Lancashire local issue 18

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Issue. 18

Inside This Issue: Leisure • Visit Wales • Weddings • School’s Out • Visit Cumbria • What’s On

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New bus station

opens in Accrington Accrington can now boast one of the country's most modern and comfortable transport facilities following the official opening of the new bus station.

The £6.4m Accrington George Slynn Bus Station will transform how people use the bus, providing easy access to connect with services at the nearby railway station, and offering passengers a much better experience by replacing the outdated facility on Peel Street.

The new bus station was opened

by County Councillor John Fillis, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, alongside the mayor of Hyndburn Councillor Tim O'Kane, and James Slynn, brother of former Hyndburn County Councillor George Slynn, who the station is named after.

It features 11 stands for buses, free wi-fi, an information desk, public toilets, bus and train timetable displays, interactive journey planners, and systems to help disabled passengers navigate the station.

County Councillor John Fillis said: "Accrington's new bus station will make a real difference to the town, offering passengers a comfortable place to wait for their bus and, with the train station being much closer, making it much quicker for people to switch modes as they travel across the area.

Grand Music Fest

A sizzling summer is planned at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool with nine different music shows to choose from… whether you love Rock, Pop, 70s, Blues, Ballads or you’re a huge ABBA fan, then we have the shows for you!

Music has always been a cornerstone of The Grand’s programming and the venue has seen some of the

best music performances over the years including; The Drifters, The Osmonds, Nik Kershaw, T’Pau, Joan Armatrading, Billy J Kramer, The Hollies, Merseybeats and Thriller Live.

In a tribute to some of the greats, The Grand this SUMMER offers a full six weeks of smash hits with GRAND MUSIC FEST16.

The spectacular line-up includes a tribute to ABBA with Dancing Queen (Mon 25 July, Mon 1 Aug, Mon 8 Aug, Mon 15 Aug, Mon 22 Aug, Sat 27 Aug), relive the nights when ABBA ruled the dance floor and experience the classic 70’s era in all its glory. With full costumes and plenty of glitz, this is the golden age of pop revived!

Other performances include: The Drifters, Dancing Queen, Lets Hang On, T- Rexsey, Karen Carpenter voice of the heart, Forever in Blue Jeans, Chicago Blues Brothers, Solid Gold 70's, Think Floyd, That That Experience and Magic of Motown.

GRAND MUSIC FEST16 runs for a whole six weeks from Sunday 24 July to Monday 5 September 2016.

To book for any of the MUSIC FEST16 productions this year visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/musicfest16, or call 01253 290190.

Page 2. Issue 18. Lancashire Local

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Campaigning for

safer summer spaces

Lighter nights have triggered a clampdown on anti-social behaviour throughout the borough.

Beginning 1 July, the Safespace campaign once again sees St Helens Council, Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service target off-road vehicle nuisance, antisocial fire setting and neighbourhood nuisance which usually increases over the summer period.

During this time, young people can also access a range of activities during the campaign through St

Helens Council's Youth Action Zone (YAZ) and other local agencies diverting them away from potentially harmful anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Lisa Preston, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: "The Safespace campaign brings local agencies together to combat the expected increases in problem issues such as off-road vehicles, anti-social behaviour and neighbour nuisance, as people enjoy the warmer weather and take advantage of the

later evenings. It’s easy to forget how some activities can impact negatively on someone's enjoyment of life at home, often without realising it.”

St Helens Chief Inspector Steve Brizell said: "This partnership initiative is a response to community concerns about anti-social behaviour in the green spaces of St Helens, including the use of off-road motorbikes, which are being targeted specifically across the force this summer through Operation Brookdale.

"There will naturally be an

increase in visitors to our parks and all members of our community should feel they can visit our green spaces without fear or intimidation.

"We will have officers on bicycles and on foot making high visibility patrols in these areas, as well as specially trained officers on quad bikes when required, which enable them to cover ground not accessible by car quickly and safely.

“Over the summer it is also vital that parents know where their children are and who with, without wanting to discourage young people from having enjoying themselves during the summer months.”

As ever, the key to the success of these initiatives is information, and there are many different ways that you report it.

This year’s Bloom and Grow centrepiece is set to be revealed – and this year it is a flower ‘bed’ with a difference.

The borough is aiming to put a smile on the faces of residents and judges alike as we look to retain our Best City* in North West in Bloom title for the sixth year in a row.

And this year we are also looking to repeat our national successes - when we won Best City in 2012 and 2014 – after we were nominated to take part in Britain in Bloom.

As usual our entries into the competitions are about showcasing the best the borough has to offer.

This year we’ve gone for a health and wellbeing theme and our WOW

Bed centrepiece contains four key elements of a fit and healthy lifestyle.

The giant toothpaste and brush highlights the importance of oral hygiene and our Big Brush campaign, while the bed represents how everyone needs a good night’s sleep to recharge their batteries.

The colourful kites represent the importance of getting out and about and being active while the giant children’s building blocks and vegetables show how nutrition and diet are the building blocks to a healthy life.

The bed will stay on show throughout the summer after which it will be reused elsewhere in the town.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge,

Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, said: “Once again our Bloom and Grow centrepiece grabs you as soon as you see it.

“We wanted something to show that health and wellbeing is vitally important and we think we’ve achieved it with this display.

“Residents and visitors who see it will be really impressed and, hopefully, so will the judges when they come to town.

“Bloom and Grow is a real team effort. It’s about the council, residents, schools, businesses and community groups pulling together, showing some civic pride and making our borough looks its best.” This year the route the judges will follow starts

at Dunwood Park, Shaw and will then take in various parts of the borough en route to Oldham Town centre.

Stops will include: Shawside nursing home wildflower area; Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, where they will meet members of the volunteer gardening group; Clayton Playing Fields, to meet with volunteer litter pickers; Burnley Street Communal alley gate scheme; Gallery Oldham; and George Square Gardens. *Entries to the Britain in Bloom ‘Best City’ category are based on the size of the electoral roll.

BLOOM AND GROW AIMS FOR DOUBLE SUCCESS Benefit cheat

prosecuted

A Warrington man has been sentenced for illegally pocketing more than £11,000 in housing benefit and council tax credit support.

Marcin Glinka, 37, of Camberwell Drive, Walton, appeared at Warrington Magistrates and pleaded guilty on two counts of benefit fraud.

Mr Glinka failed to notify the Warrington Borough Council that his wife had started work while he was claiming housing benefit and council tax support.

Because of this he had been overpaid £10,212 in housing benefit and £1,230 in council tax support since April 2013.

On 6 July 2016, the court sentenced Mr Glinka to a 12-month community order and he is required to carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £877.50 in court costs and £60 victim surcharge. It was agreed that these amounts are to be paid at the rate of £100 per month with the first payment in 30 days.

A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “Every day in the UK more than 200 benefit thieves are caught. The clear message is - if you commit benefit fraud you will be caught.”

Anyone who suspects someone is fraudulently claiming benefits which they are not entitled to are asked to report it to Warrington Borough Council.

Call the council's confidential benefit fraud hotline on 01925 442336, email fraudteam@warrington.gov.uk or report it online at warrington.gov.uk/report

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Lancashire Local. Issue 18. Page 3.

DART team helps

domestic abuse families

A new 10 week programme that helps children recover from the effects of domestic abuse is being rolled out across St Helens.

The Domestic Abuse Recovering Together (DART) programme aims to help children aged 7 to 14 – strengthening mother-child relationships through a range of activities. Sessions promote communication and help families to move forward after the perpetrator of the abuse has left the relationship.

DART is based on the ‘Talking to My Mum’ research undertaken by University of Warwick, which shows that children's outcomes are improved if the non-domestically abusive parent is supported to take an active part in the child's recovery from domestic abuse.

The programme is the result of a partnership between St Helens Council’s Child in Need team and Warrington-based NSPCC specialists.

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Young People, Councillor Andy Bowden said: “The DART programme has been successfully delivered in Warrington since 2012 and we knew that it would benefit people here in St Helens too.

“The NSPCC has helped us to put our own DART team together and worked closely with us while we’ve got the new service off the ground.

However we’re now at the stage where the council is ready to run its own programmes with minimal – and eventually no – support.

Blue badge

amnesty in

Warrington

"We recognise that domestic violence and abuse can affect anyone and while DART has been developed specifically for women and children there are other support

services available locally and nationally for men, including the St Helens Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (01744 743200), Worst Kept Secret (0800 028 3398),

the Men’s Advice Line (0808 801 0327) and the Merseyside-based charity CALM (0800 58 58 58).”

With the NSPCC’s help St Helens Council has now delivered two

successful DART programmes – helping 10 local families – with a third currently in the planning stage.

Contact DART in St Helens on 01744 673420

Wolfson Foundation provides £250,000 boost

for Manchester’s children's libraries

The Wolfson Foundation has provided a major funding boost to improve the offer for children in six Manchester libraries.

The Foundation is providing a grant of £250,000 for a programme of mini-makeovers at Gorton, Longsight, Newton Heath, North City (Harpurhey), Withington and Wythenshawe Forum libraries.

The funding will also allow a new programme of digital activities for children to be developed within all six libraries.

New furnishings such as sofas, picture book boxes, new

shelving, wall motifs and some quirkier and more striking book display units will be installed across the libraries, creating brighter and more welcoming spaces for children and their families to enjoy.

And thanks to the new funding, from September, local school groups will be able to take part in a variety of digital and literacy skills activities within the libraries - including being offered the chance to learn about stop-motion animation, green-screen filming and creating digital books.

Refurbishment work will take place at the six libraries from

Wednesday 6 to Friday 15 July.

The libraries will remain open to the public during the work.

Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, Councillor Luthfur Rahman, said: “This funding from the Wolfson Foundation will significantly enhance the facilities on offer for children in neighbourhood libraries right across Manchester.

Libraries help our young people to develop a life-long love of learning at an early age and with this magnificent support, we will be able to make these six libraries even more attractive

and exciting for local children.”

Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said: “Libraries are a place of inspiration for young people and we are delighted to have supported these exciting and dynamic learning spaces for children throughout Manchester.

The Foundation is particularly interested in how libraries can help childhood literacy (including digital literacy) and we are also funding a research study on this subject.

"Education and learning are central to the activities of the Wolfson Foundation, and we have awarded

over £20 million to some 220 projects across Manchester, including at the University of Manchester, HOME and Manchester Art Gallery."

People illegally using Blue Badges to park in disabled bays and avoid parking charges are being given the opportunity to hand over their permits. The amnesty marks the start of a crackdown on the illegal use of Blue Badges by Warrington Borough Council.

Anyone illegally using a Blue Badge can hand the permit in to Contact Warrington, 26-30 Horsemarket Street, WA1 1XL, between Monday 4th July and Friday 29th July. Those who continue to misuse blue badges risk being hit with a large fine and potential criminal record.

However, motorists who hand their badges over during the month-long amnesty will have no further action taken against them. Cllr Russ Bowden, executive board member for corporate finance, said: “Using blue badges illegally causes problems for our residents who have a genuine need for them.

“We are asking motorists not to use permits that don’t belong to them, have expired or are no longer required. “We know that some people may not be aware that their badge has expired. It is important that you check and make use of the amnesty. “Others will be aware that what they are doing is illegal. If you are using a Blue Badge fraudulently, I would urge you to take advantage of the amnesty and hand it in. If you fail to do so, we will be taking action against you.” If you would like to report misuse of a Blue Badge, go to www.warrington.gov.uk/ bluebadges and complete the online form.

Page 4. Issue 18. Lancashire Local

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Takeaway fined more Bravery awards for that £9,500 as chickens officers who saved come home to roost women on motorway

A Manchester takeaway has been fined more than £9,500 after health inspectors uncovered a host of food safety violations - including evidence of mice and rats on the premises.

Taj Corporation Limited, owner of Chicken Cottage, 71 - 73 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme was fined £8,000 and told to pay £1,442.97 in costs with a further £100 victim surcharge at Manchester Magistrates Court on 6 July 2016 for eight separate food safety offences.

Following a complaint from a member of the public, Manchester City Council's food safety officers inspected the takeaway on 22 April 2015.

During the inspection the officer uncovered evidence of both rat and mice activity, a lack of a water supply as well as dirty walls and surfaces.

Mouse droppings were found in a cupboard under the coffee machine in the serving area and rat droppings were discovered on the basement storeroom stairs – which lead directly from the food preparation area.

Holes were found in a number of doors, including one to the rear passageway, allowing access for vermin.

The kitchen and preparations areas were greasy and dirty. Raw chicken was seen stored next to salads in the walk-in refrigerator and was being prepared around sinks with no means to adequately clean and sanitise the preparation areas.

The water supply had been

disconnected, this meant there was no water for washing hands, flushing toilets, washing equipment and surfaces or for controlling the risk of cross contamination.

The company agreed to voluntarily close the takeaway until the infestations were under control and the cleaning standards and food safety practices were improved.

The Chicken Cottage takeaway has now permanently closed and a new business has opened at the premises under new ownership.

Councillor Nigel Murphy,

Manchester City Council executive member for neighbourhoods said: “All food businesses need to understand the responsibility they have to their customer, who rightly expect takeaways and restaurants to maintain the highest standards.

“The total disregard for hygiene displayed by this company is completely unacceptable, which is illustrated by the severity of the fine.

“This case should serve as a warning - our inspectors are out there and will not hesitate in taking action to protect the public.”

Two GMP officers have received Chief Constable Commendations for their bravery when responding to reports of two women fighting on a motorway.

Back in March, PCs Adrian Spurrell and Seamus Toal responded to several calls from the public about two females seen arguing on the hard shoulder of the M60.

The two women were located on CCTV with one of the females running perilously close to a live lane of traffic which was being used by a number of high speed vehicles.

Having located both females, who were now attempting to cross all three lanes of the busy carriageway, PCs Spurrell and Toal rushed to get them both out of harm’s way.

PCs Spurrell and Toal were commended at a ceremony at

GMP’s Sedgley Park in June.

PC Adrian Spurrell has served with the Force for 23 years, the last 15 as a Traffic Officer. Speaking about his commendation, Adrian said: “On a personal level I feel very proud to be recommended for this award.

“Although it was a dangerous situation, good planning, teamwork and communication were the key to bringing about a safe conclusion for all parties.”

PC Seamus Toal, who has worked for the Force for over 18 years, said: “I feel embarrassed as we did not think it was anything special, we just deal with what is put in front of us.

“It’s nice to get an appreciation for the work we do.

It was nice for my wife and children, who attended the ceremony, to have our picture taken with the Chief

Constable. However, it was also tinged with sadness as my father was due to attend too but sadly passed away the week before.”

Throughout the year GMP’s Chief Constable gives out commendations to members of the public, staff and officers for their outstanding contribution to the local community.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “PC Spurrell and Toal acted in the most professional manner, putting the safety of pedestrians and other road users first.

“Their bravery and quick thinking prevented what could have been a serious incident or multiple fatalities. The work from all involved undoubtedly saved lives and they are a credit to the Force and communities of Greater Manchester.”

Flying the flag for

town centre attractions

Residents and visitors are being encouraged to share their views and suggestions on the evening and nighttime attractions in Bury town centre.

They can take part in an online survey which includes questions about how often people visit the town centre, how safe they feel and which other towns they visit for a night out.

People are also asked how they feel Bury town centre has changed in recent years and for ideas and suggestions on how the existing evening and night time offer can be improved. Bury was the first town in Greater Manchester to achieve

Purple Flag status, which is a quality standard for town centres similar to the Blue Flag Award for beaches.

Bury was awarded Purple Flag Status in 2015, and again in 2016, in recognition of the range and quality of the town's evening and night-time offer and the way in which the town centre is managed.

The findings from this latest survey will be compared with the results from a similar poll carried out in 2014, and included in this year’s Purple Flag renewal application.

Councillor Sandra Walmsley, cabinet member for strategic housing and

support services, said: “Bury town centre has been transformed in recent years. The success of retail and leisure developments is supported by a growing evening and night-time sector, which means that Bury now appeals to a wide audience.

“We are keen to find out what people think about Bury town centre and we will use this information to help with the ongoing development of the town.”

The online survey can be found at www.bury.gov.uk/burytowncentresurveyand the deadline for comments is 25 July

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Lancashire Local. Issue 18. Page 5.

Pupils’road safety

work recognised

The Caravan Club’s

Caravanner of the Year

Competition - The Winners!

Year 5 and 6 pupils across St Helens have been helping to make their schools safer – and healthier too!

More than 20 local primary schools are now enrolled in the Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSO) programme. Each school appoints a JRSO and deputy to promote road safety among their classmates.

Nearly half the schools taking part recently sent their JRSOs, deputies and staff members to a celebration event and workshop at St Helens Town Hall – organised by the council’s Road Safety Team.

Children took part in several workshops – based on the benefits of walking and cycling. They also showcased their work this year and came up with ideas for the next academic year. The council’s Healthy Living Team also engaged pupils with walking and physical activity topics.

Each pupil was presented with an awards certificate by George Houghton, Head of Traffic, Urban Traffic Control & Road Safety, while staff received a framed certificate for the school wall.

St Helens Council’s Cabinet

Member for Community Safety Councillor Lisa Preston said: “The importance of road safety can never be over-emphasised – and it’s vital that we engage with children as early as possible in their lives.

“The Junior Road Safety Officers programme is a great way of getting schoolchildren thinking about road safety, discussing it with their friends and coming up with new ideas to promote it.”

Caption: Primary school pupils, staff and road safety officers celebrate the success of the JRSO programme.

Young people warned about ecstasy use

St Helens Council’s Public Health team is urging young people across St Helens to be ‘extremely cautious’ with the use of ecstasy (MDMA) pills, tablets and powders. New tablets available have branding and bright colours that can appeal to young people in particular. But varying production methods mean that two tablets that look similar may cause very different effects, they can often be mixed with other potent substances or variations of MDMA and users won’t be able to predict the effect it will have until they have taken them. “The potential consequences could be severe or life threatening,” said St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing Councillor Jeanie Bell.

“Users are more at risk if they are using other substances and alcohol at the same time. It can cause additional health complications or risk to life to those who have existing medical conditions.” Users of ecstasy locally have been reporting a number of adverse effects including extreme agitation, paranoia, numbness, shaking and feelings of being unwell for several days after using. The potential consequences could be severe or life threatening. Medical advice should be sought if any unfamiliar, unwanted or concerning symptoms are observed. Councillor Bell added: “Parents are being asked to talk to their children about the risks of all drugs, but particularly ecstasy, and advise them not to use.

Overseas Travel Service

The Camping and Caravanning Club reassures it's club members and customers of its Overseas Travel Service that it would be business as usual in the short term following the UK referendum result to leave the European Union. The Club’s Travel Service is a one-stop shop for all members’ camping and caravanning needs. The experienced team helps members select the right campsites abroad, book greatvalue ferry or tunnel crossings, and can devise bespoke travel plans to get members to their overseas destination. Whether campers want go it alone, take part in an overseas rally with other campers, or join an escorted tour, the Club takes the hassle out of booking overseas camping adventures. The Club’s Travel Service Director, Richard Grimsdale, said: “I’d like to reassure Club members and all our customers that the UK’s exit from

the European Union will not affect their overseas travel and holiday plans with the Club over the coming months. “Travellers may continue to move between the UK and EU, and European Health Insurance cards remain valid. There will be no changes to the bookings made with us: whether it’s ferry or tunnel crossings, flights and transfers, or campsites booked by us with our overseas partners – it is business as usual.” Those keen to head further afield should take a look at the Club’s Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays offering, with fly-drive motorhome holidays in fabulous destinations around the world including America, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and more.

For more information and to book overseas travel with The Camping and Caravanning Club, please call an Overseas Travel Service specialist on 024 7642 2024.

Any parent who is aware that their child has taken them is urged to seek urgent medical treatment. Side effects may go unnoticed, can come on very quickly and can lead to very serious consequences”. Any parent or young person with concerns can contact The Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Team on 01744 675605 or visit www. sthelens.gov.uk/ypdaat for additional information.

The Caravan Club’s Caravanner of the Year competition has crowned its winners! John and Jenny Marsland competed in The Club’s inaugural Caravanner of the Year competition and emerged victorious. John and Jenny tour in a 1963 Cheltenham Waterbuck caravan, they love nothing better than heading off in their beloved Cheltenham for adventures across the UK and Europe. They have been caravanning for 37 years and have covered over 90,000 miles on their adventures and travels. The Caravan Club allowed the BBC to film its ‘Caravanner of the Year’ competition that celebrates this Great British pastime which is held in high affection.

Six top enthusiasts, (all Club members) battled it out across two highly charged weekends to win the coveted title of ‘Caravanner of the Year’. It’s the caravanning world’s “Great British Bake Off”. John and Jenny Marsland, winners of The Caravanner of the Year Competition said, “We entered the competition to show that you don’t need to spend a fortune

to be adventurous and rounded caravanners, we also wanted people to see how beautiful our Cheltenham caravan is and to show how it has stood the test of time. We had great fun during the competition heats and we met such lovely people along the way. And to put the icing on the cake, we won the title of Caravanner of the Year which has made us very proud of our pastime.” The programmes – which were aired on BBC2 at 8pm on 20 and 27 April – followed the fun, and drama, of how the motorhomers, caravanners and campervanners competed against each other. The Competition really captured the imagination of the Great British

public and the media alike.

The contestants have also appeared on BBC’s The One Show, BBC Radio 2 Chris Evans Breakfast Show and The Saturday Show with Gaby Roslin, to name but a few of the shows that wanted to hear more about the competition and talk to the competitors. Harvey Alexander, Director of Marketing at The Caravan Club said, “It’s great that this competition, and the programmes, have been so well received.

People who have not talked about caravanning before are now tuned-in to our fantastic lifestyle and see that it is a wonderful way to get out and explore the great outdoors.”

Page 6. Issue 18. Lancashire Local

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Padiham on Parade passes Manchester looks to guarantee out in style and success design standards for new homes

The Padiham on Parade celebration passed out in style with visitors, businesses and organisers alike heralding it a great success.

The spirit of the 1940s was well and truly brought to life across the town centre as the clock was turned back more than 70 years and the sounds of styles of the wartime era returned.

Thousands of people thronged the centre of Padiham over three days and there was a brilliant atmosphere through the town.

Organisers and local businesses evoked a bit of the wartime spirit to make sure the event went according to plan.

As part of the Burnley Armed Forces Covenant, veterans and others came together to organise the biggest event of the year in the town.

One of the organisers Councillor Ida Carmichael said: "Everyone really pulled together to make this the wonderful success it was. The organisers would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to all the local residents, shopkeepers and businesses who entered into the spirit of the event by agreeing to the bunting going up, and their patience with the road closures.

“The whole event was planned to help publicise and boost local businesses, and it was great to see so many new

visitors to Padiham, and to see the traders and pubs and cafes doing well over the weekend. “I’d like to thank everyone who is supporting the event, and warn them we’re already planning to make this an annual occasion!”

The weekend included exhibitions, displays, vintage vehicles, markets and dances – as well as a fly past by a Spitfire.

Local pubs and clubs staged their own entertainment and there was a host of other activities across the town including clog dancing, music from the Flat Cappers and the Barsby Belles, and performances by students from Shuttleworth College.

The Manchester Residential Quality Guidance will ensure design standards for all new residential property following consultation with an expert team.

Going before the council’s executive committee next week, the proposals look to underpin the city’s ambition to create sustainable and popular neighbourhoods where people want to live.

The quality guidance will demand design excellence in all new housing built in the city, set minimum space standards, and ensure high environmental standards.

A Sounding Board of experts, a multi-discipline team populated by architects and housing professionals, was brought together to develop the draft standards guide, providing expertise in planning, urban design, place making and architecture.

Manchester is currently the fastest growing city in the UK and it is important that high quality housing is built to meet demand and support the continued growth and economic success of the city.

In 2015, Manchester adopted the London Housing Design Guide Space standards, which has informed

building standards on an interim basis, but the Manchester guide will provide clear direction to those involved in the development, construction and management of new homes in the city.

Following consultation a final version of the Manchester Residential Quality Guidance will be brought back to the executive committee later this year.

Cllr Bernard Priest, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Our ambition is to deliver a minimum of 25,000 homes in the next 10 years, and to ensure the longevity of this prodigious home building plan, we need to make sure of the excellence of every property built.

“High quality housing is essential to create attractive neighbourhoods build communities where people will choose to live and start a family.

Setting out an absolute minimum, high standard for new homes can help us achieve that.”

Architect Stephen Hodder of Hodder and Partners, Chair of the Manchester Residential Quality Guidance Sounding Board, said: "It’s been a privilege to be invited to be part of the Sounding Board group because I’m intensely aware of the importance of the role we have been given.

“We’re not just talking about the look and feel of new residential development, but a wholesale citywide approach to how people live, how they interact with the homes they live in and how those homes impact on the carbon reduction ambitions of the city. It’s an exciting prospect, but one that needs to be taken incredibly seriously.”

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Lancashire Local. Issue 18. Page 7.

Page 8. Issue 18. Lancashire Local

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Two go above and beyond

at Broad Oak Primary

Broad Oak Primary School has had a busy couple of weeks recently as they rewarded two pupils who have demonstrated resilience and determination, and launched a singing competition.

The recognition of Alexander Prescott and Aron Duffy came at the school’s annual Citizens of the Year celebration.

Alexander, a Year 2 pupil, received his award for maintaining a great attendance record despite undergoing treatment for blood cancer.

Staff and pupils at Broad Oak Primary recently rallied around brave Alexander, turning up to school in vibrant wigs, dyed hair, silly hats and outrageous hairstyles, and raising over £600 for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

And Year 6 pupil Aron Duffy, set

a new record in the school’s recent history, having never missed a day of school since joining Broad Oak’s nursery in 2008.

Aron’s gleaming attendance record rightfully earned him a Citizen of the Year award – proof of his dedication to learning.

Head teacher Melanie Hignett said: “Each year Broad Oak pupils surprise us with their dedication to the school community, and this year was no exception. Aron’s attendance record is a fantastic achievement – one that very few adults, let alone children can boast! And Alexander has proved his dedication to school attending as often as he can – we’re all so proud of him!”

Meanwhile, the school ran an online singing competition for Key Stage 2 pupils. Each class produced their own

music video, which was uploaded to Facebook. Class 4B topped the ‘likes’ list to win a day out at a state of the art recording studio in Liverpool to have their song recorded professionally.

Melanie added: “We love to sing at Broad Oak. We set up the Singing Superstars competition to build on the fun we have in our Friday ‘pop shop’ singing session and the children have really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to hear the professionally recorded winners!”

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Andy Bowden said: “It’s great to see how pupils at Broad Oak have been going the extra mile - and overcoming personal difficulties – to maximise their time at school. Their efforts are a real inspiration.”

Young citizens…Aron Duffy (left) and Alexander Prescot with head teacher Melanie Hignett (right) and attendance officer Julie Lombari.

Johnny Vegas supports

arts award bid by

St Helens libraries

Johnny Vegas has today supported a bid by St Helens Council’s Library Service to win the Arts category in this year’s The National Lottery Awards, with its Cultural Hubs – Arts in Libraries programme.

Cultural Hubs has beaten off stiff competition from over 600 organisations nationwide to reach the public voting stage in this year’s National Lottery Awards – the annual search for the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects.

Cultural Hubs is St Helens Council's Arts In Libraries project.

Funded through National Lottery money distributed through Arts Council England's Grants For The Arts Fund, the project has enabled both established professional and emerging arts companies, performers and artists from across the country to bring their talents to St Helens’ network of 13 libraries – steered by local community commissioning groups. Winners of the seven National Lottery Awards categories will each get a £3,000 cash prize to spend on their project, an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy and an invitation to a star-studded glittering awards ceremony in London, to be broadcast on BBC One in September.

The Cultural Hubs programme is attracting people of all ages through the doors of St Helens libraries with activities ranging from arts workshops to challenging drama performances.

Examples include digital sessions, art installations and ballet. Johnny Vegas said: “Cultural Hubs is a fantastic initiative that animates all the libraries in St Helens with fantastic arts performances and participation programmes.

Historically the arts are often seen as something that is inaccessible to ordinary people, but Cultural Hubs is breaking down some of these barriers making the arts accessible to all.

All communities need heart.

Each enquiring mind needs a home. Libraries are a fundamental necessity and St Helens is turning the notion of what libraries are for on its head. Go and vote for Cultural Hubs in The National Lottery Awards.”

You can vote for Cultural Hubs for free online at www. lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards/ arts or telephone 0844 836 9705 (charges apply) and follow the campaign on twitter: hashtag #NLAwards. Voting runs until midnight on Wednesday 20 July.

There are seven projects competing for votes across seven categories, reflecting the main areas of National Lottery funding: arts, sport, heritage, health, environment, education and voluntary/charity.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 18. Page 9.

Page 10. Issue 18. Lancashire Local

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Alan Newton Way Is Officially Open The Alan Newton Way, a new cycle route starting near Marple Hall High School to Bredbury, was officially opened by Alan Newton himself on Saturday 2nd July in Marple.

Alan Newton, together with the Mayor and Mayoress of Stockport, Councillor Chris Gordon and Dr Margaret Gordon, and his wife Barbara Newton, cut the ribbon and declared the cycle route open.

Local councillors and residents also attended the ceremony, and children from the Offerton Art Attack presented a beautiful mosaic which honoured Alan’s achievement of being the first person born and bred in Stockport to ever win an Olympic medal.

In 1952, Alan represented Great Britain in the Summer Olympics in Helsinki, where, alongside his team mates Donald Burgess, George Newberry and Ronald Stretton, he won the Bronze medal in the

men’s 4,000m team pursuit. In the same year, Alan competed in the World Championship in Paris in the individual pursuit, coming 4th in the competition.

Alan Newton said: “The whole event was completely overwhelming on Saturday. There were so many people present in spite of the showery weather and muddy conditions.

The new signage, including the chart, is most impressive as well as the improvement to the surface of this ancient bridle way which will now be suitable for pushchairs and trolleys – such as I use! It is also certainly an ideal situation for new or timid cyclists to learn bike handling.

Runners and walkers have already told us how much easier it is in their training.

“As for it being named The Alan Newton Way, my family, friends and I are so proud, honoured and grateful to have lived long enough to be able

to appreciate all this at the grand age of 85. So many years after what was a spectacular achievement at the time but which was not recognised until the Olympic Games came to London in 2012.

Only 11 medals came back from the Helsinki games and only one for Cycling. This new pathway is the culmination of a lifetime and is a great honour for which I am eternally grateful.”

The Mayor of Stockport said: “It was wonderful to see so many people turning up in unsettled weather to honour Alan Newton, Stockport's first Olympian, on the opening of the cycle route fittingly named after him.

What a wonderful and inspiring gentleman, who won a bronze medal for pursuit cycling in an era when sport was not dominated by professional athletes and huge sponsorship deals. A true Olympian in the real sense of the word.”

SHUSH AND LISTEN, BLACKBURN,

HYNDBURN & RIBBLE VALLEY

SAMARITANS WOULD LIKE A WORD…

SUICIDE PREVENTION CHARITY CHALLENGES

US TO BECOME BETTER LISTENERS

This July 2016 Samaritans is telling people to SHUSH! and listen.

As part of its month–long annual awareness-raising campaign, Talk to Us, Samaritans is on a mission to improve the UK’s listening skills with SHUSH! listening tips that it claims are ‘relationship transforming’.

Samaritans Listening Tips or S-H-US-H: • Show you care: focus just on the other person, make eye contact, put away your phone • Have patience: it may take time and several attempts before a person is ready to open up • Use open questions: that need more than a yes/no answer, & follow up e.g.

‘Tell me more’ • Say it back: to check you’ve understood, but don’t interrupt or offer a solution • Have courage: don’t be put off by a negative response and, most importantly, don’t be afraid to leave silence Every six seconds, someone in the UK and Ireland contacts Samaritans, and every 90 seconds in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, someone takes their own life.

Good listening is hard but Samaritans believes it essential in bringing down the number of suicides. Rob from Blackburn, Hyndburn & Ribble Valley Samaritans said “We listen.

That’s what we’re here to do when people contact us, and sometimes it can be really challenging. But you don’t have to be a Samaritan to be a good listener. We’re a culture of people who love to give advice, love to give opinions and quite frankly love the sound of our own voices.

But this year we’re asking people all over the country to SHUSH! and listen better to each other. Sixty years of Samaritans’ expertise

has taught us that just listening is the greatest gift you can give to somebody, and that it can save lives.”

Samaritans’ aim is to bring down the high numbers of suicides in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. It wants to encourage people to ask for help early if they are struggling, rather than waiting until they reach a crisis.

Samaritans CEO Ruth Sutherland said: “Being listened to gives you a voice, and the courage to say what’s really on your mind. Saying your problems out loud is therapeutic in itself and being listened to has the power to make you feel understood, and that you matter. We can all be better listeners. So many family, work, relationship and even mental health issues are made worse when a person feels they aren’t being listened to. Which is why we’re saying, ‘Shush and listen!’ “Most conversations today are just two people waiting to

speak, not two people really listening.

It’s vitally important for our children and young people’s wellbeing that they are listened to, and learn the value of listening, but it applies to every age too. We listen all the time, and as Samaritans we know how powerful that can be. So, I’m urging everyone to take up Samaritans’ challenge throughout our Talk To Us campaign this July, and become a better listener by putting into practice our Listening Tips. Go to our website, read them and share them – challenge each other to use them. We can all be braver and do more to give each other the space to talk. And by becoming better listeners, together we will save lives.”

For further information, photos and interviews, please contact Samaritans’ press office on 020 8394 8300 or press@samaritans.org or marketingnorthwest@samaritans.org

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Blackburn Market Set

for an Exciting Year

One of Lancashire’s longest established markets is full of optimism for 2016 with a range of events, visitor offers and festivals set to transform a visit to Blackburn Market. Having just won Coach Friendly Shopping Destination of the Year at the Coach Tourism Awards, the year is off to a great start. The market is open 6 days a week & offers a wide range of traditional indoor

stalls linked directly to The Mall Shopping centre with all the big High Street brands you would expect. With its dedicated food court, the market is also a great place for lunch or a cuppa, with cuisine from traditional cafes and coffee shops to exotic tastes from around the world.

The market, as well as offering long established traditional traders such as greengrocers, butchers and

fishmongers also adds a modern twist with high fashion, technology, beauty, fancy dress & even postal services.

This year sees a range of family pleasing events, including children’s TV favourites and large screen movies as well as taking part in the Countryside Comes to Town Festival and the Blackburn Cathedral Flower Festival. Blackburn Market is more than just a market!

The local milkman/milklady

Portland Dairies are a small family owned business delivering dairy and non - dairy goods to households and businesses. I have been involved in the dairy industry for over 40 years, originally starting as a 10 year old boy and have seen many changes in that time , ups and downs , sad times with customers passing on but the ups side of watching children born and growing up with themselves becoming customers as they move into adulthood and start families themselves creating the next generation of customers. I met my partner Denise in the late 1980’s whilst out delivering, as she was a customer of mine and now many years later and with 4 kids and 3 grandkids I have gone full circle and deliver in the same area she lived when we met, but am under strict instructions not to get too chatty with the female customers! The doorstep industry has taken a battering over the years, especially through the effects supermarkets have had upon it, but we are determined not to let

this Great British Industry die. Many dairy farmers cease farming and people need to understand that when our dairy farmers have gone, that’s it they have gone and we cannot bring them back. We will eventually have to import our milk at large prices and poor quality and people will say ‘we made a mistake, we should have supported a great industry’ and supported all our small local businesses.

There is not a clear understanding by some sectors of what ‘the milkman/ lady’ actually does. People think you pop milk onto a doorstep and that’s it you toddle off to the next delivery . Well you will be amazed at what a milkman/lady actually does and here are a few facts.

1. We are sometimes the only contact some customers have with the outside world and the only face they see.

2. We may have customers who suffer from dementia and you are the link between those customers and their families checking whilst delivering, making sure nothing looks out of

place such as doors left open.

3. Elderly customers may be at home and need care and in times between health visitors need help with tasks such as emptying their catheter bag, a request you cannot refuse.

4. Whilst customers are on holiday, the milkman will look at the house on passing to make sure nothing looks suspicious.

5. On occasions sadly, you find customers deceased in their homes which although not a find you want to make, you prefer it to be you that has found them and not having the family having to be the ones who find them.

6. We are part of the community, we like to think we are playing an integral role into bringing a sense of community spirit in the area and highlighting events and issues with customers when they arise.

I and all other milkmen and milk women are proud of the heritage and history of our milk delivery service, so please support the doorstep milk delivery and please help support your small local businesses .

Lancashire Local. Issue 18. Page 11.

Page 12. Issue 18. Lancashire Local

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PREPARE FOR PRESTON’S PEDALFEST July in Avenham Park will see cyclists take on challenging routes of either 101k or 59k at Preston’s PedalFest sportive.

If that doesn’t take your fancy, maybe an easier four mile Sky Ride Local along the River Ribble is more your thing.

Either way, get down to Avenham and Miller Parks on Sunday 24 July for our great Family Festival – there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a cyclist or not! There’s a lot to keep you and the family entertained try your hand at circus skills; kids can learn to ride with balance bikes; make

a fruit smoothie with your own pedal power; or scale the heights of our mobile climbing wall.

Cabinet member for culture and leisure, Councillor Peter Kelly, said: “These events are a great family day out in our beautiful, award winning parks. You can also support those taking part in the cycling challenge – or if you’re up for it, sign up to ride the route yourself!

“Not only will you see the beauty of Preston’s parks, but also the local countryside too. The routes will take in the best that Lancashire has to offer and provide views you may not have come across before.”

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Lancashire Local. Issue 18. Page 13.

Page 14. Issue 18. Lancashire Local

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Bentham golf club tees

up with UK FOOTGOLF

A new sport, combining Brits’ favourite ball games, football and golf, has kicked off on the fairways at Bentham Golf Club.

Footgolf is played on traditional golf courses with a football substituted for a golf ball. Players use their feet, not clubs, to get the ball into holes rather than goals. The competitor who plays with the fewest kicks triumphs.

One of the UK’s fastest growing

sports, Bentham Golf Club is the latest to adapt part of its 18 hole course suitable for Footgolf - and allow players to enjoy this new and alternative way to play the traditional game of golf.

Isabel Marshall, Bentham Golf Club’s forward-thinking manager said: “The club is really excited about this new venture. We have worked closely with Footgolf UK and are delighted to be able to roll out the game in Bentham.

It is a new sport that anyone can play. We have had youngsters playing with their grandparents and seen young families having fun together. It is not as time consuming as golf which helps to make it a really inclusive game, and I think that is probably one of the reasons it is taking off around the UK, with regional tournaments and a national tour.

We are already attracting some new faces to the club to enjoy the new sport”.

Other courses

across the UK have successfully incorporated the game as the specially designed holes for the footballs are placed in the rough to protect the greens.

Gareth May, Head of UK Development the UK FootGolf Association said “Bentham Golf Club is the latest course to embrace the UK’s fastest growing sport. The game is proving incredibly popular, and this year over 70 tournaments will be played that will form part of a Regional and National Tour, with prize funds in excess of £30,000”.

Playing the latest hybrid sport at Bentham takes competitors around an hour to play 9 holes, or 2 hours for 18 holes, and does not require any special equipment or clothing.

The balls used for the game can be hired from the club, making it easy to simply turn up and play.

The Footgolf course at Bentham is open on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings with further events and competitions planned over coming months.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 18. Page 15.

Page 16. Issue 18. Lancashire Local

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The tower slide returns as makeover of Heaton

Park’s play area begins

The full refurbishment of the muchloved play area will commence at the beginning of July and will be completed by the end of August.

All of the current pieces of play furniture will be completely replaced or restored and the area will be extended to accommodate new features and more young people.

The centrepiece of the development will replace the iconic tower slide with a new bespoke UFO-style piece that will incorporate the current high slide. Inclusive play attractions are another key addition to the park – including a wheelchair accessible roundabout, double bay cradle swings and a new nest for the existing cantilever swing that will make the play item fully accessible. An exciting addition to the park is the introduction of climbing boulders and a natural section, encouraging adventure play, as well as a new 5 arm spinner and new spring rocker. Heaton Park was given £600k through Clean City funding - allocated in part to Heaton Park from a one-off dividend paid to the city council as part-owners of Manchester Airport Group – that has already been used to improve footpaths, bins and benches – along with the refubishment of the toilet block at the Farm Centre.

The play areas will be fully closed to the public during the works, but alternative provision will be available at the Stables Café courtyard. Existing

attractions will also be available, including the animal centre, donkey rides, cafes, land train and the boating lake, as well as a funfair during the summer holidays.

Cllr Luthfur Rahman, Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, said: “Using Clean City funding we wanted to make sure the improvements to Heaton’s play area were both ambitious and future

proofed. I believe we will have the best play area in the region following the works, and also a fully inclusive set of play pieces to ensure everyone can enjoy the facilities.

“Every piece currently in the park will be replaced or refurbished– along with many new additions – which I know will be welcomed by the many children and families who enjoy the space.”

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National Lottery casts future for

historic copper mine

The future of two of the country’s most significant historic copper mines in Coniston, Cumbria, is secure, thanks to a £450,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Reaching back over 400 years, Coniston Copper Mines and Penny Rigg Mill sites spread across 57 hectares in the south west of the Lake District National Park, below Coniston Old Man. The project will take place over the next two years, with work beginning on site in June.

It will focus on conserving over 150 items of repair, stabilisation and reconstruction across ten different structures at the two sites.

Without this project this important heritage is at risk. At its peak in the 19th century, Coppermines Valley employed around 600 people, employed in the extraction, preparation and transportation of copper ore, however the underground mines in the valley date back to the 16th century. There will be training and volunteering opportunities for

people to get involved, including conservation and archaeological survey work. The information will then be shared for the benefit of local community and visitors, providing a new insight into the rich mining history of the south Lakes.

We will be surveying Penny Rigg Mill in the summer – if anyone would like to get involved email archvol@ lakedistrict.gov.uk or telephone 01539 724555 The project is a partnership between Lake District National Park, land owners, Ruskin Museum, YHA Coniston, Grizedale Arts and Cumbria Amenity Trust Mining History Society.

Lake District Strategy and Partnership adviser, Eleanor Kingston, said: “This is fantastic news, not only to preserve the mining history, but also for the Coniston community. It’s a real opportunity for local people to get involved, connect with their heritage and contribute towards the future of this special site.

Sara Hilton, Head of HLF North West, said: “Copper mining is indelibly linked to the heritage and landscape of Coniston. Tens of thousands of people visit every year yet few will be aware of the role the area played in the industrialisation of Britain. It was clear to us therefore that investing National Lottery money could make a real difference in preserving what’s left and ensuring this important history is shared much more widely.”

History of mining in Coniston Copper extraction dates back 400 years and was a firm favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. In the 16th century, she introduced German workers and its fortunes flourished.

The mineral was important to emerging industries of a growing Empire. It sheathed ships' hulls as they sailed the seven seas, was used in weaponry, for coinage and by the navy. Although there were peaks and troughs in the market, Coniston copper continued to be mined until the 1950s.

Lancashire Local. Issue 18. Page 17.

Page 18. Issue 18. Lancashire Local

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Captain Jack Sparrow

leads Towboat to Kendal

Colin Ogden, head of the 500 strong 'Owd Lanky Boaters Group', pulled off a spectacular event towing his historic Windermere boat Whimbrel into Kendal over the filled in canal, the first boat to do so for about 70 years.

He was sponsored and helped in the event by West End MOT Centre of Accrington, Antrim Marine trim specialists, and Bridge House Marina, Garstang, where the journey started.

Our photographer caught up with them at the recently refurbished Millness slipway, Crooklands, and followed them on this epic journey.

Nearer Kendal at Larkhall Bridge, Captain Jack Sparrow recreated a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean, where a boat was hauled overland by the Captain.

The Captain is convincingly played by Laurraine Smith, a Morecambe photographer.

On to Kendal and through Castle Bridge, where the Captains flagging strength was quickly restored by several slugs of brandy, which quickly turned into a mock drunken sword and pistol waving revelry.

Much to the enjoyment of Sunday afternoon walkers and cyclists.

It was funny and well staged, and an excellent promotion for the Lancaster canal. Frank Sanderson. Friends of the Lancaster Canal.

World-class spirits on the edge of Bassenthwaite Lake

With a fascinating tour, a bistro serving flavoursome food and beautiful lakeside scenery, there are many reasons to visit The Lakes Distillery.

Set against a backdrop of Cumbrian mountains and nestled next to the scenic Bassenthwaite Lake, you will find The Lakes Distillery.

You will be taken on a tour through

the ages, exploring the history of distilling, learning about what makes The Lakes Distillery’s products so special and unique, and of course having a sample of the spirits themselves; their The One whiskey blend, Lakes Vodka and Lakes Gin. You might also be tempted to a tipple in the Bistro, which serves signature cocktails alongside a host of locally sourced, generous and tasty dishes from extensive menus ranging from light lunches to three-course suppers.

Taste traditional English food given an added zip with Lake District flavours – Cumbrian cheese and spinach soufflé, for example, or marmalade and whisky pudding.

Content provided by Cumbria Tourism

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Lancashire Local. Issue 18. Page 19.

Page 20. Issue 18. Lancashire Local

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Chorley

Flower Show

After the phenomenal success of our first ever Chorley Flower Show, it will be back on Saturday and Sunday 30-31 July 2016. We are also delighted to announce we came second in the Tourism event category at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2015.

The spectacular show, organised by Chorley Council, is back by popular demand and it will take place on Saturday and Sunday 30 and 31 July.

Plans are already well underway to bring back some of the best exhibitors from across the country after the success of the first ever Chorley Flower Show, which attracted 10,000 people to Astley Park.

New elements for the 2016 show will include introducing show gardens to complement Chorley’s awardwinning RHS Chelsea Flower Show exhibit ‘The Evaders’ Garden’ and increasing the variety of horticultural stands in the vicinity of Astley Hall.

TWO of the most well-known names in the horticultural world are set for Chorley after organisers announced they would be making special appearances at Chorley Flower Show.

Hundreds of people have already booked their tickets for the Chorley Council-run event, which will see Gardeners’ World presenter Carol Klein and garden designer and television presenter Joe Swift carry

out gardening demonstrations and taking part in a question and answer session. The duo hosted the BBC’s coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last week and were selected by popular demand after the council asked people who they would like to see at this year’s show.

We’ll have all your favourite attractions returning with a wider variety of horticultural displays and trade stands.

The prices are Adult £7 (£5 in advance); Children (aged 5-15) £2 (£1.50 in advance); Family ticket (up to 2 adults and 3 children) £15 (£12 in advance); Weekend pass £8.50

(advance only); Under 5s are free.

You can also purchase a ticket for 5 time credits.

If you have any questions please contact us and we’ll be more than happy to discuss this further.

Access through Astley Park will be restricted in certain areas during show set up, which starts from Monday 18 July. The showground will be completely closed to the public from Wednesday 27 July until Monday 1 August. Access between the town centre and Hallgate will remain open at all times via the footpath on the playing fields, which will be clearly signposted.

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School's out for summer

holidays in Wales

The school holidays are coming, a great time to spend six weeks with your kids (I know..... deep breath). Where to take them?

Where to keep them entertained?

We have plenty of ideas to stop your little darlings from being bored.

First up, sibling rivalries, don't you love it. Get them to use up

their competitive edge with one of many active adventures. Flying across the Welsh skies, zooming down mountain bike trails, climbing to the top of mountains or riding the waves on a family surf day. For gentler adventures, fire their imagination with a trip (or even a stay) to one of many castles and then try to recreate

them on one of our sandy child friendly beaches. Or a ramble through the countryside discovering flora and fauna. Strolling along the coast path or discovering waterfalls (you might even bump into Batman).

Top all of this off with some great Welsh food, a festival or two and a star filled sky before bed.

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Voted Best Family

Attraction in North Wales

GreenWood Forest Park

Voted Best Family Attraction in North Wales for five years running, days out don’t get much better than this!

GreenWood Forest Park is set in 27 magical acres, and it’s easy to see why it’s a full day out - discovering woodland adventure, awesome attractions and forest family fun.

Jump aboard the world’s only people powered roller coaster, zoom down the longest sledge run in Wales, embark on the Jungle Boat Adventure (a challenge for the whole family), or aquaplane down the brand new SolarSplash water ride! The children will love discovering the bouncy Giant Jumper, exploring the turrets of TreeTop Towers, taking their shoes and socks off for the BareFoot Trail and riding around on the zippy Moon Karts.

For those rainy days, discover the Enchanted WoodBarn - full of the latest indoor play. Young explorers will just love it!

In the Forest Theatre, you’ll find extraordinary entertainment every school holiday, including Smarty Marty the Clown, Harley’s Showtime and Ricardo the Pirate - they can’t wait to make you laugh. Or get creative in the craft area where you can see local crafts people and make something unique to take home with you!

Smaller tots will also find a funfilled adventure in the Little Forest PlayBarn, Toddlers Village, Tunnel Warren and the Little Green Run. With so much to do on a day out, you’ll need a break! In the GreenOak Café, choose from delicious hot and cold meals, as well as a great selection of Fairtrade and locally sourced products. During school holidays, grab a bite from one of our great snack bars. Visit www. greenwoodforestpark.co.uk for full details or call 01248 670076

Visitor returns for

Llanfair Line’s big event

An old friend returned to the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, as the line begins to gear up for its annual Steam Gala in September.

‘Chevallier’, an 0-6-2T steam locomotive built by Manning Wardle & Co, Leeds, in 1915, will be the star attraction at the Gala, which this year is a three-day event being held from 2nd-4th September. The locomotive has twice before visited the line to take part in the Gala, in 1991 and 2010.

Chevallier was built originally for a Royal Navy railway in Kent and later moved across to the Bowaters Paper Mill line in Sittingbourne. When that company closed its line in 1969, the locomotive went to work on a new line running through the animal

paddocks at Whipsnade Zoo. It was later sold to Bill Parker of the Flour Mill Workshop in the Forest of Dean, and Bill undertook a full overhaul.

Chevallier came to the W&LLR’s 2010 Gala within days of the overhaul being completed, but various running-in issues prevented it showing its full capabilities over the weekend. W&LLR staff anticipate no such issues this time round – the loco has spent the last couple of seasons working very reliably in its old haunt of the Great Whipsnade Railway, while its early arrival in mid-Wales will leave plenty of time for testing over the Llanfair Line’s challenging eight-mile route throughout the summer before Chevalier takes its role

in a typically intensive Gala timetable.

“We are delighted to have the loco here and grateful to owner Bill Parker for making the loan possible,” said W&LLR general manager Charles Spencer. “We will not be using Chevallier on any timetabled services before the Gala, but we will be carrying out extensive testing to ensure the loco can prove a worthy special guest at our biggest event of the year.”

Plans are well underway for the Gala, which as in previous years will be held alongside the Garden Railway Show at Llanfair Caereinion High School, with a shuttle bus connecting the two. More details of the Gala attractions will be revealed closer to the event.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 18. Page 23.

The beaches hotel

We are a large, modern hotel on the beautiful North Wales Sea View rooms are larger bedrooms Our Promenade Bar serves bar a decking area, where guests can Or you may prefer to dine in our Bryn Restaurant which coast. We offer free parking, an indoor swimming pool, a with special features. meals and has an outside patio with enjoy beautiful sea views and sunsets. serves the best local produce. sauna, steam room and gym. A large reception area is on offer to our guests with comfy sofas where free Wi-Fi can be accessed.

Because of our unique position on the sea front, all our rooms have views of the beaches and sea, or the Prestatyn hills. Every room has an en-suite bathroom with either a bath or shower and all the usual home comforts, television with Freeview, free Wi-Fi internet connection, desk/ dressing table, tea and coffee making, and hairdryers.

For a very special break you may prefer one of our Sea View bedrooms, available with either double or twin beds.

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fforest: Holidays with more!

Sandwiched between the Teifi gorge and the Teifi Marshes wildlife reserve, fforest takes advantage of 500 acres of bliss. Built from the inspiration and beauty of the great outdoors; the simplest and purest of things with adventure & wonder all around, it is a place to stay, gather, play, learn & celebrate in a pristine natural environment. A place to rediscover the luxury of simple.

In the day, amble around the camp, relax on the terraces, take short drives to beautiful local beaches, walk a section of the coastal path or take their advice on the best local places to visit and things to do including a range of outdoor activities from canoeing to coasteering.

At night, with their own onsite tiny pub, bbq meal nights and outdoor pizza restaurant downstream in Cardigan you won’t have to think too much about where to go for food & drink.

A variety of accommodation is available from magical geodesic domes to a luxury newly renovated grand Georgian farmhouse. Prices for

a 7 night stay from £205.75pp (based on 5 sharing a katacabin) / £264pp (based on 14 sleeping in Ty Fforest, the bedroom farmhouse).

For more information go to -www. coldatnight.co.uk Look at their amazing event in the

last 2 weeks of August here –www. fforestgather.co.uk fforest, Cardigan, Ceredigion, West Wales.

2 Hours North West from Cardiff 1.5 Hours South from Aberystwyth A world away.

Great Family day out

Whilst in Mid Wales, why not enjoy a visit to the historic Talyllyn Railway at Tywyn on the coast between Barmouth and Aberdyfi? The Talyllyn was the very first preserved railway in the world, when it was taken over by volunteers in 1951.

It was originally built in 1865 to transport slate from Bryn Eglwys quarry to transfer to the newly opened main line at Tywyn. Passengers were

also conveyed from the beginning, and the carriages, along with the two original steam engines, are still in use today, albeit along with additional steam engines and carriages acquired over the years. Over the past twelve months we have been celebrating our 150th anniversary. Quite an achievement.

We have constant high recommendations from such as Trip

Advisor, and we do all we can to make our visitors very welcome.

Don’t miss your opportunity to enjoy the fantastic scenery and history of a ride from Tywyn to Dolgoch Falls, Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol, and perhaps enjoy some wonderful forest walks or visit our cafes, shops and museum.

We look forward to seeing you.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 18. Page 25.

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STUNNING FINALE TO HUGELY SUCCESSFUL YORKSHIRE FESTIVAL

More than 50,000 people enjoyed dazzling performances and one-off spectaculars as Yorkshire Festival came to an exhilarating finale with feathers filling the skies in Hull and Big Disco bringing people together at parties across the county.

These two ambitious and world-class events marked the end of the UK’s newest international festival, which has attracted more than 165,000 people to hundreds of events by over 900 artists from 22 countries over the 18 days.

It saw the world’s largest disco ball rigged up over Duke Studios, Leeds, where thousands danced beneath the 10 metre high glittering globe to Donna Summer's I Feel Love and 20,000 danced at over 100 Little Discos across Yorkshire. DJs played throughout the day and into the night with a stellar line up including DJ Yoda, Alex Metric, Utah Saints, Greg Wilson,

Foz, Brett Domino and Capital FM’s Adam, Danny & JoJo. one of the international highlights of the Yorkshire Festival programme, Place des Anges, saw a host of stunning angels appear above the heads of more than 10,000 people in Hull's Queen's Gar dens. The show -which saw the skies fill with feathers - was made possible through an ambitious partnership between Yorkshire Festival and Hull UK City of Culture 2017, and presented in association with the Amy Johnson Festival. All 10,000 free tickets for the event were snapped up in just 51 minutes. There were also dozens of free outdoor performances over the weekend as part of Hebden

Bridge Arts Festival, Shipley Street Arts Festival and Coastival in Scarborough.Yorkshire Festival’s Artistic Director Matt Burman said: “This year's Festival has been an incredible success. Our audience figures make us the fourth largest international arts festival in the UK and in only our second edition, this is a fantastic achievement.

I'd like to thank our audiences for giving such a warm welcome to artists from all over the county and across the world and huge thanks to our team and all our partners who have worked tirelessly and enthusiastically to bring Yorkshire world-class artistic experiences.”

Festival Chair David Lascelles said: “Place des Anges was an unforgettably spectacular climax to a wonderful eighteen days. The Festival has brought artists from all over the world to wow audiences across the county and audiences from across the world to celebrate the very best Yorkshire has to offer. And that’s something we should all be very proud of.” Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said: “This year’s Yorkshire Festival has truly been a magical spectacle of performances that will go down in history. The festival has shown that Yorkshire can stage not only world class sporting events but also high calibre cultural shows and festivities that attract tens of thousands of visitors and generate the support of communities right across the county.” Yorkshire Festival highlights have included Carabosse's magical and memorable Fire Garden which showcased Valley Gardens in Harrogate in a whole new light to crowds of over 20,000, and Handmade Parade and Cardboardia's joyous and celebratory event in Hebden Bridge for an audience of almost 10,000.Imran Qureshi's Garden within a Garden, co-commissioned by Bradford MDC, 14-18 NOW and Yorkshire Festival, is a beautiful and contemplative pair of works in City and Lister Parks in Bradford, which will remain in situ for audiences to view throughout the summer.

Talking Statues has brought municipal statues in Leeds to life with Vic Reeves, Brian Blessed, Ian McMillan and Game of Thrones actress Gemma Whelan lending their voices to the city's icons, and the statues will keep their voices for the next year.The Stopping Train, a Sonic Journey created by writer Blake Morrison and composer Gavin Bryars, has been experienced by train passengers travelling between Goole and Hull and will be available to download for free until the middle of July. And chip shops across the county have played host to the soldout #chipshopthemusical -a brand new show fusing UK grime and Yorkshire brass, complete with complimentary fish and chips.

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The Great Yorkshire Fringe is back... bigger! Longer!

Funnier! With 18 days of fun with 150 shows over 3 weekends from 15 July - 1 August.

The first Great Yorkshire Fringe was such a roaring success that it’s coming back in July - and is promising to serve up even more of the very best comedians, music and family entertainment from all over the world in York’s historic city centre.The inaugural event proved a hit with both residents and visitors to the city alike, with more than 120,000 people flocking to a festival of entertainment, music, cabaret, magic and theatre. Building on that success, this year’s weird, wise and wonderful event has been extended by an extra week - so there will be 18 days of entertainment,again centred on Parliament Street, and it will be chock-full with craft beer and wine bars, gourmet street-food,music and much, much more.

The full Great Yorkshire Fringe programme is announced today - and it features 150 shows or events - up from 63 last year - 300 performances in total and over 600 performers taking part. Festival founder and York resident, Martin Witts said: “The Great Yorkshire Fringe in 2016 is going to be an even bigger non-stop cavalcade of laughs. Comedy is going to take over the city centre and the sound of infectious laughter will be everywhere!

We are also creating The Great Northern Comedy Trail, which will celebrate the lives and work of many of our greatest laughter heroes and venues.”

Parliament Street will again be at the centre of things, as it is transformed into a massive Lazy Lawn village green a 1/4 mile long, a vibrant and exciting space with three fantastic entertainment venues: The White Rose Rotunda is a spectacular century-old Spiegeltent, seating 300 with many seated around tables in mirrored booths. The Turn Pot is another beautiful Speigeltent, seating 200.

The Tea Pot seats 200 (double last year’s capacity), and is a starry oasis in the middle of the site, a pop up venue home for up and coming comedy, the Free Fringe and the The Great Yorkshire Fringe New Comedian of the Year 2016 competition. The Gillygate Shed is an exciting new 100-seat pop up venue as the festival expands across the city. Located in the garden of The Gillygate Pub, just a 10-minute walk away, this new venue will have a superlate licence so expect an eclectric mix of shows throughout the day and evening. Brian Furey, Landlord of The Gillygate Pub, said: “Alongside the theatre we are builing a cider bar and an authentic wood burning Italian pizza oven in the garden. Different themed pizzas will be served at various times of the day.” The Black Swan Inn is an affiliate venue for this year’s festival, hosting the Burning Duck Woodsduck Comedy Festival from 22 – 24 July. A 6 minute walk from the Parliament Street, the events are part of the wider Free Fringe and features comedy from Kiri Pritchard McLean, Jack Evans, Seymour Mace and more. We are also pleased to announce The Arts Barge Riverside Festival at Tower Gardens on 27 - 31 July will also be part of the Free Fringe.

Among The Great Yorkshire Fringe highlights for 2016 are several major productions direct from successful runs in London’s West End, including classic radio comedy from Round The Horne: The 50th Anniversary Tour and Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, the first improvised comedy group to win an Oliver Award who have just finished a three-month West End season at the Apollo Theatre. Sh*t-faced Shakespeare® by Magnificent Bastard Productions is the hilarious combination of an entirely serious Shakespeare play with an entirely sh*tfaced cast member! Side-splitting, raucous and completely interactive, the show has already entertained over 50,000 eager theatregoers across the UK and America.Returning stand up stars include the incredible Henning Wehn (who had to add extra shows last year), Tony Law and Simon Munnery. “King of the internet” Richard Herring will pick his favourite routines from his 12 previous one-man shows and cram them into 60 minutes. He also brings his award winning Podcast (Winner of the Bronze Award for Best Comedy at the 2013 Sony Radio Academy Awards and the Chortle Internet Award 2013) to York. Star of The Chase on ITV1, Paul Sinha returns to stand up comedy after a 4-year break with Postcards From The Z-List.

Other big hitters in a truly international line-up include Jerry Sadowitz, Glenn Wool, Tom Stade, the UK’s favourite Canadian resident, and the adults-only puppet show Sammy J and Randy, who are stars of their own

hit TV show in Australia, combining catchy songs with chaotic tomfoolery and outbursts of pure filth.

“We’re also thrilled that the Great Yorkshire Fringe will be the first place you can see new material from many established acts,” said Martin Witts.

“It will be the place where acts give birth to new shows before moving on to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and beyond. Whatever your taste in comedy or entertainment we promise to have something for you!”For families, Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales is a one-hour show based on the books by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo and from the same team as last year’s hit show, Stick Man; Baby Loves Disco has DJs spinning feelgood chart floorfillers with nostalgic pop classics from the years before parenthood struck – for parents and babies, toddlers and young children to enjoy together; and there are several great magic shows for all the family - Morgan & West’s Utterly Spiffing Spectacular Magic Show For Kids (and Childish GrownUps!), West End Magic & West End Magic Workshops for Children.The Great Yorkshire Fringe New Comedian of the Year 2016. At the heart of the Festival is the return of The Great Yorkshire Fringe New Comedian of the Year Competition. Following in the footsteps of our highly successful, sold-out 2015 competition, over 200 acts will now compete to be crowned our 2016 champion. There will be heats throughout the Fringe, with a grand final on Sunday 31 July. Last year, Tom Taylor, aged 23 from Harrogate, was crowned the very first Great Yorkshire Fringe New

Lancashire Local. Issue 18. Page 27.

Comedian of the Year. The 2016 winner will receive The Golden Pudding Award, £750, and the opportunity to perform at Leicester Square Theatre. Second place prize will be £500 and third place £250. Great Yorkshire Fringe Dog Show New for 2016 is the first Great Yorkshire Fringe Dog Show in aid of Greyhound Rescue North Yorkshire. Staged on Saturday 16 July at 3.00pm in The White Rose Rotunda. Registration opens on the day from 2.15pm. The Great Yorkshire Fringe will end with The Lord Mayor’s Secret Ball on Monday 1 August – Yorkshire Day. Bob The Box Office Bus New for 2016 is a themed double-decker bus - Bob The Box Office Bus, covered with the same Lazy Lawn as Parliament Street. Bob The Box Office Bus is a new mobile box office for the festival and will be parked in the city centre from Wednesday 1 June. Festival fans will be able to drop by and book tickets for all the events there as well as online. During the festival, Bob The Box Office Bus will be at the very heart of things in the centre of Parliament Street. Feastival - Food and Drink At The Festival Following the success of the 2015 Great Yorkshire Fringe’s internationally acclaimed street-food; we are pleased to announce the newest addition to the Great Yorkshire Fringe - The Feastival, popping up alongside the three Festival venues on Parliament Street.

This year’s Street Food offering includes firm favourites from last year but also some new and exciting additions!

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Choosing the right

wedding date

I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date!

The date for your wedding is actually a very important part of your plans. The date influences all kinds of elements of your big day and therefore should be thought about just as long as venues and food. “summertime and the weather is hot” sung Mungo Jerry once upon a time and yes traditionally this is true; if you don’t live in Britain. British summers are known for their unpredictability.

Summer weddings allow for outdoor venues, light refreshing food, cold drinks and plenty of space for all the family.

Yet, it is also worth noting that you will pay nearly double what you would pay in the other months of the year. “let it snow, let it snow, let it snow” sung Frank Sinatra.

Sadly living in Britain we are more likely to have rain rather than

snow. However, winter weddings are becoming more popular, especially around the month of Christmas.

Venues can be cosy with log burning fires, food that fills the belly to bursting and drinks that warm the soul. With prices being cheaper too, it’s always a great option for couples on a tighter budget.

Now you have thought about the time of year but what about the day.

Traditionally, most weddings are held on a weekend, as this tends to not conflict with people’s work.

However, more and more people

are starting to have their weddings on a week day. Why? Because it is cheaper. Weddings are expensive and if you can save, even a little, by having your wedding during the week rather than the weekend it seems silly not to right?

Just remember whatever day and month that you choose to have your wedding on does not mean that your wedding will be ruined. After all a date is just as date and a venue is just a place, its everyone presence at an event that makes it special, even on Friday 13th!

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Wedding Accessories For Men The obvious culprit for splashing out on wedding bling is usually the bride, but if you look out there are plenty of wedding accessories available for the groom Your wedding day is no place for the average work watch. If you are unsure what you can get for your man, a new watch could be on the cards. A classic wrist watch can be brought out for all formal occasions, not just your wedding. Whether it is for a job interview or your child’s christening, it will have the James Bond effect.

Cufflinks are often a common gift bought by the parents of the groom, but why leave it to them. There is an endless range of cufflinks on the market, ranging from the cheap as chips to the arm and a leg.

They can be novelty banana’s or initials engraved in silver, the endless variety allows you to choose something which is personal to the two of you and your wedding.

Speaking to ‘Henrys For Men’ who are based in Oxfordshire, many grooms opt to buy silk handkerchiefs.

James says “they are quite popular as they are easy to match with your waistcoat, and can make good gifts.”

Rather than just sticking to the average buttons, some grooms would prefer to dress up using Dress Studs.

They close the shirt, just like buttons but show an attention to the details.

You can often get a set of dress studs with a set of cufflinks together which makes sure that even the style clumsy won’t make any fashion faux pas’.

And finally, the shoes. They are probably the most important part of the whole ensemble. They say you can tell a lot about a man from his shoes, especially on your wedding day. If you are renting a suit, it is likely that the company will provide a selection of matching shoes. But if you want something different, don’t go too over-the-top. Black and brown are often the sleekest colours to wear on your big day. It is often the simple patent leather shoe that looks the most elegant. If you are using shoes which you already inhabit your wardrobe, just give them a good polish before the wedding day and they’ll look as good as new.

Whatever your man decides to decorate himself with on the big day just make sure that he doesn’t go over-thetop. Nobody wants to marry a Christmas Tree.

What’s the

Best Age to

Get Married?

The age in which you wed is a universal subject of concern, with many displaying conflicting ideas about marriage and age. Where some believe that you can only know you if someone is ‘the one’ after you have spend many years with them others believe in love at first sight, suggesting age to be irrelevant. Nicholas H. Wolfinger, a University of Utah psychologist, has carried out strenuous research into the success of marriage in contention with age, arriving at a number of surprising outcomes.

In his new research for the Institute for Family Studies he delved into divorce rates in correlation with young marriages.

We would think the younger you get married the more likely it would end in divorce. With youth comes a lack of knowledge in regards to life and love, with hasty decisions such as marriage often becoming the wrong ones.

However, Wolfinger says those who marry in their mid-30s or later are actually MORE likely to divorce than those who marry in their late 20s ‘My data analysis shows that prior to age 30 or so, each additional year of age at marriage reduces the odds of divorce by 11 percent,’ Wolfinger writes. ‘However, after that, the odds of divorce increase by 5 percent per year.’ All considered can you really base you life on a bunch of statistics?

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Newton-le-Willows Primary

achieves ‘good’ Ofsted report

Newton-le-Willows Primary School was delighted to learn it had achieved ‘good’ status from Ofsted in a recent report by the national school performance watchdog.

The school’s positive progress was noted as good across all categories, including effectiveness of leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; personal development, behaviour and welfare; outcomes for pupils; and early years provision.

The good news will reassure parents

that increased efforts at the school are paying off, improving upon its previous report, at which it was graded ‘requires improvement’.

Ofsted inspectors remarked upon head teacher, Mrs Kathryn WainMahoney’s “high expectations of the pupils, staff and school” and her “determination to succeed and excel”; a “core group of highly skilled governors”; teachers “becoming highly adept at assessing pupils’ progress”; the pride pupils have of their school; and that pupils

and parents felt the school is a “safe learning environment.”

Mrs Wain-Mahoney, said: “We are so pleased the hard work of all in the team, including parents, pupils and our partnership with the local community, has been recognised.

“I thank everyone who has supported us on our journey to good. I am very pleased that the inspection team, in a relatively short time, were able to recognise so many qualities that we are proud of at our school.”

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High degree of help

Graduates returning to Warrington will get a helping hand on the career ladder thanks to Warrington Borough Council.

Warrington South Area Team, based at St Werburgh’s Community Hub, is relaunching its Graduates Network aimed at helping graduates find employment and become more employable in their chosen field.

The team will offer sessions on CV and cover letter-writing and interview techniques. These sessions are put on by people who have worked in reviewing CVs and conducted interviews and can offer real inside knowledge.

The team will also help graduates to find volunteering opportunities.

Volunteering your skills is a great way to make your CV stand out from the crowd and can even give experience to put on the CV along with your degree.

Stuart Robertson was a graduate from last year’s network with a degree in history and politics and masters in journalism. “The CV-writing and interview technique sessions provide essential knowledge which helped get me land my current role in Wigan NHS.” St Werburgh’s are looking to set up a regular slot every Tuesday at 10am for the network. If you are interested in CV-writing or interview technique sessions, contact bparratt@ warrington.gov.uk,

Impressive changes

at Corpus Christi

The changes that have taken place at Corpus Christi Catholic High School in Fulwood Preston over the last three years, can only be described as transformational. Since new headteacher David Hubbard took up post in April 2013, the pace of change has been rapid.

Changes introduced have included an impressive new uniform, a highly effective approach to managing behaviour, a strong focus on improving teaching, new systems for improving attendance, new reports to parents, a new rewards system and a rigorous approach to holding teachers to account for their performance.

Headteacher David Hubbard believes that these dramatic changes have been brought about by the involvement of staff, pupils and governors in the drive to bring about improvement.

In October 2014, Ofsted stated that Corpus Christi is ‘improving quickly’ and recognised that ‘the headteacher has established an atmosphere of ambition, aspiration and high expectations.’

Inspectors also

reported that ‘leaders, staff, students and governors are working well as a cohesive team and are successfully improving behaviour, attendance, the effectiveness of teaching and students’ achievement’.

The most recent inspection in May 2016 confirmed that ‘Corpus Christi is a good Catholic school that is

improving rapidly’ and noted that ‘behaviour observed during the inspection was exemplary’. Mr Hubbard says that he is extremely proud of both pupils and staff at Corpus Christi. ‘Children are really engaging in their learning, they are working really hard and they are achieving extremely well.’

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Boyd: Experience Will Help Us George Boyd believes Burnley are better equipped to handle the pressures of the Premier League than two years ago.

The Clarets wide man starred in the top flight during the 2014/15 campaign, which saw Sean Dyche’s side eventually relegated. But Boyd reckons the Championship title-winning squad assembled by Dyche can go one better in the coming campaign and preserve their top flight status. He said: “The Premier League is where everyone wants to be and we were so close to surviving last time we were here.

“However, I think we’ve got a much better team now and the experience from last time will help us massively going into this season.

“It’s much more exciting with all the new managers and all the good players coming in. It makes the league so much better and so much more exciting. “Everyone can’t wait now, just to test ourselves against these kinds of players and managers.”

The Clarets have an incentive to hit the ground running, with the reversal of the Liverpool fixtures meaning five of their first seven league games will take place at Turf Moor. And after the 10–game winless start to the last Premier League campaign, Boyd is looking for a reversal of fortune this time around.

He added: “Once we’d beaten Charlton and after the (promotion) celebrations it all really started to sink in.

“We’re back where we belong and it’s nice to get two home games to start with. Swansea at home is a massive start and you want to get that first win on the board. “Last time, not winning for the first 10 games was our Achilles heel, but I think if we can get that win early and get the confidence up, you can see from last time that win gave us so much more confidence and we kicked on.”

2016 British Tennis Club of the Year Winners

Burnley Tennis Club Win National Award

Tuesday 28 June was a very special day at Wimbledon with the inaugural Aegon British Tennis Awards recognising some of the incredible achievements made in British Tennis in 2016 and Burnley Tennis Club was amongst the winners for British tennis club of the year.

The awards held at the AELTC celebrated some of the successes of volunteers, coaches, clubs, communities and players throughout

2015. Our 25,000 volunteers are the lifeblood of British Tennis, without them we could not achieve our mission of getting more people to play tennis more often.

Ten winners were selected out of 1,500 exceptional nominations and received their award at a special ceremony at the home of tennis.

HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Captain Leon Smith, Andrew Castle, Annabel

Croft and LTA President Cathie Sabin where all in attendance to meet the guests and present awards to the winners. Sabin said: "These Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and thank our volunteers, clubs, communities, coaches and players for the generous time they dedicate to British tennis, and the genuine impact they have on our sport." Burnley tennis club has gone from strength to strength after recently

winning Community Sports club of the year followed by Lancashire Tennis Club of the year for 2016 the club was more than happy with what they had achieved over the last couple of years and this is just another fantastic achievement for the club and its members Burnley Tennis Club is holding an Open Day On Saturday, 16th July 2016, between 10am and 2pm, the club is opening up its courts to the general public, inviting them to come and try out a range of different activities for all ages. There will be cardio tennis, mini tennis (for children aged five years and above), family tennis and adult tennis. The sessions are for complete beginners or those who have played before.

There’s no need to book, all people have to do is turn up on the day.

Everything is free and equipment is provided. At our event, please look out for the membership offer & programme offer that will be available on the day.

Wolves star Atkins makes school prom unforgettable for

boy in foster care

When 16-year-old Adam answered the door he expected his lift to the prom – what he didn’t expect was one of his heroes to be standing in front of him.

He opened the door dressed in his prom suit to be greeted by Warrington Wolves and England centre Ryan Atkins. To his shock, he was told that Diane, his Warrington Borough Council social worker and his foster carer Craig, had been planning the surprise for weeks, arranging for Ryan to escort him to the end of year prom, giving him a pep talk along the way.

Craig Metcalf, Adam’s Foster Carer of three years, said: “Adam is a Warrington Wolves super-fan and hasn’t had the easiest start to his life.

“All 16 year olds need support and guidance to keep them focused on taking the right path and this was definitely the boost Adam needed. I can’t thank Ryan and Diane enough - they have made a young boy very happy. “He was ecstatic. It was an inspiring and emotional moment to see his face light up as he opened the door.” Cllr Jean Carter, Warrington Council executive board member for children and families, said: “Supporting our most vulnerable young people to live full and active lives is one of our utmost priorities. “We developed a series of pledges, in conjunction with our Children in Care Council, which reflect how we are committed to supporting the young people in our care.

“These include: ‘Allow us to choose our own activities and support us in our interests’ and ‘Our dreams can come true if you support us’. “Events such as this are perfect examples of how we are keeping these promises. By using our community resources, we can ensure positive outcomes for our young people; guiding them in the right direction by engaging them where their interests lie. “It is heartening to see how much Adam has gained from this experience and we wish him the very best for his future.”

Ryan Atkins said: “I gain so much from these experiences, inspiring and encouraging the next generation to take positive steps forward is something I am very passionate about. “Growing up can be tough - keeping yourself busy and focusing on your goals is key. Adam and I had a great chat and I’m hopeful it’s had an impact. “I know he’s a keen boxer, as he trains at the gym a friend of mine is a coach at, so I’ll be checking in on him from timeto-time. I’ll look forward to seeing him again and hearing about his progress.” Could you help nurture a young person like Adam? Visit: warringtonfostering. co.uk and find out more about becoming a foster carer. Submit an enquiry form online and come along to one of our monthly information sessions at Orford Neighbourhood Jubilee Hub to start your journey.

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Forward enjoying pre-season after making first team return following injury lay-off After a summer of hard work, Max Clayton believes he is in the best possible position to gather a head of steam ahead of the start of the new campaign.

Following a layoff with a hamstring injury, the 21-year-old made a return to match action in Wanderers’ preseason win against Helsingor The forward had previously undergone an operation on a hamstring injury in December 2015, after being forced from the field of play in a game against Brentford at Macron Stadium.

But after working closely with Wanderers’ backroom staff in the ensuing months, Clayton is now relishing a full pre-season working alongside a new management team.

“The return to match action feels like it has been a long time coming,” Clayton told bwfc.co.uk. “It’s good to be back and really good to have this period to get fit ahead of the new season.

“The game was hard work, but that’s what you want at this stage of preseason.

“The training under the new manager and his team has been really good so far. I feel like I’ve taken to them straight away. They’ve looked after me and instilled a lot of confidence in me. “It has been quite hard work out

here in Denmark and Sweden, but the training has been methodical and the backroom staff have clearly thought about how best to look after the boys.

Clayton also took time to thank many of the backroom staff at Wanderers, who he says have helped both on and off the pitch during his spell on the sidelines.

He added: “It was hard last season training on my own and watching the lads from a distance. To be in full training from day one of pre-season is great.

“It has been a tough injury to get over.

I knew when I had the operation it was always going to be around the six-month mark, but I’ve had some great staff working really hard with me. They’ve got me to where I am now and I have a lot to thank them for.

“Mentally, I’ve had a really good offseason. Without the guys working at the club I wouldn’t be where I am. I obviously owe them a big thank you.

“Everything has gone to plan with my recovery. I had a really good summer and did a lot of work over that period.

I’ve now got time to really ramp things up and get fit for the start of the season.

“Hopefully there is a lot more to come from me going forward. I can still get a lot fitter and I’m hoping to get more minutes in the rest of pre-season.”

Lancashire Sport Partnership host free event to recognise volunteers

As a part of Volunteers’ Week, Lancashire Sport Partnership hosted a free event to recognise the work of volunteers of all ages from across Lancashire. Over 90 volunteers attended the free event at Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Club. Volunteers’ Week is a national campaign by National Council for Voluntary Organisations to thank volunteers who help make a difference to the causes they believe in.

Volunteers at the event enjoyed a free BBQ, surfed on a surf simulator, played soft archery, various giant games and an incredible performance

by Lancaster based community drumming group Batala. All volunteers were presented with a certificate by the Police and Crime Commissioner Robert Ruston.

Lancashire Sport Partnership’s Chief Executive Adrian Leather opened the event highlighting how important volunteers are and that Lancashire Sport Partnership as an organisation has a priority to support people who currently volunteer or would like to volunteer.

Volunteers Jess, Andrew, Danielle and Jonas formed a lively panel for the Q & A sessions and Colin who has stepped up from being a volunteer on the Challenge Through Sport Initiative (CSI) programme to being a CSI Support Worker, provided an inspirational insight into the journey he has taken since he became a volunteer. The event allowed Lancashire Sport Partnership to express thanks to all the volunteers who make sport happen in Lancashire.

Each Edition of the Lancashire Local has a print run of 6,600 copies. Published by JAC Media Ltd, Foxhall Lodge, Foxhall Road, Nottingham, NG7 6LH.