Mike Hilton is a volunteer at Rufford Old Hall and a member of SoFA. He will talk to us about the Art of Money Laundering which will include the Brinks-Mat Gold Bullion Robbery.
If you are interested in attending any of our events or would be interested in joining our Society please complete Contact Form.
Wightwick Manor dates back to 1887 and is a notable example of the influence of William Morris. There are many original wallpapers and fabrics and also of interest is the pre Raphaelite art.
The Victorian/Edwardian garden designed by Thomas Mawson has colour throughout the season.
There will be a comfort stop at Knutsford Services en route. We expect to arrive at Wightwick Manor at around noon. There are no general access issues and a buggy will be available at the drop off point.
We will be received and given an introduction to the Manor. Then at leisure we are free to explore this very interesting property. Knowledgeable stewards will be available in most of the rooms.
There is a cafe open front 12 noon where you can purchase hot and cold refreshments for lunch. Or why not take a picnic to enjoy in the beautiful gardens.
Please remember to bring your NT membership card on the day.
The coach will pick up at Churchtown, Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale and Formby. Please see SoFA Spring magazine for details. The cost to include travel and gratuities.
If you are not a member but would like to attend any of our events please fill in Contact Form.
Our first event of 2023 was the SoFA Coffee Morning on 14 January 2023 at the United Reform Church, Church Road, Formby. It was rather a wet morning. However, 64 brave souls (and two young guests) fought the weather to attend. It was great to see so many members attend and take advantage of the opportunity to renew their membership for 2023.
The draw of our coffee, tea, biscuits, the large selection of raffle prizes as well as a catch-up and with other members must have been strong.
A big ‘thank you’ to all who attended and to the committee members and family who helped make it a successful morning.
Paul Semple from the Formby Reserve supplied us with an update of all that is going on there. He brought with him copies of their latest Nature Haven News, which members enjoyed reading. It was interesting to learn that the pre-historic footprints, that appear on Formby Beach during some low tides, have recently been analysed by experts and declared that they are about 9000 years old.
He also gave an update on the car park on Lifeboat Road as well as the local red squirrel population.
Formby Reserve are busy planning various activities with local schools as well as residents. More information can be found on the noticeboard at Formby and they advertise their walks via their social media pages.
Members were supplied with a list of all the arranged outings for 2023, details of our February and March Speaker meetings and a reminder about our AGM in April.
Our Speaker meetings and AGM will be held at Christ Church, Lord Street Southport. Please click here for more information.
If you are not a member of our Association, but would like to become a member or attend one of our events, please complete our contact form.
We were due to hold a coffee morning for you to come and join us for our first event of 2022. Unfortunate due to us losing our venue and the new Covid strain, we have had to cancel this event. Here you would have had a chance to catch up with friends from SoFA.
As we have had to cancel this Coffee Morning we hope to hold another at a future date into replace this one.
If you are not a member, but you would like to attend or interested in joining our Association, please complete our Contact Form.
For information on the National Trust, please check their website.
At last, SoFA members were able to meet face to face for the first time in 18 months. Our opening event was a very successful Coffee Morning held at the United Reform Church in Formby.
We were delighted to welcome over 80 SoFA members, and it was a great pleasure to be joined by Justin, one of the Formby National Trust Rangers, as well as Anne, a member of the ‘Meet and Greet’ team at the Formby site.
Justin was able to update our group regarding the projects currently underway at the Formby site, and some of the future projects aimed at improving the woodland areas for the benefit and survival of both flora and fauna.
It was so nice to hear so many people chatting and happy just to be together again. A good time was had by all who attended.
For more information about the Formby site, please click here.
If you would like to join our Association, please complete our contact form.
Welcome to our ‘SoFA Events’ page. Here we publicise all our planned activities.
As soon as final dates and venues are agreed, details are be posted here on our SoFA Events pages.
Our Speaker Secretary works closely with a variety of guest speakers to provide us with some interesting and informative talks.
Below is some information as to what we have done during the few years.
We marked our 50th birthday celebration with at dinner at Bliss, Southport on 06 April 2022, where we were entertained by a magician.
Our delayed January 2022 coffee morning went ahead on a Saturday in May 2022, which was well attended by our members and guests.
In September 2022 we resumed our face to face members talks, the first was by TigerMuffin Soaps from Formby. All our Speaker meetings are held at our new venue in a central location in Southport.
Commencing in early 2022 we arranged several outings for our members. These will include a day out to Plas Newydd in Anglesey. Updates will be posted here and details are in the SoFA Magazines, which are sent to our members.
Our membership holidays in 2022 went ahead as planned. The 2023 holiday is now fully booked and plans for 2024 SoFA holidays are in progress.
Zoom talks were well attended during the Covid lockdown period. To see information on the speakers who address us please see our News Pages here.
If you would like to become a member of our association, please use the Contact Form