The Lancashire & North West Magazine | December 2022 by The Lancashire & North West Magazine

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December 2022

£2.45

ORME GALLERIES

SARAH LAYTON JEWELLERS

Multi Award-Winning Jewellery Boutique in the Heart of the Ribble Valley

Unique, family run art gallery and framers celebrate milestone quarter century of business.

HONEYWELLS

BOULEVARD HOTEL

LA LOCANDA

SHIP AHOY!

Celebrating food and farming in Lancashire

An Italian Journery Through Food

Perfect Choice for Comfort and Style in Blackpool

Titanic The Musical Sails in to the Grand Theatre Blackpool

We Specialise In Sartorial Elegance

From Socks To Suits

CONTENTS...

Features

16 42

168

Margaret Brecknell – Author Of Celebrating Southport

130 National Creative Writing Industry Day Keynote

Sarah Layton Jewellery

132 Paul Benson Accountants

Orme Galleries

Blackpool Honoured With Queen’s Tree

136 Stonyhurst Launches State-Of-The-Art Open Day Platform

Last Chance For A Redrow Home In Barrow

Grand Theatre Blackpool

Stonyhurst International School Penang

Pure Foundation Fund Winner

New Network To Protect The Irish Sea

Liverpool - Light Before Christmas

Boulevard Hotel

Pleasure Beach - Theme Park Awards

158 Wildlife Trust - National Nature Reserve Created In Wigan And Leigh

Vintage By The Sea

162 Why Do Hedgehogs Visit Certain Gardens?

La Locanda

Lightpool Festival Returns

166 Grand Theatre - Friends Of The Grand Coffee Mornings

Margaret Brecknall - Balmoral Castle

168 JC Tweddle

Ptes Orchards

New School Offers Children A Flying Start

172 Weather Photographer Of The Year 2022 Penrith Runner Up

Change Your Scent With The Seasons

The Dukes - Leo Houlding

Ancient DNA Reveals Complex Life Stories

Blackpool’s Christmas By The Sea

Accrington Announce Christmas Market Headlined By Finch Bakery

10 Dangerous Chemicals Living In Your Home

England Golf - Lancashire Crowned English Men’s County Champions

Epstein Theatre - Masquerade

102 Gift Guide - Sarah Layton Jewellers 106 Gift Guide - Honeywells

142 Adult Pantomime Pandemonium 148 SEED - Eating Disorders In School 154 PTES Winter Wildlife Tips 154 Hartford Residents Pass The Bike Check! 156 Two Powerhouse Vocalists Take To The Stage At The Platform

176 Lancashire Colleagues Turn Their Hands To A Job Swap 178 Maintaining Equestrianism’s Social Licence 180 Vegan Lunch Club For Over 65s 184 Gardens Seek Barbershop Quartet With Cutting Edge 186 Hinge Of Fate 188 Rembrandt Masterpiece Makes Rare Visit To The Seaside 190 Return Of Winter Event - Levens Hall 192 Crucial Work To Protect Fisheries Amidst Summer Like No Other 194 Lancashire Charities Scoop Share Of £1million Fund

108 Gift Guide: Lollypop

208

138 Mark Lomas-Elgra Furniture

110 Grand Theatre - Royal Shakespeare Company 112 Harold Cunliffe - Xmas Cards

196 Groups In Burscough Offered A Share Of £3,000 Community Fund 200 Homestart Fashion Show

114 Harold Cunliffe - Xmas Adverts 118 1,200 Rochdale Children Receive Free Book

204 332 Blackpool Children Join The Royal Ballet School For Demonstration

122 How To Elevate Your Black Tie

208 Surprise Baby Born At Local Zoo

126 Ethel Carnie Holdsworth

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LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE

...CONTENTS

Regulars 96

Aiming Higher

120

Balance Counsellor

Book: Last Train from Blackstock Junction

Book: The Boy Who Lost His Spark

Book: Meat Free Mowgli

Book: The Dove is Dead

Colour Me Beautiful

206

Denise Mullen

116

Haymax Column

124

Laura Pearson

198

Life of Di

182

Miranda Christopher

152

Positive Change Coach

202

Zodiac Predictions by Manish

November 2022 • Volume 45 Number 11

124

198

206

116

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

Writers: • Denise Mullen

• Laura Pearson

Editorial: 01253 336580 editorial@lancashiremagazine.co.uk

• Diane Wade

• Manish Kumar Arora

• Heather Wignall

• Margaret Brecknell

• Harold Cunliffe

• Max Wiseberg

• Janet Broughton

• Miranda Christopher

• Jo Ogle

• Sarah Harris

• Kath Taylor

• Sarah Ridgway

Design Manager: Stephen Mellows-Facer Sales Enquiries: 07918 685673 Accounts: 01253 336588 General Enquiries/Subscriptions: Tel • 01253 336588 accounts@lancashiremagazine.co.uk COVER: ANTHONY ORME

The Lancashire & North West Magazine Ltd, Seasiders Way Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 6NZ

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F @lancmag I @lancashiremagazine Visit our website at www.lancmag.com

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

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New products for 2022 now in store!

Ce l e b r a t i n g 1 5 ye a r s o f b e a u t i f u l l i v i n g PAD showroom exhibits the best in good quality, beautiful designed, well-crafted European furniture. Showcasing pieces from Connibia-Calligaris, German bedroom manufacturer Nolte, Italian leather sofa’s from Nicoletti and fantastic bed ranges with a wide range of mattresses and more, shipped from some of the finest manufactures on the continent. The clean lines and smooth edges make up a collection of pure design classics which are all hand picked by owner and interior stylist, Paula Baxter. PAD offer a free design service from rooms to a full house including bed design, lighting and fitted wardrobes.

‘At pad we don’t sell we provide a stress free and friendly environment to buy’

LIVING | SLEEPING | DINING | GARDEN | LIGHTING

Our Service: • Advice with soft furnishings and wallcoverings • Source individual furniture and lighting • Tailor made service to suit clients’ exact requirements small or large • Creating imaginative and business environments for corporate and commercial clients including show homes.

Poulton Business Park, 4 Millennium Court, Furness Drive, Poulton-Le-Flyde, FY6 8JS 01253 893334 PADCL.CO.UK

IN THIS CHRISTMAS ISSUE...

his month we pay a visit to the multi-award winning, Sarah Layton Jewellers in the heart of the ribble valley.

Harold Cunliffe shares memories of Christmas past in the shape greetings cards and christmas themed adverts from yesteryear.

Orme galleries are celebrating a milestone 25 years in business and have supplied us with this year’s Christmas front cover from artist, Anthony Orme.

We have our traditional Christmas gift guides to give you some ideas fro that special someone.

We take a look inside the Woodland Spa at Crow Wood Resort and discover luxury that wraps its arms around you and leaves you wanting more. There’s plenty to keep you entertained with stories from The Grand Theatre, Blackpool as well as the Dukes, Lancaster and Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre. 6

Keepers at popular wildlife attraction, Milnthorpe’s Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, received an early Christmas present, with the unexpected autumn birth and Rembrandt’s wife takes a rare trip to the seaside. After a 2 year, covid enforced absence, Morecambe was alive with music, dancing, street food and entertainment as more than 45,000 people celebrated classic design when the award-winning Vintage by the Sea returned.

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We visit the vast new national nature reserve build on the historic expanse of a former coal mine in Wigan and Leigh, While Sarah Ridgway talks to Mark Lomas of Elgra Furniture and Interior Consultants. Margaret Brecknell explores Balmoral, the royal family’s residence in the north of Scotland, which now holds a unique place in British history as the place where the reign of the country’s longest serving monarch came to an end. And of course, as always, we have features on homes, health, books, fashion, entertainment, fascinating history, a bit of wildlife and more - all in our December issue.

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D DR EAD AM LIN A ES & A AP M U PPR PL SIC O A IC AT SCH CH IO O ING N LA S RS FO H R IP

All

that they can be. A SPRINGBOARD TO A LIFE OF PURPOSE The leading Catholic co-educational boarding and day school in Lancashire for pupils aged 3-18 years, with full and weekly boarding available from age 7. Proud to feature in the Tatler Schools Guide 2023.

Scholarships available Drama & Theatre | Music DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.STONYHURST.AC.UK

Apply

Margaret Brecknell

– Author Of Celebrating Southport Lancashire Magazine readers may have spotted my regular monthly features on people and places from the region’s past.

am incredibly fortunate to make my living these days as a freelance writer. Yet I didn’t find my dream job until I reached my fifties and even

then it only happened because of an impulse decision to send an article about Samuel Johnson’s cat to a magazine.

usually performed in near darkness, apart from the occasion when I was so scared by my own words that I asked for the lights to be switched on.

From a very early age I showed a lot of enthusiasm for writing, possibly too much for my long-suffering family. I started out as a budding dramatist, who wrote and performed my own plays. One highlight each year was my Halloween “spectacular” which was

Despite this promising start, any hopes of becoming the next Stephen King were soon dashed when I began to turn my attention to non-fiction. At the age of seven or eight, winter weekends and holidays were spent producing a series of illustrated

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booklets on topics like British birds and bridges. I was clearly never afraid of a challenge as a writer in my early childhood, which is entirely the way it should be. By my teenage years, writing for pleasure had become a thing of the past. During the “A” level and university degree years, I seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time writing essays on a range of not always fascinating topics. I studied Latin at the University of Manchester, which I loved, but some of the essay subjects were challenging. I recall being asked to write a 3000-word essay on whether the Roman poet, Horace, had taken part in a naval battle based on his use of the Latin word for seasickness. I became the queen of the wafflers, a terrible writing habit which I have had to work hard to eradicate ever since. After university, I expected to become a journalist or librarian. Instead, to the surprise of many people, including myself, I applied successfully for a job as a PA to the head of a local stockbroking firm. I suspect that this was not because of my superb organisational skills, but rather that I was a huge cricket fan at the time, an enthusiasm which I shared with my new boss.

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In time, I began to study for the industry’s professional exams, which resulted in more fascinating essay topics, such as the workings of the Monopolies & Mergers Commission. When I entered the profession as a fully qualified stockbroker, women were still very much in the minority. I was extremely fortunate to have supportive male and female colleagues who helped me tremendously in the early years. The job was entirely unpredictable and never boring, which suited me, but could be quite stressful. I had to learn quickly how to placate clients when things did not go entirely to plan and was not above resorting to my wellhoned talent for waffling. By the spring of 2017, my days as a stockbroker were long behind me and I had not put pen to paper for many a year. Call it a mid-life crisis if you like, but I felt in need of a new challenge and hit upon the idea of attempting to have a piece of my writing published in a magazine. Now I was free again to write about subjects that interested me. As a devoted cat owner, it didn’t take me long to decide on the topic for that first feature. I chose to write about Hodge, the cat owned by Samuel Johnson of

English dictionary fame in the early 18th century. I didn’t really expect much of a response, but was delighted to receive a positive reaction from the magazine to which I sent it, and that spurred me on to send further features to a range of different publications. I was thrilled when my first feature on local history was published a couple of months later. These days I wouldn’t dream of writing a feature without pitching the idea to a magazine first, but, early on in my writing career, I often sent the completed piece to editors fearing that they would otherwise be deterred from commissioning the idea because of my lack of published work. Gradually I began to assemble a portfolio of published articles, which has grown exponentially over the last five years. I’ve now contributed to over thirty different print and online publications, both here and overseas, on a wide range of different subjects. Possibly the strangest of them all was an article on films featuring men in kilts for a now sadly defunct US website.

Below: Carousel next to Southport’s Miniature Railway

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Street, as well as the resort’s grand Victorian pier, the Marine Lake and the remarkable Monument to its World War I dead. Another of the resort’s once iconic landmarks, the Winter Gardens, was lost to posterity.

The next few months are set to be an exciting time for me professionally, as my latest book, Celebrating Southport, will be published by Amberley Publishing on 15th November 2022. This is my second book for Amberley. The first, Secret Skipton, was published during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. Illustrated throughout, I hope Celebrating Southport will appeal to residents, visitors and all those with links to the town. I aim to celebrate the famous seaside resort’s most significant landmarks, people and achievements. I set out to discover how an innkeeper from nearby Churchtown, named William Sutton, came to be credited as Southport’s “founder” and why this claim was later disputed. I learn the story behind the development of Southport’s famous tree-lined shopping boulevard, Lord

In researching this book, I discovered some fun facts relating to celebrity visits to the town. One early 19th-century tourist, the future French Emperor Napoleon III, is alleged to have been so impressed with the layout of Southport’s Lord Street that he later used it as a blueprint for the redevelopment of central Paris. Southport may not have featured in the 2017 Hollywood blockbuster musical, The Greatest Showman, which tells the story of 19th-century US entertainment mogul, PT Barnum, but it could well have done. Barnum visited a friend in the town on several occasions and became so friendly with the family that he ended up marrying his host’s daughter. Investigation into Southport’s rich sporting heritage also uncovered some fascinating stories. Early motor racing and aviation pioneers were attracted to the resort because of the area’s vast expanse of golden sands. Later in the 20th century, Grand National legend, Red Rum, was trained on those same wide sandy beaches. My personal connection to Southport goes back more years than I care to mention. I spent several years living in the resort as a child and have

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lovely memories of idyllic summers spent on Ainsdale Beach. I’m sure that it must have rained plenty of times, but conveniently have no memory of that. Presumably that is when I turned my attention to booklet production. I must confess that in those days I had very little interest in historic buildings, but Southport’s Pleasureland was a place of endless fascination to me. My favourite attraction, the Noah’s Ark, is sadly long gone, but merits a mention in the book anyway. As regards future plans, I have already started writing a third book for Amberley on the Burnley and Pendle area which I hope to see published late next year. I shall continue to research fascinating new historical subjects on which to base features and look for new writing challenges. Celebrating Southport by Margaret Brecknell is published by Amberley Publishing. Visit the Amberley Publishing website: www.amberleybooks.com Email: sales@amberley-books.com Phone: 01453 847800 Margaret is attending a book signing at Broadhursts Book Shop, 5-7 Market Street, Southport PR8 1HD on Saturday, 26th November from 1.30pm to 3.00pm She may be found on Twitter: @mabrecknell Below: Southport’s Lord Street at night

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Sarah Layton is a treasure-trove, with a diverse collection of renowned designers such as Georg Jensen, FOPE, Marco Bicego & Shaun Leane, and niche trend-led brands including Rachel Jackson, Anna Beck & Metier by Tomfoolery, as well as our in-house diamond & gemstone collections.

AN AWARD-WINNING FAMILY JEWELLERY BOUTIQUE IN THE HEART OF THE RIBBLE VALLEY Sarah Layton is a treasure-trove, with a diverse collection of renowned designers such as Georg Jensen, FOPE, Marco Bicego and Shaun Leane, and niche trend-led brands including Rachel Jackson, Anna Beck & Metier by Tomfoolery, as well as our in-house diamond & gemstone collections. BEFORE

AFTER We specialise in bespoke jewellery design, remodelling and repairs. Our onsite workshop, resident goldsmith and designers mean we can turn your jewellery dreams into reality. From sourcing natural or lab-grown diamonds and unusual gemstones to breathing new life into old, unworn, or inherited jewellery, our expert team will guide you through the exciting process of creating your perfect piece of jewellery from start to finish.

“Watching my Grandad’s wedding ring be melted for my own is a memory I will treasure. My mum was thrilled with the necklace made from the rest of the gold too.” Visit us in-store: Sarah Layton, 71 King Street, Whalley, BB7 9SW, Lancashire @sarahlaytonjewellers www.lancmag.com 01254 822062 | www.sarahlayton.co.uk | LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 11

Sarah Layton Jewellers Multi Award-Winning Jewellery Boutique in the Heart of the Ribble Valley

riginally scheduled to begin in April 2020, Refurbishment works were put on hold when the pandemic hit. “We had no idea what was going to happen. Luckily, our online business has been trading as long as our boutique, and the support we have had from local customers using our collect from store service has been tremendous” says Leanne, who is joined in the family business by sister Lauren and parents Gill and Nigel. “So, when we went into Lockdown 3.0, we decided to make the most of our boutique being closed and push ahead with our full refit.”

Taking inspiration from their large Georg Jensen offering, the new look store has a distinct luxe Scandinavian feel. Floating European white oak cabinetry with crisp, dark aluminium detailing make the store feel much larger, and the original vertical slat panelling from their Georg Jensen area is a design feature which has been continued in the new counter, cabinets and as privacy screening. With two new seating areas, the boutique itself, with its stylish interior, creates the sort of environment that makes shopping a luxurious pleasure.

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“We love breathing new life into unworn jewellery. When you take jewellery, which has huge sentimental value but for one reason or another is no longer worn and turn it into something which will be worn time and again – to see the transformation is just incredible!” With their in-house workshop and resident goldsmith, creating bespoke jewellery is something of a specialty

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to the team and goes hand in hand with remodelling and repairs – a quick peek at their Instagram page shows a fabulous display of unique creations. The team are able to source loose diamonds and gemstones and design a piece of jewellery created in a choice of precious metals. The process begins with an initial consultation to gain an understanding of a client’s requirements, followed by initial sketches and a no-obligation quote. www.lancmag.com

Once happy with the design, Sarah Layton uses CAD to bring it to life and can even produce a 3D printed resin to show the design to scale. The pieces are finished to an exceptionally high standard and bear the Sarah Layton hallmark. Remodelling existing jewellery is something Store Manager Sue is passionate about. “We love breathing new life into unworn jewellery” says Sue. “When you take jewellery, which

has huge sentimental value but for one reason or another is no longer worn and turn it into something which will be worn time and again – to see the transformation is just incredible!” “It’s also a really sustainable way of creating a new piece of jewellery, by re-purposing existing diamonds and gemstones, and either re-using or recycling precious metals” adds Leanne.

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Alongside their bespoke services and jewellery workshop, the boutique is also home to a beautiful bridal area. Housing handcrafted wedding, engagement and eternity rings from leading British bridal brands, clients are invited to relax with a glass of bubbly whilst choosing some of the most important jewellery they’ll ever wear. With a strong watch offering from renowned Swiss watchmakers Ebel, Tissot and Hamilton, jewellery from Italian high jewellery houses FOPE and Marco Bicego, jewellery, watches

and homeware from Danish design icon Georg Jensen, and the best of British brands such as Shaun Leane, ChloBo, Vivienne Westwood, Olivia Burton and many more, the store is a treasure- trove with a diverse collection of big-name brands and niche designers.

“We also have a brand new luxury piercing studio, hidden away on the top floor of our boutique. It’s a calm & welcoming space, and whether it’s an exciting first piercing, or curating your dream ear story, our highly trained team are there to guide you through.”

The team’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, and they have won an array of awards, including ‘Multi-Brand Retailer of the Year’ at the UK Jewellery Awards, followed by ‘Fashion Jewellery Retailer of the Year’ at the Inspiring Independents, which they have been included in for the past seven years.

“...If you have been wanting an additional ear piercing or to change any existing earrings, brave your fears, you can be 100% confident that your ears, and you, will sparkle”

“They are accolades we’re extremely proud of” says Lauren. Keeping their finger firmly on the fashion-pulse, the buying team are always researching new and upcoming trends in jewellery. “The curated ear is a big trend in jewellery at the moment - multiple piercings with studs, drops and hoops, mismatched earrings and chain detailing to create an eclectic layered look. Ear cuffs are a great way to give the illusion of cartilage piercings, and we have an amazing selection in Scream Pretty, Rachel Jackson and Dower & Hall” explains Leanne.

Sarah Layton’s experienced team have been piercing earlobes for over 8 years, and have now added needle piercing for cartilage to their repertoire. Using blade & cannula needles, the highly trained and fully insured piercers can advise on placement and earring styles to enable you to dress your ears to perfection. “The piercing studio is beautiful, clean, and calming. Leanne is professional and skilled and will guide you through your options. A huge added bonus is she will curate your ear with beautiful earrings to match your budget. As you would expect, excellent aftercare advice and support are given. If you have been wanting an additional ear piercing or to change any existing earrings, brave your fears, you can be 100% confident that your ears, and you, will sparkle” says one happy customer.

Visit us in-store:

71 KING STREET WHALLEY BB7 9SW 01254 822062 www.sarahlayton.co.uk 14

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Orme Galleries – Truly a Unique Art Experience Unique, family run art gallery and framers celebrated milestone quarter century of business.

rme galleries has been proudly serving Lancashire and beyond with professional fine art services for over 25 years, becoming a prime example of the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the area. Certified by the Fine Art Trade Guild, the gallery offers an impeccable standard of bespoke picture framing, fine art - including prints, limited edition art prints and original artworks by artists E. Anthony Orme, Vlasta Orme and Adéla Orme, as well as mirrors including custom made mirrors, industrial and steampunk furniture, sculptures, giftware, giclée printing services on paper or canvas, artwork photography service and more. Customers can view our works in our spacious 5000sq ft gallery and have the unique opportunity to see

our framing department hard at work. The premises, located on retail Park 66, are wheelchair and pram friendly and there are plenty of parking spaces, including many disabled parking spaces, directly outside our front door. Beginning on Stand Lane in Radcliffe in 1997, director and framer Christopher Orme opened his first art gallery and framers. With the support of the public, the gallery has since grown to become the UK’s largest retail art gallery and framers, now located at retail ‘Park 66’, Pilsworth, Bury, BL9 8RZ, M66 – Junction 3. We have been voted the UK’s Picture Framing Business of the Year 2016, won Art Business website of the Year 2017, and are a Fine Art Trade Guild certified business. Gallery Director Chris Orme CGF (APF) says:

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“I’m so happy to have seen our business grow over the last 25 years. I’d like to whole-heartedly thank everyone who has supported us over the years and warmly invite customers old and new to visit our gallery.”

Gallery Offers The Following Services: Fine Art Paintings and Prints Priced from only £39 for a framed art print. We have plenty of original investment art and prints to choose from, ready to take to your home. We are also expanding our most popular, customer-favourite ‘Nostalgic Range’ of prints by E. Anthony Orme, which evoke memories of cobbled streets in the 50’s and 60’s. Nostalgia at its finest. Art Made to Fit Your Space It is worth noting that if you’re looking to find an artwork to suit your room’s colour scheme or fit your www.lancmag.com

size requirements, Orme Galleries can custom make it for you. Colour scheme is unique to all of us, just as the art is. People often say “I like this image, however the colour is not going to go with my house décor”, or that the picture size isn’t right for my room, or the frame colour is not to my taste. For Orme Galleries, this is no problem! We can digitally change colours of our art prints. We have an on-site bespoke framing and printing department. All you have to do is choose the art style, tell us the size of the wall space you want enhancing with unique wall art, and we will create a custom piece, designed by you - for you! Original Art Commissions. Design your own investment art masterpiece. Have your photograph or your idea turned into an original hand painted work of art by artist E. Anthony Orme. To commission your artwork, please call 0161 7669991 or call into the Orme Galleries at Park 66, Bury Impeccable standard of Bespoke Picture Framing You name it - we can frame it! Football shirts, rugby shirts , boxing gloves, footballs, overalls and all sporting memorabilia. 3D objects, original fine art paintings, art prints, photographs, cross-stitch/embroideries, medals,

Chris Orme with a Damien Hirst artwork framed at Orme Galleries

music/film memorabilia and more. We are Fine Art Trade Guild Certified Framers. We use conservation preservation techniques, materials and non-adhesive framing methods and we can frame up to a museum standard. We can add extra protection by using conservation UV glass. If you are looking to frame or re-frame your memorabilia or investment art, why not visit Orme Galleries? Mirrors made to measure & ready-made mirrors Sculpture Prices varied to suit your pocket, Orme Galleries sculpture range is perfect as a gift, or why not treat yourself to a new ornament? Steampunk & Industrial Furniture New range of quirky furniture has just arrived in the store.

Artwork Photography Is a service we offer to professional and amateur artists alike. We photograph and colour manage artworks for high quality, digital publishing needs. Paintings and sculptures are professionally copied at our Photographic Studios facility. Please call 0161 7669991 to discuss your requirements. Printing On Canvas or Paper We can print your photographs on paper or canvas. The Orme Galleries uses a wide format giclée printer for all the fine art and photography printing. The printer, museum paper, cotton canvas and permanent inks are approved by the Fine Art Trade Guild’s ArtSure Scheme. This gives the customer a reassurance in the quality and longevity.

Broken Picture Glass replacement service If you have travelled with a frame with broken picture glass in your car, please inform us at the front desk, we will be happy to assist you in carrying this into the gallery. www.lancmag.com

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Orme Galleries Director Chris Orme CGF (APF), a fully qualified and highly experienced framer, has gained training at the British Museum, and has sat as the North West Branch Master and Director for the Fine Art Trade Guild. Chris now shares his professional knowledge and has written many articles on picture framing, all published in ‘Art + Framing Today’ magazine ( Worldwide trade magazine read by professional picture framers and art gallerists )

“How Did You Become A Professional Picture Framer?” Chris Orme replies: “I naturally progressed into picture framing with support from my artistic father, E. Anthony Orme. I visited the British Museum to learn museum standard framing techniques and I studied on original Leonardo Da Vinci sketch which was an incredible experience. I also studied with the Fine Art Trade Guild to gain an understanding of conservation preservation techniques and museum standards in picture framing. At that time I also became the North West Branch Master and Director for the Fine Art Trade Guild* and was invited to sit with the ‘Framing Standards Committee’ ” (*150-year-old trade organisation which sets worldwide standards in art and picture framing)

artist E Anthony Orme with the painting of The Carol Singers, which was also used on the Christmas cover of Lancashire & NorthWest magazine’

The Artist Behind Front Cover For the past decade, the Orme Galleries’ multi-talented artist E. Anthony Orme has been responsible for many of the front cover images of the Lancashire & NorthWest magazines. He has recently celebrated his 77th birthday. He is actively painting and providing new original art pieces for the Orme Galleries, from his Manchester studio. His style range is incredibly diverse, experimenting with a wide array of styles and techniques to produce a

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rivalled degree of eclecticism in his work. His work makes you stand in awe. Visit the gallery and see for yourself! You can invest in Anthony’s original paintings currently exhibited at the Orme Galleries, or you can commission him to paint a family portrait you’ll be proud of. He paints landscapes, fantasy, figures, nudes, ballerinas, cities, abstract works and more. His nostalgic range is very popular with the public, as it evokes memories of cobbled streets in the 50’s and 60’s. Below: Orme Galleries Interior

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What Our Customers Say: Kath: “Thrilled with my purchase. The prints are beautiful and have provided such a delightful walk down memory lane. Chris was wonderful to communicate with and he went out of his way to deliver excellent service and proficiency. I highly recommend the beautiful art and the professional service I received.” Fifi: “Orme galleries did a fantastic job mounting and framing two pictures for me. They even helped me to my car with them, which was extremely helpful.” Niamh: “A lovely independent gallery to purchase art and giftware from, as well as quality bespoke framing. The friendly staff, the expertise of the framer www.lancmag.com

and the talent of E. Anthony Orme, is what makes this gallery 5 stars. I love the fact that you can change the size and frame of all the artwork to suit you. I don’t know many places that offer that!”

For Orme Galleries social media, please follow @ormegalleries Gallery location: Park 66, Pilsworth, Bury, BL9 8RZ, M66 – Junction 3 Tel: 0161 7669991 www.eanthonyorme.com

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 19

Blackpool Honoured Blackpool is delighted to receive a special tree from The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) “Tree of Trees” which stood tall as a message of hope, regeneration and optimism to the nation and the world as part of the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations.

lackpool’s Stanley Park joins over 300 locations across the UK who were recently announced by the QGC as recipients of these special trees in The Queen’s name, which are gifted in a pot embossed with Her Majesty’s cypher. Cllr Jane Hugo, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “It is a huge honour and privilege for Blackpool to be chosen to receive one of these special trees. “Stanley Park has recently been named England’s favourite park for the third time. It is the perfect location for the tree allowing it to be seen by residents and visitors alike. In the coming weeks we will decide exactly where the tree should be located within the park and will organise a ceremony to mark the occasion.” Nigel Patterson, Chair of Friends of Stanley Park, said: “We are delighted to be awarded a special tree from the Queen’s Green Canopy which signifies hope, regeneration and optimism. Our working partnership with the Council is working well by providing a quality park for residents and visitors alike and is recognised by our peers. The tree becomes part of the living legacy in honour of Her Majesty, joining over a million trees already planted across the UK as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy.

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With Queen’s Tree

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LAST CHANCE FOR A REDROW HOME IN BARROW JUST three homes remain at Redrow’s Oak Leigh Gardens, in Barrow, near Clitheroe, after its location and choice of homes have made it a success.

left: Oak Leigh Gardens All three-bedroom designs, the Stratford, Cambridge and Harrogate are some of the housebuilder’s most popular house styles. And that isn’t the only good thing that buyers can expect from living here. Oak Leigh Gardens, off Whalley Road, enjoys a ‘best of both worlds’ location. The village of Barrow is nestled between Pendle Hill and the Forest of Bowland. Its rural location has attracted commuters and young families, who love being close to the countryside but also well connected. Situated just off the main A59 Preston Road, the homes are within easy reach of the M6 and M65; Clitheroe is less than three miles away and places like Blackburn, Burnley, Preston and even Manchester are all easily reached. Trains from nearby Whalley station connect to Blackburn in 15 minutes and direct to Manchester in just over an hour. Sian Pitt, sales director for Redrow Lancashire said: “Oak Leigh Gardens has been a great development from start to finish. I think that’s because it offers buyers a great combination of rural surroundings and green spaces, plus everything they need on their doorsteps from good schools to shops, restaurants and other services. All these things are more important than ever since the Covid lockdowns. 22

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“We have tailor made incentives available on all remaining plots.” One of the remaining homes is the four-bedroom detached Harrogate. Priced from £494,995 this spacious property is ideal for families. Downstairs there is an open plan kitchen and dining area plus a separate utility room. There is also a lounge and an extra room that could be used as a home office or space for a children’s playroom. Upstairs there are four double bedrooms, with the main bedroom having an en-suite while the others are served by a good-sized family bathroom. The Stratford is priced from £394,995 and the Cambridge is priced from £449,995. All Redrow homes can be personalised through My Redrow, an online portal where buyers can reserve, choose upgrade and extras..

The sales centre at Oak Leigh Gardens is open from Friday to Tuesday from 10am-5.30pm. Go to: www.redrow.co.uk/ oakleigh for more information or call 01254 865167

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A ThickSkin and Traverse Theatre Company production, supported by Theatre Royal Stratford East. Commissioned by ThickSkin and Lawrence Batley Theatre.

‘…ITS POWER SPRINGS FROM IT'S ABSOLUTE AUTHENTICITY’ WHAT’S ON STAGE

WED 15 TO FRI 17 MAR 2023 Book online blackpoolgrand.co.uk Box office 01253 290 190 Groups/Schools 01253 743232

Ship Ahoy!

ONE WEEK ONLY!

Titanic the Musical sails into The Grand… ONE WEEK ONLY in March 2023! The five-star theatrical masterpiece Titanic The Musical will dock at Blackpool Grand Theatre for just ONE WEEK ONLY from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 March 2023. This critically acclaimed production is a rousing and uplifting tribute to the passengers of the famously ill-fated vessel, with theatregoers returning time and time again to experience the powerhouse performances. In the final hours of April 14, 1912, the RMS Titanic, collided with an iceberg on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York and ‘the unsinkable ship’ slowly sank to the depths of the ocean. It was one of the most tragic disasters of the 20th Century as 1,517 men, women and children lost their lives. Based on real people who were aboard the most legendary ship in the world, Titanic The Musical is a truly breathtaking and powerful production focusing on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of her passengers, each of whom boarded with fascinating stories and personal ambitions of their own.

The Third Class immigrants dreamed of a better life in America, the Second Class passengers imagined they too could join the lifestyles of the rich and famous, whilst the millionaire Barons of the First Class cabins anticipated legacies lasting forever. All were innocently unaware of the unimaginable fate awaiting them… The original Broadway production of Titanic The Musical, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and book by Peter Stone, scooped five Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. This spectacular production celebrates the 10th anniversary of the London premiere, which also opened to rave reviews, and brings a truly amazing evening of live theatre to The Grand. Don’t miss the boat! Book your seats now!

Titanic the Musical at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 March 2023 for ONE WEEK ONLY! Matinee and evening performances. 24

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Tickets from £18.50. Member discounts available. Book now by visiting blackpoolgrand.co.uk or call the box office on 01253 290 190. www.lancmag.com

THE NUN-BELIEVABLE KILLER DRAG COMEDY

CHERYL HOLE RIVER MEDWAY VICTORIA SCONE AND LOUIS CYFER

TUE 3 - SAT 7 JANUARY BLACKPOOLGRAND.CO.UK BOX OFFICE 01253 290190

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MARTIN DODD for UK PRODUCTIONS in association with BLACKPOOL GRAND THEATRE proudly presents

Blackpool’s No.1 Panto! BLACKPOOL’S FAVOURITE! BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT FINALIST

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Steve Hayley Philip Royle Tamaddon Meeks as SILLY BILLY

as THE GOOD FAIRY

as NURSIE

2 December ’22 to 1 January ’23 01253 290190 | blackpoolgrand.co.uk

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Drag Royalty Cheryl Hole and LoUis CYfer sashay into Blackpool Grand in 2023 Legendary drag Queen Cheryl Hole and drag King LoUis CYfer will star in the wickedly funny comedy Death Drop: Back In The Habit at Blackpool Grand Theatre in January. Condragulations! The smash-hit Dragatha Christie sensation Death Drop is back! Following three sold-out West End runs, the delightfully daft drag murder mystery is returning with a brand-new show: Death Drop: Back In The Habit written by Rob Evans and directed once again by Jesse Jones. Miss Cheryl Hole (star of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Drag Race Vs The World, Celebrity Juice and The Only Way is Essex) will join Drag Idol UK winner, Death Drop West End star and drag King extraordinaire LoUis Cyfer to lead a gaggle of fierce Nuns confined to their Convent in the divinely hilarious drag murder mystery that ‘nun’ of you expected… The glamorous nuns’ peace and tranquillity is suddenly shattered by a serial slayer slashing their way through the sisters. With the help of an unexpected visitor from the Vatican, can the magnificent Mother Superior and the ragtag Sisters of St Babs save their convent, save souls and save themselves?

et ready for an Eleganza Extravaganza! Illustrious drag queen Cheryl Hole and drag king superstar LoUis CYfer will lead an all-drag cast in the killer West End comedy Death Drop: Back In The Habit from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 Pictured: Cheryl Hole January 2023.

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As the clues are cleverly unearthed by Sis Marple, you’ll be laughing in the pews as this fabulously fierce, all-drag killer comedy comes to its thrilling conclusion. It’s the heavenly dose of fun we’ve all been longing for!

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Here’s our handy drag talk guide to get you ready for your extraordinary night with Death Drop: BGB/Bye Girl Bye - A term used when one drag queen is annoyed by another Death Drop - A dance move where a queen dramatically falls back into a stroke pose, usually at the end of lip-syncing to a song Dragmother - An established drag queen who mentors a new queen (her ‘daughter’) how to get started; many queens use the same last name Above: LoUis CYfer

Cheryl Hole said: “I’m so beyond excited and honoured to be part of

as their drag mother, creating family lineages, sometimes called houses ie

Eleganza Extravaganza - A showcase

seeing so many of my talented

of a drag queens finest and most

friends in the different renditions of

fashionable clothing and wigs

shoes of my peers and show everyone that I’m far from mediocre.”

Fierce - Extremely well put together, well-performed, fashionable, beautiful ie “Her make-up looked was fierce.” Used positively and high

West End in 2020 and 2021. They

praise in the drag world

cast ... there’s no better feeling than knowing that this year, I’ll have my

Please call the Box Office on

listings, bookings and further information. LISTINGS

production when it opened in the

once again be the Nasty Nick of the

available.

BlackpoolGrand.co.uk for full

fierce.” “Her lip sync performance

re-join the cast of Death Drop and

Only Way is Essex) and LoUis Cyfer (Drag Idol UK winner and drag King extraordinaire) is at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 January 2023 at 8pm. Friday & Saturday at 5.30pm and 8.30pm. Tickets from £15.50 with concessions

01253 290190 or visit www.

LoUis CYfer starred in the original

said: “It’s my absolute pleasure to

Death Drop: Back in the Habit starring Cheryl Hole (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Celebrity Juice and The

as in hit BBC drama Pose

the new cast of Death Drop. After

the show, I can’t wait to step into the

Don’t forget! Show tickets to Blackpool Grand Theatre make the perfect Christmas gift! It’s never too early to start shopping! Slip Death Drop: Back in the Habit tickets into their stocking this festive season. They

Death Drop: Back in the Habit Tue 3 Jan - Sat 7 Jan 2023: 8pm Fri & Sat at 5.30pm & 8.30pm

Garage Doors - One solid colour of

Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street,

eyeshadow that’s heavily applied

Blackpool FY1 1HT

over the entire lid and up to the

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RuPaul’s Drag Race UK returns for its fourth fabulous season on BBC Three

Shade - an insult or negative

on Thursday 22 September. Top TV

comment

series such Drag Race have brought the amazing art of drag into the

Spilling The Tea - Sharing gossip

mainstream and with it some of the

‘Shante away’ to Blackpool Grand

wonderfully colourful terminology

this January! The dazzling Death

used in drag culture. Some terms

Drop promises to be a show that

already existed in the drag world,

absolutely slays in 2023… Book your

while others have originated from

seats now!

the ever-popular reality shows. www.lancmag.com

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 29

Stonyhurst International School Penang Stonyhurst is delighted to announce the opening of Stonyhurst International School in Penang, Malaysia. Stonyhurst is proud that its global reach is encouraging more young people to be the best that they can be.

his week marks a significant milestone in Stonyhurst’s already rich 429-year history with the much-anticipated opening of Stonyhurst International School Penang. The co-educational school in Malaysia welcomed around 300 students at the beginning of the first term on 26th September. Stonyhurst International School Penang will build its enrolment in phases; the school will offer Early Years Foundation Stage up to Year 9 in the academic year 2022/23. Enrolment has been strong with over 300 pupils joining from across the globe. In time, the school will gradually cater to 1,200 pupils aged

3 to 18 in both the Junior and Senior Schools and will soon offer boarding facilities to accommodate up to 360 boarders. Built on 4.3 acres of land, Stonyhurst International School boasts stateof-the-art facilities, designed with 21st-century teaching and learning pedagogy in mind. The school is strategically situated in one of the most coveted locations on Penang Island, even enjoying direct access to the beach. The school boasts a 530-seat auditorium, music practice rooms, a dance studio, a multipurpose hall, eight Senior School science labs, two libraries, an Astroturf field, a 25-metre swimming pool, a learner pool, dining hall, and designer classroom spaces. Stonyhurst UK Headmaster, Mr John Browne, said: “Our sister school in Penang offers a truly unique educational experience for children across the world to experience a Stonyhurst education. The school upholds the Jesuit values that are embraced by the Stonyhurst

family, and we are proud that our global reach is encouraging more young people to be the best that they can be. Our values are based around ensuring that all pupils experience the very best of British education while retaining a clear understanding of the cultural identities of the Malaysian and Asian community.” Stonyhurst Penang aims to mirror the academic excellence of Stonyhurst College in the UK. Educational excellence at Stonyhurst extends far beyond the classrooms, with cura personalis - care for the whole person - steadfastly at the heart of all Jesuit schools. Naturally, cocurricular activities and the formation of character are the cornerstones of what makes a Stonyhurst education so unique. Stonyhurst Penang is set to deliver a world-class Jesuit education with deeply personalised learning, coaching, advisory, and counselling programmes. To learn more, please visit: www.stonyhurstpenang.edu.my

Stonyhurst Penang pupils reading together

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Above: Stonyhurst Penang pupils in uniform Left: Stonyhurst Penang entrance foyer featuring Jesuit Pupil Profile virtues Below: Stonyhurst Penang Bottom: Stonyhurst Penang dining hall

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WaterWipes® Announces Midwife as 2022 UK Pure Foundation Fund Winner, with a bursary of £10,000

WaterWipes® has announced the UK winner of its third annual Pure Foundation Fund, which celebrates the achievements of healthcare professionals working in maternity, neonatal and postnatal care.

his year’s Pure Foundation Fund UK winner is Elizabeth Leeming from Newcastle, who has been awarded a £10,000 bursary to advance the care of expectant and new parents and their babies. Having worked for over 10 years, Elizabeth Leeming was nominated by her colleague Rachael Fazakerley for being a ‘dedicated midwife, colleague, and friend who goes above and beyond for everyone she meets’. Elizabeth has dedicated her time to helping pregnant asylum seekers, who are coming into the city and staying in temporary accommodation. Commenting on her nomination, Rachael said: “Elizabeth has provided outstanding clinical care but on top of that has acted as an advocate for these families.” Elizabeth said of her win ”I am extremely grateful to Rachael for going to the trouble to submit an entry for me. I hope that by shining a spotlight on Forced Migrant Maternal Health that it will increase funding and service development for this vulnerable group of mothers, here in the Northeast.” Elizabeth will be donating her prize money to help fund the important work that is helping to break down some of the barriers in maternity care, by her hospital, the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust Maternity Department. WaterWipes® encouraged parents and healthcare professionals to nominate individuals who played crucial roles in pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care and made a difference in the lives of parents and babies. WaterWipes® received over 360 nominations for this year’s Pure Foundation Fund across the UK and Ireland. The UK winner was selected by

a panel including both WaterWipes® and neo-natal charity partner, Bliss. Ailbhe O’Briain, HCP Marketing Manager UK & Ireland at WaterWipes® commented “Reading this year’s inspirational nominations reminds us all why we are all so passionate about supporting maternal, neonatal and postnatal healthcare professionals in the UK and Ireland with the Pure Foundation Fund. We have been so touched by the incredible stories of these individuals who go above and beyond to provide excellent care for parents and their babies. They truly are our ‘’Great Protectors’ and we are delighted to support the further improvement of care with the award of this year’s bursary funds.” Alongside the overall UK winner Elizabeth Leeming, WaterWipes® and Bliss also recognised four runners-up for their amazing work and achievements. Róisín McKeon-Carter, a nurse consultant at University Hospital Plymouth, who started her neonatal nurse journey more than 25 years ago, was nominated for being ‘instrumental in not only the development of neonatal services locally but nationally too’. Neonatal professional Rupa Banerjee, from Princess Anne Hospital Southampton, was nominated by one of her patients for ‘her compassion, knowledge and kindness’ that helped not just the patient’s baby but ‘countless other babies’.

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Midwife Sundas Khalid received a heart-warming nomination from her own sister, who praised her fantastic work as a midwife but also how she ‘represents and directs an organisation that stands for equality in midwifery for women and professionals of ethnic minorities’. Commenting on this year’s Pure Foundation Fund, Caroline Lee-Davey, Chief Executive at Bliss and a member of the judging panel, said ‘It was an honour to assist with the judging for this year’s PFF awards: the standard across all nominees was exceptionally high, demonstrating how much excellent practice there is in maternity and neonatal care across the UK. However, Elizabeth Leeming’s nomination stood out for her phenomenal work with asylum seekers, and her combination of excellent clinical care with a personal commitment to go above and beyond to advocate for this community and ensure that her patients are valued. Congratulations to Elizabeth for winning this year’s award, to the other shortlisted nominees, and indeed to all other nominees for their continued commitment to outstanding patientcentred care.” For more information about this year’s winner and the WaterWipes® Pure Foundation Fund, please visit: www.waterwipes.com/uk/en/ community/pure-foundationfund-2022 www.lancmag.com

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Turning the tide to save the Irish Sea Conservationists from around the Irish Sea are looking to turn a tide of inaction to ensure the Irish Sea and all its inhabitants are protected. •

Six nations have come together to find solutions to the challenges nature is facing across the Irish Sea

•

Collaboration across national borders is essential to achieve a well-managed and ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas and truly sustainable fisheries across Irish Sea

•

Strategic regional planning with ecosystems at the heart of decision making requires all Irish Sea nations to work together.

hile 36 per cent of the Irish Sea is designated as a Marine Protected Area, only approximately five per cent has any management in place and less than 0.01 per cent is fully protected. The Irish Sea is under significant and increasing pressure from climate change and activities like fishing, aquaculture, development, shipping, aggregates, military activity, recreational activity and pollution. And while more than 15 million people live around the Irish Sea and many more visit for holidays, only a small percentage of them realise what wildlife lives there and just how important it is for biodiversity and the environment. Conservationists representing six countries and a number of different organisations – Manx Wildlife Trust, North Wales Wildlife Trust, the North West Wildlife Trusts, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Sustainable Water Network (Ireland), The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and Ulster Wildlife – have come together to press for action. The Irish Sea region is already considered to be in a degraded state. The Irish Sea Network has produced a Review of the Irish Sea 2022 and has laid down their vision and calls to action to protect and improve the health of the Irish Sea. Head of Marine at the North West Wildlife Trusts, Georgia de Jong Cleyndert says: “Working together is essential. Wildlife does not adhere to lines drawn on maps, so we need to think at an Irish Sea scale. Whilst there are some protection measures in place for the Irish Sea, management is weak.

“Millions of people around the Irish Sea rely on it for food, employment and wellbeing, but many overlook its role in fighting against climate change and its importance for wildlife – few know about the incredibly diverse habitats that support a huge amount of amazing wildlife – giant basking sharks, leatherback turtles, beautiful starfish and jellyfish, dolphins, porpoises, seal and sharks, as well as internationally important seabirds like Manx shearwater and guillemots”. Without protection and proper management much of this wildlife faces an uncertain future - pollution, development and destruction of habitat could lead to a severe decline in biodiversity. The Irish Sea will also be affected by global warming. Blue carbon is the absorption and storage of atmospheric carbon in the marine environment. Oceans store 20-35 per cent of human-made carbon emissions. Blue carbon is stored in the Irish Sea in seagrass, saltmarsh, sediment, shellfish beds and reefs, intertidal sand and mud flats and brittlestar beds. Whilst intact marine ecosystems are effective at sequestering and storing carbon, when marine habitats are damaged they can’t retain as much carbon and may switch from being a carbon store to a carbon source. Georgia de Jong Cleyndert continues: “We must ensure that damaging activities like dredging, development and damaging fishing practices are managed to ensure that vitally important areas for the environment are protected and we give space for nature’s recovery. “If people living around the Irish Sea and those visiting realised just what amazing wildlife is in there and how important it is for the future of our children and grandchildren, they would want to support the work to protect and improve our forgotten sea. “We are also calling on politicians and business leaders to work with us to make sure this is a sea where wildlife can flourish.”

Photo: Compass Jellyfish - Paul Naylor

The Irish Sea Network has a vision for “a healthy and resilient Irish Sea, enabled by collaborative, cross-national action; where marine wildlife and blue carbon habitats thrive, supporting multiple environmental, social and economic benefits”. It believes that strategic and effective marine planning that takes an ecosystem-based approach with cross-national collaboration, would help to reduce the impact upon sensitive wildlife habitats and carbon stores. Read the Irish Sea Network’s Vision Statement and 2022 Review at: www.irishseanetwork.org Steve Trotter, CEO of Cumbria Wildlife Trust said: “The Irish Sea Network is a vital partnership that brings together representatives from all six nations around the Irish Sea. The Network’s vision and position statements reflect an urgent need to protect and strategically manage this incredibly important, yet busy, regional sea. Our marine environment plays a huge role in climate change mitigation but can only do so if it is healthy and if actions are taken to reduce and reverse biodiversity loss and protect ecologically important areas”.

Tom Burditt CEO of Lancashire Wildlife Trust said “We often describe the Irish Sea as the Forgotten Sea, because it gets less attention than other parts of the British and Irish coastline, and because despite millions of people living and holidaying along its shores, very few of us get to see and experience either the wealth of life living in it, or the damage being done to that special wildlife by inappropriate and unregulated activities. This new partnership, vision, and review is an important next step at addressing that. But it will only work if we now use it to work in partnership with the communities and businesses living and working on, in and alongside this fabulous marine ecosystem.” Charlotte Harris, CEO of Cheshire Wildlife Trust said: “The marine environment is not the first thing to spring to mind when people think about Cheshire however along with Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and North Wales Wildlife Trust we do important work in the Liverpool Bay area. Cheshire Wildlife Trust is committed to protecting the marine environment as part of Living Seas North West and as the lead partner in the Tidal Dee Catchment Partnership.

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

Photo: Thornback Ray On Sea Bottom Credit - Paul Naylor

activities and undertake more sustainable fishing practices. There is much more we can do to help the wide array of wildlife that lives in our seas and at the same time unlock multiple benefits for people.” Jennifer Fulton, of Ulster Wildlife Trust said: “The Irish Sea is an ecologically diverse but heavily used sea, of strategic importance to all surrounding nations. Supporting wildlife and the many essential ecosystem services of a healthy shelf sea against a backdrop of climate change and biodiversity loss requires an urgent transformation in management, encompassing a truly transboundary, collaborative approach.”

“We all know what strength can come from partnerships and people working together and that is what this new strategy should enable us to do on a much bigger scale. Cheshire Wildlife Trust has a vested interest in the lives and livelihoods of its coastal communities, both human and animal, with conservation work within the Irish Sea benefiting all of us into the future by reducing the effects of climate change and improving habitats for wildlife and people alike.” Leigh Morris, CEO of the Manx Wildlife Trust said “The Isle of Man is surrounded by the Irish Sea, which makes up the majority of our territorial area as a Crown Dependency (you could say a map of the Irish Sea is really a map of the Isle of Man and the water that surrounds us!). Therefore, for Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT), the Irish Sea is of significant importance to us, and we know that working with other nations is absolutely fundamental if we are to achieve our long-term Irish Sea conservation goals. The Irish Sea Network (ISN) was created just after I had joined MWT and I am delighted with the progress to date, and even more importantly, the potential opportunities ahead. It has already been useful to understand the different perspectives and priorities from the other Nations around the Irish Sea and our ISN document is far stronger because all six nations are in agreement. I am very much looking forward to the next steps, MWT are keen to play our part, and it will be crucial to see how we, as a ISN group, align, collaborate, and deliver for the sustainable future of the Irish Sea going forwards.” Jo Pike CEO, of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “The Scottish Wildlife Trust welcomes this new partnership as the time for action to transform our marine environment is now, if we are to address the nature and climate crises together. Our marine environment has been neglected for too long and by working together we can make the improvements we need in the Irish Sea to deliver the right level of protection for our key marine areas, reduce the damage from human

Sinéad O’Brien, Coordinator of Sustainable Water Network (SWAN), said: “It is clear that pressures in the Irish Sea are increasing. Although 36% of the Irish Sea is designated as protected, Ireland contributes only about 1.4% to that figure and due to a lack of management plans for these protected sites the level of actual protection is much lower again. The Irish Sea is about to get much busier. For example, we know that we are about to see a huge expansion of offshore renewable energy projects, but if we want to tackle the twin climate and biodiversity emergencies, we need robust marine planning which ensures space for nature through a network of effective marine protected areas covering a minimum of 30% of our waters. The time for action is now.” Frances Cattnach, CEO of North Wales Wildlife Trust, said: “Whilst there is still much to discover about the wildlife of the Irish Sea we know that it is suffering massive declines and we must act quickly and decisively to protect what’s left. As Wildlife Trusts surrounding this incredible area of sea we have worked together for many years but this new Irish Sea Network and Vision gives us the opportunity to work at a truly collaborative and strategic level towards our vision of a healthy and resilient Irish Sea.” Rachel Sharp, CEO of Wildlife Trusts Wales, said: “Wales has more sea than land and the only effective way of managing this natural resource is to work in partnership. Therefore, Wildlife Trusts Wales welcomes the Irish Sea Partnership at this critical time in understanding the multiple pressures affecting our marine environment. Together we can take the urgent action needed to restore the Irish sea for people and for nature.”

Photo: The basking shark, second largest fish in our oceans. Credit - JP Trenque

Spectacular After-Dark Light and Sound Show to Tell the Story of Christmas at Liverpool Cathedral - Immersive Experience Called ‘The Light Before Christmas: The Angels Are Coming!’ will Bring the Nativity to Life with a Stunning Display of Lights, Projections and Sounds from 2-9 December

Liverpool Cathedral is set to bring some extra sparkle to the city’s Christmas celebrations with an immersive experience, which will take visitors on an incredible journey through the Nativity story.

‘T

he Light Before Christmas: The Angels Are Coming!’ invites families to enjoy the most wonderful time of year through son et lumière as the magnificent Gothic interior of the iconic building becomes a canvas for a sequence of dazzling light and sound artworks. A contemporary twist on the opening scenes of the Nativity, the captivating yuletide experience will see angels guide the way through a special display of twinkling lights,

mesmerising projections and beautiful music, inspired by the first Christmas. As extraordinary sights and sounds fill the vast space inside Liverpool Cathedral, visitors will have the chance to immerse themselves in one of the greatest stories ever told in preparation for their own Christmas celebrations. The awe-inspiring festive experience is the work of the award-wining artistic collaboration, Luxmuralis, the same team who brought the sell-out installation, ‘Space, The Universe and Everything’, to Liverpool Cathedral earlier this year. Speaking on plans for ‘The Light Before Christmas: The Angles Are Coming!’, Peter Walker, Artistic

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Director of Luxmuralis, said: “Following the phenomenal success of ‘Space, The Universe and Everything’, we’re delighted to be returning to Liverpool Cathedral with ‘The Light Before Christmas: The Angels Are Coming!’, which will give visitors of all ages a chance to enjoy the festive season in a modern and artistic way.” “It really is going to be an unforgettable experience as stunning light and sound artworks depict the remarkable story of how Christmas began, all in the majestic surroundings of Liverpool Cathedral.” The Dean of Liverpool, The Very Revd Dr Sue Jones, is looking forward to welcoming Luxmuralis back to the city as part of Liverpool Cathedral’s www.lancmag.com

Christmas celebrations. She said: “The artists behind Luxmuralis are renowned for creating the most spectacular immersive experiences, you may remember ‘Space, The Universe and Everything’, which was incredibly well received by visitors to Liverpool Cathedral. “‘The Light Before Christmas: The Angels Are Coming!’ looks set to be just as popular as we invite people to lose themselves in the wonderful story of Christmas and the Nativity. The stunning festive light and sound installation forms a key part of the Christmas celebrations at Liverpool Cathedral, providing a perfect opportunity for different generations to join together for reflection. I’m sure visitors will find the experience very www.lancmag.com

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moving as we are reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.” ‘The Light Before Christmas: The Angels Are Coming!’ is part of a twoyear programme of events, exhibitions and artworks leading up to Liverpool Cathedral’s 100th anniversary, which falls in 2024. Tickets for the Christmas light and sound experience at Liverpool Cathedral, which lasts around 40 minutes, must be booked in advance, either online at Ticket Quarter: https://bit.ly/3fEvmfZ. The Ticket Quarter phone line is open from Monday to Friday (9am 5pm) and the customer service email address is: customerservice@ticketquarter.co.uk For more information about ‘The Light Before Christmas: The Angels Are Coming!’ and the wider events programme at Liverpool Cathedral, visit liverpoolcathedral.org.uk and for further details on Luxmuralis, visit: projectionartgallery.com 40

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D I N E C O C K TA I L S R E L A X

Now taking bookings for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve Boulevard Hotel, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, FY4 1PL +44 (0)1253 336073

boulevardhotel.co.uk reservations@blvdhotel.co.uk

BOULEVARD HOTEL Words by Margaret Brecknell

Located on Ocean Boulevard at Blackpool’s South Shore, the Boulevard Hotel is the perfect choice for anyone wishing to relax in comfort and style whilst on a visit to the popular seaside resort.

he hotel opened in late 2019 and is the latest addition to the portfolio of properties owned by Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

and, tellingly, is greeted with genuine warmth by the hotel staff we encounter along the way. He is, by the way, far too modest to tell us this himself and only reveals the details of his highly impressive career following an unsubtle attempt at investigative journalism by this writer! For the record his CV includes senior roles with several 5-star London hotels including the Corinthia, as well as the Banyan Tree Hotel in the Seychelles.

Pleasure Beach CEO, Amanda Thompson, whose family have owned the world-famous amusement park throughout its 126-year history, took a personal interest in the hotel’s interior design and she has done an outstanding job. No attention to detail has been spared in creating an elegant, but understated, ambience, worthy of a top-class establishment anywhere in the world.

This luxurious seafront property offers stunning views across the Irish Sea, making it the perfect spot for leisure and business guests alike. It is also handily located right next to the Pleasure Beach, so it is ideal for families or adrenalin seekers who are looking to enjoy all that the amusement park has to offer. We recently visited for lunch and were treated beforehand to a personal tour of the hotel by General Manager, Klaus Spiekermann. Klaus has worked at the top end of the leisure and hospitality sector for nearly two decades. I’m not surprised to discover this, as he exudes professionalism and courtesy throughout our tour 42

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Luxury is the order of the day. Materials have been sourced from renowned British companies including Designers Guild fabrics and Andrew Martin wall coverings. Special emphasis has been placed on using local suppliers. The rooms include handmade furniture by Preston-based upholsterers, Tetrad. The light fittings have been designed by Chelsom, a Blackpool-based company who have been supplying lighting solutions to high-end clients for over seven decades. The bespoke wall art is quirky and characterful, having as its inspiration the Art Decostyle posters designed by Tom Purvis during the 1930s to promote the Pleasure Beach. Our tour begins with the hotel’s conference and banqueting centre, which is situated on the ground floor. This versatile space comes with its own dedicated welcome area including a bar, together with a separate conference suite that can cater for up to 200 people and three smaller meeting rooms. It is equipped with state-of-the-art technology throughout, making it perfect for business meetings, but it also works equally well as a wedding venue. The hotel offers a choice of wedding

packages, with bespoke options available, to suit all budgets starting from £6000 up to £25000. The Ocean Club is our next stop. Located on the first floor, this intimate bar comes complete with its own outdoor terrace. It is a perfect spot to while away an evening and watch the sun set over the Irish Sea, or enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea. The Ocean Club is also available for private functions such as birthday parties and its private dining room can cater for up to 12 guests. It’s now time to see the choice of accommodation on offer at the Boulevard Hotel. There are 120 rooms in total, with a choice of Executive, Deluxe Executive, Family Rooms and Suites. We are first shown an Executive

Double Room, which features a super king-sized bed dressed in Designers Guild fabrics, 55-inch TV with Freeview, mini fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, comfortable armchair and safe large enough to store a laptop. The ensuite bathroom is stylishly modern and is equipped with luxury designer toiletries from CO Bigelow of New York. The Deluxe Executive Rooms are larger in size, meaning there is room for an oversize plush sofa. Guests may opt to upgrade to a room with a sea view, or, for a unique experience, try one of the rooms offering a birds-eye view of the hotel’s next-door neighbour, Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Klaus tells us that rollercoaster afficionados come from all over the world to admire this unique view and the opportunities it offers to take special photos. It is

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where we are taken for lunch. Like the rest of the hotel, the restaurant’s décor strikes the right balance of elegance and comfort. The staff are welcoming and friendly. Zoe, who looked after us, exuded the kind of warmth and hospitality that is only found in the best Northern establishments.

worth noting at this point that all the rooms are soundproofed, so there is no chance of being woken by the screams of those “enjoying” a ride on the Big One. Families are welcomed on the two lower floors, but the top-two floors of the hotels are dedicated to adults only and this is where the luxury suites are to be found. The Junior Coastal Suites are large enough to accommodate a dedicated seating area, together with a separate shower and bath (complete with TV) in the 44

ensuite bathroom. Other tempting extras include an espresso machine and comfy bathrobes and slippers. The four-room Coastal Suites, situated on the top floor, come with all these features, plus more. Each Coastal Suite has its own separate living room and balcony, allowing guests to make the most of those stunning sea views. If we ever had the pleasure of staying in one of these suites, I’m not sure we’d ever set foot outside the hotel. The Boulevard Hotel is also home to the Beachside Restaurant and this is

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We are offered the A La Carte menu. We both enjoy a good starter and the choice here is one of the most tempting we’ve encountered in a while, with four dishes suitable for vegetarians. After debating between the Gin Cured Salmon, Tiger Prawns and Twice Baked Soufflé, we eventually opt for the Morecambe Bay Shrimp Ravioli and the Sweet Potato & Coriander Soup. The balance of flavours in both dishes is spot-on and the shrimp ravioli is beautifully presented. Special mention must be made of the brioche, which accompanied the soup. Warmed, as it should be, and light and fluffy, this was a real treat and very moreish. For the mains course, it is tempting to opt for a dish from the Grills section of the menu which includes such delights as a 225g Forest of Bowland Sirloin or Fillet Steak, or a Whole Roasted Poussin, all served with hand-cut chips, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. However, in the end, www.lancmag.com

Beef is an equally well-designed dish. The beef is so tender that it melts in the mouth and its accompanying dauphinoise potato is probably the best I’ve tasted. Our main courses are accompanied by a glass of Tekena Merlot Central Valley Chilean red, chosen from the extensive wine list. we both opt for a selection from the eclectic range of other mains dishes on offer, choosing Boulevard Fish & Chips and Feather Blade Beef. Other choices for meat eaters include Breast of Duck with Pak Choi, Courgette & Couscous. Fish dishes include Fillet of Sea Bass with New Potatoes and Tender Stem Broccoli, or Supreme of Salmon. There are also a couple of interesting pasta dishes on the menu, plus Goats Cheese Tart and Garden Pea Risotto as tasty alternatives for vegetarians. Like the starters, the mains courses are well presented. The Boulevard Fish & Chips are a clever high-end take on the seaside classic and beautifully presented. The haddock is juicy and flaky and we’re pleased to report the all-important chips are just as they should be, crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. The Feather Blade www.lancmag.com

We are consummate professionals when it comes to eating, so somehow find room for dessert. Like the other dishes we have tried today, the Lemon & Blackberry Trifle provides an interesting deconstructed take on a timeless classic and is beautifully presented. The blackberries are probably the largest I’ve seen, but remain exceptionally juicy and succulent. The Dark Chocolate Delice is perfect for any chocoholic and strikes the perfect flavour balance, offering an indulgent light sweet treat without ever becoming heavy and cloying. We have an interesting chat with Head Chef, Craig Brown, after our meal. He is highly experienced, having worked at a number of top local eating establishments, and, like all the best chefs, is clearly passionate about what he does. He has personally designed

the menu at the Boulevard Hotel, which is amended four times a year to reflect changing seasonal produce. He describes his style as “modern English with a twist”, which meets our own experience of the dishes we have sampled today. It is great to hear that, for the main part, ingredients are sourced from some of the best local food producers the North-West has to offer. Before leaving, Klaus tells us that the Boulevard is the only luxury hotel on the Fylde coast which will be open this year throughout Christmas and the New Year. Special packages for the festive season are still available on the website, so why not take a look. With its top-class facilities and perfect combination of charm and elegance, the Boulevard Hotel is perfect for any occasion and we certainly hope to visit again before too long.

You can find the Boulevard Hotel at: Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool FY4 1PL E reservations@blvdhotel.co.uk D www.boulevardhotel.co.uk

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Blackpool Pleasure Beach Wins Big at the UK Theme Park Awards

Blackpool Pleasure Beach has won seven awards at the recent UK Theme Park Awards placing it as one of the top amusement parks in the UK. .

mongst the awards, the park won Golds in the Best Seaside Park and Best Live Entertainment categories.

On winning these awards Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s CEO, Amanda Thompson OBE comments, “Thanks to everyone who voted for us. We are delighted to have won these prestigious awards as they highlight the wide range of rides, shows and activities that we have at the park. From classic rides, to shows and live entertainment, to state of the art

rollercoasters, there truly is something for everyone at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.” Blackpool Pleasure Beach is open daily until Sunday 30th October and then at weekends until Sunday 27th November. For additional information or to book eTickets, please visit: www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com

Blackpool Pleasure Beach took home seven awards at the ceremony, these included 3 Gold Awards - Best Seaside Park, Best Live Entertainment for Hot Ice and Best Dark Ride for Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic, 3 Silver Awards – Best Historic Ride for the Ghost Train, Best Steel Coaster for ICON and Best Wooden Coaster for the Grand National and a Bronze Award for Best Theme Park for Thrills. The awards were organised by ThemeParks-UK.com, an independent consumer guide to UK theme parks. This year, the awards were presented in association with AttractionTickets. com. For the third year, the British public were able to vote for their favourite theme parks in these national awards recognising the best rides and attractions, shows and events. The awards were presented at a ceremony at Drayton Manor Resort, Staffordshire. There were 22 categories this year, including Theme Park of the Year, Best Customer Service and Best Value. New categories included Best Steel Coaster, Best Wooden Coaster and Best Mascot. 204,501 public votes were combined with the scores from a judging panel to determine the winners in each category. Of the 30 theme parks that received nominations, 18 won awards. 46

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Seaside Success For Vintage Festival’s Return www.vintagefestival.co.uk

Morecambe was alive with music, dancing, street food and entertainment as more than 45,000 people celebrated classic design at the weekend when the award-winning Vintage by the Sea returned after a two-year Covid enforced absence.

intage by the Sea was a people watcher’s paradise with thousands of attendees entering into the festival spirit and wearing authentic vintage fashions admired and judged during the Best in Show catwalks. Street theatre and even aerial performers swinging from a giant swing set delighted visitors as did the first ‘home’ performances of Quite Unfit for Females, celebrating the achievements of pioneering female footballers, by Lancaster-based About Time Dance Company.

Meanwhile, the Old Time Sailors brought their special brand of shanty singing to the seaside with performances on the Saturday. And there was much vintage fun to be had at a range of participatory activities from pop-up dance classes to a Rapid Painting Competition and Vintage Bike Ride. But bicycles weren’t the only form of vintage transport at the festival as the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust carried passengers along the Prom while DJs played soul, funk, rock and roll vinyl records from the top of a Routemaster bus. The Midland Hotel was the perfect backdrop for a variety of classic cars and motorbikes from American Chevrolets to the Morris Minor milk float that took Best in Show in the Classic Car competition. Visitors were treated to even more on Sunday with the Bradford to Morecambe Car Rally.

Family friendly workshops transformed the Little Big Top into a hive of activity where traditional printing, leatherworking, badgemaking, vinyl record upcycling, retro packaging design and collage activities were on offer to hundreds of participants hungry to learn new craft and design skills. Those inspired by Morecambe’s famous view, which brought blasts of sunshine through the weekend, could capture the scene for the newly commissioned artistic project, What Are You Looking At?

The Swings aerial performers attracted an appreciative audience. Photo by Robin Zahler, courtesy of Deco Publique

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Above: Dedicated followers of fashion a Vintage by the Sea Below: Vintage by the Sea co-founder, Wayne Hemingway, comperes the Best in Show Photos by Robin Zahler, courtesy of Deco Publique

And there was plenty to look at in the Vintage Marketplace, which drew the most visitors on record for The Platform, and modern-day crafts at the Makers Market held in the Winter Gardens for the first time which also welcomed thousands of people across the weekend. Music guaranteed to transport visitors to decades past, played at various festival venues including the chances to dance the night away at the 1930s Torch Club Ball in the Midland or there was at the Afterparty in the Little Big Top presented by Hacienda veteran, Dave Haslam with DJs including Morecambe-born Wayne Hemingway, a co-founder of Vintage by the Sea. The festival was curated and produced by Morecambe-based art www.lancmag.com

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About Time Dance Company Photo by Robin Zahler, courtesy of Deco Publique

and culture company, Deco Publique in partnership with Lancaster City Council, and both were pleased to see the huge crowds of visitors celebrating along the seafront.

“The scale of the festival and the calibre of the acts and artists involved is continuing to ensure Vintage by the Sea’s reputation as a festival of national significance.”

Lancaster City Council’s cabinet member for arts, culture, leisure and wellbeing, Coun Sandra Thornberry, said: “We were delighted to welcome so many people to Morecambe over the weekend. It was lovely to see families enjoying the various activities and entertainment on offer at the festival and visiting Morecambe’s shops, cafes and restaurants.

Wayne Hemingway said it was heartwarming to see his birth town alive during the festival and to hear all the stories from businesses across the town about having their busiest weekend. “Vintage by the Sea is now a must attend event not just for locals but also from across the North and further. The Best in Show had attendees from

Shanty singers, the Old Time Sailors entertained visitors at the weekend. Photo by Robin Zahler, courtesy of Deco Publique

Worthing, Brighton, Hastings, London, The Hague and Montreal and for most, it was a first visit to Morecambe and all said they will be back. “The event was designed to help the resurgence of Morecambe as a coastal resort of note. We know that Sir Tim Smit of the Eden Project felt that Morecambe could be a place that could support Eden North because of the numbers that Vintage by the Sea attracted and successfully catered for. The town can be proud that it hosts an event that makes people very happy, attracts new visitors, and has enormous economic impact and long term place marketing value.” Festival curators, Deco Publique, added: “We are absolutely thrilled to see Vintage by the Sea return to such a reception. Our festival visitors - local, national and international - created an atmosphere of celebration that will be hard to forget. “We saw a packed promenade, dancing on the seafront and thousands of people participating with early figures suggesting high attendance across the festival. The town and its admirers showed up, creating a significant impact for Morecambe that evidences why we must continue to work together to create meaningful cultural experiences of this scale.”

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Kitsch & Sync strike a pose on Morecambe beach Photo by Robin Zahler, courtesy of Deco Publique

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Colour and Style

www.sarahharrisstyle.co.uk

OUR SECTION ON COLOUR AND STYLE WITH S A R A H H A R R I S F R O M ‘ CO LO U R M E B E AU T I F U L’ It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year… Christmas is a season for love, Joy, Peace and a season to let your hair down glam up and dress to impress! It’s a season to celebrate where you have every excuse to get your glam on! I believe that how we dress can have a huge impact on how we feel, while also affecting our mood. In order to update your look, you should examine what you really need to invest in to look current and feel your absolute best. Your wardrobe may have items in it that are relatively new, or indeed, many years old. There’s an array of colours on the high street that will definitely tempt you this season, however, you may find that a rummage through your wardrobe could well be an enlightening experience – in fact, mixing up some of your existing pieces to create some ‘on trend’ looks could be quite exciting! But let us take a look at who we are and why we have the clothes that we have in our wardrobes.

What we wear tells our story!

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 52

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Dark Amethyst Jersey Maxi Skirt by www.kettlewellcolours.co.uk

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For me it is about knowing your Style Personality, this is the key element you should be looking at when you start to look at your wardrobe. Take time to think about how you wear clothes and items that make you feel comfortable. Think about:•

•

• • •

How you wear Colour, do you like strong contrasting colours or prefer pretty pastels? What kind of shopper are you, do you like shopping in vintage shops and markets or prefer shopping online or do you not enjoy the shopping experience? Do you like to be neat and coordinated or maybe you like to be creative and a bit wacky? What’s your lifestyle like - do you have to wear a uniform for work, are you retired, how do you spend your time? What kind of shoes do you wear are they 6 inch heels or flat ? What type of hairstyle do you have? What kind of jewellery do you like?

Have a good look at the above questions, whilst looking through your wardrobe, and think carefully about the answers as the way you answer them indicates what your Style Personality is. Look closely at how you shop, what you look for and what you like and you’ll find your Style Personality. Below are the different Style Personalities:-

Dramatic – You love to shop and do it frequently and are not concerned whether your clothes are practical or washable, they must make a statement ! You have all the latest Styles and Trends in your wardrobe.

City Chic – You usually follow trends rather than High fashion, shopping with care and purchasing good quality items rather than fast fashion, you use bright colours with caution and tend to go for a tone-on-tone look. You could be a mix of a few of the above but remember there is only one of you, you are unique and your Style personality comes from your background, lifestyle and what feels right for you. Take a look inside your wardrobe and have a good look at what you have already bought and ask yourself why you bought it. And create a wardrobe that you love!

Romantic – Flowers feature heavily in your wardrobe, whether in patterned fabrics or as accessories and decorative details such as corsages, brooches etc. You like the whole shopping experience and you love to feel the fabrics!

What’s your Style Personality? Classic – You prefer a co-ordinated look and do not like to mix textures or wear daring colour combinations. You rarely wear jeans and prefer a smart pair of classic trousers with leather loafers.

Have a Colourful Christmas This is the time to enjoy your wardrobe and have some fun! In the run up to Christmas and over this season there is a general feeling of celebration! Companies have Christmas parties, Fairs and markets are everywhere, pantomimes are showing in theatres and there is a sense of community and Joy! It is the perfect time to dress up and explore your wardrobe and maybe find a side of you that you didn’t realise you had!! It might be by just adding a new lipstick, sparkly necklace or Christmas Jumper that only comes out at this time of year! Go for it and enjoy yourself!! This season we have seen Reds, Pinks, Blues, Greens and Purples alongside Blacks, Whites and Browns. And depending on what your Style Personality is will dictate the way you wear your colours! Neutrals are great for key items in your wardrobe and can be very stylish with a touch of colour added in maybe a blouse, bag, scarf etc.

What will you wear this season? Creative – Your wardrobe is full of items from many different sources, including vintage mixed with high fashion, that you have gathered over the years. Shopping for you is an art form and you like nothing better that rummaging through a charity shop or someone’s attic!

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Natural – Your wardrobe often appears disorganised and you’ll often wear whatever is to hand that morning. You prefer comfortable clothes and flat shoes and your jewellery will be minimal, if you wear any at all!

Green is all around this season in all shades from bright emerald green to softer more muted sage and pea greens! It’s a good colour to wear when you are overtired and over-stressed as it produces restorative results and helps you to relax! The beautiful green satin dress below, by Next, is perfect for relaxing on Christmas day or cocktails on Christmas eve!

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Blue is a favourite with many and as it is the most popular colour to wear and is one of the seasons trend colours it is worth pulling out of your wardrobe or maybe treating yourself! Blue is a ‘trustworthy’ colour, wear deeper shades when you want to project authority and mid tones to lighter blues when giving advice or delivering a presentation. Of course if you add sequins you’ll shine at any occasion!! This sparkly dress by www.sosander. co.uk is perfect for a party!!

Perhaps sparkle isn’t your thing and you prefer neutral colours, you might like to choose an animal print! Every season animal prints are here so I do believe that they are now classic and if you like these prints you will definitely already have them in your wardrobe! Although this season’s versions are generally smaller, verging on abstract, but that doesn’t mean you can’t shop your wardrobe and reinvent pieces that you already have. You could always vamp them up for Christmas either with a hat for a dramatic look or a touch of colour either in a bag, shoes or just lipstick! This dress below by www.sosandar.com is very chic.

Bright Green satin belted dress by www.next.co.uk

Or how about wearing full on pink to the office! Pink is a great colour to wear when you want to soften an austere business look it is also very feminine and good in a caring environment. The shades are from palest pink which is perfect for those with fairer complexions to deep Cyclamen and Fuchsias and if you need a contrast why not use a deep fuchsia with an orchid pink! This suit by www.boden.co.uk will take you from day time to evening, simply by changing the jumper to a silk blouse or strapless top! You can change it around and wear the jacket with a pair of jeans or the trousers with a chocolate coat. Such a versatile piece.

Sapphire blue sequin shift dress by www.sosandar.co.uk

Red is always the Colour of Christmas – it’s daring and exciting and evokes the delightful images that we have of Christmas! It is a great colour to look like you’re in control as it catches the eye of everyone! If you are better in Cooler tones opt for a bluer red whereas if Warmer tones are for you keep to the orange reds! The one below by Sosandar is perfect for Christmas day, it will keep you warm and the leopard print boots add a little touch of the seasons trend!

Leopard print square Neck Jersey Midi dress by www.sosandar.com

If you need any help with your Style or Colours let me know and Look after yourselves and each other! Have a wonderful Christmas!! Warm Wishes, Sarah x E sarah@sarahharrisstyle.co.uk D www.sarahharrisstyle.co.uk Wild watermelon pink fitted corduroy blazer and trousers by www.boden.co.uk

Red Belted Knitted Midi dress by www.sosandar.com

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Style

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FOOD WITH PASSION, SEASONALITY AND HERITAGE Maurizio Bocchi, Chef Patron, takes you to the heart of Italian fine-dining in the Ribble Valley serving you the purest Italian cuisine. Creating authentic, seasonal dishes that go back generations using the highest quality local and Italian ingredients.

Main Street, Gisburn, Lancashire BB7 4HH Tel: 01200 445303 | Info@lalocanda.co.uk www.lalocanda.co.uk | F I @LaLocandaGisburn

An Italian

‘journey through food’ La Locanda – Ristorante Italiano flavour and tastes of their food, and consider eating as an experience to be enjoyed, associating good food with all the special occasions in life. And Christmas time is no different, with every region having their own traditions and festive dishes based on their history and local heritage. Families in central and southern regions celebrate ‘Cenone della Vigilia’ or Christmas Eve, while in the North, families celebrate ‘Pranzo di Natale’ or Christmas Day. It’s not unusual to have twelve courses, sometimes more! With a traditional Italian Christmas meal structure looking something like this: 1. Aperitivo aperitif 2. Antipasto Caldo warm starter 3. Antipasto Freddo cold starter 4. Primo Piatto pasta or risotto at lunch (or light pasta, risotto or gnocchi at dinner)

This winter, La Locanda owners Maurizio and Cinzia Bocchi will take you to the heart of Italian fine-dining cuisine right here in the wonderful Ribble Valley.

erving authentic, festive Italian recipes that go back generations. The husband-and-wife team, both natives of Lake Maggiore which straddles two of Italy’s most northern 56

regions, Piedmont and Lombardy, specialise in providing their customers with a pure Italian experience - the sensation of what the Italians call “Gusto Italiano” (Flavours of Italy). Meal time in Italy is a really important part of the day; it’s an occasion to socialise and relax, and a meal can often take four hours, or even longer when it’s a special occasion. Italians love to savour the

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5. Secondo Piatto di Pesce fish course 6. Secondo Piatto di Carne meat course 7. Formaggi cheeses 8. Dolci dessert 9. Frutta selection of fresh fruits 10. Caffè coffee 11. Ammazza Caffè (coffee killer) – a shot of liqueur 12. Cioccolatini o dolcetti chocolates or treats

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You’ll hear time and time again that La Locanda serves the ‘best Italian food outside Italy’ with the small restaurant having scooped multiple awards and accolades over the years. Most recently a surprise award at the Lancashire Tourism Awards for their outstanding contribution to Taste Lancashire. The award they are most proud of is ‘Ospitalità Italiana’ - a certification that highlights the best Italian restaurants around the world, those which seek to defend and protect Italian cuisine and preserve its history, culture, quality and authenticity. www.lancmag.com

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La Locanda is a cosy restaurant full of original, rustic charm and this Christmas you can enjoy a delicious menu featuring a host of authentic, Italian dishes that taste as good as they sound, using the finest local ingredients, prepared the Italian way. About: La Locanda is a multi-award-winning, traditional Italian restaurant nestled in Lancashire’s beautiful Ribble Valley. Highly regarded for its commitment to slow food, sourcing the best quality local produce and specialising in pure, authentic Italian cuisine. La Locanda first opened its doors in 2003. Maurizio heads the team in the kitchen, whilst Cinzia manages all front of house operations. La Locanda can also be found in the Harden’s Guide.

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eat@lalocanda.co.uk | 01200 445303 lalocanda.co.uk | @LaLocandaGisburn

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Lightpool Festival Returns with a Spectacular Programme of Free Entertainment Blackpool’s award-winning Lightpool Festival is back with a programme of extraordinary free entertainment.

his year’s festival gets underway on Friday 14 October, marking the start of 16 nights of events including a spectacular mix of light-based art installations, stunning live performances, family-friendly activities, and 3D projection shows. The festival will once again showcase new installations and artwork never seen before in the UK, with international works from France and the Netherlands thanks to £135,000 of funding from Arts Council England. It will also see the return of the extraordinary Carnival Magic show in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom and the Illuminated Tram Parade, a once-a-year opportunity to see the resort’s illuminated heritage trams travelling in convoy beneath the world-famous Illuminations. The Lightpool programme will be complemented by two free firework displays, 3D projection shows on The Blackpool Tower building, a festival village on the Tower Festival Headland, and the planned unveiling of Odyssey, the biggest light installation ever built at the Illuminations own manufacturing facility. Philip Holmes, Artistic Director said “I am extremely proud and excited to bring this world class and extraordinary multi-sensory event to Blackpool this October. There is a real excitement and buzz of anticipation for this year’s Lightpool Festival with so many fabulous and fantastical experiences to enjoy and get involved with. “We have secured and curated installation works by national and international artists, many who will stage their UK premier at Lightpool Festival. “This free event is made possible by our wonderful sponsors and supporters, I am grateful for their continued support and encouragement in making Lightpool Festival bigger and better every year.”

Programme highlights include:

ART TRAIL Every year, Lightpool Festival offers a fantastic free Art Trail suitable for all ages. This self-guided tour over 12 nights, from October 18-29, will see outdoor spaces and iconic buildings transformed by spectacular light works. For the first time, the Art Trail is split into five easy-tofind zones:

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Crystallized

Zone One (Tower Festival Headland) Throughout the festival, visitors can take their place on the Tower Festival Headland and immerse themselves in a series of dazzling Tower projection shows. At selected times, The Blackpool Tower will be brought to life with a specially-commissioned magical sound and light spectacular. Visitors can grab a bite to eat or a hot drink from the wooden chalets on the headland. Plus, watch out for the unveiling of Odyssey, the largest 3D installation ever seen in the Blackpool Illuminations display (opening date to be confirmed). Zone Two (Victoria Street and Blackpool Grand Theatre) A short walk away from the Promenade, Lightpool visitors will be able to view Aqualux, a creative lighting installation comprising 48 unfilled water containers, and watch it come to life; see over 1,600 butterflies which have fluttered over to Blackpool Grand Theatre; and get dancing to the energetic community project, The Blackpool Way. Zone Three (Winter Gardens, Blackpool Conference & Exhibition Centre) The newly-opened Conference & Exhibition Centre within the Winter Gardens hosts a number of large-scale light installations for this year’s festival, including Flux and CRYSTALLIZED, two impressive installations premiering in the UK for the first time. (Winter Gardens, Olympia and Derham Lounge) Head over to the Olympia exhibition space to see a selection of retro Illuminations favourites including the dazzling Tiffany Umbrellas and the otherworldly Spacemen; speak to NORMAN, an old-school ‘smart’ screen but with attitude; and watch the inspirational community project, We Are Blackpool. www.lancmag.com

For one night only, visitors will be able to watch headline LED drummers Spark!, a unique and thrilling show that combines high-impact drumming, superb choreography and stunning lighting design. The show will also showcase the annual illuminated tram parade, featuring the Battleship HMS Blackpool, the Fisherman’s Friend Trawler and the lottery-funded Great Western Train. Illuminated giant puppets, Lumidogs, and performers will also be joining the parade, adding a wow factor and showcasing content never seen before by audiences in Blackpool. World Fireworks Championship Blackpool – Thursday 27 October and Friday 28 October Location: Tower Festival Headland – approximate firing time 8:30pm (weather dependent)

Spark!

Zone Four (St John’s Square/Birley Street) Step back outside and engross yourself in The Nature Takeover, a journey into the interconnected rhythms of the natural world as it consumes outside of The Blackpool Church. Cleverly interact with the projection and control insects crawling on the building with your mobile device. On the nearby Winter Gardens frontage, is a new outdoor projection piece, 100 Stories High, with original music. Just around the corner, discover six metal arches which dominate Birley Street with a unique sound and light show.

Two spectacular firework displays will light up the skies during Lightpool Festival. Sponsored by family entertainment centre, Coral Island, the first will take place on Thursday 27 October (after the Illuminated Tram Parade) and the second on the following night, Friday 28 October, when Titanium Fireworks will deliver a showcase finale to fireworks season. 100 Stories High, Live Version, Friday 28 October St John’s Square between 7pm and 8pm This beautiful animation by imitating the dog theatre company, which forms part of the Lightpool Festival Art Trail, gets a special live performance accompanied by acclaimed singer Neil Balfour.

Zone Five (Bickerstaffe Square opposite Blackpool North Rail Station) Marvel at Big Bird, the 3.5 metre-high pigeon sculpture constructed from parts of London Black Cabs and tastefully illuminated by the Blackpool Illuminations team. Some of the Art Trail features run for a limited time only. Please check the dates and times when you plan your visit. For the full Light Art Trail details, please visit: www. visitblackpool.com/lightarttrail LIVE PERFORMANCE & EVENTS The annual Lightpool Festival wouldn’t be the same without a generous helping of the live entertainment for which Blackpool is famed - and it’s all for free! Carnival Magic – Monday 24 October, 7pm and 8.30pm Location: The Blackpool Tower Ballroom An exhilarating menagerie of illuminated carnival characters hit The Blackpool Tower Ballroom for an electrifying static showcase of music, puppetry and dance. The internationally-renowned performers from Global Grooves will present a showstopper for more than 30 minutes, bringing a diverse melting pot of carnival magic. From giant hand-crafted puppets to stunning illuminated dancers, there will be something for all the family (Note: This is a free ticketed event subject to high demand) Illuminated Tram Parade Featuring Spark! – Thursday 27 October Location: Central Promenade (between 5pm and 7pm)

Tower Projections

TOWER PROJECTION SHOWS This year, The Blackpool Tower Projections are running between 2 September and 2 January, and will once again transform the iconic Tower building into a sea of light, colour and sound. From festive-filled stories to sci-fi projections, these free-to-watch, digitally-mapped shows are a mesmerising treat. Exclusive to Lightpool Festival - Tower Light Show, 14 - 29 October The Blackpool Tower is emblazoned with a glowing heart and 25,000 lights on the structure. In this speciallycommissioned light show, the iconic Tower is brought to life with a sound and light spectacular produced by Greg McLenahan. The all-new light show runs every night during Lightpool Festival at 7pm, 8pm, 9pm and 10pm. For the full festival line-up, please head to www. visitblackpool.com/lightpoolfestival

Back by popular demand, Spark! by Worldbeaters Music return to Blackpool to help us celebrate Lightpool Festival. www.lancmag.com

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Balmoral Castle

– A Royal Residence Steeped in History By Margaret Brecknell Victoria later wrote that she would never forget “this very pleasant and interesting tour”. Just two years later, the couple returned, this time staying for three weeks at Blair Castle on the southern edge of what is today the Cairngorms National Park. It proved a memorable trip. “I cannot describe how beautiful it is”, Victoria wrote in her personal journal. “I am so sad at thinking of leaving this charming place, and the quiet, liberty and the pure air we have enjoyed”. Her husband, Albert, was similarly enamoured with the Scottish countryside, which, it was said, reminded him of his childhood home in Germany. The couple began the search for a place of their own in the Highlands where they could enjoy holidays with their children. King Edward VII at Balmoral

Following the sad news of the Queen’s death at Balmoral Castle on 8th September, the royal family’s residence in the north of Scotland now holds a unique place in British history as the place where the reign of the country’s longest serving monarch came to an end.

he royal estate in Deeside, Aberdeenshire, has enjoyed a long and varied history. Situated in the picturesque Cairngorms National Park, a 14thcentury Scottish King, Robert II, is believed to have been the first to spot the potential of this idyllic location on the south bank of the River Dee when he built a hunting lodge in the area during the mid-1300s. The estate then passed to Sir William Drummond, who built the first house there in around 1390. It was subsequently owned by two more prominent Scottish families, the Gordons and the Farquharsons, before eventually, in 1798, it was sold to James Duff, the 2nd Earl of Fife. Today, the royal family’s love for Scotland is taken for granted, but the British monarchy’s relations with its most northerly subjects have not always been so harmonious. When Queen Victoria’s uncle, King George IV, travelled to Edinburgh in 1822, it represented the first visit of a reigning monarch to Scotland in nearly two centuries. Despite safety concerns, Queen Victoria first visited Scotland in September 1842, just five years after her accession to the throne. She was accompanied by her husband, Prince Albert. The couple sailed to Leith, near Edinburgh, on board the Royal Yacht, Royal George, and spent several days at nearby Dalkeith Palace, before travelling some 80 miles north of Edinburgh to Perthshire.

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In early October 1847, Balmoral became available for rent following the sudden death of its then occupant, a Scottish diplomat named Sir Robert Gordon. It seemed to fit the bill perfectly. The royals had visited Scotland again earlier that summer, but had this time stayed at Ardverikie House on the banks of Loch Laggan in the Western Highlands and had endured wretched weather throughout their stay. In contrast, the Deeside area, in which Balmoral was situated, was already renowned for its healthy climate and was recommended to the royal couple by their personal physician, Sir James Clark. The deal was sealed when Queen Victoria was sent three charming watercolour paintings of Balmoral. Victoria and Albert took on the lease in February 1848 without ever having visited the property. They paid their first visit to Balmoral in September of that same year. Victoria described it as “a pretty little castle, in the old Scotch style”. From the start, she was delighted with the isolation offered by its remote location, which gave her and her family the opportunity to relax on holiday away from the ever-present public gaze. After taking a five-mile walk one day, she wrote in her journal that “it was wonderful not seeing a human being, nor hearing a sound, excepting that of the wind, or the call of blackcock or grouse”. However, it soon became apparent that the small castle was nowhere big enough to house the royal family and their entourage. The Queen’s adviser, the Earl of Malmesbury, described it as “an old country house in bad repair and totally unfit for royal personages”, adding that, “We played at billiards every evening, the Queen and the Duchess (her mother) being constantly obliged to get up from their chairs to be out of the way of the cues”. Several upgrades were made to the house and gardens www.lancmag.com

repast, which they don’t”, Victorian statesman, Lord Clarendon, remarked caustically after an early visit to the new castle in 1856. In the early autumn each year the royal couple would return to Victoria’s “dear paradise in the Highlands”, with various children in tow. When Albert wasn’t planning further improvements to the estate, they liked to explore the local area on foot. Victoria took great pleasure in sketching the local countryside, whilst Albert enjoyed hunting and fishing. The couple also took an active interest in the local community. On leaving Balmoral in late October 1861, Victoria wrote that, “It is always a sad moment when one has to bid farewell”. Little could have she suspected just how melancholic that departure would prove to be. Less than two months later, Albert died of suspected typhoid fever at Windsor Castle, aged just 42.

Queen Victoria on Fyvie with John Brown at Balmoral

over the following four years, but it was only in June 1852, when the royals purchased the Balmoral estate outright, that work could begin in earnest in turning it into a residence fit for a monarch. Aberdeen architect, William Smith, was commissioned to come up with a design for a new castle in the then fashionable Scottish Baronial style. It was to be built on a site which offered the best views of the surrounding countryside, some 100 yards to the north-west of the existing building. The foundation stone was laid by Queen Victoria on 28th September 1853 and the new castle, constructed out of local granite, was first occupied two years later. The old building was demolished soon afterwards. The royal couple were heavily involved in the design of the new Balmoral Castle including the interior décor. The Queen opted for a heavily www.lancmag.com

Scottish-influenced look, which did not always meet with the approval of her English visitors. “Thistles are in such abundance that they would rejoice the heart of a donkey if they happened to look like his favourite

Victoria was distraught at the death of her beloved husband and entered a state of deep mourning which lasted several years. She did, however, continue to visit Balmoral and found such comfort in the peace and solitude of the beautiful Scottish countryside that she began to spend ever longer periods of time there. She famously also found solace in her close friendship with her Scottish manservant, John Brown. His connection with the Balmoral estate predated that of the monarch, as he was already working there as a stable boy when the royals first visited in 1848.

Path along River Dee on Balmoral Estate

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The Queen took her leave of Balmoral for the last time in November 1900. Now an old lady and in poor health, she died early the following year. Members of the royal family continued to make annual visits to Balmoral late each summer. Victoria’s successor, Edward VII, does not appear to have shared his mother’s affection for the Scottish Highlands, but his son, George V, followed in the family tradition and made several further significant improvements to the Balmoral estate during the 1910s and 1920s. Upon the death of King George V in January 1936, the throne passed to his eldest son, Edward VIII. He was already involved in the controversial relationship with the US divorcee, Wallis Simpson, which would eventually lead to his abdication.

Edward’s decision to take Wallis with him to Balmoral in September of that year was greeted with horror by those in the know, like Sir Winston Churchill, who believed it inappropriate for her to stay at the place which was “sacred to the memory of Queen Victoria”. This proved to be a royal stay like no other at Balmoral Castle. Instead of bracing walks through the scenic countryside and the customary outdoor pursuits, Edward hosted the kind of showbiz parties never witnessed, either before or since, at the Scottish estate. The King eschewed the long-held tradition of inviting the Prime Minister and other dignitaries of the day to spend time with him at Balmoral. Instead, according to one critic, the guest list consisted of “the riff-raff of two continents”.

Many historians now believe that the fallout from Edward’s disastrous visit to Scotland contributed to the abdication crisis which engulfed him later that same year. Tellingly, whilst the King was partying at Balmoral Castle, his younger brother, Bertie, was enjoying a more wholesome family holiday on the estate at nearby Birkhall, where his guests included the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Lang. Upon Edward’s abdication in December 1936, Bertie acceded to the throne as King George VI. Edward, however, initially retained ownership of the Balmoral estate. Unlike most of the royal residences, Balmoral has always been privately owned by the monarch and Edward had inherited the estate upon the death of his father. The royal family’s beloved Scottish

home could well have been sold to finance the former King’s extravagant lifestyle if George VI had not stepped in and negotiated a sizeable financial settlement with his brother to acquire ownership of the estate George VI’s two young daughters, the future Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Margaret, were thrust into the spotlight following their father’s unexpected accession to the throne. The annual summer holiday at Balmoral gave the whole family a chance to escape from the pressures of royal life and enjoy a healthy outdoor lifestyle. “They looked forward to it all the year round. It tended to be the chief landmark in their calendar”, recalled royal nanny, Marion Crawford, of the two young princesses.

Sadly, the family were unable to visit Balmoral during the World War II years, but their return in 1946 proved particularly memorable for the then 20-year-old Princess Elizabeth, as this is when Prince Philip proposed to her. Following their marriage the following year, the couple spent part of their honeymoon at Birkhall. The couple subsequently spent many happy summer holidays there with their own children and grandchildren. Occasionally, even at Balmoral, the most famous family in the land could not entirely escape the glare of publicity. The young Princes William and Harry were staying there with their father and other members of the royal family, including the Queen, when news first broke of their mother, Diana’s, death in Paris on August 31st,

1997. The world’s media camped out at the gates, but were rewarded with only brief glimpses of the royals who, for the most part, remained safely ensconced within the Balmoral estate until their return to London for Diana’s funeral. Through the ups and downs of her long reign, Balmoral acted as a place of sanctuary for the Queen. Following the Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this summer, she travelled to Deeside for one last time. She spent her final days there, joined by various members of the royal family, before passing away peacefully at her beloved Scottish home in early September.

Traditional Orchards Steve Oram, Orchard Biodiversity Officer at People’s Trust for Endangered Species Most of the familiar types of edible top-fruit such as apple, pear, quince and apricot originated in far flung places like the Tien Shan mountains of Kazakhstan. For several millennia we have transported them on horse, cart, in the holds of clipper ships, and now as air-freight, to every part of the globe.

y selection, chance, and science we have reshaped them in myriad ways. As providence has it, the British Isles are particularly well suited to the cultivation of many types of fruit, and from the Romans through to the mass-production farm orchards of modern day Kent, we have long exploited that fortune. In Lancashire, during Victorian times market gardens and vast areas of orchard supplied the rapidly developing industrial towns. Within a three-mile radius of Preston there were once over 260 acres of orchards, now there’s about 12. Carriage-loads of Grenadier apples were sent by train to the Barrow market from orchards near Lancaster. Farther north, the Westmorland damson is famed for its superior flavour. At last count, there were around 250 growing within the Arnside and Silverdale AONB alone. The trees have shallow roots, so are frequently planted along stonewalls, as hedgerows to shelter more tender fruit, in field corners – anywhere where the thin soils allow. Lancashire can claim 22 existing varieties of fruit as native, and another 17 are currently considered lost. Two of the most well-known, Duke of Devonshire and Keswick Codlin, arose in historical Furness. Scotch Bridget was much appreciated as a dual-purpose apple and is often found as old trees in gardens and brought in by the public for identification at 66

Ellis Bitter. A traditional medium bittersweet cider apple variety widely grown in the West Country

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Pear trees in blossom. Credit NatureScot

out how to set up your own. Simply visit www.ptes.org/ community-orchards to discover more.

Cider orchard in snow winter. Credit Megan Gimber

Apple Days today. The Northern Fruit Group has recently rediscovered a few of the lost varieties, discovered some worthwhile new ones, and continues to search for more. One type of orchard that is increasing in popularity is the community orchard. Lancashire only has around eight of these (that we know about), which makes them pretty thin on the ground when compared to Manchester’s 22 and Leeds’ 46. If you know of a local public greenspace that is crying out for some fruit trees, or an accessible corner of a farmer’s field close to your community, then why not try to create your own community orchard? Community projects attract lots of grants, and there is a wealth of information available to help get you started. It’s also a fantastic way to meet like-minded people and celebrate our heritage. There’s an interactive map on wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species’ (PTES) website where you can find your nearest community orchard. Here you can also find www.lancmag.com

If any of this piques your interest, there are some things you can do over winter and into spring. Everyone with a little bit of space can have a fruit tree. As the Chinese proverb goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now”. If you haven’t got any fruit trees, or are looking to add more varieties to your garden or orchard, winter is the time to get your new trees in the ground. Depending on how much space you have, plant trees on the most vigorous rootstock you can accommodate. The larger the stock, the longer the tree will live, and older trees with rot holes and hollow trunks make an excellent habitat for wildlife (which is what PTES is all about). It’s a good idea to plant a local variety, but by no means essential. Maybe if you can find a Westmorland damson, ask the landowner if you can dig out a few of the suckers that will probably be sprouting nearby – they are normally on their own roots rather than grafted like most fruit trees and take root very easily, so these are free to repropagate and are not fussy about where they’re planted. If you have an orchard, or are involved with a community orchard, you could be a pioneer in celebrating a new official day in the orchard calendar – Orchard Blossom Day. Centred around the last Friday of April, orchards across Europe are opening their gates for this annual celebration of fruit trees, flowers and locally sourced healthy food. It’s a celebration of orchards being magical places for the benefit of people and nature: good for the world, the stomach, and the soul. Everything you need to organise an Orchard Blossom Day can be found at www.orchardnetwork.org.uk LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 67

People at an apple event. Credit Lowri Watkins

Traditional orchards are an amazing habitat for wildlife, offering thousands of species from invertebrates and mammals to birds and pollinators, both food and shelter. Despite the crucial role these habitats play for much of our native wildlife, 90% of traditional orchards have been lost in England and Wales since the 1950s. We need to preserve this unique habitat and a great way that everyone can help is by joining or getting involved in their local community orchard. There’s a wealth of information and free guidance at: www.ptes.org/orchards

Local apple varieties: • Duke of Devonshire

• Lord Suffield

• Eddie Potts

• Mrs Harper

• Gold Medal

• Philip Barron

• Golden Spire

• Potts’ Seedling

• Hargreave’s GreenSweet

• Proctor’s Seedling

• Harvest Festival • John Huggett • Keswick Codlin • Lady’s Finger of Lancaster • Lancashire Pippin • Lange’s Perfection

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• Royal George • Scotch Bridget • Sowman’s Seedling • Trumpeter • Walton Weeper (pear) • Westmorland Damson

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Apple pressing in local orchard. Credit Lowri Watkins

Damson: Credit - Judy Stroud

Biodiversity Plumtree_Bumblebee_Credit Megan Gimber

Orchard with sheep in springtime- credit Chris Richards

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New School Offers Children a Flying Start A NEW school built on the site of Cheshire’s former Woodford Aerodrome has welcomed its first pupils in time for the 2022-23 academic year.

Above: Woodford School tree planting: LtR: Councillor Mike Hurleston, Councillor Brian Bagnall, Elise Drake, Head of School, Jason Newton, Managing Director at Redrow Homes North West, Sean Conlon, Conlon Construction. Boasting state of the art facilities, Woodford Primary School has been funded by Redrow and will serve families on the home builder’s newly developed Woodford Garden Village, near Wilmslow. Initially providing 30 reception class places – along with 20 places for pre-school pupils - it’s set for continued expansion, with eight classrooms, a library, school hall, specialist teaching areas and landscaped playgrounds. At the ribbon-cutting opening on Friday (September 30) Head of School Elise Drake said the school will reach capacity in 2028, with an expected 230 pupils. “Our official opening marks an important day in the school’s history, and we now look forward to serving our local community for many generations to come,” said Mrs Drake. 70

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“The first few weeks have gone really well, and the children are settling in brilliantly. “Woodford Primary pupils are encouraged to ‘Dream Big’ so they can ‘Fly High’ and they are already showing themselves to be inquisitive learners who are eager to find out more about the world around them.” The school, part of the Laurus Trust, is the latest addition to Woodford Garden Village which offers a wide range of accommodation, from apartments to premium five-bedroom homes from Redrow’s award winning Heritage Collection. The development also provides residents with an array of amenities, including traditional village greens, shops and sports facilities.

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Above: Woodford School opening a look inside the library: LtR: Sean Conlon Conlon Construction, Anna Evans-Kerr, Sales Director Redrow Homes North West, Wendy Mason, CFO Laurus Trust, Elise Drake, Head of School, Jason Newton, Managing Director at Redrow Homes North West, Chris Dobson, Technical manager Redrow Homes North West , Lisa Woolley, Executive Head Primary and Linda Magrath OBE, Chief Executive Laurus Trust.

Above: Woodford School opening: LtR: Sean Conlon, Conlon Construction, Jason Newton, Managing Director at Redrow Homes North West and Elise Drake, Head of School.

Jason Newton, managing director for Redrow NW, said: “From the very outset, the new school has been an integral part of our plans.

The 205-hectare Woodford Garden Village is the first garden village of its kind to be built in the north of England for decades and one of the region’s largest brownfield sites. The sensitive blueprint combines 920 new homes (around 500 of which are already occupied) a pub, shops and an extensive network of green spaces including children’s play areas, cycle pathways, parks, meadows and extensive tree planting.

“Alongside other key additions such as a new public house and multiple play and open areas of green space, it will serve not only the residents of our development but also the wider community.” The contract to build the school was awarded to Conlon Construction who began work on the historic aerodrome site in August 2021. Darren Lee, commercial director for Conlon Construction, said: “We applied decades of education experience to this project, but it’s still a pleasure to see a new school welcome its first generation of pupils and staff. Its purpose-built facilities will deliver a fulfilling experience to all those who attend by encouraging its learners to aim high and be the best they can be. Woodford Primary School is an asset to local families and central to creating a thriving and sustainable community.”

Redrow has pledged Section 106 commitments totalling more than £9.6 million, including £3.5 million for the new primary school. On top of this, more than £25,000 has already been shared by numerous community groups such as scouts, guides, sports clubs and local schools via a series of voluntary community funds. To find out more about the homes currently available at Woodford Garden Village visit: www.redrow.co.uk/promo/ woodford or visit the sales centre, open seven days a week, from 10am-5.30pm Tuesday to Sunday and from 12pm to 5.30pm on Mondays.

Three Reasons Why You Should Change Your Scent With The Seasons And the best Autumnal perfumes for 2022 www.perfumedirect.com

According to fragrance experts updating your signature scent is just as important as updating your A/W wardrobe. Hence it’s no coincidence that the big fragrance houses tend to release new fragrances at the beginning of spring/ summer and now as we enter the new season.

temperatures, autumn can also be a good time to layer your fragrances to create a completely custom scent and transition your signature scents from summer to autumn without completely changing your aroma.

Jonny Webber from Perfume Direct explains the science behind why you should be changing up your fragrance for the colder months:

“Fragrance layering is also ideal if you just can’t find the ‘one’, a perfume that you absolutely love. Instead, you have the chance to make your own signature scent using perfumes you already like. By layering your perfume, you can also help to make the overall scent last longer, as your skin won’t absorb all the fragrance oils as quickly.”

Your favourite fragrance might smell different in autumn

“The temperature of your skin and the air can have an impact on how your perfume smells.” Hot weather can intensify fragrance notes but also cause them to evaporate quicker. In winter this evaporation rate slows down but you might find that scents don’t seem a strong or become lost. Whilst heavier, musky and woody scents are seen to embody the colder months, many people opt for these scents because they have better longevity in colder weather. “Given the different way the body reacts to scents in cooler

Scent can act as a mood booster

“Along with the onset of the colder darker days, for many this also means S.A.D (seasonal affected disorder) can start. “Whilst many people embrace the cooler weather, the re-introduction of Pumpkin Spiced Lattes, and not to mention the build up to Christmas; for many the shorter days, lack of natural sunlight and grey weather are unwelcome. “Scent has the power to help to uplift and boost your mood. Look for fragrances which include Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, Vanilla and Rosemary which

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are known for their mood boosting properties, or choose a fragrance that evokes happy memories. Remember there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to fragrances it all comes down to personal choice. Wearing a fragrance is all about making you feel good so choose something that will give your mood a boost when the weather is cold and grey.”

It’s the perfect time to embrace bolder scents and seasonal influences

“Autumn is a rich time for the senses – we see dramatic changes in nature, the temperature drops and we feel the need to hibernate and cocoon ourselves in warmth. It’s also a nostalgic time as we build up to Christmas and the end of the year. As such, at this time of the year we start to crave different scents and fragrances – moving away from water-based fragrances that are popular in summer to deeper more complex scents where middle and base notes of musk, amber, oud, and sandalwood play a bigger role. Often these fragrances can seem overpowering and heavy in the spring and summer months so if you are a fan of these deeper, musky fragrances now is the perfect time to embrace them.”

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AWESOME AUTUMN FRAGRANCES Hugo Boss The Scent

This has everything for an Autumn fragrance – while it opens with top notes of peach and freesia it has base notes of dark and dreamy Cocoa.

Prada Paradoxe

Prada Paradoxe by Prada is an Amber Floral fragrance for women. A vibrant and intense fragrance that reinvents freshness yet sensuality. At the base, to bring a subtly intense, long-lasting, and unforgettable depth to Paradoxe, a new musk molecule has been developed, light enough to notice right from the first spritz.

Thierry Mugler Alien Paco Rabanne Black Xs For Her

Distinct and bold, this woody-floral fragrance captivates with fruity, sweet notes. Opening with a combination of cranberry and tamarind flower. At its heart is rose and black violet finished with addictive notes of Massoia wood and black vanilla.

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A long-standing best seller, this rich floral-woody fragrance is distinctive and recognisable. Alien opens with the unmistakable scent of sambac jasmine, followed by cashmere and white amber to create this incredibly popular perfume.

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...AWESOME AUTUMN FRAGRANCES CONTINUED Gucci Guilty

Gucci Guilty Intense retains the same notes of the original fragrance, although more intense and powerful. An intoxicating floral, oriental fragrance containing an excessive dose of Pink Pepper and Lilac.

Hugo Boss Deep Red

Hugo Boss Red is a bold and enticing blend of sweet citrus and woodsy tones. Pear, Mandarin Orange, Blood Orange, Clementine, Blackcurrant form its top notes while its base notes include Vanilla, Musk, California Cedar and Sandalwood.

Givenchy L’interdit Intense

L’Interdit Eau de Parfum Intense by Givenchy is an amber floral fragrance for women. A sensual and alluring fragrance for the smart and sophisticated woman. The fragrance opens with fresh orange blossom and black pepper before the base of vanilla prevails making it a fruity vanilla scent. A perfect cold day time or sexy night time fragrance. L’Interdit Eau de Parfum Intense oozes a biker-chic vibe with a dark and mysterious olfactory experience.

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Calvin Klein Beauty Inspired by the gracious curves and beauty of the Calla Lily, depicting spirit of a woman who is beautiful from the inside out. Ambrette seeds enhance the spicy warmth, timeless jasmine elevates the floral signature and a trail of cedarwood adds a trail of vibrance.

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AUTUMN AFTERSHAVES Carolina Herrera Bad Boy Le Parfum Eau De Parfum Men’s Aftershave Spray

Bad Boy Le Parfum fragrance energises giving an instant burst of energy. The citrus fruit of the grapefruit is flirty and playful with the sparkling surprise of the bold hemp accord. The heart notes reveal a perfect harmony of black pepper and geranium. Black pepper is aromatic and spicy, mischievously showing us that strong emotions continue after that initial burst.

Hugo Boss Bottled Men’s Eau De Parfum Collector’s Edition £62.99 (save £13.01)

Boss Bottled Collector’s Edition by Hugo Boss is a woody spicy fragrance for men. A simple yet elegant fragrance for the suave and sophisticated gentleman. The fragrance opens with a fruity opening with plum, apple, bergamot, geranium and moss. The heart of the composition is made of cloves, cinnamon and mahogany, while base notes adds creamy sandalwood, olive wood, vanilla, vetiver and cedar.intense version of this popular fragrance.

Dolce & Gabbana K Eau De Parfum Men’s Aftershave Spray

Dolce & Gabbana K Eau de Parfum is a deeper, more intense version of this popular fragrance. This effortlessly joyful fragrance opens with notes of blood orange, zingy Sicilian lemon and tangy juniper berries. This instantly refreshes and energises the wearer, taking inspiration from the Mediterranean air. The heart is a unique twist of aromatic notes, smooth fig nectar and clary sage. The fragrance finishes with a sensual base formed of patchouli, cedar and vetiver. www.lancmag.com

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Leo Houlding tours Closer to the Edge to UK Theatres World renowned climber brings his new expeditions to the stage

In Closer to the Edge, Leo offers a brief overview of his life so far, before following on from his previous best-selling 2019 tour, The Spectre Expedition, bringing audiences up to date with his audacious expeditions, including his more recent ascent of Mount Roraima, the high, rain forestengulfed South American plateau which inspired Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World!

Considered one of the all-time best adventure climbers, Leo Houlding is renowned for audacious ascents of some of the world’s toughest climbs.

rom Everest/Chomolungma to the most remote mountain on the planet, Spectre - and now brings a new ‘audience with…’ style lecture show, Closer to the Edge, to theatres across the UK, presented by Speakers from the Edge in association with Berghaus, celebrating the launch of Leo’s first book, also titled Closer to the Edge. A climbing prodigy, who started by scaling the Old Man of Hoy at just ten years old and becoming the British Junior Indoor Climbing Champion at sixteen, 42-year-old Leo has climbed the most difficult and highest mountains in the world. A veteran of scores of epic ascents, Leo specialises in free climbing the most technical peaks and biggest walls on the planet. Leo epitomises 21st Century exploration by taking modern action sports to the most remote corners and extreme environments on Earth. Leo has captivated and inspired audiences with his tales of extreme adventure and adrenalin-fuelled exploits. He famously raced and beat Jeremy Clarkson on BBC’s Top Gear, 76

took the role of Sandy Irvine in the IMAX movie The Wildest Dream, retracing the last steps of Mallory and Irvine on their fateful 1924 Everest expedition, using clothing and kit from the same era, and has hosted adventure TV shows including Fierce Earth on BBC and Lost Worlds on Discovery. Leo has also produced and featured in many multi-award-winning adventure movies including The Asgard Project, The Prophet and The Last Great Climb, earning the respect of peers and an engaged following amongst outdoor enthusiasts around the world.

“Next level Hardcore”

-Jimmy Chin, ‘Free Solo’ documentary maker

Leo’s first book (of the same name), Closer to the Edge, which will be released to coincide with this theatre tour, given the significant crossover between the two, is a ‘warts-and-all’ insight into the life of an extreme climber. In a pageturning narrative, Leo describes his childhood climbing inspirations, his mentors, and the exhilaration of those teenage years when he broke into the public consciousness. Leo will reveal what drives him, how he assesses risk and judges how close to the edge he can go and return safely, and how he balances this with teaching his own children the lessons he has learnt in some of the world’s most dangerous and extreme places. Closer to the Edge is the story of a remarkable climber and free spirit who has been at the top of his game for over thirty years, with still more mountains to explore. Closer to the Edge is touring 18 UK theatres this autumn and will be showing at Lancaster’s The Dukes, on Friday, 30 September. to book tickets contact the Box Office on: 01524 598500 visit: dukes-lancaster. for further details, visit: speakersfromtheedge.com

Leo has also hit media headlines over the past couple of years after taking his young family on some more ‘adventurous’ summer holidays, than most, where together they have climbed some seriously impressive routes that would leave many experienced climbers looking on in awe, yet teach Leo’s young children about assessing risk.

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LAST TRAIN FROM BLACKSTOCK JUCTION and other railway stories by Paul Salveson last train from blackstock juction and other railway stories by Paul Salveson

ISBN: 978 1909431 35 5 Publisher: Platform 5 Publishing Ltd

ormer railway guard and signalman Paul Salveson is a well-known figure in the railway world, widely credited with inventing the ‘Community Rail’ movement in the UK. He is less well-known as a writer of fiction. Paul’s new book – Last Train from Blackstock Junction and other railway stories – is a collection of 12 short stories with a railway theme. Each story is about the lives of railway people; they relate to life ‘at the sharp end’ of the railways. ‘Last Train from Blackstock Junction’ has a foreword from Sir Peter Hendy, chairman of Network Rail, who said “As you read these stories, you’ll find some history, some romance, some politics, a little prejudice – sadly – and some humour; you will in fact be in the world of railway men and women. I hope you find them as absorbing as I did when I read Paul’s manuscript. Please enjoy his work!” Writer and environmentalist Colin Speakman said “It is an amazing collection – powerful, moving, and what I would call ‘faction’ which tells truths even though the details may be fantasy.” Director of Platform 5 Publishing, Andrew Dyson, said “It has been a great privilege to work with Paul on this project. His stories provide a fascinating insight into what life was really like for thousands of railway workers.” The 12 stories include a ghost story set in a lonely signalbox in Bolton, in 1900. Other stories are about modern life on today’s railway, including ‘From Marxist to Managing Director’ – the story of a young female political activist who ends up running a train company. Some are set in the ‘age of steam’ and reveal life on the footplate as well as the rise of the trades unions on the railways and the emergence of the Labour movement. The title story, ‘Last Train from Blackstock Junction’, is set at the time of the Beeching cuts in the ‘60s and is about the attempts of a group of young boys to save their local station. Paul said: “The stories are not romanticised, they’re about real life and some are based on my own experiences in the

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1970s and 1980s. I hope today’s railwaymen and women will enjoy them, as well as anyone interested in the social history of the North of England.” About the author: Paul began his railway career at Horwich Loco Works, which features in two of the stories. He progressed to become a train guard in east Lancashire, a signalman in Bolton and a tutor in trade union education. He set up the Association of Community Rail Partnerships, now ‘Community Rail Network’ which has a membership of hundreds of community organisations. In 2005 he joined Northern Rail as their advisor on community engagement and has held other senior roles in the railway industry. He is a visiting professor at the universities of Huddersfield and Bolton. For further information about Last Train From Blackstock Junction, please contact Andrew Dyson of Platform 5 Publishing at: andrew.dyson@platform5.com

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THE BOY WHO LOST HIS SPARK Maggie O’Farrell

THE BOY WHO LOST HIS SPARK by Maggie O’Farrell

Illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini

ISBN: 9781406392012 Published: 6th October 2022 Publisher: Walker Books Format: Hardback Price: £14.99 Age Range: 5 Years+ The new children’s book from the multi-awardwinning author of Hamnet, Maggie O’Farrell, paired once more with Daniela Terrazzini’s stunning illustrations.

aggie O’Farrell’s second book for children, beautifully brought to life by Daniela Terrazzini, explores how we deal with pain, loneliness and tough emotions when we face changes and challenges – whatever our age. The story is set in the lush green hilly countryside, which are modelled on Arthur’s Seat, the iconic landmark in Edinburgh, where Maggie lives. When Jem and his family first move to a small town, he struggles with his new life. The unhappier he grows, the stranger things become … mischief and chaos seems to bloom everywhere. His sister Verity is sure it is the work of a “nouka”, an ancient creature that lives deep down inside the hill; a creature forged from the sparks of a long-extinct volcano. Jem is adamant – there is no such thing. But it is through the magic and mayhem of this small mystical creature that Jem finally finds a sense of belonging, a sense of home. He, once more, discovers a spark of magic. A beautiful and atmospheric long-form picture book set against a dramatic backdrop of an ancient hillside and the mysterious mood-affecting creature that lives within.

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Maggie O’Farrell is the author of the Sunday Times no. 1 bestselling novel HAMNET, which was Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2020 and the Waterstones Book of the Year and was shortlisted for the 2021 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. HAMNET has been translated into 32 languages, spent 38 weeks in the UK top ten and has been optioned for film by Stephen Spielberg’s Amblin productions. She wrote the no. 1 bestselling memoir I AM, I AM, I AM, and the novels AFTER YOU’D GONE, MY LOVER’S LOVER, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US, which won a Somerset Maugham Award, THE VANISHING ACT OF ESME LENNOX, THE HAND THAT FIRST HELD MINE, which won the 2010 Costa Novel Award, INSTRUCTIONS FOR A HEATWAVE and THIS MUST BE THE PLACE. Maggie’s first book for children, WHERE SNOW ANGELS GO, was published in 2020. She lives in Edinburgh.

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MEAT FREE MOWGLI

SIMPLE & DELICIOUS PLANT-BASED INDIAN MEALS

By NISHA KATONA MEAT FREE MOWGLI

Simple & Delicious Plant-Based Indian Meals

Author: NISHA KATONA

Published: 08 November 2022 Publisher: Nourish Books Format: Hardback Price: £25 --“Indian food is the perfect go-to cuisine for the modern family who wants to eat less meat. And thus, the idea for Meat Free Mowgli was born – a collection of simple, plant-based meals in the Mowgli style we know and love.” - Nisha Katona from the introduction

---

he desire to reduce our meat intake is beneficial for the sake of the planet and also our own health. Indian cuisine, being naturally nutritious, affordable, delicious and flavoursome, is the go-to cuisine for accessible plantbased cooking. Founder of the Mowgli restaurant chain, Nisha Katona MBE is on a mission to preserve the authentic Indian cooking of her mother and grandmothers and has translated this for a Western audience through her immensely popular restaurants, TV appearances and best-selling books. In new cookbook Meat Free Mowgli, Nisha weaves her magic once more, conjuring up healthy, effortless, and costeffective plant-based recipes with just a handful of carefully paired and easily sourced ingredients. As the daughter of a Hindu Brahamin Priest, the food at home was nearly always naturally vegetarian and based heavily on plants that grew around them. In this book a high proportion of the dishes are also vegan, again a natural thing in Indian cuisine.

Roasted Squash; Cashew and Mango Curry. Sweets and drinks include Baked Rose Yoghurt and Coconut Panna Cotta. Colourful, energising and full of flavour, Nisha’s latest book is ideal for any busy modern family who wants to infuse more vegetables into their diets without compromising on flavour!

There are plenty of Mowgli vegetarian menu classics here Ruby Wraps, anyone?! As well as clever twists on Mowgli house favourites Angry Cauliflower, Gunpowder Florets and Mowgli Sticky Fingers, a vegetarian take on Mowgli Sticky Wings. Other dishes include Broccoli and Coconut Bhajis; Broad Bean Stuffed Puris; Samosa Tarts; Tangy Tamarind

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THE DOVE IS DEAD By John Uttley

The Dove is Dead by John Uttley ISBN: 9798847657624 Format: Paperback Price: £8.99

or fans of We Were Rich and We Didn’t Know it by Tom Phelan, A 1950s Childhood by Paul Feeney, All Points North by Simon Armitage and shades of Graham Greene on faith. --A bitter-sweet tale of life, death and a changing world. “We’re out of time,” said Dad, with a resigned grimace. “Yep, it’s not just our Lancashire that’s gone. The whole country is another place. Manufacturing, our religion, even what a man should be, and I do mean man this time, Amy,” Bob added. --The Northern grammar school pals, Bob Swarbrick and Richard Shackleton, are now well into their seventies. While Richard’s daughter, the ‘delightful mistake’ Amy, is studying History at Oxford, they’re more concerned with the viva they’ll be facing soon with the almighty. Everything is changing; their native Lancashire is barely recognisable and the industries they grew up with have vanished. Early boomer men and woke Gen Z girl tread a path together through a world of western cultural decline and collapse of faith, in a searingly sad but still joyful celebration of life and death.. While Bob and Richard grapple with the shifting cultural landscape, Richard’s daughter, Amy, is preparing for her final exams. This is the last book of The Unholy Trinity, which charts the social history of the aspiring working and lower middle class in Britain from the post-war years of hopeful austerity to the present-day of secular inequality, as seen through the eyes of a loving family who see meaning, purpose and humour in it all.

“The Unholy Trinity concludes with a powerful sermon on family, faith, and death.” - Dr Stephen Carver

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About the author: John Uttley was born in Lancashire just as the war was ending. He was educated at a grammar school before reading Physics at Oxford. He then embarked on a long career with the CEGB and National Grid Group. John was Finance Director at the time of the miners’ strike, the Sizewell Inquiry and privatisation, receiving on OBE in 1991. Shortly afterwards, he suffered his fifteen minutes of fame when he publicly gave a dividend to charity in the middle of the fat cat furore. Following this, he took an external London degree in Divinity while acting as chairman of numerous smaller companies, both UK and US based. He is married to Janet and lives just north of London. This is his third novel, based on the characters of his first, the much-loved and critically acclaimed Where’s Sailor Jack?

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Ancient DNA Reveals Complex Life Stories from the Beginnings of English History UCLAN

University of Central Lancashire and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology lead largest ever early medieval population study - revealing personal stories of migration, family, and loss.

ne of the largest ever studies conducted on the early medieval population has revealed a host of individual and family stories, after experts analysed the DNA from more than 460 skeletons across 37 archaeological sites. These new detailed results appear in Nature and a special issue of Current Archaeology, published today: using next generation genetic sequencing, the featured study provides unprecedented insight about migration, tradition, and loss in England’s early medieval families, impossible to see before now. The analysis found that about 76 per cent of the ancestry in early medieval English populations originated from what is today northern Germany and southern Scandinavia, providing strong evidence for mass migration into the British Isles after the end of Roman occupation, and all the cultural changes that followed. One of the most striking individual stories to come out of the study is that of a young girl buried in early 7thcentury Kent. Describing ‘Updown Girl’, as she is dubbed in the special issue, Current Archaeology’s Editor Carly Hilts said: “Aged 10 or 11 when she died, this girl was buried in much the same way 82

as the other early medieval individuals who were laid to rest at Updown, near Eastry. She was accompanied by very typical grave goods - a pot, a bone comb, a knife, and a spoon - and there was nothing to suggest that she had been treated differently, at least in death, even though the new genetic research highlights that her ancestry was very different to that of many of the people buried around her. “The exciting thing about this study is how it brings long-forgotten human stories to life, revealing otherwise invisible family relationships and intrepid journeys made centuries ago, and shedding light on questions of migration, integration, and how burial customs varied within and between different communities.”

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What is most amazing about Updown girl is that 33% of her DNA points to West African ancestry, most closely resembling Esan or Yoruba groups. From further work, it’s apparent that her African heritage came from her father’s side - possibly her grandad or great grandad. Even more fascinating about this discovery is that two women found buried close by – sisters - had predominantly continental Northern European ancestry with a component from present-day France/Belgium. They were likely the great aunts of Updown Girl, and each was buried with several objects including; belt hanging sets, beads, knives, combs and spoons, all indicating they were part of an affluent family from the period. The fact that both the www.lancmag.com

Above: Two young siblings buried together from Lakenheath (Suffolk County Council)

women and the girl were all buried in the same fashion and in proximity indicates that despite her different ancestry, the girl was treated as much a part of this early Anglo-Saxon family as her elders. Then there’s the young teenager found at West Heslerton, an early medieval cemetery in Yorkshire. This child was found to have nearly 100% Continental Northern European ancestry, and had been buried with an equal-armed brooch, an early object dating to the later fifth or early sixth www.lancmag.com

century with origins in Scandinavia. He was also found with beads and a knife. Traditionally – as with Updown Girl – these grave goods might be considered usual for a girl or a woman: but the genetics identified that this young person was biologically male. Importantly, skeletal isotopes flagged that he was unlikely to have been born locally and so was probably an early migrant into post-Roman Yorkshire. Professor Duncan Sayer, project leader and archaeologist from the University of Central Lancashire,

commented: “There are lots of reasons why a person might be buried in this type of costume. Given the age and the date this boy died, it may have been common for boys then to dress with a single brooch - the Romans wore a fibula brooch to fasten garments, often at the shoulder. It is also possible the brooch was not related to gender and was instead a treasured reminder of home – we can’t know for certain, but it is a lovely and very personal discovery.”

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Left: The excavators drawing of Updown Girl, Eastry Kent (Kent Archaeology Research Unit) Above: The Gold Bracteate, and bead from a burial form Buckland near Dover, Kent (Keith Parfitt, Canterbury Archaeology)

Elsewhere, in East Anglia, at a cemetery site near to RAF Lakenheath, there is a double grave which included two adolescents. A boy of around 15 years accompanied by a knife and buckle, was buried next to a girl aged around 12 years. Dr Stephan Schiffles, project leader and geneticist from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany, offers some insight into their past: “The mitochondrial DNA of these two indicated that they were first-degree relatives. It looks like this pair were older brother and younger sister, and that they were buried at the same time.” Nearby is a third burial – an older man found with a spear, knife, and pottery sherd, who shared the same Y chromosome as the boy described above. Their mitochondrial DNA was different, however, suggesting that the older male was the adolescents’ father. Given this man’s age, it is likely he was present at their burial and may have placed the artifacts they were found buried alongside – a father who sadly experienced the double tragedy of losing both his young children. The team were also to drill down into the incredible, forensic detail of some of their findings; for example, they managed to identify the movement of one woman, found in Buckland (Dover, Kent), based purely on an understanding of the water she drank. “Chemical signatures, isotopes, in teeth and bones leave traces from the water we drink. This woman’s isotopes indicate that she was not born in Kent but moved there when she was 15-25 years old.” says Dr Sam Leggett, archaeological scientist at the University of Edinburgh, who also supported the project. 84

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This woman was 25-35 when she died and had almost 100% Continental Northern European ancestry. Together with DNA evidence, the isotope evidence suggests that she was born in Scandinavia – so how did she find her way to Kent? Did she move for marriage? Was she traded? No one else in the cemetery was identified as this woman’s biological relative, and what’s more, she was found with a gold bracteate, a decorated pendant common in Northern Europe, suggesting she was a significant person, at least to those who buried her. Professor Duncan Sayer summarised the significance of the project: “There’s the macro story here – the fact that we have conducted the largest ancient DNA projects in Europe, providing completely new insights into one the most difficult areas of British history to explore because of such limited source material. The research is a breakthrough: it challenges our perceptions and understanding of ancient England, showing how pivotal migration is to who we are, and for the first time allows us to explore community histories in new ways. “Then there’s the personal elements of the research. Our work shows that this migration cannot be understood as one single event; rather, it’s made up of many different threads – of individual people and families adapting to new circumstances across the regions of Britain. It is amazing being able to weave those threads together to create the fabric of their stories, and in doing so, the rich and complex tapestry of our own past.”.

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

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

Discover more about the new homes in Lancashire

Visit: redrow.co.uk/lancashire

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

BLACKPOOL’S CHRISTMAS BY

THE SEA IS BACK FOR 2022 Blackpool’s spectacular Christmas village is returning this winter – thanks to the resort’s tourism businesses and national broadband providers, TalkTalk.

he Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID), which represents scores of tourism operators, has joined forces with sponsors TalkTalk to ensure the event can go ahead during Blackpool’s extended Illuminations season. Last year, Christmas By The Sea delivered the highest visitor numbers ever recorded on the seafront during the winter months. Situated on the Tower Festival Headland opposite The Blackpool Tower, the Christmas village will once again include a free-to-use skating rink, festive light installations and projection shows, themed log cabins, artificial snowfalls, Christmas trees and Christmas tram rides. The village, which will operate from Friday 18 November to Monday 2 January, will also see themed children’s attractions and the return of the Star Flyer which, at 260ft tall, is one of Europe’s tallest swing rides. Kate Shane, Chair of the TBID Management Group, said: “The Blackpool TBID was established last year with the purpose of maintaining Blackpool’s position as the UK’s number one seaside destination and events are key to our strategy. “The Christmas By The Sea event last year drove record visitor numbers to the town and the many tourism businesses

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we represent are keen to make this year’s celebrations even bigger and better. We are delighted to be able to offer the level of support to make it happen again in 2022.” Ben Cooper, Head of Marketing from TalkTalk said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring Christmas By The Sea in Blackpool this year. There’s nowhere quite like Blackpool in the winter and as a northern-based provider, it’s brilliant to be sponsoring such a pinnacle event up north. “Our sponsorship coincides with the roll out of our Full Fibre broadband across Blackpool which offers the community the UK’s fastest, most reliable broadband at great TalkTalk value. “We can’t wait for Christmas By The Sea to kick off and hope everyone enjoys all the free family activities on offer.” Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, added: “Christmas By The Sea proved to be one of the most spectacular events of 2021 and attracted visitors from far and wide. Thanks to funding from both the TBID and TalkTalk, this year’s event promises to be even bigger and better. “Many of the attractions including the rink, projection shows, snowfalls and light installations will once again be free to access, giving families the opportunity to enjoy a magical and memorable Christmas.” Don’t forget, there is still plenty more free entertainment to look forward to in Blackpool over the coming months:

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Blackpool

Illuminations The 2022 Blackpool Illuminations have once again been extended by two months and will shine each night from September 2 to January 2, 2023. For Switch-On times and full details of this year’s display including the free nightly projection shows on The Blackpool Tower, go to: www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations The Illuminations remain one of the UK’s most endearing and enduring tourist attractions, having shone for more than a century. Blackpool was one of the first of 101 towns in the UK to secure funding from www.lancmag.com

the Government’s £3.6bn Towns Fund. With the help of this support, funds were allocated to upgrade the Blackpool Illuminations to attract additional visitors by developing new features and lighting technology. The newly-reimagined Golden Mile area, designed by Laurence LlewelynBowen, is the first section of the Illuminations to benefit.

World Fireworks Championship Blackpool

Saturdays on October 1, 15 & 27 with the showcase event taking place on Friday 28 October sponsored by Coral Island.

Lightpool Festival The award-winning Lightpool Festival returns, sponsored by Fox Brothers Group, with an amazing free-to-see programme of light installations, 3D projection shows, art trails, and stunning live performances from October 14-29.

Watch the Blackpool night skies light up with four brilliant firework displays synced to music as teams from across the world battle it out. Three countries will participate over alternate LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 89

Amazing Accrington Team Up With Accrington Market For Spectacular Christmas Market Headed Up By Finch Bakery

Charities and community groups will once again benefit from free stalls outside accrington market.

Organisers of the 2022 Accrington Christmas Light Switch On, #AmazingAccrington, along with Accrington Market are inviting local producers, charities and community groups to book stalls for the biggest and best Christmas Market that Accrington has ever seen, as part of the Accrington Christmas Light Switch On, taking place on Thursday 24th November.. Stalls are available for just £20 inside Accrington Market Hall, while a special offer has also been launched which can see local businesses sign up for five events for just £50 including Halloween (29th October), Christmas Light Switch On (24th November) 90

and 3rd, 10th and 17th December (Christmas). Following on from the success of the 2021 Light Switch On, Accrington Market are once again offering free stalls outside the market for charities and community groups. #AmazingAccrington are urging all applications to be made quickly, with stalls selling fast, on a first come first served basis. Call or email Market Manager Sameena on 01254 233816 or markets@hyndburnbc.gov.uk to apply. The pop-up stalls will be headlined by Finch Bakery, the extremely successful Great Harwood-based business, who have also recently hosted a pop-up stall in Harvey Nicholls in Liverpool. Sameena King, Accrington Market Manager, said: “The amount of footfall that came through the door last year was unbelievable.

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“It was huge success for the stallholders inside the market, the charities and community groups outside the market, as well as for our usual traders, and we can’t wait to do that all over again in 2022.” Murray Dawson, Chair of #AmazingAccrington, commented: “We had over 12,000 people in the town at last year’s light switch on and it’s events like these which allow us to www.lancmag.com

Market is going to be transformed into a magical Christmas Market and we can’t wait to welcome you all to see it and celebrate all the amazing businesses, charities and community groups in Hyndburn. “With our character trail also taking place across the town, this really is going to be a spectacular family event.” The Christmas Market will be part of a fantastic evening of events which will include a meet and greet with characters from Jack and the Beanstalk, while there will also be a character trail around the town including The Grinch, Willy Wonka and Jack and the Beanstalk. All courtesy of the Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre. The 2022 event is being proudly sponsored by Hyndburn Borough Council, as well as amazing local businesses North Lancs Training Group (NLTG), Sundown Solutions and the Nelson and Colne College Group. Plans are in place for a spectacular family friendly start to Christmas, including a music stage, live acts, interactive entertainment, a firework display and fairground rides. Keep an eye on the Amazing Accrington website https://www. amazingaccrington.co.uk/ and social media channels for further updates.

Finch bakery will be headlining the pop up stalls in the christmas market at the amazing accrington christmas light switch on

Amazing accrington and accrington market are inviting local businesses to book a stall for the spectacular christmas market

showcase the quality of our market hall and #ShopLocal independents to those who don’t often visit the town, which is something we often see. “If you are thinking of getting a stall, we would recommend contacting Sameena and the market team as soon as possible, as stalls are selling fast for this one.” Marlene Howarth, Deputy Leader of Hyndburn Council, said: “Accrington www.lancmag.com

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Dangerous chemicals living in your home Healthy with Stefan

You’d be amazed by how many different toxic, dangerous, and even potentially deadly chemicals are living in your home!

ome masquerade as innocuous items you use on a daily basis, while others are found in your cleaning supplies. Wherever they are, it’s important that you know the potential danger you’re in so you can find safe, non-toxic alternatives for your home! Here is a list of some of the most dangerous residents that share your house with you: • Oven and Drain Cleaners

These cleaners require the use of potent chemicals in order to be effective, but you’d be amazed by how toxic they can be! The chemicals can emit toxic fumes and will cause chemical burns if exposed to your skin, and they can become highly dangerous if not cleaned thoroughly before turning on your oven. Even “green” cleaners may not be fully safe or natural, so it’s better to find nontoxic solutions—like baking soda and vinegar, for example!

• Laundry detergents – The

enzymes in these detergents are designed to loosen dirt and stains, but any detergent with “cationic”

or “non-ionic” ingredients can be irritating at best and toxic at worst. The over-use of some detergents can actually lead to the development of asthma! • Teflon/Non-Stick Cookware –

Did you know that overheating non-stick pans can be deadly? One 1975 study found that heating new Teflon-coated pans can lead to pyrolysis in birds, which can be fatal. Humans can develop polymer fume fever as well, making these non-stick pans a much more serious threat than once believed.

• Plastic Bottles – Many cheap

plastic bottles are made with a chemical known as BPA, or Bisphenol-A. This chemical can mimic hormones that damage your endocrine system, leading to hormonal imbalances or deficiencies. Heated bottles—in the microwave, exposed to the sun, sitting in your car, etc.—leach these toxic chemicals into your water far faster. BPA has been linked to a number of different types of cancers, making it one of the most serious threats to your health in your home!

• Dryer Sheets and Fabric Softeners – Do you have any idea

how many different chemicals are used in these products? Limonene, ethyl acetate, A-terpineol, benzyl alcohol, benzyl acetate, and ethanol are just a few of the most potent ingredients—all of which have been linked to disorders of the central nervous system, as well as certain types of cancer, upper respiratory tract infections, and even asthma.

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• Air Fresheners – They may

make your house smell pleasant, but do you have any idea what they’re doing to your body? Any air freshener made from petrochemicals (including diffusers, aerosols, automatic sprayers, plugins, and bottled sprays) can lead to all sorts of problems: diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer, reproductive health issues, birth defects, and respiratory problems. Worse, the effects are compounded with regular use, so you’re making the problem bigger every time you spray that aerosol!

• Bleach – Bleach is made

with sodium hypochlorite in concentrations ranging from 0.7 to 5.25%, and the higher concentrations of bleach can be very toxic. Inhaling bleach odors can irritate your nose, eyes, throat, and skin, and direct contact with the bleach can lead to dermatitis. If you directly ingest it, you can do serious damage to your stomach and esophagus.

• Antibacterial Cleaners – While

these may be intended to help get rid of bacteria from your counters and stove, they can be much stronger than you’d expect. In addition to the water and fragrance, they contain surfactants and a pesticide. The pesticide in

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these cleaners are typically either phenolic chemicals or quaternary ammonium, both of which can burn your skin and throat and irritate your eyes.

• Insect Repellents – Keeping

• Upholstery and Carpet Cleaners

– These cleaners are effective at getting rid of stains, but they can release toxic, dangerous fumes. The combination of naphthalene, ammonium hydroxide, and perchloroethylene can release fumes that cause liver damage, cancer, and even short-term effects like dizziness, nausea, disorientation, and loss of appetite. If you’re going to clean your carpets or couches, make sure to open a window!

mosquitoes away from your skin can make life more comfortable, but do you know what’s in that insect repellent? Most contain pesticides, including one called DEET. DEET can lead to irritated skin, eyes, nose, and throat, and may even trigger chemical changes within your body, including mental confusion, loss of coordination, anxiety, and behavioral changes.

Now you now the chemical threats that are lurking in your home, so it’s up to you to take the steps to remove them and make your home safe!

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Lancashire Crowned English Men’s County Champions England Golf

Lancashire came out on top in the winner takes all clash with Gloucestershire on the final day of Men’s County Finals to once again be crowned champions of England.

oth teams entered today’s final session with two wins apiece from the opening two day’s play at Royal Norwich in the four-team round robin also featuring Surrey and Derbyshire. As fate would have it, the two teams tied at the top after two rounds of fixtures faced off on the final day with Gloucestershire knowing that even a draw would allow them to retain their trophy by virtue of game points won over the week. However, the red rose county won both the morning foursomes session (2-1) and the afternoon singles (4-2) to claim a 6-3 overall victory and take their 13th title in an event dating back to 1926. In the match to decide third spot, Derbyshire prevailed despite a draw in the clash with Surrey. Game points over the three days decided third place in Derbyshire’s favour. The main honour, though, went to a seven-man Lancashire team skippered by Gareth White. Jack Brooks took four and a half points from his six games and was thrilled that the team dealt with pressure and expectation to come out on top. 94

“It’s brilliant – we’ve worked so hard this week,” admitted the England international. “We got the week off to a great start beating Surrey and Derbyshire and today it was always going to be a tough game against the defending champions. “To see so much black on the scoreboard this afternoon spurred us on to do it for each other. “We have fantastic team spirit and I’m so proud for all of the lads – it’s not just the players, we have such a big following as well and it’s special to win team golf. “It’s nice to be called favourites – the winners are the ones that do it on the golf course. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and some called us favourites and others might not. “It’s like our coach Craig Lee said to us this morning – we had a good team meeting and he said you’re the favourites on paper, but let’s do it on the golf course. “We trusted our game plan. They have a lot of good players but so have we and it’s nice to do it for the north of England. To bring the county title back to the north of England is huge for us.” Aussie Matt Lever spends his summer with family in Bolton and relishes playing county golf – and so it proved with five points from six in an outstanding three days of golf. He added: “It feels great. I played

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well and the team did well. We have a great team spirit.” That team spirit came to the fore in the morning session. Gloucestershire’s Joe Harvey and Jake Phillips got the better of Callan Barrow and Brooks in the opening game. However, Lever and Ian Kenwright polished off a point for Lancashire on the 16th hole against Nick Day and Ed Butler. The final foursomes game of the morning proved to be a thriller and a turning point in the showdown. www.lancmag.com

The Gloucestershire pairing of Tom Workman and Josh Millington were two up with three to play. However, Andrew Haswell and Jamie van Wyk won the 16th with a par and then finished with two birdies to give Lancashire a 2-1 lead at lunch. With the wind in their sails, Lancashire never looked back. A sea of black figures on the board told a story of a team confident in their ability to finish the job. Brooks won his singles against Harvey on the 16th green while Barrow earned a half in the top match against Jake Phillips www.lancmag.com

Lever closed out his game with a win on the final green against Nick Day and the honour of clinching the winning point fell to the oldest player in the Lancashire squad – Kenwright. The Haydock Park golfer beat Millington 2&1 while the seal was set on the day with a half point delivered by Jack McPhail in the final game against Tom Workman. Fittingly, it was achieved with a smart 15-footer for birdie. In the fight for third spot, Derbyshire took the honours against Surrey.

Derbyshire was making only their second-ever appearance in the Men’s County Finals, while Surrey had won the event on 11 previous occasions. The two teams shared the spoils with a 4.5-4.5 match score, but Derbyshire finished ahead of Surrey by a single game point won over the three days.

*The 2023 English Men’s County Finals will be held at Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club.

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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 Charity Ball

Party goers Felicity Selcoe, Sophie Heald, Natalie Hough and Anoushka McGrath with two of the event dancers.

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 10 years.

hOn the 17th September the charity hosted their “annual” fundraising ball at the Village Hotel, Blackpool. Although billed as an annual event, it was the first since May 2019 as covid restrictions had stopped 96

the event taking place for two years. As such, it was more important than ever as fundraising for the charity has been limited over the last couple of years and the ball had traditionally been the biggest fundraiser on the Aiming Higher calendar. The event was a tremendous success raising over £14,500. There were a number of fundraising methods on the evening with balloon pops, a raffle for a jeroboam of prosecco and a silent auction. The auction included items such as a signed boxing glove from

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Tyson Fury, an electric bike and tickets for the Sandcastle Waterpark Cabana as well as many more. Not only was the evening full of entertainment but it was an opportunity for those who weren’t aware of Aiming Higher’s services to familiarise themselves with what the charity has to offer. The event was attended by over two hundred revellers. Entertainment included “Disco Bingo” with our host for the evening Ged Mills, fantastic live music from local band “Mix Tape” and soloist Ceira Murphy who was joined by Alicia DervishFoster and Danielle Camm who used sign language to translate the songs. Charity Manager, Latoya Sykes, gave a moving introduction to the charity and

Chair of trustees Paul Jebb presents charity patron Natalie Christopher with a bouquet.

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debuted the charity’s new video before Paul Jebb, the new chair of trustees presented bouquets to the charity patron Natalie Christopher and treasurer Hilary Ainge. Paul also announced the inaugural winner of the John Child “Young Hero” award, named in honour of the charity’s former chair of trustees who stepped down earlier this year. We will hear more about the winner of the award in next month’s issue.

Host Ged Mills gets the Disco Bingo underway. Below: Danielle Camm and Alicia Dervish Foster sign along to songs by Ceira Murphy

Above: Charity Manager, Latoya Sykes delivers a speech about the charity before debuting the charity’s new video. Anna & Jordan Sykes, Lisa Maguire, Samantha Middleton, Martin Maguire, Carol Sykes, Paul Wright, Suzanne Wright

Carrie & Aaron Duijkers, Corey & Paula Davies, Ged and Claire Mills and Alistair Clarke enjoy the evening.

Amanda & Richard Hayden

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

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Full Cast Revealed for New Version of Masquerade Coming To Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre

powerful and poignant tale of love, loss, freedom and friendship among Liverpool’s LGBT+ community comes to the city’s Epstein Theatre next month. The electrifying new and reimagined production of Masquerade, written by Laura Lees with additional material by Tom Lloyd and James Baker is set in Liverpool’s iconic gay club in the 1980s and features a heavenly disco soundtrack. The play runs at the Hanover Street theatre from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 November and the full cast has now been announced. Mike loves Tony (but not like that). He’s his best mate. To be confident, outgoing, and open is a big deal in a city like Liverpool in 1986 especially during the Aids crisis. When they discover The Masquerade Club, Mike gets a taste of the life he could and should be living. He is welcomed with open arms, soon becoming the resident DJ in a club that becomes the centre of his universe. Outside of the club walls he needs to find the courage to tell his parents that he is not the son they want him to be. Will he find the strength to stand up for himself especially when tragedy strikes? Jamie Peacock returns to the role of Mike after playing him in the original production of the play which was staged at the Royal Court Studio in 2019, while Joe Owens plays Tony. The cast is completed by Neil MacDonald as club owner Frank, Catherine Rice as barmaid Norma, Michael Bailey who plays the role of Stuart and his alter ego resident drag queen Judy, and Leah Gould as Leanne and ensemble female roles. Jamie Peacock was born and bred in Liverpool and studied at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), graduating this summer. His roles while studying included Doctor 98

Neil Macdonald

Joseph Cardin in The Children’s Hour by Lilian Hellmann. Jamie played Mike in the original production of Masquerade at the Royal Court Studio, and recently also appeared at the theatre as Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night. Joe Owens is a Liverpool based actor born and raised on Merseyside. His training includes the BA Acting course and Foundation Certificate at LIPA, as well numerous years spent with the Young Everyman and Playhouse (YEP) company. His list of credits includes T in DOGS directed by Nathan Powell,

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Longaville in Love’s Labour’s Lost directed by Conor Wray and George Balfour in Posh, directed by Francesca Goodridge. Neil MacDonald returned to acting following a successful career as a singer/frontman in several bands in Liverpool. His stage credits include playing Cilla’s dad in the nationwide tour of Cilla The Musical, Scott Murphy’s Closing Time in Liverpool, on tour and at the Edinburgh Fringe, Second Chance Saloon, Good Education, Millionaire’s Anonymous, Shake It Up Baby and Ashes to Ashes. www.lancmag.com

Catherine Rice is a Liverpool-based actress, comedian and writer. She has performed in many theatres tours up and down the country, and at the Liverpool Theatre Festival, Playhouse and the Royal Court. She has also appeared in numerous TV and film projects. Her recent stage credits include Making It, a spin off from her award-winning one-woman show and web series Our Bev, and which is now in early development for a TV comedy series, Irish Annie’s, Smigger’s Wrecked Head, Lost Soul 2 and Broken Biscuits. She also performs in improv and comedy stand up nights including creating Ya Nan’s Big Quiz. Michael Bailey trained at Liverpool Theatre School. Since graduating in www.lancmag.com

2011 he has worked extensively on stage, film and theatre in education. Career highlights include dancing in the first ever Dance Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, appearing as part of the original cast of new musical Liver Birdsong, and co-writing and starring in his own musical Twice Nightly at Liverpool Theatre Festival. He has been the resident comic at the Gladstone Theatre since 2017, appearing in several pantomimes, and this month he plays the Lion in The Wizard of Oz at the Epstein Theatre. Leah Gould is a Liverpool-born actress whose love of performing was sparked at an early age. She is a former member of the Young Everyman Playhouse (YEP) company and was

also a member of the Everyman Rep company in 2018 where she played the role of Bianca in Othello. She went on to study at LIPA, graduating in 2021. Masquerade is produced by Bill Elms (Something About George/ Simon, Swan Song, The Ruby Slippers), and directed by James Baker (Cherry Jezebel, Yank, Parade). Most recently, Bill and James worked together on productions Jerry Springer The Opera and 2Gorgeous4U. The new production includes additional material by dramaturg Tom Lloyd and additional script development and dialogue by James Baker, while Joey Colasante is assistant director and movement.

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Catherine Rice

The production is designed by Ellie Light, with sound design by Daniel Mawson, and lighting design from Doug Kurht. The play tells a fictional story based around the now demolished iconic Cases Street venue, affectionately known as The Mazzie, which was frequented at the time by famous faces including Holly Johnson, Paul O’Grady, Paul Rutherford, and Margi Clarke. The Mazzie became a safe haven in a political and cultural period where being gay was demonised. It offered many gay people an alternative family who provided them with the love and care that was ripped away from their relatives. Director James Baker says: “Building the right team for this production has been crucial; it’s important that it represents Liverpool and those this story is about. We’ve found an exceptional cast who are going to champion this story with real heart. I’m proud that I get to steer this masquerade of talent.” Producer Bill Elms of Bill Elms Productions Ltd and Artistic Director of Epstein Theatre continues: “I’m really pleased to be able to reveal such a fantastic cast for this brand-new version of Masquerade, which was a huge hit and struck a real chord when it was first staged at the Royal Court Studio three years ago. After months of development and planning by a fantastic creative team I can’t wait to present the new full-scale production and I’m delighted that Jamie Peacock is able to return to reprise the role of Mike along with a hugely talented cast. “I know Masquerade will be one of the highlights of the autumn when it’s performed on the Epstein Theatre stage in November.” The Epstein Theatre is Grade II Listed and located in the heart of Liverpool city centre, it was named after the legendary gay Beatles’ manager and ‘Fifth Beatle’ Brian Epstein. 100

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Jamie Peacock

In October 2021, a new team took the helm at the historic venue. Epstein Entertainments Ltd is a joint venture between Liverpool producers Bill Elms, Artistic and Communications Director; Chantelle Nolan, Artistic and Operations Director; and Regal Entertainments Ltd Company Director Jane Joseph. Follow the Epstein Theatre on social media: F EpsteinTheatre T @EpsteinTheatre I@EpsteinTheatre SHOW LISTING: MASQUERADE Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 November 2022 Epstein Theatre, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ Tickets from £20 PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: Tuesday 22 November – 7.30pm - Preview Wednesday 23 November – 7.30pm – Press Night Thursday 24 November – 2.30pm Thursday 24 November – 7.30pm Friday 25 November – 5pm Friday 25 November – 8.30pm Saturday 26 November – 2.30pm Saturday 26 November – 7.30pm HOW TO BOOK Book online: www.epsteintheatre.co.uk Telephone bookings: 0344 7360151 In person: The Epstein Theatre Box Office is open two hours prior to the performance time and from 12-6pm on Saturday. Please note there is a £1 per ticket transaction fee when booking in person at the box office.

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Blackpool Grand applauds appointment of new RSC Co-Artistic Directors Blackpool Grand Theatre delights in its thriving partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company as they appoint Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey as new Co-Artistic Directors

lackpool Grand Theatre is thrilled to hear the news of the appointment of Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey as the new Co-Artistic Directors of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Chief Executive of Blackpool Grand Theatre, Adam Knight, said: “The Grand’s partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company is much cherished, with our popular Associate Schools programme and Shakespeare Nation projects aligning with our vision to deliver transformational change, particularly for children, young people and families in Blackpool and beyond. The exciting appointment of Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey will bring forth new opportunities for world class productions to be staged in Blackpool, strengthening the relationship we already enjoy under the current artistic leadership of Erica Whyman. “Working co-productively with the team at The Grand; Erica, along with RSC Director of Learning, Jacqui O’Hanlon, has supported the development of an outstanding programme of work that has seen Shakespeare performed on our stages, in local schools, on the trams and memorably taking communities ‘Once More Unto The Beach’ at the height of lockdown. We are delighted that Erica will be supporting the transition of artistic leadership and will continue her close relationship with Blackpool Grand through our current RSC 37 Plays programme - a community focused new writing project being delivered in partnership with Northern Broadsides throughout Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. 110

“The Grand has proudly presented major RSC productions over the years including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Measure for Measure, and Romeo & Juliet. Our youngest Shakespearean actors from Blackpool schools take to the stage next week with members of the RSC Ensemble in the ‘First Encounters’ production of Twelfth Night and we’re excited to be announcing soon the next unmissable large scale RSC production to be enjoyed here at Blackpool Grand Theatre in May 2023 – so watch this space!” Daniel Evans is currently Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre and Tamara is Artistic Director of Theatre Clwyd. Daniel and Tamara are regular collaborators and applied together for the prominent position. Daniel said: “I was fortunate to see so many inspiring performances at Stratford during my teenage

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years; and later celebrated my 21st birthday there during my first professional job post-drama school. So, to be returning to the RSC as its Co-Artistic Director is immensely meaningful to me. To do so alongside Tamara is a joy and a privilege. We share deep-rooted values and an ambitious vision for the Company, and we’re both looking forward to working with Catherine and the team to begin this new, exciting chapter in the RSC’s story.” Tamara added: “Being taken to Stratford to see Murder in the Cathedral at the Swan when I was fifteen was one of the most vivid moments of my childhood. A sense of awe, but even then, a desire to get in there and start making plays: two feelings I continue to hold today. Stepping into this job is both the most exciting and the most daunting thing I’ve ever done. The great joy of working in partnership www.lancmag.com

with Daniel, an artist I admire beyond measure, is that we share both that excitement and that awe at becoming the next custodians of this amazing company. We bring a shared belief in all that the RSC can be - a home for radical, relevant theatre made by artists from across the UK and the wider world. A global community inspired by Shakespeare, bringing together myriad voices to tell the stories of our time - and of all time.” Catherine Mallyon, Executive Director, said: “I am excited to start a new leadership relationship with Daniel and Tamara who have a profound understanding of the RSC as a theatre and learning charity, combined with the high levels of the skill, imagination, talent and commitment required to make captivating theatre, unlock potential and inspire change.” Shriti Vadera, Chair of the RSC Board, said: “The Board is delighted to appoint Daniel and Tamara as Co-Artistic Directors from an exceptionally strong field of candidates. They bring a brilliant track record of artistic achievement with a strong commitment to education, communities and championing diverse talent and voices, alongside a proven strategic ability to lead major companies. Their partnership heralds an exciting vision for the future of the RSC to attract world-class artistic talent, captivate today’s audiences with Shakespeare, classics and new work, and increase radically the reach and impact of our pioneering learning, partnerships and digital work. “We are enormously grateful for Erica’s generous and inclusive leadership and significant contribution to the Company over the last decade, including her championing of new work, her commitment to the RSC as a truly national organisation with our ground-breaking national partnerships, and of course as director across all our stages.” The Royal Shakespeare Company most recently teamed up with Blackpool Grand Theatre to ask budding writers of all ages from across the local community: ‘Do you have something to say?’ in a bid to get the nation writing. The Grand joined the RSC and the other 11 theatre partners across the country in the exciting new 37 Plays - Writing The Stories Of Our Nation programme, which invites children, young people and adults of the community to write/create the comedies, tragedies, and untold histories of our time. The innovative scheme encourages works from established, emerging and first-time writers of all ages. Inspired by the scope and timeless relevance of the 37 plays Shakespeare wrote, 37 Plays will bring together diverse voices from across the UK in one of the most ambitious new writing and creative projects in our history. From five-act plays to short-form monologues, plays performed on stage, on the streets or in schools, to new and emerging formats; 37 Plays will explore who we are as a society and what the future of dramatic writing might look and feel like, on and off our stages. There will also be an open call to anyone in the UK who wants to create a new piece of drama to make people smile, cry or tell untold stories or the history of our time. www.lancmag.com

Submissions will be read, longlisted, and then shortlisted by regional and national panels. The final 37 plays will be collated and published with the aim of the selected plays being produced and performed in 2023, culminating in a festival to celebrate the project and mark the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio.

‘Write till your ink be dry, and with your tears Moist it again, and frame some feeling line That may discover such integrity’ William Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona

More information on how to participate will be available on the Grand Theatre’s website www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/37plays in the coming weeks. Sign up for 37 Plays – Writing the Stories of our Nation at: 37plays.co.uk 37 Plays Podcast: podbean.com/ew/pb-xdh72-1196b3c Resources: 37plays.co.uk/resources/ resource-pack-1-finding-your-story

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Why Your Christmas Tree Could Be Making You Sneeze By Airborne Allergens Expert, Max Wiseberg

www.haymax.biz Some of us may be sniffling and sneezing our way through the Christmas period, particularly when we’re decorating the tree. This is because we could be suffering from a condition known as Christmas Tree Syndrome – an allergy to the pollen, dust and mould spores that are present in both real and artificial trees.

cientists from Upstate Medical University analysed clippings from 28 Christmas trees from a range of species, including needles and bark, and found that they housed an unbelievable 53 different types of mould! [1] In addition, pollen from other trees also gets lodged in the bark. And there can be allergens such as dust and mould present on synthetic trees too. This combination of allergens can take the joy out of Christmas tree decorating. However there are several things you can do to help lessen your allergic reaction. Here are my tops tips to help… • Put your tree up as late as possible to help minimise the risk of exposure to mould and other allergens. • Hose down your tree before taking it into the house, or after getting it out of storage, as this can help remove some of the mould and spores – though it’s probably best to get someone who isn’t allergic to do this! • Regularly apply an allergen barrier balm, such as HayMax (www.haymax.biz), around your nostrils to help stop the allergens getting up your nose. HayMax organic, drug-free allergen barrier balm has been proven in independent studies to trap over one third of pollen as well as dust and pet allergens, before they enter the body[2]. Try HayMax Frankincense for its Christmas associated aroma. If this keeps a sufferer below their trigger level, they will have no allergic reaction.

• Take care when you’re decorating your tree, or get someone else to do it, as allergens will be disturbed as you move the tree into position and move the branches to hang the decorations and position the lights. • Use an air purifier to help clear the air of mould particles. • Damp dust and vacuum regularly to remove particles from surfaces, carpets and floors. • Store cuddly toys and blankets in a cupboard to prevent the build-up of allergens on them. • Keep animals clean and well groomed, to reduce allergens collected in their fur. And keep them out of your bedroom.

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

REFERENCES: [1] Identification of mold on seasonal indoor coniferous trees: Lawrence E. Kurlandsky, Josephine Przepiora, Scott W. Riddell, Deanna L. Kiska. Correspondence June 2011, Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Vol. 106, Issue 6, Pages 543-544 The study found that pollen grains are collected in the tree bark, not from the parent tree, but from other plants, which can affect hayfever sufferers. When the tree is brought indoors, the tree resin dries, releasing more pollen into the air, causing potential allergic reactions. This condition is known as Christmas Tree Syndrome. The Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has reported that live Christmas trees collect mould. Scientists examined clippings from home Christmas trees and found they contained highly allergenic mould spores. [2] Chief Investigator: Professor Roy Kennedy, Principal Investigator: Louise Robertson, Researcher: Dr Mary Lewis, National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, 1st February 2012.

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1,200 Rochdale Children Receive Free Book Thanks To Enterprise and National Literacy Trust

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25,000 copies of Sir Lenny Henry’s novel The Boy With Wings given to children at 335 schools across the UK as Black History Month gets underway

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This book was chosen because 40% of children and young people from ethnic minority backgrounds don’t see themselves in what they read according to research

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Five videos with lesson plans featuring Joanna AdeyinkaBurford (CBeebies) and Sienna Clarke (Matilda The Musical) to engage children and support teachers Part of a national £134,000 programme to encourage reading.

29th September 2022: Sir Lenny Henry’s first novel, The Boy With Wings, will be flying home with 1,200 Year 5 and 6 pupils at 20 schools in Rochdale on 3rd October, thanks to Enterprise and the National Literacy Trust who have joined forces for a second consecutive year to promote the benefits of reading..

he partnership aims to boost rates of reading for pleasure, which is linked to better attainment at school1, higher lifetime earning potential2 and better mental health3. Despite the clear benefits of reading, almost one in five (18.6%) children in England between the ages of five and eight do not have access to books at home4, according to recent research by the National Literacy Trust.

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This gift is part of Enterprise’s ROAD Forward, a $55 million fund from the philanthropic Enterprise Holdings Foundation to support social and racial equity projects across the world. The books will arrive in schools at the start of UK Black History Month (1-31 October) which celebrates the accomplishments of Black Britons. The National Literacy Trust has produced video resources and lesson plans featuring CBeebies star Joanna Adeyinka-Burton and Matilda The Musical actress Sienna Clarke to enable schools to delve deeper into the themes of diversity and inclusion that feature in the book. The resources will be available to participating schools for one week and will be accessible to all schools and parents from 10th October at literacytrust.org.uk/boy-with-wings www.lancmag.com

spark a lifelong interest in reading for pleasure, with all the fun and benefits that it can bring.” Darranda Rowswell, Director of Development at the National Literacy Trust commented: “Creating a culture of reading for pleasure in schools is crucial to increasing literacy levels, which in turn gives children access to more opportunities throughout their lives. The Boy With Wings is an excellent choice of book for this project because Sir Lenny Henry’s story gives children of Black heritage the chance to see themselves and their lives in the books they read, as well as engaging children of all backgrounds in the adventures of Tunde. We’re so excited to see this partnership create a culture of reading and encouraging a love of stories that we hope will stay with children for the rest of their lives.”

The Boy With Wings, illustrated by Keenon Ferrell and published by Macmillan Children’s books, was chosen because it portrays important messages about race, inclusion and diversity wrapped up in an exciting and fun adventure. The book also includes an exclusive comic book created by Marvel artist, Mark Buckingham. Sir Lenny Henry said he wrote The Boy With Wings because he didn’t see Black heroes in the books he read growing up, and wants all children to see themselves appear centre stage in exciting, inspiring stories where they have great adventures. Research by the National Literacy Trust found that 40% of children and young people from ethnic minority backgrounds say that they don’t see themselves in what they read. “I want to make sure as many kids as possible have access to books and www.lancmag.com

this project brilliantly targets those kids who don’t have books at home,” said Sir Lenny. “Reading – with lots of trips to my local library in Dudley – was such an important part of my childhood, it took me on so many different adventures and to so many different worlds. Here’s to The Boy With Wings flying into homes across the UK thanks to the National Literacy Trust and Enterprise!” Simon Caughey-Rogers, Enterprise’s Corporate Social Responsibility and Charity Events Manager said: “Enterprise firmly believes in expanding opportunity for everyone. This partnership provides an excellent way for us to support early childhood development through the power of reading. Too many children say that they don’t see themselves in what they read, especially those from Black ethnic backgrounds. It is our hope that this book helps inspire them and

Samantha Smith, Publisher, Fiction, Non-Fiction and Picture Books, Macmillan Children’s Books, says: “Macmillan Children’s Books is thrilled to be working with partners who are just as passionate as we are about spreading a love of reading and getting books into the hands of children across the UK. Lenny Henry’s exciting, adventurous and funny The Boy With Wings is the perfect read to encourage children to spread their wings.” The Enterprise Holdings Foundation was established in 1982 to give back to the communities where partners and employees live and work. The towns and cities receiving books from the partnership are: Liverpool, Manchester (City), Nottingham, Rochdale, Salford, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bradford, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol, Newport, Swindon, London borough of Southwark, London borough of Lambeth, London borough of Hackney, London borough of Enfield, London borough of Islington, Belfast and Lisburn.

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Balance Counselling and Coaching Ltd

PUT YOUR LIFE IN BALANCE By Kathryn Taylor

and then, why I wasn’t good enough to do it, why I just needed to do other things first, why I needed more time or energy to be able to focus on it. You name it I’ve probably used it…. Then on the back of a conversation with a great friend I realised that I could continue as I was getting frustrated with myself and beating myself up and make excuses to myself about why I couldn’t do things and continue and accept it or I could make some changes. I realised then that even though I wanted to make changes that the only thing stopping me was myself.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR -START NOW!

e often find that we have all these great plans and ideas but never do anything about them that we let them go round and round in our minds but never find the right time to start them. We make excuses for ourselves,

No, I didn’t suddenly find that from that point onwards I stopped making excuses and finding reasons not to do things – I still do that, but I started to look for ways I could make these things happen.

I’M TOO BUSY I HAVEN’T GOT ENOUGH TIME RIGHT NOW I HAVEN’T GOT THE EQUIPMENT MY IDEA WON’T WORK I’M NOT ABLE TO DO IT I’LL START IT NEXT WEEK IT’S OVERWHELMING

WHAT DID I DO?

I’M TOO TIRED

Well, whether it was dealing with things like clearing out the back bedroom or writing my own blog I started by taking my ideas and plans and breaking them down into much smaller steps. Steps that were difficult for me to use any of my previous excuses/reasons to prevent me from doing them.

Sound familiar? It may not be anything that big we want to do it might just be wanted to clear the spare room of the clutter that’s accumulated but whatever it is we are the ones who get in our way and prevent us from achieving our goals. I can think of many times in my own life when I have allowed my thoughts to get in my own way and prevent me from moving forward and achieving my goals. Whether it was something big like setting up my own business, creating and launching my own product range, writing my first blog or it was trying to clear through my to do list at home.

Steps that were small enough sometimes for it to take longer for me to think of all my excuses than it was to actually do them.

WHAT DID THAT MEAN? I would like to use the following examples to explain what I did and how it worked for me.

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1. CLEARING A CLUTTERED ROOM – This was a room I used as a place to put things when I didn’t have time to put them all away like when someone was coming round and I wanted to clear the clutter from downstairs, I would gather it all up and put it in the spare bedroom intending to sort later, but never did and over time the room just became full.

Breaking it down in this way took away my fears and excuses and allowed me to make a start, I found more often than not that once I started writing, I just continued until I was done. The hardest part for me was to actual press the button to make my blog live or to send the email to the editors.

I SET MYSELF TWO TASKS. a. To spend 5 minutes every day clearing things from the room or putting them away where they belonged in the room. b. If I ever went into the room for any other reason, I had to pick up 1 item and put it away. The outcome was that I found it easy to focus 5 minutes each day to the task and often found I spent longer clearing more than I intended and when I went in for another reason more often than not, I picked up more than 1 item to put away. Ensuring that within a short time the room was cleared. Every time from then on that I did use the room to quickly clear things away, I started the process again and generally the room is now in a clear state permanently but when it isn’t the time it takes to sort is minimal.

I have used this technique now in many areas of my life to help me achieve the things I have wanted to, big or small. It doesn’t necessarily take away the excuses or fears but it’s helped me achieve things I never thought I would. Over the last few years I have set up my own business, created my own range of Inspiration products “Moments of Inspiration”, written a book due to be published soon with a second one started, take on a second business running a Networking business “Unique ladies network (Salford)” and become a trustee for the Endeavour Project a charity supporting victims of Domestic violence.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT YOU KEEP PUTTING OFF? WHAT HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO BUT HAVEN’T? WHAT DREAMS HAVE YOU GOT THAT YOU HAVEN’T STARTED WORKING TOWARDS?

2. WRITING MY BLOGS OR ARTICLES

WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK?

– Every time I thought about writing them, I was overwhelmed with thoughts of not being able to make them interesting or useful, thoughts of why anybody would be interested in what I had to say and also that I didn’t know what to write about or what to say so I broke it down into small steps. I told myself I would write something and didn’t have to share it or post it and I broke it down into smaller steps.

WHY NOT TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP TODAY?

a. I wrote down the steps I needed to take. b. I chose a topic but not a title. c. I set myself targets to write just a paragraph at a time. d. I set a task to review it when written e. Chose a title f. Find and add the images I wanted. g. Share the blog/article. For a confidential discussion email: info@balancecounsellingandcoaching.co.uk or call on: 07794 143 171 or visit: www.balancecounsellingandcoaching.co.uk www.lancmag.com

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How To Elevate Your Black Tie Attire Celebratory Style with Henry Herbert With the party season bringing with it the opportunity to don your finest black tie, leading London tailors Henry Herbert offers its expertise on how to dress to impress.

alled upon for fancy soirées, the tuxedo should be a staple in every gent’s wardrobe. Helping you ramp up your confidence, a perfectly honed crepuscular suit will not only make you look the part, but it will also make you feel it. Consequently, for something as special as a black tie suit, you simply have to go bespoke if you want to ace the look. Distinctly refined, Henry Herbert is named after Sir Henry Herbert, Master of the Revels to both King Charles I and King Charles II, so it is only fitting that the bespoke couturier knows how to dress for grandiose festivities. “Black tie is a real investment. We have many gentlemen come to us looking for something exquisite that will stand the test of time, but that also reflects their personality. That is where a bespoke suit will outshine anything else as it’s created with the customer, for their individual needs” says Alexander Dickinson, Director at Henry Herbert.

Traditionally the dress shirt should be white with a pleated front and a turndown or wing collar, with a hand-tied bow tie to finish the look. Go bespoke for another chance to get inventive and personal. “We have made stud buttons

Investing in such an ensemble is a big deal, so you want to opt for a timeless cut in a sumptuous noir or midnight navy fabric – the best you can afford. A two-piece onebutton design with peak lapels offers pure and elegant style that will transcend fashion trends. Add a cummerbund to achieve first-class sophistication. “You want your suit to last. It’s an investment, so try to avoid at all costs the temptation to go with the current trends” adds Alexander. A simple well-fitted cut in a quality 100% wool cloth will certainly hold up throughout the decades. To make it yours and boost its flair, play around with the finer details by adding personal and luxurious touches. “I have the most beautiful paisley silk finished lapels on mine that gets complimented every time I wear it” says Alexander. For a pop of colour, go bold and vibrant in a lavish fabric for your pocket square. 122

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from diamonds to solid gold - anything can go, just be sure to match the metal with your watch and cufflinks. A sleek monogram on the cuff is also a nice touch. It’s a service we offer to all our clients”, says Alexander. Creatively motivated, Henry Herbert specialises in exemplary one-of-a-kind suits and shirts made in England. Offering an unparalleled choice of colours and cuts, each bespoke design exudes confidence and refined elegance to help build a stylish and versatile wardrobe for the modernday gentleman. “My aim is to instill confidence into the modern gentleman through perfectly fitted, bespoke suits that ooze individual style and boast exemplary craftsmanship.” – Alexander Dickinson, Director, Henry Herbert Bespoke British Tailoring for the Modern Gentleman www.henryherbert.com 8 Lamb’s Conduit Passage, London, WC1R 4RG.

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How to keep your

Laura Pearson is an Intentional Life Coach, Meditation Teacher and Professional Declutterer & Organiser, based in Lancashire. Her mission is to help people to consciously create, live and love their own version of an intentional life and clutter-free, organised space.

ecember and Christmas are one of the busiest times of the year! With the flurry and excitement of Christmas on the way, the rush to buy presents and get your house in order for guests, and the long list of events and social outings filling up your calendar, it can be easy to forget about what truly matters. It can be easy to forget to take care of yourself. So many of us end up disliking the festive season or getting worked up at its impending arrival because of the stress, chaos and busyness that 124

comes with it. Don’t get me wrong, Christmas has the potential to be lovely and it is kind of magical that when the busyness resides, most of us have the luxury of extra time to slow down and enjoy precious quality time with loved ones (and ourselves). Plus, if you feel the building pressure of Christmas and December and all that it brings, there are lots of different things that you can do to help you to slow down and connect with your inner calm. I’ve gathered some of my all time favourites (and festive favourites too!)

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Prioritise Self Care Everything starts with you and taking care of yourself is a priority. Deep down, we all know this, yet life sometimes gets in the way. When life gets busy, it can feel even more difficult to slow down and carve out time for you. But taking care of yourself is the key to not getting run down, ill or burnt out. So with this in mind, pop Self Care at the top of your list, rather than the bottom and schedule it into your calendar like you would a catch up with a friend. www.lancmag.com

calm over Christmas Start a Meditation Practice (or keep up your current practice)

Maintain your boundaries and honour your “no”

For those of you who are new to meditation, you may be wondering how you can even get started? Meditation in its simplest form is about connecting with yourself; your breath and your body. Start by closing your eyes, relaxing your body and taking a few deep breaths. Allow yourself to be entirely in the present moment. It might feel strange or unusual at first – this is completely normal. Just notice how calming it can feel to let everything go and just be here now for a moment. Try to integrate a short meditation practice into your day throughout December to help you tap into this calm state.

Boundaries can be difficult to implement and maintain, especially when it comes to family, friends and loved ones, but they are there for a very good reason! Often when we don’t uphold or maintain the boundaries we put in place, we are left feeling tired, stressed, worn out and disappointed. If something doesn’t feel good or isn’t going to contribute to the Christmas you imagined, then give yourself permission to honour and stick to your “no”. No is viewed as a “bad word”, but actually is it a very important and positive word. Boundaries are healthy! And no is a full sentence!

Try a Sound Bath If you struggle to meditate or feel like your mind goes in to overdrive when you start meditating, consider trying a Sound Bath. Sound Baths are another form of meditation and they are especially great for people who struggle with traditional spoken meditation because in a Sound Bath, all you need to do is sit back, relax and soak in – or listen to – the sound. That in itself is a meditation. There are so many relaxing and healing benefits to meditation, with and without sound – all of which help you to relax and connect with your inner calm. (I have some lovely Sound Bath Events coming up in December and January if you fancy giving one a go!)

Move your body Make moving your body a priority this December. Exercise releases endorphins which boost our mood and make us feel good! Get yourself wrapped up and enjoy a brisk wintery walk to get your blood flowing and lift your energy. The darker mornings and evenings can really cause havoc with our energy and how we feel, so if you can get outside in day light, on your lunch break, or even for just 5 minutes, do it!

Enjoy a festive film There’s nothing better than snuggling up and getting nice and cosy on the sofa whilst you watch a festive film. Grab your favourite drink (for me it’s a nice hot chocolate!), get in your comfiest clothing and pop on a Christmassy film that will warm your heart and make you laugh. Laughter is medicine!

Come to my Christmas Calm Event I love in person events because of the beautiful welcoming energy that you can feel when you walk in the room! Plus, community and connection is so important for our well-being and for our hearts. I’ve created some wonderful Christmassy events to help you slow down, relax your body and mind, and connect with your inner calm! If you’re looking for wholesome heart-warming things to do this Christmas (and in the New Year), visit my website for more information and to book! Remember that Christmas only comes around once a year and you deserve to have a lovely, peaceful, calm and wholesome Christmas! You also have the power to create inner calm and choose to connect with it whenever you desire. For more information about my upcoming December and New Year events, Meditation Classes and Sound Baths, visit my website: intentionalwithlaura.com and connect with me on social media: @intentionalwithlaura | @themindsnug

CONNECT WITH LAURA D www.intentionalwithlaura.com I @intentionalwithlaura F @intentionalwithlaura E laura@intentionalwithlaura.com Download Laura’s free guide – 5 Steps to Start Decluttering your Life at: www.intentionalwithlaura.com/5-steps-to-start-decluttering-freebie www.lancmag.com

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Ethel Carnie Holdsworth - A Neglected Northern Novelist By Margaret Brecknell When Ethel Carnie Holdsworth passed away 60 years ago in December 1962 at the age of 76, her death scarcely merited a mention, even in the local Lancashire press. Yet, in her heyday as a novelist and poet during the early 1900s, she was widely known across the whole country and for a while even outsold the great HG Wells.

thel Carnie was born in the East Lancashire mill town of Oswaldtwistle, near Blackburn, on 1st January 1886. Her family subsequently moved to the nearby town of Great Harwood, where she attended Great Harwood British School. She showed early promise in writing, but, at the age of just 11, joined the rest of her family in employment at the local cotton mill.

Still just 21 years of age, Ethel’s first poetry collection, Rhymes From The Factory, was published the same year. Following a second print-run a year later, she began to achieve widespread recognition as the “factory girl poetess”. As a result of her new-found fame, she was interviewed at home by Robert Blatchford, the editor and proprietor of socialist publications The Clarion and The Woman Worker. A full-page feature on her, entitled A Lancashire Fairy, subsequently appeared in The Woman Worker. Blatchford described her as “just a typical Lancashire factory girl, in a typical Lancashire house”. Yet he clearly recognised her potential, as he persuaded her to quit her job in the mill and move to London to pursue a writing career.

Above: Annie and Ellen Ashton, my own grandmother and great-grandmother, who worked in a Burnley cotton mill

From the start, Ethel wanted to write for and about working-class people and the problems they faced. Her early poetry and short stories appeared in the Cotton Factory Times, a weekly newspaper aimed at Lancashire and Cheshire cotton mill workers. Was It Her Duty, published in January 1907, is a classic example of Ethel’s early work. The short story ends with the death of a 37-year-old Lancashire woman, “old before her time”, who is worn down by the daily grind of factory work combined with domestic chores. It is not the cheeriest of tales, but it certainly packs quite a punch.

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Early 20th century Lancashire factory workers

“...just a typical Lancashire factory girl, in a typical Lancashire house” - Robert Blatchford,

Editor and proprietor of socialist publications The Clarion and The Woman Worker “It is good news to hear that Miss Ethel Carnie of Great Harwood, the factory poetess, is leaving the mill to become a citizeness of the Republic of Letters”, proclaimed The Clarion in late June 1908. When asked about her writing aspirations, Ethel is reported to have replied modestly that “I do not know that I have any definitely. I only wish to do my best”. Once she set to work, she let her writing speak for itself, as she produced a series of blistering attacks on the life she had left behind. “Factory life has crushed the childhood, youth, maturity of millions of men and women. It has turned the health of those who would have been comparatively strong but for the unremitted toil and the evil atmosphere”, she wrote in one feature for The Woman Worker. On another occasion, she exhorted women to “Go out and play. Instead of staring round to see what wants polishing

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or rubbing, go out into the open and draw the breath of the moors or the hills into your lungs…Do not forget that you are something more than a dish washer”. In due course Ethel became the Editor of The Woman Worker, but lasted little more than six months in the role. In early 1910, she was compelled to return to Lancashire and even returned to work in the mill for a while. A second book of poetry, Songs of A Factory Girl, followed in the spring of 1911. “I think it is no exaggeration to say that all my poems came into my head at the mill”, she wrote in her preface to the book. Ethel remained determined to better herself, despite the obstacles which she encountered. In 1911, she and her mother moved to Manchester, where they ran a small shop together in Ancoats, in order that Ethel could study at Owens College. In 1913, Ethel returned to London, where she taught creative writing at Bebel House Women’s College, a socialist educational establishment which had been set up to give working-class women access to adult education. Her debut novel, Miss Nobody, was published in the same year, as well as her first book for children, The Lamp Girl and Other Stories. By 1915, with World War I now underway, Ethel had returned to Lancashire and was living in Barrowford with her mother. She married fellow author, Alfred Holdsworth, that year at Burnley Registry Office. The couple had first met at a Nelson literary club and shared similar political views. www.lancmag.com

Both were pacifists, who were opposed to the war and the policy of compulsory military conscription. Ethel became a leading figure in the British Citizen Party, which opposed conscription, and chaired a succession of meetings in East Lancashire. These were surprisingly well attended, with, often, over 1000 people present, but it proved a risky business. Some dozen Home Defence soldiers gatecrashed one meeting, held in Nelson in late 1915, and headed straight for the speaker’s platform, where Ethel was compelled to seek refuge on top of a piano until they were eventually ejected. Ethel was still in demand as a writer too. During the war she signed a publishing deal with Herbert Jenkins. Her first novel for them, Helen of Four Gates, was published under the pseudonym of “An Ex-Mill Girl”. Yet, in a departure from Ethel’s usual penchant for gritty working-class dramas based around the local cotton mills, Helen of Four Gates was a dark gothic romance set on the wild Lancashire moors, which inevitably led to comparisons with Emily Brontë’s 19th-century epic novel, Wuthering Heights. The book received many rave reviews – one critic described it as “the most sensational novel of recent years” – and it became a bestseller, even at one point outselling the great HG Wells. The money generated by Helen of Four Gates enabled Ethel and her husband, together with their two daughters, to move to Colden, a tiny hamlet in the hills overlooking the West Yorkshire town of Hebden Bridge. Such was the novel’s popularity that it was later adapted for the silent cinema and much of the movie was filmed on location in and around the Hebden Bridge area. Ethel produced another eight novels over the next dozen or so years. She was never afraid to tackle the difficult issues in her work. The socialist and feminist views expressed in This Slavery, were particularly radical for the time in which the novel was written. “So long as this system remains as it is I’ll attack it”, vowed one female mill worker. Another female character, describing her marriage, declared, “I am tired of being a slave. I don’t want to spend my life like my mother has spent hers”. The book was considered too hot to handle by Ethel’s publisher, Herbert Jenkins. Instead, it was published by the Labour Publishing Company, which specialised in producing cheap editions of books of socialist interest. This, at least, made the novel more accessible to the workingclass people of whose plight Ethel wrote. She and her husband continued their political campaigning too. During the 1920s they produced one of the first anti-fascist newspapers, The Clear Light, from their own home in Hebden Bridge. Eventually, however, the couple separated and, in the early 1930s, Ethel moved to the Manchester district of Cheetham Hill, where she remained until her death.

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Her last novel, Eagles’ Crag, was published in 1931. She continued to produce poems and short stories for newspapers and magazines until the mid-1930s. Some of her later journalism consisted of nostalgic pieces, like the following, which harked back to an era that was already long gone,

Rattle-rattle! It is the sound of the knocker-up, a discarded old weaver, who can ‘keep up’ no longer, but gathers his threepence-weekly from those who yet go through the gates at morning, and out again at night. ‘A live up thear?’ he queries in an impatient shout, for the wind is blowing snow inside his collar, and his feet feel like clanks of ice. For an hour he has trudged the dark streets, rattling at windows and bellowing. ‘A live’, comes the answer. He walks on, to get warmed up again at home, and back to bed till the ‘earth is aired’. -Ethel Carnie Holdsworth From around 1936 onwards, Ethel appears to have stopped writing. Her daughter, Margaret, suggested during an interview in the 1980s that her pacifist mother simply became too worn down by ill health and the prospect of another war in Europe to continue writing. By the time that Ethel died, aged 76, in December 1962, her reputation had already faded into obscurity. Yet her writing is historically important. The former Lancashire mill worker is credited with being the first working-class woman in this country to publish a novel. It is pleasing to report that in recent years there has been a revival of interest in the writing of this remarkable woman and some of her books have been republished for the first time in years.

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Vanessa Onwuemezi announced for this year’s National Creative Writing Industry Day Keynote Comma Press The North’s major creative writing industry day is back for another year of panels, workshops and networking.

omma Press are delighted to invite new and emerging writers to this year’s annual National Creative Writing Industry Day, in partnership with The Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University. This special conference hosts a full day of events for aspiring writers to gain insight into the publishing industry and advice on how to excel in their practice. The event will run from 9.30am5pm on Saturday 19th November, and will offer a keynote speech from a prominent author, two panel discussions, a bespoke synopsis writing workshop ran by The Literary Consultancy as well as two 1:1 sessions with an agent per attendee, and a choice of two workshops. It has been announced that this year’s keynote speaker will be Vanessa Onwuemezi. Onwuemezi was recently shortlisted for The BBC National Short Story Award 2022 and her debut short story collection Dark Neighbourhood has been shortlisted for several prizes, and met with critical acclaim, described by The Guardian as a “beautiful, vertiginous and enriching first collection.” In addition to Vanessa Onwuemezi’s keynote speech, there will be two panel discussions – one on the pitching and publishing process, and another special panel on writing through the climate crisis. There will also be a variety of workshops that attendees can choose from, ranging from topics on marketing yourself as a writer and editing your 130

manuscript, to genre workshops on poetry and nature writing. All attendees will also get the opportunity to have two 1:1 meetings with an agent, to get advice on their work-in-progress and the general pitching process. Tickets for the full day of events are £65 and are available to purchase now via the Comma Press website. Sponsored tickets are available upon request to give select writers from underrepresented backgrounds the chance to attend the day for free or at a discount. Comma Press are asking for authors or organisations who would like to sponsor a place for an underrepresented writer to get in touch with Nia, the conference organiser at: nia.thomas@commapress.co.uk

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Christine Burns MBE, sponsoring a free place for a Manchester-based Trans writer to attend, said: “In a world where mainstream news and current affairs (the first draft of history) are so often framed by a majority white, western, straight, cisgender and predominantly male world view, longform prose has an important role to fulfil. Whether we minorities are publishing biographies, histories, political views, philosophy, fiction or whatever, it is vital that we are vocal contributors to the processes that take place. We only have to look at the difficulty of researching minority lives from as little as 100 years ago to know how important it is to put thoughts and experiences to paper and to have some mentoring in how to do it well.” www.lancmag.com

Inheritance Tax – when is it incurred and how can it be avoided? Whilst the country moves forward with a new King and we reflect on the reign of our late Queen, we are reminded of our own mortality and as Benjamin Franklin once said, ‘nothing is certain except death and taxes’. Inheritance Tax combines the two and is payable on certain lifetime gifts but most commonly it arises when someone dies.

ith regards to Queen Elizabeth’s estate, thanks to an exemption granted by John Mayor in 1993 there is no tax payable on the royal wealth so long as it passes from sovereign to sovereign. This is why the Queen mother’s estate passed entirely to Queen Elizabeth and now her estate passes entirely to King Charles, even though there are many other relatives. The exemption was introduced to preserve the royal assets as their sole purpose is to boost the economy of the country. At first glance this may appear a little unfair, as there is no comparable exemption for the rest of us, however, our estates are not built up with the sole purpose to boost the economy. There are however several other exemptions, reliefs, and planning opportunities available to us to reduce the burden of Inheritance Tax and I have run through some of these in more detail below. Firstly though, a little introduction as to how Inheritance Tax works. 132

Inheritance Tax – the basics

On death your assets are valued and the total, less any liabilities, exemptions and reliefs, would be subject to Inheritance Tax. Everyone is entitled to a ’nil rate band’ which exempts the first £325,000 of value and there is now also a ‘residence nil rate band’ which exempts a further £175,000 if the estate comprises a home which passes on death to a lineal descendant, such as a child or grandchild. The excess would then be charged at 40%. The nil rate band is available to everyone and can be passed on to a surviving spouse. The residence nil rate band is also transferable, but it is tapered away if your assets exceed £2 million and note it is only available if you have lineal descendants, nephews and nieces do not count.

• Stately Homes

Staying with the theme of royal assets for a moment, there is reported to be an increase in the number of privately owned stately homes in the UK now open to the public. The rise in staycations is believed to have played a part in this however Inheritance Tax avoidance may also be a motive as there is a specific

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exemption from Inheritance Tax. To qualify there must be an agreement with HM Revenue & Customs that the property will be preserved and made available to the public.

• Making a Will

Ensuring you have a Will and that it is tax efficient is one of the first most crucial steps to saving Inheritance Tax on your death. Without a Will your estate would pass under the rules of intestacy and whilst this might not be in accordance with your wishes it could also accelerate Inheritance Tax liabilities. Therefore, speaking to a tax advisor who will work closely with your chosen www.lancmag.com

solicitor is vital to ensure your assets pass in accordance with your wishes and with the least amount of tax payable.

• Deeds of Variation

If someone has died and their Will is not tax efficient or they perhaps have no Will, it is still possible to rectify the position after their death. A deed of variation can be entered into within two years of death and effectively rewrites the Will or lack of Will. The people who would originally benefit can therefore agree to a variation to ensure tax liabilities are avoided. www.lancmag.com

• Gifts

Most Inheritance Tax planning revolves around gifting assets, be it an outright gift to an individual or a gift into trust. Affordability and security must be considered before embarking on a plan of gifting and speaking to your tax consultant and financial advisor together is often the best way forward. There are several specific gift exemptions which are detailed below but it is a common misconception that these are the maximum amounts that can be given away. That is not the case, larger gifts can be made but any amounts in

excess of the exemptions will take 7 years to fall out of your estate. When gifting assets as opposed to cash you must speak to your tax advisor to consider any other taxes that might be incurred, such as Capital Gains Tax.

• Business and Agricultural Reliefs Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief are hugely important exemptions from Inheritance Tax if you have a business or farming assets. There are a number of qualifying conditions for each relief to apply which will vary according to your personal

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Annual Exemption - The annual exemption for UK Inheritance Tax is currently £3,000 per tax year. This is available to each taxpayer for every tax year. The previous year’s annual exemption can also be used if this has not already been used.

Normal Expenditure out of Income - Regular gifts out of income are exempt from Inheritance Tax. There is no limit to the value that can be transferred or gifted under this exemption, as long as the conditions are satisfied. a) It must be a “normal” gift – this means that the gift has to be regular, habitual or an expected gift. b) It must be a gift out of income – the source of the gift must be the donor’s income rather than their savings or capital. This means that gifts of assets cannot fall within this category. c) There must be sufficient income remaining – the donor must be left with sufficient income to maintain their “usual standard of living”. This broadly means that the donor can still afford to finance the same lifestyle after the transfer but not be dependent on his capital resources for normal living expenses as a result of his having too little income available after the gift.

Marriage & Spouses - Lifetime gifts made in consideration of a marriage directly to the parties marrying are exempt to the following extent: - £5,000 from a parent - £2,500 from a grandparent - £1,000 from others Once married, any gifts made to your spouse during life or on death are completely exempt whatever the value.

4. Small Gifts - Gifts not exceeding £250 that are given outright to one person during the tax year, are exempt. Any number of gifts to separate people can be made using this exemption, but if transfers in the tax year to the same person exceed £250, this exemption cannot be used.

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circumstances so professional advice should always be sought to ensure you qualify.

· Using Trusts

Finally, a few words on Trusts, in our experience, most Inheritance Tax planning revolves around the use of family trusts. Whether they are included in a tax efficient Will or set up during lifetime to assist with a plan of lifetime gifting, Trusts are often the solution to retaining security and control over what is gifted. Before setting up a trust you should consult a tax advisor to ensure you are creating the right kind of trust to meet your needs and they can explain the various tax rules applicable to different kinds of trusts. Trusts can solve many tax issues and are widely used in tax planning however they need to be fully understood to ensure they are right for you. www.lancmag.com

This article highlights the basics to look at when considering your Inheritance Tax position. To receive a thorough review of your circumstances and how this tax may impact on your family, and what planning can be done to mitigate any liability, please get in touch.

M The Mill, Station Road, Wigton CA7 9BA N 01697 508925 E info@paul-benson.co.uk D www.paul-benson.co.uk F @paulbensonaccountants

Stonyhurst Launches State-Of-The-Art Open Day Platform

Stonyhurst has created a state-of-the-art virtual Open Day experience allowing prospective families to attend events from anywhere in the world.

his unique and immersive experience mirrors a physical Stonyhurst Open Event in the closest possible way, giving users the freedom to explore the main event hall (Top Refectory) as they usually would. Using the latest software, the first to be used by an independent boarding school, users can move freely from the Auditorium to the Top Refectory, listen to speeches from the Headmaster and Deputy Head Academic about Stonyhurst’s values and the academic pathways, watch

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subject-specific videos and speak with teachers via the live chat and video functionalities.. During the pandemic, Stonyhurst saw its highest pupil intake and overall growth. Subsequently, waiting lists were in operation as early as November for entry into the next academic year. This has allowed the school to continue with it’s investment into facilities, boarding houses and co-curricular activities to refine the pupil experience and make it an unforgettable experience. To bolster their recent demand for places, Stonyhurst continues to innovate using technology to provide outstanding customer experiences. It has remained an important objective to improve Stonyhurst’s virtual Open Day experience for overseas families and for those who may prefer to access the event from home.

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Helen Eastham, Director of Admissions and Marketing, says ‘The pandemic has meant that we have had to embrace all things digital, which has given us new opportunities to bring value to our prospective families. A Stonyhurst Open Day is an experience that receives positive feedback and we have been looking at a way we can connect our prospective families to the school without the need for face-to-face contact, or when time and distance is an issue. Although we prefer to welcome our families in person a, the quality of the virtual Open Day is the next best thing.’ The live Open Day events will be hosted on a standalone microsite and the link will be sent to families once they have registered for a virtual Open Event. A smaller-scale version of the event named the ‘Open Day Every Day’

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will be accessible on the website, 24/7, for visitors to understand how the platform works, gather information, meet the pupils, and note down any questions before accessing the live event. These events are not intended to replace the physical Open Events but run alongside to provide an additional and more innovative way for prospective families to learn more about Stonyhurst before making their decision. The Open Day Every Day can be accessed here: www.stonyhurst.ac.uk/admissions/open-days/virtual-openday.

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Mark Lomas: Elgra Furniture & Interior Consultants Interview By Sarah Ridgway

Mark Lomas, the founder of Elgra Furniture & Interior Consultants, spoke to Lancashire Magazine about his company and everything it offers. Blackburn resident Mark has over thirty years of experience after entering the industry straight after leaving school.

n 2018 he decided to utilise his knowledge and expertise by launching his company, Elgra Furniture & Interior Consultants and has been busy ever since. “No project is too big or small”, and the company’s ethos is about customer service and doing whatever the customer wants. Elgra prides itself on providing exceptional service, whether the client wants a total office fit-out or just a few chairs and a desk they will accommodate.. Tell us about you and your experience I have been in the industry since I left school and started in the second-

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hand office furniture business. People began asking us to find more specific desks and chairs for their offices, so we started sourcing those through new manufacturers rather than second-hand, and the business grew through word of mouth after that. Soon, people were requesting carpets and assistance with interiors, and I never said no. I carried this through to the present with Elgra, and I offer pretty much any service to a commercial business. I stick to the ethos of never saying “no” to clients, as you never know where it might lead. For example, I was approached by existing client Blackburn Rovers about an exciting project constructing German-style market stalls. We took the job, which will be ready for the World Cup in November, alongside TV screens. So, I firmly believe “the great evolution of a company is to just not to say no.” Tell us about the services you offer Elgra’s services include design, fit-out project management and furniture supply, but we pretty much offer any service to do with commercial

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property and its environment. I source quality office furniture for our clients, that takes the headache out of the process. I also source furniture from the local area and Lancashire as much as possible, as it is important to me. I also have trusted suppliers that I use for the more bespoke requests. Elgra offers clients a personalised experience to create outstanding workspaces, and I take on as much or as little of the project as the client wants to create a smooth stress-free process.

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What makes the company unique and sets it apart? Definitely customer service, and the majority of our clients are referrals and word of mouth, and I have never had to rely on external marketing or cold calling. We don’t need to get involved in pricing jobs against competitors because our clients understand that our prices represent the value for service, and that we take away the stress of doing things the customer doesn’t have the time for. How important is it being a Lancashire company? I am Lancashire born and bred and am a big believer that if you can buy in Lancashire then do, or for me Blackburn which offers such a wide diverse choice of options. I am a massive advocate that people should try and invest in their local area as much as possible. I also work with Blackburn Youth Zone regularly, which is a youth hub for young people aged 5-21 years old.

Tell us about your signature style The industry has been fast moving, so how people want their office to look is very different to how it looked ten years ago. Elgra meets the client’s requirements, but our signature style is our high-quality furniture, materials, and customer service. How important is quality furniture and an office layout The industry has changed a lot, and companies now want more innovative layouts with breakout areas, soft seating, and hot desks. Also, the working environment impacts the employees’ mindset, and a well-designed office layout helps attract new employees, retains them, and boost productivity. So, companies debating over an overdue office refurb should definitely consider the benefits. 

What are you most proud of over the company’s five-year journey? Despite the current climate and the pandemic, we have continued to grow every year for five years, and we’ve done that without any sort of email marketing or advertising. We have got to where we are today because we’re good at what we do. 140

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Local Company Brings Adult Pantomime Pandemonium to Lancaster After Dark Entertainment are grabbing out their gowns and wiping down their wigs as they get ready to return to Lancaster Grand Theatre this December! This year they’ll be putting their special spin on the tale of Dick Whittington for Adult Panto 2022!

tarting in 2007 with a one-night extravaganza in aid of the Grand Theatre’s New Space’s Appeal, the crazy Christmas Cracker of a show has been selling houses for 15 years and has now become a festive tradition that will run for 11 nights in December 2022. Ben Cooper-Muir, company founder, creator of the Adult Panto pandemonium and the beleaguered Dame Norma in the show, has said: “We’re counting down the days until we can bring this year’s show to the Grand Theatre stage, plans are well underway, and 2022 is going to be our biggest yet! It’s a pleasure to keep providing our special brand of holiday humour to Adult Panto Fans. We’re honoured to have become a Christmas tradition for thousands out there. We want to share the show with as many people as possible, so come and join the fun!”

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The theatre’s manager Ellie Singleton says: “we can’t wait to have After Dark Entertainment back with us again this December; their annual Adult Panto is the perfect companion to our Family Pantomime presented by the Lancaster Footlights Company. Their show continues to grow each year in ingenious ideas and popularity. You only need to look at how many people pour through the theatre doors to know that their shows are a smash hit, not to be missed”. If you’re looking for something to start your festive season, then After Dark Entertainment’s Adult Pantomime: Dick Whittington, is just the ticket! Although tickets are selling fast, with only 11 nights available and over 50% of tickets already being sold, you’ll need to book your seats sooner rather than later. Oh yes, you will! Contact the Lancaster Grand Theatre box office now or book your tickets online via the theatre’s website and be there - with bells on!

Ticket price: £21 www.lancastergrand.co.uk Box office: 01524 64695

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SEEN TOO

HEART-CENTRED WOMEN SHARE THEIR STORY OF HOW THEY STEPPED INTO THEIR PASSION, PURPOSE AND POWER

e all have a story to tell - Sharing it is the hard part. Do you have a passion? A purpose? Are you standing in your power?

In Seen Too, 15 heart-centred women have found the courage to come together and share their stories with you. In their own words, they describe the process of finding their passion, power and purpose and how they wish to inspire and encourage others to believe that anything is possible. Each story is a personal testament of inner strength and resilience. Though each woman’s path has been unique, they share common elements of pain, loss, love and eventual strength to give them the courage to be the women they are today. Standing proud and finding the courage to be heard, this is a powerful collection from 15 women who are determined to support other women to lead a positive, caring, passionate and authentic life. It’s time to be Seen.

“Writing my story has been a long-term goal, something many have told me I should do, and hopefully, this chapter, this book, will lead to me sharing my full life story next, as there is far too much to squeeze into just one chapter. “This book shares how 15 heart-centered women stepped into their power, purpose, and passion. “We have all gone through feeling unseen, unheard, lost, and alone at times. “We have opened our hearts, let down our guards, and been vulnerable. “At times we have cried, and been terrified, but we have done it. We have written our stories so you can know that you are not alone, know that you can be heard, and ‘Seen Too’. “I for one cannot wait to read everyone’s tales and know everyone will inspire me.

Seen Too: Heart-centred women share their story of how they stepped into their passion, purpose and power A Collaboration hosted by Katherine Massey Available in Kindle Format from Amazon ASIN : B0BGJPFCNG

“Exciting times ahead. It’s only just the start.

Language : English

It’s never too late to start again!”

Price : £2.99

- Teanna Lynne, on contributing to Seen Too

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Eating Disorders in Schools S.E.E.D - Support and Education for Eating Disorders

Schools are in the front line coping with a surging tide of mental illness among the young, and staff urgently need training, and students much more support, to cope.

he NHS and CAMHS are tackling 3-year long waiting lists, whilst young people in need of professional help are struggling both at home and at school. Eating disorders, which have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder, have quadrupled among children since 2020, judging only by the numbers admitted for urgent treatment, and waiting lists for the E.D. service (with very strict criteria) have at least trebled, meaning that even those who have taken the difficult step of reaching out, wait years for treatment unless they are near death’s door. It is falling to family, friends – and teachers - to fill this frightening gap as best they can. Every institution now needs members with the knowledge and skills to identify and manage psychological distress, but school

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teachers and nurses have been trained to nurture and educate, not manage psychiatric disorders. On a national level we urgently need teaching and structures to support CYP mentalhealth in schools and colleges… And above all, thoughtful preventative measures, and beneficial practice to promote better mental-health going forward. Young people spend plenty of time in school: the environment and people there are enormously important to their wellbeing during those years, and can impact the rest of their lives. It is vital that schools build and foster a culture in which mental health, as well as prowess, can be nurtured – and when it is vulnerable, that they know how to respond. As a wider society, we all make a momentous choice about caring for our children, as well as investing in the future, by what we do to help protect the mental and physical wellbeing of upcoming generations. It is worth noting, that each student suffering from mental illness can affect the emotions, relations, potentially the health and the academic focus of those at school around them.

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Eating Disorders are particularly influential among peers at school: young people anxious about how they appear to others, growing up in a society which bombards them with false ideals of physical perfection. Even without developing into full blown psychiatric disorder, preoccupation with diet and body image are harmful to growing young people. www.lancmag.com

Speed of intervention is critical in the likelihood and time-frame of recovery with Eating Disorders. Those developing an E.D. are usually long in denial, and once entrenched, this type of illness has in its very DNA strong resistance to any alteration from its self-destructive path. Reaching out the right way to someone in the early stages might be a preventative factor, and at least can lay a path to recovery from the beginning.

School friends, teachers and schoolnurses are often the first to notice signs of an Eating Disorder. They see the person from day to day and notice their changes of habits, their moods and other signs all is not well. They are also often the people who are willing to be there for young sufferers with ongoing personal support which can make a real difference in a potentially life-or-death scenario. But they need to know how, and Eating

Disorder training is not easy to come by. In Lancashire, the charity Support and Education for Eating Disorders (S.E.E.D) offers three levels of training in professional settings, to explain at a basic level what E.D.s are and how to begin to understand and support those suffering from them. Eating Disorder support is a delicate matter. This illness possesses and warps the mental-framework and

Above: Eve Lewis

perspective of its victims, turning offers of help and encouraging words into self-harming weapons or fuel. It can alter personality drastically and become all-consuming, which makes relationships harder, and friendly support a painful and difficult thing. Faced with all this, sensitive peers and even staff might be tempted to negative, or possibly emulative, thoughts and behaviours. Families too, go through anguish, trying to help loved ones who are desperate, but cannot let them in. Eating Disorders are complex, and almost always combined with other mental health issues: anxiety, depression, OCD, body-dysmorphia, chronically low self-esteem… a vicious whirlpool of psychological troubles, on top of the physical dangers. Recovery needs multifaceted treatment to address the biological, psychological and social aspects of the disease, and can be a long and costly struggle. 150

For those unable to access NHS treatment or afford private therapy, making progress in recovery alone is extremely difficult. Positive results however, have been found when sufferers engage in group sessions which can be found offered by charities such as S.E.E.D. These sessions are not therapy, but offer psycho-education for self-help, enabling sufferers to gain better understanding of what they are going through, and skills to address it and find their own way to health. They also provide a welcome confidential opportunity to talk about difficult experience and feel understood and supported. S.E.E.D provides inperson Drop In sessions weekly, and a fortnightly Support Group online. They also offer friends and families, who are usually confused, anxious and pained by what is happening, a group of their own to learn more about E.D.s, how to help, and receive their own moral support. (Details of all these can be found under Services on SEED Lancashire – My Charity Site)

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But how can we take preventative measures to help keep young people safe from turning to such disordered thoughts and behaviours, in the first place? Eating Disorders are a kind of coping mechanism, in which painful experiences and feelings are relieved by the sense of improving, numbing, or controlling things via food consumption or weight and image. The reasons they develop are many and complex, with several contributing factors in each case. What is important in prevention is to teach young people to find ways of processing intensely negative experiences and emotions in www.lancmag.com

Shelley Perry Speaks at Eve’s Legacy Fundraiser

healthy ways. Also, to address issues such as the role of Body Image in valuing people (in an appearancemanipulating culture), and healthy Self-Esteem to protect from turning negative experiences in on oneself, can teach new perspectives which help prevent individuals going down this path. S.E.E.D Lancashire can come into schools or youth groups to provide workshops on Body Image or Self-Esteem which help teach a more thoughtful, independent and healthy attitude in these areas.

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For some young people, such as Eve (see photo) whose story of anorexia-driven suicide was recently publicized, it is already too late. But those who loved her have raised funds in the name of Eve’s Legacy, to provide for workshops like these to go into schools and reach out to young people now. Hopefully, many others at a local and a national level, will partner with S.E.E.D to provide the support and education to prevent eating disorders in schools, and support our teachers, nurses, counsellors, and young people.

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Hi I am Janet and I am your resident Positive Change Coach bringing you techniques and insights to help you navigate the changes in your life positively. I have 15 years experience and now work globally from Costa Rica to New Zealand and everywhere in-between.

As we find ourselves approaching a new year I could ask you to set a goal for 2023, however I want you to reflect back on the goals you set for 2022 – how many did you achieve?

If not – why not? • • • •

Life got in the way Too busy Time just got away from me Maybe next year

And I am sure you have other excuses – sound harsh? You think of them as genuine reasons but be truthful with yourself and admit those goals felt too hard, too impossible, too overwhelming and just plain scary. When we set out to make changes, we feel excited, challenged, positive, but then the doubts creep in: – • • • • •

What if I don’t like it once I make the change? What if it upsets other people? What if I fail? What if people laugh at me? What if, what if, what if...

What are your what ifs? Your fears? Once you have identified your fears, then tackle them, this can be done with a Coach, my clients come to me because they want change but cannot manage it on their own. When you discuss with friends or family they will have their own agenda and whether they realise it or not they will be thinking about how the changes you make will 152

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affect them and will therefore be speaking from a sense of fear, uncertainty and self-interest. I am sure you have people in your life who say: • • • •

Are you sure about that? I wouldn’t if I was you That sounds risky Do you think you can do that?

Planting the seeds of doubt Those closest to us know our weaknesses, the buttons to press so can very quickly undermine our ideas. So, before you tell anyone ask yourself will this person be supportive? Will they think about my desires not theirs. Because there are people in your life who say: • • • •

Go for it Good for you You can do this What can I do to help?

Identify your Cheerleaders Maybe you are feeling like things have to change but how, when, where is not clear. To help you to identify what works and what doesn’t The Wheel of Life Exercise is a good tool. The centre is 0% and the outside is 100% for each area of your life mark on the wheel how satisfied you are. So if your friendships are strong and you rate them as 80% but career is 25% then the area to look at making changes is career. www.lancmag.com

One of the most important things to do is reward yourself. I find my clients struggle with this, they will say things like “Achieving the goal is reward in itself”, or “I don’t know what to reward myself with”. Two examples of rewarding yourself, one client, an accountant, treated herself to a weekend away, another, a student at university, bought a glossy magazine. It does not have to cost money, a long soak in the bath with candles and gentle music (with the door locked to avoid interruptions), a walk in nature – or telephone a friend. I sadly lost a friend to a massive heart attack recently and she was the same age as me, my regret was that every year we’d say must meet up, occasionally we did, but I wish we’d both made more effort. So I contacted other friends who are a distance away and said lets make those plans now as life is short. Don’t wait until something so sad motivates you, do it now!

Don’t think about it too much the first thoughts are the truest. It is an exercise to be repeated very few months to measure how much things have changed and where to concentrate next. One of the biggest mistakes is that we make too big a goal and so we never get started, I always tell my clients to go one step at a time, so make a small goal each month towards the bigger goal. Celebrate when you achieve each goal thereby encouraging yourself to achieve again next month. Be clear about what you want to achieve – the when, what, where, who and how. Saying I want to be happier is way too vague. Ask yourself How would life be different if I was happier? I had a lady who joined my yoga class with the clear aim of being able to get down on the floor to play with her grandchildren, it took a year but now she has achieved it, plus she can get down to do the weeding, when her neighbour saw her she cheered – we all need those people in our lives! And of course, cheer yourself, it is not uncommon for me to have a little dance when I have achieved my latest goal. Or maybe an ice cream!

Over the last year I have shared techniques and insights into your behaviour and those around you: • • • • • • •

DRU Yoga Meditation Emotional Freedom Technique Colour Psychology Law of Attraction Transactional Analysis Neuro-Linguistic Programming - Representational Systems - Motivation

• • •

Confidence Building Loving Yourself Somatic Theory

By using these you will be able to move your life in the direction you want in the way that you want. We all have the potential to be and do whatever we want, I believe you can do it, count me as one of your cheerleaders, and when you achieve say to yourself “Janet will be really proud of me.” Every good wish for 2023.

Head to my website for more information

D thepositivechangecoach.com For a complimentary 30 min., 1-1 Positive Change Discovery Session contact me

E janetbroughton@ thepositivechangecoach.com DRU Yoga classes available live online or via YouTube

Y Janet Teaches DRU Yoga Using a Picture Board can be really helpful, a piece of card with pictures cut out of magazines, off the internet or that you draw, representing your goal, if you wan to learn to swim have pictures of people swimming. Put it somewhere you will see it every day.

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Claim your FREE Positive Change Personality Quiz to discover your Change personality, how it affects your life and how we can empower you to live your Best Life.

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HARTFORD RESIDENTS PASS THE BIKE CHECK! RESIDENTS in Hartford can be assured their bikes are in ‘top condition’ thanks to a bike safety check.

left: Mobile Expert John Tayor from Halfords

Residents took their bikes to the ‘Gear up with Redrow’ event, held at Redrow’s development Weaver Park, for a health check from the experts at Halfords. Both Weaver Park and neighbouring Water’s Reach are cycle friendly developments, with access to a number of bike ride routes. As part of a local sustainable travel scheme new residents at these developments also receive a Halford’s voucher to use towards the purchase of a new bike. “The event was very well attended and we were so pleased to see so many people take up our offer of a free bike safety check,” said Caroline Thomson-Jones, area sales manager at Redrow NW.

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“Huge thanks to John Tayor from Halfords for carrying out the bike checks and for sharing his knowledge.” Weaver Park and Waters Reach, both located on Woods Road, currently have a selection of three- and four-bedroom properties for sale starting from £362,995. Both developments feature properties from Redrow’s Arts & Crafts inspired Heritage Collection.

For more information call the sales team at Weaver Park on 01606 369800 or visit www.redrow.co.uk/weaverpark or www.redrow.co.uk/watersreach

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AN AUTHENTIC MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT Serving Classical Italian Cuisine Using Fresh Produce

Two Powerhouse Vocalists Take to the Stage at The Platform Jo Harman

US Grammy winner Mike Farris and UK soul/blues royalty Jo Harman are set to take to the stage at The Platform next month.

his rare double header of world class vocalists, one from each side of the Atlantic - with a band to match, will be performing in Morecambe on Friday, November 11. Tennessee’s Mike Farris is a ‘one of a kind’ talent that was rewarded with a Grammy for his ‘Shine For All The People’ which was followed with the equally revered ‘Silver and Stone’ album. Mixing gospel, rock, soul, blues and more, Farris is a true powerhouse performer of whom Rolling Stone declared ‘(his) supersized voice (is) filled with the electricity of Saturday night and the godly grace of Sunday mornings’. UK’s own respected elder and tastemaker Bob Harris advises “I truly believe that Mike Farris is one of the great artists of today. He sings the truth with a depth of feeling that warms my heart and touches my soul.”

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UK’s award winning, Radio 2 play listed, multi-million streaming, vocalist Jo Harman is, according to Rag n Bone man ‘one of the UK’S finest talents’ and this tour represents a much anticipated return to the stage after an extended break following the birth of her first child. An artist regarded by ‘black’ music magazine editor ‘Chris Wells’ as ‘right now…perhaps the Uk’s finest vocalist’ has in recent times opened BluesFest at O2 Arena for Live Nation (who booked her a record 5 years running) and she has headlined major festivals throughout the UK and Europe, including being one of 12 artists playing to a 300k audience at Parkpop, Netherlands.

The events starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £20 plus booking fee and can be purchased at: www.lancaster.gov.uk/platform-events or in person from Morecambe Visitor Information Centre at The Platform or from Lancaster Visitor Information Centre, The Storey, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster. www.lancmag.com

Mike Farris

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Vast New National inWigan

•

A vast new National Nature Reserve (NNR), spanning parts of Wigan and Leigh has formally been created on 3 October 2022

An historic expanse of former coal mines in Wigan and Leigh has today been recognised for its importance for nature and the local community..

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Historic expanse of former coal mines has been reclaimed by nature and is now recognised for its national importance.

he newly named ‘Flashes of Wigan and Leigh’ has been formally declared a National Nature Reserve (NNR) by Natural England bringing Wigan Council, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Forestry England together to protect 738.21 hectares of wetlands.

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The new NNR will protect 738.21 hectares of precious wetland habitats, home to nationally significant wildlife populations including the willow tit, water voles and the great crested newt.

The wetlands were originally formed through the flooding of land which had subsided due to significant coal mining during the 1800-1900s. The flooding created a cluster of shallow open water and wetland habitats (swamp, reedbed, tall herb fen, wet marshy grassland and wet

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woodland) which support a rich diversity of birds and other species. This includes over 50 pairs of willow tits, around 2% of England’s total population, as well as the bittern, a secretive heron like bird, wintering duck, geese and swans. The reedbeds are also home to water voles and great crested newts. Jo Kennedy, Living Landscapes Development Manager from Lancashire Wildlife Trusts said: “The declaration of The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh as a National Nature Reserve is an opportunity to celebrate, protect and enhance this area where nature has taken back places once dominated by coalfields. “It is now a vitally important part of the North West’s Nature Recovery Network and is a home for breeding

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Nature Reserve Created and Leigh

Photo: Wigan Flashes - Westwood Flash View - credit Lancashire Wildlife Trust

and wintering wetlands birds. It also holds two per cent of the national population of willow tit, the UK’s most endangered small bird. “Our team was at the Flashes only last week and saw willow tit and a rare bittern, that was circling the site looking for a winter base. It truly is an important and most beautiful site just minutes from the busy streets of urban Wigan and Leigh.” National Nature Reserves (NNRs) were established to protect some of England’s most important habitats, species and geology, provide ‘outdoor laboratories’ for research and offer

opportunities to the public, schools and specialist interest groups to experience wildlife first-hand along with learning more about nature conservation. The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh will knit together a total of thirteen sites including Wigan Flashes, Amberswood, Three Sisters, Bickershaw Country Park, Pennington Flash and Viridor Wood near Bamfurlong in Wigan. Viridor is a relatively young woodland, planted by Forestry England just over 20 years ago, having previously been home to local industry but which now features a range of habitats includes

grasslands, wetlands and lakes for the local community to enjoy. Ginny Hinton, Area Director of Natural England, said: “The creation of this National Nature Reserve close to so many people is an important moment for nature recovery, not only in Wigan, Leigh and the Northwest but for England. This is not least because it presents a practical demonstration of what can be done by working in partnership across the landscape at scale to reverse nature’s decline. “Seventy years from the creation of our first National Nature Reserves in England, these wonderful places are

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“Back in 2016 we funded the Carbon Landscape project of which the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh are a key component. We’re delighted that work on this project has allowed local communities to reconnect with a landscape rich in natural, industrial and cultural history, and that this is now being recognised with the area being designated as a National Nature Reserve. “At The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we’re incredibly proud to be playing a role in ensuring our natural heritage is safeguarded for generations to come, but also that the projects we fund give people the chance to connect with the habitats and wildlife that is on their doorsteps. The Carbon Landscape, and the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh, is a fantastic example of that, and we’re thrilled to have been able to play a part in this designation.”

Photo: Willow tit by Adam Jones

The announcement today demonstrates how the Government is delivering on the Environment Act – a key target which is to halt the decline in our wildlife populations through a legally binding target for species abundance by 2030.

Photo: Great crested newt by Kevin Caster

needed now more than ever as we face into the challenges of global warming, wildlife decline and reconnecting people with the natural world.” Councillor David Molyneux MBE. Leader of Wigan Council, said: “We’re delighted and incredibly proud that the significance and splendour of the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh has been recognised with their declaration as a National Nature Reserve. “Like so many of our residents, we as a council are deeply passionate about the conservation of wildlife and about providing opportunities for local people to get closer to nature and explore the beauty of their surroundings. “Today’s announcement provides us with a wonderful platform from

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which to educate and inspire future generations and tell the incredible story of this unique landscape, which has been forged by our rich industrial heritage and is so important to our brighter, greener future.” Paddy Harrop, Forest Management Director from Forestry England said: “It’s great that Forestry England’s Viridor Wood can play a part in the Wigan and Leigh Flashes National Nature Reserve because we know that working with partners at a larger landscape scale will bring about so many benefits, not only for local communities but also for the wildlife that flourishes in the habitats found in this area”. Drew Bennellick, Head of Land and Nature Policy at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:

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The local tourism industry and residents are also set to benefit from this declaration, which will give more people with access to nature by making it easier for residents of local towns such as Wigan and Leigh to access the sites, as well as improving the health and wellbeing of the local community and providing economic benefits through developing wildlife tourism opportunities. The declaration today is at the centre of celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the creation of England’s first nature reserve on 19 May 1952. Today there are 219 sites, spanning 101,531ha. These ‘nature hotspots’ are key to restoring nature across England and helping to bring green space and wildlife to everyone, including those who live in towns and cities. There has been a ‘Festival of Nature Reserves’ this summer to celebrate with a programme of events at nature reserves. To find out more about the festival and how to get involved in remaining events across the country, visit http://www.nnrfestival.com/

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Photo: Wigan Flashes - credit Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Photo: Lightshaw Meadows in Wigan

Photo: Bittern by Jamie Hall

Photo: Wildflower meadow at Wigan Flashes - credit Lancashire Wildlife Trust

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Winter Wildlife Tips ptes.org

Feed the birds

Winter can be a hard time for birds, when the autumn berries are depleted and there aren’t as many insects about for them to feast on. You can help by providing seed, peanuts or fat balls. Please remember to regularly clean your bird table and feeders to prevent the spread of disease between birds.

Provide fresh water

Providing fresh water for birds and mammals is just as important in winter as in summer, especially during very cold periods when natural water sources may have frozen over. If you already have a raised bird bath, you could consider providing water on the ground for animals that can’t reach the bird bath. Just like bird feeders, any water containers will need regular cleaning to prevent the spread of disease.

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Check bonfires before lighting

If you’re planning a bonfire and have piles of wood and leaves left over from November 5th, please check for frogs, hedgehogs and other small mammals before you light it. A good way of doing this is to dismantle and move the pile just before you plan to light it.

Build a log pile

Log piles and log pyramids can be built at any time of year. The only time you may not want to create a log pyramid (where the logs are partially buried, and in an upright position) is when the ground is frozen. All you need is some logs from a broadleaved tree and a spade to dig a hole. A log pile is more like a structured pile of wood which can incorporate leaves, twigs and pinecones, and can provide a place for hibernating mammals and amphibians over the winter months.

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Save a stump

If a tree falls or has to be cut down over winter, please consider leaving the stump in situ. It provides an amazing home and food source for many invertebrates - particularly lesser stag beetles! They rely on dead wood above the ground as a food source for the larvae.

Plant a tree

Winter is a perfect time to plant trees and shrubs. Choose your tree carefully according to the soil type and aspect of your garden. Do you want it to provide food for wildlife, shade for you or just to look attractive? A fruit tree provides a nectar source for insects, particularly bees, in spring, and perches, shelter and nesting areas for birds. Fallen fruit will feed birds and insects, and best of all provide fruit for you too. And as they age, any tree or shrub will develop areas of dead wood, which benefit a very special group of insects called saproxylics, which are totally reliant on dead wood for part of their life cycle.

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Little ones will love our new range of children’s books for bedtime. Read about Mia and the garden she’s helping to look after. When she can’t find the shed key, nature takes over in no time. Or meet Old Oak in The Happy Hedgerow, about a kindhearted old oak tree bursting with life. Watch in dismay as the farmer pulls up the Far Hedgerow one day. Can Old Oak care for all the fleeing birds? At PTES, we have many wildlifefriendly gifts in our online shop, perfect for the nature lovers on your Christmas list. Inspire your friends and family to put our tips into practice next year with our new range of books and guides to help turn even the smallest patch into a haven for struggling wildlife. Consider The Windowsill Gardener, The Wild Remedy, or Go Toxic Free. Plus, an easy way to kick start your own wild corner with our collection of seed tins for helping hedgehogs, bees, and other insects.

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Encouraging children to get outside and explore nature can sometimes be challenging. A flower press or seed kit can get them enthusiastic about the wonders of the natural world, watching the seeds they plant grow into something they can pick and treasure. Our new sensory outdoor scavenger hunt will have them excited to get outside too. Go Find It is a natural treasure hunt, a simple, sensory, fun card game that can be played anywhere. Go Find It can be enjoyed by children and adults alike and no two games will be the same!

We have a colourful collection of planet-friendly placemat and coaster sets including the new Beach Clean set made from sustainable cork and recycled EVA plastics retrieved from our oceans. Each one is unique, great quality and makes for a great contemporary dining set for both indoor and outdoor use.

To see the full range of gifts to suit all ages and interests, and to find out more about the work of PTES, visit: https://shop.ptes.org https://ptes.org

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Why Do Hedgehogs Visit Certain Gardens? ptes.org

A new study has been published by PTES and BHPS funded researcher, Abi Gazzard at the University of Reading. The study tracked 28 hedgehogs to see how they used different habitats, such as gardens, and which features attracted them there.

rban gardens are becoming more important to hedgehogs as the species declines in the countryside. It is therefore important for us to understand why hedgehogs visit certain gardens and which features can encourage them in. Trackers were attached to the hedgehogs under license by Abi. The study was conducted in a suburb of Reading over three years. The hedgehogs had radio tags attached to them and were monitored for between one and nine nights. This resulted in a total of 98 nights of data. Garden preferences The average number of back gardens used per hedgehog per night over the study period was 8.1. This reflects earlier research showing how far hedgehogs can travel in a night and how many different gardens they visit. Back gardens were visited about twice as frequently as front gardens.

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Above: Abi with a hedgehog, Credit Abi Gazzard

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Garden features The preference of habitat was different between the sexes. Males preferred the back gardens of detached houses followed by the back gardens of semi-detached houses. Females had no strong preference between detached or semi-detached, or the front gardens of detached houses. Amenity grassland was the least preferred type of habitat. This could be due to their high use by humans and dogs, and their highly managed status. The features in a garden proved to be good influencers of the length of time hedgehogs spent in a garden.

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Hedgehogs spent more time in gardens where supplementary food was provided and in those which had compost heaps, over gardens which had frequent fox sightings, ponds, little surrounding garden habitat and front-to-back access.

Compost heaps can provide nesting opportunities as well as feeding opportunities. Researchers were surprised that ponds were not preferred by hedgehogs, though this could be due to householders providing drinking water in replacement.

Food is usually only provided once a householder realises they have a hedgehog visiting, so is unlikely to be a feature which originally attracts them to the garden. It’s clearly a feature which keeps them visiting. More research is needed to understand how supplementary feeding can benefit or hinder hedgehogs, as such food could affect hibernation patterns and increase disease transmission.

This study shows the importance of certain garden features and how they can relate to the extent of use of gardens by hedgehogs. It is important to understand why hedgehogs may or may not choose to frequent a garden so that we can help to stop their decline.

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Have Coffee with Friends at The Grand! Get together with Friends once again as the ever-popular Friends of The Grand Coffee Mornings return to Blackpool Grand Theatre on Thursday 17 November

e are ready to spill the beans! It’s time to get together with Friends once more! The Friends of The Grand at Blackpool Grand Theatre have brewed up a wonderful new series of Coffee Mornings to bring chatter and cheer once again, with the first gathering all set for Thursday 17 November.

For more info or to become a Friend of The Grand member please visit:

Tickets for each coffee morning are £5 and include choice

www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/join-and-support-us/how-

of coffee or tea and a delicious cake selection. There will

to-support-us/friends-of-the-grand

also be a fascinating live speaker at each social event (names and subjects to be confirmed) and of course the

Friends of The Grand Coffee Mornings will be held in

famous Friends raffle with the chance to snap up some

The Space at Blackpool Grand Theatre on Thursdays 17

great prizes.

November 2022 and 19 January, 16 February, 16 March and

Friends of The Grand Chairman, John Grady, said: “Sadly our coffee mornings had to end abruptly in 2020 when the pandemic struck. We are thrilled to now be able to open up the theatre doors again and welcome all our Friends back after the long break.”

“I never laugh until I’ve had my coffee” – Clark Gable The Friends of The Grand were formed in 1973 to save Blackpool’s Grand Theatre from demolition. They are an independent organisation that provides financial and voluntary support to the theatre. Early Friends included such names as Violet Carson (Ena Sharples), Alistair Cooke, Leslie Crowther, Tim West and Prunella Scales, Billy Pearce, Johnnie Casson and founding member Sir Ken Dodd OBE. Over the last 25 years, The Friends have contributed in

20 April 2023 from 10.30am to 1pm. Tickets are £5. Please note - The Friends of The Grand coffee mornings will be a pay on the door event and the entrance will be via Matcham Court at the rear of the theatre via the lift or stairs. LISTINGS Friends of The Grand Coffee Mornings Thu 17 Nov at 10:30 - 1pm Thu 19 Jan at 10:30 - 1pm Thu 16 Feb at 10:30 - 1pm Thu 16 Mar at 10:30 - 1pm Thu 20 Apr at 10:30 - 1pm Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HT N 01253 290 190 D blackpoolgrand.co.uk F @blackpoolgrand T @Grand_Theatre I grandtheatrebpl

excess of one million pounds towards projects including the provision of new carpets, seating and technical equipment. 166

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J.C.T WEDDLE - Well-Being Candles

Small Business in Memory of Jane Tweddle By Harriet Taylor

As an individual, I’ve had to overcome some serious setbacks in my life. From losing my Mum, Jane, in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017, to seeing my cousin, Elliot, sadly succumb to his battle with mental health problems a few years later. But, if there’s one thing I’ve discovered about myself having come through those challenges, it’s that my key characteristic is my resilience.

think, no matter what happens in life, you have two choices. You can choose to focus on the negative aspects of a particular situation and think about what can’t be done, or you can try and do something about it, to make the change you want to see. I want to try and make a difference. I started J. C. Tweddle in memory of my Mum and, in her name, I want to help as many people as I possibly can. Whether that’s seeking to reduce the stigma that surrounds male mental health, or simply creating sumptuous smells and aromas that calm nerves and relieve anxiety (my top tip for that, by the way, is burning natural aromatherapy candles accompanied by an atmosphere mist or diffusing oils – works for me every time). Unfortunately, despite the fact that anxiety and depression are (thankfully) talked about far more openly these days, it remains far more commonplace than you might think. I’ve often wondered if there was anything I could do to help affect change but, like a lot of people, I didn’t really know where to start.

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I’ve always had a passion for candles and a keen interest in the health benefits of aromatherapy and essential oils. And, during the first lockdown, I really started to consider the impact the pandemic was having on people who suffer psychologically. That’s how J. C. Tweddle was born. It’s been an incredible journey so far; I even had the privilege of being a ‘Solo Business’ finalist in the North West’s Enterprise Vision awards. I felt so humbled to be nominated alongside some truly inspirational women and, even though I didn’t win, it was a magical night and a great opportunity for me to take pride in my journey and look back at how far I’ve come.

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I’m also now an ambassador for Elliot’s Place, a charitable project in Blackpool that was established in memory of my cousin. The overarching aim of Elliot’s Place is to create a safe place for young men in the local community to connect with one another about any struggles they may be experiencing. My journey to this point has been powered by my resilience and a desire to make a difference. My candles have become my purpose, and if I and J. C. Tweddle can help just one person, I’ll have accomplished what I set out to do.

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Solo buisness finalists: Dawn Elliot - Sew Confident Natacha Diskin - Savvy style Pippa Hughes (winner) - Postcake Susie Tucker - Design Fix Gwen Backhouse - Curlew Secretarial Solutions Louise Bamford - Accent Language Solutions Donations for Elliot’s place: • www.justgiving.com/empowermentlancs • empowermentcharity.org.uk/elliots-place/ E jctweddlecandles@gmail.com I jctweddle D jctweddle.com

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Royal Meteorological Society

Weather Photographer of the Year 2022 in association with AccuWeather

Winners Announced

he Royal Meteorological Society has announced the 2022 winners of its popular, annual Weather Photographer of the Year competition in association with AccuWeather. Christopher Ison’s dramatic photo, ‘Storm Eunice’, taken in Newhaven in the UK last year, has taken the title prize. The photograph led a celebration of talented photographers of all ages from all around the world, capturing weather and climate in their most vivid forms. Of a shortlist of 22 images chosen from entries representing 119 countries, ‘Storm Eunice’ was selected as the overall winner by an esteemed international panel of judges. Christopher said: “When the storm was predicted, and it was carrying the first ever red warning for the south coast, I knew I had to find a spot to record it - this was going to be big! I got there reasonably early to find many photographers already drenched in rain and seawater, standing very close to the harbour wall. I decided to head to high ground and slightly further away with my back to the weather. I was rewarded with a set of images I’m very proud of.” What the judges commented they loved about this photo is the power of nature, reminding us how small and insignificant we are as it conveys the dramatic movement and force of the sea together with the resistance offered by a man-made building. The detail in the giant wave with face-like structures penetrating from the water gives it an almost mystical feel.

again, and I’m excited to share what they look like with others”. The judges commented that Eris had done exceptionally well in capturing this extraordinary image of a rare and magnificent meteorological phenomenon that can be difficult to photograph. The judges loved how the beautiful shapes of the clouds were picked out in the dying light of the sunset. The lighting of this scene is outstanding and makes the clouds look like pearl barley floating in the sky. There were a lot of photos of Mammatus clouds across all categories, but these stood out as amazing, and the judges were unanimous in their decision. The Public Favourite The shortlisted images were put to a public vote, with almost 5,500 votes cast for the 22 finalists representing 15 countries. The winning photo is ‘Departing Storm Over Bembridge Lifeboat Station’, taken by Jamie Russell from the Isle of Wight.

Young Weather Photographer of the Year: Supported by The Week Junior Science+Nature

Mammatus clouds The Young Weather Photographer of the Year 2022 was awarded to Eris Pil, from Pennsylvania in the US, who turned 17 this week! Her photo entitled ‘Mammatus Sunset’ was taken on an iPhone, and Eris said: “the sky was completely lit up in a way I had never seen before, like these beautiful backlit watercolour clouds, displaying these spectacular mammatus clouds overhead. I love mammatus clouds; this was my first time ever witnessing them. I hope I have the opportunity to see them

Above: ‘Departing Storm Over Bembridge Lifeboat

(Royal Meteorological Society Weather Photographer of the Year 2022 title winner)

Jamie had been chasing showers and storms from west to east across the island in an attempt to capture some of the incredible rainbows. He reached Bembridge as the final shower departed and, in a panic, waded into waist-deep water, fully dressed, just to compose this scene! Weather Photographer of the Year 2022 (Mobile Phone) In the second year of this competition category, the outstanding quality of entries meant that the judges decided to combine the top images with the main category to form the public vote. However, the judges were left in no doubt that the mobile phone winner should be Aung Chan Thar from Myanmar with ‘Sunset’. Following an overcast and rainy evening, the sun appeared through the clouds and mist just in time for Aung to capture this beautiful sunset photo. Aung said, “Due to the sun, the pagoda became brighter”. The judges commented that the way the quality of the light affects the atmosphere is just lovely, and the metallic golds and yellows are carried on into the sky beautifully. The rising mists enhance the atmosphere around the road and the golden globe structure in the foreground. The sun disappearing behind the clouds also seems to form an interesting planetary relationship with the globe that adds to this late evening scene. The Runners Up (decided by Judging Panel) Weather Photographer of the Year

Weather Photographer of the Year (Mobile Phone)

2nd Place: Zhenhuan Zhou from Toronto, Canada – Frozen

Runner up: Vince Campbell from Penrith, UK Scotch Mist

3rd Place: Emili Vilamala Benito from Barcelona, Spain - Ghost Under the Cliff

The winners were announced on Thursday, 6 October at 6 pm (BST) on the Royal Meteorological Society’s Instagram channel (rmets_). All the winners and finalists can now be seen on the RMetS website: www.rmets.org/ photography. The calendar featuring all the winners and finalists of Weather Photographer of the Year 2022 is now on pre-sale via the RMetS online shop.

Young Weather Photographer of the Year Runner up: Shreya Nair (age 14) from India Tyndall Effect

(Royal Meteorological Society Weather Photographer of the Year 2022 : Mobile - Runner Up)

LANCASHIRE COLLEAGUES TURN THEIR HANDS TO A JOB SWAP TWO members of housebuilder Redrow’s Lancashire team took a day out of their busy schedules to swap roles.

Left: L to R Dave Clarke and Gavin Powell

Gavin Powell, head of customer services, and Dave Clarke, a customer service technician switched responsibilities for a day to mark this year’s National Customer Service Week (October 3 – October 7). National Customer Service Week celebrates the work carried out by ‘front line workers who care for customers’. The job swap took place on Wednesday (October 5) with Dave heading into Redrow Lancashire’s head office in Chorley and Gavin ‘out on the road’ and into customers’ homes, where he helped to address any maintenance needs. “Today’s job swap was a great opportunity to experience a day in the life of another member of our team who goes into our customers’ homes to assist them,” said Gavin. “It’s been a real insight into Dave’s day to day role and something that’s been really useful to understand the full service we provide to our homeowners.” Dave’s responsibilities for the day were to ensure that Redrow’s customers were receiving the highest level of customer service, as well as overseeing the wider team in the customer services department.

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“I really enjoyed taking part in today’s job swap, even though we know the roles each of us play within Redrow, it was very interesting to see this first hand,” said Dave. “Our customers rightly expect a high standard of customer service from us and we always aim to deliver that.” Claire Jarvis, managing director of Redrow Lancashire added: “It’s been a challenging time for everyone working in customer service as we have emerged from the Covid pandemic, but the team is determined to meet the highest levels of expectations from our customers. “We’re here to ensure that everyone receives Redrow’s renowned five-star customer service.” Reflecting Redrow’s commitment to delivering an excellent customer experience, in 2022, the company retained the coveted HBF five-star status, with 94.5% of customers saying they would recommend Redrow. It is one of the highest rated volume housebuilders on Trustpilot, rated ‘excellent’, achieving an average review score of 4.5/5 from customers.

For further information about a career with Redrow visit https://apply.redrowcareers.co.uk/vacancies/ www.lancmag.com

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Maintaining Equestrianism’s Social Licence: Lessons From Other Industries World Horse Welfare Threats to equestrian sport’s social licence to operate (SLO), and what could be done to protect it, have been reviewed in a recently published paper. This is important because loss of SLO can lead directly to regulation or banning of an activity and equestrian sport’s SLO is already being questioned in some quarters.

or example, the decision to remove equestrianism from the modern pentathlon after the next Olympics came about directly due to public reaction to the show jumping phase of the sport at the Tokyo Olympics. The authors describe SLO as ‘social acceptability’: an intangible, implicit agreement between the public and those who pursue an activity. Originally used to describe the degree to which the public accepts mining operations, the term ‘SLO’ has since been applied to a wide range of activities - and equestrianism has recently come under its spotlight. The peer-reviewed scientific paper, published in the latest issue of the journal Animals and written by authors from World Horse Welfare and the University of Nottingham, details why the equestrian world must take heed of the public’s views. It goes on to suggest actions, based on information from other industries, that those across the equine sector should take to protect its SLO. Roly Owers, one of the paper’s authors and Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare, said: “Public support should never be assumed and can swing against any activity, potentially leading to the loss of that activity’s social licence. In relation to equestrianism there are a growing number of examples of just this, including the demise of jump racing in most Australian states and the loss of equestrianism in Modern Pentathlon. And with increasing regularity we are seeing other equestrian sports being questioned.

“The recent YouGov survey we commissioned, which we recognise was just one snapshot, indicated that 60% of the wider UK population – people who have little or no connection with horses – do not support the use of horses in sport or will only continue to support it if equine welfare is improved. The equestrian world cannot simply ignore this opinion because it is, like it or not, highly relevant to the future of our sport.” Other industries have demonstrated that you can maintain SLO by building confidence and trust through transparency, demonstrating competence and communicating shared values. According to the paper’s authors, the key to maintaining equestrianism’s SLO is to establish public trust by making positive change and reporting this. Earning and maintaining that trust will require substantial effort and funding, and this should be regarded as an investment in the future of the sport. They caution that experience from other industries shows that denial of the problem is a key contributor to an industry’s demise. The paper identifies that loss of SLO in the equestrian world is largely based on public perceptions about the safeguarding of animal welfare. In addition, when considering equestrianism’s SLO, it is not sufficient to simply consider the branches of the equine sector that are currently being challenged. The experience of other industries shows that suboptimal practice in one branch of an industry can impact upon others, and this means that, although public attention is currently focused on certain aspects of horse sport, the wider equestrian sector needs to take notice of that public opinion, in the knowledge that the focus can shift at any time. A summary of the paper has been published on World Horse Welfare’s website: www.worldhorsewelfare.org/what-we-do/ research/what-is-social-licence-to-operate

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Charity V for Life Invites You to Join Their Monthly Virtual Vegan Luncheon Club

- On the Fourth Tuesday of Every Month Via Zoom. Open to vegans, vegetarians, and meat reducers aged 65 and over, the club offers attendees the chance to learn new dishes, get tips from an experienced vegan chef, and meet like-minded people from across the UK.

Followed by 22nd November - Pumpkin Perfection Roasted Butternut Squash Mac N’ Cheese Chocolate and Orange Pumpkin Pie

he club takes places through Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of every month.

Recipes are provided in advance, so you have plenty of time to get the ingredients. Cook that morning and then join Vegetarian for Life Chef Justina, along with attendees from across the UK, at 1pm. Justina is a Culinary Arts Management graduate who brings knowledge and passion for sustainable, plant-based eating. She has managed a variety of groups of chefs and created her own menus, working in both Italian and theatre restaurants. Justina is passionate about experimenting with different/unusual flavours and baking. She enjoys travelling and seeking inspiration in cuisines around the globe. Recipes take a different theme each month and are noted below for the rest of the year…. The next club is on: 25th October - Bake off take 2 Spinach Pie M’hancha

13th December - Festive Fun A vegan Christmas meal - brought forward due to Christmas! Mushroom and “Steak” Steamed Pudding Rich Fruit Cake Christmas Syllabub ----“As always, there is no need to cook all of the recipes. You can choose just one or two, or simply join the lunch club with a cup of tea or what you’re having for your lunch that day”. Attendees have told the charity, which supports older vegans and vegetarians: “It was a lovely lunchtime meet up, with lots of pie!” and: “It was really nice to attend for the first time yesterday. Thank you.”

Find out more: E ellie@vegetarianforlife.org.uk N 0161 257 0887 D www.vegetarianforlife.org.uk 180

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MIRANDA CHRISTOPHER Living the Life of Your Dreams

an you believe it took me until I was fifty-six to start living the dream that was in my heart? It did. I remember spending time on my own as a young girl cutting out the paper dolls in my magazine. They came with clothes that had tabs on, so you could attach the clothing to the doll. I would spend hours and hours in my bedroom making up scenarios for the dolls to display their clothing; a catwalk show here a chic cocktail party there or maybe a ladies day at the races. Style, design and clothing had always been a passion of mine yet never managed to surface as something I could commit to. There was always a reason. Got to get a good career, have kids to feed and a mortgage to pay. You may be familiar with the stories we tell ourselves believing there is no other option. That was until I discovered there is a different way to see life. In 2015 I graduated with distinction as a Style Coach®. Style Coaching is a fusion between Image Consulting and Life Coaching. Yet, I decided not to pursue this as a full-time career option as I was focused on another project and my health hadn’t yet fully recovered after a life changing illness. We all have dreams, sadly most people don’t get to live them. Like I used to, they believe that it’s just not possible for them. My dream was being a clothing designer and styling women to feel good in any situation. Nothing we ever do in our lives is wasted. My long career as a transformation consultant provided me with amazing insights into human behaviour in times of great challenge. I came to understand how most people are wearing a mask in life, not being themselves. Instead, being what is expected of them. It shows up in the clothes we wear, in the way we speak and the actions we do or do not take. Thus, at the start of 2022, when I 182

bought a new sewing machine, it was the emergence of me. Miranda Christopher, Transformational Stylist and Clothing Designer. Though I didn’t know it at the time, I thought I was buying the machine to do a few projects on! It became clear that my purchase was about more than just a few projects. This was a significant life change for me. At a time of life when I was exploring my retirement options, I now had an amazing pathway opening in front of me. My conclusion is, it’s never too late to live the life of your dreams.

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And whilst it’s amazing living life as I do, there are often challenges along the way. What’s interesting is, when you feel so connected to your dreams, you can just take it in your stride. As I write this article, I am wondering what dream is buried in your heart? If I could wave a magic wand for you and you were able to be, do and have what you truly desire, what would that be? I am currently designing a mini collection for next year. It’s working title is “bums, tums and bingo wings”, the areas a lot of women hitting menopause prefer not to highlight. www.lancmag.com

My Obvious Next Step... Now, if you had told me last year that this is what I would be doing in a year’s time, I would have thought you were quite delusional. I took the decision to step away from all my business consulting and coaching to focus on Goddess Style & Design. When I step into my Goddess Studio in central Preston and I immediately hit my “happy place”. I love illustrating my own designs, I love seeing those transfer to patterns and then seeing the final garment. It’s been quite a learning journey with lots of interesting lessons along the way. And I still have a lot to learn. I wonder if you, dear reader, have something in your life that fills you

with joy? The personal development industry would have us believe that we must all have a big mission to fulfil, big things to achieve. And most people who follow the rhetoric experience disappointment. It’s a loop I went round many times. What they don’t understand is how we are set up to behave a defined way, to get certain results; all from being a very small child. They don’t understand how society, education, religion and our own family have conditioned us to be this way. Once you create awareness and understanding of this, and recognise you are not broken so there is nothing to fix - especially your ‘mindset’; you realise that it’s just

the human journey. Once you can see this for yourself, you are able to connect deeply to your heart’s desires and make true choices for yourself. Like I did with my clothing design and styling choice. And your true heart’s desires may have nothing to do with business. It may be a joyful relationship with your soul mate. It might be being having quality time with your family. There are so many possibilities available to us. In planning my new Goddess Style Club, opening in the first half of 2023. I have a beautiful vision of how it can work for me and my members. Did you notice I put me first? One thing I noticed with my consultancy work is that we are conditioned to think it’s bad to think of our own needs first. Yet, what I observed were so many people creating and running businesses that they weren’t in love with, that didn’t fill them them joy. They had been taught to focus on the client’s requirements solely. Clients are important, of course they are! But I know first-hand the feeling of being stuck on the treadmill of doing something that didn’t light me up. Yes, we had clients, but it felt like the life force was literally being drained out of me. Maybe you can relate? If you’d like to find out more about me and my work with women, feel free to reach out. I’m on Linkedin, Facebook and Instagram. My Goddess Studio is in central Preston, more than happy to put the kettle on for a coffee and a conversation.

www.goddessst yle.co.uk

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Gardens Seek Barbershop Quartet with Cutting Edge

The home of the world’s oldest topiary garden – Levens Hall and Gardens – is launching a search for a first-class barbershop quartet, which can thrill the crowds at the celebrations the heritage home will stage in May 2023 to mark its third ‘World Topiary Day’.

he gardens, which have the art of ‘clipping’ down to a fine art, thought a barbershop quartet would be a very fitting form of entertainment for visitors to enjoy and something with which to celebrate what is now a worldwide event, thanks to Levens Hall and Gardens’ efforts. The actual date of World Topiary Day is May 12 but the public celebrations tend to focus on the Sunday following that date, which is when the barbershop quartet would be likely to perform. The Cumbrian heritage gardens is now asking for barbershop quartets, who wish to be considered, to send in a short video of themselves performing, but also suggest some suitable songs that they would sing, to help celebrate the event. These could be about trees, greenery, gardens or something else with a link to heritage, history or gardens. Song suggestions

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could provide the cutting-edge that the venue seeks when determining who to invite to play. Additionally, details of the quartet’s charges and terms and any special requirements for their performance would also be required. All information should be sent to houseopening@ levenshall.co.uk by December 31, 2022. As well as having an association with the cutting and trimming that absorbs the Levens Hall and Gardens gardening team from September through to spring, barbershop quartets are known for singing music in fourpart harmony or what could be deemed a ‘tiered’ style. Tiered topiary pieces have been the particular passion of the current Levens Hall and Gardens head gardener, Chris Crowder, who has held the post for over 30 years, contributing tiered delights to gardens in which 10 head gardeners have each made their individual mark since the topiary garden’s foundation in 1694. “We shall be delighted to welcome a vibrant barbershop quartet to our world record-holding gardens for World Topiary Day 2023,” says Levens Hall and Gardens’ owner, Richard Bagot.

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“This musical performance style has a rich heritage, just like our venue, and we are sure it will offer something different for our visitors. We look forward to receiving the videos and reels and are not necessarily looking for a professional quartet, just one that will bring a lot of life to the proceedings, so it could be an opportunity for an amateur group of enthusiasts to make their mark.” World Topiary Day started during Covid lockdown in 2021 but really flourished in 2022, when restrictions were lifted and the occasion captured the imagination of topiary-owning gardens worldwide. In May 2022, gardens as far-flung as Australia and Belgium staged events in celebration of the event, with various US-based gardens also joining in, as well as over 35 French gardens. Founding this day has not only helped to make topiary cool again around the world but made Levens Hall and Gardens the champion of this gardening form, on a world stage. To find out more about the celebration, head to www.levenshall.co.uk

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Local Museums to Commemorate the Resilience of Lancaster’s People Through the Hinge Of Fate Project

inston Churchill described 1942 as ‘The Hinge of Fate’: a year in which the Allies could have lost or won the Second World War. Soldiers from the King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) faced death and hardship on active service, while on the Home Front, those in Lancaster and beyond endured many hardships, with separation from loved ones with continual worries for them, rationing, air raids and the very real threat of invasion.

‘Hinge of Fate: living through uncertainty in 1942’ will uncover the difficulties of living through wartime.

Lancastrians overcame the uncertainty of 1942 through resilience and ingenuity in ways that continue to inspire us today. As we begin our third year of living with uncertainty, loss and restrictions during the pandemic, the current war in the Ukraine, and even the threats we face from the climate emergency, we will examine how people coped with the difficulties of 1942, drawing parallels with our present situation.

The story will be told through an exhibition at Lancaster City Museum, which will focus on three themes: Uncertainty, Resilience and Resolution. There will also be different events running through the duration of the project, which include WI food tasting and cookery demonstrations, an ENSA-style music event in the Market Square, and Light Up Lancaster and Sandylands Primary School will be teaming up to bring light art to the Museum during the popular festival in November.

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The project, funded partially through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and delivered in partnership with the Lancaster City Museums and King’s Own Trustees, will run between 27 September 2022 and 26 February 2023, and everyone is invited to join in.

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“Our new exhibition - The Hinge of Fate: living with uncertainty in 1942 - is an important step forward for the King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum. The Second World War was very much a “Citizen’s War”, and we seek to reflect this, by telling not just the regiment’s stories in this pivotal year, but also those of the families and communities our soldiers left behind. Probably, for the first time since the dark days of the 1940s, we find ourselves living in a time of equal uncertainty and risk and can perhaps more readily relate to the experiences of our forebears as ‘ordinary people doing extraordinary things.” - Robin Ashcroft, Chair of the King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum Trust

“Hinge of Fate allows us to build on the work we’ve been doing on our Heritage Fund Migration Stories NW project - researching stories of people who’ve migrated in and out of our region. We were interested to look at migration stories connected to the Second World War and see the impact this had on Lancaster and beyond. We are also excited to be working on heritage projects with asylum seeker and refugee volunteers and to hear their perspectives on the stories and the issues raised.” - Alison Lloyd Williams, Heritage Projects Coordinator, Global Link

“This project is important to LMF as it allows us an interesting way of connecting with young people through a specific musical genre. It is a fabulous portal between the music of then and now. We got involved as our shows in Market Square are directly outside the museum and as a community interest company our main aim is to engage with as many Lancaster organisations as possible. It was a perfect way of bringing museum and festival together both geographically and philosophically. Our activity was inspired quite simply by the wonderful music of the 1940s and the interest young people show in Vintage generally and 1940s specifically. It has been an absolute delight engaging with the museum, history and music of this time.” - Lucy Reynolds, Director, Lancaster Music Festival

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Rembrandt’s Wife Takes Rare Trip to the Seaside During the seven years of their marriage, Saskia had three children who died very young. Only the fourth child, Titus, survived into adulthood. Titus was born in 1641. Saskia died a year later and Titus in 1668, a year before his father. So, for Rembrandt, although the promise of abundant life was fulfilled for a while, it didn’t endure – except in his portrait of Saskia as Flora, goddess of spring. Copeland’s Customer and Visitor Experience Manager, Heather Holmes, said: “We are thrilled to have this painting at The Beacon Museum. It represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see an artwork by a true Dutch master. We hope it will prompt conversation and inspire a lifelong love of art.”’ National Gallery Director, Dr Gabriele Finaldi, said: “The National Gallery’s pictures are for all to enjoy. We are delighted to be working closely with our partners in Whitehaven to devise engaging displays and programmes around this great painting.” The museum is using the exhibition to involve local school pupils whose own works, inspired by the Masterpiece, will go on display as part of the exhibition.

A masterpiece by Rembrandt is about to take a rare journey to a small harbourside museum and gallery in western Cumbria.

he portrait of Rembrandt’s first wife Saskia, which is nearly 400 years old, normally hangs in the National Gallery in London. But it will be displayed at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven from later this month until January next year.

And for art lovers there are also opportunities to volunteer and help look after the painting during its visit. Volunteers are required for a number of three-hour shifts. The role could involve welcoming visitors, providing information about the artwork and answering questions. No experience is necessary as training will be provided. Anyone interested should contact the museum on 01946 592302, or email andrew.mccourt@copeland.gov.uk.

The Beacon Museum will host the masterpiece ‘Saskia van Uylenburgh in Arcadian Costume’ from September 24 to January 8.

It’s one of the most famous paintings ever displayed in the historic Georgian town and gives visitors a rare chance to view it outside the famous metropolitan galleries. The piece has been loaned to The Beacon by the National Gallery as part of its Masterpiece Tour – which offers just three venues outside of London the chance to host one major work from its collection each year. The portrait, Saskia van Uylenburgh in Arcadian Costume, was painted in 1635 when she was 23 years old and had been married to Rembrandt for a year. It is thought to offer a glimpse into the tragic personal life of the Dutch Master and his young wife. It’s sometimes referred to as ‘Saskia as Flora’, the Roman goddess of spring and fertility and experts believe Saskia may have been pregnant when she posed. 188

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Above: The Beacon Museum

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

Return of Winter Event is Just the Ticket -Levens Hall

The long wait is over for those who could not attend Levens Hall and Gardens’ inaugural winter illumination of its ancient topiary garden in 2021, with tickets for an even bigger and better event for 2022 now on sale.

lthough Levens Hall and Gardens closed to the public on October 6, leaving just its shop and Levens Kitchen open, from Thursday December 8 to Monday December 12, 2022, it will welcome evening visitors wishing to view something extraordinary. On those dates, as darkness falls, the world’s oldest topiary garden will be illuminated and bathed in a varying hue of colours, with the sight set against the backdrop of Elizabethan Levens Hall, itself brought to life by the light show. With many of the topiary pieces having had their loving out-of-season trim by then, they are at their sharpest for those observing them in this unique way and assume a completely different identity and personality. Reimagining the pieces, which number over 100, in this unique way proved a huge hit with those lucky enough to have witnessed it last year. Having received such positive feedback for this event in 2021, Levens Hall and Gardens is now bolstering some of the elements, introducing live music, plus a huge marquee that will host an covered Christmas market of local artisans and food and drink specialists.

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Visitors will also be able to see more of the gardens, as well as again appreciating the festively decorated house and its incredible interior and items of interest. Those attending must buy tickets in advance and, once again, these are expected to sell fast, with those disappointed last year finally having the opportunity to view the topiary and Hall in a unique way. Tickets cost £12 for an adult, £6 child (aged 5-16) and £33 for a family (two adults and up to three children aged 5-16). It is essential to book a free car park ticket when purchasing admission tickets, if visitors wish to park onsite. Each evening of the event, the opening hours are 4pm to 8pm and visitors can warm up after their time in the gardens with refreshments or food served in Levens Kitchen. Levens Hall and Gardens’ owner, Richard Bagot, says: “We had an incredible response to our inaugural event but know that many people were unable to secure tickets and attend. We wanted to run this winter extravganza again, so that more people can say they saw the world’s oldest topiary garden in this unique illuminated environment, which creates goosebumps and adds a completely different ambience to that enjoyed by day. “We hope to see as many people as we can accommodate at this five-day event and also help support the craftspeople and food and drink artisans who will be part of our Christmas market.” Tickets and additional information: www.levenshall.co.uk www.lancmag.com

We are passionate about flowers, natural ingredients, and wellbeing by offering a collection of flower-based products that is close to nature. We are a manufacturer of craft-brewed soft drinks, cordials and health shots from flowers, fruit and spices for people who want to stay healthy and feel amazing. Our traditional craft-brewing process extracts huge amounts of nutrition and flavour from organic flowers, fruits, and spices, to create products that positively impact wellbeing and taste naturally delicious. All products are manufactured in our own SALSA approved facility in Burnley, and we offer third-party co-packing for other brands too. All products made at our site are of the highest quality and all ingredients are completely natural. No preservatives, artificial colours or flavours are used, and we source raw materials from organically certified suppliers. All our drinks are vegan approved, naturally gluten free, naturally caffeine free’

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Environment Agency Continues Crucial Work to Protect Fisheries Amidst Summer Like No Other Environment Agency

This summer was an unprecedented time for Environment Agency officers who carried out vital work on the ground to help protect rivers and fisheries across England amidst extreme weather and continuous hot temperatures.

and surrounding wildlife, while also continuing to clamp down on illegal fishing through our annual enforcement campaign.

nvironment Agency officers up and down the country were on high alert to manage the impacts of low water levels in rivers and fisheries, particularly low flowing rivers, and respond to reports of fish in distress as quickly as possible.

The months of July and August also saw the Environment Agency continue its annual enforcement campaign, Operation Lungfish, which clamps down on illegal fishing by ensuring all anglers have a fishing licence.

Action included deploying or loaning aeration equipment as well as using hydrogen peroxide to restore dissolved oxygen levels, providing expert advice to angling clubs and anglers and, as a last resort, relocating fish through fish rescues. Teams working in the Kent, Surrey and London region responded to over 60 fish incidents and fish rescues, preventing large scale fish loss and damage to fragile river fish populations, while ensuring these incidents did not become larger, more serious events. Heidi Stone, Environment Agency Fisheries Partnerships Manager, said: “This summer’s unprecedented dry weather saw our officers carrying out hugely important work to protect our fish populations, environment 192

“Anglers are our valuable eyes and ears and I want to thank all those reporting incidents so we are able to respond as quickly as possible and ensure angling continues to be a safe and enjoyable hobby for everyone”.

Operation Lungfish plays a vital part of the Environment Agency’s yearround efforts to keep river banks safe from crime and antisocial behaviour, and tackle the problems illegal fishing can bring including risks to vulnerable fish stocks such as salmon and eel. Targeting poachers and those fishing without a licence remains a high priority and anglers caught and prosecuted for not having a fishing licence can face a day in court and a significant fine. The six-week long campaign saw Environment Agency enforcement officers supported by Voluntary Bailiffs from the Angling Trust and local police officers to conduct patrols on rivers, lakes and ponds, with 5,300 licences checked and over 200 people reported for fishing illegally.

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Nino Brancato, the Angling Trust’s National Enforcement Support Manager, said: “Protecting fish and fisheries from poachers and fish thieves and increasing rod licence compliance is of great importance to all anglers. The Voluntary Bailiff Service is an important partnership between the Angling Trust and Environment Agency, empowering anglers to support the police and the Environment Agency in fighting back against fisheries crime and protecting fish and fisheries especially during Operation Lungfish. The VBS initiative continues to be enormously successful, driving forward positive change.” www.lancmag.com

Operation Lungfish included Fisheries Enforcement Officers in the North West targeting illegal angling occurring both day and night, at a variety of fisheries from vulnerable river locations, angling club waters and commercial day ticket venues. Warm weather incident responses and Operation Lungfish are vital to support fisheries, angling clubs and anglers and are funded purely by fishing licence income. Get a fishing licence on GOV.UK or go digital and help us invest more into fishing and improving the environment.

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Lancashire charities celebrate share of £1million fund 18 charities based in Lancashire have received donations of £1,000 each as part of the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards.

or the fourth year running, the Benefact Group is giving away £1million to charities through its Movement for Good awards. Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with another 250 awards of £1,000 available now for donation. Families and Babies (FAB), Preston Domestic Violence Services and The Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Society for the Blind are some of the local charities set to benefit from the money, following overwhelming public support in the county. More than 5,500 kind-hearted residents have voted for charities across the county so far.

In total, more than 202,000 people around the UK supported the Movement for Good awards, with over 3,900 charitable causes up and down the country receiving votes. The 250 winning charities were picked at random from those nominated, following 250 previous winners being selected in June. It’s quick and easy to nominate, you can vote for your favourite charity online at: www.movementforgood.com Thanking supporters in Lancashire, Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, said: “We would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause as part of our Movement for Good Awards. Benefact Group is the fourth largest corporate donor in the UK and has an ambition to be the biggest. Owned by a charity, all of its available profits go to good causes, and the

more the group grows, the more the group can give. As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do. We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.” A further 120 £1,000 grants will be given away in December and £500,000 will also be given in larger grants later this year. For more information about the awards visit www.movementforgood.com Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group. Full list of winning Lancashire charities as follows: • Friends of All Saints School, Appley Bridge • High Five • Families and Babies (FAB) • Preston Domestic Violence Services • The Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Society for the Blind • Amazing Graze • Blackburn Academy of Martial Arts CIC • Bolton Lads and Girls Club Limited • Peeps • Judah’s Cloud • M3 Project • Pennine Animal Welfare Society • Coffee4Craig • Federation of Jewish Services • The Tree of Life Centre Wythenshawe • Wood Street Mission • Prevent Unwanted Pets • Homeless Hounds

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GROUPS IN BURSCOUGH OFFERED A SHARE OF £3,000 COMMUNITY FUND COMMUNITY groups, charities, schools and good causes can apply for a new community fund being launched in Burscough.

Above and left: A selection of images from Redrow’s other community funds in Lancashire. Redrow will soon begin work on a new phase at its development in the town – The Grange at Yew Tree Park, and to mark this is inviting its neighbours to share a £3,000 community fund. This voluntary gift to the community is over and above the statutory investment from Redrow, which include contributions to community infrastructure of more than £2 million. Sian Pitt, sales director at Redrow Lancashire, said: “There are so many wonderful organisations and groups doing great work within this community. “This community fund is open to all not-for-profit groups working within Burscough, we have £3,000 to share, so we want to hear from them about how we can help. “Community plays a huge part in choosing where to live and we hope this fund will play a part in forging an ever-stronger sense of community in Burscough.” Previous Redrow funding across the North West has helped schools, charities, youth groups, sports teams and individuals at the very heart of the community, providing a range of resources including school uniform, repairs at allotments and new facilities at a cricket club.

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Redrow’s Burscough Fund is linked to a new phase forming 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. Featuring homes from Redrow’s prestigious Heritage Collection, which blends traditional Arts & Crafts inspired exteriors with contemporary, high specification interiors, the approved plans include a mix of one to five-bedroom designs.

To find out more about Redrow’s voluntary £3,000 Burscough Community Fund and to download an application form see https://www.redrow.co.uk/promo/ burscough-community-fund. The deadline for completed applications is midnight on Friday, November 11, 2022.

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Set in the beautiful Lancashire countryside, Contours Day Spa is quite simply the next generation of Spa. Offering a holistic approach to wellbeing and relaxation with experienced therapists. Spread over two floors; the spa features seven treatment rooms, a private spa suite and a stunning thermal floor with an outdoor hot tub, steam room, sauna, marble heated loungers and a private relaxation area. Whins Green Kitchen, specialising in vegan/vegetarian plant based cuisine, complements the overall offering by serving light meals, afternoon tea and refreshments.

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The life of Di

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

IT’LL SOON BE CHRISTMAS I digress however. The jury’s still out regarding this particular autumn – and not just owing to Roger Federer’s retirement, bitter blow though that was. We lost our beloved and remarkable monarch for starters: There I was watching the last diamond league athletics meeting of the season when it was interrupted with the shock announcement. I thought I’d misheard for quite a while.

roblem with autumn is its propensity for looking like an angel but kicking like a mule. Only today, I found the kitchen awash with enough gold to suggest Midas had camped out in the back yard – where sun-bathing should be delayed not a moment longer. Then I stuck my head out - and realized it was actually windier than a room full of politicians, and colder than a polar bear’s bum. The disappointment! Mostly however, I’ve a soft spot for autumn – once I’m done bemoaning the loss of all those lovely long light nights, not to mention three quarters of a year which seemed only to have started five minutes ago. Boasting the handy distractions of Halloween and Bonfire Night, it’s also more colourful than my language when faced with recalcitrant technology: Well I’ll be the first to admit I’ve not the longest fuse, but what CAN you do when, on finding your landline beeping like an enraged Martian, you resort to your mobile, only to have Siri call your dentist instead of your dad. Was halfway through a detailed description of some major waterworks problems when I realized I was talking to my practice’s receptionist rather than a concerned parent.

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The queues to file past her majesty’s coffin were inspiring however. I was sighing like a rheumatic steam engine on merely queueing at my bank the other day, (though two tellers for a mile and a half of customers DID seem a bit daft), while the queue for the latest Covid vaccination was something else again: No one was questioning the importance of the undertaking, or lacking gratitude in any way, but it sure was slow-going. We’d shuffle forward a few paces, then grind to a halt for about the next twenty minutes, things seeming to slow down more and more if it were possible, the nearer we got to our destination. A gentleman behind us stumbled at one point, apparently owing to the dizziness to which he was prone these days, and a volunteer hurried forward to ask if he were alright - in tones of the utmost surprise. It was all I could do not to ask what he’d expected. I myself had long since acquired backache and a non-functioning left foot, so could only imagine what an hour of standing around in a pub car park would do for someone truly elderly and infirm. Nothing good

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clearly, and I felt this might have been anticipated, and taken into account. If the business HAD to be conducted on a bus, the process could certainly have been made easier in some way – and feeling important and considered as a customer/service-user can be all it takes to make you happy. I thought this when I phoned for a pizza a couple of days later – and got a guy who’d clearly just sat on a wasp. His impatience and acerbity utterly ruined what was supposed to be a celebration of reaching the end of a lousy week – and I shall be going Chinese henceforth. It DID however serve as a salutary reminder of the power of positivity: I’ve never quite believed all that about when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you, but it’s certainly true that if you’re a misery guts, you can ensure other people’s parades get rained on as thoroughly as your own – unfairly. So, this autumn business? Well electricity prices MIGHT be shooting up like mare’s tail all over the shop – while everyone bar the seagulls goes on strike. However, this is the season of good books, golden sunlight, glorious colours, and surprisingly acceptable TV – and if that’s not enough, it’ll soon be Christmas.

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Charity Fashion Show in St Annes St Annes Town Council Mayor Karen Harrison, and Deputy Mayor Cheryl Little held a fashion show at The Palace Rooms in St Annes in aid of Homestart - this is one of many events held by the Mayor in support of her chosen charity this year - Home-Start Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre.

e are a family support charity, working with families in the local area at a time when they need us the most. There has never been such high demand for our services which we offer through our amazing volunteers - supporting families with in difficult times such as Mental Health, Bereavement, Post-Natal illness and as we enter winter for many it will be a question of Heat or Eat. Huge thanks to Bella B Boutique and Squire Menswear of St Annes for providing the clothes and models. The magnificent sum of £798.31 was raised on the night. Mayor Karen Harrison thanked all those who came to the event, as well as the Palace Rooms for providing the room free of charge, and everyone who gave raffle prizes. Karen said – ‘we are absolutely thrilled to raise this amount for such a fantastic charity’ Home-Start are always looking for new ways to fundraise and also for volunteers - if you would like anymore information at all please get in touch. www.homestartbfw.org.uk Charity No:1124945 Company Reg: 6591166

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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

LEO 23 Jul - 22 Aug

You start this month in fine form - your energy, charisma, effectiveness and sense of timing would be great. You will charge ahead and accomplish you goals. Your determination and assertiveness will continue in career and dealings with parents and higher-ups. these will show you favor through the month ahead. Work demands continue. Someone who has been a “bother” might transform soon into partnership material. Enjoy the social, cheerful, flirty, fun rounds of life. Durable relationship will stand the test and prove its substantiality again.

You enjoy focusing on the more serious parts of life, dipping into the darker side, and exploring your depths. You will have an obsessive personality, and show keen interest in research.In love, you want passion and intensity, and won’t settle for anything less. If single, you’re attracted to the dark, silent type, someone mysterious and brooding. If in a relationship, you want to forge a stronger bond with your partner, but need to watch for being clingy or jealous. You would be too bogged down by the seriousness of life, cold hard reality weighing down on you.

Favourable Dates: Dec 2, 8, 11, 17, 20, 26 Favourable Colours: Red & White

Favourable Dates: Dec 2, 7, 11, 18, 20, 27 Favourable Colours: Green & Red

TAURUS 20 Apr - 20 May You may want to expand your consciousness, spending time, learning something new, studying a philosophy or culture, or jetsetting to some foreign land. This is an excellent time to get unstuck if you’ve been feeling trapped, or have had a situation that’s felt flat and is going nowhere. There are no fences that can hold you in and no limit to how high you can fly.You don’t want to be bothered with day-to-day duties, choosing fun and play over work and practical matters. The little things matter less than the big things now, so it’s not a good time for decision-making on relationship. Favourable Dates: Dec 2, 7, 11, 16, 20, 25 Favourable Colours: Purple & White GEMINI 21 May - 20 Jun You may feel stifled and held back, wanting to explore the world but unable to do so, stuck in your own little, boring world. You want adventures and get routine, you want casual fun and get serious work. On the flipside, you can have no patience for exploration, and avoid expansion completely, terrified of it. This can also impact your beliefs, and you’re too defensive of them, unwilling to see anyone else’s point-of-view, or you question them yourself, wondering if these beliefs are true to who you really are or if you’ve been a blind follower. Favourable Dates: Dec 6, 9, 15, 18, 24, 27 Favourable Colours: Blue & Yellow

VIRGO 23 Aug - 22 Sept You would be more calm and even, not wanting to go overboard with anything, preferring to be patient, take your time, and going slow but steady. You would desire to be financially sound, and go down on a new financial path that leads to greater prosperity. You would be compromising and fair with colleagues and family members, wanting everyone to get along and keeping the peace. You may come across as vacillating, charming, or attractive. Take some time this month to spend with a relative, friend, or loved one. Your company is greatly appreciated. Favourable Dates: Dec 2, 4, 11, 13, 20, 22, 29 Favourable Colours: Purple & White LIBRA 23 Sept - 22 Oct Your wonderful ability to charm others, plus your own deep need for harmony, is in the spotlight this month as you look for ways to solve ongoing dilemmas or reach important decisions. Pushing too hard to get your own way is a waste of energy and may not bring the results you desire. People around you at home and at work have their own ideas, and you might not agree with everything they propose. However, there are some delightful people of opposite sex around you, and love and attraction could be electrifying too. Favourable Dates: Dec 4, 5, 13, 18, 22, 28 Favourable Colours: Blue & Yellow SCORPIO 23 Oct - 21 Nov

CANCER 21 Jun - 22 Jul You have a nice protective covering over you this month and you are going with the flow and enjoying life as it comes. You’ll appreciate improvements you’ve made so far and can firmly pat yourself on the back. You’ll be inspired to arrive at a fantastic solution to a problem. Your natural problem-solving skills will wow the colleague and they’ll be inspired to follow your lead in the situation.A romantic streak continues to wind through your days, and exciting meetings, partnership issues, relocation themes and opportunities face you.

Your career, reputation and community status are emphasized over the next four weeks. Higher-ups are temperamental, so walk softly and keep your sense of humour. Take some joy in the little things life is offering you right now. If in a relationship, it’s easy to fall into a conversational rut.Talk about your beliefs, bond with what you have in common when it comes to your morals and principals. See what it is that attracted you to each other in the first place and it will keep the fires of love burning.

Favourable Dates: Dec 2, 9, 11, 18, 20, 29 Favourable Colours: Green & Red

Favourable Dates: Dec 4, 6, 13, 15, 22, 24 Favourable Colours: Red & Purple

SAGITTARIUS 22 Nov - 21 Dec Many lucky moments open doors in money, investments, home/realty, and work this month. The period is positive for travel, connections, contacts, curiosity, finding facts. You’ll be effective, especially in relationships, socializing, relocation, business opportunities, negotiations, dealing with the public, scholastic openings/bids, far travel, publishing, research, investments/finance - and, on personal levels, in love, sexual intimacy, lifestyle changes and depth psychology. You will chase money with success. A secret wish or plan could come true. Being in moment of crazy love will keep the embers of passion burning all month. Favourable Dates: Dec 1, 7, 12, 19, 22, 27 Favourable Colours: Red & Purple CAPRICORN 22 Dec - 19 Jan Your luck rides high this month. You start this month fresh, in a subtle sense: something was wiped out recently, perhaps a relationship or a speculative investment scheme. It has left you cleaner. Now you’re free to take huge strides toward a goal of your own choosing, so choose well, with integrity and be true to yourself. Wisdom, gentle love and compassion will lift your mood nicely. Almost anything and everything breaks your way. Work, earnings and career especially career partnerships, or relocation for career reasons form a triumphant trio: you can advance, demand a pay raise, a better position. Favourable Dates: Dec 2, 7, 13, 18, 22, 29 Favourable Colours: Red & Purple AQUARIUS 20 Jan - 18 Feb Your popularity, optimism and happiness rises. Many puzzles will be solved, you’ll see the world in amore gentle and wise light. You have some good ideas now, especially about organization, systems, labor saving devices. You’re ambitious, too, but bosses are impatient, testy, so exercise diplomacy. Demonstrate your skills, reliability and eagerness to higher-ups, parents and important clients. They would be willing to see what you have to offer in a long-term way. You could easily fall deeply and profoundly in love. Your romantic possibilities tend to arise from social gatherings, clubs, organizations, etc. Favourable Dates: Dec 3, 8, 12, 17, 21, 26 Favourable Colours: Blue & White PISCES 19 Feb - 20 Mar This entire month is social, optimistic, happy and flirtatious. It would be a good idea to make sure that all of your financial matters are taken care of properly and not left to chance at this time.Your creativity and leadership instincts will be at a high point. Let your abilities and skills speak for themselves what you are capable of and you will be noticed for your talent to get things done and for your leadership skills as well. A feeling of contentment will arise between you and your lover as you settle into making sound decisions. Favourable Dates: Dec 1, 6, 10, 15, 19, 24 Favourable Colours: Red & Green

Manish Kumar Arora, 91-9871062000 | K.P. Astrologer, Numerologist, Tarot Card Reader & Vastu Consultant F www.facebook.com/manishastroconsultant | E manish@manishastrologer.com 202

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Blackpool Primary School Pupils Join the Royal Ballet School for Groundbreaking Dance Education Project

The Royal Ballet School’s Primary Steps programme commences its 17th year with a special day of ballet demonstrations in Blackpool on Thursday 29 September for 332 young people aged 7-8.

ear 3 pupils from five Blackpool primary schools will gather at The Globe Theatre for a rare opportunity to see first-hand the artistry and athleticism of ballet students. The pupils will also have the chance to experience ballet for themselves by ‘having a go’ on stage. A group of teachers and musicians from The Royal Ballet School will come to Blackpool, together with final-year Royal Ballet School students and younger students from the School’s nationwide Junior Associate programme. The Royal Ballet School partners with The Lowry (Manchester) to deliver the innovative programme involving the following primary schools: Anchorsholme Academy, Bispham Endowed C of E Primary School, Boundary Primary School, Layton Primary School and Levoe Learning Academy. Year 3 pupils from these schools will spend the subsequent five weeks working closely with Royal Ballet School teachers, discovering ballet through a carefullydesigned series of creative dance workshops. The Royal Ballet School is committed to widening access to dance education. Primary Steps touches the lives of more than 2,000 young people throughout England and Wales each year in Blackpool, Bury St Edmunds, Cardiff,

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Dagenham, Mansfield and Swindon. Many of these children would not have otherwise had the opportunity to take part in dance classes. At the end of the initial five-week course, 28 pupils from each area will be invited to further their new-found knowledge and skills by joining weekly Primary Steps classes for up to four years. The young people taking part will receive their training from teachers specially approved by The Royal Ballet School. After the four years, the aspiring young dancers will be advised on how best to continue their dance training and some may be invited to audition for The Royal Ballet School’s highly regarded Junior Associate programme. The Royal Ballet School’s Primary Steps Programme is funded by the Department for Education in England and the Hodge Foundation in Wales and aims to make a significant contribution to dance opportunities in the areas where the programme operates. The project aims to bring ballet into the consciousness of children and their families, giving them a unique opportunity to benefit from the rich heritage and expertise of one of the world’s great ballet schools. They are introduced to the world of dance creation and performance and become connected to local dance infrastructure, opening up possibilities for future involvement in the arts. www.lancmag.com

Hearts for Homes was established in 2016 when our shop first opened in the lovely town of Ramsbottom. The shop, spread over two floors, is full of gifts, home decor and kitchenware & is an official stockist of Frenchic paint. We are open every day and stock exciting brands including Agnes + Cat, Sass & Belle, Rex London, Glover & Smith Pewter, Eric Jackson prints & much more…

M 47 Bridge Street, Ramsbottom BL0 9AD | F @heartsforhomesuk | I heartsforhomes N 01706 560462 | E kerry@heartsforhomes.co.uk | D www.heartsforhomes.co.uk

Denise Mullen is a journalist, columnist, writer and entrepreneur.

Christmas. I’m not a bit organised about any of it.

By Denise Mullen

s the house renovation moves forward at glacial speed, my kitchen is not stepping up for any kind of celebration. Currently it boasts some un-plastered walls and ceilings, a concrete floor, randomly -an Aga that I ordered ages ago and they wouldn’t keep it any longer for us - and all the windows that will, at some point, be fitted where the temporary ones reside; neither rainproof or any deterrent to draughts. The boy has built a pantry, with cast concrete shelving with smoothed broken glass in the mix, so there’s a bit of sparkle, thanks to my heroic drinking effort. Cheerily, as we’re contemplating what to do about ‘the festivities’ he is explaining how the pantry can also be used as a panic room. There is a fire door, he says, a lock on the inside and emergency lighting. ‘You and the dog can hole up in here if you need to,’ he adds. I’m thinking, well we do have plans for a small wine cooler in here – I wonder if we could get Netflix on my phone or if his nuclear-bunker-grade walls would block any signal. Certainly, we won’t be needing tin-foil hats to foil any attempt at alien mind control (see what I did there?) Shame really because the silvery foil would be about as festive as it gets in the pantry. Usually, my husband’s lovely mum starts the conversation about what the Christmas plans are in July. My Christmas planning has more in common with a drive-by shooting. It goes like this. Ignore all those perishing Christmas adverts for anything from toys to party frocks and food and instead moan about everything festive starting so early. 206

December 22nd - Hellfire – it’s nearly Christmas. I need things from shops or the internet. Only the internet delivery people can’t find us. That means things from a shop. Utter pants. So, as we have no real means of cooking Christmas dinner at home anymore, last year we pressed Johnny France’s homemade smokers into service. Made from 40-gallon oil drums, one is for cold smoking (she’s called Grace Kelly, the original cool blonde), while the Wallace and Gromit-style hot smoker (The Nautilus) has more complicated submarine-y bits.

The turkey looked like it had undergone re-entry to earth’s atmosphere …. And it had been a ‘burny-hot’ experience. It was completely black. I’ve never before witnessed a scrum for sprouts. This did the trick. I think we’ll eat out...

I have to add here, last Christmas turkey smoking didn’t go well. We had a guest staying. I know what you’re thinking. She’s brave. Anyway, I had been on a smoking course with a pal, and knew what I was doing. However there’s a strange war of expertise that ignites if anything involving machinery or fire is on the horizon.

Offending turkey, with some un-plastered kitchen wall in the background. Deck the halls and all that – have a great Christmas and a super New Year!!!

So I had brined and added herbs to the turkey, set the fire, knew how long it had to burn and how high the bird had to be above the hot ashes. I should add here that I no longer eat any kind of meat, so my emotional investment in the success of this year’s endeavour is somewhat compromised. Anyway, last year, I was overruled by the boy. I said that we would be leaving the bird in the smoker overnight with the coals cooling. He announced he would be stoking the fire before we retired for the night. Too knackered to care, I said, you’ll burn it. He assured me he knew what he was doing. Trouble is, so did I.

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Grace Kelly, right, The Nautilus, left.

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Local Zoo Celebrates Arrival of ‘Complete Surprise’ Baby

Keepers at popular wildlife attraction, Milnthorpe’s Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, have received an early Christmas present, with the unexpected autumn birth of a baby Dik-Dik antelope.

lthough the team knew their primary female, Cora, was pregnant, they were not sure how far along. They were alerted thanks to an eagle-eyed, regular visitor, who spotted Cora instinctively hiding the new-born in the bushes. Now the zoo are planning to celebrate and are already putting in plans to accommodate the new baby being the centre of attention for delighted autumn half term visitors. “We only introduced Dik-Dik antelopes in 2019, as part of our major new Africa Drylands exhibit,” says zoo manager Grace Jackson. “So 208

to have our first birth- and for it to be a surprise- is thrilling for everyone; once we’d got over the shock!” Dad Dylan arrived from Twycross Zoo in 2019 aged just six months, next door to other African residents in the

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specially-designed habitat, like roller birds, crowned cranes, hornbills, and red crested turacos. His Christmas wishes came true when he was joined by girlfriend, and now new mum, Cora in January 2021, followed later that year by friend Delphie. www.lancmag.com

With mum, dad and the as yet unnamed and unsexed baby doing well, the zoo will be celebrating over the weekend of 15th-16th October with African-themed information, extra keeper talks, and traditional style food in the café, which proved irresistibly popular at the original launch of Africa Drylands. “Unlike for example our snow leopards, we don’t have to separate out dad and baby: as herd animals, Dik-Diks naturally look out for each other,” says Grace. “It’s important we still give them space, and baby won’t be sexed by the vet for a few weeks, when we’ll launch our traditional naming competition. “Dylan and Cora have reached maturity, but being relatively young and inexperienced, we had no expectations, especially as they kept the whole thing top secret!” says Grace. “When regular visitors, who get to know the animals really well, ran over and excitedly told us they’d seen a baby, we did a real double take!” With first time mum and brand new baby sheltering from some ‘traditional’ Lake District weather in the bushes, keepers were torn between wanting to make sure the baby was healthy and safe, but not to stress or panic the new family. Cordoning off the area and keeping watch, they were relieved when the pair went inside, to the shelter of their heated ‘bedroom’, where they could be monitored without being disturbed. www.lancmag.com

“But they’re already going out and exploring, and our ‘bedroom cam’, linked to a TV outside the enclosure, will ensure great views over the weekend and throughout our Halloween half term events. Everyone loves a new baby, especially this extra-special first birth for Africa Drylands. Perhaps we should call him or her ‘Surprise’!” Open 10-5 daily, to keep up to date with all the Oasis’ new arrivals, events, and animal antics, visit: www.wildlifeoasis.co.uk, or search ‘Lakeland Wildlife Oasis’ on Facebook.

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 209

Celebrate Christmas & New Year at Clifton Arms Hotel

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Pure Foundation Fund Winner

Blackpool Honoured With Queen’s Tree

Margaret Brecknell – Author Of Celebrating Southport