There's a free family fun day happening at Botanic Gardens on Father's Day

People are invited to enjoy fun for all ages when the free Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day takes place 10am-4pm this Sunday, 19th June 2022.

Taking place on the same day as Father’s Day, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a real family day out at one of the North West’s most beautiful parks.

The event is sponsored by Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery in Southport.

People can admire the official unveiling of the brand new Botanic Gardens mural by acclaimed logical artist Rob Newbiggin. Also on display will be winning pictures from Churchtown Primary School.

Credit: visitsouthport.com

Visitors will be able to enjoy a range of events and attractions, including: performances from local dance companies, The Wigan Brass Youth Band, giant bubbles, inflatables, live music from Sandgrounder Radio and Mighty FM, donkey rides, a petting zoo, and much more besides.

A number of local businesses and charities have signed up to take stalls, including: Woodlands Animal Sanctuary, Vintage Collectables, Marshside Fog Bell, Sunseekers Kids Books, Forever Melts and Jewellery and more.

Merseyside Police will be on site with a police van for the kids to see and explore.

The day has been organised by the Make A Change For Botanic campaign group, which is raising money to make vital improvements to the park. Their fundraising efforts recently saw the purchase and installation of two new water aeration fountains for the lake.

Make A Change For Ben was set up by David Rawsthorne after the tragic death of his best friend, Ben Smith-Crallan. Ben, 37, died after falling into the lake at the park.

Credit: Andrew Brown Media

The day is also being supported by the Botanic Gardens Community Association, whose volunteers have been leading the maintenance of the park for the past 12 years.

When the Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day takes place, the junction of Bankfield Lane and Verulam Road will remain closed, as United Utilities continues its work in the area.

There are excellent public transport links and people can also walk if they live close by.

Stalls and attractions will be accepting cash on the day.

While the day is free, people are being invited to donate what they can to support the work of the Make A Change For Botanic campaign.

From left: Paul Sherman; Peter Smith-Crallan; David Rawsthorne; Ann Cobham; and David Cobham next to the new fountain in the lake at the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport. (Credit: Andrew Brown Media)

Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day organiser Jess Thwaites said:

“We are delighted to be bringing this event to Southport and the Botanic Gardens to celebrate the unveiling of the new wall mural.

“It will be a much-deserved day of fun and entertainment to the whole community.

“The day is as much about supporting local businesses with their stalls, promoting awareness of the importance of looking after and improving the park along with raising much needed funds.

“I ask that people come along, enjoy the events we’ve put on and if they can give a little at the gates to one of our very kind volunteers then that would be amazing.

“There are too many people to thank for their efforts to help me put this day together, but special thanks to David Rawsthorne, the Botanic Gardens Community Association, Sammie Rudge for the artwork, Replica Print for the printing, Churchtown Primary School for their involvement in getting their children involved, all of the volunteers, Southport Rotarians and Green Sefton for their support.

“The day includes an art display from the children at Churchtown Primary school who have worked so hard to create some wonderful pictures for us.

“We also have live dance performances all morning from local dance companies, The Wigan Youth Brass Band in the afternoon along with Sandgrounder and Mighty Radio on site all day. “We have gigantic bubbles, inflatables, rides, stalls, donkey rides, a petting zoo, animal talks, a face painter and a craft tent to name a few.

Credit: Andrew Brown Media

“The Settle Inn at the Botanic Gardens will be providing a bbq and refreshments.

“It’s set to be a fabulous event! I can’t wait.

“Programmes with the day’s events, times and locations will be on sale for 50p at the gate and I hope everyone can spare that to join in the fundraising. Every little helps!

Fingers crossed the sun shines too! See you all there.”

Would you like to help the campaign to improve the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport? Please join the Make A Change For Botanic Facebook group here.