Local Agenda 21 aims to encourage us all to become more aware of the effect that our lifestyle has on the environment. The programme creates many and varied opportunities for people to play an active part in their local areas -encouraging local action to improve the global environment. Most recently a number of puppet shows have taken place in North Huyton Schools.

At each school all the children watched the puppet show, written and performed by Zap Entertainment. Children were encouraged not to drop litter and care for the environment using the 3Rs - Reduce Re-use Recycle. The message was then taken further through workshops with Year 6 who were taught how to write, produce and perform their own puppet shows with an environmental theme.

All the Year 6 children involved performed brilliantly to the rest of their schools, impressing pupils, teachers and parents alike. The sessions highlighted that young people recognise litter problems in their local areas and are keen to spread the anti litter message to their friends.

This Huyton LA21 initiative was delivered in partnership with the Groundwork Trust and was part funded by the Huyton HELP SRB Regeneration Partnership. For more information about the Huyton Local Agenda 21 Programme please contact Jane Palmer on 0151 443 2280.

Pictured above: Children learning lessons about their environment with the Sunshine Puppets

The Little Woods of Stockbridge Association is a community group formed in July 2000 to help to make the small woods of Stockbridge Village more accessible for the whole community.

The natural beauty of the woodlands are presently hidden behind problems of litter, dumped cars and vandalism. However, the association are determined to do whatever is necessary to recover the woodlands for community use.

Throughout October the group have been involved in a major clean up campaign to restore Little Wood. Burnt out cars, fire damaged trees and tonnes of rubbish were cleared from the area, whilst protective fencing and new hedges were put in to secure the site. Pupils from Nine Tree Primary School were joined by Winnie the Pooh and the Pink Panther to clear the woods of litter. These improvements and the continued efforts of Little Woods of Stockbridge Association are making a huge impact on the local environment helping to make the woodlands accessible to all members of the community.

The scheme which has received £100,000 in funding is supported by a number of local organisations including Littlewoods plc, United Utilities, Mersey Forest Trust, Forestry Commission, Knowsley Council and Littlewoods of Stockbridge Association.

For more information about Little Woods of Stockbridge Association please call George Jewell, Secretary 0151 489 4505.

The Huyton Local Agenda Programme aims to make us all more aware of the effect that our lifestyle has on the environment. A number of community based training courses have taken place over the past two years engaging many Huyton residents in issues about their local environment.

Building on our success, a new package of environmentally themed training courses will be on offer to Huyton residents between January and March 2002.

Further Muddy Wellies
Following in the tradition of Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock Huyton residents will be offered the opportunity to increase their gardening know-how.

Tree Wardens Training
This pilot course – a first for Merseyside – supports local people to play an active part in conserving and enhancing their local environment. Local volunteers are trained to gather information about local trees, get involved in local tree matters and encourage practical projects.

All courses are funded through the Huyton HELP SRB Regeneration Programme and are completely free to Huyton residents. If you would like to take part or would like any more information call Jane Palmer on 0151 443 2280.

Green Scheme Training Success:

A group of young men from Huyton have received certificates for successfully completing training courses linked to a ‘green’ improvement scheme in the area. The lads all of whom are from the New Deal for Communities area – have been able to gain valuable work experience and qualifications whilst being paid a decent wage.

Working as a Community Environmental Task Team set up by the NDC Partnership and Action for Jobs the team has had a big impact on the area. Helping to clear 70 vacant properties and 20 areas of open land and sports fields. They have also been involved in everything from painting schools to graffiti removal and creating a new community garden for elderly residents in a sheltered accommodation scheme. Jobs for the team are nominated by local residents’ groups so contact your local group if you want to suggest something.

You can contact the North Huyton New Deal for Communities Partnership on 0151 443 5870.

Knowsley’s Environmental Campaigns Team are offering generous cash incentives to community groups who can come up with the best project for improving their environment.

There is one award for £1,000, two awards of £500 and four of £300. If you or your group have a good idea or are already involved in a project which is about improving the quality of the environment in Knowsley to the benefit of the local community then you may be eligible for a cash award. Litter control, neighbourhood improvement schemes, community art projects and energy conservation projects are just some of the environmentally friendly activities which the Council would like to encourage.

If you think you can rise to the Knowsley Environmental Challenge, you can obtain an application form from any of the main Council buildings with reception areas or from your local library. Alternatively you can phone the Environmental Campaign Team on 0151 443 2274 and ask to speak to Tom Eccles or John Harrison.

Closing date for applications is Friday 9th February 2002 so hurry and get your applications in.