St Luke’s, Crosby, Community Reflection

(January 2009)

You can click on any of the pictures and diagrams to view a larger version.

The People – 1

Age Spread of Population as % of Total Population

Occupation of Population as % of Total Population

There are some further statistics based on the Victoria political ward. St Luke’s parish falls predominantly into the Victoria ward, though some of it is in the Manor and Blundellsands wards as well, and the Victoria ward covers a wider area than the parish, so while interesting and a rough guide these figures are not completely specific to St Luke’s parish:

Also in the Crosby Policing Area (Crosby/Waterloo/Seaforth) the total crime count for 2008 was 2114 in total – a drop of 102 from the previous year. Biggest decreases were in violence/cycle theft/criminal damage. However there were increases in certain crimes as well – mainly drug offences.

Comments/Thoughts:-

• The age spread figures are based on the 2001 census statistics – general feeling is that this will have changed a bit by now, with maybe a bit of a move up the age scale. Proportionally a relatively small population of people in their 20’s and early 30’s.
• As indicated by the faith statistics St Luke’s parish and Crosby area generally does not have much of an ethnic mix of people – a very predominantly white population.
• Latest Government statistics show that 1414 Crosby people claimed Job Seekers Allowance in December 2008 - a rise of 33% from 2007 figure of 1060. This figure of 1414 represents 3.4% of Crosby's working age population (national average is 3.1%). The number of Crosby men claiming JSA is 5.2% (national average 4.4%). Figures also showed that 2900 Crosby males did not want a job. (Info from Crosby Herald issue dated 22 January 09).

The People 2

What do you like about living in this area?

Where Do You Meet Socially?

The impression was given that people travel further afield now to shop than maybe used to be the case. Though a number of people do still seem to shop for groceries etc locally within the parish: Crosby Village/Sainsbury’s and close to the parish: Waterloo/the new Aldi in Thornton, a significant number also seem to travel out of the immediate area for things like supermarkets and a wider range of shops to areas such as Bootle, Formby and even further afield for main town centre shopping to Liverpool, Southport, some even as far afield as Manchester and Chester.

Workwise similarly, though a number of people do work locally many people from this area tend to commute to various parts of Liverpool and the North-West for work, with some who go further afield and spend a fair bit of time travelling and working away from home.

In terms of hobbies and other activities, a number of people in this area seem to enjoy various keep fit/sporting activities: going to the gym, walking, swimming, cycling and so on. Others mentioned church, socialising generally, trips to theatre and cinema, DIY, art classes, and voluntary work.

Biggest Issues for this Area

For Young People

• Not enough activities/nothing to do
• Not much for pre-school children
• Groups hanging about on streets
• Mistrust/fear of teenagers from many elderly people

For the elderly

• Loneliness
• Social Clubs closing
• Busy Traffic
• Groups of youths on the streets/in parks
• Fear of teenagers – esp groups

Generally

• Crosby generally more and more run down
• Too many pubs/bars encouraging yob culture/drunkenness

What Paper you read?

What TV programs do you watch?

What Music Do You Listen to?

An interesting selection of people named as heroes/people they admired: 9 people specified Nelson Mandela, 4 people Jesus. They were the top 2 individuals specified. 7 people mentioned a member of their close family, others mentioned a whole array of footballers, political and religious figures, the Queen, TV celebrities/actors and so on. The staff at Crossroads were even given a mention! 1 person replied that they did not admire anyone!

Comments/Thoughts:-

• In terms of what people like about the area good to see that people see it as a ‘friendly’ area – despite people’s worries about ‘yob’ culture/drink related issues etc.
• Interest in the local community – lots of people really care about how Crosby village is looking and what is there/not there. Also lots of people seem to read the Crosby Herald.
• Regarding issues for younger people there is some feeling that statements like ‘not enough to do’ would have been said 20 years ago and probably will still be said in 20 years time – almost irrespective of what there actually is to do. Part of it might be to do with appropriateness of what is provided, but also a sense that there are bigger issues involved such as interaction between children/young people and adults etc.

The Place

Comments/Thoughts:-

• Currently there are 315 people in total on St Luke’s electoral roll. Of these 166 live within the parish boundary and 149 outside (though almost all within the wider Crosby/Waterloo/Blundellsands area). The 166 in the parish are well spread out around the parish generally, though we do not have many members from the Woodend estate – something that needs to be thought about?
• A few empty/closed down shop/pub units in Crosby village (The Village/Late Lounge recently closed, veg shop on Moor Lane, ex Crosby Herald office etc.), as well as the derelict land where the Central Buildings were demolished a few months ago. Opportunity for St Luke’s / other churches to impact/input into decisions about future land/building use in the village – through things like being involved with the Crosby Traders Association etc.
• Numerous schools within parish. Obviously St Luke’s has regular involvement with and input into St Luke’s Halsall, and In Another Place Assembly teams go into some other schools, but is there more scope/more opportunity for outreach into other schools?

The Background

How has St Luke’s Parish changed?

20 Years ago

• Just One Bar In Moor Lane 'The George'
• No Satellite TV so no Live football in pubs
• Many more independent shops
• Including "Armstrong Travel, Quirks Records, Miss Tina"
• Just one Charity Shop 'Oxfam'
• We had Liverpool Road Methodist Church
• More People went to Church

10 Years ago

• More Bars opening; Inc Stamps and Blues
• More long established business disappear inc Marsh's Bakers/ Radio rentals
• St Lukes ran very popular Parent Courses "and had a family worker working on the fringes of St Lukes circle through School, and the community"
• After years of consultation: Crosby gets the go ahead for a replacement baths and leasure centre
• Crosby parks are at there worst

5 Years ago

• Crossroads Moves
• Magull developments start buying properties in the village
• New leases are on short term agreements that makes economic stability hard for traditional shops making way for more bars and charity shops
• Mac Donald's closes
• Friends of Coronation Park is formed and starts to transform the park

In The Last Year

• Aldi has opened in Thornton
• Central Buildings is knocked down
• Extended drinking time has made Crosby Village a 'no go area' for a lot of people in the community
• Manor High school became St Michaels C.E. High School the year before. We are now beginning to see the fruits of the change and is improving all the time. Coffee shops have opened everywhere (Who's drinking the coffee?)

How has the Church responded to the changes?

• Some comments from people saying that they are not sure if or how the church has responded.
• However in terms of comments about the current state of Crosby there were a number of positive comments about St Luke’s community garden and the grounds work in the graveyard and so on.
• Also things like The Way youth club, TAG, Uniformed organisations were referred to as being positive in terms of giving some options to children and youths for things to do, and stopping some from hanging about on the streets more.

The Future

• In 3 years time there should be a clear idea as to the development of Crosby Village and reconstruction could be under way. However there are significant worries about how this will come about and whatbusinesses will be attracted in given the current financial situation. Vital that the church as well as the community generally seeks to be involved with and input into the planning process.
• Related to the above: questions and concerns about the impact of a possible larger Sainsbury’s store possibly with a petrol station. Impact on other current or potential businesses and also impact on traffic etc.
• Worries about the lack of people currently using Crosby Village during the days. Feeling that there is a bit of a ‘vicious cycle’ in that not many people are using the village because of a lack of things there – shop variety etc., but that new businesses/shops etc. won’t come in to the village when there don’t seem to be good numbers of people there. Links in to concern above for future development of Crosby Village.
• Parking charges around Crosby Village car parks becoming more of an issue in the future - ½ hour free parking option ending in a year or so.
• Redevelopment of Crosby Marina – not in parish, but certainly of local impact and interest.
• For the next general election the local parliamentary constituency boundaries are due to change. Manor and Blundellsands wards, into which some of St Luke's parish falls are going to be part of the Central Sefton constituency, whereas Victoria ward which the rest of the parish falls into will be part of the Bootle constituency. So the parish will fall under 2 separate constituency's and threfore 2 different MPs.
• Hopes for new vestry area, new roof and re-ordering of St Luke’s church building. Bringing possible opportunities to consult with community about how they see and feel about St Luke’s, as well as opportunities for increased community usage and outreach.