WIRRAL Hospice St John’s has launched its Christmas tree collection for 2024.
From Friday, January 12, the charity's volunteers will pick up used real Christmas trees from outside people’s homes and businesses across the borough.
The hospice tree collection contributes to funding specialist care and support services as people make donations, relating to the size of their tree.
On the days of the collections around thirty vans will be sent around Wirral. One person will take the wheel and navigate a pre-planned postcode route, while one or two crew members, will pick up the tree from each address and load it onto the back of the van.
Once each van is fully loaded it’s driven to various pre-arranged temporary ‘drop-sites’ around Wirral to offload for chipping, then back on the road heading out for the next load. The chipped trees have further recycled uses, maybe in biofuel or even spread around at community farms and paddocks. Other small local charities also receive around ten per cent of the monies raised.
Elaine Connell, Wirral Hospice St John’s fundraising officer, said: “We’ve got our fingers crossed for another bumper year of Christmas tree collections, the generous donations make a huge difference to the lives of so many people in our Wirral community.
“A small army of people give up their valuable time and the use of their vans, year after year, to help with the used Christmas tree collections. It’s always a lot of fun for our hardy volunteers and we are so grateful to them and everyone who books a collection with us.”
Every Wirral postcode area is eligible to register and people can book from now, until 11.59pm on Sunday, January 7 to secure their collection of their real Christmas trees.
Postcodes covered by Wirral Hospice St John’s include CH41, CH42, CH43, CH44, CH45, CH46, CH47, CH48, CH49, CH60, CH61, CH62, CH63, CH64.
To register a tree for collection people can book online at www.wirralhospice.org/treecollection or call 0151 343 0778.
Get creative
ART classes are held at Newton Village Hall on Mondays from 2.30 to 4.30pm and 7 to 9pm and Wednesdays from 10am to noon.
They feature drawing and painting for beginners to experienced artists. There are also lessons in oil, watercolour, acrylics and mixed media. For details, email nigelmorris@hotmail.co.uk or call 678 0834.
Bird club talk
CHILE and the Falklands is the title of Kevin Roberts’ illustrated presentation to RSPB Wirral this Thursday (January 4). It will take place at Hoylake Community Centre on Hoyle Road in Hoylake, starting at 7.30pm. Admission £5.
Rock ‘n’ roll
CHESHIRE Cats’ rock ‘n’ roll fundraising nights are every Wednesday from 7.30pm at The Poulton Victoria Club on Poulton Bridge Road, Wallasey. Entrance £1.50. Proceeds to charities helping sick children.
Bowls
OXTON CC Bowls Club has launched a recruitment drive for Crown Green Bowlers to join its existing first-team squad for the 2024 season, playing in both afternoon and evening Birkenhead & Wirral District leagues.
If interested, contact Gerry on 07989 970778 or email doyleg1@ sky.com for more details.
Folk club
WALLASEY folk and acoustic club meets on the first and third Sundays of each month at Misty Blues, on Manor Road in Liscard.
It's a chance for singers, poets, storytellers and musicians to share their talent and entertain each other and the audience. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
All attendees are asked to make a donation of £3 which pays the room hire charge. Details from the club's website and Facebook page or email wfac@btinternet.com.
Over-50s swim
WIRRAL over-50s swim club meets at Calday Grange Swimming Pool every Friday (9 to 11am). Interested? Email wirraloverfiftiesswimmers@gmail.com or call Pam on 07884 972400 to arrange a taster session.
Badminton
A BADMINTON club in West Kirby is looking for new members. It meets Tuesdays at Westbourne Hall Community Centre, Westbourne Road, from 8 to 10pm.
Details from Ian on 07710 536953 or email ibt@f2s.com
Country music
LEASOWE Castle Country Music Club meets every Thursday at Poulton Vics Social Club, Poulton Bridge Road, Wallasey (7.15 to 11pm). Details from 07707 712936.
Piano bar
THERE is live piano music at the Mess Cafe at Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton every Thursday night. Admission free (7pm start). The Fort Sessions’ – a night of live acoustic guitar and different singers each week – are at the venue every Friday (7pm).
Folk dancing
FOLK dance sessions are on the first, third and fifth Tuesday of every month at Victoria Hall, Bebington from 8 to 10pm. Details alexacharlottepenny@gmail.com
Exercise class
DANCE exercise classes take place at Guide Headquarters on Leasowe Road, Wallasey every Thursday (2pm). Admission £5. Call Angela on 07786 360959 for details.
Ladies bowling
BEBINGTON Ladies Bowling Club meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Call 0151 608 8616 for details.
Flexercise
FLEXERCISE – described as fun and friendly exercise sessions for the over 60s – take place every Wednesday (6.30 to 7.45pm) at St James’ Church Hall, New Brighton. Details from 07544 150112.
Charity cuppa
A CHARITY coffee morning is held every Tuesday from 10am to noon at St Alban’s Parish Centre, Liscard.
No fee, just a voluntary donation in aid of the Lourdes fund.
Oxton U3A
OXTON University of the Third Age (U3A) holds fortnightly meetings at Trinity with Palm Grove Church, Alton Road, Birkenhead.
If you are interested and would like more details, email membership@oxtonu3a.co.uk
Badminton club
BADMINTON club nights are every Monday and Friday from 7.30pm until late at Upton Victory Hall on Salacre Lane in Upton.
New players (from beginner level) welcome.
Details from Lauretta on 07936 293350 or lauretta.radcliffe@yahoo.co.uk
Tap dance
A MONDAY evening tap dancing class in Wallasey is looking for new members. This is not a beginners’ class, experience preferred.
Call Angela on 07786 360959.
Got an event for noticeboard? Email craig.manning@nqnw.co.uk
