Is your local park the best in the UK?

THE Green Flag Award scheme is the UK's national standard for parks and green spaces and is urging everyone to show their support for their local park or green space as voting for the nation’s favourite park reaches the final stages.

The People’s Choice Award is an annual online vote that gives the public the power to decide which one of the 1,290 parks or green spaces flying the Green Flag Award or Community Award this year, should be named the site of the year.

This year 274 parks and green spaces in the North West received the prestigious Green Flag and Community Awards. 256 parks across the region currently fly the Green Flag Award, a sign to everyone that the park is well managed, well maintained, and one of the best green spaces in the country. A further 18 sites have the Green Flag Community Award, which recognises high quality green spaces that are run by the local community and volunteers.

Competition to reach the top spot is already hotting up, with 4,500 votes cast already, so now is the time to ensure your local park or green space gets the recognition it deserves.

Last year two sites in the region featured in the Top 10, including the overall winner Queens Park in Heywood and third place Hare Hill Park in Littelborough. To make sure your local park continues to feature, and to get other sites up there too simply visit:- greenflagaward.org.uk to register your vote. Select your region on our interactive map, find your favourite park or green space and click the ‘vote for this site’ button.

Paul Todd, Green Flag Award scheme manager said:- “We know how important having access to quality parks and green spaces is to the public. The People’s Choice Award gives them the chance to decide which park or green space deserves the accolade of the nation’s favourite.  With 1,290 award-winning sites to choose from competition is fierce so we urge everyone to get voting if they want to see their local park pick up the award.”

Voting for the People’s Choice Award winner closes at midday on Monday, 12 September 2011, and the winner will be announced on the 21 September 2011.

Formby Photo Group's Annual Photo Exhibition

THE exhibition will be held at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Formby (L373HA) on Saturday, 3 September 2011, from 10am to 4pm. Admission 50p which includes tea/coffee/biscuits and a catalogue for the exhibition prints. Admission for Children is free (up to 16 year olds).A DVD presentation of – ‘Formby, Portrait of a Community’ will be available throughout the day in the Jubilee Hall. A limited number of DVD ’s will be on sale at the exhibition Also Snap-It Children’s Photo Club will also be exhibiting their own photos. The event will have over 150 prints on display.

Special evening farewell cruises for Cunard liners

AS part of the Mersey River Festival celebrations, Mersey Ferries are launching 2 special evening sail away cruises to say farewell to Cunard liners Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2, when they visit the city in September 2011.

The new-look river festival, the first since 2005, hosts activities for all the family at the Pier Head, Princes Parade and Albert Dock, Liverpool. Along with the 2 Cunard liners, the festival also includes visits from historic tall ships, P1 Power Boats and much more!

Evening Farewell Cruises to Cunard Liner Queen Elizabeth

On Thursday, 8 September 2011, join us to say farewell to luxury ocean liner Queen Elizabeth during her inaugural visit to Liverpool. Our cruise will depart from Seacombe at 8.15pm and Woodside at 8.30pm when the Mersey Ferry will get a close up view with informative commentary from a Blue Badge Guide, and will also be in a great position to view the pre-departure fireworks, before following the Queen Elizabeth Cruise Liner a short way along the waterfront as she starts her ongoing voyage to Dublin.

Evening Farewell Cruises to Cunard Liner Queen Mary 2

On Thursday, 15 September 2011, Mersey Ferries will be offering a cruise to say farewell to Cunard’s magnificent flagship Queen Mary 2. A slightly later cruise, departing Seacombe at 9.15pm and Woodside at 9.30pm, with a Blue Badge Guide to provide informative commentary on the mind blowing facts and figures surrounding this luxury ocean liner. the Mersey Ferries will also follow her a short way along the waterfront as she leaves for Greenock.

Each cruise duration lasts approximately 1½ to 2 hours. Prices £7 for adults and £4 for children – no concessions. Tickets for viewing cruises can be booked in advance, online, from Mersey Ferries website or at any Mersey Ferry terminal.

Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 Viewing Cruises

Daytime viewing cruises will operate from Seacombe and Woodside terminals on 8 September and 15 September 2011, whilst the liners are berthed at Liverpool’s Cruise Liner Terminal. Viewing cruises will sail close to these magnificent vessels giving passengers fantastic views. A Blue Badge Guide will also give a live commentary at no additional cost.

Tickets for viewing cruises can be booked in advance from Mersey Ferries at:- merseyferries.co.uk or on the day from Woodside & Seacombe terminals. Prices £6.70 for adults, £4 for children, £5 for concessions. For further information visit:- liverpoolonthewaterfront.co.uk/8-15-sept.