Following discussions with the managing agents from the district leagues, matches on all Sefton Council playing fields have been postponed this weekend (Saturday 25, and Sunday 26, November, 2017).
The decision has been taken due to the current ground conditions caused by the recent poor weather and the current forecast.
Festive foods and yuletide tipples are all on the menu as Southport welcomes a Christmas market.
Lining Chapel Street, bespoke wooden chalets, named ‘The Ainsdale’, will be decorated in sparkling lights and home for Christmas traders.
The market, run by Sefton Council, opened its doors on November 23 and will run until December 17 opening from 10am-5.30pm Monday-Thursday, 10am-6pm on Friday-Saturday and 10am-5pm on a Sunday.
Stalls selling gifts, chocolate flavoured wine, gins and other spirits, herbal remedies, pancakes and other hot foods are all on offer in a brightly lit winter wonderland.
The market will compliment Southport’s other vibrant shops, stunning Christmas lights and the arrival of the Southport BID supported ice rink which will be open from December 1-31.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said:
“Following the successful Christmas lights switch on which was attended by thousands of people, the Christmas market will add a real festive theme to the town centre.
“We want people to shop local during the festive season which will give local traders a real boost. With the Christmas market available in Chapel Street, shoppers can stop for a special drink or sample a food treat while enjoying the delights of Southport.
“Not only will the market appeal to Sefton residents but we want people from all over the region to visit Southport and appreciate what a great town it is all year round and see how the whole borough is well and truly open for business.”
For more information visit www.visitsouthport.com/christmas.
The Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Dave Robinson, is asking as many people as possible across the borough to get behind this year’s Christmas gift appeal. 
The annual request asks all residents in Sefton to try and provide presents for some of the borough’s most deserving children and make this Christmas extra special for them.
Gifts, for children of all ages, can be taken to either Bootle or Southport Town Halls or dropped off at any Sefton Council library or leisure centre by Wednesday, December 20.
Gifts can also be dropped at the Asda store at Central 12 in Southport. Gift tokens are particularly welcome to be given to older children.
All presents collected will later be distributed to children and young people throughout the borough by volunteers from Sefton Council and Sefton Children’s Trust on behalf of the Mayor.
Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Dave Robinson, said: “I am urging anyone who lives or works in Sefton to try and donate a present for the annual Mayor’s Christmas Gift Appeal.
“Every year the generosity of people is amazing and I’m hoping 2017 will be no different as we make Christmas that little bit special for those less fortunate.
“Any donation is welcome and we are looking for gifts for all ages from babies and toddlers to teens. To ensure we can get the right gift to the right child may I please ask that the gifts be new and are left unwrapped.”
For further information on the Mayor’s Christmas Gift Appeal please call 0151 934 3359.
Over 100 business leaders from across the city region have attended the latest Sefton Economic Forum to find out how they can expand and plan for future successes.
Hosted by InvestSefton and sponsored by Liverpool John Lennon Airport , the autumn Sefton Economic Forum took place at the Ramada Hotel, Southport on November 17 with more than 110 local businesses present to discuss ‘Opportunities for Business Growth’.
The popular forum included guest presentations from Robin Tudor of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Kevin Potter of BLISS hotels, new owners of the Ramada Plaza, Pete Sandman from Liverpool LEP and Julie Swarbrick from InvestSefton.
To close the event, there was even a touch of enchantment to the forum as illusionist David Burgess entertained guests with his sleight of hand and illusion during the interval.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills said: “This was by far the best forum of the year with over 110 businesses turning up to learn all about how they can make both their own business and the local economy grow!
“All of our speakers gave a great overview of Tourism and Business in the region and how it is not only improving, but can get even better with businesses and organisations working together more effectively.
“It was especially great to hear BLISS hotels reiterate their commitment to Sefton’s investment framework.
“After the forum finished, businesses spent time in the Growth Hub Marketplace and met with representatives from over 20 different business support agencies who provided vital information on what help is available to boost business.
“I would like to once again congratulate the InvestSefton team on organising such an interesting and well attended forum.”
For more information about further Sefton Economic Forum events call 0151 934 3452 or email info@investsefton.com.
(pictures courtesy of Ray Farley Photography)
Formby Library will play host to a special talk following the adventures of former Sefton Councillor Barry Griffiths during a sojourn to Gibraltar and the Bahamas.
The talk, which takes place at the Duke Street based Formby Library on Tuesday December 12 from 2pm, ex councillor Barry Griffiths will be talking about his exploits and adventures in the 1960s.
A spokesman for Formby Library said:
“During a time in the 1960s when bored with his job & seeking adventure, Barry hitchhiked down to Gibraltar, then sailed across the Atlantic to the Bahamas.
“The talk is an excellent chance to learn about the fascinating characters he met and how he found work there.”
Formby Library can be found at Duke Street, Formby, L37 4AN. For more information call 01704 874177
