MORE WILD HABITAT AT KEW UNDER THREAT - but who cares about protected species anyway?

 

Major Southport employer submits planning application for huge land development – So it's, ‘BYE BYE’ for more of our wild green spaces…. 

More details on this link. 

https://www.otsnews.co.uk/major-southport-employer-submits-planning-application-for-huge-land-development/ 

An unpopular stance perhaps - yet my sincere sympathy has always resided with the ongoing loss of our precious British Countryside. Wild spaces that are vital to numerous wild animals, birds, and flora etc, always take second place to business profits. 

Above: legally protected species such as the Water vole, exist in and around the Kew area. The region is considered a stronghold for this rare mammal, which is the UK's fastest-declining native mammal. Conservation Status: Although they are often found in this area, they are heavily threatened by habitat loss. Research and surveys by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust have identified the area as a vital location for the remaining population.

Legal Aspects (Water Vole Law)

Protection Level: Included in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, prohibiting acts against the animals and their habitats.

Offences: It is illegal to damage, destroy, or obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection, and to disturb them while in such a place.

Penalties: Offences can result in fines up to Level 5 on the standard scale and/or up to six months imprisonment per offence.

Development Impacts: If a project (e.g., in Arun Ecology or E3 Ecology) might impact water voles, surveys are necessary to avoid prosecution.

Licensing: If impacts cannot be avoided, a licence from NatureScot or Natural Resources Wales may be required for mitigation, such as displacing them before work starts. 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/water-voles-advice-for-making-planning-decisions 

Big business and cash – hungry councils are expert at getting their own way, which has resulted in the British countryside being decimated everywhere… 

With more land – eating plans afoot at Kew, let’s spare a thought for the local countryside/wildlife habitat that Southport has already lost. 

Here below are a few of the many pages about the wildlife – rich countryside that Southport people have seen vanish into history … 

THE RAPE OF SOUTHPORT’S OLD COUNTRYSIDE 

https://pat-regan.blogspot.com/2012/04/rape-of-southports-old-countryside.html

Blowick Moss: RIP our old Southport countryside

 https://pat-regan.blogspot.com/2018/11/blowick-moss-rip-our-old-southport.html 

George Drive Woods: The consequences of disloyalty, send in the developers!

 https://www.otsnews.co.uk/consequences-disloyalty-send-developers/#google_vignette 

SAVE SOUTHPORT GREEN BELT 

https://pat-regan.blogspot.com/2012/06/save-southport-greenbelt-httpssgb.html 

Lest we forget - the destruction of Kitty's Wood in Ainsdale

 https://pat-regan.blogspot.com/2024/04/lest-we-forget-destruction-of-kittys.html 

Sefton’s Ongoing War 'Against' Nature 

https://pat-regan.blogspot.com/2023/07/seftons-ongoing-war-against-nature.html 

Our wonderful British countryside under threat

 https://pat-regan.blogspot.com/2018/03/our-wonderful-british-countryside-under.html 

BROOKDALE RESOURCE CENTRE goes from strength to strength

 

WHAT IS BROOKDALE RESOURCE CENTRE?

Brookdale, nestled in the heart of Ainsdale, is a unique daycare centre designed exclusively for older adults and individuals with varying stages of dementia. The centre is distinguished by its safe, secure, and stimulating environment, complemented by a beautiful private garden, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere. At Brookdale, the team is committed to promoting dignity, independence, and overall well-being. They understand that each individual is unique, and work closely with them and their families to develop personalised care plans that address their specific needs and preferences

Key aspects of Brookdale's approach include: Person-Centered Care: Tailoring services to meet individual needs and preferences. Brookdale believes in the power of therapeutic activities. Attendees engage in a diverse range of activities, including exercise, sensory stimulation, reminiscence therapy, arts and crafts, gardening, and music therapy, ensuring a holistic approach to their care. Community Engagement: Facilitating social interaction and community involvement through outings and local activities. Family Support: Providing guidance, support, and information to family members and caregivers.

By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, Brookdale is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with dementia. The team understands the challenges that families face, and our aim is to provide much-needed respite and support to all our carers.

Brookdale Resource Centre 

Sandbrook Way,
Ainsdale, 

Southport, 

Merseyside,

PR8 3RN.

Direct Dial: 01704 571026
Mobile: 07813394473
Email: salwa.moustafa@ndirections.co.uk

https://ndirections.co.uk/brookdale/ 

Yesterday’s indoor car boot sale at St. John Stone, Woodvale

 

Chilly January winds failed to keep the bargain hunters away from the Woodvale event, which took place on 24 January.

Funds were also raised for the very worthy Cupboard Southport, which is always focused on fighting food waste and promoting sustainable living.

https://www.facebook.com/southportcommunitycupboard/?locale=en_GB

Please surf the following link for more information about our  forthcoming events...

https://southport-crafts-and-events.jimdosite.com/

The mystery of the lost Southport Edwardian medal

 

I recently stumbled upon a worn yet mysterious medal while looking inside a dusty old tin full of my metal detecting finds, from many years ago. 

I vaguely recall that it was unearthed somewhere in the Halsall to Scarisbrick area and probably back in the 1970s. 

I shall let the images within this article and the data below explain this curious matter in more detail...

Sir Charles Scarisbrick was a significant figure in Southport's development; known for extensive land ownership and philanthropy He briefly served as Mayor of Southport from 1901-1902.

He acquired significant tracts of land, including areas where Southport grew, from the Bold and Hesketh families.

Charles also donated £7,000 for the Southport Infirmary (opened 1895), with his German wife Bertha's name on the children's ward.

He was seen as a fairly secluded man from an old Catholic family. He habitually avoided public life despite his wealth and influence.

 The medal that I discovered displays the wording 'Charles Scarisbrick Mayor' and 'Borough of Southport 26 June 1902'. On the other side of the medal, we can see the image of King Edward V11 and Queen Alexanda.

The key to the secret behind this old medal opens up a page in Southport's bygone past...

Back in 1902, like many towns across the UK, Southport was preparing for the scheduled coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. However, the nation's jubilant disposition changed when just two days prior, on June 24, 1902, it was announced that King Edward VII had been diagnosed with appendicitis and required an emergency, life-saving operation.

While major events were hastily cancelled, many smaller celebrations went ahead in some areas, simply because arrangements were too far advanced to cancel, which naturally resulted in a gloomier atmosphere. Moreover, because of the last-minute change, many souvenirs, medals, and programs were produced with the incorrect date of June 26, 1902. Southport was at that time in the midst of the Edwardian era.

It’s amazing that this find from the 1970s produced such a fascinating snapshot in time of the town's history. Nonetheless, how this medal ended up buried in a rural Lancashire area outside of Southport is still an enduring mystery.

My instinct tells me that it may have been dropped by a coronation party goer visiting one of the local Scarisbrick pubs, like the Heatons Bridge or the Saracen’s Head in Halsall.  

Reports also indicated that many celebration parties happened in Lancashire, with at least one in Scarisbrick. This was apparently in the grounds of Scarisbrick Hall, allegedly 2000 people attended, courtesy of the owner Marquis de Casteja.

If you know any more please let me know! 

IN PICTURES: BIRKDALE XMAS INDOOR CAR BOOT SALE

The last event in our 2025 Southport Crafts calendar took place today, at the Red Brick Church in Birkdale. 

Once again, we raised money for Oscar's Appeal, via selling Subway cookies, and The  Cupboard also had a stall. 

More: 

https://www.facebook.com/southportcommunitycupboard/?locale=en_GB 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-oscar-live-laugh-and-fight-brain-cancer? 

https://southport-crafts-and-events.jimdosite.com/

Birkdale Festive Car Boot Sale/Flea Market Indoor

 

Car Boot Sale/Flea Market Indoor - Saturday 20th December 

11.00am to 2.00pm 

Liverpool Road Methodist Church (Red Brick) Liverpool Road, Birkdale, Southport, PR8 4PD.

Xmas lights, winter plants, Xmas wreaths, collectables.  Football Merchandise, Posters, Metal Signs and Stickers. Children's clothing plus more. 

We will be selling freshly baked Subway cookies for Oscar's funding:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-oscar-live-laugh-and-fight-brain-cancer

Also there with a stall is 'The Cupboard', Birkdale. 

Please spread the word, and come along to find that special gift for Yuletide!

Tea, coffee & hot chocolate available to keep out the December chills. 😊

https://southport-crafts-and-events.jimdosite.com/

HOW THE CHURCH IS RIPPING ITSELF APART (AGAIN!)

So, was Tommy Robinson’s latest carol service a lovely and heart-warming example of love, or was it simply another example of blind fundamentalist belief, indoctrinated ignorance, and the common ability to happily accept transparent psychological/religious programming, without question?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP3ZkXy7VkI

As always, no mention/date of WHEN the alleged Jesus figure was supposed to have been born came to light. No surprise there then as no mention of such a date even exists in the Bible.

One has to admit that placing any plausible date of birth onto a newly hatched godman figure, based on earlier heathen mythologies, and cleverly fabricated by a politically - motivated ecclesiastical outreach takes pretty good imagination.

No mention either of how ‘Christ-mass’ was blatantly based on our far older NATIVE Pagan midwinter festivities, but who cares anyway, when you can wave your hands in the air and shout a lot!

Church NOT happy at TR’s latest bible – bashing ploy

The expected negative Church response to TR’s carol event displays yet more hypocrisy from an invasive Abrahamic faith system, that fails to acknowledge its own subversive, invasive, (bible in one hand and sword in t'other) and conversion – oriented origins.

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/12-december/news/uk/we-are-better-than-this-southwark-bishops-say-in-response-to-tommy-robinson-carol-service

Consequently, they give you the option of a more antagonistic Christianity or the other ‘nice,’ all-grinning, liberal- minded version. Basically, these bible-bashing missionaries make it all up as they go along (as always)!

Another example here of the rift, which is of course politically - motivated, yet some cannot recognise this fact...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-RYOfkQCm8 

Their foremost objective is not to push any type of sacred love and light, but to win YOU over to their version of what is supposed to be good and holy, which just happens to support their underlying political narrative too!

HOW THE SO-CALLED ‘FAITH’ IS TEARING ITSELF APART!

https://anglican.ink/2025/12/12/the-tommy-robinson-carol-service-and-the-moment-the-church-of-england-finally-revealed-its-new-religion/

The deep – seated religious programs that reside under various aspects of Christian ideology are coming to light now and showing us all that we have both seemingly nice and nastier versions but that they ALL are rooted not just in dusty old biblical texts but in set political agendas.

All versions of this particular Abrahamic religion are bogus. They all rely upon centuries of shrewd public indoctrination by an ecclesiastical propaganda machine that has proved to be devastatingly effective in mass mind control.

All types push THEIR own limited narrative to promote their political agenda, that lurks beneath their pious facade.

The asserted choices of TR’s more forceful version of Christian faith, or the NICE, happy clappy, ‘arms – open to everyone’ (except TR and his mates) CofE one are both in fact NO choice at all.

‘All’ the Abrahamic faiths are grounded on fictional characters like Moses, Abraham and Jesus, etc. The ongoing propaganda system that supports alleged veracity of these spurious figures is so immense that most people simply cave in and accept the spin given.

Mental delusion, as enforced via these eternally diverse credos, may impress some yet the real answers to life, death and what may come afterwards, exist within us all.

Your insincere politicians push the very same phoney narratives to grab the moral high ground, and YOU fall for it every time – so try thinking outside of the box they have you trapped in.

Grow up world and see through the spin!

More:

 
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS: WHAT THEY WON'T TELL YOU!

https://pat-regan.blogspot.com/2018/12/yuletide-and-winter-solstice.html

IN PICTURES TODAY: BIRKDALE FESTIVE INDOOR CAR BOOT SALE/FLEA MARKET

 

Despite the chilly November winds and showers, buyers arrived at the popular Birkdale event, to hunt out pre-Yuletide bargains.

'Southport Crafts and Events' raised £50.00 for Oscar’s Appeal, via cookie sales. The cookies were kindly donated by Subway. 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-oscar-live-laugh-and-fight-brain-cancer?  

Funds were also raised by ‘The Cupboard’.

https://www.facebook.com/southportcommunitycupboard/?locale=en_GB  

More news on our forthcoming events here:

https://southport-crafts-and-events.jimdosite.com/

 

BIRKDALE’S FESTIVE INDOOR CAR BOOT SALE/FLEA MARKET WITH BARGAINS GALORE!

 Saturday 29th November 11.00am to 2.00pm.

Liverpool Road Methodist Church (Red Brick) Liverpool Road, Birkdale, Southport, PR8 4PD.

Free public admission. 

Fully booked with three rooms and over 30 stalls for this Saturday's indoor event at Liverpool Road Methodist in Birkdale.

Collectables, antique, vintage, crafts. 

We are sure a lot of you will have seen on FB the posts about three-year-old Oscar. 

We are supporting the family's fundraising at our event this weekend. All Subway cookies we sell have been baked by a local shop and donated for Oscar's funds. Please come along and buy some.

Help to keep Oscar's funds growing. https://rb.gy/re9k8r

We have 'The Cupboard' fundraising as well with their stall.

Please spread the word and come along to find that special gift for Yuletide!

Refreshments available.

More: https://southport-crafts-and-events.jimdosite.com/