Oyez, Oyez, Oyez! Sefton has a new official town crier – and you can see him at his first official engagement in Southport this weekend!
Kevin Ruane MBE will be officially opening the free May Day Magic event at Wayfarers Arcade on Lord Street in Southport at 11am.
He will then be appearing at the VE Day commemoration event at The Monument in Southport on Thursday (8th November 2025).
May Day Magic runs between 11am and 4pm and is the latest in Wayfarers Arcade’s series of vibrant creative village events.
There is lots to enjoy with a maypole, sword dancing, folk music, artisan stalls, entertainment, food and drink, workshops, craft activities and more.
All the shops, cafes, art galleries, barbers, beauty salons and other local businesses inside Wayfarers Arcade will all be open.
Sefton Town Crier Kev Ruane said:
“My first official event as Town Crier was to be the VE Day proclamation on Thursday evening at 6.30pm, but yesterday I received a request to support an event this weekend, so you may see me out and about on Saturday.
“Wayfarers Arcade, that iconic building on Lord Street, has a very special event in the form of May Day Magic, part of their Creative Village events.
“This event will be opened at 11am by me and there’s a fun packed day with something for everyone.
“There’s three live bands playing a variety of folk music – The Wanderers… Vinny and the Engineers… and The Cabin Hill Band.
“Witness the vibrant and energetic performance of The Newburgh Morris…, an all-female Morris dancing group.
“Marvel at the thrilling displays of skill, by the Southport Swords, a local sword dancing group.
“For additional family fun, Regally Royal Parties will be presenting ‘The Green Man’ … on stilts no less…
“Along with their enchanting fairy characters… glitter face painting… and a cascade of delightful bubbles, bringing extra sparkle and joy, especially for the little ones.
“There’s an Artisan Market where you can find unique hand-made treasures to remind you of the fantastic day you’ve had.
“This amazing event at Wayfarers Arcade is free to attend… Come and experience a truly memorable day out, with something for all the family!”
Kevin Ruane moved to Southport in 2021 and settled in Ainsdale.
Originally from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, he joined the army after leaving school, where he served in Germany and the Falkland Islands. After leaving the army, Kevin lived in Germany for a further nine years where he joined the German fire service in the town of Halle in Westfalen.
In 1996, he moved back to the UK and joined South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service. Ten years later, he moved to Nottinghamshire fire service for promotional advancement.
Whilst serving in Nottinghamshire, he was awarded an MBE from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the second for his international work within the fire service, he eventually retired from the fire service in 2020.
Since leaving the fire service, Kevin has worked extensively as a fire safety officer and he is currently employed as the Fire Safety Manager for North West Ambulance Service.
Kevin is no stranger to projecting his voice in order to be heard, he carries out the role of Honorary Sergeant Major for the Royal Army Ordnance Corps Association and leads the Corps representatives every year whilst taking part in the Remembrance Sunday parade at the Cenotaph in London along with their event at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Kevin is also a member of the Birkdale Orpheus Society and last year, played the iconic role of Mr Bumble in their production of ‘Oliver’.
On Thursday 8th of May at 6.30pm at the war memorial in London Square (off Lord Street), Kevin will be making a proclamation as the town crier which will be part of the national VE Day commemorations.
Almost every town crier in the UK will be making the same proclamation.
It would be great if lots of people were there to support him on his first official duty.
Also attending the event is Susan Stacey who is the 4th Great Granddaughter of Peter Ball (aka Peter the Bellman), the very first Southport Town Crier.
Future Creative Village dates at Wayfarers Arcade in Southport include:
3rd May – May Day Magic
31st May – Global Village
5 July – Kupala Night
2nd August – Lughnasadh
6 September – Michaelmas
4 October – Beer Street at the Rushbearing Festival
31st October & 1st November – Halloween / Samhain
27th November – Lancashire Day, and the launch of the Christmas Market until 28th December.
These are a fabulous opportunity for businesses, makers, food vendors and others wanting to come in and sell their goods and gauge for themselves whether Wayfarers Arcade would be a good long-term fit for them.
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