Headlines and reports on this page = 3 news items.    Page - 10.

Library gets green light to develop 'pocket of peace'

UNUSED land at the rear of Birkenhead Library will be transformed into an idyllic reading, health and wellbeing park with the aid of a government grant. The Birkenhead Constituency Committee, in partnership with the Friends of Birkenhead Park and Involve North West, applied for a share of the 'Pocket Park' fund and was successful in securing a £15,000 grant. The Constituency Committee will match that amount meaning that £30,000 will be spent on developing the thin, crescent shaped garden at the back of the library on Borough Road into an attractive, useable space for the benefit of local people. The Birkenhead project was one of 80 around the country to be awarded funding to build a 'Pocket Park' giving residents, who might not have a garden of their own, more space to relax, get together with their neighbours, grow food and provide a safe space for their children to play. At the heart of the plans for the Birkenhead 'Pocket Park' is a plan to build an Informal seated amphitheatre for children's small group shared reading and dramatic interpretation/play. The amphitheatre space will be characterised by bespoke sail cloth 'roofing' to enable it to be used even in wet weather.

Cllr Chris Meaden, Wirral Council cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, said:- "It is really exciting to be able to start proper planning for the pocket park now we have the funding in place. This will be somewhere where people can enjoy relief from the hustle and bustle of daily life; it'll be a green and natural oasis close to the Town Centre. I think it will prove very popular with a range of local people and groups."

Eleanor memorial scheme progresses

PLANS for a memorial to Eleanor Rathbone in a Liverpool park are moving forward. Artists were asked to express an interest in designing artwork to commemorate one of the City’s greatest political figures. A total of 28 expressions of interest were received. After shortlisting, it is intended that, following meetings with local stakeholders, designs will be produced by the end of May and one will be chosen to be made and installed. Eleanor Rathbone was a campaigner for women’s rights and education, and for social justice. She was the first woman to be elected to the city council and in 1929 she was elected as an independent MP for the Combined Universities seat, a position she held until her death in 1946. The artwork will be located in the walled garden of Greenbank Park, formerly the estate of the Rathbone family. Greenbank Councillor Laura Robertson Collins said:- "We are delighted at the level of interest in this commission which reflects the importance of Eleanor Rathbone and her campaigning legacy, and the relevance of her work on refugees and on child poverty to issues today. We look forward to taking forward this project."  The artwork will cost about £10,000 and it is envisaged funding will be met by a number of sources including public subscription.