Southport Flower Show 2022 - Part 1 of 2

THE long awaited return of the Southport Flower Show also came with it's usual mixed weather, but what a show. This years event was held over 18 August to 21 August 2022, with lots of fabulous guests, flower displays, live entertainment, and more... Many of those attending said it was the best year for disabled visitors, as the displays and other attractions where easily accessible to those able bodied...

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Damien Moore MP Praises New Churchtown Business

SOUTHPORT MP Damien Moore has visited The Dram Gift Shop on Botanic Road in Churchtown, a new whiskey business which opened its doors in April. Mr Moore was shown around the shop which, alongside a high quality selection of whiskeys, sells other goods ranging from hip flasks...

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Labour Shadow Minister recommits Labour to support for steel industry

BILL Esterson MP, Labour’s Shadow Business and Industry Minister was hugely impressed when he visited Tata Steel’s Shotton Steelworks recently. The Deeside site in North Wales manufactures around 500,000 tonnes of metallic coated and pre-finished steel products each year...

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ArtHouse, Southport Contemporary Arts:- "Artist of the Month: Suzanna Gregg"

FOLLOWING the footsteps of Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, local mixed media artist, Suzanna Gregg, has also been seduced by the potential of working with mixed media and Collage to create her own distinctive 'cut and paste' assemblages:- "My practice is somewhat eclectic and..."

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Sea Hawk Pirates are due to sail into Hope Street Theatre

THIS September City Theatre presents its brand new family musical Sea Hawk Pirates. Join Pirate Grace (Elisha Mai), Plank (Sean Campbell), Wreck (Molly Riley) and Friends as they battle raging seas, dark rebels and the twist of fate this new story tells. Set in the golden age of Pirates...

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Family fun with Junior Wetland Rangers and hand feeding birds returns to Martin Mere

DON'T miss your chance to become a fully fledged Junior Wetland Ranger at Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Lancashire, this August and bring your family to help us with our daily mission to save wetland nature. With surprising wildlife encounters guaranteed, unique...

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Adopted Man Uncovers Biological Family with Ancestry DNA Kit

AFTER years of wondering about his adopted family, Andy King (54) from Birkenhead, Merseyside, discovered his biological father after taking an AncestryDNA® test. Andy King was born in Birkenhead, in May 1968, and was adopted from...

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Grow your own fruit bowl with Dobbies

READY to reap the fruits of your labour? Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is hosting a free Grow How session in its Southport store with a live demonstration on how to grow your own fruit bowl. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned gardeners, Dobbies' Grow How interactive workshop will take place in Southport on Saturday, 3 September...

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Liverpool City Region students swap the classroom for the boardroom

SCHOOLS may be out for summer, but the real work has only just begun for 1 group of young people in the Liverpool City Region, who are being given the chance to work with the Region's Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram. The team of students have been appointed to the Region's...

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Interim Chief Executive appointed to Liverpool City Council

LIVERPOOL City Council has appointed a new interim Chief Executive, Theresa Grant OBE. Theresa has enjoyed a long, successful career in local Government, spanning over 4 decades, in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. Twelve of these...

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Sefton firm puts Shadow Minister in the picture over local and national success

LABOUR MP and Shadow Minister Bill Esterson praised a small business that is investing in high quality equipment and staff and boosting the local economy in the borough of...

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The Hightown Pub and Kitchen Fun Days

THE Hightown Pub and Kitchen held a fun day, on:- Sunday, 14 August 2022, with a train and live music. But, a bigger event is planned for the Summer Bank Holiday, on:- Monday, 29 August 2022. See:- The Hightown website for more information. These are a few pictures from the event on:- 14 August 2022...

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City's students close A-Level gap

STUDENTS across Liverpool have today received the 1st A-Level results assessed through public examination since 2019. Grades received by the City's young people have improved on 2019's figures. Data was not collected in 2021 and 2021 when grades were teacher assessed. Grades A*-C across the City are up 10.4% from 2019 to 76.8%...

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SINCE we published our report about Liverpool and the Eurovision Song Contest, Southport's MP Damien Moore has announced his backing for Liverpool's bid to host the Eurovision Song Contest, and has set out the support which Southport could offer. The competition was due to be held in...

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"Get Back" to Formby and celebrate the Beatles with Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa

THIS year, Paul McCartney celebrated his 80th birthday, headlined the Glastonbury Festival and the International Beatleweek Festival returns to Liverpool, on 24 August 2022; so many reasons to come together and celebrate John, Paul, George and Ringo. The International Beatleweek...

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The Chindits - 13th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment Memorial Event - Formby

THE Royal British Legion Formby Branch held a VJ Remembrance Survive for the 13th Kings Regiment, who were stationed in Formby, before moving on to India in 1942. In 1942 after leaving India the 13th Battalion the King's Liverpool Regiment...

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Merseyside veterans make ends meet with Military charity's support

HELP for Heroes is having to support veterans across Merseyside with grants to help pay energy and food bills as the cost of living crisis continues to bite. And, with interest rates continuing to rise the Armed Forces charity is increasing the funds available; to support immediate needs...

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HEE Chief Executive invites students to consider a career in the NHS

AS thousands of students receive their A-level results today, Health Education England's Chief Executive Navina Evans is encouraging them to consider choosing from more than 350 NHS career routes. Congratulations to those who have received their A-levels results today and are now moving towards a career in the NHS. If are...

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Hop aboard the 'Living Well' bus for a jab and a health check

SEFTON residents will be able to get their 1st, 2nd or initial booster Covid19 vaccine and a free holistic health check as the:- 'Living Well' bus stops at Netherton Activity Centre, on Tuesday, 23 August 2022. The bus will be parked outside the centre on Glovers Lane from 10:30am to 4pm and there is no need to book, so...

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Northern up for top environmental gong at National Rail Awards next month

TRAIN operator, Northern has been shortlisted for a national award for its work towards long term environmental sustainability. The National Rail Award for Environmental Excellence is awarded to the organisation leading the way in decarbonising the rail...

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Campaign hitting the road to deliver message to National Highways

SAVE Rimrose Valley campaigners are hitting the road on Friday, 26 August 2022, in the latest action to highlight their opposition to National Highways' controversial A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Road proposal. They will travel from Sefton in Merseyside to Manchester before marching to National Highways' Regional headquarters in...

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'Magical experience' has attracted hundreds of visitors, but closes soon

A visitor attraction in Cumbria which has welcomed guests from as far afield as Alaska and Israel has been described as:- 'magical, unique, exquisite and inspiring.' Time is now limited for...

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Maghullfest 2022

THE Maghull's Fun Day, Maghullfest was back again, after a 2 year gap, due to Covid19 restrictions. The event held on 13 August 2022 was a free entree event, run by the Maghull Town Council. Running from 11am to 4pm, the event had live music, thanks to the Merseycats, free kids rides, soft sports activities, and..

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North West firms have claimed 84% less Government innovation funding than their neighbours

BUSINESSES in the North West haven't been claiming their share of Government innovation funding; settling for 84% less than the best performing Region next door, a study by innovation funding specialist Catax shows. Businesses across the UK have enjoyed £12.3bn of grant awards from Government innovation agency, Innovate UK, since 2003. However, in that time firms in the North West...

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Volunteers needed to help transform lives in Southport

THE Royal Voluntary Service in Southport, Merseyside, is encouraging more people in the area to reap the benefits of volunteering whilst supporting the health and happiness of their community. The leading national volunteering charity provides invaluable social and practical support to people in need across the UK and in Southport. Thanks to players of People's Postcode Lottery, the charity and its volunteers are able to improve the health and...

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Juice dispenser manufacturer embraces augmented reality to accelerate growth

A manufacturer of juice dispensers is using augmented reality to transform its sales process, drive productivity and create new jobs. GenerationJuice, based in Bromborough, Liverpool City Region, makes app-driven drink dispensers, or drink hubs, designed to serve natural juice drinks from concentrate into reusable bottles, as an alternative to single use plastic and aluminium cans. After success in the leisure and Hospitality industry...

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Back to School? HMRC can help with childcare costs

AS millions of children go back to School this Autumn, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding families in the North West to not miss out on up to £2,000 a year towards their child's wraparound care. Tax Free Childcare puts more money back in the pockets of working families by providing much needed financial support towards the cost of childcare for children aged 11 or under, or up to 17 if the child has a disability. For every £8 paid into a Tax-Free Childcare online account, families...

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Government Commissioners publish second report into Liverpool City Council

THE Commissioners appointed to Liverpool City Council, following the Best Value Inspection, have had their 2nd report has been published recently. The Commissioners team; led by Mike Cunningham; with colleagues Joanna Killian, Neil Gibson and Deborah McLaughlin; acknowledge the Council has achieved some important tactical milestones through the hard work of officers, but are recommending further intervention. Lead...

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Pub landlords locked into buying from big brewers and PubCos should be given 'Guest Beer right'

THE Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has called on Government to introduce a new:- "Guest Beer right," which would allow every pub to serve at least 1 beer from a small local brewery. Currently thousands of landlords across the UK are tied into contracts which force them to purchase all of their beer and many other drinks from a single big brewery or pub company. Not only would a right to buy a Guest Beer help pubs attract more business, but...

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Students Celebrate A-level Success at Hugh Baird College

STUDENTS and staff at Hugh Baird College's 6th Form Centre are celebrating yet another set of impressive A-level results. For the 1st time since the Coronavirus Pandemic, students were able to sit their A-level and BTEC examinations this summer and today find out their long awaited results. Students based at the College's 6th Form Centre, in Litherland, are now celebrating having completed their time at the College and are looking...

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More than 70% of British drivers breaking unusual road rules they probably don't know about!

NEW research has shown that more than 70% of British drivers are breaking a little known law, which could see them facing fines of up to £1,000 or points on their licence. Leading used car buying service, ChooseMyCar.com, found that nearly ¾ of UK drivers admit to honking their horns or swearing at other road users; even though it could land them in trouble. It's...

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NHS checks for bowel cancer hit record high thanks to Dame Deborah

RECORD numbers of people have come forward for bowel cancer checks thanks to lifesaving awareness raising by Dame Deborah James, the NHS said. Between the months of May and July, referrals for suspected lower gastro intestinal cancers reached record levels, with over 170,500 people referred for checks during that period; up over 30,000 compared to the same period last year, and nearly 80,000 higher...

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Apprenticeships still overlooked by young people

MISCONCEPTIONS around apprenticeships are still influencing the decisions of young people in their career paths, according to new research from accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO. The survey of more than 1,000 people across England found that more 51% of people aged between:- 18 to 24 still believe that a University Degree makes you more likely to earn a high salary than doing an apprenticeship. The...

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Lenient sentencing leading to low fly tipping fines; Councils warn

FLY tippers prosecuted in Court for the worst waste dumping offences were handed an average fine of just £335, in 2020/21, the Local Government Association says. Analysis of latest figures by the LGA shows that average fines issued by Courts following criminal proceedings averaged at £65 less than the £400 fixed penalty notice Councils can issue as a civil action. The LGA, which represents more...

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Social care providers caught in Covid19 Catch 22

THE announcement by the Government that there has been a substantial increase in positive lateral flow tests in care homes has prompted Social care providers to call once more for urgent sick pay provisions for care workers affected by Covid19, or risk seeing care providers and carers experience real financial peril. Regulations in England mandate twice weekly lateral flow tests for carers, with those testing positive forced to stay at home...

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Long Covid19 service available to Liverpool, St Helens, Knowsley and Sefton residents

RESIDENTS of Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley suffering from the long term effects of Coronavirus can seek assistance with their recovery thanks to Mersey Care's Long Covid19 Service. Mersey Care's Tier 3 Long Covid19 Assessment and Treatment Service is open in all 4 areas to help people who have had Covid19. At clinics, people can be seen by different members of...

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Self driving revolution to boost economy and improve road safety

UK roads could see self driving vehicles rolled out by 2025 thanks to new Government plans; backed by £100 million; which prioritise safety through new laws and create thousands of new jobs in the industry. Some vehicles, including cars, coaches and lorries, with self driving features could be operating on motorways in the next year, as plans are set out new legislation which will allow for the safe wider rollout...

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North West's biggest ever Oktoberfest to take over Liverpool's Sefton Park

DIG out your dirndls and dust down your lederhosen; the biggest authentic Oktoberfest in the North West is coming to Liverpool's Sefton Park. Oktoberfest Liverpool will be running from Wednesday, September 28th to Sunday, October 2nd and will feature events and activities for all the family. As well as evening sessions on each day of the festival, there will be afternoon entertainment at the weekend, with plenty of time to enjoy everything that's going on, in and...

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Pensions are safer than houses for retirement saving

TWICE as many workers see occupational or personal pensions as a safer way of saving for retirement than property investment, new analysis from Handelsbanken Wealth and Asset Management shows. 57% of retirement savers who are still working believe pensions are the most secure retirement saving method, compared with 25% who chose property and 14% who opted for ISAs, stocks and shares and saving accounts, according to Handelsbanken Wealth Management and Asset...

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