The Lancashire & North West Magazine | March 2020 by The Lancashire & North West Magazine

March 2020

Stand out in Style this Spring with Si Belle Name officially revealed for Blackpool’s first ever museum Poulton’s Best Kept Secret - The Feathered Nest Swinside or Sunkenkirk? The Sound Of Music Our Top Ten Follies and Public Sculptures

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Alice Barry Blackpool Museum Scafell Pike Sian Reeves - By The Waters of Liverpool Time for a rethink on HS2 Content is Key - gallery opening Author who outsold Dickens Pancake Day Joanne Timperly Author Phone Scams Young Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Charity Cabaret Top Ten Follies and Statues Mark Bonnar 3 Tonnes of litter at St Annes Beach Cathedral Sways to Zumba Beat Pendle Stoves The Alley Bar Jason Rea Magician The Sound of Music March Hares Beauty Sleep is Real Si Belle Bolton School Excellence Twenties Fashion Prisoners Mending Tools Mere Sands Wood The Irish Sea Sing Sing Sing Blue Coat School Horse Organ The Grey Mare Some People Get Medals Blackpool Grand Theatre Ticket Giveaway Cumbria is top resort spot

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Peter Rutt Professionals Horoscope Word Search Crossword Calendar Days Gardening tips Antiques What’s On Wildlife Robert Green Fashion, Health & Beauty Section Moo Style Aiming Higher Nelly’s Column The life of Di Recipe Food News Around the Region

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LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE • MARCH 2020 • VOLUME 43 NUMBER 3

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February 2020 Volume 43 Number 2

COVER: Si Belle

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In this Issue...

Sian Reeves As the days become longer and Spring looms we offer a great mix of our art, culture and heritage followed by the great outdoors, a variety of other topics and descriptions of three great north west locations. Art takes many forms and we have something for everyone. Coronation Street has produced many stars. Charlie Wood is played by Sian Reeves who is Helen Forrester’s opportunistic mother in the Spring 2020 UK Tour of ‘By The Waters of Liverpool’. The production opens in the New Brighton Floral Pavilion on the 3rd March and goes on to eight other locations in the north west plus the Isle of Man. If you prefer musicals we tell how Andrew Lancet – the super villain Frank Foster from the Street - is the super hero Captain von Trapp when ‘The Sound of Music’ returns to the UK and Ireland in 2020 and appears at Chester’s Storyhouse from April 14-18. Lancaster-born David Stewart is an award-winning photographer with a national reputation who achieves the strangest of images by depicting what happens in real life. He opened Morecambe’s newest gallery in Euston Road with his ‘Paid Content’ exhibition. It is open 3 days a week until the 21st March and admission is free. As the outdoors beckons with the coming of Spring read

about our Scafell Pike – England’s highest mountain- and when many of our favourite bird species return from spending winter is warmers parts. Alan Wright from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust explains all – and why we have more birds in the winter than the summer! We also read that 2019 has seen a sea-change in people’s attitudes to the living seas. It is a mustread article for anyone alarmed about climate change and what it is doing to sea life. We could be next! For the curious Mike Biles shares his fascination with mysterious stone circles from long ago. On a lighter theme we hear about how prison inmates are repairing gardening tools for schoolchildren. Andrew Harris and the panel of experts he has assembled tell us about the best follies and public sculptures in the north west. Although ranked for their attractiveness and significance they are – by definition – without any other function. They give our region interest and character, however, and we would be all the poorer without them. Do you agree? We welcome off-beat topics so what better than to hear about the History of Pancake Day and a tale – strange but true - from Bevan Ridehalgh. Finally, we feature the best of Merseyside, Poulton and Swinton. Places to explore!

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‘Who The Hell is Alice?’ Interview with Shameless Icon Alice Barry Words: Deborah Ferguson

eralding from Lancashire’s market town of Burnley, with its breath-taking Pennine views and countryside, is Alice Barry. Alice, one of Britain’s best loved comic actresses, only began acting in her thirties and has never had any formal training. Beginning as an extra, Alice’s talents and noticeable presence, were quickly spotted and led to larger roles in numerous series and shows such as: ‘Phoenix Nights’; ‘Bob and Rose’; ‘Clocking off’; ‘The Royal’; ‘Coronation Street’; ‘Benidorm’ and many more. Of course, probably one of Alice’s best-loved roles to date, would have to be that of ‘Lillian Tyler’ (Shameless) who ran ‘The Best Little Whore House’ on the Chatsworth Estate. The hugely successful series, written by Paul Abbott, ran for eleven years firmly carving itself into the heart of British audiences. This September saw Alice in the role of ‘Mrs Bell’ in Derren Litten’s new BBC comedy series ‘Scarborough’. Also starring Jason Manford, Catherine Tyldesley and Stephanie Cole, Scarborough follows the trials and tribulations of a group of Scarborough residents and is full of classic British warmth, humour and comic intrigue. Litten has big plans for the series and

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with Alice being one of our own, Lancashire and NW Magazine were keen to find out more about the woman who made priests shudder, loves Burnley to the core, has done some classic pin-up photo covers for charity and who (most importantly) followed her dreams… My Dad is a massive fan of ‘Shameless and when I told him that I was interviewing you, he wanted to know more about your history. Well I have a book out, why doesn’t he read it? [I’ve already ordered him a copy of ‘Who the Hell is Alice?’ for Christmas and have to say, it looks a great read]. Yes, I’ve seen it and read extracts…your early years at Catholic School sound challenging and weren’t you called ‘Jezebel’ by a Priest? (Alice laughs) I was toppling up against a wall in the school yard and one of the priests told me off, calling me a ‘brazen hussy’. I wouldn’t care, but I had knee length navy knickers on. What about your family? I’m one of four. I had two brothers and a sister called Irene who is still

alive and lives in Burnley. My Mum, Winifred, was from Lancaster and my Father and her brother were in the army together – that’s how they met. I still have an Uncle who lives in Lancaster who’s 92 – he’s lovely. You grew up in Burnley and still live there. I know you have always expressed how much you love the town. What are your fondest memories of growing up in the town? I loved going to the Youth Club. I used to go twice a week – everything was so innocent back then; we used to have so much fun. I lived on the outskirts of the town by the countryside and would spend hours in Bluebell Wood and play stepping stones in the river…I was out a lot. On Saturday morning I used to work for Mrs Feather of Feather’s Farm making orange juice and feeding the chickens – that type of thing [Alice chuckles at the memory]. We didn’t get paid money, we got paid in oranges. Farmer Feather once sent me down to the field to bring the cows in and I was so long, he came looking for me. “They won’t come.” I said. “This is what you do.” He said, kicking one on the bum; it immediately started moving and the rest

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followed…”I’m not doing that.” I said - I’d been waving a stick around saying “Move, move.” Your early family life sounds wonderfully loving and supportive. You’ve said how special your Mum always made you feel. Yes, she did. “No matter who you are or how much money you’ve got”, Mum would always say “It’s love that counts in a house.” What would she have thought of the success you’ve achieved as an actress? Well, I went into acting later in life, I was in my thirties – I’d only really started when I lost my parents, but they’d have loved it. What did you do when you first left school? I left school at 15 and worked as a weaver in a factory. I did that for about 12 months before moving to a chocolate works and various other jobs. I really wanted to join the ‘Women’s Royal Air Force’ as a driver, but I couldn’t get in because I had a lazy eye. I was really disappointed. After that, I went to work at Pontin’s for a season. Was that where you had your first taste of working in entertainment? No, no – I just always loved and was interested in films. I thought ‘when my son grows up, it’ll be my time to have a go’. Of course, you were married with a family. I noticed that your autobiography is dedicated to your late husband Terry, was he the love of your life? He was a lovely man, we were married for forty years. I used to call him ‘The Quiet Man’ – it was one of my favourite films, we grew up with it. I went to Ireland to where it was filmed. I’ve also taken my family tree back to 1711 and Tipperary. You said earlier that you started acting in your thirties, did you have any acting lessons? No, I started out doing extras and was spotted. I’ve always done well at auditions because I don’t get nervous at all. I’ve known top actors (whose names I won’t mention) that just panic – I know one who actually cries. Me, I just go in and ‘strut my stuff. Did you have any inkling that you were going to be so 10

successful? Not really, I just loved it. You have a lot of character and presence. They say I have – people seem to recognise me everywhere – even in Australia and Singapore. You’ve been in a lot of classic British comedies including Benidorm and Phoenix Nights (and many more), but my favourite character has got to be ‘Lillian Tyler’ from Shameless. Which role have you enjoyed the most? It’s got to be Lillian…she’s been good to me. Paul Abbott wrote it and my first audition was for the part of a naughty nun [I think back to Alice’s time at Magdalene’s and wonder what the priest would have made of that]. I filmed the first episode and Paul said “That’s really good Alice, but it would only be a one-off. I want you to come in as this new character ‘Lillian’ and you can make her your own.” So over the years, I built her up. I’ve been watching some of Lillian’s classic moments and Alice and I reminisce for a few minutes about our favourites… What a lot of people don’t know [Alice tells me] is that when the credits were shown, there would be a break in them with a scene and it often featured Lillian; I became known as ‘The Queen of the Credit Breakers’. You want to look at them -they were really funny. [I definitely will]. You’re playing Mrs Bell in the new BBC series ‘Scarborough’, what do you make of her character? Well she’s not really got going yet. Derren Litten who wrote Benidorm, said “I’m going to write a new comedy ‘Scarborough’ and I want you to be in it…I’ll be writing a second series and I want you to have a bigger part.” He hopes that Scarborough will be as successful as Benidorm and run for years and I hope it does. [with Alice’s talent for growing wonderfully comedic characters and making them her own, I look forward to seeing the evolution of Mrs Bell]. Besides your acting roles, you’ve taken part in Sports and Comic Relief and have famously recreated some classic iconic pictures: American Beauty and the tennis player with no knickers on.

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Oh yes, and Baywatch…that was taken on Blackpool Beach in January. I had the orange swimsuit on, but said “I’m not going in the sea!” It was absolutely freezing. If you could meet anyone, who would it be and why?” Well my favourite actress is Bette Davis, she’s fantastic - I’d have like to have met her. My favourite singer is Shirley Bassey; I sing one of hers on the karaoke. [Alice says laughing]. Is singing another of your talents? Oh no, I can’t sing, I just have a laugh. [Karaoke is an essential component of the ‘Scarborough’ and I feel that Mrs Bell should be given the opportunity to cover a Shirly Bassey number – it would be awesome]. Is there anything about you that nobody knows, any unfulfilled dream? I would have liked to have acted with Al Pacino. I loved him in ‘The Godfather’…he may have got a bit old and wrinkly, but I’d still have him. [Alice says with passion]. Alice asks me where I’m from and about my family. When I tell her I’m from Blackpool, she talks about the late Joe Longthorne who was a close friend of hers. We also talk about her short time in Blackpool running a guest house with her very good friend Jeff Hewitt who now has a wonderful antiques shop in Burnley. It has been a complete pleasure interviewing Alice, with her wonderfully warm humour and ready laugh. I thank her for the interview and admit that I had initially felt a little nervous; I apologise for any stumbling or error. She tells me to “Give Over.” She is a person who embraces all aspects of life and seems to have found personal and professional success simply by following her heart. PS, for those who may have missed it, the first series of Scarborough aired in September and the whole series can still be watched on BBC iPlayer. The second series is expected sometime next year; I look forward to seeing what Alice will do with Mrs Bell and wonder if Derren will give her the same poetic license that she had with Lillian – I’d like to think so. Alice’s superb autobiography ‘Who the Hell is Alice?’ is available on Amazon.

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Blackpool’s first museum officially reveals name and brand Blackpool’s first museum name, brand and theme details revealed

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Exciting details about Blackpool’s first museum were officially revealed on Thursday 9th January at an entertaining and dynamic event held at Blackpool Tower Circus. Invited guests heard about the £13m museum’s vibrant new name ‘SHOWTOWN’ and about the colourful, bold and playful brand which reflects the spirit and aim of the attraction to celebrate Blackpool’s internationally significant story as the UK’s most popular seaside destination and its role in the development of British popular culture. Showtown which is anticipated will open in 2021 will be located in Blackpool’s first five star hotel ‘Sands Venue Resort Hotel’ which has a prominent position on the Promenade in the heart of Blackpool, next door but one to The Blackpool Tower. Open year-round the museum will be fun, accessible and fully-immersive, www.lancmag.com

LEFT: Stan Laurel bowler hat signed to Cyril Critchlow in 1947, Blackpool Council Heritage Collection © Blackpool Council Photo credit Lorne Campbell (Guzelian), Blackpool Museum Project BELOW: ‘Beside the Seaside’ seaside theme. Image: Casson Mann

filled with objects, film, music and performance – mixing the best experiences of museums and visitor attractions and giving visitors an opportunity to look behind the scenes at what it took to make Blackpool special. Showtown will be divided into six themes; seaside, magic, shows, circus, illuminations and dance. Beside the Seaside: The story of how Blackpool became symbolic of the British seaside holiday both at home and abroad and why people flocked to the town. How’s Tricks?: Discover Blackpool’s long history as an important centre for magic, illusion and fortune telling. It’s Showtime: Features comedy, music, dance performance, magic and other speciality acts that put Blackpool on the map and turned the seaside resort into a capital of show business. It’s Better with the Lights On: Discover the stories behind the making www.lancmag.com

of one of the world’s greatest light attractions – Blackpool Illuminations. Everybody Dance Now: Find out how Blackpool became the spiritual home of ballroom dance and continues to host the biggest international dance festival in the world. Roll Up! Roll Up!: A celebration of Blackpool’s international role in circus and home to the Tower Circus. The themed spaces will be the first permanent displays in a UK public museum relating to circus, magic, variety and ballroom dance – filled with over 800 objects from Blackpool’s internationally significant and extensive collections and those on loan from national partners, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and private partners. Objects on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum include much loved comedian and entertainer Tommy Cooper’s headtwister illusion

magic trick and costumes worn by comedy stars Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. A rare signed black bowler hat which was owned by film and comedy star Stan Laurel and acquired by Blackpool Council will also be on view. Items will also be showcased from Blackpool Council’s The Blackpool Tower and Winter Gardens Archive – the largest collection of entertainment history in the town exploring its 125 year circus history with posters and incredible photographs. Cllr Simon Blackburn, Blackpool Council Leader said: “Everyone who has worked so hard to make the Showtown dream a reality is so excited as we announce and reveal more details about this fantastic project. “Showtown will join other iconic attractions in the town and will celebrate Blackpool’s rich heritage and its unique place in the nation’s heart.

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Roll Up! Roll Up! Circus theme. Image: Casson Masson

“At the centre of the attraction’s new identity is a bright and distinctive logo and brand. The name itself and the strapline ‘The museum of fun and entertainment’ really reflects the spirit and aim of the museum which is to engage local residents and visitors through fun, laughter and stories, sharing what makes Blackpool special. “A huge thanks goes out to all the council officers, volunteers, supporters and funders who have driven forward and supported this project which will be enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors alike.” David Renwick, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Blackpool is famed for its glittering Illuminations, the thrills and spills at the Pleasure Beach and the fancy footwork seen in the Tower Ballroom, so Showtown is an incredibly fitting name for the museum, celebrating the seaside town’s heritage. We’re incredibly proud that The National Lottery Heritage Fund have invested in the development of the museum to showcase Blackpool’s prominent position in British popular culture, as well as being a beacon for the town’s cultural regeneration.” Chairman of the Lancashire 14

Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Steve Fogg said: “We were pleased to be able to provide £1.5m in Lancashire Growth Deal funding to support this prestigious and exciting project. “This world-class museum is an important component in an impressive portfolio of major, high-quality infrastructure projects supported by the LEP in Blackpool, which include the new conference centre and hotel scheme, the tramway extension and improvements to bridges, traffic management and the town centre. “We are using our funds strategically to complement and support the hundreds of millions of pounds which have been invested in the renewal of Blackpool in recent years, to unlock further investment and maximise the economic opportunities created for the local community. “These projects will help attract many more tourists and business visitors to Blackpool, fostering the growth of local businesses, creating substantial employment opportunities and driving economic growth local and in Lancashire as whole.” Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, the Rt Hon Jake Berry MP, said: “Ensuring

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our coastal towns have the support they need to thrive is at the heart of this Government’s plan to level up every part of the country. “That’s why I’m delighted that thanks to £1.75 million of support from our Coastal Communities Fund that Showtown will help unlock Blackpool’s economic potential by increasing tourism, encouraging investment and creating a world-class attraction that will be enjoyed by both residents and visitors for years to come.” Showtown will serve as the jewel in the crown of Blackpool’s ambitious regeneration investment plans, enabling culture-led economic growth by providing a memorable, quality and educational venue for visitors, creating new jobs and skills, and by bringing people together to celebrate the Blackpool story. It is projected that Showtown will attract about 300,000 local, regional, national and international visits each year; engage with 7,500 local school children annually; create around 40 FTE jobs and 20 training placements and play a critical role in Blackpool’s re-imagining for the 21st Century. www.showtownblackpool.co.uk www.lancmag.com

Scafell Pike Located in the Lake District National Park and standing at a height of 978 metres (3209 feet) above sea level Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England, and the highest point in any direction for 90 miles. By Mark Bateman

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t is believed the name derives from the old Norse ‘skalli fjall’ meaning the fell with the bald summit. Along with ill Crag and Broad Crag the three peaks were known as ‘The Pikes’ (meaning peaks) until 1830 when it got its own name. Scafell Pike is part of a horseshoe of high fells known as the Southern Fells. These fells surround Eskdale Head. To the South is Scafell and to the North Great End. The pike begins at the ridge of Mickledore in the South Lakes. It then rises to take in Broad Crag col at 920 metres, Broad Crag at 934 metres and Ill Crag at 935 metres. These peaks are separated by Ill Crag Col. To the north of Ill Crag, it dips to 830 metres at Calf Cove before climbing again to Great End. The summit Plateau is jagged, boulder strewn, and surrounded by Crags on all sides. Pikes Crag and Dropping Crag are situated over www.lancmag.com

Wasdale, and Rough Crag is to the East. Below Rough Crag there is another level called Dow Crag and Central Pillar. The pillar is popular with rock climbers and is known to them as Esk Buttress. The mountain summit was donated to the National Trust in 1919 by landowner Lord Leconfield. It was to serve as a memorial for all the Lake District men who gave their lives in the First world War (1914-18) The geology of the mountain makes for fascinating study. It is formed of igneous rock which is rock formed by the cooling and solidification of lava and magma. It is believed it was formed during the Ordovician period some 400 million years ago. The mountain is part of the ‘Borrowdale Volcanics’ a group of large igneous rock formations in Borrowdale. It is believed the large boulder field on the mountain was caused by the processes of erosion, frost action and www.lancmag.com

weathering on the rocks over thousands of years. The mountain is incredibly popular with walkers. It is particularly wellknown as part of the ‘Three Peaks Challenge’ where teams of walkers attempt to summit the highest mountains in England, Scotland (Ben Nevis) and Wales (Snowdon) in under 24 hours. There are four main routes up the mountain, and all have varying degrees of difficulty. They are setting off from: Great Langdale, Borrowdale, Eskdale and Wasdale Head. The shortest route begins at the Wasdale Head Inn at about 80 metres above sea level. This route is approximately 6 miles and takes 2-4 hours depending on pace and of course, the weather. The National Trust estimates that in 2014 over 100,000 people made the ascent from Wasdale Head. Anyone with reasonable fitness can make the climb, but it is important to

be prepared for sudden changes in the weather, even in summer. The weather at the summit can differ dramatically from that at the base of the climb, and the summit will definitely be a few degrees colder. It is recommended to carry warm clothing, proper waterproofs and to wear proper walking boots. Always plan a route before hand and tell people where you’re going. Scafell Pike can also lay claim to a couple of other amazing records. Firstly, it is believed it is also home to the highest body of water in Broad Crag Tarn which lies 400 metres south of the Summit. Not only that but lying at the base of Scafell Pike is Wastwater the deepest Lake in England at 258 feet deep. Now that you know it’s out there, why not get prepared and take on the challenge of England’s highest mountain?

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By The Waters of Liverpool Interview with Sian Reeves on playing Helen Forrester’s Mother in the Spring UK Tour 2020 of’ By The Waters Of Liverpool’ and why she feels at home on the cobbles of ‘Coronation Street’

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familiar and much-loved face on stage and screen, actress Sian Reeves is about to cause a stir on the cobbles of Coronation Street. But Sian is also about to take on a headline role in the brand-new stage production of Helen Forrester’s By The Waters Of Liverpool. Sian will play the role of Helen’s Mother, Celia Forrester, a testing and challenging role portraying a strong

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woman affected by her life, and that of her family, being turned upside down. By The Waters Of Liverpool Spring 2020 UK Tour opens on Tuesday 3 March at the New Brighton Floral Pavilion in Wirral – just a few miles from where acclaimed author Helen Forrester was born. The 11-week national tour will visit 17 venues across the country and follows a hugely successful run at the

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Liverpool Empire Theatre in October 2018, when the new production was premiered to rave reviews. After opening in New Brighton, the tour will then head to Stockport, Warrington, St Helens, Lancaster, Crewe, Southport, Rhyl, Swansea, Darlington, Malvern, Eastbourne, Isle Of Man, Hayes, Winchester, Liverpool, and Blackpool. The touring cast also features Mark Moraghan, Parry Glasspool, Lucy Dixon, Eric Potts, Lynn Francis, Danny O’Brien, Roy Carruthers, and Chloe McDonald. In celebration of Helen Forrester’s 100th Birthday, an iconic Blue Plaque will be unveiled at a special event in February at the late author’s family home in Hoylake – a place which featured heavily in Helen’s four volumes of best-selling autobiography, including Twopence To Cross The Mersey. Sian will be joined by fellow cast member, Mark Moraghan who plays Helen’s Father, and Helen Forrester’s son Robert Bhatia to unveil the Blue Plaque. Ahead of going into rehearsals for By The Waters Of Liverpool, Sian talks

about what a challenging and important role she has to play portraying Helen’s Mother, Celia. She explains: “I’m playing Helen’s Mother, Celia Forrester, who is a wonderfully complex person. From money, status and class before the great depression of the 1930s, to then losing everything and being dumped in a damp bug infested house with one cold water tap, and one toilet – with seven children to look after. She absolutely cannot shake herself out of the nightmare that is now her new life. She is stunned that her husband, who once held a senior position in the financial world, cannot find work and they have to grovel for hand-outs from the local parish. “To escape the confines of their now smelly, claustrophobic house, she leaves the day-to-day running of the family to her 11-year-old daughter Helen, which manifests itself and show her as a very strict and uncaring woman. Helen actually said of her mother, ‘her bouts of temper bordered on insanity’ – it really shows just how exhausted and dreadfully depressed she is. It’s a great role to play.” Sian also spoke about her delight in being asked to help unveil the Blue LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 21

Plaque to celebrate Helen Forrester’s life and literary achievements. She added: “I have read about five of Helen’s books and it’s a real treat to be rereading and playing Celia. I also feel very honoured to have been asked to unveil Helen’s Blue Plaque with my lovely co-star Mark Moraghan, who I’ve worked with before. Helen was a magnificently clever woman, and it will be lovely to meet some of her family at this very special occasion.” West Bromwich born Sian Reeves is an original cast member of the 1985 stage production of Les Misérables. She also later appeared in the 25th anniversary performance at London’s O2. Sian has already shared a stage with fellow By The Waters Of Liverpool cast member Mark Moraghan in celebrity TV singing contest, Just The Two Of Us – when Sian and opera singer Russell Watson 22

won the competition. Sian’s television credits also include Casualty, Cutting It, Emmerdale, Hope Springs, Holby City and, more recently Coronation Street. Theatre credits include West Side Story, Love Me Tender, The Merchant Of Venice, and The Little Match Girl. Sian can currently be seen appearing in Coronation Street, where she is sending revelations and shock waves throughout Weatherfield. Sian plays Charlie Wood, the wife Tim Metcalfe didn’t know he had. They married some years ago on a whim after meeting in Las Vegas – however Tim presumed it was a spoof wedding. Until now when he realises the drunken ceremony was actually legally binding. Fearful of being charged with bigamy, Tim tracks Charlie down and asks for a divorce. But things don’t quite go to plan when Charlie arrives in The Street. Sian adds:

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“Charlie Wood is a sweet girl. When they meet up again, Tim doesn’t mention being married to Sally. He lavishes a lot of attention on her to get the divorce, and she thinks he’s in love with her. Humiliated when Sally confronts them – she runs off without signing the papers. But if Tim was hoping he’d seen the last of her, he was very much mistaken. Watch this space!” By The Waters Of Liverpool is set in the 1930s after Helen’s father went bankrupt during the Depression. Her family were forced to leave behind the nannies, servants and comfortable middle-class life in the South West of England. The Forrester’s chose Liverpool to rebuild their shattered lives, but they were in for a terrible shock. Taken out of school to look after her young siblings, Helen is treated as an unpaid slave. So begins a bitter fight with her parents for the right to go out to work and make her own way in life. www.lancmag.com

FAR LEFT AND LEFT: Performing in ‘By The Waters of Liverpool’ BELOW: Tim and Charlie in Coronation Street

But by 1939 and with Britain on the verge of war, Helen now aged 20, has still never been kissed by a man. But things start looking up for her when she meets a tall strong seaman and falls in love. The new touring production of By The Waters Of Liverpool is again produced by Pulse Records Limited in association with Bill Elms and is directed by Gareth Tudor Price. It also features sizeable chunks from Helen’s earlier book Liverpool Miss, together with flashbacks to Twopence To Cross The Mersey. By The Waters Of Liverpool has sold more than a million books. Now this is your chance to see it come to life in this brand-new stage play adaptation. For more information visit www.bythewatersofliverpool. com or www.facebook.com/ ByTheWatersThePlay www.lancmag.com

STOCKPORT PLAZA Tuesday 10 March – Thursday 12 March 2020 Mersey Square, Stockport, SK1 1SP Tickets from £22 plus booking fee Website: www.stockportplaza.co.uk Box Office: 0161 477 7779 WARRINGTON PARR HALL Saturday 14 March – Sunday 15 March 2020 Palmyra Square,Warrington, WA1 1BL Tickets from £22 plus booking fee Website: www.parrhall.culturewarrington.org/ whats-on Box Office: 01925 442345 ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL Tuesday 17 March – Saturday 21 March 2020 Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1LQ Tickets from £22 plus booking fee Website: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com Box Office: 01744 756000

CREWE LYCEUM Wednesday 25 March – Thursday 26 March 2020 Heath Street, Crewe, CW1 2DA Tickets from £22 plus booking fee Website: www.crewelyceum.co.uk Box Office: 01270 368242 SOUTHPORT THEATRE Friday 27 March – Saturday 28 March 2020 The Promenade, Southport, PR9 0DZ Tickets from £22 plus booking fee Website: www.waterfrontsouthport.co.uk/ events/whats-on Box Office: 01704 500036 GRAND THEATRE BLACKPOOL Monday 11 May – Wednesday 13 May 2020 33 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1HT Tickets from £22 plus booking fee Website: https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/ Box Office: 01253 290190

LANCASTER GRAND THEATRE Monday 23 March – Tuesday 24 March 2020 St Leonardgate, Lancaster, LA1 1QW Tickets from £22 plus booking fee Website: www.lancastergrand.co.uk Box Office: 01524 64695

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Merseyside By Stephen Roberts

trap awaits the unwitting writer when scribing about ‘Merseyside’ and that’s to equate it with Liverpool, which is a half-truth at best. Merseyside 24

is a metropolitan (or large urban) county, one of six that were created in England on 1st April 1974 (based on the Local Government Act of 1972),

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when central government tinkered with our historic counties. Merseyside was created from former bits of the old administrative counties of Lancashire www.lancmag.com

Gateway to Merseyside, Grade II Listed Liverpool Lime Street Station, pictured in March 2018 (author – ‘Rodhullandemu’).

(including the county boroughs of Liverpool, Bootle and St Helens) and Cheshire (with the county boroughs of Birkenhead and Wallasey). Each of these new metropolitan counties is, in turn, divided into so many metropolitan boroughs (Merseyside has five of these today: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral www.lancmag.com

and the City of Liverpool), the whole area amounting to around 250 square miles, with a population of around 1.425 million (mid-2018), which gives a population density of around 5,700 bods per square mile (that’s quite a few folks). Liverpool City Centre bestows a very influential central business district, but, as already inferred, this

is not just about the core, for each of those five metropolitan districts has at least one major town centre of its own, with Wirral dominated by its own Birkenhead Urban Area. I have a question here for my friends across the water there. Is it ‘Wirral’ or ‘the Wirral’? I have it in mind that it’s Wirral, like Ukraine (not the Ukraine). I’ve been there by the way (Wirral and Ukraine). Another indication of the scope of Merseyside is that it currently returns 15 MPs to the Westminster parliament. At the recent December 2019 election, Merseyside rather bucked the national trend by returning 14 Labour Members of Parliament, so the so-called ‘Red Wall’ is still alive and well in this part of the world, even if it was falling elsewhere. The one exception to the Merseyside rule was Southport, where the Conservative Damien Moore was returned with an enhanced majority. I will refrain from making any overtly political comments, other than to say that I’ve always felt very much at home on Merseyside. Merseyside is formed by the metropolis that sits either side of the lower reaches of the mighty Mersey Estuary (yes, that’s why it’s called ‘Merseyside’) and it is a lot more than Liverpool itself, as I’ve been saying. Wirral contributes the likes of Birkenhead and Wallasey, whilst Crosby, Formby and even Southport are included as we head north along the coast. South of Liverpool the metropolitan county extends as far as Speke and John Lennon International Airport, whilst to the east the likes of St Helens, Newton-le-Willows, Haydock and Garswood all feature. It’s overwhelmingly urban in character, but not exclusively so. Nevertheless, ‘metropolitan county’ (from metropolis) feels about right. My normally reliable ‘The Shell Guide to England’ (1973) omits to mention ‘Merseyside’, of course, for it didn’t exist, as such, except perhaps as a sense of place. If it had been compiled a year later, it would have been quite different. It does, however, list the

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Iconic Liverpool skyline (author – Tim Dutton, source – Flickr, Royal Iris of the Mersey leaving the Pier Head Landing Stage, Liverpool). ‘Mersey Tunnel’ (1934) amongst its attractions, a road tunnel connecting central Liverpool with Birkenhead (now known as the ‘Queensway Tunnel’, but also the ‘Birkenhead Tunnel’ or ‘Old Tunnel’). The ‘Old’ bit differentiates it from a more recent tunnel, the ‘Kingsway Tunnel’ (1971), which runs instead to Wallasey. The road tunnels had been easily preceded by the Mersey rail tunnel of 1886 (which is still used today by Merseyrail’s Wirral Line), the road and rail links connecting the two sides of the estuary (steam ferries had been operating since 1817). The Queensway Tunnel got on the big screen in 2010 when it featured in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1’. Now, I have a bit of previous (or form) where Merseyside is concerned, which gives me some street-cred for this feature. When I worked in ‘The Office’ (in Bournemouth), we had a sister hub in Liverpool (Old Hall Street). I usually kipped at a Premier Inn (Vernon Street), occasionally at the Adelphi, and tried to get out and about. I can confess now that my work visits were often tied in 26

with footie matches (apologies to my former boss, who half suspected as much, but never managed to blow my cover), and yes, I did get to Anfield and Goodison Park, but also Prenton Park (Birkenhead) and a host of other smaller grounds around Merseyside, including Vauxhall Motors, Cammell Laird, Bootle, Formby, Southport and St Helens Town. I loved them all (Southport’s Haig Avenue a particular favourite, so I went there twice). I was able to get around using ‘Merseyrail’, including through that Mersey Railway Tunnel to t’other side (Wirral). See, I’m warming to my theme now; more than just Liverpool. And as for the friendliness of Merseyside, well, when I pitched up at Bootle FC and confessed to having come from Bournemouth, I was invited into the board room for half-time nibbles. I haven’t forgotten that (I guess they thought I was a long range supporter). There are, of course, gateways into Merseyside, including the river itself. That river has spawned some of the metropolitan county’s most amazing sights, sounds and stories, from its docks

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(both sides of the water, including the iconic and much restored Albert Dock), the onetime docks overhead railway (an early sky train), Liverpool’s Pier Head, the ocean-going liners, the Three Graces (including those liver birds), Anthony Gormley’s thoughtprovoking ‘Another Place’ (where his figures seem as transfixed by the water as myself) and that trademark ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’. My preferred mode of transport has always been the railway, so I would regularly rock up at Lime Street station, the one remaining grand terminus Liverpool possesses, which originally opened in August 1836 and is today the oldest grand terminus mainline station still in use in the whole wide world. Exchange station closed, although its splendid frontage remains in Tithebarn Street, whilst Central was even unluckier, disappearing almost totally, to be replaced by a modern Merseyrail station. Then there’s the airport at Speke, rebranded as John Lennon International, a reminder of ‘Merseybeat’, another product www.lancmag.com

ABOVE: The then Duke of Edinburgh opening the new entrance to the Great Northern Docks, Birkenhead, 1866 (author – The Illustrated London News, source – Google Books). RIGHT: Aerial view of Merseyside. From a vantage point over West Lancashire we’re looking towards Liverpool, then the Mersey, Wirral, the Dee and beyond that Wales and the Welsh mountains (author – Doc Searls from Santa Barbara, USA, source 2007_05_01-2_lhr-lax_037. jpg). BOTTOM RIGHT: Gateway to Merseyside, John Lennon International Airport, Speke (author – ‘Rept0n1x’), source – Speke and Garston Walk). of Merseyside. Mention of Lennon and Merseybeat reminds me that when I finally fled ‘The Office’ (parole for good behaviour) and took up freelance writing, I was able to return to Merseyside to sniff out some stories. I’ve written about the ‘Beatles’, the railway stations past and present, Charles Dickens (who used to entertain up here with his readings), Liverpool’s twinning tales, Merseyside in the movies and the Grand National. There is so www.lancmag.com

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Crosby Beach and Anthony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’ (author – Chris Howells, source – edited version of Image: Another Place3.jpg). MERSEYSIDE MARVELS (Steve’s favourites) LIVERPOOL – Albert Dock and the Beatles Story Museum The Cavern Club Liverpool Cathedrals (Anglican and R.C.) Mersey Tunnels Pier Head St George’s Hall KNOWSLEY – Knowsley Hall ST HELENS – Haydock Park Racecourse St Helens World of Glass SEFTON – Aintree Racecourse Crosby Beach Formby Map of Metropolitan County of Merseyside showing current and former boundaries (author ‘Jza84’, source – Own work). much material in this metropolitan county and just not enough time to write all the features (and I’m thinking I need to get out and about a bit more to the likes of Wirral, Knowsley and Southport for Merseyside is indeed a county of many colours). It is rich in history, heritage, humour and homeliness. Bootle FC did me proud, but it was pushed very close by the lady in 28

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Southport Pier WIRRAL – Birkenhead Park Hamilton Square Port Sunlight the café at St George’s Hall, Liverpool, who’d closed up for the evening, but served me anyway. That’s Merseyside for you, through and through. www.lancmag.com

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Abram flash by Alan Wright

HS2 – new report reveals exorbitant cost to nature A new report published by The Wildlife Trusts today reveals, for the first time, the vast scale of the destruction and impact that HS2 will cause to nature.

Abram flash by Alan Wright

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nd local conservationists fear it will split vitally important mossland areas in half, destroying decades of work creating Nature Recovery Networks across the North West region. ‘What’s the damage? Why HS2 will cost nature too much’ is the most comprehensive assessment of the environmental damage that HS2 will cause. It assesses the broad range of impacts across all phases of HS2 on protected wildlife sites, species and landscape restoration projects. After studying the plan which will affect The Lancashire Wildlife Trust reserves including Astley Moss and Abram Moss, Chief Executive Anne Selby said: “This project is costing us the earth, quite literally.” Drawing on data from 14 Wildlife Trusts affected by the current plans, other charities and landowners* along the route, the report shows that HS2 will divide and destroy huge swathes of irreplaceable natural habitat and important protected wildlife sites up the length of England. This will cause permanent loss of nature, increased fragmentation of wild places, and the local extinction of endangered species. www.lancmag.com

Small Red Damsefly, Abram Flashes

Sun Dew on Astley Moss

The report finds that HS2’s current proposals will risk the loss of, or significantly impact: • Five Wildlife refuges of international importance, protected by UK law • 33 Sites of Special Scientific Interest which are protected by UK law • 693 Classified Local Wildlife Sites • 21 Designated Local Nature Reserves • 26 Large landscape-scale initiatives, including: • Four Nature Improvement Areas awarded £1.7 million of public money • 22 Living Landscapes – partnership schemes to restore nature • 18 Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves – many are also designated wildlife sites • 108 Ancient woodlands, an irreplaceable habitat • Other irreplaceable habitats such as veteran trees, wood pasture, old meadows • Extensive further areas of wider natural habitat • Barn owls and endangered wildlife such white-clawed crayfish, willow tit and lizard orchid. Rarities like dingy skipper may become locally extinct. www.lancmag.com

Nikki Williams, The Wildlife Trusts’ director of campaigns and policy says: “The figures are grim and the reality is worse. The potential loss of so many really important wild places and the wildlife that depends on them has never been revealed before – nor has the damage that will be done to taxpayerfunded, nature recovery projects. HS2 will destroy precious carbon-capturing habitats if it’s allowed to continue in its current form – it will damage the very ecosystems that provide a natural solution to the climate emergency. “The data also shows that HS2 Ltd’s proposed mitigation and compensation is inadequate and the small measures that they have suggested are inappropriate – amateurish suggestions of paltry measures in the wrong places. Nature and our climate are already in big trouble and we must not make a dire situation even worse – that’s why we are calling on the Prime Minister to stop and rethink the entire development.” Anne Selby added: “We have had a huge leap of public awareness on climate change and ecology, declarations of climate change and ecological emergency across the

country, strident demands that ‘we should do better’, from the next generation and yet we are still failing to safeguard our natural assets and find a proper balance in decision making. “HS2 is a fine example of Government failing to apply standards to its own projects that it expects others to comply with, such as no net loss to the environment. This plan will cause irreparable damage to 108 woods, peat bogs, that are storing carbon, and hundreds of precious wildlife sites. This project is costing us the earth, quite literally. It is time to rethink HS2.” The Wildlife Trusts believe that if HS2 has to go ahead, a new approach is needed – one that, in keeping with current government commitments, takes a greener approach which leaves the natural world in a better condition than it was before. Nikki Williams adds: “The Government has pledged to create a Nature Recovery Network – a commitment to reverse wildlife’s decline by creating more habitat and green arteries that allow nature to spread and thrive once more. Developments like HS2 should not be a permanent barrier to wildlife – they should be designed to enhance, not harm, the environment. It’s not too late to stop and rethink now – before HS2 creates a scar that can never heal.” The Wildlife Trusts’ report ‘What’s the damage? Why HS2 will cost nature too much’ can be downloaded at www. wildlifetrusts.org/HS2-report. The Wildlife Trusts are urging people to send a message to the Prime Minister – stop and rethink! This e-action will be live from Wednesday 15th January: wtru.st/ReThink-HS2 Early on in the planning stages of HS2, The Wildlife Trusts developed A Greener Vision for HS2. This report provides the large-scale thinking lacking from current HS2 Ltd plans and, if considered, could provide the net gain for wildlife that is so vital to allow our natural world to recover. While HS2 Ltd has proposed a green corridor along the route, it is far from adequate and can only be seen as a start to delivering a necessarily more ambitious vision. The Wildlife Trusts are deeply concerned at reports that HS2 has removed its intention to “minimise the combined effect of the project” on climate change and the environment from its policy.

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 31

Paid Content

An award winning photographer is to open Morecambe’s newest gallery with his surreal focus on the advertising world.

avid Stewart¹s Paid Content exhibition launches the White Elephant Gallery in its new Euston Road location on February 8. Lancaster-born David, a winner of the prestigious Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize, has chosen the setting of an advertising agency as the subject for Paid Content. It¹s an environment he knows well, having worked in it for almost 40 years. His wry, documentary photographs explore the changing face of workplace culture and the growth of large, faceless corporations and globalisation. Much like Hogarth did centuries ago, David¹s images hold up a mirror to a slice of modern life. It is the people and culture I see around me every day that influence my work,² said David. ³There is nothing stranger than what I see in real life which is why my photographs appear slightly surreal. David’s association with the White Elephant contemporary art gallery began last year when his Fogeys exhibition attracted almost a thousand people at its previous Arndale Centre location. His career began photographing punk bands and also colourful

32 000

characters on Morecambe Promenade, work which directly influenced his now recognisable style. After graduating from Blackpool and The Fylde College, David moved to London in 1981 where he rapidly established himself as one of the UK¹s most highly accomplished photographers. In 1995 he directed and produced the BAFTA nominated short film Cabbage and in 2015, he won The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery. A year later, he received The Royal Photographic Society award for outstanding achievement and excellence in the fields of editorial, advertising and fashion photography and his work

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features regularly at the Royal Academy Summer Show. Paul Kondras and Neil Wilson are the creative force behind the White Elephant Gallery which first opened its doors in the Arndale Centre in April 2018. Paul, who lives in Hest Bank, is an artist and production designer and Morecambe-based Neil is an artist and therapist. The contemporary art gallery, now at 40 Euston Road, was founded as a cultural experiment and in less than two years has built a regular following. Paid Content, which is also available as a book, runs until March 21 at the White Elephant Gallery from Thursday-Saturday, 10am-4pm. Admission is free.

www.lancmag.com www.lancmag.com

he literary lions of eray and, of course, ists Sir John Gilbert, edited Bentley’s nthly Magazine, and e audience until a edly pernicious eputation was built

For sixteen years, spending three en has published NEW BOOK RELEASE he 19th Century RRP: £25 Memoirs of a Penny-

The Author Who Outsold Dickens

ISBN: 9781526720696

264 PAGES ½ · ½ HARDBACK

The Life and Work of W H Ainsworth

PUBLISHED: JANUARY 2020

illiam Harrison Ainsworth

PEN & SWORD HISTORY is probably the most

successful 19th Century writer that most people haven’t heard of. Born 4 February 1805 in King Street, Manchester, Ainsworth was an intimate of all the greats, Dickens, in particular, who visited Manchester with Ainsworth often. This new book goes beyond his writing into a fascinating life, often told in his own voice through his unpublished letters. It is ultimately a celebration of why William Ainsworth is undoubtedly “The Lancashire Dickens”. Many of his novels constitute a history of the British Monarchy in epic, romantic and gothic terms; much of his Guy Fawkes novel is set in Lancashire and involves Robert Catesby’s failed insurrection that was supposed to follow the bombing of Parliament. Ainsworth also wrote a famous gothic novel about the (Pendle) Lancashire Witches. His semi-autobiographical novel Mervyn Clitheroe provides a vivid portrait of early-Victorian Manchester, Lancashire

a4091f77d738

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and Cheshire. The Manchester Rebels is the story of the Manchester Jacobites, Bonnie Prince Charlie’s visit to Manchester, and the failed rebellion of 1745. Book Highlights • A new biography of an unjustly neglected Victorian novelist, with original research drawing on his unpublished correspondence, and his work as both a journalist and a novelist. • An accessible study of the rise of the modern English novel, from the 18th century gothic romance to Victorian realism. • Includes rare illustrations from Ainsworth’s serial romances by George Cruikshank, Hablot K. Browne (‘Phiz’) and Sir John Gilbert, and early sketches by Daniel Maclise. • Explores the Newgate Controversy in context: Its 18th Century antecedents, the politics of rebellion, and the schism it created between

Ainsworth and Dickens. Demonstrates how Ainsworth’s historical ction invented myths that became so ingrained in the British psyche that they are nowadays unproblematically considered to be true stories. About the author Dr Stephen Carver is a cultural historian, freelance editor and novelist. For sixteen years, he taught literature and creative writing at the University of East Anglia, spending three years in Japan as Professor of English at the University of Fukui. Stephen has published extensively on 19th century literature and history; he is the author of The 19th Century Underworld: Crime, Controversy and Corruption, and Shark Alley: The Memoirs of a Penny-a-Liner, a historical novel about the wreck of the Birkenhead. More information available at www.pen-and-sword.co.uk •

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BELOW: A game of mob football RIGHT: A traditional pancake race

The History of Pancake Day By Mark Bateman

hrove Tuesday, or as it is more commonly known now- Pancake Day is a long- standing event still celebrated in modern times. It is a ‘moveable feast’ and can be anywhere between February 3rd and March 9th. It is always 47 days before Easter Sunday and is the day before Ash Wednesday which is the start of Lent. The word ‘Shrove’ comes from ‘Shrive’ which means to absolve of sin. Traditionally, in religious societies it was a time for deep reflection as well as a chance to take confession and be absolved of sins. It is believed Shrove Tuesday dates to the middle ages. During these times the church bells (shriving bells) were rung to call people to church before they made their pancakes. In the Elizabethan era (158-1603)

the Monday before Shrove Tuesday was known as ‘collop Monday’. A collop was a piece of meat (normally bacon) and it was traditionally the last day meat was eaten before it was given up for Lent. This tradition still carries on in many countries such as Portugal, Spain and Brazil who celebrate ‘Carnival’ which means the ‘putting away of flesh’ for the Lent period. In France (and other countries) it is known as ‘Mardi Gras’ which means ‘Fat Tuesday’, and again this is the day for eating up all rich, fatty foods before Lent begins. The one thing all these countries have in common is people eat some form of Pancakes. In this country traditionally pancakes were a way of using up indulgent foodstuffs such as dairy, milk and sugar before the 40 days

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of Lent began. These days many people still give up an unhealthy vice, such as eating too much chocolate, for Lent, The ingredients in pancakes are simple but they have a symbolic value. Eggs symbolise creation, flour – the staff of life, salt- wholesomeness, and milk – purity. But it’s not just eating pancakes that marks Shrove Tuesday. There are many rituals and festivals that have survived to this day. One of the more energetic is the traditional game of ‘mob football’. This game is believed to have been played on Shrove Tuesday as far back as the Middle Ages (600 -1066) Two teams, usually from opposing villages, often numbering hundreds of (traditionally) men try to carry an inflated pig’s bladder across their opponent’s goal line. There are few rules, other than players are not actually www.lancmag.com

allowed to kill each other! This game gradually evolved into what we now know as football, but it is still played the traditional way on Shrove Tuesday at places such as Ashbourne in Derbyshire. But, by far the most popular surviving tradition, taking place in schools and villages, across the country are pancake races. It is believed this tradition started in Olney Buckinghamshire in 1445. A housewife was so busy making her pancakes that she forgot to get ready for church. It wasn’t until she heard the bells ringing that she realised she would be late. What could she do? She had a hot pancake on the stove. Legend has it that she ran all the way to church tossing her pancake in the pan so it wouldn’t stick, and a great tradition was born. www.lancmag.com

Races still take place on Shrove Tuesday in Olney. The race is contested over a 415-yard course and the rules say the pancake must not be dropped and must be tossed at the start, and finish, of the race. The Contestants must wear a scarf and apron and are traditionally women, though these days anyone can take part! In Scarborough a Shrove Tuesday tradition is that schools close early and people are invited to take part in skipping with long ropes and other festivities. Ropes are brought up from the harbour and up to ten people skip on one long rope. In Whitechapel (Lancashire) traditions are kept alive by children who visit households and say, ‘Please a pancake’ and in return are given fruit or sweets. It is believed this practice dates from when poor farm workers

visited wealthy manors asking for fillings for their pancakes. Even parliament gets involved in Shrove Tuesday Festivities London with the Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race which is contested between the House of Lords, the House of Commons and the Fourth Estate (media) This helps raise awareness of the charity Re- hab who provide, health, social care and training for disadvantaged people. Now you know all about Pancake day there’s only one more thing to decide, I’m having the classic lemon and sugar but what are you going to have on yours?

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Sports Roundup LANCASTER-BASED WINNER ANNOUNCED AT ENGLAND ATHLETICS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER AWARDS Lancaster-based Louise Goddard was tonight named winner of the Volunteer of the Year Award at the England Athletics National Volunteer Awards 2019. The incredible contribution made by eight other volunteers around the country was also celebrated when the world of athletics and running gathered together at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole for the annual England Athletics Hall of Fame and National Volunteer Awards, sponsored by Track & Field Tours. Louise Goddard from Mental Health Mile/Legit Lancaster had been named a winner at the 2019 England Athletics Regional Volunteer Awards in September and was then selected by a panel to receive a prestigious National Volunteer Award. Speaking at the awards night, Louise Goddard, 52, said: “It’s so satisfying seeing people take part who thought they could never do a sporting event and get a medal for it.” ENGLAND ATHLETICS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER AWARDS WINNERS 2019 • Coach of the Year: Liz Sissons (South East – Epsom & Ewell Harriers) • Official of the Year: Kevin Diedrick (London – Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies) • Club of the Year: Doncaster Athletic Club (Yorkshire & Humber) • Inclusion Award: Judy Cuckston (South West – Tavistock AC) • RunTogether Group of the Year: So Let’s Go Running (South East) • RunTogether Leader of the Year: Shelby Williams (North West – Lions Running Community) • Services to Athletics: Peter Warden (North West – Preston Harriers) V• olunteer of the Year: Louise Goddard (North West – Mental Health

Mile / Legit Lancaster) • Young Volunteer of the Year: Abigail Pickard (East – Stevenage & North Herts AC) ENGLAND ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES 2019 The event shone a spotlight on volunteers, often the unsung heroes of athletics and running, who work tirelessly behind the scenes and without whom the sport could not exist. They were celebrated in an evening that also saw eight legends of the sport inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame 2019: • Christine Ohuruogu – Olympic and double World Champion 400m runner • Phillips Idowu – World Champion triple jumper • Kelly Sotherton – Commonwealth Games heptathlon gold medallist • Paul Dickenson – international hammer thrower turned BBC commentator and coach • Jenny Archer – record breaking

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coach and founder of the Weir Archer Academy • Robbie Brightwell – former 400m UK record holder and European gold medallist •Mark Rowland – Olympic medalwinning steeplechaser and UK record holder after 30 years • Willie Applegarth – early 1900s sprint Olympic medallist and world record breaker. Chris Jones, CEO of England Athletics, said: “It’s wonderful to bring together people from all parts of the country and all areas of athletics and running to celebrate those who make our sport great. The volunteers in our sport play an absolutely vital role and one for which we are all extremely grateful. We’re delighted to be able to reward our National Volunteer Awards winners for their outstanding work and it’s great that they can also join us at tonight’s event to help welcome the new inductees into our England Athletics Hall of Fame.”

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een gardener and mum, Joanne Timperley from Wardle, Lancashire, has had her first children’s book published. Titled ‘Who Stole My Seeds?’, the book is aimed at parents to help young children to read, and to stimulate their interest in animals and plants in the garden. Based on her real-life experiences, Joanne’s 42-page book, beautifully illustrated by famous children’s book illustrator Sarah-Leigh Wills, recounts how she saved her last sunflower seed from the attentions of various hungry garden visitors, including a squirrel, hedgehog, blackbird and robin. In a happy ending, the 8ft sunflower grows into the tallest anyone has ever seen and then, when it finished flowering, created hundreds of sunflower seeds for all the garden creatures to feast on – and more besides - to produce a host of giant sunflowers the next year. Joanne commented, “The story I tell actually happened to me. I told the tale to Sarah-Leigh and she encouraged me to write the book. I love the finished product, which is designed to share with young children as a bedtime read. They really get drawn into the drama of saving the last seed as the story unfolds and it grows from a small seedling into an 8ft giant sunflower.” The book is educational too. Throughout the story it gives simple instructions for the parent and child to plant sunflower seeds in pots or in their garden, care for them and watch them grow. “Children love the idea of planning their own giant ‘beanstalk-like’ sunflowers – and they really do grow to over 8ft tall,” said Joanne. “Despite their size they are the easiest of plants to grow…as long as you protect them from garden visitors! They are a spectacular summer sight,” she added. About the book Mrs Greenfingers was puzzled – who or what kept eating the sunflower seeds when she wasn’t looking? Come with her to find out. Was it the cheeky robin, or the big blackbird? Maybe it was her friend the squirrel, or the hedgehog who visited her garden each night. Or something else. She sets out to solve the mystery – and to protect her last seed! Through Mrs Greenfingers’ love and attention, the seed grew bigger, and bigger, until it became the tallest

Wardle first time author publishes Children’s Book sunflower anyone had ever seen. It was a real giant! Everyone was amazed. She never did find out who was eating her seeds, but her giant sunflower produced enough seeds to feed all the garden animals and birds – and many more for all her friends to grow their own beautiful sunflowers. The book is a fast paced and educational ‘whodunnit’ story for parents and carers to read to children, or for young readers to read on their own. Beautifully illustrated in collaboration with professional illustrator, Sarah Leigh Wills, the book shares an exciting story, based on author Joanne Timperley’s real life experience, and encourages the reader to find out more about garden wildlife and, indeed, provides all the information required to grow their own sunflowers. ‘Who Stole My Seeds?’ is available from Pegasus Elliott Mackenzie Publishers Ltd www. pegasuspublishers.com

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PR Call Blocker, makers of the UK¹s best-selling call blocking device, has compiled the list of the most active scams doing the rounds in the North West and is urging people in the area to be on their guard. The five most active scams in the North West at the moment are

1. Police scam - you may receive a call

from someone claiming to be a police officer or detective who convinces you to withdraw funds and hand them over to an investigator. They may give you a fake crime number and investigation details. They also convince you not to trust bank staff. In some cases, people are asked to call 999 or 101 to verify the call is genuine but the scammers keep the line open, so you are actually talking to them.

2. Amazon Prime scam - you may get

a call from someone claiming to be from Amazon Prime saying you¹ve been charged for an annual subscription. They then tell you that fraudsters have hacked your account to authorise payment, but it can be cancelled if you press 1 and then give access to your bank account in order to undo the hack. Amazon Prime would never ask you to do this.

3. Bank scam - someone may call claiming to be from your bank saying there¹s a problem with your card or account. They may ask for your account, card and PIN details. They may also advise transferring your money to a ‘safe’ account to protect it. A bank would never ask you to do this.

4. HMRC scam - you may get a call from

someone claiming to be from HMRC saying there is an issue with your tax refund or an unpaid tax bill. They leave a message asking you to call back. HMRC would never contact you in this way and ask for personal information and bank details.

5. Compensation scam - you receive

a call to tell you that you are due compensation for a vehicle/work accident and you are then asked to provide personal details and/or pay an admin fee to proceed.

6. Computer repair scam - an old one,

but still very popular. Someone calls claiming to be from a well-known IT firm such as Microsoft to tell you your computer has a virus. They will ask you to download ‘anti-virus software’ which may cost but also turns out to be spyware, used to get your personal details. IT companies don’t contact customers this way.

Chelsea Davies, CPR Call Blocker Business Development Manager, said:

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Telephone Scams To Look Out For in 2020

People in the North West are being warned of the top five phone scams to look out for in 2020 as the number of people being duped by scammers continues to rise. ‘Whilst online scams continue to be growing, that doesn’t mean that offline scams aren’t also on the rise. Indeed, with so many people treating their mobile phones as an extension of their body, people are more accessible by phone than ever before. Some of these scams target specific individuals, while others involve people being called at random. Some involve phishing, a type of scam in which the caller is trying to find out information (such as personal or banking information) that can be used in other crimes. We want to make people in the North West aware that scammers are becoming more inventive and if something sounds too good to be true or out of the ordinary, it could well be a scam. We always strongly recommend never giving your bank details or paying or something over the phone that you’re unsure of. Especially if the call you receive is the first time you have heard of any payment that needs to be made.’ If you want to stop receiving scam and nuisance calls this year, follow CPR Call Blocker¹s quick three-step guide to stopping unwanted calls: Sign up to the Telephone Preference Service call 0845 070 0707 or visit www. tpsonline.org.uk. Don¹t consent to being contacted get your phone number taken off directories and look out for tick boxed on all marketing

correspondence to see if ticking or unticking them will prevent your details being passed on to third parties. Consider getting a call blocker. If you think you may be receiving scam calls, here are a few ways to protect yourself: Don’t reveal personal details. Never give out personal or financial information such as your bank account details or PIN even if the caller claims to be from your bank. Hang up. If you feel harassed or intimidated, end the call. You have the right not to feel pressurised. Ring the organisation. If you¹re unsure whether the caller is genuine, you can always ring the company they claim to be from. Make sure you find the number yourself and don’t use one provided by the caller. Don’t be rushed. Scammers will try to rush you into providing personal details. They may say they have a time-limited offer or claim your bank account is at risk if you don’t give them the information they need right away. CPR Call Blocker is the best-selling and most trusted call blocker brand in the UK and is pre-programmed with thousands of known nuisance callers. The CPR suite of call blockers are available from www. cprcallblocker.com or www.amazon.co.uk or by calling 0800 652 7780.

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 41

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

ommunication is the topic for this edition. In olden times people used to talk to one another, face to face, honestly they did. Even using a land line or public telephone one still had to communicate and articulate words. Now here is the crux so to speak. Think about a strong message you texted, emailed, Facebooked, tweeted or received. Would you have spoken to that person or people in the same manner or would that same person speak to you in the same manner? I have read some quite extraordinary passages of text that the sender would not have dared say to the recipient’s face. Because the sender is hidden behind a network and to some degree is faceless, it is almost as if they are being absolved so do not take personal responsibility for their words. This has permeated into virtually all walks of life because we see it occur at various levels. The only professions where communication is wholly vital are our overworked and underpaid emergency services. Talking of the latter for a moment, the call handlers have seen a big increase in hoax calls from faceless individuals or gangs who now through use of social media gain numbers to attack the emergency services when they rush to a call in the form of an ambush. Yes we blame the parents yes we blame the schools yes we blame every other individual we can but wait, here is a revolutionary concept. Blame the ones who made the hoax calls and created the ambush. Let’s hope there is some form of retribution when these fiends need an emergency service. Sorry fiend, your ambulance has been held up by another gang who ambushed them. Now off the soap box and back to my point. When people act surprised when a face to face message has not been communicated I no longer act surprised. Only recently at the time 42

of writing this, my Mother-in-Law who has one of the 70+ versions of dementia and is in a care home, was consulted about moving from her bedroom quite a long way from one of the communal lounges, to one much closer. This was said in passing to my wife by a worker at the home. We went to take her mum out for a meal and with this newly acquired information communicated it to one of the nurses who was not aware of this agreement and neither was the home manager. Why? That is quite simple really. Because the majority of people rely on their smart phone to communicate in an informal sense, the need for face to face communication is lost. This agreement could have been communicated via the phone but again that is almost like face to face. OMG!!

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I attended a training session last year and what became apparent to me was the need by the trainer who was young to utilise software to communicate a meeting. In other words so there is no face to face interaction. As you go about your life see if you can witness communication breakdown occur. We are surrounded by so much software that everybody can keep in touch from cities to town to villages and across continents via video conferences and social media. But we have lost the art of human to human effective communication, even in the corporate world communication is dressed in buzz words and positive messaging. Or is it I am just a dinosaur as admitted in January’s edition. Now don’t start nodding in agreement.

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Young people organise charity cabaret and celebrate positive mental health There was a full house at More Music on Friday 6 December as people gathered for Chameleon11, a brilliant, youth-led charity cabaret night. The event showcased the talent of local young people and starred an excellent line up of musicians, bands, singers, dancers, poets, film-makers and a mind reader.

he importance of the arts and their capacity for building confidence and resilience was at the heart of the evening. The event shone a much -needed positive spotlight on young people celebrating the personal, social and creative achievements not only of performers but also of Team Chameleon who were responsible for co-ordinating and producing this extraordinary event. Now in its second year the group has grown in number, bringing together young participants from More Music, the Prop Up Project, Lancashire Youth Challenge and Lancaster and Morecambe Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. Since September the planning team have been meeting regularly and making friends while developing project planning, communication and organisational skills. They have learned to work together as a team, sharing ideas while learning about finance, budgeting, marketing and publicity as well as gaining an insight into the technical side of event management. Team Chameleon has also explored the challenges that young people face in their everyday lives and how to develop coping strategies through creative activities. The youth led annual event was 44

a great success, raising more than £400 for the local charities involved in supporting young people. Chameleon not only celebrated the incredible talents of young performers and producers but also their ability to use creative arts to strengthen their emotional resilience, to overcome difficulties and to help them bounce back from life¹s challenges.

Keeley Wilkinson from the Prop Up Project commented ‘the event itself highlighted the young people¹s resilience; to overcome challenges and to continue. This showcases the importance of the work of our local organisations in supporting young people¹s well being and giving them an opportunity to challenge themselves positively’

Sam Duckles, Lancashire Youth Challenge Support Worker said ‘on the night I felt that so many of our performers showed resilience in overcoming the anxieties of performing by pushing themselves to do something that they were not all completely comfortable doing. There were a lot of nerves in that Green Room with some people thinking that they were not going to be able to do it. Everyone overcame those nerves and anxieties and performed excellently.’

More Music is a music education charity based in the West End of Morecambe using the arts, primarily music to build confidence and spirit with individuals and communities throughout the Lancaster district, Lancashire and the northwest find out more at www.moremusic.org.uk

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The partnership organisations are committed to the belief that young people, with the right support and opportunity, have the strength and energy to overcome adversity and to achieve success. Supported safe and creative spaces are vital for young people to build their self belief, their confidence and skills, to establish positive relationships and approaches to life that can support them in turbulent times. Additionally, celebratory events such as Chameleon that openly address and discuss mental health issues can help reduce the stigma experienced by so many young people.

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The Professionals Victoria Melling, Partner & Head of Divorce & Family Law at KBL Solicitors LLP.

Is Divorce ‘blame game’ set to end?

hilst many separating couples try to avoid slinging mud and making allegations about the others behaviour, unfortunately, at the moment, for most this is the only way to proceed with Divorce as having reached the decision that the marriage is at an end, the prospect of a two year wait to start proceeding simply to avoid making allegations about the other person’s behaviour is untenable. A significant improvement to help smooth the procedure is the expected introduction of legislation for “nofault divorce”. Announced in the Queen’s Speech in December, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation bill proposes the first change to divorce law for almost 50 years. This would mean that couples will no longer need to cite “faults” such as adultery or unreasonable behaviour to end their marriage but can separately or jointly file a statement of irretrievable breakdown. If the separation is amicable it will allow couples to divorce within a 20-week time frame. It would also apply to the dissolution of civil partnerships, which are now available to mixed sex couples following December’s law change. The bill was campaigned for and supported by Resolution, a group of family lawyers who believed that a non-confrontational approach to family issues would produce better outcomes. Resolution’s former Chair, Nigel Shepherd, said: “We welcome the confirmation that legislation to provide for no-fault divorce will be re-introduced, as well as the Domestic Abuse Bill. Bearing in mind the almost unanimous support for these measures from politicians, public, professionals and the judiciary, the stop-start nature of these Bills thus far has been frustrating for our members and the families they support. Our members therefore stand ready to work with MPs, Ministers and officials in order to get these vital reforms over the finish line as 46 48

soon as possible in 2020.” Whilst it is believed that the bill will make divorce less acrimonious, experts warn it can still be financially problematic if couples rush into it without planning. Taking the first important step to make an enquiry and attend an appointment is just that; the first step of many. Divorces are rarely issued on the day of the first appointment with a family lawyer. At a first appointment a family lawyer should always encourage you to consider whether the marriage is actually at an end. For some this is a decision which has already been made but this certainly it is not always the case. For those who have already satisfied themselves that the marriage cannot be saved, a family lawyer will advise that it is rarely a helpful approach to simply send off the divorce papers without further ado. Whilst there will always be some exceptional circumstances that require that divorce proceedings are issued urgently; for example due to jurisdictional disputes or very poor health, the majority of divorces will benefit from a more measured approach. For couples who have children or financial affairs to deal with there is a huge focus on trying to reach an

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agreement without going to Court. Again, this is not always possible, but it will certainly be more difficult to achieve a negotiated agreement if the party who starts the divorce process does so in a knee jerk manner. The tone of the first interaction with your spouse can set the tone of the whole process. The introduction of ‘no fault’ divorces will not make ending a marriage straightforward overnight. Getting divorced remains a difficult, and often painful, journey. To arrange a free initial chat please contact Victoria Melling or Ceri Thomas on 01204 527777. What our clients say about us

‘So finally my journey is over in dealing with a most difficult divorce. I cannot thank you enough Victoria for all your help, support, reassurances, guidance and extremely professionalism conduct. I can honestly say I couldn’t have done it without you and your team who were also fantastic and I can definitely say that if either myself or anyone I know needs a solicitor, I will have no hesitation to recommend you and your team. Thank you so much KBL I have got my life back on track and feel happy again’. Diane Williams www.lancmag.com

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LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 47

Your star horoscope

Manish Kumar Arora is a renowned KP Astrologer, Numerologist, Tarot Reader & Vastu Consultant. He has been rendering professional advice to clients with a reasonable degree of success. He has been conferred with the title of ‘Jyotish Varahamihir’ and ‘Jyotish Aryabhatt.’ He has been writing monthly astrological columns for many international magazines. Aries: Mar 21 – Apr 19 It’s time to rise to the occasion and stand in your power place. Gather inspiration from your environment and stir that energy until it simmers into something heavenly. The high demands that have been placed on you at work may require some overtime, so pace yourself and start delegating less important tasks. Burning red candles can aid you in keeping on task. Share your success with your inner circle. A light-hearted and fun-filled social event will lift your spirits, especially when it brings you into contact with someone you haven’t seen in ages. Favourable Dates : Mar 1, 3, 10, 12, 19, 21. Favourable Colours : White & Blue Taurus: Apr 20 – May 20 You’ve grown accustomed to a whole new level of feelings, new depth, new warmth, and ultimately a new life. You’ve worked hard and can now reap the benefits. Abundance is showering your life with improved finances, stable relationships or even the achievement of a long term dream coming to fruition. During your chosen path, decisions that you made back then, seem to keep you from focusing on tomorrow. An ongoing relationship with someone you have in your life now, might be wearing you thin, possibly because you are pulling more of the weight. Favourable Dates : Mar 3, 5, 12, 14, 21, 23 Favourable Colours : Yellow & Blue Gemini: May 21 – Jun 20 This will be a good week to initiate new projects and businesses; take classes, start a new exercise regime. Pursue your passions. You are doing a good job of managing your time and the people in your life. Weddings, engagements, formal affairs round out this month. Any legal issues will be decided in your favour. You will need to keep a close eye on your finances and other important matters. When it comes to romantic pursuits you are on the right track. It may be moving slower than you would like but this is best. Favourable Dates : Mar 3, 8, 12, 17, 21, 26 Favourable Colours : Yellow & White Cancer: Jun 21 – Jul 22 Y Job and financial worries are clouding your ability to see the silver lining till March 10. Finances look much better from 11th March. Job advancement is on the table. You can proceed with plans and see results. The period thereafter will provide a better road map to help accomplish personal goals. It will take some work to be considered for the position. The next few days will provide insight to a job that you can sink your teeth into. Cancer’s with partners, this month will focus on repairing/building. Favourable Dates : Mar 1, 2, 10, 11, 19, 20. Favourable Colours : Yellow & Red

Leo: Jul 23 – Aug 22 You are on the fence regarding a business or romantic relationship. Go with your gut. Financially you are moving into a much better position. You make important gains in career and personal achievements. People around you will take notice. Romantically things are brightening up as well. Don’t let minor obstacles get you down. Solutions will come to you. This is a much needed life improvement. Good news and revelation will come regarding the subject. Business negotiations go well. A change of residence or job is on the horizon in the last week. Favourable Dates : Mar 1, 3, 10, 12, 19, 21 Favourable Colours : White & Red

Sagittarius: Nov 22 – Dec 21 Strive for greater satisfaction and doing whatever it takes to enhance your reputation. Your past experience can play a major role in how you handle people and situations now. A detailed account of what you want will help you get your way. Traveling, socializing and pursuing self-improvements should be pencilled in to your schedule. A mini vacation will be rejuvenating and will enhance your love life. Focus on love, romance and socializing. Spend less time dwelling on what you don’t have and more time trying to build your confidence and your assets. Favourable Dates : Mar 1, 5, 10, 14, 19, 23. Favourable Colours : White & Red

Virgo: Aug 23 – Sep 22 More stability is coming to the home and financial front. You will consciously work at neutralizing your emotions and getting your mind back on track. Trying to balance finances would be possible much to your relief. Worry or guilt regarding romantic relationships occupy much of your time towards the end of the month. The issues can be resolved if you begin work on a solution and not dwell on the problem. You remain steadfast when it comes to discipline and ethics. You are on the right path to forming or having the loving relationship you desire. Favourable Dates : Mar 7, 8, 16, 17, 25, 26 Favourable Colours : Blue & Green

Capricorn: Dec 22 – Jan 19 You’ll have a lot to think about and to consider with regard to money, contracts and medical issues. Don’t neglect anything that can alter your status, your life or your position. Your intuition is good and will guide you to those who can offer you the most through a business or personal partnership. There is a change developing and you want to be positioned to take on whatever develops. Your ability to express your opinions persuasively will win a following. Travel and gaining experience should be your top priorities. Favourable Dates : Mar 3, 7, 12, 16, 21, 25. Favourable Colours : Black & Red

Libra: Sep 23 – Oct 22 Hard work, preparation and good organization will be key. Avoid any financial or contractual offer that sounds too good to be true. Financial or contractual deception is apparent. Don’t let a past partner or experience interfere with what you do now. Rely on the people who have supported and advised you in the past. Keep things simple, be a good listener, make up your own mind and be aware of all the possibilities. Domestic or personal changes can improve a partnership. Keep steady progress in a positive direction. Favourable Dates : Mar 1, 2, 10, 11, 19, 20. Favourable Colours : White & Red Scorpio: Oct 23 – Nov21 Set your goals high and your mind on reaching what you set out to do. As long as you stick to your budget and you don’t let anyone use emotional tactics to make you feel obliged, you will come out on top. You will attract love and friendship. You will have an inquiring mind and understand how to use your attributes to your advantage. You can be relentless. Stop dreaming and start doing and the people you attract will be surprisingly interesting and accommodating. Good fortune is heading your way. Favourable Dates : Mar 4, 7, 13, 16, 22, 25. Favourable Colours : White & Yellow

Aquarius: Jan 20 – Feb 18 You are likely to take on too much or to feel sick due to stress. A change in your living arrangements may seem drastic at first, but in hindsight you will realize how much you needed the change. Put your heart and soul into doing the things you enjoy most with the person you like to spend time with. Romance is on the rise, and putting more effort into your love life will pay off. Do something you find relaxing and you will bypass the turmoil going on around you. Favourable Dates : Mar 3, 6, 12, 15, 21, 25 Favourable Colours : Green & Red Pisces: Feb 19 – Mar 20 Status, position and recognition can all be yours if you follow through with your promises. You can dazzle and mesmerise the people you want to impress. Make sure your motives are ethical. Make positive changes that will enhance your relationship with someone who can make a difference to your life personally and financially. Love is highlighted. This is a time to embrace life and to look at all things will childlike wonder. The more you look at things in a new and different way the more you will discover about yourself. Favourable Dates : Mar 4, 6, 10, 14, 21, 25. Favourable Colours : Grey & Red

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

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Marina Tech Words: Stephen Roberts

o, there I was, on a three-way conference call with Matt Ainge, a new business I.T. start-up, and his 2½ year old daughter, Marina, who has an extensive vocabulary and a love of mechanisation. Matt is the brains behind Marina Tech Ltd. Now, there are always risks involved in giving up on a reliable wage and starting up your own business (I did this myself about 7½ years ago). I was interested to learn more from Matt (and Marina) about his background and his motivation in branching out on his own. Young Marina has a stake in the business too as it’s named after her. “I’m not from this part of the world originally. I was actually born in Lewisham, South London (one of Britain’s worst railway accidents occurred there in December 1957), then moved to Kent when I was six. That was home for me until I moved up to Blackpool in 2012, and after a spell in Preston for a few years, I’m now in Blackpool again. When Marina was born my wife wanted a name that conjured up the ocean, hence ‘Marina’ (Latin for ‘of the sea’). I guess we’re living in the perfect place for her.” As we spoke, I realised that Matt and I had a few things in common. We’d both worked in I.T. (and done similar things), we’d both set up our own companies and we were both used to standing up in front of audiences and speaking. Matt had honed the latter

skills doing presentations and running vibrant user groups and workshops. Had Matt always worked in I.T.? “Not at all. In fact, my first job was a waiter in a floating restaurant. (Marina would be pleased). It took me a little while to find my vocation, so I was actually 19 when I started work for a local council and began my first steps in an I.T. career. I now have over 20 years’ experience behind me. I was with the council for around 14 years and really enjoyed my time there. I found I really liked designing and developing I.T. systems, but always with the mindset that whatever was being written had to benefit the business it was supporting in some way. It had to have a purpose, a business driver, otherwise there was no point in doing it. “When I moved up to Lancashire, the job I had in Preston was at a college, supporting and developing their central software systems. Having started as a systems/web developer, I ended up as the manager of a software development team, with responsibilities for both project management and line (staff) management. I’m ‘PRINCE2’ (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) qualified, which is an industry-recognised, leading project management methodology, and also ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) qualified, which is a set of detailed practices for I.T. Service Management, that focuses very much on aligning I.T. services

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with business needs, something that I passionately believe in. We then found we had a specific corner of I.T. in common. We’d both tackled data transformations, or data migrations, that complex, and potentially fraught exercise where a company’s system(s) is/are migrated from an old, legacy platform on to a shiny new system. All that lovely data has to be moved from old to new and it has to be migrated without being unintentionally changed. It’s a big, responsible job and often takes place when companies merge, or are taken over, and one business has to transfer on to its new partner’s platform. “Data transformation is certainly one of my specialities, that plus technical design and web applications. I’m actually working on an integration at this very moment. The whole end-to-end process (extracting the data from the legacy platform, transforming it into the new data structures, then loading it into its new home) is definitely one of my key strengths.” This all sounded great (and very familiar too), but why opt to go it alone in an uncertain world? “Well, I decided to leave that role at the end of 2019, and look for something new, a fresh challenge. As with an awful lot of people these days, I need to achieve a work/life balance. Marina’s our fourth child and we have a fifth on the way (another daughter, due at the end of www.lancmag.com

February), so being away from the home environment, working all the time just wasn’t going to work for much longer. I needed something where I could set my own agenda and have the flexibility that I needed, so that I could play a full role at home as well. So, the decision to go freelance and manage my own work, was an easy one to make in many ways. I know the risks are higher, but so are the rewards, particularly on work/life balance if I can make it work. I had a cunning plan that I’d just start with a few smallish, one-off jobs to tide me over until a few weeks after our new arrival, but I’ve actually hit the ground running. I left the college job and got freelance work straight away with one of the other colleges that was licenced to use the systems that we’d developed. I really hope that I can grow my business in the future, as I know I have the technical and artistic skills (to give systems a good look and feel) and very much regard I.T. as an enabler to get the best possible results for the business. I would never be happy just doing the same thing all the time. I like my work to be exciting and meaningful, to be making a difference, for example, the work we did at the college really helped both the institution and its students. The staff had the information they needed, and the students felt fully supported. Over the years, thousands of students felt the benefits of this education management tool. I love www.lancmag.com

solving problems too and get a lot of satisfaction out of achieving something for someone else.” As I recall only too well, I.T. can be a high-pressure environment, but Matt relishes the ongoing challenge. “I really do thrive under pressure. I like having a lot to do and feeling that there is a point to what I’m doing. I enjoy managing change and managing the reaction to change. It’s human nature that some people will embrace change and new technology quicker than others and you have to be able to work with everyone; preaching to the unconverted you might say. I like to help and manage people through that change process and get a lot of satisfaction seeing them being won over.” On TV game shows the presenter will often ask, ‘and what do you like to do when you have a bit of spare time?’ I can’t imagine that Matt has much spare time to be fair, but he did tell me that he’d also spent years occupying himself with video editing and has completed the ‘National Three Peaks Challenge’ whilst charity fund-raising: sounds like Marina might have some hiking ahead of her. MARINA TECH LTD Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/ matthewainge E-mail: matt@marinatech.ltd Tel: 07539 095334

STEVE’S 10 BEST I.T. & COMPUTING JOKES • How many developers does it take to change a light bulb? None, that’s a hardware problem. • I love pressing F5. It just feels so refreshing. (It’s the ‘refresh’ key if you’re not sure). • There are 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don’t. • I decided I needed a bigger MAC, so I went to McDonald’s. • Don’t use ‘beefstew’ as a computer password. It’s just not stroganoff’. • How does a computer get plastered? It keeps taking screenshots. • Why did the Powerpoint presentation cross the road? To get to the other slide. • ‘Doctor, I’m addicted to checking my Twitter.’ ‘Sorry, I don’t follow you’. • Why did the computer show up late at work? It had a hard drive. • CAPS LOCK – preventing you logging in since 1980.

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White Nancy which overlooks Bollington in Cheshire

Our Top Ten Follies and Public Sculptures By Andrew Harris

The Monton Lighthouse on the Bridgewater Canal near Eccles

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he North West needs schools, hospitals, factories and offices and many other functional buildings. But without outdoor art and functionless buildings only created for their appearance and interest our communities would be soulless – defined as lacking character and individuality. We need them. A Folly is defined as an ornamental building with no practical purpose – especially a tower or mock-Gothic ruin in a large garden or park.’ There are 153 such buildings or structures in our region. Many – especially in Cheshire – are obelisks but most have an interesting story to tell. Your columnist set out, with help, to select the top ten follies but public sculptures fulfil a similar role although it is difficult to compare follies with such sculptures – like trying to compare apples and oranges so we have taken the top five of each. We are rich in follies, which we take first, but poor in such public sculptures which follow. THE 5TH BEST FOLLY is the Monton Lighthouse on the Bridgewater Canal where the B5231 is underneath the M602 in Manchester 28. In the best tradition of follies, canal boater ‘Barnacle’ Phil Austin acquired a small plot of land next to the canal but couldn’t think what to do with it. He decided to build an entirely unnecessary lighthouse – they normally alert seagoing ships of hazards - which is 14 feet in diameter and 40 feet high. It certainly looks the part but canal boats are only a few feet from land and must go no faster than 4 mph! Phil’s only explanation is that building the Monton ‘Lighthouse’ seemed a good idea at the time! It is now, however, a local feature and visitor attraction. THE 4TH BEST FOLLY is ‘White Nancy’ – a unique structure on the top of a hill which overlooks the Cheshire www.lancmag.com

Mow Cop Castle near Mow Cop on the border of Cheshire and Staffordshire

town of Bollington. It was built by John Gaskell of North End Farm in 1817 to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Waterloo. White Nancy is constructed in rendered and painted sandstone rubble, is 18 feet high and surrounded by stone paving inscribed with the points of the compass. At various times it has been embellished to mark occasions – a Jubilee crown in 2012, a gold medal, wreath and number 29 to celebrate GB Olympic victories, as a remembrance day poppy and even as a Christmas pudding. In 2015 it was painted to mark the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo – with silhouettes of soldiers of that time - and in 2017 it was used to express solidarity with the people of Manchester after the Manchester Arena bombing. There is no better way to mark these and other occasions. THE 3RD BEST FOLLY is Mow Cop Castle on the border of Cheshire and Staffordshire. It is said to be the most famous folly in Cheshire if not in all England. It is a small round machicolated tower with an attached arch. It is the original Sham ruin which has been copied nearly everywhere. It was built in 1754 for Randle Baker Wilbraham as www.lancmag.com

The Jubilee or Darwen Tower which overlooks Darwen near Blackburn

an eyecatcher for the nearby Rode Hall. In 1807 it became a place of pilgrimage for Methodism – and in 1812 when Primitive Methodism was founded. On the centenary of the first assembly more than 70,000 people climbed the hill to Mow Cop Castle. This folly is now managed by the National Trust and is on the route of the Cheshire Gritstone Trail.

“A Folly is defined as an ornamental building with no practical purpose” THE 2ND BEST FOLLY is the Jubilee Tower which is better known as the Darwen Tower. It was completed in 1898 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and local people winning the right to access the moor. Darwen Hill is 1,220 feet above sea level and dominates the town – now part of Blackburn. The original wood-

en turret was blown away by a gale in 1947. Although replaced in 1971 it was not deemed to be safe until 2002 but the dome of the tower was again blown away in 2010. A replacement powdercoated stainless steel dome costing £35,000 was made by the WEC Group of Darwen and lifted into place by a helicopter in 2012 since when walkers can climb the 85 foot tower via an internal staircase and – on a clear day – see Morecambe Bay, Blackpool Tower, the Isle of Man, North Wales, parts of Yorkshire and much of Lancashire from the top. The Darwen Tower is prominent and has much history. THE BEST FOLLY is the Ashton Memorial in Lancaster’s Williamson Park. It was built by the millionaire industrialist Lord Ashton in memory of his second wife Jessy. It was constructed between 1907 and 1909 and cost £87,000 which is nearly £9 million in today’s money. It is a true but sad love story. The Ashton Memorial has amazing views of Lancaster and Morecambe Bay and has been described as ‘England’s Grandest Folly’ and the ‘Taj Mahal of the North.’ The building is 150 feet high, designed by John Belcher, has a copper-clad roof and

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The Statue of Eric Morecambe on Morecambe Promenade

is built in Portland Stone and hardwearing granite steps from Cornwall. Although built more than 100 years ago the structure is surprisingly modern – with stonework which is not loadbearing hung from a steel frame. The interior is stunning with paintings by George Murray depicting art, commerce and history with a floor of red, black and white marble. Although intended as a memorial without any other function, the Ashton Memorial now hosts exhibitions, concerts and weddings. There is a nearby Butterfly House. This is where follies and public sculptures part company as we cannot compare them and have to judge them separately. The latter are in a wonderful category of their own. THE 5TH BEST SCULPTURE is the ‘Face of Wigan.’ It is an exciting example of public art that has taken pride of place in Wigan Town Centre and is destined to become an iconic image of the borough. Sculptor Rick Kirby explains “The sculptured portrait is intended to represent not a single celebrity but all the inhabitants of the area – the very people of Wigan. These are the people who make the place what it is today and have the power to deter54

The Ashton Memorial in Lancaster¹s Williamson Park.

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The Splash at the Preston North End stadium. Picture by Sonia Bashir Photography

mine what will be the future.” The people of Wigan and visitors were consulted about the ‘Face of Wigan’ in 2007 when they were asked to give their thoughts about a number of designs. At the end of the process the ‘Face of Wigan’ which we see today was the clear winner. The plan is to place the 18 foot sculpture in different locations around the borough in the coming years. A Council spokesman said “Public art can be controversial and be seen as a bit of an easy target but it can also play a huge role in enhancing the environment and improving our public open spaces. This piece was chosen by the people of Wigan and we are delighted with their choice.” THE 4TH BEST SCULPTURE is the bronze statue of Eric Morecambe in his classic Bring Me Sunshine pose. It is located on the promenade of Eric’s home town which he – born John Eric Bartholomew in 1926 – took as his stage name. In partnership with Ernie Wise from 1941 until his death aged just 58 in 1984, Eric Morecambe was one of our country’s most popular comedians. In a BBC poll in 2002 he was named one of the 100 Greatest Britons. Eric Morecambe was larger than life – and so is his statue. Eric was 5 feet 10 inches tall but his statue is 6 feet 6 inches! The area around the statue features many of his catchphrases and the names of every guest that appeared on the Morecambe and Wise Show. The statue was designed by Graham Young and bronze seagulls by Shona Kinloch are perched on the surrounding rocks. THE 3RD BEST SCULPTURE is the ‘Splash’ outside the Preston North End Football Club stadium in Deepdale, Preston. It was inspired by the 1956 Sports Photograph of the Year – by John Horton - which showed Tom Finney of Preston North End defeating two Chelsea defenders at the waterlogged ground at Stamford Bridge that August. It was created by Preston sculptor Peter Hodgkinson and unveiled by the footballer (Sir Tom Finney since 1998) on the 31st July 2004. Tom Finney died aged 91 in 2014 but will remain a legend because of 433 appearances over 14 years for his only club – Preston NE – and 76 appearances www.lancmag.com

The Face of Wigan

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The Antony Gormley figures known as ‘Another Place¹

The Dream sculpture at the site. Picture by Andrew Harris

A figure on Crosby Beach close up

for the English first team. Playing as outside right and centre forward he scored 187 goals for Preston and 30 for England. Above all he will be remembered as a true gentleman who did not hesitate to provide generous support to all those who needed it. Your columnist asked him again and again to help desperate causes and he always did. This sculpture is his memorial and it does him proud. THE 2ND BEST SCULPTURE is known as ‘Another Place’ by (now) Sir Anthony Gormley. It consists of up to 100 cast iron figures facing out to sea from Crosby Beach in Merseyside. After being exhibited elsewhere it was displayed at Crosby Beach in July 2005. Despite being daring and controversial Sefton Council decided in 2007 that they should be permanent. Each figure is modelled on the artist’s naked body and they are displayed over 2 miles from Waterloo to Blundellsands. Tides submerge and reveal the figures. They have proved controversial as they impede some watersports and some tourists – attracted by the figures – can be caught out and endangered by the incoming tide. On the other hand art lovers and local businesses lobbied for the statues to remain – and Gormley 56

argued that the location was ideal. For less lofty reasons, Sefton Council declared that ‘Another Place’ had ‘aroused national and international public and media support and that the Iron Men had placed Crosby and Sefton firmly in the spotlight and the benefits should be felt for years to come.’ ‘Another Place’ had been accepted as their place. THE BEST SCULPTURE is the ‘Dream’ in St Helens which overlooks the M62 from the site of the former Sutton Manor colliery which closed in 1991. It is an elongated white structure which is modelled on the head and neck of a 9-year old girl with closed eyes and dreaming. It was created by the Catalan sculptor Jaume Plensa whose client was St Helens Council and local residents including 15 former miners from the former colliery. They rejected the more obvious symbol of a huge sculpture of a miner’s lamp and – to their credit - wanted something more visionary. Funding – about £2.5 million at current values – was provided by the Big Art Project in association with the Arts Council England, the Art Fund and Channel 4. The resulting ‘Dream’ is fifty times life size, 66 feet high, weighs 373 tonnes, has supporting piles 125 feet deep and is made from brilliant

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white pre-cast concrete with Spanish dolomite which is the whitest of marble. It is estimated that the Dream is seen by an estimated 55 million vehicles using the M62 motorway each year. The Dream is imaginative, prominent and iconic – and the nearest thing our region has to the world-famous ‘Angel of the North’ in Gateshead. Many may disagree with this selection. Other follies and public sculptures from the Peel Tower near Ramsbottom to the bust of Jimmy Armfield outside Blackpool’s football stadium have great merit but the winners can claim to be unique, prominent and have strong local roots. They give our region its character and individuality. Andrew E. Harris is grateful to Heritage Ebooks for an overview of our follies, other members of the judging panel who wish to remain anonymous and his friend Tom Lemmon who suggested this topic. The pictures are procured from Shutterstock unless otherwise attributed. Previous topics can be viewed at www. andreweharris.co.uk

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The dominant view of the Dream. The best sculpture. Picture by Andrew Harris

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Celebrated actor Mark Bonnar becomes patron of national charity Heart Research UK Scottish actor Mark Bonnar, star of Guilt, Line of Duty and Shetland, is to become a patron of national charity Heart Research UK.

ark first became involved with the charity in 2018, producing a piece of original artwork that was auctioned as part of the charity’s anonymous heART project. Since then, he has been involved with various campaigns, including Heart Research UK’s Heart of Scotland appeal, a dedicated fundraising campaign to raise money to take on Scotland’s biggest killer –heart disease. Mark Bonnar said: “The work that Heart Research UK does is incredibly close to my heart. My father had a triple bypass over 20 years ago, and thankfully he is still going strong. “The advances in research and surgery over the last few decades have been truly remarkable, thanks in no small part to the vital work that charities such as Heart Research UK are doing. “I’m especially proud to support the Heart of Scotland appeal to inform and educate all age groups and help make a change to people’s lives. Heart disease is still the number one cause of death in Scotland when, ironically, it’s often the most easily preventable.” Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: We are all

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over the moon that Mark is becoming a patron for Heart Research UK. “Since he first became involved with the charity, he has been eager to help in any way he can, and we are delighted to begin what I’m sure will be an incredibly rewarding partnership. “We know research works, but the seven million people living with cardiovascular disease in the UK need it to work faster. We are dedicated to funding the latest pioneering research in to the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. “We have some incredibly exciting projects coming up, and we can’t wait to work with Mark on them!” Heart Research UK was founded in 1967 by Mr David Watson, an eminent cardiovascular surgeon, with the intention of making heart surgery safer. Since then, Heart Research UK has invested over £25m in pioneering research in to the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.

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Love Your Beach

St Annes North Beach Care Group collect 1 TONNE of litter in just 6 months thanks to LOVEmyBEACH volunteers

he St Annes North LOVEmyBEACH BeachCare group have collected a tonne of litter in just 6 months. Taking their total collected to an astonishing 3 tonnes since the group began in April 2018. This is the equivalent of ten grey seals, 20 common dolphins or a transit van! By Thursday 9th January 2020, the total had tipped over 3,000 kg when the group weighed the rubbish they removed from the beach, as they do after each weekly beach clean. Some 245 volunteers have worked tirelessly in St Annes to pick up litter from the beaches that otherwise would find itself in the ocean, harming the environment and wildlife. This week was a momentous occasion as they reached the threetonne mark, but is also a stark reminder that our behaviour has a huge impact on our beaches and seas. Mike Hamblett, a weekly beach clean volunteer said: ³I feel a combination of pride that we have achieved the three-tonne mark. But also a sense of disappointment with humankind that it was there to be removed in the first place.² Dave Foreman, another volunteer added: ‘When I moved to St Annes three years ago, this stretch of beach was noticeably different. The weekly cleans have reduced the amount of litter on the beach and people now comment on how clean it looks.’ 60 000

The St Annes North group of roughly eight weekly volunteers, were joined by 245 extra volunteers during 2019. The St Annes North group is unique compared to the other Fylde Coast beach clean groups, as they take out many additional groups of volunteers. During 2019, the weekly volunteers were joined by 34 corporate, school or youth groups. These are companies, groups or schools who enquire with LOVEmyBEACH wanting to get involved and help the local environment and community. During 2019, the St Annes North volunteers were joined by groups from Natwest, Lloyds Bank, Co-Op, the Environment Agency and United Utilities amongst others. They also welcome young people who want to take part in a beach clean and have been joined by Police Cadets, Duke of Edinburgh students, and Highfield School, who bring a class each month. Emily Parr, Fylde¹s LOVEmyBEACH Officer commented: ‘The St Annes North Beach Care group have removed a significant amount of litter from the beach due to the dedication of the local volunteers, who return each week. These volunteers have also welcomed 34 different groups to join their weekly beach clean. Particular thanks must go to Michael Pearson, the group leader, who makes all the arrangements.

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The weekly volunteers are offering the opportunity for a much wider variety of people to take part in a beach clean and to see first-hand the negative impacts of our everyday behaviours. Not only have the volunteers physically made a significant impact, but the feedback I receive from these groups shows their beach clean experience has really resonated with them and inspired them to take further action. David, Mike, Michael, Kath, Dave, Rebecca, Bruno, WilliamThe St Annes group meet every Thursday at 10am in North Beach Car Park, St Annes and are out rain or shine. They clean the beach for two hours and new volunteers and groups are very welcome. Details of this and other beach cleans across the North West can be found on the LOVEmyBEACH website: www.lovemybeach.org

The Team - David, Mike, Michael, Kath, Dave, Rebecca, Bruno and William

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Timeless classics

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The ornate bandstand in Victoria Park, which was erected in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee (author – Edward Smith / Victoria Park Bandstand, source – www.geograph.org.uk).

Swinton By Stephen Roberts

could think of two things Swinton was noted for off the top of my cranium: insurance and rugby league. Or should I be talking about Swinton and Pendlebury? (these two towns having become a joint modern borough). And then what of Salford? Salford Civic Centre is in Swinton and Swinton Insurance is in Salford. I’m confused. Swinton lies around five miles northwest of the centre of Manchester. Of that, I am certain. There’s a noble, 64

grafting background (coal mining) with other industries also making their mark (textiles and engineering). Brick making was another local speciality with Swinton bricks helping to build major infrastructure projects like the Bridgewater Canal, which passes south of the town. But there’s also a modern town, including a shopping centre that first appeared in the year of England’s World Cup win (remember that?) and a residential district, plus that civic centre (of which more later).

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I like my churches and we have St Peter’s, Swinton, but also St Augustine’s, Pendlebury, which is a bit of a Gothic masterpiece, in brick, by Bodley and Garner, who sound like a pop duo, or maybe a pair of detectives. Those churches provide oases of calm, however, Swinton has not always been that calm in the past. Swinton men joined the ‘Blanketeers’ (1817), Lancashire weavers who marched on London to air their grievances with the Prince Regent (future George IV). www.lancmag.com

It was the lamentable state of the Lancashire weaving industry they were drawing attention to. A quarter-century later (1842), Swinton men joined a national movement, the Chartists, who were agitating for political reform and apparently had a go at wrecking a local colliery. Wordsmith and social conscience Charles Dickens visited Swinton Industrial School, which had opened in 1843, a site now occupied by the town hall cum civic centre. Wardley Hall is a Grade I Listed early medieval manor (c.1500) and is today the official residence of the R.C. Bishops of Salford. Enough of that though, as I need to sort out my Swinton from my Salford, and, well, my Pendlebury. So, Swinton, a town of some 23,000 souls, began life as just a small hamlet, the name coming from Old English ‘Swine Town’ apparently. Yes, farming used to be the main occupation with the Cistercian monks of Whalley Abbey being among

St Peter’s Church, Swinton (author – Ian Roberts, source – St Peter’s Church, Swinton).

St Augustine’s, Pendlebury, the brick-built church in Bolton Road (author – ‘Richerman’, source – Own work). www.lancmag.com

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the main landowners here and wool providing employment (weaving) and profit. 1894 was the year when Swinton and Pendlebury united to become an urban district, with borough status being conferred 40 years later in 1934 in a ceremony (presided over by Edward 66

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Stanley, 18th Earl of Derby), in Swintonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Victoria Park, which had opened in 1897, the year of the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diamond Jubilee (council meetings had been held in a house in the park prior to the new civic centre being built). An ornate Grade II Listed bandstand, comprising a brick plinth, cast-iron columns, wrought-iron railings, octagonal canopy and slate roof, was www.lancmag.com

LEFT: Salford Civic Centre, Swinton, a 1937 neo-classical building adorned with a close on 38 metre high clock tower (author – Craig Sunter from Manchester, source – Salford Civic Centre). BELOW: Swinton Square, a shopping centre located between the A6 (Chorley Road) and Swinton Hall Road, which opened in 1966 and was formerly known as Swinton Shopping Centre (Peter McDermott / Swinton Square).

erected in the park in that same jubilee year. I understand that in the same year that 1934 ceremony occurred in the park, our first intercity highway, the A580 East Lancashire Road was opened by King George V. It terminates at Swinton and Pendlebury’s southern boundary. I digress though from my mission to shed light on the local governance. Returning to my theme then. Oh, and Salford. Well, Swinton and Pendlebury became a part of the City of Salford in 1974 and Swinton is indeed the seat of Salford City Council, with that civic centre replete with 125 foot (38 metre) clock tower. It was originally Swinton and Pendlebury Town Hall, which was built (1937) after the twin towns had received their borough status, on the site of that industrial school, which was demolished earlier in that decade, the demolition itself, and removal of the resident rats, both presenting challenges. The new town hall (civic centre) is undoubtedly Swinton’s standout building today. It was officially opened, on 17th September 1938, by the Rt. Hon. Arthur Greenwood MP (1880-1954), who became deputy leader of the Labour Party in 1935 and was an outspoken critic of the policy of appeasement. Swinton is very much a rugby league town and Swinton RLFC (1866) has punched above its weight in the past,

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Victoria Park, Swinton, which opened as a public park in 1897 (author – Craig Sunter from Manchester). winning six Championships (1927, 1928, 1931, 1935, 1963 and 1964) and three Challenge Cups (1900, 1926 and 1928), a remarkable achievement given the modest size of the town. A glance at its roll of honour confirms that the club’s halcyon period was way back in the 1920s and ‘30s, with a brief resurgence in the ‘60s. The club became known as ‘Swinton Lions’ from 1996. The round ball game merits a mention as one Ryan Giggs, who grew up in Pendlebury, began his playing career at Swinton’s Deans F.C. He went on to play the occasional game for Manchester United. So, what about that insurance company? Swinton Insurance (HQ in Salford) was established in 1957, the same year as your scribe’s emergence into the world. The company’s founder began what was initially a car insurance brokerage from the front room of his Swinton semi, a business that has expanded to offer a wide range of insurance products from a panel of UK insurers and now employs over 1,500 staff. The business is today owned by Ardonagh Group (since 2018). And yes, 68

it’s HQ is in Salford. I might need somewhere to hang about for a drink (I’m teetotal so a coffee is always welcome). All this exploring on your behalf is thirsty work. I fancy the Grade II Listed White Horse in Worsley Road, which I’m reliably informed is the town’s oldest pub, dating back to the mid-to-late 18th century. It’s a pleasing L-shape and was partially rebuilt in the 20th century. A GreeneKing establishment today, it has some interesting reviews, including ‘A great bombay (sic) bird burger’. Perhaps, in that case, I should partake of some food too. Amongst Swinton’s famous sons was Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (1934-2016), composer, conductor and Master of the Queen’s Music (2004), who grew up in the town. He studied at both the University of Manchester and the Royal Manchester College of Music and contributed ten symphonies over a 40 year period as well as much else. Apparently, he declared, aged just four, that he intended to be a composer. He was right. I think I was about the same age when I announced I was going to be

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a space man. That ambition didn’t work out quite so well. Returning to Swinton and its environs, close by is Old Warke Dam, Worsley, which was built to power flour mills and later offered a boating lake for the Earl of Ellesmere (that’s if you fancy a yomp and a bit of fresh air). It could be a perfect way to work up an appetite before returning to the White Horse.

Swinton Lions RLFC logo (author – Swinton Lions RLFC, source – www. swintonlionsshop.com). 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.

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NEW POULTON PROPERTIES FIT THE BILL FOR ‘FOREVER HOMES’ NEW homes at Oldfield Park meet all of the requirements, and more, we look for in our ‘forever home’, according to researchers. With a range of three and fourbedroom semi and detached homes at the Poulton development hailing from Redrow’s Heritage Collection, properties tick many of the boxes that buyers look for when choosing a home for life, according to The Nottingham. The building society’s survey of 2,000 people found a back garden was top of the list when choosing a future forever home, insisted on by 68% of respondents, and followed by almost half looking for a front garden. A garage, offered with many of the houses at Oldfield Park, was next in line, chosen by 45% of people questioned, with an en-suite (39%) and at least three bedrooms (38%) making up the top five. Fortunately for Poulton buyers, the homes at Oldfield Park are considerably more affordable than the average cost UK adults expect to pay for a forever home – more than £470,000 – with homes on the new phase priced from just £229,995 to £284,995. Lesley Myers, sales manager at Redrow Homes (Lancashire), said: “Our homes at Oldfield Park boast three or four-bedrooms, front and rear gardens, driveways or garages, ensuites to master bedrooms, open plan living spaces, downstairs cloakrooms and many more desirable features buyers look for in a ‘forever home’. “The development offers excellent value for money and, with incentives such as Help to Buy available, buyers could be in a brand new home much sooner than planned.” The three-bedroom Ludlow, priced at just £229,995, looks as good from the outside as it does on the inside. The Ludlow boasts a traditional Arts & Crafts inspired exterior including a roofed porch and large windows. Inside the space is bright, modern and streamlined for family life. An openplan kitchen diner spans the width of the ground floor with French doors out to the rear garden, while there’s also a spacious lounge with large windows 70

and a downstairs cloakroom. Upstairs, there’s a stylish master bedroom with en-suite, two further bedrooms and a family bathroom. The four-bedroom detached Shrewsbury offers an extra bedroom and an integral garage for just £265,995. Help to Buy is perfect for first-time buyers and offers a 20% equity loan interest-free for five years, leaving just a 5% deposit needed and a 75% mortgage. Located on Carr Head Lane, the development boasts excellent commuter connections by rail and road, superb shopping close by and

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a choice of OFSTED ‘Outstanding’ primary and senior schools within walking distance. Trains from nearby Poulton Station will whisk residents into Blackpool in just eight minutes, whilst Preston is only 18 minutes away. For more details of available homes visit the show homes and sales office, usually open Thursday to Monday from 10am to 5.30pm, call 01253 923142 or go to www.redrow.co.uk/ oldfield

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NEW NOTICEBOARD AT NATURE PARK THE Friends of Caldy Nature Park have found a friend in Redrow with the homebuilder stepping into help with funding for a new noticeboard.

Friends of Caldy Nature Park toast receiving funding from Redrow for a new noticeboard Support from Redrow’s Huntington Community Fund, linked to the redevelopment of the former Saighton Camp site, has enabled a replacement noticeboard to be installed. Secretary of the Friends of Caldy Nature Park Julie Casey explained: “The old noticeboard had been vandalised and was rotting at the base. Its condition meant it was no longer fit for purpose as it was difficult to pin posters up due to damp. We asked Redrow for help and received enough money to install a new noticeboard. It’s a great way to welcome people as they arrive from the car park area and provides a means to promote the activities we organise including duck races and nature walks.” Caldy Nature Park is a 12 hectare site, part of which is in the parish of Huntington, less than a mile from Redrow’s new homes at Regents Grange. Voluntary community funds linked to Regents Grange and neighbouring Earl’s Park have seen a total of £10,000 shared amongst good causes in the local area, including the Friends of Caldy Nature Park. www.lancmag.com

Formed in 1991, the group plays an active part in the development and maintenance of the park, working alongside Cheshire West and Chester Council’s greenspace officer to conserve, enhance and promote the natural beauty of the park for the benefit of local residents. Elaine Mounsey, area sales manager for Redrow Homes (NW), said: “Caldy Nature Park is a great community asset, giving local people the chance to get outside and enjoy the natural environment. The Friends do a

fantastic job in helping maintain the area. We were happy to be able to provide a new noticeboard so that other residents will be able to find out more about their work and the activities taking place.” To find out more about the Friends of Caldy Nature Park see https://www. caldyvalley.org.uk. The final few homes at Regents Grange are now on sale. For the latest availability and pricing call 01244 630 730 or see www.redrow.co.uk/regents.

Friends of Caldy Nature Park volunteers Stephanie Hefferan and Jean Kendrew helping to maintain the space LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 71

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Answers to February’s Word Search Altrincham • Antiques • Clitheroe • Cumbria’s Museum • ESP • Fashion • Gardening tips • HARLEM • Hill and Hill Jewellers • Horoscope Joseph & Co • North Lakes Hotel • OSPREY • Rawtenstall • Recipe • Rock Choir • STAG • The tipsy truck • Valentine • Wildlife

Winner of our last word search was: David Ball Send your entries to: Lancashire Magazine, Word Search, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 6NZ

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LANCASHIRE CROSSWORD 1

You could win a year’s subscription by successfully completing our crossword The deadline for entries is 24th February

8 9

February Crossword Answers:

CW MAR

Name Address Post code

Telephone

Across:

Down:

1. On the run

2. Needed

6. Barley

3. Hasty

9. Nelson

4 & 8. Runs out of Enactors

10. Mute Swan

Across:

Down:

1. Ernie’s Favourite resort (9)

2. Has property in towns (4)

8. Well known in Lancashire, this lady is for turning! (8,5)

3. Requiring much from a little man (7)

13. Witch Country

11. Put cover round an article (4)

4. Aunt Meg may become greater! (7) 5. Small blister obtained from a pebble beach (4)

16. Nick of Pendle

6. Ruin Union member without hesitation (5,3,5)

19. Closed

7. A percentage that is rare (3,2,1,7)

21. Averages

9. Lancashire’s deadly stream? (9)

23. Interest

10. Fresh ball from America (3,6)

24. Lessen

12. Fifty always little near Bolton (5) 13. Makes its mark on the Lancashire coast (4) 16. Tom’s vessel? (7) 17. Excess linked with 6 Down (3,4) 18. Collapse at the end of term (5-2) 20. He, possibly, cures the Queen! (7) 21. Unusual army units (4) 22. She rode on the lawn (5) 23. Move slowly to the crest of the ridge (4) 26. Go to 15 Down! (1,4,2,3,3) 27. Centre of fashion near Manchester (9)

14. See 17 Across and 6 Down! (5) 15. Effortless progress at Southport (5) 19. Twisted in Lancashire mills (7)

11. Very soft 12. Nudity

25. Decker

5. No match 6. Baton 7. Residence 13. Wakes week 14. Oddfellow 15. Billinge 17. Elastic 20. Drear 22. Aisle

26. Cowbells

20. The trees to make an ornament (7) 24. Little by way of transport (4) 25. Fabric prominent in a Pendle novel (4)

Winner of our last crossword was: Frank Wolstenholme Send your entries to:

Lancashire Magazine Crossword, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 6NZ www.lancmag.com

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 75

Come and shop in peace at Vine Mill Furniture’s showroom Accrington’s Vine Mill furniture gives the big retailers a run for their money with its huge collection, top discounts and relaxed shopping experience.

staff on our floor to advise them. “When they’ve gone to other stores there have been seven or eight people on the floor, which can make them feel uneasy.” And so far, this ‘no pressure’ approach to customer service has proved successful for the family-run company. Instead of an intimidating sales presence, when you pop into the Brookside Street store, in Accrington, you’ll find a friendly and relaxed service and will be left alone to browse the extensive collection. Come and experience this unique way of shopping, you wont be disappointed. Mark Gerrard sales 76

manager at Vine Mill, said “Several customers have commented on their relief at having only a couple of sales

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The grand showroom is 40,000 sq ft, across two floors, displaying a great selection of sofas, three-piece suites, beds, and much more. The stunning www.lancmag.com

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LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 77

furniture shop is also home to some unique pieces that will add that special something to your house. The store regularly stocks unusual pieces, from glasswork to woodwork, all inspired by the owners trips abroad. “We’re not like the standard stores you see on retail parks,” said Mark. “There’s lots of unusual pieces and carved antiquities mixed in with the more contemporary displays and this is what really sets us apart.” The company can also offer a bespoke range through their company Chesterfield Britannia. Surely one of the most recognisable, classic and luxurious pieces of furniture that anyone can purchase is the Chesterfield suite. This is also a fabulous opportunity if you are struggling to find a suite to fit in to a small space or you even require a suite for a much larger area, as each suite can be made to your exact measurements. In store you can view up to fifty different Chesterfield suites. Plus with a choice of almost a thousand different leathers to choose from, the choice is endless and you can literally customise your suite to suit your choice, size and taste. Where else can you find such a customised opportunity, certainly not on the High Street or at the large retail parks, where large sales team follow 78

your every move? Vine Mill Furniture is proud of their sister company Chesterfield Britannia as they know they can offer something you will not find anywhere else.

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Bedrooms are also catered for at Vine Mill Furniture, with a wide selection of wardrobes, bedside cabinets and dressing tables to update any bedroom and provide a luxurious www.lancmag.com

“Whatever you see in store, Vine Mill will deliver within 24 hours.” Check out the collections at Vine Mill Furniture, Brookside Street, Oswaldtwistle, BB5 3PX. For more information visit vinemillfurniture. co.uk or call 01254 399906 Facebook and Feebo 5 Star Rating Flexible payment plans to suit all budgets, available on home buy packages. When you have paid for each item ... your order will be delivered in 24hrs. French elegant style to your boudoir. The range includes various styles of wardrobes too, whether you want a combination wardrobe or a number of various styles, Vine Mill Furniture have it all waiting for you to peruse at your leisure. However there is plenty more that you will find in Vine Mill Furniture who also sells numerous bespoke beds for you to choose from. That’s not all, As a wholesaler to the big retailers Vine Mill Furniture can pass on these discounted prices to its customers-meaning buyers can save an impressive 30 to 40 percent off the retail price. They also offer a 24-hour delivery service, what more could you ask for. “We’ve had situations where customers have bought a suite in the morning and had it in their home by the afternoon,” explained Mark. www.lancmag.com

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Cathedral Sways To Zumba Beat For Children In Need

ZUMBA enthusiasts from all over Lancashire filled Blackburn Cathedral for a two-hour charity ‘Zumbathon’ at the weekend.

rganised by the Blackburn Diocese ‘Ministry of Sport’ team, dancers and instructors moved and grooved to raise money for the BBC Children in Need appeal 2019. The Cathedral swept the seats to one side to accommodate the group, providing a stage in the nave for the instructors. Dancers came from all points of the compass: Colne, Accrington, Blackburn, Preston, Lancaster, Over Wyre, Whalley, Leyland and more … all displaying infectious enthusiasm for the chance to exercise in the Cathedral while gathering much needed funds for the good causes supported by Children in Need. Some of the dancers were from Lancashire churches but many weren’t – having heard about the event through their local Zumba classes. The two-hour event was promoted by The Church of England in 80

Lancashire’s dedicated ‘Ministry of Sport’ team and launched on the night by Rt Rev. Dr Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster. Bishop Jill said: “The Kingdom of God is a party, as Jesus said, and this Zumbathon is a real party! Why not celebrate like this in our Cathedral where we can welcome people from all walks of life. The great thing is that we have people with faith and without faith celebrating together.” The Rev. Lesley Hinchcliffe, Vicar of Fence and Higham, and a member of the Ministry of Sport organising team, said: “My objective for the event is unashamedly missional: I hope that by bringing people into this amazing Cathedral for this event people will think ‘Wow - church isn’t what I maybe thought it was about.” Instructor Sarah Green, who runs a Zumba class in Oswaldtwistle, was taking part for the first time, and described her excitement at being asked

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to contribute: “Zumba is an exercise party for everyone! I’m nervous as I’ve never been in front of a class of this size before, but mega-excited for the event!” Zumba instructor Louise Ball, who has a class in Whalley, enthused: “It was a great night of socialising and fundraising. Zumba and the church go really well together.” And Keith McIntosh, from St Andrew’s Church in Leyland and Sports Ambassador for Blackburn Diocese, added: “We are encouraging people to come through the doors of this wonderful and iconic building for the very first time. Children in Need has been a great charity that has lasted the course, and we are proud to support it. How much do its principles reflect the doctrine of our faith - love your neighbour as yourself !” The final amount raised for Children in Need on the evening was £550.

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Pendle Stoves & Fireplaces

pened in June of 2016, this family-run business is one of Colne’s hidden gems. Specialising in the supply and installation of quality stoves, fireplaces and fires, it’s the only place to visit when in the need for new heating or cooking appliances. Located on Albert Road, it is just a hop, skip and a jump from the centre of town, making it easy to find. Since the opening of their shop nearly four years ago, Janine and Michael have had ongoing success. Micheal said, “We always worked as installers and decided to take the plunge into opening our own store. We started off pretty basic but have now ended up with the top brands on the market, all within our store.” When asked about the shop’s brands, Michael explained; “Chesneys of London is our most popular in the woodburning and gas stoves category along with the beautiful fireplace they offer. All of their stoves are stylish whilst also practical and they have the best

burning technologies available.” Chesneys is an entrepreneurial, British family business, built on 35 years of anticipating the needs of discerning customers and delivering the highest standards of design, innovation, craftsmanship and service. They offer an unparalleled range of high-quality fireplaces, environmentally friendly stoves, innovative architectural solutions and a unique collection of dualpurpose outdoor heating and cooking appliances. It seems it’s not just the customers who have fallen in love with this popular brand, Janine told me, “In the heat range from Chesneys is a unique BBQ and outdoor heater. It is stylish, works great and provides amazing heat on those cooler evenings. It’s a BBQ like no other, I highly recommended it, especially considering it has been officially endorsed by the chef James Martin! Mine is the pride of my back garden.”

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Bellfires is another exclusive brand that takes centre stage in the Colne store. Barbas Bellfires is the manufacturer of fireplaces and stoves. They have been designing and manufacturing fireplaces in their own workshop since 1976. The possibilities are endless: from built-in wood fireplaces to freestanding gas fireplaces and from 3-sided gas fireplaces to a tunnel fireplace. Michael said, “In the large we sell gas fires from Bellfires, a Dutch brand offering some truly amazing gas fires.” Their other best-selling brand is Contura. Contura stoves are made by NIBE in Markaryd, Sweden. The production takes place in Sweden, in one of the world’s most modern stove factories, with a focus on reduced environmental impact. Michael said, “The Swedish brand of woodburner we have is called Contura and they are well known for a high-end freestanding cylindrical style stove.” Pendle Stoves keep their range very limited. The brands they stock are only those that they truly believe in and know that their customers will receive 100% satisfaction from. Their client base is mostly made up of private clientele, but they do have regular contracts with new builds within the area. When asked about why they think their store is a success, Janine replied; “Our shop stands out from others with it being a smaller, family-run store. We offer a unique service with complete installations right from the building aspect up to the gas and solid fuel installations. As previously stated, we also boast the best brands available on the market today, whether it be woodburning, fireplaces, gas stoves or luxury gas fires. Our staff have stayed the same all the way through, which creates a great business relationship with our regular clients. We are not the largest in the area, but we offer a more personal, bespoke service.” Just take a look at some of the testimonials they have received over the years… “After viewing a few fireplace show rooms and getting lots of ideas we decided to go with these guys. We discussed what we wanted and were offered various options. We knew these were the ones we wanted to use. From booking the installation date to completion the communication from the team was fantastic. The team arrived on time on the date we agreed and just got 86

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on with it. Such a professional service. Cannot fault anything. From installation to cleanliness. Would highly recommend to anyone considering a new log burner. Thanks to all at Pendle!” “Fantastic service from the moment we visited the showroom. The installation was done very efficiently and looks amazing! Michael and his team took our wall from bare plaster to wood burner in one day with very little mess made. I would highly recommend; their work is now the stunning centrepiece of our new lounge. Thank you so much!” “We had our stove fitted just before Christmas. All the work was done in one day with minimum mess or fuss. Fantastic customer service and an excellent job done. Would definitely recommend to anybody.” The team at Pendle Stoves know how important choosing the correct appliance is. So, when that moment does come, follow Michael’s advice; “The advice I’d give to anyone buying a stove or a fireplace in general is, always buy from a reputable dealer as they offer the full manufacturers back up and warranties. Always buy the latest appliances available from well-respected brands and use trusted installers to carry out your work.” As well as trusted suppliers, Pendle Stoves are trusted installers of quality, wood and multifuel stoves, bespoke handmade fireplaces, gas and electric fires. They have a professional and reputable in-house installation team with 30 years experience in the industry. As well as owning the store, Michael even does all the surveying and installations! You are guaranteed a five star experience with Pendle Stoves with any service you choose. Like all independent businesses, it is important that they are always able to offer their customers exactly what they want in order to compete with other businesses. Janine said, “Our plans are always to improve. Whether it’s in our store, with new appliances or new trends, we are always adapting to keep our customers up to date with the latest technology.” If you would like to browse the store’s collections for yourself or talk to one of Pendle’s professional team members, they are open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm and Saturday, 9.30am – 4pm. Alternatively, call them on 01282 866986 or follow them on Facebook.

Calendar Days

Lets see how many National Days you can celebrate, continuing with March. 24.

Monday

25.

Tuesday

Wednesday 26.

Thursday 27.

28.

Friday

Saturday 29.

Sunday

National Dadgum That’s Good Day

World Teen National I Want Marching Music National Mental Wellness You to be Happy Day Absinthe Day Day Day

National Oreo Cookie Day

National Cereal National Day Proofreading Day

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

National Get Over it Day

National Mario Day

National Worship of Tools Day

World Kidney Day

National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day

National Write Down Your Story Day

National Everything You Think is Wrong Day

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

Everything You Do Is Right Day

St. Patrick’s Day National Awkward Moments Day

National Let’s Laugh Day

World Flour Day World Down Syndrome Day

National Goof Off Day

23.

24.

26.

27.

28.

29.

National Puppy National Stroke National National Day a Cat with a Tolkien Reading Spinach Day moustache day Day

National Spanish Paella Day

National Worldwide Something on a post a Nic Cage Stick Day meme day

30.

31.

25.

National Take a National Tater Walk in the Park Day Day

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Professional tailor and alterations company specialising in clothing repairs and wedding alterations based in Poulton-Le-Fylde.

FASHION HOUSE Call 07842 610304

25 Market Place, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 7BS Email: fashionhpoulton@gmail.com Facebook: Fashion House

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LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 91

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Fashion House For all your garment needs there really is no other place to go than Fashion House. Specialising in ladies and gents’ alterations, clothing repairs and dress making, no job is too big for co-owners Edyta and Monica. Located on Market Place in the town centre, this charming shop is one of Poulton-Le-Fylde’s most valued independent businesses. Fashion House can fix any fashion faux pas, read on to find out how! Words: Jessica Gregson Photographs: Amanda Francis

he delightful store originally opened its doors in 2011, but since Edyta took over the business six years ago, it has flourished into what it is today. The phenomenal customer service, remarkable tailoring skills and allusive building are all contributing factors to Fashion House’s success. Both Edyta and Monica learnt their extraordinary tailoring skills in their home country of Poland and have continued their passion here in the UK. Situated in the oldest building in Poulton, the shop truly has a historic charm about it. This former house was built in the late 18th century or early 19th century and was owned by James Baines, a wool merchant. It is constructed of brick in a Flemish bond pattern with stone dressings, a slate roof and red ridging tiles. This Grade II listed house has five storeys. Fashion House shares the bottom floor with a beauty salon, whilst the other four floors are used for accommodation. Fashion House offer a range of different services. Alterations are their main trade with over 50 garments to modify each week. They specialise in both ladies and gentlemen’s clothing and can alter any style and fabric of www.lancmag.com

clothing. They are able to complete a simple task like turning up a pair of trousers, modifying a prom dress or even resizing a wedding dress. Their turn over time for alterations is just one week, another reason to the business’s success. Increasing with popularity is the demand for wedding dress alterations. Brides are travelling far and wide to ensure their wedding dress is the perfect fit for their special day. The closing down of bridal shops in the area has prompted a surge in this type of business, one the girls specialise in. As well as altering wedding dresses, the Fashion House team can also design and create them from scratch. All fabric is sourced by them from Poland and Italy and is made to the highest possible standard. Their portfolio includes a variety of stunning dresses, their most recent being an elegant sleeveless number used for nuptials in Jamaica. This talented duo were also able to create an identical bridesmaid dress for the couple’s young daughter. Just take a look at what the blushing bride had to say; “Edyta and Monica have been absolutely amazing. I went into the

shop a few months ago to see if they could make me a wedding dress. I was getting married in Jamaica and wanted something I couldn’t find in the shops. I found some ideas and they found the most gorgeous material and made the most perfect dress. It’s exactly what I wanted! Not only did they make it so quickly, with such gorgeous materials, they made my daughter a matching dress. I could not have asked for anything better! The girls were amazing and made THE dress for my perfect day! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Since the completion of ‘said’ wedding dress and the requests they have received, they will be launching a new sector to the business solely focussing on the creation of bespoke wedding dresses. The team at Fashion House are not only able to design and create the dress of dreams, but they can embellish dresses like no other. Their talented skillset, developed over many years in the industry, includes the hand painting of fabric. Clients can choose whatever they want on their wedding dress, be it flowers or motives in different colours. Set to launch later this year, the duo are very excited for their

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new business venture, one guaranteed to be as successful as their original fashion concept. For all those bridesto-be, keep your eyes peeled for their official launch date! A bespoke item of clothing does not necessarily have to be used for a special occasion. Fashion House can create any garment, big or small. So, if you require the perfect holiday dress, a comfortable pair of trousers for everyday wear or a skirt for work, these ladies can help. They also design and create matching parent and children clothing, a popular trend amongst celebrities at the moment. Fashion House do not only specialise in women’s clothing, they are also able to tailor, design and create men’s clothing. Whether it is altering a suit jacket or creating one from scratch, Edyta and Monica are your go to. This two-member team pride themselves on their excellent customer service skills. From initial enquiry right through until the finished product has been delivered, you are guaranteed a five-star service. Upon entering the charming little shop that’s described as 94

a ‘French boutique’, Edyta and Monica give you their full attention. They listen to your ideas, requirements and help you envisage what the finished product will look like. Throughout every process, be that a simple alteration or a design from scratch, they will keep you updated throughout. This ground-floor shop has changing facilities for you to try all altered garments to ensure the perfect fit. In 2018, the chic boutique had a small renovation, creating more space for the important work that takes place in this 18th century building. Edyta and Monica’s reputation as one of the best tailoring duos in the area continues to grow. Customers from all over the North West travel to utilise their services. Edyta said; “We have regulars from Poulton but also customers that come in frequently from Manchester, Lytham and other towns outside of the Fylde.” With just the power of ‘word of mouth’ their business is being recognised. Recommendations are always a contributing factor to any business’s success, and it seems Fashion House have plenty of these; “I cannot emphasise how good

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Edyta and Monica are. Not only they clearly have got some fantastic tailoring skills, but they have an eye for detail like no other tailors I came across. They have fantastic customer services skills and dedication to do the best job possible. I have actually brought to them a tailored coat for resizing (which two other seamstresses attempted to do for me but didn’t deliver) and they did magnificent work on it. They were also very accommodating with fitting an appointment around my work, doing the alteration without much time and for a great price. Very good value for money and really high quality of work. I will definitely be going back to them when I need more alterations. Thank you so much lovely ladies.” “The lovely ladies have done a fantastic job for me taking up my wetsuit as it was far too long on me and I’m over the moon happy with the results. I’ll be taking more things there from now on. Thank you, one very happy customer.” www.lancmag.com

“Edyta and Monika did a fantastic job altering a bridesmaid dress for me recently. They hemmed it and also dealt with some tricky pleating around the bust. Great service and reasonable prices. Would definitely recommend!” The team are always looking for ways to further enhance their skills and build their reputation. In March they will attend ‘Make it British Live!’ held at the iconic Business Design Centre in London on Tuesday 17th & Wednesday 18th. The Fashion House also sponsor Lancashire Police Federation diary in Blackpool and Lancaster. Make it British Live! is the only event in the world that showcases the best of British manufacturers and producers of textiles, clothing and homeware. They say if you’re looking for genuine UK suppliers, covering the entire supply chain, from sewing factories, to fabric mills, printers, and machinery suppliers, as well as support and advice from others that manufacture locally, Make it British Live! is an event not to be missed! It is www.lancmag.com

the perfect opportunity for the tailors to witness and pick up new skills, learn of up-coming trends and secure future business. Like many other independent businesses, Fashion House are heavily involved with the local community. They sponsor the Poulton Gala each year which takes place in June. They also sponsor local groups, charities and their local police force. It is important for independent businesses to help each other out and over the last six years, Edyta and Monica have become an integral part of Poulton’s business community. If you require any type of alteration or a whole new wardrobe, Edyta and Monica look forward to your visit. You will find them at number 25-29 Market Place, PoultonLe-Fylde, FY6 7BS. The shop is open Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm and Saturday, 9am – 2pm. Alternatively give them a call on 07842610304 or message them on their Facebook page (The Fashion House) to discuss your requirements. You will not be disappointed!

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Poulton’s best kept secret Opened on April Fool’s Day three years ago by Sarah Parker and Melanie Eaves, this Gift and Homeware Boutique is no joke.

This Trouva nominated boutique has just achieved its ‘Super Status’ and shares its achievements with the likes of Prague, Italy and London’s best gift stores. The Feathered Nest showcases best-selling brands including Parlane, Räder Design and Stoneglow Candles alongside a lovely curation of items from small independent businesses. Their style is definitely more timeless than trendy, they love natural materials, they mix new with vintage, they seek out pieces that have charm, 96

elegance and a lovely rustic aesthetic. Sarah and Mel look forward to helping you feather your nest, so read on to see what they can offer and visit the store soon! Located down an alley off Chapel Street, behind the stunning building of St Chad’s Parish Church, it is one of Poulton-Le-Fylde’s hidden gems. The alley, now lined with shops and restaurants, is a far cry from what it was centuries ago. Known back then as ‘Potts Alley’ or ‘Potts Entry’, houses

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once backed onto the churchyard at the far end. Their doorsteps are still visible, incorporated into the brick wall. By 1900 it had been renamed Chapel Street Court and is now one of Poulton’s hotspots for a bit to eat or to browse the variety of shops. Lined with other independent businesses, this secret alley has formed a community all of its own. Next time you happen to be in Poulton, take a stroll down this historic alley and search out those www.lancmag.com

doorsteps for yourself. The Feathered Nest’s best-selling brands include designs from Parlane. Parlane is one of the UK’s leading interior wholesalers, designing and supplying home accessories to the trade. Established in 1970, this brand represents timeless, affordable style throughout the world. For nearly 50 years, the trusted brand has supplied furniture, decorative and functional accessories, extraordinarily realistic faux flowers and Christmas decorations to over 3,000 independent businesses nationwide and overseas. Just one of Parlane’s designs that this Poulton boutique sell is the ‘Cliff Edge’ Console Table. This beautiful piece of dark natural wood with carved geometric lines is stunning. The simplicity of the design uncluttered by shelves or drawers is a real statement piece without being fussy. Räder Design is another brand that is displayed on The Feathered Nest’s shelves. For half a century, their trusted designs, organic shapes, trendsetting ideas, natural materials and sensual experiences have made Räder Design a favourite amongst customers and boutiques. Whether the combination of glazed and unglazed porcelain or the sophistication of refracting light is what draws in potential buyers, you can be assured you will find something pleasantly perfect at The Feathered Nest. Räders Design’s create products that tell of life, love and laughter. The MINI Love Vases are just one of the items available at the Poulton boutique. A beautiful set of four porcelain mini vases glazed on the inside and part glazed/unglazed on the exterior to add interest and texture. They make for a charming gift, whether it’s for a friend or a special treat to yourself. For those who adore a lovely scented home, The Feathered Nest’s collection of Stoneglow Candles will sure to impress. This candle company have over 26 years experience in designing and creating handmade candles. They have become the natural choice for high quality home fragrance. Their business is based entirely on home fragrances, delivered by scented candles and reed diffusers. www.lancmag.com

TOP: Parlane ‘Cliff Edge’ Console Table £750.00. ABOVE: LOVE Vases Mini by Räder Design (Set of 4) £18.00. LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 97

The company prides itself on always sourcing the finest materials. Their perfumers blend these materials into distinctive and original fragrances. Stoneglow Candles even grow and harvest some of the botanicals found in their Natures Gift and Botanical collections in the UK. New to The Feathered Nest this year, is Chalk Paint ™ by Annie Sloan. Sarah and Mel recently announced that they are the proud stockists of this well-known brand. Chalk Paint is the world’s best furniture paint. Annie Sloan invented her revolutionary furniture paint in 1990 and hasn’t stopped refining and improving her formula since. One of the reasons for its popularity is there’s no need for priming or sanding. Chalk Paint is as easy to use as opening the tin, dipping your brush, and applying paint to furniture! The Feathered Nest stock over 50 Annie Sloan products including paint, brushes, stencils, rollers, wax’s and books. Over the next couple of weeks, Sarah and Mel will be completing their Annie Sloan training and will then be able to hold workshops for those residents interested. They hope to use the local Village Hall for the workshop which will be open to members of the public. This fun-filled event will inspire and teach interior design lovers how to benefit from the Annie Sloan collection. As well as being the co-owners of The Feathered Nest, Sarah and Mel have been best friends since they met 12 years ago. Their love for interior design led them to become business owners of one of Poulton’s favourite gift and homeware boutiques. They are a dab hand at interior design themselves. Often customers will come to them with a blank canvas seeking advice on how they can upcycle or create a masterpiece from scratch. From their shared experience in the trade, they are the people to go to if you have a query about interior design. Maybe you want to upcycle an old piece of furniture, add to an existing piece or buy something totally new, whatever the reason for your visit, you will leave feeling satisfied. Over the years, this speciality shop 98

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came away with exactly what I wanted but also a massive shopping list for next year. Such a lovely independent boutique, lots of unique gifts, and such helpful ladies. I will be back, so get ready with my shopping basket!” The Feathered Nest has become one of the town’s favoured independent stores, even more so since the development of their website. Customers can browse the store’s collections online and purchase them from the comfort of their own home. Shopping with them is easy. They accept Paypal, Klarna as well as card payments and offer free delivery on orders over £60 (excludes large, heavy and fragile items). They deliver

throughout the UK from just £2.95 and to Europe for £6.95. They will also ship to the rest of the world for £12.50. Mel said, “Since we launched the website 18 months ago it has made shopping easier for all our customers. We have regulars who now live abroad and were only able to purchase items when they visited. Now that they are able to buy from us online, they do not have to wait months to browse and buy from our collection.” One customer said; “Just had a delivery of ‘Set De Bols’. So pleased they are beautiful, I hope my friend will love them. I want to keep them!” Very much an integral part of the community now, Sarah and Mel

ABOVE: Sculpture of Standing Lady White £19.00. RIGHT: Brown & Grey Sea Scape Lanterns 23cm £38 & 36cm £49. Paper weight Jelly fish White 10cm £18. has gained a treasured reputation with the residents of Poulton. Sarah said, “We often have people coming back saying ‘Oh remember when we came in last year and bought that trinket box from you.’ We do have some lovely regulars that pop in each week to say hi and take a look at our new products.” Sarah and Mel pride themselves on their customer service. Just take a look at some of the great reviews they have received from their customers: “Went to this beautiful shop today, it was like walking into Aladdin’s cave. The products are beautiful, merchandised to perfection and reasonably priced. Would definitely send my friends to shop there, the staff were absolutely lovely too. Well done ladies, I will be back.” “Made my Mum’s day today to have some time out and to look at the lovely things in the shop, we both bought pictures and I’ve just helped my Mum put hers up already! She’s very pleased. Lots of goodies in here and Melanie was very helpful. We will be back!” “Popped in today for a bit of lastminute Christmas shopping, and www.lancmag.com

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RIGHT: Mini Bud Vases by Räder Design (set of 4) £17. are always willing to help out other local businesses, groups or charities. Whether that is by means of reviewing a local restaurant or donating prizes to the Girl Guides, they are happy to lend a helping hand. If you are interested in seeing what this charming boutique has to offer, take a look at their website www.thefeatherednestuk.co.uk/. Alternatively, stop by in person, they are open Monday – Saturday from 9.30am until 4.30pm. You are guaranteed a friendly and professional service from Mel and Sarah, the icing on the cake once you have seen what goodies lie instore. Also, be sure to keep up to date with all their latest collections and news by following them on Facebook and Instagram. Their Pinterest page is also worth a look at for those aspiring DIY interior designers. There are pages full of charming ideas.

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Time to take a trip to Poulton-Le-Fylde By Jessica Gregson

Church - Lilian Marshall.

oulton-Le-Fylde or ‘Poulton’ as commonly abbreviated, is an ancient market town in Lancashire situated on the coastal plain of the Fylde. It has often been overlooked for the glitz and glam of its neighbouring town Blackpool, or the stunning seaside resort of Lytham. However, in recent years Poulton has become a desired location. The history of the town, attractions, array of shops and lively nightlife all contribute to the town’s surge in popularity. Want to know more? Read on! HISTORY Poulton was recorded in 1086, 102

although there is evidence that it dates back to c.10,000 BC, as ‘Poltun’, the name is derived from the Old English words ‘pull’ or ‘pōl’ + ‘tūn’ meaning “farmstead by a pool or creek”. In later years it was recorded as ‘Pultun’, ‘Polton’, ‘Potton’, ‘Poolton’ and ‘Poulton’. The affix ‘le-Fylde’ was added in 1842 to distinguish the town from Poulton-le-Sands, a village that is now part of Morecambe. During the 19th century, Poulton became a significant trade centre for the area. This iconic town was able to import goods from as far away as Russia and North America with its access

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to the harbours on either side of the River Wyre, at Skippool and Wardleys. Ireland, the Baltic Countries, as well as other UK cities and towns such as Liverpool and Whitehaven, were also popular importers for this Fylde town. The products imported ranged from textile materials like flax to timber, tallow, cheese and other food items. By the 18th century, Poulton’s square was host to a market which took place in February, April and November, as well as corn fairs every Monday. The markets specialised in cattle and cloth. To this day it is still unclear at what point Poulton began life as a market town; it was never granted a market www.lancmag.com

Poulton-le-Fylde Railway Station sign. charter but, nevertheless, it is one of the most recognised market towns in Lancashire and boasts a popular market day every Monday. In 1836, the growth of the nearby new town of Fleetwood threatened Poulton’s commercial importance. The town, located seven miles from Poulton, was constructed at the mouth of the River Wyre, essentially making the town one of the major ports in the area. Eventually, Poulton’s importance declined but not before the town benefitted from the arrival of a railway. www.lancmag.com

Fleetwood was a major port and link for passengers traveling from London to Scotland, so to boost the town’s trade, a rail link was added in 1840. Poulton was one of the stops on the route and to this day, is still an integral service to the community. Trains depart from Poulton every day, with multiple departures each hour and over 100 trains per day. ATTRACTIONS The Poulton Elk The Poulton Elk is indication of some the earliest evidence of settlers in the area and has a very interesting story.

This phenomenal part of history was only discovered 50 years ago. In July 1970, John Devine was in the process of demolishing his bungalow in order to build a new family home, when he stumbled across an elk’s skull and broken antler. His neighbour, helped by his friend who was a member of the Poulton Historical Society, began to assemble the bones. During this process they made a remarkable discovery – a curious carved object which appeared to be man-made. News spread and archaeologists

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TOP: Market Square. ABOVE: Church.

came to recover and record any bones still in the ground. On 12th August they revealed the rear leg bones and discovered a second object carved from bone, similar to the first. These were barbed points made by ancient hunters – the earliest evidence of people in north-west England. Using the latest technology available, it has been determined that the Poulton Elk is around 13,500 years old. This accidental discovery is one of Poulton’s most well-known and cherished parts of history, so much so that one of the town’s pubs has been named after it. The Poulton Elk, a JD Wetherspoon Pub, is definitely worth a visit to uncover more about this fascinating discovery. Hung on one of the walls of the pub is a photograph, painting and text about the ancient creature. It reads: “This Wetherspoon pub has been named after an 104

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exciting discovery in July 1970 which gave Poulton Le Fylde international fame – an almost complete skeleton of a 13,500 year old elk was found as the foundations were being dug for a new house on Blackpool Old Road, part of the borough of Poulton Le Fylde. What made the find so important was the discovery of hunting barbs embedded in the leg bones – indicating that human hunters had lived in this area around 10,000BC. This is the earliest evidence yet found for man living this far north, in the days when Britain was part of the continent of Europe and it would have been possible to walk from Poulton to the Ural Mountains in Russia.” The almost-complete skeleton of the Stone Age elk can be seen on display at the Harris Museum in Preston. www.lancmag.com

Church - Lilian Marshall. St Chadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parish Church This Anglican church is at the heart of the community, located in the town centre of Poulton-Le-Fylde. The stunning place of worship is Grade II listed and has watched over this busy town for over 900 years. Surrounded by its church yard and delightful gardens, it is an oasis of peace for the residents of Poulton. Their gardens are a beautiful centerpiece to a town that prides itself on its own floral achievements. Poulton in Bloom has achieved horticultural excellence over the years, taking the Silver Gilt award in the 2010 RHS North West in Bloom competition and many other awards over the years. Throughout the year, you are guaranteed changing church yard views- in Spring the grounds are a carpet of snowdrops, www.lancmag.com

crocuses and daffodils, then the trees come into leaf, followed by spectacular summer plants which provide a whole new mesmerizing landscape. It is an ideal setting in which to relax whilst reading a book or taking in this fine historical building. The church is open daily for quiet prayer and reflection. They also hold services and activities that not only benefit the residents of Poulton, but beings from around the world. In response to the recent devastating fires in Australia that are estimated to have killed one billion animals, the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Knit and Natter Group have dedicated their time to making joey pouches to help the wildlife suffering from the disastrous fires. The Reverend Martin Keighley, who has been the Vicar of Poulton for the last 20 years, welcomes all to the church LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 105

Flowers - Wyre Council. whether it is for a service, special event or just to view the interior. Jean Stansfield Memorial Park Just a hop, skip and a jump from Poulton’s Market Square lies just under three hectares of peaceful bliss. A large park home to a children’s playground with a multi-use games area and bowling green, is an ideal choice for a day out. The Jean Stansfield Memorial Park, also known as Vicarage Park, began its life back in 1926. The park was created in memory of of Mr and Mrs S F Stansfield’s daughter, Jean, who died tragically at the age of 10 years old. Jean was a pupil at Westbourne House and her parents donated two acres of land to the people of Poulton to create a park and recreational ground for local children. Today, the park certainly lives up to the Stansfields’ original hopes and intentions as it hosts a children’s play area, a crown green bowling green and an ornamental wetland area. It is the perfect spot for a summer picnic, a day out with the family or a relaxing walk through luscious parkland. SHOPPING Poulton-Le-Fylde has an array of shops for those who love a good browse. Take a walk down Ball Street, the Market Square, Breck Road and Chapel Street, there you will find a whole host of retailers, whether they be the popular brands or 106

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those small, unique boutiques. As Poulton is a market town, it’s only fitting that their weekly market should get a mention. Held every Monday in the pedestrianised market square area, a selection of goods including clothes, homewares, gifts, confectionery and food can be bought. It is a great day to explore the town and its famous market. NIGHTLIFE The beauty of going on a night out in Poulton is you do not need to walk far as all the restaurants, bars and clubs are within close proximity to each other. So, when it’s pouring it down or you or someone in your party is complaining of uncomfortable shoes, you are only a hop, skip and a jump away from the next boozer. Depending on what you are in the mood for, you can enjoy any type of night out in Poulton. There are loads of trendy cocktails bars, perfect for a sophisticated catch up with pals. For those who are looking for somewhere to watch live sports, the list of pubs is endless. And for those who really want to celebrate in style, Poulton’s club scene can definitely help you out. So, if you have never been to Poulton-Le-Fylde now is the time to go! Discover its charming past, visit the weekly markets and try their fine selection of eateries and bars. For those who have been before, be sure to return soon as Poulton is forever developing and there is bound to be something new to discover. www.lancmag.com

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The Alley Bar Opened in November of 2018, The Alley Bar has quickly become one of Poulton’s highlights. Located on Breck Mews, this delightful wine and cocktail bar is the ideal spot for a relaxing beverage, a reunion with friends or even a celebratory event. Read on to find out what The Alley Bar can offer you. stunning. The modern bar with three Draught pumps, shelves full of the trendiest gins, spectacular spirits and worldly wines, is a mouth-watering haven for all visitors. Split by a staircase, The Alley actually has two bars, therefore allowing room for mingling, dancing and socialising. The large glass windows allow in the bright daylight filling the bar with warmth in summer, which can be opened up onto the terrace. The Alley’s cocktails are a musttry, especially considering they are award-winning! Last year, The Alley’s Bar Manager entered the ‘Shake to Shanghai’ Competition. Bartenders from across the UK are invited to demonstrate their mixology flair and gin cocktail making skills in The Liverpool to Shanghai Twinned Identity Cocktail Challenge. Sam entered The Alley’s ‘Kiss From A Rose’, later renamed ‘Rosa Chinensis’, and blew the judges away. This cocktail now holds a permanent fixture on their cocktail menu.

The Alley Bar opened its doors just over a year ago and since then has become a stand-out venue in this developing Fylde town. When opening a new venture, it is always important to name it something to remember and with The Alley, it will be hard to forget. When asked about the name, Sandra, The Alley Bar’s owner, said “I called it The Alley Bar because it is down an alley. Close to the train station, it has lovely views and is very 108

secluded.” The bar’s use of the alley has proved popular with the residents of this market town. Just off Breck Road, the lane has been converted into a terrace to be enjoyed on those dry days. It’s the ideal place to catch a tan in the summer and an even better place to cosy up under the heaters whilst sipping a wintery themed concoction in the winter. Not only is the exterior to be admired, the interior is just as

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With an extensive menu overflowing with flavours, you are guaranteed to find one or more blends that will tickle your taste buds. Their signature cocktail, The Alley, is a sweet delight loved by all. Made up of fresh lemon, violet syrup, Whitley Neil Parma Violet Gin, egg white and served straight up in a Violet Sugar rimmed glass, it tastes as good as it sounds. Their Biscuit Tin Shake is another cocktail that has pleased many customers. Teichenne Butterscotch Liqueur, caramel syrup, Rijo biscuits and fresh milk is what all goes into making this cocktail, which is perfectly garnished with a biscuit. It is a drink and dessert all in one! For the lovers of the classic www.lancmag.com

Their Wine Evenings are not the only events that have become an Alley tradition. Following last year’s success, they are bringing back the Gin Festival on Saturday 27th June. The gin-fuelled day is a ticketed event but is also open to the public. For just £10 you will receive three different Gins with mixers! They have a selection of over 19 to choose from, including special cocktails made just for that day and a food stall to line your stomachs so the Gin can keep on flowing. If Gin isn’t your thing, why not attend their Summer Spritz Party which will take place on Saturday 29th to Sunday 30th August. Open between 12pm and 12am on both days you are guaranteed some Bank Holiday fun. There will be a limited time-only Spritz Cocktail menu as well as live music all weekend. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for a sneak peek into what to expect. As if all that wasn’t enough, they are also hosting Oktoberfest on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd October. This

cocktails, there is plenty for you to choose from including Mojito’s, Pornstar Martini, Long Island Ice Tea, Margarita and many more. Wine is a beverage enjoyed around the world and at The Alley Bar you will sample wines from across all continents. Their collection includes some of the finest wines from the countries of Spain, France, New Zealand, Italy and more. Their extensive list is something to be explored. If you are a wine lover, then why not attend one of their Wine Tasting Nights! A popular event which is demanded back twice a year, is the ideal opportunity to taste a range of wines. The evening, which starts from 6pm includes a glass of Prosecco, four white wines, four red wines, a rose, a guided talk, prizes and cheese and biscuits to accompany. If you would like information on their next wine event, contact The Alley Bar via Facebook at @thealleypoulton. www.lancmag.com

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welcome to give these classes a whirl. More information will be available via social media soon. As well as hosting their own events, they also host celebratory events for their customers. The Alley Bar has become one of the preferred venues for Baby Showers, Birthdays, Anniversary and other special occasions in the area. With the option of hiring out the whole venue, or just one room you can be assured a joyous time. They also allow outside caterers for such events. If you would like to enquire, call them on 01253 283630. The Alley Bar, although a top attraction for new visitors, has maintained a numerous amount of regulars over the past year. Could this be due to the friendly service they receive, the array of beverages available to them or the complimentary nibbles upon every visit? Who knows, but it’s definitely worth a visit to see for yourself. If you do not believe me, just take a look at some of their reviews: “Lovely place, great atmosphere with fantastic drinks! Definitely would recommend and will be back on a regular basis.” “It’s a hidden gem. Lovely place, all the staff are friendly, cocktails are good, the wine is served nice and chilled in lovely wine glasses. My new favourite place.”

was another event that proved very popular so has been brought back for 2020. Last year saw the customers of The Alley consume over 150 litres of beer on the Saturday night alone, so they are expecting the same this time around! The staff at The Alley join in on the fun by wearing full Lederhosen outfits. Customers who also turn up wearing one will receive a free pint. There will be a long drinking bench in the centre of the room for seating and a pop-up bar selling Dortmunder on Draught and their normal bar will have some special bottles in for the event. The event will work on a drink token basis that range from £4 for one pint to £12 for four pints. There 110

will be complimentary snacks and pretzels out all day as well as a fresh food stand. Apart from the yearly events, The Alley Bar often host live music nights. Local artists perform for Alley Bar’s residents on regular occasions. There is always a large turnout, so customers are advised to arrive early to bag the best seats. Keep an eye out for their upcoming live music nights on their Facebook page. Something new and exciting is coming to The Alley Bar this year. Sandra and her team will be hosting Cocktail Masterclasses! Ideal for a girly night out or for a Hen Do. Not to exclude men, of course they are

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“A lovely modern bar with a variety of different and unique drinks! Well worth a visit.” The Alley Bar is not just tailored for adults, they allow children in up to 9pm every night so be sure to bring them along. They have a range of non-alcoholic beverages to choose from including soft drinks and coffees with a range of tasty syrups. Not forgetting the snacks which are sure to be a hit. For those with four-legged companions, The Alley Bar welcomes all well-behaved dogs until 9pm. They even have some delicious treats for them. Your furry friend can choose from Chicken and Salmon flavour Glazed Rings, Choc Chip Mini Cookies or Cheese flavour Mini Stars. The Alley Bar sell Gift Vouchers which can be used on any purchase. So, if you require a gift for a friend or family member, this is a great option. Treat them to one of the famous Wine Nights, or how about a Cocktail Masterclass? Or maybe just a round of drinks. Whatever the decision or occasion, you can be assured The Alley have you covered. Open from 2pm until late, Thursday to Sunday, this charming little bar has made a large impact on the Poulton community. Heavily involved with its residents, The Alley are always willing to donate prizes for local events, charities or sports teams. Upon your next visit to Poulton, be sure to stop by The Alley, sample their award-winning cocktails or book for one of their much-loved events. I can promise you won’t be disappointed. 112

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Gardening Tips March Gardening Tips March is finally here heralding the start of Spring, the promise of warm sunshine and the awakening of nature. The days are getting longer, the delights of birdsong can be heard in the mornings and the garden is finally starting to wake from its long Winter slumber. However, it’s easy to be fooled by the warmer Spring sunshine as Winter can reappear any moment bringing with it strong winds and cold frosts, so don’t be too hasty to start planting just yet! Having said that daffodils and tulips planted in the autumn will now be gracing us with their bounty of rich reds, yellows and oranges, so all is not lost. Native primroses are one of the sure signs of Spring with their pale lemon yellow flowers and bright green leaves. Often found nestled under hedgerows and eager to bath in any available sunshine, they’re loved by early insects, providing a much needed boost of nectar often hard to come by at this time of year. Pulmonarias (or Lungwort as they’re more commonly known) bloom early and grow to a modest height with vibrant flowers of blues and pinks which are wedded perfectly with strikingly patterned leaves. Gardens big and small will come to life with a dose of character and pizzazz, especially when flowering shrubs as spectacular and well branched as Magnolia Stellata are in them. Enjoying a sheltered position and reaching 2.5m when mature, the aromas of the pure white, starry flowers when in full bloom will draw you in to its presence allowing you to enjoy its magnificence time and time again.

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Likewise, the flamboyant Magnolia Soulangeana, best known for its goblet shaped flowers in arrays of white, pink and deeper shades of purple, is undoubtedly a beautiful spreading tree especially against backdrops of dark evergreens and hedgerows. A welcome site to many a Spring garden is the traditional Forsythia with golden yellow flowers adorning its branches before the appearance of fresh green leaves. Happily at home in various soil types and location, it isn’t needy when it comes to looking after but will love you after a trim back once in a while after blooming. The result is a more compact plant which will produce a cheerful display of flowers year after year Last but not least is a shrub not often seen in gardens, the Osmanthus Delavayi. Osmanthus literally comes from the words ‘osme’ which is odour, and ‘anthus’ for flowers. Full of beautifully sweet scented white flowers in Spring, this compact shrub will keep its shape well and won’t mind a bit of pruning after flowering either. You could even enjoy this aromatic shrub planted by the door so you can enjoy its delightful fragrance as often as you like. So you’ve every reason to wrap up warm and head outdoors as there is plenty to enjoy in the garden in March, it is the start of a new season after all! Beetham Nurseries is an award winning Plant Nursery, Garden Centre, Cafe and Food Shop based in Milnthorpe, Cumbria. Plants are our passion, we’ve been growing our own for over thirty years! www.beethamnurseries.co.uk

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March Planting Tips This month sees our gardens come to life with flowering bulbs, early blossom and new shoots. The abundance of colour and growth means there’s plenty to be done outdoors, in preparation for the season of new beginnings – and horticultural delights! - Get on top of weeding jobs as much as possible. Weeds will grow faster as the weather warms up so it’s far easier to remove them now and regularly (once a week or more) before they become established. - Lawns may need feeding and restoring with any weeds and moss being removed. If you decide to go ahead with that all important first cut, make sure that the grass is dry and remember to raise the height of the lawn mower. This will ensure that the grass remains strong and will encourage deep rooting and as time goes by and your grass becomes stronger, you can gradually lower the mower. - Beds and borders can be mulched – remove any weeds first. Plants that are in containers can be top dressed with fresh compost. - Large clumps of herbaceous perennials can be lifted and divided before replanting. Take cuttings from the new shoots and pot up to grow in a heated propagator or greenhouse. - Plant deciduous shrubs and trees if the soil is not frozen. Toward the end of the month, as temperatures start to rise, evergreen plants can be planted. You can also lift and move established shrubs if they need to be repositioned. - Bush roses can be pruned in March; it’s also a good time to plant new roses. - Deadhead daffodils as the flowers fade and divide; and replant snowdrops to increase their spread. Primroses can also be split and replanted. - Summer flowering bulbs such as dahlias and lilies can be planted now or started in pots in the greenhouse. - Begonias and cannas can also be potted up and grown under cover. - Towards the end of the month hardy annuals can be sown in the garden, and if you have a propagator you can start sowing frost tender seedlings of summer bedding plants and perennials. Plug plants also need the protection of the greenhouse at this time of year. - In the veg garden, plant onion and shallot sets, garlic, and Jerusalem artichokes. Early potatoes can be planted toward the end of the month.

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Outhwaite & Litherland Lowry Signed Prints

ver the last few years, LS Lowry signed limited edition prints have been notable for their rising and maintained value. Laurence Stephen Lowry was born in the Manchester area in 1887. His style was established by the 1930s, producing mainly industrial scenes of his local area around Salford and Pendlebury, often depicting buildings and heavily populated figural scenes on a pale background. By the time of his death in 1976, Lowry had become one of the most iconic and famous British artists. Because of his popularity, and as the price for an original Lowry artwork was, and is, prohibitive for most collectors, in the 1970s, prints were published in limited editions which were signed by Lowry. There are at least 54 known editions of signed prints and 16 known editions of signed lithographs. These were usually bought on a subscription service, often for less than £100. Of the factors causing prices to vary today, condition is the most important. When the prints were first issued fifty years ago, people were less aware of fading due to sunlight. This has a disastrous effect on value. Some editions seem more prone to fading such as the ‘Level Crossing at Burton-on-Trent’ This image commands a lower price because the prints are so often faded. The medium of the signature also affects the value. Some were signed in ballpoint pen which can also fade, making them less desirable than those prints signed in more enduring pencil. Subject matter also has a bearing; the church scenes are not as popular as the scenes with numerous figures or with quirky details. Not unexpectedly the colour prints are generally worth more than the black and white ones. The editions were limited, up to 850, but if an edition was 300 or less, the scarcity will increase the value of the image. The different publishers used different ways of indicating the limited nature of their editions. The square Fine Art Trade Guild blind stamps on many of the prints bear three letters

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Signed, limited edition Lowry print, “Going to the Match”

LS Lowry signature on limited edition print

Fine Art Trade Guild blindstamp with letters indicating number within edition

which correspond with the number in the print run. The lower numbers are generally more desirable. Some prints just bear the publisher’s embossed stamp, while others are hand numbered. One of the most sought after limited edition prints is entitled ‘Going to the Match’, issued in 1972. It is rare as the edition was only 300. As it was more expensive than other similar prints it is possible that the whole run was not actually issued. We sold one of these limited edition signed prints in late 2019 and it achieved a hammer price of £8,200. The original 1928 painting was

bought by the Professional Footballers Association for a reported £2million, and is now valued for up to five times that amount. Unsigned prints, even in limited editions, have little value but as signed prints are fifty years old they may have shifted within their mounts. If you have one, give it a little tap and see if the desirable signature will appear below the image and make the value of the print many times higher.

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Grow Your Own

Spring ccldn't be a beee time to yyr n ppticullly if yy're llking ff a healthy lifestyle. It’s a eat way to invvve the family and save mmey tt.Simply in hanging baskets, windd bbes, bags, cctainns, pots and raised beds. If yy want quick results and a splash of cccr y radishes, leeuce, ess beeeet. At Beetham NNssies we have evvything yy need to sttt ing yyr n.

Plant Nursery, Garden Centre, Cafe & Food Hall. Open 7 days a week. 9.00-5.00, Sunday 10.30-4.30 Pool Darkin Lane, Beetham, Nr Milnthorpe, Cumbria, LA7 7AP : 015395 63630 : www.beethamnurseries.co.uk

THE KING OF THE TRICKS Jason Rea is a close-up Magician who is already well established and who is hailed by audiences and critics as fast becoming THE best Magician in the UK. Jason has been hired on numerous occasions to perform at a variety of events and provide close-up magic like no other. From making a signed £10 note appear in a lime to having a signed card appear in a sealed bottle, Jason’s magic is quick, visual, highly entertaining and is sure to make any evening even more magical for everyone concerned. The best Magicians have mentored Jason in the business including Paul Daniels. He is a keen creator of Magic ensuring Magicians all over the world are using his effects including television Magicians such as Dynamo. Young, funny and extremely talented in his art, Jason has been voted Magician of the year on two occasions by his peers. From weddings, private parties, corporate events and trade shows, Jason will provide THE best close up magic ever witnessed in real life. No camera tricks, no stooges, what you witness really is Magic! A first class performer delivering unbelievable entertainment and skill. Don’t miss your chance to make your next event the most memorable occasion.

www.jasonreamagic.com Tel: 07794298604 Email: info@jasonrea.co.uk www.lancmag.com

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Jason Rea Magic Words: Stephen Roberts

’d never interviewed a magician before, so didn’t really know what to expect, or how to prepare, other than perhaps keeping a close eye on my personal possessions (bank notes, watch, mobile phone etc). Well, you can never be too careful. Jason Rea, a Preston lad through and through, first got into magic when he was aged around eight, courtesy of a ‘Paul Daniels Magic Set’, which contained all of 32 tricks, most of which Jason never mastered. He’s progressed rather well since then, however, and is today an award-winning close-up magician of choice for a variety of events, including weddings, corporate events, trade shows, parties and functions, as well as being a member of the esteemed ‘Magic Circle’. Knowing my readership’s inquisitive nature, I wondered whether Jason might just let me into one or two of his secrets. “Well, Steve, I’d have no problem at all telling you how I perform my magic, but I’d have to kill you afterwards.” I warned you this might be like no other interview I’d done. I was tempted to ask Jason if he’d tell my stepmother instead but thought better of it. I soon discovered though that Mr. Rea and I have a few things in common:

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presentation skills (your scribe is a public speaker); footie (we’re both passionate about it); and overcoming shyness (neither of us would have been considered a natural performer when we were young). “Yes, I love my footie, and I’m associated with a number of the professional clubs in this part of the world through my magic, e.g. Preston North End, Burnley and Bolton Wanderers.” As a Bournemouth fan, I wondered whether Jason might make some of our relegation rivals disappear. “And you’re right, I was painfully shy when I was little. I was o.k. with people I knew but withdrew right into myself when I was with strangers. What changed me was becoming a member of the Little Players Drama School, in Preston. That was where I overcame that shyness and learned how to perform. It really brought me out and I knew, from that time, that I wanted to perform as a career. I just hadn’t connected it with magic at that stage. I did lots of drama though, and TV work, including adverts and appearing as an extra in ‘soaps’, which all helped me hone my skills. When I reflect on the success that I’ve been fortunate enough to have had, I know precisely

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where to lay the credit, and that’s with the Little Players in Preston. I still owe them for giving me confidence and self-belief. It’s been such an advantage growing up learning about performance and also learning that humour is an essential part of that performance.” I wondered what the catalyst had been that finally pushed Jason into magic as a full-time career, as it clearly hadn’t been the childhood magic set. “I’d never lost that fascination for magic though and the defining moment came when we went on a family holiday to New York. I saw a magician doing close-up work and was sold on it. I just couldn’t believe what I’d seen, but was so impressed, I just wanted to be able to do it myself. I tend to regard ‘magic’ and ‘illusion’ as being much the same (although ‘illusion’ is more what you see at the bigger, set-piece, stage show). It was the close-up magic that intrigued me though, because of its intimacy and involvement with people. It’s a very personable, individual kind of magic. There’s also nowhere to hide, so you have to really know what you’re doing!” 120

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Jason’s done the circuit of competitions, conventions and so forth and is now really well established as a magician whose services are called upon not only in his native northwest, but throughout the UK and even internationally. There’s no resting on one’s laurels as far as Jason is concerned. “Even when you feel you’ve made it you have to keep working at the magic. I feel that I’m always learning and improving. TV magic has certainly given our business a higher profile and made it more popular, however, I know that not everyone takes their magic as seriously and puts the time and effort in that’s a prerequisite if you’re going to become not just good, but the best you can possibly be. It really does take years and years to become a top performer.” So, how long does it take to master a single card trick, the kind of sleight of hand that you could perform right in front of someone’s face? “To be honest Steve you have to practice for months to get something like that 100% right. I give my Dad a lot of the credit for my sticking at it, as he taught www.lancmag.com

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me an invaluable lesson about being a perfectionist. He told me never to settle for second-best and cajoled me into accepting that if I wasn’t doing something right, then it wasn’t really worth me doing it at all. He would tell me bluntly if something I was doing wasn’t good enough. It felt like a harsh lesson at the time, and disheartening too, but it’s stood me in really good

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stead. Honestly, it was probably the most valuable lesson of my life and one that remains with me whenever I do magic. It’s the practice and the perfection, plus the performance element that sets you apart. The audience will remember not just the magic, but the person who did it, who made such an impression on them.” Aged in his early-30s now, I

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wondered when Jason made that leap from amateur magic to performing at his first paid ‘gig’. “I made my pro debut around 2007 at a wedding (I was 19). It was for someone my Mum worked with and they were happy to give me a chance. We all need that first break, that first opportunity. After that, you start to get referrals and recommendations. Luckily, I didn’t fall flat on my face that first time and I’ve now been performing for some dozen or so years. Sometimes the events are small-scale, so I’ll be performing to 10-15 people (that intimacy again), but we go right up to massive gatherings of say 500, when we’ll have a number of magicians working the floor (so the close-up magic is still going on).” If you’ve been wondering what kind of close-up magic you might get from Jason, well, predictably playing cards will feature, although what happens to them is anything but predictable. “I make a signed card appear in a sealed bottle and someone’s signed bank note will find itself in a sealed lemon.” (I knew I had to keep a close watch on my money). There’s some mind reading, whilst objects will disappear and reappear, and things will appear out of fire; a real variety of ‘stuff’. www.lancmag.com

People will have seen similar things on TV and thought ‘camera trick’, so, when they witness it live, right in front of their face, belief is suspended. They really cannot believe what they’ve just seen. I get a real adrenaline rush out of pushing the boundaries and seeing the gobsmacked reaction from people. There’s no better feeling, nothing quite like it, and I have to pinch myself sometimes, as I’m lucky enough to call this my ‘work’ at the end of the day.” Jason has a healthy perspective on life and readily admitted that no magician changes the world, or indeed saves lives, however, performing magic can still feel like a bit of a calling. “I really do feel inspired by what I do. It’s great when you’re told that someone’s lad has got into magic after watching one of my shows. That’s a really good feeling. Life can be tough, so this is about giving people an unforgettable experience and taking them out of themselves, even if it’s just for a brief while.” Jason is married, with two children, a boy and a girl (more magic you might say). His young lad is footie mad, whilst the little lass, just three years of age, has started ballet. She might just be the next performer in the family. As far as Jason’s www.lancmag.com

own ambitions are concerned, he’d like to get more into TV magic, so that he can became known to a wider audience, whilst still growing and evolving as a performer. “I’m inspired by driven people, those who achieve, then go on and achieve more. I want to go on as long as I can and to keep getting better in the meantime.” Although still relatively young (Jason’s about half my age!) he’s already reached a stage in his chosen career, when he feels that he wants to give something back. He’s been asked to give a talk and performance at the high school that he attended. The message he will try to get across to the youngsters is that, whatever it is they feel they want to do they should follow that path and see where it takes them. Follow your dreams in other words. That’s what Jason Rea has done, and he has absolutely no regrets whatsoever. JASON REA MAGIC Web: www.jasonreamagic.com E-mail: info@jasonrea.co.uk Tel: 07794 298604

STEVE’S TOP 10 MAGIC JOKES • My cousin, a magician, uses a trap-door in his show. It’s just a stage he’s going through. • Magician: “Now, I will disappear!” (grabs a pear and says, “You’re the worst fruit ever.”) • What do you call a dead magician? Abra-cadaver. • Heard about the magician robber? He had a few Twix up his sleeve. • I know a really bad, failed magician. He’s got two halfsisters. • Fisherman says to magician: “Pick a cod, any cod.” • “Doctor, every time I say ‘abracadabra’ someone disappears … hello? Doctor?” • A dog that performs magic tricks - Yes, a labracadabrador. • Why did the bear refuse to be turned into a rabbit? It would have been unbearable. • What do you call a magician who’s lost all his magic? Ian.

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What’s On

Keeping you up to date with... Art • Theatre • Dance • Music • Events • Exhibitions

Experience the Sounds of The ‘roaring Twenties’ With Max Raabe & Palast Orchester Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Friday 6 March at 7.30pm

Fans of the 1920s are dusting off their flapper dresses and suit tails. The glamorous ‘Roaring Twenties’ are back for 2020. As the fashion and styles are celebrated once again, the sounds and atmosphere of this incredible era are also being brought back to life 100 years on by one of Germany’s biggest selling performers. Million selling crooner Max Raabe and the hugely talented Palast Orchester from Berlin are celebrating the centenary of the glorious 1920s with their very first UK Tour dates in Spring 2020. The internationally acclaimed singer and musicians promise to take audiences back in time on a musical journey of fun, romance and sophistication in Eastbourne, London, Birmingham, and Manchester. They recently released a new MTV Unplugged album which went straight into the Top 10 in the German pop charts – reaching Number 6, alongside Robbie Williams, Coldplay and Leonard Cohen with places at the top of the charts. Stylish 57-year-old Max Raabe is famous for performing while impeccably dressed in white tie and tails, and is joined by 12 musical maestrosfrom the Palast Orchester which he formed with college friends in the 1980s. Together they present the most stunning classic and timeless repertoire in their original arrangements – making this show one of a kind, and the hottest ticket in town. Dashing, dapper and debonair, Max believes the timeless melodies and songs of the 1920s and 1930s have an inherent magic. He combines nostalgic flair with pop-star appeal, along with a good dose of self-irony and dry comedy. The Twenties and Thirties was a time when jazz blossomed, the flapper redefined the modern look for British and American women, and Art Deco peaked. Nations saw rapid industrial growth, accelerated consumer demand, and significant new changes in lifestyle and culture. These rare UK tour dates will give music fans the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and atmosphere of this very special show and era before Max and the musicians continue on a worldwide international tour visiting Austria, Canada, Germany, Italy, Luxeumbourg, Switzerland, and the United States Of America. With a distinctive sound and warmth, Max Raabe & Palast Orchester will transport audiences to yesteryear to experience high style and musical glory in the most sumptuous way.

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The show will feature diverse range of music and songs including the hilarious Rosa, Reizende Rosa (Rosa, Ravishing Rosa); romantic tune Tonight Or Never; the classic Kurt Weill’s Mack The Knife; alongside standards including I Won’t Dance, Night And Day, and Sweet Sue. Max Raabe explained: “My aim is to entertain the audience during the concert and transport them out of reality. We have more than 600 songs in our repertoire. We mix it up with songs I compose and play songs of the countries we’re travelling through. One of the songs we’ll play in the UK is I Won’t Dance, a wonderful arrangement from 1935 which we found in Chicago. Music was written to take the audience away from their everyday problems. And it still works today.” Max Raabe was born 1962 in Lünen and has always sung – from the youth choir to even on his bicycle. He moved to Berlin in his early twenties to study opera. He financed his studies with small performances, and in 1986 he founded the Palast Orchester with a number of fellow students. They are now the leading band of music from the era of the Weimar Republic. Max has received numerous awards for his commitment to remembering the music of the 1920s and 1930s, including the ECHO Classic in 2000 for his interpretation of Mack The Knife; Paul-Lincke-Ring Of The City Of Goslar in 2005; the cultural prize of his hometown Lünen in 2007; and the Order Of Merit Of The State Of Berlin in 2012. Their appeal is diverse and far reaching. Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester performed at the star-studded wedding of singer Marilyn Manson and model Dita Von Teese at a castle in Ireland in 2005. www.highfieldproductions.com/max-raabe-and-the-palastorchester, Facebook /maxraabepalastorchester, Twitter: @Max_ Raabe_PO. https://www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk

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The Ultimate Musical Duo Michael Ball & Alfie Boe ‘Back Together’ From London’s O2 Arena, recorded at the Final Show of Their 2020 Arena Tour

Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th March

The ultimate musical duo, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, are ‘Back Together’ and set to delight cinema audiences up and down the country with the final show of their UK tour from London’s O2 Arena. Presented by CinemaLive, leading producers and distributors of event cinema, Michael Ball & Alfie Boe: Back Together, will be shown in over 1,000 screens in cinemas across the UK and Ireland, including major multiplexes and many independent cinemas and arts centres for one weekend only on 28th & 29th March 2020. The show will see the superstar duo take on their favourite musical theatre, pop and rock tracks, including songs from The Lion King, The Greatest Showman and The Phantom of the Opera, as well as a beautifully arranged Queen Medley. Showcasing their phenomenal voices and undeniable on-stage chemistry, Ball and Boe’s irresistible charm will undoubtedly light up the big screen. As a cinema exclusive, audiences will be treated to candid behind the scenes footage and interviews with the duo. Michael Ball commented, “So excited we are going to be able to share our final show from the iconic O2 Arena in London on the big screen. The Les Mis concert live screenings showed me that you can experience and relive the magic of a unique live performance all over again and the quality and intimacy are somehow heightened. If you couldn’t make it to one of our shows this is your chance....and if you did let’s do it all over again on March 28/29th!!!! See you there xxx” Alfie Boe added, “What better way to end our ‘Back Together’ live tour than performing at the O2 Arena in London and filming it to go out in cinemas – over 1000 screens across the country. No pressure for us then! So whether you saw us live, or not, we promise to entertain you and have a lot of fun doing so! Spread the word, treat the family to some popcorn and come and join us. It’s just after

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Mother’s Day too… so there’s your gift sorted! Hope to see you all there! Alfie xx “ Ball and Boe’s debut album Together became the UK’s bestselling album of 2016 and beat the likes of Little Mix and Rolling Stones to the Christmas No.1 spot. The follow up Together Again brought the pair a second No.1 album in 2017, and in 2019 they released their third record Back Together to great critical acclaim, scoring them yet another top 5 chart position. Meeting over a decade ago in a production of Kismet at the London Coliseum, the pair struck up an instantaneous friendship, going on to become chart superstars. As a duo, Ball and Boe have now sold over 1 million albums in the UK, received 2 Classic Brit Awards, and sold out two headline arena tours. As solo artists, the pair have both received countless prestigious awards, achieved record breaking sales and chart successes. With a career spanning over 30 years, Michael is a multi-platinum recording artist, having two Olivier awards under his belt and becoming a popular radio and TV presenter. His incredible live performances have smashed box office records. Alfie’s outstanding voice has made him Britain’s most popular and biggest selling tenor. Having performed on the world’s greatest opera stages and arenas, he has also won a Tony Award, led the cast of Les Misérables and performed for the queen at her 90th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle. Michael Ball and Alfie Boe: Back Together, distributed by CinemaLive, will be screened on 28th & 29th March 2020 Tickets are on sale now. For more information and to find cinema locations, visit ballandboeincinemas.com

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2020 Sparks announce Manchester concert and new

album ‘A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip’

STORYHOUSE GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH WITH SPRING SEASON

The first phase of exciting shows heading to Storyhouse in Chester for spring 2020 have been announced.

Stockings – performance days and times vary.

Next season has a strong focus on comedy, dance and musicals, as well as shows for younger audiences to guarantee a real family experience.

When that fails, he contemplates his own end. What should be a simple tragedy, becomes a total farce – and now everyone is out to profit from his misery. A classic Russian comedy.

The new season starts in January, making it the ideal time for festive gift ideas to visit Storyhouse in the New Year to experience a live show.

Miss Julie is a new adaptation of August Strindberg’s thrilling psychological drama. Amy Ng presents this newly politicallycharged version for Storyhouse. Set at Chinese New Year in 1940s Hong Kong, Julie is the daughter of the island’s British Governor. With her father away for the weekend, Julie heads downstairs to join the servants as they party. The result is a fight for survival among power, money and race.

Friday 23 October, Manchester, Albert Hallfocuses - tickets onhissale The Suicide on Simon and dream tonow play the tuba.

Season highlights include the return of Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet this time presenting the stunning Swan Lake; comedy from female trio Fascinating Aida; the new stage production of The Sound Of Music; and a real musical treat from the BBC Big Band performing The Music Of Bond. Storyhouse’s Season 11 of original drama continues in February and March with new adaptations of black comedy The Suicide; psychological thriller Miss Julie; and Jess Swale’s acclaimed drama Blue Stockings. The new season gets off to a fun start in 2020 with Peter Pan Goes Wrong from Tuesday 21 January to Sunday 26 January 2020.

Blue Stockings is set in 1896, Tess Moffat and her fellow first-years are determined to win the right to graduate from university. This acclaimed drama by Jessica Swale, tells the story of four defiant young women battle the cruelty of class divides, the distractions of love, and the men ready to do anything to stop them as they fight to change the future of education. The season’s exciting comedy line-up starts with Josh Widdicombe – Bit Much Tour on Thursday 26 March 2020, followed the next evening by Jack Dee: Off The Telly on Friday 27 March 2020.

Storyhouse welcomes Mischief Theatre for a third visit following successful runs with The Play That Goes Wrong and The Comedy About A Bank Robbery – this time they present Josh Widdicombe’s Bit Much Tour has been extended due to Peter Pan Goes Wrong. Members of the Cornley Polytechnic phenomenal demand. Described as a show that will change Drama Society are back on stage battling technical hitches, lives and how theatregoers perceive their place in the world flying mishaps and cast disputes. Will they ever make it – with plenty of laughs andtour Joshdates: grumbles about hot comedy October 2020 European Sparks brothers Ron and Russellbut Mael - have announced the Neverland? This is no pantomime, audiences should expect topics. Josh is best known for the twice BAFTA nominated and May 15th take 2020on release of their 24th studio album ‘A Steady Drip, a riotous this timeless JM Barrie tale. Sunday 11 Norway, Oslo, Rockefeller Music Hall RTS award-winning show The Last Leg, as well as his critically Drip, Drip’ and aa European run of for tourSaint dates in OctoberClassic 2020. There is also welcome return Petersburg Monday 12 Sweden, Stockholm, Cirkus acclaimed sitcom Josh, panel shows QI, Have I Got New For In the announcement the band also confirm theLake release Ballet who present thevideo spectacular production Swan from Wednesday 14TheirDenmark, TheKevin Koncerthuset You, A League of Own, andCopenhagen, podcast Quickly Will He (without providing any of the Sparks-written Thursday 30 January todates) Saturday 1 February 2020. musical Score. Thursday 15 Germany, Berlin, Metropol feature film Annette, starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard Swan Lake tells the story of Prince Siegfried and the Swan and directed by Leos Carax (Holy Motors), and the currentlyJack Dee: Off The Telly is back onAmsterdam, tour – and tickets for his Saturday 17 Netherlands, Paradiso Princess, a tragic tale of love that triumphs over evil. The untitled Sparks documentary directed by Edgar Wright (Baby Storyhouse already sold out. As Sunday 18date haveBelgium, Brussels, ABwell Flexas his comedy world’s most romantic ballet is magnificently brought to life by Driver, Spaced). status, Jack has starred in TV sitcoms Bad Move, Lead Balloon Tchaikovsky’s stunning score, performed by a live orchestra. Tuesday 20 France, Paris, Casino de Paris and Josh; Jack Dee’s Helpdesk, The Jack Dee Show, Jack Dee’s Since storming into the charts, minds and airwaves in 1974 The acclaimed company combines classical training and Wednesday 21Jack Dee’s UK, London, Roundhouse Saturday Night, Happy Hour, and Jack Dee Live at with ‘This Town Ain¹t Big Enough For Both of Us’ from their 3rd technique with outstanding soloists. Friday 23 UK, Manchester, Albert Hall the Apollo. album ‘Kimono My House’, the musically vital pop pioneers Madame Ovary on Friday 7 February 2020 features Rosa Saturday UK, Glasgow, The Barrowland Ballroom have created a unique legacy both on record and in their live Poet Hollie24McNish presents an evening of readings on Hesmondhalgh in this moving, uplifting play being staged in performances. ‘A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip’ follows Sparks’ 2017 Saturday 2826March 2020. Monday UK, Belfast, Limelight Club the Garret Theatre. album ‘Hippopotamus’, an extraordinary record which saw With fans27 ranging from Pink and Benjamin Tuesday IRE, Emma Dublin,Watson, Vicar Street It’s January and10 Rosa writing herwith New them return to2018 the Top andHesmondhalgh was universallyisacclaimed Zephaniah, poet Hollie McNish has attracted millions of fans Year’s resolutions. She itvows stopofdating plonkers, start doing many critics declaring to betoone the finest albums of the through her online poetry readings on YouTube. Famously, yoga, and write – but before she’s had time to delete her dating ‘A Steady Drip, Drip, Dri’¹ will be available on multiple year and the pinnacle of the band¹s career - until now. she was the first poet to record at London’s iconic Abbey apps and start practising those yoga moves, her world changes. formats including CD, picture disc, and cassette. Sparks and their band will embark on a short run of dates in Road Studios. Hollie has toured the UK and Europe, and has She is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Suddenly faced with October 2020, before an extended world tour in 2021. published three poetry collections – Papers, Cherry Pie, and hospitals, chemotherapy and her own mortality, Rosa’s new Plum. Hollie will host a booksigning after the show, books will goal for the year ahead is to survive it. Madame Ovary is Rosa’s to buy. Please email details of your forthcoming eventsbe toavailable amanda.f@lancashiremagazine.co.uk experience. clearly marking the email ‘What’s On.’ Multi-award winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean The Storyhouse Originals 11style starts onon Saturday 8 with clear contact details and should be sent at least six weeks before the Information should be setSeason out in the seen these pages continues the comedy theme on Saturday 28 March 2020 in the February 2020 andevent runs is through to Sunday 15 will March. The runto include your entry but we cannot guarantee publication. due to take place. We do our best Garret Theatre. Readers– are check for themselves features three productions Theadvised Suicide,toMiss Julie, and Blue that events are still going ahead before setting off.

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ONMILL at the

FEBRUARY

THURS 6TH FEB // FROM 8PM FREE EV engine room sessions ENT Live music from Tom Scothern

SUN 9TH FEB // 12PM-4PM wedding fair FREE EV See the Cotton Room dressed to impress!

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WED 12TH FEB // 10AM-12PM Wellness Wednesday’s in the Food Hall Healthy Eating & Mindful Eating! Tickets £30 per person inc lunch

BEER BINGO

&BURGERS FRI 14TH FEB // 7.30PM VALENTINE EDITION! Function room event £25 ticket

THURS 20TH FEB // FROM 8PM FREE EV engine room sessions ENT

Live music from Hannah Rose

THURS 13TH FEB // 7.30PM FREE EV ENT open mic night

Hosted by Sochia in the Engine Room

FRI 14TH FEB // valentine’s day

WED 26TH FEB // 8.30PM

beer hall quiz night

£2 per person. Winner takes the pot in beer money vouchers!

Dining in the Bistro & Beer Hall

WED 19TH FEB // 5PM-8PM wedding open evening FREE EV ENT

A chance to speak to our Dream Makers

now taking bookings for mother’s day!

THURS 27TH FEB // 7.30PM open mic night

Hosted by Sochia in the Engine Room

THURS 27TH FEB // 7.30PM comedy club Frog & Bucket Comedy Club returns! Tickets £12.50

HOLMESMILL.CO.UK

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FREE EV ENT

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The Hills Are Alive Full Casting Announced For UK And Ireland Tour Of The Timeless Musical Classic - The Sound Of Music

ill Kenwrightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production of one of the greatest family musicals of all time The Sound of Music returns to the UK and Ireland in 2020. This musical masterpiece tells the true story of the world-famous Trapp family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom as their beloved Austria becomes part of the Third Reich at the start of the Second World War. The tour begins on 10 January 2020 at the Bord GĂĄis Energy Theatre in Dublin. Playing the role of Maria in this spectacular production will be Emilie Fleming. Emilie became a household name when she was a finalist in

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Practical luxury How a businessman achieved his dream home thanks to a happy collaboration with local companies. Words: Angela Kelly Photographs: Chris Tofalos

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otatur? Qui vit ut estiis si omnis archili quiaerci dolupti bustium dolupta se volesti onecuptae serio. Uptat hil ipidell esequodit quos aut ommolenis del int expere sin nos minis volecti atiatas maximpo ribusapitas duciundanis pelit fuga. Ut utem rero conseque nimusci psunt. Musa nemo cone nihitat enditio nsendae dolute quiaecto voluptatum re omniatia a volupta sinctem nobis ellecabor aut esequasOmniminveria niminum ditibusape necate nulpa corum rest est aut volorernatem re voloribus. Pudi officabor autem eosae con prati debit repelit qui occaboribus rem autem corestint in pelenis miliquisi dolor sima sequaturia volo eum exerum comnihit eationecatis dolut volupta verorio mossum soles ad ea sae. Ecusant.

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BELOW: The Sound of Music UK Tour - Lucy O’Byrne as Maria and Andrew Lancel RIGHT: Lucy O’Byrne as Maria - credit Mark Yeoman

BBC One’s Over the Rainbow with Andrew Lloyd Webber. Her musical theatre credits include the West End’s 20th Anniversary production of Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre. Andrew Lancel will reprise his role as Captain von Trapp. Andrew is best known as super-villain Frank Foster in Coronation Street, a role that earned him a ‘Villain of the Year’ award at the British Soap Awards. He also played DI Neil Manson in the long-running ITV television series The Bill. His numerous stage credits include Bill Kenwright’s touring productions of The Small Hand and Twelve Angry Men. Andrew starred in The Man Who Made The Beatles in Liverpool and London, and most recently appeared on stage in the UK tour of The Lady Vanishes. Welsh soprano Megan Llewellyn will play the role of Mother Abbess and will be joined by Howard Samuels (Max), Michael Anderson (Rolf), Nicole Farrar (Liesl), Alexander Evans (Herr Zeller) Zoe Ann Bown (Sister Margaretta), Georgina Hagen (Sister Berthe), Katie Shearman (Sister Sophia), Sophie Christine (Ursula), Olivia Alexander (Baroness Elberfeld), 130

Jon de Ville (Franz), Wendy-Lee Purdy (Frau Schmidt), Paul Lavers (Admiral von Schreiber), Sam Tithecott (Baron Elberfeld) and Jack Churms (swing). Producer Bill Kenwright said “The music and narrative of The Sound of Music are timeless. It’s a beautiful story about family and hope. The score transcends generations and the songs are known and loved by everyone.” It all began with the story of the Trapp Family Singers and Baroness Maria von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, which inspired Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse to create a Broadway musical in 1959. The unforgettable score features some of the most memorable songs ever performed on stage, including Edelweiss, My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, So Long, Farewell and of course, the iconic title song, The Sound of Music. This wonderfully lavish staging of the classic musical has delighted audiences and critics alike. Produced by Bill Kenwright, it is directed by Martin Connor and choreographed by Olivier Award winner Bill Deamer, with musical direction by Jeremy Wootton.

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Andrew Lancel

The Sound of Music: Andrew Lancel Q&A The former star of Coronation Street and The Bill tells us about returning to iconic musical The Sound of Music to play Captain von Trapp. Hi Andrew. The Sound of Music is one of those musicals that means so much to so many people. What does it mean to you? For me, it’s all about hope and love. I don’t think you can hide from the fact that it’s a bit of a crazy world at the minute. With The Sound of Music, for a couple of hours you can sit in a theatre and see people who’ve lost everything get something back. It has a real presence of danger in it and it’s not a million miles away from what’s happening in certain countries now, but it is also escapism, and we all need a bit of that, don’t we? I think the reason why it is possibly the greatest musical of all time and certainly one of the most popular is that it’s just full of hope and love and fun. You’ve played the role of Captain von Trapp before, in 2016. Was it a difficult decision to return to the role? I had to think for all of 20 seconds 132

about coming back to it. I was delighted. When it came to my last show I was feeling all the emotion of everything the show can bring and I remember walking off stage and saying, “I can’t not do that show again. You have a new Maria this time round, Emilie Fleming. What does she bring to the role? Maria is probably the biggest female musical theatre role. Whoever plays it really has to inhabit it and own it. All the Marias that I’ve seen and worked with in this production have been exceptional. Emilie is every bit as special, funny and quirky. Captain von Trapp is also an iconic role. How do you balance following Christopher Plummer’s performance in the film with bringing your own interpretation to the part? I was determined to find the sense of humour and loving human being that must be in him. This is a man who’s lost everything. He’s lost his wife. He’s losing his country to the Nazis. But there’s a big clue to finding him in the fact that there are seven children. If you’re a grumpy guy, you give up after

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one or two, don’t you? They kept on having children and loved each other so much, and then the lights went off in his life, I think. He’s trying very hard to keep things together for his children and for his country and he just can’t, so he puts his wall up. Then this sunbeam comes into his house and breaks those walls down. It’s a lovely journey to play. It’s hard and it’s a big sing. You feel you’ve got a responsibility, but it’s a good responsibility. How are you feeling about taking that responsibility on tour across the UK? I love touring. It keeps you fresh. All our stops are wonderful venues. Touring literally gives people all over the country a chance to see West End productions. It can be expensive to go to the theatre, so you’ve got to give people something that’s real value for money, which I think we absolutely do with The Sound of Music. You’ve had such an eclectic career. What do people recognise you from most? Down south is The Bill and up north it’s Coronation Street. Those two roles changed my life, but The Bill I was in www.lancmag.com

for seven years. It was a massive part of my life. When you played Frank Farmer in Coronation Street, you were labelled “TV’s Most Hated Man”. Was that a difficult label to leave behind? Well, I’m playing Captain von Trapp, so obviously not. People are, on the whole, very nice about it. How did you get into performance? I don’t really know. I was going to play on the right wing for Everton, there was no question about that! I just remember understanding acting a bit, going on stage and making people laugh. I could sing, and that introduced me to performing in front of audiences and getting paid for it. I used to go round old people’s homes and sing. That’s how I got my Equity card. Musical theatre was a big influence. What were the shows that made an impact? The show I remember watching, the one that opened my eyes to musical theatre, was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. We had the original album and we played it until it broke. Even now, you give me a chord, www.lancmag.com

a line, a note from that show and I could tell you what the next line is. I was infatuated with it. My Mum also had the single version of If I Were a Rich Man by Topol. Fiddler on the Roof is still my favourite musical. So they were the two that made me go “What are musicals?” If a musical came on telly I’d watch it. In those days, there were only three channels and The Sound of Music would be on every Christmas Day, so The Sound of Music meant Christmas to me. You’ve achieved so much in your career to date. Are there any other ambitions to fulfil? There are a couple of things I’d still like to do on stage. I haven’t done a Chekhov and I haven’t been to New York as an actor. I think they’re things one should do. How are you feeling about performing in Blackpool? Blackpool will be great because it’s half term. The Sound of Music is a great show to come and see when you’re on half term. The family and I can all stay close by – a lodge or a log cabin or something like that.

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The Sound of Music: Emilie Fleming Q&A The musical theatre leading lady and former Over the Rainbow star tells us about playing the iconic role of Maria in The Sound of Music. Hi Emilie. For anyone who doesn’t know The Sound of Music, what is it about? Well, it’s a story about brave men and women who love music, love to sing and carry a lot of hope with them in times of fear and doubt. It’s extremely moving because there’s so much truth in it. It’s about Maria, who gives her life to the church. It doesn’t go as planned and she’s sent away to be governess to the von Trapp family. She falls in love with her employer, Captain von Trapp, and he falls in love with her. What made you want to be a part of the production? I’ve been longing to do a Rogers and Hammerstein musical since I graduated. I love their music. I grew up listening and singing along to it. My family always shared a love of that genre and style of music with me and my voice really suits it. It’s simple but so detailed at the same time. It’s true, colourful, emotional and not overcomplicated. The Sound of Music doesn’t come around very often, so this was an amazing opportunity. It’s such a classic favourite; people just know they’re going to enjoy it, that they’re going to have a good time. You’re right, The Sound of Music is such a well-loved musical. Do you remember when you first saw it?

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Oh gosh, I couldn’t tell you what age I was. I know that I was very young and I watched it over and over and over again. Surely at least twice a year for a long time. You can watch it a million times and it doesn’t get old. Maria is an iconic role. How do you feel about playing her? I’m just in awe of Julie Andrews. Once you’ve watched her in the film, she is Maria. When you see her portray this role, there’s just so much detail. You can hear every single detail of every single word. I definitely take all of that in my own journey as well, vocally. She’s in me. But my incredible singing teacher told me: “Emilie, this is definitely daunting, but you’ve got to look at it as if it’s fresh.” She’s right. You’ve got to look at it this way because there’s no way I or anyone could impersonate Julie Andrews. You’ve got to share it from your own heart and soul. The show is packed with many fantastic songs – Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, My Favourite Things. Do you have a favourite? I do. It’s actually the reprise of Sixteen Going on Seventeen. It’s just Maria and the eldest von Trapp daughter, Liesl; a moment for a woman to speak to another woman in a really kind and generous way. She’s reflecting with Liesl and I think it’s really powerful to see where she’s come from; you can see the whole arc of her journey. How do you feel about taking the production on tour around the UK? This is my first tour, so I am excited. I am definitely a bit of a nomad. I’ve moved house a lot and I’m very good at packing, so I feel I’ll be good at it. Touring is so important. I grew up in a working class family in South Shields and I couldn’t afford to come down to London. I’ll never forget when I saw Miss Saigon at the Sunderland Empire and I cried the whole way home in the car. If I didn’t have those shows touring to local venues, I may never have discovered that I wanted to perform. I think it’s hugely important to encourage the new generation going forwards, to expose them to theatre and music, because more and more music and the arts is being cut in schools, so we’ve really got to take the tours to as many venues as possible across the whole country. There’s so much talent out there, but it all comes down to seeing performances; that’s what triggers the

inspiration. You’re probably still best known as one of the contestants from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for an actor to play Dorothy, Over the Rainbow. How was that experience? It was mind-blowing. I still look at it and think “Did that happen?” It was, obviously, overwhelming. You’re very young. You’re still working out who you are, so it’s quite an odd experience. But it was a fantastic one; one the contestants all shared that not many people experience. We’re always crossing paths, us Dorothy-s. Actually, I didn’t really want to go to the audition because I already had a place at Guildford School of Acting. It was my sister that really wanted to go, but she was too young. My Mum said: “One of you has to go, this is an amazing opportunity.” So I ended up going! And rather than using the TV appearance as a springboard to launch your career, you still took up your place a drama school. Why did you make that decision? I wasn’t ready for the industry at all. There was no part of me that felt ready. If anything, the whole Dorothy experience was a wake-up call that I really needed to train. I was 18! I didn’t know what I was doing! When I went to GSA, it was odd for me because at drama school everyone says you need to fall down, you need to make mistakes, that’s what you’re there for. I really struggled with that because I’d been performing live in front of 7 million people for several weeks and I couldn’t make mistakes, I had to be good. That took me a long time to adjust to. What do you think it is that makes the live nature of theatre so special? Technology is great, and we’ve got a huge array of entertainment at our fingertips, but there’s something special in that human connection that we all have a need for. And there’s the danger of it. You don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s so exciting. The Sound Of Music visits Blackpool’s Opera House from Tue 18 February to Sat 22 February and Chester’s Storyhouse from Tue 14 April - Sat 18 April. For full tour dates and details visit www. kenwright.com www.lancmag.com

Emilie Fleming

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Mad as a March Hare

It’s an iconic image, and if you’re lucky enough you may just catch sight of two ‘mad march hares’ boxing each other on farmland in the distance. But just how much do we know about these elusive animals? By Mark Bateman

ares are members of the family known as Leporids which is a group of rabbits and hares containing over 60 different types. The most common hares you may see in this country are the brown hare and the mountain hare. The Brown hare is the most common type of hare in the U.K. and can be found mainly on relatively flat grass and arable land. It has long black- tipped ears and large powerful hind legs. It has much longer ears than a rabbit and is usually quite a bit larger. It is redder in colour than the Mountain hare. The Brown hare measures 52-59cm and has an 8-12cm tail. It can weigh 3-4 kgs. They usually live from 3-4 years. The mountain hare is brown in summer but takes on an amazing white coat in winter to blend in with snowy landscapes and hide them from predators such as birds of prey and foxes. They are longer lived than brown hares and can live up to 12 years. Unlike rabbits hares are generally solitary animals and are only seen in any numbers around the breeding season from February – September. A group of hares is known as a ‘drove’. Again, unlike rabbits, hares do not build and live in underground warrens, instead they live on the surface. Hares either live in a slight scratched depression in the ground called a scrape; or a shallow nest of grass known as a form. 136

Hares rely on speed to escape their predators as they live out in the open. They can run at up to 35mph and leap 3 metres in a single bound. The main predator of the brown hare is the fox. Hares are generally shy animals, but when Spring arrives a very marked change can be seen in their behaviour. They will begin to chase one another. They may also stand up on their hind legs and box! It used to be believed it was just the males who did this, but it is now known that females will also box a male who they are not keen on mating with. This has given rise to the expression, ‘mad as a march hare’, often used to describe someone behaving erratically; and of course, immortalised by Lewis Carroll’s, ‘Alice in Wonderland’ in the character of the March Hare. The breeding season is from February to September and one female can rear 3-4 litters a year each with 2-4 young known as leverets. Rabbits are born blind and hairless, but they are relatively safe in underground burrows. Young hares, known as Leverets, are born what is known as, ‘precocial’. This means they are born relatively mature and mobile. Leverets are born with hair and can see as soon as they are born. They have vivid amber eyes which fade as they age. There is relatively little parenting involved in raising the leverets. Hares generally come out to feed on young

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shoots and cereal crops at night. Once a day for the first 4 weeks of life the young gather at sunset to be fed by their mother. This interaction is kept to a minimum to avoid attracting the attention of foxes which are hares’ main predators. Hares used to be hunted in this country with beagles and foxes and until 2002, when it was banned, harecoursing (chasing with 2 hounds) was popular in this country. Hares used to be a popular food especially in ‘jugged hare’ where the hare was cut up and cooked in a tall jug filled with red wine and juniper berries and cooked in boiling water. These days hares are not often eaten by the general public and are not a good source of food as they are so lean, they contain very little fat and calories. Hares have always been popular in folklore mythology. It has long been believed that witches favoured entering the form of a hare to allow them to enter fields and bewitch cattle. It is believed that it is unlucky to kill a hare that crosses your path before sunrise and that if a hare crosses your path 3 times you should turn back as there is danger ahead. Due to their secretive nature you’ll be lucky to spot a hare, but if you’re on the look out in early spring you might just spot a streak of brown ‘haring’ across a field or even one of nature’s greatest spectacles, the hare boxing match. www.lancmag.com

Mad hares boxing in a crop field in Norfolk UK. Photo by By Simon Bratt

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Welcoming our wonderful summer visitors Spring is a time when we wave goodbye to some of our geese and wildfowl, and welcome back some of our favourite species of bird. The Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Alan Wright greets the returnees.

Osprey will be passing through now by Darin Smith.

here are more birds in the North West of England in winter than in summer – that’s a little known fact and it is fairly obvious is you take into account migrating geese who use Morecambe Bay as a winter hotspot. A couple of months ago my mum was questioning whether one of the blackbirds that was visiting her garden

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was, in fact, a blackbird. The reason for the query was that the bird did not have the characteristic bright, yellow bill. In winter many of our garden visitors do in fact fly in from frozen Scandinavia and then fly back in spring. So, the slightly-different blackbirds will be at home in Sweden or Norway once the bluebells start to appear in our

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woodland. As they migrate they will be passed by millions of birds flying in the opposite direction. These birds are looking for insects, which are abundant in spring and summer – but not as abundant as they used to be. These feathered travellers come to us in summer, have their young and then fly south in late www.lancmag.com

The next generation of bird watchers. August and September. Swallows and martins are the ones that arrive to herald the beginning of spring. It is a great delight to see them, as they swoop back into our lives. The midges in your garden generally mean you will have swallows zooming in every so often for a feed. I always know spring has arrived at our Brockholes and Little Woolden Moss nature reserves, when the sand martins, all muddy brown with white chests and a vicar’s collar, can be seen flying low over lakes hunting insects. It almost makes one dizzy to watch the constant motion of these wonderfully agile birds. When chicks arrive they up their game and can be seen darting into nesting holes in river banks. As the action hots up the volume is also cranked up as reed warblers arrive back, bringing reed beds in our lakes to life. Wandering along the boardwalk at Brockholes and the RSPB’s Leighton Moss, in the morning, is an astonishing experience with the racket these birds make. That level of sound is replicated in every park and woodland at dawn, as robins, thrushes, blackbirds, warblers and tits let rip. The dawn chorus in our woods, towns and cities are one of my wonders of the world. Have you ever strolled along the side of the Irwell on the Manchester and Salford border, the noise there in the morning is amazing, keeping all the young professionals, who now live there, wide awake and ready for their latte and croissant breakfast. Sparrows are around in our gardens all year round by Alan Wright. Out in the countryside you will hear the cuckoo, now a lot rarer than in previous decades. I saw one a couple of years ago , a first for me, and a magical moment. Woodpeckers will also be battering away at trees, looking for insects and sending signals to prospective mates. Ospreys will be passing through on long flights from Africa to Cumbria, Wales and Scotland. We have built an osprey platform at Brockholes and could this be the year that ospreys land and breed? Fingers crossed. By the coast – and an on some inland www.lancmag.com

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ABOVE: Planting seeds for new reed beds at Brockholes. BELOW: Wren by Alan Price. lakes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; terns will reappear. These acrobats of the sky will keep us entertained for hours in pairs, but if you get a chance to visit a colony by the sea the displays are breath-taking. Of course, we shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget our all-year-round wild wonders. Starlings will entertain you on the bird table as their numbers eventually swell with chicks. The squabbles are brilliant and so far away from the majestic murmurating flocks that brightened our winter skies. Wrens will be busy looking for insects in walls and another tiny garden visitor the goldcrest is one of our most common birds, so you should see them in spring. So, budding birdwatchers and photographers, now is a great time to get out and see the spectacular variety show on your doorsteps. For more information about Brockholes go to www.brockholes.org. 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 29,000 members, and over 1,200 volunteers. 140

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Swallows on rooftops by Alan Wright .

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lively time at Brockholes by Alan Wright.

Sand martin Drinking at the Meadows Lake by Alan Wright. www.lancmag.com

Holiday Home - the osprey platform waiting to be used by Alan Wright. LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 141

An Englishman in New York Over the next few months local artist Robert Green will be talking us through his work and where he gets his ideas.

always fancied living in New York but, unfortunately, the American lawmakers had other ideas with their formidable immigration policies, so I had to wait until 1980 to pay my first visit to the most vulgar city in the world but also the most magnificent because New York is a city of extremes like no other. I ended up living many years in the Big Apple and never tired of the amazing and diverse things it had to offer so this month, I would like to share a few images that caught my eye as I walked the streets searching for inspiration.

Check out next month for Robertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next installment. If you have any questions or thoughts and want to speak to Robert, please call 01253 465318.

A Greenwich Village landmark tavern.

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One of the most photographed bakeries. Sadly it was sold a few years ago so it probably looks completely different today.

Probably the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous deli. www.lancmag.com

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How has this shop survived todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modern world? A real classic.

The famous Jewish area on the Lower East Side. 144

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A typical fire escape found at the back of many apartment buildings.

A great example of an old tenement building. I couldn’t resist adding the “Room To Let” sign. www.lancmag.com

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FASHION HEALTH BEAUTY Over the next few pages check our guide to this months trends

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ZAVI, Male – ZAVI, Amalfi Shirt, £80.00 and Trousers £68.00 www.shop-zavi.com Female – ZAVI, £90.00, www.shop-zavi.com

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Beauty Sleep is real - Lotil

Dry Skin Did you know that during sleep you perspire more? It’s true. While you are asleep your body’s hydration rebalances and recovers extra moisture. This makes sleep a natural moisturizer that can help to smooth out wrinkles on the skin. If you miss out on sleep it can also affect the moisture levels in your skin and lower your complexion’s PH level. A skin imbalance is created when your PH levels drop. This imbalance causes your skin to not produce the moisture it so desperately needs, leading to drier skin. For 100 years LOTIL has been regarded as a super cream and given 10/10 by everyone that uses it. Lotil contains powerful emollients that repair and moisturise the most sensitive of skin types.

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The brand’s USP is it combines a variety of properties to prevent infections and the rich, non-greasy and deeply hydrating formula penetrates quickly for practical use. Lotil contains anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties that provide a long lasting barrier to infection. Ideal for use by diabetics who suffer from dry skin conditions, Lotil can also be used to combat the symptoms of both psoriasis and eczema. Lotil Cream is multi use and helps to keep all areas of the body silky smooth and leaves your skin in the best possible condition. 114ml - multi-purpose home use tub £7.00 Boots

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Stand out in Style this Spring

The arrival of new season Spring deliveries at Si Belle® have turned thoughts towards promises of sun-filled days, of warmth, of light, and life. Spring is one of Si Belle’s favourite times of year, it brings with it a sense of rejuvenation which colours the world with hope and possibilities. Spring clothes should exhibit vitality and vibrancy and should lift the spirits. Si Belle hopes to achieve this with a collection offering pieces, some classic, some fresh and surprising, for all your needs and moods. The timeless classic is a long standing and unselfconscious approach to sustainability. Si Belle has always tried to choose pieces which can form part of a long-lasting capsule wardrobe, coordinating with pieces from previous collections, allowing a seamless transition between seasons. Spring Summer 2020 at Si Belle will see collections from some of the world’s best designers – beautiful everyday staples interspersed with thought provoking and stand out pieces. You can expect to find watercolour prints, floaty florals and summertime stripes sitting alongside modern takes on classically simple button-down shirts, stylishly relaxed suiting and of course irresistibly feminine summer dresses. Mix tailoring and silks with denims for lunch with friends, dress up for a garden party or corporate presentation: you know what you want: now, explore! New brands such as Ramy Brook, Bella Dahl, Kobi Halperin, Fabiana Filippi and Le Tricot Perugia join the ranks of established favourites including Elie Tahari, Temperley London, Tory Burch, Roland Mouret, Hale Bob and Marc Cain. With an array of different silhouettes and colour palettes ranging from soft earthy tones to bold, dynamic pops of colour, these brands unite in delivering a satisfying and sophisticated aesthetic. These brands allow Si Belle to offer aspirational style and, simultaneously, the means of attaining it. Search for, and find, your style at Si Belle. Si Belle has always believed that fashion should be a means of celebrating individuality, a way to express one’s personality with all its overt and covert elements: hidden mystery, public declarations, enigmatic and playful deceptions, contradictions, hope and regret, sadness and delight. Si Belle encourages clients to embrace their femininity in all of its unique incarnations and delights in offering a myriad of looks to match this diversity. HALE BOB 000 LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE www.lancmag.com

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moo STYLE Our award-winning style guru, Moo, has worked in television for over 20 years with presenters including Natasha Kaplinsky, Kirsty Young, Kirsty Gallacher and is now a personal stylist to us ‘normal women’ sharing all the inside tips of the trade.

sing colour to your advantage is nigh on a super power. There is science behind it to prove that colour impacts our emotions - red can make you feel more energised and people can interpret it as an aggressive colour; whereas blue can make you feel relaxed or cold. Alongside how you feel, colour can make a difference to how you LOOK. In fact the colours nearest your face can have a huge impact on how well you look. For instance if you have a WARM & DEEP colouring, and you wear a pale pink colour you will look drained and decidedly insipid. I know this one from experience! Have you ever been for a night out and made an effort and then person after person has asked if you are feeling all right or ‘how are you really?’ This could be down to what colour you’re wearing and nobody wants that! Wearing a flattering colour for your specific colouring can make you look healthier and your skin much more even. Ding dong. That sounds better! This stretches not only from the colours you are wearing around your face (scarves and jewellery are heroes for this) but also what make up colours you are wearing. You may have noticed that a certain lipstick colour doesn’t suit you but do you know why? And in fact that it may extend to

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your eye make up and blusher colours. The fact that we are all different is one thing we have in common! Your colour type will no doubt be different to the person sitting next to you. It’s just the matter of finding the right shades so you look equally as fabulous. Colour Me Beautiful consultants actually prescribe make-up specifically for you and your colouring. This means that you don’t need to keep on buying lipstick that after a week you realise you don’t like BECAUSE EVERYTHING THAT IS PRESCRIBED SUITS YOU! Not only does this make you feel fabulous as you look great, it saves you a fortune! After all why do we all keep those lipsticks in a drawer that we never wear? Because we paid for them and we can’t bear to throw money away. Well let’s stop that straight away. There are six dominant colouring types. However it also helps to know your secondary and tertiary colouring as that will really ensure your make

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up makes you look your very best. Oh don’t start me on knowing your style personality as then we know what type of application will suit as well! But let’s start at the very beginning… with your dominant colouring.

Once you know your make up prescription you’ll find lots of different colours to make you look your very best. Now we know the eyes are the window to the soul and generally after your canvas is perfected, your www.lancmag.com

Black is an absence of colour and as such can actually make your eyes look smaller. Whereas a moss or a teal can draw people in towards your eyes. I recommend my clients to go for an eye liner wardrobe! To make things super easy, you can keep your eye make up colour the same each day and just switch around the eye liner colour. I’ll go even further. Stand by your beds. Step back from the black mascara! eye make up comes next. When I was working in television, way before the start of the Kardashian impact, the make up artists were pressing the importance of defining your eyebrows. They give a real frame to your face – even helping give you cheekbones. They are SO important. Ensure you get the right colour to fill in what nature has missed – steel is a great colour as is a blonde pencil. Blondes can really find it hard to find the right colour. I personally prefer working with a slanted make up brush and powder as I can easily remove any mistakes with the brush of an old toothbrush. But I know lots of people like working with a pencil, just remember to use short feathering strokes to make it look more natural. Natural is the name of the game! Henry Ford believed ‘a customer can have a car painted any colour he wants as long as it’s black.” Well, I say can have any colour eye liner you want except black! That’s right Colour Me Beautiful doesn’t even make a black eye liner. Yes take that in! It’s an easy choice to default to black and actually you can always do better.

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You can draw more attention to your eyes with a colour (rather than an absence of colour!). I LOVE the navy mascara. In fact I’ve not found another one that works as well. It’s not the blue that we used in the 80s. It’s like a French navy, just enough of a point of different to draw your attention without shouting it from the roof top. Really clever.

Another top tip, if you’d like to keep your lip colour on for longer. Start with a lip base, it will stop your lipstick feathering as a starter. Then outline your lips with lip liner and then fill it in. Then apply one of your most flattering lip gloss shades or lipstick. When that eventually wears off – you’ll have delicately tinted lips.

Lip colour is particularly difficult to get right if you haven’t had your make up colours prescribed. What you admire on your friend, may look truly dreadful on you. Previously I spent years believing that I couldn’t wear red lipstick. That was because I kept on trying the cool red lipsticks that looked amazing on my friends, once I knew that I needed the warmth of a red velvet I had my perfect red lippie. I love it! I would also encourage the importance of buying make up, and in fact skincare, that isn’t tested on animals nor with any synthetic nasties in it. All of this goes into your biggest organ, your skin and then into your bloodstream. A shocking thought. If you would like any more colour or style advice please go to my website moostyle.co.uk . I’m here to help with pleasure.

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Aiming Higher

You can donate to Aiming Higher using the following methods Website | www.aiminghighercharity.org.uk/get-involved/donate/ Just Giving & PayPal | Found on Aiming Higher website

Post | Aiming Higher. 231 – 233 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 3PB. Please ring 01253 206447 further information

iming Higher for Disabled Children & their Families is a Blackpool based charity that supports hundreds of local children and their families. The charity supports families and creates happy memories for children with life limiting and complex conditions. Raising a disabled child can be a wonderful experience, however it can also be lonely, isolating and overpowering. The friendly and professional team at Aiming Higher are always close at hand and able to support the family’s registered with them, easing them through any anxieties. The service provided varies with each families’ needs – from supporting families to attend appointments at school, hospital, social services, benefits and housing to providing activities and days out where families can meet others in similar circumstances.

Our families particularly enjoy socialising and supporting each other. Pictured are children enjoying our recent Christmas party at Blackpool’s Sandcastle waterpark and preschoolers enjoying a day out at Kiddipops as part of our BBC Children in Need project. Fundraising is essential for us to continue providing our amazing services for our wonderful families and we would like to thank everyone who continues to make donations. Coming up on 16th May is our largest fundraiser of the year – our annual fundraising ball. Following on from 2018s 1920s theme and last year’s successful 1950s themed event we will be time-travelling once more! This time we will be travelling Back to the 80s and inviting people to “Get into the Groove” at the Imperial Hotel. The event will include live music, a drinks

£500 would enable Aiming Higher to buy more sensory equipment and toys for their Stay & Play sessions at our Church Street Centre. 164

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reception, a three-course meal and chance to have “The time of your life!” We would be delighted if anyone would like to join us having fun raising funds that will enable us to continue our work creating positive memories for local disabled children and their families. To book please contact Heather on 01253 206447/8.

£1000 funds a day trip for 50 to go to Chester Zoo. This kind of trip allows a family to experience a day out away from their local area with the comfort of a fully adapted disabled coach. Disabled children benefit from experiencing somewhere new and exciting as well as providing a memorable day out for the whole family. www.lancmag.com

year into her role as Manager of Bolton School Nursery, Jasmin Sanders discusses how she has settled in, all that is special about the Nursery she has joined, what sets it apart from its competitors and her plans for the future. “I have been made to feel extremely welcome. The team is very experienced, professional and friendly and it is evident how much they care about each child and their family. All of our children achieve highly and there is a clear focus on helping children to be ready for the next stage in their education and, indeed, life.” Who comes to Bolton School’s Nursery? “At Bolton School Nursery we welcome children aged 0 to 4 years from families from all cultures and from a wide catchment area, including Bolton, Bury, North Manchester, Wigan, Preston, Chorley and Warrington. We have regular celebratory days full of colour and fun, such as Chinese New Year, Eid, Hanukkah, Christmas and Diwali, along with awareness days like World Hello Day and World Wildlife Day. Our doors are open to everyone; we offer the universal 15 hours funding entitlement to all children over 3 years old and a variety of sessions to suit everyone’s lifestyle and choice. Our diverse nursery community is one of our strengths and we are very proud of it.” Do you plan to make any adaptations or changes? “We have lots of plans for the future, including a whole garden makeover, accessing Forest School sessions at a new site and creating more links within the community, as well as hopefully linking with other schools and nurseries in the area, in order that we can share what we do well. We have also put in place an online learning journey system - in addition to regular parents’ evenings - for parents and key persons to access, giving families more input and involvement in their child’s educational achievements every day.” What sets your Nursery apart from its competitors? “One of our differentiating factors is our ability to offer a wide range of bespoke activities for every child. Parents can choose from additional educational experiences, including Spanish lessons, dance classes, swimming, yoga, trips out, Forest School experiences, Baby Moves and much more. We also have highly experienced practitioners who are qualified in delivering Makaton and Sing and Sign sessions. Many of our families find the flexibility that we offer ties in well with their busy professional life, as we are open all day and all year round. Additionally, for those families who have older children at Bolton School, being able to drop off and collect their youngest child at the same time is very convenient. They can also be assured that their child, at this early and crucial stage in

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New Nursery Manager Finds An ‘Outstanding’ Nursery their development, is part of a well-run and highly esteemed Foundation, with excellent facilities on the Nursery’s doorstep.” Do all children progress to the Infant School at Bolton School?

Local Authority and have recently been chosen to take part in this year’s phonics launch along with other schools and nurseries in the area.” How well is your Nursery resourced?

“Our Pre-school children and teachers link with the Beech House Reception Class at Bolton School. This helps children become more familiar with a school environment. All of our families are welcome to apply for the Bolton School assessment process for a place at our Infant School, where 90% of children achieve a Good Level of Development in the Early Years Foundation Stage (compared to 67% for Bolton as a whole). Whilst many children progress to Beech House, we also have children who move on to other primary schools.

“I believe we have everything in place here to ensure each child can enjoy the very best start in life. Our staff were praised in the latest inspection with comments including ‘staff make very good use of the excellent range of high-quality resources to engage children fully and enhance their learning exceptionally well’ and ‘staff know the children extremely well; they devise enjoyable, interesting and age-appropriate activities that enthuse and challenge all children who increasingly develop confidence and skills across all areas of their learning and development.’

Our separately run term-time Nursery Class for 3 and 4 year olds also helps prepare children for the move to Infant School.”

Ours is a modern, purpose-built nursery where resources and equipment are constantly updated. The interior is bright and spacious, containing age relevant equipment, designed to encourage all areas of development. The enclosed gardens and play areas provide further opportunities for the children to run, climb, dig, ride wheeled toys or explore.

When was the Nursery last inspected? “Our Early Years Foundation Stage (covering our Nursery, Nursery Class, Reception Class at Beech House and Kidzone, our wraparound childcare club) was described as ‘Outstanding’ across all categories when it was inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in 2019. It is highly unusual and very impressive for a nursery to achieve this rating and we have managed this in the last four inspections! The report said staff ‘have an excellent understanding of how babies and young children develop’ and ‘new children settle smoothly into the setting’. We link with the

We are open from 7am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, and are only closed on Bank Holidays and during the Christmas and New Year period. We offer part- and full-time places for children and additional sessions as and when requested. Parents should call us on 01204 434732 to find out more and to arrange a visit.”

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Antonella Talks Fashion

ello, I`m back, have you missed me? If not.... then why not...ha! Hope you have all recovered from the festivities , still sticking to your New Years Resolutions ( I for one have slipped up a few times ) and that 2020 is treating you very kindly so far. I myself am ready to tackle whatever this year brings... I`m now fully rested from my stint in Panto and raring to go. If it`s your first time reading my blog then allow me to introduce myself. My name is Antonella (Nelly for short) and I am the co-owner of the multi award winning ladies boutique Ruby & Daisy based in Crawshawbooth, Rossendale. We are the North Wests leading boutique and online retailer of one sized, easy to wear clothing and every month I talk fashion and bring you a selection of our fabulous clothing, footwear and accessories. (please take the time to view our entire collection online at www. rubyanddaisy. co.uk. I am also a well known figure on social media and am known as Antonella The Uncensored Reviewer. I review products in a brutally honest manner, have featured on This Morning alongside Holly Willoughby & Philip Schofield

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on my Flowerpot Corner and an ambassador of numerous charities including The Frank Bruno Foundation, Alzheimers Society and The look Good Feel Better Foundation. I also have a weekly agony aunt coulmn in ‘ Chat ‘ magazine and ‘That’s Life ‘ in Australia and New Zealand. There seems to be no escape from Valentines Day at this time of year and everywhere you look shops are filled with chocolates, flowers and teddy bears. Wether your a true romantic or cynic, this often hyped up occasion is the ideal time to show some self love and treat and indulge yourself.

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It is also an ideal time to celebrate love, go out with someone special in your life,wether it be your partner, a parent, children or even your 4 legged best friend. We have lots of styles here ate Ruby & Daisy which you can indulge in or even treat a loved one to. If heart shaped patterns, jewellery and scarves are your thing then look no further. Not only that but instore our attentive staff will also lovingly gift wrap any items free of charge in our bespoke packaging. Let’s start with our infamous Desoto top which comes in large range of prints and also is avaialble in plain colours. It is a long sleeved, longline top with secret pockets and fits up to a size 22. The Shimmer Heart Desoto features a solid foil heart and The Leopard Heart Desoto speaks for itself. They are a great easy wearing everyday top and look fab with our Magic, 4 way stretch trousers £27 which are ultra versatile and can be worn as a capri trouser, jogger or skinny jean. The Eternal Love Top is another choice for heart www.lancmag.com

fans with its sequinned heart emblem and has a slightly dressier feel to it than the Desoto. This is also one sized and fits up to a size 22 and £25. How about chanelling your inner Hippie with the Make Love Not War Tee £22. Life can be hard enough at times so why not spread some love, positivity , good vibes and peace. It looks fab layered over one of our Foggia longline vests £10 and is the idealpiece to take on holiday with you. If you do find yourself at loggerheads with your loved one then kiss and makeup with The Studded Lips Top £24. This top is one of our best selling shape tops of all time and is also available in a studded stars version and angel wings version. It flatters the torso area and covers the tummy, hips and bottom and it`s skinny arms flatter even more and easily fits up to a size 24. For those who want to make love and kiss at the same time then The Kiss Chase Tunic fits the bill perfectly. It features a heart shape made from foil lips and has a quirky zip detail. It fits upto a size 20 and is £33. If you fancy wearing your ‘heart on your sleeve’ or are looking for the perfect gift then The Eternal Love Bangle by the beautiful jewellery brand Orli is a must have . It features a beaten bangle with a heart disc and elongated heart charms and comes beautifully packaged in a gift box. Last but not by no means least wrap yourself in love with The Doodle Hearts scarf at only £10. Scarves instantly elevate an outfit and can bring the simplest and plainest of tops to life. Well I hope you’ve enjoyed this sneaky peek of The Wonderful world Of Ruby & Daisy and if you`d like to see more then hop online, come and visit us in store or watch one of our regular live shows on Facebook where we try the clothes on for our viewers so they can see what they look like on women of all different, ages, shapes and sizes. Bye for now, Love lots, nelly.

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The privileged had more recreational time

The Twenties, The Last Twenties. The 1920’s They say that after a War, a period of prosperity follows. That may be true for the minority, but not necessarily for the majority. For the majority, it is a period of relief and coming to terms with the losses. Words: Paul Cusimano, JOSEPH CLOTHING, Lancaster

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s we tentatively step into the new 20’s, that’s the 2020’s, Amanda thought it would be good to look at the ‘style’ of the 1920’s. That’s now 100 years ago. The beginning of the twentieth century saw the death of Queen Victoria (1901), the longest serving Monarch in British history up until that point. King Edward VII (1901-10) and King George V (1910-36) followed. The Suffragette Movement had been growing through this early part of the Century. But it was ‘World War One’ that was to be the biggest influence on the nineteen twenties. The ‘Roaring Twenties’, as it has been remembered, is perhaps an insensitive term following the death and destruction during the preceding years. During the War years, women worked in the factories and on farms to support both the War efforts and www.lancmag.com

Womans land army

The privileged also hadwheels

the Country as a whole. In 1918 some women were given the Vote; those who were property owners over 30 years of age. A very small step for women and the Suffragette Movement. It was those years and experiences that acted as the catalyst to the Social changes that were the Nineteen Twenties. This was a new decade, post War. Human resilience was to persevere. However, as has always been the case, society was divided into “class”, perhaps not a p.c. term today, but that’s the reality. Wealth, or lack of, determines everything; food, clothes, transport, accommodation, social activities, health - everything. This was the lead up, the back drop, to the ‘period of prosperity’. The departure from the War years and what was considered the ‘Victorian Era’. For the ‘Working Class’, there was little change. Life was about survival, www.lancmag.com

Nineteen Twenties Britain

ABOVE: The Midland Hotel, Morecambe. A superb local example of the ‘Art Deco’ style of the twenties and thirties. LEFT: Women in the Factories

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A couple at a horse races in the 1920’s

The ‘working class’ man - reminiscent of the Victorian man

putting food on the table, and keeping a roof over the families head. The expectations were few, and simple. Clothing was, for the most part, chosen based on practicality with some for “Sunday best”. The work was manual. It was hard. But there was no War. The ‘Roaring Twenties’ was more about the Middle, and predominately, the Upper Classes. For women in these classes, there was a growing sense of confidence. Some had earned a wage for the first time and along with some receiving the right to ‘Vote’, gave them a real sense of independence. Some women began to smoke, drink and even drive motor cars. Hair styles became shorter as did the length of their dresses, although still below the 170

knee. The waist lines of the dresses dropped and more exotic fabrics were being used. The ‘State Education Act’ (1921) raised the school leaving age to 14 and Primary Education became free for all. These were seemingly huge changes for the time. It was a period where the gap between the poor, unemployed, and the middle and upper classes contrasted strikingly. This, at the time, was a real ‘revolution’, a period of empowerment, ‘Girl Power’ 1920’s style. ‘Style’ should last. It should stand the test of time and be considered ‘classic’. The twenties and thirties are best remembered as the ‘Arts Décoratifs’

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period. Architecture, furniture, jewellery, fashion, cars, trains, ships, movie theatres and ornaments were all influenced by this style. The Midland Hotel, Morecambe. A superb local example of the ‘Art Deco’ style of the twenties and thirties. ‘Poirot’, and the recent TV hit series ‘Peaky Blinders’, have perfectly depicted the styles of this period. ‘Peaky Blinders’ reflecting on the gangster world this side of the big pond. The Twenty-Twenties offer a very different prospect to the NineteenTwenties, despite facing challenges. Paul Cusimano, JOSEPH CLOTHING, Lancaster. www.lancmag.com

Spring 2020 Freshness For The New Decade

Treat Yourself, Or A Loved One

JOSEPH CLOTHING | Located in the Heart of the Beautiful Historic City of Lancaster

AC36 BY

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Prison tool plan to help children and wildlife A project where inmates at a West Lancashire prison are repairing tools for school children is also helping nature, and it has been so successful providing tools for the education programme at Brockholes Nature Reserve, they have run out of tools to repair. Now they are asking members of the public to donate old and broken tools to continue the good work.

he inmates at Garth Prison, in West Lancashire, are taking part in Tools Shed, the recycling project run by The Conservation Foundation. They take in broken tools, fix them and then pass them on to the education team at Brockholes, the nature reserve off the M6 at Preston. NW Co-ordinator and Brockholes volunteer Hugh Sloan said: “Tools Shed started as a pilot at HMP Wandsworth in 2006 and it was a great success, it’s now running in seven prisons across the UK, thanks to funding from the Big Lottery. “Staff and the prisoners at Garth are keen on this project. We will ask for broken tools to be handed in to various 172

locations. The prisoners will repair them and then, I know, the education team will be able to use them. It is a really good way to provide good quality second hand tools. “We currently have a cage in the compound at Brockholes ready to collect tools and the response from volunteers has been excellent. Anyone else can bring tools that are broken or they don’t need. And the prisoners have already fixed the tools we have supplied so far.” The tools are non-powered gardening tools, including spades, forks, trowels and rakes. Workshop tools – hammers and saws – should not be donated. They will be transported to Garth,

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where prisoners will use their workshop to restore them to good working order. Hugh said: “This will help to teach prisoners practical skills that can be used after they have been released. And the tools will be used to teach children restoration skills, possibly providing training for a future career.” Anyone who has unwanted or broken tools can drop them off at Brockholes. If you want to know more about the project go to www. conservationfoundation.co.uk/ projects/tools

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New era heralded at Mere Sands Wood It was the end of an era at Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve today, when the oldest part of the iconic visitor centre was demolished.

nd it’s “in with the new” in December when a new visitor centre, including a café, will be delivered to The Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve in Rufford. However, tears were shed when the old building was taken down by contractors, it has served the reserve for nearly half a century. Reserve officer Ian Wright said: “There are mixed feelings here this week. The old building could tell so many stories about the people and wildlife that have made this place so special. “But time has caught up with it and facilities fit for the 21st century for visitors, volunteers and staff are taking shape that are better than anything that’s gone before. “We’re looking forward with anticipation whilst cherishing fond memories of the old building”. Tens of thousands of people www.lancmag.com

annually see the reserve, as their own hidden gem, with gentle walks through the trees, around the lakes, formerly part of Martin Mere, once England biggest freshwater lake which covered most of the area until the 1700s. In recent weeks, hundreds of cormorants popped in each night to spend balmy evenings around those lakes. Bittern and water rail are welcome visitors and kingfishers have made their home here. There are red squirrels in the pine woodland. There has been a bold vision for Mere Sands Wood for some years now and, finally, in December a new building will arrive on the site on the back of a couple of lorries. Based on the excellent model that is now the fully clad Field Studies Centre, there will be room for visitors, officers and volunteers. There will be an education area and, best of all, a café. Already, the remaining part of the

former building has been transformed into offices and new storage. Ian said: “We are open to visitors. Although there is some disruption, at the moment, around the old visitor centre, the rest of reserve and hides are open. There are some facilities in the Field Studies Centre.” Mere Sands Wood is on Holmeswood Road in Rufford. The new visitor centre should be open early in the New Year. 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 29,000 members, and over 1,200 volunteers.

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Thousands wade-in to protect UK seas The Wildlife Trusts’ marine review of 2019

019 has seen extraordinary sightings of minke whales and bottlenose dolphins in UK waters, restoration of vital saltmarshes and conservation action by thousands of marine and coastal volunteers. The Wildlife Trusts’ Living Seas teams are the eyes and ears of the UK coast and have compiled their most memorable highlights – a marine review of the year. In brief: Good news • Highly successful new project recording minke whales and dolphins off the Yorkshire coast. Furthest south record of Scottish bottlenose dolphins • Seal discovered commuting between Isle of Man and Cornwall • Record year for grey seal colony at South Walney, Cumbria • Excellent year for Sandwich terns at Cemlyn Bay, Wales • Razorbill recovery on Handa Island Wildlife Reserve, Scotland Bad news • Kittiwake colony fails on Isles of Scilly, no chicks survived

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Increasing incidents of disturbance to wildlife • Marine wildlife in peril from plastic, nurdles, litter and discarded fishing gear Changes in marine environment • Spread of non-native Pacific oyster as waters warm • Action for marine conservation • Saltmarshes restored – a natural solution to carbon storage • Seeds collected for new seagrass meadow • Endangered skate and sharks successfully tracked and monitored • Over 5000 marine volunteers got involved in citizen science and beach cleans • Fishing 4 Litter collects 27 tonnes of marine waste • Milestone: 41 new Marine Conservation Zones announced bringing total to 91

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Common Bottlenose Dolphin Photo by R. Maximiliane

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Grey seal Pup, South Walney nature reserve, Cumbria. Photo: Cameron Titorenko

Joan Edwards, The Wildlife Trusts’ director of living seas, says: “2019 saw a sea-change in people’s attitudes. The extent of the nature and climate emergency is becoming increasingly clear and more people than ever are volunteering to be citizen scientists and conducting important surveys or taking action to tackle the profound problems of marine litter and plastic pollution. They’ve shown their commitment to healthy seas by supporting The Wildlife Trusts’ campaigns to ensure government policies create more and better protection for marine wildlife and waters around the UK.” Good news: New project records whales and dolphins off Yorkshire, a commuting seal, and success for Sandwich terns, razorbills and grey seals A new citizen science project recording sighting of whales, dolphins and porpoise off Yorkshire’s east coast had a highly successful first year; trained volunteers logged 320 individual sightings including minke whales, bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoise. A network of 30 volunteers trained by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Sea Watch Foundation became the ‘eyes and ears’ of the coast and spent over 330 hours surveying 176

from 30 different locations. Photographs identified one pod of bottlenose dolphins and showed they’d journeyed from Scotland. The sighting off Flamborough Head was the furthest south they have been officially identified. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust researchers accompanied specialist wildlife boat trips logging minke whales feeding off Staithes. Alan Wright, Lancashire Wildlife Trust Campaigns Officer says: “We have seen schools of more than 100 bottlenose dolphins in Liverpool Bay and had reports of humpback whales. Our shoresearches and other events help to get an idea of what is alive and what has been living in (out )our amazing Irish Sea. It also shows the extent of the litter problem in our oceans. I recommend everyone spends a day at the beach on id events or clean ups so they understand the work we are doing.” Bex Lynam, North Sea Wildlife Trusts’ marine advocacy officer says: “It’s likely the bottlenose dolphins came south following shoals of fish; it’s thrilling to see playful dolphins and ocean giants like whales. Ten years ago, seeing a bottlenose dolphin off the Yorkshire coast would have been rare. We need to collect more data

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about how and why they are using these waters if we are to better protect them. The role of citizen scientists in recording these animals, as well as changes in the marine environment is really important.” Wildlife Trust evidence continues to reveal surprising glimpses into animal behaviour. This year for the first time, an individual seal was discovered commuting between the Isle of Man and Cornwall. Photographs sent by the Manx Wildlife Trust to the Cornwall Seal Group (Research Trust) revealed that the same seal, nicknamed Tulip Belle, has been a regular visitor to the South West since 2001, returning to Calf of Man every couple of years to have her pups. Lara Howe, Manx Wildlife Trust’s marine officer, says: “This is a first for us. We knew that seals travel within the Irish Sea, but we had no idea that they would go as far as Cornwall. When I sent our Manx seal photos to the Cornwall Seal Group, it was a bit of a long shot and we were all surprised that we found a match. It shows that seals will swim great distances for food and a place to pup, highlighting the importance of a network of marine protected areas around the UK, so that wherever marine wildlife goes there are www.lancmag.com

Kittiwake fishing

healthy seas to support them.” Cumbria Wildlife Trust reported more grey seals at South Walney nature reserve than ever before: 483 including 7 pups – up from 360 last year. Numbers have increased dramatically from only two in 1981 with the first pups being born in 2015. Over 1000 pairs of Sandwich terns bred at North Wales Wildlife Trust’s Cemlyn Bay nature reserve this year and about 800 chicks fledged – a large increase on 2018 when there were 500 pairs and about 180 chicks. The birds nest in the open on silty or sandy islands, so they are vulnerable to predators and very sensitive to disturbance, especially from dogs and people. This nature reserve is the only Sandwich tern colony in Wales and one of the most important in the UK so receives special protection: an electric fence circles the nesting site, whilst wardens keep watch and patrol. The Trust is fundraising to continue this vital work. Plans for a nuclear power station nearby, which could have devastating consequences for the birds’, have been deferred, with a decision expected about the next stage of the planning process early in 2020. Over a hundred of the Sandwich tern chicks were fitted with coloured leg rings for www.lancmag.com

the first time this year in order to follow their migration. By early Autumn there were sightings of these young birds off the coasts of the Gambia and Namibia, a journey of over 11,000 km. The Scottish Wildlife Trust celebrated a welcome boost for razorbills, seabirds which nest on the ledges of soaring sea cliffs on Handa Island. Rangers and volunteers counted birds by boat and on foot, results showing 8,207 birds, the highest number since 2006. Although good news, Handa’s razorbills are still in trouble, having declined dramatically from over 16,000 birds in the early 2000s. The exact cause isn’t known, but the birds are sensitive to any change in local fish stocks and pollution. Bad news: Isles of Scilly kittiwake nests fail, disturbance to marine wildlife, and yet more plastic pollution Around 20 kittiwake nests were recorded this year on Gugh, Isles of Scilly, and chicks grew throughout June. However, in July the nests started to fail, and chicks disappeared; during the last survey only a single chick remained. Kittiwakes across Scilly have been surveyed annually since 2006. Over this period dramatic declines have been recorded with an 87% drop

in numbers. People disturbing birds, and harsh storms during the breeding season are among the suspected reasons for the failure of the Gugh colony, with trail cam footage revealing regular visits from peregrines, causing both kittiwakes and gulls to abandon their nests. Nikki Banfield, Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust’s communications officer, says: “Scilly attracts many visitors because of its spectacular wildlife, but the pressure on the islands and their wildlife is high. We try to balance the needs of visitors, whilst maintaining space for nature, unfortunately, not everyone understands how easily seabirds are disturbed. This year we have had to put up extra signage asking people to keep dogs on leads, after dog walkers disturbed seabirds. Despite restricting access to some of our most sensitive sites, and asking people to stick to the paths, birds can be scared into abandoning their nests.” Several Trusts reported that wildlife is increasingly being disturbed by people. Trusts reported jet skis frightening dolphins, kayakers scaring seals, drones causing wildlife to flee and increased numbers of tripper boats operating from harbours. The trauma can separate animal parents from their young and disrupt feeding

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or successful breeding. The last two years have seen the highest numbers of dolphin disturbances reported to Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Disturbance Hotline since monitoring began in 2013, with 16 dolphins, 8 each year, alarmed by leisure activities such as jet skiers. Latest overall hotline figures (2018) show a total of 245 serious incidents involving marine wildlife, 234 of which involved seals. The hotline took the first call and co-ordinated action to tackle a particularly distressing incident in Falmouth in which dolphins were harassed by jet skiers (Feb 2019). In Yorkshire jet skiers scattered seabirds from their colonies, and in Essex seals were worried by recreational disturbance. Joan Edwards, The Wildlife Trusts’ director of living seas, urges people to enjoy all that the coast offers but not at the expense of wildlife. She says: “People don’t realise how vulnerable animals such as dolphins and seals are to human activity. We share the seas with nature and need to leave space for marine wildlife – it’s important that people keep a good distance from animals and seabirds and avoid kayaking, jet skiing or boating near to animals, and avoid mothers and their young.” Plastics, ocean litter, and discarded fishing gear continue to devastate marine wildlife. A seal with a plastic ring around its neck was spotted by the Manx Wildlife Trust, which had six other reports of seals tangled in plastic or rope. Last month pictures of a seal pup chewing on a glass bottle at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust’s Donna

Nook reserve were widely reported. Essex Wildlife Trust highlighted the problem by commissioning a sculpture, Poly the seal and her pup Nurdle, made from washed up plastic and litter. Marine litter collected on Handa Island Wildlife Reserve (Scottish Wildlife Trust) has been traced back to the USA and Canada, Spain, Sweden and Ireland with lobster pot tags from Newfoundland, all showing the global scale of the problem. Last month hundreds of thousands of nurdles – tiny pieces of industrial plastic – washed-up and covered parts of Kimmeridge Bay, a specially protected part of Dorset’s coast. About the size of a lentil, multi-coloured nurdles are eaten by wildlife, everything from birds to fish, who mistake them for food. Over the years, visitors and staff from Dorset Wildlife Trust have cleared the beach of thousands of nurdles and bio beads which are used in wastewater treatment. Julie Hatcher, Dorset Wildlife Trust’s people and wildlife officer, says “When the sea is rough on a winter’s day, nurdles are washed-up in astonishing numbers – it’s extremely disheartening and hard to imagine how we will ever get rid of them. They’re just one part of the ocean plastics nightmare.” Changes in the marine environment: Pacific oyster threat as waters warm Warming seas have allowed a boom in numbers of non-native Pacific oysters, threatening to change ecosystems in important estuaries of the south west. Pacific oysters were introduced to the UK in the 1920s, and then commercial oyster farms were

Plastic seal sculpture Poly and pup Nurdle (c)Essex Wildlife Trust

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Grey Seal. Photo by Mark William Kirkland

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“The Scottish Wildlife Trust celebrated a welcome boost for razorbills, seabirds which nest on the ledges of soaring sea cliffs on Handa Island.”

Razorbill (Alca torda) by Alan Gordon

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Plastic waste polluting along the strandline Cornwall. Photo by Tracey Williams

established in the 1950s and 1960s, it was believed that they wouldn’t breed because our waters were too cold. Recently, though, the oysters have spread beyond the farms and trained citizen scientists from Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Shoresearch Project, along with other partners, are mapping the oyster explosion. In Cornwall the Tamar, Fowey, Fal and Helford estuaries are now heavily inundated with Pacific oysters. Solid Pacific oyster reefs are forming in some areas which are changing the ecosystem and smothering intertidal gravel and mudflats, making it difficult for birds and young fish such as bass and mullet, to forage on these rich and important feeding grounds. Some areas have recorded up to 200 oysters per square metre. Matt Slater, marine awareness officer, Cornwall Wildlife Trust says: “Originally, Pacific oyster famers were officially advised that our waters weren’t warm enough for them to reproduce, but due to climate change that advice is out of date. Pacific oyster populations have increased hugely in Cornwall and Devon in the last five years and it’s unrealistic to think we’ll be able to eradicate this species, so we’re going to www.lancmag.com

have to manage them the best we can. There are big feral populations on the coasts of Kent and Essex too. This is a cautionary tale, showing the unforeseen consequences of introducing new species, and particularly the effect a changing climate is having on marine ecosystems.” Action for marine conservation: Seagrass & saltmarsh restoration – great for wildlife, good for carbon storage; endangered skate and sharks successfully tracked; native oyster reintroduction; over 5000 marine volunteers; Fishing 4 Litter cleans up 27 tonnes of marine waste, and a milestone – 41 new Marine Conservation Zones announced This year Alderney Wildlife Trust donated seeds from their underwater seagrass meadows at Longis nature reserve for an innovative project planting a new meadow off the Welsh coast. Seagrass stores about twice as much carbon per hectare as terrestrial soils. Alderney’s seagrass tolerates warmer waters and the Trust sustainably harvested seeds for Swansea University to germinate, before being transferred to small hessian bags to be planted underwater.

UK saltmarsh has declined by 85% in the past 100 years and what is left needs emergency protection. Saltmarsh captures large amounts of carbon through photosynthesis, storing the carbon in its vegetation, and the deep sediment beneath the surface. Saltmarshes also protect coastal land against flooding as a result of storm surges. Essex Wildlife Trust notched up a number of firsts this year with successful surveys showing fish are now colonising an emerging area of saltmarsh at Fingringhoe Wick, created following a planned breach in the sea wall five years ago. A new expanse of channels, lagoons and marsh is already becoming an important place for fish, waders and wildfowl. The first winter fish survey found new species like thin lipped grey mullet are using the saltmarsh. At Abbots Hall Farm the first year of monitoring showed success for coir rolls installed by the Trust to protect the marsh, and for the first time citizen scientists trained by the Trust discovered numerous young fish including gobies, shrimp, bass, sea gooseberries, a small iridescent jellyfish at Two Tree Island saltmarsh. Joan Edwards, The Wildlife Trusts’

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Sandwich Tern, Cemlyn Nature Reserve by Tom Hibbert

director of living seas, says “Healthy seas are essential for wildlife and are also a key part of tackling climate change. Oceans are the largest sink for man-made carbon dioxide, it’s estimated they absorb between 20% and 35% man-made CO2 each year. We need to protect and restore blue carbon habitats such as seagrass meadows and saltmarshes as one of our most effective and natural solutions to the climate emergency.” Ulster Wildlife reported a great year for the critically endangered common skate, (also known as flapper skate) which can live for up 100 years and grow to three metres long. Working with local sea anglers through the SeaDeep project, fish were tagged and monitored. Rebecca Hunter, Ulster Wildlife’s living seas manager, says: “Skate grow very slowly so it can take decades for populations to recover. We offered sea anglers free training and equipment, showing them the best way to handle and tag fish with a unique number, at the same time as measuring them and giving a condition check, before quickly returning them to the water. Anglers also helped tag spurdog sharks which 182

can live to 70 years and are endangered in Northern Ireland. Their enthusiasm for helping us save these species has been fantastic and over 200 sharks, skates and rays have been tagged so we can monitor numbers and condition.” Native oysters were re-introduced to the Humber estuary for the first time since the 1950s. Working in partnership with University of Hull, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reintroduced the oysters in a sheltered area at Spurn Point nature reserve where students will be able to monitor growth, water quality, and marine wildlife. Oysters are nature’s water filters and help clean pollution from estuaries and seas. This year coastal Wildlife Trusts were supported by over 5000 volunteers who took part in beach cleans, citizen science surveys and shore-based events. Trained Shoresearch citizen scientists completed over 95 surveys recording marine creatures and submitting their data to national records centres. Many Wildlife Trusts volunteers stood up for their local coasts: Hampshire Wildlife Trust’s Secrets of the Solent had over 100 people signing up to train and become Marine Champions, while North Wales Wildlife Trust’s Wild

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Coast had its busiest year with young volunteers racking up an incredible 1,806 individual volunteer hours in the past 12 months – that’s around 2.5 months of continuous, non-stop work to help protect and promote safe havens for nature. Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Your Shore Beach Rangers inspired young people, Kent Wildlife Trust’s Guardians of the Deep contributed survey data, and Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s 660 students enjoyed Beach School. Devon Wildlife Trust’s Wembury Marine Centre celebrated its 25th anniversary with a 24-hour bioblitz – working with The Marine Biological Association 115 volunteers recorded 1310 species, (610 of which were newly recorded within 10km of Wembury Marine Centre) – all within 24 hours. Most exciting finds were two rare giant goby found during night-time rockpooling. Legendary volunteer Ray Marsh won The Wildlife Trusts’ Cadbury Medal for services to nature conservation. Ray retired in October after 60 years as volunteer warden of Essex Wildlife Trust’s Skipper’s Island; he rowed across to the island 10,000 times to look after this haven and its www.lancmag.com

Thousands Thousands of nurdles of nurdles – tiny – tiny pieces pieces of industrial of industrial plastic plastic – washed-up – washed-up andand covered covered parts parts of Kimmeridge of Kimmeridge Bay.Bay. Photo Photo - Tracey - Tracey Williams Williams

wildlife. wildlife. Yorkshire Yorkshire Wildlife Wildlife Trust’s Trust’s Fishing Fishing 4 Litter 4 Litter hadhad its best its best yearyear with with a a phenomenal phenomenal 27 27 tonnes tonnes of litter of litter andand fishing fishing gear gear collected collected by fishermen by fishermen andand deposited deposited in skips in skips andand waste waste points points in eight in eight harbours harbours along along thethe Yorkshire Yorkshire Coast. Coast. This This project project offers offers 160160 fishermen fishermen hard-wearing, hard-wearing, reusable reusable bags bags for for useuse at sea which areare then emptied at sea which then emptied ashore – bins andand skips areare collected by by ashore – bins skips collected councils in North andand EastEast Yorkshire. councils in North Yorkshire. This yearyear Wildlife Trusts organised This Wildlife Trusts organised 450450 beach cleans, with many more beach cleans, with many more independently-run by volunteers independently-run by volunteers themselves andand through local themselves through local partnerships. partnerships. Trusts Trusts counted counted rubbish rubbish by the by the bag,bag, tonne tonne andand even even piece, piece, for for example: example: Sussex Sussex Wildlife Wildlife Trust Trust logged logged 19,000 19,000 pieces pieces of litter of litter weighing weighing 350kg; 350kg; Scottish Scottish Wildlife Wildlife Trust Trust reached reached remote remote island beaches by boat, removing overover island beaches by boat, removing 5 tonnes of washed-up litter, plastic 5 tonnes of washed-up litter, plastic andand fishing gear; andand IslesIsles of Scilly fishing gear; of Scilly Wildlife Trust cleared 2.52.5 tonnes from Wildlife Trust cleared tonnes from their their coastline. coastline. Plastic Plastic eye-drops eye-drops bottles bottles washed washed up up in Hampshire in Hampshire andand Devon, Devon, andand plastic plastic nozzles nozzles covered covered a beach a beach in in Kent. Kent. After almost 298,000 people After almost 298,000 people backed a 7-year campaign by The backed a 7-year campaign by The www.lancmag.com

Wildlife Trusts to protect UKUK waters, Wildlife Trusts to protect waters, 41 41 newnew Marine Conservation Zones Marine Conservation Zones were announced thisthis yearyear bringing were announced bringing thethe total to 91. Citizen science total to 91. Citizen science provided thethe evidence needed to to provided evidence needed achieve thisthis milestone andand it will mean achieve milestone it will mean greater marine protection for for special greater marine protection special underwater underwater places places including including coldcold water water corals, corals, forests forests of sea of sea fans, fans, rocky rocky canyons canyons andand sandbanks sandbanks – an – an astonishingly astonishingly varied varied range range of submerged of submerged landscapes landscapes andand habitats habitats which which support support thethe stunning stunning diversity of marine lifelife found in the diversity of marine found in the UK. UK. Joan Joan Edwards, Edwards, TheThe Wildlife Wildlife Trusts’ Trusts’ director director living living seas, seas, says: says: “The “The announcement announcement of new of new Marine Marine Conservation Conservation Zones Zones marked marked a a watershed watershed in our in our battle battle to protect to protect ourour

seas. WeWe want thisthis small corner of our seas. want small corner of our blueblue planet to recover andand ourour waters planet to recover waters to teem with lifelife once more. Now thethe to teem with once more. Now government must introduce better government must introduce better management of MCZs andand enhance management of MCZs enhance protection for for a selection of areas protection a selection of areas to show howhow seasseas cancan recover when to show recover when damaging activities areare removed.” damaging activities removed.” In Scotland, In Scotland, proposals proposals to create to create thethe world’s world’s firstfirst protected protected area area for for basking basking sharks, sharks, in the in the SeaSea of the of the Hebrides, Hebrides, were were supported supported by The by The Scottish Scottish Wildlife Wildlife Trust, Trust, which which encouraged encouraged more more than than 3000 3000 people people to back to back thethe plan. plan. Basking Basking sharks sharks congregate congregate to feed to feed on on plankton plankton in Hebridean in Hebridean waters waters from from May May to to October; October; numbers numbers plummeted plummeted in in thethe 1900s duedue to widespread global 1900s to widespread global hunting. hunting.

Minke Minke whale whale breaching breaching off Rathlin off Rathlin Island. Island. Co Antrim Co Antrim Photo Photo - Tom - Tom McDonnell McDonnell

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Resolving to Sing in 2020!

Members of a choir are encouraging everyone to make their New Year’s resolution to sing, whatever their ability.

ldham Tuneless Choir launched in September 2019 and is open to those who “can’t carry a tune in a bucket”. The group was established by Gemma Cunliffe who, having enjoyed being a member of Beeston Tuneless Choir in Nottingham, wanted to bring the concept of a tuneless choir to her hometown when she moved back last year. Gemma says “I moved back to Oldham following the deaths of both my partner Paul and my Mum within a year of each other. One thing that’s really helped me with my grief is singing and it was something I was keen to carry on with. Setting up my own choir has given me a new focus and I’d encourage anyone who wants to sing without a care to come along and join in the fun. Gemma teamed up with former work colleague Sarah Wheeler who has the musical credentials to lead the choir. Sarah says “the choir is a place where the good folk of Oldham and the surrounding area can come and feel welcome and enjoy singing without being judged. Everyone is welcome – no one will sing too badly for us.” As most serious New Year’s resolutions slip before the first month of the year is out, it makes more sense to resolve to do something enjoyable.

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Gemma believes that instead of beating ourselves up about bad habits, we should take the opportunity to do something uplifting in the New Year. “Singing gets our endorphins flowing, which are known as the happy hormones. So, as well as reducing stress it can help with anxiety and depression. It’s even been shown to help boost the immune system. Most of all though, it’s

just a really pleasurable thing to do with other people. Our members tell us they feel uplifted when they leave and are brighter and happier the following day.” The first Tuneless Choir was set up in Nottingham in 2016. It was the idea of Nadine Cooper who was told at school to “Please stop singing, you’re spoiling it for everyone else”. It is led by musician Bernie Bracha. The choirs welcome those who love to sing but lack the ability, confidence or practice to sing in tune. Oldham Tuneless Choir has

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proved to be very popular and along with their regular sessions members have taken part in performances in the local community and even appeared on Revolution Radio’s breakfast show on Christmas Eve. The choir sings popular songs, with current favourites including ‘I’m gonna be (500 miles)’ by The Proclaimers and ‘Don’t stop me now’ by Queen. People aren’t divided into parts, so everyone sings the lead vocals at whatever pitch they can manage. This results in a sound much better than the sum of the individuals, and one which has been compared to a rugby or football crowd. “Having no fear of judgement really does give our choir members the confidence to ‘sing like no one is listening’, which is the tuneless motto.” adds Sarah. Oldham Tuneless Choir meets every other Wednesday, and the first meeting of 2020 will be at 7.30pm on Wednesday 8th January. The choir meets at The Cotton Rooms, 3-5 Rock Street, Oldham with doors opening at 7pm. First time attendance at choir costs £10 including registration. It’s then the equivalent of £5 per week for a term, or £7 if you “pay as you go”.

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

’m writing this with Big Ben’s bongs, New Year’s bangs, and Auld Lang Syne’s annihilation still fresh in my memory. However, I’m mindful that it will be being read, (assuming I’m not being excessively presumptuous on that count), over valentine’s cards, non-Valentine’s cards, failed diets and resolutions, pancakes, and the latter stages of Dancing on Ice. So I’ll refrain from talk of turkeys and tinsel, (we didn’t have turkey anyway; we had ham - for about three weeks..), or the doom and gloom of the ending of hope and joy, comfort and joy, love and laughter and joy ever after, and glory shining around all over the place. It’s true in any case that, however bleak mid-wintrily bleak things appear at the moment, (very), not for nothing is my poetry book called “A year in Verse” and essentially a celebration of the seasons. The following number unwittingly kicked things off:

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Dear Valentine Whenever I see your face by moonlight, All dread disappears, I can hardly see your pimples, Or the blackheads round your ears. Your shape is quite an altered thing, All blemishes out of sight, No you wouldn’t believe how great you look, Once day turns into night. Well you can’t beat a bit of romance, and the response to this example of it inspired me to go on to write about every seasonal phenomenon from little lambs gambling to May pole dancers dancing, (oh no, the first two words should’ve been one shouldn’t they?), and prime Shrove Tuesday tossers.. And there IS a lot of richness in our seasons, both of themselves and their customs: Burns Night is a great opportunity to eat haggis, and wake up the neighbours with unwarranted bagpipe music, Pancake Day is a great opportunity to throw things at the ceiling, and the whole end of the year is a great opportunity to fill fruit and trees with lights, and create a few fireworks. More importantly however, last year I was lucky enough to enjoy a whole wealth of stunning seasonal fare of a natural kind, and Lancashire-style, and only hope for more of the same this year. What IS almost inevitable is that before any of us knows it, it will be blooming Christmas again..

Cynic’s Christmas C is for the cheery cards we sent in yesteryear, till we got all keen to be green, moral or austere. H is for the holly, still less oft revealed, unless it’s on a sofa, sitting next to Phil Schofield. R is for the reindeer, flying over the land, till the animal rights lot, cotton on and have ‘em banned.. I is for the ice, on which you CAN skate, provided it’s not deemed in breach, of “’Elf ‘n safety, mate”.. S is for the snowman, we one time would build, till climate change, and ruddy gender neutrality had him killed.. T is for your tree, unless some officious clown, decides it might offend someone, and orders it took down.. M is for the mince pies, which, if you can hack it, will require you walk to Fife and back; it says so on the packet.. A is for the alcohol, to be downed in moderation, even if your guests are crackers, and it’s your sole salvation. And s is for the Scrooge, humbug-filled, then some, which it’ll be a Christmas miracle, if Christmas present doesn’t make you become. Copies of “A Year in Verse” still available from Storytellers in St Annes, I merely mention.. Happy New Year one and all in God’s own county! LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 185

Westholme Care Home The Fylde owner of a residential home for dementia sufferers celebrates 38 years of caring.

Vivien Perry In September 1981, Vivien Perry bought a house named Westholme at 28 Victoria Road in St Anne’s with the intention of opening a residential care home. It originally cared for nine residents. Thirty eight years later the home is still operating and has been extended into the two houses next door, caring for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia related diseases. Westholme is now a member of investors in people, with the latest CQC report coming out as excellent. Led by Adam Forte for the last couple of years, the home has progressed and developed further and is in extremely good hands. Ever moving forward, last year 186 144

Westholme has seen a reinvestment of one hundred thousand pounds as Vivien continues to stay ahead of the crowd. Both residents and relatives alike have enjoyed and benefited from the changes. Vivien and Adam work hard to give plenty of stimulation to the residents in their care and this includes an array of entertainment. On a Monday, Geoff comes in and plays the piano and on a Thursday another two gentlemen come in, one playing the piano and the accordion, the other playing piano and sings. The residents also join in for a sing song. They also have action therapy every week. Adam’s team of staff are fully trained in dementia and are chosen carefully

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for their caring natures. Westholme’s owner, Vivien, comes from a humble background and was born and brought up in Accrington in a poor family with her two older sisters Patricia and Eileen. As a little girl she spent her time taking wild flowers to the elderly in the neighbourhood, doing their shopping and giving concerts in a nearby care home. She also looked after the small children in the area. At the age of 17, Vivien joined Accrington Victoria Hospital as a cadet nurse and loved every minute. She then became a student nurse at Blackburn Royal Infirmary and Hope Hospital in Salford, followed by further training at Prestwich Hospital, where www.lancmag.com www.lancmag.com

Vivien very quickly learned of the misery that mental illness brings to patients and their families. Unfortunately, she would soon learn first-hand of the heartbreak it causes. In the early 1970’s Vivien took a sabbatical from her career to take care of her own mother who was diagnosed with dementia. It made Vivien even more determined to take the path of caring for people tormented with the disease. “You realise the devastation this terrible disease causes in people’s lives,’ she says, remembering the period when she looked after her mother. It was that point that Vivien decided her destiny would be to care for the vulnerable in our society. ‘All my life I have cared for my fellow human beings, including taking my sister Eileen out of the hospice when she was suffering with terminal cancer and bringing her to Westholme, where she sadly passed away at the very young age of 52,’ she says. A great regret in Vivien’s life is that she did not get the chance to take care of her other sister Patricia who died very suddenly at the age of 39. Before running to her nursing, Vivien enrolled at Blackburn College to do a course in general catering and baking. In 1981, armed with her nursing and catering and baking experience, Vivien opened her very own residential care home, Westholme. Thirty eight years on and Vivien is as enthused now as she was then, delivering ‘excellent care’ to her residents whose wellbeing come ‘first and foremost above else’. Westholme specialises in residents suffering with Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. Dementia is a term that is used to describe numerous conditions arising from different causes, some of which are known while others remain unknown. They are diseases of the brain, which result in loss of memory, inability to think properly, physical deterioration and sometimes changes in personality with disturbed or difficult behaviour. Unfortunately, the condition cannot be reversed. All the staff at Westholme are www.lancmag.com www.lancmag.com

trained in this very special field of care. Vivien says it is paramount that all staff, including the ancillary members, have the proper training to care for the residents. ‘The training is the most important thing in caring for dementia patients’ she emphasises. ‘Eventually I am sure there will be a cure for Alzheimer’s disease,’ Vivien says, ‘and in the meantime it is my job, along with my brilliant team, to make day-to-day living a little more bearable and to alleviate some of the stress and concerns for the residents and relatives who need reassurance and a great deal of support and understanding.’ The residents are kept active and engaged, with one even fulfilling an ambition to go flying in a private aircraft. ‘The residents are treated as individuals following their own hobbies’ she says. The activities are most important as Alzheimer’s patients can get very bored. And although they might not remember it, they enjoy it at the time. And just to see the smile on their face is worth it.

she says. ‘I look back with pride at the people I have helped along the way and given love and kindness to. It makes me happy to think I have looked after people.’ In her leisure time Vivien loves playing the piano, watercolour painting and gardening. She lives in St Annes with Luica and Boe, her Papillon Breeds, and her American Cocker Spaniel Simone. ‘Friends ask if I will ever retire and my answer is simple, “No”. There is no time to retire, there is too much to do. Margaret Thatcher once said, the lady’s not for turning”. Well, this lady is not for retiring.’ Congratulations to Vivien on your 38 years in business at Westholme.

In the past thirty eight years Vivien has a lot to look back on and of which to be proud, but it is seeing how far she has come from where she was born which is her greatest achievement. ‘We never had much money when I was a child and I am self-educated really. My parents never owned a home of their own. And now I’ve ended up owning Westholme,’ LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 145 187 LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE

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Historic Father Willis Organ Gets to Horse Around How a businessman achieved his dream home thanks to a happy collaboration with local companies. Photographs: Jason Roberts

his event marked the final preparations for the Father Willis’ reinstallation at Blue Coat School, which will be unveiled at a special free public concert, featuring Prof Ian Tracey, City of Liverpool Organist, on 29 January, 2020. This will be a nationally important occasion and will inaugurate the first ever series of public organ and choral concerts at the School, adding greatly to Liverpool’s musical reputation. Twenty of the original organ pipes retraced their original journey, after being loaded onto the dray by Blue Coat School’s two top organ players, Sixth Formers Daniel Greenway and Simon Cheung, who accompanied them during the four-mile trip. The original organ move took place in April 1906, after the School outgrew its 1717-built Liverpool city centre premises and relocated to a new landmark building in Wavertree, south 190

Liverpool. The 1,224 pipe, 1875-built Father Willis organ was too valuable to abandon – a lucky escape as the building was( Blitzed)blitzed in WWII. Apart from being dismantled and re-erected, the organ is unusual in never having been rebuilt or altered in 144 years, thereby retaining its rare and rich Victorian voice, as created by its designer ‘Father’ Henry Willis. After verging on the unplayable, the organ is now fully-restored by its original builder Henry Willis & Sons, Islington, Liverpool, thanks to a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant awarded in December 2018. Simon Cheung said: “This was a once in a lifetime experience. It was an honour to be part of such an historic occasion marking the School’s legacy. It was cold sitting on the dray, but well worth it. Everyone smiled and waved as we passed by, they really loved the horses.”

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Daniel Greenway agreed: “I never imagined when I got involved in the Father Willis organ restoration that I’d take part in such bizarre and amazing events like riding through Liverpool on a horse and dray or playing on Blackpool Tower Ballroom’s Wurlitzer, when we rose up on the stage lift. It’s been fantastic!” Peter Elson, Blue Coat For All project manager, whose main task was fund-raising and organising the restoration, said that he wanted to put organ playing back at the heart of the British music education and believed a very special event was necessary to mark the Father Willis organ’s return after rescuing it from possible dereliction. He said: “Recreating the organ’s move 113 years ago seemed the obvious means and we had tremendous support from the Bluecoat (arts centre) Arts Centre, which occupies our old building, Liverpool City Council (who www.lancmag.com

lowered all the traffic bollards for us!), Merseyside Police and not least Steve Ledsham, of Shire Horses & Carriages, Shropshire, with his fabulous team. “It was a great follow-up to Dan and Simon launching our new Blue Coat Organ Scholarship on the Blackpool Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer. The scholars will be tutored at Blue Coat School on this top quality Father Willis organ, lovingly restored to good-as-new condition. “The scholars will also be taught on our School Chapel’s Walker (organ) Organ (we’re the only state school to have two pipe organs!), plus the two Liverpool (cathedrals’)Cathedral’s organs. Thanks to sponsorship by the Young Organ Scholars’ Trust and Liverpool businessman Keith Simpson we have our first two scholars, George Ke and Olivia Stone poised to start.” Lee Ward, Blue Coat Ambassador and Liverpool Anglican Cathedral www.lancmag.com

Director of Music, who will teach the scholars, said: “Using four organs, with two at Blue Coat School and two at the city’s cathedrals means that this new Scholarship will be unsurpassed by any other outside London.” Liverpool Blue Coat School, founded in 1708, is a co-educational selective state grammar school with academy

status, located in Wavertree, south Liverpool. It is regularly listed in The Sunday Times Top UK state schools based on GCSE and A Level results. Further information: Peter Elson, Blue Coat For All Project Manager, tel: 0151 733 1407, ext: 207; email: p.elson@bluecoatschool.org.uk

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The Grey Mare ‘Attitude as well as Altitude’ By Stephen Roberts

n award-winning ‘pub’. My ears pricked up like those of an alert thoroughbred racehorse. That’s apt, as we’re talking about the ‘Grey Mare’, an inn that sits high up on Lancashire’s moors, at Belthorn, near Blackburn. It’s one of the country’s highest pubs (and the second highest in Lancashire I believe) but it has attitude as well as altitude. The British Institute of Innkeeping’s National Innovation in Training awards (2019) saw the Grey Mare honoured with its ‘Best Casual Dining Programme’ award (for innovative training of staff), one of ten awards that ‘celebrated the successes of those who are inspired to make changes in recruitment, training and retraining staff’ (the pub had previously won Thwaites ‘Pub of the Year’, and ‘Best Investment Award’, both in 2018). Husband and wife partnership Stephen and Rebecca (Becky) Prince are now in their 21st year of tenancy at the Grey Mare, which is a pub belonging to the Thwaites Brewery. Becky told me that they were both overwhelmed by that most recent award, which felt like a fantastic achievement in the face of stiff competition. As sole traders, staff training is entirely their responsibility, so the recognition of just what had been achieved meant a tremendous amount. This is a people industry after all and establishments like the Grey Mare thrive because of their greatest asset; their people. Now, my readers will no doubt recall that I am a teetotaller, hence I always feel that I am suitably qualified for editorials about pubs, hostelries, gin distilleries and such like. I am able to bring a certain objectivity to proceedings. Actually, I www.lancmag.com

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Steven and Rebecca winning the ‘Best Casual Dining Training Programme’ award at the BII NITA’s 2019

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would blend in well at the Grey Mare, as the expected alcoholic beverages are counter-balanced with plenty of soft drinks for the likes of me and those who are driving (an important consideration given the Grey Mare’s location up on the moor). If a business is about ‘location, location, location’, then this one is it. The spot it inhabits is amazing, and yes, it is quite high up, with views to die for, including the Ribble Estuary, and even Blackpool and its Tower on a clear day. It’s the best of both worlds, the ambience of the moor, but a vista right across to the coast. When you’ve come in off the moor, you want something homely, with a warm welcome, and the Grey Mare delivers. It’s a traditional country pub, with a relaxed atmosphere and guaranteed warm welcome for locals, regulars, visitors and families. As Becky explained though, because of the pub’s location, and it is out in the country a bit, locals are not that plentiful, but regulars are, which shows that it must be doing lots of things right. The Grey Mare is a pub that provides great meals, and not just any old meals. There’s a modern dining area, with panoramic views, where you can partake of lunch or dinner, enjoying locally sourced food, which is freshly cooked to order. There’s a good range of pub classics, homemade dishes, and

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top-class quality ale, spirits, or wine to wash it all down with (or in my case, coffees & teas, and a full range of soft drinks). In fact, the whole of the pub is effectively the dining area. Food matters here. As well as those traditional pub classics and homemade favourites, there’s always specials on offer, so hopefully something for every palette and preference. There’s also a ‘Sunday roast treat’. So, what’s your pick? Fish ‘n chips? Handmade pie? Mediterranean seabass? Afternoon coffee and cake? (my ears prick up again). There are vegetarian and vegan options and non-gluten recipes. See what I mean about something for everyone? If, like me, you’re a fan of ‘traditional English grub’, then you’ll be well catered for, but there really is a wide selection of meals, such a large menu in fact, that there will be something to appeal to anybody (or just about anybody). There’s also a cheaper midweek menu and don’t forget the specials board. If you’re looking for something a tad fancier, well, you might just find it there. They seem to have everything covered, at the Grey Mare, it seems to me. I wondered how old the Grey Mare was. Becky wasn’t 100% sure but thought it had been here 200 years and more. No date has ever been found on it to confirm its origins, but two centuries or so would place it back around the www.lancmag.com

time of the Battle of Waterloo (1815), or maybe the birth of Queen Victoria (1819). However long its ancestry may be, there is no doubt that the pub is doing well today. Business is good, so good in fact that customers are often queuing at the door to get in come opening time, whilst throughout food serving times there will often be an hour’s wait for a table. Patience is a virtue and things that are worth waiting for are, well, worth waiting for. With a seating capacity of 90-100, it’s a busy and vibrant place, with a real buzz. Most people come here to eat. The pub has built up a good reputation under Steve and Becky’s stewardship, which shows in the Grey Mare’s current popularity. They enjoy what they do as well, and that enthusiasm is an important part of creating the atmosphere that exists here. They take care of people and these days folk do need somewhere they can go where they feel they’re treated well. These things matter to us more and more. Just when I thought my coffee cup was overflowing, Becky mentioned puds, traditional puds, and I began looking up how to get to Belthorn. Like me, Becky is partial to a pud. I suppose the one disadvantage of running a pub that specialises in delicious food (including puds) is that you have to sample everything. Well, you have to, don’t you? www.lancmag.com

Rumours persist that Becky’s been seen yomping across the moor in order to keep fit. The Grey Mare’s open seven days a week, from 12-11 (food 12-9, and ‘till 8 on Sundays). As well as food and cask ales, it’s family friendly, has a conservatory extension, beer garden, free wi-fi and car parking. The project for 2020 will be a renovation of the beer garden, with a marquee up for the summer months, and an area for ‘dogs with people’, and also an outdoor area for patrons to dine. It’s clear that the Grey Mare, award winner though it may be, is not about to rest on its laurels. MARES A mare is an adult female horse, or other equine. In most cases, a mare is a female horse aged over three, whilst a filly is three or younger. In thoroughbred horseracing, a mare is defined as a female horse aged over four (thoroughbreds can be male or female incidentally). A grey mare, is, well, a mare that’s grey. The Grey Mare, Elton Road, Belthorn, Blackburn, BB1 2PG. www.thegreymare.co.uk, E-mail: thegreymare@yahoo.co.uk, Facebook: www.facebook.com/ pages/The-Grey-Mare. Tel: 01254 53308

STEVE’S 10 BEST PUB JOKES • It’s a 5 minute walk to the pub from my house; takes me 35 minutes to get back though. • I failed my maths exam having been to the pub first. Don’t drink and derive. It never works. • Me: Can I buy you a beer? Van Gogh: No, thanks, I got one ear mate. • Feller called me a tight wad, so I threw his beer in his face. • What happened to Thor at the Grey Mare? He got well and truly hammered. • Worst pub I’ve ever been in? Definitely ‘The Fiddle’. It was a vile inn. • Not saying my pub is rough, but the quiz night prize was a twoweek alibi. • The pub wi-fi password was ‘buyabeerfirst’, so I did, and that was still the password. • Two men walked into a bar. Well, you’d have thought the second one would have seen it. • A weasel walks into a bar. Bartender: What do you want. ‘Pop,’ goes the weasel.

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World Chamionship Fireworks returns for 2020 This September on Blackpool Promenade

he Ukraine’s dazzling ‘Dance of Fire’ won the annual World Fireworks Championship Blackpool last year. They beat off international competition from Estonia and the 2018 winners, Canada, to take the coveted title. And was announced at the end of last years celebratory display by Titanium Fireworks. ‘Dance of Fire’ impressed judges and public alike with their amazing pyrotechnical expertise and synchronization of fireworks to music. The company has been an industry leader for many years, participating in firework festivals across Europe in France, Monaco, Germany, Italy, Malta, Croatia, Madeira, as well as Canada. They regularly participate in international conferences, symposiums and forums dedicated to the development of pyrotechnic technologies, with a large fleet of equipment for all scales of firework shows.

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The annual fireworks championship is free, and is among the most popular events in Blackpool’s exciting calendar, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the Promenade. Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Dance of Fire had something for everyone and showed the crowds some exceptional pyrotechnical expertise. As always, World Fireworks brought a fabulous extra dimension to the opening weeks of the Blackpool Illuminations season.” Last year’s event took place every Friday in September with Pyrocom from Estonia kicking off on September 6, before the Canadian team, Orion Fireworks, took to the stage on September 13 with Dance of Fire from Ukraine winning the competition with their display on September 20. This year the event runs every Friday from 11th September to 2nd October, find out more at www. visitblackpool.com

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DOG FRIENDLY DINING AREA COMING IN SUMMER

Welcome to the Grey Mare. We’re a traditional country, award-winning pub, offering a relaxed atmosphere and warm welcome to locals, visitors and families. We’re one of the highest pubs in England, situated on the moors of Lancashire so you can enjoy some spectacular panoramic views. Join us for lunch or dinner in our modern dining area and enjoy locally sourced food, freshly cooked to order. We offer a range of pub classics and homemade dishes and of course, excellent quality ale to accompany. Take in the views as you settle down to relax in comfort – on clear days, you can see as far as the Ribble Estuary, the coast and Blackpool Tower.

Here at The Grey Mare, you can enjoy tasty and traditional pub classics, homemade favourites and specials for lunch, dinner, or a Sunday roast treat. Take a seat in our dining area with great views of the surrounding area. Whether you’re visiting for a meal of exceptional Lancashire food or simply popping in for a pint of the North West’s finest real ale; we look forward to welcoming you at the Grey Mare.

Food, Cask Ales, Family Friendly, Beer Garden, Free Wi-Fi, Parking.

www.thegreymare.co.uk Elton Road, Belthorn, Blackburn, BB1 2PG Tel: 01254 53308

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The Alpaca Centre Snuff Mill Lane Stainton, Penrith Cumbria CA11 0ES Telephone: 01768 891440 Open 10am-pm Monday-Saturday

NEW CATALOGUE NOW AVAILABLE!

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Recipe: South African Roast Plum, Sweet Potato & Quinoa Salad Roast South African plums taste sensational in this colourful, healthy warm salad. Serves 4 Preparation: 15 minutes Cooking: 25 minutes

Ingredients •

8 South African plums, quartered and pitted

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500g sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

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2tbsp olive oil

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400g can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

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1tsp cumin seeds

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50g whole almonds

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1tsp balsamic vinegar

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250g pack cooked red & white quinoa

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2 large handfuls young spinach

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Dressing:

•

3tbsp olive oil

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2tbsp lemon juice

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1tsp wholegrain or Dijon mustard

•

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, fan oven 180°C, Gas Mark 6. 2. Put the sweet potato chunks into a roasting tin with the olive oil. Toss to coat, then roast for 15 minutes. Add the plums, chickpeas, cumin seeds, almonds and balsamic vinegar. Stir together and roast for a further 8-10 minutes. Cool slightly.

4. Mix together the dressing ingredients. Share the roasted fruit and vegetables between 4 serving plates and sprinkle the dressing on top. Cook’s tip: For extra protein, stir through some chunks of marinated tofu when you add the quinoa. For nonvegans, try adding slices of dry-fried halloumi or chunks of feta cheese.

3. Microwave the quinoa according to pack instructions. Add to the roast fruit and vegetables with the spinach leaves and stir them through.

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Recipe: South African Peach & Parma Ham French Toast This tasty, satisfying snack is bursting with great flavours! Serves 4 Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking: 5 minutes

Ingredients 2 South African peaches or nectarines, pitted and sliced 20g butter 4 slices sourdough or crusty white bread 20g mascarpone or cream cheese 4 slices Parma Ham 1 egg, beaten 100ml milk Salt and freshly ground black pepper ¼ cucumber, very finely chopped 1 small red onion, very finely chopped Few drops of red or white wine vinegar

Method 1. Put about three-quarters of the peach or nectarine slices into a large frying pan with 1 teaspoon of butter. Fry gently for 3-4 minutes, until the fruit has softened slightly. Tip them out onto a plate and wipe the pan clean. 2. Spread the slices of bread with mascarpone or cream cheese. Top with the Parma Ham and a few peach or nectarine slices.

4. Melt the remaining butter in the frying pan. Cooking one or two at a time, fry gently for about 1-2 minutes each. Meanwhile, finely chop the remaining peach or nectarine slices and mix them with the cucumber and red onion. Season and add a few drops of vinegar. Serve with the French toast. Cook’s tip: This is a great recipe for using up bread that’s a day or two past its best, as the drier texture soaks up the egg mixture beautifully.

3. Beat the egg and milk together in a shallow bowl and season with a little salt and pepper. Carefully dip in each slice of bread, allowing a moment or two for the egg mixture to soak in. www.lancmag.com

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Cocktail of the month: Bellini This classic cocktail was invented in the mid 30’s by Giuseppe Cipriani in Italy. He named the drink the Bellini because its unique pink colour reminded him of the toga of a saint in a painting by 15th Century Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini. This cocktail started as a seasonal drink in Cipriani ‘Harry’s Bar’ in Venice but soon became popular all year round and even making it ways over to New York. Over the years the recipe has been adapted in different ways to become a number of new products. Usually by replacing the peach purée with either mandarin juice, Rossini or tintoretto. The Bellini is an IBA Official Cocktail.

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Ingredients • 10cl Prosecco • 5cl fresh peach purée • Peach slices for garnish

Method 1. In a champagne flute add 5cl fresh peach purée 2. Top up the glass with Prosecco 3. Finish off with a peach slice on the rim 4. And serve

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t is quite some time since I used to come into contact with a fellow named Dave. He used to work in a large office and I had dealings with him and quite a few others in that office every Friday. Dave once had quite an adventure – I cannot think what else to call it – that still makes me chuckle. It is not so much the adventure that amuses me but the end punch line; a punch line you will see. One Friday I went into the office where Dave worked and immediately commented, “Well, you can certainly tell that Dave has been away on holiday.” “You sure can, can’t you?”, came the reply. “Don’t miss asking him if he had a good time and when he says “Yes”, ask him why.” I did as was suggested and Dave immediately replied, “Oh no, not another.” This caused me to say, “Come on. What’s this all about? Is there some big secret?” “No not really”, Dave answered and went on. “Oh, all right. I suppose I will have to tell you.” He continued, “We went on holiday to a Santa somewhere or other. My wife picked it because it looked cheap. When we got there we realised why. The beach was pretty grim although it is central to an event I find myself having to tell just about everybody I meet. When we first got there, there was a strong wind blowing and red flags were flying to keep everyone out of the water. After a couple of days the wind dropped but it was still quite breezy. Nevertheless, the flags were lowered. Three lads ventured into the water but when they decided to come out one failed to make it; the shore was quite steep and shaley. So, his mates followed the water out as it ebbed, dug their feet in, grabbed him and got him onto dry land. Later in the day I saw that a young woman, who was on her own, was in the same predicament. She struggled to get out of the water a few times and clearly was not going to make it. “Good grief ”, I thought, “She is going to drown” so I went to her rescue. I went deep into the water, dug my heels in, grabbed her under the arms and started backing out. I soon realised that it was not the sea that was banging against my legs, it was the woman. I looked down and saw that she had lost her bikini top. I had no choice but to continue in my task knowing full well that fifty or so men were finding things amusing. I have no idea what the women were thinking; I expect their thoughts were various. As soon as we were clear of the water, I let go of her, she screamed, flung her arms across herself and fled. I did find out what another woman thought. My wife. She said, “B…trust you!”

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Some people get medals Bevan Ridehalgh relates a true story.

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Food & Drink Whet your appetite & quench your thirst

What’s Happening at Lindeth Howe in 2020

Murder at Monster Mansion 29th October 2020 The residents of the monster mansion prepare to welcome a new son in law into their family. He’s not quite what the gruesome gathering expected though and the fun soon turns into a funeral as the mad professor gets murderous, the witch gets more wicked and the bride-to-be becomes bloodthirsty. You’ll have a scream as you try to solve this death over dinner. Bookable via the hotel on 015394 45759 or email hotel@lindeth-howe.co.uk £39.00 per person which includes a 3-course meal. Enjoy an interactive fun evening with singing, laughter and a murder! Booking essential and full payment must be made at the time of booking!

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Fatality at Faulty Towers on 5th March 2020 Whatever you do…Don’t mention the war! Chaos will most defiantly ensue as Basil, Manuel, Polly, and Sybil are let loose in true faulty towers style! Expect the food to fly and the liquor to be launched as Basil attempts to please a hotel inspector and avoid a German guest whilst he tries to conceal the dead body found in room four! Bookable via the hotel on 015394 45759 or email hotel@lindeth-howe.co.uk £39.00 per person which includes a 3-course meal. Enjoy an interactive fun evening with singing, laughter and a murder! Booking essential and full payment must be made at the time of booking!

Murder at the Moulin Rouge 26th November 2020 Join us in Paris where the Bohemian Revolution is taking place at the Moulin Rouge, a night club where rich and poor men come to be entertained by the high kicking dancers. Things are about to take a wicked turn though, as a love triangle forms between a writer, a courtesan, and the club’s patron. Will love conquer all? Will the show go on? And Can Can Can you solve this crime before the final curtain falls? Bookable via the hotel on 015394 45759 or email hotel@lindeth-howe.co.uk £39.00 per person which includes a 3-course meal. Enjoy an interactive fun evening with singing, laughter and a murder! Booking essential and full payment must be made at the time of booking! www.lancmag.com

Blackpool Grand Theatre by Sean Conboy

Peter Pan Panto preview, starring Tom Lister as Captain hook and Jack Heasman

Grand Offers More Than 200 Free Tickets to Shows Blackpool’s Grand Theatre has offered more than two hundred free tickets to shows, as part of a scheme to benefit local community organisations and family groups who don’t normally get to enjoy live theatre.

he Magic and Sparkle campaign saw visitors to the Grand¹s Panto, Peter Pan, being invited to buy an extra ticket at a special rate, which would then be donated to local groups in need. The Grand offered the free tickets to three local organisations, The Blackpool Carers Centre, Blackpool Better Start - Dads 4 Life, and Blackpool District Scouts. Blackpool Carers Centre provides emotional and practical support for adult carers, young adult carers (aged 16-25) and young carers from the age of 5. Andy Gunn, time out team lead at Blackpool Carers Centre said: ‘The families were really excited to be going to the pantomime at the Grand Theatre. It is a fantastic opportunity for them to spend time together and has been made possible thanks to the Magic and Sparkle campaign, as without their www.lancmag.com

help the families would not have been able to go.’ Dads4Life is a group that aims to build relationships with and support dads with their futures. The group organises different programmes, events and activities that are designed for dads, by dads. Owen Hargreaves, men¹s health community engagement officer, Dads 4 Life, Blackpool Better Start said: ‘It¹s not easy being a dad and we are always looking at innovative ways of engaging with fathers and male role models across the town. This scheme with The Grand Theatre provides a unique opportunity for parents and their children to experience something new together. We really hope they enjoy this outing to their local theatre.’ Steve Smith, from Blackpool District Scouts added: ‘What an opportunity and fantastic surprise for the families, to be able to come and see the pantomime

and have a wonderful afternoon at the iconic Grand.’ Andrew Howard, Grand Theatre marketing manager said: ‘We are incredibly grateful to our customers who have generously donated to the 2019 Magic and Sparkle campaign allowing us the opportunity to donate tickets to local families and children. It¹s hard to describe how grateful the families are, some in real difficult situations. It¹s fantastic to see the children¹s faces and their delight when the curtain raises and falls. Thank you to all who donated.’ To donate for this year¹s campaign simply call the box office on 01253 290 190 and ask to donate to Magic and Sparkle 2020, each ticket to donate is just £10. Blackpool¹s Grand also welcomes corporate donations to the scheme.

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Around the region Pleasure Beach Arena¹s Head Coach Joins Dancing on Ice Pleasure Beach Arena¹s Head Ice Skating Coach, Oscar Peter, has joined the cast of ITV¹s Dancing on Ice. Oscar will be heading straight into the action and will be appearing as one of the professional skaters on the hit show, partnering American model and businesswoman Caprice Bourret. This Swiss skater started on the ice when he was nine years old and was twice Junior National Champion and twice silver medallist at the Swiss Nationals, as well as competing at the Junior World Championships. He switched to ice dancing when he was 22 and has competed with some of the most gifted skaters of his generation. He has taken part in three European and World championships. Oscar joined the cast of Hot Ice, which is staged every summer at Pleasure Beach Arena, in 2013 and was a key member of the cast for five years. Since performing as part of the Hot Ice cast, Oscar has remained at the Arena, coaching and training the next generation of skaters. Oscar isn¹t the only former Hot Ice skater to be taking part in this year¹s Dancing on Ice. Four of the current professionals, Alex Murphy, Tom Naylor, Alexander Demetriou and Carlotta Edwards, have previously skated in the show and three time Dancing on Ice winner, and the show’s current Associate Creative Director, Daniel Whiston, also performed in the show. On joining Dancing on Ice, Oscar comments, ‘It¹s great to be able to actually take part in Dancing on Ice this year, normally I wouldn¹t be able to commit to a full series as it¹s around 5

National Final Beckons for Boys’ Quiz Club Team Four pupils from Bolton School Junior Boys’ School took part in and won this year’s Area Heat of the National General Knowledge Championship organised by Quiz Club. Hosted by a professional Quizmaster, the event created a tense atmosphere as several school teams pitted their wits against each other. Questions featured facts about momentous events in history, geography, art, music and literature, science, cultures from around the world, current affairs and world knowledge. Teacher Mrs Crowther said: “George, Adam, Ewan and Dhilan represented the school admirably gaining first place and securing their place in the National Finals, which will take place at the Dominion Theatre in London’s West End in June. They will join 100 teams from across the country, competing to become National Champions for 20192020.” The competition motivates, inspires and rewards children in their quest for knowledge and provides them with an opportunity to celebrate their achievement by representing their school in the country’s largest inter-school competition (over 400,000 children take part each year). 204

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months, so we thought why not! It¹s a lot of fun and I hope you all enjoy watching. Caprice is lovely and likes to work hard and have fun learning skating so it¹s a perfect partner to get.’ Amanda Thompson OBE, Managing Director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach said ‘Everyone at Pleasure Beach Arena is delighted for Oscar and we are all sure that he will be a huge success on Dancing on Ice. We are proud that yet another former cast member from Hot Ice will be able to show their talents to a national TV audience and we will all be cheering him on each week.’ The new Hot Ice show for 2020, Euphoria, runs from 9th July to 12th September 2020. For more information on this show, or to purchase tickets for Hot Ice, please visit www.hoticeshow.com

27th February 2020 is #NationalToastDay - the day we celebrate our crunchiest of treasures, TOAST! National Toast Day was established in 2014 by Tiptree World Bread Awards with Brook Food to celebrate the nation’s love of toast. It has become quite the phenomena; featuring on national radio, national press, food consumer press and the food industry press. It’s been the number one Twitter trend in the UK; with social media engagement from celebrities and major brands. Tiptree is the headline sponsor of the World Bread Awards. The first Tiptree preserves were made in 1885 and Tiptree jams and preserves are now sold across the world, many of them made with fruit still grown on their farms in Essex www.tiptree.com Brook Food is passionate about the bakery industry and proud to pass on this enthusiasm to their customers when working with them on equipment solutions for their businesses www.brookfood.co.uk More info at www.nationaltoastday.co.uk

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Keeping you up to date with events around the North West Northern Broadsides’ new J.M. Barrie Adaptation is Quality Northern Broadsides’ regency rom-com Quality Street offers the perfect theatrical treat this March at The Dukes in Lancaster. J.M. Barrie’s delicious farce, written years before his now much-loved Peter Pan, was so well known in its day that it gave its name to the UK¹s most popular chocolates, made in Halifax since 1936. In Laurie Sansom’s directorial debut for Northern Broadsides, the show features commentary from the Quality Street factory workers, whose own stories of hapless romance and growing old disgracefully give the show a playful Yorkshire twist. The production will open in February 2020 in Halifax, the home of Quality Street, before heading out on tour. Running at The Dukes from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 March, this rare revival provides a modern lens through which to view Barrie’s story. The play tells the story of Phoebe Throssel who lives on Quality Street, the bustling hub of a quaint northern town where she runs a school for unruly children. Ten years since a tearful goodbye, an old flame returns from fighting Napoleon. But the look of disappointment on Captain Valentine¹s face when he greets a more mature, less glamorous Phoebe, spurs our determined heroine to action. She becomes the wild and sparkling Miss Livvy, a younger alter-ego who soon entraps the clueless Captain. As their romance is rekindled, can she juggle both personas? Or will her

deception scandalise the town and wreck any future with the man she loves? Jessica Baglow will play the title role of Phoebe Throssel and Dario Coates as love interest, Valentine Brown. Further cast features Jim English as Fanny Willoughby/Arthur, John Gully as Recruiting Sergeant/Spicer/Georgy, Claire Hackett as Patty, Louisa May Parker as Susan Throssel, Alicia McKenzie as Mary Willoughby, Sophie Mercell as Charlotte Parratt and Gabriel Paul as Ensign Blades/Isabella. Tickets range from £8 to £18 and can be purchased from The Dukes Box Office by calling 01524 598500 or visiting www.dukeslancaster.org

Cast Announced for the Last Quiz Night on Earth Award winning Box of Tricks theatre company recently announced plans for a UK Tour of their latest production The Last Quiz Night on Earth an immersive, innovative new play by Alison Carr. Today the company can announce the cast for the unique production which will be staged in urban and rural venues across the country, including theatres, village halls, community arts centres and local pubs. Pub Landlady Kathywill be played by Meriel Scholfield; Meriel trained at RADA and is a regular on TV with appearances in all the major soaps including Coronation Street, fans may recognise her from numerous appearances on the famous cobbles, she has also appeared in Last Tango in Halifax, Holby City and Doctors. Shaban Dar takes the role of ‘host with the most’, preapocalyptic Quizmaster Rav. Shaban is a familiar face in theatre with credits including I Believe in Unicorns (Theatre Alibi), Peggin Out (Unheard Theatre) and Brink (Royal Exchange Theatre). Unexpected guests Bobby and Fran played by Chris Jack and Amy Drake bring plenty of drama to the piece when they arrive at the quiz with some unresolved business. www.lancmag.com

Chris Jack has appeared in a number of stage plays including Beryl (Octagon Theatre), Noughts and Crosses (Pilot Theatre/ Derby Theatre/ Coventry Belgrade) and Brighton Rock (York Theatre Royal/ Pilot Theatre); his TV credits include Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. Amy Drake’s TV credits include Cold Feet, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale. In theatre Amy has appeared in several productions including A Christmas Carol (Theatr Clwyd) and My Mother Said I Never Should (Theatre by the Lake) The tour opens at the Welcome Inn in Salford, in association with The Lowry, from Tuesday 11 February to Saturday 15 February 2020, before touring unusual spaces until Saturday 11 April 2020. The latest tour from Box of Tricks follows two sold-out tours of critically acclaimed Chip Shop Chips. Pre-apocalyptic comedy, The Last Quiz Night on Earth,breaks the fourth wall, plunging audiences in to the drama of the show. More info at www.boxoftrickstheatre.co.uk

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Lake Windermere one of the UK’s most incredible sights Lonely Planet ranks the top 500 unmissable experiences and hidden gems across Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for the first time in the ultimate UK travel hitlist

ake Windermere was named one of the UK’s top sights by leading travel media company, Lonely Planet, in a ranked list of the 500 most memorable, beautiful, surprising and compelling experiences to be had across Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. The UK’s four constituent countries and countless small islands comprise a powerhouse of history, culture and intrigue. Now for the first time, Lonely Planet’s community of travel experts have chosen the best sights and experiences and ranked them in order of their brilliance in Lonely Planet’s Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist. Racing into the list in 9th position, makes Lake Windermere - where “people come in search of the scenic splendour and bucolic experiences that inspired Wordsworth, Coleridge and the English Romantics” - one of the highest entries. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe took the top spot in the list, staking its claim because “the Fringe floods the city with art and nowhere beats it for spectacle or scale… There is theatre, comedy, dance, circus, cabaret, opera, music and spoken word, and whatever the time of day, an acrobat, trapeze artist,

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contortionist or tried-and-tested bagpiping busker will be pleased to entertain you… Simply step through the looking glass and prepare to be dazzled by the greatest show of arts and culture on Earth.” In total, 17 sights and experiences in Cumbria feature in the list, from reliving the age of steam in miniature on La’al Ratty at 180 to going on a haute cuisine journey in Cumbria’s Cartmel at 343. Lonely Planet’s VP of Experience, Tom Hall, said: “Lonely Planet’s Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist brings together the UK’s most compelling sights and experiences, ranging from world-class museums and giant cathedrals to rollicking festivals, inky lochs and tiny pubs. We’re thrilled to name Windermere one of the UK’s very best sights - it’s startlingly beautiful and has captured the imaginations of generations of visitors.“ Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world’s number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Visit lonelyplanet.com for more info.

www.lancmag.com

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