Rainbow Flags Flying at Southport and Bootle Town Halls

Rainbow Flags Flying At Town Halls

I am pleased to announce that Rainbow flags will be flying at both Bootle and Southport Town Halls today (February 1) to mark the start of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) history month.

 Notices will be displayed at the Town Halls explaining why the flag is being flown for the day.


 LGBT History Month is a month-long annual observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements.

 In 2017 the month looks at Citizenship, PSHE  and Law to mark the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of male homosexuality in England and Wales.

 Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Iain Brodie-Browne, said: "I have felt for a long time that we have failed to give the appropriate recognition in our borough to LGBT citizens and to the contribution that they make to our communities. It is very important to lend our support to LGBT history month and show that Sefton Council supports LGBT people.
“The Rainbow Flag represents the diversity of the LGBT community, many of whom are residents in our borough. I am delighted that the Rainbow flag will flown from our two Town Halls on February 1st."
 For more information on LGBT history month visit
www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/

My Visiter column: local success in Britain in Bloom and Citizen Advocacy

At a packed reception at the Town Hall we were celebrating our borough’s success in the Britain in Bloom competition. There was a time, not so far distant, when the only entry we had was from Southport Town Centre. Last week I presenting certificates to acknowledge and thank the volunteers who support over thirty schemes. Southport is no longer alone there were brilliant projects from Birkdale, Ainsdale, Crosby and Waterloo, Litherland, Netherton and Bootle.

Southport in Bloom exceeded expectations by coming out as overall national champions in the ‘large seaside resort’ category. But the great thing was that there were so many community projects that make a real difference who were also winners. We all know of the excellent work done by the volunteer schemes at Rotten Row and the Botanic Gardens (who have clocked up over 10,000 volunteer hours) to these were added projects like The Queensway Allotment and Green Gym, Bedford Park, St Luke’s churchyard in Crosby, Maghull Railway station and The Grange Primary School.  There are too many to mention here but I have put a full list on the Mayoral Blog with lots of photographs http://themayoralblog.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/a-blooming-success-photos-from.html

On Friday night I was privileged to have been invited to the 25^th Anniversary of Citizen Advocacy charity. I have watch with admiration as this organisation has grown. It began when a group of people met together because of their concern about how people labelled as having learning difficulties were treated. The objective was to build up communities where everyone could make their contribution and be supported. They promote a form of active citizenship, in which one member of the community makes a commitment to the rights of another who is in a position of particular disadvantage and/or social exclusion. These rights focussed relationships are what they call citizen advocacy partnerships.

The focus of the party was on friendship. We were entertained by the amazing Liverpool Voices choir who sang songs about friendship. They were followed by three talented young people Hannah Monaghan, Tom and Rachel Murphy who played their musical instruments. They have been supported by the Sefton Music Service and fully deserved the enthusiastic applause they received from the packed hall. A special mention should go to Joe Monaghan who I first met about thirty years ago. He has dedicated himself to Citizen Advocacy and their success and the warm and friendly organization he has built has improved the lives of many people.

Formby Pool Trust 10th Birthday

 I was invited along to the 10th Anniversary celebration for the Formby Pool Trust (FPT) which is a joint undertaking by the Pool Trust, the Formby Land Trust (Moores Family) and the council

This is a brilliant and successful project which has exciting plans for the future. I got to propose a toast to the FPT, to cut the birthday cake and to lead the singing of Happy Birthday.

A full report appears in the Formby Bubble

Photos from the Formby Bubble

Holocaust Memorial service in Southport we must learn the lessons and build bridges and friendships between people not erect walls and ferment divisions

Rev Staurt Broughton, Imam Soyful Alam, Rabbi Ariel Abel and IBB

 The Holocaust Memorial service, presided over by Michael Braham, was one of the most compelling and powerful remembrances for the victims of genocide held in our town.

Young people from the VIth Form Colleges at KGV and Runshaw joined the pupils of St John's Ainsdale in reminding us of the enormous human cost of the holocaust. They told the stories of individual victims, those who had died and those who lived on after the war. Their thoroughly researched presentations had a great emotional impact.

Their contributions were followed by the Imam of Southport Mosque Soyful Alam. The packed congregation, in Christ Church on Lord St, had listened in respectful silence to the young people and to Michael Braham talk about the events that took place in the death camps of Nazi Germany and of the plight of refugees -especially the children- who came to this country and our town. The history they related addressed the theme of the service; how after the genocide can life go on.

The pupils of St John's Ainsdale who acted out a scene about
children arriving in  the UK on the Kindertransport.

Into the silence stepped Soyful to take his place behind the lectern. His powerful address confronted the continuing use of genocide in the world today. He spoke of his despair and our failure to learn the lessons of the holocaust. The world stands aside and fails to act. It is hard to find hope when night after night we see images of genocide and we know how many hundreds of thousands of people have been killed. Soyful warned this failure to act undermines our common humanity and the bonds that should link us all together.

Such was the impact of Soyful's address that the congregation broke in spontaneous and prolonged applause and in the tea room after the service it was the main topic of conversation.


Peter Dowd MP's was unable to attend the service and I was asked to say a few words. As world events are played out and once again the warping influence of nationalism and populist politicians threaten the peace and stability of our world it is more important than assert our values. One of my responsibilities as Mayor is to preside over Citizenship ceremonies during which we declare our allegiance to the British values of respect and tolerance. We must fight intolerance and prejudice wherever we encounter it. The Holocaust was an indescribable atrocity, and we must never forget the victims of this evil and those other acts of genocide that continue to this day. The work of Holocaust Memorial Day keeps alive the memory of those who died and those who survived.  We own a great debt to those who dedicate themselves to educating the public. One such person is Pauline Collier (pictured above with the pupils of St John's), who is a Fellow at the Imperial War Museum. She has been central to the success of the Southport Holocaust Memorial service as long as I can remember. Thanks to her and those who work alongside her the next generation have been taught about the terrible event that took place.

Holocaust Memorial service in Southport we must learn the lessons and build bridges and friendships between people not erect walls and ferment divisions

Rev Staurt Broughton, Imam Soyful Alam, Rabbi Ariel Abel and IBB

 The Holocaust Memorial service, presided over by Michael Braham, was one of the most compelling and powerful remembrances for the victims of genocide held in our town.

Young people from the VIth Form Colleges at KGV and Runshaw joined the pupils of St John's Ainsdale in reminding us of the enormous human cost of the holocaust. They told the stories of individual victims, those who had died and those who lived on after the war. Their thoroughly researched presentations had a great emotional impact.

Their contributions were followed by the Imam of Southport Mosque Soyful Alam. The packed congregation, in Christ Church on Lord St, had listened in respectful silence to the young people and to Michael Braham talk about the events that took place in the death camps of Nazi Germany and of the plight of refugees -especially the children- who came to this country and our town. The history they related addressed the theme of the service; how after the genocide can life go on.

The pupils of St John's Ainsdale who acted out a scene about
children arriving in  the UK on the Kindertransport.

Into the silence stepped Soyful to take his place behind the lectern. His powerful address confronted the continuing use of genocide in the world today. He spoke of his despair and our failure to learn the lessons of the holocaust. The world stands aside and fails to act. It is hard to find hope when night after night we see images of genocide and we know how many hundreds of thousands of people have been killed. Soyful warned this failure to act undermines our common humanity and the bonds that should link us all together.

Such was the impact of Soyful's address that the congregation broke in spontaneous and prolonged applause and in the tea room after the service it was the main topic of conversation.


Peter Dowd MP's was unable to attend the service and I was asked to say a few words. As world events are played out and once again the warping influence of nationalism and populist politicians threaten the peace and stability of our world it is more important than assert our values. One of my responsibilities as Mayor is to preside over Citizenship ceremonies during which we declare our allegiance to the British values of respect and tolerance. We must fight intolerance and prejudice wherever we encounter it. The Holocaust was an indescribable atrocity, and we must never forget the victims of this evil and those other acts of genocide that continue to this day. The work of Holocaust Memorial Day keeps alive the memory of those who died and those who survived.  We own a great debt to those who dedicate themselves to educating the public. One such person is Pauline Collier (pictured above with the pupils of St John's), who is a Fellow at the Imperial War Museum. She has been central to the success of the Southport Holocaust Memorial service as long as I can remember. Thanks to her and those who work alongside her the next generation have been taught about the terrible event that took place.

A blooming success photos from the celebration

At a packed reception at the Town Hall we were celebrating our borough’s success in the Britain in Bloom competition. There was a time, not so far distant, when the only entry we had was from Southport Town Centre. Last week I presenting certificates to acknowledge and thank the volunteers who support over thirty schemes. Southport is no longer alone there were brilliant projects from Birkdale, Ainsdale, Crosby and Waterloo, Litherland, Netherton and Bootle. Southport in Bloom exceeded expectations by coming out as overall national champions in the ‘large seaside resort’ category. But the great thing was that there were so many community projects that make a real difference who were also winners. We all know of the excellent work done by the volunteer schemes at Rotten Row and the Botanic Gardens (who have clocked up over 10,000 volunteer hours) to these were added projects like The Queensway Allotment and Green Gym, Bedford Park, St Luke’s churchyard in Crosby, Maghull Railway station and The Grange Primary School. There are too many to mention here all my photographs from the evening

My Visiter column 24th January

I was invited to a family panto at The Atkinson. All Souls pantomimes are a Southport institution. All institutions need to adapt to survive and All Souls did that gloriously with their Sleeping Beauty show this year. 

There was an exciting and innovative use of high quality video, not just in the opening sequence but, throughout the show that added to the production.


All Souls have a loyal and growing audience-over 3,500 people have already booked for this year. We even had a post-modern feminist twist at the end. The principal boy (who is a bit of a wimp) and is of course a girl, fails to slay the dragon with the magic sword. The princess seizes the sword and decisively slays the dragon. Excellent stuff.

The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) is an organisation which represents the bus and coach industry. They chose Southport for their annual gathering. This is the seventh time the event has been held in the town, which is quite an accolade as haven’t stayed put for so long before.

Southport has been recognised as a ‘coach friendly’ town and I was pleased to be able to welcome them to the Floral Hall. The CPT’s members play an essential role in sustaining our visitor economy. I had an opportunity to speak with many of the delegates and it was very encouraging to hear them speak highly of the facilities in the town. In particular two groups were praised; the hoteliers and the staff at Floral Hall. In 2016 there was an increase in coach parties visiting Southport a trend that is continuing in 2017.

For 40 years Jim Byrne served his community in Maghull. His service in local government goes back before the creation of Sefton. He served as Town Mayor back in 1975. He served chair of the National Association of Larger Local Councils. In Sefton he was the first cabinet member for planning. Sadly, Jim died earlier this month and I attended his funeral along with the Mayor of Maghull and two former Sefton Mayors and four former Maghull Mayors. Their attendance was a mark of the high regard that this gentle and decent man was held, he will be sorely missed.

Finally, this week I would like to thank Anna Ingram who organised a fundraising event for an Alzheimer charity which took place in the Mayor’s Parlour. 

My column in this weeks Visiter

My week began with a Citizenship Ceremony held in the Mayor’s Parlour at Southport Town Hall. I am a great fan of this relatively recent introduction which marks the awarding of British Citizenship with a dignified ceremony. These events clearly lay out what it is to be a British Citizen and, for the individuals concerned, mark the culmination of what may have been a long and exacting process. This week we welcomed two new citizens;  Priya Sugadhamma and Mohammad Mahmud Hasan Sarker. They were accompanied by their family and friends. Both have been settled in the UK and I am sure that they will be valued members of our community

One of my key responsibilities as Mayor is to chair the full Council meeting. Readers of the Visiter will already be aware that there is some highly controversial budget proposal coming before the next meeting so I shall have to be on my metal chairing what promises to be a lively gathering.

On Friday, I shall be hosting a fundraising coffee morning for the Alzheimer’s charity in the Mayor’s Parlour at Southport. This has been organised by Anna Ingram.

Also in the diary is a Burn’s Night organised by the Crosby Scouts. I see from the invitation that they are keen I should wear my kilt-well we’ll have to see about that. I have been very impressed with the way the Scouts have made themselves relevant to young people and it is very pleasing to see their numbers growing.

Next up will be the Chinese New Year. We have one of the longest established Chinese communities in Europe and they have made a significant contribution to our region so it will be a pleasure to participate in their festivities.

 I have also been invited to a special service to mark the Women’s World Day of Prayer which is to be held at Lord Street West United Reform Church in Southport. This promises to be of particular interest as this special service has been prepared by the women of the Philippines.

Finally, I would like to alert readers to another event; the Mayor’s Charity Ball which will be held on 1^st April. My charity committee has been hard at work organising this event and it promises to be a great occasion. Tickets will be on sale soon and all the proceeds will go to local charities. 

Excellent up to the minute panto from All Souls Dramatic Club

All Souls pantomimes are a Southport institution. All institutions need to adapt to survive and All Souls did that gloriously with their Sleeping Beauty show this year.

There was an exciting and innovative use of high quality video not just in the opening sequence but throughout the show that added to the production.

Nothing was lost from the traditional format we had all the usual gender bending devices; a script writing Dame, a principal boy, a precious item the audience have to guard ( a dragon slaying sword) and masses of audience participation- oh yes we did. The jokes were the proper blend of those that made you laugh out loud, or groan, the risqué and the parochial. The show concluded with the Dame and her son leading an enthusiastic audience sing-a-long by which time we all felt we knew one another as most of the groups visiting had been name checked.

All Souls have a loyal and growing audience-over 3,500 people have already booked for this year. They have kept the pantomime fresh, we even had a post modern feminist twist at the end. The principal boy -who is a bit of a wimp- and is of course a girl- fails to slay the dragon with the magic sword. The princess seizes the sword and decisively slays the dragon. Excellent stuff.

At the end of the show I got to meet the cast. It was a great pleasure to attend.

My Visiter column this week

I visited the Christmas Shelter on the 25^th December. This project operates for five days over the Christmas period providing food, shelter and companionship for those in need. It was so heartening to meet the volunteers who were giving up part of their Christmas Day. There was a real variety of people; Mums and daughters, married couples whose children had left home, a good representation of church folk and people just dropping in with home-made goodies. Ken, who was organising, soon had me slicing onions and bagging up sandwiches and then meeting and greeting folk with a cup of tea.

My next engagement was just as friendly. I had been invited by his family to Richard Crittenden’s 100^th birthday party at the Gild Hall in Formby. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren had laid on a brilliant afternoon including their own version of the old television favourite ‘This is your life’. Richard has certainly led an eventful and good life. My role was to present him with the birthday card from The Queen. 

Before I went to Formby I popped into Sandgrounder Radio to chat with Neil Newton about what I have been up to so far as Mayor and my plans for 2017.

One thing I talked with Neil about was how impressed I have been with the young people I have met. A couple of visits stand out in my memory. Readers of the Visiter will know of my interest in mental health. I have been keen to engage young people in discussions about this once taboo issue. The

11^th Sefton East troop of scouts invited me to their meeting. One of their leaders, Antony Dowell, works with me at a mental health charity has put together some materials for scouts to use. My evening with them was a great success and they ask me some seriously searching questions. I have written up a full account on:  http://themayoralblog.blogspot.co.uk where you can also find some photographs

The second group of young people I met were at Chesterfield High School. They had undertaken a course with the UK Military School Academy -a group of former service personnel. It was clear that the students had enjoyed the experience and parents I met were enthusiastic about the benefits of attending.

Next week Afternoon Tea in the Mayor’s Parlour in aid of an Alzheimer charity and a traditional panto to attend amongst other engagements