Businesses across Merseyside have shown their support for our local heroes by sponsoring every category in the 2023 Pride Of Sefton Awards

THE inaugural event will be a glittering celebration of the very best in our local communities. People and groups who go above and beyond to make Sefton a special place for all will be presented with their trophies and given thanks in the Princess Grace Suite at:- The Grand, on Lord Street, in Southport Town Centre, on:- Friday, 28 April 2023.

The unmissable night in the Merseyside events calendar will be presented by well known actress and radio presenter Claire Simmo.

All those on the shortlist will be invited to a special celebratory meal in beautiful surroundings while the awards are presented, with a night of entertainment planned.

The 1st ever Pride Of Sefton Awards are being organised by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport.

Nominations are still being invited across all 13 categories ahead of the closing date on:- 6 March 2023.

If you would like to nominate someone please email:- MediaAndrewBrown@GMail.Com.

Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Chairman Andrew Mikhail said:- "We are looking forward to celebrating all that is good in Sefton and together with Stand up for Southport, we are delighted to be able to offer a platform that will celebrate this. We would like to thank all the businesses which have come on board to support our 1st Pride Of Sefton Awards. This very special event could not happen without them. The awards evening is certain to be a spectacular occasion that will be memorable for all the right reasons."

Stand Up For Southport Founder Andrew Brown said:- "We really appreciate all the businesses which have shown their support for this year's Pride Of Sefton Awards. We would also like to thank all of you who have already sent us some incredible nominations - it is going to be a very tough job for the judging panel! We can't wait to applaud some very special people who work so selflessly and tirelessly to make such a positive difference to our local communities. There is no better venue for it to take place than The Grand in Southport. It is going to be an event that people will never forget."

A total of 13 awards will be given to those who give so selflessly for others.

We are looking for nominations, across:- Southport, Formby, Crosby, Bootle, Maghull and elsewhere within the borough, in these categories:-

1. Main Award - Pride of Sefton (sponsored by The Grand)

The night's premier award will salute a person or organisation who judges believe has made a truly inspiring or outstanding contribution to Sefton over the past 2 years.

2. Diversity and Inclusion Award (sponsored by Sefton Council)

Sefton is a truly welcoming borough. We'd love to hear about those who have gone out of their way to promote diversity and inclusion within our area.

3 - Sefton Arts Award (sponsored by Fitton Estates)

Sefton wants to shout loud and proud about those who have achieved remarkable things in the world of stage, screen, and music. We want to hear about bright young things and those who have made it to the very top.

4. Charity Champion Award (sponsored by Communication Plus)

Charities local and nationally survive and thrive on the cash raised by big-hearted fundraisers. And they have really needed it in these tough times. We don't just want to hear who has raised the most, but how they have done it, what difference has it made and why it has inspired you.

5. Child of Courage Award (sponsored by Southport Pleasureland)

We are searching for nominees who have shown immense courage in the face of adversity. Courage comes in different shapes - is it a child who has battled illness, performed an act of bravery or done something truly remarkable while up against the odds?

6. Courage Award (sponsored by Lloyds Bank)

Many tales of the heroism, courage or bravery of people from Sefton go untold; and we'd like to change that. Nominees could have performed a dramatic rescue or maybe they've overcome illness or injury to record inspiring achievements.

7. Unsung Hero Award (sponsored by Exceptional Care and Think Tank Academy)

Tell us about the person who makes a huge difference to our borough's communities, organisations or teams, but who rarely gets a spot in the limelight.

8. Community Impact Award (sponsored by Forth Homes)

Which person or organisation has had the biggest positive impact on their community? How have they made Sefton a better place or helped people? Have they used their heart as well as their business head to serve their area?

9. Sportsperson of the Year (sponsored by Solarcrown Commercial)

Whose achievements in the sporting arena have been the brightest over the past 2 years?

We want nominations from all sporting fields; from amateurs to professionals, and from coaches to players.

10. Young Sportsperson of the Year (sponsored by DT Hughes)

Which of Sefton's sporting juniors have recorded the biggest achievement? In a borough with so much talent we would expect a deluge of entries. Tell us who stands out? (Nominees must not have reached their 19th birthday by 1 March 2023.)

11. Business In The Community Award (sponsored by InDemand)

Businesses play a vital role in making our communities better for all. We'd like to celebrate all those who have made a real difference.

12. School Of The Year Award (sponsored by Southport College)

Schools are brilliant at getting involved in local issues., but which 1s have gone further to really improve the world around them? We'd love to honour those that have.

13. Lifetime Achievement / Special Recognition Award (sponsored by Birkdale Kitchen Co.)

This award recognises a person who has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to life in Sefton. There will be no shortlist for this title announced prior to this award; instead the judging panel will reflect on potential candidates during the process and the winner will be awarded on the night.

Please email us your details and the details of the person you are nominating, along with a testimonial of up to 250 words on why they should win an award to:- MediaAndrewBrown@GMail.Com or contact us through the Stand Up For Southport website.

You can also post your entries to:- Andrew Brown Pride Of Sefton Awards, The Grand, 180 Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside, PR90QG.

The closing date for entries is:- Monday, 6 March 2023.

Please Like the Pride Of Sefton Awards page on Facebook the Pride Of Sefton Awards on Instagram and Pride Of Sefton Awards on Twitter.
 

New exhibition explores British Chinese communities

A free display at Liverpool Central Library explores the history, culture, and heritage of British Chinese communities. Running until Friday, 31 March 2023, the exhibition draws on personal stories and moments of national significance and asks what it means to be Chinese and British. From the 1st recorded individuals arriving from China in the late 1600's to Liverpool becoming Europe's 1st Chinatown in the 1850's, Chinese people, who trace their heritage to Regions across east and southeast Asia, have played an active part in British society for over 300 years.

In partnership with the British Library Living Knowledge Network, Liverpool Libraries and Information Services have worked with curators The Sound Agents and the local Chinese community to create a physical exhibition showcasing artefacts, documents, clothing and photographs that focus on our local Chinese communities and their contribution to the economic and cultural heritage of Liverpool.

Inspired by the National exhibition, Chinese and British that runs until 23 April 2023; which celebrates the lasting impact of Chinese communities in the UK, Liverpool's display has been supplemented by a panel exhibition which includes content and images from The British Library.

Alongside the exhibition, there will be both in person and streamed events including:-

►  Chinese Storytelling with Movema; Toxteth Library, on:- Wednesday, 25 January 2023, from:- 10am to 12noon, and Liverpool Central Library, on:- 28 January 2023, from:- 10am to 12pm.

►  The Living Knowledge Network will be streaming free:- events, exhibitions, and workshops, from libraries across the UK through:- LKN-Events.Co.UK.

►  The Chinese and British Liverpool exhibition will be available to view in the:- Hornby Library, 1st floor Liverpool Central Library, William Brown Street. L3 8EW and will be available for public viewing during library opening hours until:- 31 March 2023.

►  The Chinese and British exhibition at Liverpool Central Library has been curated by:- Moira Kenny and John Campbell, from The Sound Agents in collaboration with the Liverpool Chinese Community and Liverpool Libraries and Information Services.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Cllr Harry Doyle said:- "We're delighted that we've been able to bring the Chinese and British exhibition to the City, alongside an extensive programme of events and celebrations for Lunar New Year. Liverpool is Europe's oldest Chinese community and is prominently featured in The British Library display, so it feels right that the City is able celebrate the heritage and cultural significance of Chinese British communities who have been part of our rich history for hundreds of years."

Allan Chan, founder of Liverpool Chinatown Heritage Trust said:- "Chinese communities have been calling the UK home for much longer than many realise; more so for the Liverpudlian Chinese, who arrived here during the 19th Century. The curators have worked with the local Chinese community to bring a local context to the exhibition, by using photographs, manuscripts and interviews, and it uncovers the challenges that British Chinese people have encountered through the centuries, and some that continue to this day. It also celebrates the history and impact of our vibrant community and helps people to understand what it means to be both Chinese and British."