Author: Ollie Cowan

Hillside Golf Club has been named as the host venue of this year’s Cazoo Classic, with a limited number of Launch Price tickets now available to purchase on a first come, first served basis, here.

The Cazoo Classic returns for a second year to the DP World Tour schedule from July 21-24 and marks the Tour’s first visit to the historic Merseyside golf course since home favourite Tommy Fleetwood successfully hosted the Betfred British Masters in front of huge crowds in 2019.

Designed by Fred Hawtree, the Southport venue is part of the glorious stretch of terrain and celebrated links recognised as England’s Golf Coast.

Sefton Council Leader Cllr Ian Maher said: “It’s great news that Hillside Golf Club will be the venue for the 2022 Cazoo Classic in July, as part of the DP World Tour.

“Hosting this prestigious competition in the Borough will mean more visitors will have the chance to discover Sefton’s legendary Golf Coast, which has produced some of the biggest stars of the golfing world. 

“A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes to prepare for events like this and our partnership with the DP World Tour is proving to be repeatedly successful in bringing thousands of visitors to our beautiful borough.

“As well as providing a major boost to the local economy, we are keen to ensure the excitement generated by the Cazoo Classic helps to leave a legacy especially amongst younger people, boys and girls, to enjoy this fabulous sport.”

“And anyone who is inspired will be able to practice or try out the sport at the Council’s Bootle Golf Course where the new Driving Range will be open, and Southport Golf Links.”

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A Sefton librarian has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s 2022 New Years Honours list for her work with children, the elderly and refugees.

Lesley Davies, a hugely popular staff member at Crosby Library and community champion of the public library service, has rightly been recognised in the honours for her years of dedication and commitment to her role.

Originally starting out as a library assistant in 1995, Lesley, 58, has spent the last 26 years serving the communities of Sefton, eventually becoming the local authority’s Senior Development Manager for Libraries.

Having worked closely with dozens of local and regional groups to deliver a whole host of events and workshops for people of all ages, Lesley’s efforts were rewarded after the Arts Council England put her forward for the 2022 New Years Honours.

Lesley said she was overjoyed but stunned at the news, adding that the honour is a reflection on her team and colleagues who she works with day to day.

She said: “I thought it was a joke at first! To be honest I am a little embarrassed as I work with such amazing people – this is more of a reflection of their work rather than me as an individual.

“My family were naturally thrilled – my mum cried and my children were really proud and I am still waiting for it to sink in! I would like to thank those who nominated me and I am humbled that our library projects have been recognised at such a level.

“Each new project we do in the Libraries team is a wonderful opportunity to help our residents of all ages and this role has allowed me to make an abundance of memories and lifelong friends along the way.”

Dwayne Johnson, Chief Executive of Sefton Council, said: “Lesley is a fantastic champion of both our Libraries service and Sefton Council as a whole.

“We are all delighted, although not surprised, that she has been recognised in the New Years Honours and I am sure everyone will join me in congratulating Lesley for all of her hard work and dedication to our communities.”

Lesley will be presented with the British Empire Medal by the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside before attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

To find out more about library services in Sefton, visit www.sefton.gov.uk/libraries.

Householders in Sefton and the Liverpool City Region are being asked to recycle right this Christmas and New Year – but to take care when visiting Recycling Centres and continue to follow the national COVID-19 guidance.

Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA) and its contractor Veolia are reminding local people that the region’s 14 Household Waste Recycling Centres are open most days – except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day – from 8.00am until 5.00pm during winter*.

Many items are accepted at Recycling Centres such as cans, cardboard, garden waste (including real Christmas trees), glass jars and bottles, paper, large plastics, scrap metal (including metal artificial trees), textiles, toys and white goods. All the Centres accept electrical items, don’t forget to remove any batteries and recycle them separately.

As the Centres are particularly busy at this time of year, MRWA and Veolia are asking householders to, if possible, consider the following:

● Try and separate your waste before visiting your local Recycling Centre. This way you’ll be able to deposit things more easily and help reduce queues at sites.
● Remove polystyrene and flatten cardboard boxes before placing them into the recycling container – it will take up less room.
● Don’t fly-tip your waste outside a Recycling Centre as this is illegal and you could be fined or prosecuted.
● If using a van or large trailer, you will need to pre-book your visit at www.merseysidewda.gov.uk
● Wrapping paper can be recycled using your local council’s kerbside recycling bin, bag or box and at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.

● If your wrapping paper has a decorative / shiny / glossy / glittery surface it should be disposed of in your local council’s kerbside residual bin.

● Please don’t bring us plastic bags – try to reuse them as much as possible and next time you go shopping why not buy a bag-for-life?
● Avoid putting recyclable items in your black ‘residual’ bin bags. If you cut down on this then there’ll be less chance you’ll have excess black bin bags to bring to your HWRC.
● Bring us your cans and bottles – millions of extra drinks cans and bottles are used during the festive period!
● After Christmas you can bring your real Christmas trees to our Recycling Centres where they’ll be shredded and turned into chippings for compost.
● An excess of oil is used over the Christmas period, with festive food such as turkey, roast potatoes and fry-ups on the menu. Used cooking oil tanks can be found at all Recycling Centres in Merseyside.
● If there are items like toys, electrical items, bric-a-brac you don’t need after Christmas, you could donate them to local charity shops or community groups.
● Households with COVID-19 symptoms should leave waste for at least 72 hours before disposal. Personal waste should be safely double bagged.
● Why not make a New Year’s resolution to recycle more often? Visit www.recycleright.org.uk for more information about what you can and can’t recycle.

Councillor Tony Concepcion, Chairperson of MRWA, said: “A lot of waste is created at this time of the year so it’s a good chance to boost the region’s recycling levels. Our Recycling Centres will happily accept people’s packaging, bottles and cans – and we’d love your real Christmas trees. Whatever you do, please don’t fly-tip outside the Centres as this is illegal and you could be fined.”

Jeff Sears, Director of Veolia Merseyside & Halton, said: “Recycling Centres will be open throughout the festive period – except Christmas day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day – so bring all your extra Christmas recycling. Don’t forget to plan ahead and view the layout online before you come to speed up your visit.”

Household Waste Recycling Centres will be CLOSED on the following days ONLY over Christmas and New Year:

CHRISTMAS DAY (Saturday 25th Dec)
BOXING DAY (Sunday 26th Dec)
NEW YEAR’S DAY (Saturday 1st Jan)