Stand Up For Southport Blog By Andrew Brown
Today marks 10 years since The Atkinson in Southport officially opened following a £20 million transformation led by Sefton Council.
What a decade it’s been in the years since! There have been so many highlights – with lots more to come.
The venue has been an incredible addition to the North West’s cultural scene.
Remarkably, for many in the region and even to many here in Southport, it’s still something of a ‘hidden gem’!
Sefton Council Heritage and Participation Officer Joanne Chamberlain at the Polish Heritage Flight exhibition at The Atkinson in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Hopefully through Stand Up For Southport we can change that by sharing the many things on offer there – many of the attractions are free, with others great value.
I was honoured to be able to be there 10 years ago as The Atkinson officially opened.
Guests enjoyed a superb night of comedy, with Josh Widdicombe and Seann Walsh on the bill.
✨ On this day 10 years ago, @joshwiddicombe was the first act to perform at The Atkinson following our multi-million pound refurbishment! Here he is with Box Office Assistant, Margaret, on Thursday 2 May 2013. 🤩 Were you there too? How time flies! #Southport pic.twitter.com/qDoWPOYPpk
— The Atkinson, Southport (@AtkinsonThe) May 2, 2023
I’m looking forward to Seann Walsh returning to our town this year for the 2023 Southport Comedy Festival, via his stint in ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here’ and other TV appearances.
There have been so many highlights since then. What has been your favourite Atkinson moment from the past 10 years? We would love to know!
The multi-million pound transformation of the building has allowed bigger and better exhibitions and events to be staged there.
The Museum has been able to stage a stunning Egyptology exhibition, with a sarcophagus and other exhibits that hadn’t been seen for 40 years.
Emma Anderson, former Director of The Atkinson, Southport with a sarcophagus that went on show for the first time in 40 years in the museum
Many objects have come from former Sefton resident Mrs Anne Goodison’s famous archaeological collection.
A collection of Matisse artworks was another favourite.
The Nightingale’s Song was a spectacular highlight of the Sefton Year Of Culture.
And who can forget Courage And Devotion, devoted to the brave Polish RAF pilots and aircrews, that featured a Spitfire sculpture that now hangs from The Atkinson ceiling?
There have been lots of Southport-themed exhibitions and events.
The Crossens Canoe is moved into place at The Atkinson in Southport. Photo by Graham Moreton of Tarleton Photography
You can walk in today and admire the superb artworks on show at the annual Sefton Open.
Southport Townscape Heritage’s Built On Sand was a fascinating look back at the town’s rich heritage.
The theatre has hosted lots of superb shows, including pantomimes by All Souls Dramatic Club and LHK Productions, who last year welcomed Patsy Kensit as their star turn.
One of the UK’s greatest collectors, Matt Fox, has been there with his eclectic I Grew Up In The 80s collection, and his Star Wars collection.
I Grew Up 80s, by curator Matt Fox, is at The Atkinson, on Lord Street, Southport, from Saturday, 13th November to 19 March, 2022
The greatest advantage of the new building is that it has brought all the respective parts together.
Previously separate venues are now inter-linked.
You can walk into the foyer; enjoy a meal or a coffee in the excellent A Great Little Place Cafe; read a book in Southport Library; wander around the free art exhibitions; take the little ones to have some fun in the Art Box; catch a show in the theatre; explore the museum; and take home a piece of Southport or Southport Flower Show tickets from the shop.
Artist Suhail Shaikh has used paper to create an exact replica sculpture of a World War II Supermarine Spitfire which was flown in 1942 by Polish pilot Sergeant Jerzy Stanislaw Zielinsky of the 308 Krakowski Squadron which was based at RAF Woodvale near Southport. The sculpture is part of the Courage and Devotion exhibition at The Atkinson on Lord Street in Southport which runs from Saturday, 26th June 2021 until Saturday, 12th March 2022
It’s a place where you can wander throughout the building and spend all day enjoying all that it has to offer.
The Atkinson has been a fantastic addition to Southport, to Sefton and the North West.
Snow White by All Souls Dramatic Club at The Atkinson Theatre, Lord Street, Southport.town centre Photo by Clare Carragher
It is an ever-changing kaleidoscope of arts and cultural treats to savour with a top quality team in place.
It has been a wonderful first ten years; an exciting future beckons.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
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