A £500,000 appeal is launched today in a bold bid to preserve, for future generations, one of Bebington's most historic buildings.

Two storey Mayer Hall, built in the 1870s by arguably Bebington's most famous adopted son, the successful businessman and philanthropist Joseph Mayer, is in such a dilapidated state that only the ground floor is now in use.

The former library and art gallery - provided by Mayer a little more than a century ago as a gift to the people of Bebington - is now owned by Wirral Borough Council, which is willing to lease the building for 99 years at a peppercorn rent to the Joseph Mayer Trust, provided sufficient funds can be raised for renovation purposes.

Mr Gordon Favager, chairman of the seven-strong trustees, said: "Joseph Mayer did so much for Bebington it seems to me that just over 100 years after his death we should not let his gift to the people fall into disuse and be demolished."

The trustees are hoping that the Globe-backed appeal will attract National Lottery funding, but first they know they have to demonstrate public support for the cause.

"We intend to hold a public meeting within the next month or so to explain to the community our aim of restoring Mayer Hall to its former glory and to once again make it fully available to the people of Bebington," said Mr Favager, ex-secretary of the former South Wirral Community Health Council (CHC).

He added: "We are calling on the people of Bebington to show their support for what we believe is a most worthy scheme. We are also going to ask local businesses and industry for their support. Half a million pounds is an awful lot of money, but we are confident it can be raised.

"I and my fellow trustees want to see Mayer Hall fully restored and used for the good of the people of Bebington as quickly as possible. We are coming to the end of this Millennium - it would be really something if we could go into the 21st Century knowing that we were well on our way to preserving a facility which was given to Bebington more than 100 years ago."

The date and venue of the public meeting will be announced shortly in the Globe. Meanwhile, people who would like to make a donation to the Mayer Hall Appeal can do so by sending their contributions to: The Treasurer of the Mayer Hall (Bebington) Trust, c/o Bebington Council for Voluntary Service (CVS), 65 The Village, Bebington L63 7PL.

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