Sefton Council's decision to close the Churchtown Botanic Gardens aviary has been described as "crazy" by community volunteers, as the furious reaction to the news announced last week continues. The council said the aviary is not keeping up with modern animal welfare standards expected for birds in its care and the costs associated with maintaining its infrastructure are too great. Some £60,000 a year is needed for day-to-day running costs and the council said it is concerned further capital funding is needed to modernise the attraction.
Community Meeting Draws Hundreds
On Friday, a public meeting organised by local MP Patrick Hurley, who said he was "deeply disappointed" by the news, was held in a packed-out garden café attended by hundreds of people spilling out of the doors. Ahead of the meeting, the ECHO spoke with David and Ann Cobham, who for the past year have run the Botanic Gardens Community Association of volunteers. They tend the flower beds and carry out maintenance work, including in the aviary, three times a week.
Ann said the aviary, which opened in 1939, is often visited by groups of schoolchildren who are now "really worried about these birds going. They're getting upset now. It's not right. This has been here in our park for over 80 years." David added: "It's brought tears to my eyes. An 11-year-old lad who comes here on his bike, he has gone round his school and got 91 pupils and staff to sign our petition."
Volunteers Challenge Council's Claims
David believes the aviary can run on less than £60,000, adding: "The other thing the council have said is that this aviary is not fit for purpose in the modern day. We have raised in the last five years over £50,000 to put into renovating and updating that aviary. It's a lie to say it's not good for the welfare of the birds. What's not good for their welfare is getting rid of the 180 birds. What's cruel? Keeping it or getting rid of all of the birds? Where are they going?"
Ann added: "It just doesn't make sense. There are some birds in there that have been there 20 years. They're going to destroy them, aren't they?" The council has stressed that animal welfare is the most important issue in this process and efforts will be made to rehome the animals with suitably-equipped organisations. Euthanasia has been ruled out.
David said: "The birds have all got their friendships. They sit with one another, they talk to one another, it's magic. For Sefton to say that there are not many of these left as if it's fine to get rid of ours as well, that's a load of rubbish."
Council's Position and Funding Challenges
The council said it is one of the last councils in the country to manage a facility that houses animals. But it is not a statutory duty to do so and it is now no longer possible. The council also said the nature of the challenges the aviary faces in terms of infrastructural improvements and meeting welfare needs would make it difficult for any voluntary organisation to take over running the attraction.
An online petition set up by the Botanic Gardens Community Association has been signed by nearly 3,000 people. Activists collecting signatures in the Botanic Gardens ahead of Friday's meeting told the ECHO a paper petition had also secured around 5,000 signatures. Ann and David said the main thing they want is for the aviary's one full-time employee Connor to remain in his role, adding: "He has been our best aviary manager in the 15 years we've been doing this."
Supporters Speak Out
Paul Sherman, from North West Heritage who was among those encouraging people to sign the petition on Friday, told the ECHO the aviary "means an awful lot of things to an awful lot of people." He said people come just to look at the birds, as a space where they can relax and find peace. He added: "I do not think the council for a minute realised it was going to bring the people of Southport together to oppose it. If the council are not in a position to maintain it financially, I think it should be handed over as an asset to a group that is in a position to run it."
David Rawsthorne, who founded the Make a Change for Botanic campaign group which raises funds for repairs and maintenance at the gardens, told the ECHO: "The aviary has been there for 85 years. It's part of the heartbeat of the park." David, who founded the group in memory of his best friend and through it has helped raise £40,000 for the gardens, said the council's decision was "shameless."
Match Funding Bid and Political Response
David Rawsthorne added: "My biggest gripe is that they have this match funding bid that's been a painfully slow process." The Botanic Gardens wants to appeal to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for up to £5m but, in order to secure this money, it must raise 10% of the total. Meols ward Lib Dem councillor Daniel Lewis has submitted a motion for next week's Sefton Council meeting calling for it to agree the £176,000 raised from the sale of a lodge at the edge of the park be put towards the match-funding appeal.
David said: "We've got to find £500,000 to get the £5m, so they could have put the lodge sale, as it's part of the Botanic, straight into the match funding. If we've got that money, why are they closing off bits of the park while also trying to pursue getting this funding? So we want to know exactly what's going on with this match funding bid. We just want answers." He added: "For them to say they're going to rehome all these birds, it's going to cause them all huge stress. As well as the people not being able to visit them, all the birds will suffer. I'm praying they reverse the decision."
Long-Time Visitor's Emotional Response
Sandra-Lynne Jones, who said she has been visiting the aviary for over 50 years, said she was "devastated" to hear of the plans to close it. "My parents would say: 'Let's go and visit the birds,' knowing those words would fill me with excitement. The birds' voices have become part of the soundscape of the gardens and of our memories." She also said the aviary offers a direct connection to the living world in a society increasingly mediated through screens and is a "place of genuine human connection."
MP's Pledge and Council's Reassurance
At the meeting, MP Mr Hurley said: "It's really easy to blame the council for this and it's much more difficult, but more productive, to see what we could do to change their minds. We need to figure out a way to ensure that the aviary is there for the long-term." He said he is exploring difficult funding avenues and has been in touch with an aviary in Hull that also closed after council funding was withdrawn but has since reopened with the help of community fundraising. He added: "We've got from now until March 2027 to build our funding capacity."
A member of the public shouted: "If you don't keep this aviary open by your best will and skill, there are thousands of people who won't vote for you at the next general election." Another asked: "Will you really represent us? Are you going to fight this case? Can we count on you?" He responded: "Everyone can count on me to do everything in my power to keep the aviary open."
In response to calls on social media to put money used for projects like cycle lanes towards the aviary, the council said funding is often allocated for specific schemes, meaning that it cannot be moved about in that way.
Councillor Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: "We appreciate everyone who attended today's meeting and the views expressed by those people about the future of the aviary. The Council's position is that the long-term welfare of the animals and birds must be our overriding and main consideration. Whilst in the current circumstances staff and volunteers have kindly cared for the animals, the aviary infrastructure is ageing and the key issue is not primarily about funding, but whether the facility can provide the standards of care and environment that animals and birds need and deserve. We will continue to ensure the welfare of all birds and animals remains our priority, including through a carefully managed rehoming process where suitable homes can be identified. We remain committed to the long-term future of this much-loved park and to supporting improvements that will benefit residents and visitors for years to come."
