Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe entered the race to raise money for projects set up in their daughters' memory were killed last July at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop Mr Aguiar finished the gruelling race on Sunday with a time of four hours and five minutes Mr Stancombe finished in four hours and 28 minutes went to London to cheer from the sidelines as Mr Aguiar and Mr Stancombe ran the 26.2 mile (42.2km) route ShareSaveExperience the VE Day flypast from inside a Red Arrows cockpit in 360 videoExperience flying over London with a Red Arrows pilot in our special immersive video from the cockpit. Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE DayRoyal Family members are at the heart of commemorations to mark 80 years since World War Two ended in Europe. Watch: Prince Harry's exclusive interview in fullThe Duke of Sussex has told the BBC he "would love a reconciliation" with the Royal Family. Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UKThe Duke of Sussex says the downgrading of taxpayer-funded protection makes visiting the UK too risky. Three brothers drive tiny bus from Land's End to John O'GroatsJames, Andrew and Will Emerton from Cheshire took it in turns to drive the miniature petrol-powered bus. Farm fail: BBC reporter tries to bottle feed newborn lambIt's lambing season, so BBC Breakfast decided to visit a farm to meet some of the new arrivals. Twinkle, twinkle, little... carrot? King Charles tries out root musicDuring a reception at Windsor Castle, the King surprised those gathered with a rendition of a popular nursery rhyme. 'Just brutal' - Owner speaks of trauma after alpacas shot deadThe owner of the Alpacas Dawn French told BBC Breakfast she has no thoughts on who could have done it. Watch: Eyewitness videos show towering flames at substationLondon's Heathrow Airport is closing Friday due to a significant power outage caused by a nearby fire at an electricity substation. Watch: Kate drinks Guinness and pets mascot in St Patrick's celebrationThe Irish Guards regiment toasts the Princess of Wales, who has been its colonel since 2023. Kate attends St Patrick's Day parade in LondonThe Princess of Wales was seen sipping a Guinness to mark the day with the Irish Guards. BBC travels out to 'blistered and burnt' oil tanker in North SeaWhile at least two million litres of jet fuel are in the water, there is some positive news. Watch moment cargo ship and oil tanker collide in North SeaA thermal imaging camera onboard a nearby ship captured the collision on Monday. Wales punches above its weight in arts, says FryThe broadcaster and writer is president of Hay Festival, which takes place in May and June. Watch: Charred cargo ship and oil tanker seen from aboveThe two ships collided in the North Sea on Monday and the cargo ship is still on fire. 'Please be Dinah': The heartbreaking wish of a missing girl's fatherA BBC Scotland journalist recalls a haunting moment with the father of missing teenager Dinah McNicol. 'President Zelensky is a hero,' says Kemi BadenochThe Conservative leader said her "heart went out" the Ukrainian president after his row with the US president. Ralph McClure: 'It was a job and you did it to your best ability'The veteran didn't tell his family about his role in the Normandy landings for 70 years. King tries his arm at American FootballKing Charles throws an NFL ball on a visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. had researched Southport attacks and had 69 files of videos focused on murders and child killings A man with an interest in child murders has been jailed for 30 years for stabbing a nine-year-old girl as she played outside his home attacked the girl in the stairwell of the flats where he lived with his mother in Christchurch told Bournemouth crown court that the victim and another girl had been playing together when Wilkes came out of his flat with a pocketknife and stabbed the nine-year-old in the neck Mulvanny said Wilkes tore a clump of hair from the girl suggesting he kept as a “trophy” until his mother told to throw it away The girls ran away from the defendant and banged on doors of flats in the building until a family took them in and called the emergency services The wound to the girl’s neck narrowly missed major arteries that could have led to fatal blood loss if they had been hit The court heard she would be scarred for life Mulvanny said a search of the defendant’s home found a number of knives Analysis of his mobile phone revealed 69 files of YouTube videos news articles and podcasts focused on murders and child killings This included the “Valentine’s Day massacre” at a high school in Parkland, Florida, in 2018 in which 17 people were killed. He had also looked up the rioting in the aftermath of the murder of three girls at a dance class in Southport in July 2024 and a day after the killings he had clicked on a link for a local dance class Wilkes looked up the case of 14-year-old Aiden Fucci In April 2016 Wilkes had been given a 14-month prison sentence for a ‘‘brutal” assault causing actual bodily harm on an eight-year-old boy In October 2020 he was suspected of setting a pram on fire Sentencing Wilkes for attempted murder and possession of a knife Judge Mousley told him: “You are a dangerous offender You had an interest in child-killing and you decided to try it out for yourself.” the girl said: “I saw him reach into his pocket he hid it with his arm behind him then he came at us so I couldn’t escape and he was aiming for this area [pointing to her neck].” said Wilkes lived an “isolated” life with his mother and had a low IQ He said the attack had been “unplanned and spontaneous” the girl’s parents praised their daughter for her “resilience Were you there when The Beatles rocked Southport The Beatles played around 30 gigs right here in Southport — across nine different venues often warming up for acts like Joe Brown at spots including The Little Theatre and Cambridge Hall — now known as The Atkinson As part of an exciting new display in The Atkinson’s local history museum, Between Land & Sea and memorabilia from this incredible time in music history Do you have any:• Photos• Ticket stubs• Posters• Or memories to share?The Atkinson would love to hear from you Please get in touch with Jo Chamberlain (Heritage & Participation Officer)Joanne.Chamberlain@sefton.gov.uk  Let’s help bring this unforgettable era back to life Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail.com You must be logged in to post a comment Subscribe Now for Real-time Updates on the Latest Stories Created by Digital Media Guys ","thumbnailUrl":["https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1920x1080/p0l6xqqs.jpg","https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1232x1232/p0l6xqqs.jpg","https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/688xn/p0l6xqqs.jpg","https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/400xn/p0l6xqqs.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2025-04-28T08:17:56.324Z","duration":"PT1M21S"}'I hope I've done her proud': Fathers of Southport victims complete London marathon This video can not be played CloseThe fathers of two girls killed in the Southport attack have completed the London Marathon in an emotional tribute to their daughters Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionEditor's recommendations'I hope I've done her proud': Fathers of Southport victims complete London marathon Video 00:01:21'I hope I've done her proud': Fathers of Southport victims complete London marathon 1:21Up Next Watch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz 00:01:40Watch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz 1:40Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 00:01:25Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 1:25Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster Video 00:01:21Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster 1:21'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 00:01:20'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 1:20Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 00:02:54Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 2:54Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 00:01:32Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 1:32Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 00:01:11Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 1:11Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 00:00:50Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 0:50Ros Atkins on.. What's in the US-Ukraine resources deal 1:23Kamala Harris hits out at Trump in first major speech since losing election 00:01:18Kamala Harris hits out at Trump in first major speech since losing election 1:18Watch: Moment Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi is released 00:00:46Watch: Moment Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi is released David Stancombe and Sergio Aguiar running in memory of daughters and to raise money for charity and school The fathers of two of the girls who were stabbed to death in the Southport attack will be running the London Marathon in memory of their daughters David Stancombe and Sergio Aguiar said their daughters seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Aguiar would be with them in spirit as they run the 26-mile course on Sunday Alice and six-year-old Bebe King were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class last July who was 17 at the time and injured 10 other people was convicted of murder and is serving a minimum of 52 years in prison Aguiar said he talked to Alice while out running Sergio Aguiar: ‘The pain doesn’t matter I’m going to do it.’ Photograph: BBC News/PAStancombe said he had initially been encouraged to run the race by Elsie after watching it on television last year She had meant for him to run it in honour of her grandmother and he said he never expected to be taking part for his little girl “I just never thought I would be running it for these reasons.” He has already completed a half-marathon in his daughter’s memory a charity the family set up to give grants to young people David Stancombe: ‘I just never thought I would be running it for these reasons.’ Photograph: BBC News/PAAguiar who did not have much running experience before training for the marathon stage and library at Churchtown primary school also feels her daughter will be accompanying her dad in spirit during the marathon And she’s going to be there helping Daddy,” she said “[Alice] would have made a big thing of it and told everyone She would also bring her shopping list to do after the marathon!” who will be at the race to support the pair with her husband said: “It is just incredible what they are both doing And we want to be a part of it every step of the way.” And I reckon they are just up there watching over us and looking out for us.” REACTION from the boss following Saturday’s final day defeat at Southport Post match interviews are supported by Purple Granite This article is about: Match Introducing Sunday’s Match Sponsor… Privacy Policy  -  Terms of Use  -  Contact  -  Safeguarding Policy Kidderminster Harriers Football Club Limited Website hosted and maintained by Swof Media. 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Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience Lancashire Women suffer first defeat of season against Hampshire in Southport The Red Rose had won their opening two games and looked well placed for another with Eve Jones and Emma Lamb sharing 185 inside 32 overs for the first wicket But they stumbled late in their innings and finished on 292 for six including two wickets for the off-spin of Australian Charli Knott Her day was not done at sunny Trafalgar Road England opener Maia Bouchier also posted 77 But 22-year-old McCaughan’s contribution was the most significant as she shared century stands with both partners McCaughan was strong on both sides of the wicket including down the ground in perfect batting conditions Hampshire achieved their target with three overs remaining Lancashire’s Jones and Lamb have posted five scores above 50 between them in the opening three matches of the campaign Hampshire’s attack grew into their work and crucially limited the hosts to only 56 runs for the loss of four wickets in the last 10 overs of their innings they recovered to prevent a total which could have been many more Wicketkeeper Rhianna Southby claimed three stumpings Lamb fell that way off Nancy Harman’s leg-spin before the off-spin of Knott and captain Georgia Adams removed Fi Morris and Ellie Threlkeld cheaply - 258 for six in the 46th over was then caught at deep midwicket on the slog sweep off Linsey Smith’s left-arm spin in the search for late runs Knott finished with two for 42 from 10 overs While Bouchier has returned to domestic cricket impressively having also scored 61 in victory over Surrey on Sunday this knock was not without fortune as she was dropped twice Bouchier lofted the seam of Grace Potts over long-off for her only six Although a lot of focus will be on her scores given her standing as an England regular McCaughan’s contribution was the key one on the back of a weekend 64 against Surrey Bouchier was stumped off Morris’s off-spin - 137 for one in the 25th over - before McCaughan and Knott strengthened Hampshire’s position sharing 122 inside 18 overs for the second wicket playing her 119th senior match across all formats Hampshire were 218 for one in the 37th over and almost certain of the four points for victory against a Lancashire side including wicketless England seamers Kate Cross and Mahika Gaur When Lamb’s off-spin trapped Knott lbw by Lamb - 259 for two in the 42nd - it was purely a consolatory strike This Thursday (8th May 2025) marks 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe with a VE Day commemoration at the Monument in Southport the news of the end of the conflict in Europe was met with huge celebrations on Lord Street and with VE Day street parties held across the town The war had begun in September 1939 when Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Russia worked together to  invade Poland the end of the conflict in Europe brought joy and relief although the war in Asia would continue until August people are invited to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a service taking place in Southport town centre Southport Royal British Legion is hosting an official VE80 Service at Southport War Memorial on Lord Street in Southport from 11am All members of the Armed Forces and veterans wishing to take part are asked to form up at 10.40am at the South Colonnade berets and regimental blazers are encouraged coffee and cakes will be served at the Southport Royal British Legion gazebo by the Colonnade to raise funds for the RBL Community hub on Wesley Street in Southport Members of the public are also warmly invited to support the event The Community Hub will also be open on Thursday for anyone who wants to call in for a cuppa and a chat thousands of civilians and servicemen gathered around the Monument on Lord Street to hear the King’s Speech on VE night Street parties took place on  roads across our town many of them relics from the Coronation celebrations in the 1930s At 9pm a speech by King George VI was broadcast and it seemed people everywhere wanted to listen to it at outside venues rather than inside their own homes The Southport Visiter published that day led with the headline ‘End Of The War In Europe’ with the subhead ‘To-day is VE-Day: The King Broadcasts Tonight’ The newspaper said: “This is VE-Day – the day that has been awaited with such great expectancy The news has been received with profound thankfulness.” Tuesday and Wednesday were declared public holidays The Southport Visiter suspended publication of the Thursday edition to give its staff the preceding days off People had been busy preparing for the festivities The Southport Visiter said: “Up to a late hour the finishing touches including those at the Town Hall and the Municipal Buildings “The traders rose to the occasion admirably The flags of the principal United Nations were fluttering everywhere “The streets in the centre of the town and in the outskirts too presented a gay picture with their profusion of flags and bunting.” Church services were held across town with Mayor Cllr J Barnes attending Christ Church at midday Midnight music and dance licence extensions were granted The Southport Special Constabulary Band played in the Floral Hall Gardens and in the Municipal Gardens on Lord Street There was non-stop dancing in Cambridge Hall on VE Night and the following night led by Billy Bevan’s and the Southport and Birkdale Postal Military bands Southport had never seen celebrations quite like it One of the street parties was held on Warren Road in Southport on 8th May 1945 Graham said: “As kids we were astonished and amazed that we were having a street party with sandwiches as this was the time that we were still in Wartime Rationing and everything was bought on coupons “Our mothers had to get together and plan these parties as our Dads were still away in the Armed Forces chairs and bed sheets plus Union Jack flags and home-made bunting appeared from every house that still had them and we celebrated the end of the War in Europe “Bomb shelters were still dotted every 200 yards along the roadway and afterwards these were then made into great Local Kids Club Shelters “Street lamps slowly began to be lit at night again and blackout curtains were torn down and we were allowed to go without our gas masks slung on our shoulders “But because our Dads and Mums together had beaten the Germans we were proud to be British Do you have any memories or photos of VE Day in Southport Please email them to: standupforsouthport@gmail.com  You must be logged in to post a comment Southport Football Club is in the process of being sold to new owners after Big Help Group announced they have entered into a period of exclusivity regarding the sale It follows the end of the National League North league season on Saturday which saw the Sandgrounders enjoy a stunning 2-1 victory over title-chasing Kidderminster Harriers Sporting Director Tammy Burgess has also stepped down from her role at Haig Avenue Southport Football Club Chairman Peter Mitchell said:  “Following on from the conclusion of the 24/25 National League North Season I wanted to provide you with some important updates regarding Southport Football Club I can today confirm that Tammy Burgess has stepped down from her voluntary role as Sporting Director with immediate effect I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Tammy for her dedication professionalism and significant contributions during her time with us Her expertise and commitment have been invaluable in helping to shape the sporting direction of Southport FC and we wish her every success in her future endeavours I can also confirm that Big Help Group has entered into a period of exclusivity regarding the sale of Southport Football Club Furthermore I can confirm that the process is currently underway to obtain the necessary league approvals for this transition of ownership “We understand this is an important period for our supporters and stakeholders and we will as always aim to be open and transparent throughout this process and endeavour to provide further updates on this matter in due course In this interim period everyone at the club from the Boardroom to the volunteers remain solely focused on maintaining stability during this transition period and preparing for the season ahead.” The Old Bakehouse Coffee Shop in Southport is enjoying providing a warm welcome to customers of all ages on the corner of Manchester Road and Zetland Street is somewhere where there’s no need to rush There is a pile of books that adults can read and a lovely outside area where you can sit back and soak up the sunshine This attractive venue is the two-decades-long dream of owner Maz Langshaw who wants it to be a real community hub for the area Maz runs the venue under the ‘My Mind Matters (Merseyside) CIC’ and wants The Old Bakehouse to be somewhere where people can call in for a chat and find a friendly welcome The coffee shop is also eager for people to come and join them as volunteers where they would be fully barista trained and receive their certifications in L2 Food Hygiene and First Aid Training If the ‘front of house’ is not a preference then Maz will soon be running a program of activities to get involved in Maz said: “A Coffee Shop has been a dream of mine for the past 20 years “It has been brilliant to see it opening here in Southport I’m grateful to everyone for their support so far “I want The Old Bakehouse to be a real community hub where people can come in and just chill and feel welcomed “People can come in and read books do crosswords We have free Wi-Fi for anyone who wants to come in and do some work “I am in the process of securing a ramp for the front entrance of the coffee shop “We are looking to develop a Community Space and welcome ideas and support from residents and businesses who are able to offer their ideas and skills to help create a welcoming space for all to enjoy Please drop into The Old Bakehouse on Monday (Bank Holiday) from 10am and let’s chat about what you would like this space to become “We offer superb coffee with Julius Meinl Coffee -Ciro from Julis Meinl has been very supportive passing on his knowledge of everything Coffee and he is helping me with barista training “We use local suppliers for our food ingredients and Chris Stead at the Southport Meat Company People love the food because it’s simple and it’s comforting I love seeing people with their animals in The Old Bakehouse “Manchester Road is such a beautiful community to be part of The other independent businesses around here are so friendly and supportive “This part of Manchester Road is like a hidden gem I am trying to improve this dead area and make it into a community space I want members of the community to let me know what they’d like to see in this space “It could host little artisan fairs; it could be a space for kids to go; it could be somewhere where musicians play and it needs improving to benefit the people who live and work around here “I am keen to hear from any local businesses that may be able to help me to improve this space.” The Old Bakehouse Coffee Shop is at 95 Zetland Street Call 01704 335494 or email: hellotheoldbakehousesouthport@outlook.com ●     It is open 8.30am – 4pm Tuesday – Saturday; 9.30am – 5pm on Sunday; and 10am onwards on Monday for the My Mind Matters CIC drop-in ●     If anyone is interested in volunteering at The Old Bakehouse please call Maz on 01704 335494 A world of opportunities have opened up for a group of local artists who have discovered that they really CAN draw and paint The group are members of the ‘You CAN draw and paint Academy’ created by Southport artist Angela Birchall and they are exhibiting their work at the ArtHouse Gallery in Southport Most of the group took part in a joint exhibition at the same gallery nearly two years ago and that was the first time any of them had ever shown their work in public Since then they have been taking part in various local and regional exhibitions getting commissions and one even joined Angela in becoming a finalist in the Lancashire Artist of the Year competition As Angela explains: “After lock-down ended I launched the academy initially teaching just watercolour classes Most of this group started in those taught classes and when they were more experienced I created the tutored group In these sessions they all work on whatever artwork they choose in whatever medium they prefer while I circulate offering advice encouragement and tuition from my 50 years experience as an artist and teacher.” The format of the tutored group allows everyone to explore favourite subjects or brand new ones experiment in a medium with which they are familiar or to try out a totally new one always knowing that Angela is there as a safety net for them if needed commented: “Since joining 6 months ago I feel much more confident in expressing myself through art I have experimented with different styles and media and although I’m still finding my way it’s a fabulous safe space in which to do it so helpful and with the support of the other group members it’s an experience I really value.”  Alan Proffitt who joined the group three years ago echoed this sentiment: “With valued help and support I have been able to develop my all-round skills and now feel confident in pastels water colours and acrylic paint which is my favoured medium.”  the art group allows her to combine her two abiding passions of the natural world and art as she explains: “I wasn’t really able to combine the two until about two and a half years ago when Angela’s tutored acrylics class fell into my lap I feel my art has gone from strength to strength since then due in the main to Angela’s teaching and encouragement has given me the confidence I always lacked.”   The sense of relaxation that they get from their creative activities was a point raised by many of the artists taking part in the group show Bev Waugh said: “What I love about art is the chance to unwind and forget about everything else I really enjoy having a go at different media and experimenting Marie Ward added: “I started art classes following retirement primarily as a form of creative relaxation It’s given me the opportunity to try out different ideas & processes – some more successful than others saying: “I find it both rewarding and relaxing meeting other people and having a very helpful Patricia Goudie describes the tutored classes as “ideal for my needs” because she can take her time to retrain herself to use her left hand due to health issues She adds: “I’m gathering confidence and knowledge all the time Watercolour is my preferred medium but I am also enjoying pastels after recently learning how to use them.”  hadn’t painted since leaving school until she joined Angela’s watercolour class in 2023 She’s now moved over to the tutored group where she says: “My imagination has been set free I now tend to paint in mainly acrylics and the subjects can be anything from a landscape to a colourful Eggs Royale brunch: basically anything that catches my eye.”  Neither Chris Charnock nor Carol Birch had previous art experience before starting in the taught watercolour classes Now both of them are painting and drawing in a variety of media As Carol explains: “I would like to further develop my watercolour techniques and also try different mediums I have just enjoyed sketching my first portrait in pencil.”   Chris adds: “I like painting landscapes and the media I like to use is acrylic but I have used watercolours in the past In the future I would like to try pastels.”  many of the artists are trying their hands at different media or subject matter because of being part of this group Wendy Dixon who has been refining her drawing techniques with pencil and soft pastel says: “I have now decided to branch out in the summer to capture landscapes in acrylics.”  Sandra Morrison says: “I joined Angela’s classes several years ago where she inspired me to continue with art I’ve also used acrylic paints and have recently experimented with pastels.”   Alan aims to improve his work with pencils on portraits and figure drawing; Val is adding urban scenes and still lifes to her portfolio of landscapes plants and trees; Marie Hurst is developing her skills in painting birds; while Janice adds: “I can’t wait to see where my art journey goes from here.”  Much of the growing interest in learning to use soft pastels comes from being inspired by Angela’s recent work in combining watercolour and soft pastels to create sunset cloudscapes; at least one of those will also be included in the exhibition The final selection of work from the group is not complete but already there are submissions drawn in pencil and pastel and paintings in watercolour and acrylics along with a few mixed media pieces The subjects take you all around the world from just down the road in Ainsdale and Liverpool to favourite holiday destinations along with birds “I love the eclectic mix of work in this group,” says Angela “Everyone is eager to develop their art and will turn their hand to any subject that inspires them The creative energy and the wonderful support and encouragement that they give each other is incredible I feel honoured to be leading this group of artists and am excited to be curating our forthcoming exhibition.”  The “You CAN draw and paint Academy”exhibition will run from Tuesday May 6 to Saturday May 24 at the ArtHouse gallery on Eastbank Street in Southport the public will be able to come along to meet Angela and some of the artists to chat about what inspired them to create their works of art You must be logged in to post a comment An exciting new venture which is the perfect blend of a wine bar a bookshop and a coffee lounge is preparing to write a new chapter on Lord Street in Southport Wine & Words by Watson will open next to Connards Jewellers on the iconic tree lined boulevard It promises to be the perfect place where people can sit back either inside or outside and watch the world go by as they enjoy a good book and a glass of wine or coffee a fine selection of cheese and charcuterie will be on offer too The new business is the realisation of a dream by local teacher James Watson who has been a popular figure at Norwood Primary School in Southport for the past 14 years before leaving at Easter The former Scout Leader grew up in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute in Scotland before moving to Southport He has also spent many years working in hospitality with Lang’s Wine Bar in Churchtown Village and The Office on Hoghton Street being just a few The 54-year-old has a degree in Mathematics Astronomy and Planetary Sciences and Hospitality Management so is the right person to ensure Wine & Words by Watson offers an experience that is out of this world a fellow teacher at Norwood Primary School James said: “Opening Wine & Words by Watson has long been a dream of mine I love instilling the joy of reading in others “I want to create a special place where you can come and absorb all that a bookshop has to offer “Everything is going through at the moment and we would love to be open in time for the half term holidays at the end of May I’ve been busy ordering all the equipment and everything else needed “I have been running the idea behind Wine & Words by Watson past people in school It’s such a beautiful school and I’ve loved working with the children and the teaching staff there “The concept is a wine and coffee lounge which also incorporates a bookshop The bookshelves will be situated around the establishment “We really will be able to showcase all the books “I hope to have superb artwork on the wall We have lots of very talented creatives in Southport “On sale will be books related to many things “We want to complement other bookshops already in Southport It’s such a shame Broadhurst’s bookshop closed last year “Wine & Words by Watson will be a very relaxing place to be A place to come with friends and socialise as well as somewhere people feel comfortable on their own A place to pull up a chair and have a great time “I will be here seven days a week when we first open A high quality of service and a warm welcome will be very important There is nothing worse than somewhere with a great environment but terrible service has taken after me in the hospitality industry and so I will be calling on her to lend a hand from time to time “The team at Fitton Estates have been very supportive in trying to get everything done as well as a great plumber; a great electrician; we are all ready to go owns a bookshop and coffee shop in Rothesay in Scotland which she has run for the past 30 years “She has been incredibly supportive in helping me to source the right books and contacts “I have been very impressed by our supplier Crosby Coffee – their coffee is fantastic The fact they bring out a different special every few months is superb I am keen to find someone who can supply wines that are different to ones you’ll find in other places in Southport Customers will also be able to enjoy something delicious to eat James said: “We will have menus printed on large ‘bookmarks’ – you will be able to order cheese from one “We will aim to match the perfect wine to complement them “We will be offering freshly baked pastries too “There will be other drinks available for the discerning customer – they will be different to what’s on offer elsewhere too “We will cater for different dietary requirements My wife has Coeliac Disease so we know very well the importance of having choices for people when they go out It’s something people are becoming more and more aware of.” People in Southport will soon be able to call in and enjoy this new haven for bibliophiles and oenophiles alike cosy coffee and wine lounge that invites quiet reading and lively conversations in with a warm and sophisticated atmosphere Southport Flower Show is delighted to announce that Justin Fletcher will be returning to Victoria Park with his stage show on Sunday 17th August 2025 Justin Fletcher is a singer and television presenter he specialises in comedy and worked with children with special educational needs through his show Something Special Justin Fletcher is also known as CBeebies favourite Mr Tumble but stepped back from CBeebies earlier this year after 22 years Southport Flower Show and Victoria Park Events General Manager “We are delighted to have Justin returning again He is very popular with families and it’s lovely to see so many children and adults singing along to Justin’s songs “This year he will be performing two stage shows at 11am and 1pm in the Garden Theatre “It’s always very busy so get there early!” Don’t forget – children under 16 go FREE with a paying adult Southport adults can also enjoy an impressive £11 off the price of a gate ticket People living in the PR8 and PR9 postcodes can pay for their tickets for just £19 each – a substantial saving on the £30 gate price once the event starts With Southport Flower Show once again running their generous offer of all children under 16 able to go free when accompanied by a paying adult it represents a great saving for families this summer to enjoy the biggest independent flower show in the UK You can buy your discount tickets in advance from:  Residents must be able to show proof of address Tickets are available until Wednesday 13th August 2025 From show-stopping gardens and celebrity chef demos to live arena entertainment and fun for all the family – there’s something for everyone at the Southport Flower Show returning to Victoria Park from 14th –17th August 2025 For more details about Southport Flower Show visit:  www.southportflowershow.co.uk  Looking for a fun afternoon out after the bank holiday weekend The fortnightly Comedy Bingo Spring Social returns to Southport Market on Wednesday 7th May 2025 which includes a free drink and bingo books Players could also win some fabulous prizes thanks to generous local businesses including Crystal Clear Opticians After a busy period of comedy bingo over winter a series of Spring Socials have now been put in place at Southport Market Doors open at 1pm for a 1.30pm and run until 3.30pm They are hosted by Comedy Bingo owner and local comedian Brendan Riley All the fabulous food outlets and the central bar in the Market will be open during the event for anyone looking to enjoy some food while they play Comedy Bingo afternoons at Southport Market will take place on:  Brendan Riley said: “It’s brilliant to bring comedy bingo back “We hope everyone enjoys the bank holiday weekend On the Wednesday afternoon after the bank holiday we’re back with another lively afternoon which is brilliant for bringing people together “Comedy Bingo is a great afternoon out for people of any age; whether you’re a pensioner we’ll make sure we give everyone a warm welcome which includes a free drink plus bingo books “We’re very grateful to the Tourism team at Sefton Council for their ongoing support of our events and to all the local businesses who kindly provide us with prizes for people to win “If you would like to donate any raffle prizes for our spring socials then please get in touch.”  People can book their place via Skiddle or the Big Comedy website www.bigcomedyuk.com  Tickets can also be bought on the door on the day of the events can call Brendan Riley on 07770591625 to book in Southport Learning Trust is celebrating national recognition after being shortlisted for the TES Trust of the Year Award The Trust says this is “a prestigious honour that highlights the Trust’s commitment to excellence At the heart of the Trust’s work is a focus on the whole child and the wider community Recent initiatives include a powerful partnership with #KnowKnifeCrime which has seen the introduction of bleed control kits in schools and the rollout of Mini Medics first aid training empowering students with lifesaving skills and awareness The Trust also champions a ‘Team Around the School’ model wraparound support for students and staff alike  “We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for the TES Trust of the Year Award compassion and collective spirit of everyone involved in our schools — from our dedicated staff and governors to our amazing students and supportive families “Our vision is built on strong values and meaningful partnerships Initiatives like our work with #KnowKnifeCrime are just some examples of how we’re working beyond the classroom to build a safer more connected and aspirational future for our young people.”  The Tes Schools Awards recognise the very best teachers and schools from UK state and independent schools primary and secondary with an expert panel of judges composed of leaders in education selecting a shortlist for 22 categories “We’ve seen some incredible entries nominated in this year’s awards The Tes Schools Awards are a highlight of the year and it’s important that we properly recognise the fantastic work that’s been done in education across the academic year.”  Winners will be announced on 20th June at a gala at the Grosvenor Hotel Do you have any memories or old photos of the Prince Of Wales Hotel on Lord Street in Southport is keen to hear from people as they build up the history of the venue Southport Heritage Open Days is helping the hotel with the appeal They said: “History hunters – we need your help “Following the announcement of their guided tours for Southport’s Heritage Open Days festival in September the team at the Prince of Wales are embarking upon an exciting new project for the hotel there is a surprising lack of information available about its past “The Prince of Wales team are therefore on the hunt for anyone with any old photographs of the hotel so that they can build upon their records and ensure this amazing building’s history is preserved “If you have any stories, photographs, or know of any books etc that have this kind of information, then please contact the Prince of Wales team at reception719@britanniahotels.com  or comment below!”  Sefton Council has extended the deadline for a survey into the future of tourism around Southport so that more people can have their say The local authority is asking for the views of residents and business as it refreshes the borough’s approach to the tourism economy With the ever changing landscape of the tourism sector in the UK especially that of coastal areas like Sefton the council is putting together a bespoke ten year long Visitor Economy Strategy which encompasses the whole borough The refined strategy will seek to capitalise on Sefton’s unique and varied tourism offer ranging  from the iconic Iron Men of Crosby to the bustling and grand shopping boulevards of Southport To ensure its Visitor Economy Strategy is successful Sefton Council is calling on communities to have their say on what matters most to them Digital surveys for both residents and businesses are now open and will now run until Friday 9th May Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration “We want to hear about the experiences you feel are important to Sefton’s tourism offer as well as the places you enjoy visiting with your friends and family “Our businesses have a unique understanding of what is good for their growth and what challenges they are being faced with We’re keen to understand how reliant businesses are on tourism and what different visitor markets are important to them.” The surveys take around five to 10 minutes to complete and responses are anonymised People can find out more or request a paper of the survey by emailing tourism@sefton.gov.uk  We use some essential cookies to make this website work We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK remember your settings and improve government services We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports Yvette Cooper has announced that the first phase of the Southport Inquiry will start today The Home Secretary previously announced in January 2025 that an inquiry would be launched following the conviction of the perpetrator of the 2024 Southport attack to examine what went wrong in this horrific case and how services should respond to fixated youth violence Sir Adrian Fulford has been appointed as the chair following consultation with the victims and families of those killed or affected by the attacks and plans to travel to meet them as a first priority This follows the Prime Minister’s commitment to leave no stone unturned in uncovering how this attack happened and to not let any institution of the state deflect from their failure The brutal murder of three young girls: Bebe Elsie and Alice in Southport was an unimaginable tragedy – we owe it to their families and all those affected on that terrible day to quickly understand what went wrong answer difficult questions and do everything in our power to prevent something like this from happening again The Southport Inquiry will provide insights into any failings that allowed a young man with a previous history of violence Sir Adrian Fulford will bring a wealth of legal and criminal justice expertise to this role and I am pleased he has agreed to chair the inquiry This follows representations made by families and victims of the attack and means the Inquiry has all the necessary legal powers to receive evidence and hear witness testimony effectively The first will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and the events leading up to it This will include examining an overall timeline of the perpetrator’s history and interactions with various public bodies including criminal justice as well as decision-making and information-sharing by local services and agencies The second is expected to examine the wider issues of children and young people being drawn into extreme violence Sir Adrian Fulford will bring an impartial and extensive legal background particularly on issues relating to policing and the criminal justice system He is a retired Lord Justice of Appeal and former judge of the International Criminal Court 2003 to 2012 he was the Vice-President of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) in 2019 and was the first Investigatory Powers Commissioner between 2017 to 2019 Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details A local artist has been busy creating artwork that showcases the very best of Southport Jane Lambert is an amateur artist based in the town Over 150 cards, various framed prints and originals are available for sale at venues including Cambridge Walks Art Gallery; on the first floor of the Royal Arcade on Lord Streetand also on her JL Artwork website Art lovers can buy a selection of original prints and cards colour and dance has inspired me to paint each of the images where I hope to have captured a particular movement or complete stillness acrylics and inks have been used to allow a more fluid followed by a move to Hereford where she established a retail shop From there Jane and her husband Bill moved to Andalucia in Spain and set up a successful business where they lived and worked for 15 years They spent a few years back in the UK working around the Lancaster area before deciding to retire and move to Southport It was a place that held fond memories of Jane;s childhood Jane enrolled on anm art course led by Roy Munday at The Atkinson in Southport and her love in art was rekindled She says that painting scenes of Southport was almost her way of showing her gratitude All the images started life based on one of a series of photographs Once the right perspective is captured this is painted by hand as a watercolour Or mixed media in A3 size Each image is available as an A5 or A6 card As well as framed pictures in a range of sizes Five of the original paintings have already been sold: three at The Atkinson in 2024 one at Lydiate Art Fair and one at Cambridge Walks Gallery Two of Jane’s original paintings are exhibited at The Atkinson with Sefton Art Group in April and May There are over 270 cards from 40 designs for sale at the Royal Arcade a Southport scene or one of the popular football teams there should be something which may appeal to all Smaller cards A6 size cost £2 each or three cards for £5 Larger A5 cards cost £3 each and there is also a selection of cards for £1 Jane is currently working on a special commission for Serena Silcock-Prince depicting Southport Pier The Royal Arcade on Lord Street is quite an experience and well worth a visit with an eclectic mix of over 60 stalls For more details of Jane Lambert’s artwork visit: Home – JL Artwork and follow her page on Instagram: Instagram  Families are invited to come and celebrate the season of growth and renewal at Wayfarers Arcade on Lord Street in Southport town centre this weekend The historic Victorian arcade will host a free May Day Magic event between 11am and 4pm this Saturday (3rd May 2025) This will be the latest in the arcade’s series of vibrant creative village events May Day is a European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer around halfway between the Northern Hemisphere’s Spring equinox and June solstice Traditions often include gathering wildflowers and green branches (‘bringing in the May’) Southport Swords – thrilling sword dancing displays Maypole dancing – bring your children in traditional dress to take part Springtime food and drink – taste the season beauty salons and other local businesses inside Wayfarers Arcade will all be open “Our Creative Village events have been getting bigger and better each time since we launched them earlier this year We’d love you to come to Wayfarers Arcade and join in with everything there is to offer “We welcomed so many people to our recent Creative Village days including our Spring Flower Festival and our Venetian Carnival “Don’t forget to put them in your diary each month you can always expect something new and surprising – after our next event (31 May) we’ll switch to the first Saturday of every month And we’ll start adding spin-off events throughout the months as well – wine and cheese nights farmers markets – there will more and more reasons to pop round to Wayfarers just to see what’s on’ May Day is among the regular ‘Creative Village’ events due to take place with the ambition of welcoming more visitors bringing a new vibrancy into the arcade and attracting potential new traders The Arcade was thrilled to be named as a Finalist in the Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards last week in the Sefton Arts Award category.Dr Lybeck said: “We were honoured to be nominated alongside such inspiring organisations across the Borough Since moving to Southport three years ago I’ve noticed a shift towards positivity and forward-thinking and we’re proud to be a small part of that new dawn for this beautiful seaside town.”  Future Creative Village dates at Wayfarers Arcade include: 4 October – Beer Street at the Rushbearing Festival 31st October & 1st November – Halloween / Samhain and the launch of the Christmas Market until 28th December These are a fabulous opportunity for businesses, makers, food vendors and others wanting to come in and sell their goods and gauge for themselves whether Wayfarers Arcade would be a good long-term fit for them.For more details visit: civedcic@gmail.com or visit: www.wayfarersarcade.co.uk Sefton has a new official town crier – and you can see him at his first official engagement in Southport this weekend Kevin Ruane MBE will be officially opening the free May Day Magic event at Wayfarers Arcade on Lord Street in Southport at 11am He will then be appearing at the VE Day commemoration event at The Monument in Southport on Thursday (8th November 2025) May Day Magic runs between 11am and 4pm and is the latest in Wayfarers Arcade’s series of vibrant creative village events “My first official event as Town Crier was to be the VE Day proclamation on Thursday evening at 6.30pm but yesterday I received a request to support an event this weekend so you may see me out and about on Saturday has a very special event in the form of May Day Magic “This event will be opened at 11am by me and there’s a fun packed day with something for everyone “There’s three live bands playing a variety of folk music – The Wanderers… Vinny and the Engineers… and The Cabin Hill Band “Witness the vibrant and energetic performance of The Newburgh Morris… “Marvel at the thrilling displays of skill Regally Royal Parties will be presenting ‘The Green Man’ … on stilts no less… “Along with their enchanting fairy characters… glitter face painting… and a cascade of delightful bubbles “There’s an Artisan Market where you can find unique hand-made treasures to remind you of the fantastic day you’ve had “This amazing event at Wayfarers Arcade is free to attend… Come and experience a truly memorable day out Kevin Ruane moved to Southport in 2021 and settled in Ainsdale Originally from Rotherham in South Yorkshire where he served in Germany and the Falkland Islands Kevin lived in Germany for a further nine years where he joined the German fire service in the town of Halle in Westfalen he moved back to the UK and joined South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service he moved to Nottinghamshire fire service for promotional advancement Queen Elizabeth the second for his international work within the fire service he eventually retired from the fire service in 2020 Kevin has worked extensively as a fire safety officer and he is currently employed as the Fire Safety Manager for North West Ambulance Service Kevin is no stranger to projecting his voice in order to be heard he carries out the role of Honorary Sergeant Major for the Royal Army Ordnance Corps Association and leads the Corps representatives every year whilst taking part in the Remembrance Sunday parade at the Cenotaph in London along with their event at the National Memorial Arboretum Kevin is also a member of the Birkdale Orpheus Society and last year played the iconic role of Mr Bumble in their production of ‘Oliver’ On Thursday 8th of May at 6.30pm at the war memorial in London Square (off Lord Street) Kevin will be making a proclamation as the town crier which will be part of the national VE Day commemorations Almost every town crier in the UK will be making the same proclamation It would be great if lots of people were there to support him on his first official duty Also attending the event is Susan Stacey who is the 4th Great Granddaughter of Peter Ball (aka Peter the Bellman) Future Creative Village dates at Wayfarers Arcade in Southport include: These are a fabulous opportunity for businesses food vendors and others wanting to come in and sell their goods and gauge for themselves whether Wayfarers Arcade would be a good long-term fit for them The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response Four VE Day street parties will be taking place in locations across Sefton this May as local residents celebrate the historic 80th anniversary of VE Day VE Day – Victory in Europe Day –  is the day celebrating the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender of its armed forces on Tuesday 8th May 1945; it marked the official surrender of all German military operations World War II would continue for a further three brutal months until VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) on which Imperial Japan surrendered Various roads will be temporarily closed throughout Sefton for the VE Day 80th Anniversary:  Southport – Sunday 4th May 2025 (9am – 11pm_  Maghull – Saturday 10th May 2025 (9am – 11pm) Maghull – Saturday 10th May 2025 (9am – 11pm)  Netherton Saturday 3rd May 2025 (9am – 11pm)  The closures will take place between 3rd May 2025 and 10th May 2025 Access will be maintained for emergency services Further details can be found on https://one.network/?tm=143104340 Southport Royal British Legion is hosting an official VE80 Service at Southport War Memorial on Lord Street in Southport from 11am on Thursday 8th May 2025 A Sefton Council report says: “May 8th 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and peace in Europe “To celebrate this occasion many national events are planned for the first week of May “Street parties are a particular British tradition which have for more than a century been linked with national and royal events “This year is no different and to celebrate VE Day 80 Sefton has received a number of requests for street parties to take place in residential streets throughout the borough “The requests have been scrutinised and given the location within the local highway network and the volume of any through traffic a list of agreed streets has been formed “Given that it is impossible at this stage to assess what the weather will be like over the Bank Holiday weekend organisers are planning street parties on any one of the days over the weekend and because the formal day of the occasion is nearer to the following weekend some organisers wish their street party to take place on Saturday 10th May The street parties are also taking part at various times of the days in question between 09.00 and 23.00 It is therefore suggested that the legal order containing the streets should extend for both weekends from 3rd May until 10th May from 09.00 hours until 23.00 hours “All organisers have been notified of their responsibilities as organisers of an event these responsibilities vary from temporary signage to cleansing to securing emergency service and residential vehicular access.”  Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail Southport Selectman Gerry Gamage is working toward clearing up a misconception regarding the town's pesticide spraying ordinance the town approved an ordinance which prohibited roadside spraying But recently some contractors had concerns about spraying lawns Resident Nancy Spinney wrote to the selectboard asking for clarification Gamage acknowledged the ordinance only dealt with roadside spraying "I will contact the Maine Pesticide Board who will spread the word that our ordinance only deals with roadside spraying and contractors are allowed to spray home lawns," Gamage said during the weekly selectboard meeting selectmen contracted with Pine State Elevator to perform the annual Southport Memorial Library elevator inspection Gamage will schedule an appointment with the firm and send the proper documentation along with a fee to the state and be all set for another year," Gamage said Selectmen received correspondence from the Portland law firm Preti Flaherty about assuming Southport's municipal legal services Jensen & Baird notified the town about their decision to no longer deal with municipal clients "We won't act on the (Preti Flaherty) request because we already have a new firm," Gamage said The new firm is Bergen & Parkinson of Kennebunk The firm's lawyer for the town is Gregory Braun We continue delivering the news our communities need during these ever-changing times If you already subscribe in print or online please subscribe or become an online supporter today New print or eEdition subscriptions are available at a 30% discount (use 'subscribe-to-support' coupon code at checkout) Or become an online supporter for as little as $2.99 per month X National Trust Formby announced the closure of Formby beach car park from Thursday (1 May 2025) until summer 2026 as part of a major conservation scheme People can learn more about the project and what is entailed by heading to Formby beach car park closure | National Trust Formby To support both visitors and residents who enjoy spending time along Sefton’s Natural Coast the Council has put together a list of alternative beaches and important information Sefton’s coastline is a protected nature haven that offers something for everyone Many visitors may not realise this landscape is legally protected and can be described as “rarer than a rainforest” and a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest status the Sefton Coast is more ecologically rare than a typical rainforest and all three offer a different experience for visitors Crosby is the perfect destination to soak up the sun and relax Visitors should never enter the water at Crosby beach It is not a bathing beach due to areas of soft mud and the risk of changing tides It is the only beach in the country to have 365-day RNLI Lifeguard cover due to the dangers present Crosby beach is also known as the home to many popular food and drink outlets And it is only a short walk away from Merseyrail train stations making public transport the easiest and quickest way to travel Ainsdale beach is known for its rare habitats There is beach car parking available from April to September but it’s important to check ahead as there can be closures and reduced capacity due to high tides and poor sand conditions The newly refurbished toilet block at Ainsdale is available for visitors and includes both men’s and women’s, and an accessible Changing Places toilet facility. Further information is available at www.changing-places.org/find Baby changing facilities are also within the toilet block Sitting on the most northern part of Sefton’s beautiful coastline is Southport beach a nostalgic seaside resort with protected natural landscape The beach is home to many thousands of wading birds from their northern breeding grounds and sees flocks of migrating birds that rely on this landscape to feed and rest It’s also known as the gateway to the Ribble Estuary and a place where the coast and countryside connect in an amazing way Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing we understand many people want to visit our beautiful natural coastline and we encourage people to research which beach is the right fit for them “Whether you want the bucket and spade experience at Ainsdale immerse in nature and wildlife watching at Southport or enjoy the heritage and hospitality offering at Crosby Coastal Park we only ask that visitors respect and protect the landscape and wildlife by following our advice It’s a small ask with a big payoff in conserving this special place for generations to come.” All visitors are asked to take their litter home with them after a trip to any of our beaches and lighting fires or BBQs are not permitted anywhere along the coast Visitors can learn more and find the latest information by heading to www.sefton.gov.uk/beaches and following Sefton Council on social media platforms Facebook and Instagram The Atkinson Southport sponsored feature by Stand Up For Southport Following on from the fabulous success of The Haunting of Blaine Manor last year Joe O’Byrne returns to Southport with a tale from his critically acclaimed series of quirky Supernatural meets Northern Noir Tales from Paradise Heights – ‘Stephen King meets Jimmy McGovern’ You don’t have to have seen the other tales to enjoy this scorching revenge thriller See Diane’s Deli: A Tale from Paradise Heights written and directed by Joe O’Byrne Tickets are available here: Diane’s Deli: A Tale from Paradise Heights – The Atkinson  Group booking discount: Buy 9 tickets get the 10th free – available direct from the Box Office 01704 533 333 Sean Ginty is a café owner in Paradise Heights A quiet and unassuming man who wears a watch that stopped over 25 years ago He’s a father figure to both his staff; literary student Jake an artist and scarred survivor of a horrific fire that left her orphaned some years ago But who is the mysterious Angel of The Heights and more disturbingly – is something haunting the café is a burnt out and bitter man with an eye for opportunity and the other eye on Sean; he is more than curious about his past When a woman turns up in the café late one night a chain of events is set in motion that will have devastating effects on all their lives… ‘The latest play in the Paradise Heights series by the mighty Joe O’Byrne; a noirish tale of very bad men seeking belated redemption you should all get off your arses and go see it.’ Steve Balshaw ‘Joe O’Byrne is fast gathering a cult following for his quirky urban noir series of plays set in the fictional town of Paradise Heights Diane’s Deli: A Tale from Paradise Heights played to a wildly enthusiastic audience…brilliant engaging piece of drama that keeps you guessing dark humour and plenty of surfaced secrets It undoubtedly leaves you wanting to see more of Tales from Paradise Heights.’  The Theatre Twittic  ‘The Street meets Blackout meets Five Minutes of Heaven this powerful and very focussed play sees a man coming to terms with the sins of his past and facing them.’ BBC Writer’s Room ‘Balancing moments of human drama with shocking acts of violence… brutally emotional and slickly crafted Diane’s Deli: A Tale from Paradise Heights is a thoroughly recommended excursion into the dangerously real world of Paradise Heights.’ The Fiction Stroker Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail.com    The Australian midfielder has been a constant in the B-Team this season who finished their Central League campaign on Tuesday and he made his Sky Bet League Two debut last month away at Port Vale Now he heads to the National League North side looking for some regular game time in April with the Sandgrounders hosting Oxford City at Haig Avenue on Saturday community and faith (VCF) groups in the borough of Sefton to engage in a national initiative which takes place on 7th and 8th June 2025 Details about the Big Lunch and useful resources can be found here:www.edenprojectcommunities.com/the-big-lunch This grant fund is a joint initiative between Sefton Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) funding platform Sefton 4 Good and Living Well Sefton.This initiative will fund local voluntary community and faith groups to hold events in neighbourhoods and communities bringing residents together to celebrate and promote community cohesion social connection and build links and friendships across generations and communities with a focus around sharing food engaging in the Big Lunch 2025.Small grant funding (up to £400) is being made available to Sefton-based (VCF) sector organisations to deliver activities to coincide with the national Big Lunch on or near 7-8th June 2025 Organisation and Community groups can apply for grants of between £100-£400 Applicants must be groups operating and based in Sefton and either a registered charity, or a constituted community organisation.The deadline for applications is 12 noon, Monday 19th May 2025.For more information, including FAQ’s and links to the application form please visit the webpage:seftoncvs.org.uk/sefton-big-lunch-grant-fund-2025 Review concluded extending definition to cover extreme violence by ‘loners’ such as Axel Rudakubana is unhelpful The decision not to classify Axel Rudakubana as a terrorist following the Southport murders was right because it would be unhelpful to stretch the definition of terrorism to cover all extreme violence Jonathan Hall KC wrote that the “legal definition of terrorism is already wide and should not be changed any further” in his post-Southport review of how extreme violence is legally classified Expanding the definition would “increase the possibility of inaccurate use and desperate for notoriety” present a real threat terrorism must only refer to violence committed “to advance a political rather than serving as a label for the most serious offending Hall said extending the definition of terrorism would have “unintended consequences” such as hampering freedom of expression – for example criminalising those swapping war footage – and placing pressure on resources “Any family member whose loved one was murdered by a violent fantasist or psychopath would have reason to ask why Counter Terrorism [Policing] and MI5 were not monitoring the individual and preventing the attack,” he said The review was commissioned in January by the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, to examine terror legislation “in light of modern threats we face”. Read moreIt followed a pledge by the prime minister, Keir Starmer to update legislation to address the new threat Britain faces from “extreme violence carried out by loners young men in their bedrooms” following the Southport murders Hall said that instead police should learn lessons from counter-terrorism in how to manage the risk from individuals who plan to carry out extreme violence for its own sake or because of a personal grievance This would include developing “a bespoke policing response” informed by the understanding that counter-terrorism police have built in recent years of how to monitor dangerous lone actors and “distinguish internet rhetoric and real-world attack planning” This could pick up people such as Rudakubana, who was identified as a risk three times by the Prevent counter-terrorism programme but then dropped due to a lack of evidence of any clear extremist ideology. Rudakubana was jailed for a minimum of 52 years for the murders of three girls and attempted murders of eight other children and two adults at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in July last year. His attack was not considered terrorism under existing laws. Free daily newsletterOur morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters Read moreHall felt that some counter-terrorism investigative powers such as the ability to hold a suspect for up to 14 days pre-charge However he urged ministers to consider extending whole-life sentences to lone individuals who plan mass killings that are not motivated by terrorism It is currently not an offence to prepare for a non-terror attack unless so many steps are taken towards carrying it out that it becomes an attempt “This means that no prosecution would be available if the police raided an address and found careful handwritten but uncommunicated plans for carrying out a massacre,” he wrote “It has become clear to me during the preparation of this report during January and February 2025 that there is a real and not theoretical gap for lone individuals who plan mass killing it is neither possible nor desirable to limit the offence to cases in which particularly extreme or terror-inducing forms of violence are intended.” A government spokesperson said legislation would be amended to “close the gaps identified” in the report “Today’s report is an important step in that search for answers and to tackle horrific acts driven by a fixation on extreme violence,” they said They added that the government would look at the report’s observation that social media was “putting long-established principles around how we communicate after an attack like this under strain” and the challenge of tackling misinformation A public inquiry into the Southport tragedy would be set up soon TWO dads of Southport victims proudly display their medals yesterday after an emotional London Marathon Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe raised cash for projects set up in memory of their murdered girls Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven Sergio had a picture of nine-year-old Alice on his T-shirt and collapsed to the ground at the finish “Elsie’s dad” was displayed on David’s top and he gave a thumbs-up when he crossed the line Bebe’s parents Lauren and Ben were both cheering from the sidelines Prince William and Princess Kate are understood to have sent their best wishes to the dads Elsie’s mum Jenni said beforehand: “We did get a special message from the Prince and Princess of Wales Obviously we’ve previously met and spent some time with them and told them about Elsie’s Story So to have a message and a donation means a lot to us.” David added: “It was special.” Around 56,000 runners took part in the event — with organisers hopeful of breaking New York’s record in November of 55,646 finishers EastEnders actor Adam Woodyatt ran for Alzheimer’s UK and had “Babs’ Army” on his T-shirt with a picture of co-star Dame Barbara Windsor, who died in 2020. Comedian Joel Dommett hoped to do it in under three hours Tigst Assefa won the women’s elite race in a world record 02.15.50 Two pro-Palestine protesters jumped the barriers at Tower Bridge and threw red powder paint in front of the men’s elite race Sun sports reporter Joshua Jones ran for youth violence charity Power The Fight Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ The father of one of the girls killed in the Southport stabbings was overcome with emotion as he completed the London Marathon in her memory father of nine-year-old Alice who was killed in the Southport attack last July ran the 26.2-mile course through the capital today alongside Jinnie Payne the headteacher of Churchtown Primary School he told BBC Breakfast: "When I'm training Sergio Aguiar ran the race in honour of his daughter Alice David Stancombe also ran the marathon in memory of his seven-year-old daughter Elsie He said: "Elsie would be so happy to see me cross the finishing line Stancombe revealed he and Elsie had watched the London Marathon on TV last year when she suggested he run the race in honour of her grandmother "I just never thought I would be running it for these reasons." Aguiar is raising funds for an adventure playground at Churchtown Primary School which was attended by both Alice and Bebe King Stancombe is fundraising for Elsie's Story a charitable trust that makes grants to assist young people and support others in the Southport area The pair have received overwhelming support for their fundraising efforts Stancombe told the BBC: "Even now it still blows me away that so many people know about it," Stancombe told BBC Breakfast I would love people to know I've seen their message One of those who threw their support behind the dads was Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer who sent a message of support to the fathers ahead of the race Starmer said: "I want to wish you the very best of luck in the London Marathon this weekend," Starmer said "The entire nation is in awe of your courage and your resilience." revealed the Prince and Princess of Wales had donated to Elsie's Story and sent the family a "special message" The royal couple also made a donation to the Churchtown Playground fund attended the marathon to support the runners "It is just incredible what they are doing," Mrs King said "And we want to be a part of it every step of the way." Runners cross Tower Bridge in the 2025 London Marathon Elsie Dot Stancombe and Bebe King were fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29 last year And I reckon they are just up there watching over us and looking out for us." Rudakubana was jailed for a minimum of 52 years in January for the murders of the three girls and attempted murders of eight other children class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes who made history as the first black athlete to represent both Great Britain and England in shooting has her sights set on Olympic glory after winning the 2025 Grand Pride Of Sefton Award Ruth was presented with the prestigious accolade at The Grand in Southport by former WBA middleweight boxing champion Martin Murrary at the Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards at The Grand in Southport She was recognised due to her remarkable achievements and contributions to the sport of target shooting who lives in Southport and previously lived in Waterloo is a dedicated athlete currently on the British Olympic World Class Programme she was selected as a reserve athlete for the Paris 2024 Olympics and is now setting her sights on the LA 2028 Games Ruth is not just an exceptional competitor; she is a two-time English Champion and a two-time British Record Holder Her hard work has been recognised with a UK Sport APA Award which supports her Olympic ambitions through funding from the National Lottery Ruth continues to excel in her sport and has already been selected to represent Great Britain at the European Championships in March 2025 She aims to return to competition postpartum in time for the World Championships in Egypt in November 2025.Beyond her athletic prowess Ruth is passionate about making target shooting more inclusive and diverse She launched the #TargetChange initiative with British Shooting engaging new audiences and promoting diversity in the sport She actively hosts free ‘have-a-go’ days across the country inspiring others to take part in shooting.Ruth exemplifies dedication The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards are organised annually by Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport with media support from In Demand Radio with each of the 13 categories sponsored by supportive local businesses Over 2,000 nominations were received for this year’s Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards Next year’s awards will take place at The Grand on Lord Street in Southport on Friday 24th April 2026 For more details please email: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com     Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail.com Colleagues working for the Joseph Holt chain of pubs in the North West have been thanked for raising over £8,000 for the Elsie’s Story charity throughout March which includes The Imperial and The Richmond pubs in Southport “I just want to say a huge thank you to the amazing Joseph Holt chain and all their pubs across the North West who spent the whole of March raising money for Elsie’s Story Not only did the brilliant teams get behind this doing everything from car boot sales to bake sales but the customers were unbelievably generous with their donations and messages of support “We’re so grateful to every single person who made this incredible donation possible “A special shout out to Jess at the Hayfield in Ormskirk who brought Elsie’s Story to the attention of the wider region and has supported us personally since the very beginning “You’re helping us spread smiles as big as Elsie’s.”  When they launched the Elsie’s Story charity Jenni and Dave Stancombe said: “We want to continue Elsie’s ‘story’; her positivity “The Trust has been established with the principle objective being to make grants to causes in Elsie’s name the focus of which will be assistance to young people and support for others in the community and across the region medical care and support for individuals and families “Elsie was the most caring and generous little girl and we have promised to not let this awful tragedy be in vain and creating this trust is the start of this.” ● For more details about how you can support Elsie’s Story visit: www.justgiving.com/elsiesstory ● Please follow the elsiedotstory page on Instagram All our thoughts today must be with the families of little Bebe King Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar and all those who were harmed by this truly horrendous Three innocent little girls who went to a summer dance club lost their lives in the most devastating way and they and all the parents and families have had to endure the most unimaginable trauma and grief My thoughts are also with the entire community in Southport which has shown such strength and courage in the face of the unspeakable act of violence visited on their town I also want to take the opportunity to thank all the police hospital staff and prosecutors who have worked in incredibly difficult circumstances from the day of the attack to support the families and bring this case to today’s trial It is important that justice has been served today But nothing will ever take away the trauma and loss endured by the children and families and we will ensure that they continue to receive the support and care they need in the coming weeks The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has been clear that important information about the perpetrator’s past could not be made public before today to avoid jeopardising the legal proceedings or prejudicing the possible jury trial in line with the normal rules of the British justice systems Nothing has been more important than securing justice for the families it is essential that the families and the people of Southport can get answers about how this terrible attack could take place and about why this happened to their children The responsibility for these terrible murders and the barbaric attack lies with Axel Rudakubana The CPS has described him as “a young man with a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence” who has “shown no sign of remorse.”  But the families and the people of Southport also need answers about what happened leading up to this attack The perpetrator was in contact with a range of different state agencies throughout his teenage years He was referred 3 times to the Prevent programme between December 2019 and April 2021 aged 13 and 14 social services and mental health services those agencies failed to identify the terrible risk and danger to others that he posed This terrible case comes against a backdrop over a series of years in which growing numbers of teenagers have been referred to Prevent or referred to other agencies amid concerns around serious violence and extremism We need to face up to why this has been happening and what needs to change in line with CPS advice to preserve the integrity of the prosecution we were constrained in what we were able to say at the time the Home Office commissioned an urgent Prevent Learning Review during the summer into the 3 referrals that took place and why they were closed alongside new reforms to the Prevent programme But we also need more independent answers on both Prevent and all the other agencies that came into contact with this extremely violent teenager as well as answers on how he came to be so dangerous including through a public inquiry that can get to the truth about what happened and what needs to change This horrendous attack will leave a lasting impact on our country and we will always stand with the families and the community who are living with the pain of their loss In our efforts to answer the questions that remain about this case the need to see justice done for the victims and their families will remain at the forefront of our minds Goals from Jalen Jones and Jayden Carbon saw Oxford City pick up an impressive point away at Southport in Vanarama National League.  A tightly-fought first-half ended goalless before the match sprung to life after the interval.  Jalen Jones put City ahead ten minutes after the re-start before the team were made to rue missed opportunities as the hosts went ahead through Danny Lloyd & Will Russ goals.  Jayden Carbon levelled the scores late with his first touch of the game to make sure City left with something for their troubles.  Things weren’t helped before the game as the Oxford City team coach was caught out by a major accident on the M6.  The team arrived just 40 minutes before kick-off and had to suffice with an 18 minute warm-up with kick-off staying put at 3pm.  Ross Jenkins made a number of changes going into the game Jalen Jones and Freddy Willcox were all introduced back into the starting XI.  City shrugged off any rustiness and started the brighter of the two teams in a cagey first-half there isn’t much to write home about.  The closest anyone came to scoring was when Josh Parker’s snapshot was easily saved by Southport ‘keeper Chris Renshaw moments after Laurie Walker was alert to clear a pass that almost fell to the feet of Russ after a poor back pass Phil Croker continued to impress at centre-half and Freddy Willcox seamlessly slotted back into the backline City edged ahead after cutting through the host’s defence.  Neat link-up play down the left-wing allowed Josh Ashby to spin his man and whip a pin-point cross to the back post.  Centre-half Jalen Jones had stayed in attack after a previous long-throw and you’d have forgiven neutrals for thinking he was a striker with his precise finish from inches out from goal.  The Hoops should’ve doubled their lead too Zac McEachran capitalised on a loose pass to maraud forward but his shot was well held by Renshaw when 1v1 with the ‘keeper.  They were made to rue that missed opportunity too as Southport levelled with their resulting counter-attack.  Laurie Walker’s clearance landed at the feet of Lloyd and with the City shot-stopper still grounded Lloyd remained composed to prod in a leveller.  Southport’s second was like de ja vu Again McEachran was gifted a chance and ran in on goal but this time he drilled a fierce shot wide of the post.  the host’s countered and this time Russ somehow squeezed the ball under a crowd of players to put Southport ahead after Sonny Hilton wiggled through the box.  and City weren’t leaving without a fight.  The introduction of Jayden Carbon added pace into City’s attack and the Hoops’ academy graduate turned the game on its head again with his first touch of the game.  A long throw-in from Drewe wasn’t dealt with and Carbon was mr Johnny on the spot to curl a shot into the corner of the net inside a crowded area fifteen minutes from the end.  Then an end-to-end contest ensued and either side could’ve nicked it.  Walker had to be at his best in added time to deny a stinging Sam Minihan shot from finding the net parrying over the crossbar to keep the scoreline at 2-2.  both teams were made to settle for a point.  and their relegation troubles mere days ago seem a world away now attentions turn to a big match on Saturday as play-off chasing Hereford visit the MGroup Stadium.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | OXFORD CITY FOOTBALL CLUB I will make a statement updating the House on the government’s response to the Southport murders The attack in Southport in July last year was one of the most appalling and barbaric crimes committed in this country For young children and adults to be attacked in this way and 3 young girls killed is utterly heartbreaking The Home Secretary and I would like to thank those people who showed great bravery in attempting to stop the attack For this foul act of violence to happen while children were enjoying themselves at a dance class at the beginning of the school holidays is beyond comprehension Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the 3 girls and all those injured as they continue to live with the trauma of that dark day No one should have to go through what they have and we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring they get every possible support responsibility for this abhorrent attack lies with the perpetrator Axel Rudakubana has been sentenced to life imprisonment He will serve a minimum of 52 years in prison And Mr Justice Goose said it is highly likely that he will never be released When the Home Secretary addressed the House on this case last month she outlined the multiple interactions the perpetrator had with state bodies in the years before the attack There are serious questions about how various agencies failed to identify and collectively act on the warning signs All those questions must be answered – we owe that to the families who deserve the truth about what went wrong That is why the government is committed to understanding and addressing the failings in this tragic case through a comprehensive public inquiry It will examine the issues raised in this case but also wider challenges around rising youth violence We are moving swiftly to set up the inquiry We will consult the families to ensure all critical issues are addressed while remaining sensitive to the needs of those most affected We expect to announce further details about the inquiry next month While we do not pre-empt the conclusions of the inquiry there are areas where action can and must be progressed immediately Prevent is a vital part of our counter-terrorism system We must endeavour to identify those susceptible to radicalisation early and before they go on to commit terrorist acts Prevent receives nearly 7,000 referrals every year and our hard-working frontline staff have supported nearly 5000 people away from terrorism since 2015 That is why the Home Office and Counter-Terrorism Policing commissioned a rapid Prevent learning review immediately after the attack These are usually internal technical reviews intended to identify swift learning and improvement for Prevent But the importance of the families needing answers has meant that, today, following close engagement with the families, we are taking the unusual step of publishing the Prevent learning review And I can update the House that the perpetrator was referred to Prevent 3 times between December 2019 The first referral reported concerns about him carrying a knife and searching for school shootings on the internet The second referral was focused on his online activity relating to Libya and Gaddafi His third referral was for searching for London bombings the decision at the time was that the perpetrator should not progress to the Channel multi-agency process But the Prevent learning review found that there was sufficient risk for the perpetrator to have been managed through Prevent It found that the referral was closed prematurely and there was sufficient concern to keep the case active while further information was collected The review is clear on the concerning behaviours that the perpetrator demonstrated It highlights his interest in the Manchester Arena attack And it flagged that some of the grievances that could have been a motivation The review also highlights the perpetrator’s clear vulnerabilities and complex needs that may have made him more susceptible to being drawn into terrorism the overall conclusion of the review is that he should have been case-managed through the Channel multi-agency process This would have enabled co-ordinated multi-agency risk management and support the Prevent learning review made 14 recommendations for improvements to Prevent We have accepted these findings and rapid action has been taken to implement the recommendations Counter Terrorism Policing have conducted in-depth assurance visits to every region to determine whether the issues identified in this case have been resolved by operational improvements made since 2021 Urgent work is underway to address the findings The Prevent Assessment Framework was launched in September and is now in place across all regions It was developed by experts and is being used to triage and risk-assess all Prevent referrals It will improve decision-making at all stages of the Prevent system Roll-out of this tool has been accompanied by rigorous mandatory training We have begun an end-to-end review of Prevent thresholds to ensure Prevent can deal with the full range of threats we see today which is the most significant terrorist threat the UK faces through to the fascination with mass violence we saw in the Southport case This internal review will complete in April and further strengthen the approach to repeat referrals We have completed the first stage of a policy review into how Prevent supports referrals who have mental ill-health or are neurodivergent Actions for improving the operational approach have been identified and will be implemented swiftly with oversight from the new Prevent Commissioner We are also strengthening our approach to the oversight of referrals that do not meet Prevent thresholds to make sure that people receive the right support a pilot starts in several local areas to test new approaches to cases that are transferred to other services the government has appointed Lord Anderson as Interim Prevent Commissioner This is the first time that Prevent will have a dedicated independent oversight in its history and this will ensure Prevent is always held to the highest standards His first task is to review the perpetrator’s Prevent history This will identify whether there is further learning examine improvements made to Prevent since 2021 and identify any remaining gaps that require further improvement Lord Anderson will complete the review within his term as Interim Commissioner which will end with the appointment of a permanent commissioner in the summer of this year But it is simply not enough to focus only on this case We need to take an even more robust approach to identifying learning swiftly and driving that learning through the Prevent system The Prevent Commissioner will be tasked with overseeing a new approach to Prevent learning reviews that enables rapid debriefing and urgent action after incidents but also provides a clear framework that binds other agencies into the joint learning process Transparency and enabling public scrutiny is also fundamental And that is why we will take steps to publish the findings of other independent Prevent learning reviews where there has been an incident of national significance we will publish the Prevent learning review into the appalling attack on Sir David Amess to enable further public scrutiny of this important programme the first duty of government is to ensure the security of our country and the safety of our people And while we can never undo the hurt and pain caused by this unthinkably wretched attack we must and we will do everything in our power to prevent further atrocities Southport must be a line in the sand for Britain If that means asking difficult questions about shortcomings or failures If it means holding institutions and processes to account And if changes are required to protect the public and combat the threats that we face then this government will not hesitate to act Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.