News in Heswall

One of Heswall's most famous sons has been appointed a UK trade ambassador to Australia.

Ian Botham, Lord Botham, or Baron Botham of Ravensworth, is one of ten parliamentarians given new roles as trade envoys, taking the total number of peers and MPs performing unpaid trade ambassador roles to 36.

This job is described as temporary/full-time, but also long term and ongoing.

Remuneration is £9.32 per hour.

Silk Road on Telegraph Road celebrates its fourth birthday this weekend, and will take the opportunity to mark the occasion by expressing gratitude to the local community for all the support the business has received during lockdown.

The festivities begin on Sunday morning with breakfast for families.

Local community groups which will offer safe and engaging activities for young people are being invited to bid for grants for projects running during the autumn half-term, thanks to Merseyside's Police Commissioner.

Emily Spurrell has announced that she is releasing the first round of funding from her Youth Diversion Fund, using money raised through the Police Property Act which sees money from the sale of unclaimed stolen goods or property recovered by the police which cannot be returned to be diverted into worthwhile causes.

Residents are being asked to "Have Your Say" about COVID-19 and help shape the future priorities of Wirral's Community Champions network.

The voluntary network was launched on 1 September 2020 by Wirral Council to support the need for clear, accurate information, shared by trusted voices, during the pandemic. Since that time more than 600 people have signed up to help keep their communities safe.

Wirral Council's leader has announced the authority is ready to support plans for an Afghan refugee programme in the wake of the fall of the government in Afghanistan and the triumph of the Taliban.

The Taliban have now seized control of the Afghan capital Kabul, and many people, including those who have helped UK and US forces over the last two decades, are in fear of their lives despite reassurances made yesterday by the new regime.

Wirral Council's leader has welcomed the announcement by the Chancellor in yesterday's Budget that Liverpool City Region will be one of eight new Freeport areas.

This will create a regional hub for trade, innovation and commerce and will be an area where normal tax and customs rules do not apply.

A local autism charity had some good news this month with the surprise birth of a baby alpaca at its site in Raby.

Autism Together's animal husbandry team manages a menagerie of animals – with help from the autistic adults the charity supports – including pigs, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs and, of course, alpacas. However, the team had no idea that mum Ali was even pregnant.

Having recently moved back to her hometown of Heswall, former midwife Sara Tindall has set up a new, twice a week group for local mums and their babies.

Parents can meet others, and perhaps make valuable new friends, while their little ones are entertained and stimulated.

Funding is available to help businesses looking to buy an eCargo bike and become more environmentally friendly.

The Energy Saving Trust are offering up to 40% of the cost of new eCargo bikes for businesses who want to go the extra mile and make their travel greener.