Nowhere Boy and My Mission (but not connected!)

On Friday night we went to see Nowhere Boy at Hoylake Community Centre.  This was organised by Hoylake Village who, "Are seeking to prove that Hoylake can realise its full potential; that together we can develop a strong sense of identity and pride in our vill age, and make the most of Hoylake's many excellent assets to ensure a more prosperous and, importantly, more sustainable local economy" This is no easy task but the team have taken it on with a passion and are doing a great job. So, support it all you can.  I can't do this on a weekly basis myself but after Friday, I decided I would volunteer to help whenever possible, particularly with larger events when they need numbers boosting.  Maybe you can do the same?  We all benefit and it helps to create a great place to live, to raise children and to pass something good onto future generations.  Vanilla Lounge did the bar and thanks to them too, plus other volunteers on the night.

I am on 'mission' (okay, a small one) to explore, photograph, blog about and promote the Wirral in general.  It takes 25 minutes or so to cross the Wirral and to do so takes you from the wealthiest areas of Gayton and Caldy to some of the most deprived in the whole country, such as Seacombe and parts of Birkenhead North.  I am sure we have all read about the national issue regarding the lack of social mobility and the Wirral seems to be a microcosm of the country as a whole in this. Do I have the (any!) answers? No. Am I concerned?  Yes, because ultimately the decline of these areas will affect us all. I have a foot in different camps as I am originally from Liverpool and have lived in New Brighton and Rock Ferry, then West Kirby and Hoylake.  I know these places well and in my own small way, I want to try and show that nearly all of them have something unique and special and a heritage to be proud of.  So every now and then I will give them a mention (with photos) on the blog.  I would like to encourage people to visit places for themselves, go to the local history and heritage sites, understand what the impact of losing Cammell Laird, for example, had a whole community. I would also like to encourage volunteering!  You don’t have to do this every week but many places would welcome support even fortnightly or at special events and maybe look to the smaller, local charities first. Of course I know there is a bigger picture and many other factors playing out here but I am only Mrs Ordinary and this is only a blog. 

 I'll leave you with a collage of photos taken in New Brighton recently showing the Magazines, the fabulous villas, Vale Park and the view from Seacombe across the Mersey. Oh, and my glass of wine taken in the Mags beer garden!  Take a day out there, well worth the trip.