Wirral News letters: April 20

Apr 20 2011 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

In memory of Dougie

IN JUNE 2010 my cousin Douglas Halliday (Rock Ferry) and three of his colleagues Alex Isaac (Eastham), Martyn Horton (Runcorn) and Dave Ramsden (Leeds) tragically lost their lives whilst serving in Afghanistan.

Dougie was deeply loved by all of his family and friends for the love and laughter that he brought into their lives. We are all extremely privileged to have shared his short life.

He was just 20 years old from Rock Ferry, Wirral and serving in his first tour of Afghanistan under the Mercian 1 Regiment

We remember Dougie for his charm, the special times together and his humor. He will never be forgotten.

We arranged a Coastal Walk in Aid of Help for Heroes which took place on September, 19 2010.

Over 250 walkers and volunteers turned up and took part on what can only be described as one of the worst weather days of the year

Tears, laughter, hard work, determination and love got us all through that day.

Help for Heroes has confirmed that from this event we together raised a massive amount of £18,262!

All of this money has gone directly to Help for Heroes and really does make a massive difference to the lives of our soldiers injured in conflict.

I am writing to thank every single person who helped, donated, collected money, marshalled, cheered us on, kept us going and a HUGE thank you to all of the walkers who got up and walked in the terrible weather conditions , it was a massive team event and I am so very thankful, grateful and proud of you all.

We will be walking again on May 22 as part of the annual Wirral Coastal Walk, if you would like to be involved please contact me 07810003227

Dougie will live on in us all, we will never forget, let us unite to remember him and celebrate his life, let him be your inspiration!

From the bottom of my heart thank you.

Helen Fisher

Via email

Install more bins

IT’S great to read that Wirral is attracting visitors from all over the country, who bring a welcome financial boost.

There is no doubt that the peninsula has a lot to offer and as well as its own attractions makes a great holiday base for trips to North Wales and the Lake District.

We must do all we can to encourage tourists and make sure they take away happy memories and return.Š

On that note may I suggest the council helps this by installing many more litter bins.

There are ample sites to chose from and locations should include bus stops. I know of several in Liscard alone, which would benefit from one.Š

We don't want visitors going away under the impression that Wirral,Što steal words from author Bill Bryson, was having “a festival of litter”.

PHILIP GRIFFITHS

North West Chairman, UK Independence Party

Why school trip?

THERE have been upwards of 2,000 redundancies in Wirral Council alone with more on the way.

Staff at Bebington High Sports College have been given notice of redundancies with other schools also under threat.

Glad to see then that money is being spent wisely when a cluster of headteachers from junior and high schools in the Bebington area recently went on an all-expenses paid 10-day trip to Cape Town in South Africa to forge links with a school there.

One question. Why??

Name and Address supplied

Lakes bring joy

LIFE has few free pleasures, but the pleasure of watching the little steamboats chugging along in the relaxed way they do on the public lakes at Hoylake and New Brighton is one of them. (Wirral News Wallasey and west editions, and on-line).

I and my family have enjoyed this scene for a long time. We would go along to New Brighton and have a pleasant afternoon, the local boat club putting on its best for us, the public to see what they have made over the winter.

We were never disappointed, but it seems that now the powers-to-be want to control us even more.

To see the report about health and safety is a main concern.

Well I agree, but get your facts right. Get BIG signs up to say no feeding the swans and another to say “take your muck home with you”.

I hope a few more people will join me and say we want our boating lakes as they were, they bring lots of joy.

Christine Curran

Hoylake