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

U3A vistit to Bootle Town Hall

It was a pleasure to show another U3A group around Bootle Town Hall. These groups bring with them not just enquiring minds but also lots of local knowledge.

Dementia Action Alliance Sefton launch

It is Dementia Awareness week and I was delighted to be asked to open the launch of the Sefton Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) this afternoon.

I was met by the chair Kim Crowe who day job is as CEO of Parkhaven in Maghull. I think she was a little disconcerted to see me turn up on my Brompton bike.

It was an excellent event. It was good to see so many groups represented and to hear first hand from carers and those who are living with Alzheimer's. We heard from churches in Formby about their awareness training programme which had been delivered to an impressive number of people and of their efforts to engage with local business.

I waspleased to meet with people I have worked with in the past and also to meet some of the groups who have asked me to visit during the year including Sefton Pensioners Advocacy, Crosby Age Concern, The Atkinson, Sefton Library service and members of the 800 group Liverpool and Sefton Age Concern. A full list of the groups who belong to the Alliance can be found on their website.

I wish them every success and judging from today's event the Alliance have assembled all the ingredients for success