Teenagers in Ellesmere Port are the just latest to benefit from the ongoing developments of Whitby Park.
The new “wheelspark” is designed to keep local children off the streets and give them somewhere to practise their BMX biking, in-line skating and skate boarding skills.
This area is just another addition to a long list of changes that the people of Ellesmere Port have seen in recent years. Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council was granted funds after a successful application to the Heritage Lottery board in 2002. Developments in the park are now coming to an end.
The introduction of the climbing boulder and the regeneration of the multi games area are all part of the plan to help reduce the problem of “gangs” on the streets. The new “wheels park” is already a play area for graffiti artists. But, parks development officer Mary Lavery explained: “There has been very little trouble since the park opened. The police regularly petrol the park.” The council have also installed cameras as a deterrent.
The new ‘youth area’ of the park will be used for planned events. “Sports Frenzy” runs through school holidays and is aimed to keep 7 to16 year olds active and entertained.
Whitby Park used to be the stately home and gardens to the Grace Family, but is now the main area of open space in Ellesmere Port. It was not long ago that the park was little other than an area to walk dogs. Although, the council website highlights the strong policy now in place. “Dogs are welcome in the park but you must clean up after your dog - dog bins are installed.”
Other areas of the park have also been focused on. In 2003, Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council received more than a million pounds of National Heritage Lottery Funding to restore some of the parks more historic features.
Whitby Hall was left derelict after the council moved out of the hall to bigger offices in the early 90’s. But it has now been taken over by community theatre group “Action Transport Theatre.” And in 2003, the hall was restored to a much better state. The old stables of the former stately home to the Grace Family have also been restored and are now the offices of Labour MP for the area, Andrew Miller.
Parks development office Mary Lavery said: “We are hoping to submit Whitby Park for Green Flag status next year. This is the national benchmark for parks.” With gardeners on site most days the park is well looked after.
The park is one of Ellesmere Port’s best used facilities, with a children’s play area and football pitches that are used to host an ever growing Sunday league. The space is also used by many of the local schools to aid learning. The pond and the “air watch” nature trail are popular for school trips.
The nature trail is a selection of artwork, a sample of which can be seen in the slide show, created by artist Steve Des Landes. It is designed to teach children to monitor their carbon footprint and therefore reduce air pollution. The trail is also a way to keep fit, three times around is more than a miles walk.
Planned walks take place every week around the park. The council have also introduced a free bike scheme where people can hire bikes and take a ride around Ellesmere Port, with a guide. There also events planned for the ‘wheelspark.’
Whitby Park has seen a lot of regeneration and redevelopment in recent years thanks to the National Heritage Lottery Funding. It is now down to the people of Ellesmere Port to make sure that it is looked after and used well.
Saturday, 19 April 2008
Thursday 3rd April: Wheelspark keeps kids off the streets.
Teenagers in Ellesmere Port helped design a new skateboard area is aimed to stop them hanging around street corners.
The new equipment, which cost £118,000, was opened by deputy mayor Cllr Keith Butcher. It includes; a quarter pipe, steps, jump box and a wall ramp. Something that web users felt was missing from Ellesmere Port. “They are building a skate park in Whitby Park. This skate park has been delayed and cancelled so many times its unbelievable. Please help us we need somewhere proper to skate.” (http://knowhere.co.uk/3458_skatestuff.html)
Parks development office Mary Lavery realised that there was a need for the area; “The ‘wheelspark’ was a facility which was requested by users as there were no facilities this side of the borough.”
The local skateboarders and BMX bikers used to gather in an area of open space in the town centre. Local resident Anne Percival of Fairfield Avenue thinks it’s a good idea; “it’s got to be better than them hanging around the civic hall, it was intimating walking through there on a Saturday afternoon, its money well spent.”
Mrs Lavery explained: “The police regularly patrol the park, we also have gardeners on site most days and the location was selected to be as central and open as possible to discourage negative users. Facilities tend to be self managed with users working with each other rather than against each other.”
The equipment has been put in the specially designated “youth area” of the park, close to the tennis courts. The new plan is all part of the ongoing development of Whitby Park.
Youngsters were asked to go along on yesterday, to the official opening of the skate park and try it out for themselves. One 13 year old boy said; “it’s great, me and my friends will have a really good laugh here.”
“Tribe” a professional skateboarding organisation were on hand at the launch to offer tips to the teenagers, advice on how to look after the equipment and also to give demonstrations. Billabong, a skaters shop located on Cheshire Oaks were also at the launch, giving away freebies and running competitions to win lessons.
A 12 year old spectator said; “it’s been fun, I got lots of fee stuff. I was too scared to try but ill definitely come and watch.”
Another idea behind the new “wheels park” is to get kids in the area more active, and keep them occupied. The scheme is being backed by Sport England. Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council, Landfill Communities Funds of Waste Recycling Group Ltd have also provided funds for the new area.
The set up of this new equipment is all part of the Community Sport Network launch to promote good health and an active lifestyle. Other planned activities include cycling, boccia, golf, basketball, family dance, Pilates and a treasure hunt.
The cycling has already been launched. Every Tuesday and Thursday, people can go to the park and pick up a free bike for an accompanied ride around the park, Stanney woods or along the Shropshire Union Canal.
This scheme is run by North West based charity ‘Cycling Projects.’ Places are already limited.
The new equipment, which cost £118,000, was opened by deputy mayor Cllr Keith Butcher. It includes; a quarter pipe, steps, jump box and a wall ramp. Something that web users felt was missing from Ellesmere Port. “They are building a skate park in Whitby Park. This skate park has been delayed and cancelled so many times its unbelievable. Please help us we need somewhere proper to skate.” (http://knowhere.co.uk/3458_skatestuff.html)
Parks development office Mary Lavery realised that there was a need for the area; “The ‘wheelspark’ was a facility which was requested by users as there were no facilities this side of the borough.”
The local skateboarders and BMX bikers used to gather in an area of open space in the town centre. Local resident Anne Percival of Fairfield Avenue thinks it’s a good idea; “it’s got to be better than them hanging around the civic hall, it was intimating walking through there on a Saturday afternoon, its money well spent.”
Mrs Lavery explained: “The police regularly patrol the park, we also have gardeners on site most days and the location was selected to be as central and open as possible to discourage negative users. Facilities tend to be self managed with users working with each other rather than against each other.”
The equipment has been put in the specially designated “youth area” of the park, close to the tennis courts. The new plan is all part of the ongoing development of Whitby Park.
Youngsters were asked to go along on yesterday, to the official opening of the skate park and try it out for themselves. One 13 year old boy said; “it’s great, me and my friends will have a really good laugh here.”
“Tribe” a professional skateboarding organisation were on hand at the launch to offer tips to the teenagers, advice on how to look after the equipment and also to give demonstrations. Billabong, a skaters shop located on Cheshire Oaks were also at the launch, giving away freebies and running competitions to win lessons.
A 12 year old spectator said; “it’s been fun, I got lots of fee stuff. I was too scared to try but ill definitely come and watch.”
Another idea behind the new “wheels park” is to get kids in the area more active, and keep them occupied. The scheme is being backed by Sport England. Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council, Landfill Communities Funds of Waste Recycling Group Ltd have also provided funds for the new area.
The set up of this new equipment is all part of the Community Sport Network launch to promote good health and an active lifestyle. Other planned activities include cycling, boccia, golf, basketball, family dance, Pilates and a treasure hunt.
The cycling has already been launched. Every Tuesday and Thursday, people can go to the park and pick up a free bike for an accompanied ride around the park, Stanney woods or along the Shropshire Union Canal.
This scheme is run by North West based charity ‘Cycling Projects.’ Places are already limited.
Friday, 18 April 2008
Thursday, 6 March 2008
Swayze Dances with Death!
American actor Patrick Swayze has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, his agent has confirmed. Not only is this a shocking piece of news, it is reported in a very interesting and thought provoking way. Well, in my opinion at least!!
The BBC story focused mainly on the devastating disease as if it has only ever happened to Patrick Swayze. There was little information about the disease or any quotes from any other sufferers or experts in the field. The Times Online, dealt slightly better with the case: "Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze has cancer." They explained the disease briefly and how it affects people. In relation, the BBC looked at how the story itself had spiralled out of control, in its other links, including a video clip.
It is interesting to see how many blogs popped up in a search about this subject. Celebrities Uncovered had this to say; "Patrick who has starred in numerous films like Ghost and Donnie Darko, was diagnosed with cancer more than a month ago but does appear to be responding well to the treatment."
It is interesting to see when a story of such seriousness breaks, which involves a celebrity, suddenly many more bloggers become experts. Not that I'm against Swayze, but this disease has affected other people, it would have been interesting to do a blog search with any labels of pancreatic cancer in before this story broke.
Is this due to the society we live in now? Well that's a different blog all together.
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
You'll be depressed to find out that anit-depressants don't work!!
A study out today has revealed how drugs such as Prozac and Seroxat, both anti-depressants do little to help beat the common illness. These drugs, taken by millions of people in the UK every year, have been dubbed as just a placebo by some publishers.
Manus explains how the study has highlighted such important findings: It was reported in The Times, The Guardian and also on the BBC website. Which all highlight how the 31 million prescriptions written out in 2006, may have been a waste of time for doctors and patients and more importantly a waste of money; more than £291 million was spent on antidepressants in 2006.
Ministers are today due to publish plans to train 3,600 therapists to treat depression. Sharon Begley feels that more research is needed, to combat the problem, and to help those who are now reliant on these "happy pills" that are having little affect.
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Monday, 25 February 2008
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