The Lancashire & North West Magazine | May 2021 by The Lancashire & North West Magazine

www.lancmag.com

May 2021

£2.45

Samantha Prendergast of Krizma Cosmetics

The Lancashire writer’s book

made into a film by Disney

samantha prendergast Creating a unique cosmetic business

Are you living next door to some of the world’s deadliest creatures?

How To Be Kind To Stressed Out Skin

Stress Awareness Month (April 2021)

The ambitious Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood

Catherine Dean

Frances Hodgson Burnett and the secret garden

Nutritional & Lifestyle Coaching

Time to discover the good life with Rowland Homes

Find your next corporate vehicle with Bolton Kia

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Contents...

102

Bentham

Birkenhead

Warrington

Features

112

Frances Hodgson Burnett and the secret garden

Shed of the year

Freedom Confectionary competition

Rolling one culture into another

Amy Johnson

RHS Garden re-development Bridgewater in Salford

John Lennon

The British magician who managed to fool the magic superstars Penn & Teller on their hit TV show

From Pilot to plant expert

The origins of St George’s Day

Remembering Dodie Smith, the Lancashire born writer

Simple steps to a happier, healthier you with Catherine Dean

112 The Bleach Boys 124 The ambitious Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood 138 The mousers toolkit 142 From lockdown to relaxation of covid rules: tips on looking after your mental health 152 Lancaster Canal

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156

156 Citizen science results with Sea Watch Foundation’s National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2020 164 Magical Thinkers

168

168 Are you living next door to a dangerous wild animal 172 Stress Awareness Month 188 Samantha Prendergast of Krizma Cosmetics 202 12 Free things to do in Lancashire

202 www.lancmag.com

206 The property nightmares that can knock £50k of the value of your home

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Contents Regulars 64

Books

Deborah Hatswell

Subscribe to our magazine

May 2021 • Volume 44 Number 5

130

140

130 PT Health 140 Nicola Parker - Herbalist 151 Peter Rutt 155 The life of Di 178 Nelly’s Blog 182 Colour me beautiful 196 Moo Style 200 Aiming Higher 208 Horoscope 210 Business index

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www.lancmag.com

May 2021

£2.45

Managing Director Natalie Christopher natalie@lancashiremagazine.co.uk

Samantha Prendergast of Krizma Cosmetics

The Lancashire writer’s book

made into a film by Disney

samantha prendergast Creating a unique cosmetic business

Are you living next door to some of the world’s deadliest creatures?

How To Be Kind To Stressed Out Skin

Stress Awareness Month (April 2021)

The ambitious Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood

Catherine Dean

Frances Hodgson Burnett and the secret garden

Nutritional & Lifestyle Coaching

Time to discover the good life with Rowland Homes

Find your next corporate vehicle with Bolton Kia

COVER: Samantha Prendergast of Krizma Cosmetics photographed by David McCollom from DMC media

Editorial 01253 336588 editorial@lancashiremagazine.co.uk Sales Enquiries • 07918 685673 Design Manager • Hugh Dairy Designers • Maralette Wenham Rogét Podé Accounts • 01253 336582

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General enquiries/subscriptions Sharon Henry 01253 336588 accountslancsmag@yahoo.com The Lancashire & North West Magazine Ltd, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 6NZ Writers Jessica Gregson • Lucy Bullough • Kate Gostick • Duncan Hodgson • Denise Mullen • Richard Sagar • Karen Pennington • Bernard Bale • Tony Burdon • Pam Graham • Mairead Mahon • Stephanie Monk

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Note to contributors. While every care is taken with manuscripts, drawings, photographs and transparencies, no responsibility is accepted during transmission or while in the Editor’s hands. The contents of this magazine are fully protected and nothing may be used or reproduced without permission.

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In this issue...

Are you living next door to some of the world’s deadliest creatures?

We start off this month with a famous Lancashire writer that although her books are well known you may not have known she was from Lancashire at all. Dodie Smith might not be a household name today and most of her once popular works have been largely forgotten, but her best-known book is one that the public remember very well. Dodie’s children’s story, The Hundred and One Dalmatians, was first published in 1956 and was subsequently adapted by Disney.

Another writer, Frances Hodgson Burnett, who was born in Cheetham, Lancashire on the 24th November 1849, also wrote a famous book that was adapted for TV and film. She wrote numerous books, but the one most people know is ‘The secret garden’. We tell her interesting story of her move from Manchester to America and what inspired her. As one of our cover lines exclaims ‘are you living next door to some of the world’s deadliest creatures’? A survey conducted by Born Free has revealed that nearly 4,000 dangerous wild animals are being privately kept in Great Britain – 70 of which are living in Cheshire. These most remarkable, but often deadly, creatures 6

April is stress awareness month. Stress can take its toll on our bodies, especially our skin, so we have an article explaining a few ways you can relieve the symptoms. From changing your cleaning products to changing your diet, full of useful tips.

Above: A statue of Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood

being kept as ‘pets’ in unsuitable captive conditions. There has been a 59% increase in exotic pet ownership since 2000, so, you may not know what kind of pet your neighbour is keeping. 220 years ago, the Fylde coast looked a lot different than it does today. The start of that process to how we know it now was largely down to one man, Peter HeskethFleetwood. Peter Hesketh was born at Wennington Hall, near Lancaster, on 9th May 1801 and the story of his life and achievements in this months magazine is a treat for any local historian.

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Have you heard of ‘Magical Thinking’. Magical thinking is something we do in our normal lives, even though most of us don’t realise it, and channelled correctly it can have the potential to add the ‘abracadabra’ to personal transformation. Kirsty Lucinda Allan and Dr Morgana McCabe Allan explain how to use magical thinking for personal development in this interesting article. And as always - our regulars. The towns this month are, Bentham, Birkenhaed and Warrington. Deborah Hatswell has a witness report of strange dancing lights in the woods. Nicola Parker explains how herbs can stop sinus congestion. Paul Thompson outlines the importance of water and why we should stay hydrated. And as always, book reviews, fashion, health, history, a bit of wildlife and more, all in our May issue. Hope you enjoy the magazine. www.lancmag.com

Frances Hodgson Burnett and the secret garden By Margaret Brecknell

The children’s classic novel, The Secret Garden, was first published 110 years ago in 1911. Written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, it was, surprisingly, less popular than many of the writer’s other books during her lifetime, but has since become probably her most celebrated work. The Secret Garden has been adapted for film and TV on numerous occasions, most recently late last year. Above: Frances Hodgson Burnett c1900

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Frances Hodgson Burnett spent most of her life in the USA, so it may well come as another surprise to learn that she spent the first 16 years of her life here in the North-West. Frances Eliza Hodgson was born on 24th November 1849 in the Manchester suburb of Cheetham. Her father, Edwin, owned a thriving ironmonger’s business in the centre of Manchester and the fact that they had two maids reveals that the family lived a comfortable life. Frances would later cite the garden from her early childhood home, which she called the “Back Garden of Eden”, as one of the inspirations for her writing. In 1853 Edwin died suddenly of a stroke and his widow, Eliza, was left to run the family business, as well as raising five young children on her own. Facing increasing financial pressures, the Burnetts were compelled to leave their comfortable home in Cheetham and moved to Islington Square in Salford. Frances would later reminisce about her childhood in an 1893 memoir. Rather disconcertingly she constantly refers to herself in the third person in the book, using names such as “The Small Person” and “The One I Knew The Best Of All” (which is also the memoir’s title), but it does provide a fascinating glimpse into the author’s early years in the North-West. Frances describes Islington Square as having “seen better days” with “an atmosphere of faded gentility”. This once sought-after address was by Frances’ time right next to one of Manchester’s most notorious slum areas, its residents only separated from their more unfortunate neighbours by a large iron gate. In The One I Knew The Best Of All she recalls that, “The Square was at that time a sort of oasis in the midst of small thoroughfares and back streets, where factory operatives lived and where the broadest Lancashire dialect throve”. Frances was seemingly www.lancmag.com

Above: Illustration by Reginald Birch from 1886 edition of Little Lord Fauntleroy

fascinated by this dialect, secretly learning it from two or three of the local girls with whom she was not supposed to mix. She never forgot it, later putting it to good use in one of her early novels. Eventually, Eliza was compelled to sell the business in 1863, a victim of the Lancashire Cotton Famine which adversely affected so many people in Manchester and the North West. Two years later, as the American Civil War was coming to an end, the family moved to the United States to join Eliza’s brother in Knoxville, Tennessee. He had written boasting about the success of his business venture in Tennessee, but upon arrival it quickly became apparent that he was not doing anywhere near as well as he had implied. Frances’ family soon found themselves living in the most basic of houses in the middle of

nowhere a few miles away from the town of Knoxville. However, Frances soon adapted to her new life. She quickly realised that in order to fit in with the locals, she needed to lose her English accent. In the same way as she had picked up the Lancashire dialect, she now easily learned an American accent. She revelled in living in the Tennessee countryside, appreciating it all the more after the years spent in Islington Square amidst the smog of industrial Manchester. “There is a wide, wide distance – a distance which is more than a matter of mere space – between a great murky, slaving, manufacturing town in England, and mountains and forests in Tennessee”, she later recalls in The One I Knew The Best Of All. Frances had enjoyed writing stories from a young age and

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liked to entertain her two younger sisters, Edith and Edwina, with them. Feeling the need to earn some money for her hard-pressed family, she decided to send one of her stories secretly to a ladies’ magazine in the hope that it might be published. In her memoir she portrays a charming scene of her younger self hiding away in the attic, “scribbling hotly, with her little cat in her arm”, as she reworked one of the stories she had originally written in her Manchester days. Her first story was accompanied by a succinct note to the editor, ending with the slightly pointed remark that “My object is remuneration”. Frances was evidently determined to ensure that the editor would realise that she was not going to be content with the mere kudos of seeing her work in print. She was unsuccessful the first time, but when she sent the same story to a second magazine, she received a more positive response, although the editor in question was initially puzzled as to how a story with such an authentic English setting had been created by a writer living in the backwoods of Tennessee. Frances was 18 years old when she received twenty dollars for her first story in what proved to be the start of a long and highly successful literary career. Within three years she had earned enough to return to England on an extended visit to see family and friends. Her first full-length novel, That Lass O’Lowrie’s, was published in 1877. Set in a Lancashire pit village, the book has at its heart a classic Cinderella-style love story, but it is also full of gritty detail about the grim conditions in which the pit workers lived and worked. Much of Frances’ material is derived from her days in Islington Square when she watched the workers going about their daily business. Her pit-girl heroine is said to have been inspired by a real-life spirited young woman she observed from behind the iron gate. She also makes great use of the Lancashire dialect which she had secretly learned back in her Manchester days, a remarkable achievement considering the time that had elapsed between her leaving England and writing the novel. In 1886 Little Lord Fauntleroy was published, the book which established Frances’ reputation as a children’s writer and brought her international fame. By this time she had been married to her first husband, Swan Burnett, for thirteen years and the couple had two young sons, Lionel and Vivian. The central character in Little Lord Fauntleroy, the impossibly saintly Cedric with his velvet suit and long hair in ringlets, was modelled on Frances’ younger son, Vivian, a fact which he was never allowed to forget. Years later, while studying at Harvard, he is described in an 1898 newspaper as having “developed into a man of muscle, with a stout arm and an accurate foot, but he still retains some of the peculiarities of the little lord”. 10

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Frances’ success brought her fame and fortune, but it also brought more than its fair share of problems. In the same way that today’s celebrities are vilified in the tabloids and on social media, she received a good deal of unkind criticism in the press. One particularly cruel article in early 1889 succeeded in attacking both her personality and fashion sense in one sentence, declaring, “That she hungered and thirsted for attention was shown in every one of her strangely outlandish costumes”. Not content with that, the same writer proceeds to describe her as being “in no way regarded as an acquisition to a dinner party”, which hardly seems the worst crime in the world. The article provoked a passionate and brave written response from Frances, in which she asks, “Is there no code of honour in journalism? Is it, or is it not, of consequence that a statement published and copied all over the United States is untrue in every word and detail?”.

Above: Book Cover for 1911 edition of The Secret Garden

Frances was 18 years old when she received twenty dollars for her first story in what proved to be the start of a long and highly successful literary career. Following Vivian’s graduation from Harvard in 1898, Frances and her husband were divorced, as a result of which Frances had to endure further criticism in the press. The couple had been leading separate lives for quite some time. For years Frances had travelled extensively across England and Europe, often accompanied by her two sons. In 1890 their elder son, Lionel, www.lancmag.com

tragically died at just 16 years of age and this, no doubt, also contributed to the breakdown of the marriage. Two years after the divorce Frances married Stephen Townsend, an aspiring actor whom she had first met in London in the early 1890s during one of her extended trips to the UK. This provided further ammunition for the press. Townsend was ten years younger than Frances and the couple had openly lived together at her home in Kent before they were married, which was viewed as scandalous behaviour at the time. Sadly, the marriage was not a success. Only a few months after their wedding in 1900 Frances wrote to her sister complaining of her husband’s troublesome behaviour and within two years the marriage was over for good. During the early 1900s Frances continued to spend much of her time in England. The beautiful walled garden at Great Maytham Hall, her Kent home, is said to have provided her with much of her inspiration for The Secret Garden. France is also known to have returned to her native Manchester too, staying at the Georgian mansion house in Buile Hill Park in Salford on several occasions. It has even been suggested that she wrote part of the first draft of The Secret Garden whilst visiting there. Sadly, despite several proposals aimed at refurbishing it, the once fine stately home in Buile Hill Park has been boarded up for the last 20 years. It is to be hoped that an ongoing campaign to restore it to its former glory eventually comes to fruition. www.lancmag.com

Top Left: Portrait of Frances Hodgson Burnett Top Right: Illustration by Alfred Fredericks from That Lass O’Lowries

In 1907 Frances returned to live in the United States on a permanent basis, taking up residence in her newly built property on Long Island. The Secret Garden was published in 1911. By the time she died at home in October 1924, Frances had published more than fifty books, but none has withstood the test of time as successfully as The Secret Garden. Although it was critically well-received at the time of publication, it received only moderate interest from the public, probably because it was originally marketed principally as a book for adults. At the time of her death The Secret Garden was scarcely mentioned in any of the newspaper obituaries, so why has it subsequently enjoyed such success? In some respects the story was ahead of its time, with its central theme exploring how the lives of two damaged children are enriched and restored by the magical properties of the garden. Frances Hodgson Burnett knew the value of the natural world in restoring the spirit. She was once quoted as saying that “As long as you have a garden, you have a future, and as long as you have a future, you are alive”. It appears evident from her work that starting with the memory of that first Manchester garden in her earliest years, the author was inspired by the natural world which surrounded her on her life’s journey.

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Ready, Sheddie, Go: Cuprinol Shed Of The Year Returns For 2021 Right & Below: Cuprinol Shed of the Year WINNER, Bedouin Tree Shed by Daniel Holloway

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Prepare to discover what new heights of creativity the nation’s sheddies have scaled during lockdown as Cuprinol Shed Of The Year returns for 2021. The past year has seen us all spend unprecedented amounts of time in our homes and gardens. It’s resulted in a DIY boom where we have reshaped our living environments - by creating office spaces, back garden pubs and peaceful refuges away from the world outside. That’s why Cuprinol is predicting that the 15th year of its much loved Shed of the Year competition will be the most exciting one yet, with almost 100 entries already submitted ahead of the 2021 launch! The acclaimed contest invites entrants to submit their creations in one of the seven categories for the chance to win the prize of £1,000 and £100 worth of Cuprinol products. This includes the new Lockdown category introduced last year to recognise the incredible efforts seen during a difficult 2020.

Left: Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2020 - Special Commendation - Lockdown Repurpose SHED SCHOOL by Ashley Bates

Last year’s shed-building superstar Daniel Holloway walked away with the coveted title of Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2020 after wowing judges with his nature-inspired refuge Bedouin Tree-Shed. Daniel’s labour of love is built around two tree trunks in his back garden and is decorated with vintage etchings and specimens of butterflies, while a wood burning stove provides comfort during the winter months. Daniel says: “I was very surprised, but also felt very honoured and happy that the shed had been recognised as a worthy winner. “It’s very much a personal space, but as a result of Covid restrictions it has evolved into a communal space for our family - immediate and extended - and also close friends to gather and relax, in the back of the garden and away from the house.” Daniel handed his £1,000 prize money to environmental charity Trees for Cities and, since winning, continues to develop his shed and is using Victorian quarry tiles for a patio, connecting the shed to an area used as a fire pit.

it going.” Founder and Head Judge, Andrew Wilcox, says: “Since the competition started 15 years ago, we’ve seen some brilliantly creative uses of sheds across the UK. “Over the past year, we’ve seen people retreat to their sheds as a place of respite and sanctuary and the imagination going into them has been particularly impressive.” “We cannot wait to see the amazing ways people have used their sheds this year.”

Left: Cuprinol Shed of the Year - 2010 Lady Sarah Out of Worthing

Ashley Bates took home the competition’s first ever Special Commendation in 2020, after setting up The Shed School to help educate children while lockdown closed classrooms. He says: “Looking back, this time last year my shed was just a shed, it wasn’t anything spectacular, it was filled with rubbish. “Not a year later we’ve got this huge following of children across the world that tune into these lessons and it’s running like a business now, it’s running like a tutor service for people who are still at home and still needing that support. “We now run monthly mental health classes to help children suffering with anxiety and parents who need a little extra support. “Without Shed Of The Year we wouldn’t have gone into that, we would have closed the shed door and locked up after the first lockdown, but it’s given us that impetus to keep www.lancmag.com

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Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Cuprinol, adds: “Our garden sheds are more than just a place to put our tools - they are a wonderful creative outlet for an individual’s unique artistic vision. “Over the years, sheds have become an extension of the home and one of the most important rooms in the house. “And this past year we’ve seen people transcend the boundaries of what we think a shed could be and working on them has a much-needed passion project during a time of uncertainty and instability.” Entries need to include a selection of the best photos & video of your dazzling designs along with an explanation of your inspiration and what makes your shed stand out.

This year’s categories are: • Budget • Cabin/Summerhouse • Pub & Entertainment • Unexpected / Unique

Above: Cuprinol Shed of the Year - 2007 Roman Temple

• Workshop/Studio • Nature’s Haven • Lockdown Entries can be submitted via readersheds.co.uk until Monday 12th April. The shortlist will then be selected by a panel of judges before the public vote opens to select the nation’s favourite shed for 2021. Category winners will be announced in August, with the overall winner awarded with £1,000 prize money and £100 worth of Cuprinol products.

Below: Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2015 - Inshriach Distillery

Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2013 - Boat Roofed Shed

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Find healthy recipes and get cooking Sticking to a healthy diet can be easier if you cook from scratch. Ready meals, takeaways and pre-packaged foods can be high in fat, sugar and salt. Home-cooked meals are often cheaper, tastier, healthier and better for the environment. It may also be quicker to rustle up a home-cooked meal, than wait for a takeaway to be delivered. Here we provide some tips to help you find and cook some healthy recipes.

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Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK

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Finding healthy recipes

Choose healthy cooking methods

There are lots of healthy recipe books and websites available. When looking for healthy recipes, make sure you choose a trusted source.

Find recipes that use healthier cooking methods, such as steaming, baking or grilling, rather than frying or deep-frying in oil. Avoid recipes that cook with animal fats (such as lard or butter) and coconut oil as these are high in saturated fats which can increase your risk of heart disease. Choose recipes that use plant-based oils, such as rapeseed, olive, sunflower or vegetable oils.

Our new cookbook includes plenty of delicious and healthy recipes from well-known names, such as Joe Wicks and the Hairy Bikers. The recipes have been carefully selected by our Nutritionist for their use of fresh, healthy ingredients that promote good heart health. You can download the book here https://heartresearch.org.uk/cookbook/

Adapt your favourite recipes Check the ingredients list When looking for a healthy recipe, make sure you pay attention to the ingredients list. Avoid recipes that include a lot of fat, salt, sugar or processed meats and cheeses. Healthier recipes include: • Fruit and vegetables • Wholegrain ingredients (e.g. brown rice, brown bread or whole-wheat pasta) • Lean sources of protein (e.g. fish, chicken (without skin), beans, pulses or tofu) •Low-fat dairy products (or alternatives), such as skimmed milk, fat-free yoghurt or soya products

Eating healthily doesn’t mean giving up on all your favourite foods. Read through some of your favourite recipes and try to identify ways to make them healthier. This could include adding extra fruit or veg, switching from white to brown rice or pasta, switching from cream to low fat yoghurt, reducing the amount of salt and sugar or switching to a healthier cooking method.

For more tips on how to improve your heart health, visit the ‘Healthy Tips’ page on our website and don’t forget to check out our new Cookbook. www.lancmag.com

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Ever heard of Mallow Land?

ave you ever heard of Mallow Land? If you haven’t you soon will, as allergen-free, vegan mallow specialist, Freedom Confectionery is setting the nation a challenge to imagine what they believe this magical world of mallows looks like. The competition has been designed to bring out the creative side in children and adults alike, up and down the country, providing everyone with some much-needed respite from life in lockdown. Mallow Land, a fictional world, imagined by Freedom Confectionery, is a world where everything you see, touch and smell can be eaten. A world full of marshmallows, which can be enjoyed by everyone, no matter your age, allergies or religion. The first European manufacturer of gelatinefree marshmallows, Freedom Confectionery, is committed to providing 100% allergy free products and in doing so, making food buying easier for those with food allergies and specific dietary needs. Elvin Willgrass, sales director at Freedom Confectionery said: “Our mission as a business is one mallow, one world, and through this competition we hope to spread that message

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further. The concept behind Mallow Land goes further than it just being a magical place full of mallows, it’s about inclusivity. Mallow Land has been created for anyone and everyone, no matter your religion, whether you have food allergies, a disorder like PKU which means you have a restricted low protein diet, you’re vegan, gluten or dairy free, you can eat everything, nothing is off limits. “This is a competition open to everyone, not just children. The last few months have been some of the hardest to get through, but setting yourself creative tasks like this, or even just taking some time to do some colouring can do wonders for your mood and well-being. We’re really looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with.” To enter the competition, Freedom Confectionery has created two categories giving entrants the opportunity to either build their own Mallow Land from scratch, using whatever materials they like, or by using Mallow Land templates, provided by Freedom Confectionery to colour in.

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Freedom Confectionery challenge UK households to discover a magical world of mallows in lockdown design competition.

The Mallow Land templates, can either be found on the Freedom Confectionery recyclable boxes available with any mallow purchase or downloaded and printed here:

All entries should then be shared on social media, using the relevant category hashtag #ColourMallowLand if using the template or #MyMallowLand if building your own Mallow Land.

https://freedommallows.com/wp-content/ uploads/2021/02/MALLOWLAND_SCENE_LINE.pdf A winner from each category will then be selected at random and will win a selection of Freedom Confectionery goodies of their choice, up to the value of £35.00 (inc. P&P) (T&C’s apply). Deadline for entries is 30th April. For more information on Freedom Confectionery or for Mallow Land inspiration visit: https://freedommallows.com/

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Limited availability but still plenty of choice at Poulton development

A representative image of the Canterbury

THERE are just ten homes left at Redrow’s Oldfield Park in Poulton-le-Fylde but do not despair as there is an array of house styles to suit every taste. One of the designs available at the Carr Head Lane development is the four-bedroom detached Canterbury that starts from £379,995. This home is particularly relevant for buyer’s changing needs as it comes with a study. A recent survey conducted by Redrow showed that having dedicated workspace is now an important factor to buyers and 42% of respondents said they believe they will work some of the time from home even after lockdown ends. Sian Pitt, sales director at Redrow Lancashire says: “As well as having a spacious lounge and open plan kitchen with a breakfast bar and dining area, the Canterbury has its own home office at the front of the property. The need for a dedicated workspace is more important than ever before and so this home offers the ideal solution. “Our homes are being used very differently to how they were used 12 months ago and having enough space for the whole family to work and relax is an essential requirement now.” 22

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Close up desk shot in the Canterbury’s study

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In the Canterbury there’s extra space for working at the breakfast bar

Other homes available at Oldfield Park include the threebedroom semi-detached Ludlow that starts from £234,995, the three-bed detached Sherbourne at £359,995 and the four-bed detached Welwyn from £389,995. Oldfield Park boasts excellent commuter connections by rail and road, superb shopping close by including a Booths supermarket a five-minute car ride away and a choice of OFSTED ‘Outstanding’ primary and senior schools within walking distance. Trains from nearby Poulton Station will whisk residents into Blackpool in just eight minutes, whilst Preston is only 18 minutes away. For buyers who have an existing home to sell, Redrow’s own Help to Sell scheme offers a quick and easy move with the minimum of fuss. It helps homeowners sell their current property by working with trusted estate agents to achieve a quick sale while also contributing towards fees.

The study in the Canterbury

For more details on the remaining homes speak to the sales team on 01253 923142 or go to www.redrow.co.uk/oldfield to book an appointment. www.lancmag.com

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Bentham By Lucy Bullough If you’re one who loves to explore your local region, there is a possibility you have visited all corners and seen most of the major attractions here in the North West. But have you been to Bentham? This delightful gem is a village with perhaps more to offer than you might realise and it’s in one of the most beautiful parts of our region. Depending on your starting point of course, you can reach this destination by heading through the Forest of Bowland – one of our more famous Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – before happening upon the hamlet and all it has to offer.

In fact, Bentham sits within the Craven district of North Yorkshire, right on the River Wenning in close proximity not just to the Forest of Bowland, but also to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Cumbria too. So there really is beauty wherever you turn in this discreet enclave. In terms of the North West region itself, Bentham sits towards the north east (but still

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within the perimeter of what would be classified as the ‘North West’), just south of Cumbria and of course actually within Yorkshire itself. In fact, we are honoured to have such a beautiful village here to call our own and would recommend a visit there to anyone, or perhaps even a holiday if you’re looking for a tranquil UK-break.

Above: St Margaret’s, the disused Anglican parish church of High Bentham

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Bentham’s story Bentham is a civil parish which is actually comprised of High Bentham, or simply ‘Bentham’, and the village next door, Low Bentham, which is even older. Low Bentham was the original centre of the collective ‘Bentham’ prior to the 14th century, but this was to change when High Bentham was granted a market. The granting of a market was most often a turning point for towns as it allowed them to prosper, encouraging visits from outsiders to bring with them financial input as well as new skills, products and people. As with many parts of the North West, textiles played a part in Bentham’s history, with weaving becoming one of the key industries found there in the 18th century. It became even more prevalent as the local weavers discovered they could create hosepipes by weaving them from flax, a novel new use of it. Bentham had been part of the West Riding of Yorkshire but this changed in 1974 when it moved to the Craven district of North Yorkshire. There is an electoral ward in the name of Bentham which includes a

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larger amount of people that the township itself – figures in the 2011 census put it at a population of 3,600. So it will be interesting to see any fluctuations in this after 2021’s new census! Sitting within Skipton and Ripon parliamentary constituency, the Town Council handles local matters from it’s striking town hall complete with clocktower. The real history of Bentham, however, lies in its agricultural background. Such proximity to open fields makes it perfect for farmland and this heritage is celebrated at least once per year with the annual Bentham Agricultural Show. Taking place since the 19th century – 1872 to be exact – it was with great sadness that the committee had to cancel the 148th show due to be held in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. In more typical years, the show is held on the first Saturday in September at Bentham Auction Market. It features classes for a variety of livestock including sheep, cattle, poultry and pygmy goats but also for local crafts and horticulture, pets and even stick dressing! If you decide to make the trip, it’s worth

Above: High Bentham on the edge of the Forest of Bowland Below: Pen-Y-Ghent The hills of Whernside (736 m or 2,415 ft), Ingleborough (723 m or 2,372 ft) and Pen-yghent (694 m or 2,277 ft) are collectively known as the Three Peaks.

heading there with as much of your family as you can, as you’ll all be able to enjoy stalls of local crafts, children’s entertainment, vintage vehicles, competitions for the young farmers and companion dog shows.

A beautiful setting There are few places in the North West which can boast being on the borders of three simply stunning areas of natural beauty. With the Forest of Bowland on one side and the Yorkshire Dales on the other, and very close to the Lake District, it is no wonder that the place is crisscrossed with walking trails which allow you to absorb the loveliness which encompasses it. You’re within easy access of all three of these places and each offers a slightly different set of scenery to enjoy so all of them are worth exploring from your stay in Bentham. We all know the best way to see anywhere is on foot. So if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you could tackle the Three Peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-gent.

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This very famous challenge is arduous and rewarding in equal measure, affording views for miles around, not to mention bragging rights afterwards! For a slightly less gruelling expedition, there are also heritage walking trails, circular and colour coded so you can easily navigate the path that suits you best. Wander through farmland, quarries, through the Wenning Valley, over Shaky Bridge and even Big Stone (the Great Stone of Fourstones) where you’ll be able to admire the views across to the Three Peaks. If you’d prefer something slightly less challenging than scaling multiple mountains or tackling 9-mile routes, plenty of riverside walks abound too. The River Wenning winds its way through Bentham, and is a tributary of the River Lune which flows through North Yorkshire and Lancashire. It passes by pubs, such as The Punch Bowl in Low Bentham, and you can wander along the banks between High and Low Bentham, catching glimpses of Ingleborough and the surrounding countryside. If water is really your thing, then you could also consider the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail which is nearby. A well-defined footpath will help you navigate this 8km route but be warned – there are plenty of steps to climb and you’ll almost certainly need walking boots for a stable footing.

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Below: The Great Stone of Fourstones, or the “Big Stone” as it is known locally, is a glacial deposit on the moorlands of Tatham Fells, England, straddling the county border around North Yorkshire

If you’re after exploring somewhere a little different, you can head into the underground world of caves – and there are a few to choose from. Ingleborough Cave is known as the ‘premier’ show cave in the Yorkshire Dales and will allow you to follow in the footsteps of Victorian explorers who discovered it. When you head into the depths of the cave, you’ll be taken back through 450 million years of geological history and marvel as one of this region’s true natural wonders with its spectacular formations. Alternatively, head to White Scar Cave and you’ll be treated to the longest cave tour in Britain. There is plenty to enjoy here from the First Waterfall, discovered in 1923, and then the geological unconformity of the Witch’s Fingers which is the rock floor of an ancient sea with 400-million-year-old slates. The Judge’s Head is one of the stalagmites which seems to be the profile view of a judge, then there is The Squeeze, The Devil’s Tongue and The Face all to marvel at as well. The caves in this region hold a lot of wonder for anyone choosing to pay a visit and we highly recommend that you do.

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Getting away from it all With so much natural beauty surrounding Bentham, it is no wonder that it is a popular holiday destination where you can stay in a lodge (and even buy one) or pod for a charming break away. There are several sites to chose from in the area, one of which is Wenningdale Escapes which benefits from a backdrop of those incredible Three Peaks again. You can choose two different experiences with your break at Wenningdale; either luxurious glamping in one of the stylish pods, or a stay at one of the impressive lodges on offer. Your pod will include much more than you imagine, from stylish interiors (including wallpaper, no less), a kitchenette, en suite, spaces for sleeping and dining, al fresco seating and modern essentials such as electricity and WiFi. It really is the epitome of glamping and quite far removed from the sad camp sites you might otherwise be expecting. But glamping might not suit everyone or you might be travelling with a slightly larger party necessitating a more substantial home from home. If that’s the case, you should explore the variety of luxury lodges on the Wenningdale site. Each one is stylishly appointed with all the creature comforts and equipment you would

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expect from this standard of accommodation so you’ll need to bring very little with you to get the most out of your trip. The lodges are dotted throughout the fairways of Bentham golf course for maximum peace and tranquillity, nestled in rolling hills. If you’d like a little extra indulgence from your stay, opt for the Kingsdale which has its very own spa-style hot tub for extra relaxation. Wenningdale Escapes is perfectly situated for you to explore both Bentham and the wider surrounding area. It’s just a 10-minute stroll into High Bentham, along a well-lit pavement and here you’ll find all manner of places to satisfy for your needs from shops to eateries and more besides. For those who find golf a perfect way to pass an afternoon, staying at Wenningdale Escapes will mean you’ll be right within the grounds of Bentham Golf Course; a truly idyllic 18-hole course, again overlooked by the Three Peaks. Known as a ‘Diamond of the Dales’, no matter what your ability level, you’ll be challenged by this course thanks to its refurbishment in 2009 which saw it have a great new layout. You’ll also find a driving range, excellent and wellequipped pro shop, an indoor teaching facility, updated changing facilities and the 1922 Bar & Kitchen clubhouse for refreshments after your round. All of this – the holiday park and golf course – is offered by the Marshall family who largely hail from Bentham. With a background in farming going back several generations, it was in the 1970s that the family set up Riverside Caravan

Above: Ingleborough Caves in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in England

Left: Wenningdale Escapes Holiday Park

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Park as the first stage of diversification away from pure farming. They wanted a sustainable business that would carry forward for years to come and almost 50 years later, it has proved its strength! Wenningdale Escapes is a relatively new addition, only having opened in 2018, and remains very much a family concern. Thomas and Jane Marshall and their children Isabel and John are all very involved in the enterprise which is why it has thrived. Of course, despite these new additions to occupy their time, the family couldn’t leave their past vocation completely behind so they still have a hobby farm with 19 sheep! If you’re considering a staycation at particularly beautiful part of the North West, Wenningdale Escapes could offer your perfect accommodation... and provides entertain for the golfers too!

The highlights of Bentham When you do head to Bentham, although it has a quaint village feel, it is certainly not lacking in amenities which is another of the reasons it is so appealing as a holiday or mini-break destination. Across it, you can pick up essentials 28

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in two convenience stores, a bakery and a butcher’s shop for the local produce. When it is time to enjoy some refreshments, you can do so in one of the six local pubs – the Horse and Farrier is particularly popular. To refuel after a long day out walking, why not indulge in either a Chinese or Indian takeaway or even dine in the restaurant of one of the Indians? Alternatively, you could treat yourself to a traditional fish supper from the quintessentially British chippy or have a café-style meal at the Black Pig. Bentham has a huge number of reasons to visit it from the local amenities, to the stunning setting and the proximity to so much natural beauty. It typifies the meaning of a gateway town as it enables you to have easy access to some of the most stunning parts of the North West and perhaps the whole country. Whether it’s a day trip you wish to take somewhere different or a full holiday escape, consider Bentham when you’re next planning and see the wonders this hamlet and its surrounding areas offer.

Above: White Scar Cave, Ingleton

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Rolling One Culture Into Another By Kate Gostick O

ne of the great joys of living in other countries and spending time with people from different places is sharing your culture with them and absorbing aspects of their cultures into your own family. We rolled sushi with Japanese friends, celebrated losing the Revolutionary War with Americans and carried lanterns around the streets on Saint Martin’s Day with German classmates. Our contribution to this cultural melting pot was egg rolling. It was Easter Sunday when my parents first bundled me into the car to drive into Preston to begin my lifelong love of propelling hardboiled eggs down steep inclines. In a little, grey, egg box, sat on the back seat beside me, were six beautifully decorated eggs. Brightly coloured felt tips had produced faces and random patterns 30

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made up of zig-zags and spots on their smooth surfaces, the lines between the different colours blurred in places where little fingers had smudged the ink in their exuberance to complete the design. One egg had a mottled, deep amber colour where it had been wrapped in onion skins as it boiled and this eggs had been transformed into some sort of animal with the addition of felt tip eyes, nose and ears and a tail made of a piece of wool, left over from my mother’s knitting, taped on the back with a piece of unattractive sellotape crinkled as it clung to the egg’s curves. Soon we arrived at Avenham Park and I grabbed the box and skipped out into the sunshine. Daffodils bobbed, “Hello!” as we passed the abundant flower beds and we went in search of the crowds of people waiting at the top of a large hill to launch their eggs into oblivion. However, we

Above: April 2nd 2018. Traditional Easter Egg Rolling down the hill at Avenham Park, Preston on a very wet Easter Monday.

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searched the park high and low, but no crowds could be found. My dad stopped and asked an elderly man shuffling along with his dog who informed us that we were a day early and the eggs were rolled on Easter Monday, not Sunday. So as not to disappoint me or have to repeat the whole fiasco the following day, my parents each grabbed an egg from the box and we all launched our brightly coloured projectiles down the hill allowing them to jostle in the sweet-smelling grass for a winning position. Once they had cascaded down the grassy bank and come to a complete stop we rushed to examine our eggs for cracks. Amazingly each one had remained intact ready to be returned to the top of the hill and be launched into the crisp, spring air for a second time. I can’t remember how many times they were subjected to being lobbed down the www.lancmag.com

hill or whose egg was the last one to not crack or break apart on its journey to the bottom, but I do remember being told to gather up all the pieces of shell so the witches would not collect them to use as boats. In subsequent years, we made it on the correct day and latterly I took my own children, hands grasping a prized egg in expectant excitement. At each event, there were always crowds of people suggesting that every child in the country was heading to the nearest hill clutching a hardboiled egg in heady anticipation of the fiercely fought competition ahead. In 2004, we moved to America when my youngest two children were only two and four years old. Spring was an absent season in New England and it was only with this absence that I truly appreciated the beauty of the English springtime I LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 31

had always taken for granted. The golden daffodils nodding their approval were replaced by steep, densely packed, banks of ploughed snow waiting for a June sun to melt away the memories of the harsh winter. The dusty blue of a Lancastrian sky, peppered with cotton wool clouds, was replaced by the deep bright blue of a New England late winter sky. A sky that was uninterrupted by clouds as it waited patiently for the trees to erupt into their summer plumage one night in mid-May when the days turned suddenly from biting cold to searing heat. Like every virgin ex-pat, I clung on to my own culture at first, afraid that losing it would result in cultural suicide and the loss of my identity. I gravitated to British coffee groups in search of familiarity and travelled miles to purchase overpriced English sausage, bacon and prawn cocktail crisps. Part of this British Identity was my passion for egg rolling, so I gathered together British friends and we decorated eggs and headed for the nearest hill in Hopkinton State Park, like pagan worshipers heading to Stone Henge for the summer solstice. As we all stood in a row looking down on the green expanse before us, I was shocked to hear familiar accents expressing their unfamiliarity with the process that was taking place. I was alone in my attachment to this custom and soon discovered it seemed not only to not be part of my national heritage, but not even a Lancastrian tradition. Only Prestonians it seemed gathered to propel hardboiled eggs down grassy banks before gathering up the shells to deprive witches of safe passage across nearby waterways. Suddenly, I saw the absurdity in those activities handed down through the generations that we all grow up seeing as normal. Further investigation led to the discovery that pace egging, named after the Latin word for

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Easter, Pascha, probably dates back to the time of the Crusades. It was originally a theatrical production in which blackened faced actors, wearing coats turned inside out, performed a play based on England’s patron saint, St George. The brave knight battled terrifying enemies before being slain by his foe’s sword and brought back to life, using outlandish remedies, by a doctor and a medieval fool called Toss Pot. This term is still used today to refer to a stupid and contemptible person or as in medieval times to describe a drunk who tosses back pots of ale. It is thought that in some way this story of reincarnation is linked to both the rebirth of Christ following his crucifixion and the reawakening of nature in the springtime. The plays moved from place to place around the village collecting money and gifts in exchange for the entertainment. At the same time, children would go door to door collecting painted eggs which they would then often roll down the hillsides. These plays and the accompanying egg rolling was once a widespread custom, but now they only remain in a handful of locations. Some places still perform the play, but others only roll the pace eggs. One such egg rolling location is my beloved Preston’s Avenham Park. Here, even before the park’s construction was completed, in 1867, the people of Preston recognised its hills as a wonderful place for the traditional Pace egging. This first event took place on Easter Sunday, hence my parent’s confusion over days years later, but every year from then onwards children gathered with youthful exuberance on Easter Monday. They scrambled for the perfect position from which to roll their egg and now in America 150 years later, there was a familiarity at the sight of eggs disappearing down a grassy bank followed by children scampering, rolling and chasing to see if their egg had sustained

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any damage or could be declared the winner. In time, I lost the urge to cling on to my Britishness and began to embrace the wonders of other ways of thinking and celebrating. As we sat our children on the knee of a rather terrifying Easter bunny and began to integrate into the local community, we started to indoctrinate our new American friends into the wonders of egg rolling, but also to soak up their traditions of egg hunts and Easter baskets and our lives became richer as a result. When we moved to Germany our traditions went with us and were shared with Japanese, Dutch, Irish, Danish and American families and we enjoyed the pleasures of their traditions in return. The names on the egg rolling trophy became more international as Takeyori Kumagai and Sandra Van Oord joined Freya Blank and James Gostick in the Egg Rolling Hall of Fame. Location never hampered our efforts to continue the tradition. Indeed, wherever we were on Easter Sunday we projected hardboiled eggs down whatever sloping tundra was available. As eggs hurtled past startled goats on Greek rocky hillsides or through the mist in County Down’s Mourne Mountains, locals stood with confused looks on their faces not daring to ask why exactly we were propelling breakfast foodstuffs into the wilderness. When families returned to their homelands as contracts in Germany ended each took with them at least a memory of Avenham Park’s delights, some even spreading the wonders of egg rolling to their own homelands with new annual competitions.

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As we returned to America and spring and Easter traditions faded into hot summers and then to crisp autumns, the bizarre nature of local customs, which seemed so normal back home, was again brought to my attention. On November 5th, I followed the local bylaw and requested permission from the Fire Department to have a Bonfire. Maybe I should not have added that we would be burning the effigy of a 17th century Catholic as a celebration of our victory against terrorism since the fire chief did not share my love of eccentric British customs and greeted my request with a firm “No Ma’am. Effigy burning is not permitted in this town!”

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Above: Amy Johnson and Jason

80 years since Amy Johnson’s Death BY Mark Bateman

my Johnson (1st July 1903- 5th January 1941 was a pioneering English pilot remarkable for a long line of aviation firsts but perhaps best known as the first woman to fly solo from London to Australia. As well as this she was strongly involved in getting women involved in aviation, and engineering, and she carried out a crucial role in the Second World War. Johnson was born in Kingston-Upon Hull and her Father John was a fish merchant. She was the eldest of three sisters with the youngest Betty being 16 years younger than her. She was educated at Boulevard Municipal Secondary School and then Sheffield University where she graduated with a B.A. in Economics. It is believed that around this time in 1926 she had her first flight on a ‘five-shilling

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pleasure trip’ which she is said to have enjoyed but would have liked to have ‘done some stunts.’ It seems likely it was this which sparked her lifelong love of aviation. After an unsuccessful stint as a secretary in Hull and following family arguments she moved to London and gained employment as a secretary to solicitor Charles William Crocker. It seems likely that had a burgeoning interest in flying not taken over she may well have become a solicitor herself. However, during the 1920s aviation was becoming popular and Johnson paid to put herself through flying lessons at her own expense. In 1929 she gained both her Aviator’s certificate and her ‘A’ licence at the London Aeroplane Club. She left her office job to work fulltime as a plane mechanic and then became the first www.lancmag.com

British woman ever to gain a ground Engineer’s ‘C’ licence. Johnson obtained the funds for her first aircraft from her Father who was her biggest supporter and Lord Wakefield an English businessman who founded the Castrol lubricants group. Her first plane was a DH60 Gipsy Moth G-AAH’ and she named it ‘Jason’. But it was in 1930 that she really grabbed the world’s attention as the first woman to fly solo from Croydon Airport in Surrey on the 5th May 11,000 miles to land at Darwin Northern Territory on 24th May. A legend was born, and the press began a long love affair with Johnson naming her the ‘Queen of the Air.’ Johnson’s achievement was recognised in 1930 when she received the Harmon Trophy for that year’s ‘worldwide outstanding aviator’ and a C.B.E. in George V’s birthday honours list. She was also awarded with a No.1 civil pilot’s licence in Australia. But Johnson was not content to sit back, in July 1931 along with pilot Jack Humphreys she became one of the first two people to fly from London to Moscow covering all 1,760 miles in one day. They then continued on to cross to Siberia and then Tokyo also setting a new speed record for crossing from Britain to Japan.

Above: Mollison and Johnson

In July 1933 they flew ‘Seafarer’ from Pendine sands in South Wales to Floyd Bennett field in Brooklyn New York to reach the start point for Mollison to continue alone and try to break the flight from New York to Baghdad.

Barely pausing to catch her breath in 1932 she married Scottish pilot Jim Mollison who apparently proposed to her just eight hours after they met, and even more amazingly she accepted his proposal!

However, they ran low on fuel and crash landed short of New York when they attempted to land at Bridgeport Municipal airport. Luckily, they were not badly injured and after recovering from their superficial wounds they were warmly received by New York society and even given a ticker- tape parade down Wall Street.

Marriage did not slow her down, they often flew together but in other flights were rivals. In July 1932 Johnson set a solo record flying from London to Cape Town in South Africa breaking the existing record set by her new husband. Castrol Oil were so impressed that they featured this record in one of their adverts. But it was not all rivalry sometimes they flew together.

It was not just in the air that Johnson was pushing the cause of women aviators and engineers. In September 1935 she became the youngest ever president of the ‘Women’s engineering Society’. This was the first professional body set up for women engineers, scientists, and technologists. She was president until 1937 and remained active in the society until her death.

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A legend was born, and the press began a long love affair with Johnson naming her the ‘Queen of the Air.’

Writing about Johnson’s contribution to the society in the journal ‘The Woman Engineer’ Johnson was feted as an ‘ambassador’ to the world for all the women who wanted to be accepted for what they were, she was regarded as their ‘lion’. The society was seen as owing a massive debt to her as she attended meetings, then led them and took part in debates as well as showing what women were capable of in a plane. On the 14th May 1936 she made what was to be her last record-breaking flight from Gravesend Airport to South Africa regaining her record in the process. In recognition of this she was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Aero Club for outstanding achievement in aviation. After all her success in 1936, 1938 was not such a good year for her, she crashed her glider during a display at Walsall Aerodrome but was not badly hurt. In the same year she divorced Mollison and reverted to her maiden name. With the outbreak of the Second

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Amy Johnson

World War in 1939 Johnson’s aviation skills were in demand. She got a job working for the new Air Transport auxiliary (ATA) who transported new, refurbished, and damaged planes around the country to support the war effort. Unfortunately, it was during this time that her life ended in tragedy. On 5th January 1941 while flying a plane from Prestwick to RAF Kidlington near Oxford she went off course in bad weather and bailed out as her aircraft crashed into the Thames Estuary near Herne Bay. War time vessels scrambled to assist her, but heavy seas, strong tides and snow hampered the rescue. When Johnson was unable to reach ropes thrown to her, Lieutenant Commander Walter Fletcher of HMS Haselemere tried to swim out to her but was unable to reach her before she slipped under the boat and was lost. Fletcher later died of hypothermia in hospital and was posthumously awarded the Albert Medal in 1941. However, there is some controversy surrounding her death. In 1999 it was reported she may have been the victim of ‘friendly fire’ after Tom Mitchell, a retired gunner was reported to have said he was ordered to shoot her plane down (not 36

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knowing it was her plane) after she had failed to give correct responses to identification requests. There are also several eyewitness reports who later claimed the ship’s engines were reversed and Johnson was dragged into the propellors which may explain why her body has never been recovered. There is a theory that the Navy not wanting to admit they had possibly killed the world’s greatest female aviator were ordered to cover the story up. The mystery continues to this day, but one thing is not in doubt and that is Johnson’s legacy. She has been honoured in various statues and buildings throughout the world including, ‘Amy Johnson Way’ a road linking commercial properties near Blackpool airport. And in 2011 the Royal Aeronautical Society began its series of ‘Amy Johnson lectures’ to celebrate a full centenary of woman in flight. But perhaps her biggest legacy is that she inspired her generation, and every generation since who want to literally or metaphorically ‘take to the skies’, that with hard work and determination anything is possible. www.lancmag.com

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RHS Garden re-development Bridgewater in Salford By Mark Bateman

uilt in the late 16th century Worsley Hall was a magnificent 156-acre mansion and garden estate originally the home of Francis Egerton the 1st Earl of Ellesmere. In the 1840s the gardens were redeveloped and became a magnificent site to behold featuring the Nestfield terraces, a walled kitchen garden, huge glasshouses, and potting sheds. Unfortunately, by the 1940s the house had fallen into a state of disrepair with a number of problems including fire damage to the first floor, dry rot, and extensive interior damage due to military occupation during the second world war. Nearby mining operations had also led to subsidence problems with the house. In 1946 it was sold for demolition and by 1949 the Hall had been razed to the ground and the gardens neglected. But in a great turnaround for the Nation’s horticultural enthusiasts the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) acquired the site in 2017 and has been working to extensively renovate and redevelop the gardens with a view to opening in May 2021. It is the first new RHS garden since Harlow Carr in 2001 and is one of Europe’s largest gardening projects. The Bridgewater Project is a large part of the RHS’s wider 10 -year aim to ‘enrich everyone’s life through plants’ and to make the U.K. a ‘greener and more beautiful place.’ It will do this by spending over £160m on horticultural projects. The project will, when completed, have cost in the region of £32m with 38

Above: The original Worsley Hall

£15m coming from the RHS itself and the rest being collected through grants and fundraising. It will be a collaboration between Peel Land and Property who own the estate, Salford City Council and the RHS. Notable Landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith has created the overall plan for the renovation of the gardens and the first curator of the garden will be well known RHS garden curator Marcus Chilton Jones. The development has been taking place in two phases. In Phase 1 the key components have been the redevelopment of the 11- acre walled garden by re-building the large brick walls to create a ‘microclimate’ and grow a wide range of traditional plants.

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Phase 1 also includes the development of the Garden Centre Site and the redevelopment of the middle wood and the lake. There will also be the creation of a horticultural service yard, therapeutic gardens (to benefit people’s mental health) and community allotments to share the skills of the RHS workers. Phase 1 also included the construction of a new welcome building, an events and learning space, offices, a new café and shop and a plant centre. As well as this there has been the creation of a New Lake so it has been a very busy time for all concerned. Phase 2 has been every bit as ambitious and includes the creation of an arboretum, a teaching garden, www.lancmag.com

and another café on the Lakeside. There will also be a large glasshouse on the site of the old hall as well as the renovation of the Nestfield terraces. The Civil defence bunker, used during the war, will be redeveloped as an exhibition centre. One of the most notable areas will be the ‘Paradise Gardens’ located inside the Inner walled garden. This will contain an exciting garden split into two parts, the ‘Mediterranean’ and the ‘Asiatic’. These gardens will feature Victorian style glasshouses allowing tender plants and fruits to be grown there all year round including such wonders as Heritage Apricots, Peaches, and figs. The Mediterranean side will house plants including Irises such as ‘Stellar Lights’ and ‘Merdu Sud’; and the Asiatic side will be enclosed by Persian Ironwood trees and display exotic plants such as Cape Honeysuckle and Dwarf Pomegranate. As is traditional in these types of garden there will be a water feature. The spine of the garden will be a 70m2 pond fed by two long rills with water lilies in them. Two square basins will flow water into the centre and the basins and ponds will contain over 80 planting beds containing a total of over 27,000 plants to create an ‘oasis of calm and tranquillity.’ As well as being a beautiful and tranquil place to visit the RHS estimates the site will bring many other benefits to the area. Firstly, there will be 140 jobs created directly in the garden itself with a further 180 jobs in the local economy. By 2029 the RHS hopes that people will be able to come to the site to learn new skills through training, apprenticeships, and volunteering. The project will also involve a great deal of local investment with the initial direct investment being in the region of £30m. It is estimated that by 2029 the site will be bringing over £13m per annum into the local economy. www.lancmag.com

Below: RHS Bridgewater Masterplan with Key

Above: The Walled Garden Plan

12 10

2 9

5 6

4 8

But it’s not just financial benefits that the site will bring. At Worsley, the RHS will form partnerships with local universities, GP’s, hospitals, and social services. The aim will be to research and develop the ‘health and wellbeing’ benefits that green spaces such as gardening can bring to people’s lives. To further develop this, aim the RHS will develop community gardening projects and work on its allotments. These will share RHS expertise and skills with local people at first and then aim to expand out further into the North as a whole.

1. Principal Access

7. Curator’s Cottage

2. Middlewood

8. New Lake

3. Walled Garden

9. Existing Lake

4. Welcome Building

10. Arboretum

5. Car/Coach/Cycle Parking

11. Glasshouses

6. Nursery

12. Civil Defence Bunker

As part of Phase 1 the RHS has built a new learning centre for schools on the site. This will help to fuel pupil’s horticultural enthusiasm and skills. As part of the learning space there will also be an area providing personalised RHS gardening advice to anyone with budding green fingers so roll on May when this exciting new garden should be open and ready to inspire old and young to get outside and enjoy our green spaces, after all, as your doctor will tell you, it’s good for you!

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Sanctuary, Last Drop Village is an exclusive, secure and gated community offering a collection of stunning homes set in an idyllic location, surrounded by beautiful views of the Lancashire countryside. This innovative concept from Jones Homes offers bespoke mature living for those looking for something special that will last a lifetime. At Sanctuary, our low maintenance, high specification homes have all been built with your lifestyle, security and independence in mind. With 3 & 4 bedroom homes now available from £369,950, there really has never been a better time to find out more.

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Above: The Chatsworth and The Osborne show homes at Sanctuary Last Drop Village

Below: The lounge of The Osborne show home

ituated in the grounds of the Last Drop Village Hotel in Bromley Cross, on the northern outskirts of the town, Jones Homes’ mature living development now features two charming show homes for visitors to cast their eyes upon. The two-bedroom Osborne cottage and threebedroom Chatsworth townhouse are open for appointment-only viewings with social distancing measures in place. The Osborne is a carefully crafted cottage with a block-paved driveway. It has a contemporary kitchen and dining area, plus a separate lounge with patio doors leading out to a large, paved patio area. Upstairs, the main bedroom benefits from a balcony while both bedrooms have en suites. 42

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‘The Chatsworth and The Osborne are two very different house types which reflect the wide variety of homes available at the development’

The Chatsworth offers space and flexible living in abundance. The entrance hall on the ground floor provides access to the integral garage and leads through to the utility room and third bedroom, which could also be used as a study. The first floor boasts an impressive open-plan layout with kitchen, living and dining areas. French doors in the living area open out onto a Juliet balcony while a lawned garden with bench seating can be accessed through patio doors from the kitchen. The top floor features two spacious bedrooms, each with en suite bathrooms. Gemma Hardy, Sales and Marketing Director for Jones Homes North West, said: “These two show homes give buyers a prime opportunity to see the enviable lifestyle that awaits them at Sanctuary Last Drop Village. Both properties have been professionally designed and furnished to showcase what a finished home has the potential to look like. www.lancmag.com

Above: The kitchen of The Osborne show home

“The Chatsworth and The Osborne are two very different house types which reflect the wide variety of homes available at the development. However, both feature the high specification fittings, finishes and appliances which come as standard across the full range of properties.” Nestled on the edge of the Lancashire countryside, Sanctuary Last Drop Village is a 41home development of high-quality apartments and houses within an exclusive gated community. Residents can enjoy access to the wide array of facilities at the adjoining Last Drop Village Hotel, including the gym and spa, which contains a swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room and fitness suite. The hotel also includes a hairdresser, tearoom, bar and restaurant, as well as its own village street where residents can find a specialist clothing store and bespoke chocolate shop. LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 43

Gemma added: “Whether it’s going for an early morning swim, working out in the gym or relaxing in the sauna, a whole host of active lifestyles are catered for at Last Drop Village Hotel and Spa.

contemporary designs and layouts to choose from, there is something to suit every buyer’s tastes.

Above: Sanctuary Last Drop Village Hotel and Spa

“As well as the multitude of facilities available, the hotel also has 135 bedrooms to accommodate family and friends who come to visit.”

Each home has been designed to accommodate a lift with the capacity for a wheelchair or two people, which can be installed at the time of purchase or anytime in the future. A 24-hour emergency call facility is also in place for added piece of mind.

The exclusive development is designed to serve a generation of energetic and sociable adults, giving them dedicated space to develop their own unique lifestyle while still feeling part of a close-knit community.

Whether it’s going for an early morning swim, working out in the gym or relaxing in the sauna, a whole host of active lifestyles are catered for at Last Drop Village Hotel and Spa

The Sanctuary model is the first of its kind to be seen in the UK and was inspired by Jones Homes’ active adult living developments in Florida, USA. Gemma said: “Many people approaching retirement age want to continue living active and busy lifestyles, something which many traditional retirement living schemes do not offer. “There is a growing appetite for mature living communities in the UK and following the success of Sanctuary Wilmslow – our first Sanctuary development which launched in 2019 – we are pleased to be expanding the concept to Bolton to help active adults find real independence.” There is a mix of one-bedroom apartments as well as two, three and four-bedroom houses available at Sanctuary Last Drop Village. With a wide range of 44

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Gemma added: “On top of this, the Sanctuary team is on hand to arrange everyday maintenance tasks like window cleaning and gardening, affording residents more valuable free time. “Sanctuary Last Drop Village not only benefits from a wealth of facilities and services offered by the hotel but also has open countryside on its doorstep. This peaceful yet convenient environment will enable people to enjoy life at its very best.” Prices for the homes at Sanctuary Last Drop Village currently start from £369,950 for the threebedroom Chatsworth townhouse. To find out more information, call 01204 859003 or visit jones-homes.co.uk. www.lancmag.com

40 years since the passing of John Lennon By Mark Bateman

ohn Lennon (09/10/1940 - 8/12/1980) was a world-famous musician, songwriter. As the driving force behind the Beatles, he was massively influential in shaping the sound of modern pop and rock music. Together with his second wife Yoko Ono Lennon also became an influential peace activist.

Above: John Lennon & Yoko Ono, in bed

Lennon was born at Liverpool maternity hospital to Julia and Alfred Lennon. Alfred was a merchant seaman and often away from home for long periods of time. However, by all accounts, he was a good provider and sent money home for the care of his family. This all changed after Alfred went AWOL (absent without leave) for over 6 months leaving the family to fend for themselves. Julia, presuming the worst, began relations with another man and was soon pregnant with his child. When Alfred eventually returned Julia refused his help and kicked him out of the family home. Young John would not see his Father for over 20 years after this point. 46

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Julia struggled to cope, and custody of Lennon was awarded to Julia’s sister Mimi and her husband George Smith who had no children of their own. However, Julia still played a large part in Lennon’s life visiting him at the house in Woolton. It was there she sparked his love of music by playing him records by Fats Domino and Elvis Presley. His schoolteachers described Lennon as an, ‘easy going, lively lad’ with a quick wit. As well as music he enjoyed drawing little sketches and cartoons which he published in his own in-school magazine he called ‘The Daily howl.’ During the holidays Lennon visited his cousin Stanley Parkes in Fleetwood and the two attended shows by Dickie Valentine, Arthur Askey, Max Bygraves and George Formby. Julia was not unaware of her son’s blossoming love of music and in 1956 she bought him his first cheap guitar. The instrument had to be kept at her house as Mimi was not so supportive of Lennon’s musical aspirations saying, ‘The guitar’s all very well John, but you’ll never make a living out of it.’ But Lennon was not to be dissuaded and at the age of 15 in 1956 he formed ‘The Quarrymen’ a band that played skiffle and Rock N Roll numbers. It is believed Lennon met Paul McCartney at the Quarrymen’s second gig and one of the most famous song writing partnerships of all time was born. While his musical talents and ambitions took flight Lennon’s academic work began to slide as he was so distracted by music. He failed his O- levels and just scraped into Liverpool College of Art. It was here he met Cynthia Powell who was to become his first wife (married 1962-68). Lennon did not flourish at college and was kicked out before starting his final year. Lennon’s life took a tragic turn on the 15th July 1958 when Julia was struck and killed by a car. Eighteen-year-old Lennon was severely traumatised by the event. For two years he drank heavily and got into fights. The memory of his Mother would later inspire the 1968 song ‘Julia.’ Despite this tragedy the Quarrymen continued to perform. McCartney recommended his friend George Harrison as lead guitarist and Lennon roped www.lancmag.com

Above: The Beatles

in art school friend Stuart Sutcliffe on bass. The line up was completed with Pete Best on drums. In 1960 they renamed themselves ‘The Beatles’, took on Brian Epstein as their manager and history was born. In 1960 the band embarked on an epic forty-eightnight tour in Hamburg. Once the tour was finished Sutcliffe elected to stay in Hamburg, so McCartney took over on bass. Shortly afterwards Best was replaced on drums by Ringo Starr creating the world- famous line up that would remain in place until they split in 1970. In the UK in 1963 the band released the album, ‘Please, please me’ and ‘Beatlemania’ swept the nation with crazed fans screaming and fainting at gigs. The band played at the now world- famous Cavern Club in Liverpool a place that is now forever associated with their meteoric rise. Their schedule was so packed that John and Cynthia’s son Julian was born in 1963 while the band was on tour. But it wasn’t just in the UK that the band was becoming huge. In the U.S. in 1964 they appeared on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ leading to the beginnings of international stardom. Never one to sit back Lennon also wrote two books during this time, ‘In his own write’ and ‘A Spaniard in the works’, both of which displayed his quick wit and artistic flair. He also found time to film the anti- war black comedy ‘How I won the war,’ beginning a lifetime passion for protest and activism. LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 47

The band continued to grow, release albums, and win fans. However, Lennon may have overstepped the mark when he stated that the Beatles were ‘bigger than Jesus,’ this lost the band a lot of their devout U.S. fans and may have influenced their decision to stop touring, playing their final concert in 1966. It was a throwaway comment that would also have dire consequences for Lennon himself in later years. Lennon’s relationship with Cynthia had began to flounder due to the pressures of touring and fame and Lennon’s increased reliance on stimulants such as L.S.D. The beginning of the end occurred when, in 1966, Lennon met young Japanese conceptual artist and peace activist Yoko Ono at the Indica Gallery in London. The two quickly became an inseparable couple leading to frictions within the band.

Lennon and Ono began to work together musically and between 1968-9 they recorded 3 strange conceptual albums, ‘Unfinished music 1 and 2’ and ‘Wedding Album’. Although critically lauded they were not a hit commercially with fans who were expecting more of the Beatle’s light pop sound. In 1969 the ‘Plastic Ono Band’ was officially formed. In 1969 the couple married, and their unusual honeymoon attracted massive media interest. At the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel the couple staged a two- week long ‘bed in for peace’ essentially staying in bed for two weeks as a peaceful protest against the Vietnam war. It was to be the first of several of these unique protests and at the next ‘bed in’ at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal Lennon wrote the anti- Vietnam ‘Give Peace a Chance’.

Despite the tensions the band went on to release the seminal ‘Strawberry Fields forever’ in 1967 taken from their most famous album, ‘Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band’. Lennon, not content with great success in one band, also went on to form the supergroup ‘The Dirty Mac’ with Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Mitch Mitchell.

The couple continued to work together with John also working on solo projects. He continued his protest songs but in 1971 he released ‘Imagine’ which although still a protest song was much more commercial in its sound and went on to reach number one in both the U.K. and the U.S. It has been widely adopted as a protest song and is Lennon’s most enduring musical legacy.

Eventually the tensions within the band drove it apart and Lennon announced he was leaving to pursue new creative projects with Yoko Ono. McCartney was also to leave to pursue solo success in 1970.

The couple moved to New York in August 1971 and continued their involvement in radical politics. Lennon continued to release protest songs including ‘Happy Christmas (war is over)’ with the Harlem community choir in December.

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Above: Bronze statue of the four Liverpool Beatles stands on Liverpool Waterfront by sculptor Andrew Edwards

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However, the couple’s prolific and public protests soon came to the attention of the Nixon administration. Nixon made sure Lennon’s attempts to gain citizenship were thwarted and began a fouryear programme to try and get him deported. In 1973 while recording ‘Mind Games’ Lennon and Ono separated. They spent eighteen months apart during which Lennon began a relationship with their personal assistant May Pang. During this time Lennon drank heavily and later referred to this period in his life as his ‘lost weekend.’ He moved to Los Angeles with May and became a fixture in the bars and clubs often getting himself in trouble with friends such as Harry Nilsson especially two notable events at the Troubador Club (not repeatable here!) By October 1974 Lennon had got whatever it was out of his system and went back to New York and Yoko Ono where he continued to work on songs including ‘Whatever gets you thru the night’ featuring Elton John which was the only one of Lennon’s single songs to top the U.S. billboard during Lennon’s lifetime. To cement their reunion in 1975 Yoko and Lennon’s child Sean was born in 1975. Lennon took a five-year break from music to concentrate on raising Sean in a way he had been unable to with Julian. During this time as well as being a househusband he indulged his passion for writing and sketching in various forms that were released after his death. But Lennon couldn’t stay away from music for long and October 1980 he was back recording songs including ‘(Just Like) Starting Over’. The family spent the summer yachting and in Bermuda gathering material for the new album ‘Double Fantasy’. At 5pm on 8th December Lennon left his Manhattan apartment with Ono for a recording session at the Record Plant. It was not unusual for avid fans to wait outside his apartment for a glimpse, or an autograph from their idol. Lennon stopped to autograph a copy of Double Fantasy for fan Mark David Chapman and then Lennon and Ono headed to the recording session. The session completed the couple returned to their apartment at approximately 10.50pm. As they walked through the archway leading to the entrance Chapman shot Lennon twice in the back and twice in the shoulder. He was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead on arrival around 11pm. Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life in jail. He had been an ardent Beatles fan until Lennon’s blasphemous comment about being ‘bigger than Jesus’. He was obsessed with the novel ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ in which hero Holden Caulfield is obsessed with the exposure of ‘phonies’ (hypocrites). Chapman came to see his onetime www.lancmag.com

hero Lennon as the ultimate phony who espoused peace, love and equality while hoarding millions of dollars in personal fortune.

Above: The Cavern Club

Ono announced there would be no funeral for Lennon and she scattered his ashes in Central Park New York where the Strawberry Fields Memorial was later created in his memory. Lennon’s legacy lives on, both the Beatles and his solo work continue to sell in massive numbers. As well as the ubiquitous star on Hollywood’s walk of fame Liverpool re-named their airport ‘Liverpool John Lennon Airport’ in his honour. In 2010, on what would have been his 70th birthday, his former wife Cynthia and son Julian unveiled the ‘John Lennon peace monument’ in Chevasse Park Liverpool. But perhaps Lennon’s strongest legacy was the inspiration he provided to every day working class people such as the members of the band Oasis, to get out there and make great music and share your talents with the world. LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 49

Octagon Theatre announces new Board members

The Octagon Theatre have announced the appointment of 5 new members to its Board of Trustees, bringing with them extensive knowledge and experience across a plethora of commercial and creative sectors. The Octagon’s board now consists of 16 active members, all with strong ties to the Octagon and the Bolton region. The new members, who joined at the Octagon’s AGM in November, include: Chief Executive of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Fiona Noden; Manchester based writer, producer and awardwinning actor Esh Alladi; Chief Executive of George House Trust, Darren Knight; Chief Operating Officer at Manchester Codes, Kirsty Devlin, and West Yorkshire based theatre director Sameena Hussain. As a charity, the Octagon’s Board of Trustees are all volunteers. The board is responsible for governing 50

the charity including the approval of finances, senior appointments and strategy. The Octagon is committed to appoint a board that represents the diversity of the community, as well as ensuring it has the necessary cultural, charity and business experience to govern effectively. Chair of the Octagon Board, Claire Moreland commented: “We are delighted to welcome the newest members to our Board, all of whom are valued leaders in their industry fields. We look forward to learning from their expertise and experience as they provide fresh insight and ideas to help advance the Octagon’s mission in the years ahead.” ABOUT THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS Bolton-born Fiona Noden is Chief Executive of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust. Starting her career in healthcare as a Radiographer she has extensive experience in

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Fiona Noden

Esh Alladi

health management and strategy, successfully managing performance, finance and change in complex environments. Throughout her career she has been pivotal in establishing relationships across both large multidisciplinary teams, and across organisations.

In 2019 he won the UK Theatre Award for Best Supporting Performance for his performance in Hobson’s Choice (Royal Exchange). His first short film The Listener, which he co-produced, was longlisted for a BAFTA. In addition to his work in the arts, Esh is also a practising Doctor working in the Emergency Department at North Manchester General Hospital.

Esh Alladi is an actor, writer and producer based in Manchester. His work spans across stage, screen and radio and throughout his career he has performed at the National Theatre, RSC, Globe, Royal Exchange and Sheffield Crucible.

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Bolton-based Darren Knight is the Chief Executive of George House Trust, an organisation that provides support to those living with HIV and campaigns to tackle the stigma associated with the disease. Previously the CEO at Bolton CVS, Darren has extensive background in the charity and voluntary support sector.

They join current board members: Claire Moreland DL; Lucinda Harvey; Stephen Young; Tania Lewyckyj; Carol Southern; Steve Plant; Helen Bowder; Cllr Martyn Cox; Ian Tabbron; Vicki Jackson and Cllr Madeleine Murray. The current trustees have a wide of range of experience including in finance, local government, education, human resources and theatre management.

Issue and Top 50 Most Influential Black Voices in Tech by Tech Nation in 2019.

The appointment of the new members comes at a pivotal time in the Octagon’s history as they prepare to reopen their doors following a £12million redevelopment.

Kirsty Devlin

Darren Knight Chief Operating Officer at Manchester Code, Kirsty Devlin has forged a successful career in the tech industry as well as championing learning and development opportunities. Her social enterprise, Recode CIC based in Bolton Marketplace, introduce those from low socioeconomic background in to employment in the tech industry. Kirsty was awarded Top 100 Changemaker by the Big www.lancmag.com

West Yorkshire based theatre director Sameena Hussain is currently the Resident Assistant Director at Leeds Playhouse as part of the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme. She has worked with various theatres, arts organisations and communities throughout her career – with a focus on forging relationships with communities to remove barriers preventing them from engaging with theatre.

Sameena Hussain

For over 50 years the Octagon has been the heart of Bolton’s cultural community and champions the local and regional theatre landscape. The reimagined Octagon promises a ‘creative home’ with spaces to meet, learn and enjoy an exciting, bold and dynamic programme of live theatre and entertainment.

Find more info about the Octagon by visiting www.octagonbolton.co.uk LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 51

ia Motors (UK) Ltd. is pleased to have remained strong throughout last year, having increased its market share to a new record 4.3% in 2020, with sales reaching 70,537 units for the full year, representing 17 per cent of Kia’s European sales and positioning the UK as the best performing market in the region. The brand placed ninth overall in the UK market, helped by a record Q3 where it sold 28,185 vehicles to customers, up five per cent year-on-year. The company also scooped the title of ‘Franchise Partner of the Year’ at last year’s AM Awards. Moreover, Kia Motors (UK) Ltd. are proud to have been able to support their customers, whilst ensuring the safety of their team and customers. Bolton Kia is currently the only wholly-owned subsidiary of Kia Motors (UK) Ltd., and Europe’s No.1 Kia Dealer, with its own Business User and Fleet Team who have over seventy years combined experience in the industry, and understand the importance to having the right vehicle to create a great first impression. Businesses, large and small, can benefit from Bolton Kia’s latest fleet offers. Bolton Kia is proud to supply a wide range of Kia vehicles to businesses all over the UK. So whether you are looking for style, economics or reliability, whether you are looking for one car or an entire fleet; our team will go the extra mile to help you find the right car to suit your business needs. The past year has seen Kia Motors (UK) Ltd. shake up its entire line-up of cars, with the expansion of electric and hybrid vehicles. The Kia eco-range now includes the Kia XCeed, Ceed Sportwagon and AllNew Sorento – all of which are available as plug-in hybrids and can be ordered from Bolton Kia. To top it all off, the Kia eco-range is only set grow even more in the coming years.

Find your next corporate vehicle with Bolton Kia’s business user and fleet team

Topping the EV sales charts is the Kia e-Niro, 833 of which were sold throughout last October, representing an astonishing 8.9 per cent share of all EVs sold in the UK that month and a top spot sales position against all other brands’ all-electric models. Perfectly demonstrating the benefit of the zero per cent benefit-in-kind taxation on BEVs introduced by the Government in April last year, 520 of these e-Niros were sold via fleet channels with the remaining 313 delivered to retail customers. Contact Bolton Kia to find out how your business can benefit by going electric with Kia.

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In addition, the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is the most powerful Sorento ever to be sold in Europe, with an impressive 265PS and 350Nm of torque from its petrol and electric engine combination. With its plug-in system, the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is able to operate in electric-only mode, or a blend of electric and petrol power – providing power to the front wheels or all four wheels, depending on vehicle specification and road conditions. The Sorento’s clever powertrain packaging means it retains generous space for up to seven passengers. It also offers one of

the largest luggage capacities in its class – up to 809 litres with the third row of seats folded down. Bolton Kia stocks a wide range of cars, which are all available on Business Contract Hire. So, if your businesses is looking to stay ahead of the curve, why not visit Bolton Kia’s dedicated Business User and Fleet team to see how they can help you and your business. Contact them today on 01204 664800 (Option 3) or visit kia.co.uk/ bolton. Bolton Kia is proud to be Europe’s No.1 Kia Dealer, conveniently located on Middlebrook Retail Park, off Junction 6 of the M61.

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THE KIA RANGE AVAILABLE ON BUSINESS CONTRACT HIRE

DEDICATED BUSINESS USER & FLEET TEAM

At Bolton Kia

BUSINESS LEASING/ PERSONAL CONTRACT HIRE

OUTRIGHT PURCHASE

NHS SCHEME

DRIVING SCHOOL PROGRAMME

SALARY SACRIFICE

Bolton Kia is currently the only wholly-owned subsidiary of Kia Motors (UK) Ltd., and Europe’s No.1 Kia Dealer, with its own Business User and Fleet Team who have over seventy years combined experience in the industry, and understand the importance to having the right vehicle to create a great first impression. Contact them today for more information

Bolton Kia – Europe’s No.1 Kia Dealer 79 The Linkway, Middlebrook Retail Park, Horwich, BL6 6JA 01204 664800 l kia.co.uk/bolton

@bolton_kia

/boltonkia

Bolton_Kia

Fuel consumption in mpg (I/100km) for the models shown: Weighted combined 167.6 (1.7) – 201.8 (1.4), CO2 emissions 38 - 31g/km.

MPG figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are tested using WLTP. Only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. For more information about WLTP please refer to kia.com/uk. Models shown: XCeed ‘First Edition PHEV’ 1.6 GDi 8.9kWh lithium-ion 139bhp 6-speed auto DCT at £35,485 including premium Fusion White paint at £580, Ceed Sportswagon ‘3’ 1.6 GDi 8.9kWh lithium-ion 139bhp 6-speed auto DCT Plug-in Hybrid at £31,120 including Cosmos Blue paint at £580, Niro PHEV ‘3’ 1.6 GDi 8.9kWh lithium-ion 139bhp 6-speed auto DCT at £32,790 including Horizon paint at £595 and all-new Sorento ‘4’ PHEV 1.6 T-GDi AT AWD at £53,755 including White Pearl paint at £660. Specification varies across the range and is subject to change without notice. 7 year / 100,000 mile manufacturer’s warranty. For full terms and exclusions visit kia.com/uk.

TIME TO DISCOVER THE GOOD LIFE WITH ROWLAND Independently owned and

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careful interior planning ensures that we maximise every square metre of available living space. The latest heating, glazing and insulation products combine maximum comfort with minimal maintenance, in keeping with today’s busy lifestyles.

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Wherever you choose to live, we hope you’ll find a home to suit your lifestyle and you enjoy the experience! www.lancmag.com

MODERN LIVING IN BALANCE WITH TRADITIONAL ELEGANCE

Much care and consideration has been given to creating developments that have an atmosphere of a mature community that has evolved over time, so properties are carefully designed and built to include different formats and layouts of brick and render, individual rooflines and gables, distinctive windows and bays, ensuring that every development has its own personal style and stature. With exacting attention to detail, Rowland has ensured that property interiors demonstrate the latest trends in modern, contemporary design, whilst airy and light open-plan environments ensure that living areas make maximum use of space to create a truly welcome family environment.

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Stylish, elegant and spacious interiors offer flexible accommodation and the perfect environment to relax in style and comfort. LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 55

BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS ACROSS THE NORTH WEST NOW AND IN THE FUTURE Designing and building beautiful

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HIGH QUALITY SPECIFICATION TO SUIT YOUR LIFESTYLE tiling, flooring, lighting and electrical options are available to suit every taste and budget. As well as a stunning range of stylish appliances, all properties are designed and built to the highest standards with all the latest energy efficient glazing, insulation, heating and hot water systems, which are all covered by a ten year NHBC warranty for additional peace of mind. All Rowland properties are designed with modern living as a top priority. The specification is carefully chosen for its quality, practicality and aesthetics, to meet the rigorous demands of modern household requirements and lifestyles. A feature of all Rowland homes is the quality of the internal specification. A choice of luxury kitchen and

At Rowland we focus on the details so you can enjoy the space, freedom and comfort of your new home.

bathroom finishes and with multiple

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LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 57

A global pandemic can’t stop UK magician Noel Qualter from fooling Las Vegas legends Penn & Teller A British magician who saw his business vanish at the start of Covid has managed to fool the magic superstars Penn & Teller on their hit TV show in America - and he did it from the comfort of his own home. “Fooling my magic idols was a dream come true after a year that started with lockdown, losing work and having to change to performing virtually”. Noel Qualter was invited to perform on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, where top magicians from around the world hope to perform magic effects which the duo cannot work out. Restrictions forced Noel to tape his performance at home in Leatherhead, Surrey rather than perform live - yet he stumped them when the show was seen across the US this weekend (Friday 26 February). As well as a trophy, Noel’s prize includes a trip to Las Vegas and a closing spot on the Penn & Teller show at the Rio hotel. Penn Jillette said of Noel: “We loved the whole routine. It was just just 58

great, really funny all the way through”. Noel, 44, said: “Fooling my magic idols was a dream come true after a year that started with lockdown, causing me to lose thousands of pounds of work and having to completely change my business to performing virtually.”

The trick, in which Noel uses a “virtual time travel app” to call himself in the future and locate a signed card in a sealed deck

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is an original creation by the award-winning close-up magician. Noel is a three-time winner of the originality prize at The Magic Circle’s Closeup Magician of the Year competition and one of only 300 members of the coveted Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star. As a digital and iPad magician Noel is used to working with technology, and has used his skills and experience to move his magic online. He has carved out a new niche with his Zoom

magic show, “Virtually Impossible”. Since the first lockdown last year Noel has performed online for thousands of people and companies across the globe, from birthday parties in the UK to international corporate events.

You can see Noel’s performance at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=X8M_70Sll9I www.noelqualter.com www.lancmag.com

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From Pilot to Plant Expert: commercial airline pilot starts green business planting 10 trees per order

23-year old Nathan Raab lost his job as a commerical airline pilot during Covid-19, and decided to make a change from spraying jet-fuel over to the plant to found his own eco-friendly company instead, Pointless Plants. Pointless Plants has one mission - to make the world greener. For every plant they sell, Pointless Plants plant 10 trees. Starting in 2019, the business has planted 32,732 trees as of March 3rd 2021. Pointless Plants were nominated for a 2021 Glamour Wellness Award for Sustainability Initiative, and Nathan is appearing on ITV news this week to discuss his career change and raise awareness of his eco-goals. Nathan was a pilot for four years, flying from Gatwick and Heathrow and lost his job during the Covid-19 crisis. Wanting to do something positive instead, to make a more positive change, Nathan decided to promote plants instead of planes. Pointless Plant’s celebrity clients include Tom Daley and Bake Off’s Candice Brown. Nathan on tree planting: “For every order we receive, 10 trees are planted by Ecologi in association with The Eden Reforestation Projects in Madagascar. You can see how many trees have been planted to date here. “Madagascar is known for its incredible biodiversity, with over 200,000 endemic species of plants and animals living on the island. However, over 90% of the country’s virgin forests have been destroyed, with animal species being displaced and the local 60

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people no longer able to farm and live off the land. Estuaries once populated by mangrove trees are now bare of life, leaving the earth to be washed away into the ocean. “By purchasing a plant through Pointless Plants, you help to fund the non-profit, Eden Reforestation Projects, and their reforestation of the island. Leaders in responsible reforestation, Eden have, to date, planted 265 million trees, while creating an incredible 2.6 million work days for local communities.” Nathan on founding the brand: “I’ve always found plants fascinating and pretty much every time I bought fruit from the supermarket, I would use its seeds to propagate its plants. My go-to favourite was the mango: I could get a tree out of a little seed. I began pondering the logistics of starting a mango tree farm in a onebedroom flat in Crawley. I thought, “We could give this mango tree a name. We could call it Maggy, give it a story and Maggy would be our pal forever.” Of course, being the level-headed person in our relationship, my girlfriend said “That’s POINTLESS!”. And so Pointless Plants was born. “This very website was created after watching a few Youtube videos and the first plant deliveries were made in my 15 year old Smart car. But the real growth in our seedling of a business came a little later. Like many people around the world, I was made redundant from my day job when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. www.lancmag.com

“I knew this was the universe’s way of giving me a kick up the a*** and telling me it was time to get some help. So half of the business was sold to raise the money to take it to the next level. This cash moved us from a bedroom to a warehouse and, after months of nurturing and careful attention, Pointless Plants has begun to thrive.” Nathan’s mission statement: “Pointless Plants is on a mission to make our planet a greener, healthier and happier place to live. We do this by offering affordable plants to everyone and providing the best service we can - all while giving back to the planet. For every order made, we plant 10 trees somewhere in the world. We are very conscious of the impact we have. We don’t want to just be a trendy brand; we want to represent a community of people who use their voices to do the right thing for the Earth. “I could write pages and pages about zero hour contracts, company politics and companies making millions of pounds while harming the planet. But, this won’t change anything. This outdated model of business is no longer sustainable in the twenty-first century and what truly matters are actions. After growing up with dyslexia, I’m very simple with my words but also believe that the right choices are simple, too. I wanted to create a company that is nice to people and to the planet and that company is Pointless Plants. “We do not measure our success by looking at our balance sheet. We measure our success by looking at how many trees we have planted in shrinking forests around the world. Our commitment to www.lancmag.com

planting trees isn’t just a gimmick; we really believe that it has the power to change the world.” Nathan’s tips on how planting trees benefits the world: Planting trees has a huge number of benefits, including: • Restoring animals’ habitats, which, in turn helps increase biodiversity by giving endemic species the chance to thrive. • Removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by putting it back into the plants and soil, and therefore helping to reduce global warming. • Cleaning the air by removing pollutant gases such as nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulphur dioxide and ozone by trapping these gases in their leaves and bark. • Restoring local ecosystems that have been destroyed by deforestation or other external factors. • Reducing the impact of flooding and soil erosion, which helps to protect nearby communities and their livelihoods. • Providing an income for tree planters in lower income countries. “Since we began in 2019, we’ve planted trees in Australia following the Black Summer bushfires through One Tree Planted and in other parts of the world.”

Mental health charity receives in the Lache area of Chester will be able to access a cash boost FAMILIES mental health support thanks to funding from Redrow.

CEO of Platform for Life, Ceri George, with Redrow sales consultant Ellie Foster

ental health charity Platform for Life’s counselling service is needed more than ever at the moment. A donation of almost £1,200 from Redrow’s Kings Moat Community Fund, will help the charity provide 28 counselling or play therapy sessions to families in Lache. Ceri George, chief executive of Platform for Life, said: “We offer families in Lache a local, easy to access counselling service, with a relatively short wait time. Our aim is to help families provide more stable and nurturing environments for their children and in the long-term, to stop unaddressed mental health issues being passed down from one generation to the next. Good mental health improves individuals’ quality of life and opportunities and can also positively impact their local community – reducing anti-social behaviour; improving school attendance and participation; reducing reliance on other services such as GPs.” “We know from the families we’ve worked with and reports from other charities, that the Covid restrictions have disproportionately affected those on lower incomes and we have seen a significant increase in demand for our service. With Redrow’s help we’ll be able to provide 28 counselling or play therapy sessions to those in need of mental health support.” Platform for Life adapted its counselling service during Covid-19 restrictions, moving from face to face to telephone and WhatsApp video conferencing sessions. With the return of pupils to school, it is now offering a mix of face to face and remote sessions, with additional measures in place to protect both staff and clients. 62

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Redrow’s donation to the charity is via a £10,000 voluntary community fund attached to new homes being built at Kings Moat Garden Village, off Wrexham Road, Chester. Redrow area sales manager Caroline Thompson-Jones said: “The impact of Covid-19 reaches far beyond those who have actually contracted the virus and has a huge effect on people’s mental health and wellbeing. It’s reassuring to know that charities like Platform for Life are available to offer support to families either in person or remotely.” The request for funds resonated with Redrow, which is committed to the wellbeing of its workforce and has signed up to the construction industry’s Building Mental Health Charter. Dozens of the homebuilder’s staff have been trained as Mental Health First Aiders to help support colleagues and sub-contractors and to reinforce that it’s ‘okay not to be okay’. Redrow’s voluntary community fund is in addition to the homebuilder’s many statutory obligations linked to the Kings Moat Garden Village joint venture, which will include a new primary school, healthcare facilities, shops, open space and affordable homes.

For more information about Redrow’s homes at Kings Moat Garden Village, see www.redrow.co.uk/romangreen or www.redrow.co.uk/emperorpark. To find out more about Platform for Life see https://www.platformforlife.org.uk. www.lancmag.com

Based in the rural village of Goosnargh, Laurel Farm Kitchens has been recognised as one of only a few truly bespoke kitchen manufacturers in the North West receiving a reputation, second to none, on quality and craftsmanship over the past 25 years. “Our aim, through the creativity of our kitchen designers and their ability to bring out the best in our client’s ideas is to create the most imaginative and workable kitchens from the canvas supplied.”

BOOKS Our roundup of this months literary delights

YOUR FRIEND FOREVER by Zena Barrie “Maud is the funniest teenager since Adrian Mole … A beautiful book about hope and perseverance” Robin Ince Dear Mr Harding, One’s name is Maud Harrison and one is pleased to make your acquaintance. One is twelve years old, thirteen next week so one might as well say one is thirteen (a teenager). One lives in Preston, not in the centre where all the shops are, but in a place called Hutton…” It’s 1981, Margaret Thatcher is Prime Minister, The Specials’ Ghost Town tops the charts, the UK is changing and, on the cusp of her teens, so is Maud Harrison. Living with her dysfunctional parents and her elder brother is not easy and life has lots of new challenges, some exciting and some confusing. Maud spends a lot of her time in her bedroom writing letters to her favourite popstar, Tom Harding, the lead singer of a punk band called Horsefly. No one really understands her or even tries to - and she thinks Tom just might have some answers to her many, many questions... Inspired by her own teenage years and beyond, Your Friend Forever is the debut novel by Zena Barrie. Told through a (mostly) one way correspondence with her idol, it gives a comic and often touching insight into the mind of an enquiring teenage girl as she navigates her way through the changes and upheavals happening all around her and the ups and downs of growing up. At the same time, it beautifully illustrates how our younger selves never truly leave us.

“Laugh out loud funny and achingly sad. Captures our 80’s childhoods beautifully” Lizzie Roper “Barrie brilliantly transports readers of a certain age back to the innocence of 80’s adolescence, jogging buried recollections of popular culture, sexual naivity, politics, all the way down to the hated minutiae of school and family life. Though Maud wouldn’t realise it in a million years, it’s a total joy to spend time with her” Alex Lowe “A hilarious and heart-breaking fan letter to the confused teenagers we once were, and the confused adults we become” Geoff Lloyd

Zena Barrie lives in Manchester and runs the Greater Manchester Fringe and the Camden Fringe. She ran the Kings Arms pub and Theatre in Salford for a while and also the Etcetera Theatre in Camden, as well as working in a wide variety of roles at the Edinburgh Fringe (from street performer a dancing one-man-band reindeer to venue manager).

In the 90s she did a degree in Drama and Theatre Arts specialising in playwriting (which is why there is no prose at all in her book). Up until recently she has been co-hosting the award winning spoken word night Verbose. She is also one half of performance art duo The Sweet Clowns. Your Friend Forever is her first novel.

Publication date 15 April 2021 YOUR FRIEND FOREVER - Publisher: Unbound - ISBN: 9781789651072 - 15 April 2021 64

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Birkenhead By Lucy Bullough

Whilst it might sit opposite Liverpool, you would be making a grave mistake stating that people from Birkenhead are from that city. For these residents are from Wirral, and of this, they are proud - why shouldn’t they be? There is much more to Birkenhead and the surrounding peninsula than you might realise so read on to find out why you should sit up and pay attention to this lovely part of the North West.

Location, location, location Birkenhead is a seaport and built-up urban area which sits within the metropolitan borough of Wirral in the metropolitan county of Merseyside. However, this hasn’t always been the case as historically, it sat within Cheshire. In fact, until 1st April 1974, the entire peninsula on which it sits were part of the county of Above: View of Birkenhead skyline across the Mersey river in Liverpool

Left: Birkenhead Priory and St Mary’s Tower

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Cheshire, the change was instigated when the Local Government Act of 1972 caused Birkenhead to lose its county borough status. There is a whole ‘Urban Area’ of Birkenhead defined by the Office for National Statistics which incorporates Birkenhead, Wallasey, Bebington and even Ellesmere Port, although this does sit outside of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. In the last census of 2011, it was the 19th largest conurbation in England and Wales so it will be interesting to see if anything changes after this year’s census! Birkenhead sits on the banks of the River Mersey, towards the end of the peninsula and directly opposite Liverpool. With so much coastline nearby, plus the Queensway Tunnel running right under the river connecting the town to Liverpool city centre, you can really have the best of both worlds here.

A brief history The headland on which Birkenhead sits was once rich in birch trees, and it is thought this is what inspired the name – bircen in old English means birch tree. It was in and amongst these birch trees that monks settled and built the first Priory, sometime around 1150. It was situated on the west bank of the River Mersey, named Birkenhead Priory and was founded as a Benedictine monastery where the residents

Above: Hamilton Square, Birkenhead

Left: Birkenhead Town Hall clocktower, Hamilton square

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would pray, farm and give hospitality to travellers. The Priory was dedicated to St James the Great and whilst close to Birkenhead, at the time the town was barely developed and was instead just a small hamlet surrounded largely by water. The construction of the monastery was what put Birkenhead onto the map, so to speak, as there are not many accounts of it from beforehand. Indeed, there aren’t even any records regarding the founding of the Priory, but we do know it was built in the early part of King Henry II’s reign. All that is really reported is in the Domesday Book and other ancient chronicles, where the peninsula’s hamlets and villages are noted, and were described as rich in farming and fishing. At the time of the Priory’s construction, religion was central to society, and many barons used their wealth to fund religious houses in this way, in the belief it would assist with their ascent to heaven. The Birkenhead Priory was funded by Baron Hamon de Massey of Dunham, the family of whom had been granted estates after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The monks who resided in the Priory were known as the Black Monks due to the colour of the habits they wore and

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it was a modest environment as they were not blessed with excessive wealth. This was in spite of holdings lands in many parts of the North West in addition to Wirral, such as Cheshire and Lancashire. Indeed, just 16 monks resided there at any one time keeping the Priory an intimate institution, possibly befitting the small neighbouring towns. This Priory was the first home of a ferry across the river – now famous in the region – which was established in 1330 when Edward III granted permission for the monks to operate one. Birkenhead at this point was still extremely small, and the local villages of Oxton and Claughton were more densely populated. Growth in Birkenhead wasn’t to be for several hundred years – at the start of the 1800s it remained extremely low. It was only the advent of the slave trade in nearby Liverpool bringing with it such prosperity that saw surrounding areas boom. Birkenhead was one such area and within just a few years, the population had skyrocketed to as many as 40,000. The growth was supported by the change in ferries to steam-power which enabled local businessmen to commute to Liverpool across the Mersey, whilst they lived in a leafier area away from the pollution of the big city. But the ferry upgrades were not the only change

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in transportation that Birkenhead experienced. Rail links appeared in Wirral as did the docks in 1847, and soon real industry arrived with William Lever launching a soap and soap powder business. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because it is the latter half of Unilever; which was created after Lever merged with a Dutch company called Uni. Today, Birkenhead is a thriving urban area with a seaport and links to the bustling centre of Liverpool. It has developed into a destination worth visiting and indeed living in for a multitude of reasons which we will take a closer look at...

Architectural excellence In addition to the Priory (which is the oldest standing building on Merseyside, with Grade I listing), there are plenty of other places to note in the town. Many of the buildings were erected in the 19th century when the increase in population and commerce occurred and include places such as Birkenhead Town Hall in Hamilton Square. Opened in 1887, it was refurbished in 2001 but fortunately contains many of the original features which you’re able to see on one of the Heritage Open Days typically held in September.

Below: Grand Entrance to Birkenhead Park.

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Above: Roman Boathouse Birkenhead Park

If it’s more Grade I listed buildings you would like to see, then explore the rest of Hamilton Square beyond the Town Hall – it has the largest density of Grade I buildings outside of London. So it’s really no wonder construction of this beautiful part of Wirral took 22 years, from 1825 to 1837! Georgian by design, Hamilton Square is named after William Laird’s wife, the Scottish shipbuilder who was instrumental in joining Birkenhead to Liverpool across the water. The Laird family have retained a strong presence in the Merseyside area with John Laird (Junior) becoming Birkenhead’s first Mayor in 1877. John Laird Senior was Birkenhead’s first MP in 1861 and his statue stands in Hamilton Square, whilst William Laird himself is buried in the Priory grounds.

What to do in the town centre A day (or two) out in Birkenhead can be filled with as much or as little as you desire as there is so much to see and do. If art is your passion, why not head to the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight? You’ll be able to peruse PreRaphaelite masterpieces amongst the stunning collection of paintings. There are also Chinese ceramics, Wedgwood jasperware and tapestries but for an extra level of intrigue, you can discover stories behind the works and also have www.lancmag.com

‘how to’ sessions from artists. If you’re looking to entertain the family, you can also take part in a multitude of art-based activities, inspired the objects you can see when wandering around. Or if you’d like to mix some art with more history, head to the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum where you’ll be able to see local, national and international art. This is in addition to a gallery dedicated to the maritime history of Birkenhead, a collection of Della Robbia Pottery from the area and so much more besides. There’s more in the way of local history to be found in Wirral Transport Museum Heritage Tramway. Ride on a vintage tram that has been fully restored and see a huge collection of trams, buses, classic cars and motorbikes as well a huge working model railway. It’s a fun day out for all the family. But if it’s a more rustic experience you’re after, you can meet a whole host of new friends at the Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm. The animals there are kept for their whole lives at the farm, and give the ability for visitors to learn how farming works in terms of food supply. Ducks, chickens, geese, goats, and Alpacas all reside here, but so do some of the more traditional ‘pet’ species such as rabbits, ponies and guinea pigs. And they’re all waiting to meet you! The farm is doing good work in terms of conservation to support the LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 69

local environment too with plans to open a wetlands zone and what is known as a soft release garden so you’ll learn a lot whilst making your furry acquaintances. When it’s time for some refreshments, head to Glen Affric Brewery where you can indulge in the local brews with inventive names such as ‘Highland Suntan’, ‘Tart An Typhoon’ and ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Not-Ella’. They are also pushing the boundaries with their CBD-infused drinks and lower calorie seltzers so they would be worth a taste. When you decide to take a trip there, you can add in a tour of the brewery to learn how it’s all made in addition to sampling their produce. Birkenhead is also rich in culinary delight so when you’re in need of a meal, you’ll be pleased to see there is a huge range of restaurants, pubs and cafés to choose from. You’ll be tempted by all manner of cuisines which can be as high end or as easy to eat as you prefer.

Outstanding natural beauty Birkenhead’s location lends itself well to getting into the great outdoors thanks to its proximity to the coastline, as well as other open expanses you can find there. Not only that, there is a little kudos held in that Birkenhead Park was the first publicly funded park in the world – quite an accolade to have right on our doorstep in Wirral! It was designed by Sir Joseph Paxton and opened in 1847 in an effort to improve the health of locals which had been negatively impacted by the advent of the Industrial Revolution. It was a verdant oasis in an urban environment and was designed to be a natural open environment 70

Above: Bidston Windmill, on Bidston Hill

...take a walk up Bidston Hill, spot the windmill and you’ll be able to get to viewpoints over to Liverpool and Wales with plenty of walking to be had along the selfguided trails through woods and heath.

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with lakes, woods and meadows. Refurbished in 2004 at a cost of £11.3m, there were plenty of additions made and today you could easily spend a whole day there! But the park isn’t the only option; take a walk up Bidston Hill, spot the windmill and you’ll be able to get to viewpoints over to Liverpool and Wales with plenty of walking to be had along the self-guided trails through woods and heath. Or maybe head to the North Wirral Coastal Park where you can wander the coastline from Dove Point at Meols to King’s Parade at New Brighton. There are gardens, golf courses and plenty of other parks and walking trails to choose from so you need never feel that you are far away from nature in Birkenhead. Wirral, and Birkenhead in particular, are worth visiting as soon as you can squeeze it into your schedule. There is so much to see and do here that you can have whatever can of experience you prefer from history, to art, to impressive machinery to shopping eating and outdoor spaces. A great deal of focus is often placed on Liverpool but there’s so much in nearby Birkenhead that it deserves its own attention. So the next time you’re planning a day out, visit Birkenhead and you won’t be disappointed. www.lancmag.com

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Origins of St George By Mark Bateman

St George’s Day, also called the feast of St George is a Christian festival celebrating our patron Saint George held on April 23rd. He is also the patron saint of many other countries including Bulgaria and parts of Portugal and Spain. There is a lot of debate surrounding the early life of St George, but it is agreed he was born around 280 A.D. in Capadocia (modern Turkey) and died in Lydda in 303 A.D. His Father Gerontius was a celebrated Cappadocian general serving in the Roman Army, and his mother Polychronia was from the city of Lod in Palestine. There are two similar versions of the legend, one Latin and one Greek. The Greek version is the most complete version and fragments of a 5th Century text survive in the British Library where it was translated into English in 1925. In the Greek version George’s Father died for the Christian faith when George was 14. George then travelled with his Mother back to her home in Syria Palaestina where she also died a few years later. George headed to Nicomedia (modern day Turkey) where he joined the Roman army serving under the Emperor Diocletian. He kept the fact that he was a Christian quiet in Rome which was a city still dominated by worship of the old Gods. However, in 303 as part of a crackdown on the growing influence of the Christian community Diocletian ordered all Christian soldiers in the army to convert to 72

worshipping the old Gods or be expelled. To show their faith all Roman soldiers must then make the traditional sacrifices to the Gods. George refused and announced that he was a Christian. Diocletian valued George as a soldier and a friend and offered him wealth and land to convert but George refused. Eventually, with no options left, Diocletian had George beheaded on April 23rd A.D. 303. George’s body was returned to Lydda for burial where his grave became a place of pilgrimage for Christians as a martyr to the Christian faith. Legend has it that Diocletian’s wife Alexandra was a secret Christian, and she was so moved by George’s suffering that she declared her faith publicly and so was also put to death shortly after George. The Latin version follows much the same way but instead of Diocletian it has Dacian the Emperor of the Persians taking centre stage in persecuting George. In this version George was not merely executed he was tortured over seven years before being executed. It also states that during these seven years over 40,900 pagans converted to Christianity inspired by George’s suffering. Veneration of George spread quickly and in 313 the Roman Empire Constantine issued the ‘edict of Milan’ which accepted Christianity as their official religion. At some point during his reign (306-37) he also built a church in Lydda and had it consecrated to George as a ‘man of high distinction’.

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Although word of his martyrdom spread rapidly it was not until AD494 that Pope Gelasius canonised (made him a Saint) George saying that he was ‘justly revered among men.’ In fact, the first mention of St George in English historical works did not come until the 8th Century when he was first mentioned in the writings of the ‘venerable Bede’ a Catholic Monk. St George’s popularity continued to grow across the decades and centuries. George was celebrated as a ‘warrior’, or ‘military saint’ which was a title given to saints who had served in the military. In the Christian Crusades in the Far East (1095-1492) St George was often invoked as a spirit to lead the soldiers into battle waving his signature flag the ‘cross of St George’ featuring the red cross on a white background. In 1327 King Edward III made St George the patron saint of England. This may seem odd to us as after all not only was George not English, but it is believed he never set foot in England. However, historians have discovered that patron saints did not need to necessarily be from the Country they were born in. What was more important was that they embodied the ideals and values of the Kingdom and confirmed the image the Kingdom wished to show the outside world. In St George’s case these were the values of honour, bravery, gallantry, chivalry and above all else staunch Christian faith. www.lancmag.com

Below: St George slays the dragon

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Left: St George

An example of this can be seen at the Battle of Agincourt between the French and the English (part of the 100 years war) on 25th October 1415. The English Army faced a vastly larger French army but were able to invoke the spirit of St George to lead them into battle. This historic win was later immortalised in Shakespeare’s play ‘King Henry Vth’ with its famous ‘once more unto the breech...’ speech where Henry urges his weary army on to victory shouting, ‘Cry “God for Harry, England and Saint George.” ‘ But perhaps the most famous tale concerning St George is that of his battle with the Dragon. This tale was not recorded until the 11th Century so although there may be elements 74

of truth to it, it is probably intended more as an allegory. The legend tells how George was called to the city of Silene in Libya where a dragon was terrorising the people. They had been feeding it two sheep a day, but they had run out of sheep so started feeding it their children. One day the King’s daughter was chosen to be sacrificed. George stepped up and slew the dragon. As a reward the King offered him great riches which St George requested were given to the poor of the city. The people were so amazed by his bravery and generosity that they all converted instantly to Christianity. Historians of the period point out that the iconography of the horseman defeating evil with his

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lance was widespread during this time, so it is possible the Dragon maybe symbolised the forces of Paganism with George the rising tide of Christianity destroying them. Despite being celebrated for hundred of years St George’s Day has recently fallen out of favour. But there are signs of an upsurge again with English Heritage and the Royal Society of St George banding together to suggest it’s time we got back to celebrating St George’s Day properly. He may not have been from England, but can all celebrate his values of honour, bravery, and gallantry in our modern world.

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Remembering Dodie Smith By Margaret Brecknell

Lancashire-born writer Dodie Smith may not be a household name today and most of her once popular works have been largely forgotten, but her best-known book remains very much in the public consciousness. Dodie’s children’s story, The Hundred and One Dalmatians, was first published in 1956 and was subsequently adapted, not once but twice, by Disney. Above: Dodie Smith

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Right: Entrance to Botanical Gardens as it is today Credit “Alexander P Kapp/CC BY-SA 2.0”

This ever-popular story remains relevant today, tapping, as it does, into contemporary issues such as the campaign for animal rights and an end to the fur trade. Indeed, Disney is set to release a new prequel, Cruella, based on the supposed early life of the heartless villainess, later this year. The timing of this film seems particularly appropriate, as this year also marks the 125th anniversary of Dodie Smith’s birth. The author was born in Whitefield, near Bury, on 3rd May 1896. Christened Dorothy Gladys Smith, she soon became known as “Dodie”. Her father, Ernest, died when she was just two years of age and her mother, Ella, returned with her baby daughter to live with her parents in the Old Trafford suburb of Manchester. A few years later the family moved to Whalley Range. Years later Dodie would recall her childhood in Manchester fondly in the first volume of her memoirs called Look Back With Love: A Manchester Childhood. Dodie may have been an only child, but she recalls growing up surrounded by loving family. In addition to her

grandparents, five of her mother’s siblings were still living in the family home when they arrived there in 1898. The book provides a charming account of family life during the Edwardian era, giving the reader a tantalising glimpse of a Manchester that has long gone. Whalley Range was still regarded as one of Manchester’s most exclusive residential areas at the time Dodie lived there with her family during the early years of the 20th century. Soon after, however, the area began to fall into decline. Dodie herself recalls how when she returned to Whalley Range some years later, many of the grand Victorian houses had been demolished and replaced by what she describes as “rows of

nasty new ones”. In her memoir the author paints a picture of a seemingly idyllic childhood, filled with jolly daytime outings to the seaside or botanical gardens (now no longer in existence) and evenings when the whole family took part in charades or musical soirees. All the family loved the theatre and Dodie credits them with instilling in her a passion for the stage which would prove to be such an important factor in her future success. Her grandfather was an avid theatre goer, Uncle Harold an enthusiastic amateur actor and her mother Ella had also once held ambitions of becoming an actress. In 1910 the 14-year-old Dodie’s life changed forever when her mother remarried and they moved to the south-west London suburb of Barnes. Sadly, Ella died of breast cancer only four years later, the same year in which Dodie started studying at RADA to train as an actress. Disappointingly for Dodie, her subsequent acting career proved to be far from spectacular. She herself later recalled in an interview in 1976 that she was sacked from her first acting role in a musical comedy, because, she confessed, “I simply wasn’t very good”. By 1923 she realised that she was never going to enjoy success as an actress and decided to take a job as a shop assistant at Heal’s on Tottenham Court Road in London.

Above: Heal’s Tottenham Court Road London – Credit “Philafrenzy/CC BY-SA 4.0”

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She did rather better in her new role, subsequently being promoted to run the store’s toy department. In the third volume of her memoirs, Look Back With Astonishment, Dodie refers to an affair with a man called “Oliver”, who is widely believed to have been Heal’s then Chairman, Ambrose Heal. Certainly, when she moved into a new apartment in 1932, he personally designed for her an elegant new bedroom suite in cream and gold to match her decor. The wardrobe from this suite now forms part of the V & A Museum’s furniture collection. However, it was fellow employee, Alec Macbeth Beesley, the company’s advertising manager, with whom she eventually formed a lifelong relationship. Dodie spent nearly ten years working at Heal’s, but at the same time she was also beginning to establish herself as a writer. Way back when she was still trying to make her name as an actress, she had sold a film script called Schoolgirl Rebels, using the pseudonym of Charles Henry Percy. Now, in 1931, she wrote her first full-length play, Autumn Crocus, whose setting was inspired by a real-life trip to the Austrian Tyrol. When the play was staged at London’s Lyric Theatre, it proved to be an 78

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With the play’s success Dodie no longer needed to be a “shopgirl” and resigned from her job at Heal’s.

Above: Vintage image of gateway to former Manchester Botanical Gardens

Above: Vintage Sedanca de Ville Rolls-Royce – Credit “Alden Jewell/CC BY-SA 2.0”

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instant success. Dodie had again written under a pen name, this time CL Anthony, leading to much speculation as to the identity of the play’s author. When her identity was finally revealed, she became widely known in the newspapers as the “shopgirl who turned playwright”. With the play’s success Dodie no longer needed to be a “shopgirl” and resigned from her job at Heal’s. Thereafter she wrote a string of plays, all of which were box-office hits. Her fourth play, Call It A Day, was notable for achieving the distinction at the time of then being the longest running play of any written by a woman in this country. With the money she made from her plays and the film rights for Autumn Crocus, Dodie was able to purchase a 17th-century cottage near the village of Finchingfield in Essex called The Barretts. She moved into the property in 1934 and it remained Dodie’s much-loved country home for the rest of her life. Dear Octopus, which was published and first produced for the stage in 1938, is widely regarded as being Dodie Smith’s finest play. The first London stage production is notable for featuring an early performance from that giant of British theatre, Sir John Gielgud. Its unusual title comes from a celebratory speech given during the play, “To the family – that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to”, a phrase which quite brilliantly sums up the complicated set of emotions so many of us experience in relation to our nearest and dearest. In 1939 Dodie set sail for the USA to oversee the Broadway production of Dear Octopus, together with Alec Beesley and her beloved Dalmatian dog, Pongo (Disney fans may already be making a connection here). A newspaper article of the time describes how her Dalmatian dog was “her constant companion, particularly at the weekends in her country home. Once when it was ill, she postponed a holiday abroad to see that it had every care and attention”. Soon after arriving in New York, the pair secretly married and Alec became her business manager. The couple would not return to live full-time in the UK for over a decade. Dodie found herself much in demand as a screenwriter during her time in the States, although she is said not to have enjoyed it all that much. However, if they had chosen to come home during the war, Alec’s stance as www.lancmag.com

a conscientious objector would have made life extremely difficult for them and so the decision was taken to stay in North America.

Above: Walt Disney in 1946

During this time of self-imposed exile Dodie turned to writing her first novel and in 1948 I Capture The Castle was published. In the fourth volume of her memoirs, Look Back With Gratitude, Dodie vividly recalls the acute homesickness she suffered during this period, as well as the guilt she felt at having abandoned her homeland during a time of war. I Capture The Castle is said to have been inspired by this longing for home. The novel features the eccentric Mortmain family, who live in a crumbling castle in the middle of the English countryside. The story is told through the eyes of 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain, an aspiring author, and even though it is set during the 1930s, it is not difficult to imagine Dodie recalling with a pang of homesickness her own upbringing in the genteel Manchester suburbs of the Edwardian era. LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 79

I Capture The Castle was a bestseller and critically acclaimed at the time of its publication, and still has its devoted fans today. In 2019 it was included in a BBC poll of the 100 “most inspiring” novels of all time by a panel of six writers and critics. As an interesting aside, I Capture The Castle was adapted for the stage in 1954 and the cast for its first production at The Aldwych in London featured a very young Roger Moore in what is believed to be his West End stage debut. Dodie and Alec finally returned to live fulltime in the UK in 1953 and three years later the book for which she is most famous was published. Now aged 59, The Hundred and One Dalmatians was Dodie’s first children’s book. The idea for its plot is said to have come from a throw-away remark made by a friend, who, on visiting and seeing her dalmatian dogs, was prompted to say that they would make “a lovely fur coat”. The infamous Cruella de Vil’s name was in part inspired by the car which Dodie was driving at the time – a Rolls-Royce Sedanca de Ville. The classic Disney animated film version of the book followed in 1961. Walt Disney himself personally visited the couple at The Barretts, their cottage in Essex, to seal the deal for the film rights. Dodie is said to have approved of the film version, her only complaint being the size of her credit. In many ways, the Disney adaptation of The Hundred and One Dalmatians proved a godsend. Dodie kept writing, but her later work never achieved the popularity of her earlier output. Her style of writing, with its focus on cosy domestic life, was by the 1960s simply out of fashion when the emphasis was much more on gritty realism. The royalties from Disney allowed Dodie and Alec to continue to enjoy the comfortable lifestyle to which they had become accustomed. Dodie did write a sequel, The Starlight Barking, in 1967, a fantasy children’s novel in which the dalmatians from the original book are visited by an extra-terrestrial dog, who invites them to return with him to his home planet to escape the dangers of nuclear war on earth. (Gratifyingly, they decide to stay with their human owners). This book was never filmed by Disney. Although the later 1996 live-action version, 101 Dalmatians, in which Glenn Close starred as the villainous Cruella de Vil, was followed by a sequel, this bears no relation to the plot of The Starlight Barking. 80

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As the couple spent their twilight years in their country cottage, Dodie worked on the four volumes of memoirs which describe so vividly the story of her life up to her return to the UK in 1953. A fifth volume was planned and largely written, but disappointingly never saw the light of day. It would have been fascinating to read Dodie’s impressions of her encounters with Walt Disney.

Above: The Starlight Barking by Dodie Smith

Dodie passed away in 1990, aged 94, three years after Alec’s death. She was much comforted in her final days by her one remaining Dalmatian, Charley. Sadly, he died too only weeks after the death of his doting owner. Dodie’s connection with Manchester is now commemorated with a blue plaque on one of her former childhood homes, on which she is described as “the author of One Hundred and One Dalmatians”. Like so many other once popular writers of her generation, the rest of her work is now largely forgotten and her halcyon days in the 1930s when she was known as the “shopgirl who turned playwright” are but a distant memory. It is poignant to think that were it not for Walt Disney, Dodie Smith may well now not be remembered at all. www.lancmag.com

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Magical Healey Dell, Dancing Lights “they looked like In a beautiful area of the North West of England is an enchanted place called Healey Dell where there are some strange local tales as old as time. Well-known for its nature and beautiful surroundings,

orbs of light”

Healey Dell’s almost mystical setting carries its own rich folklore and legends. When you walk the trails here or set off into the thicker trees it is not too hard to envisage why the area has a host of stories, magic

The legend of the ‘Healey Dwarf’, is represented by a small stone sentinel in the middle of the river. It is said that the Dwarf cavorted with the fairies there and told them he never wanted to leave, so there he still stands. The Dwarf was said to be the size of a small child with a huge ginger beard, he was always dressed in green and brown with checked trousers and a white shirt rolled up at the sleeves.

other. I became aware of the sound of voices, like children’s voices. They seemed happy and cheeky. I followed the sound, concentrating on it until I came to a stream. it was then I realised that the sound of the voices was coming from the stream itself! I listened intently for a moment, entranced by the way the babbling of the water and the distinct sound of playful voices was one and the same. After a short time I called my friend who was some meters away, enthusiastically but in hushed tones, telling him to listen to the river. We both knelt down quietly paying attention to the sound. But before I had time to ask him what he made of it we both caught sight of something on the other side of the stream.

Visiting this area was a treat for me and I can attest to just how magical those woods are. I would like to thank the witness Sam for allowing me to share the experience and for getting me to the right spot. Anyone wishing to do the same should head for Smallshaw wood and find the stream there. They Looked Like Orbs of Light Witness Report: Sam - “The story I am about to relate happened sometime in my late teens, in the late 1990s. It was dusk, a friend and I had been walking on the hills. We descended into the woodlands of Healey Dell, an ancient woodland, now a nature reserve, near Rochdale in Lancashire. As we walked deeper into a remote part of woods we became aware of a strange atmosphere and a kind of weird mist in the air. It was like stepping into something from a 82

and supernatural mischief, involving fairies, dwarves, witches, elves and evil spirits. Yet there are strange reports here in modern times too.

film. Everything seemed to take on the feeling of a surreal stage set. Reality felt fake in some way. This ‘derealisation’ phenomena is something I’ve experienced during other paranormal events. Strange yet familiar and indeterminate. Both me and my friend went into a strange playful mood, both exploring the wooded area in a childlike, dreamy, almost intoxicated manor. Him going one way, me going the

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This part of the story is hard to describe. We both silently watched as a group of lights, maybe 7 in total, danced around before us on the other side of the stream. The lights were animated and seemed strangely intelligent, dancing around and interacting with each other. I had the distinct feeling they could see us and wanted us to see them. There was a feeling of communication between us. I hesitate to call them fairies, they had no distinct features. They looked like orbs of light and moved in a way reminiscent of a group of animals. The www.lancmag.com

whole atmosphere was dreamlike and surreal. We seemed to be in some sort of trance.

nothing strange at all. It all seemed quite absurd. an enthusiastic friend even brought a camera along!

We watched the lights in stunned silence for an indeterminate amount of time. Eventually I became unnerved and said we should leave. I had half remembered local folk tales of fairies taking people away and thought it best to get out of there. Although looking back there seemed nothing malevolent about the encounter and the folk tales I’d heard never struck me as frightening or true even.

Before and since this experience I have had many mystical and paranormal experiences, Some of which have been utterly life changing but this one seems relevant to share as it is more of a story of place and involves other people. Over the past few years I have taken to going back to the same spot around christmas time to recognise the event. It’s become a sort of ritual, giving thanks for such a strange beguiling encounter. whatever it was.

We retreated, made our way up the bank, out of the tree line and into the fading light of the evening. The strange intoxicating feeling lifted as quickly as it had come and we sat on the hillside exchanging only a few words, in a kind of bewildered shock. As we sat there in that state a small white feather drifted down beautifully from side to side before our eyes eventually landing softly on my friend’s knee. it so totally absorbed our attention that we were again in a kind of trance or stunned catatonia. Reality seemed somehow fake or like a play of some kind. We related our story to friends the next day and a group of us went back to the spot but the atmosphere felt normal and mundane. There was www.lancmag.com

And that’s my story Tis most true and faithful Sam”

As we know there are many names for these lights/orbs,.I think of them as energy in its purest form, but the regional and historical names change with the times. Some call them Will -o- wisp’, Ghost lights or Faerie Lights. They are said to beckon travellers deeper and deeper into the woods. Often seen at night but also in the day the lights are hard to describe, they can be fleeting or dance for hours on end. I do have other reports like this in the UK and there is one lady in Scotland who caught them on camera even in the daytime. Have you experienced anything like this? or anything strange in the Healey Dell area please get in touch - debbiehatswell@gmail.com

Until next time...

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Supporting women this Spring with gorgeous stationery The Lily and Lionel for Katie Leamon collaboration is a gorgeous new range of luxury stationery and cards from both independent, sustainable, female owned British brands, and lifelong friends!

Taking the signature Spring prints from the dresses of Lily and Lionel and applying it to the luxury notepads, gift wrap and greetings cards Katie Leamon is loved for, the collection is perfect for spring cleaning the stationery collection or sending a bit of love to your favourite women.

Below: Lily and Lionel for Katie Leamon

Right: Lily and Lionel for Katie Leamon

£24.95 notebook 2021

£24.95 Bloom Notebook

‘For both Alice and I the collection had to encompass that warmth and sentiment found in the exchange of a hand written card; That joyous moment when you see a gift wrapped so beautifully you don’t want to touch it, yet can’t keep your hands from it; That feeling of starting a new notebook so pretty you don’t dare make a mistake.... we appreciate these moments, we feel these moments, and we wanted to bring them to our customers in the form of a beautiful collection of stationery. As small, British, female founded brands, we both had a lot in common and both believe this collection delivers a timeless collection of stationery you can treasure. We used six of Lily and Lionel’s iconic prints, incorporated a scallop edge that both brands are known for, and sourced everything from sustainable sources. The collection is something both Alice and I have poured our hearts into, despite doing so during a pandemic and we are both so proud of it’. Katie Leamon

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University announces new online partnership with CEG Digital

New initiative will see the partners develop, market and deliver high quality online postgraduate degree programmes to students around the world.

he University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Cambridge Education Group’s Digital division (CEG Digital) have agreed an exciting new partnership enabling students across the globe to access UCLan’s postgraduate degree portfolio from the comfort of their own homes. The new alliance will see both UCLan and CEG develop and market an initial set of part-time, online postgraduate degrees. Over time, the partnership will enable UCLan to expand its international reach and recruit a diverse mix of students for an expanding number of online postgraduate courses. From September 2021, students will be able to enrol on postgraduate programmes in course

areas such as social policy, international business management and intercultural business communication. Next year the University is looking to extend its academic offer through further business-related programmes, public health-related provision, law and international relations and translation. Providing flexibility relating to programme start dates, an additional two student intakes are planned during each academic year. Every enrolled student will learn from UCLan academics who are experts in their field, as well as receiving specialist tutor and pastoral support, without having to travel to the University’s campuses. UCLan Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin

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said: “We are delighted to sign this partnership with Cambridge Education Group’s Digital division which gives us an exciting opportunity to bring our extensive range of postgraduate programmes to a new worldwide audience. Our ethos combines academic excellence and real-world teaching, and whether online or on campus, we specialise in giving students the skills and experience industry needs.” Brendan Webb, co-CEO of Cambridge Education Group, added: “We’re delighted to announce this partnership with UCLan through our Digital division. Building on our existing provision with the University through our pathway programmes, this new initiative will further widen the opportunities for international

students to access the University’s courses and develop their careers.” With a student and staff community of 38,000, UCLan is a global University, enrolling students from more than 100 countries and partnering 125 institutions from across the globe. Its commitment to delivering educational excellence has been recognised by the QS World University Rankings that in 2020 awarded UCLan the maximum five stars for the quality of its teaching. The University is also ranked in the top 6.5 percent of universities worldwide in the 202021 Centre for World University Rankings.

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New homes across Lancashire How very Redrow We pride ourselves in building quality homes throughout Lancashire

Images typical of Redrow homes. Details correct at time of going to press.

Discover more about the new homes in Lancashire

Visit: redrow.co.uk/lancashire

Redrow strive to create environments that will stand the test of time, where people can appreciate and enjoy their surroundings. We create homes that are designed for the way we live today, yet are rooted in the time-honoured traditions of craftsmanship and care.

Megan’s proud to be forging a path for women in construction MARCH 8th marks International Women’s Day 2021 and one woman who is making strides for others to follow in her footsteps is Megan Woodburn, an assistant site manager from Aintree, Liverpool.

egan has held her role at Redrow’s North West division for five years and is currently working at its South Liverpool development, Allerton Gardens. She is aiming to inspire and instil confidence in other women who want to work in the industry. Megan started working in construction after completing a Building Surveying degree at Liverpool John Moores University, followed by a two-year graduate programme at Redrow that led to her appointment as an assistant site manager, working at sites across the North West. Megan says: “I originally signed up to do maths with education studies in the hope of becoming a maths teacher and it wasn’t until speaking to a careers counsellor that I realised the scope of university courses available and that the likes of the construction industry could be an option for me.” Statistics* show that in 2020, there were 1.9 million male construction workers compared to just 298,000 female. However, Megan, 26, says she has had nothing but encouragement to pursue a construction career. “At university it was predominantly males on my course, there were only five other females. But I quickly realised we were all young and new to building surveying, so the male to female ratio was irrelevant and we all had the same aim; to leave university with a degree behind us,” says Megan. A study** in 2019 showed the percentage of women working in the construction industry was: • 3% of women in manual trades • 5% of women in engineering • 8% of women in haulage • 12% women at professional roles And even though there is still a way to go to increase the proportion of women working in the construction industry, Megan says she is seeing more young females coming through the same graduate scheme she did, including some of her friends. “I feel so proud of where I’ve managed to get in my career so far. I have had to overcome a lot of self-doubt in this role due to public stereotypes regarding women working in the industry. However, I can see women working in the industry becoming the norm and it makes me proud to think I played a small part in getting to the stage we are at now,” adds Megan. 90

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For the last two years, Megan has been mentored by Redrow Lancashire’s managing director Claire Jarvis. Claire, 43, was one of the company’s rising stars in her former role as sales and marketing director for the Chorleybased Lancashire operation, which she held for seven years, before she was appointed to the newly created role of Group sales director. In 2020, she became managing director of Redrow Lancashire and is one of only a handful of female housing chiefs in the UK’s private housing sector. Claire says: “Redrow’s mentoring programme aims to provide inspiration and support to the next generation of aspiring women leaders within the business, and the wider housebuilding sector, by identifying female role models across all levels and providing one-to-one mentoring. “We’re now seeing more women coming into trade apprenticeships, into site management and other roles perhaps previously perceived as male-dominated. This will no doubt lead to many more women in senior roles within the construction industry and certainly more female MDs.” Megan’s aim is to become a fully-qualified site manager and then a project manager and says having Claire as a mentor has helped her see just how far she can go: “Claire is the perfect example of a role model for young, female professionals who work in the construction industry. Being able to witness her numerous achievements and her promotions towards her gaining her current role of managing director has helped me believe that it is possible for me, and other young females in the industry, to do the same.” Megan’s message to other girls thinking of going into a career in construction is to not be held back thinking you can’t do it, especially when there is so much support out there from companies such as Redrow. To find out more about Redrow’s apprenticeships and graduate scheme visit: www.redrow.co.uk/careers * • Employment in the UK construction industry by gender 2020 | Statista ** Women in the future of construction - Innovate UK (blog.gov.uk) www.lancmag.com

Redrow’s Megan Woodburn www.lancmag.com

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SIMPLE STEPS TO A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER YOU How Nutrition & Lifestyle Coaching Can Help You

Hello! I’m Catherine from Catherine Dean Coaching. I’m a Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach who works with women that are ready to ditch diets, have more energy and feel better. My approach to health and wellbeing isn’t about quick fixes or fad diets. It’s about helping you to create healthy habits that fit around your busy life, make a real difference and, most importantly, last in the long term.

About 10 years ago I was diagnosed with spondylosis in my back and

Shutterstock photo 1033938349

prescribed strong painkillers. I knew I didn’t want to be on painkillers for the rest of my life, so I tried another option. I stopped hitting the gym hard and started to treat my body more gently with yoga and lots of walking. I cleaned up my diet, drank less wine (although I do still enjoy a glass) and improved my sleep. It helped more than I ever expected. I still don’t take painkillers for my back and feel better and have more energy now than I did 10 years ago.

I know first-hand how much difference a healthy lifestyle can make. That’s why I’m passionate about helping you to do the same; make small, simple changes that will make a significant difference to your health, energy and how you feel. Change isn’t easy though, even when we know those changes are for the best. This is where working with a Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach can really make a difference. I’ve previously worked as a careers adviser in the UK and a trainer & qualification assessor in France and have over 10 years’ experience supporting people to accomplish their goals. I’m here to help, not judge. I will listen with kindness & compassion and help you find the courage to keep going when things get tough.

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When it comes to weight loss we are often told to eat less, move more. Of course, there is some truth in this, but it isn’t the whole picture. Nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress

Shutterstock photo: 373400791

management all affect our weight and overall health.

Nutrition Are you confused about what you should be eating after years of yo-yo dieting? I get it. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there and it can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If you are used to constantly counting calories, you’ll know how frustrating and tiring this can be. If you are trying to lose weight you do need to be in a calorie deficit. However, the quality of the calories you eat matters too. In fact, for our longterm health, it matters much more.

I will work with you to reduce the amount of highly processed foods in your diet. These foods are quick, easy and can taste great, but are usually full of sugar, salt and chemicals. Often, they don’t contain many nutrients our bodies need and plenty of ingredients that can harm our long-term health and weight loss efforts. However, there is room in a healthy, balanced diet for all foods; I don’t believe in good or bad foods. Yes, there are foods that are more nutrient rich than others and I would absolutely encourage you to choose them most of the time. Cutting out foods you love completely? It’s not necessary. An all or nothing approach to dieting can lead to restriction, which in turn can lead to overeating. This can cause feelings of guilt and shame which, of course, aren’t helpful for our emotional wellbeing. I take a gentle approach to nutrition, where the focus is always, “How can we add more nutrient rich food into your diet?”. It’s about eating more of the foods that you enjoy and make you feel good. We focus on nourishing your body, not depriving it. Yes, it’s a more gentle take on nutrition than the typical all or nothing

Shutterstock photo 1260533581

dieting but it’s also incredibly effective. It’s about much more than losing weight, it’s about helping you feel better and have more energy in the long-term. My top tip to improve your nutrition: At every meal, ask, “Could I add another vegetable to this dish?”. Simple ways to eat more vegetables includes adding spinach, kale or avocado to your smoothies and mixing onions, peppers or tomatoes into an omelette.

Client Testimonial

You go into a lot of detail, but make it easy to understand. Instead of feeling like I need to deprive myself and diet, I feel more positive about it and instead of taking something away I’m giving myself what I need and caring for myself. Kelly, Bolton www.lancmag.com

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Stress management and sleep are incredibly important to both our long-term health and weight loss, but are easy to neglect in our busy lives. When you’re stressed, tired or both at the same time, you’re likely to reach for more caffeine or sugary snacks to get you through the day. You're also more likely to choose quick and easy, less nutritious foods. These usually give us a quick boost in the short term, but can actually make us feel more tired and stressed in the long run.

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Stress When we’re stressed our sympathetic nervous system is activated, getting us ready to fight or run for our lives, and energy is taken away from our digestive system. Our body responds in the same way no matter what the cause of stress. This means we might not be absorbing all the vitamins and minerals we need from our food. Some of these vitamins and minerals are essential for our metabolism to work effectively and is just one way that stress can affect weight loss.

My top tip to help you reduce stress: Write a daily gratitude journal. Evidence shows that a regular gratitude practice can support our physical and mental health. Start small; simply write down 3 things you are grateful for each night before bed. This can help to shift your focus from the trials and tribulations of the day to the more positive aspects, reducing your stress levels.

Sleep Ever wondered why you feel hungrier the day after you’ve had a bad night’s sleep? That could be your hormones. When you’re sleep deprived your body produces more ghrelin, the hormone that controls the hunger feeling. A good night’s sleep can refresh and rejuvenate us overnight, so we wake up feeling energised and invigorated. Many of us don’t wake up feeling like this though. This often-overlooked pillar of health can affect our weight and health more than we realise.

My top tip to help you get a better night’s sleep: Turn your phone off an hour before bed. The blue light from phones, iPads and other screens can increase cortisol, the

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stress hormone, and stop us from winding down properly for sleep. If an hour is too much right now, start with 15 minutes and build up from there.

Client Testimonial

I feel better overall, my jeans fit better & my sleep has improved. I was surprised I’d lost weight after making just a few simple changes. Catherine was accommodating and everything was clearly explained & easy to understand. I would absolutely recommend her services. More than ever people are interested in looking after their health and I think this is a really good investment. Sarah, Manchester 94

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Exercise I used to be an avid gym goer, hitting the cardio machines about 3 times a week and more if I could. I didn’t enjoy it though. In fact, I used to sit in the gym car park willing myself to go in. When I eventually dragged myself inside I would get on the cross trainer or treadmill and push myself until I’d burned off all the calories in that cake, chocolate or cookie I told myself I shouldn’t have had earlier. Thankfully, now I know there’s another way. Exercise isn’t just a way to burn calories, it can also be fun, help to reduce stress, increase our energy levels, improve sleep and build our confidence. Finding a way of working out that you enjoy is something I highly recommend. In fact, I think it’s essential. Exercise also isn’t the only way our bodies burn calories. Our bodies are using energy and burning calories all the time. One of the ways our bodies burn calories is through NEAT, (non-exercise activity thermogenesis). NEAT is the energy our

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body uses when we’re doing daily activities such as cleaning, cooking, gardening or walking to work. It makes a difference too. NEAT can count for up to 25% of the calories we burn each day. Unfortunately for most of us it’s a lot less than this. Simply increasing your NEAT activity can significantly increase the calories you burn each day.

My top tip to help you include more NEAT activity in your day: Set a reminder on your phone to move every hour or so. Then go for a quick walk, do some squats, or a small household task. It doesn’t matter what you do, just move regularly. If you’re looking to improve your health in a way that will help you to feel less stressed and more energised, check out my six- or twelve-week coaching packages. My holistic approach to weight loss is perfect for you if you want to create healthy habits that last. For fully personalised nutrition and lifestyle advice that works for you, get in touch. I’d love to hear from you. If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, keep an eye out for more advice from me in future editions of Lancashire Magazine. I’ll be joining you every month throughout 2021. Why not head to my website: www.catherinedeancoaching.co.uk where you’ll find my weekly blog and some fantastic free guides. You can also email me if you have any nutrition and lifestyle questions you’d like me to answer in future columns: info@catherinedeancoaching.co.uk

Client Testimonial

Catherine was really good at working with me in overcoming problems without telling me what to do. Catherine offers a personalised view of your diet, nutrition & wellbeing in a way that you may not have thought about before and practical solutions to what may be stopping you, in my case, losing weight. At the end of my course I now feel I have a much better understanding that I can continue to make the small changes to reach my goal. Annette, Cheshire www.lancmag.com

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Successful Merger forms FabSpeed UK Group Pierce were delighted to advise on the successful merger of two of the UK’s leading Brick Fabrication Specialists The Fab-Lite Group and Litespeed Construction Systems, forming the new ‘FabSpeed UK’ Group.

ombining nearly 70 years of experience & technical ‘know-how’ in the Brick Industry, the Group will create one of the UK’s largest off-site brick fabrication companies. Offering a nationwide service in Prefabricated Brick Chimneys, Arches, Brick Special Shapes as well as a specialist range of BBA approved panel and masonry support systems from three manufacturing sites based in Yorkshire and Oxfordshire. The new enlarged business is well placed to help deliver the Government & Construction Industry drive to move to off-site solutions and utilise modern methods of construction, which is critical to overcome the skills shortage & provide the increased demand in future housing, infrastructure & commercial construction projects. Chris Penston and Mark Richards, the respective Managing Directors of each business will continue to be heavily involved on a day to day basis to help drive the new group forward. Chris Penston commented ‘’The merger of our two businesses under a single brand, bring the leading players in our industry together to create a one-stop shop across the UK, sharing best practice between our three respective manufacturing sites and giving customers the confidence that we have the technical expertise, backed by accredited products to supply construction sites across the UK. We will also continue to invest in technology and automated processes to ensure that we remain at the forefront of our market at competitive prices’’. Mark Richards ‘’The Brick Fabrication industry is currently fragmented and regional. We need to ensure that our customers have the support of a truly national business that has scale and takes seriously the obligations on Quality, Health and Safety and the Environment, whilst at the same time keeping focus on strong customer service. The merger ensures that we are at the forefront of all of these as we continue to look for further expansion opportunities across the UK’’. 96

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Both Directors also wished to thank Customers, Suppliers and Staff, all of whom have played their part in this opportunity and will continue to do so in the future. Immediately it is business as usual. Integration will be a considered process involving all stakeholders. Pierce Directors Tom Wilkinson and Nadeem Hussain were the lead advisors on the merger. Farleys Solicitors advised on legal-based matters. Tom Wilkinson ‘’Having dealt with both the Fab-Lite Group and Litespeed Construction Systems separately as valued clients of the firm, we were delighted to advise them in formalising their new FabSpeed UK group structure. It is pleasing to see entrepreneurial and forward-thinking clients looking to the future even during the current pandemic. The merging of two businesses at opposite ends of the country was challenging during current times and one which we won’t forget any time soon! We wish the Directors well in this exciting new chapter and look forward to seeing the business go from strength to strength. Thank you to everybody involved in the process.’’ Chris Penston ‘’Starting the process of a merger with one of our main competitors was a daunting task. Anyone considering this or indeed a sale/acquisition, my advice is make sure you have a good corner before you climb into the ring! In our case, both sides had their concerns along the way about the structure of the deal but Tom and the team at Pierce were experienced enough to realise this is all part of the process. Their advice was professionally given, and it felt like they were living the experience with us along the way. Tom was on hand to assist at every step along the way and I would have no hesitation in recommending Pierce’’.

To understand how Pierce can help your business contact them today on 01254 688100 or visit www.pierce.co.uk www.lancmag.com

I'm Catherine, a Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach, helping you to ditch diets and create healthy habits that last. Are you fed up of yo-yo dieting? Do you ever think, "the diet starts on Monday", but don't actually know where to start? Confused and overwhelmed by all the conflicting nutrition information online?

If you're ready to create sustainable habits that will make a difference to your weight, health and energy levels, a Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach could be exactly the help you need to finally achieve your goals. We’ll sort the facts from the fads and you'll gain the skills needed to apply your new knowledge to your life. One size doesn't fit all when it comes to diet. Together we'll create a fully personalised nutrition & lifestyle plan that works for you. If you're looking to create lasting change with simple steps that fit in with your busy life, get in touch. I can also help with: Simple steps to eating well Effective weight management Increasing your energy levels Reducing sugar cravings Stress management Your confidence & mindset Motivation and accountability

Book a free, no-obligation, 30-minute call to find out how we can work together on your health and weight loss journey

Contact me on 07901072895 or online at www.catherinedeancoaching.co.uk @catherinedeancoaching @catherinedeannutrition

SME Funding During the Covid Pandemic Whilst doubtless we will all have an opinion as to the relative success of direct Government action during the Covid pandemic, it is hard to argue that business support has not been robust.

rincipally this has been through grants (business rates/ furlough) but also through the stimulation direct of lending via a network of over 100 accredited lenders through 3 schemes:• Business Bounce Bank Loans (BBLS) - A lender can provide £2,000 up to £50,000 subject to a maximum of 25% of a business’ turnover. • Coronavirus Business Interruption Scheme (CBILS) - Funding available from £50k to £5m provided the recipient company does not operate with a restricted sector and has Turnover of less than £45m. • Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) – Facilities up to £200m, for eligible businesses with turnover greater than £45 million. Whilst there are substantial variations in the schemes the basic premise is that: • The British Business Bank provides a Government Backed Guarantee to the accredited lender to encourage direct support. • Recipient companies receive attractive terms through Capital and Interest Holidays and reduced overall costs via the inclusion of Business Interruption Payments (BIP) provided by the Government. Whilst it is difficult to argue that the schemes have not been well accessed: -

There remains however several challenges in regard to the overall scheme: • Accredited lenders are still running their typical processes – whilst there are examples of creative lending how do we really ask a business to forecast in the current environment?. This has often meant slow turnaround times meaning clients alternatively accessing the less burdensome BBILS scheme as a path of least resistance. • A general lack of understanding of the scheme rules in that applicants can access CBILS even if they have a BBILS loan, they are simply required to repay the BBILS facilitiy. Similarly, a client can access more than one CBILS facility. • The scheme by and large provided clients with a facility to bridge the highly disrupted trading environment, whilst the scheme has been pushed back to 31st March 2021 the economy has not returned to normal and there is an expectation that any further extensions of the scheme will be on less favorable terms. • Facilities arranged at the conception of the scheme are now running off Capital Repayment/Interest Holidays with a collective lack of clarity from the accredited lenders as to approach given the continued impact of the pandemic. At Pierce CF we have arranged over £60m of CBILS lending since the inception of the scheme and have robust relationships with the Accredited Lenders to ensure that the most suitable rather than easiest accessed finance is sourced. Given the impending deadline and the likely reduced incentives to accredited lenders it is highly recommended that the regions businesses access the scheme. Please get in touch to see how we can best assist you. To understand how Pierce can help your business contact them today on 01254 688100 or visit www.pierce.co.uk

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BOOKS Our roundup of this months literary delights

INTO THE SECRET HEART OF ASHDOWN FOREST: A HORSEMAN’S COUNTRY DIARY NEW BOOK LINKS AUGUSTUS CAESAR, SHERLOCK HOLMES, HENRY VIII, POOH BEAR, ANNE BOLEYN, EZRA POUND & W.B. YEATS TO THE WILD AND SECRET LANDSCAPE OF ASHDOWN FOREST IN EAST SUSSEX

This lyrical book is a love letter to Ashdown Forest after a forty-year affair. Wry, funny, moving and vivid, this memoir chronicles the life of the author and the ten square miles of country he calls his Kingdom. The book captures the natural beauty of this little known landscape but also its history and literary history. Emperors and kings marched across it, hunted deer here and literary giants fell in love with it calling it Scotland in Sussex (Arthur Conan Doyle) and inventing a children’s world (AA Milne). This book is as good as a brisk walk in the woods on an autumn day. Written with love and passion it is a hymn to landscape and freedom. It is a close and deep observation of the writer’s adopted country the fabled Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, England, (the home of Winnie the Pooh) where he has lived and ridden for the past forty years. His gift is the ability to take you deep into the landscapes that make this place resonate in his heart: its streams, woods, 100

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heathlands. You meet its literary residents A.A, Milne, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ezra Pound and W.B. Yeats. You get beneath its skin among the networks of fungi that allow the trees to speak. You taste its foods, meet its locals both the living and the ghosts, and see its huge importance during the plague year 20-21 through the pandemic lockdowns. His passion for horses shines through these pages and his writing is, as he himself says, a form of ‘moving meditation’. He takes you under the soil of this place and he leaves a soft glow on the landscape when he is gone. The 22 essays in the book are small narrative jewels of landscape, horses, friendship, and a search for belonging - what it means to feel part of a place, having lost the one he was born to in South Africa’s Cape. In him Ashdown has found a new voice. Having read this book you will see the forest through his eyes as a place of www.lancmag.com

PRAISE FOR BOOKS BY JULIAN ROUP REVIEWS OF ‘LIFE IN A TIME OF PLAGUE’

The book is illustrated by the talented East Grinstead artist & horsewoman Abbie Hart.

Abbie Hart flying on Alfred

magic. This is nature writing at its best, echoing that of Roger Deacon and Robert Macfarlane. The author, Julian Roup says of this book: “After the best part of a year in lockdown thanks to Covid-19 it became clear to me as never before how much I owed to the place that has been my home for 40 years - Ashdown Forest in East Sussex and to my horses who have carried me across its green miles. The forest and the horses have brought me health and peace and contentment when in fact life offered just the opposite. The pandemic truly brought it home to me how important nature is to our wellbeing. So this book is a thank you to the Forest and to the horses, particularly my newest horse, Callum, the big chestnut Irish Sports Horse who has been my salvation during this plague year.” www.lancmag.com

“It is a wonderful account of the time of coronavirus; I especially like the reverie at the end with its sense of time regained in that Proustian way. Julian Roup has a great gift for evocation and description.” Bernard O’Donoghue, Whitbread Prize winning Irish poet, Oxford don, author of Seamus Heaney and the Language of Poetry. “Witty, incisive, irreverent, iconoclastic.” George Plumptre, CEO National Garden Scheme, author of The English Country House Garden and Royal Gardens of Europe. “Julian Roup tells the story of his corner of rural Britain under the first 75 days of lockdown. His beautiful writing captures the way the world slowed down amid the strangeness of the new reality. The book is a snapshot of the details that make up the fabric of history – thinking back on memories of friends passed, observations on humanity and the natural world in his East Sussex valley, and of course his lovely horse Callum. Riders will appreciate how horses – in both reality and in our imagination – serve as an escape.” Horse & Hound REVIEWS OF ‘A FISHERMAN IN THE SADDLE’ “This is story telling charged with raw emotion and always a deep appreciation for the sheer beauty and the enduring magic of nature which transcends politics, implosion of families, emigration. Horses, the author says, became ‘my nation, my friends, my identity, my medicine. When I am in the saddle I’m home.’” Robyn Cohen, The Cape Times “Every now and then a gem of a new book lands on my desk: sometimes but rarely a diamond. This is one. I laughed. I cried. I was deeply moved. This is among the best books I have ever read about fishing, horses, growing up, the pain of maturity, leaving one’s homeland and the things that make up the richness of life.” Dave Bristow, Getaway Magazine “The ability of horses to help and heal is boundless. In A Fisherman in the Saddle, Julian Roup explains how he feels about horses. ‘The feeling of elation, of freedom, of excitement was indescribable. It was like being given wings and the gift of flight. I was hooked for life.’ I know the feeling, and I hope many others discover it for themselves.” Octavia Pollock, Country Life REVIEWS OF ‘BOEREJOOD’ “Brilliant, just terrific, really very, very good. Engaged, intelligent, personal, fast moving and funny.” Graham Watts, Financial Times, London “A delicate exploration of a society 10 years after the end of apartheid and the onset of majority rule. Roup has no nostalgia for the old regime, but immense sadness for the embattlement of the Afrikaans language and culture.” John Lloyd, Editor, FT Weekend Magazine

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Warrington By Sarah Ridgway

The History of Warrington The picturesque town of Warrington lies on the banks of the River Mersey and has a long and fascinating history. Dating back to an early Roman settlement the town evolved into a busy market town that flourished during the industrial revolution. The Warrington Wolves are nicknamed the Wire in relation to the town’s booming wire production sector at that time. Always a place to welcome innovation, the Sankey Canal was Britain’s first commercial canal, the first public library opened in Warrington and during WW2 RAF Burtonwood was the largest US airbase outside of America. 102

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Warrington was founded around 100AD by the Romans forming a settlement at what is now Wilderspool, although archaeologists have found evidence of earlier settlements dating back to the Bronze Age. Owing to the town’s convenient location on the banks of the River Mersey the settlement became a major crossing point. By the Middle Ages Warrington had transformed into a thriving market town specialising in tool production and textiles. The original town was founded beside the bridging point of the River Mersey and the first mention of a bridge was referenced in 1285. www.lancmag.com

Right: Greenhouse at Walton Hall and Gardens

During the Civil War Oliver Cromwell lodged close to the old town centre. Cromwell’s Cottage on Church Street which is now an Indian restaurant is still one of the town’s oldest landmarks. Despite the building’s namesake Cromwell is said to have stayed just one night there. On 13th August 1651, Warrington lay scene to The Battle of Warrington Bridge. Under the leadership of Parliamentarians Major-Generals John Lambert and Thomas Harrison thousands of calvary clamored for control of the bridge. The Royalists would go on to claim victory although it was to be their last win of the English Civil War. There is a cast-iron statue of Oliver Cromwell outside the Warrington Academy in commemoration of the battle. By the time the industrial revolution rolled around Warrington had expanded and had become the centre of many industries including: copper smelting, sail-making, pin manufacturing, textiles, tanning and chemical industries. It was also

Above: Air Hangar at RAF Bruntwood

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a big steel producer with a specific focus on wire making. At the time, the wire industry was the largest employer in the town. Subsequently, the Warrington Rugby League team are nicknamed The Wire, and the local radio station also operates as Wire FM. Throughout this period the logistical aspects of the River Mersey were vastly improved upon. The River Mersey already connected to Manchester extended to Liverpool in 1702. In 1757 The Sankey Canal was the very first commercial canal

in Britain to open, the building of canals enabled the town to continue to grow economically. The steam age was also a huge boost for Warrington both as a power source for its mills and factories and a mode of transport. Victorian times would prove to be an eventful and notable era for Warrington. In 1830 The LiverpoolManchester railway opened and seven years later The Victoria Bridge was built. In 1848 the country’s first public library opened here, the Warrington Museum and Art Gallery also opened the same year. The Manchester ship canal was completed south of Warrington in 1894 and by 1900 Warrington became a County Borough. In 1940 the RAF Bruntwood military airbase served as the largest US Army Air Force airfield outside the United States. During the Second World War thousands of aircraft would be repaired here and over 18,500 Americans were based at Burtonwood. Surprisingly luckier than neighboring Liverpool and Manchester, the base managed to avoid being a target of the German bombing raids. The influence of the GIs on the community was also incredibly significant and more than 6,500 local women were swept off their feet by the dashing airmen and

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became GI brides, major Hollywood stars such as Humphrey Bogart and Bob Hope also visited to provide entertainment for the base. In the 1950s Burtonwood was considered for the regional airport but this decision was short-lived, and today has been transformed into a Heritage Centre where visitors can learn all about Bruntwood’s fascinating 54year history. The centre also has a popular exhibition on Bruntwood’s GI brides including the stories of how they met, their journey to America and their descendants. By the late sixties, Warrington had expanded, and its population grew significantly, in 1974 the Lancashire town moved into the county of Cheshire. Today Warrington is a busy town with a population of around 209,000. Home to a variety of business head offices the town boasts a thriving economy and a low unemployment rate.

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Warrington and Wonderland Author Lewis Carroll is Warrington’s most celebrated resident. Born as Charles Dodgson in Daresbury 1832, the author would go on to pen the world-famous children’s book Alice in Wonderland under the name Lewis Carroll. The author was born at the parsonage at Daresbury where his father was the vicar at All Saints church. Today the parsonage is a protected National Trust site and despite being destroyed over 100 years ago in a fire still attracts Alice fans from around the world. The Lewis Carroll Centre housed inside All Saints Church is a wonderful facility where visitors can learn about Carroll’s early life and his inspiration for Alice in Wonderland, the centre opened in 2012 and welcomes around 10,000 visitors a year. Alice in Wonderland enthusiasts Myra Fye and Irene Rutter are the two volunteers who run the centre. and explain the centre receives visitors from all over the world despite the location not

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being the easiest to get to. Volunteer Irene Rutter elaborates as to the success of Alice in Wonderland 150 years on, and says: “He was one of the first to write a book like that for children that hadn’t got a religious background to it. A lot of the children’s books up to then had been based on religious stories or morals.” To this day Alice in Wonderland still captures the imagination of audiences worldwide. The book has been brought to the big screen and the 1951 Disney animation remains the most memorable. You can spot Alice in Wonderland references across Warrington, with the Cheshire Cat, carved in sandstone above the door of All Saints Church and the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party sculpture in the Golden Square which was officially opened by Princess Diana. Lewis Carroll grew up as the eldest boy of 10 children with no running water or electricity, so his early life was not the easiest. Carroll would www.lancmag.com

Above: Walton Hall and Gardens

therefore entertain his siblings with games and stories and even set up a newspaper. From a young age, Carroll was said to be writing poems and short stories sending his work to magazines. He would go on to study at Christ Church at Oxford University later working there as a mathematics tutor. It was at Oxford where Carroll met Alice Liddell, the daughter of the Dean of Christ Church. Carroll would tell Alice and her siblings’ stories and fairy tales; it is often speculated Alice Liddell was the real-life inspiration for his later heroine. He wrote Alice in Wonderland aged 30 and a few years later the sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass. At the time of his death, his two novels were the most popular children’s books in England. There is an addition of famous faces hailing from Warrington including: Radio host Chris Evans, actress Sue Johnston best known for playing Barbara in the Royle Family, Hollywood actor Tim Curry who starred in The Rocky Horror www.lancmag.com

Show and Home Alone 2, West Ham football player Jesse Lingard and actor Pete Postlethwaite who Steven Spielberg was quoted saying “was the best actor in the world”. World-famous ukulele playing actor George Formby is also buried in Warrington cemetery.

Landmarks and Attractions Warrington is a short train ride from both Liverpool and Manchester, and with the picturesque Peak District only an hour away it is the perfect base to explore the North West of England. The bustling market town of Warrington is also not to be overlooked and is packed with attractions, culture, bars, and restaurants offering plenty to see and do. The Warrington Museum and Art Gallery opened in 1847 and is one of the oldest museums in the country. The Grade II listed building in the cultural quarter houses over 200,000 exhibits including natural science and archaeological discoveries dating right back to

the first Roman settlement in Wilderspool. The Art Gallery showcases pieces ranging from the 19th to the 20th century including a painting by L.S Lowry. Walton Hall & Gardens have been attracting visitors for nearly three generations. The impressive Walton Hall has been restored and is surrounded by picture-perfect gardens and woodlands. There are also plenty of other activities for the whole family including a playground, crazy golf and a children’s zoo including peacocks, pygmy goats, and alpacas with the option to adopt an animal. Warrington is surrounded by glorious countryside and Lymm Dam Country Park is a fine example. When the dam was constructed in 1824 it flooded the valley and created the lake. Today the Lymm Heritage Trail that runs around the lake is popular with dog walkers and ideal for relaxing besides with a picnic. Sankey Valley Park with the canal running through is ideal for nature lovers and bird watchers. Today the 16-mile Sankey Canal is

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known as the St Helen Canal and is a popular walking and cyclist route. The hidden gem of Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden continues to be a popular local attraction. After a period of decline with funding from The Heritage Lottery Fund and the friends of Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden, the facility was revitalised and nurtured into peaceful and beautiful gardens. Apple Jacks Adventure Farm is also a fun-packed family day out with activities aimed at children aged 4-12 years. There is a zip wire, quad karting, obstacle courses and a Maize Maze that will be available from late July. Of course, there is also an extensive array of agriculturally themed activities including hay bale archery, tractor rides and pig racing to keep everyone busy. Wild Wings Birds of Prey is a rescue and rehabilitation centre housing over 90 birds of prey. The staff and volunteers are more than happy to 106

educate its visitors and provide the option to get up close to the birds. There are daily flying displays and the centre is open all year and caters to all age groups. Gulliver’s World theme park has been providing fun and entertainment since for Warrington and beyond since 1989. Aimed at children aged 2-3 years the park has more than 90 rides with hotel, cabins, and glamping options available. Children can enjoy the park’s different zones including The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Safari Kingdom, Western World and Splash Zone, an indoor aqua park. With its spectacular Golden Gates, Warrington Town Hall stands out from the crowd. The building started life as a mansion called Bank Hall and it’s impressive Golden Gates are worth a marvel over they were cast in 1862 by the Crookdale Company in Iron Bridge, Shropshire.

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Above: Warrington Town Hall

Above left: Spike Island is a park in Widnes, Halton. It is an artificial island between the Sankey Canal and the estuary of the River Mersey

The hidden gem of Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden continues to be a popular local attraction

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For a Shopping fix then Warrington delivers, The Golden Square has all the high street favourites and independent brands on offer. The £11 million Warrington Market is the perfect spot for foodies and their spacious food court serves a variety of cuisines from around the world. For the warmer days, there is also a relaxing outdoor terrace to enjoy a meal. The market also houses independent traders selling local produce, clothing, musical instruments and of course a place to get a key cut. Warrington’s Cultural Quarter is home to entertainment venues Pyramid and Parr Hall who are both gearing up for 2021 and have a packed and varied calendar ready to go. Finally, you cannot visit Warrington and avoid the pride the town has for its rugby team The Warrington Wolves. They have won the league championship three times and the Challenge Cup on eight occasions so www.lancmag.com

you can imagine the atmosphere on match day is electric. Catch a game at the Halliwell Jones-Stadium which plays at a 15,200 capacity or find one of many great pubs and enjoy the game from there.

Above: The Golden Gates of Warrington Town Hall

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Above: Pictured outside after the licensing service are l-r Rev. Jonathan Carmyllie of Whalley Parish Church; Archdeacon Mark Ireland; Cathy Thomas; Bishop of Burnley, Rt Rev. Philip North; Rev. Adam Thomas, the new Director of Whalley Abbey; Rt Rev. Cyril Ashton; Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev. Julian Henderson; Bishop of Lancaster, Rt Rev. Dr Jill Duff; Archdeacon David Picken and Rev. Toby Webber from the Friends of Whalley Abbey. Credit - Clive Lawrence for Blackburn Diocese.

Director of Whalley Abbey has arrived and is now licensed The licensing service for the new Director of Whalley Abbey, Rev. Adam Thomas, took place this week at nearby Whalley Parish Church. Due to pandemic restrictions attendance numbers at the service were limited. •The service was broadcast live on the Diocesan YouTube channel and a recording is now available here on our channel and also on the Whalley Abbey Facebook page.

Left: Pictured outside after the licensing service are Rev. Adam Thomas, the new Director of Whalley Abbey, and his wife Cathy. Credit - Clive Lawrence for Blackburn Diocese.

•Meanwhile, visit this page on the Diocesan website for more on Adam’s appointment and our future plans for the Abbey and to view a video, also available here, in which Adam speaks about those plans in more detail. The current plan is to have the Whalley Abbey site fully reopened by September of this year as a Centre for Christian Discipleship and Prayer, pandemic restrictions permitting at that time of course, but bookings enquiries can be made now by emailing adam.thomas@whalleyabbey. org to start a conversation. Alongside this fresh new purpose for the site, a new monastic community will also be reestablished; the first in nearly five centuries. Representing strong support from the whole Diocese for the plans, Adam’s licensing service was attended by all our Bishops and Archdeacons: Rt Rev. Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn; Rt Rev. Philip North, Bishop of Burnley; Rt Rev. Dr Jill Duff, Bishop 108

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of Lancaster; the Venerable David Picken, Archdeacon of Lancaster and the Venerable Mark Ireland, Archdeacon of Blackburn, who is also current Chair of the Whalley Abbey Steering Group. Also attending were former Steering Group Chair, Rt Rev. Cyril Ashton; Liverpool Archdeacon Mike McGurk; Vicar of Whalley, Rev. Jonathan Carmyllie plus a few representatives from Whalley Abbey Steering Group, the Abbey praying community and the Friends of Whalley Abbey. Other Christian denominations in Whalley, including the Roman Catholic and Methodist Church sent their prayers and messages of goodwill. www.lancmag.com

Adam and his wife Cathy were also joined by a few family and friends and two representatives from Adam’s churches in Lytham where he was Curate immediately prior to becoming Abbey Director (St Cuthbert’s and St John’s). After the service, held appropriately in the Abbey’s ancient misericords which are now to be found in the parish church, Bishop Julian blessed the Abbey site itself and the Abbey Chapel and said: “The licensing service this evening represents a new chapter in the history of an ancient Christian site. As we emerge from the pandemic in the coming months and years, our new Centre for Christian Discipleship and Prayer at Whalley will be a place of refreshment. We are all praying for Adam and Cathy and for the success of the project. “The new Centre will serve our parishes of course, helping to create a new generation of disciples, witnesses and leaders for Christ; inspiring children and young people too. “But, as has been the case for countless previous generations, a welcome to the Abbey retreat house is also extended to everyone from across the whole of the County of Lancashire and beyond.” Archdeacon Mark commented: “Tonight’s service was a wonderful occasion. I am full of anticipation now for what the future holds; for what God has in store for us as we seek www.lancmag.com

to develop and grow our new Centre for Discipleship and Prayer. As Chair of the Abbey Steering Group I am grateful to all who were able to attend this evening. “It was a shame we had to limit attendance to just a few representatives of all the organisations and groups involved in getting us to this point. But we pray there will be brighter times ahead with many opportunities to come together again properly in great numbers to celebrate all God is doing at the Abbey!” Adam added: “Thank you everyone who was able to come this evening and for the prayers and good wishes Cathy and I have received both tonight and on the run up to this day. I’m delighted we were able to have the event livestreamed due to limited numbers who could attend in person. We are both excited now for the coming years - full of anticipation to see how God will use this site to grow his Kingdom here in Lancashire and beyond in new ways.

Above: A scene from the licensing service with Rev. Adam Thomas standing at left and Rt Rev. Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn, seated at right. Credit - Clive Lawrence for Blackburn Diocese.

“As we set out on our journey as part of the new Centre for Christian Discipleship and Prayer here at Whalley, we want to ensure it feels like a place where anyone can belong; where they can grow and be nurtured in their faith of course, but also that it is a place anyone feels they can escape to and find peace in and with God.”

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Goal Setting It’s never too late in the year to think about setting some personal targets. Research indicates that the first key step to making positive changes to our lifestyle is setting a goal. With this in mind, here are some of the things you may consider when setting a target to improve your heart health:

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Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK

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Be Clear About What You Want to Achieve

Write It Down

Detailed, specific goals that use some sort of framework such as SMART (www.mindtools.com/ pages/article/smart-goals.htm) can help us to set correspondingly clear actions on how to achieve our goal. Try and avoid goals which include statements such as ‘do your best’ and rather opt for an objective measure to assess your performance against such as ‘score above 80%’.

It can be useful to commit to your goal with a pencil and paper. Interestingly, those who sign a ‘contract’ of commitment to their goal will typically improve their chances of goal achievement; this could be a post-it note on the fridge or a handwritten pledge that you keep on your desk.

Share It Be Like Goldilocks We know that setting goals that are either too challenging or too easy will reduce your likelihood of success. Goals need to be ‘just right’ by offering a level of challenge whilst also being realistic.

Research also indicates that sharing our goal with someone else can improve accountability, and thus increase our likelihood of success.

Break It Down Try to include regular check-ins to assess your progress and adjust your goal if necessary. For example, if you are looking to lose weight, you may schedule a monthly weigh-in.

For more tips on how to improve your heart health, visit the ‘Healthy Tips’ page on our website. www.lancmag.com

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Bleach Boys and Manchester gains a green lung story. By Harold Cunliffe

Above: Grandstand at Heaton Park.

he Nation waits in eager anticipation to the time when we are free of the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. We are all looking forward to the “Stay Home, Save Lives,” message being no longer applicable. Looking back around 120 years we find that there were great expectations that the population of North Manchester could benefit from the purchase of a massive “Green Lung,” in which this recreational facility could be enjoyed by the local population providing a healthy pastime free of charge. Following negotiations with Manchester City Council and the Earl of Wilton, Heaton Hall and the vast 650 acre parkland including other buildings was purchased for the benefit of the City. It was during 1902 that the local newspapers carried the details of the sale of the

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It was considered that this park would make a considerable improvement in the health and lifestyle of those who used the park

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Above: Grand Lodge entrance to Heaton Park.

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Heaton Estate, constantly giving updates as to the progress of the sale. It was reported that the council took out a 52 year loan to pay off the £230,000 asking price. It was considered that this park would make a considerable improvement in the health and lifestyle of those who used the park. One comment which was published at the time, “This side of the City of Manchester will have a reputation of being the healthiest part of Cottonopolis.” Those wishing to visit Heaton Park from the Middleton, Oldham and Rochdale area would pass through the village of Rhodes. This village made the news in 1846 when a factory chimney was erected; standing at 321 feet high it was the tallest chimney in Europe. The Schwabe factory was located in valley of Rhodes, the chimney had to be constructed to such a height to carry the smoke above the hillside. Salis Schwabe, the mill owner was known to Chopin, legend has it that Chopin visited Rhodes at the invitation of Mr Schwabe to inspect the new chimney. The Calico Printers Association took over the enterprise in 1899. Great excitement emanated throughout the village one

Above: Heaton Park Boating Lake.

day in July 1928 upon the arrival of Sir Ofori Atta, the Gold Coast monarch, along with members of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. It was late afternoon when the African Chief arrived. We discover that as the news spread of his visit throughout the village a large crowd of locals had gathered outside the works, all eager to witness the Chief in his fine robes. School children along with many adults were not disappointed when the Chief came in to view in his native dress. He was clothed in a silk robe covered with a silk gown. One feature which excited

Above: The visit of Sir Ofori Atta on the 13th July 1928 Left: The Smethurst family grave Right: Mayor of Middleton and shop owner, Councillor Joseph Cockshott. (Photo loaned by Stephen Cook).

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the younger onlookers was the gold crown worn by the Chief along with a silver mounted ebony walking stick. During a tour of the works the African Chief laughed out loud and was highly amused when he witnessed a photograph of himself being printed on art silk; the image had been copied from the “Daily Mail,” for his visit had been covered by the national press. To mark his visit to the Rhodes works picture postcards were produced. Before leaving the works the African Chief placed a large order with the company. If we look back in history, Rhodes suffered two events which cast a dark cloud over the village. At both events almost every resident turned out to pay their respects. It was 1934 when the whole village were griefstricken by the death of James Turles (14) of Boardman Lane. James Ward (14) Thorpe St. James Parker (15) Chapel St and Fred Hardman (14) Chapel St. The deaths were caused by an accident, by an error of judgment. The memory of this incident is kept alive by the people who live in the village today relate the awful tragedy which took place at Heaton Mills, the accident was remembered as the “Bleach Boys” which resulted in the four boys having their funerals on the same day being interred at the same village graveyard. It was the final day before Whitsuntide and employees at

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Above: Christmas at the “Jolly,” Pete Cowap is visible top left of the photograph. (Mr James Adamson)

the Heaton Mills Bleach Works were in good spirits at the prospect of having a week off work. In the cleaning process the four boys mentioned were lowered into a Kier, a wooden vat used for bleaching cloth. Two boys were experienced, the others being trained in the art of cleaning. In another part of the works Mr Wrigley, an experienced Keir boiler operator was in the process of draining off the boiling bleaching liquor. In an error of judgment he opened the valves of two Kiers, thinking that the boiling water would drain away, but in fact the water had a slight pressure behind it and in consequence flooded the Kier which was in the process of being cleaned. The boiling liquor entered the vat at eight pounds a square inch pressure and as a result it submerging the four boys up to their waist in boiling water containing soda. Immediately after hearing their screams workers close by dragged them from the Kier. An employee at the works stated, “The poor lads had no means of escape from the boiling liquor until they were pulled out. I have never seen anything like the courage shown by these boys after they were rescued. Although they must have been suffering terrible pain they were laughing and talking cheerfully to each other while awaiting the arrival of the ambulance.” All four were 114

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taken to the Jewish Hospital. The Mayor, Councillor Joseph Cockshott gave his sincere condolences. He had a shop in the village, two of the boys were personally known to him, James Ward and Fred Hardman delivered newspapers. The Heaton Mills Tragedy became known all over the country; a statement detailing the tragedy was read out in the House of Commons. It was recommended that a lock should be put on the valves when in a closed position which would prevent this happening again. This would lock one valve preventing it from being used if the connecting valve is open, safeguarding from both valves being open at any one time. At one of the funeral services the Incumbent made mention to a previous disaster which shook the village in 1903. Evidence of this is visible today in the small cemetery which is located in close proximity to All Saints Church, Manchester Old Road. The memorial stone relates the details of a family of four who lost their lives on the same day.

Top: Blue plaque. (Danny Hardman) Above: Crickets record which was aired on the Basil Brush Show. (My record).

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Mrs Henshall heard loud screaming noises emanating from her next door neighbour very early one morning. She was concerned at hearing this sound so proceeded to the house at 5.45 a.m. where she knocked on the front door, but received no reply. Two hours later she became concerned that Mr Smethurst, the next door neighbour had not left to go to his place of work at the print works. With this in mind she once again knocked on the front and back doors in the hope of awakening the occupants. The curtains were drawn closed so she knew that they were all inside the house. A ladder was found which enabled Mrs Henshall to look into the front bedroom. It makes one wonder how that poor woman did not fall from the ladder from the shock she must have experienced at the blood soaked bedroom which contained the bodies of the whole family. From the evidence which came to light it transpired that Mr Louis Smethurst became jealous of his wife. At the inquest it was returned that a verdict of “Murder” against Mr Smethurst in respect of his wife and children; a verdict of “Suicide whilst insane,” in respect of Smethurst himself. A razor was used in this crime. The details reported at the inquest are very upsetting.

Above: The former RAF camp at Bowlee showing the Jolly Butcher public house.

Above: Pete Cowap at the Middleton Fair in 1964. (Danny Hardman and friends of Pete Cowap)

Left: Photograph taken from Boardman lane by Mr Cosgrove showing his home and the 321 ft high Schwabe chimney

Above: Multiview postcard of the official opening of Heaton Park by the Mayor of Manchester on 24 September 1903.

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Hundreds of people from adjoining towns travelled to the village to pay their respects. Tramcars brought people from as far away as Rochdale, Oldham and Manchester. Never in the history of the village of Rhodes had such a sight been witnessed. It was mid afternoon when the first hearse emerged containing the bodies of Louis Seacombe Smethurst (31) and his son John (4). At the sight of this hearse some of the crowd became hostile, showing their feeling of abhorrence to the awful loss of life. This protest was short lived due to the large police presence and the cortege passed by peacefully. The second hearse contained the mortal remains of Eliza Ann (27), and daughter Hannah (6). At the graveyard the police kept members of the public out of the area. Those who climbed the walls to attend were soon given orders to leave the graveyard. Around a decade ago I met up with members of the Smethurst family who were on a pilgrimage to visit the grave and the place where the family home once stood. Two members had travelled from Australia. Written on the memorial stone is the father’s name given as Lewis, which should be Louis. The error never being corrected. The coffins were lowered in to the grave in the order of Mr Smethurst, Mrs Smethurst, daughter Hannah followed by son, John. Above the village of Rhodes is a place called Bowlee. This area was famous during the Second World War for having an RAF base located on a vast area of level farmland and also the same area of land was a silk mill which produced material for Queen Victoria’s wedding dress. The village sported three public houses, one being named the “Jolly Butcher.” December 1916 the retired executioner, John Ellis, LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 115

commercial traveller and hairdresser, took over the licence to the Jolly Butcher Inn. Reading newspaper reports we find that the police kept an watchful eye on this public house. There are reports where Mr Ellis was accused of serving beer Sunday mornings to his friends while playing a game of cards. In court the police admitted spying on Ellis and peeping through windows of the pub in an attempt to catch him. John Ellis, who had spent 28 years of his life as a hangman, his trade eventually weighed heavily on his mind; it is claimed that he had taken part in over 200 executions. This had an effect upon his health, suffering a form of depression and nervousness resulting in him attempting to take his own life on a few occasions. One newspaper commented that it was after the last execution he conducted, a woman named as Mrs Thompson, which left Ellis deeply affected by her demise. It is stated that music in one form or another has been a saviour during lockdown, helping relieve mental stress and anxiety. Many people have turned to music to relieve daily worries and boredom. During the 1970’ and 80’s Pete Cowap, a famous songwriter and musician came to live in the village of Bowlee; also being a regular at the “Jolly Butcher.” I first met Pete while attending Durnford Street Secondary School. Friday morning was allocated for our class to participate in physical activity. My best friend was Charles Ashton. He was a well built lad. P.E. was not a subject he and I looked forward to. He once commented, “I am built for comfort, not all this physical activity.” Cross country running however was acceptable to Charlie. Our route would take us along the Manchester New

Above: A trip to Belle Vue by the employees of the Schwabe Print Works. The chimney to Heaton Mills Bleach Works is visible. (Link4Life, Rochdale)

Above: Sourmash. Pete in centre of image. (Friends of Pete Cowap)

Above: Old Boars Head pub.

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Road out of town to Alkrington Woods. At one point in the proceedings Charlie would slow down to allow the runners to proceed. Then once they were out of sight we would both make our way to a hardware shop at Mount Road, Alkrington Garden Village, which was owned by his aunt. In the back room of the shop we would enjoy tea and toast, also being mindful however of the time so we could rejoin the runners on their return. Enjoying our refreshment a cousin to Charlie would pop his head around the door to say hello. This I was later to discover was the talented Peter Cowap. He became a famous song writer and a member of a famous pop group. Peter’s biographer, Olaf Owre states, “Peter was an outstanding flat top Travis picker. He merged the styles of Chet Atkins and Buddy Holly to perfection. Pete was simply one of the best in England in his heyday, creating a unique and unmistakeable Cowap style.” Pete once commented about Olaf, “There is a guy in Norway that knows more about me, than me.” Townsfolk would witness Peter as he rode round the town on his motorbike with a guitar strapped to his back.” Dusting the Plaque. In memory of the talents of Peter Cowap a blue plaque was erected inside the Old Boars Head Inn, Long Street, Middleton. For over a decade an annual event took place in honour of Peter’s memory. The event known as “Dusting of the Plaque took the form of a day’s live music performed by bands from all over the country. Charities benefitted from the proceeds. Middleton library has a copy of a book, “Music Town,” expertly researched and written by a former band member, Danny Hardman. This Middleton Guardian kept its readers up to date with events in which Peter was involved in. In one report Peter is seen pictured with the pop group, Herman’s Hermits. The report stated, “Peter of Ellis Lane, is now the lead singer with Herman’s Hermits, a well known group throughout the country. He has been a friend of the Hermits for some time, and has also written songs for them in the past.” Cowap also wrote songs for Wayne Fontana, and co-wrote with 10cc, and was musical arranger for Lulu. He also played in the Cavern Club at Liverpool. Fifty years ago there was a popular television show where artists were invited to perform. You knew that you were a star if you were invited to appear on the “Basil Brush Show.” September 1970 Pete Cowap, went to the BBC’s London studios to record the show. www.lancmag.com

Aged 23 he was seen playing his own self written number, “Crickets,” which was recorded on the Pye label. Pete passed away aged 53 on the 16 July 1997 having contracted pneumonia. Hundreds of fans and fellow musicians attended his funeral at Boarshaw Crematorium, Middleton, to give him a fitting send off. Two floral wreaths in the shape of a guitar were laid. One was pictured in the press which was from former band members of the Country Gents and the Tremors. Kevin Kennedy, known as Curly Watts in Coronation Street laid the second wreath. Musicians Pete McLean of the Dakota’s, Nick Duval of the Country Gents; DJ Fred Fielder were some of the mourners. I would often meet Peter in the Jolly Butcher, Bowlee. My position as Parks foreman would see me spending time in the area supervising events which the council provided. Pete Cowap was just one of the regular guys really. If someone introduced him as the “famous Pete Cowap”, he would wonder what all the fuss was about. He was a great guy with a dry sense of humour. Everyone liked Pete. The late Sheila Holden , prior to his death, encouraged him to perform at the White Hart public house in which she was the licensee. A talented man who loved to entertain.

Above: Pete Cowap entertaining the regulars at the White Hart public house. Licensee, Sheila Holden is behind Pete, left. (Sheila Holden)

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Government inertia on peatlands risks international embarrassment Two-year delay to England peat strategy as damage continues to vital carbon stores

Cotton grass now flourishes on Little Woolden Moss - credit Lancashire Wildlife Trust

his year, as the UK hosts the global climate conference, COP26, all eyes will be on the UK’s own action to tackle climate change. The Wildlife Trusts believe that the Government’s failure to address a key issue – how to end the damage to carbon-storing peatlands and restore a significant proportion of those that are already harmed – will be a major embarrassment. Peatlands are the UK’s largest on-land store of carbon, holding three times as much as woodlands. They store around 3.2 billion tonnes of carbon, but in their current degraded condition they release the equivalent of 23 million tonnes of CO2 every year. That’s 5% of the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. They are a precious wildlife habitat and vital for holding back and filtering water. Their benefits to society are immense. But a high proportion of UK peatlands have been damaged, drained, extracted and burnt over decades of misuse.

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Above: Peat extraction scarred Little Woolden Moss - credit Lancashire Wildlife Trust

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In Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside alone, 98% of our lowland raised peat bogs have been lost. Indications that the Government will fail on this issue are: • There is still no sign of the longpromised England peat strategy – it was due in December 2018. The Wildlife Trusts believe that it will lack the ambition needed to address climate chaos and the decline of nature. • The Government has said it will restore 35,000 hectares of England’s peatlands by 2025. Yet their own advisors recently estimated that around 300,000 hectares should be repaired in England. This initial commitment will see England delivering just 1/40th of the amount recommended for the UK. The Climate Change Committee has said that about 1,400,000 hectares of peatlands need restoring across the UK by 2050. • The Government has pledged only £50 million towards peatland restoration in England. This is unambitious when set beside the £2 billion figure that will likely be needed to restore the area of peatlands that the Climate Change Committee says is needed across the UK.

Above: Rare carnivorous sundews live on peatlands - credit Bruce Shortland

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Below: Peat extraction scarred Little Woolden Moss - credit Lancashire Wildlife Trust

• The Government’s recent announcement of a partial ban on peat burning was underwhelming; burning will only cease across a small number of peatlands despite a recent commitment by Lord Goldsmith to halt the practice entirely on protected sites. Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts says: “The Government has failed to set an ambitious restoration target for peatlands even though they are one of

the most valuable habitats in the UK. Just as bad is the fact that they do not have the appetite to stop the ongoing damage. The nature and climate crises must be tackled together – prizing our peatlands should be top of the Government’s to-do list. We must stop practices that damage peatlands. Burning should be banned everywhere and this precious habitat should be rewetted to stop moorland fires raging and to help rare and unusual wildlife like curlew, carnivorous plants and beautiful dragonflies to return. “Two years after it was promised, we are still lacking a peat strategy. Only around a quarter of the UK’s three million hectares of peatland is in a natural state so it’s a matter of extreme urgency that the Government leads the way in nursing degraded bogs and fens back to health. “Meanwhile, it’s left to voluntary charities to step in. The Wildlife Trusts have restored more peatland than the Government has committed to do.” The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside is already working to restore the 347 hectares of peatlands in our care, and have identified a further approximate 28,000 hectares of both upland and lowland peatlands in our region that are in an unfavourable condition. Sarah Johnson, Lancashire Peatlands Initiative Project Manager, added, “It is also important to remember that throughout our region we have thousands of hectares of lowland peat that has been drained and

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Above: Restored Little Woolden Moss - credit Lancashire WT

converted to agricultural use. In its current state it is emitting CO2 into the atmosphere, but we are actively exploring re-wetting the land and adopting wetter farming practices, to halt these emissions, whilst keeping the land profitable for farmers and landowners.” “An example of this is our pioneering Winmarleigh carbon farm, just outside Garstang.” Nationally, The Wildlife Trusts are leading numerous peatland restoration projects across the UK. To date, 12 Trusts have between them restored 43,000 hectares of peatland in England alone, working with partners and landowners, and already have short term plans to repair a further 16,000 hectares.

Below: Sphagnum moss is the building block of peatland restoration credit Josh Styles

Additionally, those Trusts have identified a huge range of peatlands with potential for restoration in their areas, covering over 200,000 hectares. This can be done by blocking up drainage ditches, rewetting and replanting with sphagnum mosses that help form new layers of peat and trap moisture.

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is dedicated to the protection and promotion of the wildlife in Lancashire, seven boroughs of Greater Manchester and four of Merseyside, all lying north of the River Mersey. It manages around 40 nature reserves and 20 Local Nature Reserves covering acres of woodland, wetland, upland and meadow. The Trust has 27,000 members, and over 1,200 volunteers. To become a member of the Trust go to the website at www.lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129. For more information about Cheshire Wildlife Trust call 01948 820728 or go to cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk.

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Improving Sleep Quality March is National Bed Month and therefore there has never been a more relevant time to start thinking about our sleep

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Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK

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Many people across the UK can find it difficult to get the quality and quantity of sleep that they need. Lack of good quality sleep can affect how our body works, such as by changing the levels of hunger and stress hormones in our body during the day, which can increase our blood pressure and affect our heart and circulatory system. For adults it is recommended to try and get around 8 hours of sleep per night, but sometimes it can be the quality of our sleep which keeps us from topping up our energy levels. With this in mind, here are some tips for getting the shut eye we need:

Regulate Light Exposure Light exposure helps us to regulate our body clock. When it gets dark, our body secretes a hormone called ‘melatonin’ which helps us to sleep. By getting exposure to natural light in the day and limiting our exposure to screens and bright lights late at night, we can help to improve our overall sleep quality. Avoid Late-Night Coffee’s It is recommended to avoid caffeine past 2pm. This is because caffeine, a stimulant found mainly in coffee and tea, has a half-life of around five hours. This means that if you drink a cup of coffee at 5pm, half of it will still be left in your bloodstream at 10pm and this can affect your sleep quality.

Exercise Exercising can strengthen our heart and arteries but can also improve the quality of our sleep. Whilst any kind of exercise can be of benefit, ensure that any exercise conducted 1-2 hours before going to bed is at a low to moderate intensity to prevent an increase in stress hormone release before going to bed. This may include a short walk or activities such as yoga.

Avoid Alcohol Although some people may find it easier to get to sleep after having a glass of wine, alcohol is known to stop us from being able to enter the deepest stage of sleep and therefore can leave us feeling tired the next day. Excess alcohol consumption can also lead to weight gain which can place strain on our heart.

Be Consistent Having a consistent bedtime routine can help us to wind down during the evening. Simple steps such as taking a hot bath or changing into pajamas can help to prepare both our body and our mind for sleep. www.lancmag.com

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The ambitious Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood By Margaret Brecknell

When Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood was born 220 years ago in May 1801, the Fylde coast would have been unrecognisable to those who know the area today. Blackpool consisted of little more than a few cottages. Further down the coast, Lytham may already have been a well-established town, but St Annes didn’t even exist. As for the land on which Fleetwood now stands, this then formed part of the Rossall Estate, owned by the Hesketh family, and, other than a large 18th-century hall, was largely uninhabited. Above: Lithographic portrait of Sir Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood c1840

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The Rossall Estate had long been dismissed as being unsuitable for development. It was an isolated and blustery spot, open to the elements. However, with the arrival of the railway during the mid-1830s, Peter HeskethFleetwood believed this piece of land offered huge potential as a site for a new coastal town and began to set in motion plans that would drastically change the landscape of this part of the north Fylde coast. Peter Hesketh, as he was originally known, was born at Wennington Hall, near Lancaster, on 9th May 1801. At the time his unmarried uncle, Bold Fleetwood Hesketh, was the lord of manor at Rossall. When his uncle died childless in 1819, the estate passed to Peter’s father, Robert. Peter would have had little expectation of ever inheriting the estate when he was growing up, as he had four elder brothers who were ahead of him in the line of succession. It was only when the last one of these, Edward, died in July 1820 that he became heir. Peter Hesketh had just completed a degree at Trinity College, Oxford, when he inherited the family’s then considerable Lancashire estates following his father’s death in 1824. As well as most of the Fylde, the family also owned

part of the land further down the coast on which Southport now stands. Two years later in June 1826 he married Eliza Debonnaire Metcalfe in Dover. The newly married couple travelled north to Rossall Hall the following month. The Lancaster Gazette of 22nd July 1826 reports how on their arrival they were greeted by about sixty of their tenants “amidst the loudest exclamations of joy”.

Above: Fleetwood Museum, formerly The Custom House Credit: “Stevew2022/CC BY-SA 3.0”

The Hesketh family had acquired its extensive lands on the Fylde in 1733 with the marriage of Peter’s ancestor, Roger Hesketh, to Margaret Fleetwood, the then heiress

Left: Fleetwood Railway Station in 1901

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to the Rossall estates. This established a close link between two of the region’s largest landowning families. Peter Hesketh was evidently keen to emphasise his connection with the influential Fleetwood family, as, in 1831 he was granted permission, by royal licence, to incorporate the additional surname of “Fleetwood” into his own. From then onwards he was known as Peter HeskethFleetwood. Later, following the accession of Queen Victoria to the throne in 1837, he was knighted and made a baronet. In the same year as his name change to Hesketh-Fleetwood, he was invited to stand as a Tory parliamentary candidate for Preston. He was elected to Parliament in 1832 and would remain as one of Preston’s MPs for the next fifteen years. In many ways he appears to have been a man ahead of his time. He opposed slavery, was a supporter of free trade and argued passionately for the abolition of the death penalty. Such progressive views inevitably brought him into conflict with some of his fellow Tories, to such an extent

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Left: Beach Lighthouse Fleetwood

that eventually in the 1841 General Election he switched sides to the Liberal party. Some of his former colleagues were not impressed, openly calling him “Sir Peter Rat” during a badtempered election campaign. Hesketh-Fleetwood also seems to have developed a genuine concern for the welfare of his working- class constituents. With the arrival of the railway in Lancashire in the early 1830s, he recognised the potential this new form of transport offered for enabling the county’s manual workers to enjoy restorative days out at the coast. Hesketh-Fleetwood was known to be a big admirer of the Sussex town of St LeonardsOn-Sea, a new fashionable seaside resort on the south coast. He would, no doubt, also have been inspired by the rapid development of Southport, which had been built on lands he partly owned further down the Lancashire coast. He began to form an ambitious plan for 126

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a new coastal town to be developed on his Rossall estate. The site on which he proposed to develop the resort at Rossall Point may have then appeared unpromising, a desolate spot covered by sand dunes where there were no inhabitants other than sea birds and a colony of thousands of rabbits. However, he, and the few trusted advisers whom he consulted about his grand design, had the vision to foresee the opportunities development of the area offered. With its golden sands and spectacular views across Morecambe Bay, this spot seemed an ideal location for a new seaside resort, but it also offered potential as a seaport on account of its natural sheltered harbour at the mouth of the River Wyre. The latter would bring trade to the proposed new town all year round and not just during the summer months when people wished to visit the seaside. The railway industry was still in its infancy and the view was commonly www.lancmag.com

held that it would prove impossible to build a direct train link between London and Glasgow because of the practical difficulties involved in building a line through the mountains of the Lake District and Southern Scotland. HeskethFleetwood envisaged passengers arriving by train in his new port and from there embarking on journeys to Scotland by sea. He initially toyed with the idea of calling his new development New Liverpool or Wyreton, but following his own change of name eventually opted for Fleetwood. It appears that initial progress on the new plans was quite slow. Not only did Hesketh-Fleetwood have a new career as an MP to consider, but he was also beset with personal difficulties. In January 1833 his wife Eliza Debonnaire died of tuberculosis at the age of just 26. This was followed by the death of their baby daughter, Frances, only a month later, the third of their four children to die in infancy. At around the same time Hesketh-Fleetwood himself became seriously ill with scarlet fever, soon after which he contracted a bacterial infection so severe that it necessitated the removal of one of his eyes. Following his return to full health and, no doubt, frustrated by the lack of progress, Hesketh-Fleetwood himself organised the formation of the new Preston and Wyre Railway and Harbour Company. The key to the success of the new project lay in obtaining permission for a new railway line to be built from Preston to the Fylde coast. At this juncture an Act of Parliament still had to be passed before construction on any railway line could begin. This was obtained in 1835 and work could finally begin on his grand project.

Hesketh-Fleetwood chose Decimus Burton to be the architect of his new town. This move was unsurprising. Hesketh-Fleetwood’s beloved St Leonards-On-Sea had been largely developed by Burton, alongside his father James, and the two already knew each other well. They had both been early members of the Athenaeum Club in London during the 1820s (whose building was also designed by Burton). Burton began to draw up ambitious plans for Fleetwood, although, alas, not all of them were destined to be completed. By this time Hesketh-Fleetwood was already only visiting his Lancashire estates infrequently. Rossall Hall had been badly damaged in a storm in late 1833 and it appears that he rarely stayed thereafter. In 1837 he married a Spanish woman called Virginie Marie Garcia, but this time there was no joyful journey to his ancestral home with his new wife. Instead, he was compelled to return to Rossall the following year for a much sadder event, the funeral of his much-loved eleven-year-old daughter, Maria, who was the only remaining child from his first marriage. Hesketh-Fleetwood wrote a poem about this occasion called The Mourner’s Return. Its poignant opening lines illustrate perfectly why the grieving father had no plans to return to live at Rossall Hall,

“Home of my happier days! We meet once more, Yet meet we not as we have met before, Alone and desolate thy hall I tread, Widow’d and childless, mourning o’er the dead.” Because Hesketh-Fleetwood now spent so little time in Lancashire, he employed an agent, Frederick Kemp, to oversee the new development on the Fylde coast. Initially, all seemed to be going well. Construction of the new railway line was completed and was officially opened in July 1840. By this point the first buildings, designed by Decimus Burton, had already been built including the impressive Custom House (which today is home to Fleetwood Museum). The North Euston Hotel, two distinctive lighthouses and Queen’s Terrace, all of them also Burton’s work, soon followed. By 1844 day trippers were flocking to the new resort, with thousands arriving by train each week during the peak holiday season.

Above: Queen’s Terrace and Pharos Lighthouse Fleetwood Credit: “Stevew2022/CC BY-SA 3.0”

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school. As Hesketh-Fleetwood’s financial problems continued, the school later purchased the building outright. Rossall School is still going strong today. Compelled to stand down as an MP ahead of the 1847 General Election because of his financial problems, Hesketh-Fleetwood rarely visited Lancashire again. He eventually died at his London home on 12th April 1866. Above: The bronze statue of Sir Peter Hesketh across from the North Euston Hotel, Fleetwood

Prince Albert arrived at Fleetwood on the Royal Yacht in 1847. Having holidayed in Scotland, they took the royal train home from the new Lancashire port to London. Sadly, the royal couple didn’t take the opportunity to walk round the town, but it did provide Fleetwood with some valuable coverage in the national newspapers. However, Hesketh-Fleetwood’s ambitious plans were costing him a fortune. It has long been suggested that the actions of his agent, Frederick Kemp, contributed to Hesketh-Fleetwood’s financial problems during this period. The extent to which this may have been an issue remains unclear, but what can be said without doubt is that Hesketh-Fleetwood drastically underestimated the expense involved in an enterprise of this nature. As the costs spiralled out of control, he was compelled to sell his estate near Southport to his younger brother, Charles. He intended that the sum of £148,000 which this sale raised be used to pay off existing debts and provide some further much-needed capital for the Fleetwood project. However, this, in the event, only provided a short-term solution to the problem. Two years later, in 1844, the entire contents of Rossall Hall were put up for sale by auction and the building was leased to a new boarding

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What became of his ambitious plans for Fleetwood? With the growth of its near neighbour Blackpool during the latter part of the 19th century, the town gradually declined in popularity as a seaside resort. Furthermore, not long after the fleeting royal visit to Fleetwood in 1847, the main west coast railway line from London to Scotland was completed, eliminating at a stroke Fleetwood’s role as a valuable transport link between the two places. Fleetwood’s port did, nonetheless, continue to prosper. Passenger steamers continued to operate to Ireland and the Isle of Man. Fleetwood also gradually began to develop as an important fishing port. Fleetwood’s days of once being one of the largest fishing ports in the country are today, of course, long gone and the town’s railway station, once such an integral part of its founder’s grand plan, closed in 1970. However, much of Decimus Burton’s fine architecture remains as a testament to Hesketh-Fleetwood’s ambition. Until relatively recently there was no lasting memorial to Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood in the town, but in 2018 a bronze statue was unveiled in Euston Gardens, just in front of the North Euston Hotel. It seems only right that the man who lost nearly his entire fortune in establishing the town is at long last properly commemorated at its historic heart. www.lancmag.com

Bolton School: Where Children Enjoy the Very Best Start in Life

very year up to 75 girls and boys set out on their school and, ultimately, career journey when they join the Reception Class at Bolton School Infants’ School. A significant proportion will have progressed up from Bolton School’s adjacent Nursery or Pre-School Class for 3 and 4 year olds but many are new to the School. Whatever path lies ahead for them, their parents know that they are giving them the very best start in life as they enjoy the fun, creativity and learning that takes place in this Infant School where the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is consistently ranked as “outstanding” by the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate (ISI). After three years at this exceptional coeducational Infant School, pupils move up to either the Girls’ or Boys’ Division of the Bolton School Foundation, which include Junior and Senior Schools with Sixth Forms. Like the EYFS findings, the latest ISI reports awarded both Divisions with the top mark of “excellent” in all categories. As an academically selective independent day school, there is a clear focus on stretching and challenging every pupil. The curriculum is delivered by highly www.lancmag.com

qualified, experienced and dedicated teachers, who create an industrious and supportive environment where pupils are motivated to learn. Students are also encouraged to reach their full potential through engagement in a wide range of extra-curricular activities; regular visits to Patterdale Hall, the School’s outdoor pursuits centre in the Lake District; extensive volunteering opportunities; local visits and foreign travel. They also benefit from the return of successful alumni to the School who advise them on a wide variety of career paths and to believe that anything is possible. Annual GCSE and A level results place the School amongst the best independent schools in the North and often within the top 100 nationally. The vast majority of students go on to their first choice university and

there is a regular flow of sixth formers to highly competitive courses. Bolton School regularly wins awards for its educational offer. In 2019, it was the TES’ Independent School of the Year and the Independent School Parent Magazine’s School of the Year. The School became the first school to achieve the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (the MBE for volunteering). Recently the school also won the Fundraiser of the Year Award, a campaign that helps some pupils pay

less or no fees when they join in Year 7; the year before that, the school won the TES’ Community Initiative Award and the MEN’s Active Community Award.

A few places are available in some lower school year groups. If you would like to find out more about enrolling your child in the Nursery, Pre-School, Infant, Junior Girls’ or Junior Boys’ Schools, please call 01204 840201.

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Hi, I’m Paul, Your Resident Health Coach... Paul is a successful and multi-award nominated health coach working for PT Health Coaching, based in Darwen. With over 15 years experience in the field of health, fitness and wellbeing, Paul takes a holistic approach to helping people make positive lifestyle changes.

Water

In a world of confusing and conflicting health messages, I will explain the importance of water, including the benefits and some simple tips on how to keep hydrated.

Lets start with the facts

• Create saliva to aid digestion

It has been estimated that humans can survive for 3 weeks without food, but only 3 days without water. In some organisms, up to 90% of their body weight comes from water, however, the human body is comprised of approximately 60% (depending on age). Specifically, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery: 31%.

• Allow the body’s cells to survive, grow and reproduce.

The younger the human body, the more water it contains. That’s why we get wrinkly as we get older – we lose body cells as we age, which contain water, so as your skin loses body cells, it becomes less hydrated and more wrinkly.

• Help with the delivery of oxygen in the blood to the muscles of the body

The function of water in the body The body loses water through a variety of metabolic processes such as breathing, sweating and even going to the loo. So, it’s important to replenish the fluids we lose every day. Here are some of the roles that water is involved in: 130

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• Create hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain • Help to deliver fuel to the muscles to work more effectively • Lubricates the joints • Promote healthy teeth and bones • Flush away body waste (mainly in your pee) • Aid with fat loss

• Support with calorie control • Regulate body temperature • Boost brain functioning and therefore productivity • Act as a shock absorber for the spine and brain • Maintain clear and healthy skin • Help to convert food into the parts needed by the body (digestion)

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If the body loses more water than it takes in, we become dehydrated. Dehydration can really impact on our body’s processes

Some of the signs and symptoms of dehydration If the body loses more water than it takes in, we become dehydrated. Dehydration can really impact on our body’s processes (listed above), so it’s important to know the signs to look out for… • Thirst

How much water should I drink for optimum performance and good health? This depends on your body type, activity levels and the climate in which you live. As a general rule, aim between 2 – 4 litres. The best way to gauge is to check your signs to see if you are dehydrated or not.

• Dry mouth • Tiredness • Headache • Dizziness/light-headedness • Bad breath • Altered mood – cranky/fuzzy thinking • Dry skin that’s lost its elasticity • Not going to the loo frequently • Yellow wee! • Constipation • Cravings for sugary foods • Muscle cramps www.lancmag.com

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Do you find it difficult to get enough water in each day? Here are some helpful hints and tips… • Engineer your environment: Carry a bottle with you in your bag/car or have one on your desk/in your vehicle at work. If it’s in your line of sight, you are more likely to drink it.

• Start the day with a drink of water. It kick starts your digestive system and by starting well, you are more likely to continue for the rest of the day. • If you are still really struggling, you can add a dash of no added sugar cordial to a glass of water.

• If you find it difficult to drink water, drink alternatives: milk, fruit teas or water infused with fruits and herbs (e.g. lemon and mint is a nice combination) • Take regular drinks all day rather than all in one go. That way you are more likely to absorb and use the water and stay hydrated throughout the whole day. • Have a glass of water with every meal and snack (could be up to five glasses a day). This will fill you up faster so you will be less likely to overeat or snack later.

Paul is a Health and wellbeing coach and consultant for individuals and organisations and is Lancashire Magazine’s resident Health Coach. To find out more or to get some support contact him on: Tel: 07495 89298 Email: paul@pthealthcoaching.com 132

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HayMax Supports Allergy UK’s Awareness Week by Sponsoring their Allergy House Max Wiseberg

ue to Covid we could see no sparkle of eye but the enthusiasm and passion for the health and wellbeing of the nation came across loud and Clear.

“HayMax has transformed my Summers.

It is sixteen years since Max launched his product to help allergy sufferers and his campaign through television, radio and every other medium in between to stop people having miserable summers shows no signs of slowing down.

Gavin Sheedy, 3rd November 2020

For 80% of it’s users HayMax does the job, if you compare that to everything else on the market you will realise just how well made the product is, not to mention the endorsement by top doctors and professionals plus all the awards and accolades bestowed on the energetic founder and his company, not to mention the lovely testimonials.

Max busts some common myths along with the local honey one explaining the different types of allergies within hayfever and how the timing of your sneezes can help you identify which category you fall in to, with 95% of us having grass pollen as the issue and 25% of us struggling with tree pollen.

“Lovely! I re-homed three cats three months ago and realised I was allergic to them. I’ve had cats before, but always one at a time. I didn’t want to take antihistamines, so ordered some HayMax. Perfect – all natural products, beautifully packaged. I love those little round containers. I also gave one to my granddaughter who is allergic to grass and loves to play football, so hurray for HayMax! It works.” Jen Coldwell, 22nd January 2021 Don’t believe everything you read though and try it for yourself. At £6.99 or a tin of 3 for £13.98 ( a very thoughtful present that you can always gift to friends and family who also suffer ) with no nasties, all organic and natural I can’t see what there is to lose. After my 2 days with it up my nose I have seen an improvement, for I am one of those daft individuals who suffers from allergies and keeps 3 cats and some dust in the corner, though I don’t think that counts as a pet - it might if I leave it 134

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I used to dread Summer. It meant weeks of runny noses and sneezing, to the point of making it difficult to get anything done. HayMax keeps it under control.”

there long enough so being my own worst enemy I will try anything.

I ask about new products and this is clearly something that has been given a lot of thought, Max explains he is always open to ideas but would not just bring something out for the sake of it, it would have to be equal to or top the HayMax balm, which after 50 odd awards is a challenge for anyone I guess. Surprisingly Max sings the praises of other companies including Unbeelieveable and thinks the more great products out there for people the better it is. Max is clearly a man still on a mission and whilst currently no new products are on their way, he is researching packaging which I can imagine is quite an arduous task. In an attempt to become plastic free Max has been tinkering with elephant grass and continues to try to find a way forward in this complex avenue involving the race to save the planet. Max will start his new column in the Lancashire and NW Magazine with Tips and advice to help control your allergies and hayfever very soon, so look out for it. www.lancmag.com

Allergy UK’s Spring Allergy Awareness Week, from 26th to 30th April 2021, aims to raise awareness of important issues affecting the estimated 21 million people in the UK living with allergic disease. Leading organic drug-free allergen barrier balm, HayMax, is supporting the charity with sponsorship of the on-line Allergy House and allergies fact sheets, plus support during Allergy Awareness Week, to help it reach more people living with allergies, in order to make a positive impact on their lives.

and July. The charity had a significant amount of press interest throughout the season last year and hopes to repeat its success this year.

Allergy UK is the leading national charity providing support, advice and information for those living with allergic disease. HayMax organic allergen barrier balm is proud to be a corporate partner of the charity for 2021, providing continued sponsorship of the Garden in The Allergy House on the charity’s website. The Allergy House provides useful tips and advice on managing allergens in the home and garden. HayMax also continues to support the charity’s allergies factsheets throughout the year, on Allergic Rhinitis & Hayfever, Pollen & Moulds in the Garden and House Dust Mite.

“Allergy UK is a great charity who stays focussed on the job they set out to do, and makes a real impact on peoples’ lives. We want to help them continue their journey to try to do more and do it better. Of course, we also want to give more people the opportunity to try HayMax™ and we felt it was really important – and we were delighted – to attain The Allergy Friendly Product Award to give people with allergies to pollen, dust and pets, the confidence that our product really can help.”

Allergy UK’s Spring Allergy Awareness Week, planned for 26th to 30th April, will include a focus on hay fever, its symptoms, impacts on life and ways to alleviate symptoms. It will also include season predictions (good or bad for hay fever sufferers) as early as possible, before the peak season in June

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MD of HayMax, Max Wiseberg, comments, “Allergy UK does a fantastic job of helping people who have to live with allergies, so we want to support Allergy Awareness Week in reaching more people with helpful messages and support. We are proud to have helped this wonderful charity with many of their campaigns over the years since we started working with them back in 2011.”

HayMax is an organic drug-free allergen barrier balm applied around the rim of the nostrils and the bones of the eyes (but not in the eyes). It has been proven to trap over 1/3 of pollen grains before they enter the body [1]. This can help keep the sufferer below their trigger level for longer. And 80% of people say HayMax works [2].

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HayMax Lavendar

HayMax is talked about by doctors in the media and has been used successfully by two Olympic athletes. It is 100% natural, certified organic by the Soil Association and approved by the Vegetarian Society.

HayMax Pure

For more information about Allergy Awareness Week, living with allergies, support, advice and information for those living with allergic disease or how you can help or support Allergy UK, visit www.allergyuk.org.

As HayMax is drug-free it is suitable for children and pregnant and breast-feeding women. There are no drowsy side-effects – so, unlike many antihistamines that people take, it can be used whilst driving and operating machinery, and will not adversely affect performance at work, school, during exams or while taking part in sports or fitness. HayMax organic drug-free allergen barrier balms’ rrp is £6.99 per pot and they are available from Holland & Barrett, Booths, Ocado, selected Superdrug, Morrisons and Boots, independent chemists, pharmacists and health stores, on 01525 406600 and from www.haymax.biz 136

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[1] Chief Investigator: Professor Roy Kennedy, Principal Investigator: Louise Robertson, Researcher: Dr Mary Lewis, National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, 1st February 2012. [2] ‘The Impact of Hay Fever – a survey by Allergy UK’, Allergy UK, supported and funded by HayMax™, April 2016. When asked, ‘Overall, would you say that HayMax worked?’, 80% [134 out of 166] of respondents said ‘yes’.

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The Mouser’s Toolkit By Rachel Smith

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Christmas 2019... the heady days prior to coronavirus. Back when masks were something you wore as fancy dress or something worn by surgeons; and social distancing was an alien concept. Fylde coast based businesswoman Rachel Smith ran her successful cat sitting business, (the Fylde area franchise of Home Loving Cats) It was her 4th Christmas in the franchise, and busiest one yet! visiting 16 cats on Christmas Day alone!

and mentoring. I thought this would be perfect to help me in my quest to create a sustainable and interesting online business! Under the guidance and encouragement of Anne Wilkinson; my business coach, my creativity and ideas coalesced to become “Mousers Toolkit”. The idea of Mousers Toolkit came from all the cat related questions my customers have ever asked me; and all the things they’ve ever asked me for help with! Cats are born hunters or mousers; and my online service aims to equip owners with the knowledge and tools to understand their own individual cats, and to encourage people to be always learning more about their cats! The beauty of the service is that it’s completely personalised to owners and their cats. If you need any help or advice; I can offer you a dedicated 1:1 consultation service - bookable directly through my website! I’m also excited to offer an amazing cat play area design service. Spread over 3 consultations, I will help you to design the perfect indoor or outdoor play area personalised to your cat’s or cats’ own specific needs and requirements; personality and incorporating any favourite toy types! I share stories learned from my own family of little mousers through my blog. Calli, now 6yrs old (mummy cat) and her 3 (now 5 year old) kittens Dommy, Rora and Minni all feature prominently!

When the pandemic hit, and everyone was told to stay at home my income was wiped out. I knew I was lucky, and could manage for the three months, so prepared to hunker down. Over the summer, business picked up a little, but only to around 50% of normal levels; however this was all repeat custom. New business and clients just dried up completely. Everything seemed to be opening up slowly again, so hope for a gradual revival was there. The increased restrictions for Lancashire in September were a blow. Bookings again were being cancelled; and my mind was spinning with ideas for what I could do to make my business more sustainable in the long term and how to diversify my business so I could work online and from home. By October the impending second lockdown over November struck me as the perfect “quiet time” to do the groundwork for creating an online business! I started searching for online business advice; and came across the concept of business coaching www.lancmag.com

I also have a selection of carefully chosen cat products for sale via the website - my first two are mouse shaped cat toys for wet and dry food which double up as puzzle feeders! I love that they are designed with natural cat behaviour in mind, and encourage cats to hunt around for their food - cats are true mousers after all! Cats can have some playtime whilst getting the food out the feeder, and then finally eat their food more slowly and in a smaller portion, and be less likely to wolf it all down quickly and promptly be sick! Mousers toolkit is also about building an online community of like minded cat owners and cat lovers!

You can join my mailing list to get my monthly cat blog; and participate in activities on Instagram (@mouserstk) and Facebook! (@mousersuk) Website: www.mousers.co.uk LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 139

Healing Herbs to Stop Sinus Congestion

s a child, I suffered regularly with a stuffy, bunged up or dripping nose! was always sniffing and lost without a tissue in my pocket. My mum took me to the Doctors frequently. If it was winter, they’d say I had a cold, if it was summer, they’d say it was hayfever. Finally (after many years) they diagnosed a chronic sinus problem. Luckily, I eventually grew out of this problem but as a herbalist I see sinus issues on a regular basis, both in children and in adults. Usually diagnosed as rhinitis or sinusitis, chronic sinus problems are often treated with antihistamines (if an allergy is present) or nasal sprays. Oh how I remember the nasal sprays! Have you ever tried to convince an 8 year old that squirting liquid up their nose will help stop their nose running? We aren’t buying it. Perhaps it’s due to this past experience but these days I never use nasal sprays in my clinic. Instead, I use herbs that work to address the underlying inflammation which causes the mucous production. When our mucous membranes are inflamed they are swollen and sore. Our biological response is to produce mucous to soothe the soreness and wash away any bacteria or allergens that are causing the inflammation. Unfortunately, this can become a self-perpetuating cycle. The mucous irritates, causing more inflammation which in turn creates more mucous. Therefore, if it’s possible to heal the sore mucous membranes, the cycle of continued mucous production should break.

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The first thing to do is avoid dairy foods and bananas. In my experience, these foods contribute dramatically to mucous formation. It may not be necessary to cut them out forever, but try reducing them for a few weeks to give your sinuses a break and see what happens. Have eggs at breakfast instead of cereal, choose fruit instead of yogurt as a snack and swap out the cheese on your sandwich for a different filling for a while. Next, drink water. Not just tea, coffee or sugary pop which will ultimately dehydrate you. Drinking 6 cups of water per day will have a multitude of health benefits as well as helping to thin down

Have eggs at breakfast instead of cereal

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mucous. Foods like chilli, garlic, onions and ginger will also help to break mucous down so try adding these foods to your recipes. When it comes to natural remedies I usually use a combination of two remedies for 2 weeks. The first remedy is Serrapeptase, an enzyme that digests and breaks down mucous from within the body. Serrapeptase deals with mucous no matter how deep it is within the sinus cavity meaning that it can get to the areas you can’t clear when blowing your nose. Serrapeptase works really quickly, which is why I use it for a short period of 2 weeks. Serrepeptase also deals with inflammation, so once the mucous is cleared it shouldn’t come back during those two weeks either, giving the nasal passages and sinuses time to heal.

nose or spraying chemicals up it seems to me like the equivalent of picking at a scab that won’t heal. Instead, the Serrapeptase and Plantago combo should offer protection, healing time and hopefully the key to breaking the cycle of constant congestion and/or a dripping nose.

Plantago Seeds

That’s where my second remedy comes in Plantago. Plantago is a common garden weed that has been approved by the German Commission E for respiratory catarrh although its benefits are not limited to the nasal and sinus region. Traditionally it has been used for the whole ear, nose and throat area. It’s my go to remedy for glue ear in children or for people that regularly need their ears syringed due to too much wax production as well as addressing the over production of mucous. While Serrapeptase should give a quick fix to a sinus problem, Plantago helps long term to restore sinus tissue to a healthy state. In herbal medicine, it’s what we call a trophorestorative because it ‘restores’ health to the tissues, rather than simply opening up the airways or drying up mucous. Just like a scratch on the skin, sore tissues need time to heal and constantly blowing your

For more information of to make an appointment with Nicola, contact her clinic on 01524 413733.

Nicola Parker MNIMH has a herbal medicine clinic located on the picturesque coast Morecambe Bay where she offers face to face and virtual appointments. For more information on the topics she writes about or to book an appointment, contact her clinic on 01524 413733 or via email at helpmebehealthy@gmail.com.

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From lockdown to relaxation of covid rules: tips on looking after your mental health For many of us, the gradual easing of lockdown brings longed-for opportunities (even if at a social distance) – to see friends, play sports, resume contact with family in ‘real space’ or get back to work that we value.

Lee Chambers

But for many of us, even the happy, much anticipated changes and re-adjustment can be difficult for our mental health. And for many others the prospect of coming out of lockdown when debate is still live about the science supporting it can be a real worry. This may especially apply to those more vulnerable to the virus and those of us with mental health concerns. What are the mental health challenges, and what can we do? We should be prepared for the fact that the end of lockdown might be as hard for us as the start was.

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Just as it took us time to find ways of coping during lockdown, we should also expect that it will take time to find our way back, and to reconnect with life. Things may not be the same as they were before. My mental health tips: about finding routines, staying connected, eating well, and taking exercise apply just as much now as they did at the start of lockdown – arguably even more so as we remain in a period of high stress but with more demands on us. Because our situations are unique to us, it is really important to try not to judge ourselves harshly based on what other people are doing. Everybody is www.lancmag.com

facing uncertainty and challenge – and we have no choice but to move through it as best we can with our own coping mechanisms.

Fear and anxiety Fear and anxiety are possibly the most common emotional responses any of us will feel as we approach the release from lockdown. Finding a way to pull ourselves through lockdown took a lot of our emotional energy and we may have found a place that lets us cope, and that we don’t want to leave behind just yet. It’s important to acknowledge that these feelings are reasonable, and to expect them. It’s only by building up tolerance gently that we can move through these fears.

to your manager or a colleague you trust if that feels right. If you have or have had longer term mental health problems, you may be entitled to reasonable adjustments as a disabled person under the Equality Act. Even if you haven’t disclosed before, if it feels safe to do so now you might be able to benefit from doing so.

Coping with uncertainty Focus on the present – you can only do your best with what you have today. With regulations changing frequently, and lots of conflicting media discussions, try and keep a focus on the moment. Mindfulness meditation is one way of bringing your mind back to the present moment.

If possible, take things at your own pace – but try and challenge yourself to try something different each day or every couple of days. It’s very easy to allow the seclusion that was necessary in lockdown to become deliberate isolation as lockdown ends. Celebrate small wins (and big wins) and try and keep a note of what you are achieving.

Tips on coping with fear and anxiety Control what can be controlled – there are a lot of things you can’t control that cause you fear and anxiety – but there are some things you can manage or plan for. Having an action plan for managing things you might find difficult can help. Pace yourself – recognising that you need to go at the right pace for you is important. Don’t let others bully or pressure you into doing things you don’t want to – but try not to let that be an excuse not to push yourself, especially when it comes to reconnecting with friends safely, outside your home, when rules allow and the time is also right for you. It can be hard to let others move forward without you – maybe your child wants to see friends or needs to return to work, but you can’t. It’s important to discuss concerns with those close to you, but also to allow other people space to move at their own pace. Build up tolerance – try doing something that challenges you every day, or every few days. Don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t go well but keep at it. Keep a note of things you’ve achieved, enjoyed or surprised yourself doing. Vary your routines – try and vary your routines so that you see different people and encounter different situations. If one supermarket makes you nervous, try another. If a walk at one time of the day is very busy, try mixing walks at busy times with walks at quieter times. Talk to work – Many workplaces are allowing more flexible working even if people need to return. If you are finding it hard to get to work, or do particular shifts or activities because of anxiety or fear, speak www.lancmag.com

Bring things that are certain back into focus – whilst a lot of things are uncertain at the moment, there are also things to be hopeful about. Try to record and appreciate good things as they happen. Try and take opportunities to reset and relax. Talk to people you trust – it’s important to talk about how you feel. Don’t dismiss your concerns or judge yourself too harshly. You may also be able to find your tribe online, but try and get outside perspectives too.

Picking up social lives As we move out of lockdown it’s going to be possible to start picking up our social lives again – albeit with changes for the foreseeable future. Some of us are desperate to do so – but others will be nervous about doing so and going back into pubs and restaurants – or unable to do so because of their situations. If you are part of a social group doing an activity together, try and plan ways for people who aren’t ready for face to face meetings to still take part. We may have become comfortable in our own space and with our own company in lockdown – it’s been intense in all sorts of ways and we might really have to push ourselves to reconnect with people LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 143

and overcome initial awkwardness. Whether it’s knowing how to insist on social distancing with friends or relatives, knowing where you have to wear a mask, or feeling odd not stopping to chat in the street many of us are keen to get it right, and worried about slipping up. It’s all new – and doing your best to follow the rules is good enough for most situations. That also goes for our children’s friendships – many children have been desperate to see friends, but all families are making sense of the changes. Going back to school has brought new pressures and it’s important to make an extra effort to support our children getting back into the school routine and picking up friendships. If we are shielding or in a vulnerable group, it’s likely that as others around us start to emerge from lockdown and start to do things that we miss, we may feel more isolated and less able to resist pressure to reduce lockdown measures. There’s a real risk that employers, schools businesses and friends and family will be less able to relate and support as the lockdown releases for others.

Looking after children and family During lockdown, those of us with caring responsibilities have supported our families. For parents and carers, returning to work is likely to provide a distance that might be much welcomed and needed – but also prove challenging emotionally when family closeness has been such a support to so many during lockdown. With pupils going back to school, this will mean another change in routine and, in the short-term, more disruption. 144

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A similar situation arises for unpaid carers: perhaps the physical or mental health of the person they care for has deteriorated during lockdown and their own needs have changed. This will mean new assessments and changes in service provision.

Grief Grief is something many of us will have experienced during the lockdown. Many people will have faced the loss of someone close during these past months, and with attendance at funerals restricted, and non-socially distanced company only very recently available to very specific groups, this has been doubly hard. As we start to move out of lockdown it will be possible to see people again, and to provide support to those close to us who have been bereaved. The next few months will be challenging, as we move towards the summer and hope that we can return to a level of stability. We have been through a lot together this past year, and it is important we continue to support each other while looking after ourselves. The pandemic will leave us, but our mental health is something that we will always have, so be kind to yourself and seek support if you need it. Lee Chambers MSc MBPsS is our resident psychologist and founder of Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing. As a director of Wellbeing Lancashire, he will be keeping us updated with the work they are doing across the region. Have a question or topic you would like Lee to cover in a future issue? Email him on info@leechambers.org and he will include you where possible. www.lancmag.com

A trio of deals signed for Houndshill phase 2 development Unique multimedia and cinema plans at the heart of Blackpool town centre investment

Blackpool Council has signed three key deals that will help transform the town centre, including an innovative, multimedia, entertainment venue. The deals all relate to phase two of the Houndshill Shopping Centre development. Details on the deals include: • The signing of a 25 year lease with Tower Cinemas (Blackpool) Ltd for a nine-screen, IMAX-ready multimedia complex. • The return of hardware and household retailer wilko, formerly located at the old Fine Fare building on Talbot Road, which was demolished towards the end of last year to make way for next phase of the Talbot Gateway development which includes a tram interchange, four-star Holiday Inn and Marco Pierre White restaurant. wilko will take a 15-year lease with the Council on a new, purpose-built 22,500 sq ft unit on the site of the Tower Street car park. 146

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• Completion of a contract with Coolsilk, the developer behind Blackpool’s first five star hotel, The Sands Venue Resort Hotel and Spa, for the sale of Tower Street outdoor car park which will enable the £20m Houndshill phase two development to go ahead. The development sees Tower Cinemas (Blackpool) Ltd, trading as MMC Cinemas, launch a unique Multimedia Cinema/Conferencing and Entertainment centre providing a 850 seat venue, with 9 state-of-the-art digital screens, including a giant PLF (Premium Large Screen Format) IMAXready central screen, set to be the largest in the North West, within a 40,500 sq ft unit.

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these three contracts paves the way for us to take a major step along that road. “We are delighted that all parties are now on board and we can move forward to an early start on site date, bringing new jobs and opportunities.”

SOCIABLE CINEMA

Designs also include flexible seating to allow screens to double as conference venue spaces, designated incubator space for the region’s digital/ media start-up businesses, and an e-sports café. A website on the new cinema development is live at MMC Cinemas Work is expected to commence on the Tower Street site in March and be completed by Spring 2022. The multimedia cinema complex alone is set to create 30 full time jobs, and act as the catalyst for multimedia training, and business incubation. The overall scheme has been facilitated by £5m of funding from the Government’s COVID-19 Getting Building Fund, following formal approval by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in October last year. Blackpool Council will fund the balance of the scheme through prudential borrowing. The Council acquired the Houndshill Shopping Centre in for £47.6m in November 2019 as part of its longterm strategy to revitalise the town centre. The phase two extension will also include two restaurants totalling 3,760 sq ft that will be delivered to shell specification. The Council is in advanced negotiations with leisure operators for these units. Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We have always made it very clear that our acquisition of the Houndshill was the first step in revitalising Blackpool town centre by introducing high-quality leisure attractions to complement the existing retail offer. “If the town centre is to prosper, we have to provide new reasons to attract residents and visitors. The signing of www.lancmag.com

Commenting on the planned new store, a spokesperson for wilko said; “After a lot of searching, we’re delighted to have finally found a new home for our store and are looking forward to providing Blackpool families with all their hardware and household needs for years to come.” John Sullivan, founder of MMC Cinemas, comments, “Blackpool has an astonishing heritage as a leisure destination for the North West region and beyond, and this multimedia centre is set to re-cement that reputation. Its flexible design is geared to the needs of the town and wider Lancashire needs, offering not only a destination venue to experience the latest cinema releases, but also flexible to enable conferences, space to encourage developing local business and much, much more. We are particularly excited about its ability for Blackpool to tap into the growing e-sports trend with dedicated gaming space. It’s a true privilege to be bringing this unique entertainment and business hub to the local area.” Steve Fogg, Chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership said, ‘’It is wonderful to hear that the Houndshill development is a step closer to being realised and that monies secured from the LEP’s Getting Building Fund allocation has enabled this to happen. The Covid-19 crisis has naturally had an adverse impact on most areas of the Lancashire economy, and Blackpool particularly so due to its reliance on the tourism and leisure industries. Once completed the scheme will not only enhance Blackpool’s visitor offer, but also contribute to the town’s digital ambitions. “The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership is in regular dialogue with Government to ensure the economic effects are minimised and the county receives the support it needs and deserves. By working closely with our partners, we have successfully secured a total of £34.1m from the Getting

MULTIFUNCTIONAL LARGE AUDITORIUM Building Fund for investment in quality projects which will drive economic recovery and create jobs. When added to the significant investment by the LEP through Growth Deal funds, I am confident we will see transformational change in the town and increased investor confidence in the area.’’ Grahams will be the main contractor on the Tower Street site with CBRE as the project build managers and cost consultants. Eddison’s are the property management company for Houndshill Shopping Centre. Luke Wilson, Associate Director in CBRE Capital Markets said, “‘CBRE are delighted to have been advising the Council for over two years in respect of both the shopping centre and the phase 2 development. Despite current challenges arising from the pandemic, the progression of phase 2 is testament to the Council’s vision and tenacity as part of their major regeneration plans. “It is enormously positive to see the commitment of wilko and introduction of a state-of-the-art cinema to Blackpool Town Centre. CBRE’s Project and Asset Management Teams, led by Gareth Robertson and Ben Moorhouse, will continue to provide expert support to the Council during phase two’s construction.’ The relocation of the wilko unit follows the Council’s acquisition of the former wilko store site at Talbot Gateway. The store has now been demolished and work has started on a new tram interchange together with a four-star Holiday Inn and Marco Pierre White restaurant.

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A Northwich woman is within sprinting distance of an incredible target of running 1000 days in a row. Alison Jones’ running streak began on her 49th birthday and on 24 February 2021, she is due to reach her milestone.

usiness book publisher Alison’s marathon effort began on 1 June 2018, and since then, she has run at least 2km every day. By the end of the streak she should have covered well over 2,000km, an equivalent distance to running from her home in Winnington, Northwich, to Spanish capital Madrid. Alison, 51, says that posting a picture taken on her run every day on Facebook helps to keep her on track. If it gets towards the end of the day and Alison has not yet run, friends start messaging her to put on her running shoes.

Above: Alison Jones

The longest streak Alison, who has also worked as an adult literacy teacher, had completed prior to her current drive lasted for one year. A mother of two, Alison didn’t start running until she was 40 and for years thought she couldn’t run. She said there are still many days that she doesn’t feel like going to a run, but she always comes back feeling better.

Left: running with sorcha.psd

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She said: “I’ve ‘streaked’ - the technical term for running every day - several times in the past. Each time I noticed that there was a nice simplicity to it: you don’t have to ask yourself are you going to go for a run today?, you just have to ask WHEN am I going to do my run today?” www.lancmag.com

Right: Alison running with Sorcha through poppies

A mother of two, Alison didn’t start running until she was 40 and for years thought she couldn’t run. You can support her at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alison-jones1000

Alison, who founded Practical Inspiration Publishing in 2014, said that each time she finished streaking, she found she missed it, and struggled to motivate herself to exercise regularly. “When I started this streak on my 49th birthday I decided it should be open-ended,” she said. “If I’d stopped enjoying it I’d finish on my 50th birthday, or if I got sick or injured I’d stop it immediately. But the big birthday came and went, and I didn’t feel like stopping. And then as I started approaching 900 days I thought it felt quite significant. It seemed a shame to waste it. So I kept on running and started fundraising.”

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Over the course of the 1,000 days, Alison has acquired a puppy, Sorcha, who now runs with her, been through three lockdowns, two rounds of home-schooling, and two house moves, first to Winsford and then to Winnington Lane, but has always managed to carve out the time for at least 2km.

Above: Alisone Jones running in Ness

Alison smashed her £1,000 target back in November and has now raised nearly £3,000 for the National Literacy Trust. She said: “Running has been a lifesaver through all the craziness of the last year. Getting out on my run each day has kept me sane and kept my energy and my spirits up. I’ve got no intention of stopping!” LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 149

Living in a strong community is high on buyer wishlists COMMUNITY means more to us these days and as a result, buyers now want a home in a friendly neighbourhood.

The Ledbury at The Grange is the ideal first home

recent survey conducted by Redrow showed a quarter of respondents agreed that finding a home within a strong community was more of a priority post-lockdown than ever before. In the same survey, 23% also said that they would make more of an effort with their neighbours if and when they moved to a new house. One new Redrow development in Burscough, The Grange at Yew Tree Park, has welcomed over 60 families already and has new homes available so buyers can become part of this already thriving community. “Knowing your neighbours and forming strong relationships with them is something we’ve all probably experienced more of over the past year,” says Redrow Lancashire sales director Sian Pitt. “This is now shifting into a requirement that buyers look for in their new home and moving into a new but established community can help with that. “For first time buyers, finding a home that ticks all the boxes within their budget can be a difficult task but The Grange has it all. It’s got the settled community, plenty of amenities on its doorstep and fantastic connections to the wider region. Plus, first time buyers could find the initial cost is lower than they expected as some homes are eligible for the new Help to Buy scheme.” Changes to the Government-backed Help to Buy scheme mean it is available to first time buyers only and regional price caps have been introduced. In Lancashire the maximum house price is £224,400.

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One home at The Grange that comes within this price bracket is the Ledbury. Available as either a two-bed home for £204,995, or a three-bed version from £219,995 this home is an ideal first-step onto the property ladder. Downstairs there’s a kitchen and dining area with double doors out into the garden plus a separate lounge. There’s also a handy cloakroom. Upstairs, the main bedroom has its own en-suite while the other two bedrooms share a family bathroom. The two-bedroom Ledbury is the same layout downstairs but upstairs both double bedrooms come with their own en-suite. The West Lancashire development is within easy reach of Preston, Liverpool, Southport and Manchester by train and lies just south of the main A59 Liverpool to Preston Road, giving excellent commuter access. Locally there’s a comprehensive choice of shopping and leisure facilities close by. For more information about the Ledbury and other homes at The Grange at Yew Tree Park, visit the show homes and sales centre, open daily from 10am to 5.30pm by appointment only. Alternatively, go to www.redrow.co.uk/yewtreepark or call 01704 740635 for more information.

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A catch up with Peter Rutt Our monthly coloumn by Peter Rutt.

art 1 of 3. Regular readers will know I love weird and wacky even by if they not in true. am stories, heartened somearestuff Sosocial imagine my pleasure when Ihave came media when others across the sensation of alleged time slips helped those who need it without in Liverpool. reward for themselves. They are theVarious ones we pourclaim praise onslipped because people they we as social saviours, backsee in them time, usually to the 1950’s that or 1960’s.isOne there still claimed good inhe theslipped world.back to early 1900’s. He said as he walked down IBold viewed story who Streetone theparticular sky went very dark and had a so called doctor attach a list of what had been that year in the decade attributes of changed cannabistofor people of the 1990’s early 1900’sin need ofbyit the andfashion it should be legalized judging he spied. Also etc. including those being helped the shops were old fashioned. Gone by our saviours. read as thewere post weresocial the modern day Istores that listed called positives but it modern daysocars, replaced by horse didn’t list any negatives. drawn carriages. There wasTherefore air there Iwas said it is and another, forcing sound if he felt morepersonal confident opinion others. So I with am going to he wouldon have interacted a person. Imagine whippingview. out your smartphone give a balanced I should point to show from the early 1900’s! out thatsomeone I have never taken anything Or go a step further and take photos stronger than antibiotics and I am or filmset what you see. your dead against anyWhat classwould of nonphone record? prescribed drugs. There is the story of a man who The post did not say whether walked near to Bold Street and he cannabis was more or less beneficial alleges as he turned a corner, was using the or leaf is what faced with oil a dead end.but An this old wall it claimed. It stops cancer growth, that wasn’t there the previous day had reduces suddenly neurological appeared. Likeimpairment, the previous relaxes muscles andbecame is anti-suddenly man he said the sky spasmodic. It prevents migraines, darker prior to this obstacle being there. treats glaucoma, attention deficit He even touched the construction and disorder (ADD) the old term, it was solid. Confused, he headed back attention the way hedeficit came. hyperactive disorder (ADHD), Most of the storiespre-menstrual centre on a syndrome (PMS), reduces irritable period of 1993-1997 apart from the bowel syndrome (IBS) and crohn’s one in the next paragraph. They may disease. It cures epilepsy, well be Urban Tales and tallprevents ones at Alzheimer’s disease provoking. and is an But that. But it is thought anti-psychotic drug. It makes there are three particular stories bioI will degradable centre on. plastic, paper, fuel, solvents andallegedly lubricants. It also This one occurred in 2006 makes consumer and industrial when a lad called Sean admitted he textiles plus material. shoplifted an building item and ran out of the It could end deforestation and As shop pursued by a Security Guard. dependence on oil gas coal. It Sean got to a corner (andand the sky went ends the message, areonyou still dark) with he turned and carried running wondering it isback illegal? but when hewhy looked he noticed

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To be honest I don’t know if these claims are substantiated. If the drug was no longer banned would you be safer on the roads? Imagine how many people would blame the narcotic for making them feel drowsy and ‘relaxed’ behind the wheel of their vehicle after they plough into innocent pedestrians and cars. Yes it happens now but it is down to alcohol, drugs or both. As opposed to those above it causes cancer and coronary heart disease, his pursuer was nowhere to be seen. respiratory bronchitis, lung cancer Relieved, he stopped and took in his and cardiopulmonary disease surroundings. Everybody was wearing (COPD). You are more likely to clothes from the 1960’s and cars were be injured at from the very leastStarting in a old fashioned this era. traffic accident (TA). In pregnancy to worry he brought out his modern amobile cannabis smoker can harmnothe phone, but it displayed foetus whether she is a social or store signal. As he walked back past the home smoker. Following thatthe there he robbed he noticed it wasn’t one is chance stroke ahead and heincreased entered earlier. As of he looked schizophrenia. latter is more he could see the The modern world. When prevalent withbehind those him in their he took a look it wasteens. still

by his experience Ithe do1960’s. think Frightened if it is de-criminalised he caught a (modern) bus to get away. it will be done stage by stage over The Security Guard that chased him a long period of time. So if you asserted that he was only a few paces are a supporter of cannabis to be behind the thief but as he got to that smoked then have He to agree corner, the lad you had will vanished. was that more health deaths, TA’s and bemused by this.

increased pressure on the four emergency services is a worthy sacrifice as long as that does not include personal sacrifice. Youngsters who buy non prescribed drugs are kidding themselves. They will blame a whole host of reasons why it is worth taking because they enjoy the feeling they get, even if it is short term. I know someone who went to a seminar recently where the speakers were talking about millennials The other two stories appear inor those around the turnanswer of May’s born edition and a plausible to the conundrum. century andBut thegoing ability andto an back earlier point,ofwhich of interaction, innovation theseis well educated I pondered on this. you talk to professionals. TheIfperson reporting someone long ago erathan and to me wasfrom notamuch older influence take a different course those whothem the to speakers were talking to one they historically didagreed take, would about. All the speakers that have ramifications here and these youngsters won’tonbethethe same now? Also if you collect an item from as their parents in life choices as the 1950’s, does is it travel with you back their life today very different. to the present day? They also said they won’t be the heavy drinkers of yesteryear. The person reporting piped up “That’s true, they are all taking drugs now, instead.” The subject matter was speedily moved on from here.

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Lancaster Canal By Mark Bateman

Lancaster Canal locally nicknamed the ‘Black and White Canal’ was originally a 40-mile-long canal planned to run from Westhoughton in Lancashire to Kendal in South Lancashire. Although much of the canal fell into disuse and disrepair after the arrival of the railways and then the Motorways, there has been a great deal of work over the previous couple of decades to bring the canal to life once more. In 1772 well- known Scottish civil Engineer John Rennie surveyed the proposed line of the canal. Then in June 1792 after his plans had been torn up and re-drawn many times the proposals received the Royal assent and the ‘Company of proprietors of the Lancaster Canal Navigation’ was given powers to 152

raise funds to build the canal by the issuing of over £400,000 of shares and by a mortgage of over £200,000.

Above: Lancaster Canal

Then a second act of parliament was obtained in 1793 to authorise construction of the Glasson branch and dock so that the canal had a connection to the sea. Work began quickly at the Northern end on the level ground running from Preston to Tewitfield and in 1794 construction started on the stone Lune Aqueduct which carried the canal 19 metres high over the River Lune at Lancaster. The Aqueduct opened in 1797 and allowed boats to travel the 42.4 miles from Preston to Tewitfield. The next section which extended the route North to link with Kendal was completed in 1819.

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Despite teething problems in the construction, the canal became a vitally important route for moving coal (67,000 tons per year) from the Lancashire Coalfields www.lancmag.com

Then construction began on the 2.5-mile Glasson Dock branch which featured six locks carrying the canal down to the sea. This section was completed in 1826 and was an important feature as it allowed transfer from the sea to canal boats, and vice versa from sea vessels which had previously struggled to navigate the shallow Lune Estuary.

Glasson Branch Bridge

Work also continued apace at the Southern end of the canal and in 1792 the company obtained an act to link Kendal with Westhoughton in Greater Manchester. The engineers also built two short links to connect with the Leeds and Liverpool canal at Johnson’s Hillock (via seven locks) and a section to Wigan Top Lock. Also, at the Southern End there were proposals to build an Aqueduct over the River Ribble near Preston. However, due to a shortage of funds this did not go ahead and instead in July 1801 a tram road was built to link the two sections together. This was completed in 1801 and despite being originally designed as a temporary measure it became permanent and no aqueduct was ever built there. Despite teething problems in the construction, the canal became a

vitally important route for moving coal (6-7,000 tons per year) from the Lancashire Coalfields to the industrial towns of the north and moving limestone South. This was how it arrived at its nickname the ‘Black and white’ canal. In its later years coal was the primary material transported from Preston to the Kendal gasworks which were built in 1824. The fact that no railway was constructed to the gas works meant that this activity remained

viable until it was switched to road transport in 1947. However, the canal was important for leisure as well as commercial use. Packet boats provided an express passenger service between Preston, Lancaster and Kendal travelling at an unheard-of speed of ten miles per hour! The seven hours full journey time was half that provided by even the fastest stagecoaches. The arrival of the railways obviously had an impact on the canal and after years of the company leasing the canal to the railway companies it was finally bought by the London and North West Railway Company in 1885. The canal had often suffered from leaks due to large sections being built on porous limestone and in 1939 the new owners (London, Midland and Scottish Railway) started to close sections in and around Kendal due to this problem. In 1944 they proposed closing the whole canal, but it was opposed in the house of Lords.

Above: Lune Aqueduct

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Despite this temporary reprieve use of the canal declined and further sections were closed. The last commercial load was carried on the canal in 1947 and then in 1955 an act of parliament closed the canal, and more sections were closed and LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 153

drained. From 1958 the M6 began to be constructed and the canal was culverted (sent under the road) in three sections to allow construction of the road.

in March 2012. But it hasn’t stopped there. Stainton Aqueduct was damaged by Storm Desmond in 2015. Work began to repair it in 2018 and were completed by 2020.

But now exciting new projects to restore and redevelop parts of the canal have been taking place. The Northern Reaches Restoration Group and the Lancaster Canal Restoration have been working in partnership with nine other local and national agencies to restore parts of the Canal.

There is also a proposal to redevelop the ‘Northern Reaches’ of the canal running for some 14 miles North of Tewitfield. Funding agreements have nearly been reached and the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership say from an engineering point of view it would not be difficult to re-generate this section of the canal it would be expensive to do so. They are confident this will happen in the not-too-distant future once funding is secured.

In 2002 an ambitious £60 million project was announced which included restoring the Hicaster tunnel, and the dry five miles by Kendal. The project would also restore six areas where the canal had been culverted and repair fiftytwo listed structures on the route including the Lune Aqueduct.

Above: Lancaster canal at Tewitfield

But now exciting new projects to restore and redevelop parts of the canal have been taking place

Whatever the future holds it looks likely that at least certain sections of this wonderful waterway will be preserved and re-generated for future generations to enjoy.

The Aqueduct repairs were completed at a cost of £2.4 million 154

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The life of Di A monthly column by Di Wade, the author of ‘A Year In Verse’

I’m sure so long as I can get out for a walk, and have plenty of books to read and sport to watch, World War Three could break out in my begonia patch and I’d not know. I’ve long been held to be a sports nut - notwithstanding I’m only truly fanatical about athletics, tennis, rugby, cycling, swimming, gymnastics, rowing, and anything to do with Olympics summer or winter. Then it takes the prospect merely of an indoor athletics championships, I.E. the kind of event which would probably easily pass under most people’s radar, to have me inwardly purring with content. Well I might do it outwardly too, except that’d just be totally weird. Not that sport’s necessarily all sweetness and light. After our second Six Nations defeat t’other week, couldn’t decide whether I were madder with the referee, for effectively handing Wales fourteen points, and before I’d even had chance to open my first beer, or ourselves for compounding his work in the form of a shower of penalties reminiscent of snow in the Arctic or confetti at a wedding. Naturally I’d have done nothing of the sort had I been playing, and I was certainly mad. For the most part however, sport for me represents a wholesale plunge and escape into a wondrous world of excited anticipation, thrills, spills, mystery, suspense, and on occasion even romance and fairytales. www.lancmag.com

Not dissimilarly, a good book can cause me to lose all track of time, which might easily include a mass of pipes and drums vying for cacophonous supremacy with a wildly erupting Krakatoa, and I’d still be oblivious. It also transports me to the unlikeliest of places, in the unlikeliest order. Stuart Macbride, (on whom I’ve beginning to get hooked), has me wanting to repair hotfoot to granite Aberdeen, Lucinda Riley recently had me wanting to move first to steamy Brazil, then chilly Norway, and best of all, MC Beaton has me distinctly fancying taking up jammaking and flower-arranging as a fully fledged member of the Carsely Ladies’ Society. I know, mad. Finally, whether I’m striding along the prom prom prom, (wondering where the heck the brass band’s got to, and why there’s no wrecks and nothing to laugh at ETC), or wandering most uncloud-like through golden daffodils, among beds of crocuses, or beside windmills which haven’t a thing to do with old Amsterdam, walks for me are and always have been far more than the all-important fresh air and exercise. They resemble stepping into another world, from which one returns home refreshed, revitalized, and stimulated, even when one has encountered nothing more remarkable than an excitable dog determined to splatter one with mud, a bunch of deafening seagulls, or a woman down the road trimming her hedge in her onesie.

Books, walks, and sport, (which I admit sounds like the world’s most uninspiring book title), have effectively reduced lockdown to a term. This was particularly brought home to me on the weekend of 5 March: Most of this was spent perched on the edge of my seat or endangering the roof courtesy of a gripping European Indoor Athletics Championships, especially when Wigan’s Keely Hodgkinson stormed to a wholly unanticipated gold in the 800m. Impressive performance indeed, and may many more follow. In the gap between the sessions however, I variously immersed myself in my book, or took a walk with one of my parents, waxing over the moon with knobs on upon finding snowdrops after weeks of fruitlessly looking for them. Well what can I say, I’ve obviously turned into Alan Titchmarsh somewhere along the line. Most importantly however, in the middle of the most unimagined and unprecedented situation though we might be, the weekend left me as happy as a kid at Christmas - or more appositely Easter, which outside it was beginning to look a lot like. On which note, happy hot cross bun and chocolate egg-eating..

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Ground-breaking citizen science results with Sea Watch Foundation’s National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2020

Common Dolphin photographed near Eddystone off Plymouth, Devon, on July 29. Photo credit_ Rupert Kirkwood

The 2020 National Whale and Dolphin Watch (NWDW) event organised by the Sea Watch Foundation involved hundreds of volunteers from all around the British Isles, and it ran between 25th July and 2nd August.

he event enables Sea Watch, a charity which has been running for over 30 years, to take direct action to protect species. Sea Watch’s sighting data of bottlenose dolphins helped lead to two areas in Cardigan Bay being recommended as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for the species. Since 2001, the organisation has monitored the semi-resident bottlenose dolphin population in Cardigan Bay, providing data for the Welsh & UK Governments through Natural Resources Wales.

Who was involved? Over 750 volunteer observers from all over the UK joined last year’s event reporting casual sightings and conducted dedicated watches from land and from the sea. The 2020 NWDW event marks also the great collaborations with twenty-nine different conservation and recording organisations including ORCA, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT), Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, MARINELife, and Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch, who have contributed data collected from boats (inshore and offshore) and from land stations in different parts of the British Isles. 156

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Very special thanks go to Rip Curl, Made of Sundays, and Williams Art who sponsored the 2020 event by donating free gifts for the participants.

What was sighted? 1,348 sightings of cetaceans totalling 9,784 individual animals were reported. This number of

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sightings is lower than the estimates recorded in the last four years but circumstances in 2020 clearly differed markedly from any other year when the event was run. Nine different cetacean species and four non-cetacean species were recorded during NWDW 2020 around the UK, a number previously recorded in 2006 and 2009. The lowest amount of species (eight in total) was recorded in 2007, and the highest (13 species) in 2015. England recorded the highest number of sightings (n=643, 48% of all records), closely followed by Scotland with 510 sightings (38% of records), then Wales with 194 sightings (14% of records). One sighting was also recorded in Northern Ireland (0.1%).

Left: Common dolphin©PHG Evans_Sea Watch Foundation Below: Bottlenose dolphins photographed off Traeth Bychan, Anglesey. Photo credit_ George Boyer

In England, Cornwall (n=187), South Devon (n=137), and North-east England (n=113) were the top three regions with the highest number of sightings. In Scotland, the regions with the highest number of sightings were North-west Scotland (n=138), Inner Hebrides (n=104), North-east Scotland (n=92), and Shetland (n=71). In Wales, the highest number of sightings was collected on the north coast including Anglesey (n=139). “Humpback whales off Grishipoll in the Inner Hebrides, Risso‟s dolphin groups off the Outer Hebrides, Shetland, Orkney and NE Scotland, killer whale pods off Shetland and around Caithness, common dolphins and large pods of Atlantic whitesided dolphins around Shetland were particularly notable sightings”, reports Dr Chiara Giulia Bertulli, Sightings Officer and lead organiser of the NWDW event for Sea Watch Foundation.

What effort was necessary to make this project happen? For the past 18 years, the work of Sea Watch has been spearheaded through an annual national recording event, the National Whale and Dolphin Watch, which marks the long-lasting collaboration between citizen scientists, wildlife enthusiasts, the general public, and researchers alike. During the 2020 NWDW, volunteer observers all across the UK spent a total of 1,739 hours collecting effort-related data (including information on environmental conditions collected at regular intervals throughout each watch) stationed at 185 land watch sites and on 50 vessels around the British Isles. An additional 25 observers reported casual sightings both from land and at sea.

Why is it so important that our local communities get involved as citizen scientists and join National Whale and Dolphin Watch? Common dolphins sighted off Soar Devon on July 31st ©Andrea Duxbury

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The aim of the survey has been to obtain a snapshot picture of the status and distribution of some of the species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 157

and porpoises) recorded in UK waters through systematic watches from both land and sea, as well as casual watches, whilst also raising public awareness of the wealth of marine mammals we have around our coasts. “It is my job to piece together all the records of cetaceans you send us including number of species and where and when they occur which can increase our knowledge of cetacean distribution, habitat use, anthropogenic pressures, and long-term population trends, allowing us to better conserve and protect them in our waters” says Dr Chiara Giulia Bertulli, Sightings Officer and lead organiser of the NWDW event for the Sea Watch Foundation.

inform us of important areas and times of year for particular species, enabling better decision making on the risk of harm to local populations from certain human activities. It may also indicate where dedicated research should be directed, or draw attention to possible status changes on both a regional and national basis” says Dr Peter Evans, Director of the Sea Watch Foundation.

Below: Risso’s dolphin photographed off Point Lynas. Photo credit_ George Boyer

What is next for Sea Watch and National Whale and Dolphin Watch? Sea Watch Foundation are seeking volunteers to take part in National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2021 this summer, which takes place 24th July – 1st August. They will also be producing a research paper related to this event spanning the decades of survey effort on cetaceans assembled in order to help provide better informed cetacean conservation measures in UK waters. “The collation of information on abundance and distribution of whales, dolphins and porpoises is valuable in many ways. Besides increasing our general knowledge of the cetacean fauna that inhabit the seas around the British Isles, it can 158

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If you want to download a copy of the full 2018 National Whale and Dolphin Watch report: https://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ NWDW-2020-Report_FINAL.pdf Visit https://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw/ for details, or contact nwdw@seawatchfoundation.org.uk.

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Around the region Preston’s digital future to be transformed with £30m Full Fibre roll-out Nearly every home and business in Preston will gain access to next-generation broadband thanks to a major investment by CityFibre.

Preston is to benefit from an investment of £30m in its digital future, as part of CityFibre’s plans to upgrade the nation’s legacy networks with gigabit-capable full fibre connectivity. The state-of-the-art infrastructure is expected to boost business productivity and innovation and deliver millions in economic benefits for Preston, while giving residents access to the UK’s fastest broadband services. Detailed planning is already underway as CityFibre, the UK’s third national infrastructure platform, designs a network capable of serving Preston’s current and future demands. Upon completion, the network will be in reach of nearly every home and business in the city. It will also provide a platform for a new generation of “smart city” applications, as well as the rollout of 5G mobile services. CityFibre has appointed Steve Thorpe as City Manager to spearhead delivery of the Preston project, which is due to commence in May, with work expected to be completed within the next three years. In this role, Steve will be responsible for ensuring the full fibre network is implemented with minimal disruption while delivering maximum benefit for the wider community. Steve will be the lead point of contact for

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all the city’s stakeholders and a key advocate of the wide-ranging benefits that a full fibre network will bring to Preston’s residents and businesses. Steve said: “Digital connectivity has never been more important. Full Fibre broadband will help households access all the latest entertainment at lightning speed, but the benefits are far deeper than that – from enabling smart home technology to giving people the freedom to work from home with ease. This is particularly vital with us spending more time in our homes than ever. “With our build partners, we will do everything possible to minimise disruption as we begin to roll out this game-changing technology. This project will future-proof Preston and lay the foundations for its digital transformation, whilst enabling vital economic recovery.” Telent is delivering the construction programme on CityFibre’s behalf, using modern build techniques to deploy the network quickly. CityFibre will work closely with Preston City Council and local communities to ensure a fast and successful roll-out. Meanwhile, residents will be kept informed by mailings ahead of works commencing in their streets. Councillor Peter Moss, Deputy Leader

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and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulation at Preston City Council, added: “This is an exciting project and we welcome investment in the city that will provide residents and businesses with access to fast and future proof digital infrastructure. “The role of digital is becoming more and more important in our everyday lives and the ways we conduct business so it’s vital that our city benefits from access to the latest digital infrastructure and the advantages this brings to everyone living and working in the city. “Projects like this are essential to our plans for growth and development in the city and demonstrates that Preston is an exciting and vibrant place to live and do business.” The network is not yet live, but once activated, services will be available from an increasing range of broadband providers. Across the UK, CityFibre is already working with launch partner, Vodafone to deliver next generation broadband services, and TalkTalk is expected to join the network soon.

Visit www.cityfibre.com to check your availability and register your interest in a full fibre broadband service.

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Keeping you up to date with events around the North West Novelist Judges Girls’ World Book Day Competition As part of World Book Day celebrations, pupils at Bolton School Girls’ Division Senior School have enjoyed a writing competition aimed at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.

Left: Kate Long Acting Head of English Mrs Martin explained: ‘Girls had to answer the question: how can we look to literature for inspiration and comfort in times of crisis? The competition proved very popular and we received some fabulous entries from middle school, upper school and Sixth Form girls.’ The budding writers’ entries were cojudged by former pupil and author Kate Long, who became a household name after publishing her first book, The Bad Mother’s Handbook. She has since written another eight novels as well as short stories, blogs and non-fiction articles. As one of the judges, Kate commented:

‘It’s such a privilege to read this work, and to think back to my own time at Bolton School and the way the teachers there encouraged my writing. I did contact two of my English teachers in 2004 when my first novel came out to say thank you for all they’d done. I was so very lucky to have met them.’ In the middle school category there were shortlisted entries from Sofia Macari, Connie Ambrose and Prisha Patel. Sofia produced a fantasy poem which moved Kate to tears; Connie and Prisha delivered fluent and persuasive articles charting their personal journeys through literature. The winner in this category was Caitlin Davies who espoused the many benefits of reading. Kate reflected that: ‘I have picked Caitlin

as the winner because of the breadth of her arguments combined with her obvious passion for literature.’ The upper school and Sixth Form category saw Eve Blackmore, Aisha Yaqoob and Xena Logan all have their work shortlisted. Eve delivered a poem about the upheaval of lockdown; Aisha, who Kate predicted great things for as a writer, wrote a poem about finding solace in books; and Xena was commended for writing a “stunning and powerful” piece of prose about our thoughts as a catastrophe unfolds around us. The judge fed back that ‘the language here is pin-sharp, the phrasing of the sentences balanced, and the charged ending perfectly judged.’ The overall winner of this category was Ananya Ajit, who through her poem ‘Grandma’s Words’ deals with bereavement. Kate commented: ‘At a time when so many of us have lost loved ones, “Grandma’s Words” is a beautiful exploration of grief. The simplicity of the language belies the complex, subtle shades of emotional recovery being described. Ananya’s brilliant use of line breaks and imagery leads us through the steps of bereavement; the conclusion feels like a warm, comforting hand reaching out to clasp our own.”

Blackpool Airport

Blackpool Airport, owned by Blackpool Council is to bring the management and day-to-day airport operations back in-house. Following a lengthy review and search to appoint a new operational management contractor, Blackpool Airport Operations Ltd (BAOL), Blackpool Council’s wholly owned subsidiary, has decided to take the operational licences back into its own name. Transfer of the CAA licences to operate the airport into BAOL Company’s name and under its direct control, is an early step in achieving the airport’s longer term goals which are: • to maximise opportunities for growth • to achieve a greater level of control and

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flexibility to take sound investment decisions • to be more efficient and cost effective • to ensure a long-term, sustainable future for one of England’s oldest airports and a key strategic asset for the Fylde Coast. This arrangement where the licences are held by the airport owner rather than the management contractor is the norm in the aviation industry and brings Blackpool into line with its peers in the sector. BAOL is working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for this process to be completed later in the year, at which point the contract with the current licence holder Regional and City Airports (RCA) will expire. RCA have done an excellent job in helping steer the airport through some difficult times in recent years, not least the ongoing pandemic, when the airport has remained fully operational throughout. RCA has pledged to work closely with BAOL, airport owners Blackpool Council and the CAA to ensure a smooth and seamless transition of the licences. The changeover of the licences will not impact current job security and there will be no visible changes in the day-to-day operations at the airport for the foreseeable future, with Stephen Smith remaining as Airport Manager.

Cllr Campbell, Chair of the Board at Blackpool Airport Operations Ltd (BAOL) said, “The tender process for operational and management contracts has now come to an end and the Board has made the decision to bring the airport licences in-house. BAOL and Blackpool Council thank RCA for all their hard work over the past few years are now working with them to facilitate a smooth transition of airport operations. “We should not underestimate the size and complexity of the task ahead of us, but with the support and dedication of the airport staff, the Board have every confidence in the team to take our airport forward to a brighter, more sustainable and profitable future.” Blackpool Council reacquired Blackpool Airport from Balfour Beatty in September 2017 for £4.25m via its ownership of Blackpool Airport Operations Ltd and Blackpool Airport Property Ltd, to save it from the risk of permanent closure and to secure its long-term future as part of the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. To date Blackpool Council has invested nearly £2m in the upgrade and maintenance of essential infrastructure, with further significant investment planned.

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Nothing Works for Your Hay Fever? Here’s a Great Solution!

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“Many hay fever sufferers will tell you that nothing works,” says renowned authority on airborne allergens, Max Wiseberg, “or that some remedies help, but nothing does the whole job. Or that things help one year, but don’t work the next. And it’s true for so many people. Although there’s no cure for hay fever (yet), creating your own hay fever first aid kit, following some important rules, is working wonders for many people and might just make a difference for you, too.” “So many people hope this year won’t be as bad, stick their heads in the sand, and then dive in to the nearest shop in a panic once the symptoms become unbearable again. Sound familiar? There is a better way – and it’s easy…” “Pharmaceutical remedies are generally based on either antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays,” says Max, “whilst natural remedies are based on physical preventative measures, immune boosters or natural antihistamines. The interesting thing about this is that many of these remedies can be complementary to each other. So if one helps, but doesn’t do the whole job, you may be able to try other remedies at the same time and get a better result. In other words, you can create your own, bespoke hay fever first aid kit that suits your specific needs.” “However, there are rules: never take two antihistamines together, never take two steroid nasal sprays together, and consult your pharmacist or doctor about it if you are already taking another medication. I suggest that your ideal hay fever first aid kit will consist of one or more natural products, only one antihistamine, only one nasal spray and eye drops.” “There are a great range of natural products for hay fever on the market, here are just a few; you’ll find more in your local health store, pharmacy or online. Organic allergen barrier balms, such as HayMax (www. haymax.biz), work by trapping allergens before they enter the body through the nose and eyes. HayMax has been proven to trap over one third of pollen grains [1], and is drug free, organic, and natural, meaning it is suitable for everyone, including children and pregnant and breast-feeding women.” “You can also buy natural eye drops which contain a herb called Euphrasia (more commonly known as Eyebright). This relieves inflammation and swelling and is thought to be a helpful allergy relief remedy. Butterbur is a herbal extract believed to have an antihistamine-like effect on hay fever symptoms, and is widely available in capsules. Quercetin is thought to limit the release of histamine. As well as being found naturally in many foods, it can also be taken in a capsule. Turmeric, commonly used in Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine, is a spice containing curcumin, which has been found to have anti-allergy properties. Most often used in dried form, it can also be bought www.lancmag.com

fresh and is available in tablet and capsule form.” “When we get hay fever our body produces too many histamines which trigger the horrible symptoms. Antihistamines do exactly what it says on the box; they anti the histamine. That’s why they are the most common hay fever remedy. However, histamines keep us alert, attentive and awake so antihistamines can cause drowsiness. There are different types of antihistamines so if one doesn’t work, you can try another – look for the active ingredient on the box. They are best taken at least one month before the hay fever season starts. It’s just that lots of people never know exactly when that will be! And they will still work even if you didn’t start early – just not as well” “Steroid nasal sprays target congestion and stuffiness as well as other symptoms of hay fever. These work by fighting inflammation and mucus production, reducing the allergic reaction of your nasal tissues to the inhaled allergen. Very few side effects are associated with steroid nasal sprays. Again, check the active ingredient; if one doesn’t work for you, you might find another works better” “Eye drops work in one of three ways to reduce your allergic reaction to pollen. Some stop the histamine release, some are anti-inflammatory and others block the inflammation caused by histamine. They can bring relief to itchy eyes and help stop watery or streaming eyes.” “These are just a few ideas and there are plenty more at the HayMax™ website. Have a look at the allergy guides for more ideas.” “Keep it simple to start. Try 3 remedies together and see how it goes, you can add more if they don’t do the whole job on their own.”

Max Wiseberg Let us know how Max’s ideas work for you – or if you have some which have worked for you which we can share with other readers. Reference [1] Chief Investigator: Professor Roy Kennedy, Principal Investigator: Louise Robertson, Researcher: Dr Mary Lewis, National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, 1st February 2012.

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We’re all ‘Magical Thinkers’ but here’s how to ‘use it’ for powerful personal development “Magical thinking infuses all of our lives, even though most of us don’t realise it, and channelled correctly it can have the potential to add the ‘abracadabra’ to personal transformation,” say coaching course leaders Kirsty Lucinda Allan and Dr Morgana McCabe Allan. The team behind a new online course believe that 2021 is the year that we move up from manifesting and mood boarding and discover the super-powers of magical thinking. Kirsty Lucinda Allan

So what is magical thinking? According to Wikipedia it’s the belief that unrelated events are causally connected, despite the absence of any plausible causal link between them, particularly as a result of supernatural events. But for Kirsty and Dr Morgana, who have spent the last few years delving deeper into the power

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Morgana McCabe Allan

of magical thinking, it goes further than this. The pair say: “Whenever we engage with the experience of similarity, where things ‘resonate’ in a harmonious experience of belonging and excitement, or we are drawn to something on a holistic level – that is magical thinking unfolding. “It is also apparent whenever we experience a sense of contagion, where something unwanted is attaching to or affecting us, causing us to feel distress or disgust.” www.lancmag.com

Magical Thinking in 2021 They continue: “In an age where global struggles are at their most complex, humanity is re-discovering its spirit, its agency and its fundamental way of being in the world, through the embracing of mindfulness, cosmic interconnectedness and creative exploration from within. Hence we’re seeing a significant return in the use of magical thinking to create positive change. In essence, there is a global shift in consciousness that allows for choice, growth and agency like never before. “The magic was never gone, it’s just never actually been well researched because early science filed it under superstition. Magical thinking shouldn’t be seen as a strange, fringe or niche, but as a birthright of all people. As crucial to business as bankers. It’s not a coincidence that so many CEO’s claim intuition is what guides their business - it’s the power of magical thinking. Everyone deserves to have that power. “We are undeniably uncovering the ancient truth for this radical new era: that we are the magic of the universe.” Using Magical Thinking For Positive Change “Whether anyone is ‘conscious of magical thinking happening’ or not, the underlying element is that everyone holds the magic within them to use the thoughts, feelings and beliefs associated with it as a powerful way to intentionally create positive lasting change and growth in our lives that brings this magic to the fore. “And there are five key ways to channel these super powers to create change in ways that can transform your life.” Five steps to channelling your magical super-powers • Conscious rituals can create great unconscious habits It’s often overlooked, but the things that you do ‘deliberately’ can amplify magical thinking. One area of your life where you might already be applying this thinking is within self-care routines, where you create positive daily habits which illicit a health and wellbeing benefit. These conscious physical rituals shouldn’t be confused with affirmations. Although they are a popular manifesting practice, they don’t go far enough to support an amazing positive outcome. You can say all the nice things you like, but research consistently shows that the body holds on to negative experiences and trauma, even if you’re practicing trying to change the thoughts.

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The magic was never gone, it’s just never actually been well researched because early science filed it under superstition

Make the change a more physical, action based one by physically doing something linked to where your want to be in life - and this will bring the ingredients to create the greater change. • Choose your ‘intentions’ – but choose them carefully When you’re choosing your intentions – be very careful what you wish for. It’s important that you hone in on who you want to be and how you want to feel. Keep your intentions simple – and try to not focus on material things. You may believe that a new house, a new car or a new job will make your life better but if you look deep within yourself it will be something else which is at the root of your true happiness. Choose intentions that are about who you want to be not what you want to have. People who feel lucky are luckier. People who believe they will heal have a higher chance of healing. And people who believe they are well loved experience a higher wellbeing. • Think and act in 3D A crucial thing about magical thinking is using it to make your intentions 3D and not just imaginary. For example, if you dream about living in a beautiful beach house then bringing things into to your home, such as shells, driftwood, coastal scents, colours, etc, means that you’re really taking yourself towards and tapping into the energy that you want to experience. Be intentional about how you engage with these 3D manifestations of your intentions - direct love towards them and don’t treat them like a passive thing – perhaps you could dedicate a small area of your home to your beach house dream where you can sit and interact with these physical objects daily.

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You may have a room or cupboard crammed full of clutter. Just because the door is closed, doesn’t mean that these things aren’t acting upon you Although contagion has a negative connotation (especially in today’s world), contagion can also be very positive – joy for example, can be contagious. Think about a person or business who you really look up to and admire – maybe there’s an artist really evokes this success. Owning a piece of work by that artist or bringing something into your home that has a direct connection with your hero can have incredible magic for you. • Be intentional Be intentional in every area of your life, including choosing what to wear, how you do your hair, and the jewellery that you wear. Disneybounding is a great example of this. It’s a form of positive contagion that makes use of fictional characters. By dressing up (subtly or overtly) as an admired character or person, we can feel more of the parts of ourselves that resonate with their best traits. This can be something as simple as putting on work clothes rather than pyjamas to feel more professional, right through to some fun fancy dress, like Wonder Woman! The concept is the same – it’s how the type of clothing connects you to the magic inside yourself, in your body’s own language of magical signs. 166

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• Everything manifests – so remove the things you’re not resonating with Everything manifests, even if you don’t realise it. You may have a room or cupboard crammed full of clutter. Just because the door is closed, doesn’t mean that these things aren’t acting upon you. Remove the things that are not resonating with the best version of you that you can imagine. Physically decluttering your living space and keeping only the things that you truly need to help you achieve your goals or that will impact you positively is incredibly powerful. As is deleting the apps that are sucking up your time or the clothes that are making you feel bad about yourself. Going forward, ask yourself before you buy something (and when reviewing things you already have) - is this a great collaboration for my best life? Or is it taking time, energy, money?

For more information about Magical Thinking and for details on Kirsty and Morgana’s courses and content, please visit https://manifest.faithcraftltd.com/ www.lancmag.com

Hard work pays off for Nantwich sales consultant THE only way is up for sales consultant, Emily Bexon, after she takes home Redrow’s coveted Sales Consultant of the Year title for the North West.

Sales Consultant of the Year Emily Bexon

or Emily, who lives in Nantwich, it’s a reflection of her sales success at Woodford Garden Village, in Woodford, Cheshire. Celebrated every year by the national homebuilder, the awards were done virtually this year and recognise those who have excelled in their customer facing roles in each of Redrow’s 14 divisions. Coming from a background of working in the luxury holiday market meant Emily was already well-versed at selling an aspirational product. “The holidays were really luxurious, much like the homes that I sell for Redrow at Woodford Garden Village. And many of the skills I developed working in travel were transferable to my current role. I understand how important it is to listen to customers and really work to the best of my ability to help them purchase their dream home,” says Emily. Emily says that since she started at

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Redrow in 2018, she has had her eyes set on winning the title. “A few of my family members also work in the housebuilding industry so to be able to say I’ve won this award doesn’t just make me proud - my family know how much it means too.” Being named one of Redrow’s top sales consultants is based on a number of factors, including sales performance against targets, customer feedback and positive achievement of online reservations and Help to Sell transactions, where customers use Redrow’s services to sell their existing property. Emily says the past year has been challenging for everyone but she has worked hard to manage her customers’ expectations when their homes were inevitably delayed due to Covid lockdowns and the need for social distancing in the construction process.

“I really believe that customers appreciate you being honest with them from the outset and by keeping them informed as much as possible they have been able to plan ahead and again look forward to their new home being ready.” Emily has been described by her team as a highly committed individual who has a great relationship, not just with the customers but also the construction team on site. Interim sales director, Simon Bennett says: “Emily plays a large part in the success of our flagship development Woodford Garden Village. You can see her work is appreciated by the customers and that is truly what matters. Emily is also great with ideas and is an amazing asset to our wider sales team.” Career-wise, Emily would love to progress up the ladder and has her sights set on becoming a senior sales consultant next with Redrow. “Being given a role with more responsibility would also prepare me to one day become an area sales manager,” she adds. Emily is now looking forward to getting married this year after having her wedding postponed in 2020 due to Covid and is planning to honeymoon in South Africa, Dubai and The Maldives. Meanwhile she continues to sell homes at Woodford Garden Village, where Redrow currently has two different outlets open. Anson Meadows features three and four-bedroom homes from £380,995, while The Courtyard is a selection of luxury two-bedroom apartments from £364,995. Larger four and five-bedroom detached homes are coming soon.

To find out more about a rewarding career with Redrow visit: www.redrowcareers.co.uk

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Exotic Pets on the rise in Cheshire – are you living next door to some of the world’s deadliest creatures? ● OFFICIAL: New data confirms nearly 4,000 dangerous wild animals are being kept as pets in UK ● 59% increase in exotic pet ownership since 2000 ● Born Free calling for immediate over haul of legislation

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new survey conducted by Born Free has revealed that nearly 4,000 dangerous wild animals are being privately kept in Great Britain – 70 of which are living in Cheshire. The international wildlife charity is calling on the UK Government to immediately review the law and put a stop to some of the world’s most remarkable, but often deadly, creatures being kept as ‘pets’ in unsuitable captive conditions.

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4 cats including a Cheetah and Servals

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16 venomous snakes including a Saw-scaled viper, an Indochinese spitting cobra, and a Western diamondback rattlesnake

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36 Wild Boar

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3 Lechwe

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2 Ostrich

Born Free’s research reviewed the number of Dangerous Wild Animal (DWA) Act licences granted by local authorities in 2020 across England, Scotland and Wales, and the variety of species being privately kept. Local authorities in Cheshire revealed that the licences granted cover 70 dangerous wild animals residing in the area, of which there are at least:

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2 Ring-tailed lemur

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2 Spectacled caiman

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2 Scorpion - a Fat-tailed scorpion and a Death Stalker

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3 venomous lizards including a Gila monster and Beaded lizards

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Shockingly, the entire combined data across all authorities highlighted that a total of 210 DWA licences were granted for the keeping of 3,951 individual wild animals including: ● 320 wild cats (including 61 big cats – 11 lions, 8 tigers, 11 leopards, 18 pumas, 10 cheetahs, 2 ligers and 1 jaguar) ●

274 primates (including over 150 lemurs)

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158 crocodilians

● 508 venomous snakes (including 57 diamondback rattlesnakes) ●

332 scorpions

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106 venomous lizards

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2 elephants

Other species on the DWA list that are being kept as pets or in private collections in the UK include zebras, camels, fossa (a kind of civet), hyaena, sun bears, wolves, and otters. Dr Mark Jones, Veterinarian and Born Free’s Head of Policy, states: “Born Free has been collating and analysing DWA data for over 20 years. Since the millennium the wild animal welfare and conservation charity has seen a dramatic increase in the number of exotic pets in private ownership, including a 94% increase in the number of venomous snakes, 57% increase in wild cats, 198% increase in crocodilians and over a 2000%

Born Free believes that many additional dangerous wild animals are being kept without a licence

applicant to demonstrate that their animals are properly contained so as to prevent escape and protect the public, but this does little to ensure the welfare of the animals or the protection of the owner or anyone else visiting the property. While changes have been made to the schedule, Born Free is highlighting the fact that the Act itself has not been reviewed substantially for more than 40 years. This means, for example, that species such as Komodo dragons, other large monitors, and large constrictor snakes are not included on the schedule, despite the fact that they could pose a serious risk to their owners, and to members of the public, should they escape. Furthermore, there is long-standing concern about widespread noncompliance with the Act, especially with respect to venomous reptiles and invertebrates.

increase in scorpions. However, these figures are likely to represent only the tip of the iceberg. They only record those animals being kept and registered with a DWA licence. Born Free believes that many additional dangerous wild animals are being kept without a licence.” Currently, under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, anyone in Britain can keep a dangerous wild animal as long as they obtain a licence from their Local Authority. The licencing process requires the www.lancmag.com

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Dr Mark Jones commented: “It is unbelievable that, in this day and age, so many dangerous animals, including big cats, large primates, crocodiles and venomous snakes, are in private ownership in the UK. Increasing demand for all kinds of wild animals as exotic pets puts owners and the wider public at risk of injury or disease. It also results in serious animal suffering, and the demand increases the pressure on many wild populations which are often already under threat.” Just last year a hybrid Savannah cat escaped in Hampstead, London, while a seven-foot-long Boa constrictor appeared in someone’s back garden and then turned on its rescuer biting his hand and wrapping itself around his wrist on the Isle of Sheppey. There have been other horror stories where a woman was bitten in the eye by a python at Mayfair club and almost blinded, while a man in Hampshire was killed by his 8ft African rock python. These are just a handful of cases that have been reported. In fact, records held by the RSPCA report that their specially-trained exotics officers rescued over 4,000 exotic animals in 2018 alone. Due to the nature of the animals, most owners fail to report escapes or attacks for fear of the animal being removed or their licence revoked. Mark continued: “The UK likes to claim to be at the forefront of efforts to protect nature and improve the welfare of animals, yet our legislation governing the keeping of and trade in exotic pets is woefully outdated. While the Government’s recent proposal to ban the keeping of and trade 170

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in primates as pets is a welcome first step, there are many other species that need to be protected from this form of exploitation. The Dangerous Wild Animals Act should be overhauled as a matter of urgency, in order to phase-out the private keeping of and trade in those species that clearly don’t belong in people’s homes.”

To find out what dangerous animals are living in other counties across the UK you can use Born Free’s interactive map on their website www.bornfree.org.uk/dwamap.

A new ITV documentary on dangerous wild animals in the UK is coming soon. www.lancmag.com

Queen Appoints Edwin Booth as the next High Sheriff of Lancashire Her Majesty the Queen has appointed Edwin Booth CBE DL, to be the High Sheriff of Lancashire.

dwin is the Chair and CEO of Booths and represents the fifth generation of the family to lead the business since 1847. He will take office after having signed a sworn declaration on April 11th. The Office of the High Sheriff is an independent non-political year-long appointment supporting the Crown and the judiciary, lending support to crime prevention agencies, emergency services and the voluntary sector. Edwin intends to address his attentions to three issues: crime, homelessness and education. “It is a privilege to be recognised for this role and I want to celebrate www.lancmag.com

everything that is good about Lancashire, a county my family has called home for nearly 200 years. There is a great deal of opportunity in Lancashire, and it is my wish to give others the same inspiration and chance to succeed that I have been fortunate to receive.” “Access to education, and by that I don’t just mean academic education, but inspiring people to find and celebrate what they are good at, can be a driver in solving the larger societal issues of crime and homelessness.”

“I often use the phrase, ‘there is no such thing as a dull person.’ Finding and cultivating what excites people is key to education. My Great, Great grandfather Edwin Henry Booth believed in giving back. Orphaned at the age of 11, by age 19 he was a tea dealer, opening his first shop in Blackpool. He found what he excelled at and became a founding trustee of the Harris Childrens’ Homes, now the Harris charity, which supports young persons in difficulty, ensuring that talents are not constrained though lack of opportunity.”

Edwin’s commitment to serving the communities of Lancashire is wide ranging and long standing. In June 2011 Edwin was appointed Chair of the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership), a post he held for over 7 years, positioning Lancashire as one of the highest performing LEPs in the country. Edwin has worked with the Lancashire Universities in the areas of leadership and business change programs, receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the Lancaster University for his services to the region and industry. He chaired the Business in the Community (BITC) Advisory Board for the North West from 2007 to 2014 and was instrumental in developing a program to engage schools with business. He is Chairman of the Harris Charity (Preston) which was cofounded by his forebear Edwin Henry Booth and is a founding trustee of the Prince’s Countryside Fund. In 2019 Edwin was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in Her Majesty’s New Year Honours list for services to business and charity. He has been a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire since 2005. High Sheriffs receive no remuneration and no part of the expense of a High Sheriff’s year falls on the public purse.

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How To Be Kind To Stressed Out Skin Advice from sensitive skin experts on caring for Stressed Out Skin for Stress Awareness Month (April 2021)

ore people are suffering from sensitive skin than ever before, according to new reports, and stress may be a cause. As April is Stress Awareness Month, leading homecare brand Surcare is reminding people of the ways they can to be kinder to stressed out sensitive skin – from the inside and out.

Stress and skin Claire Lancaster from Surcare’s Product Development team explains: “Because stress is something that we tend to feel emotionally it’s not always something we associate with a physical manifestation – but it can have a very real impact on skin. During times of tension and uncertainty the body produces excess cortisol (or the stress hormone as it is also known) which can impact on everything from blood pressure, the immune system and inflammation of the skin. “It will come as little surprise that the stress of the pandemic has resulted in more people experiencing sensitive skin conditions, often exacerbated further 172

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by more hand washing, greater use of cleaning products and antibacterial hand gels. “Mintel found that a whopping 32% of British women would now describe their skin as sensitive in 2021 (rising to 39% of women aged 16-24 and 40% among 25-34 year-olds). “So if you have noticed changes to your skin because of stress, one of the best places to start is to try and regain some control over the anxiety that you are experiencing. This could be via yoga, meditation or simply talking to a friend or loved one. Tackling stress at the root cause is an important first step and should never be ignored.” www.lancmag.com

Eat to beat sensitive skin “Many people have admitted to turning to alcohol, convenience and comfort food during lockdown as a mechanism to help them cope with boredom and stress. Unfortunately highly processed, high fat and sugary foods will only be adding to your skin woes. Your body needs to be pampered on the inside, just as much as the outside and an anti-oxidant rich diet, featuring fatty fish (such as salmon or mackerel), green leafy vegetables, nuts, berries and brightly coloured fruit and veg like carrots and oranges will give your skin the nourishment it needs. “Alcohol is renowned for dehydrating the body and it can affect the way that oxygen and other nutrients travel through the skin. So if you are suffering from dry, chapped and sensitive skin then it may be a good idea to reduce your alcohol intake or cut it out completely.”

Changing the products you use can also help “Using products that are made especially for people with sensitive skin can help to manage skin conditions and, alongside the increase in skin flare ups and skin irritation, is a marked rise in people searching for a solution. Google search data since the pandemic began shows a huge spike in searches for products linked to sensitive skin in April 2020, peaking again at the start of the third lockdown in January 2021, as people look for new ways to regain healthier, happier skin. But when shopping for beauty and cleaning products when you have sensitive skin can be a bit of a minefield. Our advice is look for simplicity and transparency when it comes to both ingredients and claims – which is often not easy to find in a market full of big advertising promises!

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Self-care is an important part of helping to relieve stress and anxiety

Moisturisers, serums and face/ body washes “The first place that many people start is topical skincare products like moisturisers and bath soaks which you can physically ‘see’ and ‘feel’ working. Look for products with naturally derived and nourishing ingredients that have been dermatologically tested and formulated especially for sensitive skin sufferers. Ingredients such as natural butters, omega 3 and 6 vitamin E and oat lipids will provide natural but hard working moisturisation to boost the skins protective barrier and increase hydration. “Self-care is an important part of helping to relieve stress and anxiety, so pampering yourself shouldn’t be overlooked. Luxurious bath salts with Epsom salts, soothing oils and healing crystals will not only help to relieve your skin, they will also help you relax and promote restful sleep.

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Laundry care “It’s also important not to overlook the other things that your skin comes into contact with. The products that we use to wash the clothes that we wear every day and the bed sheets we sleep in every night play a huge role in keeping our skin healthy and skin flare ups at bay. As do cleaning products such as washing up liquid. “If your skin is sensitive then you should be looking for products that don’t contain anything that doesn’t need to be there – such as fragrances, enzymes, acids and dyes. “Dermatologically approved and with a seal of approval from Allergy UK, Surcare’s range of laundry products have been created with the most sensitive of skin in mind and are designed to reduce skin flare ups.

your hands than other brands. And with a thumbs up from British Allergy Foundation, Allergy UK this could be another secret weapon in your fight against dry skin. “It is clear that the past 12 months has made us more conscious about our health and wellbeing and as a consequence people are starting to pay more attention to the ingredients in the products that they use both on their body and in the home. “Stressed out skin can be repaired and a 360 degree approach to self-care is the perfect place to start.”

“Switching your laundry products could be an important first step in helping your stressed and sensitive skin back to healthy by reducing additional irritation. “With more of the family spending more time at home you will undoubtedly be faced with mounds of seemingly never ending washing up. This too can take its toll, leading to dry, cracked and painful hands. With nothing added in except exceptional cleaning power, Surcare’s washing up liquid is designed to reduce irritation and be kinder to

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Adam Partridge Auctioneers

Peter Collingwood, Master Weaver

Two Macrogauze hangings with studio ceramics in Mr and Mrs Firth’s house

A 3D Macrogauze An unusual triangular hanging, from the Macrogauze achieved Firth Collection £7,600 in November 2020 2015, made £8,200

or a textile to become a design classic requires a master weaver and Peter Collingwood was such a one. Born in 1922, Peter Collingwood originally studied to be a medical doctor and stories circulate that he began weaving when he dismantled a loom used for occupational therapy to find out how it worked and that he fashioned a loom from deckchair frames whilst performing his national service. With all great artists it is vital to learn fundamental orthodox practice before one can experiment and Collingwood trained at the Ditchling workshop of master weaver Ethel Mairet, and worked with other prominent weavers. By 1952 Collingwood’s Archway workshop was producing rugs which he sold at Liberty and Heals and he exhibited his weaving whilst continuing to work a day a week at art schools. In 1958 Collingwood was one of the first fellows at the Digswell Arts Trust. He worked alongside John Mills, the sculptor, John Brunsdon, the printmaker and Hans Coper the potter with whom he had a joint exhibition at the V&A in 1969. He moved to Nayland near Colchester in the mid1960s where he worked up to his death in 2008.

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A Peter Collingwood metal numbered signature strip attached to a hanging

He wrote five books on weaving including the seminal Techniques of Rug Weaving in 1986, and was appointed OBE in 1974. His weaving, although starting along more conventional lines with rugs and scarves, eventually became highly distinctive and innovative, resulting from experimental weaving techniques. He devised Shaft Switching to develop a quicker technique of weaving and also Anglefells where the weft is at an angle, or not tamped down, to create a very different result from the usual compactness of standard weaving. As Collingwood became more proficient, more confident in his ideas and more interested in improvisation, he developed his signature Macrogauze wall hangings for which he became world famous from the 1960s onwards. In these, a technique was used whereby the warp threads are spaced and criss-crossed into intricate geometric patterns, instead of parallel vertical lines. Sections of the warps were enabled to cross over each other and move sideways by specialist weaving equipment that Collingwood made himself. The shape of the hanging was fixed by metal rods reinforcing the

sparse weft threads. Although Collingwood’s hangings are instantly recognisable, a signature on a textile piece is not possible, so he attached a metal strip to each piece bearing his signature, the design identification number and the edition/ production number within that design. Textiles are notorious for their fragility and potential damage by light and by handling. Collingwood’s Macrogauzes are delicate but deceptively robust and many still come to the market over 50 years after their creation. We have sold several pieces in our Studio Ceramic and Design sales, not least in the prestigious Firth Collection sale in 2015 where we offered six Macrogauze hangings which achieved a combined hammer price of £41,400. His work has stood the test of time and is well able to sit alongside the best artists, sculptors and potters of his era. Adam Partridge Auctioneers is fortunate to have one of the country’s leading studio pottery and 20th century ceramics specialist who regularly attends our Macclesfield auction room and our Preston valuation office. Please call for more information 01772 347 380.

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Denise Mullen is a journalist, writer and entrepreneur. Her platform www.ladiesofacertainageassassinsclub.com: ‘Life in the Crosshairs’ is an online gentlemen’s club for ladies (which also welcomes gentlemen). The members’ Club, which is free to join, is for discerning 40+s who love a spot of wit and repartee and find themselves just a little bit bored with Instagram fakery and Facebook fluff. It launches later this year.

Pirates of the Carabiner M

arried, as I am, to Johnny Depp’s doppelgänger (our little joke), Johnny ‘the mongoose’ France, it’s easy to see why our relationship has its ups and downs. In his world he’s a pirate of the carabiner. For those who haven’t encountered a carabiner, it’s a sort of clippy thing for securing you to ropes to enable vertiginous dangling off 3,000m+ peaks. Carabiners are the infrastructure of a sporting life that is a series of cliff hangers. Thing is, mountaineering, I don’t really like it. Makes me nervous. He shows me photos of him, gecko-like, poised above some plummety, plummety void. My palms sweat and my vision blurs. I remember phoning him, because one of the cats had brought in a live mouse and I was on a chair in the kitchen (the limit of my giddy heights) and felt I needed advice. 176

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Above: My husband and one of his mates during one of their incredibly enjoyable jaunts.

Right: Sometimes the poor dog goes too. That’s her ‘thrilled’ face.

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“I’m standing on a 4 mm ledge, 3,000 feet over a sheer drop and I’ve just had to answer this phone. This better not be a car accident and whether I want to pursue a no win no fee legal action.”

He was up a mountain, and he was furious. He took about 5 minutes to answer the phone and he was quite grumpy. He said: “I’m standing on a 4 mm ledge, 3,000 feet over a sheer drop and I’ve just had to answer this phone. This better not be a car accident and whether I want to pursue a no win no fee legal action.” He really wasn’t able to offer anything practical on the mouse front. He’d just spent three minutes getting his gloves off. And then there’s the dreaded Mountain Film Festival. It’s an annual event on my birthday pretty much every year (as the festival lasts a week). There is nowhere to hide. So I either go with him and sit there, alternating between sweating and nervous and fidgety and bored as we watch all the high-altitude dangling, or I party like a wildcat on my own in the kitchen at home. Sometimes I open Pringles. So I did go to the Kendal Mint Cake (or whatever it’s called) Appreciation Society’s film thing last year – or was it the year before. Seems like yesterday (involuntary shudder). Anyway, I was of course in a bad mood. This was not my idea of fun. Husband pipes up – ‘but it’ll be a date’ – yeah, right. I trudged into the host building for my date. Me, him (my date) – oh and two of his hairy-hiking-socked mates, whom I adore – but it’s not shaping up exactly along the lines of my dream romantic night out. The cinema has been kept in its original format. The seats are cramped and close together. I’m to be sandwiched between Johnny on one side and his huge South African best mate on the other. His mate is wearing a cable knit sweater the width of a double decker bus. The wool offers a whole new level of hairy. I am treated to a warm glass of white wine – lavishly described as ‘medium’ and thoughtfully pre-poured, probably at around 3pm to stand with its fellows until the exciting stuff starts at around 7. And let’s not forget dinner which comprised a plastic tray of some value brand of nachos garnished with warm plastic cheese (from a bag) squeezed over them by a pimpled youth. Doesn’t get any better than this, I thought. Or at least, couldn’t get any worse? It was very hot in the cinema, run by well-meaning and shiny-faced charity folk who had saved the art deco picture house from the bulldozer. www.lancmag.com

I watched – back-to-back – films of men base jumping off mountains dressed as squirrels-dressed-as-superheroes. I watched men climbing up sheer cliff faces in what appeared to be tennis shoes and bathing shorts. I, sort of, watched a pair of young and very feckless youngsters walk to one of the Poles (who cares) and back. The story went like this. It’s a really long way. It’s really cold. We have huge highs and lows. We are concerned we’re running low on food. We get back. We immediately plan some other hideous thing to go on and then torture our girlfriends with the video footage and high fives as we plan the next jaunt. I’ll confess, what with the heat, the hairy bodies either side and all that cheese, I may have lost consciousness briefly. Now, joking aside, I have huge respect for what Johnny ‘the mongoose’ France pushes himself to do. I see the strange and slightly mad light in his eyes, I get the whole compulsion thing and I am unbelievably proud of him and, hey, I’ve been guilty of enough adrenaline sports myself in my youth. What I don’t believe I’ve ever done is make a partner sit through a whole evening of uncomfortable films – about five of them - and some sort of dubious refreshment made from cardboard and flipflops …. on a date night. So, Johnny, JUST NO! LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 177

Antonella Talks Fashion Now, let’s put some Magic into May! I can’t believe we’re in Spring already and a quarter of the year has flown by! Thankfully, it’s looking like we’re all starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel, and hopefully we’ll all be able to see all our friends and family again soon and also be able to start going out again. I can’t wait to go out for lunch and dress up. Speaking of dressing up, I need to let you all know about our number one best-selling product: The Magic Trousers! For anyone who has not tried our famous Magic Trousers, you’ve been missing out on the best trousers you’ll ever wear in your life…. and they’ve got pockets! The Magic Trouser has fast become “The Trouser” of all time due to their unique versatility and fit. They can be worn as a skinny jean, Capri trouser or legging. Once you try them, you are going to be snapping them up in every colour! They are available in two sizes: Size 1 fits from an 8-18 and Size 2 fits from an 18-22 and they are priced at £27. They are casual, but you can easily dress them up or down with very little effort. They come in a variety of colours and prints. The magic never ends with our magic trousers.

Well hello F lowerpots, Welcome to this month’s edition of my blog. Before I start talking about my fashion brand Ruby & Daisy, for those of you who don’t know, my name is Antonella. I am known as Antonella The Uncensored Reviewer on Facebook & Instagram and I review products and try them before you buy. I have 1.4 million followers on Facebook and 260K followers on Instagram. Not only do I give honest reviews and advice, I am also the co-owner of Ruby & Daisy alongside Helena Hoyle and Louise Bispham. Ruby & Daisy is a multi-award-winning womenswear brand which focuses on real fashion for real women. We have a store based in Crawshawbooth in Rossendale. But don’t worry if you’re not local enough to visit us, we sell online too at www.rubyanddaisy.co.uk and we ship worldwide. I’d also love you to follow our social media to keep up with all the craziness of the wonderful world of Ruby & Daisy. Facebook: Ruby & Daisy. Instagram: rubydaisy1. We also have a fabulous online community group on Facebook called “R&D Community”, which portrays everything that our brand is about, as we aim to make women of all shapes and sizes feel confident again in their clothing, but at reasonable, affordable prices. Our online community is full of positivity, encouragement, inspiration, styling tips, fabulous selfies & Sunday singalongs, so I’d love you to join.

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Magic Trousers £25

www.lancmag.com

Dresses are an essential part of your Spring/Summer wardrobe, and we have so many styles to choose from, which are perfect to wear now that the world is starting to open up again. One of my favourites is, our Perfect Parachute Dress, with hidden pockets! It’s one of our most loved and flattering shaped dresses, and it’s really versatile and comfortable. It can be styled in so many ways, tuck the wings in for pockets for a closer fit or wear the batwing sides styled loosely to give a more relaxed shape. It can also be belted and worn with a statement sandal or try it with some heels and a longline necklace for a dressier look. It comfortably fits from a size 10-24 and is only £25. One of my other favourites is our off the shoulder Loren Leopard Dress, it’s the perfect balance of comfort and sexy. The Bardot neckline can be worn on or off the shoulders with a 3/4 sleeve to cover the tops of your arms. The dress is knee length and has the same batwing shape as our much loved Parachute Dress, to flatter the hips and slim out the legs. Style with some heels and a clutch bag for a timeless look. Size wise it fits from a size 10-22 and is only £27.

Perfect Parachute Dress £25

Layering is an essential part my wardrobe and my faithful Foggia Vest is a staple shapewear piece suitable to wear all year round. It has become a firm favourite with our Ruby & Daisy customers due to its longer length, comfortable fabric and wonderful colour range. You can wear it on its own with a pair of our Magic Trousers and Plain Basic Joggers or as

Loren Leopard £27

The world has felt like a dark place for the last year and now it’s time to start popping some colour into our lives. I want to encourage you all to introduce some colour into your wardrobe for Spring/Summer. When you wear colour, it brightens up your day and makes you feel uplifted. However, some of us might be feeling slightly anxious about the world re-opening, if this is the case, you don’t have to wear a head-to-toe outfit of colour, if you’re feeling cautious, you can always add colour to your outfit using accessories. Why not try one of our best-selling RAD Simple Scarfs or gorgeous Satchel Bags, both available in a variety of colours. There’s no better feeling than being comfortable and stylish, which is what Ruby & Daisy specialise in, as they have something for everyone, no matter what age, shape or size you are.

Nelly Plus Leggings £10

At my age now, with my menopausal mayhem, it’s all about comfort for me. I don’t want to wear anything too tight or restrictive. I don’t know about you, but I’ve forgotten how to get dressed after being in lockdown for so long. I feel like we’ve hidden ourselves in loungewear for months and now it’s time to dress up and feel confident again. Ruby & Daisy make dressing up as easy as possible, with so many comfortable and stylish pieces. It’s time to up our game, as the world starts moving, we need to start moving too. Let Ruby & Daisy help you dress up in style! www.lancmag.com

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Foggia Vest £12

base with our Super Soft Leggings for layering your look. I love the Foggia, as it comes in a longer length and perfectly hides my “Hottom” (hips, bottom and tummy). I think everyone has bits they want to cover sometimes, and this is a perfect vest to cover all your wobbly bits and give you the confidence to wear any outfit over the top. The Foggia fits up to a size 20/22 and it’s only £12! If the Foggia is too long for you, have a look at its little sister, the Foggy Vest, which is a shorter length vest, priced at £10. The Nelly Plus Leggings are my ultimate wardrobe staple and I wear them with everything. The silky smooth material leaves you feeling comfortable and supported and they aren’t see-through, which as a curvy woman is really important for me. They are a simple black legging which can be easily dressed up or down. They are super stretchy, comfortable, easy wearing and they go with a variety of things in my wardrobe. Sizing fits from a size 12-22 and they are a bargain at only £10! I’m really looking forward to the roadmap out of all the lockdowns and tiers and for things to go back to normal. Ruby & Daisy can help you feel stylish and confident for when everything is starting to feel a bit more uplifting and positive. From Magic Trousers to flattering dresses and gorgeous accessories, we have everything to fill your wardrobe with style and colour! This is only a snapshot of many pieces we have available at Ruby & Daisy, so please come and shop with us in store or online. 180

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Stay safe everyome. Lots of love Antonella www.lancmag.com

Colour and Style

www.sarahharrisstyle.co.uk

Our section on Colour and Style with Sarah Harris from ‘Colour Me Beautiful’ When you get dressed do you always wear certain items on a regular basis? It is a fact that most women wear 20% of their wardrobe 80% the time!

t’s May at last, a time when many of us spring clean our homes and wardrobes in anticipation for the warmer sunnier weather! Let me show you how to make the most of your wardrobe by understanding the colours and styles that suit you. It will save you time and money. Imagine never having to worry about what to wear!! Styles repeat themselves season after season and armed with the knowledge of the latest looks and knowing what suits you will make your life so much easier! Let’s look at some of the styles and patterns of the season; you might find something similar in your wardrobe!

I’m Sarah Harris and I’m a Colour and Style Consultant who trained with Colour Me Beautiful the world’s leading Image consultants. My background is in fashion and after leaving school at 16 I travelled to London to work as a Fashion/photographic model, I enjoyed the life and it allowed me to travel the world, during my career I also worked in wholesale/retail within the fashion industry. I learnt all about fabrics, business, international companies and trying all those clothes on – the quality, cut and fabric. I took a break from the business when I married and had our two children. I retrained as an Image consultant with Colour Me Beautiful who have been changing the lives of women and men for over 35 years. I’d like to inspire you with Colour, Style and skincare tips every month, I’m hoping to give you an interesting read. If there is something that you would like to know about please email me and I will do my best to help. Email: sarah@sarahharrisstyle.co.uk www.sarahharrisstyle.co.uk

Polka Dots are classics and many of the latest styles are looks from past seasons, that is why it is always good to take a look at what you already have. 182

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Getting it Right Colour wearing a colour that suits you will lift and illuminate your face making you look brighter and younger, whereas the wrong colour will drag you down. Style the style of what you wear has to suit your body shape and proportions. If, for example, your hips are wider than your shoulders and you wear a skirt/trousers with lots of pockets and patterns it will make them appear bigger. You would be better wearing a simpler design without pockets and in a plain fabric rather than patterned. The fabric would also need to be a light to medium weight. Fabric is key as if you have a curvy body shape you don’t want to be wearing heavy bulky fabrics they will make you appear bigger than you are, whereas, if your body line is straight you will need some structure in your fabrics to give you some shape. Feeling good in your clothes if you like the feel and look of your clothes it will make you want to wear them! Washing/cleaning always read the labels as caring for fabrics will lengthen the life. Try not to over wash your clothes especially if they are delicate fabrics. I always wear a cotton t shirt under my silk blouse as it is easier to wash the cotton than the silk and the silk was more expensive!

Sheer Delight

Do you feel uncomfortable wearing sleeveless dresses or tops ? I have a navy spotty dress in my wardrobe that I have had for over 20 years! It’s short, strappy, packs well and has been around the world with me. It is the easiest dress to wear as it is comfortable and always looks good, although I must admit it is worn out! I use it now around the house/garden when it is hot. But it holds so many happy memories. I bought it in the sale from Marks and Spencer’s in about 1996! I have had more value from that dress than many other items. I often think about it when I’m talking with clients as it is a really good example of ‘Cost per wear’, something that might help you decide whether to keep an item in your wardrobe, pack it away to the charity shop or to sell. Ask yourself:• Is the style right for me • Is it my colour • Will it pack well • What is the fabric

I have the solution and it’s a big fashion statement this season.

Sheer fabrics are back in fashion, a summer dress/top with sheer sleeves is what most women want, it covers the arms and yet is light and feminine. Maybe you have something sheer in your wardrobe!

• How will it wash • Does it feel good to wear www.lancmag.com

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Knitwear

Colour Blocking

Next www.next.co.uk

Knitwear is a key item in any capsule wardrobe and is great for layering. One of the biggest looks this year is tabard (vest) worn over shirts or long t shirts. It was also a big look in the 80’s, we used to call them tank tops! However, if it isn’t for you there is a good selection of cardigans from fitted to loose.

Colour blocking is everywhere this season, if you have some different coloured tops, trousers and skirts in your wardrobe have a go at colour blocking or you may have an item that is already colour blocked like the black and blue dress by Damsel in a dress, the L K Bennett long cardigan or the Phase Eight dress.

Verona Fitted cardi by Kettlewell - www.kettlewellcolours.co.uk

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Spend sometime reviewing your wardrobe and it will be worth it!

Enjoy all the joyful colours and styles of the season and remember your wardrobe is already full of inspiration if you are struggling with putting together a capsule wardrobe I can help you. Look after yourselves and each other, Warm Wishes, Sarah x You might want to go for all one colour, this look keeps coming back season after season and the pictures to the right were from Next and Monsoon in 2019 and they still look current today! www.lancmag.com

www.sarahharrisstyle.co.uk sarah@sarahharrisstyle.co.uk LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 185

The Lawrence Batley Theatre and the Dukes will co-produce the world premiere of the importance of being earnest by Yasmeen Khan The digital production based on Oscar Wilde’s play will be directed by Mina Anwar

he Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and The Dukes, Lancaster have today announced that they will co-produce a digital adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest. Adapted for the digital medium by Yasmeen Khan and directed by Mina Anwar, the production will transpose the original narrative of Wilde’s play to the cobbles and stone walls of the north and follows the story of struggling actor Jamil and rom-com star Algy, who come together in the pursuit of love, being true to yourself and Nando’s. The Importance of Being Earnest will be captured on location at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and The Dukes in Lancaster, and is set to push the theatrical form combining traditional theatrical techniques with film and radio play. Yasmeen Khan, writer of The Importance of Being Earnest comments: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to run riot with an adaptation of a classic Oscar Wilde comedy, giving it a very modern twist and a new setting. This is Earnest as it’s never been seen before. Having northern roots, myself, collaborating on such a uniquely northern production is a joy.” 186

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The digital co-production will run from Monday 19 April until Tuesday 4 May and brings together a northern creative team, including writer and broadcaster Yasmeen Khan, and actor/director Mina Anwar, best known for her roles in the original production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Doctor Who and Shameless. Henry Filloux-Bennett, Artistic Director and CEO of the Lawrence Batley Theatre and Karen O’Neil, Director of The Dukes said of the co-production: “We are so excited to be able to collaborate on this brand-new production. The Lawrence Batley Theatre and The Dukes first collaborated last summer when we launched the Charlotte Holmes Adventure Box which has now been enjoyed by thousands of young people across the globe. To be able to work together once more with such an incredible northern creative team, means we can continue to spread the joy of theatre with our communities and beyond.” Tickets are available from importanceofbeingearnest.com with audience members receiving a link at the point of booking which will activate on their booked performance date for a 48-hour period. www.lancmag.com

Samantha Prendergast of Krizma Cosmetics

We asked her a few questions about herself and her company.

warehouse shelves. A great position to be in, but one we don’t take for granted.

Tell us a bit about you and your background, what led you to this point incorporating what attracted you to the cosmetics industry?

Sam - I was born in Keighley, west Yorkshire. Eldest of 4. We didn’t have much money growing up and my 1st job was at 14 in a corner shop. I am married with 2 grown up boys who inspire me every day. I was determined to make it my life’s mission to motivate and inspire at least 1 person every day, and not become another statistic. I have been fortunate in my career that I have experience of many different industries. I came across Direct sales back in 2013 where I joined a large well know party plan company. I had a short break of 6 month and re-joined them as a self employed rep. I looked at the compensation plan and wanted to show that anything is possible. Myself and my team reached the top spot in a record breaking 11 months. Our nearest competitor took 4 years. The plan had changed and we wanted to show what was possible with belief and drive. In June 2018 I walked away from my multi-award winning business. I was unhappy how that particular company treated people and how , even though I 188

What is your company ethos?

Our ethos is to be a fully transparent company that treats every employee and rep as an individual. For everyone to feel apart of our inclusive culture and to work towards changing the face of Network Marketing. We give our employees and business owners a voice that is heard. Look after our people and everything else looks after itself. How has the pandemic affected your business, and how have you reacted to this?

was self employed I felt controlled and employed. This is where my journey to Krizma began. We wanted to be different and we wanted to inspire change. People interest me and as well as working incredibly hard I have also studied hard. Im a qualified NLP master practitioner, Coach , Transactional Analysist, Clinical hypnotherapist and many other courses. I broaden my skills to enable me to support and coach others to their success and Krizma has given me the platform to do just that.

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Why are your products different to other brands and what do they say about you?

Our product line is driven by our customer. We often ask for ideas and what they would like to purchase/sell. We are innovated and bring new products to market quickly. This gives us the edge over many companies as we “get things done” we don’t spend hours deliberating. We use our customer base for feedback and often can have a product sold before it hits our

Yes completely we have gone through a huge period of growth , achieving £2.6m turnover in only our 2nd year. Along with this growth came new challenges and new demands. We moved to bigger premises in Darwen, Lancs. Our rep base more than double and we are now in the process of having new systems put in place to help us deal with the demand.

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Tell us about your model and why you have chosen to set the business up in this way?

We have a direct sales / multilevel marketing model, however we are different in that we don’t put pressure on sales or team building. Wherever a Business partner (rep) is in the business they have the same access to training, coaching, free products as our bigger business owners. We believe everyone to be different so don’t compare. Free products often associated with high sales are not applicable with Krizma, we often give free products with any order. Our annual conference recognises people and achievements, not sales or business building. All our Business partners are self employed with very different lives, backgrounds, capabilities. What right do we have to put them in competition with each other. Although this may sound alien in Sales environment it works. Outside the box thinking, innovation ways of working and breaking the mould is definitely having a positive impact on my business , our customers and our suppliers. Is there long term support in place for your new business owners and if so are you very hands on in the transition?

We offer a full hands on support package for our business owners. I personally deliver zoom training once a week that all our business owners can attend. This covers self-development and how to run a business. This isn’t how to have a successful business with Krizma this is about being empowered, being an www.lancmag.com

entrepreneur and how to overcome business obstacles. We also offer one 2 one support for business growth and we have planning sessions with the businesses that request it. We have recently developed an app that our business owners can access with small bitesize training elements on there which we update on a regular bases. This is a tough industry to crack and we believe that by offering support, regardless of where in the rank the business is. That support is there ready for when they require it. What motivates you and keeps you in good habits in the long term?

My team, our business owners. I am so lucky that I get the witness the good change this industry can do. I get to see the mums who can go shopping without the need for a calculator. Or the man who can now afford to treat himself. I also get to see first hand how this industry and my business can change lives. I don’t mean flash holidays and fancy cars, I mean life changing stuff, such as the single mum who now realises her own worth and knows she is a person in her own right or the business owners who have felt trapped in their homes have the confidence to travel on their own to events. I’m so lucky that I have a great relationship with my business owners and they keep me motivated every day.

Do you ever relax? If so how do you like to relax?

Relax? What’s that. I do find it hard to switch off and even more so now we are in the middle of a pandemic. I am so passionate about my business I often struggle to put it down. So I do regular lives on social media with my business owners, playing games and having fun. No shop talk and a glass of gin in hand. This not only helps me to relax and get to know my business owners on a social level but it also builds those relationships. Seeing the face behind a company is powerful. Afterall people buy people. When we are out of covid I like to eat out and have mini breaks away in the UK. These are just weekends but long enough to recharge and re adjust. As my business has got busier I have found the need to want to do this much greater. Any good tips for switching off a busy mind?

Do something that takes no thinking about, go for a walk and put your thoughts into some kind of order. Sit in the garden without your phone. Set a time from which you wont go on social media or answer emails. Distract your mind. Watch a movie it really works.

crowd? We then put it into production. The exciting thing this year is that we are having a lot of bespoke products made in our own branding and packaging. This year we will be launching a large amount of new product lines to include hair masks, Double sided exfoliating face bars and so much more. Our business owners love the excitement of new products and being predominantly social sellers new products keep there businesses alive and their customers interested. What is your vision for the next 10 years and beyond?

Our vision is to become a leader in the UK and to have changed the face of Direct Sales /MLM. We want to banish the stigma that follows the industry and ensure any business owners are treated like self employed owners and not treated like employees. We want to lead the way in banishing bullying, favouritism and dictatorship amongst business leaders and for the head offices of the companies to be accountable for the way their leaders lead. We want to become a house hold name and change as many lives as possible.

You have a very large range of products. Talk us through how a new product is born and can you divulge any new products we might expect to see coming soon?

A new product is developed from an initial idea either from myself, my staff or our business owners. We take that idea and research, is there something similar on the market? Can it be done, would it make us stand out from the LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 189

What is your best advice for someone thinking of starting their own business?

Ignore the haters. We all have them no matter if its business or not. Have the confidence you know what your doing and that’s all that matters. Keep the focus even on a tough day. Does a gardener give up his business because its raining? No he gets more customers because the grass has grown longer. Find your why. This isn’t your family or a new home this is something much deeper. Ask yourself and then ask again. What will get you out of bed in a morning to do your business. No matter what? For me its my passion to show what’s possible with a little belief. Find someone to look up to, someone who inspires you. Follow them and learn from them. Find someone in your chosen industry who has done a great job and follow them. The direct Sales industry can be very rewarding as can any business that you start. Treat it as a business and not a hobby. Your wanting to make money right? Also pay your bills 1st and foremost, don’t not put food on your table because you need to place an order.. It wont work. It will also affect your state of mind and the sales of your product become desperate. Concentrate on getting it right and the money will come. Selfdevelopment – There will be times when mistakes are made, or you don’t know about something. Research , learn or ask. There’s always a solution.

Women in business have a lot to juggle if they want to get to the top in a career and have a family. Would you like to see anything change in support of this and would you like to tell us a little about your own balancing act?

I think we could juggle a lot better if people understood we are in business, this isn’t just a hobby. Involve your family, let them see what you are doing and the rewards it brings. My children where involved in my business and enjoyed earning pocket money for doing little tasks. Other tips that work are things like power hours, its amazing how much you can get done in 1 hour without distractions. Give your family an alarm clock, tell them they cant disturb you for 1 hour. When the hour is up leave your work and spend time with your family and not on your phone. Other ways to support a career and a family is time management. Plot on a calendar tasks that absolutely cant be moved or changed. That maybe taking the kids to school, cooking dinner etc. Then plot your family time. After that you will clearly see what time you have available to work on your career. Planning is key so set to do lists that match your goal. If it doesn’t earn you money or grow your business don’t do it. Organisation is key. If you feel stressed or overwhelmed reach out we all feel it at times, we all need to talk at times and often the best ideas, plans and solutions come from talking.

All photography by David McCollom from DMC media

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Sarah, a £1M business owner who has come off benefits I’m a 37 year old Single Mum of 2, from Darwen Lancashire.

I started my own business at 17 as a Cheerleading Coach and carried that on until I went onto maternity leave with my first child. I then got approached by a friend who did Network Marketing and asked me to join, to promote their products as I knew an awful lot of people in the area and maternity pay wasn’t very much. I did very well with it, but then my life was turned upside down when my marriage broke down. I didn’t know where to turn or what to do. Until a year ago, when I found out there was a company in my home town that did more family based products. I then met the very inspiring CEO which is Samantha Prendergast and knew this was the right company for myself. I grew not just in business but also as a person. I learnt so much from Sam and my confidence returned, I can never thank her enough

for believing in me when I was struggling to believe in myself. Previously the extra money on mat leave attracted me to direct sales however with Krizma it was the ethics, morals and the CEO herself that helped with the decision to change companies. I’m different to other network marketers as I emphasise that this business should be fun. That fun and working can go hand in hand, running your own business is just that and you have all the freedom you like to do exactly what you want with it, when you want to. I enjoy the silliness, embrace the friendships and shout out the positives in each day. Guidance from others is great, but you are the one that gets to make your own decisions, that should be celebrated in my eyes. www.lancmag.com

The pandemic made my business explode in a great way. More people turned to online shopping for treats, gifts and items that made their home look and smell nicer. Lots of people were furloughed with work and looked for an extra income alongside. My business tripled in size in May 2020. I do work on a lot of self development and belief but also naturally have that drive to succeed and want to do the best I can in my role. I have two beautiful children and a loving family to make proud & have goals set to achieve for myself, no one else. That gets me out of bed and into action every single morning without fail. I do find time to relax & I do put my phone down at set time’s to enjoy other things, I practice self care and mindfulness weekly. www.lancmag.com

Everyone needs a limit to where they can help and answer questions, without boundaries it would most certainly become overwhelming. Realising & accepting you can’t be available 24/7 to help people, really helps your mindset. You aren’t letting anyone down, you are caring for yourself first, so you can then help others. If I can give any advice to someone starting

their own business it’s to be passionate about what you are doing, set yourself times to work and not to work, enjoy the journey and believe in your products/ company. People thrive off your energy and you just can’t fake that, it needs to be genuine. I’d love direct sales to be taken seriously as self employment, it is now such a big industry yet

so many people see it as “not a real job” yet here we are making real money, working with real people and enjoying every minute of it. Women in business do have a lot to juggle with families and other commitments, that’s why this industry is so successful, it works around you.

Sarah Williams

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I have written and spoken often about my childhood memories of watching my father work. His huge table. The biggest, heaviest iron I had ever seen. Scissors that should have carried a health warning and the roles of cloth from which he created incredible garments. In his workshop, I learned the importance of fit, style and craftsmanship.

Above: Clutch Bag with Handle

t was not long after the launch of ‘Totally Local Lancaster’, that I overheard a conversation about a Lancaster business that I was unaware of. The name didn’t give me any indication of what it did or maybe sold. Tinbox Angel. That meant nothing to me. The name stuck with me. I was intrigued. That evening I looked it up. “Tinbox Angel Lancaster” I typed. It was an easy find on Google. ‘Tinbox Angel: Creator of individual and bespoke leather bags and accessories’ it read. I clicked on to the website. I was stunned and amazed, equally. The designs, colours, attentions to detail, bags, accessories and even luggage, and I had never heard of Tinbox Angel. This was a great little find. Hidden away in a little covered yard was this incredible workshop and producer of fantastic leather goods. We started sharing their Posts and in a matter of a few weeks I got a message from the Angel, thanking us and telling us what a difference we had made to her fledgling business. Her order book was now full until Christmas. 192

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Above: Fabric and Leather Wash Bag

Early December, shortly after the businesses re-opened after Lockdown 2.0, still filled with the excitement of discovering this business, I paid a visit. The door to ‘Tinbox Angel’ was the last one on the right. Not being a retail shop, I stood in front of a large solid wooden door, and to the left hung a small metal bell. The instruction was to ring it. The door opened and there stood a lady. Not knowing how to address her, I heard myself saying “Tinbox Angel ?”. Introductions done, Amanda invited me in. Although different to my father’s tailors workshop, it took me back to that time. Machines, a table even bigger than my fathers. Threads, a half completed Tote bag and a rack holding roles of leather and fabric. I was excited and I don’t even use handbags !?!?!

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All I wanted to do was look around, ask about the machines and look, and touch, the leathers and fabrics. I felt like I was behaving like a kid in a sweet shop. The leathers were simply sublime. Before I had had chance to talk to Amanda about ‘Tinbox Angel’, a customer arrived who wanted to discuss a bag she wanted making.

Above: A Bespoke Piece - You can have it however you want it. That is both priceless and special.

Above: Amanda - the ‘Tinbox Angel’

Above: Analine Leather Shoulder Bag

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Above: Tote Bag

I moved aside and found the corner where there were some products made up; clutch bags, totes, a rucksack, messenger bags, key rings, glasses cases and even leather covered note pads. These products came in a whole spectrum of colours, details and choices. Speaking to Amanda’s husband Paul, I discovered that the bags can be made lined or unlined; with colour/fabric contrasted panels or same all over; with internal pocket(s) or without; personalised or not. The customers arrival actually worked in my favour because I was able to see exactly how Amanda works. Hearing the choices and flexibility first hand it boils down to this - what women want, is exactly what Amanda makes. Off goes one excited customer which allows me the chance to speak with Amanda. I asked Amanda how she got into this industry, “I’m from a family of professional upholsterers, all time served and all who made a living from using their hands, my mum, dad, grandparents and two of my uncles worked in this industry. My grandparents ran a furniture shop with my uncle for many, many years and every summer I would spend days there. I have many happy memories from this time” she replied.

Above: Beautifully Lined

Above: A5 Notebook / Diary Cover

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Amanda continued “We lived in Bury but when my dad lost his job in ’83, when furniture production went overseas, he moved us to Lancaster where my Mum was originally from. They opened a furniture shop in Caton, ‘Royal Upholstery’ (‘Royal’ Roy and Mal (Marilyn) combined).” “When Mum passed in 2007, I was gifted her sewing machine, I suspect because it was bought to make my bridesmaids dresses. I took it laughing, thinking that will never see the light of day again and pushed it to the back of my wardrobe. I truly believe that my Mum knew that one day it would become my best friend.” “I knew early on into learning to sew that I had the family gene. I was obsessed with making things, and I had a real passion for making bags.” Amanda had a successful career in Recruitment and took a break to have a family of her own. It was during this time that she dusted of that sewing machine and began creating again. By the time she was ready to return to work, she said “The thought of not using my hands to work was just not an option for me anymore. My mind set had changed so much. My creativeness was over flowing, as was our conservatory.”

“The Angel in my business name is my mum and her sewing machine, I know my mum is with me everyday. As soon as I put the two words together, they seemed to just fit. ‘Tinbox Angel’ was born”. “I was offered the chance to move into The Covered Yard in Lancaster in September 2019. It is a wonderful, small courtyard of craft workshops. It’s the real deal. Initially old stables for the John O Gaunt public house. You can feel the history, and almost hear the horse and carriages rolling into the yard”.

Above: Crossbody Multi Bag Above: Details & Personalisation

Above: Some of the Leather colours

My burning desire to know about the name came next, “I searched ‘seek and sell’ and found an old caravan which my husband and Dad stripped out, decorated, added some old carpet, linked it to mains electricity and away I went. My garden enterprise was born. I loved my time in my little ‘Tinbox’ which was where the name came from.” Hand coloured edging just to finish the product off

Above: The cutest little Duffle

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I asked if the recent pandemic had affected the business, “I have employed two further people recently, which has been fantastic. My husband joined me in 2020 and we also employ Zanna who works two days a week and is as enthusiastic about bags as I am, and is a very talented crafter in her own right. We hope to continue our growth and expand and employ more local people.” When I arrived, I promised Amanda that I would only take up ten minutes of her time. Well, time just ran away with me – it was a little over two hours. For me, this was an amazing experience but what really did shock me, was how reasonable her prices are. Being a retailer of premium good, I can say without any hesitation, the prices would be double, and probably triple, if you came across them in a premium department store.

“We make traditional leather goods, we do not make massproduced items. Although we can fully line bags, our speciality is unlined, raw leather products, which allows the leather to be the star of the show. Our leather is sourced from reputable British wholesalers who deal with tanneries all over the world. I have recently created a bag from a wonderful leather sourced from the Badalassi tannery in Tuscany. We believe in using the whole hide and can always repurpose the scraps of leather, we never throw anything away.” We have invested in a laser cutter that can add engravings to products, even poems, verses or logos can be added to the leather making a very special gift or corporate product. We have also invested in a hot foil de-boss machine where we can add initials and logos in Metallic colours directly to the leather and a leather cutter, which is a cookie cutter for leather, which means we can accurately produce items that are uniformed. We always hand-finish every product because we don’t want to lose the handmade charm.”

Above: The Tinbox Corner

If you want something very special, completely bespoke, you will want to visit ‘Tinbox Angel’

w: tinboxagel.com fb: tinbox angel Above: Presentation Packaging

Paul Cusimano Joseph Clothing, Lancaster www.lancmag.com

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Our award-winning style guru, Moo, has worked in television for over 20 years with presenters including Natasha Kaplinsky, Kirsty Young, Kirsty Gallacher and is now a personal stylist to us ‘normal women’ sharing all the inside tricks of the trade. If you’d like any personal styling advice or to see more tips please visit www.moostyle.co.uk

As a personal stylist, clients often come to me to have their colours ‘done’. Once you appreciate the superpower of wearing the right colour, you are a convert! The right colour will flatter you to ensure you look healthier, your skintone more even and, I particularly love this one, younger! You can use colour to help promote a certain image as well such as looking more authoritative (barristers in black gowns); caring (Matt Hancock is wearing a pink tie for a reason!) or clinical (doctors wearing white) for instance. But the tone and depth of a colour can make you look great in it or make you look washed out or overpowered. After all, when you walk into a room you don’t want your outfit to enter before you! People should be saying how well you look IN that dress, not wow what a dress. It’s all about balance. It is medically proven that the eye is more relaxed when it sees a harmony in colour. Therefore as the eye is more relaxed the brain understands that this is positive and the beholder sees that you look great. Visually I consider a client’s eye colour, skin tone, eyebrow colour and hair colour when I am conducting a consultation. Now these can all change as you age, as what 196

colours flatter you best can change. The most dramatic change is hair colour. Now obviously you don’t just need to age to change your hair colour, you can colour it as well. Some colour consultations are done with tying the hair out of sight and covering it. Why as no one goes out like that? I honestly have no idea. Hair has an impact on how you look every day so needs to be part of the consideration.

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Dannii Minogue from her Petites Collection

There are six different dominant colour types (I then go on to fine tune it even further by determining your secondary and tertiary colours). When I test you, I’m checking to see how you face appears to react to a colour. After all if it makes your shadows look stronger or your skintone look grey, then it’s not the right tone for you. So let’s consider this beautiful woman with two colours: hot pink and light khaki. One will look fantastic and the other not so! Remember what you’re looking for. Colours that flatter you makes your skin tone look more even, does not draw attention to shadows, makes your skin look fresher and your eyes pop. A ‘wow’ colour is the holy grail. It makes you zing! This lady has a COOL dominant and as such is better with colours that have no warmth near her face. So…she will always look better in this hot pink rather than the light khaki. Did you get it right? Now it’s not just the hue I look at, it’s also the clarity. So how the hair and eyes in particular work together. Dannii Minogue is a great example of this.

Dannii used to have very dark hair and bright blue eyes, so she was a stunning CLEAR dominant. However she has now softened her look by choosing to lighten her hair – even her wax work at Madame Tussard’s has been updated! I’d suggest this is because shall we call it ‘lighter’ hair was creeping into her dark hair. Even though her eyes are still bright, she now falls into the SOFT palette. Dark hair can be gaining for some people. Her more blended www.lancmag.com

look gives her a fresh complexion. So now rather than wearing contrasting colours she will now look fabulous in tone-on-tone colours. She has shifted to the opposite dominant and still looks fantastic. Don’t be frightened of a change, just know how to work it to look your best. Emma Willis has also made this change. Like Dannii she used to be a CLEAR dominant – those eyes used

to pop out at every photo. She then coloured her hair very blonde and I have to admit I don’t like it as much. I fear she has lost her impact. What do you think? You can see she is wearing a bright red in both photos, but it overwhelms her in her softer hair colour and makes her eyes ping with the dark hair as it emphasises the contrast of her hair and eyes.

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I don’t know why Emma & Dannii have chosen to change their hair colour. But for a lot of us it’s as we get older. As you age, if you chose not to colour your hair, hair can lose its colour pigment. Interestingly as this happens your skin tone can also change. It’s fascinating! I’m spending a lot of time now working with clients who have chosen to let their hair colour grow out over lockdown and embrace their grey. This has changed their best 42 colours remarkably. They can change from having a very dark hair colour to a strong steel grey or pure white. Dramatic. This is something both men and women need to consider. Let’s not forget Phillip Schofield’s HUGE decision to stop dying his hair and turn into the ‘silver fox’! Interestingly look at this other picture of Phillip with a ‘warm’ colour behind him. Now you can really see how colour makes a difference. You can see how this affects how he looks – the shadows under his eyes look stronger and his skin tone looks unhealthy. He is now a COOL dominant which means he has to be careful with ‘warm’ colours near his face.

Phillip Schofield arriving for the National Television Awards

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Phillip Schofield arriving for the “ITV Palooza!” at the Royal Festival Hall, London

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But don’t worry it doesn’t mean you can’t wear any warm colours. It’s just how you wear them. Jamie Lee Curtis is a strong COOL and this is how she can wear yellow if she wants.

Let me leave you with a test! Can you work out which colour will suit this lady the best? Is it Chinese blue, beige or khaki? Clue…she looks amazing in the colour that she has chosen because it balances out her strong clear look. Think Dannii and Emma before they changed their hair colour….right have you decided? Don’t read on until you have…!

Sharon Osbourne made a huge impact as well, moving from her trademark red hair to grey. Her make up is the biggest change that has to happen. If you have warm hair then you’ll be reaching for more peachy tones, whereas as a cool you’ll need a pinky blusher. It honestly can change you from looking healthy to ill. Don’t forget your make up as well if you change your hair colour. A make up prescription for your colour type can make a difference to how well you look. Barbie needs to rethink what will suit her as she changes her hair colour!

The Chinese blue will make her look sensational. That’s because she’s got CLEAR dominant colouring. Her very dark hair and bright eyes give her a very strong look, so she’s able to wear strong, bright, vibrant colours. This means she’s best wearing colours in contrast and not tonally. Beige would be too wishy-washy for her. And khaki too dull. However, she could add one of her brighter colours next to her face, say in a scarf, to ‘rescue’ these shades.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed thinking about colour and what would flatter best. If you need any help or advice, please do contact me via my website moostyle.co.uk or join my facebook group for style tips and shortcuts Moo Style VIPs. If you’d like to find out more about a 1:1 consultation either in person or on zoom then please email me any time moostylist@gmail.com. Here to help! My clients are both male and female. I can also help with colour & style consultations, wardrobe edits, personal shopping, make up and skincare. I’m in the confidence business and would love to help.

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Aiming Higher You can donate to Aiming Higher using the Following Methods Website | www.aiminghighercharity.org.uk/get-involved/donate/ Just Giving & PayPal | Found on the Aiming Higher Website Post | Aiming Higher. 231 – 233 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 3PB. Please ring 01253 206447 for further information

Charity Zooms into Action!

12 months ago, who had heard of Zoom? It certainly wasn’t the global phenomenon that it is now with meetings, workshops and classes taking place online as the world changed in the face of Covid-19.

Activities Co-ordinator Ella Bicket gets into character to read “Squeak the Lion” on World Book Day. 200

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Aiming Higher for Disabled Children & their families, the Blackpool based charity that supports hundreds of local children and their families, has certainly embraced the trend as faceto-face meetings with families became almost impossible.

The children enjoyed making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday as well as quiche, biscuits, lasagne and cheesecake as part of the baking classes.

The normal activities and visits the charity offer to families have had to cease but they responded by taking more and more online. While children were home-schooling, they offered a daily break from the routine with dance classes, story time, baking classes and Jo Jingles music classes via Zoom. As the children returned to school, with funding from the NHS, the Rank Foundation and others, they have been able to keep the fun going with a range of Spring themed craft activities.

Sock Creatures Ltd kindly donated extra craft supplies for the children to create their own sock monkey (and cat and hippo) friends.

The story time activity packs included a book and a kit to make a hand puppet to accompany the story. The baking activities included making biscuits, pancakes and Rocky Road together with family meals such as lasagne and quiche. The craft activities included colourful Sock Monkeys, amazingly creative button art canvases and slime as well as Easter Cards and Spring Wreaths.

The button art canvas activity was very well received.

Parents and children have enjoyed joining in and feel it has allowed the whole family to still feel part of the organisation during these trying times. Parent Diane said “Aiming Higher have been great at finding other ways to do things using Zoom and stuff. The kids still feel involved and it’s been brilliant. Aiming Higher are amazing with their support and positivity. They’ve been absolute life savers... Knowing that they’re there to see and to listen is brilliant”.

Like all charities, Aiming Higher saw fundraising activity decrease in 2020, so if you can support them in any way possible, be that by designing a room, volunteering, or by donating, any assistance will be gratefully received. Please send your ideas to: heatherholt@aiminghighercharity.org.uk www.lancmag.com

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12 Free Things to do in Lancashire in 2021 Enjoy a day out in Lancashire that won’t cost you a penny! Written by Sarah Ridgway Days out can add up and become expensive, but did you know there are so many amazing free things to enjoy right on your doorstep. Historic Lancashire is home to a variety of cities, villages, castles, beaches, forests, farms, and countryside meaning there is something here for everyone. A place of outstanding beauty Lancashire is said to have provided inspiration for Tolkien’s literary classic Lord of the Rings, and even the Queen is said to want to retire to it’s very own Ribble Valley. So, whatever you fancy doing from a family day out to dog-friendly walks then Lancashire’s calendar is packed with an array of amazing activities. All you need to do is dust off your walking boots, grab your swimsuit and pack a picnic because we have rounded up 12 of the best things to do in the county and they are all free!

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Go out with a bang at the Blackpool World Fireworks Championship Without a doubt, the famous Blackpool illuminations are up there as one of the UK’s best free attractions. But the Blackpool World Fireworks Championship might just rival them this year. The free event will light up the Autumn skies showcasing the world’s most talented firework technicians. The BWFC will take place on 10th,17th & 24th of September with the grand finale on 1st October. More information on this event visit https:// www.visitblackpool. com/detail/worldfireworks-championshipblackpool-45090/

Get Walking around Lancaster Steeped in history and famous for its university and castle dating back to Roman times, a trip to the picturesque city of Lancaster is a must. It is very easy to take in all the sights quickly on foot due to its compact size, but you may be surprised by what the surrounding areas of Lancaster also have to offer. The Visit Lancashire website (www. visitlancashire.com) has a variety of free self-led walking tour maps to download, see a few options below: Lancaster City TrailWander around the city’s landmarks with detailed descriptions provided in the guide.

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Lancaster and the LuneHead out of the city centre to the surrounding countryside and past the Lune Estuary. Distance Approx.: 4.5 miles Around Crook O’LuneWalk along the river accompanied by the stunning views of the Lune Valley, this is a more relaxed route-Approx. 2.7 miles. Birk Bank and Baines Crag- A longer walk which will take you into the Forest of Bowland. Distance Approx. 4.7 miles Download your free walking tour maps from https://visitlancaster. org.uk/things-to-do/ walking/5-of-the-bestwalks-to-get-to-knowlancaster/

Let’s go Fly a Kite in Lytham St Annes The St Anne’s Kite Festival weekend will add a splash of colour to the skies over St Anne’s pier this September. UK and international teams will gather on the beach to impress with their kite displays. This is the perfect event for all ages and children will love watching dragons, fish, and Octopus kites dancing through the air. The weekend will open www.lancmag.com

on 5th September with an exciting, illuminated kite flying evening. Find more information on the event visit /www. discoverfylde.co.uk/ kitefestival2021 Garstang Scarecrow Festival This 4th July head to Garstang for its annual Scarecrow Festival, because let’s face it every self-respecting scarecrow deserves its own festival. A trail of over 200 scarecrows will lead you through the charming Market town of Garstang, and the judging panel will award the best scarecrow a prize. There is also live music, and the option to browse Garstang’s independent shops, cafes, and restaurants throughout the day. Find out more information here - http://www. discoverwyre.co.uk/whatson/garstang-scarecrowfestival-2021-p906720

some model aircraft. With live music and entertainment throughout this adrenaline fix is one for the diary. The Morecambe Live Weekender Oh, how we have missed live music and festivals, it has been way too long. Don’t worry because the wait is over as The Morecambe Live Weekender is back this August bank holiday. Spread over three days and two nights, groove to the sounds of 90s, 00s &10s tribute acts and the best selection of local talent. All you need to do is grab a drink you haven’t had to pour yourself, top up your sun-cream and enjoy dancing into the night. 26th August-28th August 2021

Pendle is synonymous with its history of Witch Trials over 400 years ago. If you want to know more information on this fascinating local subject, then take a trip to The Pendle Sculpture Trail which tells each person’s story through ceramic plaques at its visitors centre. Also located in the valley is another must-see landmark Clitheroe castle which includes a free museum. With so much to offer you will be sure to make a return visit to The Ribble Valley. Find out more on their website www.visitribblevalley. co.uk/enjoy/ Clitheroe Food Festival

Cleveleys Classic Car show

Explore the Ribble Valley

Classic car enthusiasts alike rejoice as June 13th will be the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with your dream car. Along the beach and new promenade, there will be over 250 classic cars on display including

When the Queen mentions in her biography, she would like to retire to the Ribble Valley then you know it must be good. So, with the royal stamp of approval ensure you make time to experience this area of outstanding

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beauty. The valley is a hiker’s dream and provides a variety of challenging and scenic walking routes. Those after less of a challenge can take a leisurely ramble up Pendle hill and take in the view from the top with a picnic.

After being cancelled last year The Clitheroe Food Festival is making a welcome return this August. Showcasing local Lancashire produce, the festival is extremely popular attracting thousands of visitors over recent years. The stalls offer the chance to taste local food including craft beer, ales, and ciders. There will be live demonstrations and samples on offer to test your taste buds. Alongside live music children’s entertainment will be provided at Clitheroe Castle. Date to be confirmed for August check for updates on their website - https:// clitheroefoodfestival.com/

Have a Brief Encounter in Carnforth Carnforth station was made famous as the filming location for the classic 1945 film Brief Encounter. Today it is a working station and houses an awardwinning Heritage Centre showcasing railway memorabilia and exhibitions throughout the year. Undoubtedly Brief Encounter is the Heritage Centre’s main attraction, and you can even watch the film in their vintage mini cinema. According to their website, they show the film to visitors approximately 1,5000 times per year. There is also an exhibition on the film’s iconic director David Lean and his career. Superfans can go onto the platform and stand in the exact spot Celia Johnson and Trevor Howards filmed all those years ago, and even pick up a souvenir at the heritage centre’s gift shop. Finish your visit with a cup of tea in the refreshment rooms breathing in vintage Hollywood nostalgia while listening to the trains rattle past. More information on their website - https:// carnforthstation.co.uk/

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Step into the Past at the Lancashire Infantry Museum The Lancashire Infantry Museum houses one of the country’s largest regimental military heritage collections. Operating from Fulwood Barracks in Preston the museum covers over 300 years of history. There is also the option for the younger generation to dress-up in uniforms, handle equipment and other facilities include quizzes and videos. Spread over two floors the museum has a lift and its own working chapel. During your visit, there are knowledgeable volunteers on hand to provide guided tours and answer any questions. Please note: Photo ID is required on entry due to the museum being an operating barracks. Find more information on their website www. lancashireinfantrymuseum .org.uk 204

Have a Family Day Out at Worden Park Situated on the outskirts of Leyland Worden Park is a hidden delight with plenty of activities to keep everyone busy. Get lost or found in their historic hedge maze, children can ride the miniature railway around the park’s wildflower meadow and the park’s adventure playground caters to all ages. Wander the woodlands and gardens and browse the independent craft workshops run by locals, the Folly Coffee shop is open every day to enjoy a cup of tea. More information on their website www.southribble.gov.uk/ wordenpark Horse about at Penny Farm Penny Farm is a charity operated by World Horse Welfare which rescues and rehabilitates horses. The farm is currently home to over 60 horses and free to visit on a

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Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Spend a few hours learning about the horses and ponies by taking one of two routes around the farm guided by a friendly staff member, finish your visit with afternoon tea at the farm’s coffee shop. Every September the farm hosts its Grand Open Day which includes fairground ride, horse parades, competitions, and games.

There is so much on offer in Lancashire right now and with so many free things to do there really is no excuse not to get out and make the most of them. Please note some events may be subject to change so please check their websites beforehand.

Please note the farm plans to open from Easter 2021. Find more information on their website www.worldhorsewelfare. org/visit-us/penny-farm www.lancmag.com

Nature’s united front for the future The Government has a chance to lead a campaign to reverse wildlife decline by the year 2030 according to The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside.

Peat bogs are important for carbon capture and the environment by Alan Wright

nd the Trust is backing the call from a host of nongovernmental environmental organisations brought together in Wildlife & Countryside LINK, for it to strengthen its Environment Bill so that it plays a role in nature’s recovery and the fight against climate change. The Wildlife Trusts are already calling for at least 30 per cent of UK land and sea to be connected and protected for nature’s recovery by 2030, in its #30by30 and Wilder Future campaign. The Trusts want to make more space for nature to become abundant once again to give our struggling wildlife the chance to recover and also restore beautiful wild places places that store carbon and help to tackle the climate crisis. In a letter to the Prime Minster, Wildlife & Countryside LINK said: “We hope that you recognise the potential of the Environment Bill to play a formative role in nature’s recovery and climate change mitigation, not just here in England but around the world. “We also hope that you will share our analysis that without a clear domestic target to restore nature by 2030 on the face of the Environment Bill—with a stronger targets and governance framework, and robust environmental principles—that potential will not be fulfilled. “Just as the UK led the way in creating the world’s first Climate Change Act, we can be the first country to set ambitious targets in law for the recovery of the natural world. Magnified through the lens of the UK’s presidencies of major environmental conferences, the bill could be a template for other countries and a powerful statement of intent that could strengthen other countries’ resolve to support a global deal.”

Campaigns Manager for The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, Alan Wright said: “Every day we are working on projects that create homes for wildlife, protect our plants and creatures and lay the foundation for a world where future generations will encounter the same wild spectacles that we see every day. “Our work on peatlands, wetlands and woodlands ensure that carbon is being stored so we are making a difference in the fight against climate change. It is inspiring to know that we are part of the national LINK group that brings together a vast and passionate pool of knowledge, and millions of supporters who feel strongly that the natural environment should be higher up the political agenda. “If the Government backs up some of its promises with stronger controls, it will be seen as a leader in reversing some of the damage that has been done to our planet.” A petition will be launched today, rallying support for the organisations in Wildlife & Countryside LINK’s campaign and calling on the Government to strengthen the Environment Bill and inspire the rest of world to follow our lead in reversing the biodiversity crisis that is threatening the natural world and leading to climate change. The Environment Bill must keep the State of Nature amendments the LINK group has put forward, so it stays strong on nature’s recovery and commits to independent regulation and effective enforcement. You can sign the petition at - https://e-activist.com/ page/76784/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=WCL

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The property nightmares that can knock £50k of the value of your home

Yes Homebuyers has taken a look at the biggest property nightmares for UK homeowners and how much they can knock off when it comes to the value of your home. The research shows that: • Subsidence is the number one nightmare for homeowners with homes devalued by as much as -20%; that’s over £50,000 on the current UK average of £251,500. • Japanese Knotweed comes a close second, with the destructive plant causing a -15% drop in the value of your home. That’s nearly £38,000 wiped off when you come to resell if you don’t get rid. • Living too close to a powerline, mobile phone tower or wind turbine can devalue a home by -13% (£32,695). Similarly, a new power station within view can also cause a -5% drop in the value of your home. • Living in a known flood risk area and the potential risk of water damage that comes with it can see the value of your home fall by £25,150 (-10%). • Believe it or not, simply failing to maintain your garden can be a big deterrent to buyers, reducing the value of your home in their eyes by as much as -8.2% (£20,623). 206

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• Other more minor structural issues ranked as the next biggest nightmare, causing a 5.4% reduction in value (£13,581), while nuisance neighbours can also see your property fall by -5% in value (£12,575). • While a pain to rectify, damp (-1%), asbestos (-1%) and woodworm (-0.5%) have a far lower impact on the value of your property. www.lancmag.com

e’re a nation of aspirational homeowners and realising this aspiration is a dream come true. However, research by home buying platform, Yes Homebuyers, shows how this dream can soon become a nightmare where the worst property issues are concerned and their impact on house prices.

Other more minor structural issues ranked as the next biggest nightmare, causing a 5.4% reduction in value (£13,581), while nuisance neighbours can also see your property fall by -5% in value (£12,575). While a pain to rectify, damp (-1%), asbestos (-1%) and woodworm (-0.5%) have a far lower impact on the value of your property.

Yes Homebuyers looked at 11 of the most common property nightmares and what the cost to remedy these issues means in terms of devaluing your property’s worth. While Knotweed is the most commonly covered homeowner nightmare, there is one other issue that can knock more money off the value of your home. Subsidence is the number one nightmare for homeowners and any structural damage is likely to deter buyers completely. If it doesn’t, you can expect to see your property devalued by as much as -20%; that’s over £50,000 on the current UK average of £251,500. Japanese Knotweed does come a close second, with the destructive plant causing a -15% drop in the value of your home. That’s nearly £38,000 wiped off when you come to resell if you don’t get rid. While we all search for good connectivity in this modern age, living too close to a powerline, mobile phone tower or wind turbine can be a bad thing when we come to sell. Should one be erected close to your home while you’re living there, you can expect to see as much as -13% (£32,695) wiped off the value of your home. Similarly, a new power station within view can also cause a -5% drop in the value of your home. Living in a known flood risk area and the potential risk of water damage that comes with it can see the value of your home fall by £25,150 (-10%). Believe it or not, simply failing to maintain your garden can be a big deterrent to buyers, reducing the value of your home in their eyes by as much as -8.2% (£20,623). www.lancmag.com

Matthew Cooper, Founder & Managing Director of Yes Homebuyers, commented: “Working hard to climb the property ladder, only to find your property fall in price due to matters that are largely out of your control, can be a bitter pill to swallow. In the most serious cases of subsidence and Japanese Knotweed, homeowners can see thousands wiped off in value and this can also be the case for external factors such as new mobile phone towers and flooding. All too often we see home sellers opt to use our service, as such an occurrence has caused them to struggle to find a buyer and is preventing them from progressing with their onward purchase. While we have to carry out our own due diligence on every property, opting for a homebuying platform can at least allow them to recoup the majority of their investment and proceed with their plans to move.” LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 207

Your star horoscope

Manish Kumar Arora is a renowned KP Astrologer, Numerologist, Tarot Reader & Vastu Consultant. He has been rendering professional advice to clients with a reasonable degree of success. He has been conferred with the title of ‘Jyotish Varahamihir’ and ‘Jyotish Aryabhatt.’ He has been writing monthly astrological columns for many international magazines. Aries: Mar 21 – Apr 19 You may study or learn new skills. You may develop new attributes, adding them to your operating style by giving form and method to latent abilities. Healthcare will play an important part during this time. New ideas will come for some, and there will be new ways of communicating and thinking. Education may play a role for some, taking you in new and different directions. Outmoded lines of thought will have to go. The more you broaden your horizons, the more you can benefit on your road in life. Favourable Dates: May 1, 3, 10, 12, 19, 21 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Red Taurus: Apr 20 – May 20 Your career may take a direction that draws upon your natural talents, which makes life more fulfilling. You would be ill-advised to rush into things or push ahead. Flow with the river and let the currents of life set the pace. You may be developing something new or simply exploring other aspects of your inner self. Those in a relationship may feel somewhat unsettled, unless there is a feeling that what you have gives you everything you want. Try to bring some romance back into your lives. Favourable Dates: May 5, 6, 14, 15, 23, 24 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Blue Gemini: May 21 – Jun 20 You may be contemplating a new direction, one where you can prove yourself by doing something of real value or interest. You may have to overcome fears or a natural reluctance about this. There could be changes, some subtle, some sudden within the constitution of your domestic or emotional life. For some there may be a new affection that grows while for others there could be a growing disenchantment with your current situation or a loved one. Now is the time to find your true self as you walk the road of life. Favourable Dates: May 5, 7, 14, 16, 23, 25 Favourable Colours: Grey & Blue Cancer: Jun 21 – Jul 22 You may have to make a new start with something already in motion. New opportunities may come with new ideas or communications. Something you’re entitled to may be heading your way. Romance, creativity, leisure activity and children will be preferred options or points of impact. Some of you may develop an intense interest or attraction for someone around you. If you’re in a relationship, do something that adds texture or interest to your lives. Recreational activities, creative endeavours or gatherings with friends can enhance your quality of life. Favourable Dates: May 4, 9, 13, 18, 22, 27 Favourable Colours: Red & Yellow

Leo: Jul 23 – Aug 22 If you’ve been thinking of making a new career start, this would be a fine time to do it. You won’t be tempted to chuck it all away, but you’ll definitely want to make a move of some kind. You may need to curb an inclination to overspend–feeling good could bring you to the stores as you temporarily forget about the future. There could be good fortune and enjoyment if you speculate wisely or take the calculated risk. Don’t be extravagant but enjoy what you do. Love life and life will love you. Favourable Dates: May 3, 4, 12, 13, 21, 22 Favourable Colours: Red & White Virgo: Aug 23 – Sep 22 The need to re-structure and re-organize your life will become glaringly apparent. You may lose yourself in work and responsibilities and take yourself too seriously at times. As long as you work hard, but take time for relaxation and meditation as well, there is nothing to worry about. There may be a feeling of yearning or being unfulfilled that will be hard to satisfy, especially with your deeply passionate nature. You may embrace new diets, new forms of treatment or new modalities in healthcare practice. Favourable Dates: May 2, 6, 11, 15, 20, 24 Favourable Colours: Purple & White Libra: Sep 23 – Oct 22 Your career provides you with a solid sense of security, and you might find that you are moving towards working at things that you truly enjoy and that draw upon your natural talents. This is a time for learning about your personal limits as well as your inner strength. Plenty of activity with friends, children, and romantic partners is likely to figure prominently in this period. This is a time to be cutting back or putting money aside so that you can improve your situation in the long term. Favourable Dates: May 2, 8, 11, 17, 20, 26 Favourable Colours: Blue & White Scorpio: Oct 23 – Nov 21 This is a time when you invest in yourself and in the people around you that you respect. Benefits may not be immediate, but they will surely arrive down the road. Projects begun now can have longterm benefits. Your social life also features this month. While it is important to plumb new depths and reach new heights, you’ll also need to work out when to stop. This is a time when you really enjoy life, appreciating the good things and avoiding harping on the more inconvenient or annoying elements that we all endure. Favourable Dates: May 3, 9, 12, 18, 21, 27 Favourable Colours: Red & Yellow

Sagittarius: Nov 22 – Dec 21 This month can be a journey where you have to face fears or break past patterns. If you work through what comes and give all that is asked of you, you will heal old wounds or lay a ghost to rest. Use your dreams to seek guidance or advice about the best course of action or the right decision. You are learning to let go of a fear of taking risks, and to develop the courage to strike out on your own individual and creative path without fear. Favourable Dates: May 4, 5, 13, 14, 22, 23 Favourable Colours: Green & Yellow Capricorn: Dec 22 – Jan 19 Your personality is more obviously expansive, exuberant, and enthusiastic. This cycle has the potential for being a relaxed, fortunate, and hopeful time. You may experience some conflicts between your desire for security and a stable income and your needs for entertainment, romance, creativity, or pleasure. Excitement in your romantic and social life may distract you from increasing your earning power. There may be far-reaching or unexpected consequences from what happens at this time. You may need to rely on the support of friends and support will be there if you need it. Favourable Dates: May 2, 4, 11, 13, 20, 22 Favourable Colours: Blue & Grey Aquarius: Jan 20 – Feb 18 You are likely to feel more confident and enthusiastic about your ability to earn a living, and you may choose to develop your talents in order to boost your earning power. Your income is likely to increase, and there may be an opportunity to improve your future financial situation. For some there will be reward as efforts are recognized by an increase in status. For others, there will be simple luck or unexpected opportunity. This cycle has the potential for being a relaxed, fortunate, and hopeful time. Favourable Dates: May 1, 7, 10, 16, 19, 25 Favourable Colours: White & Brown Pisces: Feb 19 – Mar 20 This is a time to learn, grow and flourish. Travel, good fortune or advancement could come to siblings. Some of you will find inspiration in the ideas and company of others. You will be mixing with people of standing in the community. You will take great joy in learning, communicating and disseminating your knowledge. Relationships with others tend to be easygoing, friendly, and positive. You may renew your interest in things that were important in the past. You may begin to see life differently because of the influence of new people. Favourable Dates: May 1, 4, 10, 13, 19, 22 Favourable Colours: White & Red

Manish Kumar Arora, 91-9871062000 | K.P. Astrologer, Numerologist, Tarot Card Reader & Vastu Consultant www.facebook.com/manishastroconsultant | manish@manishastrologer.com

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