Tag: Formby National Trust

Trailer for Formby National Trust

Formby Nature Reserve were offered a 16ft trailer for sale at a discount from Attingham Park. The trailer was still a considerable amount of money so an appeal was launched. SoFA agreed to donate £1000 towards the trailer for Formby Nature Reserve.

The trailer has now been delivered to Formby and it has already been put to good use. The Rangers are delighted as it is much bigger than their existing trailer. It is very versatile and has been used for many purpose such as for moving bulk materials during forestry and woodland work over the winter. The trailer has also be used to move heavy equipment around the site and also to move portable toilets to Gawthorpe Hall. In the summer it will be used to clear litter left by visitors, tobacco waste and old building rubble off the beach.

We are really pleased that our donation has been put to such good use in helping with the purchase of this trailer. This will ultimately help the rare sand lizards, natterjack toads and tiger beetles to thrive at Formby Nature Reserve.

If you are not a member but would like to join our Association please fill in the Contact Form.
Article by Lois Hughes and photographs supplied by Edwina Alcock, with thanks.

CANCELLED – Glow at RHS Bridgewater

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We are sorry to announce that this event is no longer going ahead due to a lack of interest. Perhaps next year?

Time to Glow at RHS Bridgewater! See the garden sparkle this Festive Season and follow dazzling displays lighting a magical trail. Perhaps this is something you will now arrange to do on your own?

If you visit you can experience a selection of RHS Bridgewater’s best loved locations including the Weston Walled Garden, Chinese Streamside Garden and Ellesmere Lake as never seen before. Be wowed by the sight of sparkling trees, shrubs and water features basking in the glow.

Treat yourself to a selection of warming drinks and tasty festive treats along the way to keep you aglow.

PLEASE NOTE: This outing included a fair amount of walking over uneven terrain and is therefore unsuitable for anyone with restricted mobility.

The pick up points were Churchtown 2:30pm, Southport 2:40pm, Birkdale 2:50pm, Ainsdale 3:00pm and Formby 3:10pm.

Currently this outing is only for SoFA members. If you are not a member but would like to attend any of our events or are interested in joining our Association, please complete the Contact Form.

SoFA 50th Anniversary celebration

SoFA members celebrated the Association’s 50^th Anniversary in April. The Bliss Hotel, Southport was the venue chosen for the Covid-delayed event originally planned for 2021. Over 60 members and National Trust guests enjoyed a delightful lunch. The panoramic views across the gardens, sea and marine lake in the dining area together with bright sunshine added to the warm and friendly atmosphere of the occasion.

During the meal, the diners enjoyed the added experience of ‘table magic’ with the skills of the magician Pete Turner who moved around the tables providing a fascinating display of magic tricks despite the close-up, determined scrutiny of his audience!

SoFA’s vice-chair Edwina Alcock reflected on the development of the group, some significant office holders and activities. National Trust funding records cover only the last 35 years of the Association’s history but the funding total is in excess of £60,000.

To mark SoFA’s 50th Anniversary, the Association made its largest ever single donation to The National Trust as reported in the Southport Champion Newspaper. Edwina, who liaises with Formby National Trust on behalf of SoFA presented a cheque for £5000 to Vicky Blane, the portfolio manager and Paul Semple, the site co-ordinator. The donation will kick start funding for the important restoration work to be done at Wicks Lake on the Trust site.

Chair, Frank Hyland circulated a letter of congratulations and thanks from Hilary McGrady, the National Trust Director General. Eleanor Underhill, Director of Operations and a guest at the luncheon, thanked members for the special donation and the support given to the wider National Trust.

A vaccine-driven strategy is now allowing the group to return to a normal programme of activities in 2022. Members can look forward to organised outings, holidays and talks as we begin the next 50 years of SoFA’s history.

If you are not a member but would like to attend any of our events or are interested in joining our Association, please complete our Contact Form.

Article provided by Frank Hyland.
Photographs by Michael Rofe.

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