Southport's 2021 Food and Drink Festival was a:- "huge success"

IT'S official, this years food and drink Festival was a:- "huge success" as thousands of lovers descended on Southport to sample the very best that the North West has to offer. Thanks to the added bonus of the unusually warm September sunshine, that helped to bring in record crowds, to Southport's Victoria Park, between Friday, 3 September 2021 and Sunday, 5 September 2021, to sample and buy a wide range of tasty delights and delectable treats, offered at the shows many stalls.

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said:- "We were all so delighted to be able to bring the Southport Food and Drink Festival back to Sefton and we know it was very much missed in 2020. The sheer amount of families and food lovers who came to the festival is a fantastic testament to how popular this weekend is, which benefits the whole Town and the wider borough. Over the years the festival has evolved into an incredibly huge and diverse event and is now 1 of, if not the, biggest food festivals in the North West. Hundreds of our amazing local traders in Southport are joined each year by some of the finest food and drink producers from across the Region in the fantastic setting of Victoria Park. We're now looking forward to welcoming thousands more visitors for the British Musical Fireworks Championships."

Sefton welcomes over 8.7 million visitors a year contributing over ₤518 million to the local economy. For more information about upcoming events and tickets please visit:- VisitSouthport.com.

Click here to see our archived photograpic coverage of this event, in last weeks, weekly edition.

Metro Mayor reveals tribute for Merseybeat legend Gerry Marsden

THE Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, has unveiled proposals to rename the Pier Head Ferry Terminal, in Liverpool, to celebrate the legacy of Merseybeat legend Gerry Marsden. The proposed new name, The Liverpool Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal, would commemorate the historic link between the music icon and the Mersey Ferries. Gerry, who sadly passed away in January 2021, was the frontman for 1960's beat group Gerry and the Pacemakers. He will be forever associated with the Mersey Ferries through their classic song:- 'Ferry Cross The Mersey,' a famous anthem released in 1964, and the musical film released the following year. The world renowned song is still played on Mersey Ferry River Explorer Cruises every day, representing the historic link between Gerry and the ferries which has lasted for more than 50 years. Gerry was also given the honorary Freedom of the Ferries award in 1985, in recognition of this special connection. The Combined Authority is welcoming people's views on this proposal, which has been developed in discussion with Gerry's family.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "Gerry was an iconic figure whose music helped establish our Region on a global scale. He was a proud champion of the Liverpool City Region, and we are forever grateful to him the legacy he leaves. His words forever immortalised our famous Mersey Ferry in the minds of so many. As Metro Mayor of the City Region, I want to pay tribute to Gerry on behalf of the 1.6 million people in our Region and properly commemorate his contributions. I can think of no more fitting celebration than the:- 'Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal,' where his name; like his music; will live on for generations to come."

A spokesperson for the family said:- "Gerry was an amazing Husband, Dad and Grandad and his loss has left a huge gap for the family. Gerry was a larger than life character who touched so many hearts. He always had a special place in his heart for Mersey Ferries and was so proud to be associated with him them. This seems such a fitting tribute to celebrate that relationship and create a legacy for the Region. We are delighted to work with the Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in respect of this exciting proposal."

Anyone wishing to provide comments can visit the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority's Commonplace website until Sunday, 3 October 2021.  Alternatively, feedback postcards are also available from the Pier Head and Woodside Ferry Terminals.