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

In 2021, the UK will host a global climate summit, COP26. It’s our chance to lead the world into a greener future. Start now and #Showthelove for the things you want to protect. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58b40fe1be65940cc4889d33/t/5fc786d10623334b0c6317f0/1606911707142/Show+the+Love+2021+Green+Heart+Action+Pack.pdf?utm_source=notes_on_nature_210213&utm_medium=email&utm_term=&utm_content=16&utm_campaign=notes_on_nature

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. The fascinating detailed process in making the rhinoceros sculpture from a ten inch model to 3m long life sized sculpture is captured in our previous post¹. However, we are absolutely delighted to announce that the sculpture is now complete following the dipping in zinc to galvanise it at a specialised Liverpool firm (pictured - the Castle Foundry’s subcontracted company were so delighted with its appearance they want to publish it in their national magazine). We are incredibly indebted to Castle Foundry (Chris Butler MD) and Maghull Town Council (Cllr’s Patrick McKinley & John Sayer) for supporting the labour and material costs respectively. The next stage is to undertake some preparatory landscaping which the photo shop image provides an exact image of the rhinoceros, whilst the landscaping will most likely be different from the picture. We are also grateful to Spacecare (the subcontracted maintenance company for London and Cambridge who manage all the green areas around Morrisons and the Square) for their amazing support in undertaking the landscaping. Consequently, the long-awaited installation will depend on the landscaping but also on the availability of the schoolchildren who collected a large amount of the clean plastic bottle tops to populate the recycling rhinoceros, as we would like them to be front and centre for the unveiling, which if pandemic conditions allow may mean that we can unveil the statue in March/April. In our November update¹ we asked 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 are 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. Warm Wishes, FOMD ¹https://www.facebook.com/groups/154530851941643/permalink/764751554252900

After an incredibly challenging time we find ourselves at the beginning of a new year that will see huge changes and opportunities for society, nature and the climate. We are entering a pivotal moment in which we can each play our part to influence global action for climate and nature on home soil. As the UK plays host to global climate summit, CoP26, you can raise the profile of the nature crisis and fight to restore wildlife populations and wild places as part of the UK's climate action. It's your time to shine. Read our blog to learn about what we'll be campaigning on in 2021, providing you with plenty of opportunities to stand up for the natural world, safely (within Government restrictions). We are excited to stand with you for the future we all want: a healthy, resilient world where people and nature can thrive together. Many thanks, Krissy and the RSPB Campaigns team. campaigns@rspb.org.uk Read Blog: https://community.rspb.org.uk/getinvolved/naturesheroes/b/weblog/posts/looking-ahead-to-the-year-for-nature-and-climate?fbclid=IwAR0928JH0fdDfzift3XVwxgLWKeJkcIgG9hQ4nrNtiu9UZ1gc_p0-1JTFjg#_cptype=panel&_cpcontexttype=Application&_cppanelid=194c3f4e-c820-4223-bdb6-2df5fa37ab6c?utm_source=ROW_new_year_2021&utm_medium=email&utm_term=&utm_content=2&utm_campaign=reviveourworld2020

Brilliant news, our rhinoceros sculpture is now fully finished. Last week for £400 it was dipped in zinc to galvanise it (pictured). More details in the monthly update letter to follow.

We have recently installed two aluminium (21x15cm) to help protect the 102 m² (£2500) of Wildflower Turf that we installed in November, from accidental cutting by the ‘Spacecare’ maintenance team, who have included these instructions in their service plan. We wanted to share this small update with you to let you know where your crowdfunding money is going, so hopefully the £50 signs will help us see the wildflowers in their first blooming glory in spring 2021. Thank you to Rob at ADM Creative for producing the signs.

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. As previous updates have indicated there have been some obvious unforeseen pandemic delays in installing the recycling rhinoceros but please be assured that it will be delivered in the New Year and that your fantastic collection of plastic bottle tops that you have hopefully retained will help statue to burst into life. The statue has now been completed (see the four pictures in the gallery section) and is simply awaiting the process of being galvanised (described in the November update), consequently we used the opportunity to survey the site of the statue on the 21.12.20 to consider how best it could be harmonised into its new home. The photographs shows the amazingly kind and generously spirited Chris Butler (Left, MD of Castle Foundry)) and the proposed site of the rhinoceros installation, presenting a small statue of the Liverpool legends Bob Paisley and Emlyn Hughes, as an early Christmas present to the tireless and dedicated Patrick McKinley (Right, MTC leader) following his incredibly challenging year. 3) Latest Crowdfunding with the Support of the Co-op for the Woodend Community Woodland Environmental Project: we are now implementing many of the crowdfunding proposals at this site but have also started futher crowdfunding to raise nearly £5000 for plants to populate the huge borders at this site. Please follow the links below for further information and help us make an amazing difference here: • Membership to provide free donations simply by shopping: https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/53065 • Donations can be made at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/woodend • Whilst history and updates are available at: www.spacehive.com/woodend We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year, despite the unusual circumstances.

1) Stafford Morton Way Wildflower Project The Friends of Maghull and District (FOMD) one year crowdfunding campaign finished at the end of March 2020, successfully raising £6,414. Kindly supported throughout by Maghull Town Council, particularly Cllrs John Sayer and Patrick McKinley and the fantastic Ashworth Hospital Gardeners. The first stage, last November, 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. I called into the internationally renowned - Castle Foundry (Liverpool) last week, which is always a complete joy, to be surrounded by so many fascinating and imaginatively creative projects that have been ordered throughout the world. The rhinoceros has now evolved from a small rhinoceros model (pictured) which was then enlarged (2ft long) utilising a 3-D printer (pictured). However, the final stage involved a pentagraph (pictured) which is a crane like apparatus that can accurately project the small model into a life-sized model, enabling Chris (Managing Director - pictured) to establish the framework, then attaching mesh (pictured) to complete the shape and retain the plastic bottle tops that will be inserted. This week he hopes to transfer it to his Welsh Foundry to dip the whole structure into the zink to galvanise it to prevent future corrosion. It is a wonderful outcome which Chris hopes to complete and install in December (dependent upon two weeks of Jury service!), prior to creating a plinth, hopefully unveiled by the primary school children who collected the bulk of the plastic bottle tops. The rhinoceros will be sited on Stafford Moreton Way just past the turnoff for the medical centre (pictured). We really can’t thank Chris enough for his precious time, creativity and generosity in undertaking this work at material cost only. The sculpture will highlight endangered wildlife, the importance of plastic recycling, and a possible memorial. We have collected an unbelievable nine massive bin bags of plastic bottle tops from Lydiate, Northway and St Andrews primary schools, just before the summer holiday closure. The youngest class in Lydiate Primary were so proud to win an interclass competition, organised by the school, for collecting the most. We would be delighted if everyone else who are collecting the clean plastic bottle tops continue to do so and hold on to them, so they can be inserted into the sculpture. If we eventually have too many bottle tops, we are hoping to create a community mosaic picture, so nothing will go to waste! Many thanks for everyone’s support and we will continue to provide updates on our website www.spacehive.com/stafford-moreton 2) Woodend Community Woodland Project. In the meantime, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who unbelievably helped with our second successfully crowd funded (stage one of two) project at Bobby’s Wood/Woodend (junction of Liverpool Road South and Northway, adjacent from LIDL), raising over £28,000 (including in-kind work) between April/October 2020 in the midst of a pandemic! 3) Latest Crowdfunding with the Support of the Co-op. The second stage of crowdfunding has commenced October 2020/21 to raise funds for community border planting. We have recently been overwhelmed, honoured and delighted to be chosen by the Co-op to be one of their charity partners over the next 12 months, and although the website is in its infancy further information can be found at https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/53065 Consequently, if you become a Co-op member for £1, every time you purchase an item you will receive a personal discount on your next purchase and the Co-op will donate money free of charge, if you choose our cause. Cash donations can still be made for the next project stages at Morrisons, Dover Road - Post Office, The Chippy, and Blue Star. 4) A Huge Thank You for the weekly work undertaken by the Maghull volunteers, particularly the continued work to tidy up the Dell (opposite the Hare and Hounds Pub), and the transformative clean up job of the subway and the planned painting of the subway next week. The planning, time and hard work is deeply appreciated and makes such a difference to see all the positive uplifting changes undertaken for everyone’s benefit.

I called into the Castle Foundry this week, which is always a complete joy, to be surrounded by so many fascinating and imaginatively creative projects that have been ordered throughout the world. The rhinoceros has now evolved from a small rhinoceros model (pictured below) which was then enlarged (2ft long) utilising a 3-D printer (pictured below). However, the final stage involved a pentagraph (pictured) which is a crane like apparatus that can accurately project the small model into a life-sized model, enabling Chris (Managing Director) to establish the framework, before attaching mesh to complete the shape and retain the plastic bottle tops that will be inserted. It is a wonderful outcome which Chris hopes to complete this month, prior to planning the plinth and unveiling, which is very dependent upon the current lockdown restrictions. We really can’t thank Chris enough for his precious time, creativity and generosity in undertaking this work at material cost only.

We have been continuing the extra spreading of wood chippings on all three borders and have been mulching fertiliser (courtesy of Dave Evans) around the Holly and Nordmann trees after they suffered a little bit, by losing some old growth during the April/May drought period. (1) Recycling Rhinoceros Sculpture. Following a delay due to pandemic restrictions. Chris Butler (Castle Foundry Director) has utilised a small rhinoceros model (pictured) and had it 3-D printed into a slightly larger model (also pictured), before using a technology to accurately project a life-size model to create the galvanised mesh steel sculpture, with suitable holes at the top to insert the bottle tops and a trap door the bottom to release the bottle tops when required. Chris is hopeful that we may be able to install the sculpture in November/December, with a suitable plinth area, dependent upon the latest November Covid restrictions. We will also have another update on its progress with pictures in the next couple of days. (2) The noticeboard, once we have an idea of how much money will be available following the above work, we will then order and install this item hopefully by the end of the year. The Next Project 2020 – at Woodend/Bobby’s Wood, near the junction of Liverpool Road South and Northway, has been crowdfunding through the pandemic restrictions from April through to its completion in October, and has achieved and surpassed its £24,000 target, to enable some hard and soft landscaping to be achieved in stage one, to provide safety and accessibility. Consequently, we were able to prepare and install the 92 m of wooden perimeter knee high rail fencing in October. More information available at www.spacehive.com/woodend, local community survey results, Q&A, Information Sheet at http://www.maghull-tc.gov.uk/news, and contact at Woodendcwp@gmail.com Thank you very much for the unbelievable support at such a challenging time.