Thanks for letting me know. I'd have gone there all happy, set, and prepped, and then not been able to get in! :028:Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul D
Think one of my next objectives should be to make friends w/ someone who has a car!!!
Printable View
Thanks for letting me know. I'd have gone there all happy, set, and prepped, and then not been able to get in! :028:Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul D
Think one of my next objectives should be to make friends w/ someone who has a car!!!
... to be eaten by the lions! :noid:Quote:
Originally Posted by julia
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Here's a few more shots of the Lions,a baby Ostrich,a Wallaby and a Deer.Coming soon for 2006 are African Wild Dogs and Red River Hogs.:celb (23):
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An American Bald Eagle[IMG]
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Hooded Vulture.
This show is well worth a visit,it runs 3 times a day in Summer.
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An African Battleur Eagle.
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Black Kite.
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A Tawny Owl.
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A Kestrel.
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A Lanner Falcon.
'Restoration' victory for park villa campaigners
COMMUNITIES Minister Ruth Kelly is to force the sale of a row of derelict Victorian villas next to a historic park, against the wishes of Liverpool council.
In one of her first decisions since replacing John Prescott as the minister responsible for housing and planning, Ms Kelly has served notice on Liverpool City Council, meaning it could be forced to sell off the houses.
A letter to residents from then chief executive Sir David Henshaw stated the council had wanted to demolish the villas with money from Mr Prescott's New Heartlands programme.
Residents in Newsham Park had been campaigning to restore the large empty properties owned by the council and housing associations around the Grade II-listed green space.
Jonathan Brown, of Friends of Newsham Park, said the ruling could give hope to communities where publicly-owned land is left in derelict condition.
Residents said the council and housing association's failure to invest in upkeep is holding the area back in the middle of a housing boom.
Mr Brown had uncovered a piece of 1980s Thatcherite legislation known as a Public Request to Order Disposal.
It forces publicly-owned land that is harming the amenity of an area to be sold off to private developers.
This weekend he received a letter saying the new Communities and Local Government Secretary is "minded to agree" to his request, and has given the council notice that she proposes a direction "requiring them to take steps for the disposal of their interest in the land".
It means the council has 42 days to explain why it should keep the land before it is sold.
In a letter to the city solicitor, the Government Office for the North West's Director of Planning Jo Lappin says: "It appears that the land is not being used by the city council for the performance of their functions."
It says Ms Kelly "is not so far satisfied that the city council has any firm plans to sell, develop or bring the land into use within a reasonable timescale."
Mr Brown said "The council and housing associations admit that they have no plans to invest in any of these homes until after 2010. This decade of dereliction is far too long to wait when public property is left in such dangerous condition, blighting a beautiful conservation area.
"The Victorian villas deserve to be restored to help solve the city's housing crisis, and the money from sales 'ring-fenced' to invest back in the neglected historic park." The Friends of Newsham Park have already successfully pressed the council and social landlord Riverside Housing to sell two derelict villas on Judges Drive for £320,000.
Liberal Party councillor Steve Radford last night said: "We are really chuffed. We have been trying to convince the city council to sell or renovate empty council properties in Judges Drive as far back as 1998."
The city and housing association-owned homes around Prescot Drive have been a magnet for anti-social behaviour.
The Daily Post revealed that pupils at the flagship new joint faith Kensington Academy were being chaperoned to and from school after fears the area had become a vice zone.
Last night, a spokesman for Liverpool City Council said: "We have established a working group looking at bringing forward development proposals for the Newsham Park area in order to improve the quality of life.
"The working group is chaired by a local councillor and two of the registered social landlords who own properties in the are also actively involved in helping draw up plans."
adrianbutler@liverpool.com
It's a disgrace that the council are letting these houses rot away because this place is meant to be a "conservation area" can you believe that? Todays ruling is brilliant so I hope this forces them to renovate them,a house along there is where the captain of the "Titanic" lived! can you believe we're not exploiting this,it's criminal.
I never knew that :PDT_Piratz_26:Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul D
Could you imagine the Americans not exploiting such an asset,there's should be a "Blue Plaque" on that house and it should be part of a tourist trail,the Titanic is legendary and people would come here for something like that if it was capitalised on,we're so slow to take advantage of things sometimes.:disgust:Quote:
Originally Posted by Kev
The park was one of the first Victorian Parks in Liverpool and was based on designs by Edward Kemp. An aviary was built to house exotic birds but was demolished in the 1930’s, the birds then housed in Sefton Park. There was also a band stand, a boating lake, a fishing lake and five fountains. Newsham Park was used for a lot of sporting events, and there were three bowling greens, two of which still remain. The park has two listed buildings in it, Newsham House and the Seaman's Orphanage.
Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution, Newsham Park
Newsham House was built at the end of the 18th century by Thomas Molyneaux. In 1868, it was bought by Liverpool Corporation for £80,000 to become the lodgings for judges in Liverpool.
Queen Victoria and her entourage stayed there on their last visit to Liverpool in 1886. The house was refurbished for her visit and was lit by electric lights. Other visitors to Newsham House included Princess Beatrice in 1886, the Duke of Connaught in 1892 and the Duke and Duchess of York in 1893. The house is still in use as judges' lodgings.
Buffalo Bill also brought his show to the park,more about that below.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kev
I didn't either !
Of course, there should be a Blue Plaque, and as Paul has said - why are we so slow on the uptake !! :shock:
The Americans certainly would promote such a thing.
Those houses surrounding Newsham Park are lovely - like the ones by Sefton Park.
Plans have been unveiled to regenerate a key landmark on Liverpool`s waterfront in time for the capital of culture in 2008.
The city council is considering proposals costing £1.4m to rejuvenate Otterspool Park and Promenade.
The plans aim to make the park and prom a top class destination for local people and tourists.
They include developing the site so it can stage open air performances in the Capital of Culture year 2008.
A new park entrance would be built at Jericho Lane with a new play and fitness area, picnic tables and improved road surfaces.
The scheme will be paid for by the Mersey Waterfront organisation and European cash.
Liverpool council will discuss the plans at an executive board meeting on 16 June.
:celb (23):
source
At last, someone has seen sense, the Garden Festival site should also be given to the people of Liverpool and revamped for people to enjoy along with the Prom.
I think the mixed use plan is a good idea for the GF site with the restoraion of the main park area and a bit of new housing too.
The Council should be ashamed that such a prime site hasnt been touched since 1985 was it? :rolleyes: I would love to see some pics, someone get exploring.
When Otterpool looks good I'll jog aroundit to celebrate.:Colorz_Grey_PDT_16:
The first phase of the work, part of the Pride in Our Promenades project, will see the site developed as a major venue for open air performances in 2008 when Liverpool celebrates European Capital of Culture.
The plans include restoring the historic "otters plaque" seating area at the heart of the site, a brand new, welcoming park entrance at Jericho Lane would be created and there would be new play and fitness equipment, new picnic tables, and upgrades to path and road surfaces.
Cllr Berni Turner, executive member for Environment and Heritage, said: "Otterspool park and promenade is a hugely important part of our waterfront, a superb green waterside resource offering, arguably, the best view of the upper estuary.
"These improvements will bring thousands more people to the park, provide a wonderful festival and performance space and create a stretch of shoreline which Liverpool people can be proud of.
" Our ultimate aim is to bring the park and promenade up to Green Flag standard by 2008, and this project will help us do this."
Otterspool Park is hosting a number of open-air performances this year as part of the Liverpool
Performs 2006 celebrations, including the popular Theatre in the Park event.
Cllr Peter Millea, Executive Member for Regeneration, said: "This is fantastic news. These improvements would make the park an even more vibrant, attractive place."
This is brilliant news it's about time,I was just thinking the other week what a great place it would be to put a load of picnic tables.All of those seats along the promenade need replacing,what a stunning vista we have at Otterspool.:celb (23):
RE: Newsham Park Area
NEWSHAM Park Hospital could finally be restored after a pledge by its owner.
New proposals are being drawn up for the regeneration of the derelict landmark.
Two newbuildings could also be created on the site.
The development will include family accommodation and affordable housing.
John McKenzie, of Gateway Properties, told yesterday's Stop the Rot meeting he was sorry the hospital had been left decaying.
He said: "I apologise over what's happened. We were going to pass it on to another developer, but that didn't happen.
"I was working abroad, but now I'm spending 100% of my time in the UK, and we've decided to do it ourselves."
What a beautiful building that is its about time that happened,I want to see concrete plans though before I get too excited.
Thousands are expected to watch some of the most famous faces of tennis battle it out at Liverpool's 6 day International tennis Tournament.
This tournament, now in its 5th year, will see local qualifiers play alongside some of the biggest names in tennis, showcasing the tennis talent the region has to offer.
Tennis In Pictures
Day one included play from twenty year old Gemma Bisson from Childwall and local Allerton lad Ken Skupski who beat Argentina's Agustin Calleri in a thrilling match.
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Xavier Malisse in action
Vetertan tennis stars Mansour Bahrami, Ilie Nastase, Peter McNamara and Henri Leconte kept the crowds entertained with the Legends Doubles match with play returning to a serious game as Belgium's number 2 Xavier Malisse and Scotland's Jamie Murray, brother of Britain's top seed Andy Murray, took to centre court.
The match had to be abandoned however as referee Alan Mills was forced to suspend play and cover the court as the rain started.
The tournament runs until Sunday and Thursday and will see other famous faces including Wimbledon star Pat Cash and Goran Ivanisevic as they clash on Thursday in what promises to be an exciting match.
Schedules have been altered to accommodate the abandoned games from day one. For up to date play schedules and ticket information visit the tournament website. Liverpool Tennis Website
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The council have applied to have lots of events at our parks leading up to Capital of Culture so we can expect a lot of good events like this in the future.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
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Here's some pictures taken last Spring in our beautiful Sefton Park.:snf (41):
Here's some of Sefton Park taken today plus the wonderful Palm House:
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Court Hey Park, just off Roby Rd near to Rocky Lane, the home of the National Wildflower Centre, I never knew this park existed:
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Excellent Kev that African oye festival was seen by millions around the World this year.
Yes, some pics here.
All smashing pics.
I've heard of Court Hey Park but I've never been in it.
A MOBILE police station is to be moved into Liverpool's flagship park after invasions by hundreds of teenage rowdies.
The police "pod" will be used as a makeshift control point in Calderstones Park to combat the problem and fight anti-social behaviour by large groups of youths.
The move follows flash-points last weekend when police, community support officers and city council security staff confronted up to 250 teenagers who had gathered in the south Liverpool park as the international tennis festival took place just yards away.
Many of the young people, some as young as 12, had travelled from as far away as Bootle and Kirkby.
There have been two arrests and three fixed penalty fines issued for disorder offences, Merseyside Police said last night.
Insp Shaun Bradbury, Merseyside Police neighbourhood inspector, said last night: "This problem has arisen because of mobile phones. Young people are texting each other to detail gathering points such as Calderstones Park. Most of the youths are not causing a problem, but there are a minority of potential troublemakers. The large number of young people gathering in the park is intimidating.
"We are working with CityWatch and the council's Youth Service to try to reduce the number of teenagers gathering in large groups. We do not want the parks to become no-go areas for young people, but we will be explaining to them the intimidatory nature of large gangs gathering in the park.
"Our operation will continue for as long as the gangs are gathering there. We would also urge parents to be aware of where their children are going at night and whether they are drinking alcohol."
Police have seized large quantities of alcohol from under-age youngsters, some as young as 12, and a number of youths were searched for drugs.
Last night, council executive member Cllr Dave Antrobus, who heads the community safety directorate, admitted that there had been problems at the park during the past week.
He said: "I am confident that the resources now in place will adequately stem the tide. Anti-social behaviour has definitely increased in and around Calderstones Park, and the obvious concern is that as the summer holidays loom, the situation will get worse.
"Calderstones is one of our best-used parks in terms of public usage and we don't want that to change."
The number of council wardens and police officers has been increased in the area and the police pod will be introduced into the park before this weekend, in readiness for any new invasions by young people.
It is also likely to be in place on other nights if necessary, to help reassure any members of the public who wish to use the park.
The problem of large gangs of teenagers meeting in the parks of south Liverpool started some weeks ago when a heatwave hit Merseyside. The gangs have gathered in other parks, including Camp Hill and Childwall Woods.
In Calderstones, teenage troublemakers are thought to have been responsible for ripping up decorative flower beds and even setting fire to shrubbery.
One regular park user from Mossley Hill said last night: "The teenagers just seemed to arrive out of nowhere and headed for one gathering spot.
"Many of them, aged only about 14, were drinking wine and lager and alcopops. Mostly they were just in high spirits and not causing any damage, but a number of them were menacing. It would only take a simple flashpoint to cause a major problem.
"There were a number of police cars at the scene and I saw one security van chasing after three boys on bicycles and then searching them for drugs. I heard one of the officers say to one of the teenagers that he could smell cannabis on his breath."
One of the big fears is that some of the teenagers could be carrying knives and after drinking binges could potentially become violent.
The police and the city council have powers to issue anti-social behaviour orders on specific areas such as parks to control yobbish behaviour. So far, this move has been avoided but it remains an option.
Cllr Antrobus said: "I would not like to see these orders used to control gangs in parks because it would merely migrate the problem elsewhere. We need more imaginative ways of controlling this, particularly as we head toward the school summer holidays."
THE attraction which started Liverpool's original 20/08 day is hoping hundreds will flock to its doors in 2006.
The National Wildflower Centreat Court Hey Park in Knowsley is giving everyone in Merseyside the chance to get closer to nature on August 20.
The centre is offering free entrance in honour of this year's 20/08 celebrations.
It will also hold a special creative and environmental workshop.
20/08 has been a highlight of Liverpool's cultural calendar since 2003, when the wildflower centre decided to provide free entrance on 20 August - 20/08 - to mark the city's Capital of Culture success.
Liverpool Culture Company extended this idea by asking other organ-isations to make "offers" for the day, and established 20/08 as a yearly opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural life of the city.
Council leader Warren Bradley said: "The National Wildflower Centre made the first ever 20/08 offer back in 2003, so I'm delighted they're still supporting the event four years later.
"It also shows how organisations from across the north west can getinvolved in celebrating our Capital of Culture status.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for groups and businesses to promote themselves while giving people the chance to sample Liverpool's fantastic cultural assets." Places on the centre's creative and environmental workshop are limited, and should be booked in advance on 0151-738 1913.
Continuing the environmental theme, Adlam Road Allotments in Fazakerley are opening their doors on 20/08 to encourage people to grow their own greens.
Allotment members will be laying on activities to launch their growing scheme, including a tour of the site. Children must be accompanied.
The deadline for groups and organ-isations to make 20/08 offers is Friday, July14. Call Catherine O'Brien on 0151-233 4399.
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Video Nation: Summer - Summer is here, despite the weather. Liverpool Ranger Richard Baker finds the signs of summer all around Sefton Park.
Watch this video
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A MAJOR £1.4m revamp of a stretch of the South Liverpool waterfront, aimed at attracting tourists in 2008, begins next month.
Over a mile of Otterspool Promenade will get a facelift including grass steps for open air theatre and a space for kite flying. continues...
Well this sounds fantastic,& its great that they've got local people on board.After looking at the photo & reading the article it seems like they should have something to cater for most age groups there.Certainly an improvement & who knows if this can be achieved maybe the "Peoples Panel" idea" could spread citywide & create pride amongst the general public once again.It would be nice if young people could be included in this as well then maybe they would look after things instead of wrecking them.
Does anyone know if the youth of Liverpool will be involved in any future plans like this in the future.
Great to hear they are doing stuff down there.
Otterspool has always been a great place to spend some time with the family so let's hope they do a good job with it,new seating to what is a stunning vista is essential so I'm glad to see this high on their agenda.:PDT_Piratz_26:
Dear all,
I promised some time ago to let you know when I'd learnt how to put photos on my weblog (www.hilaryburrage.com) .... well, at last I've learned!
A number of the themes I've illustrated so far are about Sefton Park and Wavertree Botanics etc. (These are listed in my posting of today; and I'll be doing some more as soon as I have another few free hours.)
If you'd like to take a look, that would be great. Hope you like the pics.
Best,
Hilary
Hi Hilary,i've left you a couple of messages on your site one about Newsham Park.I used to live behind it briefly on Fairfield Crescent around 1993.It really is a true green oasis.I feel privaleged to have lived there & regretted leaving there ever since.Is it true they have now built a college on part of this beautiful park,if so then it's unforgivable.Grade two listed as well.I noticed somewhere that even The Bishop of Liverpool got involved in this as well,although a little misguided if you ask me.How on earth was they able to get away with this.Im sure there must have been a lot of opposition to this at the time.
What about the brown sites surely there must have been somewhere more suitable,im disgusted with the City Council if they forced this on people then they should be ashamed of themselves & i say this as an ex Lib Dem member/supporter.
Thanks Terry, Yes I've posted your comments - v interesting!Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry
Hope you liked the photos of Sefton Park... was especially pleased with the heron, grebes and cygnets!
What do you think about the Wavertree Botanics situation I mention on the website? Seems very sad to me - am trying to find ways to get things improved.... If anyone woud like to campaign on this, do let me know.
Best,
Hilary
www.hilaryburrage.com
Hi Hilary, when I was a kid Newsham Park was just so beautiful. I go far enough to have used the row boats, before the were destroyed in the early '60's. I even remember the windmill by the small pond. I don't think too many on here would remember that.:celb (23): Walking thru. the gardens alongside Judges drive was an experience to be remembered. It's a shame so many of the parks have been allowed to decay and be taken over by smackheads.
A Liverpool park has won a £5m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
The money will be spent on improvements and restoration of existing features at the Grade II listed Sefton Park.
The Aviary cafe will be refurbished to include a park ranger base and educational centre, and the Eros Fountain will undergo a major facelift.
The Victorian glasshouse, the Palm House, has already been restored with a £2.4m HLF grant and the bronze statue of Peter Pan also restored.
The park was designed by Edouard Andre, who designed the Tuileries Gardens in Paris.
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The Peter Pan statue was restored last December
Other plans include repairing footpaths, restoring all statues and fountains.
The area received £200,000 two years ago which was used to set up a team of landscape architects, tree surgeons, ecologists, engineers and water feature experts to draw up plans to improve the 269-acre site.
Liverpool city council's executive member for environment and heritage, Councillor Berni Turner, said: "We have had our fingers crossed that the HLF would approve the grant. It's fantastic news to be given the green light!
"Sefton Park is one of the city's most popular green spaces and hundreds of thousands of people spend time there every year.
"These new plans will give the whole park a much-needed re-vamp and I'm positive that the improvements will attract even more visitors." HLF's regional manager, Tony Jones said: "We have a long history of support for Sefton Park including £2.4 million to transform the Palm House and we're delighted to be able to extend that commitment with today's announcement." source...
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People playing baseball,cricket,flying kites and relaxing at Otterspool Promenade.
I'm going to the Hub festival later and will post some pics, cheers Paul, lovely snaps of The Prom. The grafitti wall should be a treat! :RAP_1: