Report Page 7 - Southport, Formby, Liverpool, 2020-11-09

News reports located on this page = 4.

The names of the 12 giant Nutcrackers to appear in Southport this Christmas have been revealed!

THE Southport BID ran a fun competition to name the fun festive figures, which will soon be appearing on streets throughout Southport Town Centre. Hundreds of superb names were suggested by local people, giving judges a very difficult task to narrow them down to just 12! 1 of the winning names:- Sir Tom, inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore, the former British 2nd World War Army Officer who was knighted earlier this year for raising over ₤30million money for charity in the run up to his 100th Birthday, during the Covid19 Pandemic. Others have strong Southport links such as:- Sutton, Old Duke, Hesketh and Meols while some, such as:- Fredrich and Hans, nod to the figures' German roots. The winning Nutcracker names for 2020 are:- Peanut, Sutton, Old Duke, Fredrich, Hesketh, Meols, Hans, Sir Tom, Marmaduke, Rufus, Noel and Rutherford. Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said:- "Thank you to everyone who contributed name ideas and for getting involved. There were some superb names and it was hard to narrow it down. Circumstances have obviously changed, but we hope the Nutcrackers spark some joy and provide some fun for children in a safe way; with families able to complete the trail as part of their outdoor recreation time."

The iconic 6ft tall Nutcrackers figures, which resemble giant toy soldiers, will be placed at strategic points throughout Southport Town Centre to recreate the popular Nutcracker Trail. There will be more to find this year with 12 figures instead of last season's 10. The Nutcrackers brought real magic to Christmas shopping, within Southport Town Centre, in 2019, with families from across the North West enjoying finding all the figures in between trips to local shops and restaurants. In German tradition the dolls are symbols of good luck, frightening away malevolent spirits; ideal as the BID continues to help Southport businesses recover from the continuing impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic and urges people to shop local this Christmas. The Nutcrackers are a safe attraction people can still enjoy, even during the November 2020 Lockdown restrictions. Southport Business Improvement District CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said:- "We are delighted to be bringing the Nutcrackers back to Southport this year for people to enjoy. They were a huge success last year with families making repeat visits into Southport so they could complete the trail in stages."

As soon as the restrictions end, on 2 December, people can come back to Town and support local businesses. This year the popular Nutcracker Trail Guide will be a single page. This will be a downloadable document so people can have it on their phone or print it off rather than collecting it, to make the trail even safer. There will also be an iPad Mini for 1 lucky winner completing the trail and a ₤50 Southport Gift Card for the best Nutcracker selfie to be posted in the Stand Up For Southport Facebook group. For more details about the Southport BID, so please do visit their website!

"Restoring rail services between Southport, Preston and Ormskirk is vital for the local economy" says MP Damien Moore

RESTORING rail services between Southport, Preston and Ormskirk is vital for the local economy in the Region, says MP Damien Moore. The Southport Conservative MP praised the cross party determination to restore the vital transport links which were axed during the controversial Dr Beeching cuts in 1964. Mr Moore met with West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper (Labour), South Ribble MP Katherine Fletcher (Conservative), Preston MP Sir Mark Hendrick (Labour) and rail expert Alan Fantom from OPSTA (Ormskirk Preston and Southport Travellers' Association) on Monday, 2 November 2020, to press their claims. Southport has particularly strong reasons to campaign for better rail links after submitting ₤50million regeneration proposals to the Government under Southport Town Deal this week. The plans include a brand new waterside Events Centre, an all year attraction at Southport Pleasureland and a revitalised Lord Street. Last week, plans were revealed for a ₤40million Southport Cove resort on the seafront. The exciting, all year round attraction at Princes Park would include a world class surf wave pool, water based wellness and spa facilities, 4 star accommodation, a restaurant and cafés plus indoor leisure facilities. All of these attractions are designed to boost the Regional economy by attracting millions of new visitors, making the case for better rail links vital.

Southport MP Damien Moore said:- "We have got a real cross party consensus on this issue. We need to see the Burscough Curves reopened and Southport linked with Ormskirk and Preston by rail. Being able to connect with Preston opens Southport up to rail passengers on the West Coast Rail Line. We would appeal to visitors from places such as Preston, Carlisle and Glasgow. Preston is a massive rail hub in the North of England. The North West's time is now. This scheme will bring people in from all over the country. We want to be part of that rail link from North to South and to be able to bring people into Southport with greater ease. We do need to capitalise on this great opportunity. If we can make this happen then I would like to see some very proactive marketing done in places like Glasgow, Preston and Carlisle to attract visitors into our Town. We need to drive people into Southport using that pull factor we have that not only are there many great attractions and events that visitors can enjoy here, but that they would be able to arrive by rail and not have to drive to get here. It would be much more environmentally friendly as well as being a more convenient way for more people to travel."

The case prepared by Alan Fantom with local MPs insists that restoring rail services is central to Regional economic development and growth as Southport, South Ribble, Preston and West Lancashire seek to build back stronger after the Coronavirus Pandemic. The routes would also be essential in helping the Region to achieve zero carbon. The proposed scheme would open up two new rail routes and greatly enhance the services on2 existing and important rail corridors. It would be a low risk implementation which could be delivered within 2 years of formal authorisation with costs contained and managed to a budget of ₤30 million to 35 million. It would be a quickly deliverable way of the Government helping to 'level up' the North with a relatively low cost scheme. The new services would be operated without an increase in subsidy and the anticipated benefits (Benefit Cost Ratio 3:1) would make the scheme 'high value for money.'

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service employee wins prestigious Spirit of Fire Award

MERSEYSIDE Fire and Rescue Service Project Officer, Collaboration and Interoperability, Emma Satchell, has today won a prestigious Spirit of Fire award at a virtual ceremony held by The Fire Fighters Charity and introduced by His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge.

Winning the Supporter of The Year: Non-Uniform Staff award at the Charity's virtual awards ceremony, Emma was recognised for her contribution to the work of a newly established fundraising committee at the fire and rescue service. Chairing the committee and ensuring that its work significantly increases the amount of money raised for the Charity across the Service, Emma's award was announced on the night by Jason Watkins, renowned stage, TV and film Actor.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge introduced:- 'The Fire Fighters Charity's Virtual Spirit of Fire Awards,' via a recorded video message, from Kensington Palace.

Opening the ceremony The Duke spoke of the challenges faced by Fire Service personnel in the wake of Covid19, reiterating why it's so important that they know where to turn when they need support themselves.

The Duke also announced the winner of the evening's 1st award was the 'Special Recognition Award for Excellence in The Field of Mental Health' which was awarded to Shilla Patel, Inclusion Manager, at London Fire Brigade.

A further 13 awards were announced by a host of famous faces over the course of the evening, including:- Brian May CBE, Michael Sheen OBE, Dame Julie Walters DBE, Clare Balding OBE, Simon Day, Reverend Kate Bottley, Dame Katherine Grainger DBE, Adam Hills, Les Ferdinand MBE, Susanna Reid, Maddie Moate and Greg Foot.

The Spirit of Fire Awards recognise the fundraising and awareness raising achievements of members of the UK's Fire Services community in their support of The Fire Fighters Charity, as well as the courage of the Charity's beneficiaries in the face of personal adversity.

Usually held in London, with a reception at No.10 Downing Street, the Coronavirus Pandemic meant that the Charity took the awards ceremony online in 2020 for the 1st time.

The Fire Fighters Charity Chief Executive, Dr Jill Tolfrey, said of Emma's:- 'Supporter of The Year - Non-Uniform Staff Award':- "I am delighted that Emma has been recognised for the incredible role she has played Chairing the Merseyside committee and transforming the way the Service coordinates and carries out fundraising events for us. The proof is in the pudding and, with Emma's support, the Service is today raising more than it has ever done before. Congratulations Emma."

People with diabetes from Southport invited to 'vital' online educational event

PEOPLE from Southport can get a "front row seat" and exclusive access to hear from some of the leading voices in the world of diabetes as part of World Diabetes Day. On Saturday, 14 November 2020, which is also World Diabetes Day, Diabetes Professional Care (DPC2020), the UK's leading event for diabetes healthcare professionals, will be staging its 1st ever patient education day. The free to attend United Through Diabetes virtual conference is for people living with diabetes and has been organised by DPC, in partnership with the Diabetes Research AND Wellness Foundation (DRWF) charity. This virtual conference has been specifically designed to provide up to date education, top tips and skills for managing diabetes and inspirational sessions to help people living with all types of diabetes and their family and friends.

DPC Founder Maggie Meer said:- "As a person who lives with type 2 diabetes, I recognise how crucial it is to keep patients informed of all the latest developments from within the field of diabetes, particularly during the current climate, where we're hearing people with diabetes are at greater risk of becoming severely ill with Covid19. We're giving people with diabetes a front row seat to our programme which has been designed by people living with diabetes and our expert line up of healthcare professionals. We all have the same aim, to empower attendees so they feel they can take their health into their own hands. They need to know what new treatments are available and how they might benefit from them, and to give them the confidence to stand up and ask the questions they previously may have been too scared to ask their GP or diabetes nurse. The whole event is entirely free as I firmly believe that, to create real, positive changes, diabetes education must be free to access, no matter what."

Amanda Epps, an Adult Diabetes Specialist Nurse at Rainham PCN AND Medway NHS Foundation Trust, will be involved on the day to speak to people with diabetes and unpick some of the information broadcast to virtual attendees. She said:- "United Through Diabetes is going to be vital for anyone living with diabetes. We desperately need a culture shift when it comes to diabetes education. We need better access and also a change in attitudes. I recently spoke to someone with diabetes from Bulgaria where education is seen as a vital part of the treatment. But in the UK, it's thought of as optional, you can't get time off work to attend diabetes education, but you can if it's a GP appointment. In the UK we need to change our mindsets to start looking at education as an essential part of the treatment plan. We need to improve access, it should be available 24/7, if someone wants to access it at midnight then they should be able to. With online technology improving dramatically and people working from home because of Lockdown measures, there is a real opportunity to reach people who wouldn't normally be accessible. Unfortunately, people with diabetes and a high HbA1c are at a much higher risk of dying from Covid19 should they contract it. There has never been a better time for healthcare professionals to engage people with diabetes and improve their access to education."

The United Through Diabetes patient education event, is on 14 November 2020, between:- 9:30am to 5pm, follows DPC Virtual, a 3day , CPD accredited conference for healthcare professionals working within the field of diabetes. For more information and access to more frequently asked questions, click here.