The SoFA AGM 2024 was held on Friday 26 April at our usual venue of Christ Church Southport.

It was well attended by members, the Chairperson Frank Hyland supplied those in attendance with what SoFA has achieved during the last 12 months, including how much our Association had donated to Formby Point, Rufford Old Hall and Speke Hall.  Members of the committee were elected and several members of the committee received long service awards. Once the SoFA AGM 2024 was completed we were supplied with updates from three local National Trust staff.

The first update was given my Lorraine from Speke Hall, who informed us what a success the second hand book shop is by raising thousands of pounds since 2021.  Many thousands of visitors attended Speke Hall and the Beatles home during the last 12 months. They have renovated the billiard room; it is now in similar colours as it was in the 1920s. They have used the funds we supplied to replace blinds that allows enough light in so visitors can see the items clearly but also protects the textiles from harmful light. Lorraine shared a message from Simon Osborne thanking SoFA for their donations and support, which allows them the opportunity to carry on renovations at Speke Hall.

We then had an update from Mel who supplied an update about Rufford Old Hall. The last 12 months has been a challenging year for them. The bay window project has now been completed and the final checks have been implemented. An unexpected cost arose due to having to have a new boiler installed, this keeps the house to a appropriate temperature for the contents and comfortable for the visitors who use their café. David, the head gardener, is working on re-installing the cottage garden. This will take time to do, but it will be well worth it in the end. The recent donation that SoFA supplied is to be used to purchase new picnic benches. We were updated by Mel who said a new supplier has now been located as the benches have to be suitable to wheelchair users and be movable. They will let us know when they have been received.  Mel thanked the SoFA members for their donations and the support we give them, it is very much appreciated.  They could not do what they do without our continued support.

Kate supplied us with updates about several sites that the National Trust has in our location. The boardwalk was damaged at Formby Point during the latest storms.  These now need to be repaired and will need to be kept closed until they are safe for the public to use. They have been informed that there could well be a lot more damage that will not appear until the repairs begin. Kate went on the supply us with some information about Manor Hall Farm, Holcombe Moor in the west Pennines, as well as the Lunt Project. Kate let us all know that they cannot do what they do without the support of SoFA and really appreciate the close connection SoFA has with the local National Trust properties.

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