Tag: Southport

Bury Market and East Lancashire Railway

On Wednesday 09 September, once the Don Fraser coach had picked up all the SoFA members, we made our way to Bury Market by way of the M66. This bustling town has an award-winning market, that dates back to the 1440’s.

We left the coach at one of the entrances and were amazed at the size of the market and the variety of the stalls; which offered everything from fresh produce to clothes, books, pet supplies, rugs and bags. The list is endless. It is one of the biggest markets in the north of England and at every turn there were more stalls, especially ones selling ‘Bury Black Puddings’ (which is a local delicacy).

After lunch there was a return trip on the East Lancashire Railway, for a 12 mile journey to Rawtenstall. In 1987, passenger steam trains triumphantly returned to the line, running an initial stretch between Bury and Ramsbottom. The East Lancashire Railway is a registered charity, dedicated to restoring, preserving, and celebrating the long and rich history of the 12-mile heritage railway line.

The views from the carriage, reserved for the SoFA members, were peaceful and very tranquil. Many of us were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful countryside along the track.

Our return home was delayed somewhat by the sheer volume of traffic on our route. Thanks to the careful driving of Pat, we all arrived back safely at the various pick-up points.

Many thanks to Vikki for supplying this writeup about the SoFA September outing.

If you are interested in joining SoFA please contact us using our Contact Form.

Visit to Plaza Cafe and Hat Museum

News Outings No Comments

With an outside temperature of 34 Degrees Centigrade, I was pleased to have chosen an air- conditioned coach journey to Stockport. Our destination was the cool comfort of the Plaza Cafe and the equally pleasant surroundings of the Stockport Hat Museum – the only museum of the hatting industry in the UK.

The ever reliable Don Fraser Coaches provided the comfortable transport to the complex in Stockport. The cafe environment reflects the Art Deco style of the 1932 design of the theatre/cinema complex and has been an integral part, serving lunches and afternoon teas. SoFA members were served a light lunch by friendly, efficient staff who took particular care to manage the dietary issues of some members.

The next stop in the itinerary was the hat museum, just a short walk from the Plaza. After a warm welcome we were organised into two groups for a guided tour of the exhibition of the hatting process and factory machinery. The guides explained the historical timeline from it’s beginning, the early factory scale models and the continuous innovation of production and products until closure in the late 20th Century. By the end we could easily distinguish felt from woollen hats, explain the sourcing and role of shellac, while learning of the working and social conditions linked with the process and piece working. Members had time to browse among the many hats on display on the exhibition floor. Colourful displays of headgear through the centuries to modern interpretation and use of plastics. There was a final pit stop in the museum cafe before an uneventful journey home. Another enjoyable SoFA outing.

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

Article provided by Frank Hyland, with thanks.

SoFA Tea and Coffee Event – July 11 2026 – repost

Coffee Afternoon Events News No Comments

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.

SoFA Tea and Coffee Event – July 11 2026

Coffee Afternoon Events News No Comments

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.

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.

Tales of a Customs Officer – Brian Topping

Events News Speaker Meeting No Comments

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.

SoFA Coffee afternoon 10th January 2026

Coffee Afternoon Events No Comments

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 coffee afternoon there. The church provides a warm and friendly atmosphere which is appreciated by SoFA members.

The change to an afternoon event has suited members who make time to focus on friendly conversations and to catch up with each other after the Festive Season. Members received details of our programme of outings and holiday for 2026 which will be described fully in our Spring Magazine out soon. The event also included a well supported raffle with an array of interesting prizes.
The Committee are investigating the use of paperless applications for trips and outings and Janice our Treasurer outlined the possibility of using Bank Transfers for trip applications.

There was an update from Laura Michelangeli, the Community Engagement Manager at National Trust Formby. Laura gave a comprehensive review on the progress of work that is being carried at Formby to remove tons of rubble from the beach, build a new car park further inland and the restoration of sand dunes. She also spoke of the 8 English Longhorn cattle who browse and graze a wide range of vegetation making them ideal for conservation grazing.

If you wish to attend any of our events or join our Society, please complete Contact Form.

Article supplied by Lois Hughes and church interior photograph by Charlie Craig, with thanks.

Navigation