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New ideas sought for
Croxteth Hall and Park
AN initiative is getting under way to
secure the future of one of Liverpool's major heritage assets and green spaces.
Organisations are being asked for their views and suggestions on how services
could be developed at Croxteth Hall and Country Park. In particular the council
is looking to hear from organisations which could deliver new activities which
can bring income into the park.
Councillor Steve Munby, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said:- "This is
an engagement exercise with both the private sector and the third sector; community organisations, social enterprises and so on as we have to find new
ways of doing things in light of our financial position.
We have had our budget cut by 58% and the situation is likely to get worse.
Currently, after taking into account income raised there, we have to find £1.2m
a year to run Croxteth Hall and Park. Quite bluntly this situation cannot go on.
We want to see what ideas are out there from people who are prepared to invest
in this facility and attract more visitors to it. We don't want to be
prescriptive but it could involve, for example, finding new uses for the
existing buildings, having new sports provision or leisure facilities.
There is a huge potential for Croxteth to be a much bigger tourist attraction
than it is at present and we will be looking for ways to develop that as well as
making it more attractive to local people. What I want to emphasise is that this
is a public asset and it will remain so. This is emphatically not privatisation
by the back door. The parallel I would draw is that the national parks,
introduced by the Attlee government, have seen income generating activities
added over the years and nobody can say they have been privatised. Our aim is
that eventually it becomes financially self-sustaining and we are looking
forward to hearing some innovative and thought-provoking ideas on how to achieve
that."
Councillor Peter Mitchell, Mayoral Lead for Parks and Open Spaces and Croxteth
ward councillor, said:- "Croxteth Hall and the Country Park are highly
valued by local people as a green space for relaxing, an important place for
wildlife or for the events which take place there. But it has a lot of untapped
potential and we need to exploit that so its future as a public asset is
safeguarded. We need investment which makes the best use of this magnificent
facility for both local people and visitors. I am confident that there are
organisations who can come up with exciting proposals and work in partnership
with the council to make the Hall and Park financially viable and more
attractive."
A number of sessions will be held at Croxteth Hall for interested organisations
to give them a better understanding of what is required to achieve the vision
for Hall and Park.
Fact File...
► Croxteth Hall is a Grade II* listed building, parts of which date back to 1575,
but, with rebuilding, is in effect an Edwardian mansion.
► It was the ancestral home of the Earls of
Sefton until the death of the final Earl in 1972.
► It was then operated by Merseyside County
Council with the City Council taking over its running in 1989
► As well as the Hall other attractions include
Croxteth Home Farm and a Victorian Walled Garden
► At 500 acres the country park is the largest
park in the City and a registered historic park.
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City to remember fallen
on Remembrance Sunday
LIVERPOOL'S Lord Mayor will lead
the annual service of Remembrance on Sunday 8 November at the Cenotaph on St
George's Hall Plateau.
The Band of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, singers Danielle Louise Thomas
and Jack Topping and St Edward's College Senior Choir will perform from
10.40am prior to the start of the service.
At 11am, after the 'Last Post', a firing gun will mark the start of a
2 minute silence across the City, followed by the laying of wreaths at the
Cenotaph.
After the 2 minute silence, thousands of poppy petals will be dropped from
the roof of St George's Hall.
Prayers of thanksgiving and re-dedication will then be said by The Bishop of
Liverpool, The Right Reverend Paul Bayes, followed by the singing of the
National Anthem.
There will then be a short parade and march past, after which individuals
will be invited to lay their own wreaths.
Organisers are advising members of the public that access to the Poppies:-
Weeping Window sculpture at St George's Hall will be extremely limited on
Remembrance Sunday, and that they can see them at any time up until 17
January 2016.
Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Tony Concepcion, said:- "The
service of Remembrance and Dedication Service is a chance for the city to
come together and pay our respects to the men and women who lost their lives
fighting for our freedom. It is crucial that we never, ever forget the
sacrifices made by others during times of conflict for the freedoms we often
take for granted. Remembrance Sunday gives us the chance to take a moment to
think of those who paid the ultimate price and are no longer with us.
It is really important that people wear a poppy with pride, and show their
support for our service personnel, their families and friends and the hard
work and dedication of the Royal British Legion."
A specially produced silent film made by Welton Media will be shown on the
giant Lime Street media wall operated by Ocean Media on Sunday 8 November,
telling the story of Liverpool's involvement in World War One, featuring
photographs of local people and their role in the war effort.
Stuart Welton, Managing Director of Welton Media, said:- "We feel
really privileged to be involved with this event. To help honour all of the
fallen on Remembrance Day is the very least that we can do. It is important
that people remember all of the sacrifices that have been given in order to
live our lives the way we do today."
The service, commentary for which will be provided by BBC Radio Merseyside's
Roger Phillips, will also be shown on a large screen so everyone attending
the event can see it, regardless of where they are on the Plateau.
Road Closures...
► Please note that on Sunday, 8 November 2015, the following road closures will be
in place:-
► William Brown Street (6am
to 1pm)
► Lime Street from London Road to Ranelagh Street (9.30am
to1.00pm).
► St John's Lane and St George's Place between Old Haymarket and Lime Street
(9.30am to 1.00pm).
► Skelhorne Street between Bolton Street and Lime Street (9.30am
to 1.00pm).
► Part of London Road near Lime Street may be closed for a time depending on
crowd numbers.
► Access to the Holiday Inn Hotel and St John's
Car Park will be from Skelhorne Street / Bolton Street. |
