Hope defeats hate
Plus: sign our open letter showing solidarity with Southport
Hello and welcome to today’s edition of The Lancashire Lead. A few days ago, locations across the county were bracing themselves for more trouble with rumours of protests/disorder planned in all sorts of places.
Accrington in particular was affected by such concerns, with shops and businesses across the town centre closing early and securing their buildings. In the event, what followed was nothing like what had been seen in previous days.
Instead, large numbers counter protesters turned out and dramatically outnumbered the few protesters who did actually show up. In the East Lancs town, a group of Muslim counter protesters were embraced and hugged by pub-goers who came outside to offer their support, as seen in this video from Taj Ali.
I’d also recommend this report from the BBC’s Aleem Maqbool on those who have stood up to defend their mosques.
Over in Preston, a human guard of 100 people formed around the office of immigration solicitor which was rumoured to be a target.
“Preston has always been a multicultural society and it’s brilliant that people have come out to show that support for anyone who has been affected by what’s happened over the last fortnight.”
Nadeem Ashfaq, co-founder of The Light Foundation
Similar had been seen in Lancaster last weekend - when counter protestors outnumbered the originally planned “Enough is enough” groups - and in Blackpool on Wednesday. Here in particular was a relief to many having seen such violent scenes days earlier.
On this occasion, no such disorder broke out. With a large police presence patrolling and on standby, counter-protesters in attendance, and a group of protestors so small they all fit onto a small roundabout.
As Micheal Holmes reports for the Blackpool Lead, one bystander noted “there are more YouTubers than protesters”. You can read his report of the night here - it was also sent out to Blackpool Lead subscribers on Thursday.
In the end, only one arrest was made after the night passed in completely contrasting circumstances to the previous weekend.
What we’ve also seen over the past few days is more and more people suspected of crimes linked to the disorder being arrested, charged and put before the courts. Among those arrested is a 15-year-old boy accused of provoking violence in Preston.
In a sign of how seriously police are taking the actions of those on social media, a man from Ormskirk has been arrested over posts which allegedly encouraged others to commit violent disorder. Meanwhile, the court cases are also shining a light on some of those who attended, with one Chorley man claiming the only reason he was carrying cocaine at riots in Bolton was because he had mistakenly bought it as pain relief for his sore gums. Good luck finding someone to believe that.
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Once again, all of this has taken the focus away from the girls whose tragic and violent deaths were hijacked as an excuse for far right groups to take part in riots and target minorities. Here at The Lead, we’ve written an open letter calling for an end to the violence to allow Southport and the families affected by the devastating tragedy to grieve in piece.
Among the signatures so far are Southport MP Patrick Hurley, Pleasureland owner Norman Wallis and various residents.
“We hope for a peaceful rest of the summer. For many, this should be a period of stillness and reflection – what was known as wake weeks, when people took a break from the hum-drum and bustle of daily life. That has been so sorely lacking due to a mindless few spreading hate and division.
“Let’s have a moment of silence for Southport, let people grieve and process what’s happened, and allow the authorities to conduct the process of justice. We should not allow other people to try to divert the story away from this.”
Extract from our open letter
You can read the full letter here and add your name to it if you wish to do so here.
Another to have signed the letter is Andrew Brown, the founder of Stand Up For Southport - a news site and community of tens of thousands of people sharing positive stories about the resort.
The last mention of Southport in today’s newsletter goes to his editorial focusing on the overwhelming good in the response to the riots in the town. Andrew has always been better than me at seeing the good and finding the positive and to have it all compiled together - the helpful uses of social media, the clean up efforts, the fundraising, the support and solidarity - is very impactful.
“We have loved seeing all the beautiful posts shared by people through our Stand Up For Southport Facebook group.
“They’ve included pictures of the many thousands of floral tributes in the Town Hall Gardens, at Hart Street and outside the three Southport primary schools where the three girls who died had attended; moving poems; beautiful artwork; and messages of support not just from Southport but from around the world.
“Love, not hate. Kindness, not anger. Community, not division.
“Southport Together.”
Andrew Brown, Stand Up For Southport
Looking away from all the disorder and trouble facing our communities, some positivity could come to small business and high streets thanks to new measures from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
Recommendations made to local government to help Lancs’ small firms thrive include supporting pop-ups and temporary use initiatives for new businesses, creating mobile phone-based loyalty programmes and providing accessible public toilets are some.
Published this week, The Future of the High Street report calls for local authorities to create a specialised fund to support pop-ups, markets, and temporary use initiatives for first-time businesses to encourage new ventures and help them set up on the high street.
Katy Smythe FSB, development manager for Lancashire and Cumbria, said: “It’s important that small firms across Lancashire are provided with the right environment, infrastructure and flexibility to be successful – and in turn help grow their local economy.
“From the core high street issues of business rates, parking and transport to more innovative asks, this report sets out a raft of recommendations to try to revive our town and city centres and ensure our small businesses are well supported.
“Local authorities can play a pivotal role in improving the experience of a high street, encouraging more people to visit, shop and invest there, and we look forward to working closely with them.”
A final one before we move onto the news digest is an exciting day for young LGBT+ advocates who visited 10 Downing Street earlier this month.
The groups of Lancashire and Greater Manchester-based 13-18-year-olds welcomed the new Prime Minister and his government into their new roles, whilst encouraging them to listen to LGBT+ young people.
The visit, which was organised by the Greater Manchester-based LGBT+ youth charity, The Proud Trust, saw young people from the community express their worries about the current state of LGBT+ rights, especially the rights of trans people.
Letters from the young people were handed over and addressed issues such as discrimination, mental health challenges- and the need for comprehensive legal protections.
In her letter to the government, Orla, a 17-year-old trans girl, is calling for the Government to spend time with people within the LGBT+ community to get a true understanding of how policies impact young people.
“Ultimately, our voices need to be heard and the MPs that are making life-changing decisions on our behalf need to have a better understanding of us and how these decisions affect us…you should meet trans youth and work with them so you can better represent them. In fact, I think you should arrange to meet trans/queer young people, and the youth workers at The Proud Trust in Manchester.”
⚖️ An ex-boxer has been found guilty of the murder of Daniel Allsop in Blackpool (LancsLive).
🟢 The Greens have become Lancaster City Council’s largest party for the first time (Beyond Radio).
💙 Around 500 people attended the funeral of Oswaldtwistle teenager Jay Slater (Sky News).
🤒 Two takeaways have been prosecuted over allergen failures left customers potentially at risk (LancsLive).
🚧 Ribble Valley Council has started High Court proceedings against the owners of the historic Punch Bowl Inn who illegally demolished it (Lancashire Telegraph).
🏊♀️ An open water swimming group which started with five members during the Covid-19 pandemic has grown to 7,000 (BBC).
🍔 A Morecambe McDonald’s branch has banned unaccompanied under-18s after 5pm (Lancaster Guardian)
It’s often interesting to see an outsider’s view of Lancashire and there’s a very complimentary feature from the Mirror’s Fiona Whitty this week.
During a trip which included foraging for an enjoying fine dining at The Rewilding in Cockerham, sampling at Goosnargh Gin School and visiting The Cartfood Inn, Fiona was left blown away by both the quality of food and drink on offer and the stunning surroundings.
“It was part of a real back-to-nature break in Lancashire, a county too often sidelined in favour of the nearby Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. Lancashire – characterised by farmland and picturesque villages, coastal plains and beaches, lively market towns and great country pubs, sweeping moors and proud fells – is arguably just as stunning.”
Fiona Whitty, the Mirror
Another read worth your time comes not from someone visiting, but someone with long-standing roots. Ormskirk resident and Liverpool Echo audience editor Gary Stewart’s guide to a night out in his home town showcases a range of option which will come as a surprise to many less familiar with the West Lancs town.
Once again, we finish on a round-up of some of the What’s On stories which have caught my attention over the past week:
J Fishwick and Ribble vintage buses returning to streets of Preston and South Ribble
Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool named among the best in the UK
Support After Suicide hosting uplifting Bands for H.O.P.E event in Burnley
First look inside new Latin American cocktail bar-restaurant in Lancaster
Spice Girl Mel B to switch on Blackpool Illuminations / Ella Henderson to headline switch-on concert
Preston Animate cinema confirms independent food hall and cocktail bar
The Cartford Inn shortlisted for Inn of the Year at AA Awards
New landlord for Goosnargh pub as villagers rally round ahead of opening day
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