Essential Sefton

Three civic buildings in Sefton were sensationally lit up as the Nightingale’s Song dazzled residents and visitors as part of our Borough of Culture year.

Waterloo Town Hall was the setting for the first instalment of the light show brought by Illuminos on March 13 followed by Bootle Town Hall the following day (March 14). The Atkinson, Southport hosted the final show of a trilogy on Sunday (March 15) that portrayed the history of the borough through a spectacular light display on the civic buildings.

Before the main shows, crowds witnessed the buildings being lit up through the ‘Words of Wisdom’ project by Formby based Windmills Foundation.

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. Waterloo Primary School, Bedford Road Primary School in Bootle and Linaker Primary School in Southport all took part in the project early this year.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s main Borough of Culture sponsor, said: “The three displays were certainly wow moments and every civic building used looked sensational.

“Hundreds upon hundreds of people turned out each night to witness an amazing trilogy of light shows that depicted Sefton’s rich and cultural history.

“Considering the current national circumstances, a big thanks goes to everyone who made the effort to attend any of the shows, they were not let down.

“We will aim to bring this event back to Sefton in the future to enable more of our residents to enjoy this spectacular show – however, we will do this at the right time.

“We are also reviewing the Borough of Culture programme and the proposals of our communities and partners given current circumstances and will provide updates in due course.”

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

‘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