Formby Churches Together Walk of Whiteness

ON Friday, 30 March 2018, Good Friday, the annual Walk of Witness will be taking place in Formby Village, next to the Formby Pool Centre, at 11am. This year's event will take place, even if it snows, ending with the annual Passion Play. This local, traditional event will again contain some surprises we have been told, no, not the snow, even if that should happen. All denominations are encouraged to attend this fantastic community event. It is one of many happenings that the Churches Together in Formby Altcar and HighTown (CTIFAH) hold, that are intended to build inter church relationships and engage the local community. To see last year's coverage, so you can get an idea of what will be happening, please click here now..

Southport Good Friday Walk of Whiteness

ON Good Friday, 30 March 2018, the different denominations of Southport's Churches, will be gathering together to spread the Christian message, when they hold their annual Easter Walk of Witness. This event will start at 12 noon, and will progress from Farm Foods, opposite Southport Fire Station and will be followed by a Passion Play that will run for around 30 minutes, on the Town Hall Gardens. All are invited and more information about this event can be found on the Southport Methodist Church website.  All ages and denominations are invited to attend and take part.

Giant crane lifts A&E extension into place on Saturday

A 60m high crane will dominate the skyline, at Southport Hospital, on Saturday, 24 March 2018. The crane will be lifting 4 ready-built modules into place to create an 8 bay extension to the accident and emergency department.

The modules will be lowered and assembled in an internal courtyard and then connected to the main Hospital. After fitting out, the extended A&E should start accepting its 1st patients, by the end of April 2018.

Steve Treadgold, Head of Estates and Capital for the Trust, said:- "The crane weighs 96 tonnes and should be quite a sight. We are carrying this work out at a weekend to keep disruption to a minimum. Contractors will be setting up from 6am with the work expected to be complete by early afternoon. Traffic marshals will be on hand to direct motorists and visitors as necessary."

The extension is part of a ₤1.25m improvement project to create a better caring and working environment for patients and staff.

Further A&E bays will be created in the main Hospital building. There will also be upgrades to the:- main waiting area, toilets for the disabled, the X-ray waiting room and the area for Ambulance arrivals.

Therese Patten, Chief Operating Officer, added:- "This building work and investment programme forms part of our commitment to further improve the A&E department for our patients. The work will reduce overcrowding at the busiest times, improve the experience of care for patients, particularly their privacy, and provide a better environment for our staff."

Artist's impression shows cut away of the extension set in courtyard next to A&E.