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Primary schools in Sefton are taking part in an exciting research programme to understand the levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and other pollutants in our atmosphere.

NO2 is produced by most vehicle exhaust pipes and is measured with monitoring tubes in different locations.

A total of 11 schools will be monitoring at key points in their school to see what the air quality is like within their grounds. Schools include Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary (pictured), where the tubes will be monitored by the schools Eco Council.

Each school on the AirWatch programme has linked up with a member of Sefton’s Environmental Protection team and the Southport Eco Centre and will be hosting diffusion tubes to monitor levels of NO2. They will receive monthly reports as well as educational content and activities to do in class across a wide range of topics.

AirWatch programme schools will also have access to termly campaign toolkits to help pupils influence positive behaviour on the school run to reduce any air quality issues around their school grounds and any measures the school take to reduce the levels of pollution will be able to be monitored in real time by the students.

Schools will be asked to return the tube every month in a pre-paid envelope and replace it with a new tube so that the team can track changes over a long period.

The AirWatch programme will run from January 2022 to December 2022.

Darren Lloyd, Teacher at the Eco Centre said:

“This is fantastic opportunity for young people in Sefton to take part in an exciting project with real world results. The Clean Air Crew project has been a fantastic success with most schools in the authority now signed up – we have established engagement, now we want to foster ownership.

“Good air quality is extremely important to the health of people and the planet and this project will help us to identify those areas where improvements need to be made.

“I am thrilled that local schools will be helping us to gather this data, ultimately this is their planet to inherit and we want them to be learn about this crucial issue as soon as possible.”

If schools are not already signed up to www.cleanaircrew.co.uk, Sefton schools can register for free & access a wealth of curriculum resources supporting sustainable education for both classroom & home learning.

There is still time for other schools to register to take part in the AirWatch programme, they can sign up at the website before January 21^st to register.

Sefton Council are delighted to confirm the return of the hugely popular Southport Air Show, as well as the Food & Drink Festival and British Musical Fireworks Championship, which will all take place in the sunny seaside resort across 2022.

The free Southport Food & Drink Festival has also been extended to four days as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Prices will be released when tickets go on sale in early January and both the Southport Air Show and British Musical Fireworks Championships are expected to sell out fast.

To celebrate the return of the incredible Southport Air Show, which will take place on the 9th and 10th of July, general admission entry will now be completely free for Under 16s.

A brand new exclusive Pier Viewing ticket will also go on sale with limited availability for those who want to guarantee the very best views of the upcoming Southport Air Show.

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 put on our three flagship tourism events in 2022.

“Our Tourism team and partners have been working exceptionally hard to ensure we are able to bring this tantalising trio to Southport next year in a safe and secure way while guaranteeing fun for all the family.

“Tickets go on sale in January for the thousands of people who adore our events and sadly missed out on the opportunity these last few years.

“Entry to the Southport Food & Drink Festival remains completely free, while we have some incredible new offers and incentives for families at the Southport Air Show.

“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 2022 and we look forward to seeing you very soon.”

Dates for the three events are as follows:

Southport Food & Drink Festival: Thursday 2^nd to Sunday 5^th June.

Southport Air Show: Saturday 9^th and Sunday 10^th July

British Musical Fireworks Championship: Friday 23^rd to Sunday 25^th September

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

Melling resident Mary Burgess was surprised with a very special birthday party on Wednesday 15^th December, after her 100^th birthday celebrations were curtailed due to Covid-19 restrictions in 2020.

Last year she could only mark becoming a centenarian on her doorstep.

So, Mary’s friends from her local pensioners club wanted to throw her a belated party to ensure they could all mark the magnificent milestone together.

Mary attends Cabinet Member Cllr Atkinson’s monthly health and wellbeing club, so she attended the Holy Rosary Parochial Club to join the surprise.

There was a spot of bingo, afternoon tea and plenty of birthday cake.

Cllr Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, and Molyneux ward councillor said:

“Mary is a fantastic member of the local community and always first in line for bingo tickets when she attends my monthly health and wellbeing classes.

“It was just brilliant to celebrate in a small way with Mary and I hope that she feels special as she marks this incredible milestone.”

Born in Liverpool on 15^th December 1920, Mary has lived in Melling for more than 30 years. She has five children and more than 30 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In her 90s she overcame breast cancer and is still an active member of two local pensioners clubs. Once restrictions began to ease, Mary was one of the first to return to the local clubs and wellbeing group. Most recently she’s enjoyed visits to Boundary Mill with one of the groups and has just got back from her ‘Turkey & Tinsel’ holiday in Bournemouth.

Thankfully Mary got through the worst of the pandemic with very few problems and is said to be enjoying using her bus pass once again for shopping trips to Liverpool and doesn’t know what she would do without it.

Happy Birthday Marvellous Mary!