Sefton Council is supporting this year’s Food Safety Week campaign by asking residents to take the Chicken Challenge. The annual campaign, run by the Food Standards Agency, highlights good practice and this year asks people to follow some simple rules when preparing chicken. In a recent Food Standards Agency (FSA) poll almost three quarters (73%) of people eat chicken every week in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. And, nearly three quarters (72%) of 16-24 year olds and of all those aged over 25 (52%) agreed that chicken was their favourite meat. But there’s just one thing people don’t love about it – chicken…
Author: On The Spot News
By Julie Wickham Charity Car Wash Saturday 9 May – The Library in the Gardens A total of £358.72 was raised, which is being shared 50/50 between the Library in the Gardens and the Firefighters Charity. Over 70 cars were washed. Volunteers from The Library in the Gardens and the Fire Fighters washed the cars, a van and even a motorhome. We were very ably helped by two volunteers from Catch 22, NCS (National Citizen Service) who worked their socks off. One from Ainsdale and one from Orrell Park. We are really grateful to Catch 22 for their help as we…
Photo: London Street Local Councillors have welcomed the announcement by the Coalition government of details of Pot Hole repair funding for each of the next six years. A record £6 billion will be spent on tackling potholes and improving local roads between 2015 and 2021, the government has just announced. The total investment, amounting to £976 million per year, is enough to fix around 18 million potholes across the country. Sefton Council will receive £2.9 million this coming year with similar amounts in the following five years. Local Lib Dem Councillor Tony Dawson urges local people to use the internet…
Five of the six political parties who are contesting elections in Southport have put forward their position on the Southport/Sefton issue and all five of them are different. Southport Labour Party are the simplest. They tend to agree with anything that the Bootle Labour Party, who presently rule us, say which means leaving things exactly as they are. This places Southport under the executive control of a Sefton ‘Cabinet’ of seven councillors whose wards are all within the Bootle constituency. Labour nationally also wants to put Southport under a directly elected Liverpool City Region Mayor. Southport Liberal Democrats…
Photo: Charlotte Coward Aside from raising money for the Community Link Foundation and Comic Relief last week, Churchtown Primary School saw fundraising taking place for another worthy cause thanks to one of their Year 5 pupils, Charlotte Coward. Charlotte managed to raise over £100 all by herself through a sponsored 24 hour silence, in aid of North Meols Library Association’s bid to create a volunteer-run library in the Botanic Gardens. The NMLA recently had its application approved to the Community Support Fund by Sefton Council. The community group now needs to raise £75,000 to be successful. Phot0: Library buiding, Botanic Gardens…
The Guardian has today given its editorial view on the General Election. While in most places the paper supports Labour, in places like Southport, where the Labour Party have now drifted out to be 125-to-1 rank outsiders, the paper say: ” …the next Commons would be enhanced by the presence of Lib Dem MPs to insist on the political reform and civil liberties agendas – as they did, almost alone, over Edward Snowden’s revelations. the next Commons would be enhanced by the presence of Lib Dem MPs to insist on the political reform and civil liberties agendas – as they did, almost…
Hesketh Colts girls football team was today bag packing in Tesco at Kew, Saturday 2 May 2015. Diane Whittle said: “We are raising money to take the girls to L’estsrtit Costa Brava Spain to take part in a football tournament. The girls have recently been crowned champions of the West Lancs Girls League. We have raised enough money for all fourteen girls to travel. A huge thanks to Tesco Kew customers who have donated. Also so many local businesses have either donated money or items for auction at a recent race night”. Submit News Contact us with your community, business…
Photo: Chruchtown fundraisers On Thursday night, Churchtown Primary held a Musical Night at the Movies production, including children from Years 1 to 5. In total there were 67 children in the choir, led by Miss Armitage, Mrs Keen, Mrs West and Mrs Bowers. The children performed a number of songs from different musicals, raising more money towards their charity week. Miss Armitage said, “I don’t know who enjoyed the week more, the teachers or the children!” Chair of Governors, Anne Tudor, wrote, “I was thoroughly entertained by the performance of all the children and enjoyed seeing all the little (and…
by David Birtill TOMMY Fleetwood will face South African Branden Grace in today’s WGC-Cadillac Match Play in San Francisco as five British players reached the last 16. TOMMY FLEETWOOD The Lancastrian defeated Bernd Wiesberger on the 19th and advanced courtesy of his better head-to-head record with Macclesfield’s Jamie Donaldson, who had beaten Sergio Garcia. Rory McIlroy produced some late heroics and Lee Westwood claimed the notable scalp of Masters Tournament champion Jordan Spieth. And after Westwood recovered from losing the first two holes to beat Spieth on the 18th, McIlroy came from two down after 16 to beat Horschel on…
Photo: Southport VE Day Celebrations On Saturday 9th May Byng House – the British Legion Poppy Break Centre – will be hosting a vintage afternoon tea for all the guests staying with us to celebrate VE70. A sandwich lunch with cream scones and cakes will be served for all our guests and we hope to make the day really special. Councillor Maureen Fearn will be visiting Byng House and we have the Dolly Mops coming to entertain the guests with some songs of the 1940’s. The British Legion is also celebrating VE70 day with a kiss and if you wish…
Photo: Mark Poole Transform Fitness Training, a mobile personal training service specialising in fat-loss and body transformation in Southport. As opposed to other services, Transform Fitness Training is specifically designed for people who are desperate to completely change their body as quickly and effectively as possible. Owner and body transformation expert Mark Poole, who has a bachelor’s of science degree in advanced personal training, said “Our programmes are designed for people who are really fed up with the way they look and feel and will do just about anything to change. “We know exactly what it takes for someone to…
A fundraising committee from Southport is inviting the local community to join them for a Coffee Morning to raise funds for the region’s leading cancer charity. Organised by the Southport Committee of North West Cancer Research (NWCR), the annual spring Coffee Morning will take place on Monday 11th May at Masonic Hall on Duke Street, Southport, from 10am onwards. Tickets cost £3.50 and are available to purchase on the door and from committee chair, Olive Cutts, on 01704 807 857. A choice of coffee or tea with a slice of homemade cake is included in the ticket price. All proceeds from the event…
Photo: Heather Rodgers and Pete Cunningham with Sister Julie Marshall, from the Medical Day Unit at Southport hospital, and Nurse Heather Vasey, from The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust. A young mum’s inspirational coming to terms with cancer has helped raise £630 for the NHS unit helping treat her. Heather Rodgers, 31, from Southport, received a terminal diagnosis of bowel and liver cancer just after Christmas. She and husband Ben have two children Adia, three, and Heath, one, and attend Christ Church in Lord Street, Southport. Fellow member of the congregation Pete Cunningham was inspired by Heather’s faith and…
Photo: Rejected Kittens Woodlands Animal Sanctuary based in Holmeswood in Lancashire have been inundated with unwanted cats and kittens. The trustees have said they are amazed at the amount of unwanted pets in the area and the UK as a whole. The charity care for a range of animals including ponies, donkeys, a selection of farm animals, rabbits, guinea pigs and cats not to mention all the hedgehogs! The sanctuary houses more than 400 unwanted resident animals. The question that is baffling Woodlands at the moment is why do people not want black and black and white cats. The trustees report…
Taxi passenger suffers suspected heart attack on Lord Street Southport A passenger in a taxi suffered a suspected heart attack on Lord Street, Southport at approx. 7:20pm this evening (Saturday 11th April 2015). Paramedics arrived to administer emergency treatment at the scene. Submit News Contact us with your community, business or sport news. Phone 07581350321 or 07930717137 Email ots@otsnews.co.uk Twitter www.twitter.com/onthespot_new Facebook www.facebook.com/otsnews.co.uk Instagram www.instagram.com/otsnews
Vote for Lib Dem Candidate Teresa Smith in the 2015 Southport elections Dukes Ward Liberal Democrats have selected Teresa Smith to be their candidate in the local elections next month (May). Dukes Ward is the biggest ward in Southport, consisting of the Town Centre and Shoreside, Birkdale areas. The selection of the candidate was delayed for one month due to the tragic death of Dukes Ward Lib Dem Chair Robert Hamilton. Teresa Smith is a qualified social worker and counsellor who also previously worked for National Giro Bank. She has lived in Southport for the past 40 years and presently…
MJR Landscapes is offering a 25% discount on all work that is booked in during April. All site visits and estimates are free of charge. Take a look through MJR Landscapes work below: Driveways & Pathways Is your pathway or driveway looking a bit run down? Most people agree that you only get one chance to make a first impression! Many homes and businesses could benefit from a quick tidy-up or replacement of the entrance way.Our years of experience enable us to choose the best materials and the carry out the right preparation to ensure that your new driveway or pathway is…
LABOUR ACCUSED OF BLATANT HYPOCRISY Labour have been accused of ‘blatant hypocrisy’ over comments about the shortage of primary school places, by UKIP’s deputy leader Paul Nuttall. Tristram Hunt, Labour’s education spokesman, has blamed the appalling shortfall in primary school places on education policy and free schools, rather than his own government’s throwing open the doors to uncontrolled immigration from Eastern Europe. Mr Nuttall, North West MEP and UKIP’s education spokesman said, “There is only one bit of truth in what Tristram Hunt says, and that is that there is a shameful shortage of primary school places. But it isn’t…
Sedentary lifestyle, watching TV, may up diabetes risk “Experts claim being a couch potato can increase the risk of developing diabetes,” the Daily Express reports. A study estimated that each hour of time spent watching TV increased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 2.1% in high-risk . The study originally compared two interventions aimed at reducing the risk of developing diabetes compared to placebo. It involved 3,000 participants who were overweight, had high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. These are early indications that they may be developing diabetes (often referred to as pre-diabetes). The interventions were either metformin…
Photo: CCTV Images of the thieves Break-in at Pleasureland Southport over the weekend. Thousands of pounds worth of tools and equipment has been stolen this week from Pleasureland, Southport over the weekend. Thieves gained entry through the roof and dropped down into the workshop below. Hand tools, 5 grinders, drills, screwdrivers, welding gear and 3 masks were just a few among the vast amount of tools stolen in the raid. There are CCTV stills of the alleged offenders. Thieves gained entry through the roof. If you have any information or recognise any of the above please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555…
Concerns raised about increased e-cigarette use in teenagers “E-cigarettes: Many teenagers trying them, survey concludes,” BBC News reports after a survey of around 16,000 English teenagers found one in five teens had tried an e-cigarette. The concern is that rather than using e-cigarettes as a device to stop smoking, teenagers with no history of smoking could be using e-cigarettes because of their novelty value. This hypothesis seems to be borne out by the survey finding that 16% of teen e-cig users said they had never smoked conventional cigarettes. While e-cigarettes are undoubtedly far safer than cigarettes, this does not mean…
Dave’s Tyres & Exhausts (Southport) is open this Easter Bank Holiday! Dave’s Tyres & Exhausts on Norwood Road, Southport, is open this Easter Bank Holiday weekend from-Friday – Saturday, Monday Tuesday etc. So if you have a problem with your tyres etc you can pop in to Dave’s anytime. Dave’s Tyres & Exhausts also boasts a new accessory shop at his Norwood Road Depot (Southport). So from now on if you get a puncture whilst out and about or at home you can now call Dave who will come out to you! Customers can now use Dave’s Tyres & Exhausts new courtesy car free…
Funeral arrangements for Pat Quinn (Southport) The funeral arrangements for Pat Quinn have been made for Tuesday 7th April 2015 at Southport Crematorium-Time12:00pm. Pat sadly passed away at the age of 83 years on Tuesday 24th March 2015 following a short illness in Southport & Formby DGH. Pat was well known in Southport having being High Park FC Manager, and The Bold Arms Darts Team Manager. Pat will be missed by all who knew him. R.I.P. Pat Quinn 1932-2015 Contact us with your community, business or sport news. Phone 07581350321 or 07930717137 Email ots@otsnews.co.uk Twitter www.twitter.com/onthespot_new Facebook www.facebook.com/otsnews.co.uk Instagram www.instagram.com/otsnews
Fly tippers leave their mark in Birkdale Village Southport. Once again fly-tippers have dumped a great deal of rubbish including a mattress on the pavement in Birkdale Village. A large amount of tipping is committed by people who simply can’t be bothered to take their rubbish to the local tip. Rubbish that is dumped on private land is the responsibility of the landowner to clear it up – and pay for it. Any person or company fly tipping waste is committing a serious offence potentially punishable by an unlimited fine and/or up to five years in prison dependant upon the…
Parents delaying having children because of sky-high housing costs The sky-high cost of housing is preventing nearly a quarter of 24-39 year olds from starting a family, new research shows . As a home of their own becomes a distant dream for many, figures from Shelter and YouGov show prospective parents across the UK are putting off having children because housing is so expensive, with 57% of them waiting for up to five years to start a family. The survey also revealed that 16% of people know someone who has moved in with a partner quicker than they would have…
Don’t forget to set your clocks forward by one hour on Sunday 29 March 2015 The change will officially take place at 01:00 GMT so it is advised that you change your clocks before going to bed on Saturday night. Bringing the clocks forward by an hour marks the start of British Summer Time, meaning that we shall experience extra daylight and longer evenings. Submit News Contact us with your community, business or sport news. Phone 07930717137 Email ots@otsnews.co.uk Twitter www.twitter.com/onthespot_news Facebook www.facebook.com/otsnews.co.uk Instagram www.instagram.com/otsnews
Changes to hospital parking and fees (Southport & Formby DGH) Parking for patients and visitors should increase by at least 120 spaces at Ormskirk and District General Hospital later this year. Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust is seeking planning permission to expand parking at the top of the main car park which faces the hospital entrance. The land is currently set aside for helicopter transfers. Neil Aindow, Capital Projects Manager, said: “There are now few occasions when this facility is needed. By making alternative arrangements we can use this land more productively for the benefit of patients and visitors.”…
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service is calling on people in Sefton to spring into action at the end of March and make sure they have working smoke alarms in their home. The clock change for British Summer Time takes place on the weekend of March 28 to March 29 this year (2015). People can make an online pledge to test their smoke alarms on the clock change weekend on the “Fire Kills” Facebook page found at www.facebook.com/firekills . Jen Taylor, District Prevention Manager for Sefton, said: “Most people think that a fire will never break out in their homes but…
Please come along to Southport’s ‘Beat Box Studio’ Easter Camp. Monday 13th April 10am to 1:00pm Tuesday 14th April 10am to 1:00pm For Aged 5+ £10 Discount for siblings! Come and learn different styles of dance. Build confidence doing drama and have fun playing games. Beat Box Studio situated on 190A, Sussex Road, Southport. Over 1000 square foot of sprung loaded floor and full wall mirrors and classes to suit all age groups form 1 year to 101. We have a Facebook page as well Beat Box Studio if you could like our page as new classes are coming up. The studio is…
R.I.P. Pat Quinn (Southport) OTS News.co.uk is saddened to report the death of Southport resident, Pat Quinn, aged 83. Pat sadly passed away this morning (Tuesday 24th March 2015) following a short illness in Southport & Formby DGH. Condolences to all the family and many friends. Funeral arrangements to be announced. Pat was well known in Southport having being High Park FC Manager, and The Bold Arms Darts Team Manager, Pat will be missed by all who knew him. R.I.P. Pat Quinn 1932-2015 Contact us with your community, business or sport news. Phone 07581350321 or 07930717137 Email ots@otsnews.co.uk Twitter www.twitter.com/onthespot_new…