Jonathan’s presentation will be about the modern reality of being a Liverpool Magistrate. This is a voluntary role that balances deeply traditional principles with intense, contemporary pressure.
If you would like to attend any of our events or to join our Society please complete Contact Form.
Forty-Four members attended our summer Tea and Coffee event. Although a smaller number than normal, the ‘chatometer’ still maintained a high register! While the record-breaking heatwave and Wimbledon Ladies Final were significant distractions, our members made the most of a time together in the cool, open surroundings at St John’s Church in Ainsdale. A friendly togetherness made for enjoyable catchup conversations and the usual welcoming environment made it easier for newbies to feel part of the occasion and make new acquaintances.
It was an opportunity to have queries answered by the Committee and for members to provide feedback on questionnaires including new ideas and suggestions for programme planning.
Two of the committee members were awarded with Long Service Awards. One was 15 years and the other for 10 years’ committee work. Congratulations to both.
The chairman, Frank Hyland, outlined the arrangements for the group’s holiday to Wiltshire in 2027. Also, an update on the work on a digital option for booking and payments which is to be introduced in 2027 and although National Trust staff were not available to chat with members, he advised that our website continues to provide the latest news received from our properties. He also asked members to explore practical ways of publicising SoFA in their involvement in other local social groups. Partnerships have been made easier now because SoFA membership is no longer conditional on having National Trust or National Trust of Scotland membership. Another successful event was closed with a well-supported raffle.
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.
Forty-Four members attended our summer Tea and Coffee event. Although a smaller number than normal, the ‘chatometer’ still maintained a high register! While the record-breaking heatwave and Wimbledon Ladies Final were significant distractions, our members made the most of a time together in the cool, open surroundings at St John’s Church in Ainsdale. A friendly togetherness made for enjoyable catchup conversations and the usual welcoming environment made it easier for newbies to feel part of the occasion and make new acquaintances.
It was an opportunity to have queries answered by the Committee and for members to provide feedback on questionnaires including new ideas and suggestions for programme planning.
Two of the committee members were awarded with Long Service Awards. One was 15 years and the other for 10 years’ committee work. Congratulations to both.
The chairman, Frank Hyland, outlined the arrangements for the group’s holiday to Wiltshire in 2027. Also, an update on the work on a digital option for booking and payments which is to be introduced in 2027 and although National Trust staff were not available to chat with members, he advised that our website continues to provide the latest news received from our properties. He also asked members to explore practical ways of publicising SoFA in their involvement in other local social groups. Partnerships have been made easier now because SoFA membership is no longer conditional on having National Trust or National Trust of Scotland membership. Another successful event was closed with a well-supported raffle.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you are interested in joining SoFA please contact us using our Contact Form.