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Soaring success for 2018 Southport Air Show

Thousands of people visited sunny Southport and Sefton this weekend for the 2018 Southport Air Show

The three day spectacular which featured a host of daring displays, fantastic pyrotechnics and fun for all the family saw crowds head to Southport seafront between July 6 & 8. 

Thousands of people saw the mighty Red Arrows put on an unforgettable display on Friday evening to open the show, while a firework finale set up a weekend of incredible displays both in the air and on the ground. 

Saturday also featured a giant screen for football fans to catch the England clash against Sweden, topped off with skywriters making sure everybody in Southport knew the final score. 

A special ‘It’s Coming Home’ message was also written in huge letters on the beach, being revealed only when the Tigers freefall team jumped out of their plane and snapped a special selfie with the sandart.

The busy weekend meant that business in the town centre was booming, with restaurant, shop and bar owners enjoying heavy footfall as part of the Southport Air Show.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member Regeneration and Skills, said: “Yet again the Southport Air Show proved to be an amazing weekend for all!

“Visitors enjoyed incredible aerial and ground spectacles throughout all three days and the weather was near perfect.

“Friday night in particular was a fantastic evening with the world famous Red Arrows, fireworks, artillery and LED aerial displays.

“Thousands of people flocked to Southport and Sefton over the weekend, which will have had a real positive impact on local businesses in and around the town.

“We are already looking forward to the British Musical Fireworks in September.”

Don’t forget The British Musical Fireworks Championship take place across three nights on September 28, 29 & 30.

Tickets are now on sale from ÂŁ4.50 at visitsouthport.com.

Go for gold at St Joseph’s Olympics sport’s day!

Active Sefton is working with St Joseph’s in Formby to launch this year’s Team GB Olympic Sports Day.

The sports day will take place at Fernley Resource Centre, St Josephs, Blundell Avenue in Formby on Friday July 20, 10am-4pm.

The event is open to all adults with disabilities, anybody aged over 50 living with dementia and their carers.

A huge range of sporting events are set to take place including wheels for all music to movement, seated volleyball, javelin, archery, tug of war and lots more!

All the activities are fully inclusive and the day is non-competitive with a huge focus on fun and engagement.

Activities, a BBQ lunch, certificates and a medal are all included in the ÂŁ7 entry fee which can be paid on the day, however places must be booked in advance.

Places are limited so to register a place contact Julie or Paula on 01704 835 702 or email julie.jones@psmgs.org.uk

Sefton’s Lost Castle set to rise again…out of cardboard

A long lost castle which took pride of place along the Sefton Coast is set to rise again – except this time the building materials are a little different.

Six extraordinary structures made of cardboard, tape and community spirit will be created across the Liverpool City Region this summer in what is a cultural first for Sefton and the combined authority.

Lost Castles will see hundreds of volunteers work with thousands of cardboard boxes to build monumental castle-inspired structures, some of which will be based on actual medieval forts or historic structures which were in the region at one time.

In Sefton, the long lost Miller’s Castle, built in the 19th Century in Bootle, will be reconstructed and put on display in North Park as part of a series of family-fun activities, coinciding with Bootle’s 150th Birthday on August 11.

Members of the public – individuals and community groups – are being urged to get involved in the event which is set to take place from July 31 to August 9.

Anyone who signs up can help create these magical structures and then join in the fun of toppling them at the end of the weekend.

The concept is the brainchild of French artist Olivier Grossetȇte and is the first creative project to take place across the entire city region.

 Olivier and members of his team will work with people across Merseyside at a number of free workshops which will take place in July and August – these are drop in sessions and people can get involved as much or as little as they like. Find out more by visiting www.lostcastles.co.uk.

The project has been made possible thanks to support from Arts Council England and is supported by the City Region Combined Authority, and the Global Streets Strategic Touring Programme which aims to bring the very best international outdoor art to towns and cities.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Lost Castles project across Merseyside and to see Miller’s Castle recreated will be an incredible sight.

“Not many people are aware that Bootle had its very own castle of course.

“In 1824 an enterprising businessman called William Miller was able to build a huge castle on the shoreline, aptly named Miller’s Castle. The castle was demolished in the 1860s to make room for the ever expanding Bootle docks and a nearby road, Miller’s Bridge, was named in his honour.

“Now Miller’s Castle is set to awe and impress residents and visitors once more when it is recreated in cardboard form at North Park. It will be a magical venue for a series of community events and performances.

“Once it’s all over, Miller’s Castle will be responsibly recycled, making it artwork that’s also environmentally-friendly.”

For more information or to get involved in the Sefton Lost Castles project, visit www.sefton.gov.uk/lostcastles.

National Autistic Society Sefton parent and carer support group launches

A new National Autistic Society support group has launched for parents and carers of autistic adults in Sefton.

 The group is being run by volunteers and will meet once a month, offering information and support and advocating for local services. The venue will alternate each month between Sefton Carers Centre in Waterloo and the Life Rooms in Southport.

 The meeting dates and locations for 2018 are listed below. For more information about the group please email: nassefton@nas.org.uk

 Colette Hampson, Branches Development officer North of England and North Wales, said: “We are pleased to announce that our Sefton Parent Carer Support Group launched on Friday 15 June at the Atkinson Gallery in Southport. This is a really exciting project and has the potential to make a huge difference to local families.

 â€śIt was great to see so many people supporting the launch, including Bill Esterson MP, Councillor Paul Cummins, Sefton’s Cabinet member for Adult Social Care, and Vicky Keeley, CEO Sefton Carers Centre.

 â€śThe group is being run by volunteers who are local parents and carers of autistic adults themselves. They will be meeting once a month, providing a space where parents and carers can drop by and meet people in similar situations, share information and ideas, and advocate for support in the community. It’s very informal, so the person you are supporting does not need to have a formal diagnosis to attend.

 â€śMore than 1 in 100 people are autistic in the UK and life can be desperately difficult at times, for them and their families. But we’ve seen again and again the huge difference understanding and the right support can make.”

 On attending the event, Cllr Paul Cummins, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “It is great news that this valuable service is now available to people living in Sefton. The volunteers involved have done a great job in getting the service up and running.

 “I have no doubt that parents and carers of autistic adults in the borough, will really benefit from the support and advice of others who are in similar situations as themselves.”

Meeting dates and times for 2018

Tuesday, July 17,1-3pm at Sefton Carers Centre, Waterloo

Tuesday, August 21, 1-3pm at Life Rooms, Southport

Tuesday, September 18, 1-3pm at Sefton Carers Centre, Waterloo

Tuesday, October 16, 1-3pm at Life Rooms, Southport

Tuesday, November  20, 1-3pm at Sefton Carers Centre, Waterloo

Tuesday, December 18, 1-3pm at Life Rooms, Southport

Locations

Sefton Carers Centre, 27-37 South Road, Waterloo, Liverpool

L22 5RF

Life Rooms Southport, 23 Scarisbrick Avenue, Southport, PR8 1NW 

Last Chance to see the Vikings in Sefton

It’s the last week and your final chance to see Viking: Rediscover the Legend at The Atkinson.

The exhibition ends and is about to sets sail leaving The Atkinson and the North West behind.

Over 15,000 people have seen the touring exhibition to date which includes star objects from the British Museum and key pieces from the Yorkshire Museum’s world-class collections interpreted in new ways to give a fresh perspective on how Vikings shaped every aspect of life in Britain.

Maria Bojanowska, British Museum said: “This is your last chance to see the best of Viking treasure in the UK. In partnership with York Museums Trust, this is one of the British Museum’s largest touring exhibitions and is full of stunning objects from the Viking age. Visit the exhibition at The Atkinson before it is too late!”

The Vale of York Viking Hoard, Cuerdale Hoard and the Bedale Hoard are just some of the incredible artefacts that can be seen. As well as learning about the ground-breaking research undertaken by archaeologists alongside new discoveries by metal-detectorists which will challenge our perceptions of what it means to be Viking.

Stephen Whittle, The Atkinson Museum & Gallery Manager said: “The exhibition has captured the imaginations of the visitors that have come from across the region. The quality of the exhibition is second to none and this has been proved with the increase in visitor numbers.”

The Atkinson is celebrating the success of the exhibition with additional events programmed on the last day – July 7.

Story time sessions

The Tale of Ragnarök – the end of the Vikings,  11am, 12pm, 1pm & 2pm FREE with Tony Higginson.

Adventure Treasure Hunt 11–3pm. Join in and help a Viking who has lost his hoard? Take part in an adventurous Treasure hunt around the building looking for his lost coins.

Meet Hild the wise woman 11–3pm. Hild will tell you about the weird and wonderful cures for illness in Viking times, some of which would have worked, and some of which you really don’t want to try!

Book your tickets online at theatkinson.co.uk at box office on 01704 533333 or at the counter.

Ticket Information:

FREE: The Atkinson Development Trust Supporter

Adult: £5

Child (ages 3 – 16): £3

Group Rate: ÂŁ4 for 10 or more

Family (4 people, minimum 1 adult): ÂŁ12

Children (under 3): Free, no ticket required

The Atkinson Development Trust Supporter: Free, no ticket required, just show your membership card

Please note your ticket is valid for the date stated, entry can be anytime between 10am* and 4pm (last entry is 3pm)

Visit the website theatkinson.co.uk and join our mailing list to keep up to date with the full programme of events, exhibitions and activities coming to the venue soon.

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