Author: Amy Hitchmough

Sefton Council have gone out to tender for works to deliver improved facilities at Ainsdale-On-Sea. The tender will be live until February 10.

Through the summer months in 2022, visitors to Ainsdale were again able to enjoy the benefits of initiatives being funded by the Council to improve the experience for beach goers.

This included the reopening of existing toilet facilities after a small refurbishment earlier in the year. A daily cleaning regime was in place through the summer months, ensuring the amenities were maintained to a high quality.

And, now as part of additional funding for 2023, further improvements to toilet and wash facilities will be delivered, which will see a full refurbishment of the building, the reintroduction of shower facilities, drinking water and an accessible Changing Places toilet installed too.

The funding will enable the delivery of infrastructure improvements to the coastal gateway, including the development of an off beach car park. An updated planning application has been submitted and works are now out to tender.

The car park will have solar-powered pay and display machines, cycle parking and electric vehicle charging points. Monies generated from parking charges will fund new Rangers on site to welcome and guide visitors as well as repaying a loan for the funding.

Once completed, the car park will provide an alternative parking area for visitors in the summer months and will allow parking during the winter unaffected by weather and tides.

New fencing will be fitted to guide visitors from the car to the beach, while helping to protect the more sensitive areas of the dunes and important habitats.

After two years of trialling food and drink outlets, a new tender will soon be advertised for a concession from 2023 onwards at Ainsdale beach entrance and by the new off beach car park.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:

“These developments are in recognition of the need for us to create infrastructure that gives visitors a high-quality and enjoyable experience, reduces the pressure and inconvenience on local residents and protects our natural coast with its very special mix of habitats and wildlife.

“Ainsdale-on-Sea has been recognised as one of these key access points to the coast and there are many exciting possibilities being explored that could form part of the longer-term rejuvenation of the area.”

Another positive sign at Ainsdale is the progress on the redevelopment of the former Sands pub. The building is currently out to market looking for a private sector partner to invest in, develop and operate the site.

A good level of interest has been shown so far, with a decision likely in Spring on a preferred potential developer for the site, with more work to firm up proposals leading on from there. For more information, people can visit: Shore Road, Ainsdale, PR8 | Fitton Estates

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Sefton’s heritage parks and green open spaces, its 22-mile coastline and its exciting nature reserves are here to be explored this winter.

Whether it’s walking, cycling or simply getting outside for a breath of fresh air, which many people may look to do over the festive break, the Council’s Green Sefton service is reminding residents to take care and respect the landscape when getting outdoors locally.

Cllr Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:

“This year we’ve continued to see unprecedented use of our outdoor spaces, particularly throughout the summer months along our beautiful coastline. We joined forces with colleagues and partners to implement our Coastal Action Plan and we were delighted with the support we got from residents and visitors, the vast the majority of whom took note to enjoy our beaches safely.

“Now we’re embracing the seasonal changes and the onset of winter, and I would encourage everyone to continue to make the most of some fresh air when they get outdoors, as well as enjoying everything that nature has to offer in our Borough. That’s not just on our coastline but also our canal walks, cycling routes and Sefton’s many greenspaces and parks.”

Residents are being urged to be prepared for winter differences before getting out and about around Sefton’s parks, coastline, and open spaces.

Cllr Moncur added:

“Similarly, the seasonal changes bring with them amazing wildlife spectacles. Rare migrating birds can often be spotted along our coastline, as can cattle and sheep that through their grazing are helping to manage vital habitats among the dunes. Please do show respect to both the landscape and the wildlife that we are so lucky to have in Sefton.”

A handy checklist covers everything residents, and visitors alike, need to know when enjoying the Borough’s outdoor spaces this winter.

• Be prepared for winter weather with appropriate clothing and robust footwear;
• Always check the weather forecast as conditions can change quickly and check tide times before you set out to the coast: www.tidetimes.org.uk;
• Take care close to water, especially in wet or icy conditions and do not attempt to walk on frozen water, ponds or lakes;
• Take note of any safety signage at beach entrances -there are no RNLI lifeguard patrols on Southport or Ainsdale beaches during winter;
• Remember that the evenings get darker earlier so carrying a torch or wearing reflective clothing would be advisable;
• Remember that some of our gated parks may be locked an hour after sunset;
• Avoid walking through woodland in high winds and keep away from any fallen or hung up trees until they have been made safe;
• Follow the Countryside Code;
• Do not disturb wildlife, livestock or damage habitat – keep dogs under control and away from pools of water or resting birds;
• Camping, BBQs and fires are not permitted;
• Leave nothing but your footprints – take all your rubbish home with you, avoid adding litter to full bins and recycle wherever possible;
• Some facilities like public toilets may not be open in winter months at parks and nature reserves;
• Beach car parks are closed and will not re-open until the spring – please park responsibly in the parking available nearby;
• If walking or cycling in remote areas, ensure you take a fully charged mobile phone and be aware that signal may be poor;
• Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you plan to return;
• Report any emergency hazards or concerns to Sefton Arc Security on 0151 922 6107.

A pair of native oak trees are being planted at Argyle Road in Southport and Alexandra Park in Crosby as part of a nationwide campaign marking the 80th anniversary of the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) – the national charity providing social and welfare services to Holocaust refugees and survivors in the UK.

80 Trees for 80 Years has seen native oak trees planted all around Britain in honour of people and places that symbolise the enormous contribution made to every walk of British life by refugees who escaped from Nazi Europe.

Argyle Road, Southport was chosen because it was home to the Harris House Kindertransport hostel, which provided sanctuary to 19 Jewish girls who fled Nazi persecution in Europe in 1938. The tree has been sponsored by the chairman of the AJR, Mike Karp, whose own mother was one of those girls.

Alexandra Park, Crosby was chosen by AJR member Rachel Hall, whose grandparents Hans & Rahel Liebeschuetz fled Germany in 1939 and eventually chose to make their home in Blundellsands. They named their house ‘Dockenhuden’ after the village outside Hamburg that they had left.

Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) Chairman, Mike Karp, said: “As well as helping to mark the heritage of our members and a place of historic interest associated with them, the planting of this tree enables the AJR to give back to and create a living legacy within the country that became home to the Jewish refugees.

“Britain’s native oak trees are in decline and new trees are desperately needed. We hope these 80 special trees will be appreciated by future generations and provide natural habitats for other native species for many decades to come.”

Clare Carragher, Mayor of Sefton, said: “I was honoured to be invited to the tree planting in respect of the 80th anniversary of the Association of Jewish Refugees.

“It was under an oak tree that Abraham gave refuge to God and his two angels, who were disguised as travellers. In Celtic legend, the oak tree is the tree of life.

“This tree is a symbol of strength stability and wisdom, and may Sefton always be a safe place of refuge for those who need it.”

Cllr Trish Hardy, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “It is an honour for our Borough to be part of the campaign marking the 80^th anniversary of the Association of Jewish Refugees.

“I’m thrilled that the people of Sefton have the opportunity to visit the two native oak trees in Southport and Crosby and use as a place to reflect on the history and incredible impact of Jewish refugees.”

The trees at Southport and Crosby will act as platforms for telling the story of Britain’s Jewish refugees and celebrating their remarkable contribution to British life. They also form part of The Queen’s Green Canopy – the unique tree planting initiative which marked HM Queen Elizabeth ll’s Platinum Jubilee and whose organisers have adopted the AJR’s project as a “wonderful initiative”.

The tree is also featured on the new UK Holocaust Map (www.ukholocaustmap.org.uk), a new online resource which helps to tell the story of the Holocaust and British responses to Nazism.

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Notes on the AJR for Editors:

The AJR is the leading national charitable organisation exclusively delivering social, welfare and volunteer services to Jewish victims of Nazi oppression living in Great Britain.

The AJR is also the largest supporter of Holocaust educational programmes, projects and initiatives to commemorate the Holocaust in the UK.

The AJR has produced the ground-breaking audio-visual testimony archive, Refugee Voices. This collection of 250 filmed interviews creates a legacy of the experiences of the refugees and will advance and enhance Holocaust research for future generations. Refugee Voices enables Holocaust researchers and scholars to watch up to 500 hours of film and read fully edited and transcribed accounts. For the first time, researchers will also be assisted by time-codes that, together with a summary sheet and key words section, direct users to specific sections of the films. Details are at www.refugeevoices.co.uk

AJR Chief Executive, Michael Newman, is a member of the UK delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which brings together governments and nongovernmental organisations to raise awareness of the Holocaust and places political and social leaders’ support behind the need for Holocaust education, remembrance, and research.