North and South Podcasts

North and South Podcasts

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North and South Podcasts is a family of podcasts aimed at helping people to create better lives.

Mar 13

(173) 17 - Amy and Pritchard's Independent Bookshop in Crosby

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 bookstores!!! We cover: - - The importance of reading. - World Book Day. - Book Clubs at Pritchard’s. - Children and the benefits of reading. - Encouraging creativity linked to reading with children. - Pritchard’s links with schools and the community. - The benefits of independent bookshops in an online world. - Bookshops as part of the local economy. - Chain bookstores as big corporations. - Human contact in bookshops. - Favourite books and the importance of recommendations. - Why we read. - Finding connection and meaning through reading. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here. Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts

19 min
Feb 11

(172) - 16 - Building A Better Sefton = Chris Lewis and the Big Onion - Community, Business, Economy!!!

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 expanding into Prescot! – Big Onion Website - https://thebigonion.co.uk/ -Merseyside Expanding Horizons Website - https://www.expandinghorizons.co.uk/ We cover: - - The Northern Lights! - The history of Merseyside Expanding Horizons. - Helping the Third Sector, Social Inclusion and Networking Across the EU. - Helping people to be financially secure and independent. - Providing support hubs for local business and enterprise. - Social connection and opportunity. - Skills training and business development and support. - The New Venue on Medway Mall in Bootle Strand with its café!!! - Big Onion Hubs in Bootle, Southport, and Prescot. - Combating loneliness. - Running employment training. - Business Support Clubs. - Meeting people where they are. - The impact of Brexit. - Resilience. - Providing Credit Unions and links with colleges and universities. - The importance of listening and feedback. - The importance of networking and collaboration. - How to get involved! Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here. Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts

19 min
Jan 13

15 (171) How does Sefton Council compare to others? What is life like as a Councillor?

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.- The different levels to councils in different areas.- What councils are responsible for. - Labour changes to local government.- Workload issues in local government.- How councillors form Political Groups. - Sefton having one Green Councillor, and Warwickshire having many. - Going into coalition in Warwickshire. - Neil Doolin and the Green Party in Sefton. - The positives of being a Councillor. - Issues in Sefton. - The opinion that councillors are ineffective and lazy.- The whipping system and how the Greens had free votes. - Councillors pay. - The importance of regular change in politics/politicians.- Accountability and transparency and cross-party scrutiny. - The importance of political engagement. - Conflict and coalition. - Local Action Groups and Cabinet Government.- Styles of government.- The rise of Reform. - Performance of Reform Councils. - Violence Against Women and Girls.- The education system. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here. Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts You can also support our Crowdfunder - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/VWE0qPrl?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink

54 min
12/16/2025

14 - (169) - Mike Sammin - How the Liberal Democrats are Building a Better Sefton

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 Democrat. - Balancing Freedom and Society. - Regeneration at Bootle Strand and South Sefton. - Whether the Council buying Bootle Strand was the right option. - Children’s Services in Sefton.- Labour Council marking its own homework. - Transportation issues for SEND Children. - Southport Redevelopment and Regeneration. - Issues with contracts on newbuilds. - Ideas to assist hospitality, local businesses and the service sector. - Parking and Transportation issues in Southport. - The financial situation in Sefton Council. - Streaming Council Meetings. - Saving Sandpipers Care Centre.- The importance of respite care. - The critical role of the Liberal Democrats in Sefton. - The Lib Dems performing better in North Sefton. - The impact and the legacy of the Coalition Government of 2010-15.- The current government.Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here. Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts You can also support our Crowdfunder - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/VWE0qPrl?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink

40 min
11/30/2025

13 - Building A Better Sefton - Former Mayor/Councillor Bobby Brennan - Does Sefton Council Work?

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 Christmas and his upcoming book ‘Love on the Dole.’ Check out Robert J Brennan on Amazon. We chat about: - - Writing and new books. - The seemingly complicated ward system of Sefton Council. - The history of boundary changes. - Upcoming all-out elections. - Perceived criticisms of councillors. - Reform Councils. - The Cabinet System of local government. - One party domination and a lack of transparency and consultation. - Bobby going against the ‘cabal.’ - The scrapping of Area Committees. - The role of Scrutiny Committees. - The importance of multi-party accountability and transparency. - Working with Council Officers. - The impact of austerity and privatisation. - Council Tax rises. - What councillors do. - Bootle Strand. - The removal of Area Action Groups. - Bobby’s resignation from the Labour Party locally. - Principals and politics. - Money in politics. - Democratic Deficit in local politics. - The danger of Reform. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here. Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts You can also support our Crowdfunder - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/VWE0qPrl?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink

55 min
11/07/2025

12 - (168) - Building a Better Sefton - Violence Against Women and Girls - Locally and Beyond

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 how devastating this issue can be on people’s lives. We chat about: - - The terrifying impact of stalking. - The impact of the Culture Wars.- Experiences of a predatory boss and his attempts to destroy someone. - Variable Police interest. - The long-term damage of VAWG.- The low conviction rate of rape cases. - The inconsistencies of the ‘legal system’. - Structural inequalities and misogyny. - Ideas of equality and choice. - How patriarchy and inequality affect different groups. - Gender Roles and Identity Politics. - Role Models and Representation. - The impact of culture. - Underreporting and data inaccuracy.- Government Policy nationally and locally. - Men changing their behaviours. - Global issues. - Academia. - Martial Arts and Self Defence. - Education. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here. Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts You can also support our Crowdfunder - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/VWE0qPrl?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink

47 min
11/02/2025

(167) 11 - Building a Better Sefton - Mike Prendergast - Conservative Group - Holding Labour to Account

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 approach to opposition locally. - How the national picture shapes local politics. - The importance of scrutiny and of holding to account - particularly when there is a dominant party locally. - Sefton Children’s Services. - The current state of the Conservative Party nationally. - The impact of Reform locally and nationally. - The national situation generally. - Conservative Prime Ministers over the previous 14 years of rule. - Bootle Strand Developments. - The importance of transparency and accountability. - Southport Redevelopment. - Southport Pier. - Issues with contractors in other Southport Redevelopments. - How parking charges might be reformed to encourage the local economy. - The centrality of economic development. - Community cohesion and togetherness after the Southport Murders and Riots. - Criticisms Conservatives face. - The impact of Liz Truss. - Issues with council funding. - Decision making on local funding and priorities. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here. Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts You can also support our Crowdfunder - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/VWE0qPrl?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink

47 min
10/20/2025

10 - Building a Better Sefton - Annie Spiers and Community Theatre! - In Another Place!!!

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://inanotherplace.com/Annie is a positive and inspirational figure. We also get interrupted by David’s dog! We chat about: - - The weather!- Community Theatre on the Beach! - Moving to St. George’s Hall – and doing Narnia!- How faith underpins In Another Place and Annie’s approach to life.- Moving to Bootle Strand Shopping Centre in 2019!- The importance of community, community spaces and happiness.- The importance of gratitude in daily life. - How helping others is a key part of happiness and wellbeing. - Religion and family life. - Different types of religious practices.- Positive action as a sign of faith. - Bringing theatre to all people. - The importance of diversity and community cohesion. - Immigration. - Underrepresentation. - The importance of cross community links.- Why art and creativity are a key part of community spaces. - The centrality of art, creativity, culture and meaning in daily life. - Getting key information out there. - Revitalising local communities through Community Theatre. - Upcoming events at In Another Place. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here. Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts You can also support our Crowdfunder - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/VWE0qPrl?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink

37 min

North and South Podcasts is a family of podcasts aimed at helping people to create better lives.

Creator

North and South Podcasts
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

173
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Yes
Show Website

North and South Podcasts