North and South Podcasts

​  @northandsouthpodcasts7461  - A new series of real conversations with people about life, community and politics. Check out our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1dQzS8KBgeT9iA7MAqhQpA - The channel now includes playlists about associated topics. https://timothyshort.substack.com/Follow us on BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/northandsouth.bsky.socialCheck out the CIC website...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Michael Woodsfrom Plaza Community Cinema in Crosby. The cinema was saved from closure and kept for local people. Today staff and volunteers deliver quality films for the whole community at a reasonable cost and provide inclusive community supportand activities. They also support filmmakers and creatives in their work. A fantastic community asset! Plea...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Amy Wright of Pritchard’s Independent Bookshop in Crosby, Sefton! We chat about books and reading and the importance of independent bookshops! Amy speaks well and her passion shines through!  You can support Pritchard’s via this link - http://libro.fm/switch?bookshop=pritchardsbookshop – Libro is a platform for audio books that helps local independent...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Chris Lewis from Merseyside Expanding Horizons and The Big Onion about helping people into business and enterprise and helping people in Sefton with skill development and employment. We also chat about community and connection. Chris is an inspirational figure.  -Visit the Big Onion in Bootle Strand. New venue opening on Lord Street in Southport. Also...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we do an in-house talk with Lara about her experiences as a Green Councillor in Warwickshire and draw comparisons with Sefton. Lara has a lot of insight. We also chat about other general political themes.  We cover: -  -              Being ill over Xmas!  -              The weather in David’s absence!  -              Being a councillor in Warwickshire. -         ...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Mike Sammin of the Liberal Democrats. He is the newly elected councillor for Cambridge Ward in Southport. Mike speaks with passion and vision about politics and his role as Lib Dem Councillor. We chat about: -  -            Why it is important to be an opposition councillor in a council controlled by one party.  -            Why Mike is a Liberal Demo...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to friend of the podcast Bobby Brennan, former Labour Councillor and Mayor of Sefton, about the structure of local council government. This is particularly important given the lack of local media and even online coverage of basic council policies and structures. Bobby is tremendously insightful and critical. We also chat about his new book about Christma...

Warning – This episode contains talk of rape, harassment and violence. See this website for help with Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Sefton. Do not suffer alone. https://www.sefton.gov.uk/domestic-abuse/how-to-get-help/ Today at Building a Better Sefton, we explore Violence Against Women and Girls globally, nationally and locally. We hear of shocking experiences that really brings home...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Mike Prendergast, the leader of the Conservative Group in Sefton Council. Mike is a councillor in the Dukes Ward of Birkdale and Southport. Mike speaks very well about holding the Labour Council to account and gives insight into both local and national politics! We chat about: -  -              Why Mike is a Conservative. -              Mike’s approac...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Annie Spiers, who is the Creative Director at In Another Place , an inclusive and faith-based organisation that brings community theatre to people in Sefton. They are located at Bootle Strand. If you want to get involved or check out any of their amazing events in the run up to Christmas and beyond, please check out their website. https://inanotherpla...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we introduce a new member to the team! Welcome Lara! We chat about free speech in light of the assassination of Charlie Kirk and look at how local parties in Sefton are doing at council level, and contrast with the national political picture. This is a new type of podcast we are running that looks at international, national and local themes.  We chat about: -  - ...

Warning – This podcast contains references to child abuse.  Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Jack Colbert, a resident of Seaforth in South Sefton, local activist, and ex-Liberal Democrat Councillor. Jack is a member of the Green Party and may stand in future council elections. He speaks about local issues, including air pollution.  We chat about: -  -              Labour dominance of...

Warning – In this podcast we will be talking about suicide and suicide attempts.  Welcome to the first edition of Unbeaten – Men’s Stories with Dean and Tim. Dean Daniel is a mental health advocate and an ambassador for an amazing organisation called Tough To Talk. He tells us about his unbelievable story of overcoming terrible physical and mental pain and anguish and committing his life to helpin...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Abi Whistance, Editor and Reporter at the independent online newspaper The Liverpool Post. Local news has been decimated, and Abi talks superbly about the importance of investigative journalism and what the Post does! She also covers some of the big issues in Sefton and how they fit into the wider regional context. This is essential listening!  Here i...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Neil Doolin, Green Party Councillor for Waterloo and Seaforth Ward in South Sefton. We talk about local politics, green politics, and concerns Neil has about Sefton moving forward. Neil is an excellent councillor with so much to tell.  https://greenparty.org.uk/ https://sefton.greenparty.org.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/greenpartysefton We chat about...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Mike Brennan of Bootle Action Group. BAG is a Community Interest Company aimed at ‘greening up Bootle’ by looking after green spaces, clearing alleyways and rubbish, and raising awareness around the community of all of these issues. Bootle is a relatively deprived town in the south of Sefton Borough.  Bootle Action Group can be found on Facebook. This...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Janis Blackburn of Southport Friends of Palestine. We look at the terrible situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and how international issues link in with local issues.  You can find out about the group here - https://www.southportfriendsofpalestine.co.uk/ They are also on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/southportfriendsofpalestine Here is a link t...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, David and Tim talk about the ideas and philosophy behind the podcast series. We want to be a news and interview platform that encourages transparency and accountability across the Borough. We are concerned about the rise of extremism especially with the decline of local newspapers and news deserts.  We talk about : -  -              The importance of factual news...

Today in our first ever episode of Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Sean Halsall – Independent Councillor for Kew Woods, Southport. Sean is a member of Southport Community Independents  Southport Community Independents is a new party founded to give a voice to Southport. https://southport-independents.co.uk/ - This contains details of the Community Assemblies we discussed. The group are also...

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Bobby Brennan – Former Mayor of Sefton and former Labour Councillor for Orrell and Netherton, Bootle. Bobby now works for Sefton Community and Voluntary Service and is about to publish his fourth book – A Time of Peace and War – a historical novel about the years of the Second World War from the perspective of Bootle.  Here is the Amazon link. His oth...

Building a Better Sefton Channel - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton First episode with Sean Halsall, talking about independent politics in Southport, including Community Assemblies! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d53ZMbz-V4o&t=16s We are also on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 - Building a Better Sefton Substack - Building A Better Sefton |...

Today I talk about the heat, keeping cool and climate change.  Check out our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1dQzS8KBgeT9iA7MAqhQpA - The channel now includes playlists about associated topics.  https://timothyshort.substack.com/ Follow us on BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/northandsouth.bsky.social Check out the CIC website – www.northandsoutheducationcic.co.uk – You can fu...

Music from ‘ZapSplat’ – check them out! I am back. Today I talk about the personal, the local and the political. How self-development links to local community, and the dangers of Populism and Reform in the UK context and more globally.  Check out our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1dQzS8KBgeT9iA7MAqhQpA - The channel now includes playlists about associated topics.  https://tim...

Today I take a walk through the Azzies (which I now know is named after Aspinall’s Field) and into Bootle Cemetery. I speak to a member of the public, visit the Blitz and War Graves, and point out other key parts and sections.   Check out our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1dQzS8KBgeT9iA7MAqhQpA - The channel now includes playlists about associated topics.  https://timothyshor...

This week I speak to Dan Procter, local historian and teacher trainer, about Environmental History. Dan is a former History Teacher. This is a fascinating and relevant topic.  Link to resources - http://sites.google.com/view/ks3environmentalhistory We chat about:-  -              Appreciations of Nature. -              Definitions of Environmental History. -              The central importance of...