Wirral Life August 2019 | Page 11

WIRRAL WATERS CELEBRATES THE HIVE’S SUCCESS LEVERHULME SUMMER CYCLE TO BE HELD AT WIRRAL’S BRIMSTAGE HALL A team from Wirral Waters has dropped in to meet young people at The Hive to see how Wirral Youth Zone is transforming the lives of over 4,000 young people. The first ever Leverhulme Summer Cycle will be held at Wirral’s Brimstage Hall in September. Richard Mawdsley, Peel L&P’s director of development at Wirral Waters, and founder patron of The Hive, met with a number of staff, volunteers and young people to take a look around the facilities and experience some of the support and activities offered by The Hive. Wirral Waters, developed by Peel L&P, has provided £75,000 to The Hive over a three-year period since 2017, which has supported running and staffing costs as well as some ground-breaking new projects which tackle some of the issues faced by young people today, including poverty, mental health, disability and anti-social behaviour. As a founder patron, Wirral Waters also helped to launch The Hive’s brand-new business club earlier this month, when Richard Mawdsley addressed local businesses about the Wirral Waters project, the opportunities it presents for local businesses and what to expect on site over the coming months. The Hive is a £6m purpose-built facility, on Bright Street, aimed at young people aged from 8 to 19 and up to 25 years of age for those with disabilities. It also offers young people from across the Wirral access to a wide range of facilities, from sports and arts to music, drama, and employability workshops, at a cost of £5 for an annual membership and 50p per visit. Since it opened in April 2017, The Hive has exceeded all expectations. It has brought down crime and antisocial behaviour in the area and offered a huge range of opportunities to young people. Richard Mawdsley from Peel L&P said: “It was a real privilege to meet some of The Hive’s young people and the staff and volunteers who are making it all possible. The facilities at The Hive are wonderful and it offers a safe, positive and creative environment for young people which is much needed in the area. The Hive is very important to Wirral Waters and we are very proud to be a patron and offer our continued support." The highlight of the event on Sunday, September 22, will be the opportunity for families and friends to explore some of the hidden tracks of the Leverhulme Estate. There will also be a festival in the Brimstage Hall Courtyard with an assortment of stands including food, cycling themed activities and the chance to try out some of the latest e-bikes. The event is being organised by Pedalare, which promotes cycling as a leisure pursuit, and Rethink Now, which works with communities to bring about positive change to people, places and, ultimately, the planet. The Leverhulme Summer Cycle follows on from last year’s successful Leverhulme Grand Prix at Birkenhead Park, which saw top-class professional cycling return to Wirral for the first time in over 50 years. Andy Mills, a director of Pedalare, said: “We are delighted to be working with Rethink Now to put on the Leverhulme Summer Cycle and festival. We hope it will be a fantastic day out for the whole family with the opportunity to get on your bike and explore some of the hidden off-road paths of the Leverhulme Estate being a real attraction.” Ed Lamb, a director of Rethink Now, said: “We are excited to be partnering with Pedalare to deliver this event with particular responsibility for the festival site. There will be something for all the family including refreshments and the opportunity to find out everything you want to know about leisure cycling including the chance to have a go on the latest e-bikes.” Nigel McGurk, of Leverhulme Estate, said: “The Leverhulme Grand Prix was a big success last year with hundreds of spectators turning out to watch professional cyclists as well as amateurs and youngsters compete in a series of races. We are delighted to support Pedalare and Rethink Now in creating the first ever Leverhulme Summer Cycle which comes at the end of Wirral’s Summer of Cycling and the visit of the Tour of Britain.” wirrallife.com 11