Running from Friday 23rd July to Sunday 1st August, Love Parks Week, is a chance to visit and appreciate the many wonderful parks we have here in Sefton.
Seftonâs parks and greenspaces have been a vital lifeline to many of us during the pandemic, acting as a place to escape to, to exercise and to play. Keep Britain Tidy will be running their annual campaign this summer with a clear message; to Love, Respect, and Protect our parks throughout the summer of 2021 and beyond.
Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:Â âProtecting our parks and greenspaces continues to be a priority for the Council and our Green Sefton team. Love Parks Week is an excellent opportunity to remind our residents and visitors of the role we all play in respecting and protecting our parks and greenspaces. From taking litter home to keeping dogs under control, there are many easy ways to help keep Sefton a clean, green and beautiful borough.â
To show our support, Sefton Council will be hosting a community event to help restore the Rose Garden in the historic Derby Park, Bootle, back to its former glory. The garden was a popular place for local residents with many having wedding photographs taken amongst the rose beds, known for their abundance of colour.
Event details as follows:
Saturday 31st July and Sunday 1st August
Rose Garden, Derby Park (Oxford Road entrance), Bootle L20 9HE
Two sessions each day from:
10:30am – 12:30pm
1:30pm – 15:30pm
All residents are encouraged to get involved whether they want to help out at every session or just pop by for half an hour to offer their support. Gardening tools will be supplied or people can bring their own along. However, people are asked to bring their own gardening gloves if they would prefer to wear them.
Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, added: âItâs incredibly important that we all continue to play our part in protecting parks and greenspaces across the borough. The event in Derby Park is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, enjoy light exercise and reap the many benefits of spending time in nature.â
To get involved and find more information on the event, please contact our Green Sefton team by email at greensefton@sefton.gov.uk
Anyone who might have an interest in joining a âFriends ofâŚâ park group or would like to spend more time at parks and greenspaces as a Park Ambassador should get in touch by email at greensefton@sefton.gov.uk
Using #LoveParks, Sefton residents are being encouraged to take photos and videos of the various ways they Love, Respect and Protect our parks and tag @SeftonCouncil on Twitter, @OneCouncil on Facebook and @sefton_council on Instagram.
Stark figures released by the RNLI last week reveal lifeguards on the North Westâs beaches assisted 2,314 children and 2,007 teenagers last summer â more casualties under the age of 18 than anywhere else in the UK and Ireland, including on the popular South West coast. Most of those offered help on the RNLIâs lifeguarded beaches in Sefton and the Wirral were simply out enjoying a walk and not expecting to even get their feet wet.
A total of 1,530 teenagers (aged 13-19) were assisted whilst out enjoying a stroll and 1,522 children (aged 1-12). This figure is markedly higher than anywhere else in the UK and Ireland. Those rescued in the walking category is significantly higher than all other activities including paddling where 23 children and 19 teens were rescued, with 62 children and 31 teens assisted by lifeguards whilst playing on the coast.
Now, with the school holidays underway, the charity and Her Majestyâs (HM) Coastguard are calling for families to take extra care at the coast.
Huddersfield mum Zoe Powell was enjoying a visit to Crosby beach with her family when son Monty, who was then 13, required help from RNLI lifeguards after becoming stuck in mud. She said: “Children are naturally inquisitive and looking for the next adventure, so the figures about the number of Under 18s rescued in the North West are not too surprising. Monty jumped off one of the outflow pipes into soft mud and quickly became stuck. One minute we were walking, the next he couldn’t move and had mud up to his knees. It can happen so very quickly and a simple day out can take a very unexpected turn.
“Luckily the two brilliant RNLI lifeguards who were on patrol saw the situation and came to help really quickly. I can imagine this summer will be exceptionally busy once the schools break and more people choosing to holiday in the UK. Iâm really keen to share our family story to encourage others to just be that extra bit careful on the coast this summer.”
Crosby beach is a two and a half mile wide expanse of sand, mostly backed by promenade, with a one-mile tidal range. Many visitors come to see the popular Antony Gormley sculptures, which can be partially or totally submerged depending on the state of tide.
Crobsy is the only RNLI beach to be lifeguarded 365 days a year and is not the only location where tidal cut off is a common occurrence. Local search and rescue agencies continue to see a rise in incidents to people cut off by the tide and stuck in mud and requiring help from the RNLI on Wirral and in the wider Merseyside area.
RNLI statistics for the West region which includes the North West, show people enjoying a walk and getting cut off by the tide caused almost 10% of all RNLI lifeboat launches over the last decade – more than double the UK average.
With school children in England now on their summer holidays and joining those from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland already enjoying their school break, the RNLI and Coastguard are reminding them and their families how to stay as safe as possible when in and around the sea.
RNLI Water Safety Lead Chris Cousens says: “We see a big increase in the number of incidents involving children and teenagers during the school summer holidays and we would urge everyone â but families in particular â to be aware of the risks and know what to do in an emergency.
“Our main advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling around 245 beaches this summer to offer advice on how to stay safe and they are also there to help anyone who gets into trouble.
“We want people to enjoy the coast but urge everyone to respect the water, think about their own safety and know what to do in an emergency.”
The key summer safety advice is:
Visit a lifeguarded beach & swim between the red and yellow flags
If you get into trouble Float to Live â lie on your back and relax, resisting the urge to thrash about
Call 999 in an emergency and ask for the Coastguard
Youngsters back clean beaches as Green Sefton prepares for busy coastline during school holidays
As the school holidays begin, primary school children from Ainsdale are leading by example and encouraging people to take their litter home this summer.
Ainsdale primary school kids drawings
Six pupils from Ainsdale St Johnâs Primary School Year 6 class have created masterpieces that will feature on welcome banners to be used along the Sefton coast this summer. Their clear messages support the work of the Councilâs Green Sefton Service in keeping our beaches tidy.
While the younger generation is on board with keeping beaches clean this summer, Sefton Council is encouraging other beach goers to act responsibly when enjoying the coast through a commercial radio partnership, train carriage posters, bus advertising, phone kiosk coverings and large digital boards on key routes to the coast.
Poster up in Merseyrail train carriage
The summer-long campaign encourages both local and out-of-town visitors to plan their visits ahead of time; use trains, buses, bikes or walk to beaches to avoid traffic jams or parking fines; not to bring BBQs to beaches and to take their litter home. It also encourages people to be kind to staff and mindful of the rare species found at the Sefton coast such as Sand Lizards and Natterjack Toads.
The campaign supports the on-the-ground Visitor Action Plan that has been in operation since Easter, which includes additional seasonal rangers prioritising litter clearance and bin emptying on busy days, as well as managing beach car parks at Ainsdale and Southport.
Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:
âAs the school holidays are now underway, weâre anticipating an influx of visitors across our coastal gateways at Southport, Ainsdale and Crosby, with National Trust partners at Formby also prepared for high visitor numbers.
âWhat we really donât want to see this summer, is an increase in community concerns at our beauty spots. And so, weâre using lots of different ways to encourage people to plan ahead, and to support our Green Sefton team once they are here, to keep our coast safe and fun for all.
âThe support of local schoolchildren is also fantastic and itâs amazing to see how engaged and aware our younger generation are of the effects of littering at places like our much-loved coast. I hope that people read their messages, alongside our own, and take note!â
Mark Shaw, Sefton Councilâs Green Sefton Service Manager, said:
âThere are so many measures as part of our Visitor Action Plan that we already have in place in support of a safe summer at our beaches. But one issue that we face time and time again is littering.
âOur Rangers are prioritising litter clearance and bin emptying â they are constantly doing this throughout their shifts and providing visitors with free bags for their rubbish â but more visitors means more rubbish. People should think ahead and be prepared to take it home with them.
âWe have brought in large skips that we would ask people to dispose of their rubbish in when small bins reach capacity. Leaving bags next to smaller bins might seem like the right thing to do, but unfortunately it can attract seagulls and pests and result in the mess being spread around again.
âOur message remains simple â if you brought it to the beach with you, then you can take it home with you.â
Green Sefton Ranger clearing litter along Sefton beaches
A range of measures have been put in place at the coast by Sefton Council under its Visitor Action Plan:
Both Ainsdale and Southport beach car parks are open until the end of September – to ease parking complaints in residential areas and to maximise the number of parking spaces;
The implementation of a cashless payment system at beach car parks is providing quick, easy and safe access;
Variable traffic signs continue to be used to direct vehicles to locations where parking is available and away from areas that are full – like Formby which often reaches capacity;
Enforcement for illegal and inconsiderate parking is being targeted at the areas where concerns persist in conjunction with Merseyside Police;
Additional Green Sefton Rangers are assisting with car park management, beach cleaning and providing assistance to visitors;
Portable loos are located at Crosby and Ainsdale beaches once again â with increased maintenance owing to the high volume of visitors;
Skips are positioned at coastal locations to ensure litter can be disposed of, but visitors are reminded to take their rubbish home with them;
Rangers are providing free rubbish sacks to visitors during peak periods;
Volunteer âbeach ambassadorsâ are also on hand at peak times to educate visitors on the special nature of the Sefton coastline, and asking that they respect it when they come.
Anyone planning a visit to the Sefton coast should visit the Sefton Council webpage dedicated to it’s beaches, to find out about travel options and facilities at its beaches and to read its Visitor Action Plan for 2021.
Sefton Council continues to work with the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership that brings together organisations who want to ensure the safety of visitors and residents along the 22-mile coastline. Members include Sefton Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, British Transport Police, National Trust Formby, Natural England, the RNLI and others.
The Leader of Sefton Council has issued a statement following the sad news that a man has died following an incident at Crosby beach on the evening of Tuesday 20th July 2021.
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: âOur heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with the family of the man who tragically died following the incident at Crosby beach last night. We are sending our thoughts to the family of the other casualty who remains in hospital.
âThanks go out to the emergency services in attendance, alongside members of the public, who we understand responded as quickly as possible under extremely challenging circumstances.â
Merseyside Police incident update
We can confirm that a man has died and two men were taken to hospital following an incident at Crosby Beach last night, Wednesday 20 July.
At around 7.10pm, emergency services attended the beach following reports of three men in their 20s getting into difficulties in the sea.
Crosby Coastguard Rescue Team, RNLI lifeboats from New Brighton and Southport, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside Police were all in attendance.
All three men were taken to hospital. One man was sadly pronounced deceased a short time later. A second remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition and a third has been discharged.
The deceased manâs family have been made aware and are being supported by officers.
Enquiries continue and anyone who witnessed the incident and has yet to come forward is asked to contact us via @MerPolCC on Twitter, âMerseyside Police Contact Centreâ on Facebook, or 101, with reference 21000506040.
Enjoy our beaches safely this summer â joint plea for visitors to be respectful at Seftonâs coast
A number of organisations across Sefton are joining forces once again this summer to ensure local communities, and visitors from across the North West, can enjoy Seftonâs coastlines safely as coronavirus restrictions ease further.
Take personal responsibility at the coast
The joint action also aims to encourage people to take personal responsibility at the coast. Asking them to plan how they are going to get to the beach, to take all litter home with them and to show respect and kindness to staff, the environment and fellow visitors.
It also sets out the boundaries of what is and isnât acceptable at the coast to keep everyone safe. Such as that fires and BBQs are not allowed anywhere; that there are water safety risks at the coast so people should follow the advice of lifeguards; and that anti-social behaviour simply isnât acceptable.
Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership
The agencies who make up the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership are making the joint plea and will be sharing important messages covering many of the issues faced on the Sefton coast throughout the school summer holidays.
Members of the partnership include Sefton Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, National Trust Formby, Natural England, the RNLI and other key partners like Merseyrail.
Already this year there has been a huge influx of visitors to local beaches during fine weather and out of school term times. It is anticipated that with people still planning staycations this year, many will be looking to enjoy spending time at the Sefton coast.
Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: âFirst and foremost, the Sefton Coast is an internationally protected nature reserve and we need your help to keep it that way. So, when people are planning their day trips this summer, we need them to be well prepared and to play their own vital role in ensuring that the coast remains a great place to enjoy spending time.
âPlease listen to what we are collectively saying with our partners, be that important water safety information, fire risk concerns, travel advice or environmental issues around litter and wildlife.â
Covid-19 still with us
While outdoor spaces are safer for people to spend time and interact with others this summer, the easing of restrictions should still be met with continued caution as Seftonâs Public Health lead outlined last week.
Margaret Jones, Sefton Councilâs Director of Public Health said: âCOVID-19 continues to be with us in Sefton and that presence will continue after Monday 19th July but if we all continue to take the precautions that could protect ourselves and others, we can carefully continue down the path back to normality.â
Meanwhile the Councilâs Green Sefton team and its partners have important messages for all beach visitors this summer season.
All need to be responsible and considerate
Mark Shaw, Green Sefton Service Manager, at Crosby beach
Mark Shaw, Sefton Councilâs Green Sefton Service Manager, said: âWe are ready and well prepared to welcome people back to our beaches safely again this summer, but we ask in return that they behave responsibly and with consideration to each other, local residents, our staff and our beautiful environment.
âJoining forces once more with fellow land owners and emergency services means that we are doing our bit to keep everyone safe and create a positive atmosphere for those choosing to come to our beaches. But our visitors themselves really are the other key players in this partnership.â
Sefton Community Police Superintendent Graeme Robson said: âThis summer, officers will be on foot, in vehicles and on quad bikes across the Sefton coastline and at local beauty spots. We know weâre lucky to have this on our doorstep and we want everyone to be able to enjoy it.
âAnyone acting antisocially or drinking alcohol at our beaches will be dealt with by police in a robust manner. Please plan visits carefully and give attention when parking by considering local residents. Itâs also vital that we protect the local environment by not starting fires and by taking any litter home with us.â
Protect precious wildlife and habitats
Beach safety banner at Ainsdale
Amy Peacock, Property Operations Manager at National Trust Formby, said: âThis summer weâre here to welcome people who love to visit Formby, whilst caring for all the wonderful wildlife at this special nature haven.
âOn busy days our car parks can fill up quickly. We close our car parks to visitors once they are full to help us make sure that Formby is a safe environment for everyone who visits us. We recommend that visitors to Formby beat the queues and travel by train, or perhaps plan their visit for a quieter day. Weâre open seven days a week all year round.
âTogether we can create an enjoyable experience for everyone and protect precious wildlife by being mindful of nature and the people around us.â
Dave Mercer, Senior Reserve Manager for Natural England, said: âThe Sefton coast is an amazing place to visit and one of the most important areas in the country for wildlife; it is home to many rare plants and insects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and many species of birds.
âPlease bear this in mind when you visit this summer and follow the countryside code by keeping dogs under control, taking litter home and refraining from lighting fires and BBQs. If you can visit on foot, by bike or train to reduce the number of cars, especially in hot weather, that will be a great help as will following advice from the emergency services and site staff who are here to help you safely enjoy the beach, dunes and pinewoods and if you are lucky, see some of the wildlife that lives here.â
Water safety
Close up of new water safety signage at Crosby beach
Michael Buratti, Senior Coastal Operations Officer for HM Coastguard, said: âEven though the weather is warming up, please take extra care before taking a plunge in the sea as it can still be chilly and bring on cold water shock.
âIt also pays to check the wind, weather and tides before setting out and observe local safety advice such as avoiding soft patches of mud on the beach, ensuring dogs are on leads, going to a lifeguarded beach where possible and carrying a fully-charged mobile phone, so youâre able to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard if anyone is in trouble.â
Chris Cousens, RNLI Water Safety Lead in the North West, said: âOur advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach where possible and to swim between the red and yellow flags. RNLI lifeguards offer advice on how to stay safe and help anyone who gets into trouble. Whether youâre at a lifeguarded beach or not, look out for safety signage and seek advice on safe places to swim, always keep your children under supervision and avoid swimming alone where possible.
âCoastal areas provide a great opportunity to enjoy fresh air and open space, but they can be an unpredictable environment, particularly during early summer when air temperatures start warming up, but water temperatures remain very cold, increasing the risk of cold-water shock.â
Other ways to travel to the beach – not just by car
Suzanne Grant, Commercial Director at Merseyrail, said: âDuring the summer months we see a large influx of passengers travelling on our network to beauty spots such as Formby beach and we do all that we can to keep passengers safe including running six-car trains wherever possible.
âBy working with our partners in the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership we want to ensure that everyone visiting the coast can enjoy it safely and responsibly.
âThis includes being respectful of passengers and staff while travelling. So please listen to our staff who will issue advice where needed and be on-hand to deal with any concerns you have, ensuring you have a wonderful day out.â
People can follow the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership agencies Twitter accounts for more advice, news and videos throughout the summer: @SeftonCouncil @MerseyFire @MerseyPolice @RNLI @MCA_media @BTPMersey @NaturalEngland @NTFormby @Merseyrail
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