Southport News
Latest news from in and around Southport from several respected reporters and resources. This feed is updated from the facebook group Southportnews – Just click the link at the bottom of each story to see comments and participate.
Latest Southport News as of 30th November 2023
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Late humour … photoshopped or staged? Brilliant either way
... See MoreSee LessPhotos from Southport RFC's post
... See MoreSee LessPhotos from Ainsdale Village Church's post
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Further protest and petitions by Voice of the Families about Children's Services
Voice of the Families group would like to thank everyone who came to the protest at the Council meeting for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children's Services and Safeguarding) held at Bootle Town Hall on Tuesday November 28th.
Members were asked to bring a torch so they can shine a light on the Town Hall and expose the failures of the council.
Two petitions were presented to the committee - both rejected.
A petition from The Voice of the Families has been submitted containing 35 signatures. The petition states:
The Voice of the Families are petitioning Sefton’s Children’s Service Overview and Scrutiny Committee to ask for our representative to speak at committee regarding: We ask the Scrutiny Committee to show its commitment to Education and Healthcare Plans(EHCP) for those aged 16 to 25 by making this topic a regular separate and fixed feature on the agenda at each scrutiny committee, to have a designated member of the Scrutiny Committee responsible for this and that the Scrutiny Committee identify and publicise the names and contact details of the three people who are accountable for the provision and implementation of EHCPs for those aged 16 and 25 – these would be the one for social care, the one for health care and one for education. The 16 plus category is still full of vulnerable children who need support, especially considering the failures they have already experienced under Sefton as they were growing up.
A representative of The Voice of the Families was allowed to address the Scrutiny Committee on the content of the petition for a period of 5 minutes.
A petition from a resident has been submitted containing 195 signatures. The petition states:
I am a resident of Sefton, Liverpool, and a service user who deeply cares about the quality of children's services provided by our council. It is crucial that those who use these services have an opportunity to voice their concerns and ask questions directly to those responsible for providing them.
Currently, we are not given this opportunity. This lack of transparency and dialogue is concerning as it prevents us from fully understanding how decisions about our children's welfare are made.
In 2019/2020, there were 75,420 looked after children in England alone (source: Department for Education). As one of these service users in Sefton, I believe we deserve the right to speak at scrutiny committee meetings where decisions affecting us are made.
By allowing us five minutes to speak at these meetings, Sefton council can demonstrate its commitment towards transparency and inclusivity. This small change will empower service users like myself by giving us a platform to express our views and concerns.
Please sign this petition if you believe in promoting open dialogue between Sefton Council and its service users. Let’s ensure that everyone affected by decisions on children’s services has a voice in the process.
The lead petitioner or a representative was allowed to address the Scrutiny Committee on the content of the petition for a period of 5 minutes.
Reported at qlocal.co.uk/southport
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Just £1 for up to 5hrs parking in Ormskirk this Christmas
Residents and visitors planning to visit Ormskirk to buy Christmas gifts or to enjoy a festive time out with friends in the run up to Christmas, can now park for up to five hours for just £1.
From this Friday until Saturday 23 December, visitors who pay for parking in the town's Borough Council car parks will enjoy an extra two hours of complimentary parking. This means visitors can pay just £1 to park for up to five hours instead of three.
West Lancashire Borough Council Deputy Leader Councillor Gareth Dowling, whose portfolio includes parking, said: "We’re pleased to bring this parking offer back this festive period, which gives people the opportunity to spend even more time in Ormskirk for minimal cost.
"The additional time can be used to support our independent retailers when buying Christmas gifts and when you're done shopping, you can also experience one of the many fantastic food and drink venues Ormskirk has to offer.
"Initiatives like this help us to keep the pound in the Borough, something which the Council are keen to support as part of our Community Wealth Building Strategy."
Motorists should check car park signage to make sure it is Council-controlled and display the valid ticket they have paid for. Notices explaining the offer will be displayed on the tariff boards adjacent to the pay and display machines.
The two extra free hours will not be shown on the ticket. Council Civil Parking Enforcement Officers are aware of the offer and will allow for the extra two hours. The offer does not include Derby Street car park adjacent to the Council's offices.
Parking is free of charge on Council-controlled car parks in Ormskirk town centre on Sundays and Bank Holidays throughout the year.
Council-run Car park details here: https://www.westlancs.gov.uk/more/your-community/roads-and-travel/parking-in-ormskirk.aspx
... See MoreSee LessFollow ‘The Bear and The Reindeer Christmas Trail’ this December in Southport
A special Christmas Trail is coming to Southport this December!
To celebrate the arrival of the brand-new character illuminations, people are invited to take part in The Bear and The Reindeer Christmas Trail.
Artworks featuring the characters are being displayed in the windows of businesses across the town centre. Use the clues in each picture to answer the questions listed on the trail maps (see below).
There’s also a bonus question to be answered by visiting the new illuminations in the Town Hall Gardens.
When you have all your answers, fill in your details and hand in your maps at Southport Library in The Atkinson or Crave Pizza.
Alternatively, send your answers in to info@southportbid.com along with the your details.
One entry will be picked at random, and the winner will receive a Nintendo Switch with games from GAME Southport.
The Christmas Trail is inspired by a story written by Constance Haywood (aged 9), which was judged as the winner of the The Bear and The Reindeer Story Competition. Constance’s story imagines The Bear and The Reindeer being brought to life by Santa to lend a helping hand in the delivering of Christmas presents.
The Bear and the Reindeer Christmas Trail will be in place from Friday 1 December until Sunday 31 December. The winner will be announced shortly afterwards.
Trail Maps
The best way to get your trail map is by visiting one of the following businesses…Beales – Broadhurst Bookshop – Café Dolce – Cats Protection – Clarks Southport – Cleveland Café – Great Reads – Nostalgia Tea Rooms – Ryman – Southport Hi-fi & Audio Centre – Splash World – The Art House – The Atkinson
Alternatively, you can download and print a a colour or black and white map.
Maps online HERE
Reported at qlocal.co.uk/southport
... See MoreSee LessHi all, I won 2 tickets for this Friday to the gin festival and can't go. If anybody would like them, not to be sold please. It's in liverpool at St George's x
... See MoreSee LessVery happy to say I will be working in association with the team at Queenscourt Hospice to photograph the Santa Run on Sunday.
If you're running, see you on the start line.Queenscourt Hospice
The Grand Southport
Silcock's Funland
Hickory's Smokehouse Southport
#queenscourthospice #SantaSprint
... See MoreSee Lesssouthport-crafts-arts-and-preloved-items-fayre-1.jimdosite.com/
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Now let's see Sefton Council do something similar in Southport.
... See MoreSee LessA lovely bimble across the moss this morning, crisp clear morning. Wonderful light.
Glad to be out with a camera. ... See MoreSee LessOp Calibre: No hiding place for robbery offenders in Lancashire
... See MoreSee LessOp Calibre: No hiding place for robbery offenders in Lancashire
eyeonsouthport.co.uk
Talk up and auditions coming up this FRIDAY 1 December and next Tuesday 5 December at the Little Theatre, Southport.
... See MoreSee LessThought some of our fellow members would be interested in this ... a great day or night out this coming weekend..
... See MoreSee LessFlying the Flag for Fostering! Sefton’s wonderful carers take to the streets to encourage local people to join them
... See MoreSee LessFlying the Flag for Fostering! Sefton’s wonderful carers take to the streets to encourage local people to join them
eyeonsouthport.co.uk
The Cove resort secures Esplanade site in Southport
The Cove Resort is making another huge splash after the team behind the exciting project today announced they have signed an exclusivity agreement for land on Southport Esplanade.
Situated between Victoria Park and the beach, the land was the very first site The Cove Resort’s co-founders Tony Howard and Tamlyn Stone wanted for their incredible £75m leisure and hospitality project, but was initially unavailable.
Now the pair have secured an exclusivity agreement with Sefton Council after three years of intense discussions.
“We’re thrilled with this agreement and what this now means for progressing the project in Southport,” said Tony as he announced the exciting
update.“Even before we made our proposals for The Cove public, the Esplanade site was always number one on our list. It is quite exceptional to have such a stunning natural backdrop and yet be only minutes from the town centre by foot.”
Prior to signing the exclusivity agreement for the Esplanade site, The Cove Resort project was proposed for land nearby on Princes Park.
Tony continued: “the Esplanade site provides a wonderful opportunity to create something very special for the town and coastline, offering a unique resort which may visually respond to its coastal setting and the uninterrupted views in nearly all directions.
“The Cove Resort is an exciting £75m leisure and hospitality project, bringing a high-quality visitor attraction to the town focussing on health and wellbeing, where multiple leisure activities including surfing, and an extensive thermal spa will form part of the offering.
“With this we are creating a large 4-star hotel on site which will complement the resort’s leisure offer whilst reaffirming Southport as one of the UK’s most attractive resorts.
“The Cove Resort is very much wedded to the aspirations of Southport’s Town Deal strategy for improving the visitor and customer experience, whilst also enhancing the town as a place for ‘living well’.”
Southport’s Town Deal strategy includes a £73m investment in the new Marine Lake Events Centre and other improvements within the town.
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulation and Compliance said: “We are pleased that the Cove project is progressing well, and it shows huge support for the delivery of the council’s regeneration projects in Southport.
“We have worked alongside the team behind the Cove project to identify sites which would best benefit the project and they were keen to explore the possibility of bringing their vision to the Esplanade.
“Many people will remember that in 1989 Southport’s much-loved open-air swimming bath closed its doors to the public for the very last time.
“This project will, in many ways, bring back a viable facility with all year-round broad visitor appeal, and strike a complimentary balance between the memory of this well-loved former attraction and a new, modern, family-oriented offer that will be completely unique to the region.”
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, added: “The aim of a project such as the Marine Lake Events Centre was always to bring hundreds of thousands of new visitors each year to the town, including from outside the Liverpool City Region, all year round, staying for longer in our beautiful borough. Although we already have a fantastic and distinctive visitor offer, we want more reasons to visit, and our regeneration programme is also intended to stimulate investment in adjacent assets and opportunities.
“We have seen a great deal of investment in Southport in recent years, despite continued economic pressures, and we are delighted to see projects such as MLEC acting as the catalyst for significant private sector investment and development.”
Tamlyn Stone, co-founder of The Cove Resort, praised the work already underway by Sefton Council in delivering the Southport Town Deal.
“There are particularly strong links with Southport’s soon-to-be Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC), where The Cove’s activities and quality hotel will be hugely complementary to MLEC and other businesses in the town. The resort will increase visitor numbers consistently throughout the year and provide 207 jobs once open.
“With its focus on health and wellbeing, the resort seeks to reinstate Southport’s proud historical identity for ‘hydropathy’.
“We’re looking forward to advancing The Cove Resort and bringing more exciting updates for you all very soon.”
Aerial image: Funky Aviation
... See MoreSee LessI am really sad to report that starting on Wednesday December 6th for three days our beautiful willow tree, in the front of Churchtown Gardens Marshside Road will have to be taken down.
The tree specialist has examined it and kept a watch over it these last few years but sadly it is diseased.I wonder how many changes this tree has seen in Marshside, was it here before the Chapel was built?
There was a laundry on the site on the 60s and then a council care home before Churchtown Gardens was built 22 years ago. I am told there was a farm at the junction and the relatives of the late farmers still collect our ground rent.I will be sad to see it go.
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Links to 'Southport Town Deal Board' ACCESS DENIED
On the 18th of November Qlocal reported about the 'Southport Town Deal Board' and questioned why there had been no recent meetings or minutes published.
There were working links to the list of meetings and the list of members of the board.
These links now get ACCESS DENIED at the Sefton Gov website.
Why?
Report from November 18th HERE
The link to the terms of reference still works.
... See MoreSee LessPeoples Postcode Lottery
Looks like lots of winners in Southport since it was set up. I clicked on a few and only say winning amounts of £10. I'm sure they don't come knocking on your door for £10.
You can check your own postcode at www.postcodelottery.co.uk/lottery-results-search
... See MoreSee LessLet's hope it be open again soon - Report by Andrew Brown
... See MoreSee LessSouthport Armed Forces Community Hub temporarily shut as reasons revealed behind closure - Stand Up For Southport
standupforsouthport.com
How to report any rough sleepers in Sefton
With temperatures significantly dropping, it's essential to report any rough sleepers who may find themselves in a vulnerable position without a safe and warm place to call home.
If you suspect people are having to sleep rough in Sefton, you can help us by contacting Sefton Council’s commissioned Rough Sleeper Outreach Team, Light for Life on 01704 501256 or 07918 746042.
Please note, this number is not a 24 hour service and only to be used when a member of the public has seen rough sleeping. It is not for general homeless cases or advice.
People can also email the Light for Life team at shc@lightforlifesefton.org.uk.
If you are rough sleeping the Housing Options Team can support you to help you to find somewhere to stay. You must contact the team during office hours so that arrangements can be made. If you are rough sleeping and the Housing Options Service is closed, please contact 0151 934 3555 to let the Council know where you will be sleeping so that support can be provided.
Veterans in Sefton is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation that helps veterans who are homeless or living in unsuitable housing. Based at The Brunswick Youth and Community Centre in Bootle, Veterans in Sefton can be contacted on 0151 933 0800 or 07591 825204 out-of-hours.
Alternatively you can use the StreetLink website to report your concerns about someone you have seen sleeping rough in your local area. This will alert the appropriate authority or outreach service where you have seen the person, to help them find the individual and connect them to support.
Reported at qlocal.co.uk/southport
... See MoreSee LessMike Prendergast reselected as Conservative Parliamentary candidate for West Lancs
Local Dad and business owner, Mike Prendergast, has been reselected by West Lancashire Conservative Association as the Conservative candidate for the next General Election.
Mike stood in the by-election earlier in the year, losing out to Ashley Dalton, the current Labour MP, who previously stood in Southend in 2017 and 2019, before being parachuted into West Lancashire, having lived in Essex for most of the last 30 years.
Mike has a strong connection with the area having worked in West Lancashire for over 16 years and has raised almost £200,000 for local charities. The married father of two young children will be starting to campaign again on the local issues that matter to West Lancashire residents.
Commenting on his reselection Mike said, “It’s a huge honour to be able to stand in West Lancashire again and be given the opportunity to represent the area. West Lancashire means a huge amount to me and has given me everything, it’s where I make a living and both my children were born in Ormskirk hospital.
For over 30 years we’ve had Labour MP’s who have failed to deliver for West Lancashire. It’s always someone else’s fault with Labour, yet they have been elected in the area for a long time. They take it for granted that the people of West Lancashire will keep voting for them.
I’m asking the people of West Lancashire to lend me their vote and do something different. If you want things to change and improve in your area then you have to change who you vote for. More of the same won’t deliver change.
We need to be focussing on the issues that matter for local residents like protecting our green spaces, getting investment in road and rail infrastructure and, following on from the tax cuts in the Autumn Statement, reducing taxes so you keep more of your money in your own pocket.
The Prime Minister and the Conservative Government are right to focus on reducing inflation, reducing debt and growing the economy as this enables tax cuts to be delivered for hard working families.
I’ll be working hard over the coming months to speak to as many local residents and businesses as possible.”
Reported at qlocal.co.uk/ormskirk & southport
... See MoreSee LessShip & Anchor fundraiser for James Huyton
The Ship & Anchor on Cable Street in Southport invite people to raise money for the late James Huyton who sadly lost his life in a motorcycle accident on the 19th of October aged just 32 years old.
Funds raised will go to his three year old daughter Poppy.
An all day fundraising event is being held at the pub on Saturday December 9th.
There will be entertainment all day including karaoke and Maurauder performing on the night till late.
Local people and businesses have been very generous in offering raffle prizes that will be drawn on the day.
Raffle tickets, donation bucket, and football cards are available behind the bar ahead of the fundraising event.
People who have offered raffle prizes are requested to get them to the pub as soon as possible before this weekend.
Reported at qlocal.co.uk/southport
... See MoreSee LessDavid Raya: ‘Those three months at Southport were among the best of my career’
... See MoreSee LessDavid Raya: ‘Those three months at Southport were among the best of my career’
www.theguardian.com
United Utilities offers advice to customers on how to protect their pipes during the cold snap
... See MoreSee LessUnited Utilities offers advice to customers on how to protect their pipes during the cold snap
eyeonsouthport.co.uk
Photos from Compassion Acts's post
... See MoreSee LessDistrict Nurses step into Christmas for Palliative Care patient
Warm-hearted district nurses have ripped up the traditional calendar to provide a Christmas to remember more than a month early for one of their patients facing the uncertainty of a palliative care diagnosis.
District nurses from Mersey Care’s Allerton and Aigburth Team decided to bring Christmas forward for their patient, Georgina Cuddy, and brought around decorations and festive food to her flat in Aigburth, Liverpool as a surprise in early November.
“As we were walking down to her flat, we were singing ‘Jingle Bells’ and all the neighbours were looking out of the windows wondering what was going on,” explained Jessica Morris, one of the district nurses who planned the surprise.
“I’d attended earlier in the day with another nurse and was dressed up very Christmasy and she thought that was it, but we returned for her Christmas dinner, sang songs, dressed up and gave her a present and a card – she was crying.”
In response to the kind gestures, Georgina wrote a card to the team saying: “Girls, I’m so touched and blessed to have such wonderful angels taking such good care of me – I appreciate you more than you will ever know.”
Mersey Care delivers a district nursing service across Liverpool, Sefton (including Southport and Formby) and Knowsley seven days a week, 365 days a year and are accessible 24 hours a day. They provide care to vulnerable and housebound patients, keeping people safe within their own home or home environment and helping to reduce hospital admissions.
Pictured: Patient Georgina Cuddy (front row, centre, with glasses) with her sister Lyn Wilkinson (left front row) and members of the Allerton and Aigburth District Nursing Team
Reported at qlocal.co.uk/merseyside
... See MoreSee LessLancashire Police launches visually impaired protocol
... See MoreSee LessLancashire Police launches visually impaired protocol
eyeonsouthport.co.uk
Hopefully, somebody can help. My computer decided to have one of its unwanted upgrades, which has buggered up my photos. Before, I'd take a photo, place the memory card in the laptop, click on the photo, and it would go straight into the album. Then to post it on Facebook, I'd simply click on the photo, and there it was. Now, the photos go into One Drive, and try as I may, I cannot transfer them to either the album, or Facebook. Any suggestion?
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Wednesday November 29th Jigsaw - WIP
... See MoreSee LessA Jigsaw Explorer Jigsaw Puzzle
jigex.com