Formby Civic News

The Formby Civic Society Newsletter Registered Charity no. 516789

Altmouth Pumping Station Crisis by Desmond Brennan August 2010

Inside this issue:

Planning Mat- 3 ters

Altmouth Centenary Fly- 5 past Pumping Sta- tion, 25th July; Wildlife Notes 6 photo Jack Gore

Lighthouse site 8 Following sustained heavy rainfall throughout Tuesday, 20 July and visit continuing into the early hours of the following day, one of the two remaining diesel storm pumps at the Altmouth pumping station failed Historic Environ- 8 midmorning on the 21st. ment Planning Seven hours earlier, the embankment of the R. Alt at Lunt Meadows Images go on- 9 had been breached, causing flooding of farmland in the vicinity; fortu- line! nately, no residential premises were affected. Ironically, the breach Art Group Re- 10 helped to reduce the maximum flow rate at the pumping station and a port further providential factor relieving the stress at the station was the high tide at 03.27 on the Wednesday was only 1.26 metre and there was no Margaret 10 storm surge. (N.B. The highest astronomical spring tide is 6 metre and Merrick a storm surge could add a further 2 metre.). Conquest Art 11 From my many reports in the Society‟s Newsletter, regular readers will know that for the past two years we have been engaged with the Envi- First Librarian 11 ronment Agency (EA) over the very poor condition of the pumping sta- tion and the inadequacy of the specification for the refurbishment of the station. As matters stood prior to 21 July, there were just two of the Future Meetings 12 four original diesel storm pumps remaining; no. 4 was thought to be the more reliable, but it was the one that failed; no. 1 continued operational Information is sought on throughout the storm, very probably because it was being run at re- the history of Formby duced power on account of its known poor condition. The diesel storm Lawn Tennis Club. Their archivist, Peter Col- pumps each had a rated capacity when new of 20 cu. metre/sec; a total linson, is keen to have flow rate through the station of 60 cu. metre/sec is required to provide information pre 1933 on the promised protection against a one in fifty year historical storm 01704 - 830196 or by email pncol- event. Continued p. 2…... [email protected] Altmouth Pumping Station Crisis continued from p. 1

tion target date of March 2011 is met The pump and, after being so long without it, we that failed -the can again enjoy the promised stan- drive to the dard of protection, which requires all impellor is in four electric storm pumps and all four the fore- dry weather flow pumps to be opera- ground.; tional. photo Jack Concerning the breach at Lunt Mead- Gore ows, the EA have not restored the embankment to its former condition; instead, they have created what is in effect a weir at the site of the breach. They have done this by using rock It is only by good fortune that the required for the hire of the mobile infill capped by clay reinforced with pumping station was not without any generator, but we believed it was matting and finished to a lower level serviceable storm pump during the unacceptable that this community‟s than the rest of the embankment. At storm. Had no. 1 storm pump been flood protection should be dependent times of heavy rainfall, this arrange- being driven harder, it too could well for a considerable period on just one ment will release water onto the sur- have failed. Also, had the timing of electric pump, of capacity 13.5 cu. rounding land, thereby giving a meas- the installation in position no. 2 of the metre/sec, and a diesel storm pump ure of relief at the Altmouth pumping first of the new electric storm pumps that was having to be operated at re- station at times of high stress. been a little different, the intake to duced power and was liable to break While we accept that this form of no. 1 storm pump might have been down at any time. For this reason, we repair as a temporary measure is sen- closed. This is because storm pumps wrote to Mr. Bill Esterson, our new sible under present circumstances, we no. 1 and no. 2 share a common in- member of parliament, urging him, as fear it could become a semi- take, so work involving water flow in a matter of urgency, to press the EA permanent arrangement. In August either one of them requires shutdown to give priority to the installation of a 2006, the EA received planning per- of the other, and similarly for pumps second electric pump (at position no. mission for a flood storage pool in no. 3 and no. 4). Fortunately, the in- 3) and for it, like the pump in posi- the Lunt Meadows area; it was de- stallation in position no. 2 of the new tion no. 2, to be powered directly by signed to have continuous flow electric pump had just been com- mobile generator. That way, we throughout the washland area so as to pleted, so that the original diesel would have two reliable electric avoid water stagnation and the con- pump in position no. 1 was back in storm pumps operational while the comitant possibility of disease carry- service at the time of the storm, albeit remainder of the refurbishment work ing insect infestation. Unfortunately, at reduced power. is carried out; this is still only a mod- even before it received planning per- est provision of protection, but it is The EA‟s response to the crisis was mission, the scheme had failed to the best that is practicable under the to bring a hired mobile diesel electric receive EA approval and, ever since, circumstances. generator on site to supply power there has been serious doubt in our directly to the newly installed electric Mr. Esterson‟s response has been minds that such a scheme will ever pump and to reschedule the refurbish- prompt and effective; a second new come to fruition. NW EA managers ment programme. They intended to electric pump has now been installed are very strongly in favour of a flood put on hold the installation in position in position no. 3 and is in service storage scheme and they assured us no. 3 of the second electric storm along with the pump in position no. that the scheme would be completed pump and to bring forward the instal- 2; both are being powered by mobile at the same time as the refurbished lation of the new switchgear so they generator. We are very grateful to pumping station was commissioned. would be able to commission the new Mr. Esterson for his intervention; we Indeed, their specification of the re- on-site standby generator, already in are also appreciative of the speed furbished station was based on that position, as soon as possible. They with which the EA managers re- assumption, despite their having no also have on site the new transformer, scheduled the programme of work at reliable understanding of how flows so that, with the switchgear in place, the pumping station at Mr. Esterson‟s at the pumping station would be af- they would be able to obtain power instigation in what is a complex op- fected were such a washland in exis- from the Scottish Power network just eration (there are currently five dif- tence and despite the fact that the as soon as the high voltage power ferent contractors operating at the scheme was not being progressed cable is connected. site). We must hope now that the through the EA bureaucracy at a This scheme would have minimized work of refurbishment proceeds with- meaningful rate. EA costs by minimizing the time out any holdups so that the comple- Continued p.3……….

Page 2 Formby Civic News Planning Matters by Desmond Brennan

Yet again, it is all change in the world to block so-called garden grabbing, Local Authorities considered it to be of planning. The coalition govern- which it highlighted as a significant of importance, mainly in outer ment has issued a succession of state- problem. The term “garden grabbing” London and the South East, whereas ments announcing its intentions to is emotive and prejudicial in that it the majority across the rest of the scrap key elements of the planning plays to most people’s appreciation of country, including Sefton, did not. structure put in place by the previous very large back gardens as making a The new PPS3 contains just two administration, but it has not ex- valued contribution to the amenity changes of policy, viz. the removal of plained in any detail what the new and environmental quality of an area. garden land from the category structures will be. The result has been However, the problem is more com- brownfield land and the removal of an much confusion, conjecture and anxi- plex than that. There is a pressing indicative value of 30 dwellings per ety for both developers and planners need for new housing; while just how hectare (dph) as a minimum alike. However, the refrain heard in much, of what type and where is a development density; all the many all the announcements is the govern- matter for debate (see Planning Matters references to Regional Planning ment’s wish to empower local commu- in the Society’s Newsletter for Febru- Bodies and RSSs remain unchanged, nities, so organizations like ours must ary 2010). What is certain is land for despite the government’s declared be ready to engage constructively in houses needs to be found and that intention to abolish both. Most peo- any new opportunities to influence cannot be done without some envi- ple welcome the removal of gardens decision making. ronmental damage and loss of amen- from the brownfield category because The government will disband the Re- ity; the general consensus is that it is their inclusion there distorted the gional Authorities (4NW for our re- better that that land should be within statistics on the extent to which land gion), the Regional Development existing urban boundaries rather than once occupied by abandoned or de- Agencies and the Regional Govern- in the Green Belt. molished premises, often contami- nated, had been brought back into ment Offices (the Government Office Further, an earlier study, commis- beneficial development. In a report to of the North West in our region); to sioned by the Department of Commu- the Council’s Planning Committee for do this will require legislation, so nities and Local Government (DCLG) is meeting on 21 July, Sefton’s Plan- these bodies continue to exist for the and published in January 2010, had ning Director concluded that decision time being, but now severely crippled. shown that inappropriate building on making in Sefton according to policy However, two changes have already garden backland is not a widespread would be not be significantly changed been made, viz. the Regional Spatial or growing problem. A minority of Strategies (RSSs) have been revoked by the new PPS3. and an amended Planning Policy The Director stated planning officers Statement 3 (PPS3) Housing has been organizations like ours must be would continue to assess proposals for issued. ready to engage constructively in garden backland development accord- In issuing the amended PPS3 in June, any new opportunities to ing to the criteria set out in the the government said its intention was influence decision making. Sefton’s Unitary Development Plan, Continued p. 4………..

Altmouth Pumping Station Crisis continued from p. 2

Currently, computer modelling stud- the foreseeable future. With the re- serve our view on that issue and in- ies of the whole Alt-Crossens catch- medial work at Lunt Meadows, there tend to keep the matter under obser- ment are in progress, and they will is now a danger that the EA will fur- vation. Finally, the breach at Lunt include a properly designed flood ther lower the priority assigned to the Meadows has heightened our concern storage area at Lunt Meadows; the washland scheme. If that were to be about the stability of the Downhol- modelling report is due towards the the case, it would make Lunt Mead- land embankment (please see Plan- end of this year. So even on an opti- ows an ad hoc flood storage area. ning Matters in the last edition of mistic view, if normal EA procedures The EA have given assurances that, Society‟s Newsletter). I have been are followed, it will be some years because the area is already artificially informed by the EA that their con- yet before a washland could be func- drained, flooding from time to time sultants have now reported on the tional; if matters remain as they are would not be problem either for those condition of the embankment, but and given the present financial diffi- who farm the land and those who live their own staff will not be able to culties, it has become even less likely nearby; they claim there would not be assess the report before September. that the scheme will be approved in a water stagnation problem. We re-

Formby Civic News Page 3 Planning Matters continued from p.3 viz. principally neigbourhood charac- Policy Guidance and Statements by Whitehall of responsibility for inward ter, density, (developments below 30 less detailed guidance in the form of a investment, sector leadership, dph. have never been excluded), street National Planning Framework. So the responsibility for business support, scene, access, distances to neighbour- way forward is still very unclear, but it innovation, and access to finance, ing properties, overlooking and re- is to be hoped that, to be judged such as venture capital funds, and spect for Tree Preservation Orders. sound, an LDF or whatever replaces it there is a fear that distribution of the The Director reported statistics show- will have to conform to a strong data- European Regional Development ing that past decisions made according base of evidence and that there is suf- Fund could also go to the centre. to these criteria had, in the main, ficient detail in government planning Local leaders have until 6 September withstood very well the scrutiny by policy for conflicts of interest to be to tell the government how they will inspectors when appealed to The Plan- resolved within the framework of pol- come together in an LEP. Their task is ning Inspectorate. However, on the icy rather than in the Courts. Because made all the harder by the absence of agenda of the same meeting of Plan- of the disruption resulting from the information on the powers LEPs will ning Committee was an application revoking of the RSSs, a large housing have or how LEPs will be financed; for a development in a back garden of developer is seeking judicial review of Grant Shapps, minister for Housing premises in Ainsdale which was the the government’s decision and the and Local Government, has indicated subject of a large, but orderly, demon- House of Commons Select Commit- that Councils can expect to get only a stration by residents opposed to the tee for the DCLG is conducting an fraction of the funds currently allo- proposal who crowded into the com- investigation into it. cated for administration of the Re- mittee room, several displaying post- Even more dramatic than the revoking gional Planning Bodies and they ers. The application found no support of the RSSs are the government’s deci- should expect to have to bear some of among the Councillors who robustly sions to dispense with the Regional the administrative costs themselves. rejected the Officer Report which Authorities, the Regional Develop- Clearly, there will be much turmoil recommended approval of the applica- ment Agencies and the Regional Gov- before the new structure for making tion. The predominant sentiment was ernment Offices. They are to be re- and executing policy at regional and that the wishes of neighbouring resi- placed by Local Enterprise Partner- sub-regional level is in place. To con- dents should prevail, in keeping with ships (LEPs), which it is anticipated clude, I will describe briefly two novel the government’s intention of foster- will become functional in 2012. An planning policies whose impact would ing grassroots decision making; the LEP will be an association of Councils be specifically local. decision contrasts with the approval The Community Right to Build policy by Planning Committee last October will allow a community group, which of an application for a comparable there will be much turmoil before the has come together as a corporate en- development at 73 & 75 Kirklake tity, to proceed with a development Road, Formby. new structure for making and executing policy at regional and sub-regional proposal provided it can achieve 80- The revoking of RSSs will have a ma- level is in place 90% approval in a local referendum; jor impact on the formulation of plan- the Council would be responsible for ning policy and planning decisions. the referendum, but the local group Our Local Planning Authority, like and business leaders, and be chaired would pay for it. Who would be al- many others, is currently formulating by a prominent business leader; their lowed to vote and how they would be its Core Strategy and the other docu- purpose is to rebalance the economy informed about the proposal has yet ments which comprise the Local De- towards the private sector and at the to be worked out. The group would be velopment Framework (LDF). All same time to give greater opportuni- permitted to use a property developer these documents were required to ties for local decision making. Within if it wished, but it is to be hoped that conform to the policies set out in the the remit of LEPs will be planning the legislation will be tightly enough RSS for the NW Region, but, now the and housing, local transport and drawn to prevent a property developer RSS is no more, there is a policy vac- infrastructure priorities, employment using a local group! A formal planning uum. Indeed, some Councils (but not and enterprise and the transition to application would not be necessary, Sefton) declared they had stopped the low carbon economy; they will be but the scheme would have to be vet- work on their emerging LDFs, but expected to encourage small business ted by the Local Authority; how this is Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for start-ups and to work closely with to be done also has yet to be worked the DCLG, has told them they must universities and further education out, but presumably a minimum re- continue. However, the government colleges and, where appropriate, to quirement would be that the proposal has also said it intends to replace foster tourism. However, there is a would have to be consistent with the LDFs by simpler local plans; it also concern that local autonomy will be local plan. Grant Shapps has said he intends to replace national Planning seriously impaired by the return to envisages the measure would be used

Page 4 Formby Civic News Centenary fly-past at Freshfield - by Reg Yorke

Compton Paterson in his ‘Curtis biplane’ Melly’s Bleriot monoplane

On Friday 14th May, a milestone in RAF Woodvale and flew along the Tony Corfield, head of tourism at Merseyside’s aviation history was coastline to mark the occasion. They Sefton Council, said: “We are very marked by a celebratory fly-past over included a 1943 Harvard Mark III, a proud of our aviation links in Sefton Formby Point by a group of vintage 1948 Piper Vagabond and a 1946 and the organised fly-over marked planes as part of a special ceremony Piper J3 Cub. the occasion in style. Early flights held at RAF Woodvale . The centen- like the ones made by Compton ary event was organised by Formby The fly-past was witnessed by chil- Paterson in Freshfield helped set the Civic Society, National Trust, South- dren from primary schools in tone for future developments in the port Air Show, Sefton Council, Man- Formby and Freshfield who took aviation industry”. chester Science and Industry Mu- part in a kite-making competition seum, RAF Woodvale organised by the National Trust. Howard Carby, station commander and Southport Shore at RAF Woodvale, added: Interest Group to cele- “We enjoy our close links brate the 100th anniver- with the community and sary of pioneer pilot C. we were both proud and Compton Paterson’s privileged to be a part of first flight from Fresh- this celebration.” field shore in his Curtiss biplane – making him The Centenary will again the first man to take to be celebrated at this year’s the skies on Merseyside. Southport Airshow in September. Seven vintage planes left 1948 Piper ‘Vagabond’, photo Jack Gore

Planning Matters continued from p .4 mainly to provide homes shops, busi- said the government would match for local plan, nor how a local community nesses or facilities in the countryside. six years the council tax revenues on might assert its opposition to new To prevent overdevelopment, expand every new home built (with up to housing in its area against a Council the size of the community by more 125% for affordable homes); in a incentivized in this way. than 10% over any 10 year period. recent letter to Councils, however, the minister is no longer specific about As usual, please note that information The other local policy is the New the size of benefit. The benefit would about the Society’s submissions to the Homes Bonus scheme whereby the be available to be spent as the Council Council’s Planning Department government is seeking to encourage sees fit, but there would be no new concerning planning applications is new house building by paying a government money for grants to local available on the Society’s website. Council a substantial benefit for every Councils. It is unclear at the moment new home it allows to be built in its how this policy would sit with a area. When the policy was first an- Council’s responsibility to ensure that nounced on 9 August, Grant Shapps development is consistent with its

Formby Civic News Page 5 Wildlife Notes by Dr Phil Smith

May about 22,400 of these nationally Environment Agency finally got “Near Threatened” plants. The round to issuing a statement, admit- meadow grasses had hardly grown at ting what wildlife watchers, farmers all so the orchids, although much and gardeners already knew – that the shorter than normal, stood proudly spring drought was the longest in above the sward, showing off their living memory (actually since 1929!). spectacular colour-forms, from white Certainly, I have never seen the to deepest-purple. Several other in- dunes so dry and we are lucky there teresting flowers included the best haven‟t been more large fires. Nev- ever show of Cowslips on the ranges ertheless, most of our local wildlife and we also spotted a Short-eared seems to have coped well with the Owl. extreme conditions. Early in the month, I came across two A highlight of the month was a White-tailed Plover large colonies of one of our less com- guided visit to Birkdale Green Beach st No significant rainfall between 2nd mon plants, the Slender Spike-rush on 21 with the Frodsham Natural- April and 28th May meant the Sefton (Eleocharis uniglumis) at Crosby ists. In view of the drought, we were Coast experienced the longest spring Marine Park, a new locality for it. I lucky to find two adult Natterjack drought in living memory, with con- therefore decided to look for this spe- Toads living up to their old vernacu- siderable effects on gardens, the cies elsewhere on the coast and, by lar name “the running toad”. How- countryside and wildlife. Last year the end of May, had found and docu- ever, even flat-out, they wouldn‟t was bad enough for Natterjack Toads, mented 21 patches of it, many of have caught the speedy Northern but it looks as though there will be a them on Birkdale Green Beach. Be- Dune Tiger Beetles which were a complete breeding failure in 2010, cause of its similarity to the Com- “first” for most of the group. In with every dune-slack bone dry by mon Spike-rush (E. palustris), this damper areas, sheets of colourful the third week of May. Other crea- plant has been much overlooked in marsh-orchids were a joy to behold; tures benefited, however, with sun- the past, these new records represent- we identified four species: Early, loving Northern Dune Tiger Beetles ing a considerable increase in the Southern and Northern Marsh- appearing in unprecedented numbers. known distribution of a “Species of orchids and the closely related Com- By the end of the month, I had re- Conservation Importance in North mon Spotted-orchid. I was also able corded 190 individuals of this nation- West England.”. to point out some of the less spec- ally rare species during my walks in May 2010 will also live long in the tacular, but rarer, members of the the dunes. Some butterflies also did memory of local bird-watchers. It flora, such as the Baltic Rush and well with a big hatch of Common started well, when my visit to another “northern” plant, Saltmarsh Blues and more Walls and Small Marshside on 1st was rewarded with Flat-sedge. One of the members Heaths than I have seen for some great views of a Long-billed drew my attention to a pink flower- years. Cold nights slowed the ap- Dowitcher, an American wader spike which from a distance looked pearance of dragonflies; however, a which had been around on the Ribble like an orchid but which, on closer st th warm spell between 21 and 24 , for a while but which had just examination, proved to a new plant followed by much-needed rain on moulted into its glorious russet breed- for the Sefton Coast: Common Bis- th 29 , led to a big emergence of ing plumage. However, even better tort (Persicaria bistorta). This spe- th Broad-bodied Chasers. On 30 , 18 was to follow on 23rd, when Seaforth cies is more normally seen in the of these beautiful insects were shel- Nature Reserve hosted a colourful hilly eastern parts of our region. tering from a cool breeze in the lee of Wilson’s Phalarope, also from A nearby dune-slack added more Alder bushes on Birkdale Green North America. Finally, on 27th, a orchids to our list, including Bee, Beach. A few years ago, such a sight- White-tailed Plover appeared at Pyramidal and Marsh Helleborine, ing would have been unheard of, but Seaforth, only the sixth British record while other choice plants here were this is one of several dragonflies that of this almost mythical bird which the uncommon Variegated Horsetail have invaded our region from the breeds in Central Asia. I hardly ever and Greater Tussock-sedge. A small south in recent times. take bird photographs but this was so pond, still holding water, attracted May is usually an excellent month for close to the hide that even my rather several dragonflies, including a stun- wild flowers. The drought had an limited equipment was adequate to ning male Emperor which, unusually impact but, fortunately, our duneland the task. for this hyperactive species, posed for photographs. flora is resilient. Thus, the well- June attended annual guided walk to Alt- In my May notes, I mentioned a sur- th car Rifle Range on 14 to see the Flaming June lived up to its reputa- vey of one of our least known plants, tion this year with rain falling on only Green-winged Orchids was re- the Slender Spike-rush. warded with a record number of five days and in small quantity. The

Page 6 Formby Civic News

Completing the study during the in recent years, perhaps partly due to major problem here. We have organ- month, I found 45 patches of this m lower public pressure, these dunes ised a student project which will col- having been fenced off by their pri- lect information on its distribution vate owner in 2007 and rate of spread, with the aim of guiding future management. July. United Utilities‟ introduction of a Maike was particularly interested to hose-pipe ban on 9th July led inevita- see the famous shingle beach at bly to the “Great Drought” ending in Hightown. Here, erosion of a tipped the middle of the month; it soon be- rubble embankment has produced a came a distant memory as frequent unique habitat of water-worn bricks, spells of rain came in from the Atlan- colonised by such typical shingle tic. Parts of Birkdale Green Beach plants as Yellow-horned Poppy, reflooded, with Natterjacks Toads Sea-kale and Rock Samphire. We calling on the unusually late date of also found an abundance of another 23rd July. As in July 2007, they must regionally rare plant – Ray’s Knot- ainly coastal species; not bad when have spawned because I found lots of grass. Vegetated shingle is a rare you consider that the New Atlas of the baby tadpoles on the 31st in shallow habitat in Northwest England, merit- British & Irish Flora, published in water at the Ainsdale end of the ing conservation throughout Europe. 2002, has only one (pre-1970) record Green Beach. for Sefton. This apparent recent in- One of our most beautiful duneland crease is probably due to the develop- Following an early emergence in late flowers, the Sea Bindweed ment of new habitat near the sea, June, our most important duneland (Calystegia soldanella) has been especially on Birkdale Green Beach butterfly, the Dark Green Fritillary, highlighted for special study by the where 34 patches were recorded. reached unprecedented numbers, ap- Lancashire Wildlife Trust‟s Endan- Almost all the places that the plant pearing in areas where they have gered Plants Group. Pat Lockwood has colonised are of relatively recent rarely been seen before. Rachael and I therefore monitored six colo- origin, providing the open conditions Parks contacted me to report four nies on the Sefton Coast during July. that it likes. I also revisited the only sightings in her Formby garden We already knew the whereabouts of “old” slack where Slender Spike-rush where, in past years, she has recorded five of them but not one on Ainsdale is known in the Birkdale Sandhills, only one. My visit to Ainsdale dunes Local Nature Reserve which was cutting my way in through dense Sea- on 11th was rewarded by the sight of originally found in 1949. By coinci- buckthorn scrub with secateurs. dozens of these spectacular orange- dence, Maike Isermann came across However, the effort was worth it be- and-black butterflies zooming around it during her researches and provided cause the plant was still there and, at high speed, posing for photographs us with a grid reference. First re- nearby, acquaintance was renewed on thistles, brambles and knapweed, corded on the dunes here in 1801, with the only clump of Black Bog- together with Commas, Gatekeep- Sea Bindweed was familiar to sev- rush in South Lancashire, discovered ers, Meadow Browns and Small eral 19th century writers but, by the by the late Neil Robinson and me in Skippers and the first Graylings of 1960s, had become “very rare”. For- 1977. Back then, it was only a foot the summer. A nearby pond produced tunately, it has survived and may across; now the clump is about eight seven species of dragonflies, includ- even be increasing, several new times bigger but still on its own. ing an early Ruddy Darter. Sefton Coast colonies having been Finally, Patricia Lockwood and I discovered in recent years. counted the three Sefton Coast colo- During June and July, Liverpool nies of one of our most important Hope University hosted a visit by the July is often a quiet period for bird- plants, the Isle of Man Cabbage. coastal ecologist Dr Maike Isermann watchers but seabirds were already Confined to sand-dunes in southwest from Bremen, studying the effects of on the move before the month‟s end, Scotland, northwest England and scrub removal on the sand-dunes. I with a sizeable shore roost of about south Wales, it occurs nowhere else had the pleasure of showing Maike 180 Sandwich Terns and 550 Com- in the world. Numbers are holding some of our best dune areas, includ- mon Terns at Ravenmeols on 28th up well at Crosby Marine Park and ing many plants and animals that and at least 185 of the former species Hall Road, Blundellsands, but the were new to her. It was especially at Ainsdale three days later. It was Southport Marine Lake population valuable to get her opinion on the good to see so many juvenile Sand- has crashed from several hundred potential problem of Japanese Rose wich Terns with the flocks, indicating individuals to only nine. This plant is (Rosa rugosa), a garden-escape a good breeding season known to prefer open, sandy condi- which has become seriously invasive tions but its habitat west of the lake on sand-dunes in Germany and Den- has become more heavily vegetated mark and seems about to become a

Formby Civic News Page 7 A visit to the site of the old Formby Lighthouse.

Archaeology‟. now, but it once had great signifi- Together with cance for the tricky navigation of the maritime histo- Mersey, being constructed in con- rian Mike Stam- junction with Liverpool‟s first en- mers and archae- closed Dock to improve safety of ologist ,Mark navigation of the ever-changing Mer- Adams, we were sey channels and having close links then able to dis- with nearby Formby Lifeboat Station, cuss the history (Britain‟s First). of this structure, Altcar Rifle Range have now The visiting group on site at Altcar, photo Jack Gore once described as erected a wooden site marker and the “Methuselah assembled a collection of photos. All Being within the perimeter of the of local nautical structures” visitors enjoyed hearing a little about Altcar Rifle Range, the site of this old The Lighthouse was erected in 1719 the significance of the site, and no lighthouse on the bank of the Alt is and demolished in 1941; for most of less the hospitality extended. normally “out of bounds” to the pub- the 220 years that it stood overlook- It is likely that the remains of the lic and now almost completely for- ing the Mersey approaches, it was gotten. With the kind permission of building‟s foundations, which lie simply a 120 ft tall unlit brick land- buried may be excavated at some Major WJ Hunter MBE, BM, TD, the mark but for two relatively short peri- Camp Commandant, the Society was future date, possible under the aegis ods was converted to a lighthouse. It of the Sefton Coast Landscape Part- able to arrange for 35 interested visi- was demolished in 1940 because it th nership Scheme. tors to visit the site on Sunday 25 was too useful a landmark for Ger- July as part of the Council of British man bombers heading for Liverpool Reg Yorke Archaeology‟s „Festival of British so there is nothing to be seen

PPS5; Planning for the Historic Environment by Desmond Brennan

A Planning Policy Statement (PPS) is historic environment; it was pub- exceptional circumstances may harm a statement of government policy lished in March 2010 by the Depart- to or loss of a heritage asset be con- and, while it does not have the force ment for Communities and Local templated. Further, PPS5 protects of statute, it is an important material Government (DCLG) after a consul- against deliberate neglect of or dam- consideration in any process relating tative process. It seeks to achieve an age to a heritage asset with the inten- to a planning decision and it may not integrated approach to the preserva- tion of furthering the possibility of be disregarded except under explic- tion of historically significant assets redevelopment of the site; it states itly justified exceptional circum- and, to that end, it replaces specifically that deterioration brought stances; it is also a very significant PPG15: Planning and the Historic about in this way is to be disregarded document in influencing the develop- Environment (published by the when the decision is made whether or ment of planning policy by Local DCLG in 1994) and not to permit redevelopment. Planning Authorities (LPAs). The PPG16: Archaeology and Planning PPG5 has been warmly welcomed for PPS has superseded the Planning (published by the DCLG in 1990). In its holistic view of what constitutes a Policy Guidance (PPG), which is a addition, PPS5 is supported by a heritage asset, which now includes less authoritative document, al- Practice Guide published jointly by landscapes, and even parks and gar- though, in practice, case law has con- the DCLG, the Department for Cul- dens, in addition to buildings, monu- ferred on the PPG a significance ture, Media and Sport and English ments and specific sites. It is also no much greater than the term guidance Heritage. longer necessary for there to be a would seem to imply. In 2008, there The fundamental premise of PPS5 is formal designation (listing or sched- was the prospect of a Heritage Pro- a presumption in favour of the con- uling as a monument); it now suffices tection Bill, but the draft Bill was servation of a heritage asset and that for there to be expert assessment to dropped despite strong all-party back- every possible means of preserving establish the significance of an asset ing and a weaker document, in the the asset must be purposively ex- in epitomizing local character and form of PPS5, has taken its place. plored; wherever possible, heritage sense of place. Particularly to be wel- PPS5: Planning for the Historic Envi- assets are to be put to an appropriate comed is the requirement that LPAs ronment sets out national planning and viable use that is consistent with Continued on opposite page…... policies for the conservation of the their conservation and only in very

Page 8 Formby Civic News FCS Images go on line! by Reg Yorke

On behalf of the Society, Tony Bon- places change, revealing the key Liverpool website under „Our City‟ ney has arranged for 2165 images events that shaped Merseyside‟s his- http:// from our main archive to be uploaded tory. Visitors will be able (digitally) www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ to the digital image website Flickr at peel back layers of historic maps, mol/galleries/our_city.aspx http://www.flickr.com/photos/ discover archaeological finds or im- This is where people can geo-tag a portant buildings and even explore formbycivicsociety/sets/ place on Flickr which has special our natural history - searching by These are contained in folders (Flickr relevance to them writing a short place, time or theme. Some of the description on why it is special and call them Sets) for each location to themes include archaeological and allow for ease of searching. Flickr adding a drawing and/or images of geological sites of regional impor- that place. http://www.flickr.com/ also has an excellent search engine tance, historic buildings and struc- groups/ourcityliverpool/pool/map? not only within our own area but tures, natural history, parks and open mode=group throughout the site. For example en- spaces, people, street-names, music tering „cockle cottage Formby‟ will and sporting venues. We hope to provide the Museum bring up our 3 images. with information about places in We hope to provide very specific our locality – linked to the list of Each image has an (at present) an information relating to our local area themes listed above. empty „comments box‟ but we are including : historic (listed) buildings slowly adding short „captions‟. A or other structures, interesting street- Each site or point of interest will user, (if registered with Flickr), may names, including the origin of the need to be geo-referenced to 12 fig- add further comments. name and period, memorials ures, using the numeric National Grid We still have well over 1,000 addi- (including heritage plaques; well- references (e.g. easting‟s 331390; tional images, including the Sibley known local people, either historic or northing‟s 389123). sketches/watercolours, to add but feel contemporary, who have an interest- Obviously detailed National Grid that the 700 Sibley sketches should ing story related to them, sporting references can be found from large- be in a separate folder (Set) rather and music venues, parks and open scale maps, but it can also be done than included in the present folders. spaces including squares and ceme- using a Global Positioning System teries Statistics from Flickr record device, or web software (such as Pro- 802 viewsers since the 25th June Special Place is a community project Map). when we registered. Not a bad start. already set up on National Museums Mapping Interactive will enable ac- Google has indexed some of the first cess to a wide range of data, on a images uploaded and we hope more variety of topics through one easy means, be image rich and easy to will be included in time. We hope to provide the Museum navigate. It is designed especially for In addition, we hope to participate in local people and those with a local computerised Mapping Interactive with information about places in connection to investigate "their organised by National Museums, our locality place". Liverpool. This will explore how

Planning for the Historic Environment continued from p.8. must take reasonable steps to seek the which future planning decisions will Although PPS5 provides recognition views of the local community when a be based, and there is an expectation of the economic and cultural value of when a heritage asset may have a that LPAs will take into account the heritage assets, there is evidence that special significance for that commu- desirability of new development conservation units in LPAs are al- nity. making a positive contribution to the ready under resourced and, in the PPS5 requires the LPA to create and character and local distinctiveness of present economic climate, it is to be maintain a public database of evi- the historic environment. Many civic feared that the extra staff needed to dence about the historic environment societies are notable repositories of deal with the additional burdens and heritage assets in their area of historical data (ours certainly is!) and placed on LPAs by PPS5 will not be sufficient detail to inform adequately will be able to contribute signifi- immediately affordable. the formulation of the Core Strategy, cantly to this process. which is the key document upon

Formby Civic News Page 9 Art Group Report by Barbara Mossop

enjoy looking at Several members of the Art Group them and talking are going on this year's coach outing with members of to Pendle. It sounds an interesting trip the Group. It was and we should have time to paint in also lovely to see the afternoon; anyone wishing to so many mem- 'have ago ', bring a sketch pad and bers of the Soci- pencils/paints and join us. ety taking an We hope to have a sketching day on interest in our Sunday 26th September at Lady- work and , whilst green and Ince Blundell Hall - Meet photo Jack Gore we did not sell at Ladygreen, 9.30 am. many paintings, Our Open Air Exhibition was held as an Exhibition it was a great suc- October - Sunday 17th. Proposed on Saturday 26 June, the hottest and cess. Thanks to everyone who took sketching in Formby Pinewoods. sunniest day so far this year. There part and a special thank you to Reg Meet 11 am at Larkhill Lane, near were about 100 paintings on show for the liquid refreshments, which Blundell Road. If wet, meet at Pine- and the many people who were in the were much appreciated (we could woods Pub to discuss Novem- village on that day all appeared to almost have been in France !) ber programme.

Dr. MARGARET MERRICK, botanist and artist by Barbara Mossop

great sadness, her brother the painting weekends we spent in the in the RAF, was killed, she Lake District. worked for the Ministry of In 1996, when Conquest (an Art Agriculture and Fisheries Group for the disabled) was started in in the North East and when Formby by Phil Clulee, a member of the war was over she went the Society, she, with other mem- to live and work in Berk- bers of the Society volunteered, to hamstead. She was at one help teach, which she did until, be- time sent by her employers cause of deafness, she found this to Johannesburg for a few impossible months to work and she enjoyed this, though ap- One of my own personal memories Photo; Formby Times parently because of the of Margaret was a coach trip to paint situation there at that time, in Monet‟s garden. There were about Dr. Margaret Merrick (centre) at a Society a dozen of us plus a professional Open air Art Exhibition, July 1988. she had to be escorted every- where . Artist. It was Spring and all the A previous chairman of the Society, Spring flowers were out. The garden Eventually she came to live in and house were closed to the public, Dr Margaret Merrick died on 26th Formby and at this time took her July. She was brought up in Crosby- so there was just us and half a dozen Doctorate and took up a teaching professional artists and photogra- and attended Merchant Taylor's position at Belvedere School in Liv- School, which , being academic, she phers. The gardeners were pricking erpool . At this time she joined the out seedlings in a garage and also enjoyed . She kept up her interest in Formby Society, her main interests the school and only a few years ago , scooping leaves off the water by the being art and botany. In the 1980s, bridge. A cuckoo sang and it was attended one of their Old Girls Reun- she became Art Secretary and even- ions. She left in 1939, to go to Uni- magic. I know Margaret thought so tually, for three years was Chairman too. Margaret belonged to the Unitar- versity in Liverpool her main love of the Society too . Members who being botany. In fact, when war broke ian Church in Southport, where she knew her will remember the trips she was a much valued parishioner, help- out, she was in France on an ex- arranged, sometimes with Gladys change trip, and was hastily returned ing in various ways, including giving Bevan, to study the local flora and interesting talks which sometimes to England. I know that some of the fauna. She enjoyed painting and en- people she met at University became involved scientific experiments. joyed exhibitions and was very Members of the Society attended her her friends for life. knowledgeable where artists were funeral there. During the war, in which, to her concerned. She thoroughly enjoyed

Page 10 Formby Civic News ‘Conquest Art’ by Barbara Mossop

Members of the Society including they became ill, but most have never Phil Jackman, another well-known those in the Art Group support and painted in their lives, so for them it is local man, who eventually moved to help to run Conquest Art a new experience. Members who are Wales. This role was then ably taken Group Formby. In fact the Formby not mobile are transported to the hall on by Mrs Joan Mills, another Group was started by one of our by a team from Rotary, and other Formby resident. members and his wife, Phil and volunteers make sure that tea and Some of the members of the Class Muriel Clulee, who were friends of biscuits are available during the af- have attended for many years and it is the founder of the original ternoon . gratifying to see the progress that Group which was set up in Surrey by Apart from the art work that is they have made and the pleasure that Ursula Hulme MBE, assisted by Ro- achieved, members enjoy the com- painting brings into their lives. tary. pany and the chance to have a chat The Group were recently able to Conquest has grown and there are with friends. Each Summer they hold a collection at Morrisons, now some 14 Classes like the one in have an outing - this year they are Southport. Their Annual Exhibition Formby throughout the country, plus going to Pendle, the same venue as is on Saturday 26 July. I feel it will several more in Hospitals and Nurs- the Formby Civic Society outing and be over before you get your News et- ing Homes. we hope they enjoy it. At Christmas, l ter - however , if you saw the details Formby Conquest meets at The funds permitting, they either go out for Christmas lunch, or have a party at the Formby Civic Society Exhibi- Luncheon Club on alternate Wednes- tion recently, you may have decided day afternoons, from 2.30 pm to 4. 30 and entertainment at the Luncheon Club. to visit us, for which I thank you. If pm. Members of this class have the you know anyone who would benefit opportunity to draw, paint or do craft When the Class in Formby was set from joining the Group, please let us work and in these tasks they are as- up in 1996, Mr Norman Gibbon , the know .They would be made most sisted by volunteers like ouselves. well-known local Surgeon became welcome Some of the group painted before President. The Senior Tutor was Mr

Formby's first librarian.

shire not only scolded you for late return of books but advised you on what to read, kept unsuitable books away from children and chose books for housebound ladies, whose neighbours would take them. In addi- tion ,she was a mine of information about what was going on in the vil- lage! Muriel commented “the lady upstairs is cleaning the window in a manner rarely seen nowadays when windows are being replaced by mod- ern ones.” The gas-lamp across the road stood by the War Memorial, its foot buried in the blue, fawn and red- dish tiles of the pavement at that time. The roundabout had not yet been constructed at this road junction. June Milligan, a young relative of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Derbyshire, was merly known as „Slater's corner‟. Mrs. Derbyshire is researching her Formby's first branch librarian in the Many older Formby residents will family history and would be very days when we were still Lancastrians have no difficulty in recalling the old grateful for any information or and our library was in this former library and Mrs Derbyshire its resi- memories anyone might have relating shop at 2 School Lane. This sketch by dent librarian, (she actually lived to Sarah. Muriel Sibley, was in fact based on over the library!). E-mail; [email protected] an old photograph of what was for- Mrs Sibley recalled that Sarah Derby-

Formby Civic News Page 11 The Formby Civic Society Newsletter PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST SOCIETY OFFICERS Chair, Dr. Ray Derricott, Civic Voice has formed a strong partnership with the National Trust 17 Harington Road, Formby. with which, like ourselves, shares a passion for conserving and improv- 01704 876661 ing places for people. Hon Secretary and Newsletter Editor, Dr. R. A. Yorke, Free day access pass 3 Wicks Lane, Formby, The individual members of all civic societies who join Civic Voice can L37 3JE 01704 872187 receive the offer of a free day access pass. This will provide free ac- Treasurer, Jack Gore, 9 Beech cess to any National Trust property during normal opening hours sub- Drive, Formby, L37INN ject to a small number of restrictions. 01704 871411 The free pass is available to download by our members by using the Amenities Secretary following link www.civicvoice.org.uk/nationaltrustcivicvoiceoffer. The Dr. Desmond Brennan, pass is transferable and can be given to friends or family if a member 9 Brows Lane, Formby. is already a member of the National Trust. 01704 879115 Where members do not have internet access a free day pass will also History Group Chair be available by sending a stamped addressed envelope to Civic Voice, Barbara Yorke Unit 101, 82 Wood Street, The Tea Factory, Liverpool L1 4DQ request- ing one and providing contact details and the name of the group which Art Group Rep. is a member of Civic Voice. Barbara Mossop This offer is available in the first year that a civic society joins Civic Newsletter Voice. Distribution Secretary Elsie Winthorpe

Future Meetings Programme

General Meetings.

Friday, 24th September; Ms. Mary Harrington, Being the 'Bernard.

Friday, 29th October; Mr. John Taylor, Head of Art and Culture, Sefton MBC, Art and Culture in Sefton; What has it done for us?

Friday, 26th November; Mrs. Chester, Hearing dogs for deaf people - how it changes lives.

History Group Programme

Thursday, 14th October; Mark Sargant & Mathew Tinker, Sefton Libraries Local History Service, History on your doorstep

Thursday, 11th November; Dr. Ben Rees, Father James Nugent and child emigration from 19th Century Liverpool. Thursday, 9th December; Dr. Alan Sykes, Josephine Butler and the ‘outcast’.

For more information see our website www.formbycivicsociety.org.uk