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Issue. 11 - March 2018
Inside this issue: Local News - wales - scotland - sports
Never heard Welsh folk music.
Here is your chance!
FREE
Warrington Youth Zone moves a step closer as
planning permission is submitted
Everyone knows what to expect from English folk or traditional Irish music. But if you fancy something a little different we have just the thing at Halton Borough Council’s Brindley Theatre. The international award winning folk band from the valleys Wales Calan is back in Halton on Sunday 15 April. I bet some of you have never heard Welsh bagpipes. Well here is your chance. The band is on the road its infectious rhythms and high energy routines to celebrate the release of latest album ‘Solomon’. The band comes with accordion, harp, guitar, fiddles and Welsh bagpipes along with a virtuoso performance from a champion step dancer. They have a fresh and vibrant sound with
a pounding beat set against the backdrop of old traditions. Songs include the legend of Wales’ very own fairy realm with a tale of magic, myth and mischief along with some of the most beautiful and haunting melodies. FROOTS magazine said of the group: “A diverse ride between giddy Welsh reeling, healthy acoustic folk-pop with upfront attitude and brashness of youth.” Calan has introduced a new generation to Welsh music – and continue to do so as they tour Europe, North America, Australia and Asia. For more information see: www.calan-band.com Tickets are £14, £12 from http:// www.thebrindley.org.uk and the box office on 0151 907 8360.
Proposals for the development of a new £6.5million OnSide Youth Zone, supporting thousands of young people across Warrington, have moved a step closer as a planning application has been submitted. The joint venture between national young people’s charity OnSide and Warrington Borough Council will see a purpose-built facility which will raise aspirations, enhance prospects and improve health and wellbeing for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds in Warrington. The new Youth Zone will offer affordable activities in sports, arts, music, employability
and mentoring to young people aged from eight to 19, or up to 25 for those with a disability, every day of the week. The confirmed site for the new state-of-the-art facility in the Stadium Quarter next to the UTC, which when completed will see Warrington Youth Club move to its new Youth Zone home. The proposed location is extremely central and accessible by public transport, enabling it to be reached by large numbers of young people from across the borough. Cllr Jean Carter, executive board member for children’s services said: “As a major partner in this project, Warrington
Borough Council is thrilled the Youth Zone is moving forward. The opportunities it will offer young people from sports to media, arts and preparing for work are hugely exciting. Not only will it offer a safe and inspiring place for young people to meet, the Youth Zone will play an important part in helping to raise young people's aspirations, provide jobs, and help them achieve their true potential. The project will benefit the whole town and we look forward to seeing it take shape.” Mark Brocklehurst, Chair of Warrington Youth Club said: “A lot of hard work
has gone into gathering the thoughts of young people, the council and local residents in order to prepare the Youth Zone’s planning application. The young people of Warrington deserve an OnSide Youth Zone which will give them a safe and inspiring place to spend their leisure time, and we are on the road to making that dream a reality.” Warrington Youth Zone’s capital cost of £6.5m is being funded by Warrington Borough Council and a number of additional generous funders who are keen to see Warrington benefit from an OnSide Youth Zone.
Councillor Lynn Clarke appointed to cabinet St Helens Council can confirm that Town Centre ward councillor Lynn Clarke has been appointed to the cabinet to oversee the green, smart and sustainable portfolio. Councillor Clarke replaces Councillor Terry Shields who stepped down from the position late last month. Welcoming the appointment, St Helens Council Leader Barrie Grunewald said: “I’m delighted that Lynn has agreed to join the cabinet which takes the amount of women in senior roles within cabinet to an all-time record of six in the 100th anniversary since the suffrage movement.
“I know this will be a tough portfolio but I’m sure Lynn will be more than capable of handling it and I’m very much looking forward to working with her.” Commenting on her new role, Councillor Clarke added: “I am very much looking forward to joining my council colleagues in cabinet. “The portfolio will be a challenge but I’m hopeful that my years of experience working as an officer in local government will stand me in good stead to give me a full understanding of all the issues. “ I’m keen to get started.”
Councillor Lynn Clarke
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St Helens Chamber
Launches New
Business Awards
St Helens Chamber is pleased to announce the launch of the first Awards dedicated to the successes of St Helens Businesses. Entries open Friday 26th January and will run until midnight on Tuesday 3rd April. Businesses and schools across St Helens can enter eight categories including: • Small Business of the Year • Export Business of the Year • Best Use of Technology • High Growth Business of the Year • Education and Business Partnership Award • Excellence in Customer Service • Commitment to People Development • Apprentice of the Year The Awards are open to businesses of all sizes and sectors and are free to enter. Tracy Mawson, Deputy Chief Executive at St Helens Chamber, commented: “We are delighted to launch the first St Helens Business Awards that will truly recognise the strength and diversity of businesses in our Borough. Through a broad range of business categories we will recognise that best of the businesses that St Helens has to offer. “We will also be giving them the opportunity to gain this recognition on a national platform, with the award winners being put forward to the national British Chambers of Commerce Awards, providing fantastic opportunities for national publicity and an Awards Ceremony in London. “I would encourage all businesses big and small to enter and join us in celebrating your success.” The Awards will be held at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday 17th May. Tickets are available at £30+VAT for Members and £40+VAT for Non-Members. For more information and to download your entry form visit www. sthelenchamber.com/businessawards call 01744 742028 or email events@sthelenschamber.com
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St Helens Council awarded almost
£2.5 million in New Homes Bonus The recently announced New Homes Bonus allocations for 2018 to 2019 confirm that St Helens Council has been awarded £2,414,610 under the Government incentive scheme. In St Helens, 401 new homes were delivered last year with over 20 per cent of those being affordable homes. Introduced by the Government in 2011 to support and reward local communities for new housing development, the New Homes Bonus is based on the number of additional homes, including those brought back into use, added to the Council Tax register. The scheme was designed to ensure that the economic benefits of housing growth are returned to Councils and communities where that growth takes place. Over the previous five years from 1 April 2012 until 31 March 2017 a total of 2,461 homes were completed in St Helens. Of these 78 per cent (1,927) were on previously-developed, brownfield land. Cllr John Fulham, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Growth, said: “St Helens isn’t the biggest borough but it is the second most popular place in the City Region, behind Liverpool, for new homes growth. These homes do not stand empty and the sheer number of people buying new homes here is a statement of confidence in the future of St Helens. “Nearly 4/5ths (78 per cent) of new home are built on recycled brownfield land, helping to limit the impact of growth on the environment, and our draft Local Plan will also see over 60 per cent of new homes built on recycled brownfield land. “The
New Homes Bonus grants the council an immediate cash boost, helping to deliver more new homes for residents and provide the services our residents deserve and expect, at a time when our central Government grant will be cut by £507 per person by 2020. “New homes are just one way we
aim to fund services, alongside new jobs in logistics and manufacturing, and our regenerated town centres in St Helens and Earlestown. Only by going for growth can we secure a prosperous future for our businesses and residents.” Recent large-scale housing developments include
Waterside Village, Eccleston Grange and Vulcan Place – providing over 1,500 new dwellings – and there have also been numerous small-scale, bespoke developments. This range of housing includes properties for rent and purchase in desirable locations across the borough, with a mix of sizes, from one and two bedrooms for first-time buyers, affordable homes and more expensive homes with four bedrooms and above.
Council tax rise agreed to deal with pressures
on vital council services
St Helens Council has agreed to increase council tax by 5.99 per cent for 2018-19 to help protect essential services. At Wednesday (28 February) evening’s fullcouncil meeting at St Helens Town Hall, members agreed the budget and council tax rate for 2018-19 which will see council tax rise by 2.99 per cent – the maximum increase without the need of a public referendum under revised Government regulations – with the additional 3 per cent Social Care Precept. Central Government has required councils like St Helens that provide adult social care to increase council tax by up to an additional 3 per cent in 2017-18 and 2018-19 to contribute towards these services. Despite being the 36th most deprived local authority area in England, St Helens has been hit hard by Government cuts over the years having lost well over 50 per cent of central funding since 2010. Over the next two years, the council will face further funding cuts totalling £9m, resulting in funding cuts of £90m over the ten-year period which equates to £507 less per person to spend on services than 2010, and has led to changes in the way services are delivered. Commenting on the need to raise council tax in order to meet the required savings, St Helens Council Leader Barrie Grunewald said: “I know this will be difficult for local tax payers to accept, but the additional resources - while relatively small - will protect those services provided to our most vulnerable residents. “We are committed to protecting services for the most vulnerable in St Helens and those services valued by our residents. However there are some hard choices we will have to make but these will be consulted upon, and the consequences will be considered before any decisions are taken.” Looking ahead to the future after setting this year’s budget which he described as being ‘aligned with the long-term version of the borough’ - Councillor Grunewald added: “This budget is the second year of the council’s three-year
budget set out last year, and continues For more information on the budget, c o u n c i l - f i n a n c e - p e r f o r m a n c e / the focus on our bold vision for the visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/council/ council-budgets/ borough; a borough-wide growth strategy which will provide the jobs and opportunities the people of St Helens deserve. “We have established an Ambassadors programme which brings together key figures from business who have a shared vision for the borough and are working together to promote the benefits of St Helens as a place to establish and grow businesses.” Councillor Grunewald continued: “We have launched the town centre plan and secured ownership of Church Square Shopping Centre with a view of long-term development – and set about producing master plans for our area centres to capture the potential for sustainable growth they possess. On top of this, we are working to support the development of logistics developments along the key road and rail networks. “And finally, we have set an ambitious timescale for full integration of health and social care by recruiting our first director with joint responsibilities for both areas – while establishing a ‘People’s Board’ which now oversees the development of the integrated services. “All this has been achieved while responding to the massive budgetary challenges forced upon us by the Government.”
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It’s all Under One Roof
Changes are about to be made to the way people can access social housing in Warrington. Warrington Borough Council is introducing a new housing allocations system, to make sure that people who have the most housing need have the best chance of getting a home. The new system, called Under One Roof, will begin operating from 15 March 2018. It will replace the current system, Choose A Home, a choice based lettings system which has run for a number of years. Warrington Borough Council has changed its housing allocations policy because of the increase in demand for social housing and the need to make it as simple as possible for those with the greatest need for housing to get a home. Public consultation over the change to the policy took place in January and February 2017. Under One Roof will be different from Choose A Home, in that applicants will be matched to properties in the areas they have told us they would like to live - depending on availability - based on information they have provided about their circumstances. They won’t be able to see available homes or express an interest in them in the way that they can now. Warrington Borough Council’s executive board member responsible for housing, Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, said: “Every Council in the country has a housing allocations policy. This explains how people can access homes owned by social landlords. In most parts of the country, there are fewer homes available than people need, and Warrington is no different. “The Under One Roof system aims to mitigate this by supporting those people with the greatest housing need,
matching members with properties based upon their circumstances. This is about making sure the people with the highest level of need get housed quickly, and reducing delays in the system. It is in line with our pledge to protect the most vulnerable.” Under One Roof will have available homes from Muir Group, Your Housing Group, Warrington Housing Association, Plus Dane, Sanctuary Housing, Clarion Housing Group,
Helena Homes and Golden Gates Housing Trust (GGHT) who run the scheme on behalf of Warrington Borough Council There will be two bands for housing need. Band 1 will be for people with an urgent housing need. Band 2 will be for people over 18 who meet the eligibility criteria but have no housing need. All current Choose a Home members are now being written to, explaining
Get your litter picks at the ready
for ‘Great British Spring Clean’ events
Together with national environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy, St Helens Council is encouraging people to get outdoors, get active and help clear up the litter and rubbish in the local area by taking part in ‘Great British Spring Clean’ events this week. In a pro-active attempt to help tackle the issue of litter in the borough – particularly in green, open spaces - St Helens Council is promoting organised litter-picking events and will assist active groups by providing
support, advice and equipment, including litter pickers, bags, and gloves. As part of the campaign, a number of events are due to take place across the borough this week. The Friends of Thatto Heath Park group is calling on local residents to roll up their sleeves and join them for a morning of spring cleaning in Thatto Health Park this Friday (2 March) – with St Helens Council’s Ranger Service hosting an organised
tidy up in Taylor Park the following day, Saturday 3 March. Residents interested in taking part in the Thatto Heath event, which will finish before noon, are asked to meet outside Thatto Heath Library at 9:15am – while the Taylor Park clean-up operation will get underway at 10:30am outside the Boathouse. Stout footwear is required. To find an organised litter pick in your area, visit www.keepbritaintidy.org and search for ‘St Helens.’
the changes and inviting them to register to join Under One Roof if they are still looking for a home to rent. A special website, www. chooseahomeischanging.co.uk, has been launched to explain the changes being made. When people register, they will
be asked to provide up-to-date information about themselves and the people who will be living with them. This will inform their priority for housing and the band they are placed in. People looking for a home to rent in Warrington can continue to use the
existing Choose a Home system until Friday 9 March. From 19th February 2018 they can register to join Under One Roof. The first matching through Under One Roof, at www.U-1-R. co.uk, will begin on Thursday 15th March. Support will be available for those who need it.
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Short breaks for 15 to
19-year-olds with disabilities Do you have a young person aged 15 to 19 with a disability? If so, they may be interested in getting involved with Knowsley’s short breaks service. Short breaks give young people with a disability an opportunity to join in activities in the community, as well as giving parents or carers a break from their caring role. The service has now launched a new range of activities specifically aimed at older teenagers, which have been developed after asking young people about the sorts of things they would like to do. As well as encouraging young people to socialise independently, the short breaks programme gives them the opportunity to enjoy activities experienced by other young people. These include trips to the cinema, restaurants, bowling, or shopping. Where appropriate the service will provide travel training. There is also support for young people to attend mainstream youth clubs or activities,
or specialist disability provision. Sports and games sessions – run by experienced inclusive sports staff – are offered alongside existing sessions as a way of building confidence and independence, and enabling young people to take part in an accredited disability/ adaptive sports leader’s training course. Organisers are also planning a photography project for 15 – 19 year-olds which is a great opportunity to have fun and develop new talents. Families can have up to five hours of short breaks a week – and this increases during the school holidays. While targeted short breaks activities are subsidised by the Council, there is a small charge of £1 per hour for activity clubs and £4.50 for structured swimming sessions. For more information about short breaks contact the Early Help, Children with Disabilities Team on 0151 443 5085 or visit the Knowsley Family Information Service website www.knowsleyinfo.co.uk.
Public’s views over 20-year
growth plan considered
Warrington Borough Council is making good progress in working through the thousands of public representations received over the Local Plan.
The consultation over the Local Plan Preferred Development Option - which ran from July to September last year - received around 4,000 responses. The Council needs
to take into account all of these representations as it prepares the formal draft version of the Local Plan. The draft Local Plan is programmed to be published in autumn / winter
2018. It will then be subject to a further period of public consultation. The Council will confirm a more detailed programme for the preparation of the Local Plan in due course. Warrington Borough Council Leader, Cllr Terry O’Neill, said: “Our Local Plan will play a central role in our growth and development over the next two decades, and as such will affect everyone who lives and works here. That’s why it’s great news that so many people engaged in the consultation and that their views can help shape the plan. “We are committed to fully taking on-board every single response, but
the many thousands we have received means that it is taking some time. Our officers are working hard to complete this, and we will be updating people on the next stages, and timescales, in the near future.” The Preferred Development Option sets out how Warrington can meet its development needs of approximately 24,000 new homes and 381 hectares of employment land, over the next 20 years. It identifies four main areas of growth – the Town Centre, the Waterfront, the Garden Suburb and the South West Urban Extension – together with the infrastructure required to ensure Warrington’s long
term growth is sustainable. About the Local Plan • Under government policy, every local planning authority is expected to deliver sustainable economic growth through up-to-date Local Plans which contain strategies and initiatives to achieve their aims. • Not progressing a Local Plan will mean that the Council risks losing control over the location, amount and quality of new development. There is also a risk that if the Council does not make sufficient progress in reviewing its Local Plan, the Secretary of State will take over Plan preparation
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Take the family for a trip to the Brecon Beacons National Park whilst in Scotland and enjoy a broad assembly of attractions and activities!
STARGAZING: The entire Brecon Beacons National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve and has some of the highest quality skies throughout the whole of the UK which makes it a first choice for many to enjoy stargazing as the contrast of the stars against the beautiful dark sky allows for a truly brilliant stargazing experience. There are also many nocturnal animals that venture out in the night that you will be able to spot with your binoculars! You may be able to spot some of the rarest creatures of the night such as barn owls, horseshoe bats, foxes, badgers, dormice, hedgehogs, moths and insects. MOUNTAIN BIKING: Enjoy beautiful views whilst cycling throughout the stunning scenery within the National Park and simultaneously participating in a healthy bout of exercise and spending plenty of time in the fresh air with family and friends. Bikes can be hired from the park where guests can enjoy a range of packages such as a modest one day bike ride to a complete set including equipment, accommodation, routes and guides. A range of different terrains are available for guests to discover such as lanes and hillside tracks. FISHING: Whether you’re an avid fisherman or a complete newbie, turn your hand to fishing at the National Park and experience fishing in rivers,
canals, lakes and reservoirs within The River Wye, The River Usk, Talybont Reservoir, Usk Reservoir, Llangorse Lake, or the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. All participants are required to hold a Rod Licence. HORSE RIDING: Horse lovers are also welcomed at the National Park as the stunning scenery spans over 600 miles of bridle paths and tracks. Guests can also enjoy a relaxing pub lunch whilst exploring as facilities also cater for the horses. Experience quality trekking, riding and hacking holidays, short rides and pony trekking. GROUP ACTIVITIES: Experienced coordinators can help to create a package of activities including mental exercises or physical challenges for an afternoon of fun with your family and friends. Take advantage of the group activities at the Brecon Beacons National Park where a variety of activity sessions can be booked such as: water activities, i.e. Canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, whitewater rafting, raft building, sailing, windsurfing; walking and riding, i.e. Hill walking, orienteering, geocaching, cycling, mountain biking, quad biking, horse riding, pony trekking; nature and skills building, i.e. Navigation, bushcraft, wildlife-watching, archery, clay pigeon shooting as well as exploration activities, i.e. Caving, rock climbing, abseiling, gorge walking, ropes and zip wires. It is important to note that before partaking in outdoor activities, a thorough visit to the Brecon Beacons National Park’s website is recommend ensuring that all essential equipment can be obtained. Also, check the weather forecast to allow for proper preparation for the course of nature. Ensure family and friends are aware of your location and always take local advice about any natural hazards you might encounter. Contact a local guide, instructor or organised group and follow the Countryside Code and the Waterways Code.
A new way to discover the wonders of Welsh wildlife
Wales is one of the world’s best places to watch wildlife, if you know where - and when - to look. So we’ve teamed up with Wildlife Trusts Wales to create an interactive guide to help you explore Wales’ wonderful wildlife, whether it’s amazing ospreys, a feeding frenzy of red kites, the world’s largest Manx shearwater colony, or the best place in Britain to see puffins and porpoises. Why not go for a relaxing stroll through an
enchanting Welsh rainforest carpeted in bluebells and daffodils? Or simply sit in a field full of orchids, or by a brilliant waterfall, and admire the view? The magic isn’t just restricted to spring and summer – there are amazing wildlife displays in autumn and winter with seal pups aplenty, the return of thousands of birds to our estuaries, and wonderful autumnal woodland colours with
golds, bronzes and foxy reds. Wales has an abundance of wildlife hotspots, including 216 Wildlife Trust nature reserves, 11 RSPB sanctuaries, over 2,485sq miles (4,000sq km) of National Park, and an 870-mile (1400 km) Wales Coast Path for wildlife to, well, go wild in. Wales has it all – but knowing where to go is the key to unlocking its secrets. Wildlife of Wales helps visitors to explore Wales’s wonderful natural world
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Visit Scotland Visit Cumbria
Retrace Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger’s footsteps and journey through Edinburgh to the Highlands, immersing yourself in the wizarding world of Harry Potter through a four day tour. DAY ONE: JK Rowling’s development of the wizarding world began in Edinburgh, so wander through the cobbled streets and winding alleys of the city’s Old Town to begin your adventure. Visit the birthplaces of Harry’s adventures, The Elephant House and the Edinburgh Castle, and encourage your very own creative voice. JK Rowling’s handprints are set in stone at the Edinburgh City Chambers on the Royal Mile. The Greyfriars Kirkyard is believed to be inspiration for the graveyard of Harry’s beloved and, as it’s only a short journey from The Elephant House, it has earned itself a spot on the whistle-stop tour. JK Rowling spent her time wisely whilst she penned the final chapters of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by staying in The Balmoral Hotel. Why not do the same?! DAY TWO: Mimic the Hogwarts Express and witness beautiful views whilst on the train journey to Glasglow. However, be warned: Death Easters boarded the train on the Rannoch Moor within Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1. Trade your chocolate frogs on the train journey to Fort William; the train should take just under four hours. Or, you could drive to the Bo'Ness Motor Museum where Ron Weasley's Ford Anglia can be seen, as well as many exotic owl
species at the Scottish Owl Centre. Use the accommodation search to find the perfect place for you to stay the night in Fort William! DAY THREE: Book a seat on the Jacobite Steam Train, which travels along the West Highland Line, and observe truly spectacular views. The steam train starred as the Hogwarts Express taking Harry from platform 9 ¾ all the way to Hogwarts. Take the very same journey as Harry and his friends over the magnificent Glenfinnan Viaduct. Explore the small, lively harbour village in Mallaig and treat yourself to lunch! DAY FOUR: Spend the final day wandering through some of the most beautiful
scenic spots in the Highlands and feel the magical atmosphere. The short walking route at Steall Falls is a popular choice as the waterfall is featured during the Triwizard Tournament within Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The Clachaig Inn in Glen Coe was a filming location for Hagrid's Hut within Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The hut is no longer erected, however the landscape remains the same! Take a welldeserved break and enjoy some food and refreshments. Finally, you can take a trip to Loch Etive in Glen Etive – the place that Harry was dropped after escaping Gringott’s Bank! The surrounding glen is a fan favourite and is stunning.
Conservation Day at Foulney Island Nature Reserve 3rd March -10:00 am to 4:00 pm Bring your friends and family and help benefit the wildlife with the clearing of vegetation from bird nesting areas of the Foulney Island Nature Reserve on the 3rd of March. This work helps to assist the little terns that travel to nest in the Foulney Islands in the summer. Participants are encouraged to wear suitable outdoor clothing and bring snacks and refreshments along with them. Foulney Island, Barrow in Furness, Lancashire, LA13 0QL. Houghton Village Farmers Market 10th March to 11th March – 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Visit the farmer’s market and purchase local produce from the stalls. Expect stalls selling items such as meat, bread, fruit and veg, cakes, cheese, as well as crafts and in-season plants. Tea and coffee mornings are run every month in aid of a different charity. Houghton Village Hall, Houghton, Carlisle, CA3 0NY Mother’s Day Treat @ Kong Adventure
11th March - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Reward Mum to a free cake and hot drink at Kong Adventure this Mother’s Day with any play area entry. Kong Adventure, Heads Rd, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5EZ Dracula’s Ghost – The Beggar’s Theatre 15th March - 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm Visit The Beggar’s Theatre on the 15th of March to witness a truly spectacular performance of the vampire king at war with Van Helsing. Ticket prices start at £8.00 per adult. To pre-book tickets contact The Beggar’s Theatre on 01229 775677 The Beggar’s Theatre, Market Square, Millom. LA18 4HZ Please note: Prices are correct at time of
Once known as the capital of Cumbria, the buzzing town of Penrith is now filled with traditional shops and arcades acting as a large regional centre for the eastern Lake District and those just outside of the National Park.
Cumbria, and therefore Penrith, was a semi-dependent state in the 9th and 10th century and formed part of the Kingdom of Scotland and Strathclyde until 1070AD. Penrith has a rich history and was later used as a strategic route to and from Scotland,
printing and may be subject to change. Film Night: North by Northwest 23rd of March - 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm NORTH by NORTHWEST Visit the Threlkeld Village Hall on the 23rd of March to witness the 1959 American thriller performed. Enjoy a tale of mistaken identity which has been deemed one of the greatest films of all time. With screenplay by Ernest Lehman, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint and James Mason. Tickets are required for this event, £2 under 18’s and £4 adults. Threlkeld Village Hall, Station Rd, Threlkeld, Keswick CA12 4RX Please note: Prices are correct at time of printing and may be subject to change.
Penrith
cementing its status as a military centre. The Penrith Museum and Tourist Information Centre are housed within an Elizabethan building, recently refurbished, which was being used as a school until the early 1970’s. The museum displays the history, geology and archaeology of Penrith. The Penrith Beacon, a monument built in 1719, sits at the top of Beacon Hill and reminds residents and visitors of the numerous times the beacons were lit in times of war since King Henry VIII. The view from Beacon Hill is spectacular as views across Eden Valley up to the hills of Lakeland are able to be enjoyed. The Penrith railway station is within close proximity to the centre of Penrith and opposite the ruins of Penrith Castle.
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Pennant Park
Golf Course
Surrounded by the stunning Pennant Park Golf Course, the Pennant Holiday Lodges will delight those looking to relax and enjoy some of North Wales’ picturesque countryside. The park boasts spellbinding views of the Dee Estuary, Hilbre and the Wirral. On a clear day you can see as far as Blackpool and the Cumbrian Hills. Pennant Park is perfectly situated between Conwy and Chester, making it the ideal location for exploring the North Wales coast and all the area has to offer. Within just a short walking distant you can enjoy nature trails, rambling, horse riding and fishing. If it’s something more adventurous you’re looking for then you won’t be disappointed. North Wales is fast becoming a Mecca for adventure sports. Of course, if you’re a keen golfer then this is the perfect place to own a holiday home. Set in 110 acres of stunning parkland Pennant Park boasts a superb 18 hole golf course with greens of the highest quality and truly breathtaking signature holes. The course also has a practice putting green and a six bay driving range. You’re guaranteed a warm welcome at the clubhouse with its friendly atmosphere and fully licensed bar and restaurant serving food daily. The luxury holiday homes are finished to the highest of standards and complete with interiors that are unique, elegant and fully customisable, so you’re sure to find one that you’ll love. Each lodge comes with a large decked veranda and parking for two cars. The small, exclusive development of 15 holiday lodges are sold with an amazing 75 year agreement and a full 12 month holiday licence, meaning they can be used all year round, as often as you like. This quiet retreat is filling up fast, with the park currently having one brand new lodge for sale and only one empty base left. However, work had now commenced on a second holiday park. This will be home to a further 18 lodges with all the amenities of our first park plus the benefit of being able to sub-let. To truly appreciate the beauty of this park seeing really is believing! Spend a day at Pennant Park, viewing the lodges, have a bite to eat and maybe a round of golf, you won’t be disappointed! Pennant Park Golf Club & Holiday Lodges. a: Whitford, Holywell, Flintshire CH8 9ER Junction 32 off the A55 t: 01745 563000 e: info@pennant-park.co.uk w: www.pennant-park.co.uk
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10 Things Golfers Hate Golf can be a frustrating game at the best of times. It will test your patience and mental strength, and will do all it can to break you. When things go wrong, they tend to go terribly wrong, but for some reason we keep coming back? Here are 18 things golfers hate on and off the golf course. Wet weather Playing golf in the rain is not fun. No matter whether you have the latest waterproofs, the hassle of sorting your umbrella and swinging in several layers is a pain. Waking up on the morning of a competition that you’ve looked forward to all week and seeing it is raining is an awful feeling. This is made even worse when you ring up to see if the course is open…and it is! What is even worse than this, is heavy showers. Many golfers will risk it on the course and not take any waterproofs out with them. Big mistake. There’s nothing much worse than being caught in a heavy shower with nothing to protect you or your clubs. People saying it isn’t a sport/ old man's sport. This one is very frustrating as a young golfer. Having played golf for over 10 years now, I can honestly say the game is moving far away from being an “old man’s sport” and most definitely is sport. Just look at the top players on tour.
The likes of Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler blow this “myth” out of the water. Slow play. When it comes to competitions around your home course, it can often be frustrating because of the amount of players who think they are tour professionals and take what seems like an eternity eyeing up their shot. In my eyes, no one should be on the course for more than four hours, and even then, that is still far too long. Those who play during the week after work can get round 18 holes in three hours, in a fourball, from my experience any way. Then, when it comes to competition day, it can be hard for these faster players to keep rhythm as they are waiting over every shot. Now, I’m not saying everyone should run around the course, but the fact golf takes so long to play is currently damaging the sport and alternatives need to be found. Missing your buffer. This one hurts to just think about it. You’re on the 18th tee and you know a par will save you getting that crucial .1 back on your handicap. Having nailed a drive, played your approach into the green and lagged your putt 3ft from the hole, you then go and miss the par putt and your dreams of not getting .1 back are crushed, just like that.
Three putting. Putting is the key to scoring. As the saying goes: “Drives for show, putts for dough.” This saying couldn’t be more true. Countless times golfers, including myself, have come off the course and said, “I’d have scored well if I could putt.” If you look at the top pros on tour, they very rarely three putt, hence why they are right at the top of the professional game. Worse than three putting for bogey in my eyes, is three putting for par on a par 5. You’ve done the hard part reaching the par 5 in two, and then you go and three putt. Although you haven’t dropped a shot, it sure feels like you have. Losing a brand new ball Having cracked open a new sleeve of balls and ripped your driver all week in the build up to competition day, you proceed to carve your first tee shot out of bounds, never to be seen again. It hurts, trust me. Bandits After battling the testing conditions and pushing yourself to the limit mentally, you post your best medal round of the year and think there is no way anybody is beating that. That is until Dave, who “hasn’t picked up a club in a fortnight” comes in with a nett 59. They are the talk of the club as they finish in the prizes for the next
few weeks until they reach a suitable handicap. Scarified greens. I always try to avoid competitions when the greens have been scarified because for me, it doesn’t always give a fair reflection of your putting. If you play at a course where they don’t always scarify the greens at an appropriate time, you will understand the struggle. Just when you think you’ve sorted your putting out, you walk onto the course and the greens have holes and lines all over them. The term “hit and hope” comes to mind on these greens. Bad bounces There’s always one of your golfing
group that gets every single good bounce. They can miss the green by a good 10 yards, but still somehow get a lucky bounce and see their ball end up just a few feet from the hole. This is even more frustrating when you seem to get every single bad bounce on the course. How many times have you played a career shot, all over the pin, only for it to somehow take a sharp kick right on what looks a perfectly flat putting surface? All I can say is try and laugh it off; otherwise you will most likely lose your mind. Ending up behind the only tree This one really does make you wonder
if you really are the unluckiest golfer in the world. The chances of hitting your ball behind the one tree that stands alongside the green if you tried, must be well over 100/1, but somehow you will manage it. This is also a similar situation to when you somehow hit the one and only branch when playing out of the trees. It is no thicker than your little finger but because you are deadly accurate, you will hit it nine times out of 10. There are so many more things that get us golfers riled up, so let us know in the comments what gets you frustrated on the golf course.
The Best Golf Snacks to Get You Through a Round
Golf can take up a large part of your day. Whether it be an early start on a Saturday morning or a dash straight from work in the evening to the course, you may require sustenance to make it through the 18 holes. Golfshake writer Alex Picken has identified products that should be an essential part of your golf bag, which can help keep you nourished and hydrated, and could assist with concentration and stamina, helping your game and shooting lower scores. Water – What most of us tend to forget when we go out to play, but staying hydrated is crucial for any golfer when they’re out on the course, especially in the summer when the weather is hotter. Sandwiches – The majority of golfers on tour all seem to carry sandwiches for their 10th tee snack, the typical American PB&J sandwich is common with most
of the PGA tour golfers, while many other professional golfers will choose other sandwich fillings for their mid-round fix. Bacon/Sausage Cob – Finishing the 9th hole and arriving at a halfway house selling hot food is the highlight of most golfer’s round, and although it may not be the meal of an athlete, it certainly hits the spot on a cold, rainy day when the golf swing isn’t there. Variety of Dried Berries and Nuts – Probably the most common and effective snack for golfers as they provide a great source of protein and nutrients needed for a tiring walk around any golf course. Most tour players will have a mixture of nuts like almonds, pistachios, dried berries and other varieties for energy during the round. Fresh Fruit – The healthy option for a mid-round snack, providing any golfer with slow releasing energy for the rest of the round. Most commonly favoured by athletes is the banana
which is perfect for providing energy and nutrients needed for sport. Energy Bars – A variety of energy bars are currently on the market and all of them are great for providing you with a snack to help stave off your hunger during the round. Filled with nuts and oats, they are both healthy and perfect for providing energy to the tired golfer. Energy Drinks – Although not the healthiest drink available, energy drinks are great for giving you that added boost of energy you need for the next big tee shot on the lengthy par 5. Sweets – Just like energy drinks, they’re not the healthiest possible item to have on the golf course but certainly do help with giving you that added boost of energy or something to keep you occupied when no other snacks are available, they provide the perfect help to get up the steep hill on 14 or down the home stretch on 18.
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