Share your Views about Caring for the Formby Coast

Share your Views about Caring for the Formby Coast

The National Trust at Formby is inviting local people to share their thoughts about caring for the coast at an Open Day on Monday 17 July 2017 from 9.30am to 7pm.

The Trust is encouraging people to share their views and stories about the Formby coast past, present and future. The event will explore ideas for how this special place can best be cared for and benefit the people who love it and the wildlife that makes its home here.

The day follows announcements earlier this year that the Trust is in discussions with Sefton Council about the transfer of an additional 204 hectares of land at Lifeboat Road and Ravenmeols into its care. The transfer has been approved by the Sefton Cabinet and positive discussions are ongoing, with further announcements expected later this Summer.

Formby Point is much loved and used by local people and is home to rare wildlife including sand lizards, Northern Dune Tiger Beetles and the rare Natterjack toad. The pine woodlands that fringe the coast provide a wonderful habitat for rare red squirrels.

Joanne Hudson, General Manager for the National Trust, commented:

“2017 marks 50 years since the National Trust took on the care for the land here at Formby and it is a fitting time to be celebrating that work and looking to the future. We’ve already been speaking to local people about what they would like to see at Formby and this Open Day will provide further opportunities for people to share their ideas, thoughts and stories.

‘We’ll be exploring everything from challenges around traffic and access, to opportunities to get involved through volunteering and how we can manage the landscape for wildlife and nature. We hope you’ll be able to come along and get involved and explore how we can continue to work together as a community to enhance this special place.”

Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services, said:

“Our entire stunning coast is very important to us and we are always looking at ways of improving it for the benefit of our local communities and visitors to the borough.

“The Open Day hosted by the National Trust will give people the chance to share their thoughts on how the Formby coast can be enhanced even further. Please take the time to attend and get involved.”

Stalls will be open throughout the day for people to drop in and chat to National Trust staff and other members of the local community. A series of workshops (booking required) will also be running focused on themes of access and facilities, caring for the coast and working with local businesses and the community. For more details of how to join visit:

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/formby/features/formby-coast-open-day

Workshops:

• 00-13.00: Experiencing Formby, Access and Facilities: we will discuss: traffic and access, car parking, dog walking, facilities (toilets, coffee shops, food offer), memberships, events and how to manage busy days.
• 00-16.00: Caring for the Coast, Caring for Formby: we will discuss nature and wildlife, car park location, sand dunes and woodland management.
• 30-18.30: Working with local businesses and the community: we will discuss opportunities for businesses and communities in Formby to work with the National Trust: catering and retail opportunities, volunteering and work opportunities.