Lapel Menswear to open inside Wayfarers Arcade in Southport with iconic shop 'excited' to return

Mayor calls in to support 'The Hearth' volunteers as they stitch bunting for the Great Big Green Lunch

VOLUNTEERS in Southport welcomed a very special visitor, Mayor of Sefton Cllr June Burns, as they stitched bunting ready to be used at this year's:- 'Great Big Green Lunch.' This weekly event organised by the Hearth CIC takes place at Southport Market. Inspired by sustainability, they are recycling pre-loved materials to make bunting which will take place at the:- 'Great Big Green Lunch,' in Southport, in 2026. 

The Hearth Directors Rebecca Armstrong and Nadia Speers Robinson said:- "The Stitching Together workshop was an absolute joy, as piles of forgotten fabrics were lovingly transformed into vibrant strings of bunting for this year's Great Big Green Lunch. The room was full of new faces, friendly chatter, and that lovely gentle hum of machines whirring and ideas taking shape. We were delighted to welcome The Worshipful the Mayor of Sefton, Councillor June Burns, who joined us as we worked; she even had a little go on:- 1 of the machines. She said she now feels confident enough to rescue her own sewing machine from its long exile under the stairs! That is exactly what these sessions are all about: creating a space to come together, uplift 1 another, and gently demonstrate that sustainable behaviours can be both creative and fun. A true highlight of the morning was introducing new faces to the world of sewing for the very 1st time. Yvonne, who 1st came to 1 of our Monday sessions, treated herself to a sewing machine at Christmas and brought it along today still sealed in its box. She rose to the challenge magnificently; with a few helpful pointers from Jen and the ever patient tuition of the marvellous Janet, she stitched up an entire length of bunting.  We are quite convinced she's destined for the next series of:- 'The Great British Sewing Bee,' such was the confidence and flair she showed from the very 1st stitch. We left feeling uplifted, inspired, and so incredibly grateful; to everyone who joined us, to the new friends we cannot wait to welcome back, and of course to Southport Market for giving us such a lovely space to work in. Here's to more making, more laughter, more community, and more stitching together."

The Hearth CIC is a community organisation based in Sefton that hosted its 1st big event:- 'Earth Day,' at Wayfarers Arcade in Southport in April 2025. This free, family friendly event celebrated sustainability and empowered attendees with practical ways to save money on energy bills while making a positive impact on the planet. Plans are already underway to create an even bigger Earth Day event for 2026 as well as for another:- 'Great Big Green Lunch.' 

For more information visit The Hearth Facebook Page, and The Hearth Southport on:- Instagram, or email:- Rebecca@TheHearthNetwork.Co.UK. or Nadia@TheHearthNetwork.Co.UK, visit:- Sustainable Community Support for a Greener Future:- TheHearthNetWork.Co.UK.

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