Author: John McCabe

Sefton’s Municipal Golf Courses have held fees at 2019/20 levels.

The announcement comes as Bootle Golf Course and Southport Golf Links prepare to re-open on Wednesday 20 May at 9am, after Coronavirus restrictions were partially lifted. There will be some changes to the operations though, as we slowly relax the lockdown measures:

Tee slots, which must be booked in advance over the phone, will be available every 10minutes for pairs or single golfers from 9am to 7pm only.

A full list of regulations can be found here.

Golfers will only be able to play by booking a tee time through the respective golf club shops, which will open on Monday 18 May to take bookings. Phone 0151 928 1371 to book a tee time at Bootle Golf Course or 01704 535286 for Southport Golf Links.

Facilities will be closed (including toilets) and the shop will only be able to take payments (by card) for green fees. Food and drink and golf equipment is not currently available for sale or hire in accordance with Government guidelines.

Under 16s who sign up as members will also be able to enjoy free golf for the first four weeks of the re-opening.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We are delighted that the facilities at Bootle and Southport have been able to re-open, although on a limited basis, and that we can offer an affordable way to enjoy the game. Golf is a healthy activity and we want to encourage young people to get involved and keep active, but everyone should bear in mind that social distancing measures are still in place. We are opening the courses on a limited basis at the moment, and will amend the approach in line with national guidance, and with the health and safety of players and our staff in mind.

Last week, Sefton Council announced it had re-opened outdoor tennis and basketball courts. Children’s playgrounds, outdoor gyms, bowling greens, dog areas and pavilions and buildings in parks will remain closed for the time being.

To minimise the chances of infection, the Green Sefton team has asked visitors to the parks and the coast to take their litter home with them. The Council is also asking people to continue being its eyes and ears and to report any large gatherings to the police by dialling 101 or to greensefton@sefton.gov.uk

People in Sefton are being asked to help cheer up residents of the Borough’s care homes at this time.

Older people living at homes across the Borough are missing seeing their family and friends regularly while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. It is proving a particularly distressing time for some of the residents who are not seeing their loved ones.

Through its new #ShowThemYouCare campaign, Sefton Council is asking local people to purchase items, such as packets of biscuits, boxes of cakes and sweets and flowers, plants and treats, and donate them to brighten up the day for the people living in local residential homes. Also, paintings drawings, poems and letters from local children and neighbours would really cheer up residents.

Cllr Paul Cummins, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said:

“The need for us all to socially isolate to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is vital but it is having this unseen impact for residents in residential homes right across Sefton.

“I would urge anyone who can to brighten up these older and sometimes vulnerable people’s lives by dropping off a little gift.

“We want people to #ShowThemYouCare but we want them to do it locally. If you have older relatives living in residential care but they are in another part of the Borough, you can donate to your local home in the knowledge that someone else is donating locally where they live.

“When you are shopping, you could buy a cake or some sweets or if you’re worried about keeping fit during this period of enforced inactivity and want to get rid of that spare packet of biscuits, donate it to your local residential home.”

People wanting to leave gifts can drop them off at the door during their daily exercise. Details of other care homes across Sefton where people may want to leave gifts for residents can be found here.

Cllr Cummins added:

“I would hope that through #ShowThemYouCare we can repeat the success of the Council’s recent #SeftonSaysThanks campaign, which has seen pupils across the borough making ‘Thank you’ cards for their favourite teachers and teaching assistants.

“#SeftonSaysThanks has celebrated the amazing job teaching staff are doing continuing to work in schools across the borough, teaching vulnerable children and children of key workers.”

Children are being asked to paint or draw ‘Thank you’ cards, including special messages to their teachers, and send photographs of them to the Council communications team, which is then sharing them on social media.

Residents across Sefton can still showcase their gardening skills, despite the cancellation of this year’s North West in Bloom judging.

Due to the ongoing restrictions with COVID-19 the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has decided to cancel judging for this year.

Although numerous voluntary and community groups will understandably be disappointed by the announcement, Green Sefton – who help co-ordinate North West in Bloom within the Borough – still want people to remain active within the competition.

Green Sefton’s Suzanne McCumiskey said: “Green Sefton fully support and understand the decision made by the RHS. We would urge all the groups in Sefton to use the time to plan for next year’s competition and consider ways to support neighbouring groups and volunteers when the current situation changes. Groups should also consider the funding opportunities that Green Sefton circulate to groups on a weekly basis.

“Community groups have done amazingly well in the North West in Bloom competition for many years and Green Sefton is certain that groups will come back with an even greater passion and commitment to help improve and make Sefton cleaner and greener.”

Suzanne also paid tribute to Bill Blackledge MBE, Chairman of North West in Bloom, who recently passed away.

She said: “Bill had judged the competition in Sefton for many years. ‘Sefton in Bloomers’ had great respect and admiration for Bill and for the dedication he gave to the competition and for helping Sefton improve on its success over the years. Bill’s lovely humour, warmth and genuine love and passion for horticulture will be sadly missed by Sefton. Green Sefton express our sincere sympathy to his family.”

If you would like to become involved in North West in Bloom you can email green.sefton@sefton.gov.uk

If you have an interest in taking a more active role in community gardening visit  https://www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/community-gardening and for hints and tips on growing your own food visit https://mysefton.co.uk/2020/04/09/sefton-residents-urged-to-go-green-and-grow-your-own/

Sefton residents are being encouraged to ‘grow your own’ – and there are lots of ways to get involved, whether it’s at home or in one of our community gardens or allotment spaces.

Whether you’ve got a garden or even just a windowsill, growing your own food can be as simple or as complicated as you want.

Although outlets such as garden centres aren’t as accessible at the moment you can still purchase plants and seeds online or in your local supermarket.

Green Sefton’s Suzanne McCumiskey said: “Growing your own food can be as simple or as complicated as you want. One thing that is guaranteed is it’s fun and good for the heart, plus it gives you control over what you eat as you can eliminate fertilisers and chemicals from your food. You don’t need a big garden to grow fruit and vegetables and a small container on a patio or balcony is ideal for growing the likes of tomatoes and strawberries. Herbs are easy to grow and can be grown on a windowsill and seed packets can be picked up in most supermarkets. Chives make a lovely addition to a salad. Now that the weather is starting to get that bit warmer it’s a good time to get outdoors and get into growing. Some things to sow in April are beetroot, broccoli and lettuce.”

Allotments

Although residents will not be able to take up new allotment plots while COVID-19 restrictions are in place, they are a great thing to consider for budding gardeners when current restrictions are lifted.

Suzanne said: “Sefton’s allotments are a great way to meet new people in your community, to share ideas and help others! If you are interested in getting an allotment in the future you can email https://forms.sefton.gov.uk/Allotments/ to express an interest. In the meantime, visit the National Allotment Society for useful tips and information and find out what it really entails to have an allotment.”

Allotments still currently remain partially open to existing tenants, with users asked to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Wildlife

Green Sefton also have hints and tips to encourage wildlife into your garden. Suzanne said: “One way to attract wildlife into your garden is to plant the likes of buddleia and primrose, which will attract bees and butterflies that will pollinate the food you are trying to grow. Create a hole in your fence to allow hedgehogs to go about their business – but ask your neighbours first! Hedgehogs love to eat slugs and slugs love to eat the fruit and vegetables you are trying to grow!”

Green Sefton also has a useful educational guide, which families can download. The guide offers advice on how to make bee and bug hotels and lots more.

https://www.sefton.gov.uk/media/1480843/Communities-Growing-Together-Guide.pdf

Please be aware the community gardens in our lovely parks and greenspaces are currently closed to the public.