Author: Ollie Cowan

‘Words of wisdom’ given to school children from elderly residents in the borough will be projected on to civic buildings in Sefton as part of this week’s Nightingale’s Song spectacular.

Waterloo and Bootle Town Halls along with The Atkinson in Southport will be the backdrop over 3 nights (March 13-15) as A Nightingale’s Song is beamed on to them as part of Sefton’s Borough of Culture celebrations.

The first part of the trilogy will be projected onto Waterloo Town Hall on Friday, March 13, followed by the second part on the side of Bootle Town Hall on Saturday, March 14. The final chapter will be screened on The Atkinson building in Southport on Sunday, March 15. All shows are free and set to start at 8pm each evening.

Before the main show, images and ‘words of wisdom’ will be projected on to the buildings as part of an initiative by Formby-based Windmills Foundation with local schools.

Their ‘Words of Wisdom’ project is all about engaging with primary schools in the borough in cultural and social activities while linking them to isolated elderly residents in Sefton and has received Borough of Culture funding. A book on the project will be published later in the year.

‘Words of wisdom’ given to pupils at Waterloo Primary School will be projected on Waterloo Town Hall on March 13, Bedford Road Primary pupils will be highlighted at Bootle Town Hall the following day (March 14) while advice given to pupils at Linaker Primary School in Southport will be projected on The Atkinson on March 15 from 7.30pm.

Peter Hawkins, director of the Windmills Foundation, said: “I’ve been really inspired by how two generations have come together to help each other.

“Young people’s creativity, care and confidence in organising tea parties, lunches, singing performances and games afternoons for the elderly has been amazing.

“In turn, their new best friends have shared their wisdom and experience on topics such as friendship, family, finance, fun, failure, fears, fulfilment, farewells and the future.”

A Nightingale’s Song is a trilogy of large-scale video projections created on 3 consecutive nights, each a chapter in an interwoven story that connects Sefton and its people together by international projection artists, Illuminos.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton’s lead sponsor for Borough of Culture, added: “While we can’t wait for a Nightingale’s Song to get started, the build-up will be highlighted through an amazing project called ‘Words of Wisdom’.

“This has seen young people across the borough meet and engage with older Sefton residents while learning valuable lessons for the future. I’m sure the older generation also learned some interesting facts and insights from the children as well and thanks to all the schools for getting involved in such a meaningful project.

“We are encouraging to everyone to get to the shows early, use public transport where possible and make sure you don’t miss the ‘Words of Wisdom’ projected on our three wonderful civic buildings.”

The Borough of Culture (BoC) title is awarded by the Liverpool City Region’s Combined Authority to one of its six local authorities (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral) on a rotating, annual basis. Sefton has the prestigious honour for 2020.

Follow Sefton’s Borough of Culture year on Twitter and Facebook @sefton2020

Due to popularity and high demand, any community group or organisation planning to apply for Borough of Culture funding now has until March 27 to do so.

Groups interested in hosting Borough of Culture themed events were asked to submit applications earlier in the year and already a raft of groups have been successful in receiving funding.