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28 April 2021
Vol 28 l Issue 17
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MOUNT GARAGE, Prescot Road, Melling L31 1AR, THE GULF GARAGE
Dairy site could become new homes
INSIDE THIS WEEK:
Dog walkers collared with new rules!
CHURCH HALL SALE PUTS COMMUNITY GROUPS AT RISK
The former Blundellsands United Reformed Church
Ruth Mwandumba wants to inspire other black athletes. Picture by Paul Cooper
Champion target shooter aims to inspire more black athletes to take up the sport AN international target shooter from Waterloo, who became the first black person to represent England in the discipline, wants to encourage more people from different backgrounds to take up the sport. Ruth Mwandumba, 25, wants to inspire change after realising she was the only black competitor in her sport - not only in the UK, but across Europe.
COMMUNITY groups and charities which use a former church hall as their home, risk being turfed out after the building was put up for sale. The hall has been placed on the open market alongside the closed-down Blundellsands United Reformed Church, on Warren Road, and they could both now be
Report by Tom Martin privately bought. There are a number of groups that are based inside the hall, including a local scout group, Sefton Baby
Target shooting involves the use of air rifles, pistols and other guns, with some of the key skills involving concentration, self-discipline and great selfcontrol in order to hit a target. Ruth is hoping to one day compete in the Olympic Games, having already represented Great Britain and England on numerous occasions. Turn to page 5
Baskets charity, Crosby Orchestral Society, a women’s support group called Cuppa Tea Time, a puppy training group and more. After being told they could be kicked out by June, it leaves the community groups scrambling to secure alternative facilities. Sefton Baby Baskets has been distributing Moses baskets filled with donated clothes and provisions from the building since last year. Vice-chair of the charity, Lauren Atherton said: “We’ve been really grateful for the URC’s support since the church closed. It’s been a brilliant base for a new charity. “But now it’s in the hands of the Merseyside Synod whether they take developers’ money and let it be turned into posh flats or they keep the original spirit alive by selling to another church or community group.” Another group that uses the venue is the 2nd Crosby Scout Group, which was established in 1908 and is one of the UK’s oldest scout groups. Continued on page 5
Some of the groups’ organisers outside the church PAPER ADVERTISEMENT
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