IN BRIEF
BLEAK HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL , ST HELENS OFFICIALLY OPENS EXTENSION IN HONOUR OF FORMER HEADTEACHER
FLEETWOOD HESKETH SPORTS CLUB AWARDED GRANT
St Helens Council Leader David Baines was among the guests as Bleak Hill Primary School celebrated the official opening of its new complex in honour of a former headteacher , following the completion of a £ 2.5m expansion project .
With ambitions for the Outstanding-rated Hamilton Road school in Windle to become a three-form entry to meet demand for pupil places , St Helens Borough Council ’ s Cabinet approved extension plans in January 2019 , followed by planning permission in February 2020 .
As part of the works , four classrooms have been built – increasing each year group to 90 pupils , along with a new hall and playground as well as 15 spaces for parents to use as a drop-off and collection point .
The new extension area has been named the ‘ Ian Wellens Wing ’; in honour of the school ’ s former headteacher who retired at the end of the summer term after 16 years of loyal service , during which time he retained Bleak Hill ’ s Outstanding status for a long period of time , going the extra mile for every pupil , no matter their needs or challenges .
Commenting on how much of a difference the new space will make , new headteacher Melissa Lawrenson said : " We are delighted to have opened our new early years foundation setting ( EYFS ) building . The children have classrooms and outdoor space that offer a rich , multisensory environment that is meaningful , stimulating and motivating . Over the past few weeks , it has been lovely to welcome our new children and families into Bleak Hill and for them to commence their school journey in the new purpose built EYFS surroundings .”
David Baines , Leader of St Helens Council , said : “ Ian Wellens has served Bleak Hill Primary School and the wider community with distinction and dedication for many years , and he leaves a lasting legacy . His legacy isn ’ t just the fantastic new classroom block , but it ’ s the brilliant staff , the school culture , and most important of all its hundreds of young people who have enjoyed a superb education here thanks to him and the whole school family . Everyone with a connection to the school will miss Mr Wellens very much , but thanks to the foundations he ’ s laid and the example he ’ s set , we know the school will continue to go from strength to strength under Mrs Lawrenson and the fantastic staff team .”
Sefton Council have helped a Southport Sports Club ensure they ' re swinging for success after contributing towards brand new safety netting for their cricket and football offer .
Fleetwood Hesketh Sports Club on Fylde Road , Southport were recently given a grant of nearly £ 20,000 to erect much needed mesh netting to stop wayward cricket balls and footballs from leaving the grounds and hitting road users or neighbourhood properties .
A total of £ 19,978 was granted to the club from Sefton Council ' s Community Transition Fund , which now forms the first stage of a major refurbishment and improvement project the sports club are undertaking .
Bobby Addison , Chairman of Fleetwood Hesketh Sports Club , thanked Sefton Council , saying without the grant they would have been forced to suspend cricket and football at the venue .
Bobby said : " Many residents around Marshside and those who have visited our club will remember our wonderful tree lined boundary with Fylde Road .
" Unfortunately we became aware of a need to remove and replace these trees as they were becoming a health and safety issue . Once these works were complete , we needed a long lasting alternative to protect our neighbours and we approached Sefton Council for help . The council were fantastic and gave us a much needed grant of £ 19,978 which allowed us to purchase and erect the safety netting . Without the council ' s help we may have had to suspend cricket and football at the ground , which would have had a significantly negative impact on our community . This is the first stage of the project and we are now looking to raise funds for a new fence and ball stop netting for our other boundary ."
Cllr Ian Moncur , Sefton Council ' s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing , said : " Fleetwood Hesketh is a wonderful community sporting venue that has been serving Marshside and Southport for nearly a hundred years ! To be able to see the physical benefits of what the Sefton Community Transition Fund can do is incredibly heartwarming and we are delighted that we have been able to play a part in ensuring both cricket and football remains a staple part of what Fleetwood Hesketh offers . The Community Transition Fund has been developed by Sefton Council for this exact reason ; to assist community organisations on a one off basis to ensure their long term success which will be passed onto our residents and neighbourhoods ."
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