Stand Up For Southport Blog by Andrew Brown
Today marks one month since the horrific tragedy in Southport which we will never forget.
It already feels like a year. A lifetime. Particularly for the families directly affected, but also for everyone in our town.
Three young girls were tragically killed on 29th July 2024 at The Hart Space, as they took part in a Taylor Swift themed yoga and dance event.
Their devastated families have responded with immense dignity, with three heartbreaking funerals now having taken place. They have been incredibly moving occasions, incredibly well supported.
People in Southport and from around the world have shown tremendous love and kindness in so many ways.
Thousands of flowers, candles, teddy bears and other tributes were left in the Hart Street area; local residents quickly stepped in to look after them.
Thousands of tributes have also been placed in the Town Hall Gardens on Lord Street.
They keep coming, hour after hour, day after day. A beautiful tribute to the girls.
Yesterday, there were more families there, paying their respects. There was a large team of volunteers from Lord Street In Bloom, and also from Natural Alternatives, working with the couple from Crave Pizza in keeping everything looking good. They are working hard at the moment to improve the look of the gardens.
There have been some amazing events, organised quickly and supported by huge numbers of people, with everyone pulling together to make them happen.
Within 24 hours of the tragedy, the Town Hall Gardens were packed with a perfectly observed vigil.
We have also seen a ‘Kisses To Heaven’ event, a Southport Community Day, a Million Yard Golf Drive and more. A community event takes place at Southport Pleasureland this Sunday. A charity single is being worked on. More is in the pipeline. Watch this space.
Fundraising to support the families, and the emergency services who helped them, has been brilliant. The Southport Stronger Together Appeal now tops £200,000; Southport Hesketh Round Table have raised a huge amount too.
Hugely appreciated too has been the royal visit by King Charles III, where the King spent so much time speaking to injured children, community heroes, emergency services and community heroes.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has visited Southport twice.
Amongst all this, we had the incredible sight of rioting taking place in the residential streets in the Hart Street and Sussex Road area, which caused immense damage to local people’s homes, windows, cars, businesses, and Southport Mosque.
By 3am the following morning, a small army of people began arriving to fix the damage, brick by brick. Windows were replaced for free. Walls were rebuilt. Rubble was cleared with a real blitz spirit.
Over 50 Merseyside and Lancashire police officers were attacked and hospitalised on that one night alone; more riots followed across the UK.
Annoyingly, many in the national media cited these as ‘Southport riots spreading’. The riots had nothing to do with what happened in Southport.
I was on a radio interview where I was asked ‘when you were at the vigil in Southport, did you sense a mood of anger that led to the riot?’
Nothing was further from the truth. There was such a sense of love, compassion and empathy at the vigil. The riot, which happened soon after a couple of miles away, was a very different incident.
Where does Southport go from here?
One month one, it’s time to reflect on how proud we should all be of Southport as a community.
It’s shown itself to be the kindest town in Britain. People have done so much in so many ways to show kindness to those who need it most.
Sadly, there is more grief, much more heartache to come.
Children return to school next week after a bleak summer. At three of our local primary schools; Churchtown Primary, Marshside Primary and Farnborough Road Infants; pupils will walk back in past floral tributes and into classes where very young friends and classmates will never return; taken in a way that teachers and parents will struggle to explain.
There will be huge anxiety among many parents, grandparents and guardians too, leaving children in the care of others as term begins. Our children feel more precious than ever. Suddenly the world does not feel as safe any more.
Have you suffered nightmares these past four weeks? I have, and I’m guessing I’m not alone.
Finally, Southport as a town has suffered this past month. The school summer holidays normally sees Southport’s busiest time of year, when millions of families visit, coming here to enjoy happy memories they will never forget.
Many have still come, but town has been quieter than normal. Attractions particularly have recognised fewer visitors.
Southport needs help to rebuild. Government support would make a huge difference to put Southport back on the map in a positive way.
There is lots that could be done. Help to reopen Southport Pier. Help get the Marine Lake Events Centre as soon as possible. Reopen our train line to Preston and Ormskirk. Replace the closed Pontins site in Ainsdale with something new and exciting.
Southport needs to make the news for good reasons now.
There is much that people everywhere can do to help too.
The last thing we want is for people to stay away. Please come over – we would love to see you. You are guaranteed a warm welcome, in a holiday town that loves seeing everyone.
Summer may be waning, but there is a huge amount to enjoy this autumn. We have Southport Classic and Speed coming up; musical fireworks; Southport Comedy Festival; some great shows and events at venues such as The Atkinson, Southport Market, Southport Little Theatre, The Grand, Bijou Cinema and more.
Come and enjoy a meal. Call in for a drink. Stay over. Take a boat ride on the lake. A ride on the Carousel. Wander along Lord Street. Visit the fairground. Make the most of all Southport has to offer.
Choose local and support local businesses.
And when you think of Southport, please recognise it not as a place of tragedy; but as a place of love and kindness.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: [email protected]
