The Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day in June has raised an impressive £3,000.
All the money raised at the busy event, which was sponsored by Monkey Puzzle Nursery in Southport, will be reinvested into maintaining and improving the popular park which is largely looked after by volunteers.
The day saw thousands of people enjoy a park filled with live music, bands, fairground rides, inflatables, farm animals, dance performances, giant bubbles, stalls, donkey rides, birds of prey and much more.
Event organiser Jess Rickers said:
“I am really pleased given the current climate and clear strains on everybody financially that so many people turned up and donated.
“I would like to thank all the small local businesses that have supported us, the generosity of the entertainment that came to donate and the general public.
“It’s amazing that people want to help to see the improvements to the park.
“The money raised is a fantastic help towards that end goal of seeing a full overhaul of the Botanic Gardens as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund bid with Green Sefton.
Visitors enjoy the Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day in Southport. The Botanic Gardens Community Association. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southpot
“I understand that it’s a long road and appreciate wholeheartedly all of the support.
“Most importantly the rain held off on the day and everyone had a blast!
Read More: Botanic Gardens in Churchtown: Over 7,500 say what YOU want to see the park become
“Thank you Southport – I hope you enjoyed yourselves.”
“Thank you from me on behalf of the Make A Change For Botanic Campaign.”
This was the second year the fun day has taken place, organised by Jess Rickers with support from the Make A Change For Botanic campaign group, the Botanic Gardens Community Association, Green Sefton and other volunteers.
Allday’s Farm came for the first time, bringing a mobile farm with them so visitors could get up close and personal with their beautiful animals, which could be petted and fed. Animals included a Shetland pony and some rabbits.
Visitors enjoy the Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day in Southport. Paris Bubbles. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Bubbleologists from Paris Bubbles made a welcome return.
Four dance groups were performing, including: Funky Monkees, Central Dance, The Dance Place and Express Performing Arts.
Golborne Brass Band played in the afternoon.
Sandgrounder Radio – which has since become Dune Radio – provided music through its presenters, stepping in to hand out popcorn on behalf of Hickory’s smokehouse in Kew.
Visitors enjoy the Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
People could enjoy food and drink from The Settle Inn in the park.
There were three music performances near the front gates: Yooks, Ukulele Buddies and Southport Stompers Jazz Band.
Local historian David Walshe was selling and signing copies of his new book, ‘Ecclesfield – Southport’s Forgotten Suburb’.
Green Sefton provided the bins, portable toilets, staff and first aid.
Donkey rides were back again this year, and Merseyside Police were there with their van.
Visitors enjoy the Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day in Southport. Make A Change For Botanic founder David Rawsthorne (left) and Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day organiser Jess Rickers (right). Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The weather was kind, with warm weather throughout the event and the Met Office weather warning for thunderstorms only coming true after everyone had packed up and gone home.
Over the past few months, local residents have been asked what they think about the future of the Botanic Gardens as Sefton Council seeks to set out a long-term vision for its use.
The 32 hectare park, which originally opened in 1874, is largely maintained by volunteers from the Botanic Gardens Community Association.
They work closely with Green Sefton, and with campaigners from the Make A Change For Botanic community group, who have raised over £40,000 to make vital improvements such as the installation of two new water aeration fountains.
The park, known by many as “the jewel in the crown” of Southport, attracts tens of thousands of families from across the North West. Next to the park is Churchtown primary School, one of the biggest primary schools in England.
Many people remember the days when boats would be rowed on the lake, while a land train would take visitors on rides around the site.
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