Wirral News letters: 31/10/12

Oct 31 2012 Birkenhead News

Pool was key to success

YOUR article concerning the new play area in New Brighton (Wirral News, October 17) only goes to prove how incompetent Neptune and the Wirral Council are.

They have literally spent a fortune trying to restore New Brighton to being the highlight it used to be and failed miserably, all because they have failed to restore New Brighton into its own marketplace.

Years ago New Brighton was known as the place to be for an economical day out for the whole family. The then-swimming pool played a very large part in that. That was why it was very important to restore the pool if New Brighton was to have any chance of being restored.

This plan however has completely destroyed that, because it simply does not cater for the entire family anymore.

New Brighton’s marketplace was primarily for grandparents, parents and children to all have a fun day out.

The beauty contest brought extra interest and coaches from all over the country and beyond – an awful lot of them coming back when there were no bathing contests.

Clearly it was the pool that brought them and the attractions which were there at the time kept them coming.

New Brighton was a place where families came together and stayed together which for me make New Brighton’s heritage unique. All that was required was regular maintenance and updating the attractions there.

The only good thing to come from this development is the cinema, though it is four screens short of Wallasey’s former cinema which originally had 12.

B MEERING

Wallasey

Volunteers call

I WORK for Independent Age, the charity which supports thousands of older people across the UK.

We tackle older people’s poverty and loneliness by offering information, advice and friendship. For those who need it, we also offer befriending and support from an Independent Age volunteer.

We support around 6,000 people across the UK and Ireland and are in urgent need of new volunteers to join our dedicated team in Wirral.

Whatever your talents, you can use them to help us with our work improving the lives of older people in your community. So, whether you’re a good listener and would like to visit a lonely older person near you, or enjoy getting out and about and meeting new people, we have the volunteer roles to suit you.

All new volunteers receive a full induction, and, of course, we’ll pay for your expenses.

To find out about volunteering opportunities in your area and to request an application pack, please contact Sian Burgess, area manager for Merseyside, Lancashire and Isle of Man, on 07595 201 432 or sian.burgess@independentage.org.uk

Sian Burgess

Prenton

Shop plea

I AM looking for information about a jewellers' shop in Seaview Road called Stewarts/Stuarts.

I am the author of a book called the Diary of Jack the Ripper.

In 1997/8 I went to see Ron and Suzanne Murphy who were running the shop because they had sold a watch with an inscription of the name of James Maybrook on the back. It was a very important piece of evidence.

Her father used to run an antiques shop in Lancaster and the watch apparently came from there.

I would like to find out whether there was a Stewart/Stuart connected with the antiques shop.

I have been unable to find them and would like to find out whether the shop is still there and to get in touch with Ron and Suzanne.

SHIRLEY HARRISON

shirleyharrison1@hotmail.com

Do we still care?

YOUR report about the RSPCA in Cross Lane ("RSPCA fears over centre", October 24) makes me question whether we are still a nation of animal lovers.

Even in times of hardship, we British have always been a kind-hearted bunch when it comes to our cats and dogs (perhaps less so guinea pigs, hamsters and rabbits).

I question whether this struggle is about selfishness as much as it is about money.

What has the world come to when we will not help a struggling animal charity, yet our youngsters are still walking around with the latest portable music players and mobile phones?

S SMITH

Birkenhead