Talk Southport 2020

tsoalukth202p0 ort Sefton revealed as Borough of Culture 2020 Year long events to be unveiled. See page 3 for more... WSoelucotmheptoort Talk Southport is here to provide visitors to conferences and events with a useful and interesting read about the resort ahead of or during your visit. If you have enjoyed it, why not use Talk Southport to help you in planning a relaxing day visit or short break in the future? There’s a selection of high quality accommodation, event highlights plus details of our superb restaurants and lots of other things to do in and around the town. Enjoy! Where to Stay Dates for your A taste of Time to explore P4 diary P5 Southport P8 P10

Mark Catherall Dear Visitor … Head of Tourism, Sefton Council It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Southport for your event. Southport is a vibrant place to visit at any time and makes the perfect place for a day trip or short break, whatever the time of year. If you get time to explore during your stay or if we can tempt you to come back again, we have plenty to discover including world famous events in abundance (see page 5 for more details) and some great attractions including the fun-tastic Pleasureland! 22 miles of beautiful coastline, together with the graceful Marine Way Bridge and historic iron pier, blend together effortlessly to create stunning views - so don’t forget your camera! Keen shoppers will delight in the internationally renowned Lord Street and Chapel Street, with their glass-covered arcades and impressive choice of high street names, independent boutiques and hidden gems. There are also two retail and leisure parks just a short stroll from the town centre. For a bite to eat or to wet your whistle, there are over 200 restaurants, cafes and bars offering a mindboggling choice of cuisine, excellent service and great value for money. For more information on things to do in the resort go to the information desk in The Atkinson on Lord Street and pick up a copy of the 2020 Visitor Guide or check visitsouthport.com. The Mikhail Group FIND US ONLINE… Southport Trifecta for everything you need to know Southport’s website is updated regularly and Back in 2015, visionary businessman, Andrew Mikhail provides a wealth of information. It’s the perfect transformed the Eccelston Arms in St Helens and its way to plan your visit with searchable information immediate success quickly spurred this ambitious man on everything the resort has to offer including to invest in not one, but three sites in the seaside resort accommodation, attractions and places to eat. of Southport. The Bold Hotel, Punch Tarmey’s and Lord Street Hotel dominate the increasingly popular visitsouthport.com ‘Northern Quarter’ of the resorts beautiful boulevard, Lord Street. Mikhail is not one to sit You can even book your tickets to our spectacular on his laurels though, and The Bold Hotel, the events right here! Browse now and if you need oldest commercial hotel in Southport, is set to be any assistance while you are in resort, just pop transformed once again in 2020. into The Atkinson on Lord Street and visit our Information Desk. Since undergoing an extensive £1.6million refurbishment back in 2016, the venue has proved popular with residents of Southport as well as visitors from all over the world. What was initially launched as a chic art-deco style bar and restaurant will now be a more relaxed and traditional dining venue and bar. The hotel will be keeping its luxurious en-suite bedrooms and its beautifully appointed Red Rum function suite but the bar and restaurant is reborn as a classy carvery. The Bold looks forward to inviting you to try a delicious hearty menu as well as traditional cask ales and fine wines. Andrew Mikhail describes himself as a ‘proud family man.’ Speaking of the changes he said, “Spending time with my family is a priority. We go for a roast dinner every Sunday, it’s become a Mikhail family tradition. I want the carvery at The Bold to reflect this whilst bringing something different to Southport.” 2 | Talk Southport

Sefton is proud to be the Borough of Culture 2020 Southport is part of the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton The year was launched in dazzling style at Crosby Coastal and we’re excited to be selected as the Borough of Culture Park with a piece of artwork called Constellations.A parabolic for this year. The Borough of Culture is an initiative designed light cloud spanned the heavens encouraging visitors to look to place culture and creativity at the heart of the Liverpool up to the sky and to connect with the coast through arts and City Region. culture. Sefton has just over 275,000 residents and the Borough of Events are being added throughout this historic year so keep Culture brings a year-long programme of events which has your eye on visitsouthport.com for all the latest news. been created to celebrate the people and the place – telling the stories of us, by us and for us and our vistors to share. Events will encompass local heritage, history and the environment – we have 22 miles of coastline that we are extremely proud of and want to recognise this unique landscape. There will of course be some amazing new events as well as building on the existing local events calendar, engaging the community throughout to encourage participation via a myriad of avenues. Talk Southport | 3

Sweet JUST SOME OF THE PLACES Dreams! TO STAY IN SOUTHPORT Southport and its surrounds have a fantastic choice hotel name address telephone of places to rest your head and enjoy a refreshing night’s sleep. Choose from warm, cosy guesthouses to Adelphi 39 Bold Street PR9 0ED 01704 544947 chic town centre hotels. So, whether you want to be central for all the bars, restaurants and attractions, Ambassador 13 Bath Street PR9 0DP 01704 543998 or surrounded by the beautiful West Lancashire countryside – there will be somewhere for you. Aotearoa B&B 28B Part Street PR8 1HY 01704 260057 If a convenient town centre ‘smart-room’ is for you, Barford House 32 Avondale Road PR9 0ND 01704 548119 then why not try The Stamford. Having just had a super-smart refit, access is now via a code sent to your Bliss Hotel Promenade PR9 0DZ 0844 801 3580 smartphone, so no more queues or key cards that get wiped, just come and go as you please. Bold Hotel 583 Lord Street PR9 0BE 01704 532578 If something larger and more contemporary is your Bowden Lodge 18 Albert Road PR9 0LE 01704 543531 thing, then why not try the über-cool Vincent Hotel right at the heart of Lord Street. Braemar 4 Bath Street PR9 0DA 01704 535838 Sink into the ultra-comfortable king-size or twin beds, Captain’s Quarters 21 Bath Street PR9 0DP 01704 628755 and surround yourself with specially selected Frette cotton sheets. Enjoy free high speed internet access and Clifton Villa 6 Bath Street PR9 0DA 01704 535780 landline telephone calls within the UK, wall mounted HD LCD TV’s, workstations, the latest pay-per view Cross Farm Cottages Mairscough Lane L39 7HT 0151 526 1576 blockbuster movies and Sky TV including Setanta Sports. Dukes Folly Hotel 11 Duke Street PR8 1LS 01704 533355 Don’t miss the V Cafe & Restaurant where you can Edendale 83 Avondale Road North PR9 0NE 01704 530718 choose from the regular or sushi menu - and after a delicious meal, why not chill out in The Vincent cocktail Formby Hall Old Souhtport Rd, Formby L37 0AB 01704 875699 bar with a Chilli Martini.  GlennRay House 12 Alexandra Road PR9 0NB 01704 548751 Find out more about these properties and many more at visitsouthport.com Heidi 43 Bold Street PR9 0ED 01704 531273 Lord Street Hotel 178-180 lord Street PR9 0QG 01704 829027 Leicester 24 Leicester Street PR9 0EZ 01704 530049 Le Maitre 69 Bath Street PR9 0DN 01704 530394 Lynwood House 11a Leicester Street PR9 0ER 01704 540794 Martin Lane Farmhouse 5 Martin Lane Burscough L40 8JH 01704 893527 Metro King Street PR8 1LH 01704 536836 Peaky Blinders 589 Lord Street PR9 0AN 01704 808182 Prince of Wales Lord Street PR8 1JS 0871 222 0039 Promenade Apts 70-71&78-79 The Promenade PR9 0JJ 01704 541719 Riverside Holiday Park Southport New Road PR9 8DF 01704 228886 Royal Clifton The Promenade PR8 1RB 01704 533771 The Stamford 17 Bath Street PR9 0DP 07554 006530 Salfordian 37 Park Crescent PR9 9LJ 01704 538810 Sandcroft Holiday Flats 13 Albany Road PR9 0JF 01704 537497 Scarisbrick Lord Street PR8 1NZ 01704 543000 Seaview 28 Bath Street PR9 0DA 01704 530874 Talbot Hotel 23-25 Portland Street PR8 1LR 01704 533975 The Coach House 23a Saunders Street PR9 0HP 01704 549078 Vincent 98 Lord Street PR8 1JR 01704 534400 Warwick Hotel 39 Bath Street PR9 0DP 01704 530707 Waterford 37 Leicester Street PR9 0EX 01704 530559 4 | Talk Southport

Southport Flower Show Southport Flower Show is the largest This is a great weekend for all of the family so make independent flower show in the sure you book your tickets in advance to take advantage country. Renowned for its spectacular of the fantastic early bird discounts. show gardens and grand floral marquee, it also features the largest amateur Southportflowershow.co.uk growers and floral art competitions. Dates for your Diary in 2020 There’s an abundance of entertainment 6th – 9th February Jazz on a winters weekend such as themed arena displays, music, celebrity 9th February Southport Mad Dog 10K presentations and so much more. There’s even a Food 2nd - 4th April Aintree Grand National Festival plus over 350 trade exhibitors selling everything 17th May Southport Triathlon you could want for your home and garden. 29th – 31st May Southport Food & Drink Festival The show gardens are 28th June British Armed Forces Day one of the biggest features of the Southport Flower 28th June Southport Half Marathon Show. Constructed by garden designers in less than 2 weeks the inspiration is based on the show’s theme and 20th – 23rd August Southport Flower Show exhibitors go head to head to impress RHS judges. 27th – 30th August Circus Zyair Events for everyone 6th September Southport Seaside 10K Big or Small 11th – 13th September Southport Air Show For 2020 Southport will be bursting at the seams with an array of amazing events for the whole family. 19th & 20th September 24 Hour Yacht Race Whether it’s gardening, sport, cooking or aircraft that tickles your fancy – there’s bound to be something to 25th – 27th September British Musical Fireworks Championship suit in our jam-packed diary. End of October Southport Halloween Festival Keep your eyes on the skies in September as the Southport Air Show roars into town - jets, fighters, 1st -18th October Southport Comedy Festival bombers, helicopters and historic aircraft – this is one event you can’t miss. A few weeks later and the night 15th November Southport Christmas Lights Switch-On sky will erupt into a blaze of colour as the British Musical Fireworks Championship takes centre stage * Dates may be subject to change – seven perfectly timed displays set to music, as they vie for the title of Champion. Autumn isn’t forgotten Drooltastic Food Festival either as the Southport Halloween Festival creeps into the resort and the Southport Comedy Festival, now Don’t miss Southport Food & Drink Festival, the celebrating it’s tenth year, will have visitors crying with show has developed into a must-do for foodies laughter. young and old. Street food from all over the world combines with artisan specialities and The fun-packed Christmas Lights Switch-On marks the traditional favourites and the scores of bars, live beginning of a glittering festive season in Southport, it music and open-air venue create a wonderfully truly is a merry and memorable way to end a bumper year. relaxed atmosphere with a real festival vibe. Talk Southport | 5

Bloomin’ Lovely Already a pretty town in terms of it’s floral offer in parks, gardens and road-side decorations, Southport will, in May this year, become the centre for all things Orchid when the British Orchid Congress 2020 springs up. They have small shows each month but the May extravaganza is a major event and this year they have chosen to hold it at the Southport Theatre & Convention Centre at The Waterfront. Orchid societies from all over the UK will attend and compete for the ‘Best Display’ prize and ‘Best Orchids’ in over 20 categories. Traders from home and abroad will also be selling orchids during the show. kDnidowyo?u There will be a series of talks and lectures over the two days for registered delegates only, however there will be The little dark specs wonderful displays of beautiful blooms open to the public in ice cream are in fact on the 30th & 31st May 2020 and the entrance fee is just the seeds of vanilla £5.00 per person. planifolia an orchid from Madagascar Southport was chosen for BOC 2020 because there is a strong historical connection with the area. Orchid growing really took off when the great clipper ships would leave Liverpool to travel to the tropics on trading journeys, the masters of these ships often brought back to the ship owners an orchid or two as an exotic present and the north west of England became home to some of the earliest collections of orchids. Orchid.org.uk Delegates – New look for Don’t Ditch Conference Bureau in 2020 the H2O! Southport has been actively attracting conferences and events You’ve long heard about the importance of since the late 1800’s. The Floral Hall, the original art deco part staying hydrated for health, but did you also of the now extensive Southport Theatre & Convention Centre, know that it can sharpen your mind? played host to many important national conferences including the TUC – Trades Union Congress as early as the 1920’s and One of water’s many benefits is an increase of the town is still as popular today as it was back then. brain energy. Since the brain consists of around 70% water, drinking helps you think, focus, Times change though and it’s important that Southport concentrate, and stay alert. As a result, your continues to offer visitors an up-to-date, professional and energy levels also improve. efficient service and with this in mind, Southport Conferences, the destination’s Conference Bureau has re-launched as the Dehydration on the other side, can have the much more inclusive, ‘Meet Southport’. Meet Southport better following results: affects your mood, reduces reflects the diverse mix of conference, sporting and leisure your cognitive and motorical skills, can make events that are drawn to the area every year. So, whether you more sensitive to pain, and affect your you’re looking for a venue to talk business, promote your memory. trade, hold a dance competition or run the finals of a national championship – Southport can ‘meet’ your needs perfectly. (Accomplish Conference & Events, written by Annie Kathrine Vangsnes) 6 | Talk Southport

PPoenwseior ner Founder Jack Jones The National Pensioners Convention was established In addition to the core business of the event, there will be in 1979 by Jack Jones, a man who understood very fringe meetings, stalls and lots of information that will well that once people retired, although they still had help older people understand their rights, how to access a vital part to play in the world, they had no voice or them as well as leaflets and booklets on specific subjects. opportunities to raise issues that are important to them. The Convention is open to non-members and tickets are It seems he was right to champion their cause because just £10 per person for the whole event (2nd – 4th June) today the NPC has grown to be the largest campaigning or £5 for individual days. Please contact 0207 837 6622 organisation in the UK with 1.2 million members across or email [email protected] for more information. over 1,000 pensioner groups, forums and sectors. World Each year, pensioners from across the country gather for Snooker their Annual Convention, which in June 2020 will be at comes to the Southport Theatre & Convention Centre. Southport! The event organiser said “Southport is a new location for the NPC and in making our decision to come to Southport we were influenced by the flexible nature of the venue, the fact it is easily accessible and willing to accommodate the stalls, sessions and social evening that our members have come to expect and enjoy.” Let’s be social … Southport will host a snooker world ranking event for the first time this spring when the Coral Players Championship Follow Meet Southport on social media comes to the town. The Coral Players Championship before, during and after your event to features the leading 16 players on snooker’s one-year get up to date information about the ranking list. Ronnie O’Sullivan won the title last season, resort PLUS why not upload photo’s beating Neil Robertson in the final. The 16 players will start and updates while you are in Southport? in a seeded draw, with a knockout format. We’d love to see and read about your experiences here. A spokesman for World Snooker said: “We know there’s a lot of support for snooker in the area so we’re expecting See m eetsouthport.com for links. big crowds and once tickets are on sale fans must get them booked early as many of the sessions will sell out. “That race is well underway now and it will be fascinating to see whether all of the big names make it to Southport, or whether we get new faces and outsiders earning a place in the line-up. The event runs from: February 24th to March 1st at the Waterfront. Tickets available from www.worldsnooker.com Talk Southport | 7

A Taste of Southport For those of you who are not familiar with who we are, I One of which I am particularly proud of in this era of would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit fast food and microwave chefs, is that we promise that about the SRA. over 70% of the food we serve is produced freshly on site using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. The Association was founded in 2006 and now has 26 members all of whom are proud to offer a varied style of Each restaurant is owned by local people who take pride restaurant and cuisine for you to enjoy. in their establishment. With us you will get that personal touch that only an owner can offer. Our members serve everything from Chinese to Italian and Japanese to Indian – not forgetting traditional British Thank you for your interest in our Association and I hope of course. you will find a restaurant which tickles your taste buds! When the SRA was set up it had one simple aim – to Fred Burnell, SRA Chair promote our businesses to you, our customers. All member restaurants are vetted before being allowed to AROUND THE WORLD join and have to make certain guarantees. CHURRASCO BEST OF BRITISH A TASTE OF EUROPE 01704 512345 CONSERVATORY AUBERGE BRASSERIE churasscorestaurant.co.uk BAR & BISTRO 01704 530671 HO LEE CHOW 01704 533771 www.auberge-brasserie.com royalclifton.co.uk 01704 551167 BISTROT VÉRITÉ holeechow.co.uk FORGE BRASSERIE 01704 564199 KASTURI INDIAN CUISINE 01704 500522 bistrotverite.co.uk forgebrasserie.co.uk 01704 533102 CHEZ MOI kasturirestaurant.com THE HUNGRY MONK 01704 545619 LINGS ON KINGS 01704 809355 chezmoibrasserie.co.uk thehungrymonk.co.uk 01704 530169 GUSTO TRATTORIA lingsonkings.co.uk BLISS KITCHEN 01704 544255 TAJ MAHAL 01704 516220 gustotrattoria.co.uk blisshotels.co.uk 01704 544991/545070 LORDS CAFÉ BAR tajmahalsouthport.com NOSTALGIA TEA ROOMS 01704 543814 -V- CAFÉ & RESTAURANT 01704 501294 lordscafebar.co.uk nostalgiatearooms.co.uk 01704 883800 PIZZERIA MAMMA MIA thevincenthotel.com RUETERS BAR & GRILL 01704 540259 KALASH 01704 544123 mammamiasouthport.co.uk rueters.co.uk 01704 548777 ROBERTO’S ITALIAN kalash.co.uk/ THE PAVILION 01704 530099 RA BAR & GRILL 01704 514234 robertositalian.co.uk thepavilionsouthport.co.uk 01704 532223, TRATTORIA 51 THE BOLD F @RASouthport 01704 510051 01704 828351 trattoria51.com boldhotel.com VILLAGGIO CUCINA 01704 563538 villaggiocucina.co.uk VOLARE 01704 546232 volaresouthport.com 8 | Talk Southport

Let the Evening BeGIN! …..or any other tipple you fancy! After a busy day at your event, Southport has no shortage of places to relax with your beverage of choice. And whether you’re looking for a relaxed vibe or somewhere with more of a buzz you’ll find there’s plenty of choice in and around our town centre. From gin bars like Remedy, to Le Grog which serves rum & cider - and trendy beer mongers like Peaky Blinders to traditional real ale pubs like The Guest House, we’re sure you’ll find somewhere to kick back, chill out and let the stresses of the day just disappear. All the Fun of the Fair If you’re a bit of a thrill seeker, look no further than Pleasureland. It’s free to enter, so you only pay for the rides you want to go on. No matter what your age, there’s a ride to get your pulse racing. And with plenty of places to grab some lunch, as well as all the fairground favourites including candy floss, ice cream and donuts, no need for any rumbling tummies. Relax and Enjoy There’s no better place to spend a sunny day in Southport than Kings Gardens and The Marine Lake. Marine Lake is just buzzing with activity from power boat rides to self-drive motor boats and the wonderful swan pedalos. And the free to enter adventure play area in Kings Gardens will keep the little ones entertained for hours. When it’s time to relax, why not enjoy a delicious snack at the Kings Gardens Tearoom? They serve freshly prepared breakfasts, light lunches, delicious homemade cakes and huge cream and jam scones. Talk Southport | 9

Time to Explore... Southport is ideally situated for touring Martin Mere the area with most of the region’s highlights less than an hour away … and only 30 A few miles outside Southport there are several minutes from the motorway network. opportunities to enjoy some wildlife and farm animals ‘up close and personal’ Liverpool Martin Mere has plenty to see and do all year round, with Just over half an hour from Southport is more than 100 types of rare and endangered water-birds, Liverpool, one of the most vibrant and exciting a family of enchanting otters, award winning canoe and cities in the world. Easily reached by car or boat safari, a Downy Duckling experience in spring and an regular train service, it’s so easy to get to for imaginative playground for young adventurers. a day trip. Experience The Beatles Story, the amazing museums, the Albert Dock – or why not catch a Liverpool or Everton game. There’s so much to do you really will be spoilt for choice. Another Place The Lake District Just a short drive from Southport, Crosby beach is From England’s highest mountain to its deepest home to 100 iron men who keep a watchful eye on the lake, the glorious Lake District National Park is just approach to Liverpool Bay. This iconic sculpture was over an hours drive from Southport and a fantastic created by Antony Gormley who cast the 650kg figures location for a day out in the countryside. from his own body and installed them so that the tide would ebb and flow around them to reveal and then The scenery is truly magnificent so why not visit and submerge them, giving them a sometimes eerie quality. explore quaint towns and villages, visit stone circles and historic castles and maybe even take in a cruise 10 | Talk Southport on Lake Windemere

Getting around Southport Everything’s within walking distance! Roads Banks  Elim Pentecostal Church  St. George’s United Reformed Rufford Road, Southport Church Lord Street, From the South, take the M6 to exit 26;  Santander 25-29 Chapel St Southport 01704 531856 the M58 will take you to Ormskirk and  Barclays 265-267 Lord Street 01704 544419 then take the A570 to Southport. From  Halifax 331 Lord Street  Evangelical Pentecostal  The Salvation Army the North, follow the A59 from Preston  HSBC Lord Street Shakespeare Street, Southport (exit 31 from the M6) then follow signs  Lloyds 23 London Street Church Argyle Road, 01704 547805 to Southport.  RBS 269 Lord Street Southport 01704 535989  Victoria Methodist Church  Natwest London Street  First Church of Christ the Sussex Road, Southport Trains  Woolwich 22 London Street Scientist Lord Street West,  Grace Baptist Church 01704 628863 Fast and frequent trains link Southport Market Street, Southport  St Lukes Parish Church with Liverpool and Wigan/Manchester Pharmacies 01704 531751 71 Hawkshead St, Southport (including the Airport).  Jehovah’s Witnesses 01704 545381  Merseytravel 0151 227 5181  Boots the Chemist PLC Kingdom Hall, Duke Street,  Southport Spiritualist Church merseytravel.gov.uk 31/39 Chapel Street, PR8 1AL Southport 01704 536648 27a Hawkshead St, Southport  National Rail 03457 48 49 50  Rowlands Pharmacy Ltd  New Age Spiritualist Centre 07761 603835 nationalrail.co.uk 13 Union Street, PR9 0QF Portland Street, Southport  Sainsburys plc 01704 542057 Parking Buses Lord Street, PR9 OAP  Southport New Synagogue  Moss Chemists Portland Street, Southport Southport’s “Park & Ride” schemes Many local bus services terminate in 34 Shakespeare St, PR8 5AB 01704 539859 provide easy edge of town parking the centre of Southport from Preston  Superdrug Pharmacy  Southport Muslim Society with a regular and frequent bus (Stagecoach) and the Liverpool and Sussex Road, Southport service into the town centre. Wigan areas (Arriva). 10 Eastbank Street, PR8 1AF 01704 539859  Traveline 0871 200 2233  Southport Hebrew £2.00 per car on entry traveline.org.uk Taxis Congregation  Arriva 0151 522 2800 Arnside Road, Southport  Esplanade Park and Ride www.arriva.co.uk/bus times  Yellow Top 01704 531000 01704 532964 Southport Eco Visitor Centre  Kwik Cars 01704 547000  Southport Unitarian Church 1100 cars / 50 coaches Planes  Central Cabs 0800 544414 Portland Street, Southport  All White 0800 537777 0151 488 0533 Opening Times: Southport benefits from being close to  St. Maries on the Sands 7.30am - 7.00pm (Mon-Sat) two international airports, making access Places of worship Seabank Road, Southport to the town easy from almost anywhere 01704 531229  Fairways Park and Ride in the world.  Christ Church, Church of (Turn left at top of Promenade,  Liverpool John Lennon Airport England, Lord Street, 0871 521 8484 which leads to Fairways) liverpooljohnlennonairport.com Southport 01704 531756 890 cars  Manchester Airport Opening Times: 08081 697030 1st April to 30th September www.manchesterairport.co.uk (summer) 9.45am - 7.00pm (Sun) Talk Southport | 11

England’s Golf Coast Play the round of your life! Southport is widely regarded amongst keen golfers as Not every sport allows amateurs to play on the same England’s Golfing Capital, situated on England’s Golf venue as the professionals and Royal Birkdale regularly Coast. For world-famous courses and handicap-testing hosts the greatest golf tournament in the World -The Open holes, Southport isn’t just one of the UK’s best destinations Championship. – it’s among the top golfing centres in the world. But don’t wait for The Open, try one of the testing courses The area is a magnet for golfing aficionados and at its core yourself. The stunning resort is the perfect destination for are three clubs that enjoy the luxury of royal patronage, that much needed golfing break or holiday. Enjoy the golf Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham & challenge, enjoy too the spectacular settings, the dunes, sea St Annes. Southport itself is home home to a number of breezes, waving pines and as the American Walter Hagen premier links and parkland courses including a terrific reminded all golfers: ‘Don’t forget to stop and smell the Municipal course. flowers’. englandsgolfcoast.com The Sandgrounders Not so plain Sailing! Southport FC, known as the Sandgrounders, was founded in 1881 and has played in the FA Cup since The West Lancashire Yacht Club 24-Hour Yacht Race 1882. Their best performance was in the 1930–31 is the UK’s number one dinghy endurance race and this tournament when they reached the quarter-finals year’s competition on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th (last eight) but were then September will mark the events 54th Anniversary. beaten 9–1 by Everton at Goodison Park. The 24-Hour Race is the premiere opportunity for Sailing So if you’re in town on Club teams to compete for serious trophies (and status), match day, why not pop whilst also enjoying the unique hospitality provided by in and lend them your one of the best social events in the dinghy racing calendar. support. You’ll receive a Live music and parties on the banks for the competitors very warm welcome. mean it’s no surprise that it gets a good turn-out. Tacht Race startings cannons. Image Credit: Kit Robinson The race is sailed on the relatively safe waters of the Marine Lake at Southport, and racing is continuous for ‘24 Hours’ even in extreme weather conditions. Entries are accepted from Sailing Clubs, Class Associations and Universities throughout the UK, with past visits from Eire, France and even the USA. The 24-Hour Race is sailed in classic dinghies (Enterprise, GP14, Lark and Firefly); with some 700 – 800 competitors working in shifts through the night in the same fashion as the Le Mans car race. Visitors can watch the action and soak up the atmosphere for free around the shore of the Marine Lake where the race will begin at noon on Saturday 19th September … just brace yourselves for the cannons! For more details please visit wlyc.org.uk A Sefton Council Tourism publication. © 2020 Sefton MBC. All rights reserved | Design: Champion Media Group | 01704 392392