What's in a name?

Leafy Lancashire or sophisticated Sefton?

Every time I visit Birkdale - like last Saturday in glorious weather - I keep thinking I'm in Lancashire, not Merseyside.

The village looked in great shape with folk enjoying some balmy weather as they 'chilled' in the spring sunshine.

It's 50 years since Southport was dragged (kicking and screaming?) out of the Red Rose county into Merseyside but a lot of locals are still convinced Lancastrians...

I'm a member of Friends of Real Lancashire - why not join too?

https://www.forl.co.uk/

Originally Posted by rogerblaxall

What's in a name?
It's 50 years since Southport was dragged (kicking and screaming?) out of the Red Rose county into Merseyside but a lot of locals are still convinced Lancastrians..

Always struck me as an odd decision. Look at any map and Southport is if anything on 'Ribbleside'. From a geographical perspective, Merseyside would seem to end at Formby Point.

Sophisticated Sefton, what planet are you on?

How does 'thinking I'm in Lancashire' work? What significant change is there when crossing those imaginary county lines?

I can understand thinking you're in any quaint town centre, until you step outside of the 'village' itself. Which is basically one street. Not particularly Lancashire.

Having said that, I do like the way the centre has been maintained, the presence of independent shops. There's a slight 'olde worlde' air about the place which is delightful.

Originally Posted by Toodles McGinty

How does 'thinking I'm in Lancashire' work? What significant change is there when crossing those imaginary county lines?

I can understand thinking you're in any quaint town centre, until you step outside of the 'village' itself. Which is basically one street. Not particularly Lancashire.

Having said that, I do like the way the centre has been maintained, the presence of independent shops. There's a slight 'olde worlde' air about the place which is delightful.

Well - it looks a lot better now they have removed those ugly troughs that filled up the pavement next to the spar. Everyone can move freely again. There are still a lot of obstacles on the once sociable pavements that put many people off from shopping in the village. When the paths were kept clear, it was a busy, chic area and very pleasant.

Originally Posted by said

Well - it looks a lot better now they have removed those ugly troughs that filled up the pavement next to the spar. Everyone can move freely again. There are still a lot of obstacles on the once sociable pavements that put many people off from shopping in the village. When the paths were kept clear, it was a busy, chic area and very pleasant.

There is still nuisance of cars being left on the pavements, e.g. down the side of Spar and outside the defunct pie-shop.

Yes, "beautiful village " should really be re- named " Jekyll and Hydeville ". Obviously you have not been there during the hours of darkness and witnessed the " backstreet business brigade carrying out their nefarious dealings; and during daylight as well if your quick enough to spot `em.

With regards to its " quaint charm " well, so long as you are careful in not tripping and breaking a limb over the crazy paving which has been made worse over the years by vehicles driving over them in order to " park " ( including the 0600hrs 4 wheel drive council; " sweeping " sweeping machine ) Plus let`s not forget the canine output liberally deposited nearly everywhere.

In reality it is all a rather cozy, chez- nouz, chintzy, lace curtained facade with a certain whiff of Coty, and weed added to the mix.

Still keeping ones rose tinted spectacles on, just check out the rear of the shops ; the ones by the rotting,overgrown verandahs to see the full beauty behind the facade. At least BCC make serious attempts at cleaning the verandah glass over their property

Yes, a " beautiful village " ; in many respects no different to anywhere else through out the length and breadth of this bin of an island.

And yes,, I am a resident of this place, living approximately 30 seconds walk from the thriving centre .

Finally what input do the locally elected reps have with regard to all this? They re plant a few trees and put up a couple of swings in a park in order to catch votes.

This place needs to get a good grip and get real before spouting off about "how beautiful it is "

Originally Posted by The PNP

There is still nuisance of cars being left on the pavements, e.g. down the side of Spar and outside the defunct pie-shop.

I hope you realise the shop frontages that you refer to are private property and are not public footways. Why the owners of these properties could park as many cars as possible, because it’s their ?choice, and heaven forbid could even ban the bicycle from those frontages. It’s known as ownership.