Last week to get Sefton Council's free Junior Membership offer

UNDER 16's have until the end of the week to take advantage of Green Sefton's free, 1 year, Junior membership offer, worth ₤80. If they sign up before the end of Friday, Under 16's can take advantage of a year's free play at Sefton Council's Bootle and Southport courses.

To qualify, Under 16's must register at the Bootle Golf Club or Southport Golf Links shops. They need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must provide proof of age.

In addition to this offer, green fees at the 2 courses have been frozen or the 2nd year running.

This means adult prices start from just ₤13 with Twilight Tickets from only ₤8.50. Twilight green start at 4pm, at Bootle and at Southport, with a further reduction at Southport, from 6pm. Over 60's can play for ₤9, from Monday to Friday.

A round for young people aged up to 16 is just ₤8. Or free if they take advantage of the free membership offer this week.

Costs for 12 months' play with a contract also remain frozen and start from just ₤110. Unlike some other clubs, if a further national lockdown has to be implemented, contracts will, once again, frozen so that members do not lose out.

To protect players and staff, card payments are preferred at both courses.

At Bootle, work is underway to build a new, 10 bay driving range, but it is not affecting play.

Due to open late this year, the new driving range will include practice facilities and a dedicated coaching bay. Floodlights will mean players can practise during the evening and during the winter months.

People can find out more about Sefton Council's golfing facilities at:- Sefton.Gov.UK/Golf.

CLA pleads for vigilance as threat from wildfires continues

THE CLA (Country Land and Business Association) is calling on the public to take extra care in the countryside amid the increasing risk of wildfires. The warning comes as tinder dry and windy conditions increase the risk of fire across large areas of the country, especially on hillsides, moors and heathland.

It follows a spate of wildfires across the country, with Marsden Moor and neighbouring land in Saddleworth also affected. In addition, firefighters have recently battled a series of unexpected wildfires on Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and Exmoor, often in hard to reach locations.

The CLA, which represents thousands of landowners, farmers and rural businesses in the North and 28,000 nationally, said in addition to the dry weather conditions, the possibility of more people heading to the countryside following the Government's easing of lockdown restrictions could heighten the risk of fires.

CLA Director North Dorothy Fairburn said:- "Wildfires have the capability to devastate farmland, wildlife and their habitats and also pose a risk to the lives of people living and working in rural communities. Reducing the risk of wildfires is key at this time of the year, and raising awareness is 1 way in which the risk can be reduced. Wildfires can be prevented by not discarding cigarettes or other smouldering material. The same can be said for litter, as quite often bottles and shards of glass can spark a fire. There is also an increased fire risk associated with the use of disposable barbecues. The CLA asks visitors to the countryside not to use them as it is almost impossible to cool them down and take them home afterwards. �Disposable' does not mean just leaving them behind! Large wildfires are thankfully rare, but when they do occur they can be very serious, affecting large areas of the countryside, and can cause untold damage to wildlife, destroying ecosystems in a matter of hours which have taken years to establish. We appeal to the public to be extra vigilant when visiting the countryside. Do not throw lit cigarette ends out of your vehicle and, if you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately. It only takes a small spark to start a fire on ground as dry as it is currently, so extra caution must be taken to help protect crops, wildlife and habitats."

The #BeMoorSafety Campaign, launched in 2019, by West Yorkshire Fire and Police, provides the following moorland safety advice:-

► Clear up and take your rubbish home after picnics.

► Observe all signs and notices; they are there for a reason.

► Follow the Countryside Code.

► Don't leave glass bottles; not only can they hurt people and animals, but they can magnify the sun's rays and start a fire.

► Never be tempted to light a fire in the countryside; including barbeques.

► Never throw lighted cigarette ends onto the ground or out of the window of vehicles or trains. Always ensure that they are completely extinguished and disposed of responsibly.

► If a fire breaks out, people are advised not to try to tackle it themselves, but to alert the emergency services by calling:- 999. Reducing the risk of wildfires is key at this time of the year, and raising awareness is o1 way in which the risk can be reduced.

CLA's 5 priorities for PCC candidates to help tackle rural crime

THE Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has written to Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidates across the North (Lancashire; Cumbria, the North East and Yorkshire) to help in the fight against rural crime. Ahead of the PCC elections on 6 May 2021, CLA North; which represent thousands of farmers, landowners and rural businesses in the Region; has written to all candidates in the North. It is asking them to commit to a rural manifesto based on the following 5 priorities:-

► Wildlife crime.

► Support for the National Rural Crime Network.

► A focus on tackling crime against businesses.

► Greater joined up enforcement work.

► An effort to promote education and the Countryside Code.

CLA Director North Dorothy Fairburn said:- "Police and Crime Commissioners have the wherewithal to make a difference and can help protect rural communities through targeted funding, resourcing and training. For many CLA members, rural crime is a blight as criminals are often emboldened by the isolation of rural communities, leaving families, farmers and business owners feeling vulnerable and powerless. We enjoy good relationships with our police forces at all levels and, while much good work is already being done, teams can be inadequately resourced to investigate and prevent criminal activity in the countryside."

In a survey last year, 38% of the 8,000 people who took part had fallen victim to rural crime in the preceding 12 months, and the CLA says that the psychological effects can be felt for a long time after the crime has taken place. "The elections are an important opportunity to ensure that the next Police and Crime Commissioners not only understand the cost and impact of rural crime, but are committed to taking a stand and reducing it."

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 2,064 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,406,946 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:- 6 within 28 days of positive test, according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is:- 127,434, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 150,841.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 1,781. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 243 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 132.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,850,494 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 605,757 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-
Liverpool City Region

Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions

► Liverpool, 48,444 confirmed cases.
5

► Halton, 11,936 confirmed cases. 3

► Knowsley, 17,368 confirmed cases. 8

► Sefton, 23,900 confirmed cases. 12

► St. Helens, 17,053 confirmed cases. 4

► Wirral, 24,269 confirmed cases.
4

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 100 100 to 199 200 & over

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test. Daily and cumulative numbers of Covid19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected Covid19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received Vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

33,752,885 12,897,123

Jab Stats correct as of:- 25 April 2021

The Vaccination programme began on 8 December 2020 with people receiving the Vaccine developed by Pfizer / BioNTech, and people began receiving the Oxford University / AstraZeneca Vaccine from 4 January 2021. Both Vaccine s are given as 2 doses, at lEast 21 days apart, for a full Vaccination course.