Wirral author Adele Cosgrove-Bray has a deep interest in local history and folklore and is chairman of Riverside Writers which meets at West Kirby Library.
In her online blog below, she talks about her efforts to develop a writing career, Riverside Writers, local current events and paranormal events.
Do we want a huge hotel complex built on the West Kirby waterfront?
One of the things I like best about living in West Kirby is its tranquil village atmosphere. Chester, Birkenhead and Liverpool and close enough should broader shopping or theatres or similar be required. But here we have a precious haven from that faster pace of life. That's how locals like it. That's why people come to live here.
Some teenagers might grumble that there's nothing much for them to do, and certainly the traffic can be surprisingly heavy for a small place. But the beaches, woodlands and parks easily balance this out, and our low crime rate is another attraction for many residents, who often heave a sigh of relief when the main tourist season is over and we can have "our" village and beach back again.
Local shops no doubt benefit from the influx of summer visitors, but this hotel is to have a shopping complex built on its ground floor. This will bring more competition to the already struggling local traders.
And where are all the shoppers to come from? Walk around West Kirby on weekdays, or even weekends out of season, and it can resemble a ghost town. (This is ok by me, as I rather like ghosts!)
The proposed building will also have a conference centre. Why? Aren't there enough of those already in the nearby cities?
Village roads are already clogged with traffic, especially at weekends and in summer. Surely this hotel and shopping complex will only increase the problem, as well as adding to the litter which tourists all too frequently leave strewn behind them.
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Consider, also, the protected natural habitats, which will come under extra train due to an influx of visitors.
So often, developers see a lovely area and recognise its potential. But in developing that area they also change it forever, and not necessarily for the better.
Can't we leave West Kirby as the quiet village that it is?
Posted by: Ian M. Walker, Los Angeles, CA, USA on 7:16am Tue 29 Jan 08
Pardon me for sabotaging the post but I couldn't see a way to send you a message directly.
I'm just wondering if your maiden name was Fairclough. If so, we knew each other in primary school and since this year is a Leap Year, happy birthday. :)
Cheers.
Ian.
Oh and I should comment on your post at least, umm, I've not lived in England for 15 years now but I'd say that does sound a bit over the top for a quiet spot like West Kirby.
Pardon me for sabotaging the post but I couldn't see a way to send you a message directly.
I'm just wondering if your maiden name was Fairclough. If so, we knew each other in primary school and since this year is a Leap Year, happy birthday. :)
Cheers.
Ian.
Oh and I should comment on your post at least, umm, I've not lived in England for 15 years now but I'd say that does sound a bit over the top for a quiet spot like West Kirby.
Posted by: John Malone, West Kirby, Wirral on 1:39pm Mon 4 Feb 08
Hi Adelle, I also live in West Kirby, I moved here frokm a north east town over 6 years ago, in that time I have seen some changes, a little busier perhaps, and sometimes some increased anti social behaviour compared to when we first moved here, BUT, I love West Kirby and where we live, although I am not "born and Bred" wirral, I consider this my home, and feel at ease when I am there, because my children have grown up here they have had better chances academically and socially, and although they are typical teenagers, they have good values and will stand up for whats right, and in part I put that to the fact that we have live in West Kirby. So, anyway, my opinion is, we should leave this little piece of the Wirral as it is, there is no need for the increased traffic, people and so on, and I for one, hope this does not come to pass.
Hi Adelle, I also live in West Kirby, I moved here frokm a north east town over 6 years ago, in that time I have seen some changes, a little busier perhaps, and sometimes some increased anti social behaviour compared to when we first moved here, BUT, I love West Kirby and where we live, although I am not "born and Bred" wirral, I consider this my home, and feel at ease when I am there, because my children have grown up here they have had better chances academically and socially, and although they are typical teenagers, they have good values and will stand up for whats right, and in part I put that to the fact that we have live in West Kirby. So, anyway, my opinion is, we should leave this little piece of the Wirral as it is, there is no need for the increased traffic, people and so on, and I for one, hope this does not come to pass.
Posted by: Resident, 578-968 on 10:14pm Mon 11 Feb 08
Every time the hotel has been put forward in a public forum it has been rejected by the people of West Kirby. Let's ensure that a proper debate takes place, and the council don't try to railroad the process.
Every time the hotel has been put forward in a public forum it has been rejected by the people of West Kirby. Let's ensure that a proper debate takes place, and the council don't try to railroad the process.
Posted by: Paul C, West Kirby on 9:38pm Tue 6 May 08
Hi, I have set up a web site/Forum so that anyone with a view on West Kirby and its proposed developments can have a say. It's at www.west-kirby.net
Please do have a look and join in if you want.
Thanks,
Paul C.
Hi, I have set up a web site/Forum so that anyone with a view on West Kirby and its proposed developments can have a say. It's at www.west-kirby.net
Please do have a look and join in if you want.
Thanks,
Paul C.
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Wirral author Adele Cosgrove-Bray has a deep interest in local history and folklore and is chairman of Riverside Writers which meets at West Kirby Library.
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