Wirral Life Issue 74 | Page 8

IN BRIEF

WIRRAL WELCOMES ITS NEWEST HONORARY ALDERMEN

BIRKENHEAD SCHOOL ’ S INSPIRING TALKS SERIES

Birkenhead School welcomed two headline guests to the School as part of their Inspiring Talks Series in association with Linghams Booksellers in Heswall .

In September , BBC presenter Julia Bradbury , entertained audiences , alongside fellow broadcaster and journalist , Louise Minchin , discussing Julia ’ s new book ‘ Walk Yourself Happy ’. Julia spoke candidly about her passion for walking outdoors and overall wellbeing following her cancer diagnosis in 2021 .

Two long-standing figures on Wirral Council were presented with civic honours on 24th October .

At an extraordinary full Council meeting on 10 July 2023 , members voted unanimously to accept the recommendation that former councillors Dave Mitchell and Tony Smith should be conferred the title of Honorary Aldermen in recognition of their many years of public service . Former Councillor Tony Smith was a Member of the Council from May 1995 , representing Bebington Ward as Labour Party Member and subsequently served as the Member for Upton Ward from 2004 until May 2023 .

Tony first served as Civic Mayor of Wirral in the 2019 / 20 municipal year , which was extended to 2020 / 21 in response to the COVID pandemic . A former teacher and educational psychologist , Tony served as cabinet member for Social Inclusion and Children ’ s Services during his time on Wirral Council .

Former Councillor Dave Mitchell was a Member of the Council from May 1983 until May 2023 , representing Eastham Ward as a Liberal Democrat . He also served as Civic Mayor in the 2013 / 14 municipal year . Dave has also served as Chair of the Planning Committee and as Cabinet member for Highways and Transportation . Other positions he has held include as a member of the Mersey Port Health Authority and the Merseytravel Committee . The law states that nominees for the award must be a person of distinction and / or someone who has , in its opinion , rendered eminent service to the place or area . In addition , Wirral Council has determined that former Members should serve twenty years on the Council ( or a predecessor Council ) to be eligible for nomination .

In tabling the recommendation in favour , the Chair of the Regulatory and General Purposes Committee , Cllr Andrew Hodson , and seconded by Cllr Stephen Bennett , outlined why they felt Dave and Tony were deserving of the honour . Several Councillors made speeches about the two former Councillors and their service as Civic Mayor . Members spoke of the 40 years of continuous service that Dave had given , and his extensive knowledge and dedication to the Licensing process . Members also recalled Tony ’ s service as a retired teacher and educational psychologist , giving him the requisite skills to serve as cabinet member for Children ’ s Services . His service as Civic Mayor for two continuous municipal years was also cited as unique in the history of the Wirral council .

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In October , multi-award winning actor , Richard Armitage , joined the stage to talk about his debut novel , Geneva , in conversation with Crime Writer Clare Mackintosh . Richard , best known for his roles in Peter Jackson ’ s Hobbit trilogy , Captain America and Ocean ’ s 8 , spoke about his career and the opportunities which led to his book . He finished the evening reading excerpts from Geneva and delighted the audience by signing copies of his novel and posing for photographs .

Julia and Richard are the latest guests in Birkenhead School ’ s ‘ Inspiring Talks Series ’ which has seen Jojo Moyes , Lucy Worsley , Rick Stein , Sam Quek and Nisha Katona visit in recent years .

Birkenhead School is holding Open Events and Taster Days for prospective students – see visit . birkenheadschool . co . uk for more information .

WEST KIRBY ENTRANCE TO WIRRAL WAY UNVEILED

A new entrance to The Wirral Way was unveiled on Sunday to mark the 50th anniversary of the official opening of Wirral Country Park .

Fittingly , the Guest of Honour at the ceremony in West Kirby was Terry Robinson , who was appointed in 1969 as one of the first Wirral Country Park Rangers and who was present at the park ’ s official opening in 1973 . The gateway features a steam train , to recognise the trainline that once ran between Hooton and West Kirby . The 12 mile trainline , which closed in 1962 , now forms the backbone of the park and is used by over half a million people each year . The project also saw grass banks reprofiled , extensive resurfacing work and a white picket fence installed . The eye-catching design for the gateway was sketched by Wirral Country Park Manager Jo Hanik and local artist John White and was brought to life by local woodworker Steve Casey using sustainably sourced west African hardwood . The project was carried out in partnership with local groups West Kirby Rotary Club and One West Kirby . The completion of the entrance is the latest set of improvements to mark the park ’ s landmark anniversary . Several kilometers of the Wirral Way have been widened and resurfaced to accommodate the increase in visitors and to improve wildlife diversity , the overflow car-park at Thurstaston has been resurfaced and there have been numerous improvements to the Visitor Centre and surrounding areas , including widening of the cliff-top path . This year has also seen a busy programme of events , including photography and wildflower exhibitions and August ’ s popular ' Imagine Bamboo is Everywhere ' event .