Toad Hall Today – Essential Contemporary Art or Vandalism of Local Heritage? Sefton Council commissioned talented street artist Paul Curtis to create his large mural on Ainsdale’s iconic Toad Hall. The colourful work appears to be rolling along well and not far from completion. Above: Toad Hall before the new artwork was initiated. Public feelings have understandably been very mixed, with many folks expressing delight at the art. However, others have displayed scorn at the decision to convert this well-known landmark into what some have called a misplaced extension of nearby Pontins. Toad Hall was originally erected in the 1920s.…
Author: Pat Regan
UK Hot Cars team met today by the Marine Lake Southport. The static event was well-marshalled and successfully organised, with a good turnout. Photos by Jason Regan. The Dip Monkey Garage https://www.facebook.com/TheDipMonkeyGarage Dave Elsby – Mobile Motoring Services https://www.otsnews.co.uk/dave-elsby-mobile-motoring-services/ UK Hot Cars https://www.facebook.com/ukhotcars
Another weekend of lovely warm weather ensured that Ainsdale Beach saw good numbers of people. The Snack bar and ice cream sellers apparently did well. Far away on the tideline – the life guards keep a close watch on events. High above in the clear blue sky, another watcher flew silently overhead. The view from Ainsdale looking over to Blackpool. See also: https://www.otsnews.co.uk/filming-on-ainsdale-beach-today/
Crowds of eager car enthusiasts lined the Marine Drive last night, as the latest Southport meet up near Southport Pier got underway. More images below. Police were seen monitoring the event in significant strength. By and large, the event appeared to go well and was good humoured. See also In Pictures: Marine Drive Car Event – 16 May 2021 https://www.otsnews.co.uk/in-pictures-marine-drive-car-event-16-may-2021/
High temperatures ensured that residents and visitors made the best of the lovely weather, to get out onto the beach and surrounding areas. The pier trains were kept busy. The Marine Lake – some thrill seekers took to the water to cool down. He’s not left the building yet! Even Elvis showed up at the Marine Lake Cafe, to please fans. See also: https://www.otsnews.co.uk/in-pictures-southport-pier-seafront-through-the-seasons/
Today’s hot weather ensured that crowds flocked onto Ainsdale beach, to soak up the sunshine. Shore Road saw some heavy traffic congestion heading towards the beach, throughout the day.
A sad sight to see this week as a lovely deer was found dead at the side of the Formby Bypass, opposite RAF Woodvale. The British Dear Society note that May is a peak time for deer vehicle collisions and many of them will be roe deer. Fast vehicles versus native British wildlife – nature loses out every time! All drivers are asked to be especially vigilant. Would a few well-placed deer warning signs be helpful in saving lives along this fast road? Above: deer were also spotted last autumn on Ainsdale mosslands, close to Segars Lane . Wildlife has apparently…
See also: https://www.otsnews.co.uk/police-break-up-coastal-road-car-meet/ A similar event took place last year. https://www.otsnews.co.uk/in-pictures-fast-and-furious-arrives-by-the-pier/
The Good Friday sunshine brought a significant amount of people into the town today. Bikers arrived in good numbers at the pier entrance. Long queues waited patiently for fish and chips. The ever-popular Southport Pier provided a nice walk for some – even though the gate to the far end was still closed. More https://www.otsnews.co.uk/in-pictures-southport-pier-seafront-through-the-seasons/
Late last year soldiers arrived at Pontins in Ainsdale, ahead of mass Covid testing in Liverpool. Thousands of Armed Forces personnel were deployed to the area for the pilot of mass testing in England. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at the time: “this has the potential to be a powerful new weapon in our fight against Covid-19”. The cost of this operation alone must have been immense. Covid-19: NHS Test and Trace ‘no clear impact’ despite £37bn budget Media reports today (10/3/2021) are indicating that the chair of a committee of cross-party MPs has encouraged the Government to justify the…
The recent sunnier weather has seen increases in people enjoying the fresh air, around the sea front and pier areas. The beach is always popular at high tide. And some pushing their luck for a selfie Boaters and board paddlers on the Marine Lake Grabbing a quick lunch outside MacDonald’s on the Sea Front Cambridge Arcade is sadly in a filthy and disgraceful way Sea Front car parks almost full at times.
Reports are coming in that a Tory revolt is now threatening Prime Minister Boris Johnson with defeat over his divisive plans to cut up to £1,000 a year from Universal Credit payments. The Northern Research Group (NRG) of MPs is calling for the continuance “until lockdown is lifted” of the emergency proliferation that was brought in to help poorer families survive during the Covid-19 pandemic. NRG have been defined as the “biggest threat to Boris Johnson’s authority since he came to power”. The support for continuing the payments beyond March comes only days before Labour stages a Commons vote. This…
The Government has finally listened to good reason and removed the controversial prohibition on UK angling. Latest update below from the Angling Trust… Covid-19 Statement from the Angling Trust: Update January 7th 2021 The Government have now formally responded to the representations made by the Angling Trust. We have promoted the huge benefits of fishing on individual health and wellbeing and have been able to present a case to which the Government have listened. On this basis I am pleased to announce that fishing will be permitted during the third national lockdown in England. The Head of Sports Participation at…
In good faith, OTS News recently ran a story in which Southport’s Tory MP, Damien Moore, was seen promoting Ainsdale businesses. However, it was later suspected that Mr Moore was in reality indulging in political engineering via promoting himself and his Tory group leader on the back of the Covid pandemic. Of course this is nothing new, as all shrewd politicians promote their party political interests from time to time. The Damien Moore article stated: ‘Southport’s MP Damien Moore has been visiting a number of local businesses in Southport today to celebrate Small Business Saturday. Mr Moore, who enjoyed a…
With the arrival of lower temperatures, along with the potential for snow and heavy winds, the birds can have difficulty finding food. In the harsh winter months, extra sustenance that people can provide is helpful for bird survival. This is because natural food sources like berries get hidden under snow and ice. Moreover, nutritious insects become hard for the birds to find. Below are just a few of the bird species that may be seen in and around the Southport region. See this link for additional data on feeding our songbirds. https://www.songbird-survival.org.uk/ Good bird foods recommended by experts include: Black…
This morning, parts of an unidentified creature were washed up by the high tide at Ainsdale. The remains were about 4 to 5 feet in length. Initial suspicions are that this may be a young whale, dolphin or harbour porpoise corpse. I am currently approaching marine experts for a concrete ID on this marine finding. Update Thanks go to Pippa at the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust for her help, she stated: “Yes. this is a cetacean and is one of the odontocetes (toothed whales that include dolphins and porpoises). You can tell this as you can see the skull…
Southport Hesketh Round Table made sure that Santa’s sleigh travelled through the streets this evening, much to the delight of local children. The festive sleigh departed a little bit late, just after the scheduled time of 6.30 pm from Woodvale Road in Ainsdale. More here: https://www.facebook.com/SHRT1199/
Phalaropes have an unusual way of feeding. They spin around and around in the water to bring small creatures to the surface, picking up this food without slowing down as they frantically spin. This is an Arctic-breeding wader that occasionally comes to the coasts of the UK following stormy weather. Birdwatchers at Marshside were seen flocking to grab a sight of this lovely little bird. In a similar fashion to other phalarope species, the female is the most colourful. She leaves the male to hatch the eggs and bring up the young. More https://www.otsnews.co.uk/glossy-ibis-marshside/
Sightseers and cyclists at the pier today were treated to an energetic high tide, along with vibrant rainbows over the Irish Sea.
Masked public protestors sent a message of dissatisfaction to Southport’s Tory MP, Damien Moore, today. The small group left plates with messages written on them outside Mr Moore’s office in Post Office Avenue. He abstained on Labour’s motion calling to extend free school meals for the poorest children. Damien Moore also voted against a motion to give furloughed workers 80% of previous incomes. Mr Moore previously exhibited a poor showing in the People Power Index coming in at 611 out of 650 MPs. https://www.otsnews.co.uk/damien-moore-mp-poor-showing-people-power-index/ The UK government recently voted down, by a majority of 61, a motion put forward by the…
Southport coin expert, David Regan, has raised £3,153.35 for Autism Initiatives, Southport. David said: “Thanks to all my lovely customers I was able this week to take 161 kilos of old copper coins to the local scrap dealer and raise a good sum of money for Autism Initiatives, Southport. This figure has been raised in four years.” David’s ongoing campaign to help Autism David has dealt in coins, medals, precious metals and historical relics from his premises on Hoghton St, Southport since 1983. He has been supporting Autism Initiatives since 2013. http://www.numsoc.net/autism.html Contact details for David Regan’s coin shop : 25…
Flood warnings covering various regions across the UK proved accurate and parts of Southport had a moderate amount of rain. The following images were taken around Ainsdale in Southport this morning. Forget the car – bring a boat. The car park at Ainsdale Discovery Centre was flooded as usual More https://www.otsnews.co.uk/kews-housing-estate-swamp-fiasco/ https://www.otsnews.co.uk/drivers-warned-of-severe-coastal-road-flooding/
A film crew and cast were in action today on the beach at Ainsdale. Although not confirmed yet, it is believed by some that this activity may be linked to a Sherlock Holmes period drama. Images were taken from several hundred yards away with super-zoom. Above: Actors preparing for action. The weather stayed warm and dry for the film crew… More https://www.otsnews.co.uk/tin-star-cast-grabbing-ice-creams-southport/
Chinook helicopters from RAF Benson are currently operating at RAF Woodvale. Essential training for crews has been scheduled from 6-11 September 2020 during exercise Kukri Dawn. This exercise is part of the operational flying phase of the Chinook training course run by 28 squadron based at RAF Benson; the operational conversion unit for the Puma and Chinook forces. Above: a dull day with some light rain for the helicopters The helicopters will primarily be operating in rural training areas but may be witnessed using sanctioned helicopter landing sites in other areas within the region. They will be flying during RAF…
The scene today within the Craft Fair marquee at Dobbies in Kew. At least the weather stayed fine, as the day continued… More https://www.ukcraftfairs.com/craft-events/22135/artisan-craft-and-gift-fair https://www.otsnews.co.uk/pictures-southport-flower-show-2019/ https://www.otsnews.co.uk/pre-school-childcare-community-links/ https://www.otsnews.co.uk/new-soft-play-area-opens-dobbies-garden-centre-southport/
The iconic WW2 aircraft was seen today flying briefly over Southport & Formby General Hospital Above: a long range shot of the Spitfire in action today. The Spitfire was covered with the names of 80,000 NHS staff, family members, neighbours and friends chosen by the public to identify the sacrifices and acts of kindness over previous months. The aircraft took off earlier from Duxford Airfield near Cambridge before flying over several hospitals. See this link for donations… https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nhsspitfire More https://www.otsnews.co.uk/https-youtu-be-mygk5amsyt4listuuvfcdkwsex8eqkoim0q-7zw/ https://www.otsnews.co.uk/cares-background-losing-childrens-ae-service/
A Southport mum is appealing for her daughter’s favourite toy lion to be found and returned to her. Lenny the lion was lost yesterday around 3.30 pm whilst the family walked along Ainsdale Village from Tipple Bar, across to Ball and Percival estate agents then down to the roundabout. They then walked along Liverpool Road on the same side, down to Bradshaws Lane to Ainsdale Rec. The little girl, Iyla, has had Lenny since she was a baby and adores him, taking him everywhere she goes. She is missing him dreadfully, so if anybody can find him her mum would…
Some like to say… “The tide never comes in at Southport”. How wrong they are. It has been a standing joke for decades when disappointed visitors arrived on the beach only to discover the tide was miles out at low water. Crashing waves rolling in under the pier this afternoon… Blasting sand and sea spray threatening to make photography impossible at times… Tidal fingers racing off the beach and lashing against the sea wall. So, the next time you hear them say that ‘the tide never comes in at Southport’ just direct them to this page and the older links…
From blazing sunsets to icy storms – Southport Pier has seen it all… A Lancaster Bomber flying over Southport Pier at a previous air show… Nightfall on Southport Pier. Always the chance of a fluke or an eel at the end of the pier… Looking back at Southport from the end of the pier. The icy Irish Sea during a storm… Blackpool Tower across the River Ribble’s estuary, photographed (with a super zoom camera) from Southport Pier. Changing natural habitat – Southport Pier pictured from Birkdale. http://pat-regan.blogspot.com/ https://www.otsnews.co.uk/tin-star-cast-grabbing-ice-creams-southport/ https://www.otsnews.co.uk/southport-pier-is-160-years-old-today/
Lightning was experienced across the UK last night after 50,000 strikes were reported to have occurred in 24 hours – with more thunderstorms predicted today. The term heat lightning (known as silent lightning, summer lightning, or dry lightning) is frequently used to describe lightning from a distant thunderstorm, which is too far away to hear the associated thunder. During the night, it is possible to see the flashes of lightning from very far distances of up to 100 miles (160 kilometres), but the sound does not transmit that far. Some had suggested that an Intergalactic Mothership had parked over the…