Annual Open Day for Merseyside Heritage Charity

THE Merseyside Transport Trust (MTT) will be holding its Annual Open Day event, on Sunday, 8 July 2018, to raise funds for the upkeep of its fleet of over 50 historic vehicles.

This is a rare and unique opportunity to see the vast collection of buses (and a train) in various stages of restoration. The event is also aimed to attract new members, volunteers, sponsorship and generate interest within the community.

This year's event will feature:- bus rides around the surrounding area, serving local pubs, several scenic West Lancashire villages and supporting local businesses. There will be numerous vehicles on display including visiting vehicles from other preservation groups, sales stands, and talks given about the group's latest projects and how people can become involved.

The MTT and the Annual Open Day is run entirely by volunteers and the MTT is always keen to see more people actively involved as well as to see the associated skills base that goes with this expanded.

Light refreshments will be available with all proceeds going to the charity and entry is free, no need to book! A souvenir programme and guide to the day will be available for just ₤3 and any donations you would like to make to the group would be most welcome which will go towards the continued restoration and safekeeping of our unique collection.

Lee Wolfe, PubliCity and Events Officer of The MTT is leading the event and has been involved with the group for over a decade. Lee said:- "This event is now in its 7th year since moving to our new premises back in 2011 and has gone from strength to strength. We have been consistently attracting large numbers which are encouraging for a small charity and always looking for ways to make this event an even bigger success. All funds raised at the event will go a long way in helping to keep our collection safe for the future."

The event will be held at the MTT's base off Tollgate Road, Burscough, L40 8TG. Free car parking will be available with a free park and ride bus service connecting the 2 sites. A free shuttle service will also run connecting the event to Ormskirk and Burscough Bus/Rail Interchanges.

Doors open from:- 10:30 until 16:30. For more information see the Trust's website.

Anita Rani Joins the Star Line Up at Southport Flower Show

POPULAR TV presenter Anita Rani is joining the celebrity line up at the 2018 Southport Flower Show.  Anita, who is known for appearing on BBC shows Countryside and Watchdog, will meet visitors to the show on the opening day in August 2018.

The talented broadcaster was a semi finalist on the 2015 series of Strictly Come Dancing and returned to the dance floor as host of the Strictly Live Tour 2017.

Anita will speak to guests at Southport's Celebrity Theatre, on Thursday, 16 August 2018, at 3pm and be present at the Kuoni stand throughout the day.

She recently presented and co-produced a 2 part series on BBC1 titled:- 'My Family, Partition and Me,' examining the human impact of the partition of India in 1947.

In 2017 she also co-presented World's Busiest Cities for BBC2, a 4 part series taking in the sights of:- Hong Kong, Mexico City, Delhi and Moscow.

The 2018 line up also features entertainment for all the family, with Justin Fletcher on hand to entertain the children, who can enter free with a paying adult.

Anita will join a host of famous names at Southport this year including:- Christine Walkden and Matthew Wilson who will be passing on their gardening tips.


Southport Flower Show, in 2017, attracted over 50,000 visitors, runs from Thursday, 16 August to Sunday, 19 August 2018. Advance tickets are available for just ₤18.50 per person until the end of May 2018. ₤20 thereafter. For more information and to et your tickets visit:- SouthportFlowerShow.Co.UK.