Sun, sand and St Helens

Aug 2 2007 by Mike Chapple, Liverpool Daily Post

The beach comes to St Helens

THERE was a time in the summer holidays when the people of St Helens would be drawn towards Blackpool or Southport for a week of sun, sea and sand.

But this week the tide – or at least the sun and the sand – turned the other way for the town’s Urban Beach celebration.

A 26-foot square of the town centre was filled with 20 tons of Southport sand, Blackpool donkeys, palm trees – albeit plastic ones – fairground rides, ice cream and candy floss to bring a whiff of English seaside to the Lancashire heartland.

Such events have been a regular summer feature in the major European cities of Brussels, Berlin and Paris but this is the first time the Urban Beach concept has come to St Helens and it’s already a resounding success.

The Church Square beach which will be in place until August 25 was heaving on opening day with families, basking in the sun and children making sand castles and enjoying free rides on the three Blackpool donkeys and in the mini-fairground.

“It’s gorgeous and already going better than we would have expected, although the recent change in the weather may have something to do with it,” said the council’s town centre manager Ged Gibbons, who co-ordinated the event with project engineer John Sheward.

“It’s a safe, controlled environ-ment for the kids to enjoy and it’s definitely not about them being dumped by irresponsible parents while they take a walk around the town shopping.

“It’s also been a great exercise in partnering beyond our own local authority with Sefton Council loaning us the palm trees and a spare couple of dozen deck chairs.”

Cllr Neil Taylor, an executive member for St Helens Council’s urban regeneration, said the increasing number of town centre events including speciality markets, the forthcoming comedy week and the free Eclectica Music Festival with Echo and the Bunnymen headlining reflected the ever-growing appeal of the town.

“Urban Beach is one of these events that ensures both residents and visitors can enjoy a family day at the beach without having to leave the borough,” he said.

Steve Brogan chairman of the Town Centre Partnership which helped organise the event, added: “Let’s just hope the rain stays off and we have some warm sunny days so that we can enjoy the Urban Beach in its full glory.”

A FAKE beach outside Liverpool’s St George’s Hall is just one of the attractions for the Liverpool Children’s Festival which opens tomorrow.

Festivities will be centred around William Brown Street including the World Museum, the Walker Art Gallery, Central Library St John’s Gardens and St George’s Plateau.

Council leader Warren Bradley said: “It offers a fantastic diversion from summer boredom, and best of all it’s been developed by young people themselves.”

mikechapple