Author: Ollie Cowan

Spectacular street food, live entertainment and much more is promised for the 2019 Southport Food and Drink Festival.

Running from May 31 – June 2 at Victoria Park, the annual spectacular of tasty treats promises to showcase the very best of the North West’s vibrant and colourful food and drink scene.

Southport Food and Drink Festival is a free, family friendly event and this year features a host of tantalising takeaways to suite all tastes; from sweet treats to spicy curries and much more.

Speciality foods confirmed for the 2019 festival include loaded halloumi fries, vegan treats, Thai ice cream, American wings, cheesecakes, artisan sausage rolls and locally harvested honey to name just a few of the treats in store for visitors.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “Foodie fans will love the hand-picked selection of the region’s most passionate producers, all of whom will be bringing their wares to the festival, including a wide selection of gift ideas and treats to relish at home.

“You can also keep your little ones entertained with a free Children’s Festival, along with arts and crafts, magic shows, storytelling and sports workshops.

“We also have an excellent line up of music throughout the weekend in our Entertainment Arena, with everything from jazz to local soloists

“It’s guaranteed to be a fantastic weekend and we want as many people as possible to come along and enjoy the fun.”

The Southport Food and Drink Festival, sponsored by Arriva, takes place between Friday May 31 and Sunday June 2 from 10am to 6pm.

For further information and to plan your day visit: www.VisitSouthport.com

Back by popular demand, The Atkinson presents Southport Double Take II (Old Southport Through a Modern Lens), a photography exhibition offering a unique glimpse into Sefton’s past.

The Atkinson has invited local photographer Matt Dodd to capture a second series of over 30 images. The photographs are created by overlaying archive images of the borough (sourced from Sefton’s Historical Archives) with new photographs taken by the artist. The new images show how much, or in some cases how little, the landscape has changed across the borough of Sefton.

“I love comparing the Victorian with modern day it allows for interaction between the ages, one of my favourites is the Victorian couple who appear to be looking out on modern day Southport” – Matt Dodd

Matt’s first exhibition in 2018 was a roaring success with the local community, cultural tourists and local history enthusiasts alike. With one visitor commenting, “How the two eras were blended together in one photo is eerily amazing…I urge everyone to see this”

“People visited us in their thousands last year, commenting how intriguing the photographs were. This year Matt has gone further afield and in addition to new photos of Southport there are images of Bootle, Formby, Aintree, Maghull and Birkdale. – Stephen Whittle, Principal Manager, The Atkinson

Matt Dodd has also created a new publication to accompany the exhibition, which includes reproductions of the photographs and the stories behind them. Visitors will be able to purchase the book from The Atkinson’s shop for £5.

As part of The Atkinson’s Object of The Month series of events, the photographer will also be holding a talk offering insight into the exhibition on Wednesday 12 June at 1pm (free entry).

Southport Double Take II (Old Southport Through a Modern Lens)

18 May – 17 September 2018

Monday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm, Free Entry