Lancashire local issue 7

20p Where Sold

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Issue. 7

Inside This Issue: Health & Wellbeing • Weddings • Home and Gardens • Care • Classified • Sports

Stargazing event

with the Liverpool

Astronomical Society

The Liverpool Astronomical Society (LAS) would like to invite St Helens residents to an evening with the stars at Taylor Park on 12 February, 7pm-9:30pm, in partnership with the council’s Ranger Service.

Members of the LAS will display several telescopes for viewing the Moon and other celestial objects in the night sky, if conditions are clear, and take event-goers on an out-of-this-world, illustrated talk on astronomy.

The event is free and open to all members of the public. For more information call St Helens Council’s Ranger Service on 01744 678 073, contact Brian Martin, Observatory Director for the LAS, on 0151 489 0270 or visit www.liverpoolas.org.

Lee Anthony Nolan

sentenced to life

imprisonment

A man has been jailed after murdering a woman and driving around with her body in the boot of his car.Lee Anthony Nolan (31/03/1967) of Bamford Road, Heywood was Tuesday 9 February, been sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to life imprisonment and will serve a minimum of 18 years after pleading guilty to the murder of 24-year-old Katelyn Parker. On Thursday 13 August 2015, Nolan picked a man up in his blue Nissan NX100 and attempted to buy cannabis from him. Whilst they were in the car Nolan bragged that he had killed a woman and her body was in the boot of the car.

When the man expressed his disbelief, Nolan pulled one of the rear seats in the car down and revealed Katelyn’s body.

The following day, police spotted the car driving on Claybank Street, Heywood and after a short pursuit Nolan abandoned the car behind a pub on Bamford Road and attempted to flee the scene.

He was detained nearby, as was a 70-yearold man he was travelling with.Once officers had searched the car, Nolan and the other man were both arrested on suspicion of murder. No further action was taken against the 70-year-old man but Nolan was charged with murder. Detectives from the Greater Manchester Police Major Incident Team established that Nolan had been at Katelyn Parker’s home address where he offered to do her hair but when she refused he strangled her with a power cable.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that Katelyn died from ligature strangulation.

Senior Investigating Officer Duncan Thorpe said: “What happened to Katelyn was a tragedy and her friends and family went through something that nobody ever should.

“I know the sentence passed here today won’t change what happened but I hope it will go some way to giving them all some form of closure.”

Page 2. Issue 7. Lancashire Local

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Lord Mayor thanks older residents

for their contribution to the city

The vital contribution made by older people to Manchester was celebrated and acknowledged at a special event at Manchester Town Hall on Friday 29 January.

100 Special guests from across the city were invited to join the Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Paul Murphy OBE for the annual afternoon tea party.

Guests included volunteers from

Moston, Newton Health, Blackley, Whalley Range and Wythenshawe who have all helped make the city more age friendly – encouraging older people to be more active, more involved in the local community and to take advantage of Manchester’s exceptional arts venues.

The tea party also featured a presentation from Tony Jameson, Cofounder and Director of the Sporting M e m o r i e s Foundation.

The Sporting M e m o r i e s Foundation believes in the power of stories to reignite connections b e t w e e n generations and combat the effects of dementia, depression and loneliness in communities.

Tony spoke about a new exhibition at the National Football Museum, called #memoriesof66, and how thinking about major events, such as England’s World Cup victory, can evoke strong memories and create discussion.

Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Paul Murphy OBE said: “Older people’s contribution to the city is hugely significant, though it can often

be overlooked and marginalised.

“The tea party is just a small way we can begin to rectify that and say a much deserved thank you to the more

senior members of our community.

“Manchester was the first city in the UK to be named age-friendly by the World Health Organisation but there

is still more we can do and meeting this remarkable group of people helped me understand the scale of the challenges we face.”

Litter louts beware, a fine could be heading your way

Warrington Borough Council is sending out the warning after one resident has been fined more than £200 for dropping litter.

Lisa Sullivan, 25, from Dallam was fined £220 after dropping a drinks bottle despite being just 10 feet from a litter bin.

Council executive board member for environment and public protection,

Judith Guthrie, said: “People need to be aware that if they litter then action will be taken.

“It is about having respect for our environment and where we live.

Clearing up litter costs the tax payer thousands of pounds every year. In Warrington you are never far from a bin, so use them!”

The litter offender was seen by

a Warrington Borough Council enforcement officer dropping the bottle in Harrison Square while out with her children last September.

When she was challenged, the officer said she didn’t take the offence seriously.

As a result she was fined in her absence at Warrington Magistrates Court.

Brush up your art skills at the Park Farm Centre

Art enthusiasts with experience of watercolour painting, looking to brush up their skills, are invited to attend a water landscapes workshop - led by renowned artist, Joanne Boon Thomas.

The class will take place at the Park Farm Centre in Moss Bank on Monday 14. March from 10am – 3pm, with Joanne on hand to offer one-to-one tuition to help art lovers reach their own personal artistic goals.

For more information, call Joanne on 07955931964

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Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 3.

Rapist jailed 32 years after

he attacked a woman

Detectives from Greater Manchester Police’s Cold Case Unit have used DNA profiling to snare a rapist 32 years after he attacked a woman in her North Manchester home.

Henry William Drennan (born 19/10/1957) of Spey Court, Lanarkshire, Scotland, pleaded guilty to rape at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square, on Tuesday 15 December 2015.

On Tuesday 2 February 2016, he was jailed for 10 years, put on licence for 18 years and made to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

The attack took place on Friday 13 January 1984, when the then 29-yearold woman was sleeping in her home.

Her husband had left the house early that morning, leaving his wife and their young child asleep in their beds.

Drennan had broken into the house while the victim slept, and entered her bedroom without waking her.

The first thing the victim knew of the attack was the sharp instrument, thought to be a pair of scissors, held

against her by Drennan, who had clamped his other hand over her mouth. He then raped her, before asking if she had any money and telling her not to report the rape to anyone.

After he had fled the victim immediately went to check on her child, before calling her husband, who alerted police to the attack.

The subsequent investigation revealed several forensic opportunities, but DNA technology at the time was not sophisticated enough to utilise the samples.

Greater Manchester Police’s Cold Case Unit re-opened the investigation in 2009, but even then the DNA technology available was not sophisticated enough to progress the case.

It was only early in 2015, upon the introduction of the latest generation of DNA profiling methodologies, that detectives finally had the opportunity to crack the three decade-old investigation.

A sample first taken from the victim in 1984 was tested using the new technology and in July 2015, a DNA profile was developed which matched that of a known offender who had his details recorded on the DNA database.

That match was Henry William Drennan, and officers swiftly moved to arrest him at his home address in Scotland. Detective Constable Michaela Clinch said: “This case has taken a horrific toll upon the victim, who has suffered for more than thirty years as a result of Drennan’s attack.

"The initial impact upon her was horrendous, she had been raped at home in her own bed, where she should have been perfectly safe."

"She was scared to be alone in her own home, scared to go out, scared to take the bus to visit family, scared to live her day-to-day life.

"Even now, 32 years later, she will suffer vivid flashbacks of the whole terrifying ordeal out of the blue.

"Like so many rape victims she was left feeling embarrassed, humiliated

and vulnerable and if she is forced to remember being attacked, those feelings can be as intense today as they were back in 1984.

"With that in mind, her choice to support the police re-investigation in 2015 was an incredibly brave one, and was made with the right intention, to prevent this man from doing the same thing to someone else.

“This case is a testament to the bravery of the victim, the hard work of detectives in the Cold Case Unit, but also the forensic scientists who have worked tirelessly with us and deserve great credit for their assistance which has allowed us to bring this reprehensible individual to justice. “The conclusion of this investigation 32 years after it was committed should serve as a reassurance to the public that GMP’s Cold Case Unit never considers such horrendous cases to be closed until justice is served. It should also serve as a warning to other offenders that we are onto you.”

COUNCIL BRANCHES OUT WITH TREE REPAIR

The Riversway team at Preston City Council came to the rescue in December when the rain downpours and subsequent flooding undercut the roots of a large tree adjacent to the River Ribble. The flooding caused the tree to fall into the river and tear out a large area of ground from beneath a flood defence wall which protects the

Broadgate area of Preston.

Potential consequences of not carrying out the repair included: • Damaging a major United Utilities trunk sewer beneath the foundations of the wall • Creating major pollution to the river • Consequent damage to the public highway and further utility services

such as gas, electric and telecom.

The council offered to help with temporary repairs to assist the Environment Agency. The team at the City Council has since underpinned the wall, filled the void and embankment and removed the majority of the fallen tree. Cabinet member for environment, Councillor

Family pay tribute to woman

who died in collision

The family of a woman who died in a collision in Bolton have paid tribute to her. At 10pm on Sunday 31 January 2016, a woman crossed over Bow Street at the junction of Crown Street when she fell over. A short time later, a bus and two vehicles are seen on CCTV slowing down and driving around her. There was a short break in traffic before another car, a Ford Focus, collided with her.

The woman has now been formally identified as 52-year-old Louise Wolstenholme.

Paying tribute to her, Louise’s family said she was a “loving mother of Gaz and Brad and future mother-in-law to Vikee. She was mummy to Dougie the dog, partner to Rem and sister to Mark. “She was loved by all her family, was a loving Godmother to Jack and Olivia and was a faithful and loyal friend to many. Louise had a big heart as big as her personality and will be devastatingly missed.”

Robert Boswell, said: “Thanks to the prompt actions of the council the flood wall, the highway and the utility services have all been saved. This means the Environment Agency or other bodies involved won’t need to undertake temporary works.

“It was a great partnership and we were pleased to lend a hand with a

high quality temporary solution.”

Jim Walker, Senior Team Leader (Flood & Coastal Risk Management) at the Environment Agency added: “We are very grateful to the council and their staff for the quick action and response to avert a potentially dangerous situation. “Not only was the tree in danger of being washed

away and damaging the gas main immediately down-stream, but the flood wall was at risk of collapsing due to the void, and the sandy ground beneath the wall was beginning to wash away. “The Environment Agency is currently seeking funding for a permanent repair to be delivered in the longer term.”

Page 4. Issue 7. Lancashire Local

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you’re never too old to start exercising again

Ken Williamson, 93, has proven you’re never too old to start exercising again and has won a national award for embracing his new hobby with such enthusiasm, dancing his way to victory.

Ken is one of as many as forty residents at Appleby House who love taking part in the thrice weekly scheduled ‘Oomph!’ exercise sessions in the home. These sessions are designed to make exercising in old age fun again, using popular music, dance moves, colourful props and story-telling routines.

Activity coordinator at Appleby House, Jacqueline Dye, who nominated Ken for the award, was trained by the award-winning social enterprise Oomph! Wellness. She said “Ken is always waiting at the door for our Oomph! sessions to start, he loves exercise and used to do ballroom dancing with his wife who unfortunately now can no longer dance.

Ken is so enthusiastic during the sessions and gets up to join me for a waltz. When Ken first arrived at Appleby House he used to sit in his suite and was unwilling to come out, now he is dancing his days away and is so much happier and always smiling.”

Ken himself says: “It takes me back to the old days. It rejuvenates me both of mind and spirit of my days as a youngster in the forces and civilian life with my dear wife of 66 years.”

Joan, Ken’s wife, meanwhile, said

“Ken really enjoys the Oomph! sessions, he seems happier and more aware. It makes my heart glad that Ken is happy in his surroundings.”

Ken is one of thousands of older adults that are taking part in the Oomph! sessions each month across the UK. Oomph! founder, Ben Allen said: “Oomph! stands for Our Organisation Makes People Happy! and that’s what we aim to do every day.

Our research shows that older adults don’t proactively seek out exercise classes. Instead we offer them a song and dance party that happens to exercise their body - and they can’t get enough of it!

They are enjoying themselves, they’re socialising and they’re getting fitter and stronger at the same time.”

Ken’s prize for winning the competition is his very own ballroom dancing experience and an ‘Oomph!

Party’ at the home, including a bespoke cinema experience of some classic dance hall moments.

Shona Bradbury, manager at Appleby House, a Care UK home, said “We have seen a reduction in falls this month which I think is down to the

Oomph! classes. The visual aspects of Oomph! work really well in getting residents engaged. We have residents, colleagues and relatives all joining in Oomph!

Sessions - they really lift the mood of the home. Instructor Jacqueline is revelling in her role as an Oomph!

Instructor, she consistently delivers enthusiastic, confident and engaging sessions. She is adored by residents.”

George McNamara, Head of Policy at Alzheimer’s Society, who funded the training and support programme on behalf of Appleby House said: “We’re thrilled to be a part of this wonderful story.

Leading a physically active lifestyle can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of old people, especially those living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Exercise is beneficial for physical and mental health and may improve the quality of life for people in all stages of the condition. Oomph! gets people exercising in an enjoyable way.

By involving family and friends in the sessions makes it even more powerful.”

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Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 5.

NEW FIGURES SHOW WARM HOMES OLDHAM IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Warm Homes Oldham is continuing to improve the lives and health of thousands of people across the borough, new government figures show.

In the last three years the borough has fitted the second highest number of home improvements and new energy saving measures, such as boilers, loft insulation and cladding, in the country.

The figures, from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, show that 170 households out of every 1,000 in Oldham have benefitted from an ECO grant to improve their homes.

With a total of 15,416 installations being completed this is the highest total in Greater Manchester.

Warm Homes Oldham was set up to help households struggling with rising energy bills - and to reduce the health problems associated with living in a cold home.

Funded by Oldham Council, Oldham NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and Oldham Housing Investment Partnership, it brings health and housing bodies together to tackle fuel poverty and improve the health of residents.

Energy efficiency and switching advice is

also offered to help people reduce their gas and electricity bills, as well as support for claiming benefits, help off prepayment meters and help clearing fuel debts.

The scheme has helped lift more than 2,300 households out of fuel poverty meaning they are no longer spending more than 10 per cent of their income on heating bills.

Among those latest residents to benefit from Warm Homes Oldham are Royton’s John Moorhouse and his wife Lorna.

Over the last few years John’s health has been in decline due to breathing difficulties and this has resulted in him being diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Following a home visit ECO and Warm Homes funding was secured for the installation of a new energy efficient boiler and a benefits check revealed the couple were entitled to an Attendee Allowance due to John’s disability and pension credits – this has resulted in more money coming into the home to help pay for household essentials.

The Warm Homes Officer assisted them in switching energy suppliers, saving them £238 a year and also secured the Warm Homes discount of £140 for them.

Following referral from the team they also received a visit from Age UK for other small energy saving measures such as radiator panels, and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

also fitted free smoke alarms. John said: “Everyone has been brilliant, we can’t thank the Warm Homes team enough as we none of this would have been possible without their help - we are over the moon.”

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Transport, said: “These figures show that our Warm Homes Oldham scheme is making a huge difference to the lives of residents across the borough.

“Over the last three years we’ve been able to help reduce the number of Oldham residents living in fuel poverty and, as a result, have helped to improve their health.

“This scheme is yet another good example of how we are working co-operatively with our partners to offer quality assured property

improvements, but also advice and practical help with other things like dealing with fuel debt and benefits advice.” “The success of the scheme also means we’ve been able to secure over £3.5 million funding from external sources – just one of this team’s many achievements.”

Warm Homes Oldham provides a range of advice and practical help to Oldham homeowners or tenants by: • Giving energy efficiency and bill advice • Accessing grants for heating upgrades and insulation • Accessing grants for gas supplies • Helping people clear their fuel debt through applications to trust fund grants • Helping residents off prepayment meters to cheaper, more convenient standard credit meters

• Helping residents switch energy providers and access warm homes discounts (£140 rebate on winter energy bills) • Benefits checks to ensure residents are claiming everything they are entitled to • Providing emergency heating Householders over 50 also get a follow up visit from Age UK Oldham who are fully trained to undertake a holistic assessment of the resident’s situation and fit small energy measures where possible (e.g. radiator foils, foam draft excluders, door brushes, letter box seals, low energy light bulbs, chimney balloons, remote plug sockets, cold alarms ans night lights).

For more information or to book a free home visit to see how we can help visit: www.warmhomesoldham. org or call 0800 019 1084.

Exciting times continue at

Penrith Farmers’ and Kidd’s Auctioneers

Penrith Farmers’ and Kidd’s Auctioneers in Penrith, Cumbria are a regional hub for auction sales of all manner of items – from general house clearance right through to Fine Art and Antiques.

PFK sell over 20,000 lots a year through a series of 26 auctions from their purpose built 1500 square metre warehouse saleroom close to Junction 40 M6. Their convenient access is a major asset, with clients travelling far to attend the auctions which can be viewed on Saturday mornings prior to the sales.

In addition, every lot is photographed and available to buy live online at www.ukauctioneers.com, reaching a worldwide audience.

Currently, PFK are working towards their April 13 Major Fine Art and Antiques auction and are inviting entries of valuable, interesting and unusual items of all types – from fine jewellery right through to furniture.

Free valuations are available throughout Lancashire and beyond.

In addition to the April Fine Art and Antiques auction, PFK are continually accepting entries for their popular

Fortnightly General auction. Items in this sale include interior design pieces, modern, vintage and retro furnishings and general household and good quality electrical items – a real treasure trove!

For further information, contact Saleroom Manager Michael Roberts directly on 01768 890781.

Page 6. Issue 7. Lancashire Local

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Litter louts New Opening

beware, a fine could hours for waste be heading your way recycling centres

Warrington Borough Council is sending out the warning after one resident has been fined more than £200 for dropping litter.

Lisa Sullivan, 25, from Dallam was fined £220 after dropping a drinks bottle despite being just 10 feet from a litter bin.

Council executive board member for environment and public protection,

Judith Guthrie, said: “People need to be aware that if they litter then action will be taken.

“It is about having respect for our environment and where we live.

Clearing up litter costs the tax payer thousands of pounds every year. In Warrington you are never far from a bin, so use them!”

The litter offender was seen by

a Warrington Borough Council enforcement officer dropping the bottle in Harrison Square while out with her children last September.

When she was challenged, the officer said she didn’t take the offence seriously.

As a result she was fined in her absence at Warrington Magistrates Court.

Warrington’s three community recycling centres are to have new opening hours as from March1.

The changes follow the award of the household waste contract by Warrington Borough Council to Environment Waste Controls Plc. The new opening hours will be: • Gatewarth CRC 8am - 6pm seven days a week

Initially, up to £1 million from the government’s Global Challenges Research Fund will be made available through the UK Medical Research Council (UK MRC) to researchers applying for grants to investigate the nature of the virus, its transmission and the potential links to neurological conditions including microcephaly.

Universities and Science Minister, Jo Johnson, said: The spread of the Zika virus to a growing number of countries in Central and South America has now been recognised as a global emergency by the World Health Organization WHO. Zika needs to be fought on a number of fronts, and the UK’s world-class scientists have an important role to play. Thanks to the government’s decision to protect the science budget and establish a new Global Challenges Research Fund,

UK scientists can immediately start tackling this problem.

Professor Sir John Savill, the MRC’s chief executive said: It’s critical that we find out more about the Zika virus as soon as possible, so we are allocating funding to help researchers answer some of the most pressing questions about the disease. We need to be able to develop treatments and vaccines but first we need answers to vital questions about the nature of this virus - such as if and how it is changing, how to control the spread of the disease, and how to both diagnose and prevent infection.

The UK has a wealth of excellent scientists working in virus research and in the fields of genetics, immunology, epidemiology and mosquito vectors.

Zika is unlikely to be a serious public health problem in the UK, because the

virus is spread by tropical mosquitos, but it’s hugely important that we use our home-grown expertise to help tackle health problems of significant global impact.

Possible avenues of research to be funded by this initiative could include: epidemiological characteristics, eg vector transmission potential, geographical spread, interactions with other arboviruses, changing viral genotype, host susceptibility, incubation period development of more specific rapid diagnostic tests for Zika virus that can reduce misdiagnosis that may occur due to the presence of dengue or other viruses in a test sample viral pathogenicity, association with and potential mechanistic links to neurodevelopment / microcephaly mechanisms of infection and host

immune responses and potential therapeutics / vaccines At the same time as the rapid response initiative, the UK MRC and the Foundation for Science and Technology of the state of Pernambuco (FAPERPE) have recently agreed to jointly fund a research proposal to investigate the viral features and host responses to Zika virus with a view to designing

• Woolston CRC 10am – 4pm weekdays; 8am – 6pm weekends and Bank Holidays. • *Stockton Heath CRC 10am – 4pm weekdays; 8am – 6pm weekends and Bank Holidays (April to September) 8am – 4pm (October to March). ll sites will be open every day of the year, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Warrington Borough

Councillor Judith Guthrie, executive board member for environment and public protection, said: “The hours of operation have changed to ensure the most cost-effective and sustainable waste recycling services possible. “It is important, however, that residents continue to make best use of the sites as well as their kerbside recycling service.”

Just one bite away from infection new preventative strategies. This agreement follows a joint call for research applications under the UK government’s Newton Fund.

Researchers at the UK MRC Centre for Virus Research at the University of Glasgow will be working with a team at the Research Center Aggeu Magalhães at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Pernambuco, Brazil.

The joint award is around £300,000

in total. The main objective of the project is to study the presence and epidemiology of the Zika virus in Brazil and to understand how the immune system of people infected with the virus responds to the infection. Genetic techniques will be used to support diagnostics and vaccine development studies as well as helping to understand the biology of the Zika virus during infection.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 7.

Page 8. Issue 7. Lancashire Local

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Council serves up awardwinning food for schools

Positive feedback…Executive Development Chef Andrew Ferguson with pupils at Garswood Primary School.

St Helens parents can rest assured that their children will get some of the freshest – and most nutritional – school dinners available!

The council’s School Meals Service has just been awarded the Soil Association’s Bronze Food for Life catering mark - for serving fresh meals that meet school food standards.

The awards recognise the fact that people want more information on where their food comes from and how it has been made. Catering mark award holders have to prove that they maintain high standards of traceability, freshness and provenance.

The award also recognises restaurants and caterers who serve fresh food that’s free from controversial additives and better for animal welfare – confirmed through rigorous on-site inspections. The School Meals Service provides 13,000 dinners a day for pupils at primary, secondary and special schools throughout the borough.

It’s led by Executive Development Chef and former Rainford High student Andrew Ferguson, who has been working with pupils and schools to transform the operation across the borough. All meals are prepared by skilled, qualified staff using fresh ingredients. Customer

feedback is vital – with menus linked to the school's curriculum and staff attending student council meetings, organising pupil customer surveys and creating new dining concepts.

“We’re delighted to have achieved the bronze award,” said Andrew. “We’ve always strived to serve fresh and nutritious meals, and this award recognises our commitment. We’re already thinking about how we can work towards our silver award” St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Green Smart and Sustainable Borough Councillor Seve GomezAspron said: “This is an excellent achievement which recognises the vital role that fresh, nutritious meals play in our schools and I’m delighted that all the hard work put in by our School Meals Service has been recognised in this way.”

Fostering can Change lives..

There is a shortfall of foster carers to meet the needs of young people who are unable to live with their own families in England.

Fostering service providers need to recruit a wide range of people to meet children and young people’s individual needs.

Wherever possible, fostering services are looking to recruit foster carers who can understand and meet the child’s heritage, ethnic origin, culture and language, and fostering services need carers from all types of backgrounds. Newly appointed DfE fostering ambassador Debbie

Douglas (from TOWIE) recently spoke about her experiences as a foster carer on GMTV. Debbie, 54, and her partner Dave Bright have fostered more than 250 children over the past 22 years, while also raising 4 biological children, including Lydia.

Making That Change!

As another Monday morning approaches, is it time to think about changing jobs or contemplate changing your career altogether?

Maybe it’s time to consider pursuing a whole new career to achieve better work life balance or by making a difference to the community.

Pursuing a career in fostering would fulfil both of these requirements.

However, changing career can be a daunting prospect and you may be worried that you would have to do months of studying and examinations.

You do not need any qualifications to become a foster carer – it’s your life experience, your personal skills and qualities that really matter rather than what qualifications you may or may not have. Once initial checks have been carried out you will undergo 3 to 4 days of training (sometimes offered in evenings for those that are working). Delivered by a social worker and foster carers, the training covers what foster carers do, how they do it, and it looks at some of the key issues you and your family need to understand in order to welcome a child into your home. The training is informal, easy to follow and interactive and is not like sitting in a stuffy classroom all day. There isn’t a scary exam at the end either!

One of the major benefits of fostering is the ability to work at home and flexibly according to the needs of your family, but what if you also work outside the home? A foster home should provide stability and security for a child. Many households have one or both parents who work, but you will need to carefully consider who would care for your foster child if they were sick and during the school holidays. You would also have to be available to attend meetings in regards to your foster child.

If you don’t feel you are able to foster full time, you may want to consider fostering on a part time basis. There are different types of fostering and one of them is Short Break/Respite caring, this can combine a mix of evenings, days, weekends and holiday periods, this scheme offers more

flexibility to full time workers who would still like to support vulnerable children.

The whole process to become a foster carer can take between 4 to 6 months, so by making a change now, you could have a new member in your household in 2016!

What is fostering?

Fostering is a way of providing a nurturing and safe environment for somebody else’s child in your own home when they are unable to live with their birth family.

Quality foster care means to nourish, to rear, to promote and to cherish.

When families foster, they need to provide a safe, secure and stable environment so that children and young people can recover from any potential traumas they have experienced. Foster care is about giving children and young people the opportunities to reach their full potential.

Why do children require fostering?

There are a variety of reasons that some children cannot remain with their birth families. Reasons a child might need to be placed into foster care include: if the child is experiencing abuse, their parents are misusing drugs or alcohol, there is domestic violence within the family, or there has been a family breakdown or relationship difficulties.

A foster family should give children and young people the opportunity to experience a positive and rewarding family life which enables them to rebuild their trust in adults.

Foster placements Foster placements are needed for a range of timescales.

Sometimes they can last for days, sometimes for months and sometimes for years. About 40% of children and young people return home to live with their own families within six months of living away. However, there are some children and young people that need longer term support. This can be provided through fostering, adoption, kinship placements, special guardianship, residential care or living independently.

Types of foster care Emergency When children need somewhere safe to stay for a few nights.

Short-term Carers look after children for a few weeks or months (or even up to a year or 2) while plans are made for the child’s future.

Short breaks When children who are disabled, have special needs or have behavioural difficulties regularly stay for a while with a family. This means their parents or usual foster carers can have a break. It can also be to provide cover for full time foster carers, for instance when they take a new young person into placement and already have a holiday booked, which they are unable to change/take the young person with them.

Remand When young people are remanded by a court to be looked after by a specially trained foster carer.

Fostering for Adoption When babies or small children stay with foster carers who are open to and hoping to adopt them. These carers are sometimes ‘dual-approved’ as both foster carers and adopters.

Long-term Some young people, especially those where birth family relationships are important to them, and/or those placed into foster carer at an older age, will need to be fostered until they turn 18 – meaning that the stability of a long term placement is required – often lasting for several years.

‘Family and friends’ or ‘kinship’ A child being cared for by the local council goes to live with someone they already know, usually a family member.

Specialist therapeutic For children and young people with complex needs and/or challenging behaviour.

To find out more about becoming a foster carer, phone Caritas Fostering on 0161 817 2250 to speak to an adviser about pursuing a worthwhile career choice providing a home to a young person who needs one.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 9.

Page 10. Issue 7. Lancashire Local

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Burnley nurse retires

after 43 years NHS service

A well-loved hospital nurse from Burnley was given an emotional send-off after providing care for NHS patients for more than 40 years.

Elaine Lewis has worked for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust since 1983 when started work as a part time Enrolled Nurse working night duty on the Acute Unit and A&E at Rossendale Hospital.

After successfully completing her RGN training and becoming a ‘D’ grade Staff Nurse, in 1994 Elaine was upgraded to an ‘E’ grade Registered General Nurse based at Burnley General Hospital, she continued her studies gaining Registered Sick Child Nurse

qualification and eventually becoming an Emergency Nurse Practitioner in 2005, a vital role she performed with dedication and distinction until her retirement. “Elaine was a pleasure to work with, she always came into work with a smile on her face,” says her friend and colleague, Matron Julie Kay. “Elaine’s dedication and commitment was first class and she will be missed by all her colleagues and patients at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.” In all, Elaine’s NHS

nursing career totalled 43 years and she worked in many services including Psychiatry, Elderly care, A&E, Acute and Theatres in a 43year career encompassing both day and night duty.

Brought up in America and now living in Burnley, Elaine attended evening classes at Burnley College of Further Education before starting her nursing career at Leigh Infirmary (1968 to 1978) before moving to Warrington Hospital as a part time Enrolled Nurse from 1978 until 1982.

Reflecting on her time in East Lancashire as an enjoyable experience, Elaine says: “I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life but I will miss being a part of the hospital community and the people I came into contact with every day.”

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Trust donates

equipment to Africa

Following previous donations, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has continued to send unused medical equipment to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Ghana over the Winter period.

The Trust had previously sent unused mortuary equipment to Ghana in December 2014 which paved the way for developing a pathology laboratory at the hospital in Africa.

The latest shipment of equipment arrived in Africa on 2nd December and James Maguire, Head of Estates at the Trust, is flying out to help with the installation of the equipment and completion of the mortuary on 6th February.

As with the previous trip the donation of this equipment will prove incredibly helpful to the small African community. The hospital itself is run by monks and is a strictly not for profit organisation, aiming to deliver help and aid to the poorest in the community.

Some of those within the community cannot instantly afford the funeral costs and bodies have to be left at the hospital for months at a time in extreme cases. The new mortuary will allow the bodies to be kept in a safe and humane way.

The hospital has the capacity for 300 beds but currently only has 165, so a lot of the beds East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has sent will help fill that empty space and allow the hospital to care for more of the local population.

In Ghana, James will lend his expertise to the project through planning and helping develop local management skills. It is anticipated he will also assist with installation

of the equipment itself and he said: “The equipment that we’ve sent over to Ghana couldn’t be used by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust but is still in working order so Ghana is a great destination. It was upsetting to see children that only had a towel on the floor to lie on last time I was in Ghana, so to see all the extra beds in the hospital will be fantastic. “ I ’ m excited to go back and see some of the friends that I m a d e on the last trip.

They are a really passionate group of people and I’m really p r o u d to be involved with the project w h i c h h e l p s thousands of people in Ghana.

“I think once I see these beds in place and complete t h e

mortuary project my work in Ghana will be complete, although my family know I can't rule out future visits if the hospital needs any Engineering Management expertise. In the future I hope I can keep on supporting the manager of the Ghanaian hospital and I’d be thrilled to one day welcome him to England and show him East Lancashire Hospitals Trust.”

Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 11.

Page 12. Issue 7. Lancashire Local

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Have an Amazing Half-Term

at Stockport Museums

Stockport Museums have prepared and amazing programme for families to ensure no one is bored over the February half-term.

There are magic workshops at Staircase House with a local wizard who has promised to share his some of his tricks. At Stockport Museum you can attend a free Family Art Day and pay a visit to the wonderful Family Gallery, a space designed to make imaginations run wild. At Hat Works there is a packed programme

of creative workshop and to finish the holiday off in style the museum is hosting one of its amazing Super Sundays. This time the theme is a Chinese New Year’s Party to celebrate the arrival of the year of the monkey. A day packed with oriental themed activities and entertainment for all the family.

For any brave young explorers our there the Air Raid Shelters are running a Children’s Explorer Tour.

Don a hard hat and find out what lies

beyond the tunnels on the standard tour. In addition to our family activity programme there are two wonderful free exhibitions showing. At Stockport Museum you can enjoy ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning – Stories from World War I’. This is an evocative exhibition which looks at the impact of the First World War on Stockport.

At Hat Works you can see ‘Hats Amazing’, this exhibition brings to light artefacts form the hatting collection that have not been exhibited before. Explore Stockport’s hatting history through this eclectic selection of objects chosen by museum staff and partners. Each object comes with a personal stories, unusual connections and ignited memories.

Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 13.

Page 14. Issue 7. Lancashire Local

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THE HONEYMOON PERIOD SHRINKS BY HALF IN A DECADE

WORK PRESSURE & THE EXPENSE SPELLS THE END OF THE TWO-WEEK EXOTIC HONEYMOON THE HONEYMOON period has halved in length in the last decade, new national research has revealed.

Traditionally, UK couples routinely enjoyed honeymoons lasting two weeks in some of the most exotic locations on earth. But modern work pressures and the increase in couples paying for their own wedding celebrations has curtailed the extravagance once considered de rigeur for all newlyweds, according to a study by leading hotel bookers LateRooms.com.

Tradition is ushered out into the wedding wilderness with the revelation that just over a third of British couples recently married, or just about to tie the knot, will take a traditional two-week honeymoon.

More than half (55%) of all newly married couples and couples about to get wed claim that they have noticed a huge trend towards shorter, more affordable mini-moons instead of the traditional two week, no expense spared honeymoon of a lifetime. And now, almost half of UK newlyweds (49%) now either stay in the UK or venture no further than Europe for their post-marital mini-moon, the LateRooms.com study reveals.

Compare this to 2005, when the top honeymoon destinations for Brits were Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, St Lucia, Mexico, Jamaica and Anguilla.* Furthermore, according to a report at the time by Mintel, in 2005 80% of newly married couples went or wanted to go on a 2-week foreign honeymoon.

In 2015, less than a quarter (24%) of UK newlyweds now go on honeymoon immediately after their wedding reception, according to the LateRooms.com poll of 2,000 newly-married and about-to-gethitched couples. And almost one in 10 couples (9%) now don’t bother taking a honeymoon at all.

Almost a third (32%) of newlyweds will wait up to six months before taking their mini-moon, the research has revealed.

Where once, a bride and groom would be waved off by a gaggle of wedding guests as they departed their evening reception bound for a flight of fancy in the Far East, these days many simply go home.

The driving factors for this seachange in honeymoon tradition are pressures from work and the cost of the traditional honeymoon.

In 2015 one in five couples say that the pressures of work means they don’t have the time to enjoy a twoweek honeymoon.

And another 30% say the fact they are having to pay or contribute heavily to the cost of their wedding day means they can’t afford a traditional two week break in a far flung destination.

In 2005 just 16% of couples asked wedding guests for money towards their honeymoon.

Some things remain the same, however. Despite the shorter minimoon trend, the classic beach break continues to be the nation’s honeymoon trip of choice.

Almost three in 10 (28%) of newly married couples head to the beach for their post-marital holiday. A further 22% will seek out rest and relaxation in the countryside and 11% head for a city break.

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Planning for your

Wedding Day 2016

As couples plan for their big day for 2016 now is the time to get into shape and start organizing for what will be the best day of their lives. For the bride, you can’t start earlier enough.

You want to arrive at the alter looking vibrant with health and beauty, so what better excuse do you need to invest a little bit of time, money and energy in getting you there?

Whether it is planning a few pampering trips to some spas or joining a gym, not only can you trim your figure, you’ll do wonders for your complexion and overall energy levels. Shopping for the wedding dress is probably the part of the wedding plans you are looking forward to more than any other aspect. The majority of bridal gowns bought in the UK are classed as ‘off

the peg.’ You try on a sample of the gown in the shop; they take your measurements and order the most appropriate size for you which is then delivered to the shop for alterations to fit your exact shape and size.

Don’t panic, there may be a huge amount to do but here is a handy checklist with some of the main points to take into consideration in the build up to the big day!

12 months before…

• Choose a wedding date • Decide on a budget • Make a list of guests and decide on numbers • Book your Church/Ceremony location • Book your reception venue/caterers • Choose your Bridesmaids, Ushers and Best Man

• Start looking for The Dress!

• Choose and book your photographer 8 months before…

• Choose bridesmaids’ dresses • Book entertainment • Choose and order your wedding cake • Make an appointment with your chosen florist 6 months before...

• Give Notice of Marriage • Purchase or hire menswear • Select your wedding rings 4 months before...

• Send out your wedding invitations • Arrange fittings for the wedding dress and menswear 1 month before...

• Arrange a final fitting of your wedding dress your bridesmaids, ushers and best man • Enjoy your hen and stag parties!

2 weeks before...

• Confirm the date and time of the rehearsal to the relevant people 1 week before...

• Arrange to collect your wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses and the menswear • Have all your beauty treatments • Drink plenty of water and have some early nights • Relax and enjoy this time – all your hard work is about to come to completion!

Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 15.

Page 16. Issue 7. Lancashire Local

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A little about the Cavendish Group....

The Cavendish Group are committed to providing quality and value with a wealth of experience and knowledge of this increasingly popular lifestyle choice. With over 20 parks nationwide we have locations and homes to suit most customers need.

Our dedicated sales team are available 7 days a week to discuss all aspects of the park home living and take the strain out of one of life's biggest decisions. Appointments can be made for viewings at any of our parks by simply calling us free on 0800 756

5623. We always have an extensive range of showhomes all of which are available for immediate occupancy, and are detailed online. Alternatively our sales team will walk you through the process of designing your own bespoke home with any of the UK's leading manufacturers. We also have a range of pre-owned homes for sale, details of which are found on our website.

If you have a home to sell we can assist you by working along side your estate agents or utilising our part

exchange scheme wherever possible, subject to contract.

All our homes come with fully landscaped gardens, parking space and garden storage bases as standard, however if you have any particular ideas or requirements our team of workmen are able to carry out almost any kind of landscaping to create an outdoor space truly unique to your home.

Start your journey to a park home life with Cavendish by simply calling our sales team on 0800 756 5623.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 17.

Page 18. Issue 7. Lancashire Local

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Flood Appeal

awarded £1 million

Cumbria Community Foundation’s Flood Recovery Appeal has raised almost £5 million since it was launched on 5 December 2015.

Today it has handed over donations worth £1 MILLION to 1,300 families in need across the county.

The charity hopes to hit its target of raising £6 million to help people in the weeks and months ahead to get over Storm Desmond.

The man who received the millionth pound is Keith Watson, 33, of Riverside Court, Keswick. He has been awarded £1,250 after losing everything, except one small overnight bag of belongings, in the flood Keith is in a wheelchair. If he had not been evacuated from his flat on Friday 4th December before Storm Desmond struck, he would have drowned as the water level in his home rose above where he would be sat in his wheelchair.

He said: “I have lost all of my furniture and almost all of my belongings. I got out with just a bag containing a change of clothes and my phone. It is difficult being in a wheelchair. I have been moved twice since the floods, at first I was in the town centre in a flat which had four steps and I couldn’t reach the kitchen counters to cook.

Now I am staying in a cottage which has full disabled access but is slightly out of town – it takes me 20 minutes to get into town and it’s all uphill on the way back. I am really grateful to Cumbria Community Foundation for this grant, it will really help me as I have no insurance.”

Annalee Holliday, Grants and Donor Services Officer for Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “Raising £5 million and giving away the first million pounds within just over a month is incredible. We’re so happy that the whole country got behind Cumbria and have helped raise so much to help so many. Every person who has applied for a grant has had a tale to tell and we have been moved by everyone’s strength in coping with the terrible aftermath of the floods.

“We want anyone who has suffered financial hardship to apply for a grant, the money is to help people across the county to recover. Almost half of the grants awarded have been given to people with insurance.

Cumbria Community Foundation, which was set up in 1999 just before the Foot and Mouth farming disaster, is well equipped to run huge appeals and to make sure the money donated gets to those who need it quickly.

Most applications are turned around in a few days and the money is in people’s bank accounts once they are processed.

Annalee continues: “I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated so far, but we still need to raise more as we know that families in Cumbria will need help once their homes have dried out and been put back together.”

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New car park for Eycott

Hill Nature Reserve

A Cumbrian nature reserve has been made more accessible with the addition of a small car park. Work at Eycott Hill Nature Reserve was completed this week with space for up to 10 cars, and cycle racks for those visiting by bicycle.

Located between Keswick and Penrith, near to the village of Mungrisdale, Eycott Hill Nature Reserve is 216 hectares of exceptionally rich wildlife habitat and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its unusual geology and nationally important wetland flora. Work to make it more accessible for people

while improving wildlife habitats has been ongoing since the purchase by Cumbria Wildlife Trust in April 2015.

Kevin Scott, Northern Reserves Officer, said “I’m delighted to see the car park complete. It’s a real milestone and makes it much more convenient for people to visit this fantastic nature reserve” The work was completed by Carlisle based Story Contracting who used Cumbrian sourced materials in

the construction and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Visitor interpretation and seating will be added over the next few months.

Here at The Antiques Emporium, Kendal, We have re-emerged stronger and more interesting than ever, Fully re-furbished and re-vitalised after the

devastating storm Desmond flood, The Antiques Emporium with its 60 strong traders has a wide range and selection of items to suit all shoppers and dealers. Whether your looking for gifts for any occasion or something new to grace your home The Antiques Emporium has it all, With our friendly and inviting staff who are on hand to help and encourage you to browse and remember bygone times from your childhood, Toys that were played with and lost that you thought you would never see again, Items that your parents and grandparents used, Loved and enjoyed.

Open 7 Days a week 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am4pm on Sunday. Free entry all day everyday. The Antiques Emporium is a fantastic treasure trove of exciting

and enticing items for all but just just take our word for it. Here's what a few of our customers say.

“A little Treasure chest in the Lake District” Miss VLB “Unlike any other antique shop, Add it to your list of things to do. You wont be disappointed” Jayne What are you waiting for, Come Visit the Antiques Emporium Today....

The Antiques Emporium, Kendal

Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 19.

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Work progresses on footbridge

Assembly of sections of the metal bridge began on site last week and the first section of the bridge was pushed out across the river on Friday, 29 January. Further sections were being pushed out this week. The work is continuing seven days a week, 12 hours a day, and the target is to have the bridge open to the public during the week commencing 8 February.

The work has been delayed slightly due to the need to strengthen the western bank using piles to support the bridge foundation. In addition, recent strong winds have constrained the operating time of the crane. The temporary bridge will span from the Selby District Council car park on the eastern side of Tadcaster to Tadcaster Town Council land on the western side. The access path will lead through Tadcaster Albion's car park with kind permission of the football club. The main road bridge over the River Wharfe at Tadcaster partially collapsed during flooding over the Christmas period, physically dividing the town.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Highways, said: "We're making every effort to get the footbridge installed as quickly as possible, because the sooner we can reconnect the town the better for

residents, businesses and visitors.

"Our contractors are working flat out, though in recent days they have had to contend with high winds, which can be an issue as it is necessary to use a crane to lift large sections of the bridge. This work on the footbridge, and the preparatory stages of the reconstruction of the main bridge, are very dependent on the weather.

"We are getting under way with the painstaking work of reconstructing the main bridge. A listed 18th century bridge of this nature requires complex operations by our contractors and engineers, but again, we will

endeavour to finish the work as soon as we can. We estimate the work will take about 12 months."

County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, Member for Tadcaster, added: "The town has shown a tremendous community spirit in coping with the bridge collapse that has separated the town. I thank our highways officers who responded immediately to this crisis. As residents will be aware, there is a great deal of activity as the contractors strive to get this bridge into place as quickly as possible, because they recognise the importance of this bridge for the wellbeing of the town."

This week, demolition contractors were beginning to salvage stones from the bridge that fell into the river and to remove bits of the bridge that are unsafe to make safe to start work on. County Council engineers will examine the damage to the base of the pier to work out how the bridge can be reconstructed. This work is dependent on the river level.

Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 21.

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Blackpool Sets the Pace with £2m Enviro400 City Bus Deal

Blackpool Transport is to invest over £2m in a fleet of 10 new-generation Enviro400 City buses. As well as a stylish new interior and exterior look, including a glazed stairwell

– the new 10.5m double decks will have E-leather seats, wood-effect floors, Wi-Fi and USB charging points, ‘next stop’ visuals and audio announcements. They will be powered

by the latest Euro6, low-emission technology and come complete with fuel saving “smart accessories” and stop-start capability. Built by Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL)

the new buses will be delivered in the summer of this year and will be the first one-door variants of the recently introduced City bus. They will have 27 seats and a wheelchair location on the lower deck, and 45 seats in the upper level.

They will operate on the high profile Palladium service

(Route 9), between Blackpool town centre and Cleveleys, and replace five Volvo Olympian double decks and five Optare Solo midi buses.

Jane Cole is Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, which has a fleet of 137 buses and accommodates 18m passenger journeys per year.

She commented: “The introduction of these leading-edge vehicles forms part of our on-going investment in

modern buses. Our aim is to enhance the customer experience, provide value-for-money and encourage people out of their cars and onto public transport. “The ADL City bus is a stunning, high performance, eco-friendly vehicle that sets the pace and reinforces our commitment to continuous improvement and further enhancement of the passenger experience.”

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Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 23.

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5 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About Valentine’s Day We know it seems like Christmas is only just over, but Thorntons has begin its countdown to the sweetest occasion of the year – Valentine’s Day! As chocolate is the perfect romantic gift, February 14th is a big deal at Thorntons, so they would like to think of themselves as experts in the ultimate celebration of love. Here they share five of their favourite little known facts about Valentine’s Day, to hopefully get you in the mood: It has a surprisingly dark past In Victorian times it was considered bad luck to sign a Valentine’s card – which probably had something to do with the grizzly origins of the tradition. The occasion can be traced back to Bishop Valentine, who was executed by a Roman Emperor for performing secret weddings (which were banned during wartime).

While in jail he wrote a note to the jailor’s daughter signed ‘From Your Valentine’ – the first ever Valentine’s card, in very unfortunate circumstances! Maybe he’d have been pardoned if he’d charmed her with a box of chocolates instead?

There’s an alternative for singletons If you’re happy to be single then you don’t have to miss out on the fun. Why not celebrate the modern creation that is Singles Awareness

Day – unfortunately abbreviated to SAD. Combine this with the Finnish version of Valentines ‘Friends’ Day’ and get your besties around to share the biggest box of chocs you can find to celebrate your single status together. Why should the couples have all the fun?

It kicked off speed dating in the 12th century. Ever wondered where the expression ‘wear your heart on your

sleeve’ comes from? Well wonder no more! Fittingly, it’s linked to St Valentine’s Day, and comes from an old tradition of choosing a name out of a bowl to determine your Valentine. You’d then pin this name to your sleeve for everyone to see.

Sort of like the ‘speed dating’ of the Middle Ages!

Chocolate and love have a (very!) long-standing connection

Chocolate and love have gone together like Romeo and Juliet since the ancient Aztecs professed the aphrodisiac qualities of cocoa.

Then, in the 1800s, doctors would advise their patients to eat chocolate to fix a broken heart. Nowadays, some scientists have attributed our emotional connection to chocolate to two chemicals it naturally contains.

Or it might just be the fact that

chocolate puts us in a good mood, which makes us feel more romantic.

Whatever the reason, a special gift of chocolate is a safe bet for a loved up Valentine’s Day. Far more women buy Valentine’s Day gifts than men. If you’re male then you might need to up your game this Valentine’s Day. While a card is always nice, a gift is even nicer – yet women purchase approximately 85

per cent of all Valentine’s Day gifts.

That’s an awful lot of annoyed ladies missing out on a love token! Head to your local Thorntons store or online and it couldn’t be easier to pick up a gift she’ll love. You can even order flowers on our website too, making it the ultimate one stop shop. Why not go all out on the romance factor with our gorgeous Red Roses and Continental Heart combo?

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Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 25.

Page 26. Issue 7. Lancashire Local

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England Golf Stars Target 2016 Success

after Quinta Do Lago Elite Camps

England Golf’s leading amateur stars will have high hopes of hitting the ground running in their quest for major honours in 2016 after taking part in the first training camps of the winter at Quinta do Lago in Portugal.

Members of the England Men’s and

Men’s ‘A’ squads who gathered at the prestigious Algarve resort included Marco Penge, Bradley Moore and Alfie Plant – all ranked in Europe’s top ten. The visits provided the opportunity to finetune their swings and enjoy the award-winning venue’s

array of five-star facilities as part of Quinta do Lago’s role as the winter training base for England Golf’s national squads.

In addition to working on technique, activities for the players during the week-long camps included sessions

on fitness, the short game, ball-flight control, game management and the mental side of the game.

Paul Ashwell, coach of the England Men’s A Squad, said: “The players really enjoyed the beautiful weather and excellent practice facilities and

were especially impressed with the North Course following its recent remodelling. We are all looking forward to returning for our next visit in March!”

Featuring three 18-hole championship courses, outstanding practice

facilities at its Paul McGinley Academy, a TaylorMade Performance Centre and extensive leisure activities and facilities, Quinta do Lago has everything needed to guarantee a first-class golf experience.

The resort has invested €50 million upgrading its sports, leisure and lifestyle facilities as part of a sixyear investment program, including the €9.6 million redesign of its North Course by renowned American architect Beau Welling in close association with European Ryder Cup winning captain Paul McGinley, and was named ‘Europe’s Best Golf Venue’ at the 2015 World Golf Awards.

Quinta do Lago has been the official winter venue for hosting England Golf’s squad since 2014.

Both men’s squads are set to return to the resort for a second winter training break in March, while the women’s, boys’ and girls’ squads will also enjoy the facilities on camps in the run-up to the start of the 2016 season.

The England Golf players who visited Quinta do Lago recently were: - England Men’s Squad: Jamie Bower, Alfie Plant, Adam Chapman, Jonathan Thomson, Paul Kinnear, Sean Towndrow, Bradley Moore, Ashton Turner and Marco Penge - England ‘A’ Squad: Ben Amor, Jake Burnage, Will Enefer, Tom Gandy, Scott Gregory, Josh Hilleard, GianMarco Petrozzi, Will Whiteoak and Andrew Wilson As part of the partnership with Quinta do Lago, England Golf squads stay at the resort and use its driving range and practice facilities as well as having access to both the South and North courses. In addition, each group uses the swing analysis with a launch monitor and has biomechanics golf fitness training sessions.

The England Golf National Performance Programme supports more than 40 of the best amateur players within the England national squads and almost 200 players within regional squads. Previous players include some of the world’s leading golfers, such as Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Charley Hull and Melissa Reid.

Set amongst 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park, Quinta do Lago has been at the forefront of European golf for more than four decades with three 18hole championship courses matched by outstanding practice facilities including the world’s only Paul McGinley Golf Academy, a stateof-the-art TaylorMade Performance Centre and new short game area.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 27.

Page 28. Issue 7. Lancashire Local

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New research from Which?

Mortgage Advisers

New research from Which? Mortgage Advisers reveals that buying and selling a house is one of the most stressful life experiences – more so than having a child and second only

to going through a divorce. As many as seven in 10 people considered buying or selling stressful, according to our research. In a survey of nearly 2,000 members of the general public,

respondents were asked to rate how stressful they found each of life's major events, ranging from going through a divorce to buying a new car.

While going through a divorce came out on top of the list of life's stresses, with four in five people (78%) considering it stressful, buying and selling property followed closely behind, with seven in 10 people (69 and 70% respectively) finding either process nervewrecking.

Buying or selling a property was considered more stressful than: arranging care for an elderly relative (68%); having a child (53%); changing jobs (49%) or getting married (40%).

Our research also reveals that women found both buying and selling a property

more stressful than men. Three quarters (75%) of the women we surveyed told us they found selling a property stressful, whilst only two thirds (66%) of men felt the same.

These figures were mirrored when it came to buying a property, with 73% of women finding the process stressful as opposed to 67% of men.

Which? Mortgage Advisers offers the following expert advice to help reduce the strain if you're buying a property: Know the process - Buying and selling may involve being part of a chain of buyers and sellers, so be realistic about timeframes and when you can expect to move.

Invest in good mortgage advice – While seeking assistance from mortgage advisers may cost you, it is likely to save you money in the long-run. Choosing a mortgage isn't

just about finding the lowest rate, it's about finding a mortgage that's right for your personal circumstances.

Make life easier with a reliable mortgage lender – When choosing a lender, consider their reliability, range of products and the overall costs, rather than just the initial cost alone.

Consider service as well as cost of conveyancers – Invest in a quality conveyancer or property solicitor.

While often online companies are cheaper, they don't always offer a full service.

Ease your worries by staying informed – Don't just leave parts of the process to professionals, you'll be less worried if you build good relationships with those involved in the process and know what needs to be done and when.

Know your limits to avoid future

issues – Try not to over stretch yourself for that 'dream property'. If you end up in arrears, you may have financial trouble for many years.

David Blake at Which? Mortgage Advisers said: “We're a nation obsessed with homeownership, but when it comes to buying or selling, our research shows that it can be an incredibly stressful process. Thankfully there are a number of things you can do to reduce the strain, including speaking with a mortgage adviser early on to get your finances in order.

“Investing in good mortgage advice will ensure you find the best mortgage for your personal circumstances. To help avoid unnecessary stress when you're getting a mortgage, do ask about the reliability and service levels of any lender you're considering.”

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Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 29.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 7. Page 31.

Tony Watt was delighted to mark his debut in a Rovers shirt with a goal to help the side progress through to the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup following Saturday's 3-0 win over Oxford United The former Scottish Under-21 international played a key pass in Rovers' first goal at the Kassam Stadium, before netting a fine solo strike to set up a home tie against Liverpool or West Ham United.

Watt admitted he wasn't at his best on Saturday, but having playing against his new club for both Cardiff City and Charlton Athletic in recent weeks, he is now hoping to prove his worth with Rovers.

"My last three games have been with different clubs so I'm happy just to be settled now and get a goal," said the forward.

"It is the best feeling in the world when you score goals, especially on your debut and I maybe needed it because I was a bit off the pace, maybe there were a few nerves.

"I need to do that 10-15 minutes for the 60 or 90 minutes that I'm on, and I know I will, I know it will come.

"I need to get up to the pace and I know I will. The gaffer has put a lot of trust in me and thankfully I got a goal for him and I hope that I can continue."

Watt was also delighted with the support he received from the Rovers faithful who chanted his name throughout.

"The fans were brilliant," he added. "They sang a song for a long part of the game and it gives you a massive lift. They were good, they were vocal throughout."

Page 32. Issue 7. Lancashire Local

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