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

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July 2021

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CONTENTS...

Features 152 10 Best Air Purifying Plants for the Home 186 Advanced Microblading and Semi Permanent Treatments With Over 20 Years Experience 8 7

VisitBlackpool Reveal 2021 Blackpool Illuminations Switch-on Plans Blackpool man takes on Captain Tom 100 Challenge in Utah, USA Going the Extra Mile for Malawi

100 Booths “Buy One Give One Free” Initiative Donates 15,000 Additional Items to Local Food Banks in 3 Months 92

The Rise of Veganism

36 68

The Nature Chronicles Prize 2021/22

132 Coping with Covid-19 52

Our Homes Re-divided

205 Penrith student takes on 200-mile walk for schools in Kenya 99

A Simple Prescription For a Healthier You

162 Preston’s Monument to its Trailblazing Temperance Campaigners

Redrow Donation Helps Foodbank Support 100 Families In Lache

Couple make 6,000 mile move for a new life in Warrington

Bespoke Furniture and Upholstery Services With a Tailor Made Approach

Don Alberto’s at The Loom

Eden Paving and Driveways... and so much more

The Rise of the UK Holiday Village

142 Frau Matilda The Beast of Acceptance 149 Helping businesses’ build their brand through creative design 48

Creating The Wow Factor With The German Kitchen Place Project investigating long-term effects of COVID-19 on the heart is awarded grant by national charity Heart Research UK

112 Check Your Blood Pressure 116 Hilda James – a trailblazer in British sport 198 Honister Green Slate Mine with Jan Wilkinson 172 Look Up Lancashire

146 A day in the life of a Celebrant

202 Reflections Upon the Southern USA 128 Leading stroke charity funds first study into long-term impact of Covid-19 on strokes 102 The Fight Towards a Sustainable Planet 208 Therme Group’s Cultural Incubator Therme Art Announces Partnership with SUGi 72

Trailblazing Tech is Back!

Trust launches the Taxon 2K QHD Webcam

121 Property Tips 190 Defying Lockdown to turn on the fashion promotion style 114 Walney Island and Nature Reserve

137 Positive Thinking 148 Jill Pinington Ltd 68

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136 Val Dickenson - Defero Consultancy

Your Guide to Pet-nups

139 Like a Phoenix Rising From The Ashes...

160 Quarry Bank Mill

192 The Great Flood of 1927

126

108 Crown Jewels of our countryside under threat like never before

147 Diving Deep to Climb High

126 Why is Scalp Micropigmentation so popular?

Renovate Your Home Worry-free

Nearly Famous

NFPS Presentation Evening 2020 - 2021 Season

110 New Curator For Lancashire Infantry Museum Land Rover

101 WG Bean’s Coffee Shop Opens at Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Land Rover Experience North Yorkshire’s new Heritage Driving Experience

156 The Franchise Specialist 138 Look For The Rainbows

Pioneering ‘Nature Friendly Schools’ to boost children’s learning and well-being at a critical time

106 Peat-free Campaign Launches to Save Our Peatlands and Fight Climate Change

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Miles Consult and Construct

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113 Reubens Retreat 60

Books

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184 Peter Rutt 130 PT Health Coaching 30

Cable and Blake

134 The life of Di 140 Nicola Parker - Herbalist 90

Recipes by Helen James

150 Essentialise 166 Colour Me Beautiful 178 Nelly’s Blog

182

182 Deborah Hatswell

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200 Aiming Higher 176 Denise Mullen 164 HayMax 206 Zodiac Predictions by Manish 210 Business index

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Design Manager • Tanjé Beach Writers Nicola Parker • Helen James Kate Gostick • Deborah Hatswell Denise Mullen • Lucy Bullough Richard Sagar • Sarah Harris Peter Rutt • Sarah-Jane Langton Paul Thompson • Harold Cunliffe Mark Bateman • Sarah Ridgway Margaret Brecknell • Carl Eden Catherine Dean • Hannah Wilson Marcia Trotter • Norman Harris Wayne Paulo • Stewart Binns Dr Gemma Newman • Jason Gleaves Lee Chambers • Max Wiseberg Manish Kumar Arora • Diane Wade

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IN THIS ISSUE...

e start off this month with Blackpool-born Damian Delaney, who has taken on a gruelling 100-mile ultramarathon in Utah, USA, to support liver patients in the UK. He even donated part of his liver to a woman he had never met! VisitBlackpool announces that the traditional Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On celebration will temporarily move into the world-famous ballroom. Land Rover Experience North Yorkshire offer a Heritage Driving Experience takes guests on a hands-on exploration of Land Rover history from Series One to New Defender. A new £10,000 contemporary nature-writing essay prize opens for entries. Angela Kay, who has more than 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, tells us of all the treatments she has to offer us all in her salons Marcia Trotter explains why the revolutionary treatment, scalp 6

micropigmentation, is so popular. The family-owned retailer Booths has donated over 15,000 food bank additional items in under three months with their community-based initiative “Buy One Give One Free.” Marsden Rawthorne explains about how Petnups have become a key consideration as a result of Covid. Noel McDermott, Psychotherapist encourages men to embrace Covid life changes and Sarah Ridgway leads us to a fight towards a sustainable planet. Len Rainford shares his passion for franchising, passing on the knowledge and experience that he has gained over the years. Hannah Wilson tells us about the new revolutionary Kiistone app that’s designed for homeowners and tradespeople to protect the money in their projects and form better working relationships. Jones Homes has stunning new homes waiting for us in beautiful locations.

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We interviewed James from The German Kitchen Place who is bringing “affordable luxury to Lancashire.” We also had a chat with James Teasdale, owner of Eden Paving and Driveways, who gives an insight into what the company is all about, why he set it up and the really quite impressive things they can do to your outdoor area. And as always - our regulars. The towns this month are: Kendal, Nantwich and Penrith. Deborah Hatswell has a witness report of mysterious phantom dogs. Nicola Parker talks about using herbs for improving short term memory. Paul Thompson talks about managing your time more effectively. Miles Consult & Construct focuses on Building Regulation Approval. And of course - homes, health, recipes, fascinating history, and a bit of wildlife and more, all in our July issue.

Hope you enjoy the magazine! www.lancmag.com

Blackpool man takes on Captain Tom 100 Challenge in Utah, USA

Blackpool-born Damian Delaney, who donated part of his liver to a woman he had never met, has taken on a gruelling 100-mile ultramarathon in Utah, USA, to support liver patients in the UK. The ultramarathon was his own take on the UK’s Captain Tom 100 Challenge, on 30th April. He raised £500 and completed the challenge in 32 hours.

amian now lives in California and was inspired to take part in the challenge for the British Liver Trust having been moved by the centenarian’s efforts to raise funds for the NHS last year. Damian says: “When I saw Captain Tom do what he did last year at his age it was incredibly inspiring. I feel that his example, alongside raising money for the British Liver Trust, helped motivate me to finish the one-hundred mile challenge as a live liver donor.”

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Blackpool has one of the highest rates of cases of chronic liver disease and deaths from chronic liver disease in the UK. Between 2017 to 2019, the liver disease mortality rate for under 75s in Blackpool was 48 per 100,000 people. For comparison, the average across England is 19 (1). The British Liver Trust is the UK’s leading liver health charity, and is an organisation that is close to Damian’s heart. In April 2018, Damian was preparing to donate part of his liver to a friend who had cirrhosis. Just a few days before surgery, his friend was told her liver function was improving, and the operation was cancelled. Happy for his friend but still wanting to give, Damian volunteered to go ahead with the live liver transplant as an anonymous donor. In September that year, doctors found a match and a few months later Damian donated part of his liver to a complete stranger. Damian says: “There’s no greater gift to give to another than the gift of life. If I could donate over again, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Since my liver surgery I’ve tried to raise awareness

of living donors. I want to show others that you can still lead a normal life after donating part of your liver, and that people shouldn’t be afraid to consider volunteering to do this.” Audrey Cornelius, Head of Fundraising at the British Liver Trust, says: “Captain Sir Tom Moore captured the hearts of people around the world, but Damian’s own story is also incredibly inspiring. We are immensely grateful for everything he has done to fundraise for liver patients and raise awareness of organ donation. “Sadly, more than one in ten people waiting for a liver transplant will die whilst waiting for a liver to become available or have to be removed from the waiting list because their condition has deteriorated. England, Scotland and Wales now have an opt-out system for organ donation. This should hopefully increase the number of livers available to people on the waiting list, but it’s still really important to let your loved ones know your wishes to support your decision at a difficult time.” REFERENCE: (1) Public Health Profiles - PHE https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/search/liver%20disease

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VISITBLACKPOOL REVEALS 2021 BLACKPOOL ILLUMINATIONS SWITCH-ON PLANS

PLANS FOR THE 2021 BLACKPOOL ILLUMINATIONS SWITCH-ON HAVE BEEN UNVEILED WITH THE RETURN OF A LIVE CONCERT IN ASSOCIATION WITH MTV.

he event will feature live music performances in The Blackpool Tower Ballroom with an audience made up of winners of a free-to-enter ballot. It will trigger four months of Illuminations in the resort.. With continuing uncertainty over restrictions on largescale events this summer, VisitBlackpool has announced that its traditional Switch-On celebration on the night of Friday 3 September will temporarily move into the world-famous ballroom from its usual home on the outdoor Tower Festival Headland Arena.

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The concert and Switch-On moment will also be live streamed across MTV and VisitBlackpool channels. Last year, the free-to-access streamed event attracted a global audience of more than 225,000 households. Cllr Gillian Campbell, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Culture for Blackpool Council, said: “We are thrilled to be able to announce the return of a live concert as a curtain-raiser for our extended Blackpool Illuminations season. “While we would love to be able to bring back a full-scale concert with thousands of people partying on the headland, there are still too many uncertainties over the logistics of being able to do that in a safe and controlled way. “We are fortunate that we have a world-class ballroom which is currently undergoing a £1m renovation and which will provide a truly fitting stage for the 2021 Switch-On concert. “The live stream in 2020 proved hugely successful and we are delighted that people will be able to enjoy the celebration no matter where they are.” Virginia Monaghan, Vice-President Events & Experiences, for ViacomCBS, added: “We are excited to be once again partnering with VisitBlackpool to deliver the annual Illuminations Switch-On event. “We are looking forward to staging a very special celebration in one of the most iconic venues in the UK – and equally looking forward to bringing back a traditional Switch-On arena concert in 2022.” Kate Shane, Head of the Blackpool Cluster for the Merlin Entertainments Group, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the annual SwitchOn event in The Blackpool Tower Ballroom for the first time in our history. “The ballroom is currently undergoing a huge renovation programme that will bring the magnificent ceiling back to its former glory. We look forward to being able to unveil this to a live Switch-On audience as well as a global live stream audience.” Full details of the acts that will perform at the event will be revealed over the coming months along with the identity of the Switch-On star. At least 1,000 tickets will initially be available to join the live audience. Further tickets could be made available if future guidance allows. Any ticket allocation will be split equally between local residents and visitors. In the meantime, you can register to enter the ballot for free tickets (maximum of four per person) at this link. Applications will close on Friday 30 July.

Credit: VisitBlackpool - The Blackpool Tower at night

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This year’s Blackpool Illuminations will run from Friday 3 September to Monday 3 January, 2022. LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE

The Rise of the UK Holiday Village

£50m North West Holiday Village Development Plans To Rival The Traditional Model As It Supports New Business, Get Kids Back To Nature & Drives Biodiversity On The English Coastline.

hotel designed to sit within the landscape, complete with a grass roof and 450 lodges set within both mature and new woodland, alongside canals and wetland walkways.

It also includes a combination of unique visitor attractions ranging from an Artisan Marketplace to an Immersive Wildlife Centre where woodland walks are combined with 21st Century technology to deliver a state-of-the-art visitor centre.

Set to be one of the most ecofriendly holiday parks ever built in the UK, the proposed £50m development, proposed to open in 2023 will include a 90-bedroom

The Artisan Marketplace will see artisans encouraged to set up shop and trade their wares. The scheme will scrap traditional rents, and instead allow Artisans to pay a percentage of their turnover instead of rent, in an attempt to encourage entrepreneurship in this innovative project.

s the country is set to embark on a summer of UK holidays, plans have been unveiled to create a brand-new eco-friendly holiday destination, Ellel Holiday Village in Lancaster, the historic North West city.

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The bold new initiative is the brainchild of Lancaster based M Capital Properties Limited, and Susie Charles, a direct descendent of the Sandeman port dynasty. The land was once part of the famous Ellel Grange estate, the former home of the Sandeman family. A commitment to plant over 30,000 trees and the achievement of a 15% biodiversity net gain is a massive step forward in moving the area to a carbon neutral area, and potentially a national first, as to date this has never been achieved in a local planning application. Rather than destroying the landscape the local Company behind the project is committed to building new micro communities and forming new habitats in which wildlife can be encouraged to thrive. www.lancmag.com

It is a proven fact; land rich in biodiversity is not only a more pleasant environment for people but has positive effects on health and well-being. These habitats are resilient in the face of climate change as well as combating climate change by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and locking it away in the soil. Once complete, the Ellel Holiday Village, complete with both retained and restored woodland as well as wetlands and grasslands, has the potential to absorb and store a staggering amount of atmospheric carbon each year. Visitors will move around the site on electric buggies and bikes, in a further aim to reduce carbon emissions. According to experts ‘Hatch Regeneris’, the proposed site will generate approximately £28m of additional revenue for the local area and create 670 jobs making it one

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of the most important developments and job creation initiatives the area has seen in a long time. Andrew Stanyon, Project Director said: “We have set about to fulfil a dream, a dream to build an ecofriendly legacy we can be proud of for generations to come.” “Everyone is aware we are facing a climate emergency, and unless we take action now we will ultimately destroy our wonderful Planet. It’s no longer enough for new developments just to reduce carbon emissions, we also need to remove carbon from the atmosphere. Nature is our greatest ally in locking carbon away and protecting our climate. ‘Rewilding’, planting woodlands, wetlands and encouraging wildlife, can help nature recover on a massive scale. Done right it can help significantly reduce our carbon footprint, and help shape a better future for people.”

“The vision of Ellel Holiday Village has nature conservation at its heart. Guests will be guided through walkways, and wetlands, they will experience birds, mammals, butterflies , beetles, reptiles, plants and fungi in a setting that not only feels natural, but wild and dynamic.” “Our team of experts have been working on this dream for the last five years. This development not only has the ability to create jobs, and prosperity for the area, it also the opportunity to become a game changer, in terms of biodiversification, and how we holiday. This is a chance for Lancaster to put itself on the global map, to become leaders in showing the World how working with nature we can deliver economic growth, and job creation, whilst enhancing the area, and the lives of the people who work and play within it.” A decision on the planning permission is expected in August of this year.

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Penrith By Mark Bateman

It is believed that the old Cumbrian town of Penrith takes its name from an amalgamation of the old Cumbrian word ‘Pen’ meaning ‘head’ and the Welsh word ‘Rhudd’ meaning ‘Crimson’, to give ‘Red Hill’. This may refer to several areas in the vicinity of Penrith including Beacon Hills, Red Hills or Penruddock. The name also reflects the local geology of the area which is rich in red sandstone which has been traditionally used, in the area, for building, over the last few centuries. This has led to the town being given the affectionate nickname of, ‘old red town’. These days Penrith is a bustling and busy market town. But it is built on a rich and varied history which goes back to Roman times when it was a vital gateway linking the North to the South and great importance was placed on its security. Penrith lies at an important Roman crossroad. From Penrith roads lead north to Carlisle (Luguvalium) and South through the Lune gorge. The A66 partly follows the route of the old Roman road from Scotch 12

Corner to Penrith. It runs from east of Middlesbrough in North Yorkshire to Workington in Cumbria. When excavations were made to extend Penrith cemetery evidence of the construction of this road was uncovered. The road appears to have been constructed by excavating a shallow trench that was then re-filled with a mixture of the excavated soil and large cobbles to create a stable base. Located along this road, the Roman fort of Voreda was built approximately five miles out of Penrith at Plumpton in the area now known as ‘Old Penrith’. It was occupied from the time of Hadrian’s wall until the 4th Century. The fort was built by a Roman legion, based in Britain, and formed as a temporary task force. In this case it was the 2nd cohort of Gauls. Inscriptions found on the site show that a garrison was settle here which included both Cavalry and foot soldiers. Remains can still be seen at the site, and excavations have unearthed

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a Vicus (a civil settlement) and coins dated from the reign of Hadrian to Tetricus. Archaeologists have also discovered pottery fragments of a type known as Samian Ware (reddish brown and made by Gauls) and evidence of a well and a steel yard. After the departure of the Romans it looks likely Penrith remained as a largely agrarian community growing crops and raising sheep. Most industry such as weaving, and knitting would be what is known as cottage industry meaning it was small- scale and carried out by individuals in their homes. Like many towns in the area the true growth of Penrith began with the granting of a market charter. In Penrith’s case this was granted by Henry III in 1223. Farmers would bring their produce into the town on house and cart, and this explains why the buildings in the area feature a lot of alley ways between them, now filled with restaurants and unique shops, which allowed tradesmen to stable their animals and then retire to an attached inn for a well-earned pint. www.lancmag.com

At one time Penrith had over fifty pubs serving a population of under ten thousand, no doubt making for an impressive pub crawl! But as mentioned, these inns were vitally important for trade which often took place right outside them. Grain sales were held in the Corn Market (hence the name) area of the town; at the Black Bull it was Rye, the Black Lion was Wheat, The Fish Inn and White Hart were Oats, and the Griffin was Barley.

Crown but was no longer used as a permanent residence. As early as the 16th Century it had fallen into decay, and from this time on many pieces of the red sandstone were stolen to make houses in the town.

it came into the hands of the Penrith Urban District council who converted the grounds into a public park. The Castle is now maintained by English Heritage and is a Grade 1 listed building.

The castle changed ownership many times over the years until in the 1920s

If you are a fan of historical towns then Penrith will not disappoint.

Penrith became so important it was once the capital of Cumbria. Trade and commerce flourished in the area, and, as well as the thriving grain markets, by the 18th Century it was an important Cattle market. In fact, many areas of the town still preserve this heritage in their names. These are: Castle Mart, Dockray, Corn Market, Market Place, Sandgate, and Market Hall. Two of the oldest streets Burrowgate and Sandgate were named in the 13th Century. Markets are still held in these areas with Tuesday and Saturday being the main ones. Penrith had always been an important military stronghold and the development of the important market economy meant new defences were needed to protect it. Standing just outside the town the ruins of Penrith Castle bear testament to this. It is likely it was built on the site of an old Roman Fort as its ditches and grass banks could have been re-used in the castle’s design. The castle was built at the end of the 4th Century by the powerful Ralph Neville (1364- 1425) warden of the West March. It was his responsibility to maintain defences against attacks from the Scots. It was made from a distinctive reddish- brown sandstone which was also used on many of the buildings in the town centre. Neville’s Son Richard, the 5th Earl of Salisbury (1400 -1460) based himself at the Castle and added the Red Tower. Following his death in battle (and without an heir) the Castle was granted to Richard, Duke of Gloucester (1452- 1485) who later became King Richard III. Richard altered the castle adding large windows to make it more of a modern residence than a castle. He also added a new Gatehouse and Tower. When Richard became King, the castle remained property of the www.lancmag.com

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Venturing further into the town Penrith contains over 150 listed buildings. These include churches, bridges, public houses, and hotels amongst many others. Standing in the centre of Penrith town it is easy to spot how many of the shops are contained in buildings with a great sense of history. But the town has also had its share of tragedy. In 1598 the plague killed 2000 people, and the old plague stone can still be seen on Bridge Lane, this was a hollowed-out stone used to disinfect money during this time. One of the most impressive buildings in the centre of Penrith is St Andrew’s Church. Its tower was built in the 13th- 14th Century possibly by the Earl of Warwick. In the 1720s, during the Georgian period, the church was rebuilt, and the threesided galley was added. The church itself contains a wealth of historical artefacts including paintings by Penrith born Jacob Thompson, stone figures, and memorials. In the churchyard there are two giant wheel crosses that contain Christian and Viking carvings. In between these are four 10th Century hogsback tombstones marking the rumoured burial spot of Owen Caesarius the Celtic King of Cumbria. The stones are said to represent wild boar he killed in nearby Inglewood forest. Overlooking the church is another building of great historical importance which is the Dame School run by Anne Birkett and attended by the famous Lakeland poet William Wordsworth who is believed to have spent much of his childhood in Penrith.

These days Penrith is reliant on the tourist trade for most of its income, and there is plenty to see and do in Penrith. There is everything from theatres and cinemas to arts and crafts, museum, and sports on offer. Penrith tourist information centre is a great place to begin planning your visit (or stay) in the town. The town is located on the C2C (Coast to Coast Cycle) route and has been designated Cumbria’s first ‘cycling hub’. This means cyclists are ‘extra – welcome’ here and will find great facilities including, cycle hire, cycle – friendly accommodation and many routes starting from Penrith. Visit Eden have produced five circular Ordinance Survey ‘do in a day’ cycle routes with rides from 1530 miles. These take riders out to the Eden, Lowther and Lyvennet Valleys all starting out from Penrith. If all that exercise works up an appetite, then there are plenty of places to eat and drink in Penrith. The town itself has a strong food heritage and this is celebrated every year (usually July) in the Eden Food Festival (Penrith on a plate) This festival show cases the best of Eden valley local produce. There are cookery demonstrations for those looking to expand their skills. There is also a farmers and artisan market featuring award- winning meats, cheeses, chutneys, and cakes. If you’ve got kids with you there’s plenty to keep them entertained

including meeting farmers and their animals, ‘roving’ street entertainers and music from local Cumbrian acts. On the theme of food festivals historic Lowther Castle also hosts a show in August. Lowther show features events and activities which offer something for everything. There are dog trials, chef demos, motorcycle displays and Country crafts. Lowther deer park also plays host to the annual, and ever- expanding ‘Kendal Calling’ festival held in late July. This has grown from a two -day event with nine hundred festival goers in 2006 to a four -day music festival with over 25,000 people enjoying acts from bands including The Stereophonics, Tinie Tempah and The Manic Street Preachers. Tickets sell out within hours of being released so you’ll need to be quick to get hold of one. Last year’s event was cancelled but 2021 looks to be one of the biggest years events yet. Another very popular event is the Winter Droving Held in late October to early November ‘The Winter Droving Festival’ is a celebration all things rural, traditional, and fun. The highlight is a torch-lit procession through the town, featuring fire, lanterns, masquerades, music, and mayhem. With so much to see and do in Penrith you’ll always find plenty to keep yourself entertained regardless of whether there’s rain or shine.

In fact, the town is so full of history that even the Tourist Information Centre and museum is housed in an old School. Robinson’s School was originally founded, in 1670, as a charitable institute for poor girls of the Parish. It was named after William Robinson a wealthy London merchant originally from Penrith. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the history of the town is to begin at the Museum. There is also a new series of downloadable town walks called ‘Town trails’ and a series of New information signs highlighting sights of historical interest around the town. 14

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BACK TO THE FUTURE

Land Rover Experience North Yorkshire’s new Heritage Driving Experience

e all know that the Land Rover brand has an enviable heritage. From the expediency of the basic design of the Series One, a vehicle that was initially little more than a temporary fix, the Rover Company and its subsequent incarnations have created not only some of the world’s finest 4x4 vehicles but instilled the sense of adventure in generations of owners. From the earliest days, the company offered the opportunity to experience the ‘breadth of capabilities’ of the vehicles and train owners and explorers to drive off road. The North Yorkshire Experience Centre franchise has recently changed hands and new owners Nick and Jonathan Rumboll are very 16

aware of the broad appeal. They are active in the countryside community and even though they enjoy driving vehicles from the luxury end of the scale, they are very connected to the nostalgia of the brand. Not only that, the majority of Land Rover Experience instructors are true brand enthusiasts and have their own tales of what inspired them to join the team. It’s not just a job, it’s a way of life, almost a vocation, many own Defenders and this enthusiasm is reflected in their instruction.

guests on a hands-on exploration of Land Rover history from Series One to New Defender. The Heritage Driving Experience offers the guest the opportunity to drive a 1953 Series One 86in, a 1997 Wolf 90, a 2015 Defender 110 XS Station Wagon and to come right up to date, a New Defender. This is a proper history tour of Land Rover development from basic leaf spring utility, squaddie proof functionality, country set rugged comfort to modern gentleman farmer or adventurer of the future.

Subsequently the decision to establish a heritage fleet at Land Rover Experience North Yorkshire and offer a Heritage Driving Experience was made very early on in the business future planning; to take

The poster boy of the new experience is ‘Ernie’ the Series 1. Powered by a standard 1997cc ioe petrol engine, it is a perfect introduction to leaf sprung Land Rovers. Basic, characterful, simple

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to judge every corner and a proper nostalgia trip. All our instructors at Land Rover Experience North Yorkshire have been impressed with just how competent it is. Our instructors all have vast experience in newer vehicles on the tracks round the Broughton Hall site and are skilful drivers so they soon learned to trust and respect the plucky little vehicle. It has recently had a recommission with new springs and it coped remarkably well on the ‘mini rock crawl’, trickling over the bumps on tick-over, the small skinny 600-16 tyres making the non-assisted steering remarkably light. The basic red and yellow 4x4 controls are very different to the buttons on the modern cars but ‘first low’ with the freewheeling hubs locked provided ample retardation on the regular steep rocky drop offs. A bit of experimentation with double

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declutching soon had most drivers feeling confident that gear crunches should be the exception rather than the rule. The narrow track width makes the 35degree side slope feel rather uncomfortable but it never felt like it was beyond its capabilities. The only time you realise the limitations of the vehicle is driving over the ‘moguls’, a series of deep undulations to test axle articulation and traction control systems. Cross-axled with wheels waving in the air, there is nothing else for it than to use a bit of old school momentum – second low with steady throttle control saw the obstacle conquered. ‘The Wolf’ or the centre’s TUL XD is a fantastic example of the iconic heavy-duty military coil spring variant. Officially the Truck Utility Light Extra Duty, Wolf was the code name for the development of this high specification model.

To the casual observer, it looks like a pretty standard 90 but under the skin it’s super heavy duty. Mike Hemingway our Land Rover trained expert mechanic tells us it has a heavy-duty chassis, a reinforced rear axle, a roll cage, 24v electrics, a fibreglass roof for the FFR (fitted for radio) system and fitted with heavy duty wheels fitted with Goodyear G90 tyres. The vehicle became an iconic symbol of British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and was in service from 1998 to 2013. Powered by the 300Tdi engine, it is the last of the pre-electronically controlled vehicles and nicely combines the sparseness of the Series One with the relative comfort of coil springs. Therefore, it’s no surprise that on places like moguls that these coil springs come into their own. It’s all very much a visceral hands-on experience though, it’s still knobs and levers on the transmission controls on the R380 gearbox with permanent 4x4 with a centre diff lock. Like the Series One, it requires significant driver input when it comes to the rough stuff and ascending steep rocky climbs, it needs to be ‘driven’ – reading the ground, judging when to power on and off. The feeling of robustness and dependability is simply quite staggering.

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Last of the old classics is The X3 LRE, the last ‘old’ Puma Defender to arrive at the centre in the final year of production. It’s an XS 110 Station Wagon and represents the zenith of evolution of the utility Land Rover. Half leather heated seats, electric windows, a heater that actually works, traction control, electrically controlled engine management system, alloy wheels and a radio you can actually hear! Even so, you can’t escape the fact that the basic engineering was developed in the 1970s. It’s the last bastion of the make do and mend British automotive industry – the whole vehicle ethos was to do just enough development

to be viable. That doesn’t make it bad, it gives it charm and soul and flies in the face of constant reinvention for its own sake. It’s almost the Peter Pan of the 4x4 world – it never gets old but is a classic in its own time. In terms of off-road ability, the competence of the Wolf is supplemented with simple electronic driving aids. It’s still all about a partnership between vehicle and machine but you are surrounded by a modicum of comfort. On the steep descents, the extra-low first gear fantastic control, the traction control makes cross axle situations less of a problem and the anti-stall makes the vehicle feel unstoppable on steep ascents.

Lastly to “The New Kid on the block” the New Defender! The company had to move on and build a vehicle that reflected the changing times – and yet it still has so much of the old vehicle DNA in it. The vehicle has an air of rugged quality about it – not so much luxury but comfortable functionality. The dashboard is clearly modern but the structure really does reflect the original pre-Puma style. The interior can be washed out, a commercial version is available and it’s not the ‘mall crawler’ that the detractors say it is. Off road it is simply awesome and effortless – it goes places that an old school vehicle in standard form would never go.

The Heritage Driving Experience is now live and can be booked – for more information call the office at Land Rover Experience North Yorkshire on N 01756 611060, check out the website D www.yorkshire.landroverexperience.co.uk, email E info@lre3.co.uk or check out the Land Rover Experience North Yorkshire F Facebook and I Instagram pages. 18

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Stunning Conference Space available to book now!

Day Delegate Rates from £30 per person

THE BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES WWII UFO Photo gets a 21st Century Analysis By Jason Gleaves, Ufologist. Speaking at a public press conference shortly after the event secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox called the unbelievable incident a “false alarm”, trying to playing down the event. Newspapers of the time published a number of reports and speculations of a mass cover-up, almost similar to the later famous 1947 UFO incident at Roswell,

Red Alert... Battle Stations, widespread panic soon spread across Los Angeles, like a scene from the latest Hollywood blockbuster disaster movie...but this was not modern day, it was during 1942...

hen an enormous Illuminated Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) appeared moving slowly over the California skyline in Culver City and Santa Monica authorities soon realized this huge unknown object was not part of their own fleet and so began the famous Battle over L.A. America had only just joined the WWII campaign three months prior and assumed they were under 20

New Mexico again later changing the original reported facts and details. A few years later when documenting the dramatic incident, the United States Coast Artillery Association identified the unknown object as a meteorological balloon sent up at 1:00am that initially “started all the shooting” and concluded that “once the firing started, imagination

attack from either the Japanese Air Force or the German Luftwaffe, little did they know the object could have possibly come from a more far distant place, maybe out of this world... The U.S. Army started its constant non-stop bombardment firing thousands of artillery rounds at the unknown object, all to no avail, the first shots rang out starting late evening on the 24th of February and continued well into the early hours of the 25th. Considering the duration which elapsed and thousands of people who witnessed the unforgettable event there aren’t many clear quality photographs available to analyze, the one true detailed image available had been taken at the time by a newspaper photographer (working for the Los Angeles Examiner).

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created all kinds of targets in the sky and everybody joined in”. Much later during 1983, the U.S. Office of Air Force History attributed the incident to a case of obvious anxiety and “war nerves” triggered by a reported of a lost rogue weather balloon and exacerbated by stray flares and bright shell bursts from adjoining ground batteries. A total all out ‘Blackout’ was ordered and thousands of air-raid wardens were summoned to their ready battle positions. At 3:16 am the 37th Coast Artillery Brigade began firing .50 calibre machine guns and 12.8-pound anti-aircraft shells at the reported unidentified object; over 1,400 shells would eventually be fired at the object in total.

sounded and the total blackout order lifted at 7.21 am. Several buildings and vehicles were severely damaged by falling shell fragments and five civilians died as an indirect result of the anti-aircraft fire: three killed in car accidents in the ensuing chaos and two of heart attacks attributed to the stress of the action. The incident was frontpage news along the U.S. Pacific coast and earned some mass media coverage throughout the nation. Upon analysing the best quality image available in more detail using up-todate digital enhancement software, it brings to life and enhances the never seen before detail of the object revealing

its in-depth features surrounding the structure, which importantly raise more questions as to its original origin.

unknown object located above the Californian sky for the artillery batteries on the ground to locate and fire at.

The photograph of the initial incident was taken over the Los Angeles area at night over an estimated area of five miles. Standard aircraft search lights where located at strategic locations around the city because of the high threat of air raids. A searchlight (or spotlight) is an apparatus that combines an extremely luminous source (traditionally a carbon arc lamp) with a mirrored parabolic reflector to project a powerful beam of light of approximately parallel rays in a particular direction usually constructed so that it can be swivelled for ease of use to locate a desired designated target. During WWII standard military searchlight models were manufactured by General Electric and by the Sperry Company. These were mostly of 60 inch (152.4 cm) diameter with rhodium plated parabolic mirror, reflecting a carbon arc discharge. Peak output was a huge 800,000,000 candela, extremely intense, It was generally powered by a 15 kW generator and had an effective visible beam of 28 to 35 miles (45 to 56 km) in clear low humidity (quite a long range) so quite capable of highlighting the

Central in the original image which was analysed is a large illuminated object which appears stationary but we have confirmation from witnesses that it was moving at a steady constant speed and transit also show in the original image are multiple smaller flashes of light (exploding artillery shells) surrounding it’s entirety together with the numerous searchlight beams crisscrossing across the sky possibly looking for more unknown aerial objects. The unknown object eventually moved at a steady speed over nearby Long Beach area and vanished out of view over the Palos Verdes hills as the guns finally fell silent. CASE VERDICT UNIDENTIFIED: still to this day the object is unidentified I have inverted and filtered the original available source image to analysis and enhance the detail using up-to-date enhancement techniques. Jason Gleaves, author of ‘UFO PHOTO’ and ‘The Ufology Umbrella’ published by Flying Disk Pressavailable on Amazon in paperback and kindle format.

Air Force pilots of the 4th Interceptor Command Squadron were alerted and put on standby but their aircraft remained grounded. The artillery fire continued sporadically until 4:14 am. when the “all clear” was finally www.lancmag.com

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 21

Nearly FAMOUS BY WAYNE PAULO, CEO STORM MUSIC COMPOSER, NUJ PHOTOGRAPHER AND AUTHOR

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME SINCE I WROTE NEARLY FAMOUS?

ell, I did my first Country Western Album. I went through all my original songs, it took me a year to record the eleven songs to put on the album “Wayne my own kinda Country”, using a computer and a software program called Band In The Box to help me make my music sound great. I was already a Publisher and I did a deal with Routenote, a company to get my album on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify. Things were looking okay. The day after I released my new album on iTunes... I HAD A STROKE! It has taken me three years to write about my experiences. First I had to recover from the problems I had with my cognition, memory and my bad grammar, (it’s still bad). So I’ve finally got around to it, now I know what the problems were! I wanted to write about my hospital problems so you might want to go the page 10 to miss this next paragraph and go where I think it gets better! Going back to were I was before the Stroke, I had been having problems with my health, so the doctor told me to go to the TIA department at the hospital to be assessed (I wasn’t happy doctors and hospitals frighten me).

I went into the room where the nurse said she was going to check my arteries. I got out of there with no problems and we went into the doctors office to see what is wrong. The doctor said “I have bad news for you” and straightaway I started to pass out. I think I saw an examination bed and I just made it over to it before I completely blacked out. I woke up surrounded by doctors, (according to my wife, half the Hospital doctors had turned up), I then spent the whole day in the emergency room and worried what would happen to me! A doctor looked at me and said they would keep me in overnight, then they took me down to the Stroke ward. The nurse said the doctor will make his mind in the morning, be this time I thought there was nothing wrong with me I could talk, I had dinner there, my wife and daughter finally got the see me there, I think there were more stress from them than me, I thought I was in Hospital with doctors I would be alright! The next day the doctor from the Stroke ward told me they were keeping me in for further checks and sent me to have my blood tested, I think they put a colour dye in your blood and ex-ray you to see where it goes, I still don’t know! The doctor checked on me every day for a week, eventually he told me I needed an operation but the surgeons were off because they had colds, so he sent me home for two weeks! Obviously in two weeks I went back to the hospital and met the surgeon at his office in the TIA department. We talked about the operation and he told me I would loose feelings in my ear and my cheek he then said it would be about two weeks before he could do it. Then he sent me into another room to check my arteries again.

Epilogue

The nurse put something on my neck and guess what, I passed out straight away and I ended back in the Stroke ward! The surgeon visitedto me me straight away in the ward What has happened since I wrote Nearly Famous? and said “Tomorrow I’m gonna to operate on you and Well, I did my first Country Western Album. I went through all perform a carotid endarterectomy”, that’s another my original songs, it took me a year to record the eleven songs to word I put on the album “Wayne my one own kinda using a computer can’t pronounce! Basically of Country”, my arteries had blocked and a software program called Band In The Box to help me make my up completely and the second one was 96% blocked, I music sound great. I was already a Publisher and I did a deal with Routenote, a company to get album on iTunes, only had 4% oxygen going tomymy brain, soAmazon theyand wanted to Things were looking okay. operate on Spotify. the second one immediately! The day after I released my new album on iTunes ……

HAD A they STROKE! wheeled me! (I was on a bed), into The next Iday the operatingIt waiting room. The nurse asked me if I has taken me three years to write about my experiences. First I wanted himhadtoto recover tell me when they were goingmemory to do it, I from the problems I had with my cognition, and my bad grammar, (it’s still bad). So I’ve finally got around to it, said “No! Just put me to sleep without telling me”, that’s now I know what the problems were! the last time IIwanted could talk properly! to write about my hospital problems so you might want

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to go the page 10 to miss this next paragraph and go where I think it gets better!

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hospital (called a my pills ready to go. My wife came Don’t la down to pick me up and we had one last meeting with Speech Therapist. that ope ne was She gave us 24 sheets of A4 paper me, somehow she managed to make you don with single words on and sentences me make a noise, I think several so they then let us leave the ward. So times, it was still a noise and she said difficulty en I was wheeled back into the Stroke ward (I was still in a bed), and that was it, after 5 days I was out of it would take time. sound st his time I knew I could think, react and move, a bit wobbly on the hospital. nto the Then I was wheeled back into the The day after I released my new that! Stroke warddoctor (I was stillchecked in a bed), by ed but him at least I could walk to the toilet. et The on album on iTunes, I went into to the this time I knew I could think, react ust put hospital to have a operation on my and move, a bit wobbly on my feet veryday and I had my blood tested again, the one where they uld talk Carotid Arteries, they put a tube but at least I could walk to the toilet. colour dye in your blood and ex-rayThe you to checked see where it goes, (called a stent) in my artery so that As so doctor on me everyday my blood would get to my brain! I had my blood tested again, Speech have never told me the results, again!and ion but the one where they put a colour dye Don’t laugh unfortunately some in your blood and ex-ray you to see o check by work of blood did get through, During where it goes, they have never told ’t speak, theyI woke up back in the waiting room me the results, yn wife and my daughter came in everyday to seeagain! me but it was a that operation I had a Stroke, that me and a corner after for the operation but I was a bit left me with Speech Apraxia, if you fuzzy for a long time. The surgeon d. They don’t know what that is it effects your Myspeak wife andor mywrite, daughter came the follo em toasked ask for anything as I still couldn’t motions came to check on me, he checked I motor speech, increased difficulty in everyday to see me but it was a nd the nurses move my arms but I couldn’t mouth a the onlycould thing I could do! They changed thetoroom I was inas three with longer words, sentences problem ask for anything I still ht I had died I speak, they then took me to another and words with complex sound couldn’t speak or write, motions recovery wardwho and left me in a eras hour, well itpeople hum). Re more had strokes came in with more problems structures, see there nothing to it but were the only thing I could do! for about an hour before two found me)corner he I am still struggling with that! They changed the room I was in copy a ‘m me. In the I was nursessecond came in toroom, do my bed. They put in a bed next to a patient about me and three times as more people who had asked what my name was! I couldn’t came in with more problems At th was screaming all night, remember I strokes still couldn’t talk and I was d, at that time speak, I couldn’t write and the nurses than me. In the second room, I was didn’t why Ianything was in there!without At for helpi ble to tell theknow nurse trying motion with put in a bedto next to a patient whomy that time I thought I had died I was in was screaming all night, remember I a alternative reality! They went it fun as skso it was very frustrating! Theaway last room they moved me to was to the nurse still couldn’t talk and I was not able for another hour, well it felt like that, if tell themanaged nurse anything we were nfamily myand own. Eventually hadmean(yesideatoand towithout motion eventually the surgeon Ifound trying to motion with my hands so s and around he found me) he wanted to check it was veryI frustrating! The lastat room girls that I needed a dictionary, I thought could point the Danielle, they on me again. He talked to the nurses they moved me to was one on my know I me and about 30 minutes laterto I was We t sdidn’t so they knew what I trying say toown. them. Eventually I had an idea and moved to another recovery ward, at managed to motion to my girls that I that time I was thinking there gonna words a needed a dictionary, I thought I could run out of wards! if I could point that at the words so they knew what help pro eseenext day the doctor came in and said was all they could I trying to say to them. ld check for aThey settled me in and by now As soon as we got home, we I started me inI got the hospital and that they I knew I couldn’t talk to the nurse motions looked at the Speech and Language Now I was more bag because Iask questions. Therapy list. We started by workinghard for ed the or bed, so the nurse worried about my family and ifthen they on my vowel sounds. Estelle had were I was,and the nurse opened ged myknew bandages gave me to speak the words to me and the I’m still the curtains and around the corner instructions were written like this; walked wifeMy Estellewife and my ills ready tomygo. came “Ask Wayne to copy the following different daughter Danielle, they had been sounds… Ask Wayne to watch howat all! 3and to EPILOGUE pickwaiting me for upa and wetohad long time see meone you move your mouth as you say the they didn’t know I couldn’t talk, I had sound, ar, ay, ee... Practise saying ‘m’ meetingto with Speech motion that I couldn’tTherapist. speak! (like a hum). Remind Wayne to put Ther ave us 24The sheets of A4 paper with his lips together first. See if Wayne surgeon came to check on me can copy a ‘m’ followed by a vowel next and day to see if I could move talking l wordsthe on sentences and from the list above e.g. mar”. my arms (I think moving my arm was sothe he could check a heart like that et us leave ward. Soforthat was At this point I want to thank Estelle attack) but I still couldn’t speak. for putting in so much time for er 5 daysThrough I waswaving out of the hospital. motions I got him helping me, without her I wouldn’t

le to talk, obviously I could not but she convinced me I would. ext day she came again to see me, somehow she managed to gonna talk, obviously I could not but she me make a noise, I think several times, it was a noise and convinced me Istill would. ctomy”, of it mywould take time. aid The next day she came again to see

“I started to say ‘Hippopotamus’ we were on the floor laughing!”

to ask the nurses to take off the urine drainage bag because I was having trouble peeing, as that was really hurting me. During that morning a Speech Therapist came in to see me and assess if I would be able to

Y FAMOUS

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The next day the doctor came in and said that was all they could do for me in the hospital and that they needed the bed, so the nurse then changed my bandages and gave me

be speaking today, she made it fun as well, looking at her pronouncing words made us both laugh, we were in hysterics when I started trying to speak. LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 23

my roblems problems =17s s

sitharder is harder out to see to see if if whow to play to play rk, worked I worked .

ngle t single on on gsing better better wg8OqY K_wg8OqY We then moved on to the single words, Estelle would speak the words and I would mimic her. Then she said move your tongue to help pronounce and make it sounds better. We were doing okay until I started to say “Hippopotamus” we were on the floor laughing. It was hard for me, it was like a child learning speak, some of the words I’m still having trouble with words like, genealogy, hereditary and differentiate, if you have read my book I didn’t have much schooling at all! EPILOGUE

There is a TV advert that really annoys me, grown up people talking like kiddies about the sweets they are eating, I used to talk like that sometimes I still do! We went on to sentences next. I thought the words were bad but the sentences, some of them were like conundrums, they made Hippopotamus sound easy! Here are a couple of examples of the sentences: A chubby Chihuahua was chewing cheese by the chimney. Justin studied journalism, geometry and geography at Juris University. The hideous hornet halted at the hollow in the huckleberry bushes... And we are back with. The humorous hippopotamus hid his hydrophobia!

I had to wait two months before I got to go to see a speech therapist as an outpatient. It was once a week but by then I was already improving. I’ve never been good at schooling but through my experience I have learnt all about communication and cognition. My memory played a lot in me getting it back together, I had trouble remembering the passwords on my computer but I got there in the end. Since then I have done a YouTube video stating what my problems are https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=en7iYj5dIdQ&t=17s I used to write my own original songs (I still do but it is harder now) and I play a rhythm guitar badly! So I put my songs out to see if I could still play and sing. Remembering the chords and how to play them took me some time but eventually it started to work, I worked on three songs every day until I thought I got them right. Six months after I had the Stroke I released my first single on iTunes “Hear The Wind Blow”, to my

Yes we on the floor again. The speech therapist from the hospital said to go online to REACT2. com, a software program that helps people after they’ve had strokes. There were puzzles and spelling mistakes that I had to get right before I could move forward to the next level. In between that, my wife Estelle practised everyday working on my cognition, that really helped me.

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amazement I could sing better that I could talk! https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=kdEK_wg8OqY EPILOGUE EPILOGUE

Since then I have released another new album “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” and that is on iTunes as well.

Estelle and I had to go out on walks to try and get me fit but I was paranoid to go out since my hospital debacle, so getting me out of the house was a problem we needed to fix!

I had stopped doing my photography but there was a World Fireworks competition on in Blackpool and Dani and Estelle wanted to go down to see them. Something inside me said take a camera with me, and that started me back on photography. The girls alsoSince went then line dancing a place another new I have at released were I used to go to a photography and that on iTunes as we clubTomorrow” earlier in myand career, theisclub was in the same building so the girls took me there first, there was Estelle and I had to go out on walks to tr someone I knew so I stayed there for paranoid to the go girls out picked since my hospital deba evening and me up afterwords, (ha ha) I wasn’t on the the house was a problem we needed to fix floor!

I h photo World on in Estelle see th me sa me, an on p also w place photo career www.lancmag.com buildin there first, there was someone I knew so I

Estelle found ame camera club inmy a ill havelocal helped with magazine close to were we lived, we“Is drove round to take a look, lecture on Photography yes I could still drive I hadn’t lost my memory on how to drive but I have it wasn’t too bad and they to make sure I see everything twice to make sure I have it right, as it turned he next “Wayne out year the photographic club World was across

At the next committee meeting they were looking at advertising and putting something on Youtube, that was right down my street. I I went down to the club to see what was it like, I told them I’d hadalready had several videos on it, so I produced the YouTube video for a stroke but I wanted to get out so the club using their photographs, obviously using some of mine as would checknight, out the club, we hadthought theIawards towell. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uAHjCH3UiI&t=37s they welcomed me and said to come from were my daughter lived!

round for a few Tuesdays nights, so I ward “The Best Newcomer” did and eventually I joined the club. club for the new I think going out and talking to people has helped me with Everyhelping now and again they have and helps me over come some of my paranoia and lectures on photography, on one my cognition the library, the manager said yes, and found a photo that would make a and for lecture, day my the lecturer couldn’twe makealso it, I doldrums. I had a week to get the prints together good logo and with the help from my

already told them I use to lecture on and make the advertising posters. daughter Danielle we produced the the cruise ships so when they needed Then guess what? The ‘North Fylde new logo for our club ‘North Fylde someone to step in they asked me, I Photographic Society’ club me Photographic Society’. They like so Our local Library had just opened aftermade a refit said they will have helped me with their “Exhibition Officer”! much that we’ve had it put on the and our club were looking at places to show the my speech Apraxia, I did my first club members clothes. My book is called Nearly Famous, lecture on “Is Photography Art”, their exhibition prints, so I went down and I asked if it is about whether I was famous At the next committee meeting according to everyone it wasn’t or not, being known by alibrary, rather lotthe they were looking at advertising too bad and they booked me to do we could we put our photographs in the of people I think I am nearly there, and putting something on Youtube, another the next year “Wayne World manager said yes, and Imy had a week are to in get the prints they asked me, I said they will have helped me with mythat was right photographs several down my street. I Of Sports”. speech Apraxia, I did my first lecture on “Is Photographyalready had several videos on it, so exhibitions and haveposters. made a lotThen more together and make the advertising Art”, it wasn’t toohad bad and they Ataccording the endtoofeveryone that season we friends since joining the club. I produced the YouTube video for booked me to do another the next year “Wayne World guess what? The ‘North Fylde Photographic Society’ the awards night, to my surprise the club using their photographs, Of Sports”. Back in the Circus! No I’ve not I was given an award “The Best obviously using of mine clubsome made meastheir “Exhibition Officer”! joined the circus again, the camera Newcomer” for my contributors to well. https://www.youtube.com/ At the end of that season we had the awards night, to club wanted to go to the circus to the club for helping the new guys watch?v=2uAHjCH3UiI&t=37s my surprise I was given an award “The Best Newcomer” photograph the acts to practise their with their photography and for my for my contributors to the club for helping the new Myandbook Nearly Famous, is about one of myitcousins runs I think going out talking is to called photography, lecture, we also got into the local guys with their photography and for my lecture, we also the Tower Circus at Blackpool so I people has helped me with my paper. whether I was famous or not, being known by a rather got into the local paper. asked her if we could come down cognition and helps me over come lot of some people I think I am there, my photographs are inyes, several They had an AGM, they were for their rehearsals, she said so it of my paranoia andnearly doldrums. They had an AGM, they were asking for committee members so I asking for committee members looks like I’ll be ending my book as I and have made a lot more friends since joining the club. joined. In the off season they were looking for aexhibitions new logo for the club, Our local Library had just opened so I joined. In the off season they started, in the circus! so I went home and I looked through some of pictures to see if I had after a refit and our club were looking were looking for a new logo for the something that would work. I found a photo that would make a good My story is still going on and at places to show the their exhibition club, so I went home and I looked logo and with the help from my daughter Danielle we produced the Circus! No I’ve not joined the circus again, the camera Back in so the I am still singing, check into prints, I went down and I asked if through some of pictures to see if I new logo for our club ‘North Fylde Photographic Society’. They like Wayne Paulo’s we could we put our photographs in had something that would work. I clubclothes. wanted to go to the circus to photograph the iTunes acts toevery practise so much that we’ve had it put on the club members now and then…

were asking for committee members so I were looking for a new logo for the club, through some of pictures to see if I had I found a photo that would make a good my daughter Danielle we produced the h Fylde Photographic Society’. They like ut on the club members clothes.

their photography, one of my cousins runs the Tower Circus at Blackpool so I asked her if we could come down for their rehearsals, she said yes, so it looks like I’ll be ending my book as I started, in the circus! My story is still going on and I am still singing, check into Wayne Paulo’s iTunes every now and then …

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LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 25

NFPS Presentation Evening 2020 - 2021 Season By Wayne Paulo

Due to the Covid situation North Fylde Photographic Society season has been run using “Zoom”, with weekly meetings taking place every Tuesday, regular turnout of 25+ members joining in each week they seen lectures, talks on photography and competitions. They have just had the NFPS Presentation evening with awards given to the members who had won the various photographic categories throughout the year.

variety of competitions are held through the season, with General Colour, Nature, Monochrome, Focus on Fylde, 4 Seasons, the Knockout and Animal Mineral and Vegetable. There is a Certificate and Trophy, however with Covid we were unable

to get all the Trophies to all of the winner’s, but they did all receive a certificate to commemorate their 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. The Chair (Paul King) presented the evening showing their winners pictures on line zoom and Jeanie King ran two Quiz’s for which the winners received a prize, “I think they will in the post” Wayne. THE WINNING CLUB MEMBERS ARE:

Their club goes into a summer break in May until September, “we are still doing zoom meeting on the Tuesday evenings, so we can stay in touch and talk about our photography and welcome new photographers to a free zoom meeting” Wayne. They will be doing outings for the club and they will be posted on their Facebook page, when and where to go and meet.

General Colour, Angela Carr Monochrome Trophy, Wayne Paulo - Nature Trophy, Jeanie King - Set Subject Trophy, Barbara Clayton Best Overall Worker and Knockout Trophy, Angela Carr - Focus on Fylde Trophy, Rachel Wilson - Best Newcomer and winner of the 4 Seasons Trophy, Janet Whitlow Animal, Vegetable, Mineral Trophy, Nicki Greenwood - Best Beginner Trophy, Clare Trewick.

Above: ©Angela Carr - Beauty and Grace

Above: Wayne Paulo - ©Estelle Paulo

Above: ©Janet Whitlow - The Mare and Foal

There will be an online exhibition every month showing our club members pictures on our website and Facebook: D www.northfylde-ps.co.uk | F www.facebook.com/groups/520006824732212/ New members, of any level, are always welcome. For further details please see D www.northfylde-ps.co.uk or contact secretary Neil Pascoe on N 01253 734243 26

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Kendal By Mark Bateman

endal, once known as Kirkby Kendal is a market town lying nineteen miles north of Lancaster. It was originally part of Westmorland and is now a region of Cumbria. The town takes its name from the river Kent which flows through it on its journey, from its spring above Kentmere, to its mouth at Morecambe Bay.

abandoned for twenty years until Marcus Aurelius re-built it and it was occupied until AD270. What remains of the fort has been buried under a field, but many excavated items from the site can be seen in Kendal Museum.

10th – 11th century Scandinavian settlers introduced the now- iconic Herdwick Sheep to the area. Herdwick’s generally have dark, almost black wool that is coarse but very hard- wearing, much like the sheep themselves, who are extremely tough and able to withstand the often harsh winter weather in the area.

These days the town is popular with tourists and offers an enviable selection of hotels, pubs, shops, and restaurants; but Kendal has a long and interesting history still visible in historic ruins such as Kendal Castle. The traditional grey limestone buildings have given the town one of its many nicknames, ‘auld grey town.’ But that’s not the only nickname the town has been bestowed with, it is also know as ‘mint town’ in homage to its role as the home of the now world famous Kendal mint cake. Even the town’s football club Kendal F.C. reflects this heritage with their nickname, ‘The mint cakes.’

Kendal’s status as a chartered market town was built on the success of the wool trade which began as a ‘cottage industry’ (small scale, home-based) and expanded into mills and factories with the coming of the Industrial Revolution (beginning in the 18th century). The importance of wool to the growth of Kendal is reflected in the town’s coat of arms which shows a gold background representing a cowhide, with a teasel (a prickly plant like a sharp hairbrush) and bale hooks found in each section of the shield to represent the wool trade. The motto on the shield is ‘Pannus miki panis’ meaning ‘cloth is my bread’.

Kendal’s history can be traced back right into before Roman times when it is believed an iron- age fort stood on the site of what was to become Watercrook Fort. Built in AD90, originally of timber, the Roman fort stood two miles south of the town centre. During the reign of Emperor Hadrian in AD130 the buildings were re-done in stone. The fort was then

The wool industry remained important to Kendal until the 19th Century and six mills were developed in the area to process the wool. The first of these was Dockwray Mill built in the 1700s for dying woollens and later carpets. Then came Stramongate Mill a fulling mill built in 1755, the fulling process basically involved pounding the wool to remove oils,

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In the period known as medieval times (5th – 15th century) after the departure of the Romans, Kendal and the surrounding areas were mainly agricultural with the emphasis on sheep breeding as the land was generally too poor for large scale agriculture. It is believed that in the

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dirt, and impurities and to make it thicker. Next to arrive was Kirkbarrow mill built in 1798 and believed to be the first water- powered spinning mill in the district. Castle Mill opened in 1805 and from 1850 was steam powered, here they produced rugs, tweeds, and blankets. In 1879 Agnum Mill followed, and lastly Low Mill opened in the 1840’s producing ‘horse clothes’ and ‘collar checks.’ When talking about historical Kendal we cannot forget Kendal castle whose ruins can still be visited today. The castle is located towards the east of the town and was built in the 12th Century by the Lancaster family who were the barons of Kendal. A fort in some description had existed off, and on, at the site for many years but the Lancasters re-built the original earth and timber structure in stone. Study of the ruins shows it was an impressive site with at least two towers, a gatehouse, a large hall, and kitchens, as well as private apartments and ladies quarters. The castle passed through many owners including the crown when Richard II gifted the castle to the well- known Parr family. The Parr’s are most famous for the fact their daughter Catherine was Henry VIII’s sixth, and final, wife. However, it is not believed that Catherine herself ever visited the castle preferring courtly life in London.

Sadly by 1571 the castle was abandoned, and derelict, with much of the stone being carried away for local building projects. Despite this much of the site remains and it is still well- worth a visit. To return to the development of Kendal, at the same time as the wool trade was growing transport into and around Kendal was being improved. Early traders coming in for the market complained of an eight mile approach of rocks and bogs. Access was easiest on foot, or by horse, but bringing in carriages was difficult. As a result of this in 1703, by orders of the Barony of Kendal, surveyors of the highway were ordered to improve the roads to allow easy transport of coaches, carts, and carriages. The road was further developed in 1753 when wealthy trades people in Kendal saw the advantages of improving the road to benefit trade. In 1753 the Keighley to Kendal turnpike was built from Yorkshire to Kendal. The road charged a toll to pay for its upkeep and development. Lancaster canal also extended as far as Kendal, but this section was later lost with the construction of the M6, and in 1846 Kendal railway station opened on the line from Oxenholme to Windermere increasing the growth of the town and strengthening trading links.

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Towards the end of the 19th Century the town moved away from the wool industry and several new industries sprung up. Perhaps the one Kendal has become most well- known for is Kendal mint cake. For those who haven’t tried it this is a very sweet, solid, tablet type of bar made of sugar, glucose, and peppermint. There are several producers of mint cake in Kendal and much debate over who came first and who had the original recipe. One possible origin story goes that in 1869 Joseph Wiper, of the Thompson family of confectioners, made a batch of glacier- mint sweets and left them over night to solidify. Something went awry, and when he returned rather than clear mints, he had a hard, cloudy ‘mint cake’ instead. The Thompson’s were quick to note the benefits of their accidental new product. Being made almost entirely of sugar mint cake is fantastic as an energy- giving food for walkers, mountaineers, and sports people. In fact, mint cake has been to some quite extreme places, in 1953 Sir Edmund Hilary took it with him when he and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the first confirmed people to reach the summit of Everest. Other companies manufacturing the ever- popular mint cake are Quiggins, Wilson’s and Romney’s.

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In 2016 Romney’s collaborated with fashion site Lyst to produce ‘Kendall Mint Cakes’ to celebrate Kendall Jenner’s (a member of the ubiquitous Kardashian clan) 21st birthday. Romney’s has also featured on BBC’s, ‘Inside the factory’ programme, ‘Ricky and Ralf’s Great Northern Road Trip’, and on the Lake’s edition of the ever popular board game Monopoly. Mint cake is not the only industry that thrived in Kendal, another was the tobacco and snuff industry. Snuff (dried and ground tobacco inhaled through the nose) dates back from 1792 when Kendal man Thomas Harrison witnessed production in Glasgow and brought back fifty tons of machinery to begin his own business. The firm, now known as Samuel Gawith company, still produces snuff and tobacco products. As we can see from the Kendal coat of arms the treatment of leather was also an important industry in Kendal. In the 19th after the decline of the snuff industry, the manufacture of shoes became big business in Kendal. Around this time Kendal probably already had between twenty and thirty skilled boot and shoemakers. All it took was ambitious entrepreneur Robert Miller Somervell to harness these skills and create K- Shoes in 1842. Kendal shoes, at their various locations, quickly

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became the largest single employer in Kendal and at one point employed twenty percent of the working population in Kendal. By 1913 they were producing over 230,000 pairs of shoes a year. Despite their early success shoemaking declined across the whole of Cumbria and Lancashire by the 1990s as manufacturers found cheaper labour and materials abroad. Kendal still has a strong industrial base including companies such as Cropper’s the paper manufacturers, the pump, and turbines manufacturers Gilbert, Gilkes and Gordon, Mardix switch gear and Kendal nutricare who produce baby’s milk. However, these days tourism is the main industry of the town and it boasts an enviable array of national brand and local shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs, and hotels. Cultural activities are well- catered for as well with places such as The Brewery Arts Centre offering live music and comedy as well as cinema, theatre, and arts events. One events not to miss is Kendal’s hugely successful mountain festival. Held entirely online in 2020 due to the pandemic the festival hopes to blend its traditional live speakers and events in 2021 with online activities as well. Patrons of the event are notable local climbers and world- renowned adventurers Sir Chris Bonington and Leo Houlding. Whether you’re

interested in mountaineering, trial running, kayaking, walking, mountain biking, or simply enjoy the peace and beauty of the Lakes, then there will be something for you to enjoy at the festival. If exploring the history of Kendal is more your thing then be sure to visit Kendal museum. First opened in 1796 by William Todhunter it exhibited fossils, plants, minerals, animals, and antiques. There are several collections at the museum including the Kendal and Westmorland Gallery which takes a journey through Kendal’s history from Neolithic times, through the Roman age and up to the present day. There are many artefacts on display including ancient tools and axes, Roman coins, jewellery, and shoes from the Watercrook Fort. There is even a Viking boat discovered in Kentmere Tarn! After that why not visit the Lake District Natural history section which shows Lake District Flora and Fauna some of which is over one hundred years old. Whatever you’re looking for, whether its exploring the town’s history, shopping, eating, and drinking, or cultural activities, you’re bound to find something to interest you in this minty fresh town that is anything but ‘auld and grey’.

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WELCOME TO ‘THE CREATIVE QUARTER, KENDAL’!

At Cable and Blake, Fabrics of the Lakes we believe one of the best things about working in a creative business is developing collaborations with other creatives. When you have a physical presence in the form of a shop it is relatively easy for local folk to find and a make a connection with you, but when you operate out of your spare bedroom, garage or shippon (look it up, they are a real thing in Cumbria!) it is more difficult to make the connections to grow your business, and your creative arsenal.

able and Blake have been lucky, well it’s not entirely luck, to have made contact with many fantastic local creatives. 30

Our shop is full of Herdwick products made by numerous producers, many of whom are only a few miles away from our home in Kendal. We sell clothes, furniture (bespoke and recycled), rugs, cushions, lampshades, bags, hip flasks, novelty critters, and many more things, all made locally from our lovely, heard-wearing Herdwick fabric. It isn’t only products though. Creative businesses need creative services, graphic designers, photographers, website builders, printers and in our case upholsterers. The great thing is everybody benefits. We are able to support local makers, pay good rates and sell incredible, unique products to our customers. We benefit, the makers benefit and our local economy benefits. We have been astonished by the breadth and quality of our local

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creators, so much so that we have decided to try and make Kendal something of a destination for those that love quality, creativity, and design. Welcome to ‘The Creative Quarter, Kendal’! The Creative Quarter, Kendal aims to a be a loose collaboration of creative businesses coming together to promote their businesses, the town, and each other. The Creative Quarter, Kendal is on Instagram, Facebook and in Kendal! Please look us up and support our amazing creators. We live in one of the most beautiful parts of Britain, and we are spoilt for choice when it comes to the amazing creatives we get to work with, but I cannot believe we are so unique in our Kendal home, there must be similar small businesses operating out of spare bedrooms across the country, it’s just a matter of finding them, making contact and letting your collective genius do it’s thing!. www.lancmag.com

WHAT DOES ‘THE CREATIVE QUARTER, INITIATIVE AIM TO ACHIEVE?

There are many small, local, creative businesses based at the quiet end of Kendal’s town centre. ‘The Creative Quarter’ Initiative aims to try and take the ‘quiet’ bit out of the equation!

he aim is to make the south end of Kendal a shopping and tourist destination. To attract both local and tourist shoppers to the many brilliant businesses at our end of town, whether they be retail,

service, entertainment or food and drink based. Additionally, we are more than happy to include the many other creative businesses based in Kendal, no matter where they are located. The aim is to keep ownership of the initiative to the businesses interested in promoting the area as a destination. We are not sure where it will take us, but with social media, PR, the Internet, and other avenues to follow it seems like something we should try, both for our own businesses and Kendal’s economy as a whole.

WE HAVE HAD A FEW IDEAS;

C C G

reate and place window stickers in as many businesses to create a ‘buzz’ reate a website/directory of businesses within ‘The Creative Quarter’

T C

ry to get press from local publications reate, use, and promote social media for marketing the area– Facebook, Instagram etc.

ain support from the Tourist Board and Kendal BID

Please, if you have other ideas or suggestions, share them and let’s make them happen! This initiative will only succeed if we as a group of business owners make it happen ourselves. www.lancmag.com

PLEASE CONTACT US VIA FACEBOOK

@TheCreativeQuarterKendal LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 31

Pioneering ‘Nature Friendly Schools’ to boost children’s learning and well-being at a critical time

Westminster Primary School, Blackpool - NFS by Alan Wright all permissions for children

lmost 30,000 school children from disadvantaged areas are set to enjoy classes in nature this spring in a ground-breaking outdoor learning project spearheaded by The Wildlife Trusts. Nature Friendly Schools gives children from some of the poorest communities in the country opportunities to learn outside the classroom, while supporting their well-being, mental health, and engagement with school. Imagine maths next to a wildlife pond in the inner city, English under the shade of an ancient oak, or science classes through real life experiences in the natural world... The project enters a new phase at a critical time, after a year when children have been isolated from the natural world, learnt behind screens, and suffered a substantial rise in mental health issues. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are known to have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, especially in terms of access to green space.

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Nature Friendly Schools gives those pupils a lifeline to spend some of their day learning outdoors, encouraging motivation, confidence, and creativity. Craig Bennett, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, says: “Learning in nature boosts children’s well-being, confidence, and behaviour, and should be a fundamental part of a child’s experience in education. We’re delighted at the success of the project so far. “We know that children in deprived areas are much less likely to have contact with nature while the pandemic also increased screen-based learning. The new phase of Nature Friendly Schools is more important than ever for them. “In spite of its proven success, the Nature Friendly Schools initiative is not guaranteed to see out its final year. We believe the need for this project has never been greater and it is vital it continues so we can give more children opportunities to learn, play and get creative in wild, green spaces.” www.lancmag.com

Now needed more than ever, the project, funded by Defra and the Department for Education - and supported by Natural England, is increasing its reach this year. Nature Friendly Schools aims to work with more than 100 schools – in areas of the highest levels of social deprivation – and give almost 30,000 pupils opportunities to learn and play in nature as part of their education recovery. Despite disruptions to education over the last year, the project has already worked in 90 schools, enabling 16,000 pupils to benefit from learning in nature, training 500 teachers in outdoor learning and supporting pupil’s mental health – and transforming 30 school grounds. Through expert training, Nature Friendly Schools empowers teachers to deliver outdoor classes independently, helping them overcome barriers that made it challenging to head out into nature before. This includes making the most of limited outside space, managing behaviour outdoors, and helping teachers measure learning outside of a conventional classroom. Nature Friendly Schools also rewilds school grounds, creating outdoor classrooms and greener, more natural spaces around school buildings. The project was initially planned to run over four years, benefitting over 100,000 primary and secondary ages

Above: Westminster Primary School, Blackpool - NFS by Alan Wright all permissions for children

pupils. With funding not guaranteed for the final year, up to 46,000 pupils are expected to take part. Research from The Wildlife Trusts and UCL shows that spending time in nature has a hugely positive impact on children’s health and well-being. Their Nature Nurtures Children study revealed the educational, social and wellbeing benefits of outdoor learning. After taking part in Wildlife Trust-led activities:

• 79% of children surveyed felt that their experience could help their schoolwork • 81% agreed that they had better relationships with their teachers • 84% felt that they were capable of doing new things when they tried • 79% reported better relationships with their classmates. Nature Friendly Schools brings together a unique partnership which includes: • The Wildlife Trusts – are a leading provider of outdoor nature education • YoungMinds – leading the movement to make sure every young person gets the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what. • Groundwork – transforming young lives in the most disadvantaged communities • Sensory Trust – experts in ensuring children with special needs enjoy access to nature • Field Studies Council – inspires environmental education through residential courses

Above: Westminster Primary School, Blackpool - NFS by Alan Wright all permissions for children

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Westminster Primary School, Blackpool - NFS by Alan Wright all permissions for children

Deirdre Kehoe, Director of Training and Services at YoungMinds says, “We’re proud to be part of the Nature Friendly Schools partnership, a vital project giving children and young people outdoor learning opportunities. We know that many children and young people have struggled with their mental health as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and that those who were already impacted by inequalities are likely to be most affected. Now more than ever, they need the space to process what they have been through in an environment that is supportive for their mental health as well as their learning.” Stephanie Dowley, Headteacher at John Randall Primary in Telford, says, “Nature Friendly Schools has been transformative for our pupils and our school. Every class now spends at least an hour learning outside each

day in our forest school area, which is brilliant for the children. Their senses come alive, encouraging creativity and confidence. After the year children have had – much of the time being stuck at home and away from their peers – learning and playing together in nature isn’t just helpful – it’s essential.”

Kim Leathy, Teacher at Westminster Academy in Blackpool, says, “Nature Friendly Schools has been so beneficial for our pupils and our school. Many children come into school with different anxieties, but when they’re learning outside, they are present in the moment, and their worries just seem to fade away. Being outdoors also works wonders for their creativity and enthusiasm for learning – and improves behaviour as well. Learning in nature has become a keystone part of their education.” The Wildlife Trusts host their next Wild LIVE event on 31st March. The latest instalment of the online discussion series will explore whether the education system is equipped to help tackle the nature and climate crises. Left: Westminster Primary School, Blackpool - NFS by Alan Wright all permissions for children

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is dedicated to the protection and promotion of the wildlife in Lancashire, seven boroughs of Greater Manchester and four of Merseyside, all lying north of the River Mersey. It manages around 40 nature reserves and 20 Local Nature Reserves covering acres of woodland, wetland, upland and meadow. The Trust has 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. For more information about Cheshire Wildlife Trust call 01948 820728 or go to cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk.

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MORE THAN JUST A GARDEN A garden in today’s world is more than just garden With busy lives, a garden’s priority is to become a place of relaxation and entertainment whilst also being low maintenance

LANDSCAPING SERVICES

OUTDOOR KITCHENS

GARDEN LANDSCAPING

Eden Paving and Driveways also build fire pits, barbecues and wood pizza ovens, creating a focal point in your garden as well as retaining walls with steps to tackle awkward garden levels and maximise your space.

Gain another space to spend time with family and entertain guests with an outdoor kitchen. Various options available from bespoke larch wooden gazebos to ultra-sleek contemporary aluminium structures with counter space, ovens and seating areas.

Eden Paving and Driveways can help create your perfect garden space. We can design and build a garden space for alfresco dining on beautiful porcelain paving complimented with an overhead veranda.

www.edenpavinganddriveways.co.uk info@edenpavinganddriveways.co.uk

N 07548 934281

Eden Paving and Driveways... and so much more By Lucy Bullough

When you hear a company name that specifies paving and driveways, you’d be forgiven for thinking that was all they offer. But at Eden, you’ll find so much more for your garden and outdoor spaces; services that are really worth shouting about. All was revealed in a chat with James Teasdale, owner of the company, who gave me an insight into what the company was all about, why he set it up and the really quite impressive things they can do to your outdoor area. Here’s what he had to say... CUMBRIAN CHARM AT ITS CORE James is a proud Cumbrian, having been born in the foothills of Blencathra, and like so many others from this beautiful part of the world, the great outdoors is in his blood. Working with and on the ground has always been his vocation, for his entire career spanning almost 30 years. He’s taken a winding path and gained a huge amount of experience in many different aspects of groundworks which has ultimately led him to Eden Paving and Driveways. Based high up in the Lake District in Penrith, in the Eden Valley no less, James has stayed true to his roots by establishing a business creating beautiful outdoor areas in this area of great natural outdoor beauty and beyond. There is to be inspiration taken from all around, a focus

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on the environment, access to local materials and so much more besides that make this the perfect place for the creation of Eden. A BLOOMING BUSINESS Launching Eden is where James’ career-path really begins in earnest as it has allowed him to use his skills, fulfil his passion and have scope for growth. Not only that, James is now able to really showcase his work ethic and attention to detail, always providing the highest quality service regardless of the job being completed. Yes, there are impressive projects from yesteryear on his CV (remember the London 2012 Olympics? James project-managed parts of the building works required), but it wasn’t until 2014 when his key passion was reignited once more. Having worked for various companies in different outdoor groundworks’ capacities, James found himself on a particular job which really resonated with him. The task was to create an outdoor in a family home that was suitable for the disabled son to use so that he could live a fuller life without having to leave this safe envronment. James said, “seeing the finished article and the reaction the family had towards it only confirmed what I was already thinking – that I wanted to create more outdoor spaces to benefit homes and families.” That was the start of the process to set up his business, and James took his time to do it properly so that the service provided would be one he was happy with. James’

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core experience is of course in the field of groundworks and as such, the launch of the business proper was the paving and driveways side of it. “You could call this my bread and butter,” James told me, “as it’s something I’ve always loved to do and there is an ever-present demand for this type of work. We offer several types of paving suitable for garden areas and when it comes to driveways, we like to use Tobermore products.” Why Tobermore? The answer was easy for James; it’s the best concrete block paving on the market. Durable and extremely strong, concrete is well-known for its ability to stand the test of time so makes for the perfect product to use in high traffic areas which will need to withstand the weight of cars. But not only is it functional, it looks great too, thanks to the vast array of colour options available. You can mix and match colours for an entirely unique look, create patterns, circles and so on; the choice really is yours. This part of the business was launched in earnest three years ago, with James at its helm in an extremely handson capacity. From the outset, Eden saw a great deal of success, and James has rapidly expanded his workforce to include seven (soon to be eight) additional team members, working across the different services they offer. But when a business owner has a passion for the great outdoors, and wants to create incredible spaces for families to enjoy, there was no way they wouldn’t expand into other offerings. And that’s how Eden Alfresco was born.

dining area outside. And the quality of the design, products and finish that Eden Alfresco promises has ensured they have had a stream of customers waiting to have their outdoor space transformed. These areas can be created to your bespoke requirements as James and the team will work in close partnership with you to ensure their perfection. Premium products such as Fire Magic Outdoor Kitchens combine professional built-in BBQs with Eden’s own surrounding kitchen set up. We all know the weather is somewhat changeable in the UK so fixed or even louvered roofs such as the Renson Algarve range can be fitted. Or perhaps you would prefer a more traditional gazebo style in wood? These can look simply stunning, such as the ones fitted with a cedar shingle or thatched roofs. Of this new extension to the business, James says “my passion is to create beautiful outdoor spaces that people can enjoy for years so it seemed a natural progression to enter this field. It had always been part of the plan and it seemed to happen more organically with everything that went on. I’m thrilled there has been so much interest; now more people than ever before are getting real enjoyment from their own homes, and it only looks set to continue.”

EDEN ALFRESCO If the past year has taught us anything, it is that our home really can be our castle and spending time there can be just as enjoyable as going out. As a result of the very strange circumstances we found ourselves in, more people than ever before started really investing in their homes to create an environment that they would never want to leave. DIY, full renovations, extensions, redecorating and all manner of ‘house projects’ were being undertaken throughout the lockdowns. So when Eden Alfresco launched towards the end of 2020, they were pushing at an open door. Already, so many had discovered how fantastic it would be to have a bar at home. Or a hot tub. Or a full kitchen-

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Modern and contemporary, or traditional and classic; no matter what your taste or how the rest of the garden looks, you can have an outdoor recreation area to suit. As many of the features as possible will be handcrafted so you know you are getting an excellent quality and finish in addition to a truly unique design. So whether you have a clear view of what you want, or you need help to visualise your dream space, Eden Alfresco are the right choice for you. The new space you are left with can be kept just for yourselves or you’ll have the most amazing place to entertain – the choice is yours. WHY USE EDEN PAVING AND DRIVEWAYS FOR YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE? When you choose to employ the services of James and his team, you will enter into a different world, one where your needs are met with integrity and honesty. James adopts a personal approach, saying “I don’t think it’s right for Eden to give quotes out over the phone without ever having visited the site or met the person requesting it. We’ll always ensure we come to you, have a proper chat and that way, the communication is a lot more straightforward.” Let’s be honest, when it comes to creating the perfect outdoor area, communication is more important than anything else so visions can align and dreams be realised. That’s one of the ways James ensures he gains complete customer satisfaction. “I always want the customer to be 100% satisfied with the work we do,” James explained. “After all, they are making an investment to improve their home life

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so it needs to be right for them. That’s why everyone on the team will bend over backwards to provide a personal service that suits the customer entirely”. James’ ethos of putting the customer at the heart of the business has been passed through the rest of his team and he frequently receives comments as to how accommodating and friendly they are. And Eden’s happy customers are their best promoters; here’s what just a few of them had to say; Mr C of Brampton, Carlisle: “I had high expectations and they were exceeded. I had confidence in James and his team. My house I would describe as Arts and Crafts style, so it had something that would work and enhance what I had. James listened and advised us throughout the job. He had a good bunch with him, who we felt comfortable around and James was always about advising and directing and totally in control of the project.” Mrs W of Penrith had paving laid: “Seeing the work finished, it was beyond my expectations. We’ve created a wonderful extension to our garden that was once a concrete jungle. James works alongside you with your ideas. He and his team were really helpful. They really listen and nothing was too difficult that couldn’t be solved, even helping with the drainage on a large beech tree incorporating it into the design.”

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Mr D of Stanton had a new driveway: “It exceeded our expectations. James was recommended locally; he had a good knowledge of the product and had some samples of different types and textures. It’s hard to visualise, but we came up with a design. James was a good listener and suggested improvements whilst also having attention to detail of everything around the job. He also finished on budget. We would recommend James and his team. It was a good experience and we are happy with the outcome.” As if the glowing testimonials and impressive past projects are not enough to convince you that Eden Paving and Driveways is the right company to improve your outdoors, there’s more too. James has always been mindful of the environment and preserving it to the best of their ability. That’s why James and the team do their utmost to ensure as many of the materials they use are sourced locally, and this can certainly be said of the oak, larch and cedar that features heavily in many of the designs. Recycling also plays an important role in the business, whether that be the inclusion of recycled materials in the project, or the disposal of waste products. Eden will only ever re-use materials that are of a premium quality – after all, the likes of oak still support buildings several hundred years after they are

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constructed so it is a material which certainly stands the test of time! The key thing is that anything that needs to be disposed of is done in the best way for the environment by being taken to plants dedicated to that specific job. A final point to note is that Eden offer a full turnkey solution in that every element of your project will be seen through to completion by them. Regardless of the requirements, James and the team will take care of all of it, bringing in experts from all the fields that are needed. It’s the most hassle-free way to achieve the garden living you desire and is one of the many reasons their customer satisfaction rates are so very high. So when you are in a position to consider upgrading your outdoor space, whether it be a new drive, landscaped gardens or even the creation of an al fresco dining and recreation area, get in touch with James. His personable approach will put you at ease from the outset and his dedication to customer satisfaction means you’ll be nothing be happy with the changes to your home. D www.edenpavinganddriveways.co.uk N 07548 934 281 E info@edenpavinganddriveways.co.uk

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Going the Extra Mile FOR MALAWI By Alice Bradshaw

Above: Andy O’Sullivan MBE launching the Bolton School Junior Girls’ fundraising campaign with Mrs Julia Marsden (Bolton School Junior Girls’ teacher) and a group of pupils

This half term, the Junior Girls at Bolton School will take on the challenge of collectively travelling 12,000km and raising enough sponsorship to fund the building of a school for street children in Malawi. The distance represents the number of kilometres between Bolton School and the site in Malawi where the new school will be built.

he fundraising venture was inspired by Bolton School Junior Girls’ teacher Julia Marsden, who travelled to Malawi to work with street children in 2017 and 2018. However, the challenge itself was prompted by the pandemic. During the various lockdowns, girls have missed participating in sport as they would normally in school and fitness levels have dropped. Therefore, the Bolton School Junior Girls’ teachers have pledged to walk or run with their classes in the Bolton School grounds every day (weather permitting) until half term. This will not only go towards the school’s sponsorship challenge, but also help the children to get active and feel good about themselves!

to prosper. The school we hope to build will provide bursary places for children living on the streets and a safe place for them to live, learn and thrive.’ The project was launched in school by ‘The Voice of Manchester Races’ Andy O’Sullivan MBE: a former policemen, passionate fundraiser and dedicated race commentator who is involved with organising various races in the North West. The girls were delighted to meet him, hear his stories and even see his Olympic torch, which he carried through London in 2004. The girls will spend the next half term collecting sponsorships and getting active for an excellent cause. If you would like to support the Junior Girls’ fundraising to build a school in Malawi, please visit the JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ smilestomalawi?utm_term=EyR63rMD7. Below: Julia Marsden (Bolton School Junior Girls’ teacher) with children at Chisomo Children’s Centre in Malawi during her visit in 2017 with the charity Retrak

Girls have been asked to set themselves a target distance to travel in their own time as well. Family members are invited to contribute their kilometres, too! As they walk, run, swim, cycle and so on, the total distance collectively travelled by the Junior Girls’ School will be combined to hopefully get the school up to 12,000km and all the way to Malawi. Mrs Marsden said: ‘Since my visits to Malawi in 2017 and 2018, I have been appointed as a trustee of the Maphunziro Foundation, whose focus is to create a conducive learning environment for every Malawian child 40

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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.”

Jones Homes in Rufford

New homes ready & waiting for you at Hesketh Reach in Rufford Viewing highly recomm ended

Simpson Hesketh Reach

Park 01704 778435

Liverpool Road, Rufford L40 1SA Scrooby Road, Harworth, Nottinghamshire DN11 8AB jones-homes.co.uk

01302 746

Please check website for details of opening hours.

jones-homes.

Prices and details correct at time of production. Images for illustrative purposes only.

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READY TO MOVE INTO!

The Baycliffe - Plot 3 3 bedroom semi-detached home with off-road parking.

£279,995

Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve, Rufford

Stunning homes for those who appreciate the difference.

READY TO MOVE INTO!

The Huxley A Aspect - Plot 2

If you dream of living in a beautiful new home with a high quality interior in a sought after location, it can all be yours on this small development of modern new homes in Rufford Village.

3 bedroom detached home with off-road parking.

£289,995

Perfect location This exclusive development in the tranquil village of Rufford is a stunning collection of semi-detached and detached 3 & 4 bedroom homes. In an area surrounded by lush farmland, Hesketh Reach offers the perfect balance of rural living and easy access to local amenities.

SHOW HOMES AVAILABLE TO VISIT BY APPOINTMENT.

Our homes all have a high quality specification including the below:

· En-suite shower room & fitted wardrobes to bedroom 1

· Oak doors & handrail · Bi-fold doors to rear garden · Open plan kitchen diner · Integrated kitchen appliances by NEFF

READY TO MOVE INTO!

The Baycliffe - Plot 25 3 bedroom semi-detached home with off-road parking.

£284,995

· Chrome sockets & switches · Villeroy & Boch bathroom sanitaryware

· Remotely operated shower in luxurious en suite bathroom

· Rear garden fenced & turfed · Electric vehicle charging points

READY TO MOVE INTO!

The Bayswater - Plot 24 3 bedroom detached home with single garage.

£414,995 WE’RE OPEN and pleased to advise that we have created a safe environment for you to visit us and are open for 1-2-1 appointments and personal viewings, so why not contact us today and let us help you to buy your dream home.

6760

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Jones Homes in Kendal

Stunning homes in a beautiful location

Further release s coming soo

at Stonecross Meadows

The Bayswater - Plot 53 4 bedroom detached home with study and double garage.

£484,995

Very high internal specification included as standard.

Stonecross Meadows

Simpson Park 01539 898572

Milnthorpe Road, Kendal, CumbriaScrooby LA9 5HT Road,

Harworth,jones-homes.co.uk Nottinghamshire DN11 8AB

The Latchford - Plot 54 5 bedroom detached home with integrated double garage.

£534,995

01302 746

Please check website for details of opening hours.

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The search is over, your dream home is ready & waiting for you at Stonecross Meadows.

Coming Soon to Stonecross Meadows!

Stonecross Meadows is an exclusive development of luxury, high specification semi-detached and detached homes close to the historic market town of Kendal. The picturesque market town of Kendal has so much to offer. Situated in the South of the Lake District, 6 miles from the M6 motorway (J36) and just a few minutes drive from the West Coast mainline station at Oxenholme. With a variety of house styles available there is something for everyone, from young professionals to growing families or perhaps those looking to down-size but still requiring a spacious, well served home.

COMING SOON!

The Stratton

Our homes all have a high quality specification including the below:

· Choice of Oak spindles or glass balustrade to stairs

· Modern bathroom suite with Villeroy and Boch sanitaryware

· Decorative screwless polished chrome power points

· Choice of Symphony fitted kitchen with solid quartz worktop

5 bedroom detached home with integrated double garage.

· Integrated kitchen appliances by NEFF

· All floor coverings included · LED light bar lighting to kitchen wall units

· Block paved driveway · Turfed rear garden with paved patio and landscaped front garden

If you’re ready to make your move, contact us today to find out more on how we can get you moving – even if you have a home to sell!

COMING SOON!

The Banbury 4 bedroom detached home with off-road parking.

COMING SOON!

The Davenham 4 bedroom detached home with integrated single garage. The Bayswater

6760

.co.uk

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Introducing The Bayswater at St Peter’s Park St Peter’s Park is located on Gorsey Lane in Mawdesley village offering a stunning collection of very high specification detached homes. The Bayswater is an attractive double fronted 4 bedroom detached home with a garage.

close buffers and solid quartz work tops

Kitchen

Utility

Living Room

High quality specification

· Choice of fitted kitchen with soft

Family/Dining

Study

· Integrated kitchen appliances by NEFF

· Bathroom cabinet with

· Open plan kitchen diner with

Ground Floor

LED light and shaver point

bi-fold doors for garden access

· Fully tiled bathroom walls

· Rear garden fully fenced & turfed · Oak veneer internal doors with oak Family/Dining

and floors in a choice of tiles by Porcelanosa

Kitchen

Bathroom Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

handrail and newel post to stairs Utility

Available Bayswater Plots Living Room

Plot 33 with detached single garage £433,995 –Study Ready to move into! Plot 17 with detached single garage £444,995 Plot 16 with detached double garage £459,995 Our stunning Bayswater Show Home is available to view by appointment.

cyl

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 1 En Suite

First Floor

We are pleased to advise that we have created a safe environment for you to visit us and are open for 1-2-1 appointments and personal viewings, so why not contact us today and let us help you to buy your dream home. All properties at this development are Freehold. Please check website for details of opening hours.

St Peter’s Park Gorsey Lane, Mawdesley, Lancashire L40 3TE

01704 776352

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BESPOKE | AFFORDABLE | LUXURY

Bathroom Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

cyl

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 1 En Suite

Stunning German Kitchens Full kitchen installations or supply only 5 year warranty CAD drawings

No: 4 Crescent West Cleveleys FY5 1AD 01253 375019

info@thegermankitchenplace • www.thegermankitchenplace.co.uk

Creating The Wow Factor With

The German Kitchen Place By Sarah Ridgway

We interviewed James from The German Kitchen Place who is bringing “affordable luxury to Lancashire.” 48

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WHAT IS THE USP OF BUYING A GERMAN KITCHEN? German-made products have always had a reputation of incredible quality and precision and it is the same with our German Kitchens. They are manufactured using the latest machinery, therefore the parts from the worktops down to the hinges are of the highest standard and built to last. HOW DURABLE ARE THE KITCHENS? Our German kitchens not only look amazing, but the craftsmanship ensures they are also strong and sturdy. We offer quality and affordable kitchens, and we won’t ever compromise on quality. We also provide a Five-year warranty so if anything goes wrong, we are at the end of the phone to replace and repair free of charge. We differ from our competitors by offering a luxury kitchen that will stand the test of time in twenty years. WHAT DOES THE GERMAN KITCHEN PLACE OFFER THEIR CLIENTS? During the consultation at our showroom, we will discuss your ideas pinpointing exactly what you are looking to achieve for your dream kitchen. We tailor the design to the client’s priorities, whether a place to entertain, a work from home space or somewhere the children can do their homework from. The kitchen is the heart of the home and a luxury kitchen with the wow factor can be so much more than a place to cook and eat. Right from the initial idea, we use our expertise to guide you through the entire process that involves the client from start to completion. The German Kitchen Place utilises the latest innovations in design including clever storage options, integrated pop sockets for laptops and USBs to workstations coming off your island creating a space to work, cook and socialise. However, you want to personalise the kitchen we are here to help, from wine coolers, integrated dishwashers to quartz worktops just let us know. We also project manage the installation and can also work alongside your builders or contractors in case of delays on their side. Once we have designed and ordered your perfect kitchen delivery time runs at around 8 weeks.

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WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO HAVE YOUR SHOWROOM IN CLEVELEYS? I live in Cleveleys so when I got the opportunity to bring 30 years of expertise and open a showroom here, I jumped at the chance. Its size and location are perfect as we have a constant stream of footfall and passing traffic. Word of mouth is also expanding, and we are getting jobs further afield including Blackpool and St Anne’s. The company has quickly grown, and I am now at the stage where I have two teams of fitters as we are getting enquiries left right and centre. We are also as active as we can be on social media, but local marketing is important for us as we are a local business. We are constantly engaging with the local community and are proud to have brought our amazing kitchens to Lancashire. HOW ARE YOU ENGAGING WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY? We make a conscious effort to support the local businesses whenever we can, for example, we work with a local company that specialises in exotic plants. Once we have completed a kitchen, we gift the client an exotic flower package because the personal touch is important to us. As we grow further, we want to continue making a positive impact locally by helping each other out. We are also building relationships with the best builders along the Fylde coast and throughout Lancashire and we are extremely interested to work with home extensions looking to accommodate a new kitchen. We want The German Kitchen place to be at the top of local builders preferred supplier lists.

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TELL US ABOUT THE PRICING OF A GERMAN KITCHEN. Of course, there are other competitors in this sector, but we have pioneered a way to give the client what they want without a huge price tag. We are extremely competitive on price as we want to offer a designer luxury kitchen without the designer price. A German kitchen comes with that quality stamp of approval providing longevity with very few other comparisons on the market. What you get with us is a better-quality kitchen that will look fantastic and go the distance saving you money in the long term.

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OUR HOMES

HOW THE PANDEMIC HAS CHANGED OUR LIVING SPACE FOR WORK, REST AND PLAY Over a year ago, no one saw coming a plague that would lock us in and shut the world out. Although the coronavirus took us by surprise, we began making changes to our homes and lifestyles.

ith most of us working from home, our homes had to adapt to accommodate an office, a classroom, a restaurant, a gym, a playroom and a stunning garden for a much-needed breath of fresh air and to dine al fresco. Working from home has become the norm. Now that companies have realised their employees can work from home, we are now working out ways to make our home office to be more than just a temporary desk in the kitchen.

We are creating beautiful, productive, zoom-worthy workspaces that will work for us for years to come. We’ve reclaimed our outdoor space for a safe place to meet with friends. Be it a back garden, front garden, a balcony or a roof top, outdoor spaces have been transformed into extra rooms, with features such as firepits, kitchens and living areas. We are even having built luxury indoor and outdoor swimming pools with special features such electric pool covers, underwater LED systems, underwater spa systems and even waterfalls! Not forgetting a beautiful water feature - we are having fishponds installed to create a feeling of zen and wellbeing.

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Our friends at Posh Ponds and Pools with their award-winning pond and waterfall builds can design supply and install all you need to any water feature at any budget, so if you want to book a design appointment or find out more about what they do get in touch with their team to book your bespoke design appointment with their industry experts on 07872 998 986, email mark@poshpondsandpools.co.uk or visit their website: poshpondsandpools.co.uk How fantastic it would be to have a bar at home? Or a hot tub? Or a full kitchen/dining area outside?

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RE-DIVIDED Eden Alfresco can transform your outdoor space. These areas can be created to your bespoke requirements as James and the team will work in close partnership with you to ensure their perfection. Premium products such as Fire Magic Outdoor Kitchens combine professional built-in BBQs with Eden’s own surrounding kitchen set up. We all know the weather is somewhat changeable in the UK so fixed or even louvered roofs such as the Renson Algarve range can be fitted. Or perhaps you would prefer a more traditional gazebo style in wood? These can look simply stunning, such as the ones fitted with a cedar shingle or thatched roofs. So, if you are considering upgrading your outdoor space, whether it be a new drive, landscaped gardens or even the creation of an al fresco dining and recreation area, get in touch with James on 07548 934 281, email: info@edenpavinganddriveways. co.uk or visit the website at edenpavinganddriveways.co.uk We are also installing new kitchens into our homes to give us that restaurant-feel that we are missing from our lives. The German Kitchen Place offer extremely competitive prices as they want to offer a designer luxury kitchen without the designer price. A German kitchen comes with a quality stamp of approval providing longevity with very few other comparisons on the market. German-made products have always had a reputation of incredible quality and precision and it is the same with the German Kitchens. They are manufactured using the latest machinery, therefore the parts from the worktops down to the hinges are of the highest standard and built to last. The German kitchens not only look amazing, but the craftsmanship

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ensures they are also strong and sturdy. They offer quality and affordable kitchens, and they won’t ever compromise on quality. For more information, call 01253 375019 or email info@ thegermankitchenplace.co.uk or visit their website: thegermankitchenplace.co.uk Some great news is that you can renovate your home worryfree with a revolutionary new app designed for homeowners and tradespeople. Kiistone launched to the trade industry in April 2021 by a Lancashire-based tech start-up, the Kiistone app allows tradespeople and customers to agree job specifications and budgets ahead of work commencing. Customers can track each part of the job, ticking off each task as the work progresses, so that they know exactly what is happening and can keep an eye on their budget. The innovative app was developed by CEO of Kiistone Tim Mullock, who has 20 years’ experience in improving homes in the Lancashire area and has seen the best and worst it has to offer. The app has a high-end endorsement from West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who used it during the full refurbishment and extension of his family home. Join the Kiistone Community for free and receive not only the app but also dedicated forums for help and advice, news articles and home improvement ideas, and guidance on health and wellbeing. Tradespeople can now use the app for free for four months by going to: kiistone.co.uk. We are buying more indoor plants to give our homes a breath of fresh air. NASA’s Clean Air Study found that there’s a number of air purifying plants that are perfect for detoxifying

your home from the dust, germs and airborne pollutants found in a variety of everyday materials from carpets to furniture. Researchers have since said that you’ll need a considerable amount of plants in the home to make a real difference to the air around you, but with plants becoming such a dominant interiors trend in the last year, it makes sense to kill two birds with one stone - plants that help purify the air in your home and look good doing it. We spoke to Nathan Raab, MD of Pointless Plants, for his top 10 best air purifying plants to help give your home a breath of healthy fresh air. Read his article in this edition for all you need to know and visit pointlessplants.com to purchase your plants to purify the air in your home. However you want to revamp your home, stay tuned for our future editions of The Lancashire Magazine for advice, tips and features to improve and impress.

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THE Nature Chronicles Prize 2021/22 A New £10,000 Contemporary Nature-writing Essay Prize Opens For Entries First prize of £10,000; Five runner-up prizes of £1,000 https://naturechroniclesprize.com

he prize is a memorial to Prudence Scott, a lifelong nature diarist who died in 2019. Her Trust is the prize’s sponsor.

It has been conceived to mark the global pandemic and serve those who have witnessed this. For the inaugural 2022 prize, and every future award, it is hoped that the result will be a book of surprising works that vary in style but share a commitment to truth and fellow feeling. Prudence Mary Milligan was born in 1926 to a naval family. She was given a Quaker education and then trained as a nurse. In 1952 she married and in 1961 moved to the Lake District where she brought up her four children, mostly as a single parent. It was a quiet, contained sort of existence, which immersed her children in nature: hedgehogs, Fell ponies, curlews. She was a great reader, and sometimes painted and sometimes wrote poetry – but always she kept up with her journals. In them, she observes her children and her surroundings with the same restless, curious, unsentimental eye. She died in London on 1 September 2019, aged 93.

Above: Prudence Scott (1926–2019)

KEY DATES: 15th June 2021 – Open for entries

ENTRY CRITERIA:

15th January 2022 – Entries close

The competition is open to any work of non-fiction prose between 2,000 and 8,000 words long on a topic the writer considers to be contemporary nature writing.

1st August 2022 – Longlist announced

It is for work originating in the English language. Pieces will be judged anonymously and must not have been published, self-published or accepted for publication in print or online. Essays, standalone extracts from unpublished books, and diaries may all be submitted. The entry fee is £15 per submission, which will include a copy of the resulting anthology – in ebook form for nonUK entries. 54

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1st September 2022 – Shortlist announced Mid-November 2022 – Publication of anthology and prize-giving ceremony at Kendal Mountain Literature Festival THE JUDGES: Kathryn Aalto Elizabeth-Jane Burnett Matthew Cobb Sara Hunt Dr Will Smith www.lancmag.com

We are Marsden Rawsthorn Solicitors. Marsden Rawthorn is an ambitious and forward thinking legal firm based in Fulwood Preston and Buckshaw Village - Chorley, who are dedicated to getting the right results for you, for the right fee.

Services: Litigation - Disputes and Debt Landlord/Tenant Commercial Property Family Law Company Law Employment Law Personal Injury Wills, Probate and Trusts Residential Property

Services For You, Services For Business

Free Initial Consultation

Providing exceptional service for you is the driving force for our energetic and experienced team. We place great emphasis on listening to you and take time to understand your needs. This allows us to provide you with innovative solutions for all your business and private legal issues.

Our free initial consultation lets you explore whether we can offer the right option for you without worrying about the cost of the consultation.

Monthly Payment Plans Available Our services and payment plans can be adapted according to the complexity of your matter and the level of advice needed.

Tel: 0800 294 4410 Email: info@marsdenrawsthorn.com www.marsdenrawsthorn.com

From left to right: Lauren Townson, Lyndsey Kiley & Amanda Long.

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arsden Rawsthorn Solicitors have decades of experience and historic roots within the local community. We have a wellestablished team of highly qualified and skilled solicitors with a first-class reputation. The Family Team in particular are sensitive to the difficult situations you may face. We recognise your needs and circumstances are unique and our aim is to achieve the very best outcome for you. Our focus is on finding the best situation to help you move forward.

Your Guide to Pet-nups PETNUPS The breakdown of any relationship is an upsetting time for all concerned, especially when family pets are involved. Pets are often seen as an important and integral part of the family. There have been many cases in the spotlight which evidence just how attached to our pets we become, for example, the alleged dispute between Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong over their beloved dog, Hurley. Petnups have become a key consideration as a result of COVID 19. It is estimated that around 3.2 million households in the UK have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic. The country now has 17 million pet-owning homes amounting to 34 million pets in the UK (source Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association). It is becoming increasingly desired by couples to have certainty as to what should happen to their beloved pet following the breakdown of a relationship, and how to make an already upsetting time a little easier.

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HOW ARE PETS VIEWED IN THE EYES OF THE LAW? A pet is classed as a chattel in the same way as an item of personal property, for example, an item of furniture. WHAT IS A PETNUP? A petnup is a document, similar to a prenuptial agreement or separation agreement, which deals with your pet and who should take ownership of your pet in the event of a dispute following relationship breakdown. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A PETNUP? Having a petnup in place is a preemptive step. It enables parties to agree, in the event of an unfortunate relationship breakdown, as to what should happen to the pet and other important decisions. By having an agreement in place, it avoids the heartache and upset 58

of having to address the matter at the end of the relationship, and it potentially avoids the parties having to spend significant amounts of money in legal fees to determine the issue. What the petnup should include will often be determined on a case-by-case basis. However, it would be useful for the petnup to address the following matters: • Who the pet is to live with; • Who is responsible for the insurance; • Who is responsible for the vet bills; and • What should happen in the event the pet becomes ill. The petnup could also include provision for the other party to continue spending time the pet. If the parties are amicable, it may be that provision could be made for there to

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be ‘shared care’ of the pet, and for the one party to care for the pet whilst the other is on holiday. A petnup can be tailored to meet the wishes of the parties involved. ARE PETNUPS LEGALLY BINDING? Like prenuptial agreements and separation agreements, petnups are not legally binding. However, the Court is likely to uphold the terms of the petnup if:• the petnup has been drafted correctly; • it has been freely entered into by both parties; • there is a mutual intention for the petnup to be binding; • there has been no undue pressure; and • the parties have received legal advice. www.lancmag.com

I DO NOT HAVE A PETNUP AND THERE IS A DISPUTE OVER OWNERSHIP, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? If in the event of a relationship breakdown and you and your partner are unable to reach an agreement in respect of your pet, you could consider attending at mediation. Both you and your partner would be able to sit down and try and resolve the issue with the assistance of a trained and impartial mediator, with a view to arriving at an agreement everyone is happy with. In the event mediation is not successful, you may have little option other than to seek Court intervention to resolve the dispute. However, it would be necessary to weigh up the potential costs involved in respect of any litigation and it may that Court Proceedings are simply not cost-effective. Of course, for many of us, pets are priceless and therefore, it would be in your interest to have a petnup to avoid having to make such a difficult decision.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Family Team at Marsden Rawsthorn for a bespoke quotation. If you would like to arrange an appointment, call 0800 294 4410 or alternatively email on info@ marsdenrawsthorn.com Marsden Rawsthorn Solicitors Ltd Faraday Court Faraday Drive Fulwood Preston - PR2 9NB

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Westmarch House 42 Eaton Avenue Buckshaw Village Chorley - PR7 7NA

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 59

From Burnley to the Black Sea By local author Stewart Binns

first went to Russia, the Soviet Union as it then was, in the summer of 1969. I was at university at Lancaster, but as my car was at my East Lancs home in Burnley, the little cotton town where I had grown up was my point of departure. My pride and joy was a Mini, but we were a party of four, so what little luggage we had had to be stuffed onto a roof rack. Fortunately, one of our quartet was studying Eastern European history and was a fluent Russian speaker. Without her, we may never have returned. The visit, with its many escapades and dramas, gave me a host of vivid memories that have stayed with me for over fifty years. Not only that, although it never occurred to me at the time, the journey has come back into prominence more than once in my life. Our 1969 visit was a six-week summer adventure that began on a ferry from Newcastle to Norway, continued across Scandinavia and onto the Finnish-Soviet border, at Vyborg. It ended on the Romanian border, across the Danube on the Black Sea, before a

long return leg across Western Europe. We covered over 4,500 miles and took in Leningrad (now St Petersburg), Novgorod, Moscow, Orel, Kiev and Odessa. The arrival in Vyborg was a real eye-opener. With nobody else on the unmade road, we crossed into a no-man’s-land of tank traps and watchtowers. The Soviet border guards we soon encountered were grim-faced, clearly not enamoured by the arrival of four hippies who had interrupted their midday slumbers. When we arrived in the centre of Vyborg in the gloom of dusk, it looked almost medieval. Peasants in smocks and shawls trudged along the dusty, unpaved roads. Street lighting was sporadic and dim, the buildings spartan and crumbling. The police station, where we had to report upon arrival, was full of stony-faced soldiers and even more sternfeatured security men. But it got better. The days were warm and sunny, and people strolled in the evenings and at weekends in their Sunday best. We experienced the Soviet Union enjoying a brief period of stability and modest prosperity. However, ‘prosperity’ did not add up to much. The few cafes that existed stocked little except black bread, dry cakes and pickled gherkins. Vodka and beer were plentiful and abject drunkenness commonplace; vodka for the men, beer for the women. The alcohol clearly went a long way to ameliorate the sheer drabness of people, places and life in general.

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Although there was a mild aura of oppression, there seemed to be no violence or disruption, save for the many drunks to be found prostrate in the parks, on the streets and in the Metro carriages. Not everything about Soviet life was negative. Education and medical care were free and of an excellent standard; rents were low, and public transport almost free. Everyone had a job, even if just a token one, like the countless war widows who sat all day at the bottom of the escalators on Moscow’s Metro, its stations a stunning Stalinist architectural achievement designed to embody svet (‘radiance and brilliance’). We found a few remarkable comforts, even to relatively affluent Western students. Small ice-cream carts could be found on many street corners. The Russians love ice cream. In Soviet days it was said there were only three reasons to travel to the Soviet Union: the ballet, the state circus and ice cream. In the 1930s, the state had decreed that only natural ingredients could be used in the making of ice cream, and the result was a very milky, very delicious treat, served between biscuits and beautifully wrapped in silver foil. The price: three kopeks. Thruppence!

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horrors of the Siege of Leningrad, little is known about the Eastern Front among those of us who live west of Poland, except of course among the Germans, who prefer to forget about it.

By the 1980s, the cracks in the edifice of Soviet communism were as wide as Red Square, and its satellite states were in a sorry state of downtrodden resentment. Russia and Eastern Europe are quite different places now – and, sadly, in Russia, they eat the same ice cream as the rest of the world. Although much of the Soviet Empire was lost in the wake of its collapse in 1991, the new Russian Federation is still a vast state, much of it remote and still beset by rural poverty. Even in the cities, massive swathes of poorly built residential tower blocks are the norm, where modest lives are lived in stark contrast with the enormous wealth of the few who have benefitted from the country’s vast reserves of oil and gas. But through all the changes in modern Russian history – from medieval tsars to communist dictators; from Gorbachev to Yeltsin to Putin; through revolutions, wars and purges; in suffering and in death – the Russian people have remained the same.

More importantly for me, the histories of the Eastern Front that have been written rarely look at the war from the east looking west. They are mainly written the other way round, ‘How Hitler lost the War’. I wanted to correct that, so, in Barbarossa, my account of the war, the story is told exclusively from the perspective of the Soviet Union and the other East Europeans who stood in the way of the greatest and most brutal invasion in history. Thankfully, when threatened, the collective will of the Russian people grants them great strength; it allows them to endure and to resist. It is the intangible quality they were able to bring to bear in their enormous struggle against Hitler’s terrors, empowering them to survive and, ultimately, to win the bloodiest war in history. Their story also tells us something else. Although it might stick in the craw a little, we in the West would do well to remember that, despite our own heroics in the Battle of Britain, the Blitz, El Alamein and D-Day and so on, the Second World War was won on the Eastern Front, where, over four-years of death and destruction, the Red Army bled to death Hitler’s Nazi horde.

Barbarossa by Stewart Binns (Wildfire, £20)

The harsh climate and environment in which they live, and the many adversities they have faced over the centuries, have made the Russian people resolute and, at times, taciturn. But beneath the rugged facade, which visitors may see as cheerless, even rude, there is genuine warmth, a generosity, and a strong belief in the common good. It is not a communist vision of the ‘common good’ – although it formed part of the people’s ready acceptance of socialism – but more a collective willpower, a belief in the strength of the culture and traditions of Mother Russia. Such generalisations veer towards stereotypes, but they are more revealing than the harsh perceptions frequently held in the West, which derive from the Cold War and the autocracy of Vladimir Putin. Overall, regardless of what their leaders have desired, the Russian mentality has shown itself not to be aggressive. It is passive, even fatalistic. The Russian people are stoics, not warmongers. Over the many years since 1969, and through many visits, I have grown fond of the Russians, which is why, when I realised that the eightieth anniversary of Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union, Operation Barbarossa, would happen in June 2021, I decided I would like to write about it and the terrible war that followed. The Russians call it the Great Patriotic War – the Eastern Front – which did not end until Berlin fell in May 1945. Except for the epic battle for Stalingrad and perhaps the

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Nantwich By Sarah Ridgway

ituated on the River Weaver, the charming market town of Nantwich is bursting with history alongside a contemporary ambience. The town is famous for having the largest collection of listed buildings in England, more than 100 in total. Their black and white timbered exteriors are an attractive draw for visitors all year round. For a small town, it has an interesting history, from the Great Fire in 1583 where only a handful of buildings survived, the Battle of Nantwich during the Civil War to a top-secret government nuclear bunker that remained hidden for over 50 years. Today Nantwich is a busy and vibrant town full of independent shops and boutiques, and home to a traditional market that has been trading since 1500. There are plenty of cosy cafes, restaurants, and pubs to whet your appetite and the surrounding countryside is perfect for a walk and spotting the local wildlife. HISTORY OF NANTWICH The origins of Nantwich go back to its original Roman settlement, a leader in salt production at that time its name is derived from the Welsh name “Nant yr Heledd Wen” meaning the steam of the white pit salt. Salt was known to have been made in the area as far back as the second and third centuries and was used by the Roman soldiers as a

Source: Lachlan1 / Shutterstock.com

preservative and a condiment. In the Domesday book, 8 salt houses were recorded, and production would continue for the next 1600 years, by the end of Tudor times this number would grow to 216. The salt was also used to make Cheshire Cheese which is one of the oldest recorded named cheeses in the country going back to Roman times. This is a town that takes its cheese seriously with a long

Source: Colin Burdett / Shutterstock.com

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history of cheese farms around the area. Since 1897 the town has hosted The International Cheese Awards where the region’s best cheeses go head-to-head against competition from more than 50 countries. The show is the largest cheese show in the world but unfortunately will leave Nantwich this year to move to a more weatherproof venue in Staffordshire. Besides salt, the town was also an important manufacturer of leather and home to many tanneries. The term “Dabber” which is the nickname given to someone born and bred in Nantwich is thought to originate from these local industries, as “dabbing” is part of the curing leather process and the dabbing of glue during shoemaking. However, the nickname derived, it has stuck, and the town’s football club is known as the Dabber Dome. Despite its small size Nantwich is one of the few places in Cheshire marked on the Gough Map, which was a late Medieval map and renowned as one of the earliest maps to show Britain in a geographically recognisable form. Many people may not be aware that Nantwich had a Castle as today no trace of the Norman building remains above ground. Originally constructed before 1180 it was built to guard a ford across the River Weaver and as a defense against Welsh attack. It was not one of Cheshire’s important castles and when the Welsh were conquered it was vacated and by 1485 it lay in ruins. Stones from the castle are believed to have been salvaged and reused in St Mary’s Church. Another historical building no longer standing is Nantwich Mill, which originally started life as a corn mill around 1228. In 1788 it was converted into a cotton spinning mill only to revert to a corn mill in 1874. In the 20th century, it would manufacture agricultural equipment such as cheese presses. In the 1950s it became Boughey’s Mill also housing a gymnasium and a billiards club; it was destroyed by a fire in the 1970s and demolished. www.lancmag.com

THE GREAT FIRE On 10th December 1583, a local man who was brewing ale in his kitchen accidentally started the Great Fire of Nantwich that raged through the town for 20 days. Due to the houses being thatched it spread quickly destroying 150 buildings. Despite making half the population homeless which was around 900 people, there were only two fatalities. While the town sought to recover from the fire it put a grinding halt to its salt production and other forms of trade. This was a concerning subject for Queen Elizabeth I and she personally contributed £1000 towards the towns rebuild. This act was marked on a plaque in Nantwich square and as a result, the building is now called “Queen’s Aid House” The inscription reads:

of Nantwich. The people of the town celebrated by placing sprigs of holly in their hats and the day is known still to this day as “Holly Holy Day” For the past 40 years to commemorate the day the historic battle is reenacted on the streets of Nantwich by the Sealed Knot who are the oldest historical reenactment society in Europe. Every year in late January the town comes alive as hundreds of troops besiege the town attracting thousands of spectators. Before the reenactment, the Holly Holy Day society holds a wreathlaying ceremony at the war memorial to commemorate all those who died there and throughout the civil war. In September 1832, a small outbreak of cholera occurred in the town and 14 people died.

Unfortunately, in 1849, the disease returned with a much worse outbreak resulting in 181 deaths. Due to overcrowding, poor sanitation including the River Weaver being used for drinking water and sewage disposal the disease spread rapidly. In three months, 1000 cases were reported which was about one-sixth of the population at that time. With daily funerals, outsiders were afraid to visit, the markets stopped, and the place became a ghost town. The Rector of Nantwich, Andrew Fuller Chater made a huge contribution in getting the crisis under control. At that time little was known about cholera, but he was amongst many who narrowed the cause down to bad drainage and poor hygiene. Drainage from the graves was seeping

God grant our Royal Queen, In England long to reign, For she has put her helping hand, To build this town again. Along with other funds raised the town was rebuilt the following year and local painter Herbert St John Jones captured the scene on canvas. The artist, a celebrated animal painter, moved to Nantwich as a young boy and lived there until he died in 1939. He was exceedingly popular and often commissioned by the wealthy and elite to paint their dogs and horses including the Duke and Duchess of Westminster. He was a regular face on the streets of Nantwich and is said to have painted pictures to pay his bills to the local shopkeepers. The artist also painted other everyday scenes around Nantwich and many of those paintings are on public display at the Nantwich Museum. During the English Civil War, Nantwich was the only town in Cheshire in support of Cromwell and the Parliamentarians. Therefore, the Royalist besieged the town for weeks to gain the second most important town in the county. On 25th January 1644 led Sir Thomas Fairfax the Parliamentarians arrived to win back control. The battle was fought to the east of Acton in enclosed fields and lanes which was unsuitable terrain for cavalry but the Parliamentarian’s victory put an end to the Royalist’s stronghold of the town. It would later become known as the Battle www.lancmag.com

Above: Holly Holy Day Source: david muscroft / Shutterstock.com

Above: Soldiers reenact The Battle of Nantwich Source: david muscroft / Shutterstock.com

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into the water supply which was further helping the spread of disease. Due to his findings, a new graveyard was built, and the town got a new cleaner supply from Baddiley Mere. Chater died in 1872 and is buried at Barony All Saints Cemetery, the graveyard that he created. During Medieval times, the town’s prominent position on the London to Chester road ensured lots of passing trade, by the mid-19th Century the thriving salt industry had declined, and the last salt houses shut their doors. This was due to the opening of Telford’s road from London to Holyhead which offered a faster route to Wales therefore passing trade dwindled, the opening of the Grand Junction Railway was the final nail as the town was bypassed completely.

Mansion is a notable example dating back to 1577 and is one of the very few buildings to survive the great fire. In its time the Grade I mansion has been a family home, a ladies boarding school, an antique shop and is currently a restaurant. Located on the same street as Churche’s Mansion, Sweetbriar Hall is an attractive halftimbered black and white building and also predates the great fire. The town is packed with lots of excellent examples of Tudor and Georgian architecture with many dating from the 16th to the 19th century and

perfect to wander through. Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker The Hack Green Secret Bunker is a former nuclear underground facility that lay hidden in Cheshire for over 50 years. It was rebuilt in the 1980s at a cost of over £32 million and opened to the public as a museum enabling visitors to get a closer look at its secret past. The public is invited to wander through the bunker’s eerie corridors and be transported back to the times of the Cold War. If the nuclear war had come to reality in

WHAT TO DO IN NANTWICH St Mary’s Church St Mary’s church is one of the finest Medieval churches in the country and is called the “Cathedral of South Cheshire’’ as it contains all the features of a cathedral. The Grade I listed building dates to the 14th century and was built around 1340. The church took over a century to complete with the older parts of the church in Decorated Gothic Style and the later sections in Perpendicular Gothic Style. During the Civil War in the 1640s, the church was used as a jail for Royalist’s prisoners and Cromwell stabled his horses there. Between 1855-1861 St Mary’s underwent an extensive restoration managed by Sir George Gilbert, while still preserving the original interior stonework from the 14th Century. A standout feature is the exquisite 14th-century choir stalls, the wood carvings and decorative pinnacles are in perfect condition made from oak from Vale Royal. The Jubilee Curtain which hangs proudly in the church was made by a local tapestry group to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Today the beautiful sandstone building is run by volunteers who are happy to provide visitors with further insight into St Mary’s past. Nantwich is famed for having the most listed and historic buildings in the country closely followed by neighboring Chester. Most are in the town centre within the old boundaries of the town and St Mary’s church is the oldest. Churche’s 64

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the UK, then the 35,000 sq ft bunker would have been at the centre of the regional government. Today, you can read through previously classified government documents and learn about the people that worked there and also observe its large collection of military and memorabilia. Visitors can watch the original broadcasts that would have gone out across all TV channels just before a nuclear attack and brave an interactive simulator to replicate what a nuclear attack would have been like.

Due to Brine naturally occurring in springs in the area, Nantwich was a fashionable place to take saltwater treatment during the Victorian times for their healing qualities. The Brines Baths Hotel opened in 1893 attracting visitors from across the world. The hotel was demolished in the 50s, but the town’s outdoor brine pool which opened in 1935 is the perfect alternative to enjoy a swim in its warming temperatures of 74 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Nantwich Museum housed in the old Victorian library opened in 1980 and provides a wealth of knowledge. The museum brings the town’s fascinating history to life telling its story through the ages, from salt making, the Great Fire and an exhibition on how the famous Cheshire cheese is made. The museum’s popular permanent exhibitions include the Cheshire Civil War Centre, Roman artefacts, and a gallery of paintings depicting scenes of Nantwich life throughout the years.

Above: St Mary’s Church Source: baileyc1 / Shutterstock.com

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COVID-19 Research: Project investigating long-term effects of COVID-19 on the heart is awarded grant by national charity Heart Research UK A project at Newcastle University investigating long-term inflammation of the heart following COVID-19 infection has been awarded a grant of almost £150,000 by national charity Heart Research UK. Around 10% of COVID-19 patients in the UK will suffer from so-called ‘long-COVID’, where symptoms continue for more than three months. In addition to causing chest infection and breathing problems, COVID-19 can also affect the heart, which is associated with poorer survival chances. While older patients, men and those with cardiovascular disease are at highest risk, all of these subgroups also have a weaker ‘adaptive’ immune response in common. Heart injury caused by COVID-19, and particularly the role of the immune system, is poorly understood. Possibly up to half of patients who are admitted to hospital with COVID-19 have ongoing inflammation of their heart muscle and vessels, independent of preexisting conditions, severity and overall course of the acute illness, or time from the original diagnosis. The aim of this project, which will be led by Professor Ioakim Spyridopoulos, Professor of Cardiovascular Gerontology at Newcastle University, is to study the role of the immune system in long-term heart inflammation. Professor Spyridopoulos and the team plan to: • Identify specific blood markers that can tell us if there is still

inflammation in the heart • Understand the mechanism of this ongoing inflammation • Discover which of the molecules in the immune response could be targeted by existing drugs to prevent future complications in patients recovering from COVID-19 and heart inflammation. They will study blood samples from patients in the ongoing COVID-HEART trial, which involves a large UK consortium of leading researchers and clinicians led by Professor John Greenwood from the University of Leeds. The project will use a novel technology, called ‘spectral cytometry’ that can visualise hundreds of small cellular subgroups of the immune system. This research has the potential to identify new blood markers of heart inflammation as well as guide specific immunetherapies to prevent ongoing heart inflammation and therefore reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications in patients recovering from COVID-19. Professor Spyridopoulos said: “A significant number of patients seem to suffer for many months after COVID-19 infection, specifically with heart-related symptoms such as palpitations, breathlessness, chest pain or simply overall tiredness.

“We would like to understand the reason why these patients do not recover as well from Covid-19, and whether their immune system reacts differently. Ultimately, we would like to identify these patients quickly, and hopefully be able to offer some kind of treatment.” Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the work of Professor Spyridopoulos and his team, whose research is right at the cutting edge of the biggest medical challenges the world has ever faced. “For some time, it has been known that COVID-19 can have long-lasting effects on the heart. Through this research, we hope to be able to improve outcomes for COVID-19 patients, reduce the risk of damage to their hearts and help speed up their recovery. “Heart Research UK grants are all about helping patients. They aim to bring the latest developments to those who need them, as soon as possible. “The dedication we see from UK researchers is both encouraging and inspiring, and we at Heart Research UK are proud to be part of it.”

If you’d like to support Heart Research UK’s vital work into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease, please visit www.heartresearch.org.uk for inspiration on how you could help 66

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Above: Tim Mullock

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Above: Tim Mullock with Sam Johnstone

ince the beginning of the pandemic, the home improvement market has seen a massive influx of people wanting to transform their homes. Being unable to go on holiday has meant many people have more cash to splash, with research by Attic Self Storage finding that homeowners are planning to spend £6,531 on average per household in 2021. Passing every waking moment at home for the past year has likely encouraged more people to make a few changes as well. Yet many still struggle to find a trustworthy tradesperson. Could it be that with television programmes like Rogue Traders and Cowboy Builders, homeowners are reluctant to spend thousands of pounds at the risk of it going wrong? Or is it more the fact that a dwindling number of skilled tradespeople are unable to meet the needs of the public – especially in the current climate? When securing a booking, in order to cover that period for installation and the materials required, tradespeople will often sensibly ask for a deposit for their own financial www.lancmag.com

protection. If you are not 100% trusting in the relationship yet and the start date for your project appears as a speck on the horizon – it can be an unnerving leap of faith to commit a large sum of money into another’s hands. When demand for home improvements is so high, the unfortunate reality is that even poorquality trades are able to find work and charge top money, because people are not used to having to wait long periods to get jobs done. If this results in a bad experience then it

‘Homeowners are planning to spend £6,531 on average per household in 2021’ - Research by Attic Self Storage

just reinforces the false notion that tradespeople don’t care and deliver less than is expected of them. The reality is that there are still a large number of highly skilled, friendly, dedicated, honest men and women committed to customer satisfaction. The question, without a simple answer, is how do you find them? Recommendation sites appear to offer this holy grail; however, the question is – why, in times of such plenty, do top tradespeople need them and does having a five-star rating really assure an excellent level of service? In order to meet demand, many successful tradespeople are expanding their operations by taking on more workers and coordinating more jobs simultaneously. For those successful, this leads to a wide and happy client base but for others, without a well organised machine, they end up dropping their high personal standards due to not being able to ‘see the wood for the trees’. It is in this maelstrom that communications breakdown or

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Above: Sam Johnstone, West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper

become misinterpreted and the ever so important extra details - valued by the customer – get missed. So maintaining clear communications that define a successful project, reassuring customers that their money is safe, and providing clients with a structure of checks that build confidence their project is on track could result in a brew and a biscuit and smiles all round.

WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT IF A SYSTEM ENCAPSULATED THESE PROCESSES? Launched to the trade industry in April 2021 by a Lancashire-based tech start-up, the Kiistone app allows tradespeople and customers to agree job specifications and budgets ahead of work commencing. Customers can track each part of the job, ticking off each task as the work progresses, so that they know exactly what is happening and can keep an eye on their budget. The messaging system within the app allows both parties to communicate effectively, with messages saved to prevent misunderstandings and provide references for decisions made earlier in the project. No conversations are lost in emails or text messages and both parties know what has been decided and when. The in-app flagging system makes it easy and straightforward to flag up any issues that arise during a project. Perhaps a pipe has started leaking or the paint being used is the wrong colour. Simply upload a picture of the problem with a short description. Once the tradesperson has seen this, the customer is notified for their peace of mind. The tradesperson having addressed the flagged issue lets the customer know it is resolved for their inspection, allowing them to easily tick it off and be comforted that their concerns are dealt with. Payment for these projects, including any deposit required in advance, is taken and held independently by the largest Escrow provider in Europe. This neutral banking facility means that customers know their tradesperson can’t receive funds until they are happy to 70

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release it and the tradesperson can buy materials and commit time to a project, reassured that the money is there for immediate payment on completion. Neither party can touch the payment until agreement is reached that the job is finished to a high standard - resulting in everyone’s focus being on a job well done and peace of mind for all concerned. Breaking a project into smaller work-packages with set money milestones means that potential issues are limited in size. A method of resolving issues as they arise cements and enhances a better working relationship, as opposed to problems festering and disputes arising at the end of a project, spoiling what should have been a great experience for all. It is important to note that for a tradesperson there is no better feeling than driving away from a project with the personal pride of knowing the job was well finished and you’ve made your customer’s vision a reality. The innovative app was developed by CEO of Kiistone Tim Mullock, who has 20 years’ experience in improving homes in the Lancashire area and has seen the best and worst it has to offer. He said: “The biggest issue that we’ve still got today is a lack of trust between the customer and the trade. “Customers who have watched programmes such as Rogue Traders have begun to treat tradespeople with a certain level of distrust. While it is undeniable that there are some cowboys out there, professional tradespeople often find themselves tarred with the same brush, which doesn’t make for good customer relationships. “On the flipside, tradespeople can experience lack of understanding from customers or unrealistic expectations, which can lead to disputes over final invoices. “The Kiistone app has been designed to provide a professional solution for both parties, providing absolute clarity to customers at all stages of the project and ensuring fair payment for the job delivered.” www.lancmag.com

Above: Sam Johnstone, West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper

As well as the Escrow solution, the app provides further functions to help tradespeople and homeowners manage their projects, including diary, flagging, and communication features. It also links to the Kiistone Community website, which delivers industry news, guidance and support for trade businesses and homeowners. The Kiistone app has seen high-end endorsement, specifically from West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. Preston-born Johnstone was one of the first users of the app, having been asked to beta-test it during the full refurbishment and extension of his family home in Altrincham. He was so impressed by the experience he has now become a shareholder in the company.

“Not only do I think it’s a great app, but it’s something I believe will really help change the way things are done for the better, both for trades and for the general public who require their services.” - Sam Johnstone, West Bromwich Albion Goalkeeper Johnstone said: “When we were planning a major refurbishment of our family home, including a fully-fitted extension, all new bathrooms and driveway, I was offered a chance to road test the app by the project manager. It seemed like a really good idea, so I was happy to give it a go. I don’t know anything about building works, but having the project broken down into stages helped me feel in control of the progress and my budget.

why I’m really pleased to have come on board with the company as a shareholder. Not only do I think it’s a great app, but it’s something I believe will really help change the way things are done for the better, both for trades and for the general public who require their services.” Along with the app, the Kiistone Community has been developed for both tradespeople and customers, bringing them the latest industry news and giving them a space where they can build up their profiles, join groups, and post and answer queries on dedicated forums. Such as Do you want to know if you need planning permission for a conservatory? Ask on the forums and another member can help you out. Keep an eye out on the community for exclusive events and competitions run by Kiistone. In December 2020, Kiistone gifted a customer member £500 to help them with their home renovation project over Christmas. The Kiistone app is set to be a game changer in the trade industry, making cowboy builders a thing of the past and building back the trust that has been lost between tradespeople and homeowners. Creating a community of tradespeople who take pride in their profession and do the best work possible for their customers is the ultimate goal of the Lancashire-based tech start-up. Join the Kiistone Community for free and receive not only the app but also dedicated forums for help and advice, news articles and home improvement ideas, and guidance on health and wellbeing. Tradespeople can now use the app for free for four months by going to:

www.kiistone.co.uk

“It ended up being a great experience and I feel confident it will be able to help others too, which is www.lancmag.com

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TRAILBLAZING TECH IS BACK!... SAVE THE DATE: FRIDAY 2ND JULY: THE LOWRY HOTEL HYBRID | IN PERSON | VIRTUAL

The global pandemic has changed everything. The way we shop has changed, with high street brands disappearing or becoming online only. How we consume hospitality experiences and leisure activities has changed. The way we educate our children and the way we engage and recruit, has changed, and as a by product increased the need for those in-demand digital and technical skills.

e’ve seen the way we do business change from electronic signatures, to the way we bank and invest online. We’ve also seen the need to protect ourselves online more than ever before, with an increase in cyber crime and regulations which simply can’t keep up with the evolution of technology. We’ve seen advances in healthcare, from smart ambulances to prescriptions delivered by drone and we’ve also seen that whilst the world slowed down for a few months, technology has enabled us to work towards a greener future with a new focus on infrastructure and how we build communities. We’ll hear from keynote speakers and panelists as Trailblazing Tech Conference continues to evolve as a hybrid event coming to you live, studio style from the Lowry Hotel, Manchester, with the opportunity to join us in person or virtually on Friday 2nd July 2021 With live demonstrations from key leaders, Trailblazing Tech promises to be engaging, with something to learn for every sector. WHEN? Friday July 2nd 2021 08.45 - 15.00 WHERE? The Lowry Hotel, Dearmans Pl. Manchester BOOKINGS: www.pro-manchestertechconference.com This is a hybrid event. Delegates can choose to join in person or virtually with all presentations streamed live. Live Event - £125 exc. VAT Live Event - £150 exc. VAT Virtual Ticket - Member £70 exc. VAT, Non-Member £99 exc. VAT 72

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THEMES Our Programme is taking shape but what can you expect and what will you learn from our expert panels at this year’s event? FINTECH Can I pay with Bitcoin for that NFT? If you didn’t understand that question, this might be the panel for you as we explore the world of FinTech. In 2020 the government commissioned The Kalifa Review of UK FinTech which highlights the opportunity to create highly skilled jobs across the UK, boost trade and extend the UK’s competitive edge over other leading FinTech Hubs but how is it proposing we do this and what strides are we already making in this space? Join us as our panel discuss how organisations like the FCA are helping the #FinTech revolution, decentralised finance, electronic institutions and why your collectables might soon be digital. RETAIL Goodbye High Street, Hello AR Street? In a year that saw retail giants like Debenhams, Topshop and Thorntons disappear from the high street for good, we’re asking what next for retail? Easing of lockdown means we’re free to go back to the high street - but will we? The global pandemic has forced advances in shipping and logistics and savvy retailers have stepped up their online experience to meet demand. You no longer need to “be in the shop” to ‘see in the shop’ - VR has taken care of that and no more guessing if that sofa will look great in your living room thanks to AR. In fact there’s no reason to go to a physical shop again or is there? GREEN TECH Building green growth, getting to Zero by 2050 The world we live in is changing and never more than in the past year, the UK demographic is evolving. The population is growing and expected to increase to 73m by 2041 and the number of people aged 65+ is also projected to rise to 26% of the population by the same year. It’s crucial then that we change how we plan our environment, how people live and work differently in a way that is more environmentally sound than ever. The UK is committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 www.lancmag.com

By definition, trailblazing is the activity of introducing new ideas or method in an innovative or pioneering way

and Manchester by 2038 but how are we going to get there? Our panel will be discussing this plus how we can empower real change through our property and transport sectors to enable a greener future for all. CYBER CRIME From Royal Mail to National Insurance, Cyber Crime: Part and Parcel of the new world? 2020 was the year the world truly went digital and with the increase in usage came an increase in those looking to exploit the online world. We’ve all been targeted by cybercriminals by now and most of us know how to spot it but as much as tech is constantly improving, so too are cyber criminals now posing as trusted and reputable organisations such as Royal Mail or National Insurance. More people than before are getting caught out and that’s a huge problem. We now have more data than ever on our computers and smartphones. We work, educate and operate our lives through our devices so how can we protect ourselves? Our panel will be discussing this plus taking a look at data ownership and how regulations simply can’t keep up with the evolution of tech and those who seek to exploit it. HEALTH TECH Post-Pandemic Healthcare: What’s next?

the pandemic, and a change that at first was forced upon us has become the norm for many businesses and educational providers. For employers, the move to remote working has meant an opening up of the talent pool where once only a Manchester-based candidate will do now the whole of the UK and further afield are potential talent hotspots for tech. Our panel will be discussing how remote delivery has impacted both education and the workplace for the better plus we’ll be taking a look at the future of training and skills and how employers can approach both recruitment and onboarding differently in a new virtual world of talent. FINANCIAL & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Traditional goes digital, but does it really want to? The Financial and Professional sector is an industry built on traditional operations - from face to face meetings, to suits and ties, to swanky, city centre offices. But has the global pandemic turned it all on its head? With reports of Professional giants such as Deloitte downsizing office space whilst ex Goldman Sachs boss expresses horror at remote working as the norm, is the F&P sector now doing things differently or is it ‘business as usual’. During the conference our speakers will discuss the changes for good enforced by the past 12 months and address how even the most traditional industry can’t stop the tide of technological change.

If there was ever a year when the UK health service was under scrutiny it was this one, pushed to it’s very limits followed by a truly remarkable and life-changing vaccination programme. But outside of the pandemic, what has been happening in healthcare to make the lives of the provider and the patient simpler? From the advent of organisations like Push Doctor, removing the need for a physical appointment, to smart ambulances that allow patients to be treated by consultants via video link before they reach a hospital. Our panel will discuss these innovations plus what the future of health provision looks like from health records being fully accessible to all patients and prescriptions being delivered by drone. SKILLS & EDUCATION Closing the gap, the changing face of talent and education From endless Zoom calls to Google Classroom, we’ve been working and learning online for the majority of www.lancmag.com

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with dual autofocus wide

microphones, and an 80° angle lens

Thanks to its wide-angle glass lens, the Taxon is well suited to making group calls and is compatible with all major video-conference software, such as Skype, Teams and Zoom. The 80-degree angle covers a wider area than a standard lens, so more than one person can fit in the video frame without needing to move or adjust the camera position. The webcam also has built-in autofocus, so it automatically pans to the person speaking.

LONDON, 27TH APRIL 2021:

eading value-formoney digital lifestyle accessories brand, Trust Electronics Ltd, is pleased to introduce its high-quality Taxon 2K QHD webcam into the UK market with autofocus, dual microphones and a privacy filter. The Taxon is built to deliver pixelclear video and disturbance-free audio, so there is no need to worry about anything other than managing meetings or connecting with friends. Two integrated microphones pick up voices clearly and video captured in QHD resolution (2560x1440) with 30 frames per second. With additional support for 720p HD and 1080p Full HD, the Taxon can be used with any device.

Perfect peace of mind can be guaranteed with the Taxon’s privacy filter, where users can be assured that privacy is safeguarded from hackers at all times by simply sliding the filter over the camera so nothing is visible. The Taxon features a universal stand that ensures the webcam is extremely versatile. Working perfectly with any home office set up, users can simply attach the camera to their monitor or place it on a desk to participate in video calling.

KEY FEATURES: • High-quality video with a 2560x1440 (QHD) resolution at 30 frames per second • Also supports 720p HD and 1080p Full HD resolutions • Wide-angle glass lens with auto focus keeps you in focus at all times • Two integrated microphones pick up your voice clearly • The built-in privacy filter ensures nothing is visible when you don’t want it to be • Universal stand; place it on your desk or a monitor • Can be placed on a tri-pod (not included) thanks to the ¼” thread • LED indicators on the front show the status of the webcam • Works with all video-conference software, such as Skype, Teams and Zoom

The camera can also be mounted on a tripod stand (not included) if preferred due to its ¼” thread. The webcam also has a LED indicator at the front of the camera, so the status is always clearly visible.

THE TAXON IS AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON FOR £69.99

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Our aim is to design and create furniture to fit perfectly in your beautiful homes. We offer a high range of designer fabrics which are only of the best quality.Our aim is to provide our customers with a tailor made, bespoke service that allows you to design and create the perfect furniture for your beautiful homes. We offer an extensive range of designer fabrics to ensure our customers receive the highest quality finishes for their bespoke furniture. With 10 years experience and City and Guilds Level 4 qualification in upholstery we can therefore offer free home consultations. In these consultations we can design and discuss all your ideas so we can make the furniture to fit all of your requirements. All of our jobs come with a 3 year guarantee so please get in touch with us to make your dream furniture a reality.

SB BESPOKE UPHOLSTERY, Millers of Longton, Unit G, Wendover, Gill Lane, Longton PR4 5SR Email: stephen@sbbespokeupholstery.co.uk Call: 07584 200 834 Visit: www.sbbespokeupholstery.co.uk F SBBespokeUpholstery I sbbespoke

Bespoke Furniture and Upholstery Services With a Tailor Made Approach

SB Bespoke Upholstery offer bespoke furniture and upholstery services to their customers with a tailor made approach that allows you to design and create the perfect furniture for your beautiful home or business. If you’re ready for your dream home, or if you’re looking to transform your business, their experts are ready to make this a reality. 76

Bespoke Upholstery was founded by Stephen, an expert in all aspects of bespoke furnishings including sofa’s and beds. He has had an incredibly successful career within the world of bespoke design leading him to be the head of one of the most successful bespoke companies in the North West. Stephen spent many years working at a national level as an important team member, learning the trade of transforming furniture into something

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unique, catered to all customers’ requirements. During this time, he learnt all aspects of becoming a successful bespoke consultant, which is when he had the idea of becoming self employed and starting SB Bespoke Upholstery. He has helped establish the reputable company into what is it today. The company offer a wide range of services, from bespoke beds, to wall panelling, to sofas and chairs and so much more. We all know there is nothing better than a www.lancmag.com

good night’s sleep, and to achieve this a comfortable bed is a must. Stephen and the team at SB Bespoke Upholstery build and design your bed to any size you like, whether it’s a standard single bed or a full wall head board. They listen to every detail their customers want and come up with something they envisioned. Sofas are not only a comforting element of your home, they’re also a beautiful focal point of any room. They’re a great way of bringing your personality to life and portraying your www.lancmag.com

perfectly in your beautiful homes.

style. SB Bespoke Upholstery build and design sofas to your size and whatever design you desire, making sure you’re comfortable every second of the day.

You can arrange a free home consultation where they create and design your dreams to your personal needs and specifications.

From design through to installation, Stephen and their experienced team are always here to help and would love to create your dream home! Their aim is to provide you with the best bespoke furniture and upholstery within the North West. Their experts design and create furniture to fit

Their team are happy to help you with any project. Start the steps of your new home today and get in touch with Stephen and his friendly team of experts today by calling 07584 200834 or emailing stephen@sbbespokeupholstery.co.uk F SBBespokeUpholstery I sbbespoke

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 77

Ask Miles Consult & Construct... A dedicated column for all you DIY lovers and Professionals within the Construction and Design Industry.

elcome again! The time has flown by since I wrote my first column. It was Ramadan (fasting) last time I was writing, so I was suffering from sleep and food deprivation. However, I cannot express the peace and contentment you get from such a blessed and sacred month. As a Muslim this is a time for reflection, repentance and detoxing for both the mind and body. Anyway, more to the point! (as I tend to digress very easily). I was talking to my friend and asked her what she would want me to talk about this month. The topic was, “What are the pros and cons of buying a partially new built house”. Sabiha, who I am sure is reading this right now, I love you dearly, but unfortunately, I will have to discuss that in next month’s edition. Something else came up, that I feel is very current and especially important to discuss, as I have just recently experienced this with a client of mine. As I mentioned in my previous article, the building and construction trade has soared through the roof. The number of businesses setting themselves up on social media, selling food and personalised tops, t shirts and mugs have rocketed. This just proves how talented people are and when you put your mind to it, you can do anything. Not only that, but there has been a huge increase in local shops being converted into cafes and takeaways. Going to one of these has been the new “Saturday night out” for many during lockdown. I will hear you ask, what has any of the above got anything to do with the topic I want to discuss this month. Well, the answer is, all these shops that are either being built or converted must seek approval to open. I am not referring to Planning Permission, I want to focus on Building Regulation Approval.

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WHAT ARE THE BUILDING REGULATIONS? Building regulations are set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the safety and health for people in or about buildings. They also include requirements to ensure that fuel and power is conserved, and facilities are provided for people, including those with disabilities, to access and move around inside buildings. Building regulations are minimum standards for design, construction, and alterations to virtually every building. The regulations are developed by the UK government and approved by Parliament. The Building Regulations 2010 cover the construction and extension of buildings and these regulations are supported by Approved Documents. Approved Documents set out detailed practical guidance on compliance with the regulations. Building regulations approval is different from planning permission and you might need both for your project. You can apply to any local authority building control department or Approved Inspector for building regulations approval.

WHAT ARE THE APROVED DOCUMENTS? Part A - Structure Part B - Fire Safety Part C - Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture Part D - Toxic Substances Part E - Resistance to the passage of sound Part F - Ventilation Part G - Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency Part H - Drainage and Waste Disposal

WHEN DO YOU NEED APPROVAL? Some kinds of building projects are exempt from the regulations, however, if you are planning to carry out ‘building work’ as defined in “regulation 3” of the building regulations, then it must comply with the building regulations. EXAMPLES OF THIS ARE: • Construct a new building • Extend or alter an existing one • Provide services and/or fittings in a building such as washing and sanitary facilities, hot water cylinders, foul water and rainwater drainage, replacement windows, and fuel burning appliances of any type. You may also require approval if there is a change of use for the building. The reason for this is that the building will no longer be complying with the requirements for its new use. If you are planning any building work, then prior to commencement it is important that you refer to “regulation 3” of the building regulations www.legislation.gov.uk. Otherwise, you should seek advice from your local Building Control Department, which is usually based at your local council, or there are private companies that offer this service too. You can also seek advice from other building Professionals, such as Architects and Building Surveyors.

HOW TO SEEK BUILDING REGULATION APPROVAL. You can either use the building control services of your local authority or an approved inspector. Using your local building control officer can have many advantages, especially if you get in early. How to get approval depends on whether a local authority building control (LABC) service or an approved inspector building control service is being used

Part J - Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems

WHAT TYPES OF APPLICATIONS ARE THERE?

Part K - Protection from falling, collision and impact

There are generally 3 types:

Part L - Conservation of fuel and power

FULL PLANS

Part M - Access to and use of buildings

This is the most thorough option. You can expect a decision within 5 weeks, or 2 months with your consent.

Part N - Glazing Safety (Withdrawn) Part P - Electrical Safety Part Q - Security Part R - Physical infrastructure for high-speed electronic communications networks Regulation 7 - Materials and workmanship

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You will get a completion certificate within 8 weeks of completion of the building work as long as it complies. BUILDING NOTICE This type of application is only for smaller projects. You can start work 2 days after your notice has been submitted to your “Building Control Body”. You do not get formal approval like you do with full plans.

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 79

REGULARISATION You can apply for ‘regularisation’ - retrospective approval for work already carried out without consent - from a local authority “Building Control Body” only. You might need to make alterations before your “Building Control Body” can agree the work complies and give you a regularisation certificate.

IS THERE A FEE FOR THE APPLICATION? Yes, there is. Local authority “Building Control Bodies” base their fees on the costs of their work. Private “Building Control Bodies” negotiate their fees directly with you.

ARE THERE ANY EXEMPTIONS IN PAYING THE FEE? Yes, there is. You may not have to pay a fee for any works relating solely for a person with a disability.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER SUBMISSION? With the first two types of the above-mentioned applications, Building Control will undertake inspections at stages. It is yours, or your appointed agent/ contractor’s responsibility who must provide at least “24 hour” notice for the Building Control Surveyor to inspect the work.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T INFORM THEM? The local authority can ask you to open up the work for inspection at your expense. You can only progress to the next stage once the inspector has approved the works on site. If a local authority believes that your building work contravenes the building regulations, they may serve you with an enforcement notice requiring you to alter or remove work which contravenes the regulations.

COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT When the project is finished, the approved inspector must issue a final certificate to the local authority to say that the work is complete, inspected, and that it complies with the regulations. If anyone needs any advice on the above or require a Building Regulation Approval preparing, then please do get in touch. We can help with both Planning Permission applications and Building Regulation applications. If you have anything specific you want me to talk about or have any other queries, then get in touch and I will address them in my future columns.

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PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL OR SEND AN EMAIL TO: sajedah@milescc.co.uk www.milescc.co.uk +44 (0) 1772 759345 +44 (0) 75810 14867 FOLLOW US ON: N +44 (0) 75810 14867 I @milescc2021 F Sajedah Maka-Ismail T @milescc2021 L Sajedah Maka-Ismail

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Couple make 6,000 mile move for a new life in Warrington WARRINGTON had everything Mr and Mrs Lo were looking for when they decided to relocate from Hong Kong to the UK to start a new life.

Left: Mr and Mrs Lo Redrow’s online portal My Redrow allows buyers to do everything from browsing for their new home and making appointments, to actually reserving a property, personalising it by choosing from a range of options at the touch of a button, and following the build progress.

After visiting the UK a number of times for holidays prior to their permanent move, the couple, who are in their fifties, knew they wanted to settle over here, eventually finding their perfect property at Redrow’s Taylor’s Chase development in Great Sankey. “As we had previous experience of what life was like in the UK from our travels we knew that we would have a good life this side of the world. The cost of living is much better and the environment too,” says Mr Lo. The couple moved to the UK in October last year and lived in Manchester while they searched for a home. They decided to start looking further afield, researching other places nearby such as Liverpool and Chester before deciding Warrington had everything they wanted. “We wanted to get a feel for areas outside of Manchester. When we first visited Taylor’s Chase and viewed the show home, we instantly liked the quality of the build, the ceiling heights were good and the space inside just felt great,” Mr Lo adds. “But the thing that really sold the house to us was the customer service we received from the Redrow team. From our first visit the sales consultant was extremely patient with us and explained everything in so much detail, it really put us at ease.”

Mr Lo adds: “Homes in England offer more for your money than in Hong Kong. To compare living costs and house prices in Hong Kong to somewhere over here, it would be like London but still much more expensive so we feel very lucky that we’ve managed to find a lovely home to settle into and start our new life here.” Taylor’s Chase actually features two Redrow developments in one - The Brook and The Oaks – between them offering a wide range of quality new homes. The Brook, off Sophia Drive, comprises a wide mix of properties including two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses. Currently prices start at £295,995 for a three-bedroom detached Warwick. Its neighbour, The Oaks, accessed via Omega Boulevard, features three, four and five-bedroom detached homes. They include examples of Redrow’s new generation of ‘Lifestyle Homes’, which have been redesigned to create more space in key areas upstairs for those who require fewer but larger and more luxurious bedrooms. Homes at The Oaks currently start at £379,995 for an Oxford Lifestyle. Located between Manchester and Liverpool in Great Sankey, Warrington, Taylor’s Chase provides excellent access for commuters. Just off junction 8 of the M62, homeowners could be in Manchester in 40 minutes and Liverpool within 30 minutes. For those who don’t want to drive, the new Warrington West station is just over a mile away and offers regular trains to both cities.

The couple decided to purchase a four-bedroom detached Harrogate at The Brook at Taylor’s Chase. “Another element that made our journey hassle-free was the fact we could choose interior options and upgrades to our home online via MyRedrow.” 82

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To find out more The Brook call 01925 541479, or go to www.redrow.co.uk/thebrook and for The Oaks call 01925 541558, or go to www.redrow.co.uk/oaks www.lancmag.com

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.

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.

Discover more about the new homes in Lancashire

Visit: redrow.co.uk/lancashire

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LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 83

Redrow Donation Helps Foodbank Support 100 Families In Lache WEST Cheshire Foodbank has seen a 60% increase in demand year on year over the last quarter, the charity has revealed.

Left: West Cheshire Foodbank was one of 10 good causes to receive support from a voluntary community fund linked to new Redrow homes at Kings moat Garden Village. Redrow’s Ellie Foster pictured with West Cheshire Foodbank finance trustee Ian Oulton

Affiliated to the Trussell Trust, but a charity in its own right with distribution centres accross Neston, Ellesmere Port, Chester, and surrounding rural areas, with a central warehouse facility and van, the registered charity is funded by donations. The foodbank successfully applied to Redrow’s King’s Moat Garden Village Community Fund for the Chester area and received £1,000 towards providing food parcels and activity packs for families during school holidays. West Cheshire Foodbank finance trustee Ian Oulton said: “The foodbank has a strong record of working with the community to support local people and provide access to emergency food for those in crisis. We’ve seen a massive increase in the need for our support as a result of Covid-19. From April to December 2020 we supported 4,178 children – that’s a 46% increase on 2019. “We estimate that demand is currently 60% higher than last year. We’re under significant pressure to sort and deliver donations to keep up with the demand. With Redrow’s help we delivered food boxes and activity packs to 100 families in Lache which, in turn, is 197 children benefiting from the donation.” 84

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WCFB worked with partners including Sanctuary Housing, Cheshire West and Chester Council, St Mark’s Church, Welcome Network, St Clare’s and Lache Primary School who packed and delivered food boxes and activity packs. One parent who received one of the packs said: “Thank you for the food parcel. I have been going without food to make sure my children have been fed at this hard time.” The foodbank was one of 10 organisations to receive a share of a £10,000 voluntary community fund offered by Redrow to good causes near its Kings Moat Garden Village of family homes and green spaces, off Wrexham Road, Chester. Redrow area sales manager Caroline Thompson-Jones said: “Projects like West Cheshire Foodbank play a vital role in the community, supporting those in need. No one should have to go without food, but it’s heartening to know that help is available. With their services under pressure we were keen to offer our support and we’re glad to hear our donation has made a real difference to so many families.” For more information about West Cheshire Foodbank, including ways to offer support, see www.westcheshire.foodbank.org.uk. www.lancmag.com

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Don Alberto’s at The Loom Lancashire Magazine sat down for a chat with Alberto & Claire Halluni and Salvatori Suad, owners of new restaurant Don Alberto’s which will be opening at The Loom in Leigh this month! Here’s what we gleaned about their exciting new venue… Hello! It’s lovely to welcome Don Alberto’s to Lancashire. Is this your first restaurant? n Alberto: This is our third restaurant but first venture into Greater Manchester which is very exciting for us. We opened our first restaurant, Don Alberto, in Holmes Chapel in Cheshire in 2015 with the aim of bringing fresh authentic Italian food to the village. The restaurant was named ‘Don’ after my favourite film-

The Godfather – Don means Lord in Italian! I like to think I’m the Don of Italian food, but Claire is the Don of our incredible dessert menu! In 2019, you opened a second restaurant. What can you tell us about that one? n Claire: Don Alberto is part of the community in Holmes Chapel and has a very strong local following. Indeed, the success of that restaurant led us to open a second restaurant

Il Padrino (meaning Godfather!) in neighbouring town, Middlewich at the end of 2019. Il Padrino is a much larger venue, in a listed building which was formerly a cinema. It offered us a fantastic opportunity to expand our remit to include a bar and lounge area, alongside an extended menu and regular entertainment. Sounds fantastic! But then Coronavirus hit both restaurants in early 2020. How has the past year been for business? n Alberto: No one could have predicted the horrendous year of trading that we faced. Neither restaurant has any outdoor space, so both have effectively been shut now for over a year. We swiftly had to adapt to offer a takeaway menu for the first time ever. Thankfully our loyal customers have adjusted with us to help keep both restaurants afloat. You’ve also been extremely supportive of the local community at your own expense, haven’t you?

Above: Salvatori (left) and Alberto

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n Alberto: Yes. We decided early on to do as much as we could to support our local community. We’re extremely proud of the teams at both restaurant for how they stepped up in the crisis. Throughout last summer LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 87

Above: Alberto with his Hero Award from the High Sheriff of Cheshire

we delivered free food to NHS staff for 15 weeks at huge cost to the business, but it was something we felt we had to do. We put others first and found some positives in a desperate situation. In recognition of our services to the community last year, I was honoured to be given a Hero Award by the High Sheriff of Cheshire. 2020 also ended on one high for you. Can you explain more? n Salvatori: Yes. Like every other hospitality venue we had a very muted festive season in 2020, so we were thrilled when Cheshire Life magazine rang during our Christmas break to tell us we had won The Go Local, Keep Local Restaurant of The Year award. It meant so much for us to know we had the support of our local community. It was a lovely boost to start 2021 on a positive even though we were back in lockdown. It was during that time that we began looking for a third restaurant and planning for the future. And what made you choose The Loom? n Salvatori: Initially it was the location as I, business partner and head chef, live on its doorstep. The former Frankie and Benny’s property at The Loom stood out as it offered us a lot of space indoors and outside. Not having outdoor space at our other two restaurants has made trading during Covid 19 very difficult. We saw an opportunity at The Loom to hedge our bets with plenty of indoor space but also seating outside if there are future lockdowns. n Alberto: We also loved the building’s position on a retail estate which again is something very new for us but appealed in attracting a more diverse audience. Claire and I have three young children age 2,4 and 7 and we know all too well that need to grab a quick bite 88

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We can’t wait to see it. What’s on the menu for when you open? n Salvatori: Our reputation in Cheshire has been built on the delivery of traditional Italian food with a twist and Don Alberto’s at The Loom will be the same. All our food is sourced fresh from the market each morning so there will be changing meat and fish specials each day. Of course, we will offer all the classics expected of an Italian – pizza, pasta and great salads - but alongside this we hope to tempt diners to try some less well-known dishes such as Sicilian rolled pizza called Rotolata and Italian burgers. Our dessert menu will be hard to resist, freshly made cakes and Italian delicacies alongside something special for the children which we are currently working on! Everything is cooked to order and we are always happy to amend dishes to suit dietary requirements. Gluten free pasta is fast becoming one of our most requested foods! n Alberto: We can’t wait to give local residents a warm Italian welcome to our new restaurant. We are confident they will not be disappointed by Don Alberto’s. Thank you so much for your time and good luck for the opening! when we are out, and the kids get hungry! Don Alberto’s at The Loom will offer daytime cakes, drinks and light bites, alongside a full Italian menu. There will be something to suit diners of all ages throughout the day. In the evening it will evolve into a more traditional restaurant perfect for couples, families and those celebrating special celebrations. You are midway through the renovations of the building right now. What can we expect when it opens? n Claire: We have invested around £100,000 in a full refit of the kitchen www.lancmag.com

and restaurant. The colour scheme has unique finishes and we’ve brought in the same seating style as the other two restaurants. We’re also installing some dining booths to give guests more privacy and there will be plenty of table choice both inside and out. A new feature wall has divided up some of the interior and there is a bar/lounge area which will serve our Italian cafe treats in the mornings. We will be offering guests a warm welcome and Italian ambience at its best with hopefully some live music and entertainment when restrictions are lifted.

For further information follow @donalbertosattheloom on Facebook and Instagram.

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 89

HELEN JAMES HEALTHY HAPPY Easy ways of including more colourful fruit and vegetables in your diet

Very Berry Smoothie Breakfast Bowl

NUTRITIONAL RECIPE SERVES 2 SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS: 300g of frozen raspberries or strawberries (or a mix of the two) 1 medium cooked beetroot (diced) 1 frozen banana (chunks) 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional) 250ml milk (or plant-based milk) 1 tbsp maple syrup

TOPPINGS: 300g of frozen raspberries or strawberries (or a mix of the two) 1 medium cooked beetroot (diced) 1 frozen banana (chunks) 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)

This is perfect for warm summer days when you feel like eating ice cream for breakfast! Method Combine the frozen fruits, beetroot, milk, maple syrup and protein powder (if using) in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and thick. Transfer to a bowl and add your toppings - that’s it!

250ml milk (or plant-based milk) 1 tbsp maple syrup PLUS SEEDS SUCH AS: Chia Pumpkin Sunflower 90

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HELEN JAMES HEALTHY HAPPY Easy ways of including more colourful fruit and vegetables in your diet

Peach and Lentil Salad

NUTRITIONAL RECIPE SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS: 180g quinoa (uncooked) 600ml of water 200g cooked lentil (such as puy or green) 2 peaches (pits removed, chopped) 30g flat-leaved parsley (finely chopped) 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tsp cinnamon pinch of salt

This salad is great on its own or as a side for a barbecue.

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:

I often use quinoa as an alternative to couscous, it has a higher nutrition profile with more protein, iron, magnesium and calcium. Plus it’s gluten-free for those who have particular requirements.

100g feta cheese

Method Put the quinoa and water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil on a high heat and then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover with a lid. Cook for 15 minutes then rinse with cold water in a sieve. In a large mixing bowl add the quinoa and the remaining ingredients. Mix well and add salt and pepper to taste. Crumble over the feta cheese if using.

Quinoa www.lancmag.com

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 91

The Rise of Veganism VEGANISM

lthy & Vegan

How To Be Healthy & Vegan

Hello! I’m Catherine Catherine Dean I’m a from Nutrition & Lifestyle Coaching. I’menergy a h diets, have more Nutrition & Lifestyle about quick fixes or fad whoyour works with that Coach fit around busy women he long term. that are ready to ditch diets, have more that it’s here toand stay. Inbetter. 2019 there were 600,000 energy feel My approach to weight about since quick2014 fixesand or fad number whichloss has isn’t quadrupled is diets. It’sofabout helping you create between 1-2% the population are to vegan and healthy habits that fit around your busyin gan milk, cheese and ready meals in the UK than life,top make a real difference and last the ne of the UK supermarkets had their ownin vegan long term.

e part in Veganuary, promising to go vegan for one isn’t just a fad, in fact recent to figures asons it Veganism seems that veganism is here stayshow and it’s that it’s here to stay. In 2019 there were 600,000 vegans valence is growing rapidly. in the UK, according to The Vegan Society. A number which has quadrupled since 2014 and is continuing to grow. It is thought that in the UK that between 1-2% of the population are vegan and approximately 6% are e page vegetarian. with some definitions. You’ve probably heard

sm?

used interchangeably, but what do mean? More people buy vegan milk, cheese and ready meals in the UK than in any other country in Europe and in 2020 every single one of the top UK supermarkets had their own vegan range. products at all. You probably know that vegans

me things like honey, gelatine andpledged some tobeers & in In January 2020, 400,000 people take part Veganuary, promising to go vegan for one month. about food it's a lifestyle. It also includes clothing, Whether for ethical, environmental or health reasons it seems that veganism is here to stay and it’s popularity, prominence and prevalence is growing rapidly.

plant-based diet means eating in a way that

What exactly is veganism? Before we start, I want to make sure we are on the same page with some definitions. You’ve probably heard a lot of terms such as veganism and plant-based, often used interchangeably, but what do mean? Vegan Being vegan means living in way that doesn’t use animal products at all. You probably know that vegans don’t eat meat, fish and dairy, but they also don’t consume things like honey, gelatine and some beers & wines that are made using animal products. It’s not just about food it’s a lifestyle. It also includes clothing, accessories makeup, toiletries and cleaning products. Whole food plant-based This is simply about diet, not a way of life. A whole food plant-based diet means eating in a way that doesn’t include animal products, but you might still use animal products such as toiletries tested on animals or leather shoes. The focus is on including as many plant-based foods in your diet as possible, so your diet would be made up of vegetables, fruits, lentils, beans, wholegrains, nuts and seeds. Plant-based Following a plant-based means you don’t eat animal products, but you may not be eating whole foods. This could include the many types of vegan convenience food that you can now find in most supermarkets. A vegan or plant-based diet is often equated with health. While it can be healthy, it wouldn’t be the case if your diet was made up predominantly from plant-based convenience or processed foods.

animal products such as toiletries tested on

any plant-based foods in your diet as possible, so

, beans, wholegrains, nuts and seeds.

ducts, but you may not be eating whole foods. This

d that you can now find in most supermarkets. A

While it can be healthy, it wouldn’t be the case if convenience or processed foods.

en by many as a less extreme option than

ucts and products such as gelatine from your diet. u also choose to include fish in your diet, you’re 92

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Vitamin B12 Why does this matter? We need B12 for a healthy nervous system and healthy red blood cell production. This is crucial because there are no reliable plant-based sources of vitamin B12. Where do I get B12? Eggs, milk, yoghurt and cheese are good sources for vegetarians. Some foods, such as almond or soy milk, cereals and nutritional yeast can be fortified with B12 (check the label), but if you are completely plant-based make sure you are taking a B12 supplement. Iron

Vegetarian Most of us already know about vegetarianism and it’s seen by many as a less extreme option than veganism. Being vegetarian means removing meat products and products such as gelatine from your diet. You would still eat eggs, milk, cheese and yoghurts. If you also choose to include fish in your diet, you’re pescatarian as opposed to vegetarian. I’m not a fan of labelling or putting people in boxes, but I thought it would be helpful to clarify these definitions. If you want to reduce your consumption of animal products and include more plant-based whole foods in your diet, it’s always best to do it in a way that works for you. It might not fit neatly into any of the definitions above. That’s absolutely fine. The main thing is that you do it in a way that is healthy and fits around your life. This article will help you to do exactly that. Interestingly, one UK study showed that 46% of vegans interviewed made the change because they wanted to adopt a healthier lifestyle. In contrast to this, many people have health concerns about becoming vegan. If you are interested in this way of eating, but are concerned about your health, you are right to be mindful of this. You don’t need to be worried though. It is possible to be healthy and vegan, there are just some things you need to be aware of.

How To Be Healthy & Vegan Cutting out whole food groups can mean getting less of certain vitamins and minerals. It doesn’t have to though. Vegans & vegetarians are at risk of having a lower intake of some nutrients, but having an awareness of this can help you to stay healthy while reducing your consumption of animal products.

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Why does this matter? We need iron for red blood cell production and to prevent anaemia. Where do I get iron? Spinach, broccoli and green leafy veg, tofu, green lentils, oatmeal and dried apricots are all good plant-based sources of iron. Our bodies don’t absorb plant-based iron as easily as iron from animal products, so we need to eat more. It is possible to get enough iron on a plant-based diet, but we need almost twice as much, so make sure you include plenty of these foods in your diet. Zinc Why does this matter? Zinc is an important part of our immune system and protein synthesis. Where do I get zinc? Lentils, sesame seeds (tahini), cashew nuts, almonds and tofu are great sources of zinc. Calcium Why does this matter? Calcium supports healthy teeth and bones, but it also helps muscle function and is in involved in our nervous system. Where do I get calcium? Plant-based foods include spinach, kale, sesame seeds (tahini), legumes, tempeh and fortified tofu. Vitamin D Why does this matter? Vitamin D supports bone health, our immune system and helps our body to absorb calcium. Where do I get vitamin D? The main source of vitamin D is sunlight. You can get some vitamin D from salmon, cod and cod liver oil, canned tuna, eggs, mushrooms and full fat dairy. Some foods are fortified with vitamin D, such as cereals, orange juice and plant-based milks. The main source of vitamin D is sunlight, so in the UK most of us, meat eaters included, don’t get enough vitamin D in winter. Get outside as often as you can and consider taking a supplement throughout winter.

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Omega 3 fats Why does this matter? Omega 3 fats break down into DHA and EPA. Fat makes up about two thirds of our brain and DHA makes up about 20% of that. It’s probably no surprise then to know that omega 3 fats support learning, development and our overall brain health. Where do I get omega 3 fats? Omega 3 eggs and oily fish are great pescatarian sources, but chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts and flaxseeds are all good plant-based sources of omega 3. Where do you get your protein? I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been asked this question! Protein has many functions in our body. Hormones and enzymes, muscle tissue, skin, hair, nails are all protein structures and we need to eat new sources of protein every day so our body can repair or replace them. It is possible to get enough protein in our diet when we cut out meat, you may just need to pay a little more attention to make sure you’re getting enough. So, where do you get your protein? Vegetarians will get plenty of protein from eggs and dairy. Vegans can get their protein from lentils, beans, tofu, tempeh, nuts, seeds, edamame and nutritional yeast. Some people have higher protein needs, such as athletes or pregnant women. In this case you may need to increase your protein intake and be especially mindful of the quality and variety of protein you eat. Reducing whole food groups or cutting them out of your diet completely isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. Eating a balanced and varied diet that includes the foods mentioned above and supplementing B12 should help you to stay healthy on a plant-based or vegan diet Reducing whole food groups or cutting them out of your diet completely isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. Eating a balanced and varied diet that includes the foods

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mentioned above and supplementing B12 should help you to stay healthy on a plant-based or vegan diet.

Six Steps To Make Plant-Based Eating A Breeze 1. Make It Easy Instead of completely changing the way you eat, simply veganise your favourite meals. Meals like chilli and shepherds pie are delicious and nutritious when made with beans and lentils, chicken stir fry can easily become tofu stir fry and chickpeas work well in curries and stews. See the websites below for great recipe ideas. 2. Take It Step by Step It doesn’t have to be all of nothing. Veganism is a big change for most of us and it’s more realistic to start small and build from there. Try eating vegan meals at lunch time or just a few days a week to begin with. 3. Try and Try Again! Instead of focusing on all the things you’re cutting out of your diet, focus on all the new foods and experiences you’ll get to try. There are vegan alternatives to pretty much everything now. Try new things and if you don’t like them, try something else. Not a fan of soya milk? Try almond, coconut or, my personal favourite, oat milk. 4. Find a Strong Reason Why There are many compelling reasons for reducing our intake of animal products; mine is not wanting to contribute to factory farming. Find a driving force behind why you want to make the change and make sure it matters to you. This will make it easier to stick to your guns when things get difficult.

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ting to see the rapidly increasing range of vegan convenience foods in that eating these foods will help you meet your nutritional needs. Of course,

from time to time (for me a life without chocolate or wine would be a miserable

nt that they don’t make up the majority of your diet.

and changing your diet is no different. Animal products are in many foods, so if

etarian or vegan and inadvertently eat food containing animal products, don’t Learn from it and move on.

be adding more plant-based whole foods into their diet, regardless of whether

ing your intake of animal products or not. Eating more whole foods can be egardless of our ethical or environmental stand point. Of course, you are very

r more details, but if you’re ready to start moving towards a more plant-based diet,

lp too: Meat Free Mondays: www.meatfreemondays.com

ry Challenge, commit to being vegan for a month: www.veganuary.com The Vegan Society: www.vegansociety.com

Of course, you are very welcome to Shutterstock photo contact me for more details, but if While, as a vegan, it’s exciting to see you’re ready to start moving towards the rapidly increasing range of vegan 514689250 a more plant-based diet, the websites convenience foods in supermarkets, 5. Don’t Be a Junk Food Vegan

below will help too: it’s unlikely that eating these foods will help you meet your nutritional Meat Free Mondays: needs. Of course, include them in www.meatfreemondays.com your diet from time to time (for me a The Veganuary Challenge, life a without or wine would weight in waychocolate that will help you to feel less stressed and commit to being vegan be a miserable existence) but it’s for a month: that they don’t make up the My holistic look atimportant my coaching packages. approach to www.veganuary.com majority of your diet.

Why not head to my website: www.catherinedeancoaching.co.uk where you’ll find my weekly blog and can sign up to receive my weekly email. You can also email me if you have any nutrition & lifestyle questions you’d like me to answer in future columns: info@catherinedeancoaching.co.uk

you if you want to create healthy habitsThe that last. For fully Vegan Society: 6. Be Kind To Yourself

www.vegansociety.com

ifestyleAlladvice that works for you, get in touch. I’d love to change can be difficult and

If you’re looking to lose weight in a way that will help you to feel less stressed and more energised, take a look at my coachingfrom packages. My in more advice me holistic approach to weight loss is every perfect formonth you if youthroughout want to create healthy habits that last. For fully 2021. personalised nutrition & lifestyle I believe everyone should be adding advice that works for you, get in more plant-based whole foods into touch. I’d lovewhere to hear from you. find ite: www.catherinedeancoaching.co.uk you’ll their diet, regardless of whether you’re you’vecan enjoyed reading this me in reducing intake ofemail.If You ign up interested to receive my your weekly also email article, keep an eye out for more animal products or not. Eating more adviceto from me in future of n & lifestyle questions you’d like me answer in editions future whole foods can be beneficial for our Lancashire Magazine. I’ll be joining health, regardless of our ethical or you every month throughout 2021. s: info@catherinedeancoaching.co.uk environmental stand point.

changing your diet is no different. hear from you. Animal products are in many foods, so if you decide to become vegetarian g this article, keep an eye or vegan and inadvertently eatout food for containing animal products, don’t hire Magazine. I’ll be joining you worry. You’re only human. Learn from it and move on.

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Meet the critic! Barrister-turned-food-writer Richard Sagar takes us through some of the finest culinary venues our historic county and surrounding areas have to offer. Keep an eye out for Richard’s reviews in each edition as he quite literally eats his way through the North West!

A Tour of Real Ales at the Crooked Billet, Worsthorne

s I write this article, sitting outside the beautiful Crooked Billet pub in the rural idyll of Worsthorne, I can only admire the resilience of our hospitality and leisure industry – despite all the adversities we have faced as a nation over the last year, the staff at Alison and Paul’s free house still have that wondrously wide grin across their faces as they welcome hungry and thirsty revellers into their beautiful beer gardens. I write this at the start of May, just as our hostelries are permitted to welcome us back for alfresco food and drinks – and my oh my does it feel good to be back out! Like a prisoner released from his incarceration, I marvel at the freedoms we all once took for granted, and the Crooked Billet is certainly one worth marvelling over. This family run establishment is the epitome of a village pub. It couldn’t be any more centrally located in this picture postcard village if it tried, has a vast array of beverages, and some great quality, substantial bar snacks for those feeling a little peckish. Whilst I usually focus my attentions on Lancashire’s premier restaurants, I thought it more appropriate in the current climate to cast the spotlight on one of our Counties finest pubs. The winner of Burnley’s Best Pub amongst many other accolades, I decided to spoil myself to a whole afternoon at the Crooked Billet, to enjoy a tour of the real ales and tasty bar snacks. 96

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As I perused the impressive drinks menu, I noted no less than 5 lagers on tap – from the renowned Peroni, San Miguel and Kronenbourg to the slightly weaker Carling and Carlsberg. All looked lively and fresh as they were delivered to neighbouring tables, but as per the title of this review, it was a real ale day for me. As such, I started with an everfaithful offering from Timothy Taylors – their exemplary Boltmaker. This classic Yorkshire bitter was everything you would hope for from a traditional offering – perfectly kept and faultlessly pulled, it was a fabulous way to stimulate the taste buds and leave me wanting more of the same. www.lancmag.com

With several more real ales to try though, I had to maintain my self-discipline and not allow the stunning taste (and my inherently greedy nature) to get the better of me! Ale number two was the locally acclaimed Billet Blonde (named after the pub) from the Reedley Hallows Brewery. At 3.8% ABV this was a delicious, easy dinking blonde, with subtle citrus notes and not too hoppy. At a very reasonable £2.50 per pint, it is no wonder the brewery was happy to tailor make this beer exclusively for the Crooked Billet as it really was flying out to customers by the barrel load!

As is so often the case after a couple of pints, I couldn’t help but nosy at the bar snacks on offer – my eyes and desires instantaneously honed in on the ‘Hot Roast Beef Sandwich’ which I simply had to try. It arrived within minutes – a large fluffy bap adorned with thick slices of hot, home roast beef. This was accompanied by a rocket salad and French fries. The beef was perfectly cooked and seasoned – and was clearly of great quality. It really did fill a hole and set me up for sampling some more of the pub’s liquid delights! Having just finished a very palatable blonde, I thought I would stick with a similar theme so opted for the Westgate Brewery, Classic Blonde. At 3.9% ABV this was again a very pleasing session ale - crisp and light but with more bite and hops than the Billet Blonde I had enjoyed immediately prior. A more complex pint with fruity notes and spices abundant, this was definitely a drink you could enjoy whatever the weather or time of year. I was at this stage getting quite the taste for these Blondes, so my next choice was a pint of Naylor’s Pinnacle Blonde. At 4.3% ABV, and a good amount of citrus tang, this really was a punchy number. Speaking to landlord Paul, he explained to me that Naylors use wheat, Optic malt and Hallertauer hops to give this drink its distinctive citrus and floral finish. For me, more of an acquired taste – but judging by the amount Alison and Paul were serving to my fellow drinkers, it was clearly a taste they enjoyed!

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Drenched in marrowfat peas and thick homemade gravy, the meat and potato pie was just what the doctor ordered to warm the cockles. The pastry was short, the pie was large and oozing with beautifully rich meat and potato filling.

Speaking of my fellow drinkers at the Crooked Billet, it would be remiss of me to fail to mention all of the events this village focal point hosts ordinarily and are eager to re-start when restrictions are eased further. Whether you’re a keen pub quiz competitor, the next karaoke star, or simply enjoy a themed music night, there is something for everyone at the Crooked Billet. For the more energetic, there is even a running and cycling club leaving from and returning to this friendly meeting point weekly. Small communities such as Worsthorne really would be lost without amenities like this – and from the sea of happy facies surrounding me in the beer garden, the villagers clearly support it well. And it is no wonder that they do indeed support the pub. Each drink to date had been first class, the surroundings top notch, and the service, exemplary. My next choice of drink, Acorn Breweries Barnsley Bitter was no exception either. A traditional amber bitter with a hint of caramel and a nutty finish – it left a heart warming feeling on the palate 98

and that definite feel good factor. On the topic of feeling good and heart-warming, my gluttony once again got the better of me and I looked once again at the bar snacks. This time I decided on a meat and potato pie from local, award winning butchers, Haffners. Drenched in marrowfat peas and thick homemade gravy, this was just what the doctor ordered to warm the cockles. The pastry was short, the pie was large and oozing with beautifully rich meat and potato filling. The Crooked Billet also serve Haffners cheese and onion pie, minced beef and onion pie and their steak and ale. If they are all as tasty as the meat and potato I had, you really are spoilt for choice! As my somewhat decadent afternoon was drawing to a close, I settled on a

final pint of Earnie Milk Stout. You don’t have to be the fastest drinker in the North-West to fall in love with the voluptuous charms of the chocolate malt roasted barley and sweet milk sugars in this full-bodied stout. For those who have enjoyed a pint of Mackesons, this is without doubt a drink for you, and it was a perfect way to end my afternoon at the Crooked Billet. With an impressive collection of extremely well-kept real ales, an equally expansive selection of lagers, ciders and spirits, this really is a pub worth visiting. The quality of the bar snacks completes this impressive picture, and in my mind cements the Crooked Billet as an absolute credit to Alison and Paul, their hard working team, and the village of Worsthorne as a whole.

The Crooked Billet 1 Smith Street, Worsthorne, Burnley, Lancashire BB10 3NQ Telephone: 07766 230175 Web: www.crookedbilletworsthorne.co.uk

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A Simple Prescription For a Healthier You By Dr Gemma Newman, The Plant Power Doctor blood cholesterol levels (Lipid Panel) moving from raised to normal and remaining normal since, 2021 she also moved 7th ever January from a high BMI to a healthy BMI without dieting. Chronic Ebury Press illness is not genetic, you have more control than you think. £16.99

Trade Paperback Gemma has been guiding patients ever since to tackle their chronic illnesses with 9781529107746 a plant-powered diet and the results have been staggering. From women suffering from hormone issues such as endometriosis, to the millions who suffer from high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes Gemma Newman is aplants sparkling light and‘Dr obesity, Gemma shows how support longinterm health. This way of eating can have a radical effect the medical field. She speaks from a point of on your health, whatever your age.

simple prescription for a healthier you

Dr Gemma Newman

knowledge and wisdom as well as making it

Gemma a roadmap on how to to have harness easy to provides digest. We are honoured herthe power of nutrition with over 60 delicious meal ideas, and as a friend and love what she does and what meal plans to fill in, to get you started and help you keep shePlant stands for.’ TheisHappy Pear on track, The Power Doctor a simple, powerful way of eating for everyone.

British GPs simple guide for everyone to utureproof mind and body

s this year has shown us, we don't know what's around A British GPs simple guide for everyone e corner. But we can make changes to our lifestyle to to futureproof mind and body. ake ourselves and our families better equipped, keeping s this year has shown knowand what’s he immunity and long-term healthus, of we ourdon’t bodies around the corner. But we can make changes to our inds strong, tolifestyle face whatever life throws next. better In to make ourselves and at ourus families he Plant Power Doctor, British Dr Gemma equipped, keeping theGP immunity andNewman long-term health of our bodies and minds strong, fers an accessible, actionable plan, to help you feelto face whatever life throws at us next. In The Plant Power Doctor, mpoweredBritish to make changes to your and GP positive Dr Gemma Newman offers diet an accessible, estyle so actionable you can heal the you inside and be at plan,from to help feelout empowered to your make positive changes to your diet and lifestyle so you can heal ptimum health.

from the inside out and be at your optimum health.

Plant-powered had a transformative effect ant-powered eating haseating had ahastransformative effect on on Dr Newman, her family and her patients. In her first book r Newman, her family her patients. In hershefirst Gemma shares and the tools and knowledge hasbook learned emma shares the15 tools and knowledge she has learned from over years’ experience, combining trusted medical evidence simple eating advice to trusted preventmedical and aid om over 15 years’with experience, combining recovery from a host of common chronic illnesses. vidence with simple eating advice to prevent and aid Afteraher husband switched tochronic a plant-based diet following ecovery from host of common illnesses. a running injury and saw a rapid, sustained recovery, Gemma investigated the medical literature behind this diet.

fter her husband switched to a plant-based diet following Gemma’s family is prone to heart disease – both her running injury and saw a rapid, sustained recovery, grandfather and father died early from heart attacks. Through emma investigated the medical literature behind this diet. eating a plant-powered diet she radically improved her

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‘Dr Gemma Newman is a sparkling light in the medical field. She speaks from a point of knowledge emma’s family is prone to heart disease – both her grandfather and father died early from heart attacks. ‘Dr Gemma is delightful and whip-smart. May you and wisdom as well as making it easy to digest. We are hrough eating a plant-powered diet radically her blood cholesterol levels (Lipid Panel) moving be equal parts entertained andshe enlightened by improved her honoured to have her as a friend and love what she om raised to normal presence. and remaining normal ever since, she alsodoes moved fromshe a stands high BMI to aHappy healthy BMI welcoming ’ Rich Roll and what for.’ The Pear

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ithout dieting. Chronic illness is not genetic, you have more control than you think. www.lancmag.com

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emma has been guiding patients ever since to tackle their chronic illnesses with a plant-powered diet and the

Booths “Buy One Give One Free” Initiative Donates 15,000 Additional Items to Local Food Banks in 3 Months “We continue to need a wide variety of items, including non-perishable food and toiletries and household items, laundry and cleaning products. We update any items we are in short supply of on our facebook page every week, so if you feel you can spare a few items from your weekly shop, please support us.”

The family-owned retailer Booths has donated over 15,000 food bank additional items in under 3 months with their community-based initiative “Buy One Give One Free.” The extra 15,000 items are on top of customer donations that continued to grow during the pandemic. The simple and effective scheme, introduced in late November, means that for every qualifying item purchased, customers will receive another one free of charge, which they can then donate at the store’s food bank collection point after checkout. Booths implemented the scheme at pace to assist in the increase in demand for food banks during the pandemic, with more families needing support with essential food and hygiene products. The Buy One Give One Free encourages customers to donate food items to the collection trolley points located in each of its stores. Every Booths store is partnered with a local food bank in their area and this enables donations to be tailored to the needs of the local community. Customer Experience Manager and pioneer behind Booths Food Bank Donation programme Colin Porter, said “We’re overwhelmed by the support of both customers and our 100

supplier base who have helped Booths keep local food banks topped up in times of high demand. We’re grateful for the generous donations and their continued support.” The food bank donations are distributed through 4 key charity partners, the Blackpool Food Bank, Lancaster Foodbank, Chorley Help the Homeless and Ribble Valley Foodbank. Neil Reid, Chair of Blackpool Food Bank said, “Demand for food bank produce has tripled since March 2020 and shows no visible sign of abating. We support families and individuals by providing 12,000 meals per week across our network. The support from Booths as a long standing “friend” is vital.”

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Above: Food Bank volunteers from Chorley Help the Homeless

Jane Chitnis, Manager of the Ribble Valley foodbank said, “The food which we collect from Clitheroe and Longridge Booths are our major donations each week and is a mainstay of our supply. This regular donation is vitally important to us and having some items of fresh fruit and vegetables to distribute is a real benefit, especially for families with children.”

Ken Phillips from Chorley Help the Homeless, “We get a full shopping trolley from Booths every week and it’s amazing. We post lists in the Chorley store of what we are short of, and shoppers read that list, as the requested items can be found in the donated items. We are also able to add letters of thanks to the trolley and Booths have posted our letters of thanks in the window so all can see how grateful we are.” Tony Walker from Lancaster food bank said, “We saw a massive increase, over double the demand for food parcels during the two lockdowns last year. The situation is uncertain in for many families, what will happen when that funding stops and furlough comes to an end isn’t clear - but we will do everything we can to help.”

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WG Bean’s Coffee Shop Opens at Blackpool Pleasure Beach B

lackpool Pleasure Beach is celebrating its 125th anniversary year with the opening of a new coffee shop that has links to the very beginnings of the world-famous amusement park. WG Bean’s is named after Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s founder and is located at the front of the iconic Casino Building, close to the park’s main entrance. WG Bean’s is open now and will be serving freshly ground coffee and snacks every day throughout the 2021 season. The new coffee shop faces out onto Balmoral Road, close to Blackpool’s famous Promenade and has seating for over 80 customers across two floors. WG Bean’s is the perfect place to start the day before heading into the thrills and spills of Blackpool Pleasure Beach. As well as freshly brewed coffees, teas and refreshing drinks, WG Bean’s will also serve delicious sandwiches and sweet treats. WG Bean founded Blackpool Pleasure Beach in 1896 and is the Great-Grandfather of current Managing Director, Amanda Thompson OBE. Amanda personally oversaw the design of the new coffee shop and has been instrumental in developing the venue’s unique style. On the opening of the new coffee shop, Amanda Thompson OBE comments, “At Blackpool Pleasure Beach we are always looking to the future but at the same time we celebrate our heritage. This new venue gives us the opportunity to create a beautiful space which also pays tribute to the fabulous history of the park and the vision of my greatgrandfather William George Bean. www.lancmag.com

WG Bean’s proudly brews Atkinsons Archetype Espresso blend, which is all about big body, dark chocolate and caramel flavours, with a medium to low acidity. Atkinsons was founded as another family business in Lancaster in 1837 and are proud, as coffee roasters, to work with some of the best cafes, bars and restaurants across the North West and the UK. WG Bean’s is currently open for takeaway only and is COVID safe in line with Government guidelines. The coffee shop also meets all of VisitBritain’s Good To Go certifications. If the Government roadmap out of lockdown continues as scheduled, WG Bean’s will welcome guests to sit in and enjoy refreshments from Monday 17th May. Once WG Beans can accommodate customers, it’s the ideal place to relax or work, with views across Blackpool Promenade and out to sea.

To launch the new venue, all customers purchasing a hot drink will receive 50% off any cake or breakfast roll. This offer is valid until 30th June 2021.

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Finally emerging from lockdown is a wonderful feeling and many of us are excited to get back to normal and back to things we love doing. The pandemic has been a tragedy for so many, but amongst all the negativity surprisingly there was some positivity.

To reduce climate change, carbon emissions and protect our oceans and wildlife sustainable lifestyle changes still need to be made. The fashion industry has a hugely negative impact on the planet and is the second polluter in the world after oil. Many companies driven by profit choose to manufacture their garments overseas, which has a damaging

effect caused by the increase in waste and CO2 emissions. The fashion industry is also a massive consumer of water which is used for dyeing and the finishing of garments. To put this into perspective it takes around 3000 litres of water to produce a cotton shirt and as a result, the industry is the third-largest user of water. The most dangerous aspect of this industry is “fast fashion” which sadly

hroughout the relentless lockdowns, the planet was given a long-overduerest and got to reap the benefits including cleaner air and increased visibility. Due to the drop in air pollution water quality improved all over the world and fish could be seen from the once murky canals of Venice Flight bans and fewer cars on the roads due to people working from home dramatically reduced carbon emissions, and wildlife used this as an opportunity to roam free and saw goats taking over the empty streets of Llandudno. As positive as this sounds, we cannot get complacent as there the planet is still facing many urgent issues.

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The Fight Towards a Sustainable Planet By Sarah Ridgway

dominates the industry and is a term to describe cheap and affordable clothing based on current trends. Fast fashion can be designed very quickly, manufactured en masse, and shipped to the consumer at lighting speed. Whereas clothes shopping used to be a special event and done seasonally dependent on a budget we are now shopping more than ever. The 1990s changed buying habits when cheap

mass-produced garments flooded the market providing the consumer with the latest trends at rock bottom prices. Sadly, this has created a “throwaway” culture and many items will be worn just a few times and when the trends change will be thrown away. In the UK up to £140m worth of clothing is sent to landfill every

year which amounts to 300,000 tonnes. According to Greenpeace “since 2000 we buy twice as much clothing and wear it only half the time”. Worryingly landfills are now receiving large amounts of brandnew clothing that were possibly customer returns as companies look for the easiest way to dispose of their stock. This is especially sad as these items could be recycled, distributed to a charity, or given directly to people in need. Many items received at the recycling centres are deemed unwearable due to their poor quality and part of the fast fashion trend. Fortunately, the higher quality clothing can be mended, reused, and resold and the consumer gets longer wear out of it. The industry’s textile production is responsible for global emissions equal to 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 each year and is producing a carbon footprint bigger than all international flights and shipping combined. The fast-fashion brands leading the way are Zara and H&M, with Zara having almost 3000 stores globally.

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The brand produces multiple collections a year and its owner Amancio Ortega is the sixth richest person in the world. These large companies can make huge profits by manufacturing overseas. We have become so accustomed to our clothing labels being made in another country that many of us do not question further. These massive profits, unfortunately, do not always translate into fair pay and safe environments for the foreign workers and many are exploited and, in some cases, killed due to unsafe conditions. On 24 April 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, Bangladesh collapsed. The eight-story building which housed five garment factories crashed down killing 1,134 people

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and injuring thousands. The factories made garments for brands including Primark, Mango and Benetton. The day before the tragedy, structural cracks had been discovered in the building, but the factory owners chose to ignore this. The following day thousands of workers arrived at work and within hours the building had collapsed. The tragic event brought global attention to the dangerous and unsafe conditions the thirst for cheap and quickly produced clothing provides. Despite these workers being essential to these fashion giants in many factories, there is still a lack of human rights and fair pay. It is not just overseas where these injustices occur, last year fast-fashion

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giant Boohoo came under fire when one of their suppliers in Leicester was accused of malpractice on the factory floor. An undercover reporter found that staff were being paid £3.50 an hour when the minimum wage for over 25 is £8.72. There were also further reports of the factory not being covid safe with workers not wearing masks. The modern slavery scandal was met with the wrath of consumers who demanded better from them and it damaged their reputation. It was a wake-up call that these situations can happen anywhere and that we need to be more mindful of where we buy our clothes. Sustainable fashion companies design and manufacture their clothes in an environmentally friendly way.

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This includes the materials they use such as recycled, organic, and vegan alternatives to leather and fur. They also minimise their water use, and toxic chemicals and many brands are using biodegradable fabrics meaning the materials can be broken down over time. To be considered fully biodegradable the product must be able to decompose fully within a year. Weekday, which is a brand by H&M has announced an innovative way to minimise the toxic dyeing process and are releasing a plant-hemp based denim range dyed with avocados and red onions. Many sustainable companies also manufacture overseas but on a smaller scale and prioritise fair pay, workers’ rights, and safe working environments. By working with underprivileged communities, it provides employment opportunities and fair pay to help break the cycle of poverty. Slower production and smaller batches can also produce zero waste. By focusing on buying better quality items that will last, it is kinder to the planet and provides ethical working conditions. SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION

When the oak is harvested for cork it absorbs 4.8 million tonnes of C02 equivalent to 5% of the country’s total carbon dioxide emissions. It is a strange concept to take in that consuming this material it is helping preserve the planet. Ethical brands Wolf & Badger are using the cork from the forests of Portugal to make products such as mobile phone cases and other accessories. Other companies give back by planting trees when you make a purchase such as Sapling Vodka. They have pledged to plant a tree for every bottle purchased and are creating an environmentally friendly brand that helps to combat carbon emissions. There is a tree tracker on their website that allows the consumer to find exactly where their tree was planted. QuiQuattro is a lifestyle brand that donates 10% of its proceeds to women’s education in Turkey and creates employment opportunities for the local artisans. Menswear band Outerknown is committed to the preservation and protection of the ocean and donates 100% of the profits it makes from ITSNOTOK range to support Ocean Conservancy.

WHAT CAN I DO TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE? Shop Less! Ask yourself do I really need this, or do I have something already, if not can I borrow something. Buy second-hand: The UKs charity shops contain hidden treasures in fantastic condition and your purchase is not only sustainable but also a donation to charity. There are great options online to buy second-hand clothes from including Depop, Vinted and eBay. This week Asda announced their partnership with PreLoved Vintage and will be selling second-hand clothing in their stores to help cut down on textile waste. It has already been trialled successfully in Leeds and the chain has 632 more stores nationwide so is a very positive move toward reducing the landfills. Buy from a sustainable brand If you want something new then choose to shop with a sustainable brand as you will be getting a high-quality item with longevity. Most importantly you are also supporting a company that cares and playing your part towards a more sustainable planet.

Sustainable consumption is the use of products that have the minimal impact on the environment the driving force behind consumption includes rapid population growth which is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050. Also, the rise in affluence across the world, the middle class are expected to triple by 2030 so have more money to spend. But consumer attitudes are changing and are becoming more aware and concerned about the environment and are willing to make the relevant changes. But there are still many consumers that prioritise affordability and convenience over ethics. A positive impact of consumption is the cork industry in Portugal www.lancmag.com

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PEAT-FREE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES TO SAVE OUR PEATLANDS AND FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE

The large heath butterfly is a peatland specialist - by Andy Hankinson

Gardeners are being told to go peat-free as the climate and wildlife crisis lands in our flower beds and hanging baskets.

hree million litres of peat are used by the UK horticulture industry every year, and The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is calling on everyone to go peat-free in their gardens and window boxes and help save our remaining peatlands.

Little Woolden Moss on the border of Salford and Warrington was being commercially extracted for peat until as recently as 2017. This left it a black, desiccated, desolate wasteland, releasing huge amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. All to fill cheap bags of garden compost and grow the plants that you buy in the garden centre. The Wildlife Trust, which owns the moss, is telling gardeners that this must change and that change begins with everyone taking more care when buying compost and plants for

Peat extraction-scarred Little Woolden Moss by Alan Wright (7)

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their homes and gardens, and to sign up to the peat-free pledge www.wildlifetrusts.org/ pledge-peat-free Sarah Johnson, Lancashire Peatlands Initiative Project Manager, said, “Switching to 100 per cent peat-free compost and buying plants from dedicated peat-free growers is one of the simplest and most effective ways that anyone can help to fight climate change and our looming biodiversity crisis.”

Peat extraction-scarred Little Woolden Moss by Alan Wright (1)

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The peat-free campaign is also asking our supporters to help spread the peat-free message using #PeatFree on social media and making a point of asking for peat-free products when in the garden centre. People could even take the ‘Peat-free garden centre challenge’, seeing how easy/hard it is to find peat-free products when visiting your local garden centre or shopping online, and sharing their experiences using the hashtag. The government have set a target of phasing out the use of peat in horticulture by 2030, but we hope that with the support of consumer action and market pressures this could be achieved much sooner.

Above: Peat extraction-scarred Little Woolden Moss by Alan Wright (5)

Sarah continues, “Peatlands are a vital natural resource in the fight against climate change, being able to absorb and store twice as much carbon from the atmosphere than forests – but only when they are in a healthy condition. As soon as they are damaged this carbon is released contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In fact, carbon emissions from peatlands account for 5% of the UK’s annual GHG releases.” Peatlands also provide homes for lots of rare and specialised wildlife, including the large heath butterfly which was reintroduced to Astley Moss in Greater Manchester for the first time in nearly 150 years in 2020, after habitat destruction made it locally extinct. They also absorb water in storm events, releasing it slowly downstream, providing natural flood mitigation.

Above: Little Woolden Moss in bloom - credit Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Yet globally they are still being destroyed and the peat literally dug out of the ground for use in horticulture. Many of our most recognisable names have already made the switch to peat-free growing, including Monty Don, who describes using peat in the garden as ‘environmental vandalism’. And with many peat-free composts outperforming their peat-based counterparts in consumer testing, there is really no excuse not to make one small #PeatFree change that could make one big difference.

Above: Little Woolden Moss is being restored - credit Lancashire Wildlife Trust The Lancashire Wildlife Trust The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is dedicated to the protection and promotion of the wildlife in Lancashire, seven boroughs of Greater Manchester and four of Merseyside, all lying north of the River Mersey. It manages around 40 nature reserves and 20 Local Nature Reserves covering acres of woodland, wetland, upland and meadow. The Trust has 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. For more information about Cheshire Wildlife Trust call 01948 820728 or go to cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk.

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‘CROWN JEWELS’ of our countryside under threat like never before CPRE analysis of AONBs reveals • Since 2012, the amount of greenfield land in England’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty that will be built on has more than doubled (129% increase)

• CPRE, the countryside charity is calling on the government to halt this reckless development and prevent high levels of housing pressure in AONBs through the upcoming Planning Bill

• Worse still, this development is ‘land hungry’ and doing little to solve the affordable housing crisis

• Land allocated for housing in the Forest of Bowland and Arnside and Silverdale AONBs

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reas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are some of our most precious landscapes, which many people would expect to mean that they are safe from being built on. But even though these areas have the strongest protections available in planning law, they are falling foul to an increasing amount of rapid and reckless housing development, according to new analysis from CPRE, the countryside charity. Threats to England’s 34 AONBs from development is increasing at an alarming rate – ‘Beauty still betrayed: The state of our AONBs 2021’ report reveals a 129% increase in the amount of greenfield land planned to be built

over. The research, conducted by Glennigan Consultancy on behalf of CPRE, has found that high housing pressure is also being applied to land around AONBs, with the number of homes built in the setting (within 500 meters of the boundary) increasing by 135% since 2012. It is clear this kind of sprawling development is bad for people, nature and the countryside. The research found that the developments on AONBs use up twice as much land compared to the national average for developments. Yet only 16% of the homes built in AONBs are considered affordable even by the government’s own definition. Clear evidence shows that the real affordability of housing in many rural areas is much worse than the government estimates. Tragically, the kind of housing currently being provided will do little to tackle the affordable housing crisis, while concreting over precious countryside and setting back action to tackle the climate and nature emergencies. Commenting on the findings, Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, said: ‘The fact that some of our most highly-prized areas of countryside are being lost to build more executive homes says a great deal about our planning system. Continuing with this ‘build and be damned’ approach just serves to line the pockets of greedy developers whilst undermining climate action, stalling nature’s recovery and gobbling up our most precious green space that’s vital for our health and wellbeing, all while doing next to nothing to tackle the affordable housing crisis.

development is possible. To start building the right nature-friendly and low carbon homes in the right places, we must see a swift change of tack from the government to put nature and countryside communities at the heart of any future Planning Bill. Continuing to give developers more power in the planning system will only make this bad situation worse.’ It is also interesting to note the north/south divide when it comes to threats to our AONBs, with particular pressure on AONB land in the south west and south east of England. In these areas, more than half (52%) of all planning permissions for development on greenfield land in AONBs have been granted, including: • The High Weald AONB has seen 932 housing units on greenfield land approved since 2017; • The Dorset AONB has seen 771 housing units on greenfield land approved since 2017; • The Chilterns AONB has seen 771 housing units on greenfield land approved since 2017; and • The Cotswolds AONB has seen 684 housing units on greenfield land approved since 2017. CPRE, the countryside charity, is calling on the government to use the upcoming Planning Bill to strengthen planning protections for precious green space and prevent high levels of development in AONBs and further still, only allow development if it meets the needs of local people, nature and the countryside.

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New Curator For Lancashire Infantry Museum The Lancashire Infantry Museum is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Garry Smith MA AMA as its new Curator.

arry returns after 17 years away working with most of the major military museums in the North West. After gaining his Masters degree in Museum studies, Garry started his career with us as Assistant Curator from 2000 to 2004. He has gone on to curate the regimental collections of the Kings Regiment, Manchester Regiment, and Lancashire Fusiliers, as well as working with the Museum Services of Tameside and, most recently, Lancashire County Council. “I am delighted to be back,” says Garry. “I remember the museum, the collection and all the team with great fondness. I learned a lot during my time here, especially from the very dedicated band of volunteers. I have always stayed in touch with my predecessor as curator, Jane Davies, who did so much to make the Museum what it is today, and her team.” Garry’s experience of working with the collections of both the Kings and Manchester Regiments will be especially valuable in helping to draw together the historical legacy of today’s Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, of which all now form part. “Times have changed and there are challenging times ahead,” said Garry, “but I look forward to working with the team and the Regiment to develop the Lancashire Infantry Museum and preserve our collection, which is one of the finest in the country.” Garry took up his post at the Museum in Fulwood Barracks, Preston, on Tuesday May 4. For the moment, the Lancashire Infantry Museum remains closed due to COVID 19 restrictions.

LANCASHIRE INFANTRY MUSEUM | FULWOOD BARRACKS | PRESTON | LANCASHIRE | PR2 8AA The Lancashire Infantry Museum represents the old Queen’s Lancashire, Lancashire (Prince of Wales Volunteers), East Lancashire, South Lancashire and Loyal North Lancashire Regiments In all we  cherish the heritage of  120 separate units, including the 59 battalions formed by our antecedent Lancashire regiments during the First World War,  and all associated  Militia, Rifle Volunteers, Territorials, Home Guard and Cadet units.

Telephone: 01772 260584 | Email: enquiries@lancashireinfantrymuseum.org.uk | Website: www.lancashireinfantrymuseum.org.uk

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Check Your Blood Pressure One in three people in the UK has high blood pressure (hypertension), however many people are unaware of it as there are usually no symptoms. High blood pressure increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it measured. We explain what blood pressure is and provide some tips for keeping your blood pressure healthy.

What is high blood pressure? When blood pressure is measured, two numbers are generated. An ideal blood pressure is below 120/80 millimetres of mercury (mmHg). The first number is the systolic blood pressure (higher number), which is the force at which blood is being pumped around your body. Ideally, this will be below 120. A systolic blood pressure of 140 or more is regarded as high. The second number is the diastolic blood pressure (lower number) which is the pressure when your heart is at rest, in between beats. Ideally this will be 80 or lower. A diastolic reading of 90 or above is regarded as high. The lower your blood pressure, the lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

choosing snacks that are high in salt.

Get your blood pressure checked The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked. Blood pressure checks are quick and easy, and it could be lifesaving. Adults aged 40 years or over should aim to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. You can ask your GP to check your blood pressure, or you may be able to have your blood pressure checked with your local pharmacy. You could also consider investing in a home blood pressure monitor.

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Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.

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Keep your alcohol consumption within the recommended limits of no more than 14 units a week, spread over three or more days.

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Aim to do 150 minutes of moderate activity (e.g. brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (e.g. running) each week plus some strengthening activities (e.g. lifting weights) at least twice a week.

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Get a good night’s sleep.

What can I do to maintain a healthy blood pressure? •

Maintain a healthy weight by eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of physical activity.

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Reduce the amount of salt in your diet to no more than 6g a day (1 teaspoon). Look at the amount of salt on food labels and avoid

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

If you’d like to support Heart Research UK’s vital work into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease, please visit www.heartresearch.org.uk for inspiration on how you could help. 112

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Walney Island and Nature Reserve By Mark Bateman

Walney Island, also known as ‘The Isle of Walney’, is an Island lying just off the Cumbrian coast at Barrow in Furness in the Irish sea. It is part of the ‘Furness Islands’ a group which is made up of seven islands lying off the South West, and East, of the Furness peninsula. Of these islands only four are inhabited with Walney Island being by far the largest at eleven miles long and up to two kilometres wide in places. Walney is the eighth largest Island in England with a recorded population of over 10,500 residents in 2011. 114

he Island was formed during the last glacial period approximately 15,000 years ago when glacial till (sediment) was deposited at the mouth of the River Duddon which was itself formed by glacial melt. Evidence of a long period of habitation on Walney has been discovered in the excavation of the sand dunes where Bronze age pottery fragments have been discovered. It is believed that the area known as ‘Low Furness’ (which included Barrow) was inhabited by Norse settlers who came to the area from Ireland and the Isle of Man. Through the middle ages activity on Walney was mainly agricultural and would have been over seen by the monks of Furness Abbey who

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built the flood defences at Bigger Dyke on the east of the Island. Settlements on the West coast included Earnse Bay and Biggar Bank. Biggar is more isolated lying two miles south of Vickers Town and was an agricultural area consisting mainly of farms. Biggar is also perhaps the oldest known settlement on Walney as a grange at Biggar was mentioned in Furness Abbey records dating back to 1292. Walney remained essentially made up of farms until the arrival of the industrial revolution and in particular the booming ship building industry at neighbouring Barrow. The Island provided a shelter from the rough Irish sea allowing shipping docks, and yards, to be built on Barrow Island in the Walney channel from the 1870s onwards. www.lancmag.com

The shipyards were so successful that they expanded quickly and the engineering company Vickers, who owned the shipyards, proposed, and built a new town for all the workers who flooded into the area from all across England. The new town was named ‘Vickers Town’ and the first tenants moved in during the early 1900s. In 1908 Walney Bridge, known as ‘Jubilee Bridge’, opened linking the island with the mainland. The bridge is still there today and is a fine example of a ‘bascule’ bridge which is a moveable bridge with a counterweight used to swing the road up and allow clearance for shipping transport.

It is a windswept low lying island, and both its ends are Nature reserves made up of salt marsh, shingle, sand dunes and ponds. These areas are highly protected and are S.S.I.’S (sites of special scientific interest) The North of the island provides a habitat for the endangered natterjack toad and the Walney geranium, which as its name suggests, is found only on the Island. South Walney nature reserve is notable as a haven for gulls, wading birds, and migratory waterfowl. The Walney bird observatory monitors all bird life on the island and since its conception in 1964 it has recorded over three hundred species of bird, either resident, or visiting the island.

Walney continued to grow throughout the 20th Century with several developments on the Island including the Links Estate built in 1936 and the completion of other suburban developments at ‘North Scale’ in 1976. During this time Vickers continued to construct submarines and shipping in Barrow which may have been why during the First World War in January 1915 (1914-18) they came under attack from German U-boat U-21 which opened fire on Fort Walney. The island was well- prepared to defend Barrow’s ships and it returned fire forcing the submarine to withdraw. Walney is now an area of terrific importance to nature and wildlife.

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The site also features the only breeding Grey seal colony on the Cumbrian coast. It used to be believed that seals only used the protected beaches as a ‘haul’ site meaning they hauled themselves out to rest there, but recent records

have shown increasing numbers. Records show two pups were born there in 2015 and five in 2016. On sunny days up to a hundred seals can be seen in the water or sunning themselves on the beaches. Nestled in the reserve you will also find Walney lighthouse a stillfunctioning grade two listed building that is the most southerly man made structure in the whole of Cumbria. The lighthouse was built in 1804 and actually pre-dates Barrow’s shipping boom. It was built to aid navigation at Glasson Dock and Lancaster. Walney lighthouse was also the last manned lighthouse in England until it became fully automated in 2003. As previously mentioned Walney is exceptionally windy so it’s no surprise that in 2015 work started on the ‘Walney Extension’ the largest off- shore wind farm in the world. Located twelve miles off the coast in the wild Irish sea it is home to an impressive eighty seven turbines each turbine is one hundred and ninety metres tall and covers an area equivalent to twenty thousand football pitches. It was completed in 2018 and now supplies enough green energy to power six hundred thousand homes. Whether you’re a bird lover, fancy spotting some seals or would just enjoy a bracing walk on some of the most beautiful coastline Cumbria has to offer then Walney is definitely worth a look.

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Hilda James – a trailblazer in British sport By Margaret Brecknell

Today’s Olympic hopefuls have had to endure more than their fair share of setbacks and disappointment over the last year, so they will understand more than most how a young Liverpool swimmer called Hilda James, then one of the very best in the world, must have felt when she was unable to attend the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. However, her problems were not caused by a global pandemic, but from an issue much closer to home.

Above: Hilda James on board ship in 1925

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Hilda Marjorie James was born on 27th April 1904, the second of five children of John and Gertrude James. The family grew up in the Garston district of Liverpool, where her father worked as a postman and window cleaner. In September 1915 Hilda started at Victoria School in Garston and was sent to attend swimming lessons twice a week at Garston Swimming Baths. The future world champion had no interest in swimming. Indeed, she was initially reluctant even to go into the water. In his biography, Lost Olympics, Hilda’s grandson Ian Hugh McAllister describes how she successfully hid in a changing room cubicle for the entire course of the first two lessons. However, she was eventually discovered and after an inauspicious start her swimming career was under way. Hilda was compelled to take up swimming, as her parents did not wish her to attend the school’s Religious Education lessons. John and Gertrude James were not members of the Church of England, but instead attended meetings of the Bible Study Movement, which had been founded by an American preacher called Charles Taze Russsell during the latter part of the 19th century. This religious movement is most notable now for being the forerunner of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Hilda and her siblings were raised in a manner which reflected their parents’ strong religious beliefs, and this inevitably led to conflict as the children began to mature. By 1918, less than three years after learning to swim, Hilda

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but also for other more practical reasons. One of Hilda’s younger brothers, Jack, had been seriously injured in a horrific accident on Bonfire Night the previous year and most of Gertrude’s time was spent caring for the boy, leaving Hilda with much of the responsibility for running the home. However, a compromise was eventually reached and Hilda was permitted to join the team.

was showing such promise that her parents were approached by Garston Swimming Club’s much-respected coach, Bill Howcroft, who wished her to join the club’s junior team. This meant that the young swimmer would be travelling and competing around the country. According to Ian Hugh McAllister, Hilda’s parents were reluctant to allow this, not only because of concerns about their young daughter’s moral wellbeing,

a little lady destined to ere long assume front rank position...the most versatile swimmer in the country

Below: Hilda James in 1920

Within two years Hilda was being described in the local press as “a little lady destined to ere long assume front rank position...the most versatile swimmer in the country”. The year of 1920 proved to be a watershed moment in her swimming career. She won three races at the Olympic Trials in July and was selected for the forthcoming Olympic Games in Antwerp. Inevitably her parents were initially reluctant to allow her to compete, but were persuaded to let her go when they were satisfied that the Olympic Committee had made suitable arrangements to chaperone the young women in the team. Hilda returned from the Antwerp Olympics with a silver medal in the 4 x 100 metres freestyle relay. Two of her teammates, Grace McKenzie and Charlotte Radcliffe, also hailed from the Garston Swimming Club. Charlotte is notable for being the great-aunt of one of British athletics’ best-known stars of recent years, long distance runner Paula Radcliffe. For all their obvious ability the British quartet finished the race some 30 seconds behind the gold medal winning American team. The US swimmers’ success at the

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Olympics was attributed to better technique and their use of the “American crawl”, the precursor to the modern-day front crawl. In contrast, the British team still employed the more oldfashioned Trudgen stroke. Named after a late 19th century English swimmer called John Trudgen, this was a hybrid stroke which combined the basic front crawl arm movement with a scissor kick similar to that used in the sidestroke. Hilda was still only sixteen years of age at the time of the Antwerp Olympics, but when she was given the opportunity to socialise with the US swimming team at a reception, she took the chance to enquire whether they would be willing to teach her the American crawl. Much to her delight, and possibly slight surprise, they agreed and she returned home schooled in the technique of this revolutionary new stroke. She was soon putting her newly found skills to good effect in domestic competitions, winning a hatful of titles and setting new record times in the process. Hilda’s profile had already been raised following her success in the Olympic Games. Now, as the swimmer who had introduced the American crawl to Britain, she 118

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became increasingly in demand for personal appearances with swimming clubs all over the country eager to see her demonstrate the new stroke. This increase in Hilda’s profile soon brought other benefits. She’d kept in contact with some of the US female swimmers she had met in Antwerp and in 1922 was invited by the New York Women’s Swimming Association to visit the United States with a view to participating in the summer racing season. Hilda was still a minor (young people were not classed legally as adults until 21 years of age at this time) and once more she faced the problem of persuading her reluctant mother and father to allow her to take this opportunity of a lifetime.

Above: Front view of the Cunard building with a statue of Edward VII in the foreground, Liverpool

Help came in the form of her coach, Bill Howcroft. Hilda’s parents were reassured by Howcroft’s offer to accompany Hilda to North America with his wife, Agnes, acting as her chaperone. It seems that Howcroft was also responsible for resolving another potential difficulty, that of meeting the cost of Hilda’s travel expenses to and from New York. A deal was arranged with the prestigious Cunard Shipping Company, whose head office was then www.lancmag.com

based in Liverpool. In return for a free return passage to New York on board one of their cruise liners, Hilda would become a member of the Cunard Swimming Club and allow her name to be associated with the company. This proved to be a shrewd move on the part of the company, as Cunard would go on to receive a lot of valuable free publicity from its connection with one of British sport’s top female stars.

Right: Johnny Weissmuller at swim meet in New York July 1922

Hilda’s trip to the States, which lasted for the best part of two months, proved hugely successful for the swimmer and launched her on to the world stage. One highlight was meeting the latest young American swimming star called Johnny Weissmuller. If the name sounds familiar, that is probably because after a record-breaking career in the pool, he became a Hollywood film star and is still well-known today for his most famous role of Tarzan. The following summer Hilda further added to her reputation by entering for the first time two longer distance events. Having won the National Long Distance Championship over a 5 miles 60 yards course on the River Thames, the Liverpool swimmer headed over to Paris for a similar event on the River Seine. Hilda won the race, completing the 8km course in a time of just over two and a half hours. Both male and female competitors took part, with the women swimmers being allowed to start the race half an hour before the men. Even so, Hilda became the first ever woman to reach the winning post first, before any of the male competitors. Conditions for the event on the River Seine were far from ideal. Of the 55 male and 15 women competitors who started the race,

only 53 swimmers completed the course. A newspaper reporter describes the chaotic scene,

Below: Cunard’s SS Franconia c 1930

“Steamboats, motor boats and rowing boats were allowed to race up and down the river, making the water very rough and uncomfortable for the competitors, and even endangering them.” In winning the race Hilda showed all the grit and determination which would surely serve her in good stead when making a bid for Olympic glory at the Games to be held in Paris the following year. However, she sadly never made it back to Paris. In December 1923 news broke in the national press that Hilda had decided not to take part in the forthcoming Olympics. The swimmer is reported as saying that she could not compete because she felt she had been subjected to unfair criticism and treatment by some officials in the swimming world and she was unhappy that her complaints had not been properly investigated. Her grandson, Ian Hugh McAllister, tells a rather different story in Lost Olympics. It seems that following her initial reluctance to support Hilda’s swimming career, Gertrude had

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Left: The allconquering US women swimmers at the 1920 Olympics

begun to appreciate the advantages of acting as chaperone to her successful daughter. During the previous summer she had accompanied Hilda on a short cruise aboard the new Cunard liner, the Franconia, during which Hilda gave demonstrations in the ship’s impressive new swimming pool. She had evidently travelled with her to other events too. A report on a visit to Northern Ireland later in the year concludes by stating that “Miss James and her mother were the centre of an admiring circle of friends”. Gertrude must surely have been looking forward to being the centre of attention at the Paris Olympics. However, the Olympic Committee made it quite clear that as had been the case in Antwerp four years previously, perfectly satisfactory arrangements had already been made for suitable chaperones to accompany the young female competitors and Hilda’s mother would not be required to attend the event. Gertrude is said to have flown into a rage and Hilda was refused permission to go. At the age of 20, her parents still acted as her legal guardians. McAllister paints a dark picture of bitter family rows, which even on one occasion resulted in Hilda being physically attacked, but sadly for the talented swimmer there was nothing she could do to change the situation. Hilda had been predicted to have a good chance of winning at least one, if not more, gold medals in Paris, but her Olympic dream had gone forever. Happily, better times lay ahead for the swimmer. The following year, after turning 21, Hilda announced that she had decided to turn professional and she took up a new paid role 120

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with Cunard as swimming instructor on board its latest cruise ship, the Carinthia. This enabled her to sail round the world (unsurprisingly her mother was not asked along to accompany her this time) and she met her future husband, Hugh McAllister, on board ship. Hilda is reported as having taken time off during the summer of 1927 to train for an attempt to swim the English Channel, but she later seemingly abandoned the idea, explaining that bad weather had hindered her training. After so many years of restrictions imposed on her by over zealous parents, one particular incident involving Hilda in the late 1920s shows her enjoying her newly found freedom. With the earnings from her Cunard job, Hilda is said to have purchased a motorbike and enjoyed riding it at vast speed down the lanes near her then home on the Wirral. The aristocrat Nancy Astor, who owned a country house nearby, objected to the noisy motorcyclist racing past her home and was horrified when she discovered that it was one of the country’s most prominent female sports stars. She even wrote Hilda a letter of complaint, but after all the difficulties which the swimmer had been compelled to overcome to pursue her sporting career, it is doubtful this would have much fazed her. Hilda McAllister (née James) died on 21st August 1982 at the age of 78. Despite all the setbacks which Hilda faced, she deserves to be remembered as one of the great trailblazers in women’s swimming and one of Britain’s earliest sporting heroines. www.lancmag.com

PROPERTY

I’m Sarah-Jane Langton from Tyron Ash Real Estate and I am a bit psychic so I know your next thought is going to be... who????

TIPS

Ok let me tell you a little bit about myself and the agency I’m in partnership with.

BY SARAH-JANE LANGTON

1 2 3

We are the fastest growing Real Estate Agency in the UK, Specialising in Luxury Property We have the largest combined following on social media.

80% of our properties sell within the first 30 days and for Maximum Market value, if you are thinking of selling or struggling to sell please don’t hesitate to contact me to find out how we achieve such great results. Too many properties have been sat on the Market for years with very little interest and In most cases just a few little tweaks can make a major difference. Here are a few little tips and number 1 being the MOST IMPORTANT 1. DON’T PICK THE CHEAPEST AGENT PICK THE BEST AGENT! A so called cheap agent could turn out to be the most expensive. (Again for me to explain this in more detail don’t hesitate to contact me) 2. DE CLUTTER 3. PRICE TO SELL Overleaf is one of my latest listings near Wrea Green, Charnley Fold This beautiful home is set in peaceful surroundings, only minutes to the village and just minutes away from Lytham Town which boasts fancy bars, restaurants and shops including the famous Lanigans.

(if you like your seafood you have to pay this place a visit) For more info on this stunning home or to arrange a viewing contact me direct.

SARAH JANE LANGTON NORTH WEST DIVISION TYRON ASH REAL ESTATE

www.lancmag.com

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07577 740 473 sarahjane.langton@tyronash.com @tyronash_realestate @sarahjanelangton_realestate www.tyronash.com LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 121

Charnley

Fold

harnley Fold is a superb Detached House set in a great rural location with unspoilt views over open countryside. Located just minutes from the picturesque village of Wrea Green and minutes from the very popular Town of Lytham, which boasts lots of bars, restaurants and shops to keep you entertained... so whether it’s peace and quiet you fancy or you feel like getting your glad rags on and socialising, you really do have the best of both worlds right on your door step!

As you enter the property there is a spacious lobby area with oak veneer flooring that leads you to the first open plan living area. This living space is absolutely stunning with lots of natural light and the rustic fire place finishes off this room superbly. The living room leads to a uniquely designed kitchen with centre island, heat resistant granite work tops and bespoke solid ash wood units by Kirkland Kitchens of Kendal. Natural slate tiled floor with ash wood border and beautiful

SARAH JANE LANGTON NORTH WEST DIVISION TYRON ASH REAL ESTATE

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scenery of the courtyard through a Double Glazed hardwood window. There is a very useful utility room leading on from the kitchen with Amtico tiled flooring, fitted eye and low level units with worktops and matching splash back tiling. There is plumbing for a washing machine, space for a tumble dryer and this also leads on to a WC. As you come through the kitchen to the left is a breakfast room and my favourite feature of the house the stunning glazed

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ceiling inset that looks up to the very spacious Master bedroom with French doors that leads out on to the balcony so you can have your morning coffee whilst enjoying some breath taking views of the countryside. There are five bedrooms altogether with two ensuite bathrooms, a family bathroom, a double garage and a charming annexe. This property really has to be viewed to fully appreciate its charm.

07577 740 473 sarahjane.langton@tyronash.com @tyronash_realestate @sarahjanelangton_realestate www.tyronash.com www.lancmag.com

Kilnhouse

Lane

his stunning detached bungalow situated on Kilnhouse Lane, Lytham St.Annes, boasts three bedrooms, three bathrooms a large rear garden and spacious room sizes throughout. On the ground floor are two good sized bedrooms, one with ensuite, a kitchen, living area and an office. The upstairs has a third bedroom with ensuite. Outside you have a garage with an office to the rear and a beautiful back garden

SARAH JANE LANGTON NORTH WEST DIVISION TYRON ASH REAL ESTATE

www.lancmag.com

where you can enjoy the peace and quiet. To the front of the property is a large drive you could fit three/four cars easily, or two cars and have a decent front garden. Lytham town is just a few minutes drive and is well known for the beautiful Lytham green, it’s fancy bars, restaurants, shops and the very special Lytham proms which is held on the green every year - with major stars performing such as; Ed Sheeran, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie etc...

Also nearby is Blackpool Town with it famous attractions such as the Blackpool Tower, The Pleasure Beach and the Golden Mile is just minutes drive in the opposite direction. If its a morning stroll on the beach you

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fancy you have it practically on your door step. This home really has to be viewed to appreciate its beauty!

07577 740 473 sarahjane.langton@tyronash.com @tyronash_realestate @sarahjanelangton_realestate www.tyronash.com LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 123

SALE

up to

Opulence Bed

from £449.99

25% off

Cotton Motion Bed

Opulence Bedframe from £399

Adjustable Beds from £699

Now open as normal and ou r deliverie s

The Mill, Cottam Street, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 2DT sleepyhollowbedroomcentre@gmail.com

01257 265793

Our shop is following the government guidelines regarding social distancing, with a one way system in place, and hand sanitiser stations in use.

COSMETIC & MEDICAL MICROPIGMENTATION

Specialising in Medical Micropigmentation, working closely with Consultants to achieve life changing treatments both medical and cosmetic. Marcia has assisted many clients with their road to recovery after cancer treatment or helping improve the appearance of a burn or scar. The treatment is forever evolving as needles, pigments, machines and techniques are constantly improving. The procedures are more flattering when they are a natural enhancement of the features. We practice a ‘less is best approach’. I know that I have done my job well when clients tell me their family and friends could not tell what they have had done but say they look really well.

SEMIPERMANENT MAKEUP TREATMENTS INCLUDE:EYEBROWS – Natural Hairstroke or Powdered Ombre EYELINER – Natural Lash Enhancement or Liquid Liner Look. LIPS – Lipblush which adds colour and volume or Lip Line to create more definition

FED UP OF YOUR LIPSTICK ENDING UP ON THE INSIDE OF YOUR MASK? Our Lip Blush treatment creates the illusion of volume, replaces lost colour, corrects asymmetry and stops lipstick bleeding! CHECK OUT SCALP NORTH, OUR SPECIALIST TREATMENTS FOR HAIR LOSS AND THINNING HAIR:

www.scalpnorth.co.uk

Our most popular treatments are enhancements to the eyebrows which may be a soft powder or fine hairstrokes, eyeliner and lips. All of which are designed and created to compliment the clients hair, skin tone, age and of course personality.

N 07773 229 229 E Email: info@marcia.co.uk www.marcia.co.uk

Marcia Medical & Cosmetic Clinic 10a Shaftesbury Avenue Timperley, Altrincham WA15 7LY

Why is Scalp Micropigmentation so popular? By Marcia Trotter

of anxiety. But they are real symptoms and very personal to the person affected. Scalp Micropigmentation is a natural and long-term solution, even for those clients just suffering from temporary hair loss.

Ask anyone what their one big fear in life is and most would say it’s the thought a dramatic change in their physical appearance.

hat could cover anything from visible disfigurement to wrinkles. But for many, very high on their list would be the thought of losing their hair. It’s not about vanity and wanting to preserve their youth, it’s about security and confidence and the thought of any degree of hair loss, either for medical or genetic reasons, can be traumatic. Natural baldness and thinning hair is more commonly associated with men, and can affect any age group. But it applies equally to women. Peladophobia is the fear of hair loss. It’s a surprisingly common phobia, which can affect anyone, of any age and affects both sexes equally. But it isn’t always this extreme, hair loss at best will just cause heightened levels

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But what exactly is it? The short answer is Scalp Micropigmentation is a form of restorative tattoo. It is technically a branch of body art that involves the replication of hair follicles on the scalp. By using layers of natural pigments we can create a soft, realistic appearing scalp. By implanting micro-flecks of colour within the dermal layer of the scalp skin, each meticulous application appears exactly like an actual hair follicle. Scalp hair follicles are like no other on the body. They can have up to three hairs in each one. We recreate that and the final look is so realistic that someone standing inches away will not know you have had the treatment unless you tell them. When I completed my training in Medical Micropigmentation in 2009, one element of the course was Scalp Micropigmentation. It wasn’t something I had considered offering in my business as it was such a large area of the body to treat, and I didn’t feel confident in choosing the correct needles and pigments. However, after detailed training I did offer treatments but on very small areas of the scalp.

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Back then we used pigments designed for brows or skin camouflage which contained titanium dioxide. My fear was that as the pigments matured in the skin, clients would be left with an orange or blue hue on their scalp. Five years ago I was fortunate enough to train again when the new ‘Scalp Mania’ was in its infancy. This was a game changer and completely altered the way I approached the technique. Firstly, I mastered how to draw hairlines, an intricate but vital part of the treatment process for a full scalp. I learned the best needles to use for which skin type and which were the best ones to use for different areas on the scalp. I was introduced to a whole new colour range ’40 Shades of Grey’, which despite the clever marketing tag, did actually provide all the colours and tones I needed for my colour palette – not just grey! The great thing about Scalp Mania Pigmentation is that it can be used in conjunction with a hair transplant or hair system or is also a fabulous treatment on its own. Only a very few people are unable to have it done, the results are instant and it doesn’t take hours and hours to complete. For many who have considered hair transplants an alternative option, there are still many restrictions. The first is their actual eligibility, it doesn’t work for everyone. It is also expensive, takes a long time to complete the procedure and maintain and there is no guarantee of success. www.lancmag.com

There has to be enough hair to harvest in the first place. It is painful and will leave scars which can then cause a whole new psychological problem. Often medication is prescribed after the treatment which in its own right can produce various side effects. A wig or hair system is another option, giving an instant, pain free result. While they provide a short term solution for people undergoing treatment such as Chemotherapy, they are not ideal for the long-term hair loss sufferer. There have been many advancements in the design of these products which make them so much more decreet. Although the hairlines are much more natural these days, very often they do not mimic real hair growth which is so often a tell tail sign. Even with the advancements of the lace fittings they can still be hot and uncomfortable, especially in the warmer months. Hair Systems are not only a long-term financial commitment but also time consuming with the regular upkeep needed. Sadly, there is still a stigma connected to wigs which could have a psychological effect. Scalp Micropigmentation is not just for those people with total baldness. It’s a very quick and painless way of disguising partial hair loss or thinning hair. By matching the colour of the natural hair and targeting the problem areas, we can literally infill with colour where you can see the scalp. The result is a very carefully blended and natural look, making the natural hair appear fuller. In the same way, for clients who have already had a hair transplant, but are not totally happy with the result, it is possible to add density with Scalp Micropigmentation. It can make the hair appear thicker and assist with camouflaging the scars from the donor area.It can also be offered as an alternative if the client decides a hair system is too much of a commitment or if their current hair system needs blending with their own hair. Scalp Micropigmentation has become so much more popular over the past four to five years, particularly in the USA where the style of Buzz Cut is sharper, stronger hairlines. In is becoming increasingly popular and sought after here in Europe and the United Kingdom where the style is predominantly softer and more natural but the technique is equally suited to that.

SCALP NORTH Located within Marcia – Cosmetic Tattoo Clinic 10a Shaftesbury Avenue Timperley, Altrincham WA15 7LY E: info@scalpnorth T: 07773229229 www.scalpnorth.co.uk

It is also surprisingly affordable, particularly compared to the more expensive and invasive options. Understandably people are cautious. After all who honestly feels having needles inserted into your scalp is a natural procedure! But I promise you it is quick, easy and effective and pain free due to the advanced techniques that we use. We offer every client a full consultation before they commit to treatment and show them full illustrative details of how we expect the finished scalp to look Scalp Micropigmentation is a revolutionary treatment. It is still in its infancy here, and eight out of 10 people still do not know what it is or what is involved. So we need to educate the world, spread the word and make Peladophobia a thing of the past! www.lancmag.com

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he Stroke Association is funding the world’s first study to determine the longterm impact of Covid-19 on stroke survivors. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic there have been widespread reports of adults with the virus also having strokes[1]. The charity announces this new study today, amid concerns that the virus may be causing more severe strokes in patients[2] whom doctors are struggling to treat. It is thought that the virus could be increasing the chance of blood clots forming in the brain and blocking blood flow[3]. The Stroke Association is funding this vital research to investigate the difference the virus could make to stroke recoveries, which are already at risk due to

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disruption to stroke services caused by the pandemic[4]. The study will establish which differences in patients with and without the virus may influence their needs for treatment and care, including how to avoid the risk of having further strokes. Researchers at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) will follow up to 4,000 stroke survivors, with and without Covid-19 from across 13 emergency stroke units. Stroke recovery, rehabilitation and health will be tracked for up to 18 months after their stroke. Researchers will collect and assess comprehensive, specialist medical information from stroke patients, including brain scans, blood

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samples and measures of disability. The findings will help to understand how Covid-19 impacts stroke recovery and which treatments might best support survivors’ recoveries. Dr Richard Perry, lead researcher at UCLH, said: “Research that compares stroke in patients with and without Covid-19 is essential to understand if Covid-19 results in more severe strokes, where survivors will need more support to recover from its devastating effects. While redeployed to stroke wards at the start of the pandemic, I would see patients admitted with unusual strokes, who would then go on to have a positive Covid-19 test. “The findings from this study will inform decisions about the www.lancmag.com

Leading stroke charity funds first study into long-term impact of Covid-19 on strokes most effective treatment and the rehabilitation needs of this group of patients, including prevention of recurrent stroke. We already know that from the moment a person has a stroke or mini-stroke they are at substantial increased risk of further strokes[5]. “We’ve come a long way since the start of the pandemic. I’m incredibly proud of stroke doctors and researchers throughout the UK who generously gave their time to contribute to the early stages of our study on the impact of Covid-19 on stroke, when we had no resources and were entirely dependent on their goodwill. This much-needed funding means we can continue the urgent work.” Stroke is a sudden brain attack, stroke strikes every five minutes, and there are more than 1.2 million stroke survivors living in the UK. However, this is set to rise; it is predicted that the number of stroke survivors aged 45 and over could rise to 1.4 million in 2025, and 2.1 million in 2035[6]. [1] Mao L, Jin H, Wang M, et al. Neurologic Manifestations of Hospitalized Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Wuhan, China. JAMA Neurol. 2020;77(6):683–690. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.1127 [2] George Ntaios et al., 2020, Characteristics and Outcomes in Patients with COVID-19 and Acute

www.lancmag.com

Dr Rubina Ahmed, Research Director at the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability in the UK and the second biggest killer in the world. It’s extremely concerning that we’re seeing strokes happening in ways we have not seen before. This research is absolutely critical in understanding and treating stroke after Covid-19, to help reduce the devastating effects and ultimately improve lives. Covid-19 is here to stay, so it’s vital we can prevent and treat strokes linked with the virus. “The pandemic has shattered our fundraised income and is threatening research that drives life-changing breakthroughs in stroke care. As a result of the pandemic, we have had to halve our budget for stroke research. Research improves treatment and care for people affected by stroke so they can live their best lives possible, and that’s why stroke research is worth saving. Now more than ever, we need the public’s support. If you can, please

Ischemic Stroke. Stroke 2020;51:e254–e258

help us find a way through the research funding crisis by donating today, so that we can fund more lifesaving research.” In February, the Stroke Association announced the world’s largest study to confirm if Covid-19 increases the risk of stroke and by how much. Together with the new research announced today, the two studies will help doctors to prevent and best treat Covid-19 strokes in the people who are most at risk. Over the past 30 years the Stroke Association has played a crucial role in supporting stroke research in the UK. Research helps stroke survivors rebuild their lives, but the pandemic has hit research hard. By saving stroke research, more stroke survivors can live life to the full. Find out how stroke research helps rebuild lives at: stroke.org.uk/rebuildinglives or to donate, please visit: stroke.org.uk/saveresearch

Association 2020.

[3] Beyrouti R, Adams ME, Benjamin L, et al. Characteristics of ischaemic stroke associated with COVID-19. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry E. 2020. doi:10.1136/jnnp2020-323586.

[5] Mohan et al, 2011, Risk and cumulative risk of stroke recurrence [6] Patel et al., 2020, Economic impact of stroke in the UK.

[4] Stroke Recoveries at Risk Report. Stroke

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

IS TIME YOUR BARRIER? Most of my clients at some point on their coaching journey will explain that time is a barrier. I’ve used it myself: “I just don’t have time” or, “I’m a bit busy at the moment, maybe later.” Based on a YouGov survey of 2000 adults, we spend 218 minutes per day procrastinating, the equivalent of 55 days per year of lost time. Just 10 minutes a day (Monday to Friday) looking at social media equates to 43.3 hours per year (a working week) lost. The Swedes are second on the OCED index for work-life balance. They spend more than 15 hours per day in leisure or sleeping. It makes sense that they are ranked as one of the happiest nations in the world. How nice would it feel to not have time as a barrier? Think about this for a second… If you had 2 hours to do whatever you wanted to do, right now… what would you choose to do? Take a nap? Go for a walk? Read a book? Meet a friend? 130

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The thing about managing your time more effectively is, you can do the things that you really want to do, instead of wishing you could. WHAT STRATEGIES CAN I USE TO MANAGE MY TIME MORE EFFECTIVELY AND IMPROVE MY PRODUCTIVITY? THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short 5 minute breaks. Each interval is known as a pomodoro, from the Italian word for ‘tomato’, after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that Cirillo used as a university student. Here’s what to do: • Pick the task, job, or chore that you want to complete. Something big, something small, something you’ve been putting off for a million years: it doesn’t matter. What www.lancmag.com

matters is that it’s something that deserves your full, undivided attention. • Set the timer for 25 minutes. Make a small oath to yourself: I will spend 25 minutes on this task, and I will not interrupt myself. You can do it! After all, it’s just 25 minutes. • Work on the task until the timer rings. Immerse yourself in the task for the next 25 minutes. If you suddenly realise you have something else you need to do, write the task down on a sheet of paper. • When the timer rings put a checkmark on a piece of paper. Congratulations! You’ve spent an entire, interruption-less Pomodoro on a task. • Take a short break (5 mins). Breathe, meditate, grab a cup of coffee, go for a short walk or do something else relaxing (i.e., not work-related). Your brain will thank you later. • Every 4 pomodoros you complete, take a longer break: Once you’ve completed four pomodoros, you can take a longer break. 20 minutes is good. Or 30. Your brain will use this time to assimilate new information and rest before the next round of Pomodoros.

Toyota Automotive, to help increase their productivity, and effectiveness in manufacture. This is how you do it: You can use project management software, a pen and paper, or a whiteboard and sticky notes. • Determine the number of stages in your project or task and create the columns. For example, you can create four columns, and move tasks within a project across these stages: •

Backlog - you brainstorm and define all your tasks here. You then decide what tasks you’re supposed to move to the To Do column, and what tasks can wait their turn.

•

To Do - these are the tasks you’ll work on.

•

In Progress - tasks you are currently working on.

•

Done - tasks you’ve finished.

EAT THAT FROG Sounds rather odd, right? Mark Twain once said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Now, although the prospects of eating an actual live frog are daunting, we can interpret these “frogs” as the tasks we dread. In that sense, “Eating that frog” means you have to do the task you dread first, before all other tasks. Once you have “eaten” your “frog”, you can rest assured that the worst is behind you, so you’re likely to take on a positive approach about the rest of your day. Here’s how to do it: • Label your tasks to identify your “frog” (an extremely important task, an extremely difficult task or both). • Work on your “frog” first thing in the morning (why - in a new study, researchers found your brain slows down throughout the day due to a lack of sleep, and that causes delayed behavioural responses, as well as trouble with memory associations and visual perception.) • Once done, shift your focus to less crucial tasks in your schedule KANBAN A visual time management technique that helps you follow the progress with your projects - you track how the tasks move across differently labelled columns. This technique was developed in the 1940s in Japan by Taiichi Ohno, for

Ultimately, if you can remove the biggest time wasters in your life: interruptions, your mobile phone, your TV, background noise, you can get more done. The more you get done the less you have to worry about. The less you have to worry about, the more leisure time you have, free from worry of the impending work to come. Remember, getting stuff done isn’t about working harder, it’s about working smarter. In fact, during the writing of this article I used an app called Forest App. It uses the pomodoro technique above and plants a little tree in your forest for every 25 minute piece of work you complete. “Until you value yourself, you will not value time. Until you value your time, you will do nothing with it.” M. Scott Peck, psychiatrist & author. Until next time...

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

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Coping with Covid-19: Psychotherapist Encourages Men to Embrace Covid Life Changes

n the UK apart from front line workers, the two distinct groups of society that have been impacted most developmentally and psychologically from the pandemic are children and men. Men have been hugely affected by the removal of an absolutely developmental and psychological need for complex social contact and the pressures of upcoming economic challenges around loss of jobs. It’s a tough time to be a human at the moment and it’s a very tough time to be a human male. Some men have really rallied during this time and have taken hold of the opportunities of home working and being with their families more, others though have not. Men have the tendency to retrench and retreat in the face of this, to regress into versions of manhood that are more toxic and psychologically fragile.

MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS STILL RISING We know when men are struggling through some very simple metrics: a rise in alcohol consumption and alcohol related deaths, rise in suicide rates, rise in domestic violence, rise in violence in general, rise in admission to psychiatric hospital for severe and enduring mental health conditions. All are on the rise at the moment.

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PSYCHOTHERAPIST NOEL MCDERMOTT www.noelmcdermott.net COMMENTS: The essential lesson all guys need to learn right now is that there is strength is in vulnerability and loving connection to others, a simple truth that needs to be driven home hard right now. Research shows that for every 1% increase in unemployment in Europe there is a 0.8% increase in suicides and 75% of those suicides will be men. SUGGESTIONS FOR MEN ON NAVIGATING IN THE SHORT TERM: •

Stop drinking or reduce it to infrequent use at small amounts

•

Make at least one phone call every single day that is about catching up with a male friend

•

Identify those of your mates (male) who live alone and are possibly struggling at the moment and contact them at least once a week to chew the fat

•

If you have kids, then role model talking about feelings with them (if you’ve got boys you might just be saving their life)

•

Sleep properly, exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet

•

Broaden your support network, keep new people coming into it

•

Challenge yourself to develop new interests and hobbies www.lancmag.com

MEN AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT Men have traditionally taken an ‘all your eggs in one basket’ approach to psychological support, in fact men have shied away from any hint or suggestion that the activities that provide support (spending time with your mates at work or play) is in fact psychological or supportive. They are things and activities which have been largely removed because of the pandemic. For some men anecdotally this has led to helpful breakdowns and an opening up of vulnerability and need, for other guys this has led to a retrenchment into unhelpful coping mechanisms such as denial (and therefore increased suicidality), drinking and indeed violence. Men need to move on from being defined because of what we provide through work, achievement etc to being defined by what we are as people, by our values and connections with others. That internal capacity is the real work of life, everything flows from that capacity. Love, relationships, attachment have profound impacts on our neurological growth and in www.lancmag.com

particular on the development of our frontal lobes. Our frontal lobes give us huge capacity to be successful through improved cognition, executive functioning, impulse control, rational thought, more effective memory, better regulation of strong emotion, acquisition of new skills, capacity to adapt to new life circumstances… the list goes on. All of this is available to us because as social animals we relate in loving ways and the hormones produced by that facilitate frontal lobe development.

fun with etc? If your answers indicate that it’s a small number of people who are all pretty similar you are setting yourself up for a fall. Diversity is the keyword here, fill your life with a diverse range of opportunities to do all of the above things and you will have spread your bets successfully in the getting through life stakes successfully.”

Below: Noel McDermott

Noel comments: ‘The answer is to embrace this moment of crisis as an opportunity to change. The key idea is spreading your bets, ask yourself who you have regular contact with, who you would talk to about anxieties, who would you arrange to go out for

Noel McDermott is a Psychotherapist with over 25 years’ experience in health, social care, and education. He is the founder and CEO of three organisations, Psychotherapy and Consultancy Ltd, Sober Help Ltd and Mental Health Works Ltd. Noel’s company offer at-home mental health care and will source, identify and co-ordinate personalised care teams for the individual. They have recently launched a range of online therapy resources in order to help clients access help without leaving home – www.noelmcdermott.net LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 133

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

Struck me recently that being registered blind wasn’t all tripe and onions.

had this semi-epiphany while reading an Agatha Raisin title, in which poor old Agatha was so obsessed with the looks she was sure she no longer had, she could barely make it to the bin without a three-hour debate as to what to wear and the best make-up for the job. The discovery of a single zit or grey hair was enough to have her hyperventilating, while it tended to be that every exertion towards improving one perceived imperfection totally cancelled out another: The effort of pulling on tights to obscure her supposedly suspect ankles brought her out in a violent sweat, which caused her make-up to run, an intense scrutiny of which showed her that her roots were on prominent display. Well I’ve never any of that kind of kerfuffle to contend with as I can see myself like I can see the fairies on the Isle of Man – and while this might therefore mean I resemble the back end of a bus, I’ve never been able to see one of them all that clearly either, so it’s hard to be any more bothered than that character of Catherine Tate’s. Over the years, I’ve come to know what in my wardrobe is best suited to what occasion, so making ready to go out anywhere is simply a question of showering and putting this on. I then sit reading, contemplating, or maybe listening to the Houghton Weavers singing about Martians landing in Wigan, while waiting for whoever I’m going with to afford themselves a full makeover. As for the past year, there’s been none of your pining for hairdressers or nail technicians ETC. I HAVE missed my hairdresser, but primarily for the sterling football and rugby chats, while with no one to tell me how dire my long grey hair looked, I’ve been blissfully ignorant. On the other hand, you can’t beat a bit of sight-deficiency for making you look stark staring bonkers. This morning found me striding up and down outside my house, squinting myopically into the sun, with my hand outstretched. This undoubtedly looked odd, so I wasn’t at all surprised when a couple of blokes opposite quit discussing last night’s footy, to ask if I were OK – their tones clearly suggesting “Or do we need to fetch the men in white coats?” I self-consciously explained that I was looking for my dustbin, which got me the response that it was by my front door. Well it wasn’t; this was merely an old bin wherein the postman now left deliveries of books from my braille library: Except this seemed like too much info, plus tantamount to unnecessary complication, so I settled for clarifying that I was after the bin I’d left out last night, and which seemed to have gone walkabout. I added that it often did, that in the past I’d variously found it in the driveway, mid-pavement, and outside my neighbour’s gate, but that this time the bin-men seemed to have surpassed themselves and left it halfway to Glasgow. Nor was I too far out with that judging from the time it took my new friends to have any more joy: I’m sure their first report came from Carlisle at least – which

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made me feel somewhat vindicated. At the same time, I was acutely aware that your average person would at least have been able to see where their bin WASN’T, and shouldn’t have been reduced to vaguely wandering up and down before their house, looking for all the world as though they’d cannabis rather than camellias in their garden, and had received an early touch of midsummer madness. To add insult to injury, there was a letter on the doormat when I returned, which, not being in braille, obliged me to put it under my CCTV - and magnify it to roughly the size of the Empire State Building. Nonetheless, it still took me several eternities to make out any of it. Five hours later however, I’d deciphered enough to realize I was being invited to make my funeral arrangements. Well that was nice. I’d not felt so chuffed or flattered in fact since my dad had offered to buy me a set of nose-hair clippers for my birthday. Maybe hours looking into a mirror weren’t such a waste after all. They certainly beat this morning’s efforts. Happy Midsummer anyway. www.lancmag.com

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I aim to provide the ultimate customer service experience by delivering the highest standards. As your Mortgage and Protection Specialist I will assist you throughout the home buying, moving or remortgage process to ensure you receive the right guidance and advice.

Serena Serena Smith Mortgage Adviser Cert CII (MP) Mortgage & Protection Specialist E serena@mortgageswithserena.com D www.mortgageswithserena.com N 07480 045007

LFTI

You know how you thought you knew what you wanted from life – the career, the relationship, family and then you wake up one morning and realize its not what you wanted after all or you have got de-railed somewhere along the way and when you look forwards the future is just more of the same? You mindset is bleak, nothing seems right. The good news is I have a proven programme that I have used with great success with 00’s of people over the last 15 yrs that gives you the freedom, confidence and clarity developing a positive mindset you want, allowing you to live your best life. If you would like to know more about how I can help you to think positively contact me to arrange a “Positive Thinking Breakthrough Session”

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VAL DICKINSON Defero Consultancy

Mentoring for the Business Growth Company and Enterprising You – both based in Manchester – is another skill and she is also an Enterprise Advisor with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Val is comfortable with the media herself and often works on radio, interviewing representatives of various business sectors, charities and communities for the Business Link podcasts for Quest Media. She is also rightly respected by fellow business professionals across the North-west region and is a multi award-winner. While she has a passion for supporting SME’s and women’s groups with all aspects of their marketing and social media, Val also has an affinity with women entrepreneurs over 50 who are starting their own companies. Her own business philosophy is simple: “At Defero, we believe you create what you envisage.

FINDING an experienced marketing and PR professional with the digital skills to keep up with today’s changing world can pose a problem.

ortunately, Val Dickinson fits that role perfectly. She has more than 20 years’ experience working with businesses and organisations to help create the kind of excellence vital in today’s marketplace. First-class communication and organisational skills make her an expert in marketing, sales, the broad spread of communications and media, customer service and event management. She is also first choice for social media management, blogging and copywriting, with a wealth of satisfied clients right across the business world to prove it. Val can de-bunk what is often perceived as the complicated world of PR seamlessly, making it accessible and relevant to individual businesses and organisations. Best of all, it works. She founded her own business, Defero Marketing Consultancy Ltd, as a base for her comprehensive skills but also works in collaboration with other business colleagues. A natural teacher, she delivers business workshops for women that allow individuals to understand what works best for their business to gain media coverage and to attract more clients. 136

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“Our aim is to ensure each and every client and prospect receives a quality experience. We’re not afraid of any obstacles that we’re faced with and we aim to find a solution to any problem.” Val’s personal ethos is to listen to what is being said beyond the words and then to react in a flexible way to every client’s’ needs. This means she is versatile in her approach and can respond to change, embracing challenges and always looking for positive outcomes. She is quick to change her own business practices to respond to external changes, too. At the start of lockdown last year, she got together with experienced journalist Angela Kelly to create the Bounce Back to Business Media and Marketing Plan. This has worked well, helping small businesses to reignite their public profile and ensure they are creating the right image across the media – in print, online, on social media and on radio – all for an affordable price. “I love not only having happy clients but also showing people how to use all kinds of media effectively to help their business,” added Val. “That’s really satisfying.” If you would like get in touch with Val to discuss any of the above or to find out more about your marketing plans: email val@deferoconsultancy.co.uk visit www.deferoconsultancy.co.uk www.lancmag.com

By Janet Broughton, The Positive Thinking Coach

Have you ever said or had it said to you “Think Positive”? Do we believe that just by saying that to someone they will suddenly change their mindset and start to see the glass half full? Not going to happen is it.

I also had to share EFT with the world, so trained as an Advanced Practitioner and Master Trainer.

s The Positive Thinking Coach I am not going to give you a pair of rose coloured glasses and tell you that the world is fine and noting will go wrong again. I came to Positive Thinking both through my own innate positivity and by learning skills and techniques to manage my mindset which I now share with my clients.

HOW CAN HAVING A POSITIVE MINDSET CHANGE YOUR LIFE?

I have faced challenges – I fell off a horse and broke my back, the first thing I said was “Tell me what to do and I’ll get better”, and when 14 months later the hospital consultant told me they had done all they could and the stoop and constant pain were permanent, I refused to accept it. I went in search of alternatives and I found Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT or Tapping) after 5 hours I walked straight and all pain had gone. I then trained to become a DRU Yoga teacher!

Having decided to emigrate to a hot country to open a Yoga Retreat, through corruption and fraud I became destitute – no home, job, or money and heavily in debt, instead of spending time, energy and money in trying to fight the local council – you can’t fight city hall – I knew that re-building my life was the greater use of my time and energy and by re-establishing my business, paying off all my debts and buying a house, I had trumped the small town, small minded, corrupt council.

I qualified as a Life Coach, NeuroLinguistic Programming Practitioner and Colour Psychologist. I have now combined these and created The 60 day Positive Thinking Programme.

Life happens and some of the events will be stressful, having a Positive Mindset means you can look at things from a different angle and even turn them on their head – as has often been said “falling off that horse was the best thing that ever happened to you!”

With the onset of lockdown last year my business dried up, my clients could no longer come to me inperson and yoga classes stopped. My positive approach came to the fore – What can I do, sitting thinking about what I couldn’t do was not going to solve anything, I learnt new skills and within 10 days I was online teaching yoga and working with clients. I am now working globally including USA, Canada, New Zealand, Pakistan and across Europe. A Positive Mindset empowers you to live the life of your choosing.

For information on how The 60 Day Positive Thinking Programme can help you, visit: https://thepositivethinkingcoach.com and claim your Complimentary E-booklet: ‘5 Secrets to Achieving a Positive Mindset’ www.lancmag.com

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Look For The RAINBOWS Irene’s new book is titled ‘Look for the effin rainbows. A self-help guide (not really)’, talks about last year, 2020, a year like no other for all of us. Irene gives tips of what self-care techniques she has tried and the benefits of those techniques. Alongside Irene’s humorous stories, Irene has also invited her friends along to tell their stories. Irene lovingly refers to her sons as the Stinks, her stories are very honest and tell of the struggles of trying to be the best mum, best wife, best version of herself, but sometimes no matter how hard she tries things go wrong, but the best thing to do is to look for the effin Rainbows and move on. Irene now has her own website www.lookforrainbows.com where she frequently adds her recent blogs and creates products that go alongside her book, for example, ‘My write it down and throw that sh*t away’ notepad. Irene is currently creating planners but states they won’t be flowery and fluffy but more real life. Her first planner will be on sale September this year, titled My ‘How to keep your sh*t together at Christmas time’ planner.

rene is a detective in the police for her ‘day’ job. She is married to Adam, has sons Ted, Albie and Dusty (who lives in heaven) and step-mum to Callum.

Irene decided to write a book in 2019 when she was recovering from brain surgery. She was told to go home and rest. She started her recuperation by binge watching ‘Line of Duty’ and when that was finished she struggled with the whole resting part of the recuperation.

All Irene’s books and planners can be found on Amazon, on Irene’s website and online from other good bookstores. HOLLY HAMILTON BBC PRESENTER AND JOURNALIST: “If there was a curriculum for parents, this would be on it.. Wignall doesn’t pretend to have all the answers for the trials of family life (especially during a pandemic!!) - instead she provides the reassurance you didn’t know you desperately needed with a helpful reminder that you’re not alone. Funny, irreverent and incredibly relatable. This is a little book of gold at the end of the effin parenting rainbow.”

Irene had dabbled at writing previously and used it as a form of therapy when her second son Dusty was born asleep. She tried counselling but didn’t feel it was the outlet she needed at the time, hence she started writing. Irene states she would get all her feelings down on paper and once they were in front of her she could put them in some sort of order. So like therapy without the cost. Once Irene had decided to write her first book in 2019 she couldn’t stop writing. Irene’s debut book is called ‘Look for the effin Rainbows.’ She does liken putting her first book on sale, being like flashing on the town hall steps. It was all Irene’s thoughts and feeling there for everyone to see. After getting great reviews for her first book it spurred Irene on to write more. Many of the reviews said Irene’s book had helped them in different aspects of their lives, so with that Irene decided her next book was going to be a self- help guide. Irene being very familiar with self-help books, as she has a hobby of collecting them, although not particularly reading them. 138

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You can follow Irene on all social media platforms;

T I F L

@IWignallauthor @Irene_Wignall_and_the _stinks_ Look for the Rainbows - Irene Wignall - Author @Irene Wignall www.lancmag.com

Like a Phoenix Rising From The Ashes... last, are there any penalties if you pay off your commitment early, who is the lender, what interest rate will you be paying, how much will you pay overall? • Make sure you have the correct insurance in place - It’s a requirement of a Mortgage Offer to have buildings insurance in place • Do you really need that Credit Card? Car on Finance? The items you just put on said credit card? - Remember you still have to pay off your credit card and chances are you’ll be paying more for the item than it originally cost due to interest • Keep your credit history in good nick - Don’t utilise more than 50% of your Credit Card limit, maintain all your credit commitments, DO NOT take out pay day loans for any reason! Every day is a busy day now… with a variety of cases to work through at different stages of the home buying process but knowing she is trying her best for her clients certainly makes her proud. She has had over 70 five star reviews… Serena says “They are all so kind and I’m really pleased to say I’ve never bought any leads and I am found by people who want to work with me!

Roll back twelve months and Serena was about to go to sleep, ready for her last day as an employed Mortgage Adviser, having slogged her guts out for 15 months for a small IFA firm based in Clitheroe town centre… They had given her one weeks’ notice and hadn’t even considered offering her Furlough pay.

his was the wake-up call she needed to go selfemployed. It has been a rollercoaster, 12 months later she is still having to claim support but she is working hard to help her clients and is the happiest she has been in years… recently even forfeiting her beloved Pilates to finally secure an offer she has been pushing for weeks for a client and submitting a Full Mortgage Application for a relative who’s been house hunting for ages. She loves to share her knowledge and give her best tips on her Social Media Sites to ensure you stay on the right side of your Mortgage Lender or to increase your ability to borrow: • Never miss payments on ANY credit commitments • Understand the risks involved with any credit commitment - How long will this commitment

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I can honestly say hand on heart I do my absolute best for all my clients and truly get the best feeling helping them I aim to provide the ultimate customer service experience by delivering the highest standards. As your Mortgage and Protection Specialist I will assist you throughout the home buying, moving or re-mortgage process to ensure you receive the right guidance and advice. I’m always happy to answer questions and offer advice on mortgages and personal insurance. Please don’t hesitate to contact me.”

Serena Smith Mortgage Adviser Cert CII (MP) Mortgage & Protection Specialist E serena@mortgageswithserena.com D www.mortgageswithserena.com N 07480 045007

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HERBAL REMEDY FOR SHORT-TERM MEMORY By Nicola Parker MNIMH

Rosemary is one of my favourite herbs. I grow it, I eat it, I put the essential oil in my bath. Yet there was no time in my life that I needed rosemary more than when I was doing my research project at university – on rosemary!

osemary has a reputation for assisting with memory and wisdom so I began using the herb to boost my brain power to help me focus while I burned the midnight oil. In the shop beneath my clinic we took on a product called Refreshall, our first herbal medicine tablet that was focused on improving short term memory. It contained rosemary, sage and ginkgo: three of the key herbs that have a traditional history of helping with the brain. With my research project on rosemary and its effect on memory filling up my mind, I decided to try using the Refreshall while exploring the science behind these three herbs, pulling apart the old wives tales to separate fact from fiction. Short term memory is the memory that we use to recall information we have recently learned. This could be names, phone numbers or anything you might need to memorise for a test. If your short term memory is poor, you may wander into rooms and forget why you have entered them or put things down in a ‘safe’

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place before swiftly forgetting where that safe place is. Short term memory is also the type of memory that suffers as we age. Before looking to herbs, check your nutrition. The diet should have adequate amounts of protein and omega oils. Protein comes from meat, fish, eggs, pulses and nuts while oils come from regularly eating oily fish, nuts and seeds. If you are worried about someone whose memory is failing ask them what they are eating. If their appetite is low and their diet unvaried, try adding coconut oil and powdered pea protein to simple soups or porridge. These provide an essential nourishment boost of essential oils and proteins, fundamental for proper cognitive function, without asking them to eat larger meals or foods that they may find unappealing. Nutrition can be a potent medicine and as we get older, we become more likely to neglect it. If you still think that herbal medicine may be of some use, the three most talked about herbs, rosemary, sage and ginkgo, in the Refreshall actually came up looking really good when I dug around a bit more in the available research. Research on Sage indicates that it can improve mental performance very quickly, helping with short term memory recall in tests. Sage is an excellent remedy for hot

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flushes and is now my go to herb for assisting women with brain fog that accompanies menopause. Gingko assists with circulation to the brain. Just like any part of your body, your brain needs nutrients like a building site needs building supplies. Circulation to the brain is key to ensuring the brain is looked after. Look towards ginkgo especially if you suffer with cold hands and feet, indicating poor blood supply to the rest of the body.

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

www.lancmag.com

Research indicates Rosemary may slow down degeneration of nerves making it ideal for protecting the brain. It works by stimulating nerve growth factor (NGF) which has been shown to have both protective and restorative effects on learning ability and memory. I love the fact that the modern research backs up the traditional uses

of these three herbs. Sage is the word used to describe a person of great wisdom. Rosemary is reputed to have been worn by Greek scholars as an aid to memory. It is likely that Ginkgo leaves were originally tested for any memory restoring power because their leaves are shaped just like the human brain.

I love this blend of modern research and traditional historic use. Refreshall is made by a British company called lamberts, grounded in scientific thinking. For this I’m glad, because swallowing a Refreshall tablet makes me look much more sensible than wearing a rosemary garland on my head to work each day.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH NICOLA, CONTACT HER CLINIC ON: 01524 413733

www.lancmag.com

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FRAU MATILDA The Beast of Acceptance By Kate Gostick

as visions of cattle trucks heading to concentration camps sprang to mind. I frantically searched the paperwork we had brought from America, which had also been perpetually put off for another day, and eventually found evidence of her heritage in her pedigree. I rushed down to the town hall with all her papers and she was saved from the “extermination” with only a day to spare!

think it was the lack of knowledge of the basics of the German language that almost led to the extermination of poor Matilda, our Newfoundland dog. Shortly after we arrived for our three year expat assignment in Frankfurt, a letter came which I just kept putting off reading because it looked so difficult and long. I would glance at the “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren” and even this simple Dear Sir/Madam

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would fill me with dread, so I would place it back on the ever-increasing pile for yet another day. After putting it off for thirteen days, I finally decided to take on the challenge and it was then that the true horror of a pending doggy peril hit me. We had fourteen days to prove that Matilda was of “pure race” or she would be “collected and exterminated!” Germany’s recent history made the language in the letter uncomfortable

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The holocaust was a dark, dark stain on German history and maybe should not be used so flippantly to talk about a letter about a dog, but the language used was poignant and unchanged from that which had been used to describe the millions of unfortunate Jews who suffered at the hands of the Nazis. The word nazi did not seem connected to the lovely natives of our little village who smiled “Guten Morgen” as they passed marching and laughing along the paths through the endless fields, maintaining their well-oiled joints. However, as they left the country paths and headed through the medieval town, through the town gates, on to the cobbles and past the castle, the same feet walked over golden cobbles amongst the grey, each with a name, a date, a place. These were the Stolpersteine that marked where Jews affected by the holocaust had lived and when and where they had died. I too had walked over them many times in the first couple of years I was there, never taking the time to look down as I rushed to get an ice cream or meet a friend for lunch or coffee, but now on this day the sun caught the edge of one glistening up at me. I am sure they had glinted in the sun on other days, but this was the day after I had been on a walking tour of Frankfurt for parents at the school and these little stones in the cobbles of the city had been pointed out to us and their significance explained. Now I took notice. www.lancmag.com

I had expected the Jews in the city were affected, but naively hadn’t thought they would be in our little village. All along the road through the town, stone after stone alerted me to its existence. I read every one and I remembered. All Germans are made to remember in an attempt that they will learn from the past and not repeat it. The holocaust is taught to every child in every school, every year and they are made to feel guilty for their forebears’ actions. In America, things are very different. Every year in November they are not taught of the mass genocide against the Native Americans perpetrated by their forebears, but it is taught as a propaganda fairytale where everyone sat together and shared the food they had, so that the brave pilgrims did not starve in their first winter. Rather than learning from the past, it is celebrated with Thanksgiving turkeys, paper pilgrim hats, and freezing cold games of football. Britain is no better. We even put a defining adjective before our name making it Great Britain, defining the power that colonising most of the countries of the world, as Great. Children are taught that only twentytwo countries in existence have never had the benefit of the greatness of the largest empire in history, but a historical amnesia fills those same classrooms like ether when it comes to Boer concentration camps or the Amritsar massacre. Only when you look in from the outside do you see the propaganda that becomes the cultural norm, allowing judgment of others, free from self-reflection. From the outside looking in this reflection glints off every stone that bears a forgotten soul and reminds us that we are all the same both at a personal and national level and could all benefit from a little more reflection and a little less judgment. www.lancmag.com

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French we were told was the language for your wife, Italian for your lover, English for business and German for your dog. Maybe this is why, after the shaky start, Frau Matilda embraced German culture with all four paws and after dinner would sit and bark until we took her to the pub for a pint. They loved Matilda as she loved their beer gardens lined with bits of discarded schnitzel and sausage. She was immediately accepted when we arrived, but the locals took a little longer to warm to the rest of us. We had been told by our cultural trainer that Germans were like coconuts and it was tough to get through the outer shell, but once you made it through they totally opened up to you. This did seem to be the case. A few days after we arrived, we went to the local ice-cream shop. It was on the main street in the town in one of the lovely black and white timbered buildings that looked like they had been there for all eternity. Outside metal tables and chairs tumbled out on to the streets some sporting large umbrellas to add a little shade. We found the only free table and sat down and I asked in my very best German for a strawberry, a vanilla and two chocolate icecreams. It wasn’t that difficult and I was quite proud of myself until the arrogant waiter shouted at the top of his voice in German, “What do you want?” He then turned to the rest of the patrons sitting under the umbrellas and asked, “Was sagt deise Frau? Ich kann sie nicht verstehen!” He smiled and nodded at his audience as if to assert that he was part of them and I was not. As he ran a hand through his thick black hair, a lady on the next table glanced over at me and smiled reassuringly as she repeated what I had just said and then turned to me and told me that I was perfectly easy to understand and complimented me on my German. Her reassurance allowed all the muscles in my body that had tensed up a few minutes earlier to relax back against my aluminium chair. Her smile meant that, rather than dreading going into a hostile town, I could pluck up the courage to try again and again to fit in. She probably forgot about what had happened as she left the table and headed down the cobbles and 144

through the arch of the clocktower to her car, but I didn’t forget.

They welcomed us in until they saw we had three young children and then bluntly told us that the dog was welcome, but with three kids, the rest of us needed to find somewhere else to eat! If there was ever to be any form of discrimination it always excluded Matilda and was aimed firmly at the two-legged members of the family. When we went to one restaurant with Matilda we asked for a table and they welcomed us in until they saw we had three young children and then bluntly told us that the dog was welcome, but with three kids, the rest of us needed to find somewhere else to eat! Some restaurants even had a reserved sign on the tables, even though nobody had reserved them. This allowed the owner to vet you before giving you a table and on many occasions, the lack of revenue was preferable to us. Some tables even had a sign that blatantly let you know that you were being discriminated against. The Stammtisch table was reserved for locals only and often stood empty as we were sent away hungry. In the last six months of our three years we were granted a seat on the Stammtisch and, at that point, knew we had been accepted. I felt no warmth in this acceptance though. It had come with a trail by exclusion for the previous two years and so was not a place I wanted to be. In America, there was no trial by exclusion. We were considered acceptable immigrants and always invited to join the locals, sometimes feeling like the entertainment or prized new possession, but this just shows the ridiculous nature of prejudice. Our favourite restaurant was La Table. They welcomed all of us, Matilda and the kids, with open arms. I would try to tie her up outside, but they would insist that she came into the tiny cafe where she filled the white tiled floor and made the waitresses jump over her like show jumping ponies to deliver the food to the half a dozen or so tables with tablecloths covered in pink and blue hydrangeas. One day, shortly after arriving in Germany, I went

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there with my new friend Laurie and her two children. She had just been to the shops and had bought an enormous courgette which she placed on the table next to the delicate china teacups. As the food arrived we realised that the table was far too small for seven of us and a humongous zucchini so, as another table was vacated, the waitress suggested we moved, allowing us to spread out a little. We jumped at the chance and Laurie leapt up, courgette in hand, to claim the table before anyone else came into the tiny cafe. The sleeping Matilda awoke with a start as Laurie’s right leg stretched over her back towards the larger table. Before Laurie’s left leg could follow, Matilda stood up making Laurie have to fight to maintain her balance as she straddled the 120 pounds of terrified Newfoundland. As Laurie’s left hand clung on to the table, her right arm waved in a circular movement, still clutching the colossal green vegetable. Matilda looked around for a place to escape the zucchini wielding rodeo star, but she was hemmed in by tables and screaming children. Her big brown eyes looked at me begging for help and eventually I managed to free myself from behind the table and steady her long enough for Laurie’s left leg to rejoin her right, allowing her to securely place the courgette on the table and take a seat. The waitress placed our food on the table with a gentle “Alles gut” and nothing else was said. You would think this level of disruption to a “ladies who lunch” kind of cafe would mean we were all banned and that Matilda and her courgette welding jockey would definitely not manage to find an unreserved table ever again. However, the little cafe, filled with German ladies wrapped in pashminas, huge diamonds glinting on their fingers, positively encouraged us to return. From that day both La Table and Laurie were to become two of my most favourite things in Germany. I learnt that every society has people like the lady who supported me in the ice cream shop as well as those who choose to alienate and exclude like the restaurant owner with reserved tables. This led me to become determined that my table would always be a “La Table” rather than a “Stammtisch.” www.lancmag.com

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Frances Day

BABIES, WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS

– a day in the life of a Celebrant By Dorothy Cooper, Red Rose Ceremonies “What is a Celebrant?” “What do you do all day?” “All you do is talk; it can’t be hard.”

Celebrant is a person who is trained to create a custom-made personal ceremony for any life event. Sounds simple?

Here’s a glimpse into my week:

the future they had planned, and we use the baby’s name frequently. At times, my job is to just listen, and make notes so that I can create the best possible goodbye. We decide we are going to include a naming ceremony along with the farewell burial. I spend the afternoon wrapped in a duvet on the sofa – sometimes this job is incredibly difficult. FRIDAY

MONDAY Three requests from funeral directors with details of services. I contact families, arrange a time to meet and have a chat. Everything that I do is family led; the most important part of my job is making that initial connection and establishing trust. Although my job involves a lot of talking (something I’m really good at), it also needs sensitivity to quickly pick up on emotions and feelings and to reassure a grieving or bewildered family. In the car, for a very quiet and traditional service at the crematorium, making sure that I’m always there at least an hour early, to check that there are no issues.

I write the baby service while it’s still fresh in my mind, and spend the afternoon packing for the wedding the day after. The details are really important – planning and covering every possible eventuality is key – have I got the ribbons for the handfasting? SATURDAY Wedding day! I arrive two hours early, make sure that everything is set up and ready, then sit and go over the service. The sun is out, it’s a beautiful setting and we have a great day – I love my job!

Back home, cup of tea and on to the computer, to research and write another service. Most 30-minute services take about 6-8 hours to write from scratch – no “insert name here” templates. TUESDAY Up very early to finish a draft service and send to the family. Every service I write is sent to the family in full, so they can approve every word, and make changes if they need to. I spend the morning talking to another family – they want a lively service, motor bike escort and dancing as their loved one was a real rocker…but can we dance in a crematorium? Of course we can. WEDNESDAY I spent time finishing the wedding ceremony that I am going to be leading on Saturday (we’ve been planning this for 2 months now). It’s going to be a lovely outdoor service (hope it doesn’t rain) with a book theme, a hand fasting, blessing stones and a lot of literary quotes which I loved researching. THURSDAY Networking, then a difficult call; a family who have lost their baby. They talk for a long time about their grief, 146

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Still think it’s easy, or all we do is talk? Please contact me if you would like to know more on 07970 058 548 or email enquiry@redroseceremonies.co.uk or visit www. redroseceremonies.co.uk www.lancmag.com

Diving Deep to Climb High By Frances Day, Energy Healer and Soul Coach On the night that Princess Diana died I was being dangled by my ankles from a 9th floor flat window, by a man who I thought loved me.

lthough it’s 24 years since it happened, it feels like yesterday. In one generation of my life, I’ve probably done more self-development and healing than most have in their lifetime. When your life is hanging by a thread, it gives you that great big wake-up call that you need. You see, I had what I now know as wounded child stories. At the age of 14 I was abused. Which meant energetically, that every choice I made, was made from that wounded child place. It is connected to a belief of not recognising ‘unconditional love.’ That I didn’t feel valued, and because of that I was making decision about and my relationships, money and business from that place. Always trying to please people and not really knowing what true love was. This didn’t just manifest in relationships, www.lancmag.com

One client said to me, its like having a great big rucksack on your back that you’ve carried around all your life, and when you put it down and let it go with love, you feel lighter, more confident and re-energised.

but every area of my life. I ran a marketing agency, and a company for women in business, and when you run your own business, your beliefs cascade through every element of your life. Having low self worth meant that I was discounting my prices, only working with clients that loved me, you can see where this is heading can’t you?

Having been on this journey I now know that I was meant to do this work.

To be a good energy healer you need to have healed your own past. So that you help and understand what your clients have gone through, so it will be no surprise to you that I mostly work with clients with wounded child stories.

I love seeing the shifts that my client’s make. To clear these blocks that are keeping you playing small we sometimes have to go deep to clear them, but I promise you that once you step through to the other side, the view from the top is beautiful.

I believe that everyone has a gift and medicine. Your gift is what you were put on this earth to do, and your medicine is how you share it with the world.

It’s a journey that is so worthwhile to travel. And when you see with absolute clarity what you are meant to be, once you’ve taken off your rucksack, you cannot do anything other than act on it.

My gift is being able to intuitively see your gift, and through the work that we do together I help you to release the limiting beliefs that you have locked in your subconscious and then using a blend of energy work, coaching and marketing, I gently and with love, encourage you to step into your pure potential.

It’s like opening up your eyes with absolute clarity for the very first time.

WWW.FRANCES-DAY.CO.UK

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Jill Pinington Ltd WHAT IS COACHING? Jill uses a variety of skills and services to enable an individual to solve their own problems. Skilfully achieved via goal-setting and outcome formation. Active listening, non-judgemental enquiry, reflection, and asking questions in view to overcoming barriers to transformational change. WHAT IS NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING (NLP) • ‘Neuro’, the brain and nervous system-how the mind and sensory organs receive and filter information through all 5 senses. • ‘Linguistic’ the way we communicate and interpret experience through language, including body language, images, sounds, feelings, taste, smells as well as words. The language we use with others and our own self talk can have a profound impact on thinking and behaviour. • ‘Programming’ is how we construct personal ‘programmes’; the unconscious habits and patterns of behaviour of how we think, how we behave and how we do things. NLP is like a clinical manual for the brain and when NLP techniques are applied it allows you to think and behave differently and be more confident and effective. As an NLP Master Practitioner and Trainer, Jill will enable you to create a new skill-set that helps you develop excellence and distinction in all areas of your life.

Jill Pinington Ltd was established in 2019 and it has gone from strength to strength.

HYPNOSIS As a Practitioner of Hypnosis, my primary focus for hypnotherapy sessions is specifically to teach individuals how to reduce stress, worry and anxiety around autoimmune disease and exams, assessments, interviews, by using self-hypnosis methods and techniques.

What do we use Hypnosis for? Stress, phobias, self-belief, health and wellness, sleep, smoking cessation, weight loss.

Jill has gained several respective national awards including Secretary of State Award for Excellence in Health Care Management, HSJ Award and the Nursing Times Award for Dignity in Care.

HYPNOTIC GASTRIC BAND If you are contemplating bariatric surgery (gastric band) then hypnosis is another option that is less invasive and less painful and just as effective as surgery. Jill is a qualified advanced clinical hypnotherapist.

ill had a career as a registered nurse with extensive clinical leadership positions at director level in the NHS.

Achieving a Post Graduate Certificate in Business and Executive Coaching and a Post Graduate Diploma in Coaching Supervision, Jill is also a Trainer and Master Practitioner of NLP, NLP Coaching, Hypnosis and Time Line Therapy ® and a Coach Supervisor, and MBTI Practitioner.

Services offered by Jill include: Coaching on, an individual basis either in person or online. Jill also offers access to speed coaching, free standing of scheduled sessions. 148

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HYPNOBIRTHING Working with the natural process of giving birth and supporting the female body to do exactly what it is designed to do during the birth process. Helps mums to be and partners to teach them how to relax about the birthing process by teaching them the power of hypnosis for deep relaxation.

If you want to find out more about what Jill offers in the areas of NLP, Hypnosis, Time Line Therapy ® Hypnobirthing, and weight loss email info@jillpinington.com. www.lancmag.com

their brand through creative design’

Helping businesses’ build their brand through creative design

w.furiouslemon.co.uk In the depths of Bolton, @furiouslemon.co.uk you will find Furious Lemon Design Agency. 565022 Founded by 01204 Julia Hylton and Gary Stevens in 2006, Furious Lemon began creating own brand packaging for a large electronics retailer.

and your web site. Ensuring that your brand ethics are carefully adhered to, we apply them to other areas of your business; whether that’s products, packaging or advertising, we always have these at the core. Getting to the heart of your business is what we do best and we’ll help you to define your target audience and make sure they hear your message loud and clear.’’

ince then the business has flourished into other sectors and Julia says ‘’It has given us a wealth of experience in all things Design, Print and Digital. We offer a personal service where you get to talk directly to the people working on your project, this is reassurance that we’re committed to getting it right. We want to be part of your team and help you deliver your message, whatever that may be.’’

BRAND IDENTITY If you’ve just started your business or you have an established company, we can help create or refresh your brand, this could be the most important decision you make. Your business must be credible, different and engaging. Gary says ‘’We are passionate about design and building a creative brief is paramount in branding a business, so it’s one of the first things we do and it enables us to tell your story through the essentials such as logos, stationery, marketing materials

PACKAGING DESIGN Brand consistency is vital and at Furious Lemon, we want to craft your vision into reality - from concept to market. Beautifully designed packaging has a direct result on how your brand is perceived, it’s key to building a perception of quality whilst maintaining a trust that the product inside is of equal calibre. Julia says ‘’We like to work closely with clients to get their packaging right. We provide guidance on brand styling, shelf presence, engaging with your market and the best materials and finishes to protect your products from damage.‘’

WEBSITE & DIGITAL DESIGN “We have been working closely with Furious Lemon to produce a range of brand and marketing items for our financial services. We choose to work with Furious Lemon because they never let us down and always produce fantastic work, whilst doing it in a friendly and enthusiastic manner. I have no hesitation in recommending them.” ROSS TAYLOR Managing Director, Taylor & Taylor.

Gary says ‘’Digital design is more than just web site design, it’s central to seamlessly integrating your business on and offline. A dynamic web site can make a huge impact to your online presence and ultimately become a major tool in gaining new customers and promoting your business. Keeping your design consistent throughout your media is imperative to brand recognition.’’

For more information on any of our services, visit our website at www.furiouslemon.co.uk or contact us: info@furiouslemon.co.uk or call us for a chat about your business on 01204 565022 www.lancmag.com

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Returning to the workplace? HOW TO EASE BACK IN By Lee Chambers, Environmental Psychologist and Wellbeing Consultant

After months of being told to work remotely, employers are starting to call staff back into the physical workplace. While some people welcome the return to the office, others are less excited at the prospect of leaving home to go back to their usual workplace. You may even be feeling anxious or stressed about returning to the workplace. Regardless of your perspective, there are some simple steps we can all take to help readjust to office working once more.

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arly in the year, COVID-19 restrictions saw a large percentage of the workforce quickly transition to working from home. In the months since, many people have come to appreciate the benefits of flexible working, including improved productivity, work-life balance and perceived safety. These professionals have become so comfortable with working from home that, according to findings from our research, over half of those who are currently working remotely feel anxious about returning to the workplace. However, with restrictions lifting and many regions virtually eliminating COVID-19, employers are formalising plans for a safe return to the office as they look to regain some sense of ‘normality’.

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So, if your employer is starting to call staff back into the office, whether permanently or in a hybrid working arrangement, here are our tips for easing back into office working.

BACK TO WORK STRATEGIES ASSESS YOUR WORKING STYLE: Firstly, take some time to understand if the post-COVID-19 workplace will suit your working style. We’re unlikely to see the same level of pre-pandemic face-to-face contact at work, with in-person meetings and conversations limited due to staggered start and finish times and continuing physical distancing measures. So, if you are someone who requires in-person interactions to perform at your best, adapt your www.lancmag.com

Lee Chambers MSc MBPsS is our resident psychologist and founder of Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing. As a director of Wellbeing Lancashire, he will be keeping us updated with the work they are doing across the region. Have a question or topic you would like Lee to cover in a future issue? Email him on info@leechambers.org and he will include you where possible.

Lee Chambers

working style now so that your motivation, energy and output still remain high in today’s office environment. DON’T JUDGE YOURSELF: It’s okay to feel anxious or uncertain about returning to the workplace. Or perhaps you have enjoyed the greater freedoms and work-life balance of remote working and feel sad about losing these benefits. Take note of your feelings, understand them and accept them. Once you accept how you are feeling right now, consider how you can move your mindset forward – and what changes you can implement to help prepare yourself mentally for your return to the workplace. For example, do you need to rebook children into before school care, plan your commute or find a new time for your daily walk? Or do you need to remind yourself that it’s fine to feel uncomfortable with change at first and that learning to adapt to change at work can take time? UNDERSTAND YOUR EMPLOYER’S COVID SAFE PLAN: Take some time to read and understand your employer’s return to work plan. If your employer hasn’t yet shared their plan, ask about the control, physical distancing, cleaning and hygiene measures they have in place to minimise risk. Understanding and appreciating the health and safety measures your employer has gone to should help to ease any concerns about your physical safety at work. www.lancmag.com

If you still have any concerns, book a virtual meeting with your manager to discuss your apprehension and any additional safety measures you feel are required. Your boss will understand that everyone’s situation is different and will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Address any issues that are causing you to feel uneasy. For example, if you are unable to maintain appropriate physical distancing on public transport during peak times, can you talk to your boss about starting an hour earlier or later each morning?

CONSIDER A FLEXIBLE TRANSITION: Most employers are offering a slow transition back to the workplace. There is an understanding that those employees who have enjoyed working from home need to shift their mindset back into office-based working, which can take time.

As always, if you are still struggling, reach out to your network, manager or a professional to talk things through or for extra support during this time.

Many employers are also implementing a hybrid working model, where staff work some days in the office and others from home. For many employees, this offers the ideal transition as it provides the flexibility to balance office and home working, which allows you to slowly and steady reacclimate with the office.

RESTORE OFFICE RITUALS: Take a moment to consider what you have missed about office life. Perhaps, for example, you’ve missed your favourite coffee shop, meeting a friend for lunch, casual conversations with colleagues or celebrating team successes after work. Re-establishing such elements of your former office life will help you feel comfortable back in the workplace and restore a sense of normality to your working week.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH: If you feel a high level of anxiety and stress at the thought of returning to the office, prioritise your mental health and wellbeing during this transition. Remember the foundations of good mental health and wellbeing at work: set a routine, switch off from work at the end of each day, sleep well, exercise, take regular breaks at work, spend some time by yourself and look out for the warning signs.

There’s no doubt that returning to your workplace after months spent working remotely can be a long and, at times, challenging transition. So, as returning to the workplace accelerates, adapting your own personal working style for the postCOVID-19 workplace, understanding your feelings, becoming informed of your employer’s COVID safe plan and prioritising your mental health are some of the strategies that can help to ease your return.

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Best Air Purifying Plants for the Home

We’re all looking for ways to live healthier lives. And now that we’ve all spent a year indoors, people across the UK are looking for ways to breathe new life into their homes.

SPATHIPHYLLUM VIVALDI – PEACE LILY

“NASA’s study found that the peace lily was one of the best plants when it came to purifying the air because of its ability to break down and neutralise toxic gases like benzene, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. It’s also beautiful in its own right, with gorgeous white blooms and fairly easy to care for as the leaves will droop when it needs water. Poisonous to pets however, so be careful if you’re a cat or dog owner.”

By Carl Eden

ome scientists suggest turning to plants to help. NASA’s Clean Air Study found that there’s a number of air purifying plants that are perfect for detoxifying your home from the dust, germs and airborne pollutants found in a variety of everyday materials from carpets to furniture. Researchers have since said that you’ll need a considerable amount of plants in the home to make a real

We spoke to Nathan Raab, MD of Pointless Plants, for his top 10 best air purifying plants to help give your home a breath of healthy fresh air:

HOWEA FORSTERIANA – KENTIA PALM

“Almost unbeatable when it comes to purifying the air, kentia palms are slow growers too which makes them easy to manage. Prefers the light but happy in the shade too. Make sure to run a duster over the leaves now and then to keep the plant happy, healthy and producing plenty of clean air for your home.” Medium - £39.99 (with pot £74.99)

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ZAMIOCULCAS ZAMIIFOLIA – ZZ PLANT

“ZZ plants make for small but mighty air purifiers - the NASA study found that it’s specifically adept at removing toxins like benzene, toluene and xylene from the air. It’s also especially easy to care for, which makes it perfect for city-lovers and occupied-office workers who want fresh air with the minimum fuss. The plant is however poisonous, so not the best choice if you’ve got pets or kids at home.” Small - £12.99 (with pot £29.99) Medium - £19.99 (with pot £34.99) Big - £34.99 (with pot £64.99)

Baby - £8.99 (with pot £14.99) Medium - £22.99 (with pot £44.99) https://pointlessplants.com/ collections/air-purifying-plants/ products/lily

difference to the air around you, but with plants becoming such a dominant interiors trend in the last year, it makes sense to kill two birds with one stone - plants that help purify the air in your home, and look good doing it.

https://pointlessplants.com/ collections/air-purifying-plants/ products/kentiapalm

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https://pointlessplants.com/ collections/air-purifying-plants/ products/zoe

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GIVE YOUR HOME A BREATH OF HEALTHY FRESH AIR

NEPHROLEPIS BOSTON – BOSTON FERN

“Boston ferns are particularly adept at removing pollutants from the air, in fact, NASA’s study placed them as the 9th best for air purification. They’re especially good at removing formaldehyde - a toxin generated by smoking, certain cosmetics and household adhesives. So if you’re suffering from symptoms like dry skin, dry noses or sore throats a boston fern could help you out!” Baby - £8.99 (with pot £16.99) Small - £14.99 (with pot £24.99) Medium - £22.99 (with pot £49.99) Big - £32.99 (with pot £54.99) https://pointlessplants.com/ collections/air-purifying-plants/ products/bostonfern

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FICUS BENJAMINA DANIELLE – WEEPING FIG

CHRYSALIDOCARPUS LUTESCENS – ARECA PALM

“A simple and low maintenance house plant which gives off dense, dark green foliage whilst cleaning the air in your home, and especially effective at removing toxins like xylene and toluene from the air. As with some other plants on this list, it is toxic itself - so bear that in mind if you have pets and small children at home. Place it in an area with plenty of natural light but don’t leave it in direct sunlight as the leaves will burn.”

“The top air purifying plant according to NASA’s study, areca palms are a great way to freshen up your home or office air. Keep it in a balanced light area - not too bright, not too dark - an area which gets the sun for short periods of time is ideal. It’s a thirsty plant too, one which needs a lot of water but always make sure the top level of soil is dry before you water again - otherwise you risk flooding the poor plant”

Small - £17.99 (with pot £29.99) Big - £34.99 (with pot £59.99)

Big - £44.99

https://pointlessplants.com/ collections/air-purifying-plants/ products/daniel

https://pointlessplants.com/ collections/air-purifying-plants/ products/palm-with-basket

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SANSEVIERIA ZEYLANICA – BLACK CORAL SNAKE PLANT

“A relatively easy plant to care for, sansevieria doesn’t need much light and can tolerate all sorts of light levels, and it makes for a superb home plant by removing toxins like formaldehyde and nitrogen oxides from the air. Unlike a lot of plants too, sansevieria continues to produce oxygen at night, which makes it a great way to boost the air quality of your living space, and a brilliant choice to have in your bedroom.” Baby - £12.99 (with pot £24.99) Small - £22.99 (with pot £44.99) Medium - £29.99 (with pot £49.99) Big - £44.99 (with pot £72.99)

DIEFFENBACHIA MARS – DUMB CANE PLANT

“Dumb cane offers lush foilage to help you and your family breathe a little bit easier. Perfect for bringing a tropical look to your home whilst removing toxins from the space and excellent at absorbing carbon monoxide. Don’t eat it however - the plant gets its name from a poisonous substance which can temporarily numb the vocal cords if consumed.” Baby - £8.99 (with pot £14.99) Small - £19.99 (with pot £44.99) https://pointlessplants.com/collections/air-purifyingplants/products/dieffenbachia

https://pointlessplants.com/collections/air-purifyingplants/products/sansevieria

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CHLOROPHYTUM BONNIE – SPIDER PLANT

“An easy to grow plant which thrives in medium to light shade and moist air - spider plants are perfect for hanging baskets and bring a charming, haphazard quality to the home. They’re also wonderful at removing toxins from the air - particularly ethylbenzene and formaldehyde.” Small - £12.99 (with pot £27.99) https://pointlessplants.com/collections/air-purifyingplants/products/bonnie

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CHAMAEDOREA ELEGANS – PARLOUR PALM

“A popular plant in the Victorian era, parlour palms make for excellent houseplants to this day helping to turn your home into a mini tropical paradise. They remove the usual pollutants from the air - formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide and are relatively low maintenance and require little work to care for. Palms are also associated with victory and success, so they’re a great addition to any home office”. Small - £19.99 (with pot £39.99) Medium - £24.99 (with pot £49.99) Big - £39.99 (with pot £59.99) https://pointlessplants.com/collections/air-purifyingplants/products/maya

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FRANCHISING Hi, my name’s Len Rainford, otherwise known as The Franchise Specialist. I have been involved in franchising for over 30 years and have experienced it from every angle and every aspect. I have been a Franchise Manager for two international companies, worked as a Franchise Consultant for several major brands and have been both a Franchisee and a Franchisor. I have also started, ran, and sold four businesses, all in different sectors, the last of which I built into a national brand through franchising. As an Entrepreneur in Residence at Lancaster University, I am involved in various projects and do talks on business, entrepreneurship and franchising. My aim is to share my passion for franchising, pass on the knowledge and experience that I have gained over the years, to help companies to grow their business and achieve their goals through franchising, and also raise the profile of franchising in the UK.

WHAT IS FRANCHISING? Franchising can be a complex business and mistakes can prove very costly, as I have seen all too often. As a result, I have developed various strategies covering every aspect of franchising, in particular the “Seven Step Strategy”, which if implemented fully will ensure results, a return on investment, success and happiness. Despite the fact that in the UK there are now over 900 franchise brands covering 80 different sectors, and franchising accounts for over £17.2 billion of the UK’s economy, and most people come into direct contact with several franchises every day, there is still www.lancmag.com

a huge lack of understanding about what franchising is and how it works. Understanding it clearly is essential for success, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. There are various definitions of franchising by different organisations but putting it simply, a franchise can be defined as “Formal permission given by a company to someone who wants to sell its goods or services in a particular area.” It is a relationship where one party – the franchisor – allows another party – the franchisee – to operate copies or clones of a proven business model in return for initial and ongoing fees. The franchisee will generally be given an exclusive area or territory for a defined period. In effect, the franchisor allows the franchisee to operate a branch of its business using the proven methods, processes, systems and brand.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FRANCHISING YOUR BUSINESS? Entrepreneurs who have developed a successful business often look at franchising as a way to expand. Like any business model, franchising has its benefits and drawbacks. There’s no way to know for sure whether franchising is right for your company until you evaluate its pros and cons in the context of your operations. That usually requires the help of a franchise advisor or consultant, but before you start talking to the experts, you should get a sense of the key advantages and disadvantages of franchising a business. Franchising offers several major benefits to business owners seeking to expand their business. LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 157

Advantages of franchising: • Lower Capital Investment

Advantages of buying a franchise:

• Motivated Partners

• Proven system

• Rapid Growth

• Your own operation:

• Local Knowledge

• The Franchise package

• Increased Brand Awareness

• Ongoing help and support

• Increased Revenue and Profits

• Defined territory

• Minimized Growth Risk

• Greater access to finance

• Increased Capital Value of the Business

• Less risk with a proven business model

In short franchising offers a “low risk”, high return on investment.

Disadvantages of buying a franchise:

Disadvantages of franchising:

• Initial and on-going fees

It is not all plain sailing. Although there are many positive reasons for franchising your business there can also be some disadvantages of the franchise business model:

• Other people’s decisions could sink your franchise

• Up-front costs including consultancy fees and recruitment costs

• Restrictions on expansion due to neighbouring territories

• Less control over franchisees than branch managers

• Hard work

• Innovation challenges

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BUYING A FRANCHISE? Why consider buying a franchise instead of starting your own business? Basically, it comes down to risk and belief. Buying into an existing and proven business model is an attractive proposition. You can see how it works and what it can deliver in terms of revenue and profits. With the exception of new franchises, you can talk to existing franchisees to get reassurance that it is indeed a good business opportunity. If your definition of success is becoming filthy rich, buying a franchise business could get you there…but it may not. Although franchise ownership can provide a proven business model with instant brand awareness, it doesn’t always result in wealth. There is no guarantee of success in any business. What I am saying is that if you put in the effort and chose your franchise wisely, you stand a better chance of getting there. The franchising industry regularly likes to remind us that being a franchisee is a safe and potentially very profitable way of getting into business. This is true and the statistics speak for themselves but there are also downsides.

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• You do things their way, not yours, which can be restrictive

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You cannot escape hard work: If you take on a franchise under the impression that the franchisor will do all of the hard work for you while you sit back and watch the money roll in you will be in for a nasty shock. When considering buying a franchise ask yourself the following questions: • Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? • Is it worth taking the risk? If you go through the advantages and disadvantages and consider which ones are the most important to you it will help you to decide if franchising is right for you.

FRANCHISING – THE KEYS TO SUCCESS One of the keys to successful franchising is the relationship between the franchisee and the franchisor, which is why it is critical that you get the franchise agreements, manuals, processes and systems right from the start. It is well worth spending the time and effort in the early stages as this will pay dividends in the long term. This gives the franchisee a head-start in setting up their business because the sales and administration processes are already in place and, in many cases, the brand will already be well known. The franchisee will be expected to operate the business in accordance

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with those proven systems and not do anything to adversely affect the brand. One of the key attributes of franchising is that the franchisee will continue to receive advice, training, and support from the franchisor throughout the term of the franchise, thus improving their chances of operating a successful business. Whilst no franchisor can ever guarantee that their franchisees will be successful, it is certainly true to say that they are likely to be more successful than if they had started a new business on their own. Franchising is a term that some business owners regard with anticipation and excitement, and others with fear and trepidation. The truth is that franchising is one of the most significant, stable, and sustainable growth strategies that a business can implement.

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I have written two books about franchising as there are two different audiences – people looking to buy a franchise and existing franchisees, and companies looking to franchise their business and existing franchisors who already have. The Franchise Specialist is dedicated to helping you with any aspect of franchising. Whether you are looking to franchise your business or invest in a franchise, or you are an existing franchisor or franchisee needing help just give us a call for a FREE consultation. “Whatever the problem we have a solution.” Call for your Free consultation now on 01925 224000 or 07795 960320 or email len@thefranchisespecialist.co.uk

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QUARRY BANK MILL

By Mark Bateman

Located in Styal Cheshire, and now operated by the National Trust, Quarry Bank Mill is one of the best surviving textile factories from the Industrial revolution when production changed from a mainly rural ‘cottage’ (home- based) industry, to a centralised and factory- based means of production around which towns and cities grew and developed.

he factory was built in 1784 by Samuel Greg a British entrepreneur who also operated a slave plantation he had inherited in the West Indies. Greg was notable for his early adoption of revolutionary technologies including using waterpower to operate new machinery such as spinning frames. There have also been claims he took a (comparatively) enlightened view of labour relations attending to the spiritual and educational needs of his

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work force. This was in large – part due to his wife Hannah Lightbody who helped Greg provide medical care to his workers, and some education to children in his care. The mill itself is located at an advantageous site on the River Bollin which allowed Greg to harness the power of the river to operate his waterwheels. The mill was also connected by road to the Bridgewater Canal for easy access to shipments of raw cotton transported in from Liverpool. Greg leased the land the mill stands on from Lord Stamford who imposed the condition that none of the surrounding trees were to be loped, pruned, or felled. This was obviously taken to heart as the factory now stands adjacent to beautiful gardens and woodlands. The mill is an imposing building, built with ‘no frills’ to be a working cotton - spinning factory. It was originally a four storey building measuring 8.5 metres by 27.5 metres

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and incorporated a staircase, a counting house and warehousing space. Its main method of production was by use of the Water Frame a type of spinning machine patented (the basic idea had been around for a long time) by Richard Arkwright in 1769. In 1796 the factory was extended; it was doubled in length and a fifth floor was added. By 1784 the mill ran 2425 spindles which grew to 3452 spindles by 1805. The mill was further expanded in 1836 and 1838 when the development of new machinery meant weaving the finished cotton moved to being completed at the factory rather than being produced in individual homes as it had previously been. To this end weaving sheds were added to the site which housed over 300 looms. By the time Greg retired in 1832, leaving his son to take over, it was the largest mill in the country. The means of powering the mill was a succession of water wheels, originally wooden, and then made of www.lancmag.com

iron, each larger and more powerful than the last. An 1835 report on the mill recorded that the factory was, ‘Driven by an elegant water- wheel, thirty- two feet in diameter and twenty- four feet broad, equivalent in power to one hundred and twenty horses.’ The first water wheel was a wooden ‘over shot’ wheel, this meant water from the river went over the top of the wheel causing it to turn. The wheel was linked to over head shafts which used a belt system to power the mill machinery. By the time, the second wheel was installed Greg was damning the river and diverting it to flow directly through the factory to increase power. The mill’s iron water wheel, designed by Thomas Hawes, was the fourth at the site and was installed between 1816- 1820. Some idea of the huge size of the wheels can be seen in the photograph of the 1847 water wheel shaft. Today the mill still houses the most powerful working water wheel in Europe and calico, a type of unfinished cotton, is still produced at the mill. As the factory expanded and the technology grew the factory installed a steam engine in 1810 for use in the summer months when the low level of the river could cause delays and problems with power and hence production. So what about the people who worked in the mills themselves? There’s no doubt life was tough for them with adults working seventy hour weeks over six days. Greg first converted some farm buildings into accommodation for his workers but when this became insufficient he built the small nearby cottages known as Oak cottages. Workers had to pay him to rent these tiny two up two down houses and often fourteen or more workers were crammed into the two bedrooms in each house. It is believed Greg himself, along with his wife, attempted to create a village type atmosphere for his workers by providing the ‘Oak School’ to educate the child workers and ‘Northcliffe Chapel’ where his workers could attend church, with a Sunday School provided for the www.lancmag.com

children. He also provided medical care and the system at Quarry Bank is believed to be one of the first examples of an ‘occupational health system’ in the country. However, despite this, child labour was an essential part of the labour force, at the factory’s peak over 50% of the work force was made up of children recruited from poor families in the workhouses and orphanages. It was believed these children were better off employed than left to the horrors of the workhouse. Children were originally brought in from Hackney and Chelsea but later came from neighbouring areas and the Liverpool poor houses. Thankfully, as people decided children were better off in school the percentage of children employed dropped to 20% in 1833 and the ‘Apprentice System’ was abandoned in 1847. In 1790 Greg built the apprentice house for his child apprentices, and provided some education, but again dozens of children were forced to share very cramped quarters. Life inside the mill was undoubtably worse for the children than the adults. They were also forced to work 12 hours a day five to six days a week. They were often used for cleaning under machinery, and freeing jams, while the machines were still working. It was highly dangerous work and losing a finger, or limb, or even death by crushing were not uncommon occurrences.

The popular drama series, ‘The Mill’ was based on accounts obtained from the archives at Quarry Bank mill detailing the harshness of day to day life for the workers at the mill and is well worth a watch to gain an insight into the workings of a mill. Although the Mill has not yet re-opened it is worth a visit to enjoy the beautiful grounds and garden, the cafes, shop, and pre-loved book shop. It’s a living historical monument to a time when life was tough for the workers, luxurious for the mill owners and ‘cotton was king.’

An original water frame spinning machine

The old Water Wheel Shaft

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Preston’s Monument to its Trailblazing Temperance Campaigners By Margaret Brecknell The reference in the Preston pledge to “all liquor” is significant, reflecting a change in stance on the part of the seven signatories. Many of the earlier temperance campaigners had tended to focus on the need to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed rather than abstaining from it completely. Others had campaigned on one particular social problem such as the issues caused by excessive beer drinking in working class men. Now “the seven men of Preston”, as they came to be known, were signing what was effectively the first teetotal pledge of its kind anywhere in the world. So new was this concept that the word “teetotal” didn’t even exist at the time the pledge was signed. The story goes that the word was coined the following year when at a meeting of the Preston Temperance Society a speaker called Richard Turner struggled over the word “total” because of a speech impediment. Those seven early trailblazers were soon joined by many more. By March 1834 the Preston Chronicle was reporting that the Preston Temperance Society’s membership had risen to nearly three thousand people, of whom some six hundred had pledged to abstain totally “from all intoxicating fluids” for the next twelve months. The concept of teetotalism was already spreading further afield by this juncture too. Above: Preston Abstinence Memorial - Source: Tony Worrall Photography

In Preston Cemetery there stands an impressive Gothic monument, which commemorates the achievements of the Preston men who founded the Temperance Movement. The inscription on it reads “Erected 1859 to commemorate the origin in Preston of total abstinence from all intoxicating liquor”. The story of this intriguing relic of the Victorian age and the movement which it commemorates is still worth recalling today.

he Preston Temperance Movement dates back to September 1832 when seven men signed a pledge “to refrain from all liquor of an intoxicating quality, whether they be ale, porter, wine or ardent spirits, except as medicine” at a meeting held at the old Cockpit on Stoneygate in the town. A Temperance Society had been established in Preston earlier that same year. Part of a social movement which had originated in the United States during the 1820s, these societies, whose original aim was to encourage people to moderate their consumption of alcohol, were becoming increasingly popular in the UK too.

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The Preston group’s prime mover was Joseph Livesey, a charismatic local man with a gift for public speaking. Born in March 1794 at Walton-le-Dale near Preston, Livesey spent his early working life as a weaver. He moved to Preston following his marriage in 1815. The next year he is said to have realised the money to be made in the cheese trade after being advised by a doctor to eat a little cheese to help with an ailment from which he was suffering. He borrowed a sovereign from a family friend to purchase his first cheese and began what soon proved to be a highly successful business. Livesey was quite a wealthy individual by the time he became involved with the temperance movement, but as a self-made man from a working-class background he was seemingly able to connect with the poorer members of society, whom earlier campaigners had tended to bypass. His charitable work was not merely confined to the temperance movement. He was also instrumental in the establishment in 1828 of a new educational facility in Preston, the impressively named Institute for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. This later became known as the Harris Institute and now forms part of the University of Central Lancashire. For over fifty years, right up to his death in September 1884, Livesey toured the country giving lectures on the subject of teetotalism. He was also a prodigious writer. He owned his own printing press and over the course of his lifetime must have circulated millions of magazines www.lancmag.com

years as station master at Ainsdale near Southport, but remained a committed campaigner for the cause of temperance throughout his life.

Above: Joseph Livesey

and pamphlets on the dangers of alcohol and the arguments in favour of teetotalism, as well as the other social issues with which he was concerned. In addition to teetotalism, he was later in life an early exponent of vegetarianism. The other six men to sign the abstinence pledge on that September day in 1832 are named as John Gratix, Edward Dickinson, John Broadbelt, John Smith, David Anderton and John King. Of these the last named, John King, is probably the best remembered today. According to an account by Joseph Livesey in his Reminiscences of Early Teetotalism, he had spotted King walking past his cheese shop nine days before the meeting at the Cockpit and had asked him then and there to sign a pledge of total abstinence. King agreed and this incident effectively makes him the first person ever to sign up to teetotalism, several days earlier than anyone else. In later life King left Preston and worked for many

Above: Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston - Source: Shutterstock.com

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By the late 1850s the Preston Temperance Society had purchased its own premises on North Road and the movement was flourishing, with hundreds of similar societies operating throughout the country. The Preston teetotallers took much pride from the fact that the move towards total abstinence had begun in their own backyard. Joseph Livesey, whose uncanny knack for finding the right phrase would be the envy of any modern marketing guru, memorably called Preston “the Jerusalem of teetotalism”. As with any success story, however, inevitably in time other parties came forward to claim the credit of starting the movement for themselves. At a meeting of the Preston Committee in early 1858 it was resolved to purchase a plot at Preston Cemetery with room for eight graves “so that those who had laboured together for the cause of temperance in life might lie together in death”. Permission was also sought and granted by the town’s Burial Board to erect a monument above the burial plot. It was hoped that the monument would become a focal point for commemorating the origins of teetotalism in Preston. The official inauguration ceremony for the “teetotal monument”, as it was then known, was held at Preston Cemetery on 22nd April 1859. The memorial’s designer was Preston architect James Hibbert, who is best remembered today for his work on the Harris Museum. The Preston Chronicle reports how the ceremony was preceded “by a procession of a very large and interesting character, which was formed at the Temperance Hall whence it immediately proceeded to the cemetery in conjunction with a band of music”. Several speakers addressed the crowd which gathered at the cemetery. One, the Reverend John Guttridge, urged the teetotallers to swear at their monument “eternal vengeance against intoxicating drink”. The monument is surrounded by memorial stones to members of the temperance movement who were laid to rest there. These include Joseph Livesey himself, as well as other notables such as Mary Graham, known as “Temperance Mary” and

the “Queen of the Teetotallers” because of her devotion to the cause. Another stone commemorates Edward Grubb, a Preston tailor by trade who later trained for the law and used his considerable debating and oratory skills to spread the message of teetotalism across the whole country. In later life he moved to Harrogate where he died and was buried in January 1891, but he was held in such high regard by the movement that a copy of his gravestone was also erected in his hometown. In September 1932 some two thousand people from all over the country gathered at the memorial in Preston Ceremony to commemorate the centenary of the day on which “the Preston seven” had first signed the pledge. Laurel crowns were placed on the memorial, as well as on the stone marking Joseph Livesey’s final resting place. Today the temperance movement has been largely forgotten, so it was pleasing to learn in 2018 that the Preston Abstinence Memorial had been granted Grade II listed status after being nominated in a campaign by Historic England to find under-appreciated memorials from the country’s past. It is all too easy today to dismiss the abstinence campaigners of the past as killjoys, intent on ruining the ability of the North-West’s workers to enjoy a drink or two after a hard day’s graft in the mill. However, the movement sought to highlight some of the very real social problems caused by excessive drinking in all classes of society. As the issues caused by the easy availability of cheap alcohol, particularly among the young, are again being increasingly debated today, it seems timely to remember the memorial erected in honour of those vigorous campaigners from the past.

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Hay Fever Hacks by Airborne Allergens Expert, Max Wiseberg Remember last month I talked about the hay fever first aid kit? If you missed it, I suggested creating a hay fever first aid kit with one or more natural products such as HayMax, only one antihistamine, only one nasal spray and something for the eyes such as Optrex or Eyebright if you prefer to stay drug-free. But in addition to that, there are more things you can try – if they’re practical for you – which have been known to help people. Try these hay fever hacks…

any people may be unaware of just how much their hay fever is impacting on their sleep, which goes on to affect their work, study or school the next day. However preventing pollen getting into the bedroom and into your body, together with a simple night time routine could lessen your symptoms and help improve your sleep. A good start is to keep your bedroom windows and door closed to prevent pollen blowing into the room. If this makes the room too hot, consider using an air filter/purifier with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Arresting) filter to capture the pollen and dust particles, and cool and circulate the air. Vacuum the bedroom regularly, including the bed, curtains and other fabrics to remove pollen particles. Damp dust surfaces; damp dusting removes pollen particles without dispersing them into the air where they can be breathed in. And keep blankets and cuddly toys in a cupboard to prevent the build-up of allergens on them.

Wearing a cap or hat and tying up long hair will prevent pollen being trapped in your hair and wraparound sunglasses will help protect your eyes from pollen. A healthy diet can also help. Eating healthily helps to keep our respiratory system strong. Some foods such as ginger or fresh basil, ease blocked nasal passages, helping us to breathe more easily, whilst others, such as spinach and almonds, contain nutrients that can help boost our immune systems and help our bodies fight sinus and respiratory infections which are linked to allergies and hay fever.

A study published in the journal Thorax found that Crete islanders who ate a Mediterranean diet had fewer allergy-related symptoms. They noted that diet staples such as nuts, grapes, oranges, apples and fresh tomatoes were protective against wheezing and nasal allergy symptoms[1].

A Mediterranean diet is recommended as it is high in antioxidants which are immune-boosting.

REFERENCE:

[1] https://thorax.bmj.com/content/62/8/677

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Drink responsibly. Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink. Beer, wine and spirits all contain histamine, the chemical that sets off allergy symptoms in your body. In addition to making you more sensitive to pollen, alcohol also dehydrates you, making your symptoms seem worse Ensure your pet doesn’t make your hay fever worse! If you own a pet then ensure that it is well groomed and shampooed as much as possible to remove pollen particles, and keep it out of the room in which you sleep. Plant hay fever friendly flowers in your garden! Go for double flowers. These often have petals instead of pollen parts. Double headed chrysanthemums are good and there are many others. You can now get lots of pollen free varieties, so you won’t have so much of a heavy pollen load to set you off, plus you’ll be able to enjoy your garden more. WIN-WIN! I hope these ideas are helpful to you – do let us know. I’ll be back next month with more info. Have a great month!

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Colour and Style

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Our section on Colour and Style with Sarah Harris from ‘Colour Me Beautiful’ July is here and the sun is shining! Can you imagine opening the door to your wardrobe and everything is hanging spaced out, clean and you can see your clothes! I would like to help you create this wardrobe for yourself and with this in mind this month I’m looking at Capsule Wardrobes. Did you know that if you create a capsule wardrobe you will save time and as you know time is very precious. I have used my own wardrobe as an example. Every season I look at my wardrobe and rearrange it so that everything I need is ready for me to wear. We have talked about de-cluttering and cleaning items of clothing but we also need to consider space. If your wardrobe is only small I find that it is a good idea to pack away any winter items that you will not wear during the hot summer months, either in vacuum packs or in a suitcase, although you always need to keep a couple of jumpers and maybe one coat, as England can have some cold days and evenings! Clever organising of space makes it easier on the eye and mind. They say a cluttered mind blocks advancement, well I feel the same with a wardrobe! What tempts you when you go shopping? The display, the way clothes hang and co-ordinate? Yes we are strange creatures as when we see something set out nice we are enticed to it. How can you make your wardrobe exciting ? I’m Sarah Harris and I’m a Colour and Style Consultant who trained with Colour Me Beautiful the world’s leading Image consultants. My background is in fashion and after leaving school at 16 I travelled to London to work as a Fashion/photographic model, I enjoyed the life and it allowed me to travel the world, during my career I also worked in wholesale/retail within the fashion industry. I learnt all about fabrics, business, international companies and trying all those clothes on – the quality, cut and fabric. I took a break from the business when I married and had our two children. I retrained as an Image consultant with Colour Me Beautiful who have been changing the lives of women and men for over 35 years. I’d like to inspire you with Colour, Style and Skincare tips every month, I’m hoping to give you an interesting read. If there is something that you would like to know about please email me and I will do my best to help. Email: sarah@sarahharrisstyle.co.uk www.sarahharrisstyle.co.uk

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I usually decide the collection of clothes that I am going to wear, if I need to purchase anything it will have to fit in with what I already have and often I will exchange it for an item that needs updating. That will be packed off to the charity shop or recycled. I will have 2 pairs of trousers, 2/3 dresses, 3 or 4 blouses, 2/3 t shirts, 3/4 jackets, 2 jumpers/cardigans. Accessories that mix and match. Usually 2 pairs of casual shoes and 2 dressy and a pair of sandals. A bag, hat and several scarves of different sizes.

My Capsule Wardrobe 2 x Camisole/T-Shirt 2 x Jumpers 3 x Jackets 2 x Dresses 2 x Trousers 3 x Shirts/Blouse 2 x Scarves 1 x Coat 1 x Bag 1 x Pair of Trainers 2 x Pairs of Shoes 1 x Pair of Sandals 1 x Hat www.lancmag.com

4 Ways with Blue Trousers There are so many things you can wear with blue trousers and these are this season’s Midnight Blue from Captain Tortue. Picture 1. I’m wearing them with a navy and white striped shirt from next, the navy jacket which I have had for 5 years bought from Zara in Portugal is such a great shape and works with so many other items. The pink shoes give a pop of colour to the outfit. Midnight Blue Trousers Captain Tortue, Soft White & Navy Shirt - Next, Ecru Camisole - Captain Tortue, Navy Blazer - Zara (5 years ago), Pink Shoes - Faith (3 years ago). Picture 2. Worn with a pink blouse from River Island, which I bought a few seasons ago, looks great teamed with my royal blue jacket again 3 or 4 years old from Zara in Portugal. The necklace adds interest and again great with the hot pink shoes! Midnight Blue Trousers - Captain Tortue, Pink Blouse - River Island (past season) Royal Blue Jacket - Zara (past season), Necklace - market in Silves, Portugal, Pink Shoes - Faith (past season). Picture 3. On a cooler day this white jumper is great over the pink blouse as it is a good cotton fabric with the necktie of the blouse showing. The beret adds colour and style. Midnight Blue Trousers - Captain Tortue, Pink Blouse - River Island (past season), White Jumper - J. Crew @Debenhams (past season), Pink Shoes - Faith (past season), Pink Beret - Ruby & Daisy www. rubyanddaisy.co.uk (past season). 168

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Picture 4. Trousers look great with a dress and I wear my zebra print dress over them with a simple t shirt/camisole. The necklace and belt add detail and the bag with the red scarf again for a pop of colour! Midnight Blue Trousers - Captain Tortue, Ecru camisole - Captain Tortue, Black Belt - River Island (past season), Necklace Sassy Chic, White Trainers - Nike Air, Bag c Principles @Debenhams (past season), Silk Scarf - Ralph Lauren (past season).

3 Ways with White Trousers White cropped trousers are great for summer. Picture 5. I’ve added a white camisole and sapphire Broderie Anglaise shirt which I simply tied to give a holiday feel, worn with the royal blue jacket as you can’t rely on the weather! The sandals are platforms and very comfortable yet stylish. White Trousers - Zara Woman (past season), Ecru Camisole - Captain Tortue, Sapphire Shirt - Captain Tortue (past season), White Wedges - Clarks (past season), Royal Blue Jacket - Zara (past season). Picture 6. By adding the stripped shirt and a few necklaces you change the look, giving it a more relaxed feel. White Trousers - Zara Woman (past season), Ecru Camisole - Captain Tortue, Soft White & Navy Shirt - Next, White Wedges Clarkes (past season).

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Picture 7. Here I’ve added a hot pink jumper and pink shoes to give it a really casual but eye catching look.

BLUE DRESS Picture 10. Blue dress worn here with the royal blue jacket, simple necklace and hot pink shoes.

White Trousers - Zara Woman (past season), White & Navy Shirt - Next, Pink Jumper J.Crew @Debenhams (past season), Pink Shoes - Faith

Blue Dress - Zara (past season), Royal Blue Jacket - Zara (past season), Pink Shoes - Faith (past season).

Black & White Zebra Print Dress and Royal Blue Dress

Picture 11. By adding a scarf instead of a jacket it gives a different feel to the look. You don’t have to make an outfit look completely different, especially if you like it, however, just one simple change can make a difference.

BLACK & WHITE ZEBRA PRINT DRESS Picture 8. Worn simply with a smart belt, simple court shoes, necklace and casual jacket. Black & White Zebra Print Dress - Marks and Spencers (last season), Ecru Zipped Denim Jacket - Captain Tortue, Black Court Shoes - New Look (past season) Black Belt - River Island (past season) Necklace - Sassy Chic www.sassychicclub. bigcartel.com.

Blue Dress with Hot Pink Scarf - Colour Me Beautiful.

BLUE COAT Picture 9. By changing the footwear to trainers it makes the look very casual and the pop of pink in the beret gives a fun look. Black & White Dress Marks and Spencers (last season), White Jumper J.Crew @Debenhams (past season), Pink Beret - Ruby & Daisy, White Trainers Nike Air.

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Picture 12. The Blue coat is always part of my wardrobe in the UK as you can never be too sure of the weather. It is great as it will go with everything that I have. I bought it last season as I loved the colour and know that I will wear it! Royal Blue Coat - Star by Julien Macdonald@ Debenhams, Midnight Blue Trousers - Captain Tortue, Ivory Macramé & Ladder Stitch T-Shirt - Captain Tortue, Black Court Shoes - New Look (past season). LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 169

So there’s my seasons capsule wardrobe! Most items are past season, however, they are good items that are well made and last. Some of the items are in stock this season from Captain Tortue a French collection that I hold as a stylist and if you are interested in any of these items please let me know. I hope that this will encourage you to build a seasonal capsule wardrobe and if you need any help please let me know. Remember everyone’s style is different, we all have our individual personalities and next month I will be looking at some of them.

Enjoy creating your capsule wardrobe! Look after yourselves and each other! Warm Wishes, Sarah x www.sarahharrisstyle.co.uk sarah@sarahharrisstyle.co.uk

REFERENCES • Ecru Camisole - Captain Tortue www.sarahharrisstyle.co.uk • Blue Shirt - Captain Tortue • Blue/Soft White Striped Shirt - Next www.next.co.uk • White Jumper - J.Crew www.debenhams.co.uk • Royal Blue Jacket - Zara www.zara.com • Navy Jacket - Zara www.zara.com • Royal Blue Coat - Julien Macdonald @Debenhams • White Trousers - Zara www.zara.com • Midnight Blue Trousers - Captain Tortue • Blue Dress - Zara www.zara.com • Black & White Dress - Marks and Spencer www.marksandspencer.com • Pink Shoes - Faith @Debenhams www.debenhams.co.uk • White/Grey Sandals - Clarks www.clarks.co.uk • Black Court Shoes - New Look www.newlook.com • White Trainers - Nike Air www.nike.com • Hot Pink Scarf - Colour Me Beautiful www.sarahharrisstyle.co.uk • Ivory T-Shirt - Captain Tortue • Hot Pink Beret - Ruby & Daisy www.rubyanddaisy.co.uk

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Look Up Lancashire The Hygiene Bank is a national grassroots, people-powered charity and social movement, grounded in community. Our passion stems from the injustice that people may be unable to fully participate in society due to hygiene poverty. This is why the team at The Hygiene Bank work to inspire social change.

he charity believes in the power of community and follows a guideline of “give local, help local”. We have The Hygiene Bank projects in the Lancashire communities in Blackburn, Blackpool, Chorley, Darwen, Morecambe, and Lancaster and the Bay. The projects are run by volunteers, who collect, sort and distribute donated hygiene products to other charities and community groups such as schools, homeless shelters, women’s refuge/ shelters, and foodbanks in their local community. The demand for our services in your local community continues to grow and our fabulous volunteers have already distributed in the first four months of 2021 more than double the weight in distributed hygiene products compared to the full year in 2020. You can donate new, unused and in date hygiene products if you LOOK UP the local drop off points for these projects on the charity’s website. The Hygiene Bank’s story started with the film ‘I Daniel Blake’ by Ken Loach. A moving and harrowing film that exposes the harsh realities of those in our society who fall through the cracks. It portrays a place in which empathy has little place and

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no allowance is made for the chaos of everyday life. One particular scene stuck in the mind of our founder Lizzy Hall. The scene is of Katie, a single mother of two who is caught shoplifting and in her bag they find a pack of period pads, razors and a bottle of deodorant. After watching the film Lizzy visited her local food bank who confirmed that toiletries were donated but only on an ad hoc basis. Teachers talked of girls improvising with loo roll or scrunched up socks in their pants as protection when the girls were having their period, and of the impact of hygiene issues leading to social exclusion, and how the teachers resorted to buying pupils shampoo and deodorant or washing their uniform. Buying the basics like period products, shampoo, toothpaste or deodorant when we need them is something most of us take for granted. For many on a low-income however, especially those who rely on food banks, these essential products have become out of reach luxuries. Illness, disability, family breakdown or loss of a job can leave people destitute, and these unplanned events can happen to anyone. We all make financial choices, but for those living in poverty these choices can be extremely stark. Families make the choice of paying their bills, buying food or keeping clean, while teens and young adults prefer to go hungry to save themselves the humiliation of showing up at college or work with greasy hair and smelling of body odour.

relationships. We know that a lack of access to hygiene products impacts confidence, self-esteem and prospects in those who are most vulnerable. People miss out on employment and promotion opportunities. Women find themselves housebound because they can’t afford period products, children skip school because they don’t have a clean uniform or PE kit. Hygiene poverty is humiliating and so galvanised to do something, Lizzy put out a plea for hygiene and personal care products to her friends on WhatsApp. Donations flooded in - the reaction was overwhelming and extremely moving and Lizzy realised she had tapped into people’s desire to help. All she had to do was find a way to facilitate this... within a few weeks The Hygiene Bank was born. Since The Hygiene Bank’s inception in 2018, the charity has grown to over 150 projects in local communities around the UK which are run by over 450 volunteers. Before Covid-19, many were struggling to make ends meet. Whether it be the working poor, zero hour contract workers, ethnic minority households, single parents or those living with disabilities, millions lacked the means to afford the basics. With 22% of the population living in poverty before the crisis, almost 5 million people

Sadly, hygiene poverty comes with a social stigma that affects all areas of life, work, school and

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on furlough as of January 2021, and 6 million currently on Universal Credit, recovery will take time. Looking at populations experiencing extreme material deprivation, 43% of those living in destitution most commonly lacked basic toiletries. Additionally, 65% of those in deep poverty prior to the crisis now have reduced hours, have been furloughed or became unemployed in 2020. In 2020 the charity delivered almost 364,000 kg of hygiene products, seven times the achievement of the previous year, and more than doubled the community partners we serve. Yet the charity is only scratching the surface in terms of need. Sadly, it is not surprising that the demand for our services grew significantly, given 14.5 million people were already living in poverty prepandemic. Before Covid-19 it was clear poverty impacted every stage of life, from babies to pensioners in the UK. One in five people were living in poverty before the pandemic representing: • 4.2 million children • 8.4 million working-age adults • 1.9 million pensioners struggling to make ends meet Below are two examples of the feedback that the charity has received from parents at a school supported by The Hygiene Bank: Many thanks for the toiletries and other products, it is really appreciated, and I have been able to spend more money on gas/electricity and food because I didn’t have to buy these. - UNDISCLOSED PARENT

“

I would like to say a massive thank you for the hygiene packs we received… They have had a massive impact on our household. It has made the children look after themselves a lot better during this horrible lockdown … they all loved the fact they got a new toothbrush … and also the older two were able to use the new deodorants to keep themselves fresh and clean. The bag with the toilet rolls, soap powder and washing up liquid in too was a godsend. Parents at the moment are most probably washing clothes a lot more with children being home (I know I am) and also same for the toilet rolls, having the kids home all day everyday means we are going through a lot more toilet roll than usual so being given this also was a saviour.

“

- UNDISCLOSED PARENT

A key outcome for The Hygiene Bank is the recognition amongst citizens and government that hygiene poverty is unjust. An indicator of whether we have accomplished this is the evidence of shifting perceptions of what it is like to not be able to keep clean. Additionally, we want to see

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our social movement grow, tapping into audiences who care but have yet to take action. We know the numbers of individuals unable to afford to keep clean will likely increase due to the long shadow of the pandemic. The Hygiene Bank’s commitment to reduce hygiene poverty is in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 01 to end poverty in all forms everywhere. Now is our chance to collectively shape a future that ensures no one suffers the injustice of poverty. The charity held its first ever National Hygiene Week in September 2020 with the aim of raising Photo Credit: Image courtesy of The Hygiene Bank awareness of the injustice of hygiene poverty through creating new conversations. Since then, we’ve seen millions of people’s circumstances deteriorate and families forced into poverty due to the pandemic. People are making impossible choices between paying rent, buying food and staying clean. This is unjust. We believe that everyone should have the basics to feel clean.

NATIONAL HYGIENE WEEK

ADAM’S STORY* Adam struggled to afford the basics, including hygiene products. Every time we met, I noticed he was not able to keep clean and it was affecting his self-esteem. As his Key Worker, I knew he was going to school 18% of the time, and most of his friends were online. When we meet up, he rarely looked me in the eye and was not interested in much conversation. I felt not being able to keep clean was affecting his confidence and it was important he had access to hygiene products, so I began to search online for charities who provide personal care items and came across The Hygiene Bank. This was in the summer of 2020. The local project very quickly provided essentials I was able to turnaround and give to Adam without much fanfare as he had not requested them in the first place. The next time I saw Adam I barely recognised him. The transformation was immediate from his appearance to his attendance in school rising to 100% to hearing of new friends he met up with in person. He did so well in school he went onto university and I am happy to report is doing really well. The Hygiene Bank is a great resource for our young people, it allows them to be able to spruce themselves up to be spick and span at a time when money is tight and toiletries are financially out of their reach. To be able to feel clean and fresh is a nice thing and it is something that is expected of people. From an Advisors perspective it can be a difficult subject to discuss with our young people and simply having the resource available makes things easier for us in our work. *This statement is from a Key Worker we support. The names have been changed or excluded to protect the subject’s identity.

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So, with that in mind, this year’s National Hygiene Week (5th to 11th July 2021) we are asking communities around the UK to look up and call for change. To look up and tackle the hidden crisis all around us. To look up and look out for one another, making sure everyone in your community has access to the joy of feeling clean. To help tackle this crisis and make sure everyone has access to life’s essentials, we will be fundraising and campaigning in National Hygiene Week 2021. We will be running national and local events including challenges like the Lake District Triple Challenge and various virtual challenges. We’ll be providing lesson plans and educational resources for schools, working with brands such as Boots and developing an exciting street art project with people affected by hygiene poverty. In addition, we’ll be running a series of panel discussions throughout the week including discussing the power of communities in fighting hygiene poverty with our volunteers, which will be free to view virtually. We would also love to see grassroots initiatives from our supporters and The Hygiene Bank communities so please, please get involved.

To support the charity, you can donate £5 by texting BASICS to 70085* *Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £5 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text BASICSNOINFO to 70085.

TO FIND OUT MORE, GO TO: www.thehygienebank.com AND FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: @thehygienebank TO SEE PLANS AS THEY DEVELOP AND JOIN US.

Together, we can help things look up. LOOK UP LANCASHIRE! www.lancmag.com

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Denise Mullen is a journalist, writer and entrepreneur.

‘ELECTRIC BIKES,’ HE SAID, ‘IT’LL BE FUN’ HE SAID. THAT’S FINE, SHE SAID.

very woman has that one friend, don’t they? Smart, funny, beautifully turned out, attractive, successful. I am fortunate to have more than one. It’s a testament to how wonderfully selfdeprecating this particular lovely lady is that she was happy to give me this account - and her blessing to share it. Ronni (not her real name) is stylish, has a great eye for interiors and has business insight that cuts through corporate puffery like a knife through butter. She’s the real deal, her business partner is her husband, and they are a great match. I love Ronni to bits. All five feet of her. She’s a consummate professional and, away from the business suits and office suites, an inveterate giggler with a wellhoned sense of the absurd. In the years I’ve known her, I’ve never seen her really angry. So while enjoying enforced lockdown in sunny Spain, she and her husband decided to take their post-work exercise by exploring the hilly landscape on electric bikes. All good. You still have to pedal but they’ll add a little boost for the slopes. An unexpected early Spring, in sunshiny countryside with the right kind of temperatures to make biking conducive gave Ronni the confidence to agree, without second thought, ‘I’m in’ when her husband suggested they buy their own electric bikes when back in Blighty. They bought the same models they’d used in Spain. Electric bikes have lots of advantages for the rider; yes they are expensive but both felt that the amount of benefit they’d deliver made them worth the investment. For her it was the 16.5” frame version – even the smallest they do is much bigger than she is.

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First day out on the new bikes and it’s chilly and throwing it down. On the plus-side this particular part of Lancashire isn’t very hilly – but still, it’s not the full-on Spanish experience. Things take a turn for the worse when, an hour into the outward ride, Ronni’s husband’s bike pedal comes off. They can’t get it back on. This means they are now trudging back on foot, pushing the electric bikes. In another stroke of luck, Ronni has thought to pack a rain poncho and struggles into it as the rain begins in earnest. She recalls: “I hadn’t really thought about it and certainly hadn’t tried it on. It’s a poncho, it’s going to fit, right? Well obviously on what I would call ‘a normal-sized person’ it would fit, coming to just below the knee. On me it was around my ankles to be exact.” Remember Stephen Spielberg’s ET (in a blanket) and that bike? You get the picture. So the trudging is hampered by electric bikes being heavier than your standard pushbike, full-on in-the-face rain and Ronni’s challenging rain gear which is straining in the high winds. Of course there’s nothing wrong with her bike, but in a show of marital solidarity she’s putting in the effort as the drips run off her cycling helmet and splosh angrily in rivers down her poncho and drip into her socks. Eventually they reach a fork in the road, one branch of which leads to home, the relinquishing of the rain gear and a cup of something reviving. “I’ll nip to the farm shop,” she mutters, “pick up some eggs and bread.” She manages a soggy remount and sets off down the other branch. Things go badly wrong.

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Source and the actual model Ronni has: Leader Fox Lotus Ladies ST Hybrid 16Ah from www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk

By now the ground is greasy with rain after a long dry period. She gets to the farm shop and it’s closed. Pedalling for home the bike hits a pothole on the approach village’s vintage garage forecourt she’s nipping through. The bike jinks, she is launched, poncho at full extension, over the handlebars. Into a puddle. She recalls: “I’m lying there, face-down, winded, sucking up oily puddle - then the bike lands on top of me.” It weighs 25kg. All that can be discerned by the anxious garage men is what looks like a small, squashed, McDonalds Happy Meal, packaging flapping limply in a stiffening breeze. They haul the bike off her, push the peak of her helmet back up so she can see and, sort of, adjust the poncho amidst lots of ‘thank you-ing’ and ‘no, I’m fine, really.’ The bike is broken. She calls her husband, explains she’s fine, not really hurt, but is on her way back on foot – pushing the now fullydisabled and fiendishly heavy bike. What pushes her over the edge is the sight of said husband coming to assist. She says: “He’s not running, he’s not even doing a hurried walk he’s, well …… sauntering.” So, let’s run through this again gentlemen. When a woman says ‘I’m fine’, the hairs on the back of your neck should stand to attention. Your blood should run cold. It’s the equivalent of hearing a sniper with an assault rifle pop one into the chamber, and seeing him take his firing finger off the trigger guard. I have a sneaky suspicion she still managed to look gorgeous – if anyone can rock ‘roadkill’….. it’s Ronni.

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

have been married for a while now, so realise that hints about birthday presents are useless. Hints don’t have any husband Velcro. They just don’t stick.

Again, this was at a time when booking a restaurant was a thing, perhaps not in his world, but certainly in the wider world. No argument from me.

A better outcome is achieved by telling one’s husband that

JF likes to eat, he has a good appetite and he is fit and active. ‘Mucked about food’ – as he calls it - isn’t his thing. This is the man who suggested, for our wedding, that his construction canteen concession people catered our wedding ‘Pies like yer Mam used to make’ he said, eyes moist.

1. your birthday is coming up 2. this is what you would like and (possibly) 3. this is what you’ll be ordering for yourself from your husband. The big day came around. I had asked for an ice cream maker. He likes to eat ice cream, I like to fiddle about in the kitchen making stuff, he knew where to get the ice cream maker – Kitchen Aid, yep, even gave him the brand. Was a decent-sized birthday. All good. I’d lashed out on cider making equipment for his birthday so was looking forward to ice cream triumph fuelled by moderate appley wooziness while operating not very heavy machinery. Not to be. Not even a card (frowny face). I got up all birthday-ish: nothing. (He’d been busy – true – we had made an abortive arrangement to go and shop for the icecream maker – true too). He then suggested we go to A PUB for a birthday dinner. Er no. Bear in mind this was during an interlude when we could – go out. The pub think sparked murder thoughts. How ungrateful. Where can you buy a bludgeon, I thought, a thing for bludgeoning people…. Actually probably got a few of those in the kitchen. I stored up this information for later. The day wore on. He bought himself some presents while we were out shopping – cycle helmet, light and tyre pump for his bike he’d got for his birthday with money from his mum, while I waited in the car. His birthday is about a month before mine. I asked if he was enjoying all his PRESENTS to be told he needed them for his bike. Of course. Then I stood by the trolley in the, admittedly up-market, supermarket watching while he selected a card for me. #notsospecialnowareyouyouoldbaggage. We got home and, like the good man he is, the rusted penny clunked down the chute of shame. He said: “I need to book a restaurant”.

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FYI that didn’t happen. Instead he was confined to wandering about at a loss amidst the planning shouting ‘how much!’ occasionally. Bless him he booked one of the most expensive and standout restaurants in the city of Liverpool and agreed, grudgingly, that we’d also go in a taxi. I was almost faint with gratitude. The call was made, he’s consulting me as they negotiate transactions. Let’s face it, I wasn’t going to leave him to fly solo on that one now was I. They couldn’t do a table till 9.30pm ‘and that would be too late wouldn’t it?’ he asked. ‘No that would be perfect’ I said. ‘OK, yes we’ll book that.’ he said in a rich and confident baritone. ‘They do a tasting menu for £65 a head’ he frowns. ‘That would be lovely’ I add. Off the phone, all booked and tail wagging he adds, ‘Let’s go into town early and have a couple of drinks in a bar.’ Wow, yeah!! FYI the man eats like a bear and drinks like an alcohol intolerant fruit fly. This was going to be interesting. In the bar I bump into an old paparazzi acquaintance. The beers flow. My husband and I have consumed scrambled egg on toast at 10.30am that morning and stuffall else. I have 2 large glasses of Sav Blanc, husband has two pints. Somehow the pap pal elicits 3 pints from us and we leave, the favour unreturned. We get to the 23-storey building that houses the restaurant. We’re pointed toward the lift. We’re giggling and we keep pushing the call button. There are clearly cameras in the lobby, someone comes in and turns us toward the actual lift. We’re

pressing the buttons on the service elevator, not the glossy mirrored thing that we should be poking at. We get to the top of the world and are seated at a table - spectacular view. It’s everything I love. Beautiful view, crisp linen, nice glasses, interesting food that doesn’t over-face and isn’t delivered in slices shaved from a rotating triangular mass under a 2 bar electric fire. The attentive hostess suggests the sevencourse tasting menu is served with matched wine, for just £95 a head. JF agrees and smiles his 2 pints’ smile. We’re chatting to the manager, a spoon with an abused mush (as it’s known in Liverpool, sorry amuse bouche) is brought. Johnny looks a question. I drink mine and he follows suit. Well ‘swallow’ would be a better description. We drink the glass of wine that comes with it, a fizzy affair, English, very lovely. Next course comes out. It’s roughly the size of half a sprout with 3 blobs of something of ladybird proportion, accompanied by a different glass of wine that dwarfs said ‘sprout’. There are no bread rolls. Johnny is getting louder and his stomach is rumbling. We plough on through another five courses – and their accompanying wine. It is delightful I think as I concentrate on tuning out the moaning and the rumbling. At one point I donate half my (quarter of a KitKat-finger-sized) pudding to JF and give up with the pudding wine. JF eats both puddings and drinks the dessert wine, his and mine. Oh dear. We have a row. John is now mutinous and wants fish and chips on the way home. We think (but were thankfully wrong) that he may be horribly ill in the cab. By now we have spent £300. This figure will be bandied about for a further 3 days (keeping step with his receding hangover) until I finally snap. ‘Look, date per date for this year – if we ever went on dates – £300 is a bargain,’ I yell unnecessarily loudly into his face, enjoying the resulting wince. Two days later I receive a Kitchen Aid handheld blender and my bike has been restored and fixed up. No ice cream maker but the card had a fox on it. Panoramic – I loved it, just perfect, thank you. I wonder though, do you do a table for one?

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Antonella Talks Fashion Mothers and daughters together are a powerful force to be reckoned with and my mum Joanne, and daughter Olivia are the most important people in my life. However, shopping together has always been a challenge, as we are all different ages, heights and sizes. Therefore, trying to find a shop which caters for all three of us has been difficult over the years. However, when I joined Ruby & Daisy as a co-owner, everything changed, and now we can all shop together, in the same place and all find something we love. One of mine and mums favourite pieces is our Levine Dress (shown below with Ebony Wedges), as it looks so fabulous on both of us! I am so passionate about this because I have experienced going shopping with my daughter many times, and whilst she’s looking around shopping, I have just been sat outside the changing rooms, as I can only buy a pair of shoes or a handbag because none of the clothing catered for us curvy girls. Ruby & Daisy is the go-to clothing brand for all generations, from daughters, to mothers, to grandmothers, we cater for all ages, shapes, heights & sizes. I love that we can now all shop from the same brand, which makes shopping trips such a enjoyable experience for all three of us. We can also all borrow each other’s clothes, which is perfect for those days when ‘you’ve got nothing to wear’

Hello F lowerpots!

Levine Dress £27

Welcome to this month’s edition of my blog. Before I start talking about my fashion brand Ruby & Daisy, for those of you who don’t know, my name is Antonella. I am known as Antonella The Uncensored Reviewer on Facebook & Instagram and I review products and try them before you buy. I have 1.4 million followers on Facebook and 260K followers on Instagram. Not only do I give honest reviews and advice, I am also the co-owner of Ruby & Daisy alongside Helena Hoyle and Louise Bispham. Ruby & Daisy is a multi-award-winning womenswear clothing brand based in the Rossendale Valley in the North West of England. Our aim is to make women feel confident again in their clothing, but at reasonable, affordable pricing. We are real women inspiring confidence through fashion and demolishing the unrealistic idea of the high street. What you see is what you get with me, Helena & Louie, we are here to make you fall back in love with your wardrobe. We have an impressive 67.5k followers on Facebook, 20.1k followers on Instagram and also 10.5k online community Facebook group members who are all huge fans of our clothing and ethos. We have a store based in Crawshawbooth in Rossendale, but don’t worry if you’re not local enough to visit us, we sell our beautiful collections online too at www.rubyanddaisy.co.uk and we ship worldwide. 178

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Whilst we’re on the subject of mothers on daughters, I have an exciting announcement… “Mums who started off playing shop win National Award for Best Retailer”

Basic Cotto Button n Top £18

The retail industry has been greatly affected by COVID-19. However, my clothing brand Ruby & Daisy has stood against the pandemic showing longevity, innovation and excellent customer service. We have found a niche market and used it to our fullest potential. We are not afraid to admit to mistakes and faults which shows our authenticity. Moving from a bricks and mortar store to an online business during the pandemic was a brave but rewarding step for us. I am proud to tell you all that Ruby & Daisy were named as the winners of the BizXAward for ‘Best Retailer’ on Thursday 29th May, which was presented by Stephen Mulhern and recognised retailers with growth in sales since launching / within the past 3 financial years.

Oversi Chees zed ecloth Top £23 Denim rs Jogge £15

Sorren to Slides £12 Our mothers are our best critic, yet our strongest supporter. My mum has always supported me in everything I do and she is especially fond of Ruby & Daisy as a lot of our clothing is sourced and made in Italy, which mum loves as that’s where she and a lot of my family are from. My mum loves our effortless, classic linen-look Basic Cotton Button Tops, with some Denim Joggers & simple Sorrento Slides. Being a menopausal, curvy lady, I like the lightweight fabrics and bold colours we have in for Spring Summer, like the Oversized Cheesecloth Top in red and Ebony Wedges & Sequin Split Top in Pink with my Crinkle Free Magic Trousers in white. www.lancmag.com

Crinkle c agi Free M rs Trouse £25

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Sequin op Split T £22

Ruby & Daisy has won several local and regional awards, but this is our first national award, so we are so proud of the growth of the business, especially during the last year. This year has come with its challenges, as the retail industry as a whole has struggled during the last year with COVID-19 and several lockdowns, but we have embraced the challenges and to now be recognised 1 year later for a National Award for Best Retailer 2021, we are beyond proud.

ABOVE:

Ebony s Wedge £20

The BizXAwards 2021, was held on 29th-30th April 2021 and this year it was virtual! BizX, is designed to deliver the best, most effective and highest ROI business and selfdevelopment strategies. Businesses joined for two highly packed and inspiring days where they received business insights from renowned leaders. Businesses left the awards night with effective business skills and multiple actions to grow their business or kick start their business ideas.

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Helena, Nelly & Louie

I’d love you all to follow our social media to keep up with the wonderful world of Ruby & Daisy: Facebook: Ruby & Daisy Instagram: rubydaisy1. We also have a fabulous online community group on Facebook called “R&D Community”, which portrays everything that our brand is about, as we aim to make women of all shapes and sizes feel empowered in their clothing, but at reasonable, affordable prices. Our online community is full of positivity, encouragement, inspiration, styling tips, fabulous selfies & Sunday singalongs, so I would love you to join.

Lots of love, Antonella www.lancmag.com

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THE GUARDIAN BLACK DOG

Mysterious Phantom Dogs are something most people would think of as nothing more than an old fashioned haunting or a death declaring shuck. Known as a harbinger of death or illness, meeting such a creature would fill most of us with dread. There are so many tales of hellhounds and devil dogs that haunt the hills of Lancashire that it is no wonder people greeted by a phantom black dog on a lonely moor at night are startled and a little shaken by the event. Yet there are some tales where the dog appears from nowhere and acts in a benevolent way and guides people away from danger and delivers them safely home.

few months ago I shared the story of a young girl who was late for her lift to work on a dark winter morning and a black dog walked in front of her the entire way there, in a protective and guiding manner. When the girl reached safety the dog simply vanished on Squirrel Lane, Bolton. Mick Mclaren is my investigation partner and it was during the investigation into the Squirrel lane case that we were contacted by a lady from Horwich who had her own experience with a phantom black dog. Witness Report: “What happened to us took place 10 to 15 yrs ago now. It was New Year’s day and I went to the Pike with my friend and my daughter. My daughter was around 10 years old at the time. Winter Hill 182

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is beautiful whatever the weather but on this day it was really cold when we visited and very icy, the ground was slippery and frozen. It was around sunset when we arrived and well worth the walk in. From the Pike in good weather you can see all the way to the Snowdonia national Park in Wales. and out to the West coast. You can even see the sea on a really good day. The view from the pike was beautiful and we stayed up there chatting and enjoying the view a little longer than we would normally.” “We realised the sun had set very quickly and with little sun the area became really cold and dark, the temperature dropped dramatically. It was then that I thought we may be in trouble. We did not have suitable clothing and we had no torches, the ground was rocky and hard to walk in the daylight, now we would have to manage someone to get down in the dark. We set off and retraced our path in. I was angry at myself for letting us get into this situation and worried we might fall in the ever decreasing light. It was at that moment a strange black dog showed up.” “We were in the middle of nowhere and it just appeared there in front of us. I realised we were in a bad situation and seeing that dog made things much worse. It wasn’t a red eyed thing or monstrous dog, it was just a black dog that could have been somebody’s pet. We waited for an owner to show up and clip on a lead but that didn’t happen. The dog set off down the path, slowly walking out in front the whole time. It wouldn’t come close to it and It stayed at a reasonable distance the whole time it guided us down.” “When we got to the bottom of the hill the dog just walked away. It was really strange to see this dog to begin with, especially that late at night. I do feel that it was meant to guide us down. The dog was in front of us the entire time. It was a medium sized dog, www.lancmag.com

IT CAME FROM NOWHERE AND HELPED US DOWN THE PATH

it wasn’t huge. What was it doing up there alone at twilight? One thing stood out to me, as we were coming down from the hill, if we were slow the dog would stop and wait for us to catch up, and then it proceeded on its way down to the lane.” “When we arrived at the bottom there were no other people around. No homes or cars where the dog could have come from? I can not explain what happened that night. Other than a dog came out of the darkness and guided us down the path.” A little over two weeks later myself and Mick were contacted by another lady from the area who had a very strange experience with another black dog on the road to Abbey Village. THE PHANTOM BLACK DOG 2017 Witness Report: “It was around three or four years ago now, when we were driving on the A675. The road runs past Belmont, as you drive along there is a deep forest on one side and lots of fields and hills on the other. As we reached Pickering’s Farm it was just getting dark. As we were approaching the farm gate I saw a dog run out into the road. It was a really big black dog, as we got near the dog it simply disappeared. It didn’t cross the road or go into the woods, it just vanished. We got out of the car and looked everywhere for it?” “We checked in the woodlands and back at the farm gate for any sight of the dog. It was really puzzling, it felt like I hit that dog with the car but it was nowhere to be seen, as soon as the car made contact it vanished. I have never seen anything like this before. I was convinced I had hit that dog. There was no sound of a bump or any noise from the dog. I hope I never experience anything like this again. I don’t know what that was, it was horrible. I actually thought I had killed and hurt a dog. I have been tempted to go www.lancmag.com

into those woodlands and see if I can find anything that might explain what happened that day.” “I was in the car with my husband and he saw the Dog too. To this day we have no idea what happened. Was it a phantom Dog out there on the road.?Has anyone experienced something strange in the same area as we did?” Whilst out in the area investigating this report myself and the team came across two gentleman setting up for the night in the forest that this dog ran into. The men were wild camping and did so in and around the area. After chatting about why we were in the woods without equipment, we explained about our group and the cases we investigated. The two gents informed us they had not seen a strange dog but on one previous occasion in the woodland they did see some strange coloured lights that were floating above them way off in the trees. You can imagine our surprise when another driver on the A675 reported that himself and his passenger had seen what at first they thought was a party or a rave off in the woodlands. He stated they were returning from work and as they were driving they were startled to see colour lights in the trees. They both saw multiple coloured lights flashing away in the trees. After joking it may be a possible UFO both men drove off nervously and continued on their way.

...Until next time, Deborah

Have you experienced anything strange in the Winter Hill area? If so please get in touch via our new website https://debhatswell.wordpress.com LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 183

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

art 1 of 3. Regular readers will know I love weird and wacky stories, even if they are not true. So imagine my pleasure when I came across the sensation of alleged time slips in Liverpool. Various people claim they slipped back in time, usually to the 1950’s or 1960’s. One claimed he slipped back to early 1900’s. He said as he walked down Bold Street the sky went very dark and what had been that year in the decade of the 1990’s changed to early 1900’s judging by the fashion he spied. Also the shops were old fashioned. Gone were the modern day stores as were ART 1 OF 3 modern day cars, replaced by horse It has been a while since I spoke drawn carriages. There was air there aboutand UFO’s etc. was sound if heand felt aliens more confident And it is the very words many he would have interacted with ascoff person. at. That’s whipping why so many sightings go Imagine out your smartphone unreported as thefrom person to 1900’s! weigh to show someone thehas early up possibility public or Or the go astrong step further and of take photos private ridicule, on social or film what you especially see. What would your media. That is what the authorities want phone record? to occur. nothing There Say is thenothing story ofthen a man who happened. I asked for people walked near to Bold Street andtohereport sightings in ana earlier alleges as to heme turned corner,edition. was And The latest facedthey withhave. a dead end. Anhas old been wall a sighting of athere UFOthe in previous Leyland day in late that wasn’t had 2020 andappeared. it was notLike me that saw it! suddenly the previous said the sky became suddenly Iman hadhe two other worldly contacts both darker prior to this obstacle being there. of which were unplanned during He even touched the construction and meditation late last year. One was a it was solid. Confused, he headed back little alarming and the second was the way he came. very revealing. Apparently this is Mostchannelling. of the stories centre on a called period of 1993-1997 apart from the Because military and police one in thethe next paragraph. They may will notUrban reportTales such and sightings intoat well be tall ones that.public But it domain. is thoughtThose provoking. the that But there are particular will refuse to three believe, turn to stories a formI of centre on. disinformation, by saying something like, “You a flying saucer in with This onesaw allegedly occurred 2006 little men heh?” Or “There’s whengreen a lad called Sean admitted he no such thing.” shoplifted an item and ran out of the shop pursued by a Security Guard. As I have used this line more than once Sean got to a corner (and the sky went when I have been told to prove what dark) he turned and carried on running Ibut saw to ahe non-believer. can’t when looked back As he Inoticed produce scientific proof or footage

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via my camera phone I am told I am a liar. I ask the person when they sleep, do they dream? They answer perplexed, “Yes.” I then state “Prove it.” They may suggest rapid eye movement but I say anyone can move their eyeball under closed eye lids. I say to them “In that case you are a liar.” It’s only at this point they understand the predicament. The more sightings that are reported publicly the easier it will be to accept the idea we are not alone and that aliens fly in and out of our world as well as walk among us. his pursuer nowhere to be seen. The earth iswas covered in ley lines. I Relieved, he stopped and took in his know that sounds wishy washy but surroundings. Everybody was wearing there is a second set located in the clothes from the 1960’s and cars were sky. These are lines of energy that old fashioned from this era. Starting can be used for varying degrees of to worry heconverge brought out his modern uses. They in certain areas mobile phone, but it displayed no and across the planet under the earth signal. These As he walked backbuilt pastupon the store water. have been in he robbed he noticed it wasn’t the one the form of temples, pyramids and he entered earlier.that As were he looked stone structures usedahead by he could see the modern world. When the ancients who realised the strong he took a look behind him it was still current exists, a bit like feeling static the 1960’s. Frightened by his experience electricity. These areas contain a he caught a (modern) bus to get away. high level of magnetic The Security Guard thatactivity chasedand him anomalies at times too, but notpaces all of asserted that he was only a few the time. behind the thief but as he got to that corner,I am the lad hadtovanished. He was What going say has been bemused by this. caught on film. An alien craft opened

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up a worm hole in the sky. From a hover position the craft suddenly accelerated into the hole that collapsed soon after entry. What was also shown on the timed exposure was the trajectory as it began its travel to wherever it was going. So if UFO’s are seen in these converging ley line locations, they are either arriving or leaving. Some of these areas are situated in the North West and not always over converging ley lines. Aliens will not speak a known language so their way to communicate will be in petroglyphs and crop circles geometry, mathematics, Theof other two stories appear in and astronomy. These have been seen May’s edition and a plausible answer to world-wide, despite many back hoaxes. the conundrum. But going to an earlier point, which is of interaction, If you manage to get up close and I pondered on this. If you talk to personal with an alien craft that has someone from a long ago era and landed, touch the asurface of course the influenceand them to take different metal, you may get a blast of radiation to one they historically did take, would and download. This may that knowledge have ramifications on the here and be in the of collect mathematics now? Alsoform if you an itemand from basic binarydoes where one with may you get the the 1950’s, it travel back urge copy out the ones and zeros to thetopresent day? they remember that seems to remain like a download until one writes it out. However after this task has been completed the binary writer cannot replicate the feat. This has been done. Next month read about those crafts in the North West. www.lancmag.com

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Advanced Microblading and Semi Permanent Treatments With Over 20 Years Experience An ultimate professional when it comes to all things beauty, Angela Kay has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, while always updating and adding to her specialist skills.

initially trained at City College Manchester and also at Lillian Maund Beauty School in Chester, gaining my NVQ level 3, my teacher training, accessors award and Semi Permanent Make Up. I started running my own salon when I was 21 after receiving £500 for my 21st birthday from my parents. Angela Kays is mainly based in Accrington Lancashire where I have had my salon for over 20 years. I also hold a clinic for laser hair removal, Microblading, Semi Permanent make up and aesthetics in a lovely salon in the beautiful market town of Richmond in North Yorkshire and a clinic at Sincerity Beauty in Walkden Manchester. As well as working from these 3 salons I have a stunning recently renovated salon at Brockhall Village in the Ribble Valley where I offer the latest laser hair removal procedure, Vitamin Injections, Profhilo, Fat Dissolving Injections, Wrinkle Relaxing Injections plus Microblading and Semi Permanent Make Up.

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I HAVE SPECIALISED IN MICROBLADING FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS AND TRAINED WITH A WORLD LEADER IN THE FIELD, REBECCA CHUNG. I HAVE CARRIED OUT 1,000’S OF PROCEDURES RANGING FROM CLIENTS WHO JUST NEED MORE DEFINITION TO THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM ALOPECIA OR HAVE LOST THEIR HAIR DUE TO CHEMOTHERAPY.

3 YEARS AGO I INVESTED IN A NEW TO THE MARKET DIODE LASER HAIR REMOVAL MACHINE. THE LASER MACHINE IS MORE POWERFUL THAN THE LEADING BRANDS GIVING MAXIMUM RESULTS IN LESS TIME AND TREATING ALL SKIN COLOURS. I have treated many clients with various hair issues and had fantastic results especially those who suffer from Poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The Elysion delivers a specific wavelength of light that is selectively absorbed by the melanin that surrounds each hair follicle. This dark pigment conducts the heat from the laser to the base of the follicle and disables the hair growth, resulting in the hair falling out permanently. Approximately 7 days after treatment the hairs fall out and you’ll be hair-free for 4 to 6 weeks, at which time you’d normally attend a follow-up appointment.

Some of my clients arrive with their eyebrows pencilled in exactly as they want them, so I can simply match the colour and copy the exact shape. However, if you want some advice regarding your perfect shape and colour, I am more than happy to help you. Time will be taken to ensure you are completely satisfied before the procedure begins. Once you are happy with the shape, a topical anaesthetic is applied for 25 minutes to make sure you receive minimal discomfort. Once the procedure begins, it should take no longer than 30 minutes to achieve your perfect brow. During the procedure, you may keep hold of the mirror, and at regular intervals both you and I will check that you are happy with each step. After 6 weeks, you will be asked to return to the salon to see if any touch-ups are required which is included in the price, if required. You may find that once you have got used to your enhancement, you would prefer your brows to be darker or thicker, which can be achieved during your top-up session.

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The key to successful laser hair removal is to deliver high energy to the follicle without damaging the skin. Most other lasers or IPL systems do not have a continuous feedback cooling system that maintains a stable, low skin temperature to protect the skin. As a result they must use lower energy with less effective results or they have a higher risk of side effects and discomfort. The laser only treats hair in the growing phase that is visible on the skin surface. There are three phases of hair growth, so multiple treatments are required. Due to the advanced technology of Elysion, we’re able to deliver high energy without pain, and this means that we’re usually able to achieve maximum results in just six sessions. Those who experience hormonal changes which may promote future hair growth may need more sessions.

So Friendly and Professional” “ Just been for semi-permanent brows

and eyeliner - I am so impressed with Angela! So friendly and professional. I will certainly be back for top-ups and will definitely recommend to others, just wish I had heard of Angela before I had them done elsewhere in Blackburn. – Susan Bridges LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 187

PROFHILO There’s one treatment that is so good the results actually speak for themselves. It’s called Profhilo and it’s an injectable that isn’t a filler, isn’t permanent and doesn’t freeze anything and can be used on face, hands and neck. So What Is It? Profhilo is effectively an injectable moisturiser containing 100% synthetic hyaluronic acid (HA) injected by a tiny needle into the face. Because it gets deeper it rehydrates and plumps the skin far more effectively than a topical cream ever could. Profhilo is not a filler but an incredibly effective remodelling injectable for smoothing and tightening the skin. It stimulates collagen production naturally and provides a deep long-lasting hydration giving the skin a glowing natural look. How Does It Work? The liquid is injected into five key points on the face starting with each side just next to the ears, then on to the nasolabial fold (laughter lines around the mouth), chin, under the eyes and on the tops of cheeks. Results can be seen after 4 weeks but 2 sessions are required for maximum results. Very popular amongst celebrities. It is injected into 5 specific points for optimum product placement so it spreads across the skin evenly.

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Profhilo can be used on face, hands and neck.

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What our AMAZING clients say: Get Over How “Can’t Real They Look” They look amazing I love them but

I can’t get over how real they look!! Thanks so much. – Kristina Walsh

“Angela is a Perfectionist”

“I love them - they were so uneven before and now they’re perfect... it really didn’t hurt as much as I expected. Angela was so professional and a perfectionist. See you in 6 weeks! – Racheal Bailey Delighted with the Results” “Angela has recently done semi-

permanent make up for myself and my mum - we both had our eyebrows done and are delighted with the results. Thank you, we’ll be back! – Denise Spark and Steph Naughton

“Best Thing I Ever Did”

After years of thinking about it, I finally had my eyebrows tattooed by Angela and I can’t believe I waited so long. They are the best thing I ever did I wish I’d done it sooner!! – Janet Duffy

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I Feel Amazing” “ Just been for semi-permanent

brows I LOVE THEM! Lots of people comment how nice they are. I’ve recommended others to AK Brows as she is very professional and makes you feel comfortable. I feel amazing with my brows now. – Caroline Aspin Like a New Woman” ““II Feel lost most of my eyebrows

some time ago, but now I feel like a new woman after my eyebrow microblading! My daughter (my worst critic) thinks they are amazing! Thank you Angela, you talented lady – Susan Chadwick I Recommend Angela “ with 100% Confidence” Excellent work and precisely

and perfectly neat! I previously had them tattooed in Alderely Edge 4 years ago where they charged me almost double and were much less effective. – Brenda Buckley

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DEFYING LOCKDOWN to turn on the fashion promotion style UCLan’s Hinna Kazi, 20, from Accrington, currently in the third year of her fashion promotion degree, teamed up with fellow students based as far afield as Nottingham and Bournemouth to bring together the styling, set design, photography and graphic treatment for the project. In collaboration with Converse, the creative brief provided each student with a full range of Converse and size? apparel to style themselves. The size? stylist was then responsible for styling their two models in two head to toe looks. To ensure each product was worn in a way that was authentic to each individual, size? encourage its student ‘Allstars’ to customise the apparel through tailoring, patches or painted messages. The brief specified the clothing should lean towards practicality and function – improvising on workwear and comfortable styles familiar to students engaged in practical work. The full project was completed on budget, to a deadline of one week and has now been rolled out nationally.

UCLan creative joins online team of national student talent to deliver ad campaign for major retailer.

talented fashion promotion student from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has defied lockdown to join a virtual team of student creatives from across the UK to devise and deliver a promotional campaign for international retailer size? 190

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Commenting on her role in the project Hinna said: “We had an initial meeting on-line to share ideas and this formed the creative direction for our campaign. Coming from an ethic minority background I’m very keen to give a voice to underrepresented people and for this campaign I based my ideas around interests in street style and sports, incorporating a late 1990s/ early 2000 feel. “The Converse brand is so versatile it gave us lots of scope for creative ideas. The whole project was completed virtually, and in a week. I even organised a Facetime call to help direct the photography shoot. www.lancmag.com

“We’ve already had some great feedback. Converse were really impressed with what we delivered. It just goes to show that even in a pandemic, technology and creativity can combine to produce something special. “Live brief opportunities like this are so important. The project gave me a great insight into the fashion industry, working alongside fellow creatives to produce something to deadline and within budget. It’s great for the CV and to know my work is now being used as part of a national campaign. “It’s also confirmed that a career in the fashion styling industry is what I’d really like to pursue once I graduate next year.” Tom Rand, Converse Retail Brand Manager, added: “As a brand we strive to work with artists who’s craft and character embodies progress, for themselves and their communities. Hinna’s progressive styling and creative mindset was something we admired in Hinna’s application and wanted to bring her expertise to the project. The project in itself was a blank canvas as the brief was open

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to interpretation. With this in mind, Hinna drew together key looks which were imperative to the campaign’s overall look and feel. Working remotely alongside the other students did not present a problem, the outcome was a success and would easily stand as a lead Converse marketing campaign.” Eve Astle, Course Leader for UCLan’s Fashion Promotion programme, said: “I’m very proud that Hinna was selected for this challenge. She worked so hard to represent our course and the University in such a positive way. The agency that dealt with the brief was very impressed with her creative content.” Eve added: “We have now signed a syllabus agreement with size? which means that in addition to guest lectures, competitions and work experience opportunities, students will benefit from live briefs being integrated into their course modules. It’s a very competitive industry but this exciting initiative gives our students the opportunity to stand out by working alongside one of the world’s leading streetwear retailers.”

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The Great Flood of 1927

“We watched as Middleton floated by” By Harold Cunliffe It was on the evening of the 11th July 1927 that the whole of the centre of a North Manchester mill town became locked down without warning and within a very short period of time and putting many of its residents in a perilous situation.

he event which caused so much horror is known as the “Great Middleton Flood.” The disaster originated a few miles away at the border with Oldham, known as “Mills Hill,” where, following several days of rain the canal embankment burst sending millions of gallons of water, laden with mud and debris along the already swollen River Irk towards the town of Middleton. One of the first casualties was the destruction of a bridge connecting the Don Mill to the main Oldham Road. Mill workers had to find an access route via a small footbridge or over the fields at the rear of the mill. Another bridge became swept away on the rivers route towards the centre of town at Hanson Street.

Above: Twenty five year old Annie Waterhouse married Hirst Whiteley in December 1926. Image. Mrs Ella Taylor.

Our image shows a members of the public inspecting the damage. A policeman was sent to keep a watch, preventing onlookers from putting themselves in danger. The late Jack Taylor was only a small boy at the time of the flood, but when interviewed in 2007 he stated that he was fearful of his father being hurt. His father worked at the Cromer Mill, which was suffering the effects

Above: This postcard image shows the failed canal embankment which sent millions of gallons of water cascading towards Middleton.

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Above: 87 year old Annie enjoys her Sunday meal with Ella and Neville Taylor in 1988, who had the foresight to record, for posterity, the valuable memories spoken by their relative.

of water entering the building. Jack related that he thought that his dad Joe may not be safe should the water continue to rise. He and his mother Clara stood on the lane close to their house and watched in disbelief as the cottages in the distance at Little Green became engulfed in flood water. A greenhouse and shed floated away, all the chickens died. The following day neighbours, including Jack and his mother visited the cottages to lend a hand in the cleaning up process, such was the community spirit in those days. Jack decided to go for a walk while the adults were busy cleaning, then he had to be rescued when he sank in the soft silt with only his head and arms visible. His father Joe was one of the party who cleaned out the water inlet feed channels of mud at the Cromer Mill after the levels had dropped to a safe level. The channels provided the water for the steam engines. As a consequence of the canal emptying of water several mills in the area were laid idle. These mills depended upon the canal for the use www.lancmag.com

Above: Mill workers at the Rex witness the loss of the access road

Above: Cottages at Little Green, where young Jack Taylor almost lost his life

Above: Hanson Street bridge which was swept away causing £2,000 worth of damage.

of water for the mill engines. Two hundred and fifty hands were laid off at the Baytree Mill. The same number was sent home at the Malta Mill due to the pumps not having water. It was estimated that a mill could use 3,000 gallons a minute for the condensers, after which the water is returned to the canal. The canal bed was almost dry and with the warm weather it gave off an evil smelling odour from the decaying slime. It is now 94 years since this event took place, so I very much doubt if anyone is alive who could relate the happenings of that night in July. It was when, in 2007 I was covering this subject for a local newspaper that a friend of the family, Mrs Ella Taylor, mentioned that one Sunday afternoon in 1988 an elderly aunt paid them a visit, who, would enjoy chatting about days gone by. On the Sunday in question her husband Neville had the foresight to place www.lancmag.com

Above: Looking down at the flood damaged Gas Works. A new main is visible which served the district of Middleton Junction. This was also the spot where Mr Stansfield lost his life.

a tape recorder near her to record her interesting conversations, and all spoken in “lanky twang,” I may add. The cassette tape contained an hour of 87 year old Annie Whiteley, nee Waterhouse, relating the events of the 1927 flood. Annie lived at Middleton Junction at the time the flood took place; having been married the year prior and leaving the family home at Suffield Street, which happened to be in the centre of the worst part of the flooded area. Parents Jim and Hannah Waterhouse became trapped in their home by the rising flood water and had to be rescued. Hannah and her husband were in bed when they were disturbed by the sound of distressing voices outside. They both looked out of their bedroom window to find that the street was flooded and the level was two yards below their bedroom window. When they attempted to escape via the stairs they found that the flood water had entered their

home and made its way up the stairs, preventing their exit. They were trapped in their bedroom with the only means of escape being through the window. Annie commented, “The first we knew that something had happened was when, about ten to ten in the evening all the gas mantles went out. We wondered what could be wrong, we all went out into the street to find out what was up, then news came that there had been flooding in Middleton and it was caused by a bursted canal bank at Mills Hill. A wall at the Gas Works had fallen down and flood water came down Suffield Street. Water came up to the picture rails, mother and father were upstairs in bed and they could not get down the stairs. Water came up the stairs within three stairs from the top. Mother had to tie bedsheets together and they both climbed out of the bedroom window in to a small boat that was brought from Boggart Hole Clough, (Blackley,

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Above: Suffield Street. On the right is T.B.Woods mill. In the middle distance (right) was the Fire Station along with the houses where terrified residents became stranded in their bedrooms.

Manchester). Boats rescued folk by rowing up and down the street. “These people were now homeless, they were taken to chapels and schools, and anywhere they could get a bed for the night. My parents were missing for three days; we had no idea where they were. I was working at the Neva mill and the boss said; ‘Annie, get your shawl and go and look for your mother and father.’ I was away from work for three days and the boss did not stop my wage, he was a good boss. My mother was a mile away near the old church with friends, and dad with an aunt at Blackley who had a shop. Both parents went to stay with my brother Jim while we cleaned the house up.

“The first time we visited Suffield Street to see what damage had been done we had a shock. The door was jammed with debris, coke from the Gas Works had filled the ground floor, there was even coke in the oven. Dad played the organ you know, this had floated into the kitchen and was stood behind the back door. Bales of cotton from T.B.Woods mill littered the area. Lots of them prevented the water from getting away, like a dam. Workmen replaced the drains, but they were never the same. When we had heavy rain the house would flood out with water. I had to rush to Suffield Street at dinnertime to clear the water during wet weather. I have had a hard life you

Above: A white line was painted on the Gas Works wall showing the extent of the flood water.

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Above: Townley Street. Electricity production ceased when water entered the boiler house extinguishing the fires in the boilers.

know. When dad was sleeping downstairs the water would reach his bedclothes. Eventually new pipes were fitted which solved the problem. “When the big clean up started we all walked down the street to witness people’s belongings piled outside their houses, it was awful to see. Down the street the fire station was flooded out but not as bad as the houses lower down, the station was on higher ground. When they started to share out the money which had been collected my mother got a new carpet, three piece suite and a sewing machine.

Our sideboard was a beautiful piece of furniture. It was cleaned and put in the sun outside to dry, and then Mr Fielding, an auctioneer, saw it and he and another man treated it with linseed oil, and brought it back to life. My mother had a Federation sewing machine, bought from the Co-op, they were good machines. A woman who lived in the fire station houses had one as well, two machines in Suffield Street, neighbours would borrow them. When the money was shared out, ‘you are not recording this are you?’ But, every house had a machine, they said that they had a machine

Above: Four houses at Hannah Street had a close call when the river bank was undermined.

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Above: The big clean-up where 2,400 gallons of disinfectant was used.

before the flood, but there were only two in Suffield Street. “All those who were flooded out lost everything. Someone from the Co-op Preserve Works at Mills Hill came and gave out cutlery; all our items were lost in the flood clean up. When we got back to normal my mother, who was good hearted, held a party for the people that helped, nurses, St John’s Ambulance. Police and firemen as a thank you. She was a good baker and made all the food including the salad cream. They all said how good it tasted, good home cooked food.” At the height of the flood an eye witness stated that water forced down a wall at the mill of T.B.Woods which then entered the mill, filled the

ground floor overflowing through windows in which it had forced out, finally making its way to the river. Furniture and household items were carried out of the flooded houses. In one case a table complete with a teapot, cups and the remnants of an evening meal was seen passing down one of the streets. Suffield Street in which Annie speaks about is alongside the area once known as “Little Park,” a part of town which was known for flooding in wet weather. When the canal burst its bank it destroyed a large number of sewers along its path, resulting in raw sewerage polluting the waters of the River Irk. This river makes its way to Middleton onto Rhodes and then through Blackley, Crumpsall and Collyhurst on route to Manchester. At Rhodes the most damage was caused at the Calico

Above: Old Hall Street became a river filling the cellars of the buildings with water laden silt.

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Above: Teams of workmen worked constantly to remove the foul smelling silt.

Printers Association works, commonly known as “Schwabe’s.” Postcards were produced at the time showing the effects of flood damage which put the works out of action. The effects of the flood caused damage to the tune of £30,000. At Collyhurst, over 500 people stood on the higher ground overlooking the

swollen river Irk. One of those who witnessed this scene was Mrs Lillian Ward, who in 2007 telephoned from her home in Australia. She stated, “I was at school at the time of the 1927 flood. News came to say that the river was overflowing and you could see furniture and peoples belongings in the river from Middleton.

Above: A postcard shows the devastation caused to the paths with the loss of drainage, gas and water services.

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Above: Horse and carts similar to those owned by John Hulbert transported hundreds of tons of silt to the boundary of Middleton with Blackley, Manchester. Our appreciation goes to Danny Hardman for his digital expertise in enhancing many of the images used in this feature.

“As soon as we could we all ran down to the see what was going on. It was so upsetting to see the possessions from the people of Middleton as it went by, we watched as Middleton floated by. We could see animals which had been drowned. Sheds and a hen coop passed along with farm animals too. Trams were laid on for people to visit Middleton so we could witness the carnage caused by the flooding. People were standing on the street corners with collection boxes for the Mayors Relief Fund.” It is documented that people travelled from all parts of Lancashire, as far as Preston, to witness the havoc caused by the flooding. Collectors for the Mayors Relief Fund were soon on scene. A white sheet was carried along the main road which leads to Manchester and within a short period of time

£37 was collected. It was stated in the press, “Not all gifts were in copper and silver. A huge limousine with chauffeur yielded a sixpenny-bit, and a small family car supplied a pound note. An old lady in the back seat of a car threw a tenshilling note into the middle of the white sheet in the first five minutes of the collection starting.” It was reported that the river Irk became silted to a depth of three feet in the section in the centre of town and the parts leading downstream, which would cause an increase of flooding in wet weather if it was not dredged. The council were to seek funding to urgently carry out this procedure. Footpaths and drains in the Little Park area were cleared of silt resulting in 200 tons being carted away in three days. Teams of workers worked all day and all night to clear the

Above: Mills were back in business following action by the canal authorities. Part of the damaged canal was blocked off and a water chute restores water to the canal either side of the breach.

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Above: A clean-up party pose for the camera at the Calico Printers Association, Rhodes, where considerable damage occurred.

awful mess. After three days they became exhausted so a rota system was made and the hours worked was reduced. The Blue Ribbon Mission Hall was made available to enable the workmen to gain some sleep and refreshment. In Middleton three people lost their lives. At Collyhurst however there was another loss of life

which sent a shock wave through the community. Many of the residents were horrified to hear the news that a five year old boy, by the name of Alfred Hall of Burton Street, Collyhurst lost his life at Red bank. Three boys were on the river bank trying to retrieve a wooden hoop from the River Irk when Alfred fell into the river and was swept away. The body was recovered the following day.

Above: In memory. The Middleton Flood memorial at Jubilee Park, Middleton.

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water for a distance of 25 yards before he lost his footing and was swept away to his death. His body was recovered during the early hours of the following morning in a field; his body lay 200 yards from the river. The hero was Fred Hall, aged only 16 years. He lost his life saving others. On that fateful night he arrived in the centre of town to find people stranded in their homes by the rising flood water. He used one of the boats which came from Heaton Park to rescue families in distress. In total he made eight journeys then decided to make an attempt to climb onto a wall to safety. The strong current of the water forced his boat towards a bridge in the River Irk which supports the main road to Manchester, so he jumped into the water in an attempt to swim to the wall; he was a good swimmer, better than most. Fred spotted a clothes line but he was unable to grab hold and was swept away. An eye witness stated, “He went under the water, never to be seen alive again.” His body was found around 300 yards from the last sighting. Fred Hall, Charles Heaton and Joseph Stansfield are listed on a memorial in Jubilee Park. In Middleton the three people who lost their lives were; seventy six year old Joseph Stansfield who left his home because he was curious to have a look at the flood to see if the level of water was receding. Stansfield was standing on a bridge next to the Gas Works when it collapsed into the fast flowing water; he went down with the bridge. An onlooker who was close by made a grab for him as he was falling but missed him by inches. Next the wall of the Gas Works came down on top of where the bridge once was. Vincent Stansfield along with his nephew searched the river Irk for his father, and then three days later he found him on the bank of the river near the Calico Printers Association lodges at Rhodes. A feeling of being uncomfortable in his wet clothing cost the life of 57 year old Charles Heaton. Charles decided to attempt to make it to his lodgings, even though he had been offered dry clothes and a bed for the night, but he decided to chance it. He walked in to the fast flowing www.lancmag.com

It was due to a neighbour who just happened to be cleaning her step that saved the life of another person. When she was close to her next door neighbours house she could smell gas. She knew that her neighbour lived alone and that he had not gone to work. She alerted her husband who broke down the front door, only to find the house filled with gas, this was the deadly ‘town gas.’ He dragged the man out of the house then summoned help. The police were notified, and promptly attended the scene to find that the man was being revived by four doctors in the yard at the back of the house. The patient was transported to hospital, where, three days later he was well enough to return to his home. Upon investigation it transpired that the gentleman was in the process of making his tea, but the oven would not light due to the mains being damaged. He forgot to turn the gas tap off so when the main was repaired his house became filled with the poisonous gas. It was very distressing for the residents of the Little Park who

Above: Vouchers were given out by the flood relief committee. Sam’s Stores willingly accepted the vouchers.

Above: The local newspaper was put out of action when the gas supply failed. Gas was used to melt the lead type on the Linotype machines.

owned pets. All those in the flooded houses drowned. One can only imagine what the conditions of the flooded area of town were like. Both the electricity and gas supply failed. At the gas works the main pipe was fractured, it was due to the swift action by three of the operatives at the works who turned off the main supply that more lives was not lost. At the electricity plant the power failed due to water entering the boiler house and extinguishing the fires in the Lancashire boilers. At the perimeter of the flood stood the George Inn. The landlord opened his pub to serve spirits to those who required reviving. No beer was available due to his cellar being under water, upon inspection barrels were floating around. A few yards away was the home of local businessman, haulage contractor and scrap metal merchant, Mr Hulbert. He took pity on those who desperately required dry clothing. The demand was so high that his entire wardrobe was cleaned out.

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Honister Green Slate Mine with Jan Wilkinson By Sarah Ridgway

We spoke with Jan Wilkinson co-owner of Honister Green Slate Mine which is the last working slate mine in England. The family bought the derelict mine 22 years ago after a half an hour meeting and today it is one of the Lake Districts top attractions. Slate is a product usually associated with roofs, how versatile is it? It massively versatile, especially slate from the Lake District because it is so pure as it is formed from volcanic ash so there are very few impurities. Slate from the rest of the world is riverbed and is what you call sedimentary so contains different minerals making it weaker and less waterproof. “Honister Green Slate is “the cream of slate throughout the world”. We still make roofing slates, but we have expanded into things like floor tiles, worktops, bathroom tiles, chopping boards and vases. We also make chippings for gardens, benches, house signs, and dinnerware. The dinnerware is 198

stunning because of the colour and when you present food on our slate it does look quite regal. It is also very versatile as you can put hot things straight on to it and can also be put it in the freezer. Have you seen a rise in the popularity of slate? Yes, especially as everything has shifted online with Covid. We have an interactive website, and we get lots of visitors from film crews, children’s programmes and many adverts are filmed here so we have gained more exposure that way. Also, people knowing that we have something that is British made is really good for trade. What are your bestselling products/most popular? That is a hard question because there are at least five. The walling stones are popular as there are lots of properties being built that want to use them. Our slate kitchen worktops are very in vogue now and also look stunning. Headstones too, because people want a little bit of the Lake District especially those that used to walk in the fells.

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We also work closely with a place called Clarendon Wood who are offer eco-friendly burials. We do bespoke stones that sit on the final resting place of the remains and that is definitely a booming side of the business. This time of year, people are out into their gardens and tidying them up, so aggregates sell well alongside gravel and garden benches. How durable is slate? Extremely, we have roofing slates that have been on old cottages in the Lake District for over 400 years and they still in good working order. You can even take them off and put them back on and that comes back to how the slate was formed from volcanic ash, making it incredibly strong and water-resistant. That is why they are used for headstones as you get more longevity and are more durable than sandstone. How important is being ethical and sustainable and how do you incorporate that into the business? It is hugely important, and we are very aware of the importance of being a British made product. We www.lancmag.com

support local businesses and have other local people contributing at the shop be it, glass manufacturers, to pictures and cards. We strongly advocate that being British made is something to support and find out customers really like taking home a little piece of the Lake District. It is quite arduous getting the slate from the mountain but when people learn it is manufactured less than half a mile away into the end product, they are incredibly supportive of that. This means we don’t have any waste products so everything we bring out of the mine is used. We are passionate about our environment, we know that we are caretakers, and it is nice to share that with people of all different genres and age groups whether they are new or have visited us before. Do you have a shop or is everything just online? Because we are also a tourist visitor centre, we have a shop on-site and our website. What is new for 2021 in the world of slate? A modern phenomenon recently came from the Great British Bake Off. Following from that we received many requests for slate cake stands and slate rolling pins which created a boom for us. Throughout the year we are constantly making bespoke things for our customers and we set trends. We also work with other companies including Stagecoach who put on a coach from Keswick that leaves in various directions bringing clients up to us, they allocate and change the service dependent on demand throughout the season. Are you one of the only companies offering this service? Again, and you can quote us on this as it is a fact, we are “the cream of all slates” because of the unique way it is formed. Therefore, we often attract interesting request and are currently working with a high-end bike shop to produce bespoke bike stands. Are all the products made on-site and in the local area? Yes, they are, we are a company that likes working with the Cumbrian and local community as we believe www.lancmag.com

when we work together, we create a stronger product. We have a team of very skilled people and most of our staff have been with us for over fifteen years and some almost twenty. What effect has the pandemic had on your business? It has been extremely hard as the tourism side was only active in July and August last year. This year we are hopeful to benefit from the staycation as we are in such a beautiful location. When the season does resume, I am concerned it will bring back a legacy of people not respecting the surroundings. On my journey to work, I noticed increased littering during July and August. This is our backyard, and the solution Is doable we just need to think out of the box. I think to combat this we need to share this message and educate people in a very respectful way. Covid has also been frightening for our staff and we have had to adapt and minimise. We split the workforce into two teams, so if there were any cases of Covid the other team could step in. Thankfully, the shop ticked away nicely and kept us buoyant, which is the beautiful thing about the multi-faceted Honister meaning if something fails then we still have an income stream that will keep going. How excited are you to be welcoming back people to the activity centre? We are currently only opened at 50% capacity with the tourist side closed until 13th May. When we fully open the activities will operate perfectly as they are outside and can easily incorporate social distancing as it is very safe to do. We have done a few facelifts on our property, so it is all coming together. We are getting that sense of excitement from the staff who are coming in more and more and are itching to start meeting people again as they are fed up with being stuck at home. Are you planning another Honister Fest? Yes, we are planning to do another Honister Fest in September. Also, Red Bull will be joining us in September to do a fell race with a difference. The family are all outdoorsy people, but we are happy to have welcomed an influx of younger people to

the team who are bringing new energy and innovation. Last year we launched the Portaledge which is a fixed ledge that dangles underneath our infinity bridge. You can camp on it overnight and it provides such a sensation it is beautiful. Of course, you are all strapped on to safety cables and are always at the end of a radio, so if you need to come off or you are frightened all you have to say is “come and get me” and there will be a guide up there within a few minutes to get you off. When you took over the business 22 years ago did you have pre-existing knowledge or had to learn as you went along? It was a very steep learning curve right from the very beginning. It was my partner Mark Weir who heard the mine was up for sale and went down and had a meeting, within half an hour he had agreed to purchase it. After that, he went out and sought out all the old quarrymen who had worked there and dragged them up for their expertise and bombarded them with questions. Mark was a massively talented entrepreneur, and it was he who started the mine tours. Bit by bit he developed new products and was the inventor of the slate aggregate and chippings for gardens. We also renovated the shop and added more products and found with modernity new ideas come along and old ones drop off a bit like fashion. Mark has left us with something incredibly special, even in the cold and arduous winter a snowy day makes you feel it is a privilege to be up there. We respect it as we know that we are only here temporarily and are keeping the legacy going for future generations it is a very humble place. Honister makes you feel special and on top of the world and you can get all weathers, but this just makes you realise you are alive; it blows the cobwebs away. One of our beliefs at Honister is if you have made a positive memory then we are so to have given it to you to take away. We don’t have to be a part of it as the location itself can create it. I think especially after Covid people need to get out and feel freedom again, we are incredibly lucky we have space and are more than happy to share it with people and keep creating beautiful memories.

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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. Please ring us on 01253 206447 for further information.

New Faces at Aiming Higher Here at Aiming Higher we are pleased to be working alongside The Rank Foundation, who have funded a 12-month placement for a Human Resources Officer through their Time to Shine Programme.

his has enabled us to create the role which has now been filled by Caroline Eccleston. Caroline will be mentored by Latoya Sykes, Direct Services Manager. The Rank Foundation will provide many opportunities for learning, development and networking with organisations both here in Blackpool and across the UK. Caroline joined Aiming Higher in March 2021 and has settled into her role well.

Caroline, who has a background in the care sector, is currently studying towards a BA (Honours) in Business Management (Accounting route). She has completed many HR related tasks within previous roles and is looking forward to building on her skills and knowledge whilst providing support to the team. The Human Resources Officer role is a very varied role which centres around looking after the staff team. This could include supporting continued professional development through various methods of training, resolving problems and celebrating successes, monitoring leave, staff inductions, monitoring and evaluating performance and much more. We are excited to welcome the new role and to be joining The Rank Foundation throughout the year for networking, training and development. The Rank Foundation also provided funding for the development of a new website for the charity.

Above: Caroline Eccleston 200

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Aiming Higher’s new website: funded by the Rank Foundation www.lancmag.com

Above: Amy Giles

Above: Jenny Jones

Aiming Higher have also welcomed two new Family Support Workers in recent months, Amy Giles and Jenny Jones.

Jenny joined Aiming Higher in March after moving to Blackpool in January of this year. She lived in Bristol for many years prior to moving up north. Alongside raising her children, she returned to college and then progressed to gain a Sociology degree at university. Following this she was able to develop her career supporting others.

Amy tells us, “For the past eight years working directly with Children and young people it has allowed me to also work alongside the parents and carers, including professionals. I thoroughly enjoyed building a rapport with the families and wanted to expand my knowledge around this area of working.

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I thoroughly enjoyed building a rapport with the families

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Since starting work at Aiming Higher as a family support worker I feel it has given me the tools to work with the families to understand their needs and work cooperatively to find solutions and build resilience. I am looking forward to continuing my journey with Aiming Higher, further developing these skills and putting the support in place to allow the families to thrive independently.”

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A great opportunity for me to be involved in a local organization

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From the age of 18 Amy had been interested in the third sector and facilitated workshops to local charities, where she first came across Aiming Higher. Her journey continued to another local organisation where she supported vulnerable children and young people in gaining life skills and building resilience. During this time, she gained my level 3 diploma in children and young people’s workforce and then continued in Education achieving my BA Hons in health and Social Care.

Her career has ranged from supporting people find employment to supporting others manage their Direct Payments. She then progressed into mental health and was able to support adults/parents manage their complex mental health issues and become more independent in managing their lives.

Jenny says “Following my move to Blackpool I was lucky enough to find Aiming Higher and was offered a Family Support Role which I thoroughly enjoy. It has become a great opportunity for me to be involved in a local organization who have done and continue to do an amazing job supporting families who have children with additional needs. Everyone in the team has made me feel so welcome and I very much look forward to supporting families and being part of the local community.”

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

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Reflections Upon the Southern USA By Norman Harris

INTRODUCTION I first visited the US in 1969 to sign a software marketing contract and then rapidly followed that with a 2-week tour from coast to coast (San Francisco – New York) on a market survey for a first-generation engineering design software. I have made regular visits ever since, rarely missing a year and several times visiting 7 times in one year, including a period of working for nine months in New England. I have been to the 4 corners of mainland USA, Washington State, Florida, Massachusetts & California, but missed a few desirable bits in the middle, regrettably like Chicago and the Grand Canyon. There is a stark contrast as you would expect between the major cities, such as New York and San Francisco, but an even starker difference with the bulk of the US - the wide-open spaces of small-town America such as the area I frequent most now - the South.

The South where everything is Darlin’, and someone’s heart is always being blessed. And I could add that wakes are held BEFORE the funeral, with the body available for viewing and which is invariably, a burial, with prominent, decorated cemeteries a frequent sight. The graves are carefully tended, and the decoration reflects the season with Christmas meaning changing the decoration before and after the celebrated day. The South encapsulates American Politics as defined in The Economist on 20 April 2013 - God, Gays & Guns. Also, from that issue the murder rate in the UK per 100,000 people is 1.2 whilst in the USA it is 5.0. Police violence is correctly critisced, but to give them their due there are more guns than people in the USA, so they need to be on their guard. THE AMERICAN GUN PSYCHE No writing on this aspect cannot mention the terrible mass shootings that occur at too often. There are

strong views for and against gun control. In the Newtown school tragedy, the deceased Mother of the shooter had 6 guns, why, with a possibly mental son. Although I am against guns I can accept a personal protection weapon and a hunter’s rifle, but assault weapons capable of hundreds of rounds a minute, no. Hunters shoot a deer but do not mow down the whole herd. Many of the shooters have been young, white, reasonably affluent kids. The best psychiatrist’s comment I heard was that mass murderers shoot up schools as it hurts their communities most. There are so many guns in the USA that severe gun control (which is unlikely) will take years to have an impact. Two million guns sold in November 2012, with more gun sales outlets that McDonald’s burger bars. So, tragedy will happen again and keep happening! The NRA (National Rifle Association) Conference held in Houston met in jubilation that even partial background checks on gun buyers had been defeated in the Senate. The BBC report showed even children of around 10, girls and boys sizing up guns. “Guns Save Lives” is a frequently seen sticker on bumpers. It seems most homes have a gun hidden away. The heat of the debate on gun controls would make most of the populations of the developed world incredulous. It is far too complex to set down all the twisted logic here. The phrasing of the Second Amendment is most vague except in that the US citizen has the right to possess a gun for self-defence. Protection against what is not defined. Although at the time of the Constitution’s drafting, there was no standing army, rifles fired one round at time and the enemy was us, Brits.

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There is undoubtedly a mental health issue involved and also since there are so many guns in circulation it will be a decade and many more deaths before confiscation, even if passed, will have any effect on the 10.000-gun deaths a year in the USA. Many families say that they would shoot down policemen as they enter their property to confiscate any gun that is made illegal. All this goes back to when the States were a British colony and the supposed excesses of the Government Troops, the Red Coats, being troops of occupation. THE MORE “NORMAL” AMERICAN PSYCHE The American is always a little “ra ra”; excitement and enthusiasm has to be injected into every public occasion. Not always a bad thing, but on morning TV shows from the Rockefeller Centre the crowd has a hysteria more akin to an African or Arab crowd at a riot. News magazine programmes are typified by lots of laughter, carefully displayed female legs and big hair dos. Whenever a senior official address the TV he/she always flanked by many other officials looking duly serious. Graduation is also hyped. I have attended 5-year-olds graduating from day school and 18- yearolds graduating from high school and I believe there is also another graduation at age 12. In the modern world only the degree graduation counts, and the Americans admit they are now 17th in training new science and engineering skills, perhaps their enthusiasm for graduating wanes in their later teens.

crash helmets and Tee shirts and shorts are the order of the day - MAD. On the social side say, going around shops, American women are happy to make eye contact, whereas UK women avoid eye contact. Could it be that the American female regards herself as equal to a man! Like the Brits they do walk straight at you, so you have to deviate, but Americans do say “excuse me”. The public respect the military and show it. Wish we were as overt about that, Wootton Bassett excluded. Checks (cheques) are still used for many bill payments and to tradesmen at the door who would insist on cash in the UK. PATRIOTISM This strongly prevails I am pleased to say. Honouring the flag and their military and extolling the virtues of their country occur somewhere on the media every day. Would that we did more of that here in the UK. For the South, the Civil War should not have been lost and they are different from the Yankees. Yankees are just north-easterners not the whole of the American nation as the Brits think’ just as Americans refer to England when they really mean the whole of the United Kingdom. For some Southern Republican voters, they seem to wish to be under the British Crown once more.

The tunes of the UK National Anthem and Land of Hope and Glory are frequently used for processional or ceremonial occasions with different words and titles of course. RELIGION The road I regularly travel for the Interstate to a South Carolina town of over 15,000 widely spread-out inhabitants has 17 churches over the 11 rural miles. Each seems to be a different Christian denomination and all set in relatively small communities. Conversations on religious matters, such as, how many were in church Sunday? And how is the new preacher doing? Take place at every meeting of friends and neighbours. There is still missionary tendency with many (well at least a lot compared with the UK) going overseas to convert non-Christians. POLITICS Undoubtedly the largest political problem is the functioning of the Congress where there is unusually for the United States an implacably partisan situation which is forcing many issues into the long grass or stalemate. For a long time, consensus was achieved in Congress, now there is no overlap between left leaning Republicans and right leaning Democrats. As I see it, the Republicans have more to lose in this. All the demographics are against them in their present mindset.

Buying hard liquor is available from just one shop in the Southern town that I visit. You feel furtive and it looks like an adult sex shop. No alcohol can be bought or consumed in a public place on a Sunday. The US is the final guardian of our Imperial measure, Inch, Foot, Mile, and the Bushel! Not to mention Fahrenheit. The individual States guard their rights sometimes because they claim special needs in the most inexplicable ways. In South Carolina motorcyclists do not need to wear www.lancmag.com

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Sad and I should say sa’sd for all of us in the democratic world. A psephology analysis is hampered by the unbelievable lengths that State Legislators will go to exclude classes of voters from the polls. Most of you may know that the concerns of Catholics and Jews figure in the platforms of Presidential candidates and indeed all political candidates for office. Social issues, gays, same sex marriage, abortion, and fidelity in public office, feature strongly. But as everywhere else “it’s the economy stupid” which is the main battle ground, followed closely by Obamacare. HEALTH CARE Having mentioned Health Care, let us examine it further. The Health Insurers in both the UK and the USA have a responsibility, which they do not appear to exert, to use their buying power to keep premiums down, by encouraging cost effective quality innovations to treatments and administration. But it is remarkable to note in the hospital blood department of my favourite small town, I, a foreigner/alien, can like a US citizen, go in an order from a reasonably priced menu of blood tests and have the results in 24 hours. Universal Health Care provided by the State is not an issue in Europe. Britain’s NHS, whilst politics can get hot on the fringes, the concept is not in question. It was devised in wartime by a government of national unity to make Britain a better place when the war was won. All the major nations of the free Europe followed with their own versions. At the very leading edge of treatments the USA often leads, but of course it spends nearly twice as much per capita than Europe. But for general all round care Europe is far better, everyone gets good care - free. Whilst the US spends twice as much as percentage of GDP, not everyone is covered. This is slightly misleading since if a patient presen ts at an Emergency Room they must be treated.

Drugs on the abuser and often upon the innocent in violence, but it is the availability of cheap fast food and “all you can eat” outlets on every corner that is stoking the diabetes fire with all its health repercussions. Otherwise, intelligent people seem to have a blind spot to the dangers. Large portions in supermarkets and restaurants are embedded into the culture as is the take-away “box”, to be stored in the home fridge for a few days and then thrown away... The Mayor of New York has brought out a new City Ordinance limiting the size of soft sugary drink measures offered for sale in City shops, but he cannot limit the number that a person drinks. The USA must get better value for its health dollar and reach some political consensus on the basic principles of its national policy. The diets of many Americans are poor. Few vegetables, a little salad, and a lot of red meat. Perhaps less alcohol than Europe!. ROAD HABITS The South has many broad 4 lane roads, delightfully unoccupied with vehicles; make driving a pleasure once more. Petrol a factor of 4 times cheaper than ours also helps. This space and freedom has turned many Americans into what I call “lazy drivers”. They appear from a side road with enough space, but they then move to the outer lane and proceed at a speed that is lower and sometimes much lower than the generous 35 or 45 limits. It is legal to undertake and that is what you have to do. With many the only indication of a turn are brake lights. Using an indicator is an additional effort! The space and distance involved in normal journeys will remain a barrier to purely electric vehicles. Vehicles are often left running to keep it cool (or hot). One was left running

to keep a shop made cake cool while a visit was made to family. In car parks I do find everyone is patient allowing you to complete your manoeuvre without pressure. Conversely watching them complete theirs can be a slow business. Not liking using reverse gear is common. The vehicles are a different mix, SUVs, light trucks, often with a flatbed trailer and larger models of cars, both body and engine size. Small economical cars are scarce. You will be struck, to be hoped not literally, by the amount of tie (tyre)* debris on the interstates. Every 10 miles the remains of an HGV tyre lie over the road and hard shoulder. It must be because of the inflated ambient temperature 30C, speed 70MPH and the continued use of re-treads. TV ADVERTISING There are great differences here as negative comparisons with other products are allowed. The other products can be a rival politician or medication. Medication adverts are very prominent and where we say passively “always read the label” they speak a list of potential and often frightening side-effects. FINALLY – THE WEATHER It is a more predominant part of conversation than even in the UK. The 24-hour Weather Channel focuses on areas close to the individual’s TV receiver. Many homes run this channel continuously. The possibility of severe weather destroys any possible enjoyment of a TV show as warnings with a ribbon of textural details scrolls the screen and a blaring alarm drowns out the dialogue of whatever you may be watching, every few minutes. Even if the storm is 50 miles away and causes little damage. Safe rather than sorry I guess...

But preventative care is often missed by Americans and America has two health problems in which it leads the developed world, drug abuse and diabetes. Both these take a toll now. 204

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Penrith student takes on 200-mile walk for schools in Kenya A Penrith college student is set for a month of early starts as he prepares to walk the 10 miles to school each day in May in support of a charity working with primary schools in rural Kenya.

saac Pullan, an 18-year-old year 12 student at Ullswater Community College in Penrith, settled upon the ambitious challenge during a rare walk to school one morning in March when he realised that many young children around the world have to cover the same distance every day just to get an education.

“I was inspired to walk to school that morning by wanting to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some way into the journey it dawned on me that a lot of young children around the globe have to walk a similar distance to attend school and I wondered what kind of education they were walking for, what state for learning walking 10 miles each day leaves a child in, and what other factors these children have to deal with to obtain an education.” Further research led Isaac to the charity African Promise which works with primary schools in rural Kenya to make the walk to school that so many children face a worthwhile one by improving facilities, providing access to clean water and a lunchtime meal, and ensuring schools are equipped with sufficient desks, educational materials, and teachers. Isaac was inspired by what he read about the charity and the efforts that the children it supports make each day to attend school and got in touch with the charity, whose Director says: “It’s not often that you hear of school students voluntarily walking to school, let alone doing it for a whole month! Isaac is clearly an exceptional young man and we are delighted that he has chosen African Promise, our partner schools and their pupils to benefit from his efforts. We hope that others will get behind him and support him every step of the way.” Speaking about his upcoming challenge, which will see him walk for around three hours each morning and cover around 200 miles over the course of the month, Isaac says: “I am walking 10 miles to school each day in May because others have no choice but to do the same. I will be getting up at 4am and aiming to leave home by 5am in order to get to school on time. I am excited for the journeys ahead and even more excited to be able to contribute to such a remarkable charity.” Isaac is aiming to raise at least £500 from his challenge but hopes to raise much more than this with the support of his family and friends, his school and the wider Penrith community. To contribute to Isaac’s fundraising efforts with a donation please visit his fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/isaac-pullan.

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MANISH’S ZODIAC PREDICTIONS

anish 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) You will have an interesting month. You should expect some obstacles in advancing your projects. However, there would be no reasons for despair if you well understand the occurring processes. There will be eventually so many ways to overcome such obstacles. Your romantic and creative worlds expand and grow this month. If single, youmay find a person that will awake your dormant passions. You are learning to express yourself playfully and creatively without apology, and more willing to take some personal risks in order to do so. Favourable Dates: July 7, 8, 16, 17, 25, 26 Favourable Colours: Green & Blue

LEO (23 Jul - 22 Aug) Financial matters seem very promising this month, but be careful that you don’t overdo spending or purchase large ticket items that you are likely to regret later This may be a good phase with lots of communications and pleasantries, and good for doing something new with your look. You would achieve positive results within a short time, if you will direct all efforts in those areas that at this stage are important parts of your earthly existence with determination. In relationships, the month will end with incredible joyful closeness. Favourable Dates: July 1, 4, 10, 13, 19, 22 Favourable Colours: White & Red

SAGITTARIUS (22 Nov - 21 Dec) Career and finances are especially strong, but be careful that you don’t let runaway optimism lead you to take on more projects than you can handle, as you’ll likely feel the pressure in the last week of the month.You can successfully combine practical matters and more fanciful ones. With focus, you can make enormous progress in your work. The single ones will go for a journey in search of unearthly love, which will not last long. However, you will for a long time search for the only one with whom you will be happy throughout your life. Favourable Dates: July 3, 5, 12, 14, 21, 23 Favourable Colours: Red & Green

TAURUS (20 Apr - 20 May) Your goals are clearer and motivation is easy to find. While you may start the month with money as your main focus, communications, technology, travel, and your community could become more prominent in the second half. Perseverance and consistency at work will pay off if supported by like-minded people, and if you do not hesitate to ask for help when the need arises. Romantic relationship entered into during this period will be enjoyable and will last long. However, there are likely ruptures in families where relationships are far from ideal. Favourable Dates: July 2, 4, 11, 13, 20, 22 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Blue

VIRGO (23 Aug - 22 Sept) This month gives you a chance to find a new path for development, get rid of bias and sharpness in judgments in respect of those people who do not share your ideas. While your career initiatives remain on the front burner in July, pressure to perform is reduced, and your social life begins to take more priority. You’re in high demand with friends, and group activities can keep you pleasantly busy this month. Romantic proclamations or relationship challenges are likely ro occur. Trust issues might get in play. Favourable Dates: July 3, 4, 12, 13, 21, 22 Favourable Colours: Blue & Red

CAPRICORN (22 Dec - 19 Jan) This month brings heightened emotions and personal revelations, generally relationshiprelated. Romance begins to heat up and some of you are pursuing it more assertively, and others are experiencing ups and downs. Avoid new relationships that seem to be inviting trouble. You should not hesitate in starting projects you have in mind. By being organized and clearly understanding the ultimate goal, you can achieve incredible results.New adventures and experiences can suddenly seem desirable after many months of being quite content following simple routines. Good humor helps you to thoroughly enjoy the work you do. Favourable Dates: July 1, 7, 10, 16, 19, 25 Favourable Colours: Red & Grey

GEMINI (21 May - 20 Jun) Your personal popularity soars this month. Your independent spirit pushes up and out, and you enjoy plenty of scope for doing your own thing. You might enjoy financial benefits from increased attention to work in July. You can be very focused on what truly matters to get ahead. Others take special interest in you.You are looking for more authenticity in your associations in general, weeding out those connections that feel too superficial. You are bound to make some fortunate connections that benefit you for months to come. Favourable Dates: July 3, 6, 12, 15, 21, 24 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Red CANCER (21 Jun - 22 Jul) You’re in a period of reflection and preparation, so take things as slowly as you can. Sacrifices may need to be made when it comes to your relationships – you are required to be sympathetic and helpful now.Career related work might become too complicated to handle. Business pursuits might also meet with unwanted impediments. Keep a tab of your financials. Try best to use the time at your disposal effectively.Mental health shall be in harmony once you wean off your bad feelings and channelize it towards positive interests and development. Favourable Dates: June 1, 4, 10, 13, 19, 22 Favourable Colours: White & Red

LIBRA (23 Sept - 22 Oct) You are taking special care of your personal possessions and you feel more stable on practical levels. This is an excellent month for financial rewards, promotional activities, and career advancement.Optimum intake of food and good rest shall see you through the month in the pink of your health.Romantic opportunities might come from people of an entirely different background or culture, or through education and travel, this month. You are especially organized in your home life, and more compassion and tolerance emerge in your relationships with family. Favourable Dates: July 6, 7, 15, 16, 24, 25 Favourable Colours: Blue & Red SCORPIO (23 Oct - 21 Nov) This month is strong for gaining support, both financial and moral.. Your powers of persuasion are excellent. Close partnerships grow, and some of you might form new partnerships. You take better charge of your finances, particularly money shared with others or derived from other sources than your personal income.You will concentrate on the work at hand and get goodwill of authorities and peers. Sort out your colleagues for long term relationships. In romance, newcomers will have a turbulent period of reconciliation, parting and new reconciliations. Experienced ones will behave quieter. Favourable Dates: July 1, 3, 10, 12, 19, 21 Favourable Colours: Blue & White

AQUARIUS (20 Jan - 18 Feb) The month will witness situations that will push you to act spontaneously and contrary to your previously scheduled plans. If you will be able to resist general panic, your business will evolve as was planned. While your emotional life is a little more complicated, you’re also braver and more confident on a personal level.You’re shining for your intelligence and insight. Your approach is a little more confident than usual, and you’re more inclined to assert your opinions and share your ideas.Moderation and focus are keys to success now. Favourable Dates: July 1, 5, 10, 14, 19, 23 Favourable Colours: Red & Green PISCES (19 Feb - 20 Mar) You’re winding down from an especially hectic period, but life definitely isn’t slow in July. There are more errands to run, busy mental work, and plenty of diverse activities for you. Your heart, however, is with home and family, and making changes that help to bring more peace and beauty to your domestic life. Those of marriageable age will finally propose to their loved one or accept love proposals from their loved ones. Unmarried ones will fall in love and spend the happiest period of their life. Favourable Dates: July 2, 9, 11, 18, 20, 27 Favourable Colours: Blue & Yellow

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

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Therme Group’s Cultural Incubator Therme Art Announces Partnership with SUGi Cultural Collaboration Will Develop Native Forests at Therme Group’s Locations Around the World

Above: SUGi rewilding at a future Therme Group resort (visualisation)

In the month of Earth Day (22 April), Therme Group’s Cultural Incubator Therme Art announces a pioneering global partnership with SUGi, the premier platform for community-driven rewilding. The venture will realise a programme of forest planting to create vital biodiversityrestoration hubs at Therme Group’s projects all over the world. 208

s part of its core mission, Therme Art seeks to counter modern life’s separation from the restorative power of nature and foster new forms of creative experience and expression. This partnership emphasises that cohabitation with our environment is not only essential for human health, but also necessary for a new, holistic cultural attitude. By planting native trees and designing urban areas for the wellbeing of humans and

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nature alike, Therme Group helps realise a fundamental cultural shift. SUGi Founder Elise Van Middelem describes SUGi as “art with purpose, as we use the medium of nature itself to create the forest beauty that restores the body, soul and spirit.” The international arts and culture initiative Therme Art forges creative partnerships, alliances and joint ventures. Through this, it realises transformative artistic projects www.lancmag.com

in Therme Group’s projects and cities all over the world in order to reinvigorate the synergies between urban and natural environments. This work is complemented by a dynamic programme of talks and forums, which have been presented in cooperation with partners including the British Council, Design Miami/, Manchester International Festival and the Serpentine.

In September 2020, the Wellbeing Culture Forum invited leading architects, designers, artists and scientist – among them Hans Ulrich Obrist, Virgil Abloh, Sumayya Vally, Tomás Saraceno, Stefano Mancuso, Lucia Pietroiusti and Roya Sachs – to discuss how to move ‘From Building Bauhaus to Growing Gaia’. Speaking of the SUGi partnership, Therme Art’s Co-founder and CEO Mikolaj Sekutowicz said: “The Gaia hypothesis introduced by James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis in the 1970s requires a radical shift in how we approach design processes: if planet earth is a self-regulating system creating the macro and micro climate and regulating its temperature, we need to move from “building” cities to “growing” them. This will require the same radical shift in our cultural adaptation and perspective as was provided in the 1920s through the Bauhaus movement. The “growing” is exactly what SUGi enables for Therme Group’s urban development solutions.”

Therme Art’s partnership with SUGi developed as one output of the Wellbeing Culture Forum, the ongoing discussion series developed by Therme Art as a direct response to the changes and challenges amplified through COVID-19. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, the series is based in the understanding that the wellbeing of the environment and the human species are interdependent and that scientific findings must be implemented through culture to become practical solutions. www.lancmag.com

Therme Art’s new partner SUGi was founded in 2019 by Elise Van Middelem, a creative strategist with a background in developing large-scale interdisciplinary art projects. Driven by an innovative technology-led model that allows subscribers as well as local communities to participate in forest planting, the company is helping to realise new biodiverse forests all over the world. In 2020, SUGi was chosen as one of the first cohort of champions and innovators as part of the World Economic Forum’s 1t.org, the historic platform set up to conserve, restore and grow one trillion trees by 2030. Across its projects, SUGi pioneers the use of the Miyawaki Method, a dense form of planting which counters the broad trend towards monoculture and restores the biodiversity of native forests. For one of its most ambitious projects, SUGi recently partnered with the Borough of Barking and Dagenham in London to create the Forest of Thanks. With 33,000 trees across 11,000 square metres, it is the UK and Europe’s

largest Miyawaki forest, and is dedicated to the frontline workers fighting COVID-19. “With SUGi there is an unprecedented opportunity to transform unexpected urban areas into ideal habitats for birds to nest, for fruits to grow, for fresh air and for the magic of nature to thrive,” said SUGi Founder Van Middelem, “Restoring communities both ecologically and socially is a proposition we strongly believe in, and I am delighted to now be working with Therme Group to achieve it.” In the future, the partnership will realise a portfolio of native speciesplanting projects at Therme Group facilities all over the world. Driven by the need to re-integrate nature into everyday life, the wellbeing leader is already widely recognised for its sustainability. In 2016, its Bucharest facility achieved LEED Platinum accreditation, becoming the world’s first fully sustainable thermal resort. Therme Group is currently rolling out its global development strategy with projects under development in the United Kingdom, mainland Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Work is scheduled to begin on the c. £250 million Therme Manchester later this year. Of the partnership with SUGi, Therme Group’s Founder and CEO Dr Robert C. Hanea remarked: “Regenerating biodiversity in cities through the restoration of ecosystems is the main challenge of urban development in the twentyfirst century. The health of our planet relies on efforts of afforestation and natural restoration exemplified by SUGi. Moving towards the goal of a wellbeing city, Therme Group wants to become a seed of positive change through the reintegration of nature in urban space, providing our communities with environments conducive to mental and physical wellbeing.”

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The Lancashire & North West Magazine | July 2021

Articles inside

Reflections Upon the Southern USA

Honister Green Slate Mine with Jan Wilkinson

Therme Group’s Cultural Incubator Therme Art Announces Partnership with SUGi

The Great Flood of 1927

Defying Lockdown to turn on the fashion promotion style

Advanced Microblading and Semi Permanent Treatments With Over 20 Years Experience

Preston’s Monument to its Trailblazing Temperance Campaigners

Quarry Bank Mill

10 Best Air Purifying Plants for the Home

The Franchise Specialist

Helping businesses’ build their brand through creative design

Jill Pinington Ltd

Diving Deep to Climb High

A day in the life of a Celebrant

Frau Matilda The Beast of Acceptance

Like a Phoenix Rising From The Ashes

Look For The Rainbows

Positive Thinking

Coping with Covid-19

Leading stroke charity funds first study into long-term impact of Covid-19 on strokes

Why is Scalp Micropigmentation so popular?

Walney Island and Nature Reserve

Property Tips

Check Your Blood Pressure

Peat-free Campaign Launches to Save Our Peatlands and Fight Climate Change

Crown Jewels of our countryside under threat like never before

New Curator For Lancashire Infantry Museum Land Rover

The Fight Towards a Sustainable Planet

WG Bean’s Coffee Shop Opens at Blackpool Pleasure Beach

A Simple Prescription For a Healthier You

The Rise of Veganism

Don Alberto’s at The Loom

Couple make 6,000 mile move for a new life in Warrington

Bespoke Furniture and Upholstery Services With a Tailor Made Approach

Trust launches the Taxon 2K QHD Webcam

Trailblazing Tech is Back

Renovate Your Home Worry-free

Project investigating long-term effects of COVID-19 on the heart is awarded grant by national charity Heart Research UK

Your Guide to Pet-nups

Creating The Wow Factor With The German Kitchen Place

Going the Extra Mile for Malawi

Eden Paving and Driveways... and so much more

Pioneering ‘Nature Friendly Schools’ to boost children’s learning and well-being at a critical time

Land Rover Experience North Yorkshire’s new Heritage Driving Experience

VisitBlackpool Reveal 2021 Blackpool Illuminations Switch-on Plans

Blackpool man takes on Captain Tom 100 Challenge in Utah, USA

The Rise of the UK Holiday Village