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Don't Drive On
The Beach!
DID you know that the Road
Traffic Act covers Southport Beach, as do many other rules that say
you can not drive on the beach with out the owners (of the land)
permission, in this case Sefton Council? Sefton Coast and
Countryside Service are responsible for the management of Sefton
Councils' coastal landholdings, so, should you wish to drive on any
section of the beach or dune land outside a designated parking areas
and their access roads, you need to contact them. Sadly we have been
told that in resent months some 4x4 drivers and car drivers are not
following the rules.
On a few editions back we reported that a driver had
driven out on to Southport beach and had become stuck and again, on
28 October we where informed about yet another car that had driven
out and got stuck. These drivers are not only putting their property
at risk, as they are technically not insured if they have driven out
of the designated parking areas, but also put the environment at
risk... The dunes and parts of the Merseyside beach is not only
Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EU Directive, the entire
foreshore is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI),
so bewared! Add to that the Sefton Coast is also a NATURA 2000 area
as one of a network of European sites of importance for nature and
you can see part of the reason why you should not drive out side the
designated areas. Add to this the very important fact that the Dunes
are our natural flood defences, and you can clearly get the picture
as to why it is a major issue. But what is worse still is that they
could easily be endangering the lives of themselves and others! If
you see a motor vehicle that is not Emergency Services, Southport
Lifeboat, RNLI Beach Patrol and Lifeguard Units or marked Sefton
Council, along with the very distinctive Shrimpers, call:- 101 and
inform the Police. Alternatively you can contact Sefton Ranger
Service can be contacted on:- 0151 934 2967, during normal office
hours. Also should you feel that the vehicle is of risk of being
trapped by the sea, call the Coastguard on:- 101. If you feel lives
are in danger call:- 999 and if on the beach ask for Coastguard or
if on the dunes ask for the Police. Remember, do not drive on the
beach outside designated areas. Incidentally did you also know you
require a valid driving license to drive on the beach?
Dog Experts Issue 5 'Firework
Facts' For 5 November
IT is estimated that 45% of
the 8,000,000 UK dog population show fearful behaviour when exposed
to fireworks, something that can be minimised by following 5
'Firework Facts' according to the UK Registry of Canine
Behaviourists (UKRCB).
Lisa Graham, Press Officer for the UKRCB says:- "There are
many things you can do to stop your dog suffering during the
fireworks season. We've concentrated on five key facts to remember
in the short term which will help your dog to cope this Bonfire
Night."
1. Dogs Are Easily Distracted - give your dog something else to
think about before the fireworks begin, for example, a chew treat or
favourite toy. Homoeopathy and dog appeasing pheromones might also
take his mind off the evening.
2. Tired Dog Is A Happier Dog - exercise your dog well that day so
he is tired and has been to the toilet before the fireworks begin.
3. Your Dog Knows Best - let your dog decide where he wants to be in
your house and let him go there. If you have time beforehand make
him a den in the house that he can feel safe in.
4. Dogs Are Best Left Alone; try not to reinforce the fear by
telling him the dog it will be okay, cuddling him etc. if he is
stressing. If you know your dog or new puppy is likely to be
frightened consider staying with them on the night itself.
5. What Your Dog Can't See Or Hear Won't Frighten Him; pull the
curtains and close windows to modify sound and smell of fireworks.
Also consider using music to muffle the sounds outside.
Lisa adds:- "Follow our 5 'Firework Facts' and you'll be
saving your dog from a lot of unnecessary stress and fear this
fireworks season. It's better still to work with your dog throughout
the year to help desensitise him to firework sounds."
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Make Halloween a
treat for Children
PARENT are being urged by
the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) to follow a few simple
safety tips to ensure this Halloween is a treat for their children.
Traditionally, emergency 999 calls to NWAS soar on Halloween, but
the service believes this could be avoided if the public followed
simple safety advice. NWAS is urging parents to ensure they always
accompany children when they are 'trick or treating',
to make sure children carry a torch or glow stick and wear
reflective clothing to make them visible to drivers.
The Trust is advising that well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes
should be worn to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls; children
should learn how to cross the road properly as more accidents happen
in the dark and face paints should be tested on a small area of skin
first to check for irritation.
Director of Operations at NWAS, Derek Cartwright, said:-
"Halloween can be an exciting time for children and young people but
combined with the dark nights and bad weather, children can be
vulnerable to avoidable accidents. Emergency calls to the ambulance
service soar at this time of year. We are urging parents to ensure
their children are safe so they can enjoy the night and ambulances
are free to attend life-threatening emergencies. People should think
before they dial 999 about whether they really need an ambulance.
More appropriate treatment could be available at a minor injuries
unit, walk in centre, GP or Pharmacy."
If you need advice about choosing the right NHS service for your
needs, contact NHS:- 111.
BICYCLE STOLEN IN BURGLARY, RYDAL
AVENUE, FORMBY
MERSEYSIDE Police are
asking for the public's help to track down a valuable bicycle stolen
during a burglary at a house in Formby. Officers were called to
Rydal Avenue on 21 September 2013. At around 1pm, the offenders got
into the garage through an open door whilst the occupants were in
the house and stole a Cube X-Race pro pedal cycle thought to be
worth in excess of £1000. It's described as having drop handlebars
and distinctive wheels with 'Easton' written on them. Anyone who may
have seen it recently, or has been offered a similar bicycle for
sale, is asked to contact Police in Sefton on:- 0151 777 3014 or the
independent Crimestoppers hotline, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.
All bike owners are reminded of the importance of making sure their
bikes are security marked so if they are stolen they can be easily
identified and returned.
Neighbourhood Sergeant Ian Allum explains:- "It
is really important for people to take care of their own home
security. By taking a few simple measures you can significantly
reduce your chance of becoming a victim of crime. If you have a shed
or garage, make sure you lock bikes in it, but also make sure you
padlock them to something secure. You can also think about fitting a
security light as this can scare off would-be thieves. Your local
Police team holds regular property marking and registration events,
so please come along and get your personal property recorded.
Details of these events are available via your local Neighbourhood
Newsletter or the Merseyside Police Force Website."
Formby Christmas Lights Update
 WE
have been told today that the Formby Christmas Lights event will
start at 12pm (Noon) and run up to around 8pm, with the lights being
turned on at 5pm. Also the organisers have room for 2 more stalls,
so if you have a stall you would like to put on at the event, please
you can contact them via emailing:-
patwordley@aol.com.
For more information about Formby Christmas Lights
please visit the events Facebook
Page or pop in to
Woodwards. |
