RESIDENTS in the Townsend Street area of Birkenhead, including Curlender, Challis and Foxleigh Grange, are picketing their streets to slow down traffic after three children have been knocked down in as many weeks. They have also sent a petition to police chief Paul Forrester and Borough Engineer Andrew Rhodes.

BIRKENHEAD-based Blackthorn Galleries is organising an art competition 'that will put it and Birkenhead on the arts map'.

The gallery, at 2a Price Street, Hamilton Square, is inviting artists to contribute by July 3.

A FAIR is being held on the grounds of the old parish church at Woodchurch on Saturday, July 4. It will be opened by Brookside star Ebony Gray at 1.30pm.

PORT Sunlight Village is planning its celebrations for the Millennium. Residents are asked to send in ideas to Jim Smythe on 343-1936 (daytime).

MID-WIRRAL Victim Support presents a Festival of Cookery with Sainsbury's at Heswall Hall, on Wednesday, July 8, starting at 7.15 pm.

BIRKENHEAD-based Community Playgroup holds a karaoke auction at the Royal Castle Hotel, on the A41 near Lairds, on Saturday evening, July 4. Each contestant sings part of a song and the audience vote for more with donations. Singers wanted. Details from Tish on 201-0503.

PLYMYARD playing fields gala open day takes place in Eastham on Saturday, July 4.

WIRRAL leisure department officers John Crutchley and Peter Riley will pedal continuously for seven hours on Saturday, July 4, without going anywhere! It is part of Spindependence Day at St George's Hall, Liverpool, promoting the latest keep-fit craze. To take part, contact Europa Pools on 647 4182, or the Oval on 645 0551.

WIRRAL Mayor, Councillor Margaret Green, welcomes members of the Thirty Club, Greasby, to Wallasey Town Hall today (Wednesday).

On Thursday, she attends the Rotary Club of Heswall's 41st Charter Dinner at Heswall Hall. On Friday, the Mayor visits Prenton Junior School.

On Sunday, she will officially open the NHS 50th anniversary fair at Arrowe Park Hospital and present prizes to winners of the bed/trolley race.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.