News Item

New ‘green’ look for Seaforth Village

Seaforth Village is getting a new ‘green’ look thanks to the hard work of local volunteers and support from an environmental grant scheme.

Seaforth Village Friends have received support to enhance the area from the Environmental Improvements Fund, created by Sefton’s Linacre Ward councillors and managed by Bootle-based social enterprise Regenerus.

The Friends were formed in September last year when a handful of like-minded residents got together, keen to play their part in introducing and enhancing green spaces in the village.

Adding further resources to their Environmental Improvements grant, members have now installed 14 planters in the area around the Seaforth Village sign, and even the sign itself has had a facelift.

And as part of the project an ‘adopt a planter’ initiative has been a great success, getting the local community involved in watering the planters during the summer and enjoying taking responsibility for the area they live or work in.

The first planters have proved a big hit this year and now more are on the way for spring and summer 2022 which will bring the total to 18 new planters.

The new planters are helping to give Seaforth Village a new ‘green’ look

Marie Hemans-Ney, founder of the group with Anne Cummings, commented: “We are extremely grateful to the Linacre Ward elected members for their support, and I am sure they will be delighted to hear that we have received some wonderful feedback on how uplifting the planters are to the area.

“In addition, keeping residents informed about the project has been a way of reducing the social isolation caused by the Covid-19 lockdowns, and the improvements are also making a contribution towards the goals of Sefton’s Climate Action Plan.

“All in all the achievements of the members of our community-led growing group to date are really inspiring, and show what can be done when a small group of residents get together with a common goal and a good plan.”

Marie also pointed out that receiving the Environmental Improvements Fund grant has helped the Friends to be recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) It’s Your Neighbourhood scheme.

Councillor John Fairclough added:

“We’ve been very pleased to provide backing to the Seaforth Village Friends for this exciting initiative which is exactly the type of project our fund was set up to support.

“The planters have already made a big difference to the area and we’re sure the project will go from strength to strength in the coming months.”