Following VE 80 celebrations throughout the country in May, June saw the North West Armed Forces Festival take place in Southport.
Over the weekend of 28 and 29 June, the town honoured the military with a variety of events, including a service and parade, at different locations throughout the town.
Southport Pier, due for renovations following the government stepping in with funding for the work, featured with an inspection of veterans and cadets at the start of the pier outside Silcocks Funland arcade. Afterwards, the family’s pier restaurant hosted a lunch.
Outside the arcade, Herbert Silcock proudly displayed his newly restored Gavioli organ, now well over 100 years old. Meanwhile, daughter Serena Silcock-Prince represented the Royal British Legion in the service and inspection as President of the Southport branch.
The renovations to the pier are expected to take around 12-14 months once work begins. Local MP Patrick Hurley expects the pier to re-open to the public by summer 2027.
