are very much exaggerated

Wirral Council leader Dave Jackson (Labour) writes his exclusive column for the Wirral Globe

IT'S not so long ago that I was surrounded by warnings to watch my back, and now my name has been blazoned across the paper in connection with a decapitation and three silent figures who came in from the cold. People are starting to talk.

However, before the rumour mongers really get going, let me assure you that, as every Tom, Dick and Neville knows, I'm referring to my two recent visits to the Floral Pavilion.

First visit was to one of the last nights of this year's pantomime, and then to witness the safe instalment of three Victorian characters, restored (and re-headed), who have now taken up residence in the foyer of the Floral Pavilion, away from the cold and the lurking dangers of vandals outside.

Even in this sophisticated age of computers and play stations it's good to see that children still respond every year to the pleasures of the pantomime, joining in the traditional cries of 'Look out, it's behind you' with gusto.

The pantomime has now been put to bed for another year, but my thanks go to all those, including those working behind the scenes, whose hard work makes the enjoyment of others possible.

I've always loved the Floral Pavilion. My memories of it go right back to Jackson Earl's Melody Inn Review. Do you remember that, or am I giving away my age?

The Theatre is very much part of our history, dating back to the time when New Brighton was a major holiday resort. The good thing is that it still remains so popular.

It's strange, isn't it though, the way rumours can spread with no foundation? Three people have 'phoned me in the last week to ask if it's true that the council intends to close down the Floral Pavilion.

I have no idea where this rumour is coming from. The council has no intention of closing it down. There has been no mention of any such idea in any committee reports, and it certainly doesn't form part of any of the yearly budget reductions, which were decided last December.

Quite the reverse, in fact. We are currently working on an application for Lottery funding which, if successful, will allow us to make real improvements to the Pavilion. Let's hope it's a winning bid. In the meantime, if the Pavilion could speak, it would probably echo that old statement - 'the tales of my death are much exaggerated'.

It looks as if Conway Park will finally give birth to its new railway station this April, after a long and arduous labour!

I know from personal experience working on construction projects that at first, when all the major works have to be done, progress always seems slow but then towards the end everything seems to speed up until suddenly there's the finished article, taking you by surprise.

I've been watching the station take shape month by month, and on my last visit the other day, I suddenly realised that it's only a couple of months from completion and I'm told the first trains should be running by midsummer.

It will be another piece of the regeneration jigsaw in Birkenhead falling into place.

Things take time, but in the end planning and patience always pay off. I know the benefits are going to be considerable for all of us.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.