Judges are set to throw the book at a Southport headteacher who ‘always insists on having the last word’!
Mr Adrian Antell, from Farnborough Road Junior School is heading straight to Chokey this Friday (15th September 2023) as part of the new Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice.
Pupils and staff at his school will then have to decide whether he stays in detention. Or whether they campaign to help him raise the £999 bail money he was originally set to win his release.
Although he has passed that sum now, there is no guarantee that his bail limit won’t be increased.
Friday promises to be more gruelling than an Ofsted inspection as Mr Antell, along with a dozen others in his chin gang, are set a series of gruelling challenges by prison guards throughout the day.
They will be ‘arrested’, ‘locked up’ and be sentenced to ‘hard labour’ at the former Southport Magistrates’ Court and cells on Albert Road, now the offices of Access Point.
Their progress throughout the day can be followed through the Stand Up For Southport Facebook group.
You can donate to gain Mr Antell’s release here: Adrian Antell is fundraising for Queenscourt Hospice (justgiving.com)
He said: “Signing up to take part in Jail and Bail seemed like one of those great ideas at the time!
“I have not told too many people about me taking part in Jail and Bail so far.
“I am worried that the pupils might want to keep me in jail!
“Queenscourt Hospice is a fantastic local charity which does so much good work in our area. It is a really positive thing to do.
“When you work in a school like Farnborough Road you soon realise how many families have been supported by Queenscourt Hospice over the years.
“I play cricket and one of our members was cared for at Queenscourt Hospice. His wish was to be able to die in Southport.
“He was such a lovely guy.
“He is a big inspiration for why I am taking on this challenge.
“We have all got family members who have had the need of support from their local hospice, whether through Queenscourt or elsewhere in the country, or who have received care and support themselves.
Adrian Antell, the headteacher of Farnborough Road Junior School in Birkdale in Southport, is taking part in the Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice
“Queenscourt does so much hard work around fundraising. Only a fifth of the funding they need comes through public funding – the rest they have to raise themselves.
“Taking part in Jail and Bail seemed like a bit of fun, but it will also be uplifting and will be a great way of engaging with the school community.”
Mr Antell has been a big part of the local community for many years.
He is 55 -years-old, married to wife, Lynn, with two children, and three dogs. .
He has been a season ticket holder watching Liverpool Football Club for the past 40 years. He loves playing cricket, golfing, cycling, and running.
During his time at school, he has been eager to take on a variety of fundraising events.
While he is headteacher of Farnborough Road Junior School, Jenny Sephton is headteacher of Farnborough Road Infant School. Both are part of the Southport Learning Partnership.
Mr Antell said: “I have been at this school since 2006. It is scary how quickly that time goes!
“When I came here you could see that there were some real challenges.
“It has been a real privilege to be the headteacher here.
“There are so many wonderful members of staff and a superb school community.
Adrian Antell, the headteacher of Farnborough Road Junior School in Birkdale in Southport, is taking part in the Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice
“Our staff work incredibly hard to maintain our high standards.
“I love it here. I am as enthusiastic now as I was when I first walked through the doors in 2006.
“We operate as an Infant School and a Junior School, we are a bit different. We do think of ourselves as one big school community.
“We are always very keen to encourage children and staff to make a difference in our local area in different ways. It’s all about having that impact.
“Trying something new is something we are always keen to do.”
And the ‘crimes’ he’s being locked up for?
“Always wanting the last word!” he said.
“I could also probably be jailed too for being too loud.”
Any other crimes to add?
“Always having the last word…”
Every penny raised through Jail & Bail will go towards Queenscourt Hospice, which provides care and support for residents across West Lancashire, Southport and Formby, 365 days a year.
Queenscourt is staging this brand new fundraiser in collaboration with Stand Up For Southport 10am-3pm on Friday, 15th September 2023 at Access Point, based inside the former Southport Magistrates’ Court building, on Albert Road in Southport.
Local businesses including The Cheshire Lines Inn pub, House of Ivy and others in Southport are supporting the initiative on the day.
Queenscourt Hospice provides access to specialist palliative care either at home (including care homes), hospital or in Queenscourt via the Inpatient Unit or as an Outpatient.
- Please donate to Adrian Antell’s fundraising page at:
Adrian Antell is fundraising for Queenscourt Hospice (justgiving.com)
- For more details or to register your interest please email Queenscourt Hospice Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley at: fundraising@queenscourt.org.uk or email: Stand Up For Southport owner Andrew Brown at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
● For more news about the work of Queenscourt Hospice, please visit: www.queenscourt.org.uk
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