Melling resident Mary celebrates milestone 100th Birthday

SEFTON has welcomed a centenarian among its ranks today, as Melling resident Mary Burgess celebrated her 100th Birthday. Molyneux ward Councillor, Marion Atkinson, who is also Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, visited Mary at home today with fellow ward Councillor Paula Murphy to deliver a package of Birthday gifts and cards, acknowledging the very special occasion.  Born in Liverpool, on 15 December 1920, Mary has lived in Melling for more than 30 years. She has:- 5 children, 15 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. In her 90's she overcame breast cancer and is still an active member of 2 local pensioners clubs. Mary is known to be the first to hit the dance floor when it comes to Christmas parties with her friends. Cllr Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said:-"Mary is a fantastic member of the local community and always 1st in line for bingo tickets when she attends my monthly health and wellbeing classes. Sadly, many Christmas events will not take place this year so Mary's dancing shoes are gathering a little bit of dust for the time being, and her 100th Birthday celebrations have had to be scaled back as well. It was just brilliant to celebrate in a small way with Mary and I hope that our Birthday delivery has gone some way to making her feel special as she marks this incredible milestone."

A Formby care home is putting the spirit back into Christmas with a series of special festive activates that involve its residents and the wider local community. After a difficult year for many, the staff and residents at Formby Manor Care Centre on Liverpool Road in Formby are determined to embrace the true meaning of Christmas by reaching out to young and old alike in the immediate area around the care home.

A shining star in the festivities is 106 year old resident, at Formby Manor, Auntie Marj Hodnett, who has a real passion for poetry and has been writing fabulous poems for much of her life.  During the Pandemic, Aunty Marj joined a poetry group based around Southport and the local communities, keeping in contact via the use of email. Her creative piece about the Coronavirus Pandemic received huge praise from the group's founder and she has just recently penned three verses that form a new Christmas carol (please see below, and Covid poem attached). Her next project is to set this carol to music and share it with the other residents, at Formby Manor, during the festive season.

Bringing seasonal cheer to young and old, the care home is also delivering handwritten and personalised Christmas cards to its neighbours and will share in the festivities of two local schools with a socially distanced virtual carol concert from Reception pupils at:- Waterloo Primary School, Crosby Road North, Waterloo, and a socially distanced carol concert, from Y8 students, at St Michael's High School, on St Michael's Road, in Crosby, who will sing a selection of classic carols for residents from the setting of the care home's beautiful garden.

Director of personal development at St Michael's, Jo Lewis, said:- "Due to Covid restrictions this year, St Michael's choir has been unable to perform as normal and is delighted and excited to be able to sing a selection of carols to the residents."

Y3 teacher at Waterloo Primary School, Rachael Cranshaw, said:- "We, as a School, think it's really important to help our community, now more than ever. We want to spread festive cheer."

Wellbeing coordinator at Formby Manor, Kelsa Henry, said:- "In addition to being a time for family and friends, Christmas is a time to appreciate our local communities. We are very fortunate to have a strong and supportive local community here in Formby and I know that our residents will love joining in the different festivities with the schools who have extended their seasonal celebrations to include us. Plus, we have our own star performer in Auntie Marj and we're really looking forward to revealing her new carol to everyone on Christmas Eve."

Christmas Carol II...

God chose a very lowly place.
To give Himself a human face.
In view of Mary's urgent plight.
Shelter needed for the night.

The streets of Bethlehem were thronged.
With men returning to where they belonged.
A star was shining overhead.
Marking the sight of the Saviour's bed.

Shepherds had heard the angels say.
The King of Glory was born that day.
Wise Men following a moving Star
Were guided to Bethlehem from afar.

They were expecting to find a king.
It must have seemed the strangest thing.
To see the Baby lying there.
A Radiance round Him all could share.