Storm Dennis has been a menace

THE latest storm to strike the UK was Storm Dennis, just days after Storm Ciara. Dennis has definitely become a menace, leaving flooding and wind damage all over the UK, but thankfully, Merseyside was not as affected as it was with Ciara. It did however lead to flooded roads and damage. For example there was the flooding within Formby and also damage to the boardwalk on Formby Point. With more extreme weather predicted for the future, these 2 storms have highlighted the problems in areas around Formby Village. Places that have never been flooded before, are now flooding regularly. This has been attributed by many to building policies within the Region. Extreme weather, as with both Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, has highlighted to local residents the need to push the Council to reconsider the way they are building on run off fields and flood plains even more. Some are asking why, when the Council does agree to new builds on these sensitive areas, plans must include soak-a-ways and better drainage systems, or other helpful measures, for example within Regions of Germany, all new houses in flood plain vicinities are built with flat earthen roofs, maintained centrally by Local Authorities, thus reducing inundation. What are your thoughts on this issue? Please do email us your thoughts on this topic to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Help Available for People with Persistent Pain

PEOPLE with persistent pain in Southport and Formby are being invited to a free community event to learn more about what help is on offer in the borough. The event called:- 'Pain Matters' will be held on Tuesday, 17 March 2020, between 6pm and 8.30pm, at the Salvation Army, 65 Shakespeare Street, Southport, and aims to be a way for people who suffer from persistent pain to meet with others who have similar issues and share their experience. Health professionals from the local Community Pain Service run by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust will also be there, accompanied by volunteers from the Trust's Pain Clinic Plus volunteer support group.

Kevin Howard, service user and volunteer for the Pain Clinic Plus support group, said:- "We started off in 2008 with just 2 or 3 people and over the years the group has become popular. It helps pain sufferers cope with their pain by socialising and being distracted for a little while with different activities. Many people have pain and think they cannot be bothered. They are alone and isolated, and we are telling them to come and join us and know that they're not alone. It is a friendly relaxed atmosphere with a focus on 'living well' despite pain."

If you would like to attend the event you can sign up by simply texting your name to:- 07970 405 740. The Pain Clinic Plus volunteer support group holds a weekly meeting, at Ainsdale Centre for Health and Wellbeing, every Friday morning.