The Formby Blog

Stories of the people, the place and the areas surrounding Formby. Formby is a coastal town with a beautiful beach, fabulous sand dunes, pine woods, red squirrels all managed by the National Trust. The town boasts an attractive village shopping centre where there's much to see, eat and drink. Because of its popularity, parking close to the beach is limited, often full and large queues form by noon at weekends and bank holidays.

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Pages of the Sea Act of Remembrance

On 11 November 2018, communities will gather on beaches across the UK to say goodbye and thank you, to the millions of men and women who left their shores during the war, many never to return.

Architect and father of three, Captain John Basil Armitage’s portrait will be drawn in the sand at #Formby beach on 11 November #PagesOfTheSea.

Find out more here @nationaltrust: https://t.co/mL3OBzpAxf pic.twitter.com/QcOWjUoJjT

— 14-18 NOW (@1418NOW) November 3, 2018

The National Trust has published the following story about Captain John Basil Armitage.

They write:

Captain John Basil Armitage (28 May 1876 –17 May 1917)

John Armitage was born in Altrincham, Cheshire, eldest son of William, a justice of the peace, and Margaret Petrie Armitage. He was a boarder at Sedbergh School, Yorkshire, returning to work for his uncle, an architect and mayor of Altrincham. In 1903 he married Alice Kathleen O’Hanlan and set up home in Dunham Massey and later Bowden, Cheshire, with one son and two daughters.

A local newspaper reported that he enlisted in January 1915, training recruits until October 1916, when John was drafted into the 5th Battalion (Earl of Chester’s), Cheshire Regiment at Condé-Folie near the Somme. The unit’s companies were drawn from the city of Chester and towns across the county including his hometown, Knutsford, Sale, Cheadle and Runcorn.

John arrived during the final engagements that compromised the battle of the Somme, which the regiment were involved in from July until the attacks ground to a halt in the autumn. The next spring, his unit saw action during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the battle of Arras, where John met his end, reportedly from what was described in local news as a “stray” shell. He is buried at Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines, France.

  Armistice Day 100 years on

Posted on November 3, 2018 in Arts, Culture & Sports, Blog, High Days & Holidays, News, Notices, Spotlight, Visit Formby, What's On | Permalink

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Souling Day: Saints and Soul Cakes

In the past, Halloween was preceded by an earlier tradition, which was known as Souling.

Souling cake
Souling cake


A visiting custom carried out in the 19th and 20th centuries mainly by children, but previously by adults, in the Shropshire, north Staffordshire, Cheshire, and Lancashire area, on All Saints Day (1 November) and All Souls Day (2 November).

The Soulers visited houses, sang a song, and collected money, food, drink, or whatever was given to them. The songs vary somewhat from place to place, but they all follow the same basic pattern:

Soul, soul for a souling cake
I pray you, missis, for a souling cake
Apple or pear, plum or cherry
Anything good to make us merry
Up with your kettles and down with your pans
Give us an answer and we'll be gone
Little Jack, Jack sat on his gate
Crying for butter to butter his cake
One for St. Peter, two for St. Paul
Three for the man that made us all

Shropshire: By-Gones Relating to Wales & the Border Country (1889-1890, 25.3)

You can hear a longer version of this song below, which was recorded in 1965 by The Watersons.

I don't know what you think, but I'd welcome a return of this celebration instead of the highly commercialised Halloween of today.

I'm also pleased to report that there is still an example of the tradition kept alive at The Antrobus Arms, Cheshire.

They write:

The old English custom of souling or  soulcaking dates back to the 10th Century.

A traditional Cheshire Souling play performed on All Soul’s Eve and the following 2 weekends.

Mummers

The Antrobus Gang are well established with continuity a distinguishing feature.  They are thought to have performed continuously for hundreds of years.

Soulcakers would go from house to house singing a begging song or a plea for prayers for the dead.  They would put on a play for residents.

The plays were performed out of necessity when farm work was in short supply. Plays usually consist of a fight between St George and his adversaries resulting in one of the characters being killed and brought back to life by a ‘quack’ doctor.  The Hooden Horse accompanies the soulcakers with its groom and a whip.

The Hooden Horse is a man covered with a blanket holding a horses head.

Soulcakes were small spiced fruit cakes similar to Hot Cross Buns and were given to performers as well as drink or money, helping to keep their families fed during lean times.  It could be quite lucrative as 3 nights of mumming (acting out the play) often raised as much as month’s wages.

The tradition continues at the Antrobus Arms where money raised now goes to charity.

Source: https://antrobusarms.co.uk/

Are there any local Pubs prepared to consider starting a Formby equivalent event?.

 

 

 

 

Posted on November 2, 2018 in Arts, Culture & Sports, Blog, Food, Drink & Entertainment, High Days & Holidays, Spotlight, Videos, Visit Formby, What's On | Permalink

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 ‘FORMBY REMEMBERS’

FORMBY CIVIC SOCIETY

FORMBY PARISH COUNCIL   LITTLE ALTCAR PARISH COUNCIL

FORMBY POOL TRUST   

FORMBY BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP Poppies at sunset

A series of talks to help mark the centenary of the end of World War One, remembering the contributions of people from all areas of the small rural community that was Formby at that time.

We will think about the effects on everyday life and on the families who saw loved ones leave home to fight on land and sea or join services at home and abroad in nursing or other forms of support – and we will turn our thoughts to those who had to stay at home to work and carry on life as best they could whilst praying for the safe return of those loved ones.

This was a small community in wartime. Many troops were sent to Formby for training and spent time here in billets and camps. There was a strong local link with the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, and we will look at that. We will remember how lives changed, the impact of new laws and regulations and the need to preserve food and drink supplies through rationing.

Talks are free to all and most need no previous reservation.

PROGRAMME

Thursday  8th   November7.30 p.m

Ravenmeols Community Centre, Park Lane, Formby

“Formby Folk in WWI” – Tony Pawson and John Phillips

Tuesday 13th November at 2 p.m.

Formby Library – prior reservation required  

“Formby Folk in WWI” – Tony Pawson and John Phillips

Tuesday 13th November at 7.30 p.m.                                                                      

Formby Methodist Church, Elbow Lane, Formby

“From Docks and Sand: the King’s Liverpool Regiment in WWI” – Adrian Gregson

Wednesday 14th November at 7.30 p.m.

Formby Methodist Church, Elbow Lane, Formby

“World War I – Some Personal Reflections in Words and Music” - Alastair Gillies

 

There will be a Book Launch for the Formby Civic Society publication,

“A Community in Wartime: Formby 1914-18”

at Woodwards on Chapel Lane – 6.00 p.m. Monday 12th November

Also, please look out for a forthcoming talk by Alban O’Brien on

“Sassoon: the Poet, the Medal Ribbon and Freshfield”

 

Posted on October 26, 2018 in Arts, Culture & Sports, Blog, Community News, Notices, Spotlight, What's On | Permalink

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Liverpool Giants Swansong 2018

The final official video of the Liverpool Giants event 2018.

 

  Giants 2018

Posted on October 12, 2018 in Arts, Culture & Sports, Blog, High Days & Holidays, Spotlight | Permalink

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Superheroes are landing at Splash World!

Superheroes are landing at Splash World!

Splash World’s own mascot Murtle the Turtle will be joined by Superman, Spider Man, Captain America, Wonder Woman and Supergirl on Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23 from 10am to 4pm.

Photo opportunities and the chance to win exclusive prizes throughout the weekend will be included with Splash World admission.

Southport-based party company StarKidz will bring the characters to life and provide fun and entertainment around the centre and at the poolside.

For an extra £5 per person, guests can enjoy a special VIP experience from 1pm-2pm including party games and lunch with the characters!

There are limited places on the VIP experience so call 01704 537160 to book in advance.

via mysefton.co.uk

Splashworld

Posted on September 20, 2018 in Arts, Culture & Sports, Blog, General stories, Spotlight, What's On | Permalink

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