News Roundup: 8th July, 2011

Hoose Court

The demolition of the front block of Hoose Court is nearing completion with just some of the foundations remaining. There will soon be a public consultation, to be organised by the landowners Wirral Partnership Homes (WPH), to consider suitable, alternative uses for the vacant land. According to this Wirral Globe report, suggestions for how the area can be “soft landscaped” are sought. That would seem to indicate that suggested uses for the land of either a car park or a skateboard park will not be considered. There is also the possibility that WPH will redevelop the land at some future date.

Hoylake Polling Station

Wirral residents have the opportunity to suggest alternate locations for their local polling station. The current venues for polling stations in Hoylake are Holy Trinity School on Market Street and Hoylake Chapel, next to the roundabout. If you think that there issues with the venues, perhaps relating to accessibility, you can tell Wirral Council your views. Further information and contact details are available here.

Broadband Speed

Ofcom has published an interactive map of UK broadband coverage – Hoylake and Wirral more generally seems to enjoy reasonable broadband speeds.

Bars & Cafes

I understand that the La Bodega bar on Market Street is set to reopen this weekend after a lengthy closure.

The empty, former Barclays Bank premises next to Weatherspoons could become a coffee shop. A planning application has been received by Wirral Council to convert the Grade II Listed building from offices. Note that the building did not seem to appear in the National Register that was mentioned here but having searched again, I have found this entry – the data does not refer to Hoylake.

The empty Tender Loins restaurant (formerly Boulevard and prior to that Ruby) appears to have been let and some refurbishment works have been taking place.

Another empty shop, next to Julians Restaurant, is also being renovated and is to become a cafe bar.

Meols Drive

John Hutchinson, a member of the newly-formed Hoylake Lifeboat Museum team, would like help in identifying when the main road (Meols Drive) between Hoylake and West Kirby was constructed – any suggestions?

What’s The Connection?

Sheila Saunders asks the following question:

What is the connection between Hilbre Island, mecca for ‘birders’ from all over the world, and a Northumbrian television detective played by Blenda Blethyn?

A: Creator of DCI Vera Stanhope was Ann Cleeves, wife of  Tim, warden of  Hilbre from 1977-81 and herself auxiliary coastguard whose first novels had strong ornithological themes. Her two daughters were the first babies to live on the island and the family has now moved to the North East where many of her crime novels are set. Vera,says the writer, wandered into  her book ‘Crow Trap’ -intended as a psychological novel, and looking like a ‘bag lady’ but the writer liked her so much she developed  the character.   Ann’s detectives are not always centre stage, as the stories are often told o from several viewpoints, but she is happy with the TV adaptations of Vera and with  the actress’s  portrayal and authentic ‘Geordie’ accent.

Elbow Jane

Elbow Jane are an acoustic roots band based largely in Greasby, Wirral. Chris, the band’s bass player is one of the organising committee of the Festival of Firsts that is taking place in Hoylake this weekend. In September this year Elbow Jane play their biggest gig of the year at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton, both supported by Irish Music Legend Andy Irvine and in support of the charity Help For Heroes.

Band member Kev Byrne comments: “We are a ‘signed’ band with Fellside records and this is our 3rd big Wirral Concert in 6 years, albeit the biggest one for us as it’s at the Floral – our previous 2 have been at the Pacific Road Arts Centre.”

You can find out more about the band on their website. If you have been to the old Floral Pavilion but not to the current building then make this an ideal opportunity to pay the place a visit …you really won’t recognise the place!