Marina Festival, Talent Show, Basil Brush, Tennis Festival, Cricket Fun Day and more

Southport Talent showcase

Southport Talent Show takes place at the Family Life Centre Theatre on Ash Street in Southport this Friday (July 10), starting at 7pm.

The event is a showcase of talent from the Amanda Neale Singing Room, Southport Piano Academy and Southport Youth Drama Academy.

The event will raise money for Southport Foodbank and Cancer Research UK.

Tickets are £7.

For more details call the ticket secretary on 07860 836464.

Scarisbrick Marina Festival

Scarisbrick Marina Festival and open weekend takes place on Saturday July 11 and Sunday July 12.

Enjoy folk music, bouncy castles, local brass bands, Saturday night music, hog roast, air ambulance, Lancashire Fire Brigade doing a demonstration of water rescue, and much more besides.

All welcome.

A Handful of hit musicals

Talented youngsters from Southport are preparing to perform a hit musical - in just 20 minutes.

Members of Southport Operatic New Generation (SONG) will entertain audiences with their quick-fire production of Matilda, among other work, at Greebnak High School at Hillside in Southport on Saturday, July 11.

This exclusive abridged version will include some of the most popular songs, ‘Naughty’ and ‘When I Grow Up’. There will also be some comedy in ‘Tales of Arabia’ which has been adapted and directed by Paul Wilkinson, a writer director and performer with professional experience in TV and Theatre.

The young performers have been skilfully directed by the welcome return of Paul Williams as musical director and Jenny Birch as choreographer.

Some of the cast will also entertain guests throughout the two performances with a selection of songs from musicals throughout the ages.

Members of the very talented youth musical theatre group were recently celebrating with Stephen Hughes–Alty. He recently became the North West NODA winner for ‘Best Director in a Youth Production’ as their director for ‘Joseph’. His work was enjoyed by full audiences at The Atkinson in Southport as the group performed a colourful production of this popular musical.

They are again preparing to entertain audiences in association with the Rotary Club of Southport Meols next month at Greenbank Theatre.

They will be delighting audiences with ‘A Handful of Song‘ which will feature a special performance of Matilda the Musical in 20 minutes directed by SONG’s own Chairperson Karen Edge who also has several NODA awards to her name.

There will be two performances at Greenbank Theatre on Saturday July 11 at 2pm and 7pm.

Tickets are available on 0785 574 9455.​

Basil Brush comes to Southport Theatre

Basil Brush brings his Full On Fox tour to Southport Theatre and Convention Centre on Saturday, July 11, at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £14.40-£16.90 and are available from http://www.atgtickets.com/

Sefton Libraries to take part in World Record attempt

The Atkinson joins Libraries across Sefton this weekend to attempt a World Record.

On Saturday July 11, families are invited to be part of a world record attempt for the greatest number of people making a pledge or promise to read this summer. All they have to do is to visit the Library between 11am – 2pm to sign-up to the Summer Reading Challenge on that day.

As part of the celebration The Atkinson is running family activities in The Art Box between 11am and 2pm about your favourite stories and books and we will be encouraging families to find out about Southport ’s previous Guinness World Record attempt (The Land Speed Record) in our museum.

This year the theme for the Summer Reading Challenge is World Record Breakers and the organisers have decided to launch the challenge with a nation-wide Guinness World Record attempt on Saturday July 11. The attempt will be collecting the most amounts of pledges during a reading challenge.

The Guinness World Record attempt is open to all ages, so bring the family to The Atkinson and join in the fun.

Ormskirk Tennis Festival

Coronation Park in Ormskirk hosts the Ormskirk Tennis Festival on Saturday July 11.

Anyone who catches the tennis bug after watching Andy Murray at Wimbledon can come along to the tennis festival, from midday-4pm. This family spectacular offers a chance to try the game, take part in fun competitions. You can also test your fitness playing cardio tennis and enjoy other amenities and activities including a bouncy castle, tennis ball treasure hunt, making tennis ball bird feeders. Refreshments will also be available.

For more information on West Lancashire Borough Council events please visit the events page on the website www.westlancs.co.uk

Family Fun Day in Tarleton

Friends of Tarleton Holy Trinity Primary School host a Family Fun Day on Saturday July 11, between 12.30pm and 3.30pm.

The school is situated on Church Road, Tarleton.

Admission is Adults £1, Children free. There will be entertainment, hot and cold food and drinks, games and various stalls (fruit, vegetables & cakes) and a special guest appearance from Princess Elsa.

Everyone welcome.

Lego Club in Crosby

A Lego club takes place at Crosby Library in Crosby Road North, Waterloo, on Saturday, July 11. Drop-in sessions take place in the Music Room from 10.30am to noon. Admission is free. For more details call 0151 257 6400.

Scarisbrick Marina Festival

Scarisbrick Marina Festival and open weekend takes place on Saturday July 11 and Sunday July 12.

Enjoy folk music, bouncy castles, local brass bands, Saturday night music, hog roast, air ambulance, Lancashire Fire Brigade doing a demonstration of water rescue, and much more besides.

All welcome.

Open air Shakespeare at Crosby Hall

The Festival Players will be performing an Open Air Theatre production in the gardens and park of Crosby Hall, Little Crosby, this Sunday, July 12.

As You Like It, the Bard’s wonderful pastoral comedy full of love, laughter and lyricism is this year’s choice by the six-strong, all-male cast of Festival Players. The colourfully-costumed two hour show begins at CHET at 6pm.

Tickets cost £12.50, and for under 16s, £8, with all the profits going to Crosby Hall Educational Trust Centre.

Tickets for the event can be purchased with a debit or credit card by telephoning 0151 924 9099.

Theatre-goers are encouraged to bring along a picnic and something to sit on.

Entrance is via the Lion Gates on Little Crosby Road from 4.30pm.

There will be stewarded parking.

Fun Day at Southport Trinity Cricket Club

Southport Trinity Cricket Club is inviting people to its Fun Day - a day of cricket and family - on Sunday July 12.

Holy Trinity is a thriving local club which has been playing cricket at The Rookery on Roe Lane in Southport for over 100 years.

Visitors can enjoy bouncy castles, a disco, bar, barbecue, stalls and a giant raffle, with a Dads v Lads match at 1pm, followed by an STCC Current v former players at 3.30pm, with a disco starting at 6pm.

Entry to the event is free.

For more details visit www.southporttrinitycricketclub.co.uk

Historic vehicles at Merseyside Transport Trust Open day in Burscough

Merseyside Transport Trust will be holding its annual Open Day event on Sunday, July 12, at Burscough to raise funds for the upkeep of its fleet of over 50 historic vehicles.

This is a rare and unique opportunity to see the vast collection of buses in var-ious stages of restoration. The event is also aimed to attract new members, volunteers, sponsorship and generate interest within the community.

This year’s event will feature bus rides around the surrounding area, serving local pubs, several scenic West Lancashire villages and supporting local businesses.

There will be numerous vehicles on display, including visiting vehicles from other preservation groups, sales stands and talks given about the group’s latest projects.

The MTT and the annual Open Day is run entirely by volunteers and the MTT is always keen to see more people actively involved as well as to see the associated skills base that goes with this expanded.

Light refreshments will be available with all proceeds going to the charity and entry is free. A souvenir programme and guide to the day will be available for £3 and any donations will go towards the restoration and safekeeping of the collection.

The event will be held at the MTT’s base off Tollgate Road, Burscough, L40 8TG.

Free car parking will be available with a free park & ride bus service connecting the two sites.

A free shuttle service will also run connecting the event to Ormskirk & Burscough bus/rail interchanges.

Doors open from 10am until 5pm. For more information, see the website www.mttrust.co.uk or contact Lee Wolfe, PR officer, on 07909 994158.

Tarleton Brass at Botanic Gardens

Botanic Gardens in Churchtown, Southport, stages its next weekly Summer Band Concert this Sunday (July 12), starting at 2.15pm.

This is the 56th season of events, and is arranged and run by the volunteers of the Southport & District Brass Band Association.

Performing will be Tarleton Brass (July 12), followed by Marshside Brass Band (July 19), Banks Brass Band (July 26), Allerton Brass (August 2), Golborne Brass Ban (August 9), Farnworth & Walkden Brass Band (August 16), Coppull & Standish Brass Band (August 23) and Hesketh Bank Silver Band (August 30).

Admission is free. For more details call 07850 130803 or visit www.bandsinthepark.co.uk

Tennis For Free at Victoria Park, Crosby

Tennis For Free takes place at Victoria Park, on College Road, Crosby, on Sunday, July 12.

In partnership with Sefton Council, Ben Saunders Tennis and the Tennis For Free Charity engage the local community in offering quality free and low cost coaching and play opportunities for everyone.

For more details call 07843 384346.

Cycle down new link road before it opens

Ahead of its opening to traffic, Sefton Council’s Cycling Development Team are giving cyclists the chance to test ride the new Thornton to Switch Island link road.

The new road will be known as the A5758 Broom’s Cross Road and is now in the final stages of completion and expected to open in the first week of August.

This unique opportunity, taking place on Tuesday, July 14, is open to all riders, provided that their bicycle is in a rideable condition and they are capable of riding the full 6 mile distance.

Registration will be open on the day from 5.30pm at L30 Community Centre, Stonyfield, Netherton and the ride will start at 6pm with a projected 8pm finish.

Flower Festival to mark 250 years at Becconsall Old Church

Friends of Becconsall Old Church are staging a Flower Festival to celebrate 250 years of the church on Friday, Saturday and Sunday July 17-19.

Timings are: Friday and Saturday 11am until 7pm, Sunday 11am until 5pm.

Please park at Church Hall, on Station Road,

Further details call 01772 815352 or 812832.

Annual Art Exhibition at Old Christ Church in Waterloo

Old Christ Church on Waterloo Road, Waterloo, stages its 9th Annual Art Exhibition on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19, and again on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26.

The events take place between 10.30am and 4.30pm, with free entry.

There will be original paintings, photographs, prints, handmade cards, jewellery and glassware.

Autism Initiatives will have their own display with goods for sale.

A spokesman said: “With free entry and plenty of parking we hope you can join us on this very special annual event that showcases the many talented people we have within our community and surrounding areas.”

For more details visit www.oldchristchurch.moonfruit.com

Southport Country Race Day

The Garden Festivals Company is staging The Southport Country Race Day on Sunday, July 19, between 10am and 6pm.

It will take place at The Leisure Lakes, The Gravel, Mere Brow.

Enjoy a fun day out for all the family at the races in the countryside, with an on-site bookmaker “Honest Joe the Bookie” taking fun bets on: pig racing (including the Ham National), ferret racing, duck racing, sheep and goat racing, shetland pony racing, flyball (dog racing), and international snail racing.

There will be an on site bar, catering and plenty of general trade.

Admission is: Adult £4.50, Senior Citizen £4, children over three years £1, Family Ticket £11.

Summer Holiday Club in Much Hoole

The Little Owl Art Studio hosts the CRAZY2CRE8 Summer Holiday Art Club from July 23 until September 4.

Sessions take place 9am-3pm, 10am-4pm or 11am-5pm at Rothwell Barn, Moss House Lane, Much Hoole.

Enjoy fun and exciting activities to keep children entertained during the school holidays.

The cost is weekdays from £25 per day or £100 for the week.

For more details call 01772 755269.

End of Term Summer Disco at Jollies Barn

Jollies Barn, at the Gravel, Mere Brow, is hosting an End Of Term Summer Disco on Friday, July 24, between 4pm and 6pm.

Youngsters can enjoy entrance and a meal for £5.

For more details call 01772 812309.

Green Fayre at Beacon Country Park

Beacon Country Park in Skelmersdale hosts the Green Fayre, a celebration of the countryside and countryside living, on Saturday July 25 and Sunday July 26 from 11am-5pm on both days.

Thousands of people are expected to come and enjoy a huge range of wonderful attractions and family entertainment, including working woodlands and craft demonstrations, falconry and dog shows, bouncy castles, and a traditional funfair.

A new attraction for the 2015 event is the bar area, which will be selling a small range of craft beers, ciders and wines. Internationally renowned accordion player, clog-dancer and vocalist Hannah James headlines the folk marquee, where she will be supported by a number of local talented musicians playing varieties of folk and traditional music.

For more information on the Green Fayre please visit www.westlancs.gov.uk

For more details call 01772 812309.

Jollies Barn hosts Bouncy Castle Fun Day

Jollies Barn at The Gravel, Mere Brow, is looking forward to a bouncy castle fun day, on Monday, August 3.

For more details call 01772 812309.

Gala Weekend at West Lancashire Light Railway

West Lancashire Light Railway on Station Road, Hesketh Bank, stages its Gala Weekend 2015 on Saturday August 8 and Sunday, August 9.

Trains will run in steam between 11.30am and 4.30pm both days.

For more details visit www.westlancs.org

Starkidz hosts Barnardo's Big Toddle

Starkidz are hosting a Barnados Big Toddle on bank holiday between 1pm and 4pm Monday, August 31, at King’s Gardens in Southport.

The Big Toddle will be followed by a fantastic Picnic in the Park Party including shows, characters, meet and greets and more.

Jan Hayes from Starkidz said: “Pray for sun, bring a picnic mat and picnic and let’s have a party.

“Barnados are making this years Big Toddle a pirate theme so fancy dress would be great!

“If any local businesses would like to be involved, please get in touch we would love to make this a great event for the town and to raise lots of money for a great cause.”

Big Toddle packs are available from the Starkidz Office (opening times will be on their Facebook page) and if local can be dropped off.

Only children attending the Toddle can enter the events, due to health and safety.

For more details visit www.barnardos.org.uk/bigtoddle.htm

Summer Fun Days and Sports Academies

Sports Academies and Summer Fun days will be available to Sefton young people over the summer holidays as revamped Be Active programme returns.

The programme was originally launched as a part of a commitment from Sefton Council to help young people stay active and was a huge success last summer with more than 9,000 visitors. However, in order to better meet the needs of residents and create something extra fun, the programme has been overhauled by the Active Sefton team.

Local young people can now hone their football or basketball skills at one of the sports academies; develop their dance to a mash up of their favourite Disney movies or take on an obstacle course at a Summer Fun Day and much more as part of the exciting changes.

To find our more, visit sefton.gov.uk/BeActive or call 0151 288 6286.

Animal Magic at Martin Mere

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Burscough is open every day (except Christmas Day) from 9.30am to 6pm and parking is free. Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6. The centre is also accessible via the Southport to Manchester and the Liverpool to Preston line by train from Burscough rail stations.

Visit the website www.wwt.org.uk/martinmere/ to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight WWT Wetland Centres.

DO you have an event coming up? Please email me at: andrew.brownNW@trinitymirror.com