Doctor Who fans toast show's 60th Anniversary with fan favourite Peter Purves

THE University of Central Lancashire is holding special event to celebrate many connections it has with the longest running science fiction series in the world

Fans of Doctor Who were given the opportunity of commemorating the TV show's 60th Anniversary in the company of fan favourite and University of Central Lancashire Honorary Fellow, Peter Purves.

Doctor Who is the longest running science fiction series in the world, and the University of Central Lancashire's involvement with it includes:- Alumnus Mandip Gill who played companion Yasmin Khan opposite Jodie Whittaker's Doctor from:- 2018 to 2022, and back in 2019, when the University recreated a missing episode of Doctor Who: Mission to the Unknown.

Organised by Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Ireland, a special event held on Wednesday 29 November, celebrated the many connections the University of Central Lancashire has with the popular series. The event took place in the University's Media Factory, in the exact same space where scenes for the Doctor Who missing episode recreation were filmed.

Prestonian Peter Purves played Steven Taylor, a space pilot from future Earth, and companion to the 1st Doctor Who from:- 1965 to 1966.

Sadly, almost all the episodes Mr Purves appeared in have been lost. For this reason, Mr Purves has always given his full support and backing to Professor Ireland's acclaimed recreated lost episode, which brought together University colleagues, students, and graduates, in acting, filming, staging, makeup, set construction, and costume roles.

During the event at the University of Central Lancashire, Peter Purves said:- "Almost all my episodes are missing. Everyone who played Doctor Who's companion after me earned considerable royalties because the science fiction series has a worldwide appeal. I have never earned a penny from it. When I heard about Andrew's recreated lost episode I tweeted a message to my followers about the project, without saying too much, and the Doctor Who fans went mad for it. It's people like Andrew who kept the show alive. Really, it died in 1989 but once it came back to our screens it's gone from strength to strength and I'm thrilled to be a part of it once more."

Peter Purves has returned to the franchise and appears in Tales of the TARDIS, a brand new six-part series available on the BBC iPlayer that reunites classic Doctor Who duos as they board a very special TARDIS on a nostalgic voyage through space and time.

Professor Ireland added:- "I've always been a fan of Doctor Who; it gave me a love of television, shaped my career, and inspired my PhD. I love the character of the Doctor because rather than relying on weapons, it is brains, thinking and intelligence that is relied upon to win the day and conquer adversity. That's a great role model, and an important message there for us all."

Doctor Who fans who attended the University of Central Lancashire event enjoyed a screening of the recreated missing episode and a Q&A conversation with Mr Purves. Mandip Gill took part in a pre-recorded interview that was played in, as she was busy filming for a new project. Dr Sarita Robinson, the Associate Dean of the School of Psychology and Humanities also presented a talk on the psychology of Doctor Who. There was also a full sized Dalek in the room, flanked by deadly Varga plants.

Professor Ireland's missing episode which can still be viewed, premiered on the Doctor Who YouTube channel on:- 9 October 2019 to critical acclaim, delighting science fiction fans all over the world. To date the episode has been viewed:- 259,710 times.

The Southport Eastern Access Improvement Scheme Public Engagement / Consultation Extended

A Public Consultation being run by Sefton Council looking at improving the streets and transport network, throughout the whole of the Borough of Sefton, includes a plan to improve the Eastern Access into Southport. This area has been a problem for many years and as part of Sefton 2030 Vision, the Council hopes to make this area safer and easier to navigate.

The Southport Eastern Access improvement scheme spans from:- Eastbank Street / Bridge Street to Kew Roundabout, and connects to:- Foul Lane and Meols Cop Station. This scheme is focused on introducing new and upgraded junctions and active travel (walking and cycling) routes along:- Scarisbrick New Road, Southport Road, Kew Roundabout, Foul Lane, Meols Cop Road, Norwood Road and Haig Avenue. The aim is to make it easier for vehicles, cyclists and those walking to move around the area.

The improvement scheme proposed by Sefton Council has been split up into several sperate areas, where we will improve junctions and walking and cycling accessibility:-

• Bridge Street Junction.
   

• Virginia Street Roundabout.
   

• Hampton Road Tiger Crossing.
   

• Kew Roundabout.
   

• Castlemore Junction.
   

• Foul Lane Enhanced Cycleway.
   

• Meols Cop School Active Travel Access.
   

• Sussex Road Junction.
   

• Bispham Road Junction.

The Map shows the walking and cycling improvements as well as the junctions which are going to be improved.

Sefton said:- "Southport is recognised as a key area in the borough’s plans to grow the economy and better public spaces and transport networks will help towards this. The Southport Eastern Access improvement scheme will improve the road network, footways and cycling routes between:- the Town Centre and the Southport Road border in Kew. Our plans would look to improve the overall conditions for all users including:- drivers, walkers and cyclists. Our plans will help to tackle congestion issues for motorists and "rat running" on key routes to and from Southport Town Centre, including:- Scarisbrick New Road and through the local area including:- Norwood Road, Meols Cop Road and Butts Lane. Our plans will also help to improve access to Kew Retail Park and the wider area and the industrial units on Crowland Street and to update walking and cycling paths at the eastern side of the Town. The Southport Eastern Access improvement scheme gives us the chance to develop traffic calming and safety measures as well as to improve the overall look and feel of key public areas as part of an additional scheme. We will work with the community to put these further measures in place to make sure that traffic use the main roads rather than travelling through the residential areas."

You can see an easy read version of the consultation by clicking on this link.

Following the initial engagement with local residents and businesses and the wider public in Spring 2022, Sefton Council is looking for feedback from the wider public. Please go to:- Sefton.Gov.UK, and to go to the Online Survey, and for more information about the plan, please use this link.

The Southport Eastern Access Improvement Scheme Consultation closes 22 December 2023, after being extended in November 2023.