Southport Veterans Group provides vital support for ex Forces members

A British Army Major has set up a group to support veterans in Southport.

Major Nick McEntee launched the Southport Veterans group on Facebook for all former Armed Forces members in the area to meet on a regular basis and connect about the things that matter to them most. 

He wants to grow the group into a club locally with all ex-forces welcome, as well as providing emotional and practical support plus helping with fundraising initiatives.

He is a serving British Army officer based in Wiltshire, originally from Bootle, who put down roots with his family in Southport two years ago after moving around with various military postings over the past 40 years.

He has noticed a substantial number of veterans in Southport without any social support, and wants to create a sense of community among them. He was saddened to hear that Southport lost its Royal British Legion Club on West Street, with the site currently subject to a planning application to turn it into flats, while the RBL has also closed down the Byng House respite centre for veterans on the Promenade. 

He said: “What servicemen’s clubs are there here? I know that is an issue nationally, not just in Southport. A lot of clubs have gone over the last few years. 

“But what is stopping us from having a regular corner of a social club somewhere, or becoming a roaming club? There is nothing really happening for veterans locally in a social sense.

“Especially with veterans’ mental health, social interaction and support is crucial. 

“I set up Southport Veterans a  year ago and the numbers have gradually been building up ever since. 

“The group is a chance for veterans to sit down, have a drink, have a chat. 

“There is a veterans group in Sefton, but this is more of an outreach organisation. Any veterans in Southport wishing to join the group can contact Nick McEntee through the Facebook group or by email to southport.veterans@btinternet.com.

“There is a substantial number of veterans here in Southport, I bump into them all the time. The other day I was at a cafe in Southport and saw a mobility scooter outside with an REME badge (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) on it. I had a great conversation with the veteran it belonged to.” 

And he is calling for the Royal British Legion to step up its events locally. 

Major McEntee said: “I am concerned that the Royal British Legion has become quiet in Southport. The closure of Byng House has probably not helped. 

“I got involved in the Legion and I am happy to help build it up and attract new members in order to ensure that it has a future in Southport.

It is important to remember our fallen. And in his street in Southport this weekend, Major Nick McEntee will be hosting a doorstep act of Remembrance with a bugler playing the Last Post, two minutes’ silence being observed, and the reading of the Kohima Epitaph. 

In Southport and across Sefton meanwhile a special virtual Remembrance broadcast will take place.

Sefton Council will pay tribute to members of the Armed Forces past and present on Sunday, November 8.

Wreaths will be laid at war memorials across the borough by representatives from Sefton Council, including the Mayor of Sefton, the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Members and ward councillors.

A special recorded broadcast, produced by Sefton Council, will be shown across the local authority’s social media channels from 10.58am on Remembrance Sunday. A minute’s silence will then follow.

Members of the public are encouraged to join this virtual tribute and will be able to share personal tributes in the comments section.

Are you ex-Armed Forces? Please join the Southport Veterans Facebook Group here.

Do you have any stories for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com