Blog Archives - Southport and Formby Association of the National Trust

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A Brief History of Entertainment – Mervyn Saunders

Introducing his talk, Mr Saunders noted that ‘brief’ and ‘Mervyn’ are not often associated together! Given the breadth of his subject, this is perhaps understandable. Mervyn’s history began with the restoration of King Charles 11 who allowed theatres to reopen after their closure by Oliver Cromwell. The first and most
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News, Speaker Meeting

A Brief History of Entertainment, Christ Church Southport, Merseyside, Mervyn Saunders, National Trust, Northwest, SoFA, Southport and Formby Association, Speaker Meetings
SoFA Coffee afternoon 10th January 2026

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
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Coffee Afternoon, Events

Ainsdale, Coffee afternoon, Merseyside, Northwest, SoFA, Southport, Southport and Formby Association, St Johns Anglican Church Ainsdale
SoFA Lytham Hall Outing

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
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Events, News, Outings

Ainsdale, Formby, Lancashire, Liverpool, Lytham Hall, National Trust, Southport, Southport and Formby Association
Blood Bikes

At our last speaker meeting of 2025 on Friday 28 November, our speaker was Barry Foster from North West Blood Bikes, Lancs. and Lakes. Barry began his talk by showing us a brief film from the 1960s, when Margaret Ryerson and her husband first set up Blood Bikes. When it
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Events, News, speaker meeting

Blood Bikes, Formby, Lancashire, Liverpool, National Trust, Southport, Southport and Formby Association
Festive Lunch

On Thursday 27th November, sixty-five members gathered together at the Old Links Golf Club. On arrival at the warm and welcoming venue we were able to chat with friends and find out where we were seated. Having all, some months ago, made our menu choices, it was a relief to
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Events, News

Festive Lunch, Merseyside, National Trust, Northwest, Old Links Golf Club, SoFA, Southport, Southport and Formby Association
The Art of Money Laundering by Mike Hilton

I wonder if any of our members attending Mike’s talk were expecting to hear detailed information of how to carry out money laundering in a practical way? Mike having worked in a bank, had encountered some of the world of money laundering. He began his talk with details of the
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News, Speaker Meeting

Brinks Matt Gold Bullion Robbery, Ford Transit Van, Merseyside, Mike Hilton, Money Laundering, National Trust, SoFA, Southport and Formby Association

SoFA News

A Brief History of Entertainment – Mervyn Saunders

SoFA Coffee afternoon 10th January 2026

SoFA Lytham Hall Outing

Blood Bikes

Festive Lunch

The Art of Money Laundering by Mike Hilton

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