
The Friends of Maghull and District (FOMD) one year crowdfunding campaign finished at the end of March 2020, successfully raising £6,414. The first stage, in November 2019, involved the community planting of - 12 trees, wildlife friendly hedging, and 1500 bulbs. In October 2020, the delayed 102 m wildflower turf (£2500) was laid. All of which should look spectacular from spring 2021 onwards. The second & final stage that we had planned to complete in April 2020, involving the installation of a noticeboard and rhinoceros recycling sculpture (inspired by the pictured Betws-y-Coed installation) was unfortunately delayed due to the pandemic. In our previous updates we have highlighted the incredible work involved in creating and completing the galvanised rhinoceros sculpture, and the wonderful news that MTC are picking up the material costs of the sculpture, whilst the labour has been provided for free by the incredibly generous Chris Butler (Castle Foundry MD). The sculpture is now waiting for the landscaping to be undertaken and a reduction in the pandemic restrictions to allow an unveiling. We are now surprised and absolutely delighted to be able to announce that we have met (2.3.21) with Victoria Poole (Senior Contracts Manager) and Chris Hicks (MD) from the landscaping company (Spacecare- the subcontracted maintenance company for London and Cambridge who manage all the green areas around Morrisons and the Square), who have expressed breath taking generosity in agreeing to undertake the proposed landscaping of the site, similar to the photo shop image (main picture, courtesy of Cintia at Castle Foundry) and for free. We really can’t thank them enough for their kindness and for being so friendly and supportive at our meeting. Their actions will create a beautiful and enduring legacy to one of the most prominent areas of Maghull. Chris and Vicky estimate that the landscaping will commence in the last week of March or early April. Consequently, we are hoping to install and ceremonially unveil the rhinoceros sculpture following the government’s tentative date for the reduction of the pandemic restrictions after the 12 April, when hopefully we can invite the local primary school children (avid bottle top collectors) and other members of the community. We would like to continue to ask if anyone who is collecting the clean plastic bottle tops to hold on to them, to insert into the rhinoceros following the installation. However, if for whatever reason this proves difficult before or after the installation we continue to be very grateful to Andrea Watkins (Manager of Morrisons) who has kindly offered the opportunity to deposit bagged clean plastic bottle tops in a specific cage in their foyer entrance area for March/April only. Many Warm Wishes, FOMD