Leaders Blog: Celebrating achievements, honouring our heroes, and enjoying the summer in St Helens

A Level and BTEC Results Day - Congratulations to All

A huge congratulations to all students who received their A Level and BTEC results on Thursday. We hope you achieved the grades you were working so hard for.

But if things didn't go quite as planned, please don't be disheartened — there's a wide range of support available, and plenty of paths to success. If you're feeling unsure about what to do next, reach out to your school or college for guidance. Remember: your results do not define your future — your potential is far greater than a set of grades.

Best Wishes for GCSE Results

To all the students awaiting their GCSE results — best of luck! We know how much effort you've put in, and we hope your hard work pays off.

However, if your results aren't quite what you were hoping for, know that it's not the end of the road. There are many options ahead of you, including apprenticeships, training programmes, and further education.

VJ Day - Honouring 80 Years Since the End of WWII

On Friday 15th August, we marked the 80th anniversary of VJ Day with a moving ceremony at the St Helens Cenotaph in Victoria Square.

This important day commemorates the surrender of Japan and the end of the Second World War — a defining moment in history. Our ceremony included a Prayer of Commemoration, a reading of The Fallen, the solemn playing of The Last Post, and a two-minute silence.

Following the service, veterans and members of the public were invited to the Town Hall for light refreshments and an emotional archive and exhibition display, featuring first-hand stories from those who endured the horrors of the Far East campaign.

The event reflected the close collaboration between St Helens Council and the Armed Forces Forum, as we continue to honour our veterans and support their families. If you're a veteran and would like to get involved with the Armed Forces Forum, please email: benmurray@sthelens.gov.uk.

Green Flags Flying High - Celebrating Our Parks During the Heatwave

As we experience our fourth heatwave of the summer, it's important to stay safe in the sun: keep hydrated, wear cool clothing, stay in the shade when possible, and protect yourself with sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.

But the sunshine is also a perfect excuse to explore the beautiful parks and green spaces across St Helens Borough. Thanks to the tireless work of council teams and dedicated volunteer groups, we're proud to maintain these spaces to an incredibly high standard.

We're especially pleased to announce that Sutton Park in Sutton and Bankes Park in Billinge have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award, joining Taylor Park, Victoria Park, Mesnes Park in Newton-le-Willows, and the Memorial Gardens at St Helens Cemetery in Windle. This brings our total number of Green Flag parks to six.

Our parks are more than just scenic spots — they're beautiful spaces where residents of all ages can enjoy nature and enjoy time with loved ones.

Remembering Ray French MBE

Finally, we bid a fond farewell to a true legend of St Helens — Ray French MBE — who was laid to rest on Friday.

He was a fascinating man: intelligent, a gifted sportsman, and a dedicated teacher at Cowley - as a Cowlean I remember his lessons, his assemblies and his sheer presence in the school. It was amazing to have one of your teachers as the man who was also the voice of Rugby League on National TV. I visited Cowley only a few weeks ago and talked to Year 7 students about Ray and the impact he had on Cowley and St Helens. His impact on both the sporting world and the local community was immense. He was a great ambassador for the sport, for Cowley and St Helens.

Rest in peace, Sir. You'll always be remembered.

#LoveStHelens

We have had great support for the #LoveStHelens campaign right across the borough from residents to community groups and partners. Please continue to support this campaign championing our fantastic borough by posting photos, poems, comments, memories, pictures - whatever you like, to show just what St Helens means to you.  You can do this by simply going to the council website on www.sthelens.gov.uk/LoveStHelens - and download your photos, comments etc.

So please spread the word, share what you love about our borough - and lets all talk up St Helens and what we all love about it.

However, we also understand that things can go wrong from time to time. So that's why we have also launched our #WithYouForYou campaign, you can report any issue on our website www.sthelens.gov.uk or call 01744 676789 we are here to help.
 

Final Thoughts

From celebration and reflection to recognition and remembrance, this past month has shown the strength and spirit of our community. Whether you're marking a personal achievement, remembering a loved one, or simply enjoying a stroll through one of our award-winning parks, take a moment to appreciate the people and places that make St Helens such a special place. #LoveStHelens