People will be able to hear the fascinating stories behind two of Southport’s most historic family businesses this weekend.
Learn all about the journey of Silcock Leisure Group, which operates popular family attractions including Silcock’s Carousel and Silcock’s Funland; and Masters Putting Course, which is celebrating its 60th birthday this year.
The talks take place at Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant on the Promenade, Southport, this Saturday (13th September 2025) as part of the Southport Heritage Open Days festival.
You can hear from Serena Silcock-Prince and Justin Prescott from Silcock Leisure Group from 10.30am to 11.30am; and then from Charles Law from Masters Putting Green from 11.30am onwards.
Both talks are free, with pre-booking preferred: Search events
Silcock’s Stories of Southport – Heritage Talks
Join Serena Silcock-Prince and Justin Prescott to learn more about the history of Silcock Leisure in Southport, as well as Serena’s personal family history dating back to the early years of the town’s tourism industry.
With over 130 years of history as one of Southport’s longest established leisure companies, from their early travelling fairs in the North West to decades of entertaining the people of Southport at Pleasureland and their amusements at Southport Pier, the name ‘Silcock’ is synonymous with Southport’s tourism industry.
Join Justin Prescott to learn more about the origins of the company, from its early days through to the present.
Additionally, Serena Silcock-Prince will share about both her paternal and maternal family histories and how two leisure families came together in Southport.
With stories dating back to the early days of Southport’s tourism industry, and tales of the women who pioneered some of Southport’s earliest tourist attractions, this talk is not one to be missed!
There are several events taking place in Kings Gardens this Saturday, including a talk by Charles Law about the history of the Masters Putting Course at 11:30am in the Pier Restaurant, and a guided tour of the Gardens by Julie Rudge at 2pm. Check out their listings on the Heritage Open Days website and make sure you don’t miss out!
‘One Family, Sixty Years’ – Stories of The Masters Putting Course
Join Charles Law at the Pier Restaurant to celebrate his family’s stories from their 60 years of running the Arnold-Palmer-designed Masters Putting Course on Kings Gardens.
From one man’s dream to a 60-year-long (and counting) family business, join Charles Law at the Pier Restaurant to celebrate his family’s history at the Masters Putting Course on Kings Gardens.
Designed by Arnold Palmer, the Masters Putting Course was the first of its kind to be built in the UK. Established in 1965, the course was designed with absolute precision, with the goal of providing a challenging course for all ages and abilities.
In his talk, Charles will cover how his family first bought into the franchise, the challenges and successes of running the course over the years, and his vision for the future.
As well as the talk, there will be an opportunity to view the original plans for the course, including the complex calculations that went into the design of each hole, along with photographs and other items the Law family have treasured over the years.
For more details visit: Search events
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown or email: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
