Southport & Mersey Reporter - Mobile

Click on here to go to latest edition's main page.

  Search Edition Archive  

Visit our online shop...

   

Click on to go to our hub website.

Latest Edition   Archive   Shop   Email   Mersey Reporter
Please support our advertiser below...

.CLICK TO SEE OUR RECOMMENDED BUSINESSES
 

Weekly Edition - Publication date:- 2017-30-09

-en Southport & Mersey Reporter

Local News Report  - Mobile Page

 

Wirral to host international parks conference

LEADING lights from some of the world's most famous public parks are heading to Wirral, in October, as the borough hosts a major international conference and exhibition.  The World Urban Parks European Congress (WUPEC) comes to Wirral, from 15 October to 19 October 2017, in an event which represents a return home for the urban and municipal parks movement in a significant year of celebration for Wirral's flagship park.  This year is the 170th Anniversary of the opening of Birkenhead Park, that happened in 1847, which is widely acknowledged as the world's 1st municipally funded public park. Designed by Sir Joseph Paxton it is held up as the inspiration for a number of famous parks around the world, including the best known of them all; New York's Central Park.

One of the keynote speakers at WUPEC in Wirral will be Central Park CEO and President, Doug Blonsky. Doug will be giving a presentation entitled:- 'Sustainable Cities, Vibrant Parks' which will explore the theme of this year's conference; a celebration of the heritage of public parks and the role they play in the community, and their contributions to sustainability.

Doug will be speaking on the 1st full day of the congress, on Tuesday, 17 October 2017, at the Floral Pavilion, in New Brighton. Other notable speakers on that 1st day are Professor Robert Lee, the Chair of the Friends of Birkenhead Park, and Gil Penalosa, Chair of World Urban Parks.

The 2nd day of the congress also takes place at the Floral Pavilion and concentrates on the 'sustainability' element of this year's theme. The key note speaker is Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, while representatives from organisations such as the National Trust, the Eden Project and Keep Britain Tidy's Green Flag awards are also lined up to speak on the Wednesday, alongside other speakers from Israel and Washington DC.

Also on the 18th, there is a special symposium taking place celebrating the life and work of Edward Kemp, 200 years after his birth. Kemp worked with Joseph Paxton at Chatsworth House and was the 1st superintendent at Birkenhead Park, and went on to become a designer of parks and landscapes in the North West, such as Hesketh Park in Southport and Flaybrick Cemetery in Birkenhead. Kemp's association with Birkenhead Park is commemorated with a blue plaque at the Visitors' Centre.

The last day of the main congress takes place in Birkenhead Town Hall and aims to develop the 'heritage' theme with speakers including Dr Christy Boylan from Dublin's Phoenix Park, Jan Heeren talking about the Amsterdamse Bos and Birkenhead Park's own Paul Davies.

Cllr Phillip Brightmore, Cabinet member for Environment, said:- "It's a real honour for Wirral to host this renowned international gathering; welcoming specialists in public parks and countryside to our beautiful borough. The World Urban Parks Congress coming to Wirral offers a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase some of our world-famous green spaces, dedicated staff and brilliant volunteers.  Birkenhead Park inspired the public parks movement around the world and it will be interesting to hear just how much things have developed since the Wirral kicked things off in 1847. I'm excited to see local and international experts share good practice and discuss sustainability, keeping public parks a priority for another 170 years and beyond."

Outside of the main congress presentations, delegates will also have the chance to enjoy a range of site visits and tours of important locations including Port Sunlight and Chatsworth House Gardens in Derbyshire. There are also plenty of opportunities for people to network, understand national and international perspectives, support professional development, share best practice and explore innovative solutions.

For the public of Wirral, there is an opportunity to get a feel for what is set to take place during a public open day and exhibition, on Monday, 16 October 2017, at the Floral Pavilion. This is a free event, open to everyone, and at midday on the Monday Wirral's Mayor, Cllr Ann McLachlan, and Dr Anna Steidle, the Chair of the World Urban Parks European committee, will cut a ribbon to officially open the congress.

For details about:- tickets, packages and tours are now available online.

 

News Report Page Quick Flick.

Click on here to go to the mobile menu page for this edition. News Report Page Quick Flick
 

Read this page.

Southport Reporter (R) Bourder


  


 

 

 RSS Our Weekly Headlines

 


(+44)  08443 244 195
Calls to this number may be recorded for security, broadcast, training and record keeping.
 

4a Post Office Ave, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 0US, UK

 

Click on to see our Twitter Feed.  Click on to see our Facebook Page.  Click on to follow our LinkedIn Profile. This website is licence to carry news from Vamphire.com and UK Press Photography. 

This is our media complains system...

We are regulated by IMPRESS, the independent monitor for the UK's press.

How to make a complaint
Complaints Policy
Complaints Procedure
Whistle Blowing Policy

 



Southport Reporter® is the
Registered Trade Mark of Patrick Trollope

...