Victoria Park must stay open
IT is very sad that Southport Flower Show will not be held this year and deprive Southport of much needed finance with spending at hotels and restaurants curtailed.
Although I must say that many local people cannot afford to attend the show due to the high cost of tickets and it is left to coach loads of retired persons from far away to make up the attendance figures.
As these elderly people pass on they are not being replaced by younger people so I think that the Flower Show has an even greater problem in the future.
Southport Flower Show, which is a registered charity, do not pay rent to Sefton Council, but present a bunch of flowers to the Lady Mayor each year and in return have to maintain the park, which they do to a very high standard.
The planning application to close the park to the public for 143 days a year should be strongly opposed, it must be remembered that Victoria Park was bequeathed by a benefactor to the people of Southport for their pleasure activities and enjoyment.
Victoria Park is a sanctuary, free from motor vehicles and safe for children to play and families to picnic in relative safety.
Of course the park has to be maintained which is a costly business, but to turn this facility into a caravan park for over three months a year is just allowing yet another caravan park in the locality, there is talk of attracting events to the park, but two events each bringing thousands of people into Southport have been lost, the Woodvale Rally was stopped from using the park due to a disagreement and the Rotary annual bonfire stopped as they were not allowed to have a fairground, despite the fact that Pleasureland have their own bonfire and the amusement park is open.
If this planning application is passed, it would seem that the
Flower Show are being allowed to make profits on a Sefton Council asset on which no rent is being paid and this cannot be right.
If you do not agree to this planning application please make your views known to Sefton Planning Department and your local councillor.
Name & address supplied CYCLISTS NEED TO BE MORE AWARE
WHEN out for my daily walk I stay alert and anticipate danger.
If I see someone approaching who may be a jogger, someone pushing a pram, a dog walker or a family group I detour into a drive or the road if safe to do.
In return I get a word of thanks, a smile or a wave. If someone moves for me I return the thanks.
However I still get challenged by cyclists who only move into the road at the last minute.
Name & address supplied