*Campaigning for a better built and green environment
*Helping to preserve Neston’s rich history, its vibrant past and its sustainable future for over 40 years.
Newsletter 105 has been printed, and volunteers are delivering it to members, with copies of Neston Town Trail and Neston Tree Trail.
On May 18th David Hearn talked about Cheshire Strongholds defending Liverpool. This covered the period from about 1820 to the Second World War. Stronghold defences in Wirral included Fort Perch Rock, Liscard Battery, pill boxes, and anti-aircraft batteries. It was an informative and amusing presentation, with many examples of cutting-edge weaponry being deployed against non-existent threats.
There has been progress on matters that members of Neston Civic Society have been concerned about for some time:
- Cheshire West & Chester Council (CWaC) have re-instated bollards on the Conservation Green, by the junction of Buggen Lane and Leighton Road. The part by Mill Street, however, still has no bollards, and vehicles regularly park on the grass.
- CWaC have repaired the approaches to the Millennium Bridge, which carries the Wirral Way over Bridge Street, so that cyclists are no longer confronted by a two-inch step.
- The temporary metal fencing on Liverpool Road, between Buildwas Road and the car wash, which was an eyesore, has been replaced by less ugly permanent metal fencing.
Sad News. Celia Garvey died on April 9th. We had a committee meeting at her home in Park Street on March 8th. She was not very well then, but it is still a shock to know that such a formidable lady is no longer with us.
Celia joined the committee in 1989. She took over as secretary from Susan Chambers in January 1992 until 2001. Celia then became social secretary, booking speakers for meetings. She resigned from that only in February 2023. She was also Chairman for several years, until 2011, and was a Neston Town Councillor from its inception. She hosted our committee meetings on many occasions, with generous supplies of cakes and biscuits. Memories from people who knew her are in the latest newsletter.
On 2nd April, the United Reformed Church community garden was opened by Revd Geoff Felton, Moderator of the Mersey Synod of URC. Janet Griffiths and Rob Ward attended the ceremony. The Society gave a donation towards the creation of the garden from the Ruby Holloway bequest. The URC are looking forward to it being used by all who would like to sit in its peace and surrounding beauty.
On April 23rd, Neston Earth Group held the Neston Earth Festival, postponed because of the Queen’s death. We launched the printed version of the Neston Tree Trail, created jointly by Neston Civic Society and the Neston Earth Group, and funded from the Ruby Holloway bequest. The Tree Trail can be downloaded as a pdf on the About Neston page.
On July 1st, the Neston Village Fair will return, and the Society will have a stall.
FORTHCOMING TALKS
On July 7th , Adam Mitchell will talk about the latest regeneration developments in Neston, including the movement of the Elephant Cafe to the former Evans Shoe Shop. Please note this is a Friday!
On September 21st Mike Haskins will talk about the history of The Beatles, who first performed under that name at Neston Civic Hall.
On November 16th, Cheshire West and Chester Waste Group will talk about Recycling. Come with your questions about how to recycle. This talk will follow the AGM at 7.30.
Talks are at 7.30 p.m. at the URC Community Hall, Moorside Lane NESTON CH64 6UZ. Visitors are welcome. Complimentary coffee, tea and biscuits are served.
Recent talks can be see in About Us
OTHER NEWS
On October 19th we planted three trees at Neston High School*, for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, for Reg Chrimes, and for Norman Angel, who helped bring secondary education to Neston. One of the trees was giving us concern, but our local expert reassures us that it is just later producing buds than other trees.
We are looking for a volunteer to take over the editing of the newsletter. Mike Shipman has done a fanastic job for several years, and has retired.
*See the News Page for more.