another time a neighbour asked us to go to their house, again ‘no’ and they were bombed to the ground. Also queuing for food and people saying let the two little girls go forward (to a friend). I remember going to sleep with another friend under the iron table. To us it was fun. As I grew up I certainly remember the ‘Melody Inn Club’ and the Americans being around.

Jackson Earle at the Floral Pavilion and also Ray Hornby.

I used to go down to the beach and chalets and of course the Derby Pool.

I go down now to Harrison Drive and all the memories flood back. Being young to us, it was a good time. I often used to find shrapnel in the morning after the attacks.

We did make friends with some Americans, so much so that when they went home, one family used to send me clothes, which were beautiful.

E. Ann Helsby,

Bromborough.

Heartfelt thanks

I WOULD like to thank the lady who found a package I had left on the 464 bus, she kindly posted it paying the cost of postage for which she would not accept payment.

She told me she lives in Upton and hope she reads this letter. I cannot properly express how grateful I am for this lovely gesture. There are still many kind and honest people about.

Mrs Barbara Favager,

Bebington.

Magic numbers

We are so lucky here todayAs three little numbers bring help our wayA perfect stranger comes to our aidAnd most of them are underpaidThey reassure us in our needsAnd caringly do their daily deedsNo-one need ever be afraidRing these little numbers and along comes aidThe paramedics, the firemen too, the policeAnd all the lifeboat crewWho do their best without delay and once againHave saved the dayThe sound of a bell, helps in its wayAngels of mercy come as we prayWe are so lucky in this land, that somuch help is close to hand.So when you bow your head in prayerRemember the good people who really careOne day you may need to call, theThree little numbers, that says it all.

M. Orme,

Hoylake.

Unsung heroes

WE would like to pass on our thanks to Adeline Brady (Addy), the manager of the Age Concern Shop in Moreton.ŠŠ

Š Addy and her team organised a ‘Tea Dance’ for the Moreton community, to bring together over 200 people for music, dance and a wonderful buffet in the Moreton Community Centre in Maryland Lane that raised over £650 for the charity.ŠŠŠ

Š It is people like Addy, the unsung heroes of our society who work tirelessly behind the scenes who should be recognised.

Chris Blakeley, Steve Williams, Simon Mountney

Councillors for Moreton West & Saughall Massie