Lancashire Local Issue 28

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 1.

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Issue. 28

Inside This Issue: Care • News • Inspired Villages • Weddings • Jobs • Sports

CCTV image released after woman

touched inappropriately

in Bamber Bridge

Police have released a CCTV image of a man we would like to speak to after a woman was touched inappropriately as she made her way to a supermarket in Bamber Bridge. The incident occurred sometime between 2.35pm and 3.30pm on August 27th 2016, when the 29-yearold woman was travelling on the 125 bus. She states a man sat next her and touched her inappropriately over her clothing. He then followed her off the bus into Withy Trees Park. The victim made her way to a nearby supermarket, where she reported the offence.

We would now like to speak to the man pictured as we believe he may be able to help with our enquiries. PC Lauren Holt, of Preston Police, said: “This incident happened in broad daylight and the victim has been left extremely shaken. “We would now like to speak to the man in the CCTV and would ask him to get in touch with us as soon as possible. We would also urge anybody who recognises him to contact us immediately.

FREE

Greater Manchester handed

new disability powers Greater Manchester is to receive new powers to help thousands more disabled people get into work. The city will receive around £100 million to develop, procure and deliver localised versions of the new Work and Health Programme to fit the needs of their residents. In the last 3 years, the number of disabled people in work has increased by almost 600,000.

However, the gap between the employment rates of disabled people and non-disabled people remains too large at 32%.

By devolving these powers, participants – including homeless people and long-term unemployed people – will receive more intense, tailored support based on local expertise that will give them the best chance to move into long-term employment.

Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green said: This is a significant step to help thousands of disabled and vulnerable people get the support they need to move away from benefits and find lasting work.

Good work has huge benefits for physical and mental health and we are committed to helping all those people who can work to find work. By devolving powers we are sending our clearest message yet that we are serious about making changes for the better, and believe this can be found in the expertise of local providers who know their residents best.Councillor Sean Anstee, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Lead Member for Skills and Employment said: In Greater Manchester we know that when we create local solutions to help people back in to work they are much more effective. Through intensive, tailored support from local key workers our Working Well programme has helped people right across our city-region get back in to the workplace. These new devolved powers will help us expand Working Well and make a real difference to people’s lives.

More people will now get the support they need to find a job and be successful in Greater Manchester.

Devolving powers to Greater Manchester is the latest in a series of steps taken by the government to strengthen local support for disabled people.

The Work, Health and Disability Green Paper is currently seeking views from disabled people, stakeholders and the public.

It includes a new Personal Support Package that will recruit around 200 Community Partners around the country into Jobcentre Plus, and extend ‘Journey to Employment’ job clubs to 71 Jobcentre Plus areas with the highest number of people receiving Employment and Support Allowance with limited capability for work.

In addition, the number of Disability Employment Advisors to provide specialist and local expertise in jobcentres will be increased to around 500 nationally.

Page 2. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Warrington residents will have to pay tolls on the new Mersey Gateway bridge

Warrington Borough Council leader Terry O’Neill says he is “shocked and very disappointed” by a government announcement that all Warrington residents WILL have to pay tolls on the new Mersey Gateway bridge.

In April 2015, before the General Election, the then-Chancellor George Osborne announced that tolls on the new bridge would not apply to Warrington residents.

Cllr O’Neill has expressed his concerns over the past months that the Government may backtrack on their commitment. It has been confirmed by the Department for Transport that there will be no toll waiver for Warrington residents.

Cllr O’Neill said: “Mr Osborne made a clear statement just before the election that our residents would not be paying tolls. This statement was made without qualification. “Now we see that it was smoke and mirrors

from the Government. You would have thought that, if Mr Osborne was making a statement he would have checked his facts – and there would be a plan. “Instead, just like Brexit, we see it’s ‘making things up as we go along’. I can only conclude that Mr

Osborne’s statement was to influence voters in a nearby marginal seat.

“In fact, Warrington South MP David Mowat said at the time that he was ‘delighted’ that the Chancellor had said he would scrap the tolls and ‘save Warrington drivers over £1,000

a year’. “The fact that the Government has now performed a complete U-turn on this decision is shameful and just shows their pre-election statements were completely dishonest, contemptuous and misleading and perhaps Mr Mowat should be considering his position also.

“Cllr O’Neill is not happy with this decision and he will be writing to Ministers to ask them to review it”.

The famous fountain flows again in Piccadilly Gardens!

The huge project to repair Manchester’s famous Piccadilly Gardens fountain is now complete.

Problems with the water feature’s main pump has meant the much-loved attracted has been out of action for some months, but an intensive programme of repair that began in September last year has now finished and the fountain is back online. The massive operation required the two colossal water tanks to be completely removed and replaced, along with major repairs to the fountain’s plant room.

This incredible undertaking required the broken machinery to be lifted out and a significant amount of earth removal works to give access to the water feature’s system. (See accompanying pictures to appreciate the scale of the project) The reinforced concrete tank now has a water capacity of 70,000 litres that will feed 15 pumps to power the 180

jets that create the incredible water show above the surface – throwing water up to 6metres into the air.

Each jet has two sets of LED lights, controlled by an underground system that allows the water above ground to be up lit in any combination of colours, which can also be programmed for different events and celebrations.

The final stage of the works will see the irrigation system repaired before the majority of the grassed are returfed, along with cleansing the statues around the Gardens.

Piccadilly Gardens will be completely open to the public by the late spring 2017. Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester City Council’s city centre spokesperson, said: “It would be easy to underestimate the massive scale of the repair project. We’ve had to dig more than 10 meters below the surface to remove the huge machinery hidden under the Gardens.

“It’s hugely exciting to see fountain flow again, and it will be complete reopen in time for the spring and summer months. “We appreciate your patience while the work has been complete, but I know you will think it’s been worth the wait. The fountain is a huge draw in the city centre and it fantastic to have it back.”

Working Together

A cold but fine day saw two teams of volunteers out and about clearing brash from two sections of the in-filled section of the Lancaster Canal, near Kendal.

One team continued the clearing at Larkrigg Hall Park, south of bridge 180 and burning the brash to open up and let in light on the canal bed to encourage wild flowers.

Another group tackled the dense ivy at bridge 182 that has began to damage the bridge structure. Cutting back the ivy and treating the roots is a back breaking task, but necessary before the skilled work can be done to the stone work and lime mortar pointing, painting the arches, & fitting new bridge number plaques, can take place.

Both teams working under strict HSE guidelines.

Said Colin. “Hard work indeed, and both teams are working well, but we are glad to have a rest when people walking the towpath stop for a chat, it is going to take a while, but well worth the effort of all who helped”.

5 Ways to

Wellbeing

campaign launched

St Helen’s Council’s Healthy Living team is supporting a campaign that highlights five ways of improving and protecting mental health and wellbeing.

On the back of research from the New Economics Foundation, Healthy Living have launched local campaign ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing St. Helens’ which delivers five key messages that can be built into everyday life.

The campaign encourages people to ‘connect’ with others by finding the time to talk with friends and family; ‘give’ small acts of kindness through acts such as volunteering; ‘keep learning’ in order to boost confidence; ‘be active’ to make you feel and function better; and ‘take notice’ of the thoughts and feelings and the world around us, which can positively change the way someone feels about life.

Sharing her experiences as a volunteer, Kathryn Harrison, 28, from St Helens, said: “I have met lots of great people and made wonderful friends.

Volunteering makes me feel useful and part of the community.

I would recommend it to anyone.”

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Richard McCauley said: “Talking about how we feel is the first step to improving our mental wellbeing and helps reduce the stigma and isolation that many people feel.

“Following these five simple steps can dramatically decrease stress and anxiety levels and help people develop a real sense of purpose from the opportunities available to them.

Whether it’s talking and listening to someone with a problem, helping and working with others, learning something new, or becoming more active – the New Year is the perfect time time to start.”

Plenty of mental health and wellbeing support is available across St Helens.

For more information, visit www.timetotalksthelens.co.uk.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 3.

Open day at Warwick

Retirement Village on 4th February

The very latest in Retirement Villages, Inspired Warwick, is opening its doors to the public on Saturday 4th February The open day runs from 10am to 4pm when you will have the chance to see images of the central facilities as well as meet the management and care

team, view apartments, and enjoy light refreshments.

Many people have already moved into the first phase of the village, thus benefitting from purchasing properties at a better price and paying reduced service charges until the main

central facilities become available.

There are 10 apartments available priced from £113,500 based on a 50 per cent shared ownership rising to £516,000 for the largest on full ownership. While enjoying a tour of the village, you can also learn more about the special care that is available within an Inspired Village. Introducing the ‘Flexible Care Environment’ Each Inspired Village provides a ‘Flexible Care Environment’ (or FCE) that is designed to bridge the gap between living independently and the benefits and reassurance that care homes can offer. Every person living in the village can select his or her own personalised programme of care and support, paying for precisely what is needed to squeeze every ounce of fulfilment from later life. Each person benefits from his or her own bespoke service, which can range from dayto-day domestic help through to fulltime specialist care and end-of-life care.

All support is delivered with complete respect and sensitivity.

Inspired Villages pride themselves on a flexible, person-centred approach to care, ensuring that choice and control is firmly placed in the hands of the people living in their villages.

Throughout each Inspired Village, care and support technology is placed at the forefront to deliver better standards in diagnosis, treatment and support information.

Each apartment can be customised to

Redrock Stockport brings

major boost to local economy

Stockport Council is celebrating the success of the town’s flagship leisure development, Redrock, which has so far brought a cash injection of over £4.5m to Stockport businesses.

Main contractor, Wates Construction, began building last spring and has been joined on site by Stockport-based subcontractors, Williams Construction and McCrory Brickwork, who were each awarded contracts valued at £3.5m and £1.1m respectively.

The local economic boost is the latest benefit brought to the town

by Stockport Council’s £45m investment in its new leisure destination. The site has also played host to over 21 apprentices and trainees, work experience placements and more than 100 construction workers from across Greater Manchester.

Wates are also continuing to engage with local schools and colleges.

This has seen them getting involved in Stockport Council’s fifth annual ‘Young Apprentice’ tournament at Edgeley Park at which teams of students were challenged to design robots that would improve health and safety on construction sites.

Wates’ work at Redrock is gathering pace with the cinema’s steel frame now complete. The development’s car park is nearing completion and 2017 will see the installation of the link bridge to Debenhams, the buildings completion and interior fit outs ahead of the opening in November.

Once complete, Redrock will

bring a new leisure development to the heart of Stockport, together with a new 360-space car park. Already signed up to open at Redrock are The Light Cinema, Pizza Express, Zizzi and Gourmet Burger Kitchen, The new development forms part of Stockport Council’s Investing in Stockport programme, which is investing over £1 billion into Stockport at the moment, helping ensure the town grows and is as successful as possible. Estimates predict that this influx of investment will generate at least 5,000 employment opportunities for the town.

Councillor Kate Butler, Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council said: “It’s great to hear about local firms and residents benefitting from the work taking place at Redrock.

Whilst the transformation our Investing in Stockport work is

bringing to Stockport’s landscape is vital, of equal importance to us is ensuring residents and businesses benefit from the investments and the opportunities being created from day one. The work at Redrock demonstrates this in action.”

Tony Shenton, Business Unit Director of Wates Construction North West, commented: “Redrock is playing a major role in the ongoing investments being made in Stockport so it is right and fitting that it is being used to bring so much benefit to the town.

As well as creating on-site employment and training opportunities we have also fulfilled a commitment to engage local supply chain partners, the benefit of which is that the positive economic impact of our work will continue to be felt long after we have left the site.”

incorporate the latest technology that gives real-time, 24-hour monitoring and visual communication in an environment that’s purpose-designed for older people. Cleverly designed monitors within each home can trigger warnings if a person has a fall, leaves the bath running, forgets to switch off the hob, or even misses their medicine. The benefits are endless and immeasurable. Aside from the independence and pride of the person living in an Inspired apartment, family visits become much more pleasurable too. Inspired Villages is investing millions in the central facilities at

each village, meaning that residents will enjoy unrestricted access to a luxurious wellness centre, brasserie, café and much more. The wellness spa has been designed to support older people, offering a dedicated environment for therapeutic exercise and wellbeing. The pool will offer a constant 1.2m depth — perfect for swimming, but also ideal for aqua aerobics. Research has shown that a heated pool that supports your bodyweight is the ideal exercise environment for arthritis sufferers or those undergoing rehabilitation from joint replacement surgery. The

saunas also offer an inviting thermal experience that soothes nerve endings and relaxes muscles, whilst helping to lower blood pressure, improve circulation and reduce chronic pain.

A private treatment suite and consultation room are reserved for specialist health practitioners and GPs, ensuring residents can make appointments for expert consultations without having to leave the village.

For more information visit www. inspiredvillages.co.uk or call 01926 683 514 Inspired Warwick Retirement Village, Gallagher Way, Warwick, CV34 6AF

Page 4. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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GMP awarded for their use

of camera technology

Greater Manchester Police has become one of the first police forces to be awarded by the Government for its use of body worn cameras.

The certificate was awarded to GMP in recognition of its compliance with a number of set guidelines related to the use of body worn camera surveillance.

GMP, along with only the Metropolitan Police, has clearly demonstrated that it complies with all 12 of the guiding principles of the surveillance camera code, which the Government has legislated for all police forces in England and Wales to show due regard to.

In order to achieve full certification auditors had to independently judge GMP on a number of principles, including an individual’s right to privacy, safeguards against unauthorised access and to ensure that all surveillance materials are destroyed when no longer required.

Achieving full certification means that the public of Greater Manchester can be reassured that GMP is complying with the code and use body worn video (BWV) technology, and the information gathered, in the most appropriate manner possible.

GMP Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, said: “Receiving this certification clearly demonstrates our commitment at GMP to

use body worn cameras effectively and proportionally.

“This technology will continue to aid us in the fight against crime, and the general public can be assured that their right to privacy is maintained.”

Tony Porter, the Government’s Surveillance Camera Commissioner who awarded GMP the award, said: “I am delighted Greater Manchester Police has achieved my certification mark for Body Worn Video.

GMP, together with the Metropolitan Police, are the first forces to have achieved this award nationally.

“It is important that the public recognise that such technology is used to the highest standards.

Certification demonstrates compliance to the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, that its use is transparent and that it places public privacy as a priority.

“Ultimately it will ensure ongoing public support in the use of this technology that is there to support the police in its work and reassure the community as to its use.”

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 5.

The Homeless Library exhibition

set to launch at Central Library

An exhibition created by homeless people from Greater Manchester is open at Manchester Central Library.

‘The Homeless Library’, curated by artist Lois Blackburn and poet Philip Davenport of the arts organisation arthur+martha, opened in Central Library’s Archives+ Centre on Tuesday 31 January Work featured in the exhibition was created during workshops and discussions at The Booth Centre in Manchester and The Wellspring homeless resource centre, Stockport.

Participants handmade their own books, or adapted copies of existing books such as ‘Oliver Twist’, to include their own personal experiences.

The result is a rich collection of prose, poetry and drawings, telling the story of homelessness in Britain from direct experience.

Philip Davenport said: “There are libraries full of many people’s experiences, but you do not find homeless people’s perspective within them. So we thought we would take old books and give them to homeless people, to fill with their own stories.”

Interviews with homeless people are also included in the exhibition, along with the testimony of older people giving their reflections on homelessness in the UK, going back as far as the 1920s.

Many participants found that the mixture of discussion and creative work was transformative. Danny Collins, who took part in the project, started to access support at the Booth Centre in 2015 and is now off the streets. He said: "I combined different aspects of my writing, poetry and other artwork and created my own statue.

It’s put me back on the ladder to life."

Lois Blackburn said: “Society at large portrays homeless people in a very one-dimensional way. The people who took part in the project told us that they feel ignored and almost photoshopped out of history.

The people we worked with have led remarkable lives. They are human beings – and every one with a different story.”

Amanda Croome MBE, CEO of The Booth Centre, said: "Through this project, homeless people have been able to explore new issues, be creative and have a distraction from their everyday life on the street.

“They feel they have a voice and have been able to tell their own stories and learn about other people's stories. For people who have been excluded from society and so often ignored, you just

OLDHAM YOUTHS

'LISTEN TO THE EARTH'

AS PART OF HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY 2017

Oldham Youth Council and Oldham Theatre Workshop members took part in an educational trip to Poland to learn about the Holocaust.

A party of 26 young people visited the former concentration camp, Auschwitz, Birkenau, in Poland, on a five day trip as part of Oldham Council’s ‘Listen to the Earth’ project.

The collaborative international multimedia project, which has been running since 2009, aims to raise awareness of the Holocaust and past genocides – and encourage people to eradicate hate.

The visit also enables young people to develop sensitivity and understanding towards past issues.

The journey began on 5 January in Oswiecim, Poland, where students stayed at the Centre for Prayer and Dialogue – an education centre.

Whilst in Poland the group met with a Righteous Gentile, a person – non-Jewish – who has received an honour for risking their life

during the Holocaust to save Jews from extermination.

She told the heroic story of how her family risked everything to save the life of a young Jewish girl.

The group also visited the Jewish Quarter in Krakow, explored the Auschwitz camps and met the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who was on a retreat with other members of the Church of England. Students were able to discuss the work they were doing in Oldham with the Archbishop.

Oldham Theatre Workshop members were also able to showcase their talents as they treated staff and visitors at the centre to an original performance.

The project aims to build leadership skills within young people so that they can stand up to discrimination.

Jodie Barber, Youth Service Manager for Oldham Council, said: “It was such a special experience for the young people - but also myself and the staff that attended."

“I think the trip has resonated with the students and I also hope that in the

future they become role models to others in Oldham.

“All of the work the students undertook will be accredited by the AQA unit award scheme."

Following the trip Oldham’s Youth Council will be hosting an ALLY conference, on Tuesday 21 February at Oldham Coliseum Theatre.

School pupils from across the borough will explore themes of discrimination and allow young people to work together to find ways it can be challenged.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives, said: “These trips are so important for our young people and I’m glad the students are helping spread peace across Europe.

“We want our young people to be able to draw the lessons from the past to help create a better future for us all.

“We have a global responsibility to respect human rights, and to promote peace, not just in Oldham, or the UK, but globally. These trips will help encourage that.”

Holocaust Memorial Day is taking place on Friday, January 27. It gives everyone time to pause and remember the millions of people who lost their lives, or whose lives have been changed, during the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

can't quantify how important that is."

Councillor Paul Andrews, Executive Member for Adult Health and Wellbeing at Manchester City Council, said: “Central Library's Archives+ Centre is the perfect venue for this important exhibition, which shines a light on the human beings behind the stereotype of homelessness, through their own words and art.

"As the stories documented in The Homeless Library help to show, there are many different, often complex reasons why people experience homelessness.

Through the work of our dedicated staff and our commitment to working with agencies including the Booth Centre under the Manchester Homelessness Charter, we will continue to play our part in helping homeless people to get the help and support they need to build a new life away from the streets."

The Homeless Library exhibition was first shown at the Houses of Parliament in May 2016. It will be displayed at Manchester Central Library until the end of March 2017.

This project is supported by The Heritage Lottery Fund and has been produced in partnership with The Booth Centre, The Wellspring and Bury Art Museum.

To find out more about the project, go to www.facebook.com/ homelesslibrary.

Page 6. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Council Leader hopes local band “Blossoms” at the BRITS

The Leader of Stockport Council is urging Stockport residents to get behind local band Blossoms after they were nominated for a national music award. The Stockport five-piece are currently touring Japan and Russia before heading across Europe as they continue to put Stockport on the map around the world. And impressed with the exposure the band has given to the town, Councillor Alex Ganotis is hoping residents from across the borough will vote for Blossoms after they secured a nomination in the British Breakthrough Act at next month’s Brit Awards 2017.

“On behalf of Stockport Council and the people of Stockport, I’d like to offer our congratulations on this well-deserved nomination to Tom, Joe, Charlie, Josh and Myles, said

Cllr Ganotis. “They had an incredible year in 2016 and I’m sure they will have an even more successful year in 2017 with the help of our residents, who have been quick to take the band to their hearts. “They’re a great bunch of lads and as a fellow Stopfordian, I was quick to register my vote and I’m hoping that the rest of the town gets behind them too by voting for them online before the closing deadline on the 17 February.”

Blossoms, named after the landmark pub on the A6 just south of Stockport Town centre, released their No1 debut album last August just months after famously knocking Adele off the top of the I-tunes charts.

Since 2014 they have gone from practicing in a scaffolding yard near to Edgeley Park to playing over 200

gigs, including a sell-out crowd in June at Glastonbury, with the band continuing to proudly declare “we’re Blossoms from Stockport” at every show they play.

The bands front man and singer, Tom Ogden, 22, said: “We obviously want to be as successful as we can be, that’s always been our aim and to be nominated for a BRIT award is something none of us were expecting so soon.

“We’re up against some tough competition but how amazing would it be to win the British Breakthrough Act and to say ‘we’re Blossoms from Stockport’ on stage at the 02 next month. Fingers crossed.

You can vote for Blossoms now by visiting http://www.brits.co.uk/ voting/british-breakthrough-act

Fly-tipper caught on CCTV gets 150 hours unpaid work

A man has been sentenced to vehicle at the time of the incidents. the people of Brightside Road 150 hours of unpaid work and He was prosecuted under Section with contempt and I’m absolutely ordered to pay £735 for fly-tipping, 33(5) of the Environmental delighted that he has been caught following a successful investigation Protection Act 1990, which states and punished for these offences.

by Manchester City Council. that the owner of a vehicle involved "We offer a free annual bulky Cornel Pascu, of Hazelbottom in a fly-tipping incident can be waste collection to all Manchester Road, Cheetham, pleaded guilty held responsible, whether or not residents - and with three to three fly-tipping offences, after they have given any instructions household waste recycling centres a council CCTV camera captured for the rubbish to be dumped. in the city, part of a network of waste being dumped from the After Pascu failed to attend a 20 such centres across Greater boot of his vehicle on three hearing on 4 January 2017, a Manchester, it's clear that there is separate occasions in June 2016. warrant was issued to bring him never any excuse for fly-tipping.

On all three occasions, at least to Manchester Magistrates Court “We will continue to use mobile six bags of household waste were to face the charges on 11 January. CCTV technology to monitor removed from the boot of Pascu's He entered guilty pleas to all three known fly-tipping hotspots vehicle and left on the ground, fly-tipping offences and in addition around the clock. As this on Brightside Road, Crumpsall. to a Community Punishment Order prosecution shows, criminals The CCTV camera was erected after of 150 hours unpaid work, was who think they can get away with complaints about the fly-tipping of ordered to pay court costs of £650, abusing our neighbourhoods in waste on Brightside Road and a plus a Victim Surcharge of £85. this way need to think again.” petition signed by 40 local residents. Executive Member for To report a fly-tipping offence in An investigating officer from the Neighbourhoods, Councillor Nigel your neighbourhood, go to www. council’s Environmental Crimes Murphy, said: “I’d like to thank manchester.gov.uk/flytipping. team gathered evidence from the the Crumpsall scene, including letters to Pascu's residents who home address. The officer then reported these visited Pascu’s address and found offences to that the vehicle captured on us and our CCTV in the fly-tipping incidents E n v i r o n m e n t a l was parked on the driveway. Crimes team for Pascu, 40, was interviewed under their hard work in caution and admitted that his securing another vehicle had been used to fly-tip f l y - t i p p i n g domestic waste from his property, p r o s e c u t i o n . but denied that he was driving the “Pascu treated

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 9.

Page 10. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Children consume half their daily

recommended sugar allowance

before the school bell rings Children in England consume almost 3 sugar cubes at breakfast time alone,which equates to half their recommended daily amount More than a fifth of 4-5 year-olds and more than a third of 10-11 year-olds leaving primary school are overweight or obese.

16,500 Change4Life Be Food Smart packs will be distributed to primary schools in January Children consume half the daily recommended sugar intake before the morning school bell rings according to Public Health England (PHE).

Children in England consume more than 11g of sugar at breakfast time alone, almost 3 sugar cubes.1 The recommended daily maximum is no more than 5 cubes of sugar for 4- to 6-year-olds and no more than 6 cubes for 7to 10-year-olds per day.2 By the end of the day, children consume more than three times these recommendations.1 More than 1 in 5 children start primary school overweight or obese, rising to more than a third by the time they leave.3 PHE’s new Change4Life Be Food Smart campaign places teachers in a central role to help parents and children make healthier food and drink choices at home.

To help embed healthy behaviours early in life, more than 16,500 Change4Life Be Food Smart packs will be distributed to primary schools this January as part of their School Fruit & Veg Scheme delivery, along with parent packs for each pupil to take home to their parents.

These free, curriculum-linked resource packs will help teachers deliver engaging healthy food lessons built around the English, Maths, Science and PSHE curricula, including assembly, classroom and whole-school teaching ideas.

Schools can also run their own Be Food Smart campaign.

Teachers will receive a pupil campaign pack, giving young people the tools to boost understanding about how food choices impact our health and how we can all make

healthier choices.

A new Be Food Smart app has also been developed to highlight just how much sugar, saturated fat and salt can be found in everyday food and drink.

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist, Public Health England, said: “Children have far too much sugar, and a lot of it is before their first lesson of the day. It’s crucial for children to have a healthy breakfast, but we know the mornings in a busy household can be fraught.”

Luke Thomas, Year 4 class teacher at The Flying Bull Academy in Portsmouth, said: “The lesson plans are an excellent introduction to help unearth children's misconceptions about sugar.

“They offer teachers the opportunity to engage children in a range of activities that inform them about the issue of sugary food while giving them clear examples of how they can take action. They will be an essential addition to teachers' lessons dealing with issues such as taking responsibility and making informed choices.”

Tackling obesity is everyone’s responsibility, and schools have a vital role to play. PHE is currently working with retailers, food manufacturers and other organisations in the food industry to reduce the amount of sugar by 20% contained in products children consume.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 11.

Page 12. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Local libraries awarded

Young People Friendly status

St Helens Council’s Library Service has been recognised for being welcoming and accessible to young people.

Young People Friendly status is awarded to services that have demonstrated they provide a welcoming experience to young people. Each service is visited by a team of trained Young Assessors, who consider factors such as accessibility, how effectively the service is publicised, staff attitude to young people and the overall environment in which the service operates.

Sue Williamson, Head of Library Services said: “Young people can be sure of a warm welcome and a helping hand in St Helens libraries

so we’re delighted to be assessed so positively. This award confirms what we strive to be in libraries and compliments the recent Baby Friendly Award that the service has achieved.”

As well as St Helens libraries, a number of other local health and leisure services have achieved Young People Friendly status. The award is adapted from the national ‘You’re Welcome’ scheme, with criteria set by the Department of Health.

Libraries are also offering enriching volunteering opportunities to young people aged 11-24 through the Reading Hack scheme. To enquire about Reading Hack, call Library Service Development Manager Kathryn Boothroyd on 01744 677486.

Volunteer of the Year recognition

is music to the ears of DJ duo Two young adults from St. Helens have been commended for their volunteering efforts.

The Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Dave Banks, was on hand to present Carl Smith and Adam Garvey with a trophy each after being named St Helens Council’s Youth Service’s Volunteers of the Year 2016 for giving up their time once a month to help out at Parr wimming & Fitness Centre.

The duo, both 24, DJ once a month for young people at a free swim session and

performed at a number of parties last year - including the Queen’s 90th birthday, Halloween, and Christmas parties - held in youth clubs throughout the borough. Carl and Adam also have a weekly slot at the Youth Service’s 818 additional needs session.

On congratulating the pair, Councillor Banks said: “These two young men fully deserve this award for all their hard work and enthusiasm that they have shown throughout the past year.

“The music they play is enjoyed by young people and staff alike, but more importantly Adam and Carl love playing and helping out. We hope this continues throughout 2017.”

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Family Days Out

in Lancashire

Lancashire has a wide range of attractions, perfect for everyone!

For a family friendly day out let the kids enjoy our selection of animal attractions, from petting farms to Blackpool Zoo or be thrilled by the theme parks in Blackpool.

Enjoy guided tours and railway adventures.

With so much open countryside it’ll be no surprise to learn Lancashire is a haven for wildlife, both in the wild and at animal attractions or at the zoo.

Take the family to visit a farm animal attraction such as Farmer Parr’s Animal World or Farmer Ted’s Farm Park, and you’ll meet animals like sheep, cows, chickens and pigs.

Blackpool is the entertainment capital of Lancashire and it’s jampacked with theme parks, activities and rides. Enjoy tropical warmth combined with indoor waterslides galore at Sandcastle Waterpark.

The most famous Blackpool theme park is undoubtedly the Pleasure

Beach Resort.

It’s Britain’s number one visitor attraction with more than 125 rides and attractions from infusion and Pepsi Max, Big One to Beaver Creek.

Take a trip through Lancashire with our range of railway attractions.

Our steam railways offer a great day out for all the family and hosts a wide variety of events and attractions to suit all ages and interests from railway enthusiasts to a fun family day out.

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Play Factore

For any child, their own birthday party is the highlight of the year and Play Factore provide the Ultimate Birthday Parties! From our 40ft long indoor slide and exhilarating Zip Wire experience to whizzing around our Go Kart track or mastering the art of stealth in our Laser Quest area; our dedicated team will ensure you and your guests enjoy a party to remember! Play Factore has

incredibly designed party rooms, each fully equipped with iPods providing individual party music, movement sensory LED lights and a selection of delicious party menus.

The ultimate kids’ birthday party at the UK’s leading entertainment arena is for 2 whole hours so there’s plenty of time for your little ones to enjoy the exciting facilities on offer at Play Factore. Our private party rooms

provide the coolest environment for any child’s birthday party, and to make sure parents remain cool throughout the celebrations too, Play Factore even provide you with your very own party host!

For more information or to book your party give our reception team a call 0844 824 6030 and have a look at our package options at www.playfactore. com/parties.

Bowland opens its doors

for Brewery Tours

Bowland Brewery has officially opened its doors to the public for brewery tours.

The brewery, based at Holmes Mill in Clitheroe and owned by James’ Places, offers visitors a chance to see a fully operational brewery as well as an opportunity to share enthusiasm for beer.

Scheduled tours run on Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesday at 11am and 1.30pm. Tours for groups of eight of more at other times (MondaySaturday during the Beer Hall opening hours) can be organised by prior arrangement.

Said sales manager, Angela Edney: “We’re delighted to be able to offer these tours to the public in the Bowland Brewery’s new home as part of a £10 million transformation.

“Between them, our guide, sales manager and head brewer have 80 years brewing expertise under their belts. They are excited to share their passion for real ale, and brewing with others.

Visitors can also enjoy The Beer Hall afterwards if they wish.” Tour tickets include a 45 minute guided tour, tasters of Bowland Ale and the option of food, and start from £10.00 per person. To purchase a ticket, please call Angela on 01200 443 562 or

email sales@bowlandbrewery.com Beer buffs can also join the Bowland Beer Club which grants access to special offers and exclusive discounts on Bowland Ales at Holmes Mill, The Shireburn Arms and the Waddington Arms. Members are also informed of events taking place at Holmes Mill and the latest beers available in the Beer Hall.

To join the Beer Club, visit www. bowlandbrewery.com/beer-club and fill in your details.

James' Places is currently conducting the £10m redevelopment of Holmes Mill, a previously derelict, former

textile mill. As well as the brewery, Holmes Mill houses a Beer Hall, café, bakery and multi-use function room.

Further phases of the rejuvenation of the mill will include a hotel and gym.

James' Places portfolio includes The Emporium, Clitheroe, Waddington Arms and Lower Buck in Waddington, Mitton Hall at Mitton, The Royal Hotel at Kirkby Lonsdale, Eaves Hall, West Bradford, Shireburn Arms at Hurst Green, Falcon Manor, Settle and the Bowland Brewery. All share the same service values and ethos for beautiful surroundings with exceptional food and drink.

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Unusual Wedding Venues If you’ve never considered yourselves to be a conventional couple, check out our list of top alternative wedding venues in the U.K. Some are fun and quirky, some are downright odd.

The Gherkin Boasting the best views over the city of London, The Gherkin is the capital’s most iconic modern building.

The London landmark also offers a very high standard of hospitality with some the biggest companies choosing it as the venue for their lavish parties.

The Gherkin can be seen for miles around so your guests certainly won’t have any difficulty finding your wedding venue.

A Cave Wookey Hole in Somerset, who recently appointed a new resident witch, offer couples the opportunity to exchange their vows deep underground in one of their spooky

caves. There are a selection of caves to choose from, the largest can accommodate 120 guests, all of which are fully licensed for civil ceremonies.

A lighthouse West Usk Lighthouse is situated halfway between Newport and Cardiff in South Wales.

The lighthouse is privately owned and has been restored to a very high standard with a hot tub, four-poster beds, an exquisite spiral staircase and a beautiful roof garden with views across the Severn Estuary. Your ceremony can be conducted on top of the lighthouse in the open air. The building is steeped in history being over 180 years old and grade ll listed; keeps your eyes peeled as many of the local farmers have spotted UFO’s in the area.

Editor’s Office

We’re not sure why, but the offer is there. Media enthusiasts (if there is such a thing) can choose to commit themselves to each other in the Editor of The Daily Mirror’s office in Canary Wharf, London. Aaah, the romance!

If you’re a busy career couple, this maybe the perfect venue as you can tie the knot during your lunch break; even better if you happen to work at The Daily Mirror.

Theatre It’s expected that the newlyweds are the centre of attention on their big day, however privately owned Clonter Opera Theatre in Cheshire offers couples the opportunity to wed live on stage.

They have a selection of 5 separate reception rooms to choose for your reception. The theatre enjoys an idyllic setting surrounded by bluebells woods and lush parkland.

London Eye Climb aboard your own private capsule with your family and friends and hold tight.

A full revolution takes half an hour and by the time you’ve reached the highest point of the wheel 135 metres above the city, you’ll be married. If you choose the Platinum Package you’ll also be treated to a complementary ride on the Eye to celebrate your fist wedding anniversary.

Absolut Ice Bar Set in the heart of London this sub zero venue will certainly give your guests an occasion to remember. The aisle is constructed out of the purest ice harvested from a river in Sweden.

This bar is far from being a novelty venue as they also offer a very high standard of catering courtesy of their award winning chefs.

Combining beautiful architecture with picturesque Cheshire surroundings, Inglewood Manor, nestled within 38 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens makes for the perfect venue to hold your wedding ceremony or reception.

Situated between the historical cities of Liverpool and Chester, this delightful Grade 2 listed building retains all the charm and warmth of a lavish Edwardian family home, remaining almost unaltered since it was built in 1915.

Depending on the time of a year, a roaring log fire greets our guests in winter, and in summer elegant oakpanelled rooms lead out onto spacious sunlit terraces, creating a memorable backdrop for this most special of days.

Wisteria clad walkways, formally planted gardens, pretty ponds and shimmering lakes all contribute to an unforgettable setting for photographs you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

The beauty of the building is matched only by the quality of the food and service from your champagne

reception, to dancing long into the night. Our spaces include luxury dining rooms and a bar that can all be specially transformed for your wedding day. The team here at Inglewood Manor see every wedding as a unique opportunity to make your dreams come true. Offering a number of wedding packages, we simply could not try any harder to ensure that every single detail has been meticulously taken care of. Our award-winning chefs and experienced banqueting team ensure that every

meal is prepared with care, presented with pride and served with the friendliest of smiles.

From start to finish, our aim at Inglewood Manor is to create from your ideas and dreams a magical ceremony day for you and your guests.

Love at First Sight…

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Fairytales Castles for

your dream wedding

Edinburgh Castle The jewel in the crown of the Edinburgh skyline.

It’s difficult to imagine a more dramatic venue for your wedding. Tie the knot in one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks and have a magical wedding day.

Choose from a variety of packages and suites; all of the function rooms are immaculately restored and offer sumptuous surroundings with breathtaking views over Princes Street and Frith of Forth. If you choose to exchange vows in The Gatehouse Suite you’ll also benefit from a private terrace which looks out onto the historic Royal Mile.

Pendennis Castle This enchanting Castle in Falmouth, Cornwall, commands panoramic views across the sea. Your ceremony will take place in the Tudor Castle Keep surrounded by candles, ancient tapestries and flowers of your choice. Dinner can be served in the impressive Royal Artillery Barracks before which guests can take champagne and canapés on the grassy “chemise.” This magnificent building is at its most striking when it’s floodlit after dark.

Warwick Castle Warwick Castle is a truly majestic venue. Framed by mature sweeping trees and an idyllic lake, you really couldn’t hope for a better backdrop for your wedding photographs. The venue is also renowned for its high standard of hospitality and excellent catering facilities.

Drinks can be taken in the Peacock Gardens surrounded by fountains. Your reception can take place in either The Great Hall or the State dining room.

Leeds Castle Despite its name this Castle is actually in Kent. It enjoys a secluded location as it’s marooned on its very own private island in the middle of the River Len. The Castle is exquisitely decorated and also has an aviary, small golf course and even a maize to keep your guests amused.

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Booking A Church Wedding Ceremony:

Everything You Need to Know

Saying your vows in a church is a traditional part of planning a wedding, and a quarter of couples plan on getting married in a religious ceremony. www.hitched.co.uk have put together the ultimate beginner’s guide to church wedding ceremonies, so you know exactly what you need to do.

What are the legal requirements for a church wedding?

You can marry in a church wedding ceremony from the age of 18 onwards in a church wedding ceremony in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you’re aged 16 or 17, you will need your parents’ approval in England and Wales, but not in Scotland where it’s legal without consent providing there are two witnesses.

Church wedding ceremonies must take place between 8am and 6pm and be witnessed by at least two people.

You’ve probably heard about ‘having your banns read’ in connection to a church wedding – this is required before the marriage takes place as it signifies your intention to marry. Your banns will be read out in the parish where each of you lives as well as in the church where you’re planning on marrying for three Sundays during the three months leading up to the wedding.

If you’re marrying in a hurry it is possible to skip having your banns read, but you will need to apply for a common licence for this. They cost from £200. You may also need a licence if one of you isn’t a British citizen or currently lives outside of

the UK. In Scotland you’re required to give 15 days’ notice with the local registrar.

Do the rules differ depending on where in the UK the church is?

Depending on where you are in the UK and what kind of church you want to marry in will impact what you need to do.

Scotland has different rules relating to church weddings that England and Wales, as explained above, and there are stricter residency requirements for those planning a church wedding in Northern Ireland.

A Catholic church ceremony is different to book compared to a Church of England wedding too – for example, you will need a dispensation to marry in a Catholic ceremony if one of you is not Catholic, but you don’t have to have the banns read out beforehand. Do I have to attend the church to get married there?

The Church of England gives all British citizens with no former partner still living the right to get married in the parish church of the town where they live, or where either of the couple are on the church’s electoral roll.

You can also get married in church to which you have a connection, such as: - Either of you lived in that church’s parish for six months or more - One of you regularly attended worship in that parish for six months or more - Either of you were baptised or prepared for confirmation in the parish - One of your parents lived in the parish/regularly attended

worship there for six months or more in their child’s lifetime - Your parents or grandparents were married in the parish If you attend services at your chosen church for six months – even if you only attend a single service a month – that can help your case. Do I have to be religious to have a church wedding? You don’t have to be religious to have a Church of England wedding, however for a Catholic wedding at least one of you must follow the faith and you’re required to get a dispensation to marry there for the one that isn’t Catholic.

Anyone is welcome to have a Church of England wedding, regardless of their beliefs as the vicars understand that 'spiritual beliefs are complex and varied'.

How far in advance should I book my church wedding ceremony?

It works the same way as booking a civil wedding ceremony in that places will get booked up months in advance. Talk to your vicar or the church office as soon as possible, particularly if you’re hoping to marry in peak wedding season. Bear in mind most Church of England churches won’t host ceremonies during Lent, although this isn’t usually the case for Catholic ceremonies.

How much does a church wedding ceremony cost? It costs around £500 to get married in a church in England and Wales, so make sure you factor this into your wedding budget. This cost covers the expense of reading of the banns, the certificate, the

vicar and the use of the church itself.

Extra details such as flowers, having the bells rung or making use of the organist or choir will incur additional costs. It’s worth noting in Scotland and Northern Ireland there is no fixed cost for a church wedding.

Can we use our own vows in a church wedding ceremony? If you’re planning on writing your own wedding vows, a church ceremony might not be for you. In England and Wales you cannot change any part of the wedding vows, however in Scotland you can vary the traditional vows or write your own as long as the minister approves them.

You can include poems, readings or songs in your vows as long as your vicar is okay with it. Can I decorate the church with my own flowers? Most churches will be able to recommend someone from the parish who can decorate the church for you, but it shouldn’t be a problem to bring in your own floral displays.

Just check with your vicar where you can have the flowers as you wouldn’t want a large arrangement to get in the way during the ceremony.

What is a wedding rehearsal?

Lots of churches offer the chance to have a wedding rehearsal – this allows you, your partner and your

bridal party to run through the service ahead of the big day so you know what to expect and when.

Can we have confetti at our church wedding? This varies from church to church so check with your vicar and let your guests know in advance.

If wedding confetti is not allowed, find out if they’ll allow you to use a natural or bio-degradable type of confetti instead.

Can we have the reception in the church hall?

Usually you can – check with the church office to find out. You can also have your reception at a different venue if you wish.

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Church Versus Registry Office Many women dream about their wedding day from childhood. Not only is it one of the biggest days of a person’s life, it is also likely to be the most romantic.

Given the momentous nature of the all-important wedding, it should therefore come as no surprise that a lot of thought goes into the planning involved. And one of the most significant aspects of that is the wedding venue.

While most people associate a wedding with a church and minister, tying the knot in registry offices has become increasingly popular over the years. Ultimately, however, the decision between church and registry office depends on the individuals in question.

A bride and groom-to-be could think about whether they want a traditional wedding versus modern. There is nothing more traditional than donning a lavish white wedding dress and walking down a long aisle flanked by scores of family and friends to the tune of Here Comes the Bride.

The tradition of having the father of the bride accompany his daughter and give her away at the altar is one that many dads dream about.

Having bridesmaids at the side of the wife-to-be is another comforting aspect of traditional weddings that is so engrained in our cultural identity.

But such strict adherence to tradition is not everyone’s cup of tea — particularly those who are in no way religious. Ultimately, marriage is a legal contract and what better way to seal that than by having a more official and straightforward ceremony in a registry office?

As opposed to having passages from the bible recited and old religious hymns sung by guests, registry office weddings can incorporate a more modern set up consisting of clear and concise vows - that are not necessarily devoid of romance — along with songs that again, are not strictly religious.

At the bones of the comparison between church and registry office is just how lavish you want your wedding to be. For example, at a church there will be room for more guests, in which case a big and extravagant ceremony is a possibility, but in an official office, only a handful of people can be present.

Brides feel more comfortable wearing a f a b u l o u s

traditional wedding gown in a church, but in a registry office, a smart dress and jacket seems more apt. A church wedding undoubtedly provides men and women — regardless of their religion - with the ultimate fairytale setting that is often considered more romantic and magical. But, on the plus side of the registry office, it can be an awful lot cheaper.

There is also less wedding planning and stress involved, meaning that the bride and groom can focus solely on each other and the reasons why they are tying the knot, instead of being distracted by the drama surrounding the spectacle that is their big day.

There is a lot to be said for couples who do not need to profess their love to the world by spending thousands of pounds on an over-the-top ceremony.

Clearly all they need is each other.

Top wedding

destinations abroad

Las Vegas America’s playground on the edge of the Nevada desert is a legendary wedding destination. It’s the city that doesn’t sleep where you can find casinos, entertainment and wedding ceremonies available 24 hours a day. Why not “do a Britney” and tie the knot in the world famous Little Wedding Chapel? They offer range of wedding services including the drive-through option, the Elvis and pink Cadillac option and the outdoor gazebo option. Guests who can’t make it can watch the ceremony as its streamed live over the internet.

Alternatively there’s a huge choice of immaculate hotels where you can hold both your civil ceremony and your reception.

Mauritius Crystal clear water and miles of golden sandy beaches, Mauritius is a mini paradise marooned in the middle of the Indian Ocean. No wonder it’s one of the most popular wedding and honeymoon destinations in the world.

Couples can exchange their vows on the beach and drinks cocktails as the sunsets over the ocean. The island is well equipped for luxury weddings with a selection of hideaway beach huts and 5 star resorts peppered all along the stunning coastline.

Sri Lanka With its exotic location, tropical jungles, exquisite beaches and ancient cities steeped in history, Sri Lanka has much to offer as a wedding resort.

With the help of a professional Sri Lankan based wedding planner, you will be able to organise your dream ceremony incorporating some of the local customs; make a dramatic entrance on your wedding day by arriving onboard an elephant.

Kenya This unique country rich with wildlife

and mythical culture will provide you with a memorable experience you’ll cherish forever. Kenya is renowned for its awe inspiring wildlife but its tropical coastline, which lies along the edge of the Indian Ocean, is often forgotten. Many couples choose to have a beach wedding then a safari honeymoon.

Thailand

Thailand is legendary throughout Asia for the warm welcome and high standards of hospitality offered

by Thai people. Money goes a long way in Thailand making it an exotic destination, with an affordable price tag. The stunning scenery, idyllic beaches and vibrant cities make Thailand a very attractive prospect for brides and grooms-to-be.

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How to Choose a Wedding Venue:

What You Need to Consider

Finding the perfect venue is likely to be at the top of any newly engaged couples list. With the venue playing a vital role in the success of your day it’s the big decision you really need to get right. Just like viewing a new property it is easy to become overexcited and fall in love with a place without checking the venue can cater to your requirements, so hitched.co.uk are here to answer that question - how to choose a wedding venue?

Wait until you get the feeling Much like finding your dress, the shoes, a new home, it is true that when you view venues you will know if it is right for you. You need to be able to picture yourself there on the day and ensure the style of the building both exterior and interior will work with the theme of your wedding.

Finding the right venue in our opinion is the most important factor, once you fall in love with somewhere before rushing in to anything at the very least check the following match your criteria: Is it the right location?

Where will your guests be coming from? If they are not local, choosing a venue that is easily accessible, has accommodation on site or hotels in close proximity is desirable. If you have guests coming from abroad how far is the closest international airport?

These factors may play a role in your decision making.

Is the capacity right for you?

Think about whether you need a large capacity wedding venue or a smaller and more intimate wedding venue. The size of the venue is just as important, too small for your number of guests and the room will feel stuffy and overcrowded, too big and guests will feel lost and the space will feel cold. When a space is empty it is hard to imagine how it will look when filled with tables. For this reason we would always advise viewing a venue when it is set up for a wedding. If this is not possible ask to see photographs, most venues should have a photo book or slide-show. Another tip is to ask for a seating plan of the room at capacity, this will give you a good idea of how much space there is and how comfortably your guests numbers will fit.

Ask about the flow of the day Make sure the venue representative talks you through how a typical day runs. The flow of the day is crucial, any long pauses or delays and your guests will become bored. If your ceremony and reception is in the same room how long does the turnaround take, where will the guests be and what will they be doing? This is also relevant between the reception meal and the evening dancing. The weather in the UK can be unpredictable to say the least! If it does rain does the venue have indoor space for the reception drinks? Do they provide a master of ceremonies/manager? This takes the stress off you and is the best way to make sure all your guests are where they are meant to be at all times.

Check the timings Planning the time of your ceremony is a big decision; when do the venue advise? In our experience weddings of 8-9 hours work well, any longer than this and the atmosphere dwindles towards the end, you want your wedding to end on a high!

Also bear in mind where the majority of people will be coming from on the day, leave plenty of time for people to get ready and arrive.

Also ask, what set up time is included in the hire fee, when will your suppliers have access to the room and when do things need to be collected?

Think about the lighting Lighting plays an important part in any event, if your ceremony is during the day does the room have lots of natural daylight?

During the evening do they provide/ let you bring in candles?

Cameras will be a big part of your day so practise your smiles!

Bearing this in mind what is the surrounding area around your venue like? Where will your photographs be? If you are looking at a central town hall where will you take outdoor photographs?

The view from the venue and any outdoor space is also a massive plus not only for photographs but for your guests enjoyment.

Does the venue have grounds or ample outdoor space – this is useful if you have children attending and for guests to stretch their legs for ten minutes after the reception meal.

Check the finer details At the venue viewing stage you will not know every detail of your day however you must ask the venue what is not permitted…. If you envisage a romantic candlelit winter ceremony check the venue permits candles! If you are having your ceremony at the same venue can you throw confetti?

Finding these details out early in the planning stage before you book is essential, you are likely to have an idea of what your day will be like and the venue needs to be able to live up to this, for this reason write a list of…..

Make a list of your non-negotiable's Before viewing any venues sit down with your partner and discuss any non-negotiable's these could include: Budget – will the venue be able to provide everything you need within your budget, is VAT included in the price, are staff gratuities added and if so are they optional? Catering – What type of cuisine would you like? Can the venue provide this?

Suppliers – do you have artistic friends that want to bake the cake or take the photographs? If so check the venue will permit this or do you need to use their recommended suppliers?

Live music – if you would like a band does the venue permit this? If you would like a string quartet during reception drinks do the venue allow music outside?

Fireworks, sparklers, flame eaters etc. – if you have any different entertainment ideas check your venue will allow it.

Finding your venue will be one of the big milestones in your wedding planning and will determine your date, location and therefore will impact a lot of your other wedding planning decisions. You may even want to consider finding a wedding dress that perfectly suits your venue.

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MAJOR INVESTMENT BOOSTS WEDDING BOOKINGS

A major investment programme for Hurlston Hall golf club is now complete and wedding bookings at the venue are already on the up.

More than £2.5 million has been invested by owners of the club in a comprehensive rebuild programme which left “not one inch” of the old building undeveloped and created 19 new jobs for local people.

The programme, which has taken over 16 months to complete, creates a stunning new venue with a double storey extension to the main building more than doubling the capacity of the

wedding facilities. The room can now seat 300 people in a fabulous new event space surrounded by panoramic views of the course and wrap-around balconies with frameless screens to maximise the views.

Money has also been invested in two luxurious cottages each of which sleep eight and are available for wedding parties planning to stay on site.

There’s a brand new food destination, The Scullery, for pre-wedding drinks or post-wedding breakfast and a private dining room which couples

often use to host a meal for both families.

Managing Director, Aoife O’Brien said the investment is part of the strategy to position Hurlston Hall as a leading wedding venue in the region.

“We’ve always had lovely views and a great backdrop to any wedding but now the facilities are absolutely top notch too. With the cottages being refurbished to such a high standard that also gives us the ability to cater for the whole day from the brides and her bridesmaids getting ready in the morning to going to bed at night.

“The facilities now are just stunning and we are so pleased that the investment is already paying off, the feedback has been wonderful.”

The investment not only secures the jobs of the people employed

by Hurlston Hall but also creates 19 new positions across the site including a new chef and restaurant manager.

Thornton Manor the perfect wedding venue

Designer Wedding Fair Thornton Manors first annual Designer Wedding Fair is being held on Sunday February 26th 2017 in the fabulous Walled Garden Marquee. This marquee is the biggest of four venues that Thornton Manor Estate is home to. Sitting in a 2 acre plot of the original walled garden of the estate, the Marquee is the able to seat up to 1000 guests, and will host this years fabulous event.

The Waterside Pavillion, Lakeside Marquee and the Manor House itself are the three further wedding venues sat in the estate, each with its own character and charm. The Designer Wedding Fair will play host to some of the North Wests biggest and best wedding suppliers, including the likes of Flix n Pix photography and Qube venue decorating. There will be a stunning catwalk show taking place at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm on the day itself,

with a beautiful selection of wedding dresses from Tina Louise, Heswall and Champagne and Strawberries as well as some fantastic suits and bridesmaid dresses. The day itself will run 11am-6pm. There will be refreshments available on the day from our catering and bar companies.

Tickets will be available in advance or are also available on the door.

We can not wait to see you to start planning your special day!

Asian Wedding Fair Thornton Manors first annual Asian Wedding Fair is being held on Sunday February 19th 2017 in the fabulous Walled Garden Marquee.

This marquee is the biggest of four venues that Thornton Manor Estate is home to. Sitting in a 2 acre plot of the original walled garden of the estate, the Marquee is the able to seat up to 1000 guests, and will host this years fabulous event. The Waterside

Pavillion, Lakeside Marquee and the Manor House itself are the three further wedding venues sat in the estate, each with its own character and charm.

The Asian Wedding Fair will play host to some of the North Wests biggest and best Asian wedding suppliers, including the likes of Flix n Pix photography and Qube venue decorating. There will be a stunning catwalk show taking place at 12pm,

2pm and 4pm on the day itself, with a beautiful selection of bridal wear. The day itself will run 11am-6pm.

There will be refreshments available on the day from our catering and bar companies.

Tickets will be available in advance or are also available on the door.

We can not wait to see you to start planning your special day!

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Couple hold Flintstones themed wedding in Devon

Two fanatical Flintstones fans celebrated their love for each other, and the cartoon, by incorporating the Bedrock characters into their wedding with the bride and groom donning Fred and Wilma Flintstone costumes to walk down the aisle.

Gayle Watson married Ed Robinson at The Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe, Devon on Tuesday of this week. The wacky pair even managed to rope their wedding attendants into joining in with the Flintstones theme as their best man and maid of honour dressed up as Barney and Betty Rubble for the big day, with their flower girl and page boy turning out as Pebbles and Bam Bam. Even the 100 guests who were invited to the Flintstones inspired do got into the spirit of things with many turning

up in caveman and cave woman outfits especially for the occasion.

The bride and groom went to great lengths to incorporate the cartoon theme into every aspect of their wedding day. Their wedding car was especially created by themselves and is a replica of the Flintstones car seen in the series, they also plastered their ceremony venue so as to create a stone cave effect, and even invited a 20foot cardboard dinosaur to the wedding to help set the scene.

The reception venue was also transformed into a cave especially for the wedding party and it even changed its name for the day from The Royal Marie Pub, to The Bedrock.

You’ll be in safe hands when you

choose the Best Western Glendower

Hotel to host your wedding

Situated in a sea front location on the promenade in Lytham St Annes, we take pride in providing a unique wedding every time and we can be on hand as much or as little as you want in the build up to your big day.

We are fully licenced to hold civil weddings in our beautifully decorated Lowther Room and the Georgian suite. The Lowther Room can cater for a maximum of 40 guests and the Georgian Suite can cater for up to 160 guests in the evening. Make your wedding day a stress free experience

with your very own dedicated wedding co-ordinator, along with a toast master. On the day, arrive in style with our red carpet welcome, and enjoy our traditional cake stand and knife, elegant candelabra centre pieces. End the night in our complementary sea view room especially for the bride and groom.

During your wedding day you may have exclusive use of the hotel, ensuring that you are the only bride and groom on the day.

We recognise that organising your

wedding can be a stressful experience, in aim to take the strain out of some of your critical decisions we have created a two wedding packages based on 50 day guests and 100 evening guest starting at £3550.00. However if you are looking at getting married within the next couple of months, a late availability package starting from £2999.00 is available on selected dates. For more information, please contact the wedding co-ordinator on sales@glendowerhotel.co.uk or call 01253 723241.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 13.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Colours for your Wedding

70% of the brides have no idea what colour theme to have for their big day, so if you fall into that 70% of the bridal population, you’re definitely not on your own. So the next time someone asks you, “which colour do you have in mind for the wedding theme?” there’s no need to jump at the first colour that springs to mind, take your time and above all, take advice from experts such as those from Chaircover Depot, who will be able to guide you through the task of wedding colour coordination for your big day.

Colours – Cool, Warm & Neutral.

Colours have the ability to have a dramatic impact on our psychology, hence it is important to choose the right colours for the weddings. Cool colours that are associated with water convey a calming effect. Moreover warm colours lead to excitement whereas neutral colours express unity and harmony. And there you

were thinking that choosing the right wedding colour for your big day would be a piece of cake?!

As well as choosing a colour theme which reflects the right qualities for your occasion, the colour you end up choosing should compliment everything from your groom, right through to your venue (be it indoors or outdoors), the decor, the season you’re getting married and even your bridesmaids!

Choosing a Colour Palette The foremost thing to be done is picking up a palette that will help bring the guests and you in the same colour zone. For example, red colour speaks out loud for itself symbolizing passion, love and strong affection, whereas pink symbolizes femininity and sensuality.

Blue stands for calmness and tranquillity, whites can prove to be jaw dropping and of course, white is a

very traditional colour for weddings as it signifies purity and innocence. The list of possible colour combinations of course, endless, however a good place to start is to consider the tones and colours which you are most drawn to in your everyday life, as first and foremost, you want your wedding to reflect you and your partner as a couple. Good palette selection will tie together all the decorating choices you make for your wedding, which is why it’s so important to choose a colour your really love as it will filter through into every area of your big day. Contrast is the new trend that has taken the limelight these days. People prefer a smart yet classy contrast like mint green with lavender, red and cyan. The idea remains that the effect of these combinations should be stunning and eye popping in addition to having the right colour psychology.

This contrast can be developed further with mapping many things you have in your wedding scene.

Your chosen colour scheme can be reflected in your wedding invitations, decors, flowers, wedding cake, chair covers, candelabras, favours, and even lighting. The use of colour can be subtle in many of these elements, with just a hint of your chosen colour theme carried through to create a perfectly coordinated impression without being overpowering.

Linking your colour scheme with the destination or theme of your wedding is a very popular option, with many couples using their wedding venue

as inspiration for their colour theme. However choosing the right colours for destination weddings is extremely important. Choosing some non-contextual colours for a beach wedding wouldn’t go down well with the theme. Thus, a beach wedding would compliment well with sunset colours like orange. Or a wedding

on an island should preferably infuse hues of blue and turquoise. If being different is your agenda then colours like hot pink, yellow may dominate the ceremony. Your wedding memories, and also the all-important wedding snaps, will last a lifetime so don’t take any risks when it comes to choosing your colour scheme – make

sure you take expert advice to ensure your wedding is picture perfect.

So seek the advice of the wedding planners and consider the colour that will make your wedding the most colourful occasion of your life.

Just trust yourself and your wedding planners and you really won’t go wrong with this.

Page 14. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Holy Bridal

Back in December 2014 I was running a catering events company specialising in weddings. At the time I was busy marketing the business trying to generate more bookings for the following year but found that my options were limited.

Having spoken to a lot of my brides-to-be about how they found me, the general consensus was via Google but this involves a manual search process looking for particular business types in your area.

When planning a wedding, you have to search for a lot of different businesses and this becomes tedious and normally involves a note pad and pen to help build a shortlist.

As we were fast approaching 2015 I thought that there had to be a better way to search for these companies and help build that shortlist of potential suppliers for your wedding day and that’s where the idea for The Holy Bridal Wedding app came from.

Launched in April 2015 and available to download for free on all Apple & Android devices, The Holy Bridal is the UK’s ONLY App based wedding directory putting all suppliers under, one simple to use platform. It allows you to build a shortlist via the favourites option and directly contact the supplier via different method including email, phone or via their website.

We now have well over 700 businesses on our unique directory including a host of amazing venues, photographers, caterers and many many more and due to the success we are having we now host our own wedding fairs up and down the country.

We have some great venues and if you head over to our website, you will find our 2017 line ups.

So not only can you find suppliers via our app but you can now go and meet them face to face at one of our events‌. The Holy Bridal really is the one-stop shop for weddings.

detail. We don’t just sell fabulous gowns, we mak looked after – it’s the little things we do tha

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Lancashire Local.

28.help Page Winning awards likeIssue these will to 15. put a spotlig

publicity will attract more bride and grooms to the Garstang is well known for its very creative indep every aspect of planning a wedding from cakes, allofonplanning one High S true’ says covering everyand aspect

Bubble-wrap wedding THE DRESSING ROOM

dress for eco bride

Eco conscious bride Rachel Robinson thought a traditional white wedding gown was a waste of money, so instead decided to take a radical approach to her dress for the big day. Forget silk, chiffon and taffeta, this bride opted for bubble wrap as her material of choice for her gown, more commonly used for packing parcels rather than walking down the aisle in.

The primary school teacher enlisted the help of her pupils and their parents to make the special dress which was originally used as part of a school fashion show under the theme of sustainable style.

The alternative dress was made by sewing 13 feet of bubble wrap onto a fabric base. A 3 foot train was created with overlapping layers of Haribo sweet packaging, and also white packing materials.

The sounds of the bridal march were interrupted by the pops from the bubble wrap as the bride walked down the aisle, although she explained that she was grateful for the pop-able material when she reached the alter as she had something to grab hold of to take the edge off her nerves.

The newlywed says she would recommend the bubble-wrap dress to any bride-to-be saying that as an individual who is passionate about the environment and wildlife, the eco-dress was the right choice of bridal wear for her.

owner Cathy a wedding from cakes, to florists,

TH February the resu Voting Pfinishes the 9and r o c t e r .on jewellers stationers and and all on one

‘ T h e High Street.

Vote by visiting D r e s s i n g Voting finishes on the 9TH February Room need and the results will be announced votes fromand this Spring. Vote by visiting www. all brides hitched.co.uk/awards/vote and bridal and www.littlewhitebooks.co.uk/ p a r t i e s awards w h e t h e r Or visit www.thedressingroompast present garstang.co.uk or future.

We are up against s o m e very well established boutiques across the country so each vote will help bring these prestigious awards to the North’ “We have b e e n nominated because of our customer service and our attention to detail.

We don’t just sell fabulous gowns, we make our customers feel welcome and looked after – it’s the little things we do that mean a lot to our brides” Winning awards like these will help to put a spotlight on Garstang and the additional publicity will attract more bride and grooms to the town and help the local economy.

Garstang is well known for its very creative independent small businesss

www.hitched.co

www.littlewhitebooks

Or visit www.thedressingroom

Did you know that one of the best wedding dress shops in the UK is located in Garstang just north of Preston!

The Dressing Room is a finalist in not one but two wedding industry awards as the ‘Best Bridal Boutique’ in the UK Wedding Awards and ‘Best Bridal Boutique’ in the Great Northern Wedding Awards.

‘To be nominated and shortlisted as a finalist is in itself wonderful recognition of the hard work we put in to make every brides dream come

Page 16. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 17.

The latest wedding Pinterest sees a rise in

catering trends pork pie wedding cakes

we’ve compiled a list of the top wedding catering trends sweeping weddings this year. Read on and be inspired by these inventive ideas, guaranteed to provide a talking point at your big day.

Grazing Yes, grazing is the new buzz word in the catering world; it’s a buffet, but not as we know it. The idea is to create a more sociable dining experience so guests aren’t restricted to sitting on a table surrounded by a handful of people. Everyone is free to mingle whilst they munch creating a more relaxed ambiance. Food stations are set up around the room as opposed to one specific area forcing guests to explore the room and make new acquaintances along the way.

Outrageous cakes It’s your big day, have your cake and eat it! If you have a colour theme extend that to your food too. Perhaps you can’t get enough of pink? Have a giant pink marshmallow wedding cake as the centre piece for your reception.

Monochrome theme wedding? How about a chequered cake decorated with white and dark chocolate pearls? One bride even went as far as having a life size replica of herself for her wedding cake; it goes to show, there really are no boundaries.

Self-service cocktail bars Present your guests with a range of liquors, fruit juices and mixers and let them loose with their imagination. It’s worth having a professional cocktail waiter on hand to assist your guests and offer them some tips. Cocktail

waiters are generally more than happy to show off their skills adding a great spectacle to your reception.

Organic menus Have a wedding breakfast with a conscience and use only fair trade, local, organic and seasonal produce to create your menu. Your insightful choice of ingredients won’t go unnoticed by your guests and many will appreciate the effort you’ve made. Clavelshay Barn in Taunton is a wedding venue set on a family run

farm. They offer a menu using locally sourced produce, with their speciality being their organic beef reared on their farm.

Banquet style Instead of segregating your guests off onto separate tables, arrange to have two or three long tables alongside each other and enjoy a medieval style wedding. For an added feature consider having your meat carved at the table for guests to watch whilst they wait to be served.

Latest findings by Pinterest suggest that wedding traditions are being turned on their head in favour of more creative ideas Pork pie wedding cakes are on the rise, as reported by Pinterest, which has seen a 20% increase in pins of the savoury alternative during 2016.

And this isn't the only unusual form of wedding catering that has grown in popularity with Pinterest users; gold pineapple wedding cakes, cheese wedding cakes and most notably,

geode wedding cakes (which have seen an increase in pins of 200%), have all proved firm favourites.

Uncovering a myriad of statistics that suggest couples are swaying towards more non-conventional weddings, further findings for 2016 include: Boho wedding hair pins - up by 47% Dessert tables - up by 13%, with macaron towers increasing by 52% in the last six months Alternative wedding attire - wedding dress jumpsuits up by 14% in the last

six months Engagement rings are also seeing a shift in convention, with brides opting for non-traditional designs such as morganite (up 62%), opal (up 42%) and pear shaped diamond (over 100% increase) in the past year.

However, classic wedding bands remain popular, with the most soughtafter designs over the last year including solitaire (up 27%), pave (up 24%), three stone (up 58%) and halo rings (up 11%).

Page 18. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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£51 EBay bid wins one couple a

complete wedding package

One couple really struck gold after a hotel put a complete wedding package up for sale on EBay following a cancellation. Despite setting aside a maximum of £1,000 for the bid, all it took was a mere £51 to secure the wedding deal. As part of the bargain nuptials the couple were treated to a red carpet welcome with a Bucks Fizz reception followed by a 3 course meal for 35 guests, a toastmaster and a further evening buffet for 50 guests. And to end the perfect day the newlyweds were treated to a complimentary overnight stay in the hotel’s honeymoon suite.

After contacting the 3 star Buckatree Hall Hotel in Shropshire with a view to booking their wedding there,

the hotel’s staff tipped the couple off to the cancellation slot which had just gone up for sale on EBay. Ordinarily a wedding reception at this venue would set you back at least £1,555. Groom-to-be Les Clark had just been made redundant from his Civil Engineering position so their wedding was being conducted on a very tight budget. As a regular EBay user, Les wasted no time in placing a bid for the wedding reception. The bride, Colette Palin said they jumped at the opportunity saying:”We just thought we would see if we could strike lucky.” And Strike it lucky they did, winning the package for just £51.

And the bargains kept on coming as the 25-year-old bride managed to find

the perfect dress with a whopping 50% discount taking the cost down to £450.

The hotel’s manager, Jason Petty, explained that they had the idea of posting cancellation bookings on EBay a while ago, and the lost wedding booking gave them the perfect opportunity to try out their new strategy as he said: “The date came up and we knew we weren’t going to sell it so I thought, let’s go for it.”

The newlywed’s lucky streak shows no signs of stopping either; since they tied the knot Les has found a new job and Colette has revealed she is expecting their first baby in spring of next year.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 19.

Wedding decorations on a budget There’s no need to cut corners when it comes to beautiful decorations for your special occasion, all it takes is a little bit of lateral thinking, and a stash of sello –tape! Here are our top tips for creating your own unique wedding adornments on the cheap. Table Centrepieces • Summer weddings or those which are taking place near the coast can take their inspiration, and their decor, directly from the sea. Collect an assortment of sea shells and fill clear or coloured vases full of the free ornaments.

Your shells can also double as place name settings with a name tag delicately tied around an individual shell.

• There’s something about candlelight which makes it eternally romantic -plus candles are dirt cheap, and you’ll probably be able to get them even cheaper if you buy in bulk. Have a selection of different candles to create different effects. A range of church candles of varying

sizes arranged on top of a mirror adds an extremely glamorous touch to any wedding table. Alternatively you could have tea tree lights floating in a crystal bowl with a few choice petals or flower heads for an elegant centrepiece. If you have a bit of time of your hands, collect glass jam jars and decorate with coloured glass paint. Pop a tea light candle in after dark and you have your own coloured lanterns.

• For inexpensive floral centrepieces choose flowers which are in season to keep costs down. If you’re planning your wedding in advance, why not

The 'Lancashire Bar Company' offer

a professional portable bar service.

Having over 10 years experience working in the bar industry, we understand our clients exact needs when hosting an event. We offer carefully constructed packages to your specific requirements.

In advance, we will liaise with you about our package options and prices, such as our Cash Bar, our Prepaid Bar and more!

We supply, deliver and set up the bar equipment and provide professional staff and glassware for the duration of your event, removing all our equipment at the end. We can serve any drinks menu to meet the needs of you and your guests. As you would expect from a professional Bar Company, we hold the appropriate licences and insurance.

We offer two flexible options to meet your bar requirements, namely the Cash Bar and the Prepaid Bar.

With the Cash Bar your guests pay for their own drinks for the duration of your event.

The Prepaid Bar operates in a similar

manner, providing your guests with drinks to a limit previously determined and credited to the bar by you.

If (or when) the prepaid limit is reached the Prepaid Bar reverts to a Cash Bar.

grow your own? Sweet peas are very easy to produce and grow like wildfire in the summer months, they come in a rainbow of colours too so you can coordinate them into you theme easily. You could also call on friends and neighbours for flowers from their gardens.

• Head to the park and pick up some broken branches from any kind of tree, the more spindly the branch, the better. Spray your find in either silver or gold and decorate with clear fairy lights.

• Utilise your bridesmaid’s bouquets by using them as the centrepieces for your table. After the actual ceremony they have little need for their posies so why not put them to good use during the reception?

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 27.

BRIGHT NEW FUTURE FOR PRESTON’S LEISURE SERVICE

£2m is to be invested in Preston’s two leisure centres as part of a major overhaul of the city’s leisure services.

In transferring ownership of both Fulwood and West View leisure centres to the UK’s leading leisure providers social enterprise GLL, the City Council aims to boost leisure services in Preston.

Facing an uncertain future under continued council ownership, Councillors have taken the initiative to guarantee future leisure provision in the city – a move welcomed by Councillor Peter Rankin – Leader of

the Council approximately £1m.

Preston City Council who said: “Without doubt this is one of the most Therefore we’ve had to look at important decisions taken by the City alternative options – and I am Council in recent times. It means a delighted at this deal with GLL. bright new future for the whole of “The recent experience with handing Preston’s leisure service with new over ownership of Preston Guild Hall fills us with confidence in proceeding investment and fresh approach.

“The funding the Council now with this deal. It is an opportunity for receives from Central Government investment to be made in Preston’s is over £8m p.a. less than it received leisure service.” in 2012. One of the impacts of the Councillor Peter Kelly – Cabinet funding reduction is that the Council Member for Leisure and Culture is simply no longer able to afford added: “This is a landmark deal for to keep the leisure centres running. Preston as it ensures the future for our In 2015/16 the leisure service cost popular and well used leisure centres.

It means over £2m of new investment will be made into Fulwood and West View to both improve and expand the leisure facilities there.

“And in GLL, we have secured one of the best leisure providers in the UK. With more than 46 million visitors to over 250 facilities across the country, Greenwich Leisure has a track record of running highly successful and profitable leisure services.

“Yet as a worker owned social enterprise GLL put people first and run their company in a way that benefits all. This is fantastic news for

the staff who will transfer to GLL, as well as the thousands of people who use Fulwood and West View every day.” Mark Sesnan, MD of GLL said: “Preston is key to the expansion of GLL’s health and wellbeing offer in the north of England.

“Our social enterprise goes from strength to strength with more people getting more active more often. We look forward to welcoming leisure staff into the GLL familing and greeting many new and existing customers at

Preston’s leisure centres, which will be operated under our successful Better brand.” “We are thrilled at the prospect and opportunity in the city.

Preston has a fantastic reputation in the leisure industry and we aim to build on this and really take the leisure service forward from day one.”

What's on Preston: Harris Live 2017

Wednesday evenings throughout February and March sees The Harris host different musical evenings at 'Harris Live'. With music to suit all tastes this is a great chance to listen to some great music in the unique setting of the fantastic grade 1 listed Harris museum. Price of my Pig Wednesday 15 February This exciting new band from Lancaster specialise in arrangements of traditional tunes with a funky folky twist.

One Voice Community Choir Wednesday 22 February Gospel and contemporary inspirational music is taken to another level with this unique blend of voices and harmonies.

North West Songwriters (Part One) Wednesday 1 March LIC Presents: Headline act, Sweet Deals on Surgery, are stripping

right back from their roots to perform an original set unique for this evening. Supported by Millie Weaver, a local “Indie” singer with a passion for song writing who recently appeared on ITV show 'The Voice'.

Tipitina Wednesday 8 March Blues, barrelhouse, boogie and gospel of New Orleans takes on a unique sound delivered by Tipitina.

The Swing Commanders Wednesday 15 March This vibrant Lancashire quintet promote sophisticated harmonies, hot solos and pretty dresses and take the best of mid twentieth century songs, giving them a high energy makeover.

North West Songwriters (Part Two) Wednesday 22 March LIC Presents: Support act Ric Birtill offers a fun, quirky and alternative

acoustic pop set which is guaranteed to get your feet tapping. Headline act Gideon Conn - musician, songwriter, visual artist who originates from Manchester.

Preston Musical Comedy Society Wednesday 29 March Preston Musical Comedy Society continues to be one of the most highly

regarded companies in the North West. In recent years they have won more NODA awards than any other group in the region and they will be presenting a top quality musical performance for you.

How do I book?

There are a number of ways you can book tickets for each event:

Use the Preston Guild City Events Eventbrite site Visit the Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library shop in person

Book via the Preston Guild Hall Box Office (£1 booking fee applies) www.prestonguildhall.co.uk or 01772 804444

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 29.

ABTA reveals top five scams as busiest holiday sales period gets underway

As the busiest holidays sales period of the year kicks off, ABTA is warning holidaymakers about the risks of booking with fraudulent companies, after seeing an increase in fake websites, online scams and noncompliant travel companies that have no financial protection in place.

With a third of summer holidays typically booked during January and February, ABTA is concerned that people looking for a bargain may be duped by fraudsters – travel fraud is up 425% year on year and costs holidaymakers £11.5 million according to the City of London Police*.

ABTA has put together the following list of warning scams and signs to

look out for: Businesses not providing financial protection In 2016 more than 100 travel businesses were identified by ABTA as selling package holidays without having proper financial protection in place, and referred to the relevant authorities. All package holidays sold in the UK should include protection, where holidaymakers are not only entitled to a refund or repatriation, should their travel company go out of business, but also other specific legal rights, should there be a problem with the holiday. All ABTA Members provide protection for their package holidays. People booking a holiday that is ATOL protected should always

receive an ATOL Certificate.

Scam websites Some websites are set up purely to defraud customers, and these scam or fraudulent websites are an area of growing concern for ABTA. On a legitimate website, there should be a locked padlock symbol in the browser window frame, which appears when you attempt to make an online payment, or the web address should begin with ‘https://’.

Cloned websites These are websites that are copies of a genuine site with subtle changes made. Fraudsters can clone legitimate websites but will change the last part of the web address, such as from . co.uk to .org. They can also produce

a realistic-looking website, but with the spelling of the address slightly different from that of the authentic site.

Check that the website address that appears in the top window is correct.

If you are suspicious of a website, carry out a web search to see if you can find out whether or not it is fraudulent.

Payment via bank transfers. Be suspicious when the only payment option is a bank transfer. Not only is this an indication that no bank is prepared to provide credit card facilities, but if you are dealing with a scammer it will be virtually impossible to get your money back.

False credentials

Some fraudulent companies may falsely use logos of official bodies such as ATOL, or of organisations such as ABTA and IATA. If the company you are using claims to be a member of a trade association, you should be able to easily verify membership on the trade association’s website, for example on https://abta. com/find-a-member.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive, commented: “Booking a holiday should be an exciting experience, however it can be ruined by clever and unscrupulous scams. We have seen a significant increase in fraudulent activity over the past year, so we are encouraging all holidaymakers to stop and think about the company

they are booking with.

I would encourage people to book with an ABTA travel company, so they can rest assured that their holiday company is genuine and covered by our Code of Conduct.”

ABTA is launching a nationwide advertising campaign today (4 January) in response to the growing issue of fraudulent websites, online scams and non-compliant travel companies that have no financial protection in place. The advertising will promote ABTA’s ‘Travel with confidence’ message and encourage consumers to book with an ABTA travel company during the busiest holiday sales period of the year.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 31.

North Wales Named One of Top

Regions Globally for 2017

There’s cause for epic celebrations in Wales as North Wales has made it on to Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2017 list – the only destination in the UK to do so. A playground for thrill seekers, a haven for foodies, a hideout for stargazers and a goldmine for heritage seekers, North Wales has a holiday for every kind of traveller.

But what caught the eye of the Lonely Planet, the world’s leading travel authority, is the way the former industrial landscape has been reinvented and repurposed to create a series of truly world class attractions, from high speed zip lining and inland surfing to underground trampolining in a 176-year-old disused slate mine.

Alongside UNESCO World Heritage

Sites as Conwy, Beaumaris, Harlech and Caernarfon Castles, North Wales is home to some of the best walking and cycling in Britain, as well as a range of industry-leading attractions, all set against the spectacular backdrop of the Snowdonia mountains.

On the flanks of Snowdonia National Park, Zip World boasts 11 different attractions in total including the everpopular Bounce Below, a colourful underground world of bouncing nets, slides and rope bridges. Zip World Velocity in Bethesda is the world’s fastest zip line with two 500 ft. (152 m) high courses that enable riders to exceed 100 mph (161 km/h), while Zip World Titan in Blaenau Ffestiniog offers Europe’s first four-person

line – perfect for thrill seeking families. A short drive east is Surf Snowdonia, a world-first man-made lagoon where amateurs and professional surfers alike can surf a powerful 6.5 ft. (2 m) wave, under the watchful eye of Welsh National Surfing Champion, Jo Denison. It’s not hard to see why North Wales is becoming known as the adventure tourism capital of Europe. With enough to keep even the most hardcore adrenaline junkies quiet, North Wales has a full range of accommodation and services to complete its tourism offer, from five star Chateau Rhianfa to yurts and cabins at Graig Wen, and for the extra brave, cliff camping suspended high above the sea with Gaia Adventures. And if it’s food you’re after, North Wales now has two Michelin-starred restaurants: Sosban & The Old Butcher's on Anglesey, and Tyddyn Llan in Denbighshire, not to mention the multitude of local producers, delis, cafes, restaurants, farm shops, markets and micro breweries who ensure that north Wales is full of excellent places to eat and drink.

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It’s official: Lake District named as

Britain’s top walking destination

The Lake District, Cumbria, is officially the most popular destination for walking in Britain, according to a new nationwide survey just released

by Ordnance Survey.

Their OS Maps service analysed more than 500,000 routes over ten years and revealed that the Lake District has topped the country’s league

table with Keswick and Ambleside being the most popular locations for walkers.

And of the 20 most popular places to create a walking route across Britain, an impressive 18 of them are within the core areas of the Lake District National Park – taking in popular locations including Keswick, Ambleside, Grasmere, Helvellyn and Scafell Pike.

M a n a g i n g Director for C u m b r i a Tourism, Ian Stephens, says, “This is the

ultimate place to enjoy the great outdoors and this latest Ordnance Survey research confirms that the Lake District, Cumbria, is indeed the UK’s Adventure Capital.

“With a network of just under 2,000 miles of Rights of Way and some of the most spectacular scenery you are likely to find, it’s great to see that the Lake District remains a firm favourite. Whether you’re taking a gentle lakeside stroll with the family or scrambling up more challenging locations like Sharp Edge on Blencathra, this spectacular landscape appeals to everyone from the occasional walker to the more specialist adventurer.”

Nick Giles, Managing Director

of Ordnance Survey Leisure, says: “For centuries the Lakes have held a special place in people’s hearts, and we know the area is loved by map users, because the region frequently tops our bestselling paper maps.

However, when we started examining this data and looking at the route-creating habits of people, we weren’t expecting the Lake District to dominate so strongly.”

Just a few of the walks highlighted by Ordnance Survey include England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike and Langdale Fell which forms part of the popular Cumbrian Way. Other breathtaking walks include Nethermost Pike, one of the highest Wainwrights’ in the eastern fells; Allen Crags which is frequented by walkers on route to Scafell and Fairfield Horseshoe, one of the more classic Lake District walks.

Iconic classic Lakeland Inn to reopen its doors in April 2017

Robinsons Brewery are delighted to announce that the doors to the Queens Head at Troutbeck, in the Lake District, Cumbria will reopen in April 2017 following a 2 million pound investment.

In 2014, the Queens Head was devastated in a fire that resulted in the popular Inn closing for almost three years whilst a full refurbishment programme and rebuild of the damaged areas took place by Robinsons Brewery.

The Queens Head, nestles on the side of the Lakeland fells overlooking the Troutbeck Valley, four miles from Ambleside and three miles from Windermere. There are unsurpassed views of Garburn Pass, High Street and 111 Bell Ridge.

The former 17th century coaching Inn boasts an eclectic mix of ancient Cumbrian and contemporary decor alongside it’s iconic four poster bar.

The brand-new Queens Head will feature a large drinking area with cosy and secluded dining areas, with focus being around the three original real fireplaces which are being lovingly restored.

The bar will feature a great range of real ales, craft beers, premium lagers, wines and award-winning spirits with a focus on the Queens Head’s new eye-catching gin range.

Renowned for serving some of the finest food in the area, The Queens Head’s new menu will highlight a mixture of hearty classic pub food created with provenance and served with flair.

The menu has been created to include requests from old friends of the pub who have contacted the brewery through Facebook to make sure their favourite dishes are featured.

There are also 10 newly-refurbished en-suite guest bedrooms named after the iconic Lakeland fells of Great End, Bowfell, Great Gable, Pillar, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, Nethermost, Catstyecam, Scafell Pike and Esk

Pike, providing the perfect base for guests to Cumbria and, of course, their four legged companions.

Rooms start from £110 per night, which includes a hearty breakfast.

They can be booked at www. queensheadtroutbeck.pub William Robinson, Managing Director (Pubs Division) for Robinsons Brewery said: “It’s no easy feat restoring such a historic pub. It was of the utmost importance that we worked closely with the local

council to ensure the most authentic restoration of the original building’s fabric. The Queens Head has never been a case of ‘reinventing the wheel’ and it will pick right up where it left off – a cosy, family friendly pub where you can enjoy a pint, a great night’s stay, and a warm, hearty meal.

The outpouring of support from local residents and previous customers has been brilliant and we can’t wait to welcome them back to the Queens Head this April.”

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 33.

Brief Encounter actress’ daughter to perform

at Carnforth Station Heritage Centre The daughter of Brief Encounter actress Celia Johnson is taking to stages across Cumbria and Lancashire to tell the story of her mother’s war years, through letters to her father, Peter, brother of James Bond creator, Ian Fleming.

Lucy Fleming and real-life, actor husband Simon Williams, who make regular recurring appearances as Justin Elliott and Miranda Elliott in BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Archers’, star in ‘Posting Letters to the Moon’, a funny and touching account of life during the war and highlights the problems of a dual life of domestic problems and, unlike other women at that time, being a film star.

Carnforth Station was the backdrop to Celia Johnson’s iconic shots in the 1945 film, ‘Brief Encounter’ and in March Celia’s story will return, through a sold out performance of ‘Posting Letters to the Moon’ at Carnforth Station Heritage Centre, as well as a tour of other venues around Lancashire and Cumbria, an area which influenced the classic movie.

Celia’s letters tell of her life in a large isolated house with her small son, two widows and their evacuated children and very little help. Life is curtailed through rationing, of petrol, clothes and food. The letters tell of her friendships with Joyce Grenfell, Noel Coward, David Lean and

Annual Cumbrian literary awards

Authors and publishers are needed to enter new books into Cumbria’s leading literary awards.

The Lakeland Book of the Year Charity Luncheon and Awards Ceremony takes place every summer and is now in its 33rd year. These awards are unique and are recognised as being the most prestigious literary prizes outside of London.

The competitions are open to established authors as well as firsttime writers. As long as the books to be entered are about anything to do with Cumbria and were published during 2016, they are eligible to enter.

More than 50 books are entered in a typical year, and in excess of 70 books is not uncommon.

The judges have the task of reading all books and selecting the winners.

The lead judge is Hunter Davies, Chairman of the Judges Panel and the inspiration behind the event.

Hunter has ghost-written a number of high-profile biographies of celebrities such as Wayne Rooney, Paul Gascoigne, Dwight Yorke and John Prescott, as well as acclaimed works about William Wordsworth and Alfred Wainwright. He regularly writes for national newspapers such as The Times, The Sunday Times, The Guardian and the Daily

Mail. In 2016 he published several successful new books including The John Lennon Letters, Lakeland – A Personal Journey and The Co-op’s Got Bananas.

The panel also includes ITV and BBC newscaster, author and journalist, Fiona Armstrong, and Gardner’s Question Time Chairman, broadcaster and Chair of Cumbria Tourism and The Wainwright Society, Eric Robson.

There will be five topical categories, with each one providing a prize of £100. But, the real prize is the Hunter Davies Lakeland Book of the Year Award, given to the book judged to be the overall winner.

All prizes are presented at a charity awards luncheon, to be held this year at Armathwaite Hall, Bassenthwaite Lake, near Keswick on July 11th. Over the years, the luncheon has raised many thousands of pounds for local charities and the charity benefitting this year will be the Alzheimer’s Society, Cumbria Branch.

Previous winners at the Lakeland Book of the Year have included Alfred Wainwright, Harry Griffin, Kate Haste and Booker Prize nominee Sarah Hall. Lord Melvyn Bragg was also highly commended in 1988 for his book, the Maid of Buttermere.

The winner of last year’s Lakeland Book of the Year was “Lakeland Waterways” by Robert Beale and Richard Kirkman, published by Lily Publications. Robert is the lead author and a Cumbrian lad. He started working for Windermere Lake Cruises in 2008 and is one of the youngest employees to regularly skipper a historic ‘steamer’ on England’s largest natural lake.

The awards were founded by the Hunter Davies and Cumbria Tourism (CT) and are organised by Chris Tomlinson OBE, Affra Hartree and Vicky Robinson MBE, with support from CT. The deadline for submissions to this year’s competition is March 24th 2017 and entry forms are available by going to the website: www.lakelandbookoftheyear.co.uk or by contacting Cumbria Tourism on 01539 822222

filming such classic films as “In Which We Serve” and “This Happy Breed” and of course the iconic “Brief Encounter”.

Lucy Fleming, daughter of Celia Johnson and an actress herself says: “It was a joy to discover these letters and I hope you will find them as funny and moving as I do.

“Like my mother didn’t, I don’t know the Lake District, and am so looking forward to discovering the places she writes about and seeing the beauty of

the lakes and hills.”

Following its world premiere at the Hampstead Theatre Festival 2016, the tour of “Posting Letters to the Moon” will be arriving at the following venues: Wednesday 1st March: Dukes Playhouse Lancaster Thursday 2nd March: Carnforth Station Heritage Centre (SOLD OUT) Saturday 4th March: Glenridding Public Hall, with optional 1940’s dress code, with a prize offered for best outfit Sunday 5th March: Alhambra Cinema Keswick, with screening of “Brief Encounter” Tuesday 7th March: Ennerdale Centre

Page 34. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Tatty ash tours at Fred Dibnah’s

Come along to the Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre for a great day out, there will be Hot Tatty ash ( Potato Hash ) Beetroot, Red cabbage, all you can eat, a hot cuppa, and Mince pies with cream, enjoy an entertaining tour of Freds home and workshops, a fascinating look into the Victorian age that put the Great in Great Britain.

Most of the tour will be indoors in a lovely cozy warm atmosphere where you will see the open fires lit in the house, you will hear lots of amazing stories about Fred’s escapades, told

by Fred’s pal Alf Molyneux as seen on TV. Lots of wonderful memorabilia to take home, including DVD’s, books, pictures, even Freds beautiful famous drawings.

Adults £12 including food and drinks,

children under ten go free children over ten half price.

Tatty ash Tour Dates will start at 2pm on Saturday 14th Nov. 21st. Nov 28th Nov. 5th Dec 12th Dec. To order Tour tickets call 01204 531303 or 0797 681 2596 Stop Press; special Christmas tour at 2pm on December 30th. Mince pies and chestnuts galore £12 all inclusive. Book now as limited places available.

You can also purchase normal tour vouchers which make a wonderful Christmas present and can be used any time throughout the year.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 37.

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Charity asks more young carers

to come forward ahead of

national awareness day

St Helens' Young Carers Centre already supports over 550 local young carers with funding from St Helens Council, but the number of children and young people in St Helens caring for family members without support could be as high as 2,000.

The Young Carers Centre – which supports young carers to cope better with their caring role – is hoping to make more people aware of this stark figure ahead of National Young Carers Awareness Day on 26 January so that more hidden young carers will come forward for support.

A young carer or sibling carer is a young person aged 6 to 18 years of age who cares for a family member that could not cope without their support, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction. Young carers often take on practical and emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.

Lorraine Pennington, Manager of the Young Carers Centre, said: “It’s so important for young carers to have the opportunity to inform someone they trust that they are providing care. We hope by raising awareness in schools and with other agencies that more hidden young carers will come forward to speak out about their caring responsibilities and in doing so, they will then receive the support they desperately need.”

A number of primary and secondary schools in the borough are helping to raise awareness of young carers by holding young carer assemblies – delivered by the St Helens Young Carers Centre – and own-clothes days, with a donation of £1. Money raised will go the centre – a small, independent charity based in the town centre – to support more young carers.

Sutton Oak Primary School has hosted such an assembly ahead of the awareness day. Amanda Bradshaw, the school’s pastoral manager and lead for young carer support and referrals, said: “As a school, we are delighted to work in partnership with Young Carers.

Assessing the impact of this role on young people’s lives is such a worthwhile cause and supporting vulnerable children is a key priority here at Sutton Oak.”

A PORTAL TO THE PAST

FOR PEOPLE LIVING

WITH DEMENTIA

People living with dementia in Oldham can now return to yesteryear in a nostalgic 1950s-inspired room which helps trigger old and new memories.

Thought to be the first of its kind in Oldham, the memory room is decorated exactly as a home would be over sixty years ago.

It is located at Trinity House on Godson Street – an Oldham Council Extra Care housing scheme which is independent living flats for people with some care and support needs.

The room is full of 1950s memorabilia and decor; including a black and white television,

newspapers and posters from yesteryear and a record player playing familiar music.

The time-warp room helps people living with dementia relax and feel comfortable through triggering memories from their past.

Cllr Jenny Harrison, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Safeguarding, said: “Dementia is such a difficult condition for those who have it and it’s heart-breaking for their families and carers. We must do everything we can to help those with this cruel condition have the best quality of life they can.

“That’s why I’m so impressed with this memory room. The amount

of time and effort that has gone into it is remarkable and if this gives someone just one precious memory back then it has been well worth it.” The room was made possible through donations of both money and old artefacts from staff, members of the public and Oldham Masonic Hall and Horton Lodge.

It is available to anyone affected by dementia locally and can be booked by contacting Jodie Ashton on 03701924286.

For more information on dementia and the support available locally for those affected, email donna. atherton@ageukoldham.org.uk or call 0161 622 933.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 39.

OLDHAM EDUCATION AND SKILLS

COMMISSION A YEAR ON

One year on from the publication of the Oldham Education and Skills Commission (OESC) report big improvements are already visible - but there is still much work to be done.

In January 2016 Estelle Morris launched the OESC report which sets out a vision for education in Oldham.

To achieve this, the OESC report focuses on highly aspirational targets and aims for education across Oldham.

The percentage of pupils attending a 'Good' or 'Outstanding' secondary school is now 67 per cent. This time last year it was 46 percent.

Additionally, 95 per cent of Oldham primary schools continue to be judged

‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’.

Oldham bucked the national trend last year after seeing improvements in its GCSE and A-Level results.

In 2016 51 per cent of pupils in Oldham achieved grades A*-C at GCSE – the same level as last year the measure previously used to look at school performance.

Looking at the measures now used, in 2016 56.7 per cent of pupils in Oldham achieved grades A*-C in both English and Mathematics – a 4.3 per cent increase from the previous year.

At A-Level 20 per cent of students achieved grades A*- A – this increased since 2015 by two per cent.

Cllr Amanda Chadderton, Cabinet

Member for Education and Early Years, said: “These improvements are a good indication of the great work we’ve been doing to transform education in Oldham. But we are still not where we need to be.

“Our Key Stage 2 results were not so good. The results mirrored the national drop and we're examining these in full to learn the lessons.

There was a new national curriculum and marking scheme which may have had an impact but we’re not looking for excuses, we must - and will improve.

“A year ago we lifted the lid on our education system with the publication of the OESC report. This gave us and the public a better understanding of

the state of our education system.

“It was clear that we had to make big improvements and 12 months on there is evidence that we are working towards our target – an education system which works for everyone in Oldham.

“We have made a good start but we still have a long way to go. All children in Oldham must get the best possible start in life they can and it is up to us to deliver that in the form of an excellent education system.”

The OESC report also recommended the creation of a ‘self-improving education system’ where schools, colleges and all interested parties work together in a new collaborative partnership.

The Oldham Education Partnership (OEP), led by Adrian Calvert, is now established and already working to improve education leadership and teaching in the borough’s schools through the sharing of best practice.

Adrian Calvert, Oldham Education Partnership Leader, said: “I think the key message running through the OESC report is that to deliver an education system which works for everyone we must work together and that’s precisely what we’re now doing. “While education leaders’ first responsibility is to their own school, they also have a duty to work with other education providers in the borough so best practise can be shared and utilised.

“Great education starts with high quality teaching and this is a key priority for us. Through the Oldham Offer we’ll help existing teachers in Oldham, and newly qualified teachers looking for their first opportunity, develop their skills, knowledge and expertise.

“I’m sure with the OEP now in place our education system will continue to improve and we’re well on our way to meeting the OESC’s aims.

“I am looking forward to further supporting the work of the OESC through the new Opportunity Area developments, aligning the work of these two areas can only bring further benefits for Oldham’s children and young people.”

Page 40. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Manchester's Factory

gets the go-ahead

Planning permission granted, funding confirmed, and operator announced The plans for Factory, the brand new flagship cultural venue for the North designed by world-leading architects Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), have been granted planning approval by Manchester City Council today.

The unique venue will be at the heart of the vibrant new creative-led St. John's neighbourhood, which is being developed by Allied London, in partnership with the council, on the site of the former Granada TV studios.

Factory will accelerate economic growth in the region. Its economic impact will be considerable - creating or supporting almost 1,500 full-time jobs and adding £1.1 billion to the city’s economy over a decade.

It will make a direct contribution to the growth of creative industries in the North, and reduce the dependency on London as the provider of creative industries training and employment.

It will also develop partnerships with the city’s leading higher education institutions and will further support the city’s drive for high calibre graduate talent retention through job creation.

HM Treasury has this week approved the full business case for the £78m government capital investment in the project.

The new venue will offer audiences the opportunity to enjoy year round, in a new world-class facility, the

broadest range of art forms and cultural experiences - including dance, theatre, music, opera, visual arts, spoken word, popular culture and innovative contemporary work incorporating multiple media and technologies.

Artists from across the world will be invited to create new work in the building’s extraordinary spaces.

The ultra-flexible space will bring a world-class arts programme to audiences of up to 7,000 at a time. It will welcome around 900,000 visitors a year and is expected to attract around 200,000 visitors a year from outside Greater Manchester.

It has been confirmed that Manchester International Festival (MIF) will operate Factory as well as continuing to deliver the festival every two years. Mark Ball, currently Artistic Director of LIFT, will join MIF's senior leadership team as Associate Artistic Director, focusing on creation and delivery of the Factory programme.

He will start full time at MIF in June, working closely with Artistic Director/CEO John McGrath to create a unified artistic vision for the venue and the festival.

Construction on the ground-breaking new venue is due to begin in Spring 2017. The project is OMA’s first major public building in the UK and is led by project partners Ellen van Loon and Rem Koolhaas, founder of OMA.

OMA lead a multi-disciplinary design team including Buro Happold Structures and MEP, Arup Acoustics, Gardiner and Theobald as cost consultants and Deloitte as planning consultants.

Development of the unique venue is being driven by the extraordinary creative vision and breadth of Manchester’s cultural life.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Factory is what the arts world and

LINDA LANCASHIRE

READ YOUR STAR SIGNS HERE EVERY ISSUE

Linda Lancashire , of great experience will be here every issue with your up to date star signs. Linda has over 40 years experience in the industry, an only child she recovered from breast cancer after being diagnosed in 2014.

Linda is available for private readings , tarot cards , crystal ball, palmistry and face to face readings.

She will be introducing telephone readings early in 2017. She completes her work alongside her working dogs , 2 twin poodles named Hilda and Talulah, aged 7. Hilda has a gift for picking up on finance and wellbeing issues whilst Talulah is known for picking up on romantic situations.

Linda describes the scene of her readings as a 'calm atmosphere' and reassures her work as 100% honest ,

one 2 one private and completely private and confidential. There are no recordings for safety reasons.

Linda is available 7 days per week.

Upon being asked by myself on how she got into the industry she quickly prompted' I was born with it' and that her parents ' didn't understand it'.

Asked for a few individual quotes at the end of the interview Linda concluded with ' I am a big believer in Karma '. Nothing lasts forever , there is a beginning , a middle and an end to everything'.

Linda’s daughter, Katie Lancashire is also a clairvoyant You can contact Linda on 07764 466381

By Phil Copson

Manchester has been waiting for. It's the key to unlocking a wealth of new cultural opportunities in the city for audiences and arts practitioners, and also to massive economic gain for Manchester and the wider region.

Factory isn't going to just transform this unused corner of the city centre, it's going to further transform the way we see the world, and the way the world sees Manchester."

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 41.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 43.

Jake Turner 'living the dream' with Wanderers

Goalkeeper enjoying season to remember for club and country Wanderers goalkeeper Jake Turner is refusing to rest on his laurels following a whirlwind campaign so far at Macron Stadium.

A regular for the Whites' Under-18s and Under-21s sides, an injury to Mark Howard back in November saw the 17-year-old thrust into the Bolton first team squad as cover for Ben Alnwick.

Handed his England Under-18s debut around the same time against France, it has certainly proven to be a season to remember for the young shotstopper.

"To achieve what I have in just three years as a goalkeeper, it’s what I’ve always dreamt of," Turner said in an exclusive maiden interview with bwfc.co.uk. "It’s all happened so quickly, it’s amazing.

"I used to play as a striker but over time decided to switch and play in goal. I’ve always been the biggest in the class at school and I’m one of the biggest here. It helps!

"I just work hard in training and thankfully it’s paid off. It was unreal [to get the England call-up]. To pull on the jersey and to make my debut was the best feeling ever.

"To keep a clean sheet for my country too, there’s not much more you can ask for." Turner continued: "I got my chance at Under-18s because Will [Jaaskelainen] was injured, and then got a few opportunities with the Under-21s because of other injuries there.

"Now I’m on the bench for the first team and I’m being pushed on, but I feel that I am ready so it’s going well. "The lads have all been really welcoming. Working with Ben, Mark

and Lee Butler is really good. I’ve got a good relationship with all three of them.

"The tempo is so much quicker than Under-23s and Under-18s football so it’s great to be in this environment."

Having progressed through the Bolton youth ranks alongside Jaaskelainen junior, Turner is one of a number of youth team graduates to have been promoted to Bolton's first team in recent seasons.

Like Will, the shot-stopper also comes from a footballing family with sister Millie currently impressing for club and country following her recent move to Bristol City.

And with both relationships having helped shape his path to the first team, Turner is keeping his feet on the ground when thoughts drift to a potential senior debut.

"I’ve been close with Will since I joined really. He’s been one of my best mates for the duration of my time here. He’s a really good lad and a good keeper as well. "My sister’s doing alright too. She’s with England as well and it’s great to have it in the family. "We played together in the garden when we were kids. We ended up actually getting an AstroTurf so we could play for longer outside!"

Turner concluded: "David [Lee] and Nicky [Spooner] are great coaches and they work everyone hard throughout the week.

"That hard work is shown in the games and by the number of players that have been given a chance in the first team. “I’m now going to keep working hard and see how it goes. I’m always preparing for it and working towards making my debut. You never know, maybe one day soon the call could come."

Trump Targets Preston Success

Judd Trump feels he has been the World Snooker Tour’s most consistent player in 2016/17, and he is looking to add further silverware to his collection in the second half of the season, starting at next month’s Ladbrokes World Grand Prix.

The top 32 players on this season’s money list will take to the historic Guild Hall in Preston from February 6 to 12, aiming to claim the £100,000 top prize. Trump is in third place on that list, behind Ding Junhui and Mark Selby.

Trump said: “I think the whole season I’ve been pretty consistent. In tournament wins I haven’t been the best, but in terms of overall standard I’ve played the most consistently of anyone. It has taken superb performances to beat me this year.

You have to take something from that and if you keep playing that well eventually you will win a lot of tournaments.

“I can play badly and win events and then play better than most people and

lose in the first round. I think it shows that players tend to raise their game against me.

I’m bringing the best out of everyone.

In most tournaments my matches are the best, the closest and the highest standard.

That is certainly a positive. I know if I can find that extra five percent on my game I have a great chance to win a lot more events.”

Trump, age 27, has one trophy to his name this season, having staged a dramatic fightback against Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final of the European Masters in Romania in October. He trailed 8-6 before hitting back to win 9-8. The six-time ranking event winner feels that he can now build on that victory in the second half of the campaign.

The left-hander from Bristol took home the World Grand Prix trophy in 2015, again beating O'Sullivan in the final. "It was great to get the better of him and win on that occasion," he added. "It gave me a lot of confidence

and since then, even though I didn’t have a bad record before, I seem to have really taken off in my matches against Ronnie.”

Trump plays his opening match at the Guild Hall at 7pm on the opening day

of the tournament - Monday February 6. Other top stars battling for the title will include Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, John Higgins and defending champion Shaun Murphy

Page 44. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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British Army train

at Ruskin Drive

The British Army Rugby League squad visited St Helens last week in preparation for their Challenge Cup game against Egremont Rovers last weekend.

Players and coaches took part in an indoor groundwork session with coaches from the Saints Foundation on Thursday (26 January) before moving outside for a session in freezing temperatures on the new artificial turf Rugby League pitch at Ruskin Drive Sports Complex.

Staff Sergeant Andy Fyles, who lives in St Helens, was attracted to Ruskin Drive as he knew the facility offered the team almost a cast iron guarantee of being able to train whatever the weather. Sub-zero temperatures across the North West would have meant the squad, which is only brought together a few times a year from their battalions in the UK and across the world, would have been unable to train.

The Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Dave Banks, and St Helens Council's portfolio holder for leisure services, Councillor Seve Gomez– Aspron, paid the team a visit in the afternoon to wish them well ahead

of their away tie against Egremont.

Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron said: “The council was delighted to be able to support the Army's Rugby League team.

When we took the decision to improve the facilities at Ruskin Drive, our ambition was to create a site that had the capacity to accommodate both grass route sports and higher level performers.

“Without access to our new artificial turf pitch, it is unlikely the Army team would have been able to prepare fully for their match against Egremont Rangers.

We would also like to thank the physiotherapists from St.Helens College who supported the players over the two days they trained in the borough."

Unfortunately the team lost a hard fought match 24-12 in Cumbria on Saturday afternoon (28 January), but the council and St. Helens Community Development Foundation are now exploring how the relationship with the Army's Rugby League team can be developed further over the coming years

YOUR LOCAL TEAMS FIXTURES...

MANCHESTER UNITED Sun 5th Feb LEICESTER (AWAY) PREMIER LEAGUE Sat 11th Feb WATFORD (HOME) PREMIER LEAGUE Thu 16th Feb SAINT ETIENNE(HOME) EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND OF 32 1st LEG Sat 18th Feb BLACKBURN (AWAY) FA CUP 5th ROUND *subject to change* Wed 22nd Feb - SAINT ETIENNE (AWAY) EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND OF 32 2nd LEG Sun 26th Feb SOUTHAMPTON (NEUTRAL) EFL CUP FINAL MANCHESTER CITY Sun 5th Feb SWANSEA (HOME) PREMIER LEAGUE Mon 13th Feb BOURNEMOUTH (AWAY) PREMIER LEAGUE Sat 18th Feb - HUDDERSFIELD (AWAY) FA CUP 5th ROUND *subject to change*

Tue 21st Feb MONACO (HOME) CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 1st LEG BURNLEY Sat 4th Feb WATFORD (AWAY) PREMIER LEAGUE Sun 12th Feb CHELSEA (HOME) PREMIER LEAGUE Sat 18th Feb LINCOLN (HOME) FA CUP 5th ROUND *subject to change* Sat 25th Feb HULL (AWAY) PREMIER LEAGUE BLACKBURN ROVERS Sat 4th Feb QPR (HOME) CHAMPIONSHIP Sat 11th Feb ROTHERHAM (AWAY) CHAMPIONSHIP Tue 14th Feb SHEFFIELD WEDS(AWAY) CHAMPIONSHIP Sat 18th Feb MAN UNITED (HOME) FA CUP 5th ROUND

*subject to change* Fri 24th Feb BURTON (AWAY) CHAMPIONSHIP PRESTON NORTH END Sat 4th Jan BARNSLEY (AWAY) CHAMPIONSHIP Sat 11th Jan - BRENTFORD (HOME) CHAMPIONSHIP Tue 14th Jan - BIRMINGHAM (HOME) CHAMPIONSHIP Sat 18th Jan - WIGAN (AWAY) CHAMPIONSHIP Sat 25th Jan - QPR (HOME) CHAMPIONSHIP WIGAN ATHLETIC Fri 3rd Feb - SHEFFIELD WEDS (HOME) CHAMPIONSHIP Tue 7th Feb - NORWICH (HOME) CHAMPIONSHIP Sat 11th Feb - FULHAM (AWAY) CHAMPIONSHIP Tue 14th Feb - WOLVES (AWAY) CHAMPIONSHIP Sat 18th Feb - PRESTON (HOME) CHAMPIONSHIP Tue 21st Feb - QPR (AWAY) CHAMPIONSHIP Sat 25th Feb - NOTTINGHAM FOREST (HOME) CHAMPIONSHIP

BOLTON WANDERERS Sat 4th Feb MK DONS (AWAY) LEAGUE 1 Sat 11th Feb WALSALL (HOME) LEAGUE 1 Tue 14th Feb - ROCHDALE (HOME) LEAGUE 1 Sat 18th Feb BRADFORD (AWAY) LEAGUE 1 Sat 25th Feb SHEFFIELD UTD (AWAY) LEAGUE 1 Tue 28th Feb BRISTOL ROVERS (HOME) LEAGUE 1 ACCRINGTON STANLEY Sat 4th Feb NOTT’S COUNTY (HOME) LEAGUE 2 Sat 11th Feb - PORTSMOUTH (AWAY) LEAGUE 2 Tue 14th Feb - MANSFIELD (AWAY) LEAGUE 2 Sat 18th Feb - COLCHESTER (HOME) LEAGUE 2 Tue 21st Feb CAMBRIDGE UTD (HOME) LEAGUE 2 Sat 25th Feb - DONCASTER (AWAY) LEAGUE 2 Tue 28th Feb - WYCOMBE (HOME) LEAGUE 2

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