RSPB tells gardeners they should be slowing their mowing

THE RSPB is appealing to gardeners to reduce their mowing and keep grass a little longer for wildlife this summer.

The distant hum of lawnmowers can be heard constantly again with the warmer weather, but the wildlife charity wants gardeners to know that slightly longer lawns are a valuable home and food source for birds and other creatures.

And if you can leave some of the wildflowers that grow in lawns too, these are an additional source of food and nectar for bees.

Val Osborne, Head of RSPB Wildlife Enquiries says:- “The RSPB is simply suggesting that you cut your lawns a little less frequently and when you do, you set the blades so the grass isn’t quite so short. We are always being asked what can be done for wildlife at this time of year and one of the easiest and most beneficial measures is to cut back on mowing lawns. And you’re even saving yourself a job so everyone’s a winner!”

The RSPB suggests that if you do require a shorter lawn for pets or children, simply leaving a small patch uncut could make a big difference and will likely be populated with worms and insects which will provide food for all sorts of birds.

Many garden favourites will ground feed in long grass, including song thrushes, blackbirds, dunnocks, finches and house sparrows.

The RSPB is also appealing to local councils to leave roadside verges to grow for a few more weeks, as the wildflowers growing in them are a wildlife haven.

Val Osborne says:- “The side of many roads are a mass of wild flowers like dandelions at the moment and they give bees valuable nectar. Local councils and landowners may think they are ‘tidying up’ by trimming them down but they could be taking away food for many wild creatures. We would just urge them to hold off their mowing for a little while longer.”

For more information on how to make your garden a wildlife haven sign up to the RSPB’s Homes for Wildlife project at:- rspb.org.uk/hfw.

You will receive tips and advice on food, shelter and water for planting with practical ideas and seasonal information!

BUS PROJECT AIMS TO CRACK DOWN ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN TUEBROOK

A cinema, mixing decks and games are among the activities on offer to teenagers aboard a special double decker bus project, that has been put into motion since Tuesday, 20 April 2010.

Officers from Tuebrook dedicated policing team are working alongside members of St Andrew's Church in Tuebrook to launch the project, aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour by providing teenagers with entertainment now the weather is getting warmer.

The bus, which will be parked outside Lower Breck Community Centre now on every Tuesday, from 7pm to 9pm, until the end of the summer, is open to high school pupils only.

Sgt Graeme Towndrow, from Tuebrook neighbourhood policing team, said:- "This is the second year that we have run this event for young people in the area. As well as providing a space for teenagers to watch films on the upper deck of the bus, the lower deck is set up with a mixing desks and lots of CDs and games so we aim to cater to a wide range of tastes. We can also organise sports games on the local fields and arrange other activities. Any high school pupils in the area who are interested by the sound of the bus should come along on a Tuesday evening to give it a try."

The Eden bus is a free event that has been funded by St Andrew's Church.

ROBBERY - KFC, TUEBROOK

MERSEYSIDE Police Detectives are now appealing for witnesses following a robbery at the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) take-away in Tuebrook on Sunday, 18 April 2010.  Three men entered the take-away on West Derby Road at around 11.30pm as the staff were preparing to leave the premises.  They forced the staff into a back room and threatened them to open the safe before leaving the scene with a substantial amount of cash.  The offenders are described as white men, of medium build and aged in their mid to late 30s. They were wearing dark clothing.  DC Andy Bason said:- "This was very upsetting for the staff members who were left shaken by the incident. We are determined to identify and catch these offenders so they can be brought to justice. I urge anyone who may have seen three men acting suspiciously around this time or with any information about this incident to call police so we can take action against these offenders."   Anyone with information is asked to call Merseyside Police Robbery Team on:- 0151 777 4808 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.

E-FIT AND CCTV WITNESS APPEAL - ROBBERY WALTON/ANFIELD

MERSEYSIDE Police Detectives have released to the media these CCTV images and an e-fit of two men they would like to speak to in connection with a robbery at Sayers bakers in Breck Road on Saturday, 10 April 2010.

Police were called at 9am after two men entered the shop as staff were preparing sandwiches and one vaulted over the counter to threaten the three women while the other remained by the door.

After issuing threats, the offenders then ordered staff to open the safe before stealing a small quantity of cash and leaving the scene on foot in the direction of Harding Close. They ran out of Sayers along Breck Road into an alleyway that leads to Harding Close, where they dropped some of the money.   No weapons were seen during the incident and no-one was injured. 

The first man is described as being white, aged in his mid 30s, around 5ft 7ins tall and of slim build. He had a gaunt face with large distinctive blue eyes and was wearing socks over his hands, along with black tracksuit bottoms with three stripes on them, a black jacket and a black and grey 'Beanie' hat.

The second offender was also white, taller at around 6ft, of medium build and aged in his late 20s or early 30s. He was wearing cream or white coloured pants and a 'Beanie' hat with stripes on it.

Detective Constable Andy Bason, of St Anne Street robbery team, said:- "This was a brazen robbery that left staff extremely upset. It happened at 9am on the day of the Grand National so Breck Road would have been very busy with lots of potential witnesses - people would have been out shopping early or putting a bet on at nearby bookmakers. It is important that anyone who saw these men comes forward with information and I hope that this e-fit jogs people's memories."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Merseyside Police on:- 0151 777 4808 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.

NEXT OF KIN APPEAL - GORDON MILLS

LIVERPOOL Coroners Office are appealing for the next of kin of a man who died on Monday, 19 April 2010.  Gordon F Mills was 67 years when he died at his home on Huskisson Street, Toxteth. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.  The Coroner's Office has been unable to trace Mr Mills' next of kin and is appealing for any relatives to come forward.  Mr Mills is a former artist.  Any next of kin, or anyone who has information about Mr Mills' next of kin, is asked to contact the office of H M Coroner on:- 0151 233 4703.