Tag: Ainsdale

The SoFA AGM

The SoFA AGM was attended by over 50 members on Friday 24 April at our usual venue of Christ Church Southport. Frank Hyland, Chairperson, supplied those in attendance with what SoFA has achieved during the last 12 months.

Last year, SoFA met its objectives, with a full programme of talks, events and activities. In addition, members enjoyed a great holiday in Cambridge and our well managed website and social media continued to be a useful source of information. To assist recruitment, we held two awareness days at the Atkinson to promote our Association.

During the AGM members of the committee were elected, including two new members. Edwina received a long service award for her time as a SoFA committee member. During her time as a committee member she has worn many hats, such as Chair and Vice-Chair. Until Covid, she was a volunteer at National Trust Formby and has been our liaison contact for many years.

Thanks were given to the PCC of Christ Church and Matthew, in particular, for enabling us to meet in their church as well as to all our members for their constant support throughout 2025.

When the AGM was finished, we were provided with an update from local National Trust staff.

Gil Riley, a volunteer at Rufford Old Hall for the last 18 years, supplied us with an update as to what is happening at their gardens. He says that there is a lot of pruning going on and wants to make the gardens evolve in order that there is something new to see each season.

Emma Ritson then supplied us with an overview of the various National Trust Properties in our area. She let us know where the donation that SoFA has given them will be spent. They require a wood chipping machine. There is a lack of signage at Rufford, therefore, they would like to have six long-term garden signs put up. Metal edging is also required around two footpaths. They also have a garden plant project which will cost between £500 – £1000. Emma thanked SoFA for the donation we supplied to them.

Then we were then given an update about National Trust Formby, this was presented to us by Laura Michelangeli. Firstly, she informed us that the donation that we had given them was spent on ‘Community Activities’. The car park at Victoria Road is now open, 80,000 tonnes of material having been removed during the project. They are in receipt of Sycamore Gap saplings, that have now been planted. She informed us that they are thrilled that they have received these.

Laura also informed us that the donation that we gave to Speke Hall was spent on wildflower seeds, which have been sown. Once they have germinated and grown, they will be visible next to the visitor reception for all to see. She told us that the kitchen has been restored and is now open for visitors.

She was pleased to announce that The Hardmans’ House is now open every Friday and the last Saturday of each month.

Laura thanked all the SoFA members for their donations to Speke Hall and Formby Woods.

If you are interested in joining SoFA please contact us using our Contact Form.

Tales of a Customs Officer – Brian Topping

Events News Speaker Meeting No Comments

In March SoFA members attended the Speaker Meeting at Christ Church, Southport which was given by Brian Topping.

Mr Topping has had a long and varied career in the Customs Office. In the 1970’s and 1980’s he was a Customs officer in the former Department of H M Customs and Excise at Heathrow. He clarified that at that time a Customs Officer was not primarily responsible for security but for taxation for the Revenue Service.

He recounted numerous instances which involved people from many different parts of the world, for example, an Irish man who had a ‘bottle of water’ which was in fact Poitín/Poteen (an Illicit Irish spirit) which was forfeited!

A Customs Officer needs to be observant, as in the case where a mother’s children were running around in the Green Channel area and she offered a key to the officer which did not open her Delsy suitcase. Eventually the case was opened and was found to contain 16 kilos of Heroin. She The woman served nine years, her accomplice was given seven years, and the mastermind received 10 years in prison.

A Customs Officer must learn how the airline industry works and to be able to read body language. For example, if this was unusual the passenger was likely to be guilty of smuggling something in their suitcase or on their person.

Mr Topping could have given us many more examples, however instead told us he will reveal more in his next talk, Talk Two.

He was a most entertaining and enlightening speaker.

By Vikki Fahey

If you are interested in attending one of our Speaker Meetings or joining SoFA please contact us using our Contact Form.

SoFA Coffee afternoon 10th January 2026

Coffee Afternoon Events No Comments

Sixty of our members attended the first organised event of 2026 which was a tea and coffee event in Ainsdale. It was a lovely sunny day and everyone was in good spirits. St John’s Church in Ainsdale has proved a popular venue since January 2024 when we held our first coffee afternoon there. The church provides a warm and friendly atmosphere which is appreciated by SoFA members.

The change to an afternoon event has suited members who make time to focus on friendly conversations and to catch up with each other after the Festive Season. Members received details of our programme of outings and holiday for 2026 which will be described fully in our Spring Magazine out soon. The event also included a well supported raffle with an array of interesting prizes.
The Committee are investigating the use of paperless applications for trips and outings and Janice our Treasurer outlined the possibility of using Bank Transfers for trip applications.

There was an update from Laura Michelangeli, the Community Engagement Manager at National Trust Formby. Laura gave a comprehensive review on the progress of work that is being carried at Formby to remove tons of rubble from the beach, build a new car park further inland and the restoration of sand dunes. She also spoke of the 8 English Longhorn cattle who browse and graze a wide range of vegetation making them ideal for conservation grazing.

If you wish to attend any of our events or join our Society, please complete Contact Form.

Article supplied by Lois Hughes and church interior photograph by Charlie Craig, with thanks.

SoFA Lytham Hall Outing

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The day before the outing it had rained solidly all day. However, on 16 December, the outing day itself was perfect, allowing 37 members of SoFA to enjoy a superb time at Lytham Hall in sparkling sunshine.

The short journey was made a little longer by the ubiquitous roadworks en route. However, Pat, our dependable driver from Don Fraser Coaches, ensured that we arrived in time for refreshments. Revitalised, we took a tour of the Hall decorated for Christmas with the theme ‘The Most Wonderful Rhyme of the Year’.

The display featured rooms containing one or more exquisitely decorated trees and scenes depicting nursery rhymes. It was impossible to choose a favourite, however, the staircase landing display was particularly spectacular.

The final display was a charming model village depicting Lytham in winter complete with ski slopes.

Members then enjoyed a silver afternoon tea. There was time to look at the Garden Centre and do some Christmas shopping then home safely in golden winter sunshine. Another enjoyable SoFA outing in friendly companionship.

Photographs of SoFA Lytham Hall outing supplied by Charlie Craig and article by Frank. Thank you both.

If you are interested in joining SoFA please contact us using our Contact Form.

Southport Offshore Rescue Trust by Elaine Almond

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On Friday 28 March Elaine Almond, Secretary at Southport Offshore Rescue Trust attended the SoFA Speaker meeting.

Elaine explained that Southport Offshore Rescue Trust is independent of the RNLI and receives no government or regular external funding. Being independent means that the Trust is responsible for its own financing and fundraising.

The original RNLI station was closed in 1925.

Through the benefit of a PowerPoint presentation and some very interesting video clips. Elaine explained that Kath Wilson was responsible for raising funds for the Southport Lifeboat, after her son Geoff Clements died off the Southport coast whilst fishing with his friends. Kath raised £1m to build the new station, which was opened in January 2022.

The new station is a lot more comfortable for the volunteers compared to the old RNLI building. That building had no toilets or running water and nowhere for them the warm up after being out on a ‘shout’.

We were supplied information about the two types of rescue boat that they currently have. One is suitable for the open sea (Artic 24 Lifeboat) and the other for shallow waters (D-Class Lifeboat).

They have three quadbikes that can be used on the beach for a variety of rescue operations, such as mud rescues. A Challenger launch vehicle, which can enter the water as well as a New Holland Launch Tractor.

Southport Offshore Rescue Trust also have a drone that assists with emergency calls. It helps in trying to locate missing people with its thermal camera and a very strong spotlight.

Each volunteer has their own suit which helps keep them dry when they are out on the water.

All the equipment that they use cost thousands of pounds and must be replaced on a regular basis.

They way they do that is by having open days at the Southport Lifeboat Station. They have a shop on St. Peter’s Road in Birkdale, which is run by volunteers.

They also have their Lifeboatlotto which costs £2 per week.

We were supplied with information on the various lifeboats which have been used by Southport over the years and some stories about the numerous rescues in which they have been involved over the years.

Southport Offshore Rescue Trust are one of the 62 independent lifeboat stations around the country; (20% of all lifeboat stations in the UK are independent).

All the volunteers are highly trained and receive specific training for the specialised equipment that they use.

They work closely with all emergency services as well as with the other lifeboat stations, RNLI and independent.

Elaine and her colleague Andrew were thanked for coming to talk to SoFA on Friday and everyone was very pleased that Southport once again has a lifeboat station and brave people who volunteer.

If you are not a member of SoFA, but would like to join any of our events, please fill in the Contact Form.

Christmas Lunch 25th November 2024

Christmas Celebrations News No Comments

Storm Bert had done its worst but that did not deter 78 of our members who ventured out to the Old Links Golf Club for lunch. The room was beautifully decorated with balloons and a tree, a few Christmas jumpers also added to the Festive occasion.

I had a traditional lunch of prawns, turkey and Christmas pudding which was most enjoyable. As far as I could tell the alternative choices were equally as good. Given the number in our group and the various choices of dishes, I thought the service was excellent. Unfortunately two people who had booked were unable to attend but their lunches were boxed up and delivered to them. A nice touch I thought.

Thank you to Maggie for arranging the meal and to Jeanette and her staff for preparing and serving the food. Lastly thank you to all who attended, making it a most pleasant afternoon. On behalf of the Committee may I wish all our members a very Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

if you would like to attend any of our events or become a member please fill out our Contact Form. Article provided by Richard Hughes, with thanks.

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