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Letters to the
Editor:- "Access to Formby Beach"
"TO whom it may concern,
Last week My husband and I cycled to the beach, passing Shorrocks
Hill, ignoring the Private Property - Private Road Signs, past the
open gate to access The Beach. I could not see how anyone had the
right to put up Keep Off signs on this path which has always been
used by Formby Residents and visitors. I found the threatening signs
both upsetting and annoying. I found the article discussing the
matter, from 8 May 2014. I presume, since the signs all remain
that the issue has not been satisfactorily resolved. As I am 65, and
visited this spot regularly, as a child, with my family who came to
Formby in 1940. I was furious to meet barking, free roaming dogs and
hostile signs which conflict with other signs, put up by Formby
Council. ARE these signs illegal? If so why do they remain? Perhaps
the residents of other roads in Formby eg. Gores Lane - where
residents have restricted access all year round due to people
avoiding parking charges should also put up signs to keep people
away, as if they own the road, and the village. These signs deter
people from accessing the Beach. Who has the right to do that? I
hope that you will pursue this matter further." Therese
Howard.
Editors reply:- "Thank you for your email. Yes, we are
aware that some of the signs are still on the dunes land, and that
it is on Sefton Council owned land. We have, as you can see informed
them of that issue some time back. Unfortunately, some of the signs
are on a section of Lifeboat Road, and that part is Private Property,
as we stated in the report. We have forwarded this email on to the
Council to get a reply for you. As for the parking issue, it is
sadly a very hot topic as of late in the Formby and Freshfield area.
The issue of parking areas has been made more problematic following
a spate of incidents in the Lifeboat Road over the last year or so.
These have issues has been exacerbated since restrictions were put
into place around the Freshfield National Trust Car Park, at
Victoria Road, Freshfield, due to storm damage and erosion issues.
With regards the dogs, I have been a dog owner and have lived nearly
all my life in Formby, and this has never been an issue. Formby has
a long history as a dog friendly area and locals are very proud of
that fact dogs can be let off their leads. People need to remember
that letting a dog off the lead is fundamental to its welfare and as
long as by-laws in that area permit it and the owners keep them in
check, and clean up after them, it is not an issue. Dogs will bark and growl, as it is part
of their play and being off the lead lets them socialise with other
dogs, so you will see and hear them playing. Dogs being let off is
not a major problem, as the area has a very big dog walking
community and the majority of dog walkers and their dogs are
extremely responsible. Many of the dog walkers aid in the upkeep of
the area and help the Ranger Service, so putting unnecessary
restrictions would be unfair on the owners and the dogs, thus it
would be very detrimental to the community as a whole. Without the
dog walkers, the area would not be as good as it is today, so we are
saddened to hear that you find the 'free roaming dogs' an issue. We
would like to know when you visited and what section of the dunes
you are talking about, as it might coincide with one of the days
that the area had major problems, which are extremely unusual for
the area. The big issue for many is, as you say, the:- 'hostile
signs which conflict with other signs put up by Formby Council.'
Once again thank you for your email and we will let you know what we
hear from Sefton Council."
Patrick Trollope BA (Hons) LBPPA
If you have any views on the subjects raised in this letter please
email our newsroom with your views and feelings to:-
news@southportreporter.com.
Related reports to this letter:-
1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
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Local sign
language interpreter shortlisted for prestigious award
A Liverpool based British
Sign Language (BSL) interpreter has been shortlisted for a high
profile national award by UK charity and leading awarding body in
deaf communications,
Signature.
Ray Williams, 24, from Liverpool, has been named as one of four
contenders in the Communication Professional of the Year category at
the 2014 Signature Annual Awards, in recognition of his
contributions to the field of deaf communication and language access
services.
The awards honour individuals, organisations and community groups
that are striving to break down the barriers of communication
between deaf and hearing people.
Ray, whose parents are both deaf, was brought up using both spoken
English and BSL. He knew from a young age that he wanted to become a
BSL interpreter in order to improve communication between hearing
and deaf people.
After spending a year as a Communication Support Worker at a media
company in London, which saw him interpret programmes for Channel 5
and CBBC, Ray achieved his goal of qualifying as a Registered Sign
Language Interpreter (RSLI) in 2011.
He also wanted to support families similar to his own, so he became
heavily involved with the activities of CODA UK and Ireland
(Children of Deaf Adults), which provides information, guidance and
events for CODAs of all ages. Ray is now a director at CODA UK and
Ireland and a board member of CODA International Inc, dedicating his
time to interpreting, fundraising and driving the organisation
forward.
Ray said that:- "I am incredibly passionate about providing
high quality interpreting services to individuals and organisations
that need them and breaking down communication barriers. I've been
lucky enough to work with hundreds of deaf parents, volunteers and
professionals over the last 3 years, and I hope to continue to make
a difference in the deaf community. It's an honour and a privilege
to be nominated for this award and recognised for the work I do."
Jim Edwards, Signature chief executive, said:- "The Signature
Annual Awards is a great opportunity to acknowledge communication
professionals like Ray, who is described by his colleagues as being
inspirational and motivational. His clients are equally
complimentary, highlighting his professionalism, confidence and
flexibility. Ray is excellent at what he does and is skilled in
interpreting even in heavily technical business environments.
Additionally, the fact that CODA UK and Ireland has gone from
strength to strength in the time that Ray has been a director is
testament to his hard work and commitment."
Ray will join shortlisted entrants in categories such as
Organisational Achievement, Community Spirit, Teacher of the Year,
Learner of the Year, Young Learner of the Year and Centre of the
Year. The winner will be announced at a prestigious ceremony
at Durham Cathedral, on 10 October 2014.
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