Reflections on Chanukah by Peter Beyfus In Isaac Asimov’s short story entitled ‘Nightfall’, he postulates what would happen to humanity in the absence of sunlight; in short we would all go mad! Darkness still holds a grip on our imagination, no matter how old we are, evoking primeval fears of being vulnerable. This theme of […]

Fleetwood Market’s oldest and longest-serving stallholder retires aged 87 Courtesy Blackpool Gazette – By Richard Hunt.    Published 28th Aug 2023, 18:06 GMT The oldest and longest-serving stallholder at Fleetwood Market has hung up his hat at the age of 87. Until recently, John Richmond had been working on Fleetwood Market since the 1940s, when as […]

Lytham St Annes has been named the happiest place to live in Lancashire. The coastal town claimed the top spot in the county in a poll ranking the UK’s 75 happiest places to live. Carried out by online retailer Furniturebox, the survey gathered responses from 5,000 people across the UK. It considered factors such as […]

Peter Beyfus, 6 October 2025 The attack on Heaton Park Synagogue on Yom Kippur left many of us stunned but not entirely surprised. The climate of hatred that has existed during the last two years, since the massacres on 7 October 2023, has prepared Anglo-Jewry to expect the rising wave of antisemitism to result in […]

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About the Author Peter John Beyfus is an historian, published author, poet, and a person who prides himself on “thinking outside the box”. Shanah Tova Umetukah “In response to the shameful decision of the British Government and many other nations to recognise a Palestinian state, I thought I would share with you my thoughts on […]

Israel: At the Crossroads Aug 3, 2025, 2:35 PM by Peter Beyfus Some western democracies have once again scored a home goal with their latest proclaimed gesture politics in announcing recognition of a Palestinian state in September, if Israel, cast as the aggressor, does not agree to a ceasefire in Gaza and allow the aid […]

In which The Chief Rabbi draws out from Ben the sort of information we need when facing criticism of the Gaza war.

Rabbi Danny Bergson of St Anne’s presented a talk to trainee nurses from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA together with UClan School of Nursing, Brigham. Students are here for a few weeks on an exchange programme. We discussed nursing with sensitivity and compassion taking into consideration Jewish and faith issues. Topics discussed in 90 […]

Defending Israel : Joshua Hoffman Jewish success isn’t despite antisemitism. It’s because of it. In other words, anti-Semites built the Jews they fear today. Joshua Hoffman Apr 12, 2025   You say we run the banks. You say we run Hollywood. You say we control the media. You say we have too much influence, too much […]

Leading with Courage in Uncertain Times SPEAKING TO THE LEADERSHIP WITHIN EVERY MEMBER As we prepare for Pesach, we — today’s and future leaders, organisers, and volunteers who hold our communities together — are reminded that the Exodus was not just a miracle; it was a call to action. In a world of rising instability, […]

What links actress Maureen Lipman, Little Italy in Manchester, Jewish children and WW2? The answer is St Annes on Sea and our neighbouring town of Lytham. Many children from Manchester’s ‘Little Italy’ were evacuated to this area not only to keep them safe from bombing but also anti-Italy sentiments that were sadly affecting their lives. […]

Join us for a very special Shabbat Kiddush on 15th March after Purim, kindly sponsored by Ms. Lesley Bramley, with Speaker Mr. Sefton Bergson.