We’ve had glorious weather down on the Merseyside coast today so I’ve been making the most of it before heading back to the Pennines tomorrow. I realised that, whilst I’ve been here off and on for a couple of weeks, the one thing I hadn’t seen is the sea! OK, cue all the jokes about Southport never seeing the sea anyway – but today my wanderings took me down to the beach before I headed back into town to meet up with an old friend for a catch-up. Here’s a selection of pictures from my perambulations.
Meols Cop is one of many that’s looked after by a local station friends group. The buildings may have been demolished many years ago but now they’ve been replaced by well kept gardens which include this display of Lupins.Down by the marine lake is the Lakeside Miniature railway. Opened in 1911, it seems to still be operating but rather slimmed down from when I knew it as a child. Sadly, it wasn’t open today. The Marine lake. Getting all your swans in a row…No jokes about ‘you never sea the sea at Southport’ please! Here’s the pier which is about to be rebuilt (again) after being closed for many years as the last ”value engineering” project was less than a success.Here’s a new success. This is an old Victorian building that was rebuilt with a gorgeous Art Deco frontage. Having fallen into disrepair for decades, it’s now been restored.In my youth, behind ‘Funland’ was a place called the Dixieland Showbar. It was famous for its rock nights featuring local and other bands, with the music provided by Darrell Jay. The light show was always enhanced by the fug of tobacco and other illicit smoke. It was a very special place that holds lots of memories for me and many others. The old Promenade hospital. I was a short-term stayer here back in the late 60s. Nowadays folk stay longer as it’s been converted into apartments.
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Morning Paul. I lived within smelling distance of the gas works until I was three when we moved to leafy Grange Road. The Southport to Preston line was at the end of our garden which encouraged my life-long love of trains. The old L&Y electric car shops were also behind the house. The cruel Doctor snatched the trains away in 1964. I moved to London in 1969 and, although I now live in Atherton, my only visits to Southport are, like you, to visit my sister who lives in Marshside.
Paul Bigland 
Morning Paul. I lived within smelling distance of the gas works until I was three when we moved to leafy Grange Road. The Southport to Preston line was at the end of our garden which encouraged my life-long love of trains. The old L&Y electric car shops were also behind the house. The cruel Doctor snatched the trains away in 1964. I moved to London in 1969 and, although I now live in Atherton, my only visits to Southport are, like you, to visit my sister who lives in Marshside.
David