Our review of 2022

2022 has been a very strange year with war returning to Europe, with the attendant threats of nuclear strikes, turmoil within British Politics, with 3 Prime Ministers in just 2 months, endless scandals, The Queen's Jubilee and Death... The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, The FIFA World Cup. 3 years after COVID burst onto the scene Covid has declared with exception to China. NASA's program to return astronauts to the lunar surface goes to plan and it means NASA will be able to go back to the Moon in 2024! In the UK and across the world, the words:- "cost of living" has dominated headlines and continues to affect households across the UK. The BBC has marked 100 years of broadcasting, as the bewildering and expensive streaming landscape continues to grow, many are asking will the BBC make it to 150 years? In 2022 we have seen lots of extreme weather events, in the UK and throughout the world. Plus, we have had many strikes, but it has not been all bad news, with the odd bit of good news tossed in to the mix at times. Just like Marmite, 2022 has been uncompromising and deeply divisive, from politics to the weather:- "You either love it or hate it."  What did you make of 2022? Please do let us know by emailing us at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

This is a short video of the year, as seen though our cameras...



Our list of reports we thing were interesting in 2022... Do you agree with our selection?

January...

►    TV licence fee to be frozen for 2 years:- Link.

►    Southport Lifeboat move into new Lifeboat Station:- Link.

►    Work from home guidance ends in England:- Link.

►    5 Southport businesses honoured in Hidden Gem category in 2022 Tourism Awards:- Link.

►    The Friends of Old Christ Church Chairman awarded BEM:- Link.

►    The brand new Southport Veterans Hub has now been officially opened, on a:- "Monumental day for Southport..." Link.

►    Southport Offshore Rescue Trust's new Lifeboat Station - quick video tour and interview:- Link.

►    England returns to Plan A as regulations on face coverings and COVID Passes change today:- Link.

►    UCLan leads pilot study into innovative digital stroke rehab tool:- Link.

February...

►    Xīn Nián Kuài Lè! 新年快乐 Happy Chinese New Year! Link.

►    Sam P Jalloh - "A Show About My Life..." Link.

►    Bill Esterson MP accuses Government of failing to act on ventilation in Schools:- Link.

►    中国新年 4750 - Liverpool - Chinese New Year 2022:- Link.

►    Events are back for 2022! Link.

►    North West awarded ₤34,179,771 to support vulnerable families and build brighter futures:- Link.

►    Purple Reign! Liverpool wins national night time award for 12th successive year:- Link.

►    Over ₤17 million awarded to North West for support for domestic abuse victims to rebuild their lives:- Link.

►    Leading rural insurer NFU Mutual supporting thousands of customers after Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin batter the UK! Link.

►    NHS organisation named as best not for profit in UK:- Link.

►    Staff at Liverpool Hope join UK wide University strike:- Link.

►    UK sees the sharpest manufacturing price growth since 1976 according to CBI:- Link.

March...

►    Relief Aid Collection for Ukraine at the Formby Elim Church:- Link.

►    16 year old stabbed within Church grounds in Formby:- Link.

►    Dementia Arts Collaboration Achieves Awards Success:- Link.

►    On the Town again for St Patrick's Day:- Link.

►    Holywell couple who helped schools in lockdown short listed for UK Biz award:- Link

►    A scandalous decision of P&O ferries has left 800 staff without jobs with no consultation or warning! Link.

►    All Covid19 travel restrictions removed in the UK:- Link.

►    The North West receives more than ₤3.4 million investment from Bikeability Trust improve access to cycle training:- Link.

►    Did you see HMS Queen Elizabeth entering the River Mersey? Link.

►    Tourism Minister's visit to Southport:- Link.

►    Southport Town Center closed off for a day following burglary:- Link.

►    Strike action at University of Liverpool and Liverpool Hope begins:- Link.

April...

►    Birthday to remember for Formby's oldest resident:- Link.

►    Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS appoint new Chief Executive:- Link.

►    8 hour strike on TransPennine Express on Easter weekend:- Link.

►    Trainee Teacher wins Hair Stylist of the Year Award:- Link.

►    NHS 111 service launches pilot text support service for patients:- Link.

►    A fantastic turnout for the return of the Annual Southport Scout St George's Day Parade 2022:- Link.

May...

►    Local Elections 2022 - Liverpool City Region:- Link.

►    Prominent Southport personality and former Mayor of Sefton, Tommy Mann has died:- Link.

►    UK Hot Cars Southport May 2022 Display:- Link.

►    Liverpool wins big at BAFTA TV awards:- Link.

►    Southport crowned the best City for fitness fanatics:- Link.

►    Roy's Glad-den to be the new Lord Mayor:- Link.

►    Inspirational Formby Primary School honoured in prestigious UK celebration of teaching:- Link.

June...

►    Sefton Girlguids light a Platinum Jubilee Beacon on Crosby Beach:- Link.

►    Runners Unite In Stanley Park To Remember The 97:- Link.

►    Local girls team showed Liverpool FC how it is done:- Link.

►    Photos and video of some of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations - Part 2:- Link.

►    Monkeypox is now a notifiable disease in law:- Link.

►    Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend UK Hot Cars Show:- Link.

►    Liverpool International Tennis Tournament 2022 - Part 1:- Link.

►    Safer Streets Liverpool text message service launches:- Link.

►    Southport Model Engineering Club - Live Steam Open Day:- Link.

►    Merseyside Schools are big winners at national awards:- Link.

►    Liverpool International Tennis Tournament 2022 - Part 2 of 3:- Link.

July...

►    SSAFA leads Southport's Armed Forces Day 2022:- Link.

►    Dennis the Dachsund enjoys celebrity status as he wheels his way around Southport:- Link.

►    The 100th Ainsdale Flower Show:- Link.

►    The RedBall Project comes to Liverpool:- Link.

►    Heatwave: bathers warned of drowning risk ahead of scorching temperatures:- Link.

►    Southport Air Show - Part 1 of 2:- Link.

►    Local charity crowned employer of the year at national awards:- Link.

►    The Royal British Legion Formby is 100:- Link.

►    BBQ and fire safety plea as another heat wave set to hit the UK:- Link.

►    Formby Show 2022:- Link.

►    Southport Air Show 2022 - Part 2:- Link.

►    Southport Disco Festival is back in Victoria Park in Southport with its 4th Edition:- Link.

August...

►    The Big Model and Hobby Show 2022 - Part 1 of 2:- Link.

►    Brazilica Carnival 2022 - Part 1 of 2:- Link.

►    Brazilica Carnival 2022 - Part 2 of 2:- Link.

►    Big Model Hobby Show 2022 - Part 2 of 2:- Link.

►    Liverpool is a short listed host City for Eurovision 2023:- Link.

►    Southport Flower Show 2022 - Part 1 of 2:- Link.

►    Adopted Man Uncovers Biological Family with Ancestry DNA Kit:- Link.

►    Georgia is the new Miss Liverpool City Region 2022:- Link.

►    Southport Flower Show 2022 - Part 2 of 2:- Link.

►    Don't let those involved in Olivia Pratt-Korbel's Murder escape justice:- Link.

September...

►    Picnic On The Green:- Link.

►    Formby Live 2022:- Link.

►    £2 bus fare cap across England to save passengers money:- Link.

►    RMT announce new strike dates in national rail dispute:- Link.

►    Southport Classic and Speed 2022:- Link.

►    Councils respond to the sad death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:- Link.

►    Sefton Mayor:- "Reading of the Proclamation" and  in "The Laying Of Flowers..." Link.

►    British Musical Fireworks Championship 2022:- Link.

►    Latest strikes by RMT and ASLEF unions force train operator Northern to advise customers:- 'Do Not Travel' on 3 separate dates in October 2022:- Link.

►    Mayor Rotheram's £2 bus fare now available across the Liverpool City Region:- Link.

October...

►    Acclaimed Australian Comic heading to Southport:- Link.

►    Runners Pay Tribute To The Queen At Mersey Tunnel 10K:- Link.

►    Southport ready for 17 days of laughter as Southport Comedy Festival 2022 takes place:- Link

►    Thank You For The Music! Eurovision Song Contest is coming to Liverpool! Link.

►    Military Vehicle Display helping to mark 100th Anniversary:- Link.

►    More strike action by Royal Mail workers is likely to result in delays:- Link.

►    River of Light - Liverpool 2022:- Link.

►    Councils respond to new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak:- Link.

►    Halloween Parties 2022 in Southport:- Link.

November...

►    "DO NOT TRAVEL" - Northern's advice to customers ahead of latest round of strike action by RMT:- Link.

►    Southport RFC Firework Extravaganza 2022:- Link.

►    Southport Remembrance Sunday 2022:- Link.

►    Remembrance Sunday - Liverpool:- Link.

►    RMT renews national rail strike mandate for another 6 months:- Link.

►    Formby Christmas Lights Switch On 2022:- Link.

►    RMT announces 4 weeks of industrial action:- Link.

►    Biggest ever University strike begins in fight over pay, pensions and conditions:- Link.

December...

►    Liverpool City Region welcomes 1st official visit from German Ambassador Miguel Berger:- Link.

►    Northern bans ALL e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards from its 345 trains and 500+ stations:- Link

3 arrested following the "utterly despicable" Christmas Eve shooting!

3 people have now been people in connection with the murder of 26 year old, Beautician, Elle Edwards, at the Lighthouse Inn, in Wallasey Village, on Saturday, 24 December 2022 and the injuring of 4 others. 1 of the injured, 1 28 year old, from Beechwood, Wirral, is still receiving medical treatment.

The 3 suspects were taken into custody and currently being questioned by Detectives. We are told the 30 year old man from Tranmere has been recalled to Prison on licence, and a 19 year old, female, from Rock Ferry, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and has been bailed. Plus, a 31 year old male, who is also from Tranmere has also been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and remains in custody on the day we published this report.

Merseyside Police stress that the investigation into Elle’s murder is ongoing and that they are continuing to appeal for anyone with information to come forward to assist them in bringing those responsible to justice.

Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs from Major Crime Investigations said:- "We have made 2 arrests in connection with this cold-blooded shooting. Elle’s family are still having to come to terms with her tragic loss, and our specially trained family liaison officers are supporting them. We will not rest until we bring those responsible to justice and I would appeal to anyone who has information to contact us. I would urge people who were in the Lighthouse Inn at the time of the incident, or anyone who has mobile or CCTV footage of what happened to contact us as a matter of urgency as they may have information which is vital to our investigation. We are also appealing to motorists and residents in the area, who may have captured anything on Dashcam or CCTV to contact us and every bit of evidence is crucial to the investigation."

The latest latest arrest, of the 31 year old male, comes after a Police Chief renewed an appeal for anyone with information on the Christmas Eve shooting to come forward.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Critchley, of Merseyside Police has again said:- "Enquiries into the murder remain ongoing. We will not rest until we bring the offenders to justice. Anyone with information is asked to DM Merseyside Police on:- Twitter or contact:- CrimestoppersUK anonymously, or call then anonymously on:- 0800555111, quoting reference:- '22000948723.'"

Merseyside's Police Commissioner, Emily Spurrell said:- "It was devastating to wake up on Christmas Day to learn of the tragic and senseless death of Elle Edwards. My heart goes out to all those who knew and loved Elle. No family should lose a loved one in such shocking and appalling circumstances. To do so just ahead of Christmas, a time when we all look forward to spending time with those we care for most, makes this even more shattering. Their pain and suffering is unimaginable, and sadly the impact of this callous and horrific act will last a lifetime for them. It is those who are responsible for this utterly despicable and cowardly act who deserve the life sentence. To open fire in a crowded public house, full of people out socialising and enjoying the festivities ahead of Christmas Day, is an act of wanton violence and shows complete disregard for the safety of all those inside. Merseyside Police will be relentless in its pursuit of those responsible. The determination to ensure those who have inflicted such misery and suffering face justice is palpable. Arrests have already been made and the investigation goes on around the clock. My sincere thanks go to the very many officers, PCSOs and staff who have worked so hard since this horrendous incident took place, with many forsaking their own Christmases to support the affected families, reassure people living nearby and find those responsible. While we have seen the number of firearms discharges in Merseyside reduce in recent years, this is a tragic reminder of how much more we still need to do to put a stop to the scourge of gun violence in our Region. I would urge anyone with any information about this incident, who is responsible or anyone who is harbouring weapons; do the right thing. It could have been your mother, father, sister, brother, daughter or son enjoying a drink in the pub that night caught up in the crossfire. To stand by and not speak up is to be complicit in the murder of this young woman."

A statement from her father Tim Edwards on behalf of the family, read:- "There was no one as beautiful as our Elle May, her looks, her laugh and the way she would light up a room as soon as she walked in. She had this way about her that as soon as you met her, you just instantly fell in love with her, everyone that met Elle knew how special she was."