Lancashire & North West Magazine | August 2023

Location, Location, Location

We visit the holiday parks uniquely snuggled between two national parks and an area of outstanding natural beauty

Show Home Style

design inspiration with create homes at chapel mill, elswick

Holmes Mill

With a brand new mouth-watering grill menu and an inspiring selection of handpicked wines, you will enjoy a visit to this bar and grill in Clitheroe

Jim Brew

The brewing company based in a picturesque rural setting on the Fylde Coast, which has quickly become a big hit with craft ale fans

Mowbreck Caravan Park

Discover the ownership options at this peaceful haven, the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle

Celebrating 16 years of beautiful living at Pad

PAD showroom exhibits the best in quality furniture at Affordable Prices. Showcasing beautiful Italian leather sofa’s supplied by Nicoletti and fabric designs by Calia Italia which show a collection of pure design classics. We offer Bedroom furniture from German manufacturer Nolte, with measurements to suit all customer needs. Beds can be supplied to any specifications, colour and design with mattresses to suit.

Pad offer a free design service and TV wall system’s can be installed to customer’s specifications.

“At PAD we don’t sell, we offer a stress free and friendly environment to find what you are looking for”

Historic Epstein Theatre To Close

132 Help Save Siamese Crocodiles From Extinction

136 Exercise Safely In A Heatwave

142 Top Pop Star Joins Grand Theatre Musical

150 The Grand - Super Vet

153 Halton Millfest

156 Wenningdale Escapes

160 Shortlist Announced For Lakeland Book Of The Year 2023

162 Trentham Summer Concerts 2023

166 Respect For Our Beautiful Places

172 Award-Winning Circus Spectacular At Blackpool Grand Theatre This Summer

174 Burscough Pupils Start A New Chapter Thanks To Redrow

176 Liverpool To Host National Beauty Show

182 Soul Ii Soul Announce Liverpool - Eventim Olympia Show

184 Amazing Accrington Food And Culture Festival Brings Over £300,000 Into Economy

186 Planning Green Light For 479 New Redrow Homes In Widnes

192 Nickelodeon Grand Parade To Celebrate Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On

194 Rare Manchester Argus Butterflies Flourishing After Reintroduction

204 Blackpool Unveils New Spitfire Tribute For 2023 Illuminations Season

206 One Door Closes And Another To Open For Redrow In The Ribble Valley

Managing Director: Natalie Christopher natalie@lancashiremagazine.co.uk

Editorial: 01253 336580 editorial@lancashiremagazine.co.uk

We pride ourselves in building quality homes throughout 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.

IN THIS ISSUE...

This month we pay a visit to Riverside Caravan Park and Wenningdale Escapes, both of which provide a perfect base for enjoying three exceptional areas –the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Lake District National Park and the understated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is the Forest of Bowland.

We talk to Jim Cuffe of Jimbrew Brewing Company. Based around gluten-free products, it has quickly become a big hit with craft ale fans since it first opened for business in December 2022 .

Create Homes has opened the doors of its stunning new five bedroom show home at Chapel Mill, Elswick for viewing appointments. The interior of this beautiful showcase home is designed to WOW, with a soothing

neutral colour scheme and the latest modern furniture & interior flourishes, which will appeal to discerning buyers.

Curator of Lakeland Motor Museum Chris Lowe celebrates thirty years working at the attraction at what was originally meant to a temporary job when he was just a teenager .

Lara Besbrode of Matchmaker UK discusses the illusion of instant attraction, and tells us how to look beyond first impressions in oreder to acheive a long-lasting, meaningful relationship.

Sarah Ridgway talks to Steve Boardman to discover the amazing ownership options at the awardwinning Mowbreck Caravan Park

Sarah Harris of Colour Me Beautiful shows us how to be a savvy packer this holiday season so you can look stylish wherever you decide to go.

Margaret Breacknell shares the story of Emily Williamson, whose actions are estimated to have saved the lives of more than a million birds and rescued several avian species from extinction, as well as paving the way for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) which is still going strong today.

And of course, as always, we have features on homes, health, delicious recipes, fascinating history, a bit of wildlife and more - all in our August issue.

BEWARE OF THE WEEDS THIS SUMMER

By Airborne Allergens Expert, Max Wiseberg

If you are looking for a product to help with weed pollen, try HayMax. Most hay fever products work by trying to deal with the symptoms. HayMax organic drug-free allergen barrier balms are different. They seek to stop the cause of the problem – namely too much pollen in the body. Prevention rather than cure.

HayMax has solid science behind it. Independent university studies by The National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit (NPARU) at the University of Worcester have shown that HayMax traps significantly more pollen than an uncoated nostril and that HayMax traps over a third of pollen before it enters the body, in addition to dust mite allergens and pet dander.

Before you go outdoors, tie your hair up and wear a hat or other head covering, to prevent pollen particles being caught in your hair. Wear wraparound sunglasses, which as well as protecting your eyes from the sun, help prevent pollen particles coming in contact with your eyes. Dry your clothes indoors rather than on an outdoors clothes line to prevent pollen particles being blown onto them by the wind.

The peak grass pollen season draws to a close in August and gives way to the peak of the weed pollen season. Though weed pollen allergy affects less people, it is no less significant to sufferers.

The main weeds are Mugwort, Sorrel and plantain. Mugwort is a hardy perennial plant native to the UK and part of the Asteraceae family that also includes daisies, sunflowers, dandelions, and ragweed. Sheep Sorrel and its subspecies are common perennial weeds, also known as red sorrel, sour weed, and field sorrel. English plantain is also known as narrowleaf plantain, ribwort plantain, ribleaf, buckhorn plantain, buckhorn, and lamb’s tongue, which is a common weed of cultivated land.

The weed pollen season usually takes place from July to September, with the peak in August. Weed pollen causes very unpleasant symptoms including sneezing, a runny nose, a stuffed up nose, itchy and watery or streaming eyes, nasal congestion and a general stuffed up feeling in the nose and throat.

Symptoms may also include an overall achy feeling, or build up of pressure in the entire face area. Constant nose rubbing and blowing can also leave sufferers with skin irritation and sensitivity. All of this can lead to tiredness, fatigue, exhaustion. Hay fever can also affect how you sleep and cause sleep disturbance and difficulty getting to sleep. These symptoms can in turn zap your energy levels leaving you feeling low and sluggish.

So how can you overcome all of this?

Firstly, keep your garden tidy and weed-free. You may need someone who is not affected by weed pollen to do this for you. Stop weed pollen getting in your home. So keep windows and doors closed. Change your clothes when you return home from outdoors, and wash your face to remove pollen so that it can’t cause a reaction. Taking a shower is even more effective, removing pollen from your hair and body.

Keep your home as free from allergens as possible. Vacuum regularly, especially beds and fabrics to remove pollen, dust and pet allergen particles. Wash bedding very regularly to remove allergens. If you own a pet then ensure that it is well groomed and shampooed as much as possible to remove pet allergens and pollen particles, and keep it out of the room in which you sleep.

HayMax organic drug-free allergen barrier balms have an rrp of £8.49 per pot and are available from independent chemists, pharmacists and health stores, Holland & Barrett, Booths, selected Superdrug and Boots, Ocado, online and direct on 01525 406600 and www.haymax.biz

Halewood Youngsters Score Support from Housebuilder

A HALEWOOD youth football team is ready to tackle the next season thanks to funding from Redrow.

Kingsthorne Junior Football Club received £500 for new training equipment, which will now be used for all the youth teams that train at Hollies Road in Halewood.

The club applied for Redrow’s Halewood Community Fund, launched after the housebuilder started work on two new developments in the town - The Finches at Hilton Grange, off Lower Road, and Grace Fields at Hilton Grange, off Greensbridge Lane.

“We’d like to thank Redrow for this donation to the club, it’s going to make a huge difference to our training sessions and to our players,” said Michael Knowles, under 14s manager at Kingsthorne Junior Football Club.

This voluntary gift to the community is over and above the statutory investment from Redrow linked to the Halewood planning consents.

As well as new homes, the developments will include green open spaces and wildlife habitats, providing places for future homeowners to enjoy nature on their doorstep.

To support the growth of the neighbourhood Redrow has agreed to significant investment to improve local facilities, from healthcare and schools to highways, bus services and even equipment for the local leisure centre.

Sian Pitt, sales director at Redrow Lancashire, said: “We were pleased to have been able to support Kingsthorne Junior Football Club in purchasing new training equipment. The club carries out great work within Halewood and I wish them all the very best next season.”

For further information contact the sales team at The Finches on 0151 3917310, or visit www.redrow.co.uk/ developments/grace-fields or www.redrow.co.uk/ developments/the-finches

left: LtoR coach Keith Skidmore, manager Mick Knowles and Julie Madden from Redrow, with Kingsthorne Junior Football Club.

IDYLLIC HOMES IN THE HEART OF LANCASHIRE

Does having the freedom to take a holiday whenever you want in the idyllic Lancashire countryside sound too good to be true? Well, it doesn’t have to be, as Mowbreck Park offers affordable ownership, , with pre-owned caravans starting at just £25,995! All caravans are top-quality models, equipped with central heating, double glazing, Wi-Fi is available, and some come with decking included saving up to £5,000.

If you purchase a caravan before the end of August, new owners can take advantage of free site-fees for the rest of the season on selected models,

If you are interested in ownership, the park’s friendly team, made up of Steve, Shirley, and Tara, are there seven days a week to help you. Book an appointment to talk through your ownership options, and feel free to wander around, speak to the existing owners and experience this amazing part of Lancashire for yourself.

Discover the Amazing Ownership Options at the Award-Winning Mowbreck Park

By Sarah Ridgway

Does having the freedom to take a holiday whenever you want in the idyllic Lancashire countryside sound too good to be true? Well, it doesn’t have to be, as Mowbreck Park offers affordable ownership, including a residential option, with pre-owned caravans starting at just £25,995! All caravans are top-quality models, equipped with central heating, Smart TVs, Wi-Fi, and decking to relax on.

Keep an eye on their website as some amazing special offers are coming up, including:

• Free decking with some caravans providing an instant saving of £5000!

• If you purchase a caravan before the end of August, new owners can take advantage of free sitefees for the rest of the season, again another great saving.

If you are interested in ownership, the park’s friendly team, made up of Steve, Shirley, and Tara, are there seven days a week to help you. Book an appointment to talk through your ownership options, and feel free to wander around, speak to the existing owners and experience this amazing part of Lancashire for yourself.

Why you should choose

Mowbreck

Park

Mowbreck Park is a peaceful haven and the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle. The park’s spacious and luxurious holiday homes sit in

delightful rural surroundings, where the choice to kick back and relax or explore the local attractions are up to you. All their holiday homes are equipped with everything you need for your stay and are pet-friendly and are finalists for Dog-Friendly Business of the Year at the Lancashire Tourism

Awards 2023. The old mill town of Kirkham and Wesham is a mile from the park and offers a choice of pubs, restaurants, supermarkets, shops, and amenities to use throughout your stay. For those wanting to get out and about, the Forest of Bowland is half an hour away, and the designated

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is ideal for walkers and cyclists. Beach lovers can enjoy the picturesque Lytham St Annes or the livelier resort of Blackpool, which is close by.

Owners can enjoy the park all year round, and family and friends are welcome too, adding up to huge savings compared to the cost of similar holidays in the area. The choice to purchase a residential home

at Mowbreck Park is also an option, allowing residents to feel like they are on a full-time holiday. Owners can order whatever they want and have a tailor-made caravan to suit you; regarding size and additional features; Mowbreck is always proud to maintain the park to the highest standards. Mowbreck is a petfriendly site but has allocated petfree caravans of bronze, silver and gold standard for people who prefer

that or are allergic. Mowbreck is an ideal choice for families, and like stepping back in time, where owners don’t feel the need to lock their doors. The park has been here since the 60s with a strong community of long-term owners, including one who has been there 40 years, which speaks for itself. If you own a dog, you will have no shortage of companions, but you can also come here to get away from it all and simply enjoy the peace and quiet.

How to access the park and its amenities

Despite its beautiful semi-rural location, the park is two minutes from the M55, which takes you to Blackpool and St Annes. A new bus route was put in place this year running directly from the edge of the park through Preston, Lytham to Blackpool, and the park is only a £5 taxi from Wesham station, giving owners a car-free option. Our woodland walking park takes you to the periphery of Kirkham and Wesham, which you can walk to in ten to fifteen minutes, and has a choice of pubs, restaurants, and shops.

Tell us about Mowbreck’s awards and nominations.

The park had been going for over twenty years but has only recently gotten social media and started entering the park for awards. We have been a Visit England five-star park for twenty-five years. We are happy to be finalists again for the

Lancashire Tourism Awards for DogFriendly Business Award, and we just won Silver for a David Bellamy Conservation Award.

Why should people choose Lancashire for their holiday?

Park manager Steve Boardman answers this question for you. “I was born and raised in Blackpool and have lived all over the world, so I am probably slightly biased when I say Lancashire is great. It is so diverse, as you have the bright lights of Blackpool, and Lytham is gorgeous with fantastic restaurants and facilities. You also have Beacon Fell, twenty minutes up the road, which offers incredible views and is great for walkers, and the Lake District, one of the UK’s most visited places, is not far away. In the last few years, the Lancashire restaurant scene has changed tremendously, and the local produce in this county Langholme will continue to maintain the high standards and reputation they have done for over thirty years.”

Owning a caravan at Mowbreck Park offers a flexible solution for those seeking an adventurous escape, a tranquil retreat, and a place to create memories with friends and family. Owners have the choice to embark on spontaneous getaways at a moment’s notice and enjoy this beautiful part of Lancashire throughout the year. Get in touch with the team to take advantage of its special offers to join the Mowbreck Park community.

2023 LAKE DISTRICT SUMMER

MUSIC FESTIVAL IS HERE!

We launch the festival with Dame Evelyn Glennie and the New London Chamber Ensemble in a trail-blazing concert. Cellist Guy Johnston and pianist Melvyn Tan return to LDSM for a mini-residence, performing the complete sonatas and variations of Beethoven together with some Viennese gems, and in addition they will lead intensive masterclasses for our resident LDSM students.

Chamber ensembles from the acclaimed Chiaroscuro, Sacconi and Barbican Quartets, the Mithras and Paddington Trios, plus renowned pianist & jazz/classical composer Gwilym Simcock all play a star role in a fantastic summer of music alongside our signature family events, walks, talks and so much more.

LDSM are delighted to share with you this exciting array of concerts and events, many of which celebrate the significant musical heritage of Vienna. Our richly varied programme, from

baroque and classical masters to jazz, improvisation, contemporary and folk, will be given by outstanding, internationally renowned, awardwinning and rapidly emerging artists.

Once more we offer a range of popular family events – indoor and outdoor – with 2 village walks, creative workshops, opportunities to play alongside our artists, and to experience the children’s folksong event at the Docks Museum, led by the superb Lizzie Ball whose virtuosic and versatile band will also perform their unmissable ‘Classical Kicks’ programme in Kendal.

Look out also for the mini-tour given by folk duo The Apple Sellers who will be raising money for the ‘Save Ruskin’s View’ appeal.

Embedded within the festival are a dozen student musicians whose musical journey you can share via our acclaimed series of masterclasses. Their residency includes not only their invaluable festival debut ‘Kaffe und Küchen’ concerts, but as part of our developing Academy Programme, unique opportunities to perform alongside our premiere artists and mentors.

The final concert, introducing the specially created LDSM Chamber Ensemble, pays homage to the Verein für musikalische Privataufführungen – the Society for Private Musical Performance, created in Vienna in 1918 to promote ‘comprehensible performances of newly composed music available to genuinely interested members of the musical public’, which presented larger works in chamber ensemble arrangements. This concert will recreate that format, offering a programme of famed works by Johann and Richard Strauss, Korngold, Berg and Mahler- his Fourth Symphony, with its sublime concluding vision of heaven ending the concert and the festival. We look forward to welcoming you!

TICKETS.LDSM.ORG.UK

Majestic Swan Glides Towards Her 85th Birthday

One of the Lake District’s most recognisable and majestic passenger vessels is about to celebrate her 85th birthday.

MV Swan was launched on June 10,1938 and still sails daily on Windermere carrying people up and down England’s longest lake on elegant cruises.

When she first took to the waters of Windermere, at Lakeside, Neville Chamberlain was the Prime Minister. It was also the year gas masks were issued to the civilian population as the Second World War loomed.

Over the past eight decades, MV Swan has carried millions of passengers on Windermere and is one of the best loved original “steamers” in the Windermere Lake Cruises’ fleet.

“It gives me a great sense of pride whenever I enter the wheelhouse and prepare to set sail in her,” says skipper Simon Bond who is one of the lucky few who gets the chance to take the helm of MV Swan when her regular skipper Phil Viney isn’t on duty.

“I just think of all the other skippers

who have taken charge of her over the years. It’s a big honour.”

The 251-tonne vessel is part of the National Historic Fleet and was built by Vickers Armstrong of Barrow-inFurness for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway company to improve its Windermere fleet.

The distinctive Lakeland ‘steamer’ has been modernised many times during her lifetime, with the last major refit taking place five years ago. She is a “twin screw” vessel with two propellers. Bow thrusters were also retrofitted in 2005.

Windemere Lake Cruises

“She was built to last with proper engineering,” says Simon. “Despite her age it is very rare that anything goes wrong with her. That’s partly because we look after her so well but it’s also a testament to her original engineering.”

The pulling power of Swan, as she glides the waters of Windermere, is clear. Many visitors to the Lake

District who want to take a cruise ask for her specifically. Skipper Simon moved to Cumbria from the south of England 5 years ago when he decided to take a six-month break from his job in the motor trade.

“My first seasonal job here was as a barman on MV Swan. I loved it so much I decided to stay! It’s hard to believe that I now get to skipper

this lovely old vessel on one of the country’s most beautiful lakes.”

Swan carries a crew of six and can reach a speed of 10 knots. She even operated a limited service in the early years of the Second World War. She operated up to the end of the 1941 season when she was laid up for the rest of the conflict. Service resumed on July 16, 1945, and she has been in regular use ever since.

“I’m very aware of all the history behind MV Swan,” says Simon. “She has such a lot of character and always looks so in keeping with the glorious surroundings of the Lake District.

“I’m confident she will continue giving passengers unforgettable cruises on Windermere for the next 85 years too!”

If you fancy a trip on the birthday girl, you can book tickets by visiting: www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk

Jimbrew Brewing Company

Jimbrew Brewing Company, which is based in a picturesque rural setting on the Fylde, has quickly become a big hit with craft ale fans since it first opened for business in December 2022.

The company is the brainchild of a local entrepreneur named Jim Cuffe. Upon being diagnosed with an intolerance to gluten nearly a decade ago, Jim discovered that good gluten-free beers were almost impossible to find. There were only a very limited number of products out there and not a single one of them was available on draught. Undeterred, Jim began to produce his own glutenfree beer successfully at home in his garage, despite having no previous brewery or bar experience.

Seeing a gap in the market, Jim decided to open his own microbrewery, based around glutenfree products, around four years ago. In late 2019, he acquired premises in the centre of Lytham, but soon faced a major setback when the first Covid lockdown came into effect

only a matter of weeks later. Jim used the enforced time at home to good advantage, spending many hours in his garage to perfect the taste of his beers. On top of this unfortunate timing, however, his business plans then suffered a further blow when he was refused planning permission for the microbrewery and eventually the idea of basing it in Lytham had to be shelved.

Jimbrew Brewing Company is, instead, now based at recently renovated premises on the site of a former farm at Clifton Fields, about three miles west of Preston. This location offers the best of both worlds. It is the perfect place for visitors to enjoy a drink in an idyllic countryside setting, but the site is also easily accessible by car and is close to major transport links.

When chatting with Jim recently, he told me that his craft beers are different from virtually any other on the market in that they are completely gluten-free. “In the past, gluten-free beers have been made with barley and then an enzyme has been added to strip out as much of the gluten as possible”, he explained. This process reduces gluten levels, but does not eliminate gluten altogether.

In contrast, Jimbrew beer is made from malted millet and buckwheat, both of which are naturally glutenfree. This removes the need for any additives, with the added bonus that it means the beers are vegan friendly too. The brewery makes

nothing other than gluten-free beers, meaning that there is never any danger of cross-contamination during the manufacturing process. Jim told me that he knows of only two other breweries in the UK that manufacture a similar gluten-free beer and, in both cases, production is limited to small runs of cans.

Jimbrew Brewing is almost certainly unique in selling its gluten-free beer on draught, both on its own premises and to a small number of pubs. As well as the brewery on the ground floor, the premises include a specially designed first-floor tap room which seats up to around sixty people. The bar is open at the weekend, serving the brewery’s

own beers, together with a selection of wines and cocktails. There’s also an outdoor courtyard area which is proving very popular now that the warmer weather has arrived.

You can enjoy live music at the bar most weekends and a variety of different street food vendors regularly

visit the site. The food on offer can vary from fried chicken with different glazes to woodfired pizzas or gourmet burgers, so it’s always worth checking on Jimbrew’s social media accounts (details below) to see what’s coming up each weekend.

The brewery’s top-selling beer is a 4.1% pale ale called Sesh Bomb, which one social media post describes as “light tropical happiness with a

neutral malt bill”. Another perennial favourite with customers is My Haus, a traditional German-style 4.5% lager described as “light and fizzy with a subtle taste of honey”.

These two beers are nearly always available on tap. When it comes to the four other taps, Jim likes to ring the changes and rarely brews the same beer more than once. This allows the brewery the flexibility to change the

type of beer it brews depending on the time of year. Unsurprisingly, they tend to brew more dark beers in winter and lighter beers in the summer. The exciting news for fans of Jimbrew’s beers is that they are planning to extend the number of taps they have at the brewery, meaning that they soon hope to be able to brew eight to ten beers at a time.

I asked Jim about the manufacturing process and he told me that it typically takes a couple of months to brew the lagers. However, their pale ales can be ready within a couple of weeks or so, as they are happy for them to have a hazy appearance.

Regarding sustainablity, he tells us “We try to be as sustainable as possible, we have a reed bed for waste water and are continously looking at ways to lower our carbon footprint throughout the brewing process”

As regards other future plans, Jim revealed that they are also planning to start producing beer in cans. This means that they can then start supplying them to small bottle shops, but, in addition, it will also enable them to begin to sell their products online via their own website.

Remarkably, Jim combines running Jimbrew Brewing with a full-time “day job” as a finance manager at the family’s social care company. Most of his spare time is spent at the brewery, but he clearly enjoys it and is passionate about the business. He is particularly keen to dispel the prejudices that still exist relating to the so-called poor quality of glutenfree beer, telling me that “I’m trying to spread the word about how good gluten-free beer can be and want to prove that it doesn’t have to be worse than traditional beer”.

With the start that Jim Cuffe has already made, I believe he is already well on his way to achieving this objective.

The taproom at Jimbrew Brewing, Clifton Fields, Lytham Road, Clifton, Preston PR4 0XG is usually open on Friday and Saturday from 12 noon to 10pm and on Sunday from 12 noon to 7pm.

For details of what’s on each weekend, follow Jimbrew Brewing on Instagram @ jimbrew_brewing or Facebook @ Jimbrew Brewing.

Discover a World of Naval Heritage at The National Museum of The Royal Navy Hartlepool

A world of naval heritage awaits visitors to the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool.With demonstrations alongside swash-buckling exhibitions, ground-breaking archaeological research and the oldest warship still afloat in Europe.

The most exciting maritime archaeological exhibition in years can be seen for the first time in the north of England. Diving Deep: HMS Invincible 1744 provides an insight into the extraordinary work of a team of professional and volunteer divers, exploring the fascinating discovery and underwater excavation of this 18th century battleship which sank in February 1758 when she hit a sandbank in the East Solent. Follow the story of Invincible; her capture from the French, the contribution she made to the Royal Navy and ship design and her subsequent sinking and rediscovery by

a local fisherman, Arthur Mack, nearly 200 years later. Some of the objects and findings from this excavation, probably the most important of its kind in UK waters for nearly 40 years, will also be on display.

Built only 50 years after the Invincible, and comparative in size and design, HMS Trincomalee takes centre stage in the historic quayside. While she never saw conflict, she did see great advances in the Royal Navy. Having travelled over 100,000 miles during her storied career she has now settled in Hartlepool and is ready to welcome visitors onboard.

National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool, Horrible Histories® Pirates: The Exhibition

As fans of the books, stage-shows and TV series will expect, ‘Horrible Histories® Pirates’ takes a funny and foul look into pirate history, complete with parrots, cutlasses and all the gore and more.

Throughout the hands-on exhibition there will be opportunities to design pirate flags, visit a raucous pirates’ tavern, take out enemies with cannon fire and command a pirate ship on the high seas. Young scallywags can also learn the rules of the ‘pirates’ code’, delve into the often-gruesome history of pirate ships and their infamous commanders (both male and female) and they’ll have to practise talking like a pirate too or risk a trip to Davey Jones’ Locker.

National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool, Demonstrations

Once you’ve finished delving into the dangerous world of pirates, why not experience some of their weapons for yourself? With weapon demonstrations throughout the May half-term, showcasing cannons, muskets and more, alongside objecthandling sessions for those less ready for a life of pillage and plunder.

Not got enough time to see it all in one visit? All tickets to the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool last for an entire year, so return again and again for seasonal events, to finish exploring the museum, or just to see a personal favourite.

EMILY WILLIAMSON - The Campaigner who Saved a Million Birds

By Margaret Brecknell

A plaque has recently been unveiled in Lancaster to commemorate a pioneering 19th-century conservationist who was born and raised in the city. In 1889, Emily Williamson (nḗe Bateson) began a campaign in protest at the way in which birds were being indiscriminately slaughtered in the name of fashion.

Her actions are estimated to have saved the lives of more than a million birds and rescued several avian species from extinction, as well as paving the way for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) which is still going strong today.

Emily Bateson was born on 17th April 1855 in the Highfield area of Lancaster, close to where Williamson Park is now situated. At the age of 27, she married Manchester solicitor, Robert Wood Williamson, and the couple set up home together at The Croft in Didsbury. They shared a passion for wildlife and nature, creating a large alpine garden in the grounds of their home which still may be enjoyed today by visitors to Fletcher Moss Gardens in Manchester. A bronze statue of Emily Williamson by sculptor, Eve Shepherd, is due to be unveiled at this location later this year.

During the late Victorian era, hats adorned with feathers were considered the height of fashion and wild birds were slaughtered in their thousands to provide plumage for the millinery

trade. As a nature lover, Emily was appalled by this wanton destruction. In one letter to the press she asked, “Are the hardened brutalities, or, at best, dull indifference of the past… to be revived in the present day in the enormous sacrifice of bird life recklessly and unnecessarily exacted by women, who apparently care little whether whole species of birds are destroyed if they can only dress in the fashion?”

Women would not be given the right to vote for another three decades and, in an era when members of the female sex were still expected to stay in the background, Emily, initially, looked for support from the then allmale British Ornithologists’ Union. When help from that quarter proved to be unforthcoming, she decided to take action herself.

In February 1889, she invited a group of local women to tea at her home in Didsbury and aired her views on the fashion for feathers which was in danger of driving entire species of birds such as the great crested grebe and egret to extinction. She then asked them to sign a pledge to “wear no feathers”. When so many women viewed birds as little more than fashion accessories, Emily’s views would have been considered radical and even unpopular. However, from these humble beginnings, Emily’s campaign quickly gained support, helped by her efforts to gain publicity

for the cause by firing off letter after letter to newspaper editors.

“In view of the enormous sacrifice of bird life at present exacted by the milliners, may I ask you to allow me to make known to your readers the existence of a Society for the Protection of Birds, which was formed at the beginning of the present year?”, she wrote in one letter, which was published in October 1889. “It is hoped that many women will feel inclined to join the society (to which there is no subscription), and so make some protest against the present wholesale destruction of wild and singing birds”.

Whilst Emily Williamson campaigned tirelessly here in the North-West, a 66-year-old widow named Eliza Phillips and a younger woman, Etta Lemon, were running a similar organisation, the “Fur, Fin and Feather Folk”, from Eliza’s home in Croydon. In 1891, Emily attended a meeting in Croydon, following which the two groups decided to join forces under the title of the Society for the Protection of Birds.

Eliza Phillips and Etta Lemon led the Society in its early years, whilst Emily took on the role of Vice President. Together, the three women successfully developed it into a national organisation of considerable popularity and influence. Within eight years of the merger, membership had risen from around 1200 to 20,000. This included for the first time a handful of sympathetic male “honorary” members, who had been co-opted onto the Committee to help further the Society’s aims.

The Society’s first President, the Duchess of Portland, also played an influential role in its early development. It was helpful to the cause for such a high-profile woman to denounce publicly the fashion for wearing feathers. Equally importantly, she was able to use her significant connections within Government to push for legislation on the issue. The Duchess of Portland would remain in her role as President right up to her death in 1954.

In November 1904, just 13 years after its formation, the Society was awarded a royal charter by King Edward VII. This represented a significant moment in the Society’s history for several reasons. Its title changed to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the name by which it is still known today. The Society’s legal status also changed following its incorporation by royal charter, meaning that membership

subscriptions were now introduced (one guinea for fellows of the Society and five shillings for ordinary members). In addition, the then Secretary, Etta Lemon, was compelled to step down from the position, as, in accordance with the laws of the time, women were excluded from holding such roles under the terms of the royal charter.

Despite this royal seal of approval, the Society’s campaign to end the plight of birds at the hands of the “murderous millinery” trade was far from over. In the same month that the Society was granted its royal charter, an article appeared in a London newspaper entitled “A Plea For The Protection of Birds”. The RSPB was working hard, the author reported, “to stem the tide of appreciation women show for egrets and birds of paradise, but particularly for the former, for the beautiful birds that provide such plumage are becoming scarcer and

scarcer, owing to the fact that fashion always has them in demand”

Four years later, a bill to ban the import of bird feathers was passed in the House of Lords, but did not make it through the Commons. The plumage trade was highly lucrative –at one point, early in the 1900s, the price of egret feathers ($32 per ounce) rose to twice that of gold - and the industry was supported by some highprofile figures.

The Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act was only finally passed over a decade later, in July 1921, by which time women over the age of 30 had been given the right to vote. The first female MP to sit in the House of Commons, Nancy Astor, was one of the driving forces behind the move to push the much-delayed legislation through Parliament.

The Croft, Didsbury Wikidwitch/CC BY-SA 3.0

As well as her significant contribution to the RSPB, Emily Williamson was also engaged in other charitable work. In 1891, she established the Gentlewomen’s Employment Association in Manchester, which aimed to broaden the avenues of meaningful employment available to women.

She was also the driving force behind two offshoots of this organisation, the Princess Christian Training College for Nurses and the Loan Training Fund. The College was notable for being among the very first to allow its students to train with real young

children, rather than practising on dolls. The trailblazing Loan Training Fund, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, helped young women with the cost of further education.

In 1912, the Williamsons left Didsbury for a new home in the tiny Surrey village of Brook. By this time, Emily’s husband, Robert, was becoming deeply interested in anthropology and was often abroad for months at a time in pursuit of his new interest. The couple were childless and it seems that the move was at least partly driven by a wish on Emily’s part to be nearer her nephews who were

then at Charterhouse School. Emily, for her part, threw herself wholeheartedly into her new social life, taking an active part in several local organisations as well as continuing her involvement with the RSPB.

Following Robert’s death in 1932, Emily moved to the London suburb of Kensington and it was here, at her home in Campden Hill Gate, that she died, aged 80, in January 1936. She was still acting as the RSPB’s Vice President at the time of her death. In tribute, one obituary writer noted that “her many friends and co-workers will recall with admiration her remarkable powers of organisation, her quiet dignity and her lovable disposition”

The RSPB remains an important campaigner of conservation issues to this day. At a time when the need for nature conservation is more widely recognised than ever, it seems only right that its inspirational founder has been commemorated in the city of her birth. The life and work of Emily Williamson prove that one person really can make a significant difference, a message that seems particularly important in the battle to protect nature’s fragile ecosystems today. 

Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens. Wikidwitch/CC BY-SA 3.0

Right Early 20th century image of plume types

The Great Crested Grebe

Kitty Harris

Preston and was lucky to be selected to perform in the West End! This was a great opportunity for Kitty!

However, In 2020 lockdown came….. no auditions, no shows, no theatre and a new way of life! Kitty found it very difficult with not being able to perform and no income, so she started working at Dominos making pizzas which kept her very busy! In her spare time, in the bathroom at home, she picked up on the TIKTOK craze!! Creating a family of three main characters; Kitty played herself as daughter, her mother (slight change of costume into a pink and white dressing gown and hair tied up) and for the father figure she superimposed a face to look more like a man and Barry was created!

Actress, Singer, Dancer, is there anything Kitty Harris can’t do! Performing in the touring production of the musical ‘The Greatest Days’ at last we get to see Kitty show the world her many talents!

She’s performed in the Blackpool Tower ballet and Circus to the West End’s Garrick Theatre in David Walliams ‘Gangsta Granny’ in 2017 whilst still at college! It has been a roller coaster of a journey and lockdown 2020 proved very difficult as Kitty had some big opportunities simmering, however, everything stopped and life for her and all performers came to a holt.

After doing lots of auditions and getting lots of knock backs she never gave up. The opportunity came when her nana found an advert in the Blackpool Evening Gazette looking for performers to appear in the touring production of David Walliams ‘Gangsta Granny”, Kitty auditioned and got the part! She performed in

A relaxed easy going fellow who was the opposite of his highly opinionated, gossipy, tea drinking wife! The three became a very likable family and within lockdown Kitty was building her audience, and showing her skill in comedy. Last year she hit over a million followers which saw her become an influencer!! She started receiving merchandise from companies to advertise and was being paid for her creations! So what started off as a fun pastime, through hard work, became her business!

TIKTOK

and over 1 million followers

After lockdown Kitty carried on with TIKTOK alongside pursuing her acting/performing career and carried on teaching the young children at the Langley dance and performing arts academy on Saturdays. She had to hand in her notice at Dominos but was very grateful for her time working with the staff who she’d become good friends with, in fact they’d done some great TIKTOKS together between work.

As a performer most will tell you that working to a live audience is where their real passion lies and this was true of Kitty. She secured work performing at the Stanley Showbar in her hometown of Blackpool,

putting on a fun filled show that wowed the audience! She was asked to choreograph and perform in the Mystery, Music and Mayhem Magical Extravaganza show at Viva in Blackpool, she spent weeks rehearsing with two of her friends who she’d asked to be her backing dancers, she not only choregraphed but made the costumes and designed the image for her sets, every detail of the performance was done by Kitty. Another of Kitty’s talents to put on a spectacular show that would wow the

audience with her Ariane Grande to Beyonce moment!! The energy and passion of the performance shook the building bringing the audience to a standing ovation!!

I wonder where this young girl from Blackpool gets so much talent and is a genuinely nice down to earth girl…….she reveals that her father was the late ventriloquist Keith Harris who’s character Orville rose to fame in the 80’s!!

Kitty tells me that from the moment she was born she would be taken to the shows by her mum to watch her dad perform, she would sit with her brother Shenton mesmerised by his energy and charisma!! Night after night she would sit in the audience taking everything in and when she got home she’d be creating her own show’s with Shenton!! Together they would put their show on in front of dad and mum as their audience along with any other family members that came around!! If her cousins or friends where at the house they would also be pulled into being

part of the show!! Life in the Harris household was so much fun and there was always something being created!! She remembers her dad in the garage making props for his shows and all summer Daisy the cow was in the conservatory waiting to go to pantomime!! Then there was Ed his ventriloquist boy doll, who sat in the kitchen on the window seat and every time she went in she felt that she was being watched by Ed – creepy but thrilling!!

But what of Kitty this is her path her life and although she has suffered such a great loss at such a young age, she has carried on pursuing a career that has been her passion since before she can remember! Her first staring role was her performance as Annie at the Langley Dance school at 8 years old! She went on the perform as a dancer in the Blackpool Tower Circus pantomimes and summer shows along with doing the children’s ballet in the Blackpool Tower ballroom something all young dancers aspire to! She studied Triple music at the Blackpool Sixth form college and wowed the audience with her performance as Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago!

Her dream is blossoming and the years before that which have been an uphill struggle are now taking root everything that she has done before has made Kitty Harris the beautiful young lady she is today and someone her dad would be very proud of! She said that she feels his presence every day and especially when she is performing!

Most recently Kitty has appeared in T.V’s Emmerdale.

And if you want to watch Kitty perform she is playing ‘Young Heather’ in the musical ‘The Greatest Days’ which is touring the UK and Ireland until June 2023. It will be in Liverpool from 10th – 15th July and her hometown of Blackpool 15th –19th August for those in the North West.

For tickets go to; www.greatestdaysmusical.com

Left & Middle: The Greatest Showgirl

Right: Blackpool Tower Ballroom Langley’s in Spotlight show

Left: Kitty with her dad Keith Middle: Before she knew it, dressed in one of Orville’s costumes Right: With brother Shenton putting on a show

Above: TIKTOK mum character

Mystery, Music and Mayhem Magical Extravaganza show at Viva in Blackpool

Unique Lady of the Month

Q & A with Rebecca Which Unique Ladies group(s) do you attend? Chorley

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE…

…holiday destination? I love the Greek Isles, the climate, people and food. I have visited quite a few islands now but these are my favourites anywhere in Skiathos, Agios Gordios in Corfu and Elounda in Crete. I’m looking forward to sampling the delights of Santorini this August and plan to do Kefaloni next year.

…food? My favourite food is Greek (surprise surprise) and Turkish. I enjoy flavoursome salads, barbequed meats and dips. Another favourite of mine is Italian, simple yet fresh flavours plus my hubby’s family is Italian and the food his Nonna makes is superb. Anyone ever had spaghetti for Christmas dinner? I hadn’t until joining the family!

Rebecca Chesters New Cards on the Block

Iam Rebecca Chesters from Clayton-le-Woods near Chorley. I am married with two children and my background is in fashion design.

After completing my degree at university I set up my first business owning two shops in Preston and Chorley under my maiden name Rebecca Blundell, where I designed and manufactured womens clothing. Times changed, things didn’t work out, so I went back to university to study a postgraduate in Design & Technology and became a secondary school teacher. After climbing the ladder in education, wearing many hats and leading a large department I was feeling disillusioned with the whole system, so during lockdown, to support my wellbeing I started to illustrate again. This is when New Cards on the Block was born and this year I left my career behind to concentrate on it full time.

So now I am Illustrator and designer of quirky uplifting greetings cards, printed products and bespoke wedding stationery. I provide services such as corporate illustrations for products and greetings cards, business branding and logos along with creating events and wedding stationery which is bespoke and personalised giving it some punchy personality.

…music? I think I have quite a varied taste in music although I do listen to Radio X during the day whilst I am working which mainly plays indie bands such as Oasis, Stereophonics and the Foo Fighters. At the moment I like Michael Kimanuka, Gerry Cinnamon along with Sam Fender. But I also enjoy dance music and good old 00’s pop such as the Spice Girls and Kylie for a good utensil sing along after a few with the girls.

…authors? I love a good chick lit book, these are a couple of authors that stand out to me; Ceclia Ahern, Bella Mackie and Beth O’Leary.

Will you share an interesting fact about yourself?

I am a keen runner and have completed the Rock n Roll marathon in Liverpool along with many other half marathons and 10k races. I had a spell of running everyday with a minimum mileage of 28 miles per week (I know I am a bit mental) which included having to run Christmas day and during family holidays, my streak lasted 18 months.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self? Do what makes you happy, care about people you love and that love and care about you, hold them tight whilst you’re still able to and balls to what others think and do.

Favourite Quote

”We will fail when we fail to try” - Rosa Parks

“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different” - Coco Chanel

And something I always repeated to the children I taught, particularly when they were saying they couldn’t do something was ‘you can’t do it, yet! Go and find your inner baby. Their response was often ‘what Miss?’ but it makes sense. We all learnt to walk, talk, and feed ourselves after numerous attempts. We didn’t give up until we got there and achieved it, getting better and better with practice.

One Thing you couldn’t live without?

My children, Olivia and Freddie.

To attend the Chorley group and for more information call Suzy Orr:

N 07979 695 550 or email

E suzy@uniqueladies.co.uk

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION’S ECONOMY: - CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT AND LEISURE IS

By Norman Wallis

IN OUR DNA -

Merseyside has a reputation for a culture-loving community and a particular niche for some of the best stand-out entertainment and leisure experiences. In Spring we saw the city, and the wider region, pull out all the stops to welcome Eurovision and ‘dress up’ for the occasion.

Once again, the city was in the international spotlight, and people caught the fever and celebrated.

Entertainment and leisure are a vital part of cities and towns’ local economies. What attractions, restaurants, bars, parks, gardens and events do is not only bring people to destinations, but encourage them to stay longer – and come back.

To keep the visitor offer compelling, there needs to be the right mix of visionary and new and culture and heritage to ensure people want to keep coming back.

The success of the visitor economy has far-reaching benefits. Employment and business for supply industries depend on attractions refreshes and redevelopments, powering the something new and keeping old favourites fresh and relevant.

Southport Pleasureland brings more than half a million people to the town annually, and as the park expands and delivers its plans, that number will rise. We are in the midst of longterm development and have already committed a £multi million investment in creating the latest experiences for families to enjoy. What we have to remember is that we cater for multiple generations. Young children taking on board first-time experiences, parents

and grandparents excited to introduce little ones to some of the experiences they’ve loved and remember fondly, and older youngsters looking for excitement in a vibrant atmosphere.

Attractions such as ours, which has heritage appeal as well as offering the new and exciting, are in a privileged position and the economies of the towns and regions they sit within

benefit. There’s an emotional attachment and experiencing what the park has to offer creates longer and stronger relationships through all age groups within the family; plenty of repeat visits. Attractions like these become ‘part of’ growing up, starting and raising a family, going on to help your children raise theirs. And throughout all that, what these attractions ultimately provide

is quality family time. Invaluable, important and, yes, valuable business.

We are careful to keep that broad spectrum of family appeal. A baby experiencing her first taste of ice cream or a four-year-old boy enjoying a ride that’s absolutely age appropriate is as important to us as ensuring the big rides and next generation experiences are planned for and delivered.

Of course, that is great for the town’s economy. A town creating a compelling demographic for family visits has a lot to offer.

Southport is changing, and we’re seeing new, high-end hotels and bars develop and contribute to growth and the enhancement of the town’s ‘brand’. The park is changing too, and will rebrand (date to be announced) to reflect the wider variety of exciting experiences and environments it will offer.

Every year I travel internationally to seek out the best of what the world’s biggest parks have on offer. Me, and my senior team, make it our business to invest time in finding the best experiences for our audiences.

Alongside the park’s rides and amusements, we’ve added bigaudience events, such as the Day of the Dead festival celebration. Colour, light, sugar skulls, fire juggling and drumming bands capped with a magnificent firework display finale have all seen the event grow in popularity and size. Again, the festival celebrations have a wide audience appeal, from families to couples or groups of friends. Again, the local economy is supported and enhanced as people come into town for the event, some choosing to visit local eateries or stay in Southport’s hotels.

Planning the future for the park is something my company, Universal Rides, takes great care with. Its fortunes are inexorably linked with the fortunes of this economy.

Expert Tips on How to Sleep in 30 Degree Heat

Use hot water bottles to lower your core temperature

Using a hot water bottle might sound like a strange way to combat heat, but James the Sleep Geek recommends raising your core temperature slightly by placing a lukewarm hot water bottle on your feet thirty minutes before bed; that way, when you go to sleep your core temperature will drop.

Use separate covers from your sleeping partner

Use different covers if you are sleeping with a partner; although it might still be tempting for some to snuggle up to your significant other, their body heat will only transfer to you, so use separate covers and if you can and swap out your duvet for a thin cotton sheet.

Avoid daytime naps

Hot weather can make us sleepy; as tempting as it is to have a daytime nap in the glorious sunshine, don’t. Multiple sources, such as weather presenter Abbie Dewhurst and Doctor Azmain, recommend saving your precious sleep for night time by staying in your normal routine.

Put your feet in a bowl of lukewarm water

Much like a lukewarm hot water bottle, putting your feet in a bowl of tepid water offers a longerlasting cooling process. It also avoids the shock of using ice-cold water, which can jar you awake and make it harder to get to sleep.

Open your loft hatch

Heat rises, meaning it will be hotter if your bedroom is on the top floor. According to experts at Mattress Online, opening your loft hatch is one way to get rid of the accumulated hot air by allowing it to escape somewhere else.

Use Aloe Vera

Meteorologist Jodi Kodesh states that using Aloe Vera before bed can be even better than taking a cold shower because it absorbs into the body four times quicker than water. Apply it to your skin just before bed for a cooling effect.

Shut out the sunlight

James states that one of the main things to help alleviate the comfort of a hot night’s sleep is to keep your house cool during the day. To do this, ensure you are shutting out the sunlight, particularly in your bedroom, by keeping blinds and curtains closed.

Swap your sheets

Lastly, why not replace your sheets and pillowcases with ones made from natural materials such as linen, bamboo and cotton. Not only are they soft and breathable - perfect for the summer heat - they also draw away moisture more effectively.

Advice commisioned by:

www.mattressonline.co.uk

Alfresco Dining - from Walton & Co -

Walton & Co has launched Pure Linen - a collection of table textiles made out of high quality linen; perfect for alfresco dining this summer.

It is perfectly suited to coordinate with Walton & Co’s handcrafted collection of placemats, trays and decorative bowls which are created from a range of natural materials including jute, rattan, seagrass & water hyacinth.

The tablecloths and runners are woven in generous sizes to create a relaxed, elegant table in any setting. At 150x250cms these tablecloths will fit many dining tables, both standard and bespoke sizes. Runners are longer than most at 220cms.

About Walton & Co

Walton & Co are a family run business based in Yorkshire, renowned for their quality and eye for design. The brand seasonally creates a wide range of design led soft furnishings and textiles for the home all lovingly curated by their in-house team of designers.

We supply independent home & gift retailers, garden centres and department stores in the UK and Europe whose customers seek style, newness and lasting quality.

Our well-travelled design team have honed their expertise in assessing future trends in fashion, culture and interiors and translating these into collections for the home that combine functionality with on-trend looks.

Walton Co, Pure linen tablecloth 150x250cm natural lifestyle

Walton & Co’s coordinating collections comprise:

• Seasonal table linen with tablecloths, placemats, runners & napkins in cotton with new ranges each Spring/Summer and Autumn/ Winter

• Christmas & occasional dining with white table linen, glamourous decorative linens with festive themes adorned with decorative embroidery, sequins & beads.

• Throws in faux fur, knits & weaves with 2 new collections each year.

• Cushions – embroidered, printed & appliqued that are beautiful additions to any room

• Seat pads & mattress cushions – for kitchen, dining & garden chairs

• Kitchen linens – aprons, tea towels, oven gloves – new collections every season.

• Nursery gifts, the softest toys, comforters & cotton nursery accessories.

• Bedcovers – quilted in 4 sizes. Embroidered, patchwork, cotton & microfibre in a range of colours. Classic white & ecru Portuguese jacquard bedspreads.

• Rugs – part of each seasonal collection in cotton, sizes for hall runners, bathrooms & bedrooms. Inside/outside rugs in polypropylene.

• Housewares – The business was established as weavers of specialist linen products made only to the highest standards. This ethos has continued today and we supply oven cloths, floor cloths, dishcloths, glass cloths, tea towels, linen scrim & dusters that are synonymous with value and quality.

Based in North Yorkshire, Walton & Co has been owned by the Marshall family since 1991. Their buyers have established trading relationships with world class manufacturers to ensure that their exclusive designs are made to rigorous quality levels whilst making the products as competitively priced as possible.

The firm commenced business in 1785 under the title of Walton, Oates & Co. It has a history that is full of interest with archives dating back to the days of employment of handloom weavers. Drapers Record, on June 4th 1927, stated that ‘the goods have a fine reputation for quality and durability’, values which stand true in the 21st Century.

Today, living, eating and entertaining are informal, inside or outside. The latest collections reflect this mood so that you can create unique spaces in which to relax.

n 01423326332

d www.waltonshop.co.uk

Walton Co, Pure linen napkins lifestyle

Walton Co, Linen ruffle cushion 43x43cm lifestyle

Port Sunlight Runners Take On Races In Scorching Weather Conditions

More than 1,000 runners –including the Mayor Of Wirral – pulled on their trainers in scorching weather conditions to take part in the Port Sunlight Road Race in June.

The event featured 5K and 10K races which sold out ahead of the day, as well as 1K Fun Run for youngsters aged 12 and under.

Port Sunlight Road Race is organised and delivered by independent race organiser BTR Liverpool in conjunction with Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT).

Unilever support the event as headline sponsor for the eighth consecutive year.

A group of 80 runners from Unilever – appropriately named the Sunlight Runners – took part in the 5K or 10K races.

The Mayor Of Wirral Councillor Jerry Williams swapped his chains of office for running shoes and took part in the 10K. He attended the race after officially starting the Wirral Walk earlier that morning.

A founder member of Birkenhead AC, the Mayor Of Wirral has completed 34 marathons and more than 100 half marathons. Earlier this year, he completed the BTR Liverpool Skyline 10 Mile Road Race.

A team of 10 from Abstract Hair & Beauty in Eastham – led by Kelly Cairns – took part in the 5K race

to raise money for Claire House Children’s Hospice. Together they have raised £1,000 and are still taking donations at https://www.justgiving. com/page/abstract-hair-beauty-2023

The day’s most senior runners all ran the 10K race and were Dave Quarmby aged 81 from Port Sunlight; Edward Cooke aged 79 from Stockport who runs for Bramhall Runners; Robert Scholey aged 78 from Parkgate; and Jacqueline Allison aged 74 from Bebington.

The event returned last year after a three-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2023 race day marked the 10th staging of the event.

The races started and finished in the heart of the village next to Port Sunlight Museum. The 5K took runners along the tree-lined boulevards and perfectly manicured gardens of Port Sunlight village. The 10K followed two laps of the 5K route.

More than 200 motivated runners took on the race challenge by running

Images by Paul Francis Cooper

the 5K, followed by the 10K. They were rewarded with two race T-shirts and medals, as well as special third dual challenge medal to mark.

The Port Sunlight 5K 2023 was won by Christopher Jones from Wallasey AC in a time of 16 minutes 52 seconds. Second place in the 5K was taken by his Wallasey AC team-mate Rob Pearse just six seconds behind in 16 minutes 58 seconds, with third place going to Sam Clarke from Warriors Pentathlon Athletics Club in 17 minutes 22 seconds.

Last year, Pearse took first place in the 5K with Jones in third place. A fantastic achievement they once again both took podium places.

First female in the Port Sunlight 5K 2023 was Lynsey Coan in 20 minutes 31 seconds. Second place was Anita

Dawson in 21 minutes 23 seconds, with Ella Grundy from Colwyn Bay Athletics Club in 21 minutes 58 seconds.

The winner of the Port Sunlight 10K 2023 was Oliver Chadwick from Wallasey AC in 34 minutes 22 seconds. Second place in the 10K was David Hamilton from Southport Waterloo AC in 35 minutes 18 seconds, with third place Ben Lewington from Kirkby Milers AC in 36 minutes 22 seconds.

First female in the Port Sunlight 10K 2023 was Carmel Edwards from Kirkby Milers AC in a time of 38 minutes 48 seconds. In second place was Marleen Renders in 40 minutes 56 seconds, with third place Camille Aryeetey in 42 minutes 49 seconds.

Jean Milton, Director Of Heritage

at Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT), presented prizes to the 5K winners. While Kate Roberts, Human Resources Director at Unliever Port Sunlight – who took part in the 5K race – presented prizes to the 10K runners.

Port Sunlight Road Race records for the 5K and 10K remain as before.

The 5K record was set by Joseph Boden from Wallasey AC in 2019 with a time of 15 minutes 28 seconds. The female 5K record was set by Helen Sahgal from Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton Harriers in 2018 with 18 minutes 13 seconds.

The 10K record is 30 minutes 19 seconds, set by Dejene Gezimu from Liverpool Harriers in 2016. The female 10K record was set in 2016 by Sophie Whiteside, also from Liverpool Harriers, with a time of 36 minutes 42 seconds.

First staged in 2012, Port Sunlight Road Race is well established in the region’s race calendar. It is the most significant event in the Port Sunlight calendar, attracting thousands of runners and spectators.

Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT) is an independent charity and custodian of Port Sunlight, an exemplar worker village created to support the wellbeing and productivity of the Lever Brothers soap works employees and their families.

As custodian, PSVT works with important stakeholders to protect the heritage, ensure a great quality of life for people, and promote understanding of Port Sunlight’s global value and relevance.

Runners are encouraged to return to the village and visit the Port Sunlight Experience and explore the Museum, Edwardian Worker’s Cottage, and SoapWorks. They can enjoy free entry

by showing their race number, the offers runs through to 1 December 2023.

Jean Milton, Director of Heritage at Port Sunlight Village Trust, said:

“To see the whole village bustling with runners and supporters was a such a special experience. It’s no wonder so many return each year to take part in the Port Sunlight Road Race.

“I’d like to give a particular thanks to Port Sunlight residents for their support and positivity, welcoming new and returning faces to enjoy this wonderful event in our village each year. Also, thank you to Unilever Port Sunlight for their support as headline sponsor, helping to make one of the village’s biggest events a reality. It’s through events such as this that Port Sunlight Village Trust can achieve our mission to preserve and promote the village for everyone to enjoy.”

Port Sunlight is Unilever’s historic UK home, created by one of the company founders William Lever to provide his Sunlight Soap factory workers with decent, affordable houses.

Unilever today continues to have world class manufacturing, research and development (R&D), and IT facilities based in Port Sunlight. Unilever’s brands – including Persil, Dove, Tresemme, Radox, Comfort and Surf – can be found in 98% of households in the UK.

Cameron Jones, Head of Unilever Port Sunlight, added:

“We were thrilled to once again welcome runners and spectators back to Port Sunlight for the 10th staging of this fantastic event. Unilever is delighted to work in partnership with Port Sunlight Village Trust and BTR Liverpool to promote health and wellbeing, encouraging people to get out there and be active. Well done to all our Unilever runners who did themselves and Unilever very proud.”

BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region. Its extensive portfolio

covers various distances across different terrains, all with an ongoing commitment to sustainability.

The BTR event calendar also includes the BTR Tour Of Merseyside, BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon, BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K, and BTR Liverpool Santa Dash.

BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell said:

“The sun most definitely shone on Port Sunlight and 1,000 dedicated runners who braved scorching weather conditions to take on the 5K, 10K or dual race challenge – and a huge well done to more than 150 youngsters who completed the 1K Fun Run. They all deserve a huge pat on the back for what they achieved on the day.

“Seeing Port Sunlight awash with runners and spectators, as well as plenty of residents who spend the morning cheering from their own gardens as the runners pass by, is what makes this race event like no other. The support of the Port Sunlight community is second to none. And a big thank you to the volunteers –Claire House Children’s Hospice, Everton in the Community, Liverpool Running Bugs, members of the Merseyside running community, and Port Sunlight residents – who worked extremely hard in such heat – their assistance is paramount to making the event a success.”

d www.btrliverpool.com

f BTR Liverpool

t @BTRLiverpool

i @btrliverpool

#BTRRaces

#PortSunlightRoadRace

From Here To There

-St Micheal’s On Wyre to Chicago and Barcelona Film Awards

As you know St Michael’s on Wyre was the scene of a recent tragedy but now thanks to George M Atkinson a previous resident of the village it is also the star of an award-winning film.

George M Atkinson the writer , producer and director of FROM HERE TO THERE recently flew to Chicago to attend the Crown Point Film Festival awards as a nominee and came home a winner.

Here is what happened.

GEORGE M ATKINSON already an award-winning film maker, decided in 2022 to raise the money himself to produce his self-penned short film From Here to There! – A Science Fiction Romantic Comedy about a young man named Casper who builds a teleportation device based on the concepts of ‘Port and Starboard’ that can take him anywhere in the world though much of the filming actually centres on the bench by the river in St Michaels and in The GRAPES pub where local residents ware extras

In June 2022 Our St Michael’s home was turned into the film’s base camp filled with crew and extras . George knew he had produced a

great story so ultimately the funds were raised quickly with 354 backers pledging £21,500 to help bring this project to life via Kickstarter and there were also local ,national and international pledges.

From Here to There! Went into production in June 2022 and was

made available to the public on Christmas day 2022.

From Here to There! began to win award after award and now then on 28th MAY Crown point film festival awarded BEST SCI-FI SHORT FILM FROM HERE TO THERE by George Atkinson & Alan Ciechalski (UNITED

KINGDOM) if that were not enough, we have just heard that From Here to There! has been further nominated in BARCELONA , LOS ANGELES with more festivals to confirm.

George Atkinson says. “If any of you need me, just look for the guy with the biggest smile on his face! From Here to There WINS Best Science Fiction short in Chicago, ABSOLUTE SCENES!!”

George also has a new feature film that he is developing along with another exciting sci fi mystery called The Secret of Svalbard . He is currently in talks with USA and Canadian industry professionals and one of his backers is in direct touch with Jane Fonda so the future is very bright.

New Library Project Rekindle to Bring

Creativity, Culture and Collaboration to the Heart of Libraries in Blackburn

How can we sing our own stories and move to a different beat in our libraries?

Spot On Lancashire is thrilled to announce a pivotal role as a partner in a national arts development programme.

Lead organisation Creative Arts

East has secured a substantial grant of £567,956 from Arts Council England to embark on a threeyear arts development programme: Rekindle. This initiative places libraries at the heart of creative and cultural experiences for rural, periurban and underserved communities.

In collaboration with library and arts partners across Norfolk, Sandwell, Medway and Buckinghamshire, this project will not only boost workforce skills but will also offer new opportunities for audiences both within and beyond library spaces.

As the Lancashire region’s partnership for Rekindle, Spot On and its library partner Blackburn with Darwen Library and Information Service will harness this opportunity

to build upon a collaborative relationship, and facilitate the creation of fresh artistic delivery across Blackburn with Darwen library communities. This ambitious endeavour will empower the five libraries and the Home Library Service to strengthen ties with the

local cultural ecosystem, bringing culturally relevant and creatively vibrant activities to library users.

Rekindle aims to transform libraries into hubs of artistic exploration and cultural immersion, fostering a new appreciation for these community cornerstones. The creative spark of

Rekindle will ignite in July, when libraries will unveil the project to their communities. It will showcase the latest in professional arts - from dynamic digital workshops designed to inspire young people and engaging literature evenings for our seasoned readers, to exhilarating family-friendly live shows brimming with tales and new experiences.

Rekindle will reignite the community’s passion for their local libraries through the transformative power of the arts. Stay tuned as we prepare to Rekindle the creative spirit of your community in your local library! Further details will be available on the Spot On Lancashire website in the coming months. Watch this space as we set the stage for a vibrant cultural revolution right on your doorstep!

For more information, visit our website: www.creativeartseast.co.uk/ our-work/libraries

AN AVALANCHE OF MEMORIES

By Harold Cunliffe

The inspiration behind the featuring of the history of the Manchester Overspill Estate known as Langley, plus the villages of Birch and Bowlee came about when a certain political party requested background history and information regarding this part of Manchester.

For my part I can relate to the moving to a council house which was located only a few houses away from a golf course, which upon trespassing a member of the golf club maintenance staff would appear in a white David Brown tractor and chase the would be golfers off the course. The children in this area would spend hours searching the rough grass at the edge of the course in the hope of finding lost golf balls. This I soon discovered was a good way to earn a few bob. Each Friday evening a car would visit the area where its occupant was keen to purchase golf balls of a reasonable quality.

Hardly a word was spoken however during this transaction. The purchaser would examine the selection of golf balls on offer, and then upon deciding which of the golf balls could be re-sold at a profit an offer of a small amount of cash was made. Some of my friends became experts at unearthing prize specimens and they could earn up to half a crown, but I was happy with six pence or a shilling. To be a member of the local gang you had to acquire a hollow section of steel tube around three feet long, which you then had to bend the end section at a right angle, this then became your golf club, which at Bonfire Night, once a penny banger was dropped down the length of tube, became a gun.

Memories Came Flooding Back

It was following the publication of my first article covering the construction of the vast Langley housing estate that a bumper crop of messages arrived in my inbox. Lancashire Magazine readers, many of them being friends stated that

the article had brought back many forgotten memories. An email from Newbury commented that my articles “Always stir a memory or two, but this issue has released an avalanche of long forgotten experiences.

I lived on Kay Street and Cross St (Just below the boundary of the new estate) until 1959, my brother and I were always in a fight with the lads from Langley. I can well remember being chased down Wood Street by the kids from Langley.” My good friend also relates people and places and in one comment mentions a young lady who he became very friendly with, she lived above the family business with her parents, which was a shoe shop. This comment brought back memories for me too, I also knew this young girl. She was in my class at school and she could be seen helping her father in the shoe shop on Saturdays.

Opposite the shoe shop was a barbers shop owned by ‘Old Joe. ’His barbers shop was located on the corner of Higher Wood Street with his residence being on Wood St. He once related the time he moved into

his Wood St home. Both he and his wife were delighted with their new accommodation and business location next door. They both worked hard to make their home comfortable. Then that evening while they were relaxing and listening to a radio programme they noticed that the carpet began to move, then upon investigation he found to his horror that hundreds of beetles had emanated from the earth under the flagstone floor.

The following day he had the floor coved with asphalt. It is thought that Joe fought in the Boer War. He was

Mellors Shoe shop.

Image: Rochdale local studies

Former barbers shop. Image: Rochdale local studies

a happy chap of advancing years and got on with his work in a sprightly manner. One memory I have of Joe was that while waiting for a ‘short back and sides’ the child in the chair before me had his scalp examined by Joe. Next he took the child’s mother outside to have a word in her ear. It was obviously a shock to her to be informed that her son had head lice; Joe commented “I can’t cut your boys hair at the moment because he is lousy, Joe did not hold back, he told it how it was. “The old way of treating them is not pleasant, and it smells too, your boy will not like it, but it’s the best way to rid his hair of the lice this is to use paraffin. This will clear them instantly,” was his advice to the distressed woman, but do not try this, seek advice from a chemist.

Being seated next to the door I heard the conversation and I witnessed the parent take a firm hold of her son and enquired, “Where on earth have you picked those up from?” The shoe shop, which was opposite the barbers and a pub called “Who’d a Thowt It” only yards away were on the route to the centre of town for the new council tenants and were well patronised by those living on the new estate. For those on this side of the overspill

estate they could have a haircut, buy a pair of shoes and enjoy a pint all within a distance of 100 yards. Also on the opposite side of Higher Cross St at the junction of Joseph Street was a bakers shop, known a Page’s. Mr Page made the best potato pie in this area. He would deliver large basins to pubs and clubs when they had events. Upon the collection of his utensils he discovered that all the basins were empty, completely cleared of his delicious food.

My memory of Mr Page, who was a well-built chap, arrived one evening at the door of the pub where I worked as barman. The darts team had ordered a hot pot supper, Mr Page dressed in his white coat holding a huge potato pie topped off with a thick crust, announced in his gentle voice, “Hello, Page’s potato hot pot.” As he departed he brought a portion of his product to the bar for me to enjoy knowing that I could not leave my position.

Another reader to send an email is a lovely lady that I have known for many years and has supported my quest to document this town’s history. At the time of publication she was in Cyprus, but even though she was

enjoying her holiday, she messaged to comment upon how much she enjoyed the coverage of the building of the new housing estate, which brought back sad memories for her due to the fact the building of the houses had topographically changed the area where she lived. The message related, “When I saw what the topic was for your article, I thought “Oh no.”

As you may remember we, as children lived right at the top of Higher Wood St, surrounded by the beautiful countryside that Langley was built on. I recall standing at the junction of Hr Wood St and Mellalieu St watching the cows from the farm being taken away. It felt very sad. However I did enjoy reading the article particularly the first section which had similarities with my own family living in a ‘two up. Two down’ cottage. The difference was that a small bathroom had been fitted and we were surrounded by the playing fields of the Grammar School and farm land.

The Cunliffe family did not have the luxury of a bath, or internal toilet. Everyone who lived on our street was in the same situation. I have vivid memories of my dad sitting at the

‘Who’d a Thought It’. Image: Rochdale local studies

dining table with a sharp kitchen knife and a collection of old newspapers where he provided his family with something to use when outside in that little and sometimes cold and dark closet.

The manufacturing process began by folding the newspapers; next he would slice the folds of newsprint to make squares. Bundles of the square pieces of paper were then given a hole in the corner where a length of string was attached in which to hang them ready for use on a nail in the outside toilet. I think he had an air of pride as he looked at the spare bundles hanging on the back door, his supply of toilet paper, his handiwork. I think it was the damp conditions of the toilet that kept the paper soft.

Our Newton Heath home was very close to the canal, and with this came vermin. One bright and sunny Saturday morning my eldest brother was sat on the step next to the back gate with a hammer in his hand as he carried out shoe repairs. All of a sudden we heard a loud scream, it was a female voice. My brother enquired, with hammer in hand,” what is wrong?” the reply came “It’s a big rat, it has just come out of the toilet pan and now running towards the gate.”

We were both looking in the direction of where the commotion took place to then witness the rat make its escape under the back yard gate. It made a fatal error by heading in our direction, because as it ran passed at great speed my brother launched his hammer which amazingly made contact with the escaping rat, amazingly it ran under the hammer as it landed, which

caused the animal to roll over having suffered bone fractures, next, with its head ploughing along at ground level it managed to make an escape down a nearby rat hole that was in a wall next to the canal. Neighbours had gathered at this point and glass bottles were broken and dropped down the rat run.

Father Murphy.

Another message arrived from a former neighbour who related to his memory of Fr Murphy. “Thanks for the great articles on Langley. I have just finished reading about Father Murphy, who was a great character and you write about him so well. I go to Our Lady’s Church now and then and it is a lovely peaceful church. Thanks again Harold, what would we do without you in Middleton?” I appreciate your feedback, may thanks for taking the time and trouble in sending the comments. I also appreciate the documenting of this part of Lancashire by this magazine.

Lord Byron.

For many years now I have constantly added items to my archive in an attempt to document the history of the town I live in. But I find that some of the items which have been previously documented within the town’s history are not accurate. Hopwood Hall is located near the boundary with Rochdale. It has been said that Lord Byron once visited this hall and also while in residence wrote part of ‘Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.’

I have unearthed evidence by an expert stating that in his opinion he did not stay at Hopwood Hall, but may have paid a visit where he met up with friends. In his diary Byron states

that in the summer of 1812 he did pay a visit to some of his noble friends in the country. Then in a memo he states that amongst the goodly company of lords, ladies and wits, Erskine was there too.” The expert commented, “I have read, I think some hundreds of Lord Byron’s letters, and also a good deal of paper matter of different sorts concerning him, but I do not recollect that in anything I have seen Hopwood Hall is anywhere mentioned as having been visited by him, but he certainly appears to have visited Rochdale where he owned property.

In a letter of his titled and dated ‘Newstead Abbey,’ October 11th 1811, Lord Byron remarks, “I have returned from Lancashire, and ascertained that my property there may be made very valuable.” Byron was to visit Lancashire on the 28th July 1811. But this was deferred to a later date. On August 1st 1811 his mother died at Newstead Abbey. On the next day he arrived there. In a letter written on the 22nd August he mentions that he had been invited to Cambridge “but I must first jaunt to Rochdale to visit my collieries.” In another item it is noted that Byron was on visiting terms with his relative who owned Clayton Hall, Manchester.

The Byron’s had acquired the manor and estates of Clayton by the marriage of Sir Roger de Byron with Cecelia, daughter and heiress of Sir Richard Clayton, of Clayton Hall, in the year 1199.

Byron Bookcase.

It is rumoured that a bookcase which was once within the hall at Hopwood had the initials of Lord Byron carved upon the side section. Next we are informed that the De La Salle Brothers at the college had a clear out one summer once the students had vacated the building on their summer break. The brothers in their clean up are supposed to have taken an axe to the bookcase and chopped it up into firewood which was then burnt on a bonfire. I find this tale to lack credibility.

At the time that the hall was to be put on the market Cpt Hopwood gave instructions for the building to be cleared. Rugs, documents, tapestries and the like were destroyed on a huge bonfire. It is my feeling that the bookcase being a moveable object was possibly destroyed at this point.

Hopwood Hall. Photo by Christine Pierce-Jones

The Cotton Traders took over the hall during wartime, so surely they must have known about the significance of the bookcase if it was still in the hall. I find it hard to realise that a person such as Lord Byron would show such disrespect as to cause an act of vandalism by carving his initials on an item of furniture at the hall where he was staying as an invited guest, but that is my thought.

I like most people have a specific drinking vessel in which I enjoy a goodly amount of tea. In a report published in 1892 we discover that Lord Byron had a most unusual drinking vessel, this being a human skull. The report states that the vessel is composed of the bones from the crown of the head only, beautifully polished, the lower or death’s-head portion having been cut off. The edge was bound round with a broad silver band, and it was upheld in its reverse position by a handsome silver stand with which the handle was connected, forming in fact a very handsome drinking vessel.

Some famous verses given in the poet’s works were cut in the silver and the skull would hold an entire bottle of wine. The great poet we are informed would drink from this skull when he entertained company at Newstead Abbey. Byron consumed more of the red liquid when it was mentioned that another drinking vessel could be crafted once the famous poet

had passed to another life, but this comment did not go down too well.

For Recreational Use.

The Air Ministry agreed to dispose of the vast former barrage balloon site located at Bowlee upon the understanding that the area be used for recreational purposes. In total the Parks and Recreation Dept. purchased a total of 103 acres. This was bought in two separate parcels, first an area of 35 acres was acquired in 1959 costing £2,665.

May 1963 the second part of the site was purchased, an area of 68 acres costing £7,500. The land was bought at a favourable rate due to the existing condition that of being covered with large blocks of concrete once used as barrage balloon blocks. My work commenced at Bowlee in 1972 with the culverting of the brook, this was made possible due to finance gained by Governments “Operation Eyesore” scheme where the Parks Dept took advantage of the scheme in being awarded £165,000.

The first public amenity to be constructed was the Golf Driving Range, the only municipal range in the whole of Greater Manchester; this was a facility I know only too well. In assisting with the construction to the day to day running I was the manager. One of the problems with having a range close to a Manchester housing estate was the fact that the children

developed a hobby of collecting the golf balls. Hundreds of thousands of balls were lost. One batch of golf balls purchased at the opening of the range were stamped with ‘Stolen. Bowlee Golf Range’ the big problem was, they were all stolen within a few days. Not all by the children who lived on Langley estate however.

The site chosen for the range was low lying in which gravity prevented the surface water from draining away. Many of the golf balls sank into the soft mud. I remember a machine working on the outfield where upon making a trench we could see hundreds of balls within the spoil. The site originally contained the drains from the former RAF buildings, which were well built and upon testing was still working, but the council officers who make the decisions decided to do away with the old drains and a new system would be laid, this was despite the negative comments made by the experienced groundsmen.

Putting in a new system I suppose sounded like a good idea, but in practice the officers who arrived on site to set out the levels for the new field drains did not understand the workings of the theodolite which resulted in the drains working in reverse, rainwater being transported back on to the site.

New Greenhouse Complex.

The Parks Dept. were very proud of their new greenhouse complex which is located next to the golf range. Our image is courtesy of the council owned facility, shows the new area of glasshouses, supplied by Clearspan of Saddleworth, with the vast area of the former RAF site visible on the horizon. To the left of the chimney can be seen, in the far distance, the football fields and pavilion.

The idea for locating the greenhouse complex at Bowlee was that the light levels were better than in the centre of town. Bowlee being in an elevated location was thought to be ideal for growing plants and shrubs. It is noted that during those former winter days when smog was prevalent, due to the burning of coal, that one young lady making her way home from Manchester one winters night had to walk due to the thick smog, in which the ‘pea-souper’ prevented the buses from running, but when she arrived at her Simon Lane home she was amazed

Elevated view of Bowlee Central Nursery and former RAF site.

to find that Bowlee did not suffer from the acrid foul air, Bowlee being in an elevated position rose above the pollution. In fact her mother wanted to know why she was late home from work. The new complex was named the Central Nursery, which replaced the three smaller greenhouse sites within the borough.

The 8 acre site opened in 1969 which comprised of six 52 foot greenhouses which provided seasonal bedding plants for the Central Garden and parks, plus plants used in floral decorations at civic functions and Royal visits. It was when the news broke the Gracie Fields was to open the Gracie Fields Theatre in Rochdale that a search was made in Rochdale for her house plants, the “biggest Aspidistra in the world.” I knew they would not find it, because we had it at Bowlee. Planted in a large half barrel it was placed outside the canteen.

Known as the ‘cast iron’ plant it certainly lived up to its reputation.

Many of the employees found it a handy to dispose of their fag ends as the y entered the canteen, but once the news broke about Gracies aspidistra were visited by the press and media, so a clean-up operation took place. The plants were seen on stage when our Lancashire lass opened the new theatre. A few years ago it was reported that the complex was the first in Lancashire to have a new boiler which used waste wood chips to heat the complex.

Steam Fair.

One of the first successful events to take place on the former ministry site was a ‘Silver Jubilee Steam Surprise’ organised by the Rochdale Family Service Unit, which during the two day event raised around £1,500. Vehicles arrived in the days prior to the big event. Army vehicles, fire engines and various steam driven traction engines arrived in the run

up. A day prior to the event a road roller came tootling past the office of the greenhouse towing a large green caravan. Written on the side was ‘F.Dibnah, Steeplejack, Bolton.’ At this point in time Fred was not the celebrity he later became. In one of the photographs which was taken by a Mr lvor Saxon, Mr Dibnah’s engine is seen in the background. Having previously repaired steam boilers, working through the night with a friend, I was keen to attend this event. On the day I attended I made a film which is now part of the North West Film Archive. It was estimated that 9,000 people attended the event, which the organisers charged an entrance fee of 50p per adult and 20p for children.

The event proved to be a huge success; many attractions were on offer with fairground rides, side shows, and second hand goods on sale. Jon Marshall gave a demonstration of driving a vehicle blindfold. A padded bandage was placed around his eyes with a hood being placed over his head. Eric Ward was an international escapologist. On the day he was fastened into a strait jacket and hoisted around 80 feet into the air by a crane, and then the rope was set alight. Eric had a short period of time to escape before the rope failed. Luckily he made good his escape on both days. Another photograph taken by Ivor Saxon shows the steam event with the boundary of the overspill estate and the now demolished (Three Sisters) high rise flats which dominate the horizon.

Little Nellie

It was during the early part of 1977 that a rather well dressed

Steam Fair flyer.

Steam engine showing Dibnah’s in the background.

Image: Ivor Saxon

Steam fair showing the 3 sisters and overspill estate.

man arrived at the Parks office one morning with a proposition to house an event at Bowlee, Metro-77, which sounded so bizarre that I half expected Jeremy Beadle to pop out holding his microphone. I could see that logistically his idea could fail. Jeff Brownhut was a promoter from Leeds, and his plan was to fence off a vast area of Bowlee to make a secure arena, and also construct a number of pay points to enable him to charge an entry fee. Once inside the arena the public would be entertained by famous celebrities from film and television who Mr Brownhut had previously booked under contract. Plus the arena would have added attractions with traders dotted around the outside edge providing refreshments etc.

Helicopters would provide rides over the area to a distance as far as the M62 motorway service station and return. Upon checking the promoter’s reputation and previous events we found that he was bone fide, he was a successful businessman, so we gave him the go ahead. This event was going to be challenging. Thousands of people were expected, so everything had to be arranged, including toilet facilities.

The contract was that Mr Brownhut would supply staff to erect the fencing, and then he would pay a sum of cash to the entertainments

officer to cover the out of hours work made by the council employees who wished to work the weekend of the event. An estimate was given for those who wished to work, and the cleanup operation afterwards. It really was an eye opener when Jeff opened his boot, a very secure boot too, it was filled with cash. The council officer in charge was handed payment to employ the labour to supervise the public at the event and to maintain the toilets too. Many were paid £1 an hour.

Council office staff supervised the entrance and fee collections. In the run up to the big event the media paid attention with the arrival of Granada Television. For their evening slot they wanted something spectacular. The only act on site was Don Lindbergh who was a high diving daredevil who I associated with during his stay; his expertise was where he dived from a metal ladder in to a tank of water standing around two meters high. His act would see him jump from three staging points, with the highest being 60 ft. Upon his final dive his son would pour petrol onto the water which when ignited would give a dramatic finale.

On the day of filming I was on site with Don and his son. All was not well, Don was a little uneasy that day about the dive, he had concerns. Bowlee is an open area of land and even in summer it can be cooler than surrounding areas and windy too. The show must go on so once the camera was rolling Don began part of his act, giving the impression that he was unstable on the ladder and could fall at any moment, but the dramatic part was when he held onto an umbrella at the highest point of the ladder, waving it around ready for his big jump.

The petrol was poured, flames were covering the tank of water, then we

witnessed Don hesitating, a wind had struck up. Next he thought that it was safe to jump, but another gust of wind caught him and he was not heading for the centre of the tank. In an attempt to hit the water Don waved his arms as if swimming which gave him the advantage of hitting the water. Landing with great force extinguished the flames. As his head appeared from the tank of water a camera was ready to gain a comment. I could tell by the look on his face that it did not go to plan.

The interview went well and the television team left. It was when Don had climbed out of the tank we discovered that he only just made it to safety, when he landed he was at the very edge of the tank, and upon entering the tank he has to dissipate his speed, but in doing so he had hit the side of the tank with his foot slightly injuring his ankle. On the day of the big event the weather was favourable and all went well. Best of all was when I got to meet ‘Little Nellie.’ It was mid-morning when a Volvo estate arrived towing a trailer. The man driving the car came over and enquired if he could have an area fenced off, specifically for his use only. The pilot was Wing Commander Ken Wallis. He was contracted to fly his gyrocopter, WA-116, otherwise known as ‘Little Nellie’ seen in the James Bond film, “You Only Live Twice.” on each of the two days. Best act of all was Sir Ken Dodd who entertained the thousands of spectators which included participation by children from the audience.

Sir Ken Dodd entertained the crowds at Metro ‘78.

Relic of the past. Bowlee Garage on the boundary of the RAF site

Flyer for Metro ‘78.

OXFORD LIFESTYLE GAVE US FIRST CLASS FAMILY HOME IN LEYLAND

IT may have seemed like an impossible task, but civil servant Angela Shaw reckons she’s found the ideal home to suit three generations of her family.

Images:

Angela Shaw and her mother Jean Babb in their new Redrow home.

Angela, 62, moved into an Oxford Lifestyle property at Redrow’s Worden Gardens development in Leyland just before Christmas with her 21-year-old son, and her mum, Jean Babb.

“As you’d expect there’s compromise on all our parts with three generations of our family living under one roof – but there was no compromise when it came to choosing the house we wanted,” said Angela.

“The Oxford Lifestyle was perfect because with three large bedrooms, each with its own en-suite, we all have our own private space. It doesn’t seem small at all, and it works really well for us.”

Although the family has only been there for a few months, Angela says: “It already feels like home.

“It feels comfortable, it feels easy to live here, it feels right… and it feels like us. This is my forever home.”

It was a combination of changes in their lives that led to the family members moving in together: Angela unfortunately got divorced, and her step-father sadly passed away two years ago.

“Mum had never lived alone before and was finding it quite difficult, so we decided to move in together,” said Angela.

While they would have liked to have lived in the family hometown of Eccleston nearby; “But Redrow weren’t building homes there,” said Angela.

“Worden Gardens was ideal, it’s only a short drive from Eccleston so mum can still do all the things she used to; she can see her friends and they can come and see her.

“Although I lived in Blackburn, I used to drive to Leyland when my son was little to go to Worden Park because it’s such a lovely park so there are lots of lovely memories.”

Angela and her 81-year-old mum looked around at a lot of properties before they settled on a new-build, not least because they didn’t want a home that needed a lot of work or maintenance.

And after viewing others, they knew it had to be Redrow.

“You can see the quality and the higher standard of finish on everything,” said Angela.

“The way the houses were designed and the space around them stood out – comparing them with other houses was like comparing apples and pears, they were so different. There’s lots of greenery around the development and lovely walks which is great for me and our dog, Teddy the Cockapoo.

“It’s so well-kept and cared for, it’s just a lovely place to live; and I feel safe.”

The three-bedroom Oxford Lifestyle proved to be the perfect style for all members of the family. It’s built on the footprint of what would normally be a four-bedroom house, so there’s plenty of living accommodation downstairs with a generous lounge, cloakroom and utility, and an enviable kitchen and dining room with double doors at the rear.

Upstairs, however, instead of four bedrooms and a family bathroom, there are three larger bedrooms, each with its own en-suite, and the main bedroom with a superb dressing area.

Angela has moved from an older three-bedroom house which had been extended upstairs and downstairs, and she says she loves her new home.

“With a new home it’s like a blank canvas and so you can design it and furnish it exactly how you want,” said Angela.

“We chose Redrow upgrades including a granite-style worktop and kitchen island – I love it when friends come over and we can sit and chat while I finish cooking dinner - and fitted wardrobed in all the bedrooms. Mum had her bathroom fully tiled and we had spotlights in the bathrooms and kitchen, and an internal door into the garage which is really handy.

“We have got solar panels which were fitted as standard and, although it’s too early to tell what a difference it will make to our energy bills, I’m looking forward to finding out, plus it’s nice to know we’re doing our bit for the environment.”

The family have chosen a warm grey colour scheme to flow throughout the house with pops of colour in a funky red velvet armchair in the kitchen beside a picture of a woman drinking a glass of red wine, and bright multi cushions on the grey leather sofa in the lounge.

“We are very fortunate,” added Angela. “We have been able stamp our own personality on it, and it looks like a show home.”

She says everyone from Redrow helped to make the buying process as smooth as possible which was especially welcomed having gone through a difficult period herself, and with the upheaval for her elderly mum.

“When there were hiccups, Redrow were there to help and sort everything as quickly as possible and they kept us up to date,” said Angela.

“We were never left floundering and nothing was ever too much trouble. The neighbours at Worden Gardens are lovely, there’s a community spirit and everybody wants to help everybody out. It was difficult but now the future looks brighter for us all.”

Worden Gardens has a selection of two, three and fourbedroom homes still available with prices starting from £162,995.

It will eventually be a community of 200 homes, close to towns and cities like Preston and Manchester, and open countryside. There is a good choice of primary and secondary schools, as well as a supermarket, smaller shops, health centres, and pubs nearby.

To find out more about homes at Worden Gardens call 01257 581698, or visit www.redrow.co.uk/wordengarden

THE ILLUSION OF INSTANT ATTRACTION: LOOKING BEYOND FIRST IMPRESSIONS

As a society, we’ve romanticised the idea of love at first sight. At The Matchmaker UK, many of our clients expect fireworks and instant attraction on Date One. Often, clients are quick to dismiss the idea of a second or third date – citing a lack of immediate attraction as the reason. Founder and International Certified Matchmaker, Lara Besbrode, strongly believes this approach can be misguided!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS CAN BE MISLEADING

Our matchmakers work hard to plan an extraordinary first date for our clients. But we also know that you can feel nervous or guarded on the first date, which masks your true personality. It’s important to allow yourself (and your match) the opportunity to relax and open up over multiple dates. As you spend more time together, you may unpeel hidden layers, shared vulnerabilities and unique qualities that weren’t apparent. What you learn about your match can help build a meaningful, long-lasting connection that goes beyond instant attraction!

REDEFINE ATTRACTION

Lara and our team of multi-award winning, premium, bespoke matchmakers have hand-selected plenty of successful matches. We know it takes at least three dates before making a final decision – and here’s why.

THE ILLUSION OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

We’ve been conditioned to believe that in the concept of love at first sight or instant chemistry. While movies and books make for entertaining storytelling, they often lead to unrealistic expectations in real-life relationships. “True compatibility and attraction are complex – and they required shared experiences to fully develop,” adds Lara Besbrode. Science backs up our claim that falling in love is often clouded by psychological and physiological processes triggered by brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. These feel-good neurotransmitters play a role in attraction and bonding. It’s important to balance initial feelings with rationality and a deeper connection for a long-lasting relationship.

BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION

At The Matchmaker UK, clients are often paired with a dating coach to ensure clients extract maximum value from the journey. We often tell our clients that relationships are built on more than just physical attraction. Consider emotional connection, shared values, common interests and intellectual compatibility. These qualities and values are equally important aspects of a successful relationship. What’s more, it takes time to uncover these layers. And dismissing your match based solely on initial attraction can rob you of the chance to meet your special person.

As matchmakers, we’re skilled in the art of matching discerning clientele with a wide range of requirements. But we also know that attraction is not a fixed concept – it can grow and evolve over time. For instance, physical chemistry can develop over time as you become more familiar with your match’s mannerisms. Moreover, emotional connection can deepen as you share personal stories and experiences. Allowing for a second or third date allows the attraction to take its natural course and potentially blossom into something amazing! We see it all the time at The Matchmaker UK. You just have to be willing to give it a try!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

If you’re looking for a long-lasting, meaningful relationship and are ready to find that special person, challenge yourself to let go of your preconceived notions. Give your matches a fair chance to develop. At The Matchmaker UK, we believe that declining a second date too quickly can be premature and hurts your chances of finding love. Based on our collective experience, getting to know someone and uncovering the many layers that make them who they are takes time. The next time you feel tempted to decline a second date due to a lack of instant attraction, remember that true love is often found in the patience and willingness to explore beyond first impressions!

If you’re ready to start your dating journey, please contact us now!

D www.thematchmaker.uk

N 0330 175 7679

I @thematchmakeruk

Feeder Announced as Headline Act Along With Jake Bugg and The Feeling for Trentham Live 2023

The Trentham Estate are delighted to announce the headline act for Thursday 17th August at this year’s Trentham Live 2023 is the incredible FEEDER performing at the stunning grounds in Staffordshire. Performing alongside Feeder on the Thursday night will include singer-songwriter Jake Bugg and pop-rock band The Feeling.

That’s not the only big reveal as the organisers have also confirmed that the historic gardens and lakeside location will host not 4 nights of live music, but 5! As this latest announcement also sees Trentham Live add a new date, Wednesday 16th August to the festival with one last big act to be announced later this month!

Tickets for the Feeder, Jake Bugg and The Feeling – Trentham Live 2023 show taking place on Thursday 17th August are available from: www. ticketmaster.co.uk/artist/5345201

FEEDER

Feeder were on a magnificent roll, then came COVID. Since launching out of South Wales in 1992, they’ve maintained an enviable forward motion, all but uninterrupted, releasing 10 studio albums and over 40 EP’s or singles accumulating 26 Top 40 chart singles, spending 185 weeks in the UK charts and shifting well over two million albums in the UK alone.

One of the few flat-out rock bands still firing in the face of a predominantly synth-pop world, they secured new heights of popularity around the

On 17th August 2023

world with 2017’s ‘Best Of’. After following up two years later with their tenth album, ‘Tallullah’, which garnered another British Top 5, the sky was the limit for these indestructible sensations, until the pandemic scoobied everything.

Typically, however, main man Grant Nicholas and bassist Taka Hirose have finessed a victory-defeatvictory combination from the jaws of lockdown, emerging with one of the strongest and heaviest records of their career. Called ‘Torpedo’, it unleashes some of the filthiest noises they’ve summoned to date, with tunes like the monster-riffing ‘Magpie’, the awesome title track and the Nirvanaish ‘Decompress’ reflecting the universal experience of darkness, frustration and worry that we’ve all come to accept as reality in the early’20s.

“Before COVID,” says Grant, “we’d

got maybe nine or ten songs in pretty good shape, all recorded and almost mix ready, but then everything came to this grinding halt. For the first time ever, I didn’t feel like writing anymore because there was no real plan, no gigs – nobody knew what was happening. Then after a few months I suddenly picked up my guitar and started writing, and songs poured out of me.”

Where the first batch of songs was Feeder at their most commercial and anthemic, the second was them at their rockiest, and also their most diverse, capturing the edgy moods of the time. Feeling that this stuff was the more immediately relevant, Grant prioritized finishing this material, “chipping away” at his Treehouse home studio in North London, pinging tracks up to Taka at his home in Yorkshire to add the final bass parts, and between lockdowns grabbing the

odd day in a big studio for touring sticksman Geoff Holroyde and Karl Brazil to apply live drums. “For me it was great,” says Grant, ever positive, “because it really gave me something to focus on, and I didn’t feel the pressure of any timeline.”

Thus was ‘Torpedo’ conceived, an empowering and highly cathartic triumph amid the challenging conditions that we all faced in 202021.

Come early ’21, with as many as thirty finished songs to choose from across those two batches of material from pre- and mid-pandemic, Grant Nicholas had half a mind to go the whole hog and release the majority of them on one glorious splurge of a double-album. Then his better instincts took over, and the best ten from the second batch were honed and sequenced into the often torrid, but ultimately uplifting narrative of ‘Torpedo’. “We’ve always had that kind of freedom,” states Grant, “to say, ‘Hey, we can do an acoustic song, a really heavy, riffy song, a song with strings on, and then one with keyboards and electronic stuff on it.’ It’s quite hard to get that freedom –there aren’t that many bands who can pull it off.”

That sense of rollercoaster unpredictability arrives just in the album’s opening number, ‘The Healing’, where initial acoustic strumming gradually builds into a stadium-pleasing anthem, before leftturning into a burst of apocalyptic metal, only to resolve into a feelgood coda radiating warmth and security, fully justifying the track title. “There’s a lot of Feeder in that one song,” Nicholas laughs. “I wanted to write something with classic chords, not too many, really simple, almost like you’ve heard this before but you haven’t. But then I had West End musicals in my head, almost like ‘Les Misérables’, or ‘Tommy’ by The Who. That’s why it goes off on this tangent in the middle, like a different scene. “The message,” he goes on, “is a come-together hippy thing. It’s a recovery song – a recovery from anything. Everyone has issues with mental health at the moment. I’ve got a lot of friends who’ve been through that stuff lately, so the song is extremely universal.”

Such is Grant Nicholas’ skill as a writer, he manages to articulate

the fear and isolation we’ve all experienced under COVID, but leaves his words sufficiently open that the song will never be tied to its time of creation. Instead of obsolete, the moment the pandemic is over (fingers crossed!), ‘The Healing’ will apply for anyone experiencing their own private dark night of the soul, maybe in a relationship or a family situation. Similarly, the themes of division and misunderstanding in stormy-riffed ‘Magpie’ were inspired by “how social media can affect people’s belief, dreams and general well-being”, but thanks to Grant’s skilfully unspecific lyricism the song won’t be forever mired in Twitter’s toxic cesspool.

The album’s opening four tracks deliver a masterclass in heavy-rock action: midway through the third, ‘When It All Breaks Down’, a mammoth riff crunches in, fit for any of the rock giants of the 1970’s. Grant is forever influenced by how Led Zeppelin, and his heroes as a kid in the early ’90s, Smashing Pumpkins, would take their listeners on an epic long-playing journey through storm-tossed seas and calm rustic landscapes. ‘Torpedo’ is just such an odyssey, as track five, ‘Hide And Seek’, suddenly “takes you off somewhere else”, a dreamy ballad with images of yearning for domestic stability.

While ‘Decompress’ opens Side Two with echoes of primetime grunge (think ‘Bleach’-era Nirvana verses, and a mighty Soundgarden chorus), Grant says ‘Wall Of Silence’ was originally constructed around a drum machine and a keyboard part, later fuzzed up with those ‘hovercraft guitars’, but

essentially instigated by a love for Peter Gabriel’s massive solo records in the ’80s. “I know some people think the ’80s were an awful time, but there was some really amazing songwriting going on in there, and some great production.” That song typifies Grant’s outlook: channelling the negative energies – the frustration at lockdown’s unwanted stasis – into positive music, as desperate lines about “living in our heads…the weeks just slip away…day after day, we hide away”, ultimately lead to a happier conclusion – “today it feels like everything will be alright… somehow we’ve connected, unified”.

In its final section, ‘Torpedo’ moves through further diverse moods, as ‘Slow Strings’ hints towards ‘Songs Of Faith And Devotion’-era Depeche Mode, ‘Born To Love You’ borders on “croony anthem” territory, and ‘Submission’ closes with images of loss, amid acoustic strums and synth strings à la Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’, on what Grant calls “a broody moody groove, a grand ending like ‘The Healing started with, which tops and tails the LP”.

Mr Nicholas says the umbrella purpose of ‘Torpedo’ was “an uplifting record – I didn’t want it to be a total downer which it could easily have been under the circumstances. I wouldn’t be human if what’s gone on didn’t have a huge effect on what I was writing. Hopefully it will touch people, and they’ll find a connection in those lyrics, and it’ll help them to deal with anything they’re going through. That’s the beauty of song writing”.

The beauty of Feeder’s position right

Feeder

now is that their momentum is rolling on, and they’re sitting prettier than they were even before the world was gripped by the dread virus. Having turned off-road isolation to the positive with another burst of writing, they’ve blasted out ‘Torpedo’ while those difficult feelings were fresh, but also have the pre-pandemic songs still up their sleeve, which Grant remains confident are yet more commercial and anthemic.

When Grant, Taka and their team hit the road in April ’22, they really will be firing on all cylinders, from a position of unrivalled rude health and confidence. Optimism, anyone?

For more information on Feeder, see links below:

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i feederofficial/ -

JAKE BUGG

It may be his fifth album, but Saturday Night, Sunday Morning marks the start of chapter two for Jake Bugg.

Arguably his most complete and coherent record to date, Saturday Night, Sunday Morning manages to combine a love of ABBA, the Beach Boys, Supertramp and the Bee Gees, with a contemporary pop sound: one that’s already spawned his most ubiquitous song in years via euphoric lead single, All I Need.

“I knew what I was looking for this time around,” the 27-year-old says, firmly. “And I feel like I accomplished it.”

It’s almost 10 years since a twofingered Bugg burst onto the scene with his eponymous debut, one that topped the UK album charts and saw the then 18-year-old from Nottingham fêted as the next Bob Dylan.

A Rick Rubin-produced follow up, Shangri La, quickly followed. But progress stalled with Bugg’s third, largely self-produced, record, On My One, in 2016.

“I was having a hard time on that third record,” Bugg admits, five years removed. “The support from the industry wasn’t what it was. All those

people telling you how great you are weren’t there anymore. It does feel like the rug’s been swept from under your feet.”

What that record provided, however –along with its comparatively strippedback follow up, Hearts That Strain (2017) – was a much-needed course corrector: one that set Bugg on the upward trajectory he finds himself on today.

“When I came to terms with that was when I left the ego at the door,” he says. “It didn’t work out. But it led here. And this is probably my strongest record.” It’s testament to Bugg’s rediscovered confidence that Saturday Night, Sunday Morning – a nod to the debut novel by Nottingham author Alan Sillitoe – sees him working with some of his highest profile collaborators to date, most notably American songwriters Andrew Watt and Ali Tamposi, best known for their work with pop heavyweights Post Malone, Dua Lipa, Miley Cyrus, Camila Cabello.

“I was looking for how I can incorporate my sound for a more modern era. And I kind of struck gold working with Andrew Watt and Ali Tamposi,” Bugg says.

Convening in LA, the first track the trio wrote together is the jealousyinflected About Last Night, a song about the “insecurities you go through as a young person in a relationship with someone.”

“It’s got such dark undertones, which I love,” Bugg says, of a song that showcases a newly discovered, Beach

Boys-esque falsetto. “But it’s also very, very pop. That’s what I’ve always loved. With ABBA, with Supertramp. I love pop music. But when you can get it to be dark, I love it even more.”

It’s a trick the trio repeated again on Scene, Bugg’s personal favourite from the album and a song that best encapsulates the combination of old and new: Watt’s George Harrisonesquire guitar brushing up against contemporary melodic choices by Tamposi.

“I love writing with her,” Bugg says of the Havana hitmaker. “She brought that women’s perspective. And I knew that I’d got that balance of what I wanted. That old school chorus with contemporary verses. That to me was my favourite song when I wrote it, and it still is.”

Perhaps the biggest example of Bugg’s newfound ego-less approach to writing, however, came in the shape of Downtown, a song that grew from an idea by Jamie Hartman (Celeste, Lewis Capaldi, Rag’n’Bone Man), and sees Bugg deploy the higher range of his voice to ethereal, ’60s Bee Gees effect.

“Usually, the initial spark of an idea comes from me. And when it doesn’t, it sometimes loses my attention,” Bugg admits. On Downtown, however, he relished his role as arranger: “Because there were a lot of moving parts and chords, it was almost like a puzzle,” he says. “I’d never approached a song like that before.

“What I’ve been enjoying on this record is the collaborative process,”

Jake Bugg

he continues. Working with people, writing with people. Because I’ve realised all I really want to achieve is to be the best writer I can possibly be. And I think by working with other people, it allows you to learn a lot as well.”

It’s a theory Bugg has put to the test during lockdown, when he was approached by his manager about writing the soundtrack to an upcoming documentary, The Happiest Man In The World, about Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho.

“It’s kind of a completely different experimental outlet,” Bugg explains of his first ever score. “I approach my own work quite professionally. But with this I can just switch off and go into a different world. And it’s been brilliant – I’ve had to learn different styles of guitar: bossa nova, samba. It’s a bit Vangelis, who’s probably my favourite artist – which may surprise people.”

Possibly. But you get the impression that surprising is what Bugg likes to do. “I don’t like to be stuck doing the same thing,” he admits. “And that’s what this record [Saturday Night, Sunday Morning] was. I wanted to push myself. I’m always learning new influences. I’m careful not to get stuck on the same thing.

“It’s not going to be right every time. It’s not going to be good every time,” he continues. “But if that’s the process it takes to get to this record, where people are loving the songs again, then that’s the journey we have to take.” For Jake Bugg, chapter two

starts now.

Jake’s new album ‘Saturday Night, Sunday Morning’ is out now on RCA Records.

For more information on JAKE BUGG, see links below:

d www.jakebugg.com

f jakebugguk

t JakeBugg

i jakebugg

THE FEELING

Pop-rock quintet adored for their infectious, life-affirming music.

Formed in 1995, The Feeling adopted their moniker from a small bar in Paris that they liked, and thought was better suited for a band name.

Except for frontman and principal songwriter Dan Gillespie Sells, who comes from London, the five-piece’s members – bassist Richard Jones, drummer Paul Stewart, guitarist Kevin Jeremiah and his brother keyboardist Ciaran Jeremiah – all hail from Horsham in Sussex.

Their guitar-based soft rock sound has been compared to a range of acts including Supertramp, 10cc, Electric Light Orchestra, Queen and Elton John.

In 2006, The Feeling released their critically acclaimed debut album Twelve Stops And Home. Inspired by Gillespie Sells’ journey on the Piccadilly Line from Leicester Square

to his home stop of Bounds Green, it was mostly self-recorded in the garden shed at the Jeremiah brothers’ parental home in Sussex. Five of songs quickly became hits – Fill My Little World, Never Be Lonely, Sewn, Love It When You Call and Rose – plus helped them win the Ivor Novello Award for Songwriters of the Year.

The Feeling’s second album, 2008’s Join With Us, continued their successful streak by reaching the No.1 spot on the UK albums chart. That summer the band made their first appearance at Glastonbury Festival playing the Pyramid Stage.

During the ’10s, they released three more top 50-charting albums: 2011’s Together We Were Made, 2013’s Boy Cried Wolf and 2016’s The Feeling.

In addition to his work with The Feeling, over the years Gillespie Sells has also written with other artists like Sophie Ellis-Bextor as well as composed music for television, ballet and theatre including the TV series Beautiful People and the popular West End show Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

To celebrate the 12-year anniversary of their million-selling debut album, The Feeling reissued a deluxe version in 2018 and embarked on their Twelve Stops And Home Tour to play it in full. For the UK’s first ever National Thank You Day on 4 July 2021, The Feeling got together with Ellis-Bextor and Jamie Cullum to re-record the Fleetwood Mac hit song Don’t Stop. In August, they unveiled the single While You’re Still Young, also recorded with Ellis-Bextor for the film adaptation of Everbody’s Talking About Jamie.

October 2022 saw The Feeling complete a nine-city UK tour. Their new album ‘Loss. Hope. Love’ is out now on Island Records.

For more information on The Feeling, see links below:

d www.thefeeling.com

f thefeeling

t thefeeling

i feelinginsta

Show home style

FIND DESIGN INSPIRATION AT CHAPEL MILL, ELSWICK

Create Homes’ exclusive Chapel Mill development in Elswick offers discerning buyers a taste of designer living in a beautiful village location

By Becky Haslam

Create Homes has opened the doors of its stunning new five bedroom show home at Chapel Mill, Elswick for viewing appointments. The interior of this beautiful showcase home is designed to WOW, with a soothing neutral colour scheme and the latest modern furniture & interior flourishes, which will appeal to discerning buyers.

The Chapel Mill development offers families an exclusive collection of beautifully designed & energy efficient 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes, which are part of the Create Homes ‘Prestige Collection’. The collection

offers a choice of seven beautiful high specification house types, with a perfect home available for every type of family. Prices start from £260,000 to £560,000+.

All homes on the Chapel Mill development provide a relaxing lifestyle and the perfect balance of designer living & beautiful village location, set directly opposite the new village green and surrounded by managed green open space. The semirural development has close proximity to excellent local amenities and transport links to Preston, Blackpool, Garstang & beyond.

ABOVE RIGHT: The spacious family lounge has a feature fireplace and stunning bay window

LEFT: The show home has five beautifully styled double bedrooms, four stunning bathrooms and a gorgeous traditional façade

BEAUTIFUL DESIGN & ENERGY EFFICIENCY

n The new show home at the Chapel Mill development in Elswick has excellent kerb appeal, with traditional brick & stonework, an integral double garage, beautiful bay windows and stunning landscaped gardens. Inside, viewers will find an imaginative & spacious open-plan layout. The home has a contemporary Shaker

kitchen/diner by Stuart Frazer with an additional seating area, a separate dining room and a utility room, a boot room, a relaxing family lounge, four generous double bedrooms and a further study/bedroom, a family bathroom, three ensuites and a walkin wardrobe to the Master.

The beautiful designer show home also as quality fixtures & fittings throughout, including a new Hive

heating control system, making the home very energy efficient.

All new homes at Chapel Mill have an EPC rating of at least B, which is amongst the highest available, being in the top 4% of EPC performance in this country. This gives buyers peace of mind that their utility bills and carbon footprint will be amongst the lowest possible to achieve compaired to a similar sized UK homes.

“The design of interior of the show home combines neutral colours with beautiful textures.”

PERSONALISATION IN EVERY CREATE HOME

n Every new home at Chapel Mill offers buyers exceptional style & quality as standard. But there’s a lot more on offer to make each home unique. Create Homes sources a wide range of flooring, fitted furniture, tiles & kitchen choices, giving the customer the ability to personalise their home.

Working with the team at Lancashire’s top kitchen designers Stuart Frazer, Create Homes provides a choice of beautiful colour collections as standard for their SieMatic kitchens. Each of their five Colour Collections are designed so that every element of the kitchen - from the worktops, cabinets & flooring all work together in harmony to achieve a perfect designer look, using a selection of carefully curated colours and textures.

All customers get a face-to-face appointment with the design team at Stuart Frazer, to ensure they get the kitchen of their dreams, totally unique to them. Kitchen colour options can also be explored on the Kitchen Colour App on the Create Homes website.

All these exciting designer choices make each home truly special, ensuring customers enjoy the best possible lifestyle in this award-winning village location at Chapel Mill, Elswick in Lancashire.

n APPOINTMENTS: Book a show home viewing online at createhomes.com/book-chapelmill ch

The stunning Shakerstyle kitchen in the show home is by Stuart Frazer

The Power of Volunteers Saving Lancaster Golf Club

The power of volunteering has been pivotal for Lancaster Golf Club. Without their group of amazing volunteers, the club would have struggled to survive. The hard work, dedication and commitment of their volunteers helped save the clubhouse and the club from the brink of extinction.

Formed by the membership and the board, volunteers flocked in to do a complete audit of the golf

club so they could figure out all the ways in which it could be improved. From gardening to junior coaching to painting and decorating, these volunteers have given up countless hours of their time to improve conditions on and off the course and make Lancaster Golf Club a happy place for members to come and play.

Despite the grandeur of its castle clubhouse, Lancaster Golf Club has faced significant financial challenges in recent years. The club struggled to generate revenue, and the high running costs of the clubhouse brought

it dangerously close to closing. Recognising the need for a change, a dedicated group of volunteers formed a steering group separate from the club to develop a strategic approach to ensure the club’s sustainability.

The power of these volunteers cannot be overstated. Their hard work, innovative thinking, and unwavering commitment to saving the club paid off, as the benefits of their efforts were evident from the very first year. Encouraged by the progress, the steering group continued to work together to further improve the club’s financial standing. Now, four years later, Lancaster Golf Club is in a much better position, thriving, and serving as a testament to the power of community involvement and the incredible impact that volunteers can make.

this story of resilience, determination, and the transformative power of volunteers highlights the importance of community support and the value of volunteering in overcoming challenges.

‘Summer is always a busy season for Felltarn as many towns around the UK want to provide a trail activity for families throughout the school holidays. Since 2018, we have not only designed, but also project managed, a Summer Trail here in Kendal, with a fresh new theme each year.

This time we have created is our biggest town trail ever, with over 140 businesses taking part! The theme is ‘Kendal Safari’ and the trail features a whole host of animals from lions to meerkats, warthogs to rhinos, all displayed in windows throughout the Business Improvement District (BID) area. Families can spend the day – or span the activity out over a number of days, nding all the animals, and especially 17 of them who want to share what their favourite thing about Kendal is. The trail, as ever, is completely free to enjoy, with trail maps available to collect from a number of locations including Kendal Library and Kendal Museum, and is running from 1 July until 3 September.

Come to Kendal and explore the historic streets and yards, look out for the unique independent artisan shops and businesses, choose a coffee shop or café to relax in, and all while the kids are expertly entertained with a bright and engaging trail activity.’.

NAPOLEON’S MILITARY MAXIMS

by David G Chandler, Beatrice Heuser

ISBN: 9781805000082

PUBLISHED: June 2023 by GREENHILL BOOKS in Hardback (272 Pages)

• A new edition of this classic work on Napoleon’s principles of warfare

• A unique collection of more than 75 of Napoleon’s maxims placed in context by historians David Chandler and Beatrice Heuser

• Provides insights into warfare in the Napoleonic era and Napoleon’s genius for war

This classic work is a distillation of the knowledge, intuition and wisdom of one of history’s greatest military commanders.

Napoleon’s success was built upon practical experience combined with his own study of classical warfare and his natural grasp of the key principles of war. His thoughts and theories on the art of waging war are presented here in the form of accessible and readable maxims.

This edition also features additional contextual commentary by historians David Chandler and Beatrice Heuser, which allows modern readers to compare Napoleon’s principles with the experience of war today.

About the Authors

Dr David G. Chandler (1934–2004) was the foremost expert on Napoleonic warfare, the military campaigns of Napoleon and the campaigns of the Duke of Marlborough. His seminal works include The Campaigns of Napoleon, On the Napoleonic Wars and The Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars.

Professor Beatrice Heuser holds the Chair in International Relations at Glasgow University.

Her degrees are from the Universities of London (BA, MA) and Oxford (DPhil), and the Philipps-University of Marburg (Habilitation). From 1991–2003 she taught at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London, ultimately as Chair of International and Strategic Studies.

Beatrice Heuser has worked primarily on aspects of strategy, publishing Reading Clausewitz (2002); Strategy before Clausewitz (2017), and The Evolution of Strategy (2010), which covers the period from Antiquity to the

Present; specifically on nuclear strategy: Nuclear Strategies and Forces for Europe (1997); Nuclear Mentalities? (1998);

and The Bomb (1999). She has also researched and edited volumes on insurgencies and counterinsurgency.

Her latest publication is WAR: A genealogy of Western ideas and practices (2022).

COUNTRY PUB PERFECTION

Experience country pub perfection in the heart of the Ribble Valley.

Three pubs, in picture-perfect locations available for drinks, dining, overnight stays and everything in between.

ASSHETON ARMS

Sunday Sleepover per couple

DB &B £145*

The Bar & Grill at Holmes Mill

Did you know that Holmes Mill in Clitheroe is home to a magnificent restaurant and bar, The Bar & Grill, as well as the famous Beer Hall and brewery? With a brand new mouth-watering grill menu and an inspiring selection of handpicked wines, it’s worth a visit to Clitheroe to enjoy the stunning surroundings of The Bar & Grill.

The new menu features a fantastic range of main dishes that are all cooked on the state-of-theart Esse charcoal grill, as well as a selection of mouth-watering small plates. The restaurant will be open for dinner on Wednesday – Saturday and for drinks and nibbles only Sunday –Tuesday evenings.

Not only that but The Bar & Grill will be hosting some fantastic events throughout summer. From DJs playing on Friday nights alongside 2-41 cocktail offers, to foodie events including a Champagne & Seafood dinner. Make sure you visit the website to explore their upcoming events.

Find out more about The Bar & Grill and book your table online at: www.holmesmill.co.uk/bar-and-grill/

Opening Times Sunday – Tuesday: 5pm – late (bar snacks only)

Wednesday – Saturday: 5pm – late (food served 6pm until 9:30pm)

www.holmesmill.co.uk

LOTTIE DOD - The Little Wonder

By Margaret Brecknell

18-year-old Emma Raducanu’s, unexpected win at the 2021 US Open has been rightly acclaimed as one of the greatest achievements in British tennis history. However, she is not the first British teenager to excel at the top level of the sport. Back in the late 19th century, Wirral-born Charlotte “Lottie” Dod, nicknamed “The Little Wonder”, was this country’s first teenage tennis prodigy.

Born in September 1871, Lottie was brought up with her four siblings at the family home of Edgeworth House in Bebington. The first lawn tennis club in the world was formed in Royal Leamington Spa during the year following her birth. Lawn tennis was originally intended to be a more accessible version of the long-established sport of real tennis, but soon overtook its predecessor in popularity and, amongst the wealthy, it became highly fashionable to have a tennis court. Lottie’s father, Joseph, had accumulated a substantial fortune from the cotton industry and the Dod family decided to follow this trend

by building not one, but two, tennis courts in the extensive gardens of Edgeworth House.

As the youngest, Lottie was the last of the Dod children to pick up a tennis racket, but she quickly showed an aptitude for the sport and, at the age of 11, joined the Rock Ferry Tennis Club in Birkenhead. She competed in her first tennis tournament, the Northern Championships in Manchester, that same summer, partnering her 19-yearold sister, Ann, in the doubles. The pair lost in the second round, but went on to win the consolation tournament. Lottie’s performances caught the attention of one journalist,

who commented that, “Miss L Dod should be heard of in the future, as though only an eleven year old, she showed really good form, and not only served well, but displayed tactics worthy of much older players”

Within two years Lottie was really making a name for herself in the tennis world. She won her first singles title at the 1885 Waterloo tournament and then made the final of the Northern Championships, before narrowly losing to Maud Watson, who had won the first ever Ladies Singles title at Wimbledon the previous year. The following spring, Lottie defeated her 23-year-old rival for the first time to win the West of England Championships in Bath.

Lottie made her singles debut at Wimbledon in 1887 and made it to the Final, where her opponent

was the defending champion, Blanche Bingley. Despite still being relatively inexperienced, Lottie was widely expected to win and she did not disappoint her fans, winning comfortably 6-2, 6-0 in just 28 minutes. She became, in the process, the youngest winner of the Wimbledon ladies singles title at 15 years and 285 days, a record that still stands to this day.

The sport was still in its infancy and only six women contested the singles title that year. Yet, Lottie’s victory rightly caused a media sensation. At a height of 5 foot 6 inches, Lottie was relatively tall for the day and her style of play was considered revolutionary. She played in a more athletic style than her competitors, hitting her ground strokes with real power and becoming the first woman to utilise the volley and overhead smash.

She was once highly critical those who were more concerned with appearing ladylike than playing the game to the best of their ability, commenting that, “As a rule ladies are too lazy at tennis. They should

learn to run and run their hardest, not merely stride. They would find, if they tried that, many a ball seemingly out of reach could be returned with ease; but instead of running hard they go a few steps and exclaim, ‘Oh, I can’t’ and stop”

Lottie was also a trendsetter when it came to her choice of outfit. Female tennis players of the late Victorian era generally favoured style and respectability over practicality, sporting long flowing corseted dresses which inevitably restricted their mobility on the court. As a young teenager, it was perhaps easier for Lottie to reject this style of clothing in favour of an outfit that more resembled a school uniform. For her first Wimbledon final appearance, she wore a calflength dress, together with black wool stockings, sturdy shoes and a white flannel cricket cap.

She later became more radical still, ditching the dress with its uncomfortable whalebone corset, which dug into her skin when she played, in favour of a calf-length skirt and replacing the cap with a bonnet.

Lottie defeated Blanche Bingley again in the following year’s Wimbledon final, but then did not compete in the tournament in either 1889 or 1890. She is reported to have spent most of the summer of 1889 on a protracted sailing holiday off the coast of Scotland with friends including her sister, Ann. By 1890, Ann had married and was expecting her first child. With her regular doubles partner no longer at her side, Lottie seems to have temporarily lost her appetite for tennis and rarely competed that summer.

She soon made up for lost time when she returned to the sport in 1891, winning the first of what proved to be three consecutive Wimbledon singles titles. In 1893, the Liverpool Echo attributed her success to the fact that “She plays a hard game, and in practice likes to be opposed not by ladies but by men who can play at least as well as herself”. She also displayed coolness under pressure. A tennis writer of the day noted that “Nothing seems to flurry or disconcert her, and she hits with the same freedom and uses the same clear judgment whether the game stands at 40-0 against her or in her favour”

Following her success at Wimbledon in 1893, Lottie retired from top-class tennis for the second and final time. This proved to be far from the end of her sporting career. In interview, she referred to her new-found passion for golf and in 1894, only a year after her retirement from tennis, Lottie competed in the British Ladies Amateur Golf Matchplay Championships for the first time. She was defeated in the third round, but was reported to have shown “good form, though she will require much practice to win the championship”

On encountering a familiar problem for women golfers of the era, namely the refusal of most golf clubs to accept female players, she responded by helping to establish a ladies-only golf club at Moreton on the Wirral. She did subsequently go on to qualify for two semi-finals at the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championships, before eventually winning the national title at Troon in 1904.

Apart from winter sports and golf, Lottie was also a leading figure in the development of women’s hockey during the 1890s. She was one of the founding members of the Spital Hockey Club and became the club’s star centre forward. This resulted in a call-up to the national side. Lottie won two caps for the England hockey team and, in 1900, she scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Ireland.

As a result of her mother’s death during the summer of 1901, Lottie, along with her siblings, took a short break from competitive sport. Five years later, the family sold Edgeworth House and Lottie moved south to Newbury in Berkshire with her brothers, William and Tony.

The Dod siblings had previously tried their hand at archery, but, following the move south, joined the recently established Welford Park archery club and began to take it more seriously. Like their ancestor, Sir Anthony of Edge, who is believed to have commanded the English archers at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, they soon showed a natural aptitude for wielding a bow and arrow.

Lottie also tried a number of other sports and appears to have excelled at them all. During the winter months, she frequently accompanied her brothers to the Swiss ski resort of St Moritz and proved to be an accomplished figure skater. She also became one of the first women to toboggan down the notoriously treacherous Cresta Run. In February 1896, Lottie took part in an extraordinary game of cricket played between two teams of women on the frozen lake. Needless to say, she played a starring role and is said to have taken five wickets for four runs in an extraordinary display of bowling. The tradition of playing cricket on ice in St Moritz has survived to this day.

Lottie won her first archery title in 1906. Two years later, she was selected for the British team to compete in the 1908 Olympic Games held at the White City Stadium in London. Lottie led the women’s competition after day one, but, in the end, had to settle for the silver medal. For once she was outshone by one of her siblings, as her brother, William, unexpectedly won the gold in the men’s event. Both she and William continued to compete at the top level of the sport until the Welford Park Archers disbanded in 1911.

During World War I, Lottie volunteered as a nurse and worked in Red Cross Hospitals in London and Berkshire. By now, she was increasingly troubled by sciatica and so was refused permission for a transfer to work in the field hospitals near the battlefront on the European mainland.

After the war, Lottie and William divided their time between Devon and London. Following her brother’s death in 1954, Lottie lived in several nursing homes on the south coast before eventually settling in Birchy Hill Nursing Home in Sway, close to

“Nothing seems to flurry or disconcert her, and she hits with the same freedom and uses the same clear judgment whether the game stands at 40-0 against her or in her favour”

her brother, Tony, and his family.

She continued to visit the Wimbledon Championships regularly until she was well into her eighties and is said to have been listening to radio coverage of that year’s tournament when she died, aged 88, in June 1960.

Such is the competitive nature of sport these days that all-rounders like Lottie Dod simply don’t exist anymore. She came from an affluent family, which meant that she was given opportunities simply unavailable to working-class girls of the era. However, she still had to overcome the considerable prejudice which existed at the time relating to the role of women in competitive sport. She deserves credit for her important contribution to the development of women’s sport in this country, particularly tennis, as

well as for her considerable sporting

World Class Names and Debut Poets to Share

the

Spotlight at Morecambe Poetry Festival

Morecambe Poetry Festival 22nd-24th September 2023

A host of world class names have been announced for Morecambe Poetry Festival back for a second year after winning plaudits from poets and audiences alike for its inaugural event.

Taking place at Morecambe Winter Gardens across three days (22-24 September 2023), the festival has already secured some of the UK’s foremost poets in the shape of Carol Ann Duffy, Roger McGough, Jackie Kay and Brian Bilston with Attila the Stockbroker and John Hegley returning and many more to be announced.

Last year’s event succeeded in putting Morecambe on the poetry map and attracted the attention of the T.S. Eliot Foundation - which has come on board with funding for five years - along with support from Morecambe Town Council and Creative Lancashire.

One of the special aspects of the festival is the opportunity for new and unpublished poets to share a platform with world class poets, with open mic sessions running throughout. This year, the festival is working with poetry organisation Big White Shed to offer poetry and performance workshops to the local community in the run up to the event to help fledgling writers prepare material and hone performance skills.

Festival organiser Matt Panesh said: “Last year, we had world famous poets rubbing shoulders with first timers on the bill, including one person who had only ever written one poem before, in response to his mother’s death the previous year. He ended up performing it

twice over the weekend, and it was a really special moment. The festival will once again provide a platform for the community to share their work alongside a bill of greats.”

New for this year will also be a showcase of poetry nights from across the UK to give a snapshot of the UK scene. Poetry promoters have been invited to apply for a chance to secure an hour slot at the festival.

Matt added: “There’s all sorts of wonderful people enabling poets to perform in unique set ups and I want to give the festival audience a flavour of all the vibrant work going on around the country.”

Poetry producers from nights up and down the country will also be invited to a conference over the festival

weekend to explore ideas of how to develop the poetry scene.

The Morecambe Poetry Festival takes place at the Winter Gardens and Johnny’s Warehouse Bar and will present the most exciting, vibrant spoken word being produced today in the UK.

Weekend tickets available from Skiddle from £65 plus booking fees. Gold passes from £75 (plus booking fees) offer priority seating, access to all shows and after parties.

https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/ Lancaster/The-Morecambe-WinterGardens/Morecambe-Poetry-Festival.

Above: Audience at Morecambe Poetry Festival

Left:: Organiser Matt Panesh, Morecambe Poetry Festival.

Credit: Richard Davis

Morecambe

When you are too young to spell, you collect words by ear. Our neighbour to the right was called Jonet. He kept hens. His back garden spread across the far end of ours, so our fence

backed onto hen-hut-view. I was once taken up there to have a look: out of our back yard across the slutchy street and up their garden to walk with the hens.

Being a terrace of seven houses, we were all linked in various ways. Our yard’s party wall was very useful in one respect. We put out a bright red plastic cullender with a note in saying how many eggs we wanted and how many cracked eggs as well, with the right money. 2/6d. They were

By Marianna Michell

cheaper. When ‘Jonet’ had done our order, we’d hear a knocking

on the living-room wall, so we’d go out and collect the eggs. When we ate the eggs, I would sometimes ask how we knew it was only yolk, and there wouldn’t be baby chickens inside.

The answer was always: “because t’cock hasn’t been in wit th’en”. Deep frustration on my part: There’s the hen - and there is the cock. What has it got to do with the chickens and eggs?!

Jonet Slack turned out to have a surname which was not Slack and was the same as my granny’s, but mum would insist ‘we aren’t related’. But if it’s the same and we’re in the same village, we could be related

further back. But most people aren’t so interested in what has been. And life for cotton-workers was honourable but dif cult. No HP for my mum and dad. Straight cash and no borrowing except your mortgage of a few hundred pounds. They just worked and held things together. The whole district, for ages past, was interrelated but it meant nothing.

I grew old enough to recognise that there may be a place called Slack. John of the Slack. So he was not called Jonet. My friend was called Janet. He was not Jonet, and I had worked it out. He was John. Conversations overheard included ‘Slack Farm’. He was a son of that farm.

In my long forays around the countryside, I found Slack Farm. They must have had problems with moles because every so often I’d spot a wooden sign stuck in the ground by the roadside.

It read MOLE CHAP CALL

Nice and square, that. Three words of equal length. Simple message: We work with muck around ‘ere, like our back street where we played the livelong day, topped up every so often with sludge but we thought the word was slutch. Slutch was ok to play in.

Now, I may be giving the impression we were one of many streets. No, our front street had the honour of being the last before a long valley. It was also ‘unadopted’, offering mountainous terrain down the front street, for the occasional car or van. Our row was surrounded by elds and hills as far as Pendle Hill to the front and the Yorkshire border somewhere to the back. Farmers drove down the front street and into the valley, and the gate had to be kept shut. When it wasn’t, the result was ‘beeasts in t’ back-yard’. Cows would mill gloomily around our kitchen window. Sometimes it was my cousin’s pigs on the loose, kept perhaps in some unof cial place. Lots of unof cial events sprang from that family.

The valley is really called Walverden from the name of the brook. But it was known as t’pigole. Pig Hole Farm was the rst building you came to. At one point it held a family of eight children whom I knew, all names beginning with J. After they left, it fell into disrepair and the afore-mentioned person who had pigs took to removing lead pipe-structures which ran around and from the roof. Later, this near ruin was turned into a family home by folks who shut off the stile and with it the right of way. But there was a way around, past where the pig-sties were falling to further ruin, so I would walk that way feeling disgruntled, perhaps like the pigs of olden times.

Visitors to our front street, which was after all on the edge of nowhere, included the rag and bone man. At

rst, you just heard his shout which had corrupted over his life-span to, ”hey hoooo….” Quick, rag an’bone man’s ‘ere.

The horse and cart is lumbering down the lumpy street. Did anyone ever have bone to put in it, and if so – why?!

The other occasional visitor was the gas-chap. Near our front steps was one of two gaslamps for the street. Even when they all became electri ed, in common speech they were still gaslamps. The reason the posts had that horizontal protrusion at the top was so that the man could rest his ladder there to climb up and change the gas mantle. And one dusk, I saw him do just that.

We were a street which stayed put. John o’t’ Slack and his wife and son may have lived there longer than anyone else, but the other six houses also rarely changed ownership or tenancy. No. 27 saw the shortest stay – the nal months of Auntie Annie’s life. We would call it hypothermia now. We already knew her because mum took me to Annie’s previous old house down by the river, with the path to the blue-bell woods, and hens scampering in the under-belly of the house. Her husband had died suddenly. They had the same surname

as our cousins who had also lived at no. 27, but again mum said, “she isn’t related”!

So, Auntie Annie was brought nearer to civilisation, but she couldn’t get used to the notion of heating no. 27. I saw that her hands were blue, and the house was candle-lit because she didn’t use the electric lights. Too long spent in a house in a valley alone by the river with only gas-light, a deer skull and antlers on the wall, and a slop-stone sink to serve as kitchen and washing area.

Later, the many families in my district revealed themselves through ancestry research, when many relationships of old fell into place. For most people, it was, and still is of little consequence to look outwards from that valley, nor backwards to where we had come from. I wandered further than most. As a child I had a recurring dream about being in a dark old house like Annie’s which sloped dangerously towards a river. I was scared it might collapse. I understood later that this was my inner house: it was the mood of my upbringing, my childhood ‘house’ which needed slowly to collapse into a wider and more owing river.

Homes In Hartford Offer “Something For Everyone”

HOMEBUYERS looking for a new home in the leafy Cheshire village of Hartford can find a wide choice of designs at Redrow’s development

Images: A selection of images of the Oxford Lifestyle.

Redrow Hartford is ticking all the boxes for families, professionals and couples looking for their perfect home with a range of three and four-bedroom properties available.

Within walking distance of a number of schools, eateries and shops, the development is also just a 20-minute walk (or three-minute drive) to Hartford train station connecting commuters to Liverpool and as far as Birmingham.

One house type that’s been one of the top sellers is the Oxford Lifestyle. The three-bedroom detached home, from the housebuilder’s ‘Lifestyle’ range, offers fewer but larger bedrooms each with their own ensuite. Downstairs there is open plan living with a large kitchen, family and dining area

at the back of the property plus a separate lounge, utility and cloakroom. Prices currently start from £456,995.

Anna Evans-Kerr, sales director at Redrow NW said: “The Oxford Lifestyle has a wide-ranging appeal but has been particularly popular with ‘rightsizers’ and families who have older, teenage children who want their own space. It’s a fantastic home that offers families the perfect amount of social space paired with expansive bedrooms each with their own ensuite bathroom meaning they have plenty of privacy too. Many customers say that each bedroom is like a hotel suite making them ideal for older children or guests.”

The three-bedroom detached Warwick, is also one of Redrow’s most popular styles, the property boasts a kitchen / dining area that extends the entire width of the property at the rear, with those all-important double doors leading outside, along with a handy cloakroom and separate lounge.

Upstairs there are three bedrooms, the main with en-suite, and a luxurious family bathroom. Warwick prices currently start from £366,995.

To find out more about homes at Redrow Hartford, which includes Water’s Reach and Weaver Park,visit www.redrow. co.uk/promo/hartford or call 01606 369728 to speak to the sales team.

Curator Chris Celebrates 30 years at Lakeland Motor Museum

When Chris Lowe walked into the Lakeland Motor Museum as a teenager in 1993 to start a temporary summer job - he had no idea of the role the popular attraction would play in his life.

Thirty years since starting that “temporary” job he is now Curator of the award-winning museum and marking three decades of overseeing its stunning collection of vintage and classic cars, motorbikes and automobilia.

“I don’t tell my bosses this but if I won the lottery I would still come into work every day!” says Chris.

“I love the sheer variety of working here. Today I was mending a 1930s slot machine. Tomorrow I might have to go to the other end of the country to pick up a classic vehicle. I enjoy meeting and talking to people, fixing and making things, every day is different.”

Chris got the job that has been his life’s work by complete chance.

“My mum was working in the Grange-over-Sands tourist information centre back in June 1993 when Edwin Maher, who had just started looking after the Lakeland Motor Museum collection, walked in.” explains Chris.

“He was handing out leaflets for the museum, which was then based at Holker Hall, and asked if anyone knew any youngsters looking for summer jobs. My mum stuck her hand up and volunteered my services!”

From the start, Chris was a perfect fit. “I already had an interest in classic vehicles thanks to an elderly neighbour who had a 1952 Jaguar XK120 in British Racing Green. He used to take me out in it and scare me witless! But I loved the car and my passion for classic vehicles started to grow.”

He went on to take a degree in automotive engineering – while still working every spare moment at the museum and was then offered a permanent position as museum assistant. The rest is history.

So, after thirty years, which is his favourite vehicle?

“Oh, that is a really hard question,” he laughs: “It is like being asked to pick your favourite child! I think I would have to say the rare SS Jaguar 100 we have at the museum which I think is one of the most eye-catching Jaguar cars ever made.”

What he doesn’t know about the museum collection isn’t worth knowing. Indeed, some of the vehicles on display are his own.

He has a particular liking for the post-war period of the 40s and 50s. “It was like a new start,” he says: “There were lots of new ideas coming forward and it was an exciting time. I’ve got a Norton Dominator 500cc motorbike from 1952, a Series One Land Rover from 1955 and a Jaguar Mark IX from 1961.”

You can tell he’s fascinated by vehicles of all sorts just by asking a simple question. Like “How long have you and your partner Ellie been together?”

“It’s about 20 years,” says Chris: “It was the year I got my Transit van –2003!”

Chris Lowe, Curator, Lakeland Motor Museum

Chris on his 1952 Norton Dominator 500cc motorbike at the museum

Chris in 2000 with one of the museum’s automobilia exhibits

That love of vehicles, along with the knowledge stored in his head about all things automotive, is what makes him an invaluable member of the Lakeland Motor Museum team.

Les Micklethwaite MBE, chairman of the Lakeland Motor Museum, says: “I first met Chris in 2006 when Winander Leisure purchased the museum which at that time was operating from premises at Holker Hall.

“It was an amazing collection amassed over many years by Lancashire entrepreneur Don Sidebottom. Chris knew so much about the collection we knew it was important he joined our organization.

“His knowledge of motoring memorabilia in general was

immediately striking. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of every form of transport ever developed. He’s never stumped and often enlightens visitors with facts they never knew about items they owned!”

Les adds: “Chris was instrumental in making the move from Holker Hall to the current purpose-built riverside site at Backbarrow a great success. I can safely say that without Chris’ input the site at Backbarrow would not have been developed in either the timescale or within the budget that it was. On a personal note I would like to say I am proud and lucky to be both a friend and his boss.”

So, what does the future hold for the 46-year-old dad of two? Chris says he

looks forward to continuing to develop the museum as a key visitor attraction in the Lake District.

“It’s a fascinating place for people of all interests and ages – you don’t need to have a love of classic vehicles to enjoy looking around. There really is something for everyone.”

One thing is clear – his continued efforts to make the Lakeland Motor Museum a key part of every visitor’s Lake District stay is a true labour of love.

“I work where people go for pleasure and I live where people come for their holidays. How lucky am I?” says Chris.

Chris in the museum’s 1955 Jaguar XK140 Coupe exhibit

ONLY 3 PLOTS REMAIN

POPULAR COUNTRY MUSIC SHOW

HEADS TO MORECAMBE PLATFORM

Country Superstars comes to dazzle the crowds at The Platform in Morecambe on 21st July.

Also featured on Sky TV – Kenny Rogers has mentioned this as ‘Europe’s Leading Dolly and Kenny Impersonators’ on his website. Dolly Parton said on the BBC one show she appreciated them doing Dolly and Kenny so well for so long.

The show is unique and tells a diverse story of Country Music. Hosted by Sarah Jayne who has been

performing as Dolly Parton, the Queen of Country for more than 2 decades. Sarah Jayne and Award-Winning Vocal Impersonator Andy Crust will give audiences the chance to go on a journey back through time to meet some of the most influential icons that shaped Country Music history.

The show features music by Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Billie Jo Spears, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette, Garth Brooks, John Denver and Glen Campbell. This show proudly presents The Tennessee Allstar Band.

Each Artist portrays their Country Superstars so well, they also transform themselves through hours of practice at their craft. Every detail is taken into consideration from script, song choices and appearances.

A must see for fans who want to celebrate Country Music.

Country Superstars will be at The Platform in Morecambe for one night only on 21st July. Tickets are available to purchase from the venue’s website or when calling the box office.

Aiming Higher

YOU CAN DONATE TO AIMING HIGHER USING THE FOLLOWING METHODS: WEBSITE | www.aiminghighercharity.org.uk/donate JUST GIVING | www.justgiving/aiminghigher/donate/ PAYPAL | Found on Aiming Higher website or call to make donations by phone POST | Aiming Higher, 231 – 233 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 3PB.

To see more of what we do please visit our website www.aiminghighercharity.org.uk or follow us on facebook @aiminghighercharity, Instagram @aiming_higher_charity or twitter @ahcharity

Please ring us on 01253 206447/8 for further information.

Aiming Higher Resilience Workshops for Parents & Carers

Aiming Higher for Disabled Children & their Families is the Blackpool based charity that supports hundreds of local children and their families. The charity has been bringing the families of children with disabilities together for over 11 years. They offer stay and play groups for under 5s, offer family support workers, counsellors, peer support and friendship through monthly family trips and weekly Coffee & Chat sessions for parents.

While the majority of the activities at the Aiming Higher centre revolve around the children and young people, Friday morning is all about the parents/carers. Every week, the charity host parents, providing them with the opportunity to meet representatives from other local groups and organisations that may be able to help their family or provide workshops and training sessions to help them with the challenges raising a child with additional needs brings.

So far this year, 6 workshops based around the Resilience Frame work have taken place. These have covered a wide variety of topics from Sleep, Budgeting & Money Management, Employment & Confidence, Online friendships and relationships, to Meditation & Relaxation and even a Laughter workshop with comedian, Ruth Cockburn. There has also been a special Dads event to coincide with Fathers Day and try and get a few more dads/grandads/male role models through the door.

Plans are underway for more sessions on Paediatric First Aid, using building blocks for communication and learning, transition to adulthood, behaviour management strategies and self care.

As well as these workshops, which take place on the third Friday of every month, there are the more informal Coffee & Chat sessions. At these parents can meet up, enjoy breakfast and chat with each other, sharing experiences and providing peer support. At most of these sessions they are joined by a speaker from another local group, such as Tramshed Theatre Group, Blackpool Parents Forum, Dogs for Good, The Green Doctor and Empowerment. At other sessions, craft activities are

Dogs for Good volunteers and Shelley the labrador/retriever cross, attended one of the recent Coffee & Chat sessions.

If you are interested in learning more about these sessions, attending or potentially presenting at one of them in the future, please contact Heather Holt at: heatherholt@aiminghighercharity.org.uk

provided for parents to work on while they chat more generally and establish friendships.

Feedback from these sessions are always very positive, with one parent saying of the Employment & Confidence course, “A very useful and well presented workshop. All carers/parents should enrol on this!” while another said of the sleep course “This course has been amazing, the presenters were engaging and very knowledgeable and it was great to hear other parents lived experience and ideas too.”

Jenny Jones, the Manager of the Reaching Resilience Project says “It’s really important for these parents and carers to have the opportunity to get together, without the children always being present, and to provide peer support to one another. Just a couple of hours away from the family, with like-minded people, gives them chance to recharge, enjoy some conversation and develop skills which will help them in their daily life”.

One parent summed up how important these sessions are to her, “Thank you Aiming Higher, all the workshops and Coffee & Chat sessions are brilliant. The staff are always friendly, approachable and very welcoming. The breakfasts are great too!”

If you would like more information regarding the support offered by Aiming Higher and would like to join our email mailing list please give us a call on 01253-206447 or email info@aiminghighercharity.org.uk

You can also view our new newsletter by visiting bit.ly/AHnewsspring2022

Comedian Ruth Cockburn ran the Laughter Workshop in June.

Manchester

Manchester Flower Festival:

In our Nature display celebrates community gardening and urges more city residents to get growing

A stunning garden installation in Manchester City Centre made up of plants from the growing spaces of people across the city has today been unveiled as part of the Manchester Flower Festival.

The garden highlights the collective impact that each plant, windowsill, balcony and community garden in Manchester has in boosting biodiversity, tackling climate change, and making us happier and healthier.

It was curated by Hubbub as part of In Our Nature, a city-wide programme that aims to make it easier for people in Manchester to take practical and meaningful action on climate change, at home and in their communities.

Entitled “Putting people and plants on a podium” the garden reveals stories from residents and community groups across the city. Each plant has a QR code to scan and learn more – from how they got into growing, a video tour of their growing space, or information about how other people can get involved in their community garden.

Contributions to the garden include:

• A plant from Green Fingered George’s Garden

George is a young RSPB ambassador and keen gardener, and also known as @ GreenFingeredGeorge on Twitter and Instagram, where he shares top tips and info on the importance of gardens to help biodiversity to thrive in urban areas. His plant is from his garden in Stalybridge that he and his Dad have been working on ever since he was born.

• A mini garden pond. to highlight the importance of ponds to support biodiversity and showcase the new In Our Nature garden on the Castlefield Viaduct, that highlights the link between our connection to nature and climate action. The garden on the famous viaduct features a reflection pond, alongside a seating area and native plants.

Green Fingered George

• A mint plant from Ossory Street Community Allotment. This overgrown allotment was transformed into a community learning plot, for local residents to learn about growing and gardening. The nearby adult education centre are regular visitors and hold an English conversation club here where they usually have a pot of mint leaves steeping during our volunteer sessions as it makes a delicious tea!

• A square of sedum from Printworks Green Roof. Sedum is a great alternative to use in gardens and roofs as it’s very low maintenance and can support biodiversity. The green roof on the top of Printworks will soon be open for workshops and community sessions run by In Our Nature and Sow the City.

In Our Nature brings together a delivery partnership made up of Manchester Climate Change Agency, Hubbub, Groundwork Greater Manchester, Amity CIC, The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, who will work alongside Manchester City Council’s Neighbourhood Team.

Gavin Ellis, Co-Founder and Director at Hubbub said: “We’re aiming to show Manchester Flower Festival visitors how the city’s residents have got into gardening, inspire them to give it a go and perhaps join one of the fantastic community projects helping to green Manchester. We’d also love to hear from local community groups looking for support to deliver their own community-led projects to engage people on climate issues.”

Thanks to £2.5m in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the In Our Natureprogramme will be running for the next 3 years and the team is looking for partners, projects, and collaborators to help shape and inform future projects.

You can also find out more about In Our Nature at:

d inournaturemcr.co.uk

i inournaturemcr

t InOurNatureMCR

Miso Glazed Burger Stack with Gherkin

Relish

Serves 4

Meal Occasion: Barbecue, Lunchtime, Vegan, Vegetarian Preparation Time: 25 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Allergens: Mustard, Gluten, Sesame, Soya

Ingredients

For the gherkin relish:

• 1 jar Opies Cornichons & Onions, brine and mustard seeds reserved

• 1 tbsp caster sugar

• 1 tbsp American style mustard

• 2 tbsp white wine vinegar

• 1 tsp turmeric

• ¼ tsp cinnamon

For the miso burger stack:

• 4 tbsp miso paste

• 4 tbsp mirin

• 4 tbsp dark soy sauce

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 2 tsp maple syrup

• 2 tsp sesame oil

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 8 large Portobello / field mushrooms (ideally wider than the buns as they shrink once cooked)

• 4 brioche burger buns, toasted

• Opies Mini Gherkins, to serve

Method:

Prepare your gherkin relish by pulsing the cornichons and onions in a food processor for a few seconds until coarsely chopped.

Tip into a bowl then add the reserved mustard seeds, sugar, American style mustard, vinegar, turmeric and cinnamon, and stir until well combined. Add some of the reserved pickle brine to loosen the relish if it gets too thick. Season to taste then set aside.

In a separate bowl mix the miso, mirin, soy sauce, garlic, maple syrup and sesame oil until thoroughly combined. Set aside.

Pre-heat your barbecue until the coats turn white, or if using a griddle pan heat on the hob until hot.

Brush the grill with oil to prevent sticking, or if using a griddle fry the olive oil in the pan until hot, then add the mushrooms. Using a pastry brush coat the mushrooms well with the miso glaze on one side, then turn the mushrooms over after 2 minutes and coat the other side with the sauce. Keep turning every so often, basting the mushrooms as you do so, until they soften and become dark and juicy - about 10 minutes.

Plate up the burger buns and serve two mushrooms per person. Top with the gherkin relish and serve.

Hints and Tips:

You can get as creative as you like with the fillings – smashed avocado works brilliantly.

Where to Buy:

Opies Cornichons and Onions 350g available from Morrisons, Waitrose Booths and Ocado from £1.65

Opies Mini Gherkins 227g available from Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Booths and Ocado from £1.35

Chicken Shawarma

Serves 2

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Allergens: Dairy, Gluten

Ingredients

• 2 Chicken Breasts

• 1 tsp Paprika

• 1 tsp Ground Coriander

• 1 tsp Cumin

• ½ tsp Smoked Paprika

• ½ fine Sea Salt

• ½ tsp ground Black Pepper

• 1 Lemon, juiced

• 4 tbsp Greek Yoghurt

• 3 Garlic cloves, crushed

To Serve:

• Lettuce, shredded

• 1 large Tomato, sliced

• ½ Red Onion, thinly sliced

• ½ jar Opies Mini Gherkins

• 2 x Flatbreads

Method:

1. Dice the chicken breast and place in a bowl with the spices, 1 tbsp of yoghurt, and ½ the lemon juice and 1 of the crushed garlic cloves. Leave to marinate for at least 20 minutes.

2. Heat a frying pan with a small splash of olive oil and fry the chicken until cooked through.

3. Make a sauce by mixing the rest of the yoghurt, lemon juice, garlic and season. Loosen with a splash of water if necessary.

4. Lay the vegetables on the flatbread and top with the chicken, Opies Mini Gherkins, and sauce. Wrap it up using tin foil to hold it in place.

Where to Buy:

Opies Mini Gherkins 227g available from Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Booths and Ocado from £1.35

TELEVISION GARDENER’S DESIGN SHOWCASES NORTH WEST COMMUNITIES AT RHS FLOWER SHOW TATTON PARK 2023

Food forests and an allotment border will nestle beside an Islamic paradise garden as the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and BBC North West Tonight team up to produce a horticultural community hub for RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2023.

Designed by television presenter and garden designer Lee Burkhill: the Garden Ninja, the RHS and BBC Northern Star garden will bring together five different communities joined together at the centre..

The different groups each have their own border conveying their own distinct message, which has been stylised into garden designs by Burkhill and joined together with key blue themed garden sculptures and a custom hand-built blue chevron bench at the centre representing the North Western coast and skies.

Rochdale Mosque’s Amaani Initiative, Blackleach Allotments in Salford, Faiths 4 Change of Liverpool, Wigan and Leigh Hospice and Mysercough College Gardens, which is part of Myerscough College in Lancashire, have all worked with Burkhill on the designs, with the finished garden aiming to show how horticulture can empower local communities and bring them together.

Burkhill, a presenter on BBC One’s Garden Rescue, has designed an Islamic paradise garden border, a food forest border, a relaxing, pollenrich perennial border, a wildlifefriendly bee border and a grow your own allotment-themed border. All showcase the work carried out by the groups in their region.

Burkhill said: “Gardening is a really diverse practice, whether that’s based on budget, style, plants or location. But it is for everyone, so this is representing all sorts of diverse gardens.

Pictured: Lee Burkhill with members of teams from: Myerscough College (above) and Faiths4Change (below)

“Gardening is a really diverse practice, whether that’s based on budget, style, plants or location”

“It’s a tricky task – trying to blend them together and showcase the best of them so that everyone gets an equal display for the design. Hopefully, we will show other new gardeners that there is a place for them, and there is a style for everyone.”

Lex Falleyn, show manager for RHS Tatton Park, said: “Our goal for RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2023 was to shine a light on local talent and community causes. We have worked closely with the Bridgewater community outreach team to identity a broad range of communities that are gardening for good. We are thrilled with the way Lee has pulled his ideas together and can’t wait to share the garden and stories with visitors in July.”

The collaboration is the latest joint project by the RHS and BBC North West Tonight for RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. Last year’s RHS and BBC North West Tonight Community Urban Garden was inspired by the new generation of urban gardeners of previous years.

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park runs from 19 to 23 July. Tickets are available at www.rhs.org.uk/tatton.

Colour and Style

OUR SECTION ON COLOUR AND STYLE WITH SARAH HARRIS FROM ‘COLOUR ME BEAUTIFUL’

August and time for a Break...

It’s August and in my diary time for holidays! What are you planning this month – will you be jetting off to some exotic Island, having an adventure holiday or maybe holidaying at home! Being a savvy packer is key in travelling especially when you’re going on a long holiday – if you have trouble squeezing everything into your suitcase, a few tips come in handy! And with our skins exposed to more sunlight than we are used to it’s worth thinking about looking after it, which will not only help put you in the relaxed holiday mode but will make you look your best! Add to this some facial exercises and you’ll be looking fantastic!! First a few packing tips from my city break wardrobe, showing how you can pack everything into a small suitcase and still look stylish.

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.

E sarah@sarahharrisstyle.co.uk D www.sarahharrisstyle.co.uk

Airport ready, shopping and lunch on the terrace. (N.B. the black court shoes aren’t coming – I’ll be wearing my white trainers!)

The previous dress can be dressed up or down, a great addition to your suitcase. Think carefully about what you are packing for your holiday and by mixing and matching items will add interest, extra cover and will save you packing space. (good if you purchase something on your travels!)

Mix & Match Key Items for a City Break

1. 2 pairs of trousers

2. 2 Dresses (easy to wear)

3. 2 Jackets (casual & dressy)

4. 2 Shirts

5. 2 T-Shirts (change of temperature – can be worn alone or under shirts)

6. Accessories - 3 necklaces / 2 bags (large & small for evening)

7. Shoes 3 pairs – all must be comfortable (white sandals and as they are wedges they are very comfortable/pink kitten heels shoes)

N.B. I travel in comfortable trousers, always carry a scarf in my large bag for extra warmth and wear trainers or boots with socks, as airplanes can be very cold! I’m also a believer in taking a few Jackets or Jumpers in case the weather changes, especially in Europe. In my younger days I remember travelling without warm clothing and paying for it when the weather changed! Comfort is key for the traveller, it’s all about relaxing and there is nothing worse than being cold!

Looking after yourself

Sightseeing, evening meal in the Piazza.

White Trousers can be mixed and matched, adding a jumper for warmth can change the look. The shoes can remain the same or changed if you have room in your suitcase.

Whatever stage of life you are at and with the ups and downs, taking some time for yourself is essential, these Facial Exercises will have you relaxed in no time - It doesn’t take long to take the tension away from your face, which will help you relax.

Gently tap under and around the eye area.

More sightseeing, and quick change for an evening show. Add some colour to neutral trousers with a blue shirt and Jacket, the jacket can be worn in the evening over a dress.

These facial exercises will instantly relax your face and relieve any tension, helping reduce worry lines!

Eye Drainage

Frown Pinch Gently pinch above eyebrows.

Eye Lift Close your eyes and lift your eyebrows.

Chin Toner Tense chin and stretch mouth muscles.

Chin Toner Smile and lift right side to left alternatively.

Treat yourself to a pamper session:facial exercises followed by a facial and what better products to use than locally made Colour Me Beautiful Skincare range which are organic, vegan and cruelty free, with an emphasis on antiageing properties.

Colour Me Beautiful Skincare www.colourmebeautifuldirect.co.uk

Bring back your radiant glow in time for summer with CMB’s Facial duo; this gentle Face Scrub will exfoliate dead skin cells whilst the Purifying Face Mask will cleanse and purify your skin for an instant complexion pick-me-up! And they smell gorgeous!

After you’ve prepped your skin ready for summer and you’re thinking of putting that 10 ton make-up bag in your suitcase think again! Why not minimise your make up bag with these 3 easy steps:-

1. Magnetic compact (easy to slip into your evening bag) holds eye shadows, highlighter, powder and cream blusher (lips & cheeks)

Why not get a few friends around and have a facial workout/spa! I hold facial or make-up workshop/parties which will put you in the mood for a happy relaxed summer! Laughing and enjoying the company of family and friends is the best relaxation of all!

For more information on your local CMB consultant go to www.colourmebeautiful.co.uk

After using exfoliator and applying a face mask use CMB’s age-defying facial oil for extra moisture! The facial oil which is a natural blend of ingredients deeply nourishes and hydrates your skin. The lavender oil has antiinflammatory properties and is very soothing, whilst the Frankincense (liquid gold) used cosmetically helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and skin imperfections such as discolouration. It also stimulates the growth of new cells – a wonderful product!

2. Place eyeliner, mascara, lip pencil and foundation into your make-up bag

3. Pop the magnetic compact in make-up bag also.

N.B for those who don’t wear a lot of make-up on holiday the compact, on its own is great, it contains everything you need for a sun kissed look!

I’m also in the Lancashire area www.sarahharrisstyle.co.uk Enjoy

Colour Me Beautiful Skincare range with Age- Defying Facial Oil

CMB’s make-up bag, brushes can be easily slipped in – which is great for travelling as so much lighter!

CMB’s Polish & Purify Duo

Make-Up made easy

Magic Magnetic Compact!

Home styling advice on offer at unveiling of new show homes in Burscough

JOHN Lewis’ interior stylists recently shared their home designing hints and tips during Redrow’s show home launch event in Burscough.

Guests could take a tour around two new show homes at The Grange at Yew Tree Park, located Liverpool Road South, on Saturday, June 10.

The team from John Lewis provided styling advice, colouring matching tips and goodie bags; while a traditional sweet cart and ice cream trike provided complimentary ‘sweet delights’ to visitors.

The new show homes are two of Redrow’s four-bedroom properties, The Ledsham and The Marlow. They showcase the latest phase to be launched at The Grange at Yew Tree Park which includes three, four and five-bedroom homes, all from the award-winning Heritage Collection.

“We had lots of customers looking for larger homes, and we can now satisfy demand from larger families with a selection of four and five-bedroom properties at The Grange,” said Sian Pitt, sales director for Redrow Lancashire.

“We are looking forward to officially opening our new show homes to the public and welcoming the team from John Lewis. The team will also be offering colour matching advice so visitors

are invited to bring any small items or fabric samples from home and the interior experts from John Lewis can suggest complementary colours.”

For further information contact the sales team on 01704 740635 or visit www.redrow.co.uk/developments/thegrange-at-yew-tree-park-burscough.

left & Below: John Lewis head to Burscough

Liverpool’s Historic Epstein Theatre to Close!

Liverpool City Council Lease and Financial Support Comes to an End

Liverpool’s historic and muchloved Epstein Theatre is set to close on Friday 30 June 2023.

Liverpool City Council own the freehold of Hanover House (formally known as Crane Buildings) in Hanover Street. They lease the entire building to a commercial property landlord and then sub-lease the Epstein Theatre back from them.

Due to unprecedented financial pressures on the council’s budget, the historic financial deal between the two parties is unsustainable hence the council’s decision not to renew or extend the current lease, or to offer any further financial support to the operators of the theatre.

Epstein Entertainments Ltd were awarded the contract to operate the Epstein Theatre on behalf of the Council in October 2018. In the management agreement, the council covered a proportion of the rent, service charge, utilities, and maintenance work up to this date. Since the 1960’s the council has always financially supported and subsidised the theatre, currently this figure is in excess of £100,000 per year.

Further requests for Liverpool City Council’s support of £50,000 per year, for the next five years to save the venue have been unsuccessful. The final decision about this request was given on Friday 2 June 2023.

Due to the legalities and lengthy discussions with Liverpool City Council to reach an acceptable management agreement for both parties, and the subsequent Covid pandemic closure of the theatre, Epstein Entertainments Ltd did not occupy the theatre until October 2021.

The venue re-opened to the public with a successful pantomime in December 2021 and has since continued to run a popular programme of events to the present day. The Grade II listed 380 seat theatre is a Liverpool historical cultural institution based within the listed Hanover House. It has been open as a performance space since 1913. In 2011 the theatre reopened as

the Epstein Theatre, named after Brian Epstein, the manager of the Beatles following a £1.2m refurbishment.

Epstein Entertainments Limited is solvent and has been trading profitably during its period but has come to the end of its management agreement with Liverpool City Council and following lengthy negotiations directly with the landlord, who requires a minimum of a five-year lease, Epstein Entertainments Ltd have unfortunately been unable to reach a workable agreement on the costs of the rent and service charge, and with the added utility bills plus essential theatre maintenance and upgrades, the running costs and overheads are unworkable for a venue of this size, without financial support.

Epstein Entertainments Limited have continually searched for funding opportunities including advice from Arts Council England and investigated alternative company structures. All revenue streams have been maximised and all possible efficiencies have been made.

All productions up until Friday 30 June 2023 will go ahead as planned. For all productions after Friday 30 June, Epstein Entertainments Ltd will be aiming to transfer performances to

other Liverpool City Region venues.

Ticket holders for cancelled performances will receive an automatic refund.

Artistic and Operations Director Chantelle Nolan said: “I am truly heartbroken that Epstein Entertainments are having to vacate the beautiful Epstein Theatre in Liverpool city centre. Since opening the theatre to the public in December 2021 we have worked tirelessly to make the business a success, but unfortunately with the costs we are now facing, it’s become an impossible task.

“The work required to maintain the theatre to HSE standards and comply with legal requirements have become a severe drain on the company’s finances. Unfortunately, without Liverpool City Council’s support, it impossible to make it a financial success. We hope the people of Liverpool appreciate that we have done everything within our power to keep the venue open. Thank you to the audiences for their continued support and I hope one day it will reopen again as a theatre space.”

Artistic and Communications Director Bill Elms commented: “This closure is a huge loss for the Liverpool City Region, we are inundated with daily requests from programmers and theatre companies wanting to use the venue. Since we took over, we have worked tirelessly and turned the venue around, from coming out of a pandemic, to playing to over 80% capacity houses but, it’s sadly just not enough.

“The costs to cover the rent, rates, service charges, utility bills, general maintenance, and essential constant upgrades required in the old historic building makes the proposed offer untenable.

“It’s heart-breaking that the theatre is forced to close when there is such positive signs of growth and stability. If it wasn’t for the three-year delay from winning the tender to signing the contract, then I am certain we wouldn’t be in this dreadful position right now.

“It’s a unique venue, an historic gem and a venue that fill’s a huge gap in the current Liverpool theatre landscape as a mid-scale receiving house. We have fought and thought of everything we can to keep the theatre open, right up to the very last minute,

but without financial support, the costs are simply unworkable for us, or for any other operator, to work with.”

Company Director Jane Joseph added: “I have been producing shows for 30 years and The Epstein Theatre is the very place I produced my first pantomime Aladdin back in 1994. How sad is it that this ‘jewel in the crown of Liverpool’ is to close.

“Our company Epstein Entertainments Ltd took over the operational duties of the venue two years ago and despite steering through ‘the Covid fear’ after lockdown, have managed to gather back capacity audiences and clear the way for a successful future for this beautiful Edwardian theatre, which is a much-valued venue in Merseyside and for the surrounding areas.

“We have explored every avenue within Liverpool City Council and further afield to try and achieve funding to enable The Epstein Theatre to stay afloat.

“We have put our heart and souls into finding a solution, but without the much-needed support there is no future for The Epstein Theatre and we fear another nail in the coffin for live theatre in the City of Liverpool.”

Epstein Theatre Manager and programmer Anthony Proctor said: “I am truly heart-broken to share the news that our beloved Epstein Theatre is to close on 30 June. This theatre was the very first I ever attended as a child, and which led me to a life in the theatre. We have made great improvements to the running of the premises during our time leading this historic venue.

“With its closure, Liverpool becomes a less vibrant city. A large majority of the productions we present at the Epstein would not be able to find any other home in Liverpool city centre. Liverpool’s cultural offer will be less diverse as we will miss out on a variety of performances from the worlds of music, dance, comedy, variety, drama and family entertainment. There will be knock on effects too for the Liverpool economy, with travel, pre-show dining and post-show drinking all affected by the closure of the theatre. We are open to all offers of assistance from anyone who may be able to help us rescue this jewel in Liverpool’s theatrical crown. The theatre simply cannot be allowed to fade away.”

In the 18 months since the Epstein Theatre reopened, it’s played host to almost 150 productions including national award-nominated pantomimes and has welcomed 76,000 audience members through its doors. The theatre has created 40 jobs, both front of house and behind the scenes, helping to bring alive a wide-ranging programme of high-quality live music, comedy, drama, dance, and family entertainment.

Epstein Entertainments Ltd will continue to consider solutions and explore any further avenues to reopen and preserve this unique and listed theatre.

Epstein Entertainments Ltd wish to thank all the staff who have helped bring the theatre back to life since 2021, its customers for supporting the much-loved theatre and the producers for creating some magical memories.

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@EpsteinTheatre

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Epstein Theatre Image - Credit David Munn

& INTEGRITY

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Help Release Siamese Crocodiles Back In To The Wild To Save Them From Extinction

population needs boosting now before it’s too late.

Siamese crocodiles were once widespread throughout much of Southeast Asia. But after century of relentless hunting and loss of habitat to rice farming and hydroelectric dams, their numbers plummeted so low they were thought to be extinct in the wild.

Rediscovered in Cambodia in 2000 by Fauna and Flora International (FFI), they’re still perilously close to dying out. Just a few years ago there were only around 250 left in the wild. The remaining crocs risk being poached for the black market, or accidentally caught up and killed in fishing nets. The Siamese crocodile

We’re funding a programme, run by FFI, to increase the crocodile population in the Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia. So far 136 Siamese crocodiles have been released into the wild – a massive boost to the tiny wild population. In 2020, crocodile wardens patrolling the release sites found one of the released females had been nesting and then spotted ten juvenile Siamese crocodiles; proof the crocodiles were successfully breeding.

The team’s ultimate goal is to establish a population of 10,000 Siamese crocodiles across multiple sanctuaries across Cambodia. This sounds like a lot but it is achievable. The next step is to release 150 crocodiles by 2025. Will you help breed and release a young crocodile? Nesting season began this month, and these hatchlings will be released into the wild, improving numbers, genetic diversity and resilience. This breeding programme is bringing the species back from the very brink of extinction.

Here’s how it works

Nesting season in the breeding centre begins. Any crocodiles rescued or donated are tested to ensure they’re true Siamese crocodiles.

Hatchlings are cared for from the moment they hatch. To be ready for release, juvenile crocodiles need to grow big enough to be able to defend themselves.

Community wardens patrol and protect the crocodile sanctuaries, monitoring nests and looking out for illegal fishing nets and evidence of poaching. Their presence has already reduced poaching and other threats.

Two suitable release sites in the Cardamom Mountains are selected. The field sites are wildliferich rivers, lakes and marshes, set in dense forests.

Fifty crocodiles are released every year for the next three years. They’re monitored with acoustic and satellite tags.

The team works with local communities to reduce fishing pressures near the sanctuaries giving the crocs the best chance of survival. The crocodiles are warmly welcomed, as they’re part of the communities cultural heritage. For more information on how you could donate, please visit: WWW.PTES.ORG

Astley Hall

8 Expert Tips on How to Exercise Safely in a Heatwave

To help people exercise safely this summer, fitness experts at Live Football Tickets discuss how to protect yourself and your furry friends from extreme heat and share eight top tips that could reduce your health risks without sacrificing your fitness goals! Pharmacist Abbas also shares how your medication may impact you in the heat.

1. Check Heat Adjusted Pace Calculator

It is estimated that your running pace will slow down by 6 to 10 seconds per km, for every five degrees increase in temperature roughly. In response to this, Stefan Balkenende, at Live Football Tickets comments:

“Your heart will need to work harder when you are working out in the heat. This means you would need to expect a slower running pace than before. To maintain a safe running pace and avoid overdoing it in the heat wave, you could check a heat adjusted pace calculator by putting in the temperature, humidity and your planned running distance/time. Though the heat effects may differ based on individuals, running slower ensures your body to function healthily under the sun.”

2. Pack water resistant sun creams and cooling mists

Many people tend to neglect the importance of applying external methods to stay cool and healthy during workouts, however, they could be very effective at protecting your body. Here is what Stefan suggests:

“We recommend bringing a cooling face spray to cool the body. Products such as an ice towel or cooling pads can also help your body keep from overheating, which could lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

“Exposing yourself to the sun during workouts may impose dangers to your skin, including developing skin cancer. Therefore, it is vital to take care of your skin health by applying a sun cream with a SPF, sun protection factor ,over 30. If you are going out for a swim in the heat, water resistant sun creams may be a better choice for you.”

3. Switch cardio for yoga

While it could be tempting to have an outdoor workout, It is important to know your body and pick the most suitable exercising type.

“If you don’t want to miss exercising outdoors, switch running and hiking to swimming, or yoga. Reduce the tensity and duration of your normal exercises too. Short sessions usually work better in hot summer, putting less stress on your body than long, cardio workouts.

4. Pick the time smartly

Although it can be hard to resist warm weather or change your workout routine, Stefan suggest choosing your exercising time carefully:

“Generally, we do not recommend exercising outside when the temperature reaches 35 degrees. With the colour - coded heatwave system being launched recently, it is easier to check heat alerts and health warnings before going out.

“If you still feel the need to exercise in the sun when it’s hot, either do it earlier in the morning before sunrise or try it later in the afternoon or after sunset. Avoid doing intense exercises between 10 am to 4 pm outside as it’s usually when the sun is at its hottest.”

5. Put on the right clothes

Looking to treat yourself to new workout clothes this summer, but don’t know whether you need a tight or loose fitting? In regards to choosing the best clothes for exercising in the heat, Stefan adds:

“You should always make sure to wear the most comfortable clothes no matter if they are tank tops or tight gym clothes. Avoid clothes that might restrict your movement or trap your body. When there is a heat wave, you may find lightcoloured and loose-fitting clothes more comfortable as they allow air to flow over and your sweat evaporates.”

6. Pre-training hydration

Hydration is really vital to our body no matter what time of the year, but it’s even more important during summer weather. In response to this, Stefan Balkenende at Live Football Tickets provide tips on drinking and eating when exercising in the sun:

“While many of us know the importance of drinking water after an exercise to restore any fluid levels you’ve lost, you should start drinking one or two hours before your workout too. This reduces your risk of becoming dehydrated faster and prepares your heart and body for your physical activity. Sports drinks with electrolytes would work more efficiently to help your body rehydrate.

“Eating water-rich food alaso helps with your body’s hydration level, such as watermelon, cucumber, lettuce, strawberries, tomato or an ice lolly. “

7. Pause when needed

If you have accidentally overdone it, here is what you should do according to Stefan:

“If you notice heat exhaustion symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and weakness, or other heat-related illnesses, pause immediately. You shold hide in the shade or perferably go to an indoor place with air cons fast. Drink a sports drink and wash your face with cold water if you can. It is unsafe to push against your limits, especially during a heat wave. “

If you or anyone else is struggling to breath, experincing unconsciousness or still unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place, being cooled and drinking

fluids, please see medical help by contacting 111 or 999. Please find details here on NHS.uk.

8. Exercise safely with your furry friends

With lots of people enjoying running with their dogs, here is what Stefan suggests:

“Exercising in the heat may help distress your dogs, but don’t risk overdoing it. You could take your dogs to a park with trees or other outdoor areas without direct sunlight. Help them stay hydrated by carring a portable water container and wet their paws to keep them cool. During summertime exercise, dogs could get heat exhaustion too so it’s important to watch for any signs they show and make sure they stay cool in summer.”

Your medication could make you more sensitive in the heat, Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Chemist Click Online

Pharmacy comments:

“Some medications can increase your sensitivity to sunlight or affect your body’s response to heat so you should talk to your pharmacist about any medications you are taking and ask if they have any sun-related precautions or recommendations. Dehydration or electrolyte imbalances can also occur because of certain medications, such as oral medications for Type 2 diabetes and potassium-sparing and thiazide diuretics for high blood pressure, which can be exacerbated during exercise in the heat. Understand the side effects of your medications and be vigilant about staying hydrated and maintaining electrolyte balance while exercising. If you bring medications with you during exercise, ensure proper storage to maintain their efficacy. Extreme heat can affect medication stability. Keep medications in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, and follow any specific storage instructions provided by your pharmacist.”.

HISTORICAL

HAWKSHEAD

By Mark Bateman

Located in the South Lakeland area just north of Esthwaite water Hawkshead includes the hamlets of Hawkshead Hill and Outgate. For a small village it has a strong and rich history with literary connections to writers including William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.

William the Conqueror’s grandson, the last Norman king Stephen 1st included Hawkshead in his 1135 endowment of Furness Abbey. Amongst other structures the Cistercian monks built a ‘grange’ just north of the village. Parts of it such as the ‘hall’, the ‘Courthouse’ and the Mill Pond for their corn mill can still be seen.

The monks were extremely industrious and kept flocks of sheep on the hills known by the old Norse term, ‘herd-vik’ whose descendants are the famously hardy local black-

woolled sheep the Herdwick. For four hundred years the monks ran Hawkshead as an early market centre for raw wool, yarn and the coarse homespun cloth worn by the labouring poor and known as ‘hodden grey.’ The small tarn at the end of Esthwaite water was believed to have been their fishpond and is still known as the ‘Priest Pot.’

In the 1530’s King Henry VIII set about the dissolution of the monasteries as part of his ‘divorce’ from the Catholic church. Local merchants moved in quickly to take over the wool, flax and hemp production and trade started by the monks. These products were used in the manufacture of sails, clothing, ropes, cords, and halters. Flax and linen were also supplied to Kendal for their growing ‘linsey-woollen’ (a plain coarse twill) production.

The town was granted its first official market charter by King James in 1608 and the importance of

the market can be seen in the very construction of Hawkshead’s streets and houses. In fact, there are no less than thirty eight known buildings of historical interest many dating from the 17th and 18th century when the town grew as a market town.

Local oak was used in the construction of town houses and their ‘pentices’ which was an extension of the area of a roof. The main function of them was to balance out heavy slate roofs but they also served a useful role for hanging fleeces, yarns and cloths that were for sale.

Many of the streets, and houses, in the village are named after their function, or appearance. For example Flag Street took its name from the Brathay flagstones that were used in the bridge to span the beck where fleeces, yarn and cloth was worked. In a similar way Spout House on Fountain street provided water for brewing and domestic use. The cobbled, Leather, Rag and Putty

street’ was once busy with cobblers, cloggers, saddlers, harness makers and clockmakers. Hawkshead’s ‘Market House’ was built in 1650 and featured an open arched shambles area beneath which local Butcher’s carried out their trade.

One of the most notable buildings in the town is the Hawkshead Grammar School which was founded in 1585 by Archbishop Edwin Sandys of York who petitioned Queen Elizabeth 1st to set up a governing body for a school. The school taught Latin, Greek, Arithmetic, Geometry, and the Sciences. The school closed in 1909 but now it is open to the public as Hawkshead Grammar School Museum from April to October and offers guided tours of the school rooms bringing the past to life.

Perhaps its most famous alumni was the Lakes poet William Wordsworth whose initials can still be seen carved into the desk he sat at. Wordsworth makes reference to childhood time spent at the school and in the hills around Hawkshead in his epic poem, ‘The Prelude’. Wordsworth spent his whole life from the age of twenty eight working on this poem to rival Milton’s, ‘Paradise Lost.’ The final version of the poem was published in fourteen volumes three months after his death and was only titled ‘The Prelude’ by his widow Mary, he had simply referred to it as ‘the poem.’

Wordsworth is not the only famous writer associated with Hawkshead; the world renowned children’s writer Beatrix Potter lived at Hill Top Farm Near Sawrey. Most of Potter’s tales (over thirty of them) concern the lives of animals including, ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’ (now a major film) and ‘Jemima Puddle duck.’

Not only was Potter a prolific writer but she was also an avid farmer and bought much of the land surrounding Hawkshead to breed Herdwick sheep. She was also instrumental in helping to set up the National Trust and after her death in 1943 she left four thousand acres, sixteen farms and her herds of prize winning Herdwick sheep, and cattle, to the National Trust.

Fans of Beatrix Potter will find plenty of Potter- related places to visit in Hawkshead such as the Beatrix Potter gallery. Various locations in the town can also be spotted as appearing in her books such as the Johnny- Tow mouse archway between what is now the Co-Op and The King’s Arms.

Hawkshead is also well known for its churches and chapels. Its main church, ‘St Michael and All Angel’s’ was built in 1578 replacing a twelfth century chapel. It features twenty six distinctive biblical texts originally painted on the walls in 1680 and 1711. The village also has a Methodist chapel opened in 1862. The Quakers also established a burial ground at nearby ‘Sepulchre Corner’ in 1658 at Colthouse where the remains of slate benches which show where meetings were once held.

On a slightly more gruesome note, both the Parish Church and Sepulchre Corner overlook the field known as ‘Gibbet Moss’ where the corpses of law breakers were hung as an example to other would be criminals. These corpses no doubt came from a gallows erected on a drumlin in the area still known as ‘Gallow Barrow.’

These days Hawkshead is a thriving market town offering something for everything. There is a wide range of shops including, galleries, book shops, craft shops, artisan food

including the famous Hawkshead relish shop, and outdoor activities shops. As well as this there are pubs, B&B’s and guesthouses.

There is always something going on throughout the year including National trail running races (open to all) and cultural events including classical music recitals at the church as well as jazz programs. Those who prefer to get active will find plenty of mountain biking and walking in Grizedale forest as well as national rally car stages.

Hawkshead is a great starting point to visit many great areas for walking for example at nearby Tarn Hows, Latterbarrow and Blenham Tarn. So when you’re looking for an interesting place to visit, with plenty to see and do, keep a beady eye on Hawkshead.

e Wanted’s Siva Kanesraran to star in hot new musical La Bamba!

Heat up November with the sizzling new musical La Bamba! at Blackpool Grand eatre starring e Wanted’s Siva Kanesraran. You’ll be Glad You Came!

Explosive new musical LA BAMBA! hits the number one spot as it announces SIVA KANESRARAN from top boyband e Wanted will slide into Blackpool Grand eatre from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 November straight from ITV’s Dancing on Ice! - It’s this Autumn’s Most Wanted ticket!

is pulsating dance musical will also introduce hot new star Inês Fernandez and feature breath-taking choreography from Strictly Come Dancing favourite and Italian Latin champion Graziano Di Prima.

Sofia, a wildly talented 17-year-old from Los Angeles, California, has music in her blood. From the moment her father handed her a guitar, her dream was to become a superstar. As she mixes the music from her roots with the music in her heart, Sofia also dreams of bringing together a community that has never felt more divided. Inspired by her musical heroes and with the help of her family, Sofia discovers that even the longest journey begins with a single step and how just one decision can alter her story forever… La Bamba! is a jaw-dropping modern new musical that combines the infectious rhythms of Latin, R&B and hip hop with timeless rock and pop to tell the ultimate feel-good story of a young girl with a big voice, big dreams, and an even bigger heart.

Singer, songwriter and pop hear hrob Siva Kaneswaran is best known for being one fi h of smash-hit boyband e Wanted and most recently appeared in ITV’s Dancing On Ice where he wowed audiences and slipped into the semi-final. Siva will play the role of Mateo alongside rising star Inês Fernandez in the lead role of Sofia. Further star casting to be announced! Watch this space…

La Bamba! is directed by multi-awardwinning American director Ray Roderick and features stunning choreography from Strictly Come Dancing favourite and Italian Latin champion Graziano Di Prima and Erica Da Silva with associate choreography by Giada Lini.

La Bamba! tells the sensational story of how the power of music can transform a generation and celebrate a community. is brand-new musical will feature an electrifying soundtrack from across the Latin genre from traditional folk songs to recent chart-topping hits, all expertly arranged by award-winning musical maestro, Alfonso Casado-Trigo.

Chase e Sun this November and book your seats now for the fiesta of a lifetime!

La Bamba! starring SIVA KANESRARAN from top boyband e Wanted and introducing rising star Inês Fernandez is at Blackpool Grand eatre from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 November with evening and matinee performances.

Tickets from £17.50 with concessions and group rates available. is production is recommended for ages 7 +. Visit blackpoolgrand.co.uk for full show listings and bookings or call the box o ce on: 01253 290 190 for bookings and further information.

LISTINGS

La Bamba!

Tue 21 Nov to Sat 25 Nov

Wed & Sat matinee at 2pm Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HT

n 01253 290 190

d blackpoolgrand.co.uk

f @blackpoolgrand

t @Grand_Theatre

i grandtheatrebpl

The greatest admirers of our City, are the visitors and those from neighbouring towns, many using Lancaster as the ‘bench mark’. Many of our businesses are regional and even national Award winners. Businesses from a City with a population of around fifty six thousand take on and beat businesses from the major Cities; Manchester, London, Birmingham and countless others.

Businesses that offer such high quality products and levels of service, believe in what they do. They have a passion and desire that makes them strive to offer the best. For an independent business to take on national companies, especially in the fashion sector, takes some serious gall.

I am quite lucky, selling clothing collections from the likes of Paul Smith, Armani, and Jacob Cohen. This affords me a little more protection, I am competing in a niche market, which does have its own challenges. Selling clothing that would compete with the High Street nationals, is a challenge too far, for me.

However, ‘Room 12’ has been doing this successfully in Lancaster, for over twenty five years. They inject new stock on a weekly basis, offering the very latest in styles, colours and designs. They use social media to great effect, often resulting in a ‘waiting list’ for the incoming products.

So, to the three W’s, not the World Wide Web, rather the Who, What, and Where. Room 12 was established

By Paul Cusimano

With Over Two Thousand Plus Years Of History, Lancaster Has It All. Stories Spanning The Centuries, Romans, Witches And Great Industrialists. Stunning Georgian Architecture. One Of The Most Complete Castles In Europe. Then, There Are Our Independents.

on the 18th October 1997 by Suzanne Murray. Originally opening at 12 Dalton Square, hence where the name originates from, Suzanne seized on the opportunity to buy larger premises, just along the block, at number 21 Dalton Square.

Having firmly established herself during those first seven years, this move was the perfect solution for the fast growing business. The new premises offered the business a second sales floor, as well as greater visibility. Room 12’s new home offered substantially more ‘frontage’, being situated on a corner.

The entrance to Room 12 is on the corner edge, affording the business windows to the front (Dalton Square) and side (Gage Street) elevations of the property. For premised retailers, window space is crucial, it’s considered a business’s best advert.

Dalton Square has a small beautiful walled park area, housing a fabulous

The Lay Out Is Always Uncluttered

statue of Queen Victoria, who stands facing the mighty, Palladian styled Town Hall, built by the Victorian industrialist, James Williamson (Lord

Ashton). The City’s one-way system runs through Dalton Square which means Room 12 has tens of thousands of vehicles, per day, passing it. One

Colourful, Fun & Cool

cannot fail to see the beautifully dressed windows.

Suzanne explained, “When I first opened, I was following my dream. Of course, I had to be cautious so opened in smaller premises, at 12 Dalton Square. I wanted to stock collections that still offered a level of exclusivity,

Beautifully Appointed 2nd Floor Sales

in that there wasn’t dozens per style and colour as the multiples do, whilst staying within a certain price point to match the better multiples.

“Adding new ranges on a weekly, or fortnightly basis, throughout the seasons keeps the shop looking fresh and offers something new to those wanting to make regular purchases. Yes, this involves a lot of time ‘buying’ for us, with countless trips to our suppliers.

“Room 12 is divided across two sales floors, selling the latest in women’s fashion, accessories and shoes. We hope that we bring something special to Lancaster’s high street. At nearly 70%, Lancaster’s ratio of independent

businesses is very high, and this all adds to the City’s vibrancy and uniqueness. We feel so incredibly lucky to be a part of that 70%.”

Suzanne always refers to the “we”, when talking about Room 12, in recognition of the role her staff play in the business, and its success. “Emma (Gray) joined me 10 years ago now.”

Suzanne continued, “We both feel that we work together as a great team, and we are great friends outside of work also. Emma is my Manager and is fantastic in all aspects of the business including the social media side of the business.”

It was during the Lockdowns of the pandemic that the business really embraced and utilised social media. Emma told me “Room 12 survived COVID and thrived afterwards, building an online presence so we could still help our customers to feel, and look, fantastic. We were very lucky that we were able to continue doing what we love from the safety of our homes. Between us we took orders from our social media platforms, posted out with Royal Mail, or hand delivered parcels in a safe manner, to our customers in the local area.

Classic Denim Multi-Versatile

Summer Prints

Your One Stop Shop

“We continue to offer a free local delivery service to Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham when ordering through our socials or over the telephone. The physical shop and our social media goes hand in hand, we don’t have a website as we believe in giving a personal shopping experience. We can do this better by having discussions and taking orders from our customers via Facebook and Instagram”

Emma concluded, “Last October (2022), marked 25 years in business for Room 12, and we celebrated for the whole weekend with fabulous discounts as a thank you to our customers. We consider ourselves very lucky to have such a great and loyal customer base, from near and afar. This allows us to carry on doing what we love and we couldn’t do that without the support and custom we have. Here’s to the next 25 years!”

When I approached Suzanne and Emma about writing this editorial, it was completely off the cuff, and for me, I was so fortunate, and grateful, that they were able to give me the time without an appointment. The reason I mention this is, neither of

Here’s To Another 25 Years

them had time to think about what they were going to say, and yet, you can really feel the passion and love they have for what they do.

I am proud to say, that this is indicative of what you can expect when you visit Lancasters wealth of independent businesses; be they retailers, hospitality or beauty, you will receive the very best levels of service and products.

Room 12 With Suzanne & Emma

The Supervet leads a star-studded bill of Big Names at The Grand next season

Get star spotting this year at Blackpool Grand Theatre with a whole host of top celebs taking to the famous stage including The Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick!

Are you thrilled by famous faces? Blackpool Grand Theatre will shine bright with star power this season as big household names prepare to take centre stage, from top TV actors to comedians, dancers to musicians, reality stars and even a Supervet! Don’t forget to bring your autograph book!

Make a memorable appointment with Noel Fitzpatrick – Beyond Supervet at Blackpool Grand Theatre on Sunday 12 November as he brings his uplifting and motivating live stage show, told with passion, humour and raw truth, learned from the thousands of animals he has helped through his career – and the people who have loved them.

Professor Noel Fitzpatrick is one of the world’s most renowned and much-loved orthopaedic-neuro veterinary surgeons and his powerful TV show The Supervet follows the highs and lows of a working veterinary practice as hard-to-cure pets from across the country receive cutting-edge care from Noel and

his team. This captivating new live show will go far beyond the boundaries of the smash-hit TV series to explore how caring for animals can help us all and how modern medicine can have an incredible impact on our lives, all told to a powerful soundtrack of stories, anecdotes and a vision for the future.

Noel said: “Through my life and career I have many tales to tell from the animals who inspire me and have healed me through their demonstrations of bravery, openness and kindness. This show is an honest and open account about life, and I hope many will relate to it, laugh and celebrate the only thing that matters at the end of it all, love.”

Blackpool Grand Theatre’s famous stage has been graced by some of the greatest actors and stars of their day over the years, from Sarah Bernhardt, Tallulah Bankhead and Peggy Ashcroft to John Gielgud, Alec Guinness, Noel Coward, Timothy West and Sir Ian McKellen.

Recent visitors have included Patrick Duffy, Alan Carr, Jon Richardson, Danny Walters and Craig Revel-Horwood to name just a few.

And Grand Theatre visitors can look forward to lots of star spotting to come…

Excited by live Entertainment?

The latest three winners of RuPaul Drag Race UK - Krystal Versace, Blu Hydrangea and Danny Beard – will sashay in for an exclusive spectacular of sidesplitting laughs, jaw-dropping vocals and eye-popping outfits in Slay Queenz; the star of TV’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, Inside The Real Narcos and author of the number one bestseller Battle Scars exspecial forces soldier Jason Fox will parachute in for ONE NIGHT ONLY, and award-winning comedian, social media sensation, and ‘Instagram’s funniest mum’ Sophie McCartney ventures into the perilous world of parenthood in her rollicking new stand-up show Tired and Tested.

Dazzled by drama? Celebrate 70 sensational years of Agatha Christie with a slice of the genre-defining murder mystery

The Mousetrap starring top TV faces Todd Carty and Catherine Shipton; Northern Broadsides bring the delicious regency farce Quality Street with Coronation Street’s Kylie Platt (Paula Lane) as sweet schoolmistress Phoebe Throssel; Michael Frayn’s riotous play-within-a-play Noises Off brims with slapstick comedy and

stars stage and TV favourites Liza Goddard, Matthew Kelly and Simon Shepherd, and Tom Wright’s acclaimed new production The Real and Imagined History of The Elephant Man stars incredible young actor Zak FordWilliams from BBC’s Better and is not to be missed…

Bewitched by dance? The stars of Strictly Come Dancing are packing up their famous dance shoes to visit the seaside once more as Ian Waite and Vincent Simone lead the way with the spectacular dance showcase The Magic of Dance, while gorgeous glitterball champion Giovanni Pernice will return by popular demand in 2024 with a breathtaking new show Let Me Entertain You.

Does live comedy tickle your fancy? There are a whole host of hilarious nights out with big names taking to the mic including the acerbic wit of stand up star and TV host Tom Allen; the inimitable Count Arthur Strong brings his wonderfully eccentric charm to his farewell tour And It’s Goodnight From Me, and book tickets ‘just like that’ for The Very Best of Tommy Cooper packed with Cooper’s trademark mayhem and misfiring magic, performed by actor and musician Daniel Taylor to namedrop just a few…

Love live music? X-Factor favourite Joe McElderry makes a welcome return to Blackpool with his 24-carat voice and sparkling personality to bring his brand new Celebrate The Music show; The Man in Black is back not once, but twice as the awardwinning Clive John pays homage to the late, great Johnny Cash, and explosive new musical LA BAMBA! hits the number one spot as it announces Strictly Come Dancing champion Pasha Kovalev and Siva Kanesraran from top boyband The Wanted will join the cast.

Looking for family fun? Your little ones will be wowed by Milkshake! Monkey and all his friends friends Paddington, Daisy & Ollie, Milo, Noddy, Pip and Posy, Blue’s Clues & You! in Milkshake Monkey’s Musical!; take a wonderful walk through Hundred Acre Wood with Disney’s magical new stage musical Winnie the Pooh with Winnie the Pooh and best friends Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit and Owl (and Tigger too!). And don’t forget our fabulous family pantomime Aladdin starring soap star legend Tom Lister and the superbly silly Britain’s Got Talent favourite Steve Royle. It’s never too soon to book for Christmas 2023. Oh no it isn’t!

Blackpool Grand Theatre – dazzling you with big names all through 2023 and beyond... Please call the Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit: www.BlackpoolGrand.co.uk for full listings, bookings and further information on all our live comedy events.

LISTINGS

Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HT

n 01253 290 190

d blackpoolgrand.co.uk

f blackpoolgrand

t Grand_Theatre

i grandtheatrebpl

MANISH’S ZODIAC PREDICTIONS

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 21 Mar - 19 Apr

This month pumps up your creativity, confidence, vitality, and shine. The next four weeks can increase social, romantic, and professional opportunity. Happiness, pleasure, and play can be on the upswing too. The relational area will be very active. Everything will happen faster, more intensely, more energetically. There would however be, a tendency towards stress, irritation and rush, that could result not only in disputes and controversy, but worse, in small accidents caused by hastily and carelessly handling objects or, even more serious, in road incidents

Favourable Dates: Aug 2, 4, 11, 13, 20, 22

Favourable Colours: Red & Yellow

TAURUS 20 Apr - 20 May

Whether your attention is directed toward pleasure, play, travel, visits, romance, social life, creativity, education, or career in bloom, it seems you have the stars on your side in the first two weeks. Regarding money matters, heart matters, or the past revisited, this period makes the journey an emotional one, especially so to the middle of the month. It brings you to a significant finish-line or milestone. It can be a time of contracts, actual or karmic in nature. Although extra caution is advised in second half of the month, overall you should feel everything is moving along

Favourable Dates: Aug 2, 4, 11, 13, 20, 22

Favourable Colours: :Red & Yellow

GEMINI 21 May - 20 Jun

It’s a good time to socialize, shake it up and go exploring. You’ll feel the need to direct concentrated effort into better self management. While it seems you are on a creative roll with life and love, you’ll feel the need to develop more consistency regarding emotions, health, job performance, and other good for your routines. It can be a good time to purchase real estate, to start a renovation project, or to dive into a new career prospect. Beyond your sense of deserving more leisure time and reward, keep the spotlight focused on someone of significance, a partner or child perhaps

Favourable Dates: Aug 1, 6, 10, 15, 19, 24

Favourable Colours: Purple & Yellow

CANCER 21 Jun - 22 Jul

You feel the need of some career and personal life changes.

First, you need to change your view, though, to re-evaluate your needs. In this month, most activities and preoccupations focus on money and values. There are high chances of earning, but the desire for waste and unexpected expenses cannot be ruled out. The investments for your home and family seem most appropriate. It can also bring you to the end or start of a bank or contract term, or see you define or accept an official position or status, or launch a significant new career

Favourable Dates: Aug 3, 5, 12, 14, 21, 23

Favourable Colours: Blue & White

LEO 23 Jul - 22 Aug

You’re hungry for anything new, for action and information. The enterprising spirit will reach high levels. It will be a favorable month to bold procedures and to energizing or re-launching actions that are slow in your opinion. Due to a great capacity of persuasion and expression, you’ll stand good chances at interviews, exams, negotiations, and also at writing papers. This period brings financial and partnership matters to a completion or solidification point. It is a time to make your status official, to settle finances or complete transactions. Self-employment prospects and family relationships should be on the upswing too

Favourable Dates: Aug 4, 7, 13, 16, 22, 25

Favourable Colours: Blue & Yellow

VIRGO 23 Aug - 22 Sept

It is the right time to dive into a new life chapter. Exceptional opportunity can open for you. This period keeps the vibrancy and potency of the moment very much alive. This can be a significant time of karmic reaping and fruition. Passion can come in your way at any time, and the call for adventure draws you to all kind of temptations. On the other hand, carelessness and exaggeration can throw you into unpleasant situations. A legal matter, contract or educational track can reach a conclusion or an important starting gate. This is also a time when a relationship or citizenship gains official status

Favourable Dates: July 1, 4, 10, 13, 19, 22

Favourable Colours: White & Red

LIBRA 23 Sept - 22 Oct

This period is sparked with fresh ideas, a fresh attitude, and a freshly synchronized momentum. Collaborations or other career-related social relations can involve trips or long-distance relationships. A legal matter, contract, vocational program, or exploration chapter can be completed. This period can signal a definitive time for relationship, education, career, creativity and spiritual quests. Expect the journey, whatever it is, to move along fast, especially as the stars are fired up in this month. There can be more openness and transparency – and more vulnerability too

Favourable Dates: Aug 2, 9, 11, 18, 20, 27

Favourable Colours: Green & Blue

SCORPIO 23 Oct - 21 Nov

This month offers an ideal time to pull the plug on the work or the struggle in order to give yourself a well deserved rest. This month can redirect you in some fundamental way, i.e. social life or lifestyle, goal mapping, psychology, attitude, relationship goals. However, you’ll be better if you manage to keep calm and moderate. Over stimulation can push you to excesses, risks and thoughtless reactions, of which might come out crises, accidents, injuries by imprudence. The weekends of this month are ideal for diving in deep, for travel, play, concerts, a backyard party, a sunset, romance or an escape

Favourable Dates: Aug 1, 9, 10, 18, 19, 27

Favourable Colours: Yellow & White

SAGITTARIUS 22 Nov - 21 Dec

This month takes you over a major threshold and cements your unfolding future. Expect to find yourself in dynamo mode. It provides you with plenty of will, determination and bravado. This suggests a ripe time to build better ground under your feet. Support yourself better and the universe will partner up with you. It’s an ideal time to start a new business, to change your home life or personal status, to start a family, or to enhance what is already on the go. Many other tender moments are in store for you, especially in the second half of the month

Favourable Dates: Aug 3, 7, 12, 16, 21, 25

Favourable Colours: Red & White

CAPRICORN 22 Dec - 19 Jan

You come up with lots of new ideas, thoughts, opinions, and you want to share all of it with the entire world. You will gain a better perspective on what or who is worth saving, what or who is worth your continuing effort and what or who is simply a drain, waste or lost cause. You want mental stimulation, and need to constantly be engaged with something to do or you’ll drive yourself bonkers. You should find that you are growing in confidence, that you are happier with yourself, your progress, and your decisions

Favourable Dates: Aug 2, 3, 11, 12, 20, 21

Favourable Colours: Blue & White

AQUARIUS 20 Jan - 18 Feb

Your imagination is more active, and you have a harder time focusing on the facts and figures. You just want to get lost in a daydream and your fantasies. If you’re in a relationship, you can try to connect more with your partner as friends. If you’re single, you can try to be friends with someone first, or begin dating a friend or someone you meet through a friend. If you have to spend a lot of time with other people, you can find that they drain you mentally, and you need time alone so you can mentally rest and recover

Favourable Dates: Aug 3, 4, 12, 13, 21, 22

Favourable Colours: Blue & Green

PISCES 19 Feb - 20 Mar

You can be presented with an important opportunity to do something behind the scenes. You thrive in the background, and can create good things for yourself there. You can also focus on your spirituality, and hone in on your intuition. This period can open your heart and touch your soul in some poignant way. It can fill you full of hope, inspiration, and desire. A family visit, home change, new residence, project, or financial prospect can keep you thinking and planning a good step ahead. A budding relationship can keep you planning your future too

Favourable Dates: Aug 3, 4, 12, 13, 21, 22

Favourable Colours: Blue & Green

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

The life of Di

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

NORTHERN VOICES

worth their salt wanting to hotfoot it to Morecambe, (to check out the views, and sample the hospitality of the marvellous Midlands), and Eurovision scouse-style had everyone talking long before it kicked off.

I even watched the contest myself this year, though mainly for the commentary, and an easy giggle to round off a lovely day of strolling along the prom at Fleetwood, taking in a wealth of seaside flora and fauna, and some rather nice Eccles cakes at the Ferry Café.

Call me biased but an achievement’s apt to seem doubly grand when it were a northerner as said or did it. I know, that undoubtedly breaches equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion considerations, political correctness and all sorts, but what can I say? I’m just not objective when it comes to god’s own country. I find myself delighted on discovering northern voices delivering anything from the sports news to the shipping forecast, (though I WOULD cite all the years when it was only those with mouths full of plum,--and a disconcerting propensity for putting R’s where they didn’t ought to be,--as could hope to grace the airwaves), and unconsciously upgrade any achievement with a sniff of northern involvement: It’s not just an achievement, it’s a northern achievement I guess, and to my mind there’ve been a fair few of those so far this year.

Happy Valley had practically everyone I know on the edge of their seats at the start of the year, (including people who typically only watched Flog It, and The Repair Shop), The Bay had anyone

I’d earlier in the year also watched Lancashire’s Dave Riding rocket from sixteenth place after his first run to a stunning second in the Kitzbuhel slalom – a performance which all but had me rushing out into the street to proclaim his might to the night in the manner of an old town crier. I restrained myself, (thankfully for anyone within a fivemile radius), but nonetheless wondered what the guy had to do for recognition. Notwithstanding a conspicuous lack of Alps, Pyrenees, or even snow to speak of in his part of the world, he’d already recorded a healthy number of top three finishes before he last year made history by becoming the first British skier ever to win a world cup event: And here he was again on the podium, and in fine style. Then we’d a spot of sensational snowboarding record-breaking courtesy of Cheshire-born sixteen-year-old Mia Brooks, another European indoor 800m gold from Keeley Hodgkinson – and my friend’s still celebrating City’s win in the all-Mancunian FA cup final, and hoping for more glory via the Champions League final.

All we need now is for say Stockport’s Liam Brody to win Wimbledon, and job’s a good ‘n. Well OK that might perhaps be a bridge too far, but one can dream. Sadly no Blackpudlian skiing, boarding, or tennis sensations so far this year. However, I WAS delighted to find our famous seaside town the main setting

for Elly Griffiths’ “Dying Fall”, the fifth book in her Ruth Galloway series. It was disproportionately gratifying, but then it’s not every day one’s book at bedtime features characters riding donkeys, rollercoasters, or just the length of the prom,--gawping curiously at Cinderella coaches,--a mere stone’s throw from where one is sitting. Just about the only landmark not covered was the Grand Theatre, to whose grandness I can doubly attest and with knobs on after doing a tour of it at the end of May. I’d actually go so far as to suggest it was at least a match for any theatre anywhere in the world – but then as we’ve established, I AM a tad biased when it comes to anything remotely northern.

Three in one setting ticks all the boxes

The celebrated catchphrase of the property world, ‘Location, location, location’, perfectly sums up High Bentham and the two independent holiday home parks owned and run there by the Marshall family.

Riverside Caravan Park and Wenningdale Escapes both provide a perfect base which ticks all the boxes for enjoying not one, not two, but three exceptional areas – the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Lake District National Park and the understated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is the Forest of Bowland.

It’s a remarkable blend that takes some beating when you’re considering a leisure location, especially given that the parks don’t carry the same hefty price tag associated with those honeypots. Take a closer peek at Wenningdale Escapes and Riverside Caravan Park and you find they also have a host of other features too which make them ideal locations for any form of holiday, from a short break to a permanent home-from-home.

Wenningdale Escapes is laid out among the rolling fairways of Bentham Golf Course, with all the advantages you’d expect from a golf course – acres of rolling grassland

with nothing to spoil the view. If you like nature, peace and quiet, then this setting is perfect. Luxury lodges are built to order here for owners who want to live the dream on one of the most picturesque golf courses in the country; in the foothills of The Three Peaks. It’s easy to reach from the A65 and an ideal base for discovering fabulous walking routes, challenging cycling, climbing, caving and fishing.

Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent and Whernside form the panoramic picture postcard backdrop, with the Cumbrian fells on the north-western skyline. A treat for golf enthusiasts and absolute novices alike, Wenningdale Escapes offers the opportunity to enjoy a round or two of golf with discounted green fees and equipment to hire during your stay, or if you don’t fancy getting into the swing yourself, you can simply enjoy the ambience and explore the surrounding area.

The accommodation options at Wenningdale Escapes include posh glamping pods and luxurious lodges which are for sale or hire (an ideal chance to ‘try before you buy’). It’s a perfect bolt hole for families, dogowners, groups of friends or just the two of you.

The park is just a short walk from the centre of the lively village of High Bentham, where there are key amenities, pubs and restaurants close to hand. As well as the golf course, onsite is a driving range, golf and leisurewear shop and the all-important 1922 Bar & Kitchen which offers home cooked food and refreshments throughout the season, with a terrace overlooking the course.

Luxury lodges

The beautifully appointed twobedroom and four-bedroom lodges for holiday hire feature open plan living, dining and kitchen areas, bathrooms and bedrooms with twin beds or super king, depending on the group dynamic. They are fully equipped with all the essentials including bed linen and towels, TVs with Bluray DVD players and Freeview TV channels. Each has a decking area for relaxing and enjoying the view, while the Kingsdale features a hot-tub spa for the ultimate luxury.

Posh pods

Made for two, these bijou cabins offer a comfortable glamping experience with kitchenette, twin beds or a super king bed with luxurious bedlinen, an indoor and outdoor dining area, ensuite bathroom, heating, electricity and TV.

Meanwhile, just a mile away on the other side of Bentham, at Riverside Caravan Park, the Marshalls’ offer an entirely different suite of holiday options.

Holiday cottages

Characterful farm buildings have been sympathetically converted to form two self-catering properties, Woodside Cottage which sleeps 8, and the pet-friendly Parkside Cottage which sleeps 6. Cosy fires, beams and wooden floors are complemented by comfy furnishing and en-suite bathrooms.

Mad about motorhomes?

Crazy for campervans or caravans? Lovers of holidays on wheels love

this spot, whether it’s to stay for an action-packed holiday or as a handy overnight stop off en-route between north and south as it’s just a short, picturesque detour off the M6. There are 61 level and immaculately maintained touring pitches and some seasonal pitches too, so it’s possible to park up here for the season and come and go as you please. The park is family friendly with an outdoor adventure playground, an indoor games room, and a small exercise field for dogs and football.

Holiday homes

Over the years many visitors initially passing through or staying for just one or two weeks a year have fallen under the spell of Bentham to eventually become holiday home-owners at Riverside Caravan Park. It’s because owning a holiday home here gives you the feeling of not just holidaying, but of belonging in this beautiful part of the world as you become part of the community.

Riverside is as pretty as its name suggests, straddling the River Wenning. From here you can wander along either bank to reach Low Bentham for a pretty walk that’s not as challenging as the surrounding hills. Fishing rights for caravan park residents and visitors extends for 2 miles along the river and the Park also has a well-stocked lake, making it a favourite for angling enthusiasts.

A range of new caravan homes by different manufacturers can be purchased for siting on the Park and pre-owned caravans are often available. With countless designs and manufacturers to choose from, the range of static caravans available appeals across the spectrum, with owners ranging from young families to retiree grandparents sharing with their extended family.

All the services are provided for these hard standing holiday home pitches (including mains drainage, water, electric and TV points). The site is beautifully landscaped and maintained by the staff. Holiday home owners benefit from complimentary wi-fi throughout the season and an onsite warden

available and on-call overnight in the event of any emergency. CCTV around the park ensures round-the-clock security whether or not owners are in residence.

Unlike holidaying abroad, time-out here comes with a low environmental impact. You can come and go as often as you please without having to trawl the internet for jet-setting availability and you don’t even have to have the

hassle of packing every time; you simply keep your holiday home filled with your permanent belongings for familiarity and convenience.

Pride of place

The Marshall family have been in the holiday business for decades and work tirelessly not only for their own parks but also for the industry as active members of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association. For all the magic they weave and excellence in customer service, they still attribute their success to the unbeatable setting of their parks amidst three stunning yet contrasting regions.

The Yorkshire Dales is a truly unique landscape with its stunning patchwork of dry-stone walls, limestone pavements and flower-rich meadows. The official National Park boundary starts in neighbouring Ingleton and stretches north past Kirkby Lonsdale to above Kirkby Stephen. To the east it runs above Skipton into Bolton Abbey and right around to the edge of Richmond.

To the north-west, the mountains of the Lake District National Park tower majestically by contrast, bejewelled

with glistening lakes in the deep valleys. It’s no surprise that the region is now designated a World Heritage Site. Its dramatic scenery has inspired British icons from William Wordsworth who wandered lonely as a cloud here, through to Beatrix Potter whose beloved Peter Rabbit won the hearts of children worldwide.

There’s plenty do, however long you stay, from boat trips on the lakes and scaling Scafell Pike, (England’s highest peak, to discovering indoor attractions as diverse as the Pencil Museum and Laurel & Hardy Museum.

And then to the south there’s the Forest of Bowland, which is stunning in its own right but has somehow escaped the tourist honeypot bustle. Although areas of ancient woodland feature naturally, the name ‘Forest’ derives from the original term denoting a royal hunting ground, so it is not a densely wooded region. Gritstone hills, deep valleys and peat moorland feature here in this western edge of the Pennines.

It’s perfect countryside for walking, cycling, wildlife-watching and stargazing. Pretty and unspoilt villages, ancient monuments, fascinating local culture and heritage are all just waiting

for you, from the iconic Pendle Hill to the picturesque pass, the Trough of Bowland.

And last but not least, if you ‘do like to be beside the seaside’, it’s a short trip to Morecambe Bay for plenty of sand and sticks of rock.

Visit wenningdale.co.uk and riversidecaravanpark.co.uk for more information on these award-winning ‘three in one’ holiday locations.

Shortlist Announced for Lakeland Book of the Year 2023

The shortlist for the prestigious Lakeland Book of the Year 2023 has been announced and there is just one month to go until the winners will be crowned at the charity event taking place on Tuesday 11th July at The Inn on the Lake, Glenridding.

Now in its 39th year, the Lakeland Book of the Year awards celebrate new writers and established authors who feature Cumbria in some way in their works and this year’s submissions highlight the huge variety of both the county and its literary talent.

Covering almost every genre and subject, from local history, agricultural landscape to bingo hall murder mysteries, this year’s entries have been narrowed down to a shortlist of 18, including:

The Bill Rollinson Prize for Landscape & Tradition

• Forty Farms, Amy Bateman

• Lost in the Lakes, Tom Chesshyre

• Westmorland, the Changing Hills, John Dunning

The Latitude Press Prize for Illustration & Presentation

• Centre Stage, Andy Park

• My Lakeland, Jim Watson

• Waterbird, Ian Gee

The Bookends Prize for People & Business

• Between Before and After, Edita Mujkic

• Countess Ossalinsky and the Thirlmere Dam, Ian Hall

• Minnie’s Scrapbook, Gary Johnston

The Wordsworth Prize for Literature & Poetry

• 163 Days, Hannah Hodgson

• Jardiniere, Kerry Darbishire

• North Country: An Anthology of Landscape & Nature, Karen Lloyd (ed)

The Eric Robson Striding Edge Productions Prize for Guides & Places

• Cumbria Rocks, Ian Jackson

• Extreme Lakeland, Nadir Khan and Tom McNally

• Lakeland Fell Running for Mortals, John Myatt

The Gilpin Hotel Prize for Fiction

• The Age of Reason, Francis McCrickard

• The Bingo Hall Detectives, Jonathan Whitelaw

• Till all the Seas, Jane Whiteford

The awards will be presented at a charity event at The Inn on the Lake, Glenridding in just under a months’ time on Tuesday 11 July 2023. The charity partner for this year’s event is PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide in the UK) charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. Attending the event will be Andy Airey from 3 Dads Walking, along with a representative from PAPYRUS.

Above: Returning Judge Kathleen Jones

This year’s competition includes the introduction of new judge Michael McGregor, who is Director of Wordsworth Grasmere and the returning Kathleen Jones who was previously on the panel. Alongside broadcaster Fiona Armstrong, who takes up head judging duties following the retirement of competition founder Hunter Davies OBE, will be former Cumbria Tourism President Eric Robson. Rachel Laverack from Cumbria County Council will judge and present the children’s poetry competition. It will also be the first time that Cumbria Tourism will be running the event following many years in a supporting role.

Returning judge and Sunday Times best-selling biographer Kathleen Jones comments “The Lake District, Cumbria has more writers per head of population than anywhere else in the UK. It’s an exciting and inspirational place for a writer but, living in the north can sometimes mean you get overlooked by a very ‘London-centric’ industry.

“The Lakeland Book of the Year Awards are very important in spotlighting Cumbrian authors. As a ‘bred and born’ Cumbrian, I’m delighted to be asked back as a judge. Being a published writer is often a thankless occupation, and so it’s wonderful to be able to give recognition to the amazing writers who live here”

Previous Lakeland Book of the Year winner Roger Lytollis adds “I’d like to wish the best of luck to all entrants in this year’s Lakeland Book of the Year awards. I was fortunate enough to win the overall award last year. The resulting publicity had a big impact on sales. I’m sure the same will be true of this year’s winner, and I hope that all the shortlisted titles receive a boost, and the recognition they deserve.”

Tickets are still on sale here for the 2023 Lakeland Book of the Year Awards at: www.cumbriatourism. org/product/lakeland-book-of-theyear-ticket/ or for more information about the event, contact Ben Melling at Cumbria Tourism on: 01539 822 222.

Above: The Inn on the Lake, Glenridding

TRENTHAM SUMMER CONCERTS 2023

A summer of live bands and tribute acts in stunning surroundings

TRENTHAM SUMMER

CONCERTS 2023 returns with 10 unmissable shows taking place on Fridays and Saturdays, from 7th July through to 5th August offering separate nights of live music entertainment for the family to enjoy by the stunning lakeside.

Are you ready to round up your family and friends, get your picnic plans together and dust off your deckchairs? It’s time for a for a sizzling summer of live music in a unique historic Gardens setting at Trentham’s Summer Concerts!

Not only do the concerts offer live outdoor music in an incredible setting, but with ticket prices frozen at 2022 levels, it’s a great value way for people to get together with the whole family to make special memories with the added bonus of being able to bring a picnic too!

Set in 725 acres of historic parkland, the ornate gardens located near Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire are the perfect place to picnic and party this summer! While the Hall itself is now derelict, the beautiful Italianate Trentham Gardens has been extensively restored and as part of Trentham’s ongoing development, it includes a Shopping Village with plenty of places to eat, shop and drink before you head into the Gardens for a night to remember!

Travelling far to party with us? We’ve got you covered with a hotel right on site, visit Premier Inn for further details and to book your stay!

With all your favourite music genres covered, the only challenge is which date to pick!

The Trentham Summer Concerts 2023 full line up is as follows:

FRIDAY, 7 JULY 2023: Ultimate Party

The clue is in the name - set to be a night full of your favourite floor fillers and party anthems, bring your dancing shoes and all the good vibes for a fun filled night of party classics, with our brand new band for 2023, Jam Hot Showband!

SATURDAY, 8 JULY 2023: Monster Rock Anthems

Thunder Hammer will be ROCKING Trentham Gardens once again in 2023! Performing massive rock hits from Guns N Roses, ACDC Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi, and many more! Get ready for Thunder Hammer to take you on the ultimate journey, into the depths of the greatest rock anthems of all time.

FRIDAY, 14 JULY 2023: Motown & Soul

All the very best of Soul, Motown and Funk songs from the last five decades! Detroit Soul Collective are guaranteed to get you up on your feet and dancing to the best of Motown, from the likes of Bruno Mars, Luther Vandross, The Jacksons and Stevie Wonder!

SATURDAY, 15 JULY 2023: ABBA Reunion

ABBA REUNION gives ABBA fans, old and new, the opportunity to get together and re-live the addictive disco tunes of the 70s and 80s! All of the greatest hits will get you ‘Dancing, Queen’!

FRIDAY, 21 JULY 2023: Majesty – A Tribute to Queen

Get ready for Trentham’s Tribute to Queen concert – with brand-new world-renowned tribute for 2023! “We Will Rock You” this summer, as Majesty Queen Tribute perform

all the hits from Queen and Freddie Mercury’s decade-spanning career, so bring your ‘Best friend’ and get ready to sing your heart out!

SATURDAY, 22 JULY 2023: Back to the 90s & 00s

You’re in for a treat with a night of 90s AND 00s throwback hits. Pack a picnic and get ready to party by the lakeside and dance the night away - expect the very best tracks, from the likes of The Spice Girls, Britney Spears, Take That and The Black Eyed Peas!

FRIDAY, 28 JULY 2023: Wildboys Ultimate 80s

Get ready for the sound of the Ultimate 80s at Trentham Gardens with our brand new band for 2023, The Wildboys! Dance the night away as the authentic live band performing smash-hits from the 80s. Themed and fancy dress is highly encouraged, bring out the neon and don’t forget your picnic!

SATURDAY, 29 JULY 2023: Indie Session: Scam Fender, Kopykat Killerz & Subarctic Monkeys

Get ready for an incredible indierock night as ‘The Kopycat Killers’ are back, with their amazing tributes to both The Killers’ and Arctic Monkeys’, PLUS new for 2023, Scam Fender! Performing all of the top hits by up and coming artist Sam Fender!

FRIDAY, 4 AUGUST 2023: American Divas!

The American Divas take us on a nostalgic journey through the careers of Cher, Tina Turner and Madonna, 3 legendary women, paying homage to the songs, the looks and the performances that have earned them recognition throughout the world!

“Believe” us when we say, you don’t want to miss this one!

SATURDAY, 5 AUGUST: 2023: Club Classics

Back again by popular demand to close our sizzling summer of concerts, join our hugely popular Club Classics night with the talented HouseJammerz! Get ready, to dance and sing to these throwback anthems in our outdoor ‘club’, with a bigger and better setlist than ever!

Kerrie Pope, Head of Events, comments: We’re amazed by the response we’ve had so far for this year’s summer concerts line-up and we can’t wait to see it’s return. With acts to suit all tastes from Scam Fender to Club Classics and everything in between, our 2023 line-up has something for everyone!”

Tickets are priced at £19 per person. Children are welcome, but under 16’s have to be accompanied by an adult, under 3’s go free.

A small number of VIP gazebos are also available for £65. The gazebos are 3m by 3m plus private grass space and include a 6ft trestle table and six Trentham deckchairs all located within the premium seating area with an elevated view across the lake.

Doors open at 6pm for a 7.30pm start.

For more information and to book tickets, please visit: https://trentham. co.uk/events-at-trentham/.

Respect For Our Beautiful Places

Nature reserves are places where the Wildlife Trust creates wonderful habitats for the plants and creatures that delight most visitors

Off every path, there is some wild adventure happening, whether it’s a burnet moth sun-bathing on a thistle or roe deer feeding in a meadow, ready to head to a woodland at the first sign of danger.

Wildlife will create magic moments if you just take you time, stop, look and listen – can you hear that cuckoo?

Most of our reserves cater for visitors, our staff and volunteers create paths, places for people to sit and hides where anyone can watch the drama of nature unfolding in front of their eyes.

Some of our reserves have cafes and all most welcome picnics; they are delightful settings for a snack. The picnickers will often bring homemade or bought goodies and enjoy a little al fresco lunch, taking all their packaging and paper home with them.

One thing we have noticed over the past few years, is the small number of people who do enjoy outdoor dining but feel that they need to share their day out with the rest of us. Portable barbecues are not allowed on our reserves, do you really need hot food

Nature reserves are places for people to chill out and enjoy the wildlife around them, but Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Alan Wright believes there is still a learning process to being in wild places.

Feeding the swans at Wigan Flashes by Alan Wright

Take care near to ponds at Summerseat by Alan Wright

Keeping to the path at Freshfield Dune Heath by Alan Wright

all the time? Others feel that leaving litter for other people to pick up is acceptable.

My view is – if you want to go somewhere nice to eat, why would you leave it in a mess. If everyone had the same attitude then beauty spots would soon lose their appeal and some of the litter you are leaving can actually harm the lovely wildlife you have around you. Leaving litter is selfish.

Many of our 40-plus nature reserves do allow well-behaved dogs, but again some people are happy to let their dogs roam, frighten wildlife and make a mess. I am a dog owner and love my pooch, but these are nature reserves and they are not just for you and Rover or Hilda.

All these rules? The simple plan for any visitor is keep to the paths and keep your dogs and children on the paths, and allow nature to thrive in its woods, meadows and streams and lakes.

Stay out of the water at Bickershaw NR

Keeping to the paths is essential on peatlands like Little Woolden Moss by Alan Wright

I find that getting out into wild places gives you a feeling of pride particularly if they are on your own doorstep. On Lancashire Wildlife Trust nature reserves I much prefer welcoming people with a “hello” and telling them about the amazing wildlife they might see every day of the year, rather than feeling as though I need to tell them to change their behaviour.

You can see amazing wildlife from the hides at Lunt Meadows by Graham Roberts

Swans over Lunt Meadows by Graham Roberts

The Meadow Lake at Brockholes by Les Price

If we respect nature and other people then our nature reserves and other beauty spots around Lancashire, will continue to create moments that can take your breath away.

Wildlife is out there if you are patient by Alan Wright

Busy bee off the path at Moston Fairway by Alan Wright

Great pied hoverfly on nettles by Alan Wright

]There is a clear path at Moston Fairway in Manchester by Alan Wright

by Alan Wright

Family of swans at Middleton Nature Reserve, near Heysham

The Wildlife Trusts

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 30,000 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

Bee orchid at Middleton Nature Reserve by Alan Wright

Six spotted burnet moth at Brockholes by Alan Wright

You can share the path with snails by Alan Wright

Roll up for a Grand Summer Spectacular!

Cirque: The Greatest Show brings the very best of stunning circus performance and musical theatre to Blackpool Grand this July & August with thrilling live summer shows for all the family

Escape the ordinary and enter the world of the extraordinary this summer with the awardwinning Cirque: The Greatest Show on Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 July and Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 August.

This smash-hit circus musical is a real summer spectacular for all the family as West End stars combine with incredible circus performers to bring the biggest hits from everyone’s favourite musicals to the Grand stage in unique, spellbinding style.

Cirque: The Greatest Show will turn a monochrome world into kaleidoscopic colour as showstoppers from The Greatest Showman, Moulin Rouge, Hairspray, Rocketman the Musical

and many more, combine with thrilling feats of agility and flair from highly skilled circus performers, including amazing aerialists, fabulous fire eaters and breathtaking contortionists.

Local entertainment

entrepreneur Max Fox is creative director and co-owner of Cirque – The Greatest Show, which tells the fascinating tale of a mime artist who lives his life in boring black and white until he discovers a magical TV which enables him to enjoy extraordinary new experiences. Max will also perform as one of the lead vocalists in this mustsee production and will be joined by award-winning comedian,

actor, magician and Britain’s Got Talent audience favourite Christian Lee in a brand new role as the mesmerising mime artist, alongside talented vocalists Kristel Herrera and Ashley Lloyd.

This award-winning musical masterpiece is a sizzling seaside special that will fulfill A Million Dreams!

But why do we love the circus so much? The thrill of the circus has captivated audiences for generations since English entrepreneur and showman Philip Astley first drew out a ring in London in 1768 and filled it with astonishing tumblers, horses, acrobats, jugglers and clowns.

Audiences are drawn to the sheer visual spectacle of the circus and the daring feats of human skill on display. The colorful costumes and dazzling lights all contribute to an immersive experience that captivates viewers and they are transported to a realm where ordinary rules do not apply, allowing people to suspend their disbelief and indulge in a sense of childlike wonder. Many circus acts also push the boundaries of human capabilities, involving high-risk stunts and breathtaking displays of ability. The danger and suspense associated with circus performances generates an adrenaline rush that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats!

Run away to the circus this summer and book your seats now for an unforgettable theatrical experience for the whole family like no other.

Cirque: The Greatest Show is at Blackpool Grand Theatre on Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 July and Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 August. Tickets from £32. Family of four ticket available.

Visit blackpoolgrand.co.uk for full show listings and bookings or call the box office on:

01253 290 190 for bookings and further information.

LISTINGS

Cirque

Sat 29 - Sun 30 July

Sat 12 - Sunday 13 August

Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HT

n 01253 290 190

d blackpoolgrand.co.uk

f blackpoolgrand

t Grand_Theatre

i grandtheatrebpl

Burscough Pupils Start a New Chapter Thanks to Redrow

PUPILS from a primary school in Burscough have a new reading area thanks to a donation from Redrow

left:

LtoR Redrow’s Sofia Delgado with pupils Niall, Evie and Beth

Above:

LtoR Teacher Ruth Harrison-Scott, Redrow’s Sofia Delgado with pupils Niall, Evie and Beth.

St John’s Catholic Primary School has created a reading area for year five and six pupils at the school after receiving money from the homebuilder’s Burscough Community Fund.

Redrow launched the £3,000 fund to celebrate the opening of a new phase at its development in the town – The Grange at Yew Tree Park.

“We want to provide our pupils with high quality literature that improves their comprehension and promotes pleasure in reading,” said Elizabeth Devey, headteacher at St John’s Catholic Primary School.

“Communication and language are the most important indicators of future success and employment, and we want to give our pupils the skills they need for future attainment.

“We are very grateful to Redrow for this funding, which has allowed us to engage the children and help deliver the best outcome for them.”

This voluntary gift to the community is over and above the statutory investment from Redrow as part of the planning process, which includes contributions to community infrastructure of more than £2 million.

Sian Pitt, sales director at Redrow Lancashire, said: “Here at Redrow we are in full agreement with St John’s Catholic Primary School that communication and language are key skills. So we were only too happy to provide funding for this project.

“We are delighted that the school now has this new reading area set up and I hope it is enjoyed by many more pupils to come.”

The new phase at The Grange at Yew Tree Park will form an extension to the popular development, located on Liverpool Road South. The 12.5-acre parcel of land will include 169 new homes, 59 of which will be affordable housing.

To find out more about The Grange at Yew Tree Park visit www.redrow.co.uk/yewtreepark or call the sales team on 01704 740635.

THE RAKE TAPAS RESTAURANT, BAR & BOUTIQUE HOTEL

We believe in serving beautiful tapas, with the freshest ingredients from local producers. Our pizza oven creates the most mounth-watering pizza to tantilise your tastebuds. We have a excellent drinks menu, with local ales, mediterranean wines and we’re also quite partial to a G&T. If you’d like to stay with us, we offer four superb rooms with access to a private outdoor area. The Rake is an exceptional place to eat, drink and stay, especially with The Quay Side fish and chips shop located next-door!

Liverpool Pulls Off Yet Another Coup to Host the UK Beauty Industry With National Beauty Show

National Beauty Show Exhibition Centre Liverpool 4th- 5th November 2023

One of the newest and most exciting beauty shows to hit the UK has been inundated with requests by some of the biggest and most popular beauty brands and products across the UK wanting to exhibit at the National Beauty Show.

Salons Direct, Acre Pharmacy, Elite Aesthetics, Jalupro, Lex Cosmetics, Mollie Elise, Pro Italia, DOJO, Promoitalia, Royal Scrubs, Cliquesy, UTH Dermal Filler, CPD Professionals, Socialista, Sci U, Under The Palm Aesthetics, Daith Clinic, Amory, Optara, Muscle Flow and Feebea Make Up are just a handful of the beauty industry companies, brands and products who will be exhibiting at the National Beauty Show in Liverpool on the 4th and 5th

November. The event will be staged at the purpose-built Exhibition Centre on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront, which recently hosted the Eurovision Song Contest.

Liverpool has never been in more demand following the phenomenal success of Eurovision with interest in the city at fever pitch. Salon owners, beauticians, nail technicians and beauty fans from across the UK will see some of the biggest names in beauty, wellness, cosmetic and aesthetics brands descending on this amazing city widely regarded as the beauty capital of the UK.. The event is open both to the beauty trade and the public, with beauticians, aesthetics practitioners, beauty fans

and influencers all coming together to celebrate the best of beauty. Expect to see live demonstrations on beauty and aesthetics trends, new techniques, product launches, masterclasses and podcasts from the best in the business.

The National Beauty Show was conceived by two female beauty entrepreneurs from Liverpool, Jody Riley, a former beautician turned beauty tech entrepreneur and the face of beauty booking app PamperBook/ Cliquesy and Alex Alexander, owner of Lex Cosmetics, one of the UK’s leading cosmetic nurses whose clients include celebrities, the rich and famous. The Liverpool ladies – who have previously run events together - teamed up together last year when they launched the National Beauty Awards 2022 in the city to a huge sell-out success and the National Beauty Awards 2023 will take place in October at the Titanic Hotel.

Commenting on the forthcoming event Jody Riley Co-founder said. “The response we have had from across the beauty and cosmetics industry to attend and support this event has been truly amazing. There is a huge amount of excitement for the city with Liverpool showcasing itself to the world with Eurovision and being rated as one of the top tourist destinations in the UK, we have been inundated with interest in the event from the beauty industry right across the UK.

Many people within the beauty industry are also excited that this event is being held outside of London as its considerably cheaper to exhibit at our show in Liverpool than London, because of the associated costs

of attending, exhibiting, transport, parking and hotel costs. We have also priced our tickets competitively for the public at £11 making it an affordable event in the current climate.”

Visitors to the event can expect to see celebrity guests, informative talks, masterclass sessions from the UK’s top beauty and aesthetics educators, practitioners and influencers. Beauty business owners will also be able to pick up tips and tricks on how to grow their beauty business from Socialista marketing influencer Anna Khanna, hair and beauty business growth coach Alysha Bradley and professional make-up artist and educator Aimee Elizabeth to mention just a few.

Jody Riley added. “We are a city that has been dubbed ‘the beauty capital of the UK’ and Liverpool is widely recognised as having the best prospects for a career in beauty. We can’t wait to welcome these brands who will be exhibiting at the show. Beauty professionals, salon and clinic owners who work across the beauty and aesthetics industry will get to see the latest products, treatments and techniques delivered by popular world-renowned brands. Beauty fans will get tips and beauty hacks from leading influencers and discounted products and offers unique to the National Beauty Show.”

Over 200 beauty trade suppliers and brands will arrive in the city to showcase their products, the latest treatments and top beauty brands. The National Beauty Show is expected to attract an audience of over 10,000 beauty fans from all over the UK to attend the two-day event in the beauty

capital of the UK.

Alex Alexander Co-founder of The National Beauty Show is one of the UK’s leading cosmetic nurses to celebrities, influencers, the rich and famous. She also teaches cosmetic treatments and services from her Lex Cosmetics Clinic Training Academy both locally and nationally and is at the forefront of the latest beauty and cosmetic trends.

“When we decided to create the National Beauty Show we wanted to produce an event outside of London and bring together like-minded people, an event which appealed to everyone in the beauty and cosmetics industry, whether you were a beautician, cosmetics nurse, make-up artist, nail or brow technician.

We wanted this to be inclusive and accessible to all in the beauty industry, whether you are a clinic, salon owner or providing a mobile beauty service. At the same time, we wanted to also open the event up to customers who have beauty treatments, so they could pick up beauty tips and tricks, attend masterclasses and also get discounted beauty and cosmetic products unique to our event.

I think what sets us apart is that we have both worked in the beauty and cosmetics industry for many years and we wanted to create a different event that was unique to all of the other beauty exhibitions we had attended over the years. We wanted to put our own style on the event, but also more relevant to the industry we work in.”

Liverpool is regarded as the Beauty Capital of the UK and rated No1 for beauty treatment popularity and annual beauty spending. Liverpool has also been rated the top city in the UK in which to have a career in hair and beauty and No 1 for salary potential. Liverpool ladies spend more money per head on hair, beauty and cosmetic procedures than any other city in the UK. The UK beauty industry is worth £27 Billion and contributes £8 Billion to the UK economy. There are over 46,000 hair and beauty businesses across the UK, with 5425 of those hair and beauty businesses across the North West alone. Beauty and cosmetics treatments range from £25 for eyebrow tints to £8000 for cosmetic treatments. According to a recent survey, women spend an average of £500 per month on hair and beauty regimes and treatments.

www.exhibitioncentreliverpool.com/ nationalbeautyshowuk/

Tickets for the event are on sale now priced at £11 and are available by scanning the QR code or by booking tickets using this link to:

Liverpool

THE ANCIENT PROVENENCE OF SERVICE WITH A SMILE

By Denise Mullen

I’ve started upcycling bits of furniture. We have a little holiday let that we’re furnishing. He’s in charge of the blue jobs, me the pink ones.

Anything plumbing, electrical, construction or fiddling with the wood burner is all his domain. I’m looking after the Chi-Chi element. The small, recently converted barn is in a great spot. Somehow though, every time we go up there to move on our project, we finish up with a shift of focus.

For example, on this occasion, as I captained his pick-up truck and he snored loudly in the passenger seat, I had not appreciated that, under my little pieces of furniture, there was a massive stone lintel. This had come out of our house. From under or over a window or some such.

There’d been an old blanket over it. So, on arrival, we let Harley out for a leg-stretch, then we lift out the bits of furniture, through the door and into the sitting room.

I make a start on working out exactly the sequence to move everything to its ultimate position.

‘What are you doing?’ he asks.

‘I’m sorting this furniture so we can get it all in place and check the fit etc, and there’s all these blinds to go up.’

‘No, no, no,’ he says, ‘we’ve to move the lintel first.’

(Lintel? What lintel?)

Apparently, the night before, when it was me snoring upstairs in our own bedroom, he was using the pulley in the barn to get this huge piece of sandstone into the truck. Also, apparently, he had told me that the main reason for the

trip was to fit the lintel as an additional step onto the patio from the kitchen French doors.

I remember none of this.

And now I’m faced with being the woman with the heavy-gauge rollers and levers (you know, like the Egyptians building the pyramids) as we try to get the stone out of the truck without a pulley, and into place without cracking the patio.

Small fashion note worthy of mention here. I’m wearing a linen dress and flip flops.

‘Where are your boots?’ he asks, pointing at my feet.

‘Under the bench in the hall – at home,’ I say.

‘Well, that’s no good, is it?’ he says. Then, ‘Right I’ll do it all on my own then.’

I assure him that I will keep my feet out of the way, and still manage to get my shoulder to the lever bar we’re apparently using to move the slab. There are some lengths of scaffold tube we’ll be using as rollers (a

Denise Mullen is a journalist, columnist, writer and entrepreneur.

recent advance in pyramid-building technology).

In case you’re wondering if this is fun. No. It isn’t. Nor is it, on any level, speedy, either.

Once it’s in position, and we’re both red-faced and panting, he sends me off to find small flat stones to level-up the new step. It’s wobbling see. I’m pretty sure Cleopatra would have had none of it.

But, off I go, in my redoubtable flip flops, scouring for flat bits of flinty slate (or whatever it is) so we can bung it underneath and exit the kitchen to the patio without measuring our lengths thanks to our new ‘mobile’ step. It will be mortared into place – that’s probably the wrong term but you know what I mean – on the next trip. And yes, apparently, this will also be another little job for me. To lie flat out on the floor with a little shovelly spatula thing and stuff whatever that holding agent is around the stones and then make a neat finish.

I’m thinking the neat finish might be me just lying there having a toddler tantrum…

The whole relocating of the massive slab job took us about two hours. But I was hot, fed up and all the furniture was still in the middle of the sitting room. That, I thought to myself, is not getting moved this trip.

During the manoeuvring of our block, Harley remained stoic from her shady vantage point. Probably with me in spirit, channelling her inner Anubis, (also called Anpu), ancient Egyptian god of funerary practices and care of the dead, represented by a jackal or the dog-headed figure of a man. She’s doing this from a small piece of furniture covered with the blanket that had been covering the slab. Good call Harl.

After muttering some ancient Egyptian curses – actually, probably Anglo Saxon in origin, but I won’t illuminate – I respond positively to his proclamation that engineers are geniuses. By now he’s shed his steel toecap boots and is padding about in full sun sporting impossibly furry socks – leaving little damp, felty footprints on the patio. Each footprint evaporates as I watch. Wine o’clock and time for the slaves to knock off in the Valley of the Kings. A bottle of wine and a glass of wine on a polka dot tray

What’s on my plate, what’s in my glass:

At the end of a day shifting furniture, The Boy and I had both lost the will to bicker. Unfortunately, I had also lost the will to cook.

Cleverly, to counterbalance this, I have embarked – for both of us – on a voyage of low-impact culinary discovery. A sort of armchair tour of the world.

Living in ever decreasing circles is where old age lives. Choosing instead a life lived lighter – more curious – is where you’ll find the fountain of youth (I have also loftily decided). Well, that’s our excuse anyway.

So, we will stop having ‘the usual’ and instead opt for ‘the unusual’. Having also lost the will to shop, I perused online to see what wines we could have delivered to our furniture’s destination (where we would be sleeping on camp beds). Amazon now has wines produced exclusively for its own collection – we had no idea. But we did like the idea of a box with a big smile on it delivering a sip or two. We tried the Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, a 2022 called D.O. Aconcagua. A little more than £7 per bottle, but light, refreshing uncomplicated and zingy. Very delicate grassy perfume.

Partnered the salty sweet of black olives and balanced acidity of the green olives (from M&S) I hadn’t had to cook. A drinkable aperitif at a good budget, best enjoyed on a sun-drenched patio just outside Sedbergh in furry socks or sandals – your choice - in an homage to the ingenuity of ancient people. And 21st century engineers.

When The Boy complained of impending extinction through hunger (we had crisps too!) I relented. The fish finger butties were all the better with another glass of the Chilean revelation.

SOUL II SOUL Announce Liverpool - Eventim Olympia Show

On Friday 17th November 2023

Soul II Soul announce Liverpool – Eventim Olympia show taking place on Friday 17th November 2023.

Formed in 1988 Soul II Soul and Jazzie B in their community in North London. Soul II Soul’s dances had been reflecting what was occurring naturally in London; kids of all races had grown up together and were now raving together. By the mid1980s the warehouse scene was in full swing, vibrant and underground, removed from the constraints of the mainstream – a natural fit for Soul II Soul’s creativity.

Nothing summed them and their crowd up better than their regular Sunday night spot at the now legendary Africa Centre in London’s Covent Garden. The Africa Centre was a game changer for Soul II Soul; for British black music; and for the nation’s youth culture in general. It caught the attention of Virgin Records, who signed them as an act in 1988, catapulting them into a tornado of success.

There were the resident club nights all over the world; live concert tours; radio and TV appearances; Jazzie had his own show on London’s Kiss FM and there was even an Adventures of the Funki Dreds comic book. And, of course, Soul II Soul enjoyed the type of chart success – notably with ‘Keep On Movin’ and ‘Back To Life’ – that made them household names all over the world.

To date Soul II Soul have sold over 10 million albums in over 35 territories worldwide and have product on over 200 compilation CDs while Jazzie has accreditation on over 35 million albums in over 100 territories. They’ve performed in over 20 countries, and appeared at some of the most famous venues in the world including

Wembley and New York’s Universal Ample Theatre. America embraced Soul II Soul to such a degree, in 1990 they picked up two Grammy’s. Jazzie was given the keys to seven cities in the US, including LA and New York, and the NAACP has honoured him.

Tickets for SOUL II SOUL – November 2023 – Liverpool show are available:

Friday 17th November 2023

LIVERPOOL – Eventim Olympia

www.eventim-light.com/ uk/a/63cad97174fb184f4eebfa20/ e/6429dd65c4ffb548d6b09332

Doors – 7.00pm

Tickets from £30.00 advance

For further information on SOUL II SOUL, check out the following website / social media links:

d soul2soul.co.uk/

f soul2soulofficial

t Soul2SoulUK

i soul2souluk

Delamere Health Ltd is the UK’s only purpose-built residential addiction treatment clinic. We provide exemplary care and a truly innovative addiction treatment programme.

Guests come to stay with us when an aspect of their life is overwhelming all else. Whether it be their relationship with alcohol, substances or behaviour, we help guests heal and take back control. Our award winning clinic is set discreetly amidst 6 acres of grounds beside Delamere Forest in Cheshire. Since opening in 2020 we have helped nearly 1,000 people grow beyond addiction.

As much as this was our son’s recovery, we as parents have also become stronger for the future.

The eagerly anticipated Accrington Food & Culture Festival on Saturday 3rd) featured a spectacular WWII war re-enactment and an iconic Spitfire flypast over Accrington town square..

Over 12,000 attended as the Accrington Food & Culture Festival returned in style on Saturday 3rd June. Attractions included international, regional and local food markets, 1940’s singers, a Spit re ypast, a war re-enactment, a kitchen demo area featuring TV star Molly Robbins and some amazing local businesses, and a spectacular culture festival inside Accrington Market Hall.

The display area, hosted by Molly, as seen on Net ix series “Extreme Cake Makers,” featured Molly decorating two different cakes, as well as cooking demonstrations from North Lancs Training Group’s Hospitality Tutor, Mark Chapman, and Paul Fox from Abbey Street’s The Crafty Fox.

Research conducted on the day with visitors showed the day to be a great success. Comments were overwhelmingly positive, with the event being praised for keeping Accrington busy, and having lots to see and do. Comments included:

• “Really proud of our town today!”

• “Absolutely amazing, well done Accrington.”

• “The Spit re was amazing, really special.”

• “Loved our food and we’ve bought things to take away.”

• “Nice to have lots on in the market.”

• “Never seen Accrington so busy!”

• “We’ve spent loads, I bet they’ve made a fortune here!”

The research showed that 70.6% of visitors surveyed had come along as a family, with the others being individuals or groups of friends. 58.9% of visitors surveyed were aged between 25 and 44.

100% of visitors came into Accrington specially to visit the event, so it was de nitely a draw and a boost to the town centre economy. A ‘draw your favourite food from around the world’ competition had been promoted in local schools, to encourage families to come into town and into Accrington Market Hall to take a look at the fantastic display of entries.

The average spend per respondent was £27.67. Per head, this can be estimated at around £30, which is great news for Accrington. With an estimated 12,000 visitors, this represents over £300,000 back into the economy, which included local businesses, market traders and businesses from across Lancashire.

Over 12,000 people attended the accrington food & culture festival on saturday 3rd june, bringing over £300,000 into the economy

Market manager at accrington market sameena king and cllr marlene haworth, leader of hyndburn borough council, next to the spectacular display of flags inside accrington market hall

Cllr Marlene Haworth, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, commented: “What an incredible time we had at the Accrington Food & Culture Festival. It was amazing to see both the Town Square and the Market Hall packed with visitors, who not only enjoyed the fantastic range of free attractions on offer, but also enjoyed shopping locally. With 12,000 visitors, and the spend gures mentioned, we can estimate that just this one event has put £300,000 back into the economy, which is great news!”

Murray Dawson, Chair of #AmazingAccrington, said: “Here at #AmazingAccrington we are keen to only run events on Saturdays, to allow shopkeepers and local businesses to capitalise on the footfall.”

Victoria Tindall, Business and Marketing Coordinator at Hyndburn Borough Council, commented: “Well done to the #AmazingAccrington team for accomplishing the BEST EVER food festival!”

You can see more photographs and videos from the event on the Amazing Accrington website: www.amazingaccrington.co.uk and on the Amazing Accrington Facebook page.

The mayor and mayoress of hyndburn o icially opened the accrington food and culture festival

Planning Green Light for 479 New Redrow Homes in Widnes

HOMEBUILDER Redrow has been given the go ahead to create 479 new properties across two sites in Widnes.

Halton Borough Council this week (May 15) approved Redrow’s plans to build 428 new homes, off Derby Road, and a further 51 properties off South Lane.

Jason Newton, managing director for Redrow (NW), said: “These two sites represent a milestone for the Halton area as they’re the first housing developments to be brought to this stage under Halton’s new Delivery and Allocations Local Plan (DALP), which was approved in 2022.

“In total, we’ll be delivering 479 high quality homes across the two parcels of land. This will make a significant contribution towards meeting the area’s housing needs, including providing 96 affordable properties.”

The larger 50-acre site off Derby Road will feature generous areas of green open space with play areas and pocket parks interspersed throughout.

At South Lane, Redrow will build a smaller development across five acres, which will also feature an area of green open space to the south, overlooking the brook.

Redrow worked with planning consultants Stantec to bring both sites through the planning process.

Subject to formal acquisitions, it is hoped that construction work can begin on both sites in 2024, with the first homes going on sale mid-2024 and the first completions towards the end of next year.

The developments are contributing towards a new £4million active travel scheme. Each new household will receive one free bus pass for one occupant for the first year that they live on the development.

Linked to the planning consent for Derby Road, Redrow will also be contributing £68,200 towards biodiversity enhancements.

Redrow is already well known in the area for its developments along Lunt’s Heath Road and Barrow’s Green Lane. The two new developments will also boast traditionally styled homes from Redrow’s Heritage Collection, which feature Arts and Craft inspired architecture and contemporary modern interiors with inbuilt energy efficiency.

In a pioneering move for a major housebuilder, all upcoming Redrow developments will also feature air source heat pumps to provide heating and hot water as standard and underfloor heating in detached designs to lower customers’ energy use.

Jason added: “Our highly efficient new homes in Widnes are being built in a sustainable location, with great access to local shops, schools and health care facilities, along with public transport. Our new neighbourhoods are also designed to be easy to get around on foot or by bike and link up with existing footpath networks to encourage greener travel.”

Redrow NW is actively building at 10 locations across Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Flintshire, including at its Daresbury Garden Village development, where up to 1,100 new homes are being built.

For more information see www.redrow.co.uk/northwest.

left:

Examples of Redrow’s Heritage Collection homes

Sparkle and Shine

Chorley based author, David Hatton,

Ifirst became aware of Sparkle in 2013. Back then it was a small community festival with a tiny stage which looked like it could’ve been carried away on the back of a wagon. There was a handful of stalls (mostly charities) and a few dozen people wondering around Sackville Gardens in Manchester, just steps away from the gay village. I was interested to see what the event was and learned that the city was holding a celebration of transgender people (and everyone under that umbrella). It provided a safe space for people from the community to gather and enjoy music and drinks.

It was such a lovely atmosphere, far more subdued than the Manchester Pride. A gentler air on a bright summer’s July day. A kindness lingered in the green space as I took a seat beside a statue of Alan Turing (the gay computer scientist who through code breaking helped defeat the Nazis in

World War II). I loved it and wanted to return. Thankfully I discovered this was an annual event which took place on the second weekend of July every year.

I returned every year, watching it grow. Seeing more and more people attend and the stages and the acts got bigger and bigger. Today they welcome over 22,000 visitors. Their patron is Annie Wallace, who stars in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks. The corporate interest has grown too, with huge organisations wanting to support this special weekend. People travel from all over the world as word got across the planet that this was something to experience. It is now the largest free-to-attend celebration of gender diversity.

In 2017 I was working as a recruiter for Sainsbury’s and wanted to engage my employer in supporting this special weekend. Like any large

organisation they had budgets aligned for the year and all their diversity and inclusion budget had been consumed by the multiple Gay Pride parades up and down the country, so there was no money left for Sparkle. At first, I felt defeated but then realised I had access to my own budget; a recruitment budget. I spoke to the chair of Sparkle and my manager and managed to secure a small stall for the first day of the weekend and decided to use it as an opportunity to show that Sainsbury’s was a safe space as an employer for LGBTQ+ people.

We got a lot of interest and engagement from large LGBTQ+ charities such as Stonewall and from people across the community. Sainsbury’s found out about the work we’d done, and their diversity and inclusion team decided we should go bigger and better. In 2019 we committed to being an accessibility partner, sponsoring ramps and other facilities which would make the festival accessible to people with limited mobilities. It fit in with Sainsbury’s past engagements and sponsorships with the Paralympics. We also ran a larger stall across both days of the festival, as well as inviting in Sparkle to provide diversity training to managers across the business.

I left Sainsbury’s in 2021 after ten brilliant years with the company, but just before I departed, Sainsbury’s had committed to being the headline sponsor and I’ve recently discovered that their customers can also donate their Nectar points to the charity. It’s

talks about the world’s biggest transgender festival held right here in the North West of England, and why protecting trans rights is important to him.

one of my proudest achievements that one small stall from a tiny budget back in 2017 has grown to become something huge and I smile every time I see Sainsbury’s involvement in the festival. I know that sponsorship is going to help the charity and make the Sparkle weekend bigger and better. A safer and more celebratory space for what can often be a vulnerable community.

The weekend has had some challenges throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Like a lot of festivals, they had to move their activity online or think of alternative ways to support transgender people. They’re back, bigger and better in 2023 and it feels more important than ever. A lot of fake news has spread across social media and tabloid newspapers, frightening people to believe that transgender people are a threat to society. Rights such as accessing single-sex spaces, which they’ve held onto for decades, are suddenly under threat, despite no data suggesting that they are. And sadly, Twitter has had an impact too, with one of my favourite childhood authors now backing a campaign to restrict transgender rights.

I’m not transgender but I have many trans friends. They tell me horrifying stories of being attacked on social media and physically beaten in the street. Hate crimes are increasing. They make up less than 1% of the population, however the ratio of hate crimes towards this community far outweighs any other minority. It’s not just here, it’s across America and beyond too.

And it’s eating into the arts too. I was speaking at a literature festival (Off the Shelf in Accrington) recently and a brilliant drag queen, Aida H Dee, was due to be in attendance, however protesters who felt that her act was unsuitable for families put pressure on the festival to revoke Aida’s invite due to safety concerns. Despite her no longer in attendance, the protesters still showed up. It’s bizarre as growing up, I watched Dame Edna and Lily Savage on prime-time family shows every night. But there are a small group of people who are using their bias against LGBTQ+ people to prevent these types of shows. They’re a minority, but they have loud voices, and their message is spreading fast.

There is an unfounded view that more children are becoming trans. This isn’t the case. We’re hearing about it more because it’s a safer space for people to come out. We have a better understanding of gender diversity and there is support in place to help these people early on. This doesn’t mean operations or other mistruths presented in the media. It is simply allowing people to live their lives authentically. And I’d rather that than hear of more teen suicides.

This is a subject which is very dear to my heart. I’m not transgender, but I am gay, and I know what it feels like to grow up trying to be something you’re not. I was only truly happy when I could be myself. And thankfully I’ve not been subjected to bigotry. I just wish that was the case for others.

For years, I kept LGBTQ+ stories out of my novels, not consciously, I just didn’t have the right story to tell. But in 2020, I found the story I needed to tell. I wanted to take my readers to to a time when LGBTQ+ rights were non-existent. And that’s why I wrote Camp. Camp is set in 1925. A curious George from Wakefield moves to Manchester to study, where he discovers he is gay. Homosexuality was a crime in the UK with the police frequently raiding underground gay bars (known as Molly Houses) and arresting their punters. George decides to move to Berlin, Germany, where (although it is still illegal) the gay community is mostly left alone. However shortly after arriving, the Nazi party are making gains, which is a threat to George and his friends’ futures.

It was important to tell this story as if we’re not careful we will return to those days. We need to protect trans rights now more than ever. And the trans community cannot do it alone. They need allies. They need cisgender people to speak up and support their rights and nip transphobia and false stories in the bud. Otherwise, I feel someone like me in a hundred years’ time will be writing a novel just like Camp but based in in 2023.

Camp is available to buy as a paperback or an e-book on Amazon and in the Gay Pride Shop in Manchester. The Sparkle Festival is held on the second weekend of July every summer. Visit sparkle.org.uk for details.

BidstonWindmill

NICKELODEON GRAND PARADE

TO CELEBRATE BLACKPOOL ILLUMINATIONS SWITCH-ON

A spectacular parade featuring the stars of the world’s favourite children’s TV channel is to be held in Blackpool to mark the start of this year’s Illuminations season.

The Nickelodeon Grand Parade will be staged along the Golden Mile on the evening of Friday 1 September as part of this year’s Switch-On celebrations.

It will see the Switch-On moment returning to the outdoors after three years of being staged indoors due to pandemic restrictions.

This year, the celebrations will get underway with a colourful, larger-than-life float parade featuring the likes of SpongeBob SquarePants and friends, PAW Patrol, Baby Shark, Transformers, and Monsters High. They will be accompanied along the seafront route by marching bands and dancers.

The parade is scheduled to start from Central Pier and head along the Promenade to the Tower Festival Headland. There, the celebration will continue with a free family party with live music and family entertainment, leading up to a grand finale with the iconic celebrity Switch-On moment, followed by a Nickelodeon-themed light show on The Blackpool Tower and a burst of fireworks.

The whole event will be free to access with no tickets required.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Last year, though the Switch-On was staged in front of a limited audience in the Tower Ballroom, thousands of people gathered on the Tower Festival Headland to watch it on a screen, and the previous year even when there was no screen.

“We know how much this celebration means to residents and visitors alike – and we are determined that this year everyone will get a chance to see the Switch-On moment and enjoy what promises to be a fantastic free party.

“Blackpool has a special relationship with Nickelodeon through their long partnership with Blackpool Pleasure Beach and through their involvement in live shows including SLIMEFEST and previous Switch-On events. We are thrilled that they will be bringing more of their magic to the biggest night in Blackpool’s events calendar.”

Lee Sears, EVP and GM of Events, Digital, Ad Sales & Integrated Marketing at Paramount Global “We are excited to bring the Nickelodeon themed parade in its full splendour along Blackpool’s Golden Mile and to produce a spectacular evening of live entertainment to celebrate the Illuminations Switch-On in association with Nickelodeon.”

More details on the parade, the live entertainment and, of course, the identity of who will switch on this year’s Illuminations will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the Illuminations would once again be extended by two months, running nightly until January 1, 2024. Following the launch of the giant Odyssey installation during 2022, the Illuminations manufacturing team are working on three brand new light installations for the coming season.

Above: Nickelodeon Parade Paw Patrol Credit Nickelodeon

Above: Nickelodeon Parade Spongebob Credit Nickelodeon

Above: Nickelodeon Parade Baby Shark Credit Nickelodeon

Rare Manchester argus butterflies flourishing after reintroduction

Three years ago there were no Manchester argus butterflies in Manchester. Now, not only are they back, but they’re flourishing.

150 years ago, if you visited the lowland peatlands of Greater Manchester, the large heath butterfly would have been everywhere – so much so that it was locally named the Manchester argus. But the arrival of the Manchester to Liverpool railway in the 19th century saw the largescale drainage of its peatland home. With its habitat destroyed, the Manchester argus died out.

That was until the summer of 2020, when a joint project between The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North

Merseyside, Chester Zoo, Natural England, Manchester Metropolitan University, and other organisations in the Great Manchester Wetlands Partnership brought it back!

Since then, there has been a further reintroduction in 2022, and another release of butterflies this summer will see the now native population firmly established. Current surveys are recording over 90 flights by the butterflies, who are now spreading out to inhabit more and more of their restored peatland home. They have also been observed flying in small clouds of three to four butterflies: a

new behaviour to the population. At this point, nature will be allowed to take its course and the population grow naturally, with further reintroductions only required if deemed necessary.

Large Heath Butterfly by Chester Zoo

Hares tail cotton grass is the main food plant of the Manchester argus caterpillars credit Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Jo Kennedy, Great Manchester Wetlands Partnership Co-ordinator, said: “More than 98 per cent of lowland peatlands in our region have been lost, creating a huge hole in our biodiversity. So, we are so excited to be able to bring the Manchester argus back to Manchester. It’s been a real team effort, but with three releases of butterflies now achieved the population is breeding strongly and we are really optimistic about its future.”

To reintroduce a lost species is no easy task. Many years of restoration work was initially required at the butterflies’ new home, undertaken by The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside. Re-wetting the drained peat was the first step, followed by establishing the vegetation that the butterflies need to survive, namely hare’s-tail cotton grass, the food plant and winter home of the caterpillars, and cross-leaved heath, an early blooming type of heather that is the main nectar source of the adult butterflies.

Once their new home was ready, it was time to find some butterflies. Thankfully, an existing population

hung on at Winmarleigh Moss near Garstang in Lancashire. Under licence, just six pregnant butterflies were collected, before heading off to Chester Zoo where the keepers

cared for the butterflies whilst they laid their eggs right through to the following year when the caterpillars pupated and could be taken to their new home for release.

Manchester argus pupa by Chester Zoo

Cross-leaved heath is the main nectar source for the Manchester argus butterfly credit Jenny Bennion, Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Large heath butterflies being settled in to their new home at Chester Zoo credit Lancashire Wildlife Trust

The Wildlife Trusts

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 30,000 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

Helen Bradshaw, Chester Zoo’s UK Regional Field Programme Manager, commented:

“A reintroduction project like this, right on our doorstep, is a key part of our mission in preventing extinction

worldwide. Using our specialist conservation breeding skills, we’ve helped Lancashire Wildlife Trust to create a thriving mossland, and we’re thrilled to see the remarkable resurgence of these rare butterflies in their native habitat after years

of hard work and dedication. When reintroductions are done right like this — having strong partnerships, working and following IUCN’s bestpractice guidelines, and conducting appropriate follow-up monitoring — they can be hugely successful. We’re

The first Manchester argus butterfly on Manchester_s peatlands by Andy Hankinson, Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Large Heath Caterpillars at Chester Zoo

proud to see large heath butterflies now thriving on these nationally rare habitats, and this achievement demonstrates the impact we can make when we come together to address the biodiversity decline in the UK”

Monitoring of the butterfly population and the peatland habitat will continue to ensure the continued health and growth of the population. The future could even see the Manchester argus returning to other areas of the once extensive Greater Manchester peatlands, along with other lost species such as the bog bush cricket, white faced darter dragonfly and an array of plant species.

The Wildlife Trusts

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 30,000 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

The secret release site on one of Manchester’s peatlands - credit Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Enjoy your mood is a lifestyle, it’s your lifestyle. It means feeling free to be yourself, to live the way you like it. Both outside and inside your house. Every moment is the right one to enjoy your sofa, but there is only one sofa that makes you enjoy every moment, the way you want it. It’s time to go with the flow.

Garstang

Blackpool Unveils New Spitfire Tribute

A spectacular tribute to one of the world’s most iconic fighter aircraft will be unveiled in this year’s Blackpool Illuminations display.

The installation, which is a collaboration between the Blackpool Illuminations team and designer Laurence LlewelynBowen, will feature three replica Spitfires. It marks the first time that 3D printing technology has been used to create Illuminations features.

It can also be revealed that in a ground-breaking partnership with VisitBlackpool, the internationallyrenowned model kit company, Airfix,

is to sponsor the new installation as well as producing a limited-edition, scale model of a Spitfire with a bespoke Blackpool livery on its fuselage.

The new-look Spitfire Island, which will be unveiled when the Illuminations season commences on Friday 1 September, will be positioned on Gynn Roundabout in the northern stretch of the Illuminations.

It includes replicas of three Spitfires – Progress I, II and III – which were all based at Blackpool Airport during World War Two, and paid for by local residents. The project has been assisted by the team at the Hangar 42 Spitfire Visitor Centre at Blackpool

Airport who provided historical data to help the build.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “The roundabout has previously accommodated a single Spitfire which proved hugely popular with visitors. This new installation, which uses 3D printing technology for the first time, takes it to a completely different level.

“It is a stunning piece of work that is a deserving tribute to an important part of Blackpool’s history.

“We are also delighted to announce a new partnership with Airfix so that visitors and residents will be able to take home a unique keepsake.”

For 2023 Illuminations Season

A spokesperson for Airfix, which is part of Hornby Hobbies Limited, added: “We are thrilled to join forces with VisitBlackpool and become part of an event which, much like the scale-modelling hobby, has captured the hearts and imaginations of people for many years.

“This collaboration represents a perfect synergy between two organisations dedicated to preserving and celebrating history, while embracing the joy of the present.

“We hope that showcasing the Airfix logo within the Illuminations will serve as a remarkable symbol of our commitment to precision engineering and the joy of model-making.”

A total of 4,000 of the limited edition Airfix Spitfire kits will go on sale at VisitBlackpool’s Tourist Information Centre (TIC) during the Illuminations season.

A range of aircraft kits will also be available for purchase at the TIC during the summer and at the Blackpool Air Show which takes place over the weekend of August 12 and 13, featuring some of the world’s best aircraft including the Red Arrows, Typhoon and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Spitfire Island is one of three brand new installations that will be unveiled in this year’s Blackpool Illuminations, which will start on September 1 and

shine nightly until January 1, 2024.

Two more collaborations with international designers will be announced in the coming weeks.

The new features have been made possible thanks to Blackpool’s Town Deal funding, part of which has been allocated to rejuvenating the Illuminations through new features and infrastructure.

One Door Closes And Another To Open For Redrow In The Ribble Valley

PREMIUM homebuilder Redrow is switching its focus from Barrow to Billington in the Ribble Valley, as one development nears completion, and another is set to open.

The final Redrow homes at Oak Leigh Gardens, in the village of Barrow, near Clitheroe, are due to be built by the end of the summer. Meanwhile, work has just started on its brand new Calder Grange development in nearby Billington, where the first homes will be unveiled at a pre-launch event on June 4.

In contrast to Oak Leigh Gardens, which features almost 200 homes from Redrow’s award-winning Heritage Collection, the more intimate Calder Grange venture boasts just 26 detached homes for private sale plus eight apartments and two bungalows for over 55s.

Sian Pitt, sales director for Redrow (Lancashire), said: “The Ribble Valley is a fabulous place to live, with beautiful landscapes as well as good transport links and excellent amenities. Our range of detached homes at Calder Grange is set to meet a strong demand locally for spacious properties with family friendly layouts and a high specification. This new development also provides a great opportunity for those who may have missed out at Oak Leigh Gardens.”

Calder Grange will be situated off Dale View, and feature three and four-bedroom homes, ranging in size from 1,081 sq ft to 1,855 sq ft. Prices will be released at the pre-launch event and customers will be able to use Redrow’s Prime Position service to reserve a home on the first phase before it is officially released for sale.

Sian added: “At just under four-acres, the Calder Grange development is nestled off an existing residential area and will enjoy a semi-rural feel, with footpaths and a landscaped area around a new balancing pond. This will provide habitats for native wildlife and enhance the environment for new residents.”

As part of the planning agreement, Redrow will contribute almost £70,000 towards local education and almost £20,000 for recreation facilities in the village, alongside the affordable homes provision onsite.

The homes at Calder Grange will be among the first Redrow homes in Lancashire to feature the developer’s new Eco Electric specification, which uses air source heat pumps to generate heating and hot water, in place of a traditional gas boiler. This technology will feature in all Redrow’s new homes as standard and will be complemented by underfloor heating to the ground floors of its detached designs.

The Calder Grange properties will initially be sold from Redrow’s customer experience suite at Sycamore Manor, in Chorley, where the event will take place.

Potential purchasers can register their interest at www.redrow.co.uk/developments/calder-grange-billington

left:

Redrow’s near completed Oak Leigh Gardens development, in Barrow

Style is Never Out Of Fashion

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Lachlan Rae

Originally from Dumfries and Galloway, I have gardened my way around Britain arriving in Lancashire three years ago. Training in Botanical Horticulture at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh I have worked in a variety of garden settings as well as featured as an onscreen judge on Garden of the Year as shown on More 4 in August 2022. My time is mostly spent advising, looking after and designing gardens around Lancashire and the North West.

August

Whilst it’s the warmest month, August can sometimes be one of the quieter months of the gardening year. People often comment on how great my job must be during the summerin truth, the most interesting time for me is either side of summer. Some of my gardens gardens can leave a bit less to do, which might allow for a bit more time to be spent enjoying the many benefits that arise from your hard work earlier in the season. As always, I urge you all to get outside in the garden and enjoy it. Even if gardening isn’t your favorite hobby, there’s no denying how nice it can be to sit outdoors late into the evening, perhaps having a meal or a drink. For the avid gardeners don’t get complacent; there are still plenty of things you could be growing or doing out in the garden.

With many of our favorite early summer perennials like Delphinium, Foxglove and Peony well finished, we are looking towards a new suite of plants to keep a bit of color in the garden. If you took note of any of the Salvia suggestions I made earlier in the year, then you will hopefully have plants that have already flowered well and will continue to do so for some time yet. Likewise on the Dahlias - hopefully you planted a few. Some other plants spring to mind when I think of this time of year:

Selinum wallichianum is one I’ve been using in my planting schemes and have indeed introduced to my own garden. Flowering at between 90 and 120 cm, it has white umbel shaped flowers. Its quite similar to cows parsley that grows in the hedgerows in spring but is bigger and a bit showier. A really nice plant.

Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’- This Award of Garden Merit Aster is a fantastic plant to grow. It flowers profusely from mid to late summer well into Autumn. Unlike many Aster it requires little or no staking and is quite resistant to many of the afflictions like mildews that many are susceptible to. I think this definitely earns its slot in the borders.

Heptacodium miconoides - If your looking for a flowering tree for August and are struggling for ideas then look no further. Discovered growing in China by legendary English Plant Hunter, Ernest Wilson, this tree was only really grown and cultivated for ornamental sale after 1980. Subsequently, its not commonly grown. Beautiful white flowers are shown in August. Its not an enormous tree, has an attractive form when grown as a multistem, gives good autumn colour and has an interesting bark in the winter. Where I feel this is a good choice for Lancashire is its ability to grow on a range of acid and alkaline soils.

One of the big tasks that I turn myself towards this month is summer pruning fruit trees and soft fruits as well as the start of hedge cutting. If you’ve harvested stone fruits or soft fruits, August is a good time to think about pruning- Its essential to do your stone fruits like cherries, plums and damson whilst the trees are actively growing to help avoid a fungal affliction known as silver leaf. The currant bushes and gooseberries can wait if your time poor. Pruning espaliered, fan trained or other restricted forms is done around now. The belief is that in pruning during active growth over dormancy in winter, the plant can balance the effects of pruning- causing less unfavorable whippy growth the following season.

Dahlias

August in my mind is when it is at earliest acceptable to cut hedges without disturbing nesting birds. Hedges be it formal garden hedges or those on roadside verges provide great nesting opportunity for many species of birds. Its firmly my mind we should do everything we possibly can to assist whatever wildlife that choses to make our gardens home. Be mindful of the risks involved with working with hedge cutting machinery, working at height or both at the same time. If in doubt, engage a competent professional.

As always, Id be thrilled to hear about any Horticultural matters in Lancashire and the North West on enquiries@lachlanraegardens. com . Likewise, keep up to date with my comings and goings in the some of the gardens in and around the county on Instagram @lachlanrae_gardens

August is the earliest acceptable time to cut hedges without disturbing nesting birds.

Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’

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