176 - Ralph James - Gone but not forgotten - Life, Legacy, The Future of the Left

176 - Ralph James - Gone but not forgotten - Life, Legacy, The Future of the Left

Today I speak to friend of the podcast Kevin Donnellon about the death in early 2026 of our good friend Ralph James. Ralph was a political animal, a superb intellect, a lovely guy, and a community activist. We chat about our memories of him, his lifetime of campaigning, his legacy, and the current and future condition of the Political Left, of which Ralph was a champion. We also discuss Ralph’s unique quirks and eccentricities and recite a few funny stories! 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 – www.northandsoutheducationcic.co.uk – You can fund the charity through this pagePlease support the Podcast at https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts?ref=onboarding_email_share2

175 - Conversations with Real People in the North West of the UK - Des - Aged 79

@northandsouthpodcasts7461  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC1dQzS8KBgeT9iA7MAqhQpA] - 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 – www.northandsoutheducationcic.co.uk – You can fund the charity through this pagePlease support the Podcast at https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts?ref=onboarding_email_share2

Building a Better Sefton - Popcorn and People! Plaza Community Cinema - Film and Community Service!!!

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! Please support them! Please check out their website - www.plazacinema.org.uk [http://www.plazacinema.org.uk] Instagram – plazacinema Facebook – Plaza Community Cinema     Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel –https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and ourpodcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts andwritten pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ - You cansubscribe 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

S2 Ep11: (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 [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 [https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton]  Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811]  We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ [https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/] - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here.  Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social]  You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts [https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts]

S2 Ep10: (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/ [https://thebigonion.co.uk/]  -Merseyside Expanding Horizons Website - https://www.expandinghorizons.co.uk/ [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 [https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton]  Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811]  We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ [https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/] - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here.  Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social]  You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts [https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts]