As Southport’s MP, Damien Moore, continues to ‘spin the government spin’ the true extent of destructive Tory childcare annihilation is finally coming to light. So, looking past the Conservative propaganda what exactly is happening with the ill-considered, bumbling, Tory FREE (as if) childcare agenda? Government’s so-called FREE childcare scheme not economically viable and resulting in massive facility closures… The Guardian reported the harsh truth of ongoing Conservative failure towards the nation’s hard-pressed childcare providers: More than 1,000 nurseries and childminders have gone out of business since the Conservative government was elected in 2015 with a promise of 30 hours of…
Author: Pat Regan
Southport’s Conservative MP Damien Moore is seen above pretending to support small businesses, when in fact he is only supporting the ones which make him and his fellow Conservatives look and sound good. The Conservatives have put a post onto their facebook boasting about how they have doubled FREE childcare up to 30 hours per week. This is a misleading farce that they are trying to get the families they serve to believe. https://www.facebook.com/conservatives/photos/a.10154743534819279.1073741827.8807334278/10155549534364279/?type=3&fref=mentions Yes childcare is doubled, no it is not free as they have only shifted the cost from the government’s pocket to providers’ pockets. Comments from some…
With the winter and the mad Xmas rush now upon us you may suddenly realise that your car needs a service, MOT or other repairs. Clearly you could do without all the hassle of taking your car to the garage and either hanging around, waiting or making your own way home in the rain or cold weather. Perhaps you just want to stay at home with your feet up and a brew. Well, there is another way. Dave Elsby mobile motoring services Dave is a local motor engineer with over 25 years’ experience. Dave realised that with people having such…
https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/nursery-world/news/1161591/robert-goodwill-named-the-new-children-and-families-minister For a long time now we have heard and seen the problems facing childcare providers, childcare is at crisis level. Many many providers have closed their doors and still are. WHY you ask? The reason is because the government refuse to pay providers the rate per child to ensure that ALL providers’ businesses are sustainable. In Sefton for instance, providers are being paid £4/hour per child, in other areas provides are getting less, but it costs providers approximately £5.50/£6 per hour in order to put that service into place. The government are stating loudly to all parents that they…
A brief but heartfelt tribute to the fallen, by a grateful grandson of just one warrior who crossed over the bridge many years ago Private Patrick Regan. Kings Liverpool Regiment. Died: 21 May 1917, aged 26. Just one of the many who fought on foreign shores and never returned home… Like leaves in the cold winter breeze, the seasons rush by ever faster. Yet at this time of year some of us hold high the respect and feelings of admiration in our hearts we possess for dear family and friends that have passed over. We never met personally; you died…
In these times of excessive stress over jobs, finances personal relationships and other concerns, it’s good to know that our wild spaces still provide spiritual solace and inner tranquillity. Forgetting the somewhat controversial addition of massive wind turbines we can still feel the Irish Sea breeze in our face, as we look out over the Mersey estuary towards Wales. https://youtu.be/8tOrzfrWoLI The old and the new meet, as we observe the shrimper working against the backdrop of the rig. https://youtu.be/lYeoiRRpui0 As the night arrives and the tide turns skeins of geese fly over the beach, heading towards their northern marshlands. https://youtu.be/TS2r92Ad4lQ…
Dwayne Johnson Director of Social Care & Health attended the presentation session at Freshfield Children’s Centre on Wednesday 1st November. Quite a few people turned up to listen and ask questions. Mr Johnson stated that in 2011 centres sliced savings of 10-20% and now more savings were required. The Talbot St building in Southport is being looked into as becoming a family and wellbeing centre. Concerns were raised by the group present that there is currently no car parking available and was too far from Formby to help some families. Freshfield’s Centre is believed to be keeping some services but…
A great deal of confusion exists around the topic of Halloween. Consequently, what follows may help to simplify the situation. Halloween was formerly called ‘Samhain,’ which comes from the Gaelic/Celtic meaning for ‘November’ and ‘summer’s end’. The original Celtic settlers arrived here in around 600 BC, fetching with them their own nature – based polytheistic form of spiritual belief systems. Samhain characterised the beginning of the long cold winter; a time when the cattle had to be driven into sheltered quarters as a defensive measure against anticipated snowfall, frost, and blizzard. It was also a melancholy period for many Celts,…
Southport shoppers understandably trembled in fear as Arachnobot, the giant 16 foot spider, munched his way down Chapel Street. https://youtu.be/17x0WqUpgGQ Nothing could stop this crazed creature from digesting men, women and children, as it rampaged into the crowds. Police, shopkeepers, chavs on mopeds and British army units failed to halt the monster’s deadly assault on the sleepy seaside town. Politicians fled like rabbits screaming into the hills and became even more invisible than ever before, as the hapless public were left to deal with the chaos. Sefton Council traffic wardens also vanished in horror, leaving motorists on nearby Lord Street…
A call is being put out to all people who have a qualification to work with young children. Are you a teacher, childcare practitioner, childminder? Do you need to earn some spare money to enhance your income? I have worked in the childcare sector for seventeen years and I am starting a babysitting agency to ensure that parents have a choice of professional people to leave their children with, when requiring an evening out or needing emergency childcare in their home. Maybe you are staying for a holiday in this area so need childcare for a few hours. I state this is…
Children attending Pine Pixies Pre-School in Formby have been enjoying their autumn activities. Making characters out of the garden leaves that have fallen and pumpkin carving being just a couple. Pine Pixies is now looking for a new staff member to join their team. A job vacancy has arisen for a Pre-School Practitioner for 6 hours plus per week. Must be available to work between the hours of 8.00am and 3.15pm Monday to Friday. Term time only Qualification required: NVQ level 3 in Childcare and Early Years or equivalent Candidates need to have an up to date Paediatric First Aid…
Supercars of the Northwest, end of season event, was held today at Victoria Park in Southport. https://youtu.be/y4rrQav-px4 More: https://www.facebook.com/SOTNorthwest/ Video by Jason Regan Pat Regan © http://pat-regan.blogspot.co.uk/
Close on the tail of Hurricane Ophelia, Southport was today treated to Storm Brian. https://youtu.be/SufH4oV-_CY A few hardy individuals arrived to witness the scene at Southport Pier, as the high tide flooded in… Mind you don’t fall in! https://youtu.be/fsyWdOwVNEU Higher winds and battering rain may arrive later on… Pat Regan © http://pat-regan.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/storm-brian-hits-southport.html https://www.otsnews.co.uk/day-solar-orb-turned-red-southport/
A strange red sun has been reported across parts of England. https://youtu.be/rJDbZdAYr10 The Sun (above) filmed at 11.32 am near to Southport pier today. The phenomenon was created by fragments of Hurricane Ophelia pulling in tropical air and dust from the Sahara region. The dust has caused light to be refracted and reflected in longer wavelengths, causing the weird red effect. Because the Sahara dust is at such high altitude, light from the Sun is strewn in the longer wavelengths, which is more related to the red part of the spectrum. Subsequently, it appears red to the human eye. The…
Westminster Hall Thursday 12 October 2017 Meeting started at 1.30pm, ended 4.31pm http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/35e1fae6-2e59-4f08-a779-3a667c34ae7d Robert Goodwill MP will not listen to common sense when faced with expert childcare providers that tried so hard to explain things to him. The government he represents is just paying hollow lip-service to the real problems faced by hard-pressed childcare providers across the UK. It’s a cold-hearted, ‘let them eat cake’, attitude that brings back bad memories of a harsher Tory party, with traditionally little care for the ordinary people. Ultimately, families and children will suffer because if this reckless government continue to kill off all…
A House of Commons debate on the ‘effect of the 30 hours childcare funding’ is to take place today. The shadow minister for early years, Tracy Brabin, has confirmed that she will be attending the debate, along with the Pre-School Learning Alliance, National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY), and members of the Champagne Nurseries, Lemonade Funding campaign group. Ms Brabin said, ‘Thursday’s debate gives us a great opportunity to hear from Minister Goodwill about how the 30 hours roll-out is going from the Government’s perspective. ‘I have a list of concerns I’d like…
THE ‘BIMMO FEST’ to be held at ‘BIRKERS’ on Sunday the 8th October 2017, 12 noon till late… All for a great cause… All monies raised will go to help selected local cancer charities in the name of our Joan Bimson (Bimmo Fest) who sadly succumbed to the disease late last year. She was so greatly admired and sadly missed by all who knew her. More … https://www.facebook.com/events/1434081513341536 Pat Regan © http://pat-regan.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/bimmo-fest-at-birkers.html
The September sunshine greeted the crowds, as the last day of Southport’s 2017 Air Show got underway. https://youtu.be/8FtTOUU5LHs Watch the exciting moment as the Breitling wingwalker unfastens the harness to enter the aircraft. Sally B, the B-17 Flying Fortress, was back … https://youtu.be/njwKOXGweIQ Lifeguards watching events unfold as Sally B flies past. Typhoon ripping it up… De Havilland Vampires. Lancaster Bomber. https://youtu.be/mMKJNHZ1rKs https://youtu.be/3wNpF4wiaT8 MiG – 15 attack over the pier… Spitfire sorting out a Buchon… https://youtu.be/aa0p_5TpGWc The MiG with the Vampire pair. The OV-10 Bronco. https://youtu.be/2yLyli_BpsI So much action to see… And that’s the show over for another season -…
Once again, the weather held out for day 2 of the Southport Air Show… https://youtu.be/aZiiSw57CNc Sally B, the UK’s last airworthy B-17 flying fortress thrilled the crowds today… The Eurofighter Typhoon doing its stuff was always going to pull the crowds in … https://youtu.be/yOhNkii_JBI A dogfight between the Spitfire and a Bf 109 Buchon Brilliant stunts galore… https://youtu.be/ZZ9N2wPGH3M Planes at RAF Woodvale getting ready for take off… https://youtu.be/W0iWbwBzZWY Time to head home … Pat Regan © http://pat-regan.blogspot.co.uk/
Friday the 15th September 2017 saw the opening of the latest Southport Airshow. https://youtu.be/y9tDU__onbM The ever-popular Lancaster bomber and its Spitfire escort making a welcome appearance… https://youtu.be/aX3KtkEg6YU The Eurofighter Typhoon came in fast, out of the late Sun… https://youtu.be/crNod3tOeJg The Tigers Free Fall team doing their stuff… Stunts galore from a range of excellent pilots like the Blades… https://youtu.be/bbnn5QThH7Q The Fireflies Aerobatic Team lit up the darkening evening sky… All in all, a good start to the show and even the rain held off… Pat Regan © http://pat-regan.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/in-pictures-southport-air-show-2017.html
Childcare in England is grossly underfunded and many childcare settings and childminders have been forced into closure. Many of them rated as Outstanding by Ofsted. If you have a family member or friend that uses childcare, or you work in childcare or schools then please help. There is a ‘very large’ campaign to make the government listen and put in place ‘urgent’ changes to increase funding levels. Without these changes, childcare levels will go down, more settings will be forced to close and the high level of excellent childcare we have in our country will be at an all time…
Photos and video by Jason Regan … Car repairs, call Dave Elsby Motor Engineer mobile no 07980 713661 The show included an entry of 300 cars and motorcycles, plus a wonderful 1950’s Fire Engine. The parades ran from the Town Centre Race Paddocks in Moor Street and Aughton St starting at 2.30pm. https://youtu.be/dhNDKXpYA08 Pat Regan © http://pat-regan.blogspot.co.uk/ Well done to the organisers of this excellent event. More on the event here: http://www.ormskirkmotorfest.com/
Health Secretary Hunt faces angry protesters at Southport Hospital Mr Hunt arrived later than anticipated at 12.24 pm. He was greeted with loud howls of contempt and angry jeers from a vocal crowd of protesters. https://youtu.be/TyQ8jMBuloY Mr Hunt had stated that the Trust was the most improved in England between January and March for treating patients efficiently. Labour had encouraged as many of its supporters as possible to meet in protest against the Secretary of State for Health who was, they claimed, ‘wreaking destruction’ on the NHS. https://youtu.be/dXMzDR4x3Eo Southport’s Conservative MP, Damien Moore, was also at the Hospital to meet Mr Hunt.…
Once again the weather held out and although the show ground was wet the day stayed dry.. Pictures speak louder than words, so here are more images to check out… Mr Tumble aka Justin Walker doing his thing, with a little help from the audience… https://youtu.be/myoiVI0ckrU Ben Potter on hand with his amazing birds of prey… H & M super dogs showing the crowds what they are made of… https://youtu.be/kOYd1-mOp6g The Knights of the Damned in action… https://youtu.be/Fs0-8kkABh8 And yesterday … https://www.otsnews.co.uk/pictures-southport-flower-show-2017/ Pat Regan © http://pat-regan.blogspot.co.uk/
Despite the recent ferocious August rains, the 18th of the month remained largely dry and bright. This ensured a steady trickle of visitors to the Southport Flower Show’s attractions. The ever-popular Ben Potter with one of his many feathered friends… https://youtu.be/cd_TwsUFpwU David Domoney in action… Musical fun all over the place … https://youtu.be/wvveQMHKypg Even some nice (surprise, surprise) floral exhibits to delight the senses… Plenty of evidence of genuinely ‘expert’ landscapers too at the show, rather than the plethora of cowboys that are all too common in gardening circles today… The Knights of the Damned put on a great show that…
It’s a long way over the Ribble Estuary to expect any useable photographic results of the Blackpool Air Show. Nevertheless, I shot some footage of the Red Arrows doing their thing, along with a handful of dramatic photos. https://youtu.be/JX3gf63_gHM Naturally, at this mega – range quality is not great but at least it’s a record of the event… To the naked eye the planes looked like tiny dots in the distance but the superzoom found them… Over the River Ribble at Marshside… Last year at Southport… https://www.otsnews.co.uk/southport-air-show-2016-2/ Pat Regan © http://pat-regan.blogspot.co.uk/
Our end of term parties were enjoyed greatly, with the Teddy Bears’ Picnic for the younger children and the Leavers’ Party for the older children moving on to school. Many varied ‘teddies’ turned up for the party. Some of the children helped to harvest their potato crop before term ended. We would like to give a very big thank you for all the kind presents and cards from parents. Pine Pixies Pre-School is now taking admissions for the September term. We will be offering the 30 hours to eligible parents. We are registered for 32 children per session and accept…
5 August 2017 The event was organised by local traders from Birkdale Village. A variety of attractions on offer included live entertainment and fairground rides, along with classic cars being exhibited. https://youtu.be/i0Q30igdeIE Local politicians in attendance… Classic bikes and cars galore… https://www.facebook.com/events/155448641667297/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%223%22%2C%22ref_newsfeed_story_type%22%3A%22regular%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D Well done to the organisers for putting on such a well-appreciated and free event… Pat Regan © http://pat-regan.blogspot.co.uk/ https://www.otsnews.co.uk/free-gin-won-birkdale-village-summer-extravaganza/
I wrote an article reporting what I considered vandalism in my nursery setting. It has since transpired that the damage was done whilst a group was renting out the church hall during the holidays. The group it seems was the Sefton Aiming High group. This group does a lot of great work within the community with children with disabilities and their families. I do not hold the children attending this group responsible. However, on 2nd August the Sefton group organiser decided to carry out an activity whereby the children did hand prints in paint across the fencing in the church…
Pictured above are some of the children at the setting with left to right: Catherine Regan, Registered Person, Co-Managers Martine Platt and Lynda Birtles and Practitioner, Alesha Carr. Pine Pixies Pre-School in Formby recently had their Ofsted inspection. Management and staff were very pleased with the result, which was rated ‘Good’ in all areas. Catherine Regan Registered Person for the nursery, would like to say a very big thank you to the staff, parents and children who all contributed on the day. Also to the Inspector, as she worked well alongside us on the day and put our staff and…