ON Friday 7 July 2006, Sefton Young Musicians gave a successful concert in St Faith's Church, Crosby to a capacity audience. Amongst those present was Professor Hilary Tann, the composer of 'Shorelines', which received its premiere during the performance and was well acclaimed. She had been commissioned to write the piece of music for Sefton Youth String Orchestra, and chose to base her work on local connections.

On discovering the presence of the prehistoric footprints now visible on our coastline, she decided to evoke a scene of sand and surf, using strings and percussion. Hand percussionists improvised the tracks made by humans and animals some four thousand years ago.

On Saturday, she was escorted by Mr Gordon Roberts, to the shoreline at Formby to see the coast and the prints for herself, to imbibe the atmosphere and to gain inspiration, hopefully, for more works to come. Professor Tann originates from South Wales and was familiar with the Gower Coast but went to America as a young postgraduate. Once there she moved on to higher places in academia and has many acclaimed compositions to her credit including commissions for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Mr Gordon Roberts, a well known and respected local historian and archaeologist, was largely responsible for the recognition of the significance of the footprints.

He is an enthusiastic interpreter of the past and eagerly shares his knowledge with all who are interested.