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.
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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 was first established all the volunteers used their own motor bikes and paid for their own petrol. From there blood bike centres were set up around the country.
North West Blood Bikes (NWBB) was first set up in May 2012 by four ex police motor bikers. To become a blood biker, you need to be an advanced motorcyclist/driver. You are assessed and re-assessed on a regular basis. Safety is paramount and if the weather is very bad they have two ‘blood cars’ available.
Barry’s role includes assessing new potential members, he is also the fleet manager for all their vehicles.
They transport various items for the NHS, such as blood, plasma, frozen breast milk, different bodily fluids etc. The volunteers are expected to do two shifts per month. The various shifts are Monday – Friday 7pm – 2am; Saturday – Sunday 7am – 2am and all Bank Holidays 7am – 2am.
Currently Barry’s team have 15 bikes in the fleet. They are mainly BMWs, which are very big and heavy bikes. However, they are presently looking at smaller bikes, which are less heavy, that will allow some men and women to ride more comfortably.
They have two new BMW 1300 RT bikes, which require the livery to be applied on them. They cost between £18,000 – £19,000 each with the stickers costing an additional £400. Barry says there is nothing better than riding a brand-new bike and contributing to a great cause. When the weather is very bad, they have two automatic Kia Seeds for them to use.
Despite the bikes being covered in yellow and reflective stickers, as well as having their lights on plus the words ‘Blood’ on the front of the bike, they are still not seen by other road users. Barry kindly requested that when we see a big yellow bike in our car mirrors, that we make room for them to pass, making their imperative journey a little easier.
There are times when they meet another blood biker from a different area at a motorway service station, when samples or blood is exchanged. This allows blood etc. to be transported from one end of the country to another, at no cost whatsoever to the NHS. This saves thousands of pounds each year. Since their inception in May 2012, NWBB have completed 150,000 runs.
They have a large team, which includes controllers, bikers, car drivers, fundraisers. Without these Blood Bikers the NHS, may not at times, be able to complete the work they do.
Barry said that they have received much thanks and appreciation for the work they do, from patients, their families and NHS staff.
Many thanks to Barry who gave us a very interesting talk.
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As the major project of removing rubble at Formby Victoria Road continues, a huge digger moves vast quantities of sand covering the rubble. Once exposed, the rubble is crushed and removed from the beach to be used in levelling the area designated for a new car park. The dunes from which the rubble has been extracted are reshaped with the sand removed earlier.
This has not been the best year for natterjack toads as it has been too dry. The sand lizards are thriving down on the Sefton Coast. Owing to the work being carried out on the Formby sand dunes the resident sand lizards had to be transferred to a place of safety for a few days. A survey over five days found 27 sand lizards, all if which were safely returned to their ‘original homes’. It is believed that this is the first time these little creatures have ever been moved on such a large scale. Sefton is thought to have 50% of the UK population of sand lizards.
Many thanks to the Formby site Team for providing the above information. Article by Edwina Alcock with thanks.
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The weather was windy, but sunny and we were all personally greeted by Carol and shown to our allocated table.
There was a lot of chatter, which went quiet when we were served our first course, the volume also decreased when we were all consuming the main course and dessert.
Carol, as usual had made a great job of sorting a menu for us, the food was very filling and tasty and the staff all had a good humour.
During our lunch there was plenty of time to chat which many different people and catch-up with those we’d not seen for awhile.
Frank, SoFA’s chair, thanked Carol for all her hard work in arranging this lunch for us, the staff was also thanked for the food and the service they provided us.
Those in attendance were reminded of the upcoming Tea and Coffee afternoon which is being held on Saturday 26 July t 1.45pm the venue being St. John’s Anglican Church, 708 Liverpool Road, AINSDALE PR8 3QE.
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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.
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.
