THE creators of New Brighton’s Black Pearl pirate ship were among the winners of a prestigious award handed out by Wirral Council last week.

Frank Lund and Major Mace picked up their Wirral Award at a ceremony at Wallasey Town Hall for creating Wirral’s two pirate ship artworks – the Black Pearl in New Brighton and Grace Darling in Hoylake – which continue to engage their local communities.

Built out of items from the beach, the Black Pearl - named after the ship in The Pirates of the Caribbean films – has attracted visitors from across the borough and beyond.

It was has undergone two rebuilds – one after it was set on fire and one after it was washed away by the tidal surge in December 2013.

The Wirral Award confers civic recognition on people who live in Wirral or organisations based in the borough.

The Wirral Award is given either for an outstanding achievement within the previous 12 months or distinguished service to the community over a period of 20 years or more.

Other recipients of this year’s award included three dedicated fundraisers from the Stick ‘n’ Step charity and the chief executive of Wirral’s YMCA.

The awards were presented by Wirral’s Mayor, Cllr Steve Foulkes, at a ceremony at Wallasey Town Hall on March 12.

Cllr Foulkes said: “Each year, local people put forward their suggestions for this award. The people receiving this civic recognition have all given selflessly to the community in many ways, for many years.

“I am delighted to congratulate the recipients and mark their contribution in this way.”


WIRRAL AWARD WINNERS

  • Roderick Tann - For dedicated service as Chairman of the Wirral Society and as a founder member of the Wirral Symphony Orchestra.
     
  • Kenneth Hurst - For service to Wirral through an outstanding contribution to many community groups, including the Wirral Show Committee, Wallasey Lions Club, the Birkenhead YMCA Narrowboat and Wallasey Sea Cadets.
     
  • Ann Carter - For long and dedicated fundraising efforts for the Stick ‘n’ Step charity.
     
  • Rose Lee - For long and dedicated fundraising efforts for the Stick ‘n’ Step charity.
     
  • Doreen McKinnon - For long and dedicated fundraising efforts for the Stick ‘n’ Step charity.
     
  • Frank Lund - For creating Wirral’s two ‘pirate ship’ artworks, the Black Pearl in New Brighton and Grace Darling in Hoylake, which continue to engage their local communities and visitors from further afield.
     
  • Major Mace - For creating Wirral’s two ‘pirate ship’ artworks, the Black Pearl in New Brighton and Grace Darling in Hoylake, which continue to engage their local communities and visitors from further afield.
     
  • Edward Peak - For long and varied service to local people, including teaching and promoting music, contributing to film & cine groups, support for Arrowe Park Hospital and through teaching sailing and powerboat skills in West Kirby.
     
  • Betty Williams - For long and dedicated service to the Royal British Legion Wallasey Branch.
     
  • Nigel Hughes - For dedicated work as Chief Executive of Wirral YMCA.