BIRKENHEAD
NEWSLETTER NO 17 APRIL 2006
Friends of Flaybrick
John Moffat reports:
The year has seen considerable progress for the Friends, with a 20% increase in membership but considerable setbacks for Flaybrick itself. We have battled all year against unprecedented levels of vandalism with more stones damaged than ever previously recorded. Ground maintenance was reduced when A4E were unable to work for the first three months of the year. The chapel remains in a state deterioration as we remain unable to secure the £10,000 for the Bat Centre feasibility study.
The vandalism increased when, following a Health and Safety check in 2004, unstable stones were marked and these were regarded as targets by vandals. As stones fell, many smashed against adjacent stones causing further damage. Eventually a councillor set up a meeting with the parks management, the Police and the Friends; increased Police activity has resulted in there being no significant incident since November.
The charity attained charitable status and the patronage of Frank Field, M. P. for Birkenhead. In addition, with the support of the Wirral Society, the Friends became an Approved Environmental Body, registered with Entrust and now able to access landfill tax funding.
