Latest News
- Flood Risk Management Drop In Event
The county council’s Flood Risk Management team has made arrangements to use the large meeting room at Ormskirk Civic Hall on Thursday 6 March, for a drop-in event running from 3.30pm to 7.30pm in support of people who have experienced flooding to their homes, business premises and farmland in any of the rainstorms that have impacted West Lancashire over the winter.
The event will be staffed by officers from the county council, West Lancashire Borough Council, the Environment Agency and United Utilities plc, all of whom know the district well and can advise on localised drainage issues, what has been learned from site-specific investigations, and how drainage problems are being corrected or overcome in different ways.
We will also have Flood Hub team members with us, who can advise on understanding flood risks, and flood preparedness/resilience for residents, businesses and land owners who find themselves at repeated risk of flooding.
We would be very grateful if you would pass this information on to your communities where people might appreciate this opportunity for personalised support.
If you have any particular questions about the event, please fell welcome to contact me directly.
- INVITATION TO TENDER FOR HASKAYNE FIELD AND HEDGE MAINTENANCE
1st April 2025 – 31st October 2025
Introduction:
Downholland has a very popular, well-maintained park, attracting lots of visitors daily, with something of interest all year round.
We have a large open grassed area, surrounded by an Orchard, a BMX track, Children’s play area, Wildflower Meadow under construction & a Woodland Walk with planting. Spring bulbs are planted in abundance, in the Orchard & pockets around the park.
The Parish Council welcomes bids from experienced contractors who set high standards & pride themselves on the quality of their work & attention to detail.
Separate tenders are invited for the maintenance of the Haskayne playing field and hedges as described in the attached specifications.
Contractors must be able to show evidence of Public Liability insurance, Risk Assessment, Health and Safety policies and be qualified and licensed to use weedkiller.
Tenders by post in a sealed envelope clearly marked TENDER to the clerk, 3 Rawlinson Grove, Southport PR9 9NF or by email to tenders@downhollandpc.org.uk
To be received no later than 5.00 pm Friday 14th March.
Specification obtainable from the:
Clerk to the Council 3 Rawlinson Grove, Southport PR9 9NF.
Please note Standing Order 64 regarding the canvassing of councillors or the Clerk apply to this tender.
Grass Cutting every 2 weeks From the beginning of April to the end of October Main field, Children’s Play Area, BMX Track Sides, Play Mounds, grassed areas surrounding Village Hall, Pavilion & Downholland Cross – avoiding bulb planting.
The Orchard and Downholland Cross areas to be left until mid-May to avoid flowering bulbs. The standard of grass when cut should be of a good standard.
All grass cuttings should be removed and swept off any hard surfaces. Before mowing, all debris should be removed. Where bulbs are planted around the park & at Downholland Cross, they should be allowed to die back & turn yellow before being cut back.Strimming – every 4 weeks. From the beginning of April to the end of October All boundaries around the outer perimeter of the park, hedge lines, the corner area between the Children’s Play Area & down to the Public Footpath, the verge alongside the public footpath from the canal to School Lane, the verge running along School Lane between the footpath and the boundary with Moorcroft Cottage next to the Village Hall (avoiding Daffodils when in season) & the grassed area at the side & back of the Village Hall which should be mowed/strimmed.
All suckers, brambles, nettles & self-sown trees shall be removed from these areas.Spraying – every 8 weeks. April/June/August/October The path running around the Park, taking care to spray up to and including the edging boards & around/behind benches, the Children’s Play Area, which should be checked for signs of weeds growing around/under Play Equipment & around the edges of the rubberised safety surfaces, the BMX Track, the grassed areas abutting flagged paving & all joints to flagged areas, except the paved area around the Village Hall, which should be cleared of weeds physically.
The roadside verge to be sprayed where it reaches the pavement to stop encroachment.Additions – every 2 weeks
From the beginning of April to the end of OctoberAny dead or dangerous tree branches should be reported to the Clerk. This should include any low hanging branches which could cause injury. Suckers should be removed from the base/trunk of trees. For clarity, the Contractor shall meet with the Clerk or their representative every alternate month, so any points of concern can be discussed. Should the Contractor feel, it would be good practice to carry out any ‘one off’ tasks, they should contact the Clerk before proceeding. - Road Closure Extension – Old Moss Lane, Downholland
About Downholland
The Civil Parish of Downholland lies in the southwestern corner of West Lancashire, it includes the village of Haskayne and the settlements of Barton and Downholland Cross as well as scattered farmhouses and cottages.
Haskayne contains a beautiful park next to the canal, featuring a BMX track, football pitch and lots of play equipment. Winner of “Best Park in Lancashire” – Lancashire Best Kept Village 2019/2020.
There is a thriving village school, three public houses,a village hall hosting a number of community activities and we have an active Community Association and Residents Association.
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Downholland has a total area of 12 square miles most of which is prime agricultural land. The nearest towns are Southport, seven miles to the west and Ormskirk five miles to the east. Liverpool is about 12 miles away. The population of about 1000 is employed in the surrounding towns and cities or on the land. The Leeds and Liverpool canal runs through the parish.