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Essential Sefton

Tickets now on sale for amazing calendar of tourism events

6 March 2023
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

Tickets are going on sale from today for an amazing 2023 calendar of events in Southport.

Thousands of people from across the region and beyond have the opportunity to snap up tickets for the amazing Southport Air Show and the British Musical Fireworks Championship, with both events taking place in the sunny seaside resort in September 2023.

Free entry

These annual events, hosted by Sefton Council, also include the Southport Food & Drink Festival in June, with entry to this mouth-watering event remaining completely free.

Tickets for both the Southport Air Show and the British Musical Fireworks Championship are expected to sell out fast.

This years British Musical Fireworks Championship will be held across two days, with six competitors fighting it out over a weekend to be crowned the very best of the best.

Returning competitors who were unable to perform last year due to bad weather, will take to the skies above Victoria Park.

Returning displays

AJ Pyrotechnics and Gala Fireworks will return and face off against Imperial Lotus, Sonic Fireworks, Celestial Firework Displays and Galaxy Fireworks to see who will be crowned the very best of the best.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, welcomed the news, saying: “We are incredibly delighted to be able to once again host our three flagship tourism events in 2023.

“Our Tourism team and partners have, as always, been working exceptionally hard to ensure we are able to once again bring this tantalising trio to Southport.

“Tickets are on sale from today (Monday, March 6th) for the thousands of people who adore our events and I urge you to get them now before they sell out

“Entry to the Southport Food & Drink Festival remains completely free.

“We’re also continuing to offer free entry to the Southport Air Show for anyone under the age of 16 and the British Musical Fireworks Championship for under the age of five.

Delighted

“We are delighted that we can provide such stunning high quality events for our residents and visitors, as well as complimenting an already bustling calendar of other major events like the Southport Flower Show, Southport Comedy Festival and much more!

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to our beautiful borough in 2023 and we look forward to seeing you very soon.”

Dates for the three events are as follows:

  • Southport Food & Drink Festival: June 2 – 4th
  • Southport Air Show: September 9 – 10th
  • British Musical Fireworks Championship: September 22 – 23rd

For more information and to keep up to date on the latest events in Southport, visit www.visitsouthport.com.

Memorial to ‘always smiling’ Sefton councillor unveiled in Bootle

13 February 2023
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

A special memorial plaque has been unveiled in memory of a Sefton councillor.

Cllr Gordon Friel, who served on Sefton Council since being elected to represent Lincare Ward in 1994, sadly passed away at the age of 69 last year.

Well Known Face

He was a well known face among the local authority and served on both the Licensing and Planning committees during his time representing Sefton.

Cllr Friel also represented the borough on the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee.

Now a special memorial plaque has been unveiled at the Living Wall on Washington Parade in Bootle by Cllr Friel’s family and Linacre ward Councillors.

The Friel family were joined by Cllr John Fairclough, Cllr Christine Maher and Cllr Dan McKee for the unveiling.

Tribute

Speaking in tribute to his friend and former colleague, Cllr John Fairclough, deputy leader of Sefton Council, said:

“I will remember Gordon as always smiling.”

“A respected councillor Gordon was first elected in May 1994 and faithfully represented Linacre ward for the last 28 years.

“Gordon was a former union convener (rep) at the Jacobs factory in Aintree and stood on behalf of Sefton residents on boards and in many other roles during his time as an elected member.

“He will be sadly missed by both colleagues officers and those who knew him and we hope the Living Wall will serve as a poignant tribute to the work Gordon did for his community.

“Our thoughts remain with his family at this time.”

Cllr Christine Maher added:

“Gordon gave me tremendous support, help and advice after I was elected and I will miss him dearly.”

From Crosby to the Costa Del Sol! Runners prepare to take on 300th beach challenge

1 February 2023
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Green Sefton, Health, Latest News

One of Sefton’s coastal park run groups will cross the finish line for the 300th time this coming weekend.

Hundreds of people have taken part in the Crosby parkrun each Saturday morning for the last eight years.

Overcoming high winds, icy temperatures, scorching sunshine and the occasional blister, they have run the equivalent of the north to south length of western Europe.

Managed entirely by volunteers, the running group would have accomplished much earlier had they not been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Created in partnership between Active Sefton and Parkrun UK back in 2015, people from around the world, including global football stars, have taken to the makeshift course on Crosby’s stunning coastline across the last eight years.

More than a thousand miles have been covered during that time, the equivalent of running from Crosby to the Costa Del Sol!

The success is in no small part down to the work of Crosby parkrun co-director Jan Mullin and Amy Barnes, Sefton Council’s Active Sefton Development Manager.

Jan, who runs the weekly event with co-director Gareth O’Hanlon, said: “Our running community relies on volunteers, from teenagers to retirees, who all get on as a fabulous team week in week out.

“It is an absolute pleasure to be part of this fabulous team turning up every week and working in all weathers.

“Parkrun has had appositive impact on so many lives, improving health and wellbeing for runners and volunteers alike.

“We have faced challenges such as Covid and we continue to face obstacles – some small and some large – but overall, we are a community to be proud of.”

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, heaped praise on organisers, along with a team of volunteers who brave all weathers to ensure the run still goes ahead.

He said: “Amy and Jan have worked incredibly hard together from start to finish and we are delighted that the event has reached this impressive milestone.

“Jan and her loyal team of volunteers have committed themselves every week to provide a hugely welcoming community for everyone to take part, whether they are walking or running.

“We have seen people from all corners of the world take part in the Crosby parkrun, which is one of the Parkrun community’s few official coastal based runs.

“The statistics are staggering and it is a testament to Jan’s team that they have welcomed hundreds of different running clubs, had nearly 40,000 impressive finish line results and even local celebrity and Sefton resident Jamie Carragher takes part regularly!”

/Ends

Hero healthcare workers honoured by Sefton Council

23 January 2023
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Health, Latest News

Sefton Council will this week celebrate the heroism of healthcare workers across the Borough as it officially awards the Honorary Freedom of the Borough to four NHS trusts.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust, as well as Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, will be given the prestigious honour at a special ceremony at Bootle Town Hall on Thursday, January 26th.

A decision to award the Freedom of the Borough was made in light of the hard work, sacrifice and dedication shown by medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Freedom of the Borough is the highest ceremonial honour Sefton Council can bestow. It will stand as a permanent record of the Borough’s endless appreciation and debt of gratitude to the Trusts and their staff.

An Extra-ordinary meeting of council will take place to officially grant the Freedom of the Borough, with an accompanying civic reception for officers of the Trusts and their invited guests.

Organisations receiving Freedom of the Borough gain the ‘right, privilege, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of the Borough on all ceremonial occasions with colours flying, bands playing, drums beating and bayonets fixed’.

Cllr Ian Maher, Sefton Council Leader said: “We and the people of Sefton will be eternally grateful for the selflessness and dedication of the Trusts in the face of COVID-19, putting themselves at risk in ensuring the safety of others.

“Their selflessness and dedication saved lives through the pandemic and they continue to strive tirelessly to provide the care that we, our families and our friends all need, when we need it.

“I am confident that people across Sefton will agree that the work of these NHS staff need to be recognised and rewarded, which is why I am delighted to be giving them  Honorary Freedom of the Borough next week.”

Sue Musson, Chair of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said:“It is a great honour for the Trust to be awarded Sefton Council’s Freedom of the Borough for our services during COVID-19. The pandemic presented immense challenges for all of us working in healthcare, and this award recognises the remarkable courage, selflessness and resilience of our staff who cared for patients, families and each other at a very dark time. We are so grateful to receive this very special honour and for the continuing friendship and support of colleagues across the Borough.”

Neil Masom OBE, the chair of Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust said: 
“This is a tremendous honour for the tireless and often challenging work of colleagues during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
“Every one of them is on the frontline in one way or another whether they are in a clinical, support or administrative role. We all work as one team and one family, ensuring we deliver the best possible care for those in need.”
 
Dame Jo Williams, Chair of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Louise Shepherd, Chief Executive of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust said: 
“We are hugely honoured to be recognised and to have been awarded the Freedom of the Borough from Sefton Council. It is fantastic recognition for our staff and colleagues who have worked tirelessly and bravely during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
“Alder Hey is privileged to play a vital role in supporting the health of children in Sefton and around the world. This would not be possible without the support we receive from children and families around the Borough and from our friends and partners in the Local Authority and other agencies.”
 
Joe Rafferty CBE, Chief Executive of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: 
“Like all other NHS organisations, the COVID-19 pandemic presented huge challenges for Mersey Care and I see this honour as recognition for everyone who have worked so hard during some of the most difficult times in the history of the NHS.
 
“We’ve had to adapt, quite often find different ways of working, but I’m extremely proud of the way we’ve continued to care and kept our mental health and community health patients and service users safe.”

Previous organisations to have been granted Freedom of the Borough include RAF Woodvale, in 2011, and No. 238 (Sefton) Squadron, 156 Regiment, Royal Corps of Transport, in 1982. Individuals who have had the honour bestowed upon them include Jamie Carragher, in 2004, and Donald “Ginger” McCain in 2006.

HMS Mersey will receive Freedom status in April while England footballer Alex Greenwood will also receive the Freedom of the Borough in a ceremony planned for late 2023.

Sefton Council’s Chief Executive announces retirement

23 January 2023
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

 

Sefton Council Chief Executive Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson, Chief Executive of Sefton Council

Sefton Council’s chief executive will retire later this year after more than four decades of public service.

Stepping down

Dwayne Johnson, Chief Executive of Sefton Council, today (23 January) announced he will retire later this year, stepping down from the post he has held since 2019.

He has worked in local government for over 40 years and started out as a Care Assistant in County Durham and worked for a number of Councils in the northeast. Dwayne has worked in local authorities across the Liverpool City Region, first in Knowsley then Halton, before finally arriving at Sefton in 2015 as Director of Social Care and Health, and became Chief Executive after the Council’s previous CEO, Margaret Carney, retired in 2019.

Integrity and transparency

Leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Ian Maher, said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank Dwayne for everything he has done for Sefton over the last 8 years.

“As Chief Executive he has acted with integrity and transparency, and he is highly respected in Sefton, as a dedicated, effective Chief Executive.

“His open and honest approach, with staff, elected members and partners alike, has gained him respect across the Liverpool City Region.

“I know many of our staff have welcomed Dwayne’s approachable and friendly manner, many of whom look forward to reading his fortnightly blog, with hundreds of staff watching and engaging with his monthly “Teams Q&A” live sessions.

“Dwayne led the Council’s response to Covid-19, which saw Sefton at the forefront of testing, with the first ever dedicated walk-through Covid-19 testing sites in Cheshire and Merseyside being deployed by the army and Council staff in Sefton. He also chaired the Merseyside Resilience Forum’s Test and Trace cell, ensuring swift and easy access to testing for all Merseyside residents.

“He will be greatly missed by all of us across the Council, and I know everyone who has worked with him will wish him and his family all the best in his retirement.”

Enormous privilege 

Dwayne said: “Sefton is a very special place, and it has been an enormous privilege to work here to serve the fantastic people of Sefton.

“When I started as a care assistant 40 years ago, it was never part of my career plan to become a Chief Executive. Until very recently I still retained my social work registration and it’s been an honour to serve the profession for so long.

“All of my colleagues across the Council have been amazing, and I always felt an immense sense of pride of having the privilege to lead such a wonderful workforce. We have been through some tough times, but with each one our staff met the challenge and delivered, coming out stronger as a result.

“I would like to thank all colleagues and members for their hard work and dedication, and for making my time at Sefton so enjoyable.

“I am proud of what we are achieving in the borough by working together with our partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors. We are making significant steps forward in integrating with health and with regeneration, with many exciting developments across the borough.

“Sefton will always be special to me, and I will continue to take a keen interest in the borough and will watch it develop and go on to achieve future successes.”

Process to recruit

The council will now begin the process to recruit a new chief executive, with Dwayne stepping down once the new Chief Executive is in post.

The post is expected to be advertised in February with the interview process spanning March and April.

More information will be available on the Sefton Council website. 

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