Globe Birthday Special: Our review of the positive side of Wirral life

Community raises more than £30,000 to save woodland (September 15, 2010)

A Wirral community united to raise £34,000 to save a piece of threatened woodland last September.

Residents' association member Jean Robinson had launched a last-minute campaign to raise cash so she could bid for the land when it went under the hammer.

The estate, which sits behind Overton Community Centre in Upton and was in regular use by the public, was put up for auction but local residents feared new owners would destroy the natural area.

And after making their plight in the Globe, the campaigners reached their target and managed to win the plot.

Jean said: “The generosity is just astounding and we cannot believe the way the whole community and the wider community have pulled together to achieve this.”

Pet dog Maggie fights off owner’s attacker (September 22)

A Wirral mum told how she was saved from an attacker by her brave dog, Maggie.

The German Shepherd ran to Emma Taylor’s aid when a stranger confronted her on a quiet country lane.

He had asked the mum-of-two for the time before grabbing her arm and pulling at her top, but after hearing her owner's struggle, Maggie came running and jumped on the man.

Emma said: “One thing that is for sure is we are never letting Maggie go, she is our little hero and I have no doubt that something much worse would have happened if she hadn't have saved me."

Wirral archers play in Commonwealth games (October 13)

A duo of Wirral archers struck gold at the Commonwealth Games.

Duncan Busby and Liam Grimwood, representing England, managed to beat India by just three points last October.

They have been competing in the sport for more than 14 years, shooting in the compound bow classification which involves the most modern and technically advanced form of bow.

Speaking from New Delhi, where the games were held, Duncan, 26, said: "It felt amazing to win a gold medal and I can speak for both myself and Liam when I say it was a brilliant experience to win.

"We were absolutely over the moon."

Ariella Byrne fundraising for operation in America (October 13 and May 25)

An eight-year-old girl faced a race against time last year to raise £60,000 for a life-saving operation.

Ariella Byrne suffers from spastic diplegia cerebral palsy which caused painful spasticity in the limbs preventing her from walking independently.

But after massive support from Globe readers and national charity Caudwell Children, the youngster was able to under-go the surgery in Centre for Cerebral Palsy Spasticity in St Louis, Missouri.

Following the operation, her mum Suzanne said:"We are keeping everything crossed.

"Ariella is working really hard but she is getting stronger every day.

"I want my beautiful little girl to walk, run and dance just like she wants to."

Claire Lara wins Masterchef (November 10)

Culinary queen Claire Lara was crowned winner on TV’s Masterchef: The Professionals last November.

The 30-year-old, from Moreton, revealed a heightened sense of smell from her pregnancy had helped her triumph in the tough contest.

Following her victory, the former Wallasey School pupil told the Globe: “I think being pregnant gave me an advantage.

"It heightened my sense of smell and taste.

"I've had immense support from everybody, in fact from right across the North West.

"It has been incredible.”

SS Peter and Paul’s re-opens (February, 2011)

Wirral parishioners were able to return to their “spiritual home” earlier this year as a landmark church re-opened.

Ss Peter and Paul’s, New Brighton, held its last service in August 2008, much to the anger and upset of church-goers who had been fighting to save the listed building.

But after almost three years of being left empty, weekly masses in the day chapel resumed in March.

And the Diocese of Shrewsbury have since agreed for a special circle of priests, the Institute of the Christ King, to take over the “Dome from Home.”

The take-over means the historic building will become the first Catholic church in Britain to be run by the Institute.

Guinea Gap Baths saved (April 13)

Plans to close Guinea Gap Baths were ditched in April thanks to a major investment.

The facility was earmarked for the axe in 2008 following a highly-controversial "strategic asset review" commissioned by Wirral Council's previous Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition.

Councillor Jeff Green, who was council leader at the time, said: “Let’s be quite clear about this – if it hadn’t been for the magnificent campaign by the people who know, use and love Guinea Gap, the place would now be a derelict plot of land.

"Not only are we 100% committed to keeping Guinea Gap open for the people of Wallasey and beyond, but we are investing extra cash to make it even better.”

Royal Wedding street parties (May 4)

Wirral was in full Royal Wedding party mode as Prince William tied the knot with Kate Middleton back in April.

Whole neighbourhoods united to celebrate as the royal couple said “I do.”

Many residents worked together to chip in for bouncy castle, barbecues and discos.

Teri Black, who organised a party in Alverstone Avenue, Birkenhead said: “It has taken around eight weeks to plan all of this and it has been great fun.

"There’s a real sense of community spirit here and even those who couldn’t make it today wanted to contribute to the party fund.”

Royal visits from Prince Edward and Duke of Edinburgh (May)

Wirral was treated to not one, but two royal visits in May.

Prince Edward dropped into West Kirby Residential School to meet staff and pupils, while his father Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was guest of honour at West Kirby Sailing Club as part of the Model Boat International Championships.

West Kirby commodore Chris Riley said: “A lot of hard work has gone into making today special and we are truly honoured to not only play host to the championship but also to have His Royal Highness visit us.”

Les Gibson in Britain’s Got Talent final (June 8)

Wirral’s “man of 1,000 voices” Les Gibson took on the biggest performance of his career at the Britain’s Got Talent Final in June.

His impressions of David Hasselhoff and Michael McIntyre won a thumbs-up from the judges as well as his uncanny imitation of Louis Walsh.

However, he failed to impress with his take-off of X-Factor host Dermot O’Leary and pop svengali Simon Cowell.

Les, 42, said: “I felt under pressure to do something new and original.

"If I had stuck with the Ant and Dec and Kevin Webster impressions, I would have been told I didn’t take risks. I went out there and did my best – it was great exposure for me to be on a show like Britain’s Got Talent.”

Les finished in ninth place, with singer Jai McDowell being crowned the winner.

Jackie Wild fundraising for Claire House in memory of Elliot (June 22)

The mum of young cancer victim Elliot Wild urged readers to help keep local charity Claire House afloat.

Jackie Wild, from Bebington, has been working with the children’s hospice since her son sadly passed away there earlier this year.

She wants to highlight the work that the Clatterbridge-based charity does and encourage families to donate what they can.

Elliot sadly lost his battle with leukaemia in March, despite being days away from a life-saving transplant.

Jackie said: “All children are special but the children who come here are extra special, with the things they deal with.

"We were just a normal family who were rocked by this awful tragedy and Claire House were there for us.”

Calday LEJoG (July)

Students and staff at a Wirral school are nearing the end of a 1,000-mile trek in aid of vital cancer research.

Calday LEJoG, organised through Calday Grange Grammar School, will reached its finish line in July after a year-and-a half of planning and training.

The project, which saw pairs of runners go from Land’s End to John O’Groats over a two-week period, was the idea of former teacher David Wilkes and David Cullen whose teenage son is battling leukaemia.

So far, more than £125,000 has been raised for Alder Hey’s IMAGINE Appeal.

Riot clean-up (August 17)

As Birkenhead woke up to the damage caused by August town centre riot, shopkeepers and residents came together to start a mass clean-up.

Volunteers rallied round to sweep up broken glass and debris from the destruction the night before.

Teenager Sam Robinson set up a special Facebook group to invite residents to help fix the damage.

He said: “We wanted to come out and show that not all young people are causing this. Some of us do care about our area and we don't want to destroy it.

"We want to show community spirit and solidarity at this time.”

Maisie’s double liver transplant (August 24)

A little girl, who went through two liver transplants in one week, scooped a handful of top medals at a sporting tournament.

Six-year-old Maisie Danher, from Prenton, took home two gold, one silver and one bronze prize at the British Transplant Games last weekend.

She was born with a rare genetic liver condition and needed a transplant to survive. But after her body rejected the first donor liver, the youngster had to under-go a second operation.

Her mum Jenny said: “Maisie has been incredible throughout the whole process and to look at her today, you wouldn't believe we almost lost her at one point.

She gave it her all in the games and even won the Overall Trophy for her age group.”

Charlotte Fest (September 14)

A music festival was held in memory of Wirral teenager Charlotte who was killed in a car crash in April.

The 19-year-old’s family and friends organised Charlotte Fest in a bid to raise cash to set up a charity for local young people.

More than £8,000 was raised and plans are now underway to set up the Brightside Trust CLC.

Charlotte’s mum, Angie, said: “The festival went brilliantly, we couldn’t have asked for more.

"we would like to thank each and every person who has supported us since Charlotte passed away – they have really kept us going.”