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5 June 2019
Vol 26 l Issue 23
Formby Festival goes ahead, say organisers!
INSIDE THIS WEEK:
‘Geoffest’ raises thousands in memory of dad Report by Tom Martin A MUSIC concert held in memory of a local dad who worked at Bridge Inn Community Farm in Formby, has raised nearly £6,000 for charity. ‘Geoffest’, which recently took place at Victoria Park in Southport, was organised in memory of 54-year-old Geoff Spencer, who ran Bridge Inn’s Rock School as well as woodwork, horticultural and animal care classes. In total, £5,845 was raised from the event, which will be split between funding defibrillators that will be placed in Sefton and for the Joe Strummer Foundation, which provides support to projects that create empowerment through music. It was organised by his colleagues and featured local rock bands Fag Ash Lil, Building Giants and Raw Deal along with Hayburner, the band Geoff created with the students from Bridge Inn Community Farm. Carl Craven, one of the organisers, said: “We raised £5,845 which is just amazing. The bands were brilliant and we would like to thank them all and Darrell Jay for hosting and playing the tunes between the bands. “Many thanks to Daniel and the Argonauts who stepped in at
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Geoff Spencer
the last minute when the lead singer from Lil Devil fell ill on the day “A big thank you also to the staff at Bridge Inn Community Farm, friends and family for being stewards on the day and a huge thank you to everyone who donated and who came to the event and made it a great success. “And a final word for Geoff you'll always be with us. With the music comes the great memories.” Geoff, who lived in Southport, passed away unexpectedly in September last year, leaving behind his wife Karen and children Hannah and Jack. As well as working at Bridge Inn Farm for many years, he was also the football coach for The Southport Special Athletes.
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Focus on Care & Independent Living PULL OUT INSIDE
COUNCIL PUTS BRAKES ON ‘CAR IDLING’ Report by Tom Martin MOTORISTS in Formby are being urged to stop ‘car idling’ as part of a new green initiative by Sefton Council to help protect the environment. The local authority has launched an anti-idling awareness campaign, due to begin this week to coincide with World Environment Day, and will focus on hotspot areas such as schools where car idling is common. It will also target taxi and bus drivers who often leave car engines running while waiting for passengers. Idling refers to running a vehicle's engine when it’s not in motion – typically when stopped at red lights or parking for a short length of time. It causes air pollution and releases harmful gases into the air that can have a negative impact on health and can cause
Motorists are being urged to stop car idling
serious consequences for vulnerable people living with lung conditions such as asthma. The council say they want to promote clean air initiatives to protect the health and wellbeing of residents and improve the quality of air in the borough. Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing
said: “An idling engine can release as much pollution into the air as a moving one. “Air pollution is a major threat to public health and by turning off your car engine while waiting in your car you can help make a big difference to the quality of air in Sefton. Continued inside
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