BBC Inspirations Awards 2020 Winner, Sam P Jalloh's Book Signing at Southport's Broadhurst Bookshop

ON Saturday, 4 February 2023 BBC Inspirations Awards 2020, Ex-Sierra Leonean Tennis player and now Author, Sam P Jalloh was in Broadhurst Bookshop, in Southport, for his 1st official book signing of his new book:- 'Can't Break the African Spirit.' His new book is a thought provoking look at life and a call for all of us to stand up to the small number of supremacists Sam says dominate the world in which we live. At the signing Maisie Gallen conducted an interview for us, with the Sierra Leonean Civil War Survivor, now professional tennis coach and Tedx Speaker, who now live in Southport, Merseyside. Please play to video below to find out more...

If you want to know about his amazing and sometimes upsetting story about how both war and sport became interwoven into his life, please do read his book:- 'How Tennis Saved my Life.'

'Can't Break the African Spirit' is published by Fisher King Publishing, in paperback, and can be obtained from Broadhurst Bookshop, in Southport and from the shops website:- CKBroadhurst.Co.UK.

You can also pick up a copy of his autobiography:- 'How Tennis Saved my Life.' also from the shop, For more information about other book signings at Broadhurst Bookshop, please follow the shop on Twitter.

►  'Can't Break the African Spirit' = ISBN-10:- 1914560493 and ISBN-13:- 978-1914560491.

►  'How Tennis Saved my Life' = ISBN-10:- 1093234040 and ISBN-13:-‎ 978-1093234046.

After the signing some of his fans also headed with Sam to Season Coffee Bar and Kittens, on King Street, Southport for refreshments.

Damien Moore MP slams confusion around Pontins asylum seeker plan

OVER the last few weeks our newsroom has had quite a few inquiries the Home Office around proposals to house asylum seekers at Pontins, in Ainsdale, Southport. These plans where up until recently still ongoing with the Home Office, there has been no definitive progress on the issues of concern raised by Sefton Council, the neighbouring constituency's Labour MP, Bill Esterson and also the local constituency's Conservative MP, Damien Moore.

We are told that objections to the plans have included the logistics of accessing the site, which still operates as a holiday resort, and the impact on the local tourism industry.

Mr Moore, who has been MP for the area since 2017, previously been credited as saying Pontins' was:- "constant bad publicity" that damages Southport and the surrounding area's standing. In connection to this issue he has now appeared on BBC News to slam confusion coursed by the Sefton Council and the Home Office for the lack of communication around a:- "key issue" affecting his constituency.

On Thursday, 3 February 2023, Sefton Council issued a comment saying the Home Office had assured them that asylum seekers would not be housed at Pontins, and Sefton Council told the national press that they were still awaiting confirmation in writing. However, when Mr Moore issued a press statement later that day, he said he had spoke with the Home Office that morning, and was told that there was:- "no update" on the proposal. He was also told that:- "Pontins was still under consideration." Mr Moore then subsequently submitted a letter to the Home Secretary to ask for clarification on the situation.

According to Mr Moore, with the Home Office maintaining that there was:- "no update" Mr Moore told the media that he will continue to stand up for his constituents against the Pontins proposal, and again appeared on:- BBC News, BBC Radio 4, and BBC Radio Merseyside to call on the Home Office to clarify the situation, and to provide confirmation to him in writing that this proposal will not proceed.

Damien Moore, MP for Southport, said:- "I'm aware that Sefton Council have claimed that they have been assured by the Home Office that Pontins will not be used to house asylum seekers. However, when I spoke with the Home Office this morning, I was merely told that there has been:- 'no update.' It is absolutely wrong to consider bringing asylum seeking children and families into Ainsdale when, due to Sefton’s children's service’s 'inadequate' Ofsted rating, children are already not getting the help they need and deserve. The Council's own risk assessment clearly shows the problem of putting 3,000 asylum seekers into Pontins, some 25% of Ainsdale's population. This is absolutely disproportionate, as I have made clear in numerous meetings, letters, and questions to the Home Office and the Department for Education. We must defend our Town's children, our local economy, and our community. Until I receive written confirmation from the Home Office that asylum seekers will not be housed at Pontins, I will continue to do all I can to stand up against this completely inappropriate plan, and to ensure that my constituents, and particularly our Town's children, get the support they need and the quality of life the deserve."

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