ITPAS Newsletter Jan 2010

Irby, Thurstaston and Pensby Amenity Society Established over 30 years

Volume 12, Issue 1 - January 2010

Page 2 Editorial

Page 3 Community Funding

RSPB advice in winter

Page 4 Thurstaston Rock Festival

Page 5 Planning

d e s fu e R Page 6 Committee Diary

A Happy Community having a Happy Christmas!

Small ventures can often lead to fantastic gains.

What we witnessed at Christmas was a fantastic community spirited event organised for the community by the community.

When ITPAS applied for funding for Christmas lights, we could never have anticipated the event we witnessed on Friday 2nd December 2009. A small venture for ITPAS took its first steps with Dr Carol Porter making the application for some Christmas lights, which was supported by Wirral Councils Community Forum Funding and we are grateful for their support.

One idea soon led to another and Mike Ireland of Irby Village Hall fame soon had The Shippons Motorcycle Club on board. Then we had the local schools followed by local traders and finally we had a great evening in the village with a gathering of over 1500 who witnessed what must be a first - Santa and his helpers arriving on the loud revving engines of motorbikes! Only if you witnessed the wide eyed children, would you have appreciated the event as it unfurled! Yes, we could have done better in some areas, but this was a pilot run, so next year will be even better!

sales of cakes etc. They generously donated the fruits of their labour between 'Help the Heroes' and 'Friends of Irby Library'. We also have to thank the Governors of Irby Primary who coerced the traders into their kind donations which we used towards publicity for the event.

Collectively along with Brenda & Mike Ireland (Irby Village Hall), Steve and Laura Edwards of The Shippons pub, Rachel Anstiss & Karen Dukes - Governors of Irby Primary school (including children from that school & Dawpool C of E), PC Mark Broderick & colleagues (Heswall Neighbourhood Police) who gave us great support and closed the road off for the bikes to arrive. Irby Evangelical Church for their support and most of all the bikers of The Shippons Motorcycle Club who must have surely made such a unique entrance, it must have been a first, globally, let alone for Irby - Beat

The event also raised money for 'Help the Heroes' a charity to help our wounded soldiers. Over ÂŁ500 was raised with some of it being done on the night and the rest with raffles etc at The Shippons pub. Irby & Thurstaston W.I. raised ÂŁ220 on the night with

www.itpas.org.uk

Page 1

that!!! .

Irby, Thurstaston and Pensby Amenity Society Established over 30 years

We had no sooner sent the last newsletter off to 'press' when a number of serious matters occurred.

Communication is paramount to us at busy times and our traditional newsletter, whilst will never be under threat, is just a poor means of communication when it comes to rapid action. To that end, please keep an eye on our website, save it in your favourites (or bookmarks) or if you are really keen you could quite easily set ITPAS as your homepage. If you are on the internet, don't forget to One, maybe two people have dared call this a "community event" and the repeated rants of how this will bring money become a 'fan' of our facebook group too. in to Wirral leave me lost for words. I've yet to find out how I dont think I need to say too much about the outcome of the words community and 'money' fit into this? a the Wirral libraries. If you have been reading our local Community event this will never be, but the ramifications for the community are press, you will have witnessed an extraordinary set of massive. As for bringing in circumstances that have brought about this result, which money, other than directly still seems to be ongoing with to the two organisers, I wait 'freedom of information' for someone to explain requests to Wirral Council and how? We have been truly a barrage of questions being let down by Wirral Council fired at the Councillors who and a number of other sanctioned the closure in the bodies and there is no first place. I am not a pessimist space for apathy on this as a rule, but I fear this is more matter!

We are further shocked that this event has been, of a reprieve than a conclusion.

One only has to scour the local albeit quietly, supported by Wirral Councils Department for press to find libraries under Tourism, who have yet to justify their existence as the main threat all over the UK and ask a Librarian how secure they tourist attractions on Wirral each year have been feel their job is! If you would like to keep really up to speed organised by volunteers and nothing to do with the Local on this situation, there's an excellent 'blog' on the web by Authority!

Alan Gibbons, which can be 'Googled' or linked from the ITPAS website and Chairman’s Blog. If you want to be a To conclude on two positive notes, after 5 years since the little more proactive, then simply use the library, or be even unlawful erection of a Marquee at Hillbark House, the final more proactive and join the Irby library user group (there's decision has been to reject the appeal and the Marquee has to be taken down, although at the time of one for Pensby library also). writing it was firmly standing! I pity the people who have I'm not sure how much longer we have to booked their weddings call into Irby village to see a Doctor. The etc at Hillbark and were situation is not over yet as further hoping for the space the appeals have been made to the extra room would have 'Government for the North West of provided.

I would England'. certainly be venting I also note the work continues at my anger at the Thurstaston crossroads.

This owners who would appears to be moving very slowly have known about their (bad weather excluded) but then unlawful venture at the time of taking again, we have waited over 15 their bookings (and deposits no doubt!!) years for the moment!

The Grinch has been foiled and Christmas returned to Irby I think I spoke a little too soon in the last editorial when I at last! (see article). Whilst ITPAS kick started this with the said the matter at 'White's Farm' has now drawn to a close. purchase of the Christmas lights, the event would have The Tarmac, decking area and veranda are still illegal never happened without the valued input from others. This constructions and have been declared such by the highest merely seeks to demonstrate that if you want something autority - still standing though! As if to add insult to injury, doing, then do it yourself!

Geb White has raised two fingers at Thurstaston residents Tim Mobbs by making an application for a rock concert (see article).

Chairman

www.itpas.org.uk

Page 2

Irby, Thurstaston and Pensby Amenity Society Established over 30 years

Working with communities Working with communities is extremely rewarding.

However, it is vital that projects are developed in collaboration with the participating communities to meet their needs. Our research funding officer Dr Carol Porter would like anyone to contact her if you would like to participate or know of any local groups that have any fundraising ideas that would be of benefit to the community (see back page for her contact details). There is a lot of Heritage funding available for local communities and some potential examples could include Creating a heritage trail: work with local community groups to create a trail of places they have identified as being of local interest or importance. Think about encouraging people to think about places of significance to them, as well as obvious civic or religious buildings. Groups can research these places and create a leaflet or give guided walks to local community and general public. A good additional element to this could be to set up a training scheme for local young people to become guides for the trail.

Arts-based project: think about using an element of the historic environment or archaeology, or general themes, such as memory, place or identity, to inspire art work / drama / dance / poetry. This could lead to a publication, a performance or an exhibition of artwork created by participants in local public space (such as village halls, libraries, supermarkets). – Reminiscence work: This is a great way of working with older people to record their memories and stories. It can be tied into a project looking at how an area might have changed over time. It could also have an intergenerational element where young people are skilled up to record the oral histories with the older members of their community.

Our committee meet on a regular basis every month and any requested potential funding ideas will be discussed in greater detail, the committee will decide and review which funding priorities will be of benefit to our community.

When to feed wild birds Advice from the RSPB website - http://www.rspb.org.uk/ with thanks

Although winter feeding benefits birds most, food shortages can occur at any time of the year. By feeding the birds year round, you'll give them a better chance to survive the periods of food shortage whenever they may occur.

Autumn and winter At this time of year, put out food and water on a regular basis. In severe weather, feed twice daily if you can: in the morning and in the early afternoon. Birds require high energy (high fat) foods during the cold winter weather to maintain their fat reserves to survive the frosty nights. Use only good quality food and scraps.

Always adjust the quantity given to the demand, and never allow uneaten foods to accumulate around the feeders. Once you establish a feeding routine, try not to change it as the birds will become used to it and time their visits to your garden accordingly.

Spring and summer Only feed selected foods at this time of year. Good hygiene is vital, or feeding may do more harm than good. During the summer months, birds require high protein foods, especially while they are moulting. Black sunflower seeds, pinhead oatmeal, soaked sultanas, raisins and currants, mild grated cheese, mealworms, waxworms, mixes for insectivorous birds, good seed mixtures without loose peanuts, RSPB food bars and summer seed mixture are all good foods to provide. Soft apples and pears cut in half, bananas and grapes are also good. Some people use soaked dog or cat food and tinned pet foods, but these may attract magpies, crows and cats. Avoid using peanuts, fat and bread at this time, since these can be harmful if adult birds feed them to their nestlings. If you feel you must put out peanuts, only do so in suitable mesh feeders that will not allow sizeable pieces of peanuts to be removed and provide a choking risk.

Home-made fatballs can go soft and rancid in warm summer weather, and should be avoided. Commercially produced fat bars are suitable for summer feeding but discard any remains after three weeks. Temporary food shortage can occur at almost any time of the year, and if this happens during the breeding season, extra food on your bird table can make a big difference to the survival of young. Birds time their breeding period to exploit the availability of natural foods: caterpillars in the case of blackbirds and song thrushes and earthworms in the case of tits and chaffinches. It is now known that if the weather turns cold or wet during spring or summer, severe shortage of insect food can occur, and if the weather is exceptionally dry, earthworms will be unavailable to the ground feeders because of the hard soil.

Natural food shortages If food shortages occur when birds have young in the nest they may be tempted by easy food put on birdtables to make up the shortfall in natural food, initially to feed themselves, but if the situation gets bad enough, they will also take the food to the nest.

If the food offered on your bird table isn't suitable for the young chicks, it can do more harm than good, and can even be lethal to the chicks as they can choke on the food. It can be difficult for a human to gauge when food shortage in the wild occurs, and hence it is best not to put out food that is likely to create problems during the breeding season.

Therefore, never put out loose peanuts, dry hard foods, large chunks of bread, or fats during the spring or summer months.

www.itpas.org.uk

Page 3

Irby, Thurstaston and Pensby Amenity Society Established over 30 years

l a v i t s e F k c o R n o t Thurstas In October 2009 an application was made under the licensing act 2003 to hold a rock concert at Thurstaston.

The application was misguided in that it was called "Sunset at Thors Rock" giving the impression it would be held at or near to Thor’s Stone on Thurstaston Common.

That turns out not to be the case and in fact the proposed site is nowhere near Thors Stone, but on land at Thurstaston that ITPAS members now know as the notorious "White's Farm".

ITPAS heard about the event before any public announcement was made and we immediately set about gathering support from the community and politicians. We wrote to Stephen Hesford MP, which turned out to be a waste of time, but then again it was his government that brought in this wide open piece of legislation. Had there been no objection, White & Carr would have been allowed to roll this event through unquestioned!

The applicants for this event are Gerrard 'Ged' White of Fortunately, many objections were made, which Thurstaston and Andrew James Carr who is a licensee, prompted a full hearing. Sadly, the hearing was held on a weekday when ITPAS committee members had some owner/manager of 'Los Cabos', a bistro in Heswall. serious work and personal commitments to attend to.

The applicants sent out a few letters to selected Thankfully, throughout this process, we have been members of the community in Thurstaston in which the supported by Ward Councillors David Elderton, Jeff actual event was very much downplayed and described Green and Geoff Watt. In particular, David Elderton who itself as a 'music group' that was to be held one evening spoke on behalf of ITPAS at the hearing. in May 2010.

ITPAS submitted a seriously considered objection However, when the matter was investigated further, it based on Safety, Community Disruption, Protection of transpired to be a Rock Festival over 3 days, which was Wildlife and Crime & Disorder. Figures for the based on a similar festival called Wakestock that is held Wakestock festival from North Wales Police show that annually near Abersoch in North Wales. It soon became over the last 3 years of Wakestock there have been 128 related crimes; 76 Thefts from apparent that we were not dealing with a local drug community event here, but what was to be a nationally persons/tents/vehicles; 5 Possession of Offensive advertised event attracting not thousands but tens of weapons; 2 x Arsons (both in 2009); and 8 x theft of motor vehicles! By their very nature, such events will thousands! naturally attract a criminal element, which in this case The proposed date of the festival is over the Whit bank will be unprecedented for the Thurstaston area. holiday weekend. This weekend regularly attracts thousands of visitors to Wirral Country Park, the A number of unusual events occurred on the run up to Caravan park and sailing club. People come to the area and at the hearing, which would have been a to enjoy the open vistas and peace and quiet that Conspiracy theorists utopia. Merseyside Police wildlife Thurstaston has to offer. If this concert goes ahead, that officer tried to make representations in respect of the peace and quiet and the expected privacy of residents protection of two sets of nesting barn owls in the area, will be totally disrupted! A wedding has also been but this was over-ruled by a national Barn Owl expert, booked at St Bartholomew’s on the main day of the who had originally agreed the disruption would have an adverse affect on the Barn Owls (enough to have the event! application refused), but he performed a magnificent The event, if ultimately allowed, will bring disruption from u-turn at the 11th hour and changed his mind! We also a few days before the event itself as preparations take read in local press of another 11th hour u-turn, a change place and for days beyond whilst hopefully a proper of the Licensing Panel’s Chair-person. Who decided this clear up takes place. As if the disruption is not enough change and why? in itself, the organisers propose to bus thousands to Liverpool at 1 o'clock in the morning so they can attend The application was subsequently granted, but at the many of the late opening night clubs there. We asked time of writing is subject to a legal challenge. There is so "how will those people get back to Thurstaston?" a much more to this event and further details will be question that remains unanswered, but needless to say, published on our website. the prospect of thousands of revellers leaving Liverpool at 4 or 5 o'clock in the morning and having to pass through Irby & Thurstaston village to get back to their tents etc, is not one to be relished!

www.itpas.org.uk

Page 4

Irby, Thurstaston and Pensby Amenity Society Established over 30 years

Planning Matters 6. Hand car wash at Pensby Hotel (objected) This edition sees ITPAS Planning Officer, Ian Chalmers, giving an insight into his role and some of the recent planning matters which Ian’s role also includes liaison with other societies including (Wirral Green Belt Council, ITPAS has considered.

Friends of Arrowe Park, Greasby history Society, Ian, who lives in Irby, has been an ITPAS Wirral Society). He also spoke on behalf of ITPAS member since its inception. When he retired a at the Library Inquiry in July and recently liaised year ago, he volunteered to join the committee with Wirral Borough Council’s enforcement officer regarding inappropriate signage at the taking on the vacant role of Planning Officer.

Pensby Hotel.

The role is fairly straightforward – it involves a weekly check of planning applications and the Ian says, “I’m relishing my role with ITPAS. The identification of any of significance in the Chairman and my fellow committee members Irby/Thingwall, Pensby or Thurstaston areas. work really well as a team. It’s a pleasure to These are discussed by the committee, usually attend the monthly committee meetings where after a site visit and a decision made whether to we manage to discuss and resolve an amazing object or support the application. If ITPAS amount of local issues”.ues”. chooses to object, then a carefully worded letter of objection is prepared. Occasionally, committee members are called upon to make a presentation at planning appeal hearings.

ü

From time to time, ITPAS members raise concerns about proposed developments and these are investigated by Ian, or another appropriate committee member.

During the past 12 months, Ian has brought 21 planning applications to the committee for discussion. These have included major developments (Warrens polyclinic and Rock Festival at White's farm (both opposed) plus others potentially affecting ITPAS members: 1. Four log cabins, Thingwall (objected)

2. Barn rear of Irby Road and Farm track

Woodlands Road (objected to initial plans but no objection to amended plans) 3. Irby Cricket Club - Single storey extension

plus timber changing room to rear pitch (no objection) Member Records

4. Dawpool Farm - window enlargement plus

French windows – conservation area When you received this Newsletter, did you check the mailing label to ensure we have your correct details. We (objected) 5. Woodlands

(objected)

Road

Livery

need every bit of information to be accurate to comply Stables with the law in respect of holding personal details about people, so please tell us if its incorrect, even if its just your initial or title, please check and let us know.

Phone 648 6780 or email membership@itpas.org.uk

www.itpas.org.uk

Page 5

Irby, Thurstaston and Pensby Amenity Society Established over 30 years

Chairman Tim Mobbs – chairman@itpas.org.uk

Y R DIA

Vice Chairperson Dr Carol Porter – 648 6736 vice-chair@itpas.org.uk

All talks at

Winter Talk 2010 - January 27th

Secretary Melanie Walker – 648 6780 secretary@itpas.org.uk

Mrs. Norma Walmsley

“THE KING AND I”

Treasurer Joe Lacey – 648 8163

Life as a Governess to the family of the Sultan of Brunei

(Position vacant from June 2010)

Planning Ian Chalmers - 648-5619 planning@itpas.org.uk Membership Tim Mobbs membership@itpas.org.uk Greenbelt greenbelt@itpas.org.uk

at 7.30 pm

Spring Talk 2010 - March 24th Malcolm Ingham - Wirral Head Ranger

“Owls, Red Squirrels & Wildcats”

(Position vacant from June 2009)

Rights of Way Barbara Lacey – 648 8163 (Position vacant from June 2010)

Newsletter Roy Fisher – 648 7671 newsletter@itpas.org.uk Researcher (Funding) Dr Carol Porter – 648 6736 funding@itpas.org.uk

Summer Talk 2010 - June 9th

Irby Traders Representative TBC

ITPAS A.G.M.

Website Tim Mobbs webmaster@itpas.org.uk

including a talk by Mr. Gavin Hunter - Local Historian

Researcher (Local History) Position Vacant General Committee Positions Vacant

enquiries@itpas.org.uk

© ITPAS – Contact the Newsletter editor, details on this page, if you wish to extract information from this Newsletter. For externally drafted articles, contact the copyright holder or author direct (details will be shown). We are more than happy to receive articles, comments, letters or suggestions though they may or may not be included in our forthcoming Newsletters or on the ITPAS website. Any such articles may also be edited at the discretion of the Committee. ITPAS committee members can be contacted by phone or email as detailed above.

www.itpas.org.uk

Page 6