Live Preston & Fylde Issue 104 Jan/Feb 2022 by Live_Magazines

YOUR PREMIER GUIDE

TO LUXURY LIVING • ISSUE 104

PUPPY LOVE THE COMMITMENT OF HAVING A DOG PRESTON’S NEW HEARTBEAT ANIMATE THE CITY’S NEW LEISURE SCHEME MAKING 2022 YOUR BEST YEAR YET GETTING YOUR HEALTH, WEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN ORDER ‘I DO’ PLANNING YOUR DREAM WEDDING

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CONTENTS F E AT U R E S

12 PRESTON INVESTS IN NEW LEISURE COMPLEX Animate, a new multi-million-pound cinema and leisure complex coming to town 60 “DON’T WAIT” – CHECK YOUR HEALTH Lancashire’s biggest employers encourages people to be more open about their health 68 THEY CALL IT PUPPY LOVE Getting a puppy is not a decision to be taken lightly or on a whim 74 LOOK AFTER THE PENNIES Re-evaluate your finances in 2022 100 BUSINESS HOUR AT UCLAN University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) the top university for producing start-up businesses in 2021 108 CRICKET COMING HOME TO LANCASHIRE Lancashire Cricket plans to create a highquality sports facility in the heart of the county 110 IS TURNING VEGAN RIGHT FOR ME? Sam Martin looks at the growing trend of veganism

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8 EDITOR’S LETTER 15 HOMES INSIDE OUT 44 FASHION 53 HEALTH & BEAUTY 61 LIFESTYLE 78 WEDDINGS 92 EDUCATION 100 BUSINESS 106 MOTORS 108 SPORT 110 FOOD & DRINK 118 WHAT’S ON 121 ARTS & CULTURE

123 GOOD READ 124 PROPERTY

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LIVE MAGAZINES Chairman: Simon Smith Managing Director: Tedd Walmsley Company Secretary: Elizabeth Walmsley Editor: Helen Sanderson Graphic Designers: Nick Dittrich and Rob Walmsley Operations Manager: Kate Hyde Production Manager: James Britton Photography: Robin Lyndon and Andy Tighe Sales Account Manager: Jane Hughes 07875 696 928 Editorial Contributors: Kate Bowyer, Catherine Dunlop, Meena Macdonald and Samantha Martin Live Magazines Limited Office 2, The Old Bakery Green Street Lytham FY8 5LG T: 01772 319 465 live@live-magazines.co.uk www.live-magazines.co.uk LIVE PRESTON & FYLDE magazine is hand delivered to selected households and businesses in Barton, Bretherton, Broughton, Buckshaw Village, Cottam, Croston, Eaves, Elswick, Garstang, Great Eccleston, Freckleton, Fulwood, Hutton, Kirkham, Little Eccleston, Longton, Lytham, Much Hoole, New Longton, Newton with Scales, Penwortham, Warton, Wesham, Whittle-Le-Woods, and Wrea Green. Live Magazines Limited cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts or photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Live Magazines Ltd takes no responsibility for omissions and errors. We reserve the right to publish and credit any letters. All rights reserved. An annual subscription is available at £17.50, to cover postage and packaging. For details of subscriptions please email subscriptions@live-magazines.co.uk. For advertising please contact us on 01772 319 465.

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Magazines Editor Happy New Year and I hope 2022 has got off to a great start. How was your Christmas? I know that many of you will have been isolating with Covid or one of the other cold and flu viruses that were doing the rounds. We have got quite use to having our plans cancelled or changed, over the past two years, so I truly hope you could once again ‘make the most’ of the situation that’s beyond our control. At the time of writing this letter, just before the print deadline, I have heard that our Prime Minister is discussing ways for us to now ‘live with Covid’. Wow, can you even dare to imagine? A world where we can visit our loved ones in hospital, go on holiday restriction free, attend weddings and funerals, make plans, hug our loved ones and send our children to school without covering their beautiful faces. I am so ready for this world to be back. But what will we talk about?! Although I am filled with hope and anticipation about the adventures that 2022 will present for me and my family, I don’t really buy into the ‘new year new me’ philosophy. I find I just beat myself up about the ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda’, which creates way too much self doubt What I have pledged to do is create some habits I know I can stick to, which will support my mental health and wellbeing. These include drinking more water, getting more sleep, moving away from my desk and getting fresh air, journaling and being present with my daughters. (For more tips on looking after your heath and wellbeing check out page 62). As well as reading more (Cat Dunlop shares her latest read on page 123), I’m also going to walk more. . . it’s free as well as being great for my body and soul. Our columnist, Sam Martin, has a brand new puppy so walking with them will be fun. Sam has her hands full training the puppy. You can read about that on page 68. Wishing you all the best for 2022. Helen Helen Sanderson Editor

YOUR PREMIER GUIDE

TO LUXURY LIVING • ISSUE 104

PUPPY LOVE THE COMMITMENT OF HAVING A DOG PRESTON’S NEW HEARTBEAT ANIMATE THE CITY’S NEW LEISURE SCHEME MAKING 2022 YOUR BEST YEAR YET GETTING YOUR HEALTH, WEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN ORDER

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As we begin a new year there are big plans for our City. Investment in a new leisure complex will bring jobs, growth and a welcome boost for Preston and the surrounding areas

planning application for the city owned multi-millionpound cinema and leisure complex, Animate, has been lodged by Preston City Council. Since the scheme was first proposed, plans have progressed to improve the previously consented proposals and respond

to the current leisure market trends. The planning application includes an eight screen cinema; 16 lane bowling alley, competitive social unit (suitable for a range of uses), five family restaurants, a street food hub, public realm improvements, 164 space car park, a Changing Places’ facility and associated servicing arrangements.

Scale: NTS@A3 The Animate scheme aims to bring growth and development to the city centre, create a quality leisure destination to bring families back into Preston and make the city the ‘place to be’. As well as bringing in over £7million of extra economic activity every year while creating 140 full time equivalent jobs. This planning application has now been submitted to Preston City Council’s Planning Department. A period of consultation will be open to allow the public the opportunity to express their views on the proposed development.

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scheme content, to ensure the Animate project will meet the goal of creating a thriving, sustainable city centre offer for everyone to enjoy.” As we go to print news has come in that the first tenant has been confirmed for Animate, Cinema and Leisure Complex. Hollywood Bowl is coming to Preston as part of the city owned multi-million-pound cinema and leisure complex. This anchor operator, who specialise in operating large, high quality bowling centres, will open a new entertainment venue, which will feature 16 fully computerised lanes with plush seating, a stylish bar and diner and a cutting-edge amusement area, in the new development which will be located on the site of the former indoor market.

THIS JOINT PLANNING APPLICATION, SUBMITTED BY PRESTON CITY COUNCIL AND MAPLE GROVE DEVELOPMENTS AIMS TO CREATE A LEADING LEISURE DESTINATION WITHIN THE CITY CENTRE

in the surrounding area. It is a central part of our ambitions for a more democratic local economy with the asset retained in city ownership once developed. “The scheme aims to enhance the leisure offer within the city centre, build resiliency as we recover from Covid and Auth By: CJG Drawn By: MF D a t e : 2 4 . 11 . 2 1 Dwg No: 7665-L(00)246 THE ANIMATE SCHEME make Preston a key destination to live, AIMS TO BRING KEY work and visit. Now the application has been submitted, it will be considered by INVESTMENT AND JOBS TO the planning committee who will make BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF their decision over the coming weeks.” PRESTON, AS WELL AS Andrew Dewhurst, director of Maple STIMULATING INVESTMENT IN Grove Developments, commented: “This THE SURROUNDING AREA joint planning application, submitted by Preston City Council and Maple Grove Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader of Developments aims to create a leading Preston City Council, said: “This planning leisure destination within the city centre. application is the vital next step in the “We’ve worked closely with the City Animate scheme, which aims to bring key Council and Leach Rhodes Walker investment and jobs to benefit the people Architects in developing the design and of Preston, as well as stimulating investment The application will be considered and decided by the Planning Committee, which is made up of elected councillors. Subject to achieving planning permission work is programmed to begin on site in Summer 2022.

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Animate will also include a cinema, new restaurants and bars, a car park, and new public square. There are numerous discussions happening regarding further occupiers, as soon as they are confirmed they will be announced in the coming months. This scheme will bring growth and development to the city centre as well as bringing in over £7million of extra economic activity every year while creating 140 full time equivalent jobs. Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston City Council, said: “Welcoming Hollywood Bowl on-board the Animate scheme is a really positive step forward in our plans to bring this exciting city owned development to Preston for the whole community to benefit from. “As well as bringing investment and jobs to the people of Preston, this key anchor operator will help support the regeneration of our city centre. This major family attraction is a first for the city centre and will complement our existing leisure offer. It will bring people into Preston and further support our strongly established small business community.” Laurence Keen, Chief Financial Officer of Hollywood Bowl Group, said: “We are pleased to have secured another prime, high footfall destination to enable us to continue to execute on our new centre opening strategy. We’re delighted to be

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bringing the Hollywood Bowl brand to Preston and to be a part of the exciting development of the Animate leisure complex.” G r o u n d F l o o r We s t 5 0 D e a r m a n s P l a c e M a n c h e s t e r M 3 5 L H

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COMMUNITY WEALTH BUILDING IS AN APPROACH WHICH AIMS TO ENSURE THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM BUILDS WEALTH AND PROSPERITY FOR EVERYONE Andrew Dewhurst, Director of Maple Grove Developments, commented: “We’re delighted to have secured Hollywood Bowl as the first named operator for Animate. This exciting news contributes massively to Preston’s goal of creating a thriving, sustainable city centre with an outstanding leisure and entertainment offer.

“We recently submitted a new planning application for the Animate scheme with Preston’s Harris Quarter N I M AT E , P R E S TO N : C G I V I E W 4 Preston City Council and expect to be 7 6 6 5 A Animate ofg six Scale: NTS@A3 A u t h B y : C J G The Draw n B y : M F development D a t e : 2 4 . 11 . 2is1 one Dw No: 7665-L(00)247 able to announce further lettings over the major projects planned under Preston’s winter months.” Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme, for which the city was Preston City Council actively applies and awarded £20.9m from the government’s prioritises the principles of Community national Towns Fund initiative in March Wealth Building wherever applicable and 2021. It is also a key project within the appropriate. Community Wealth Building 15-year Preston City Investment Plan. is an approach which aims to ensure The other projects included in Preston’s the economic system builds wealth and Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme are: prosperity for everyone. The Architect for this scheme is Leach • Preston Pop Ups: Bringing together new temporary event space, artworks Rhodes Walker and the planning consultant and improvements to public realm CBRE. Subject to planning permission infrastructure, aimed at boosting being granted, it is anticipated construction visitor activity in the Harris Quarter. work on the project could begin in 2022 • CEIAG Hub: The creation of a new with the complex opening in spring 2024. n Careers and Employment, Information, Advice and Guidance Hub in the Harris Quarter. • Renewal of Harris Quarter Assets: Investment to support the redevelopment of publicly-owned buildings in the Harris Quarter to support new cultural and community uses. • Illuminate and Integrate: A project to deliver improved pedestrian and cycleway infrastructure, street lighting and other public realm improvements within the Harris Quarter. • Preston Youth Zone: The development of Preston Youth Zone as a state-ofthe-art facility for young people in Preston aged eight to 19. • #HarrisYourPlace: The refurbishment of the Grade I listed Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library, enhancing and protecting the building for generations to come. For more information, visit: prestonpartnership.org

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for matching with neutral interiors and has a wool rich loop pile made from 50 per cent pure new wool and 50 per cent polyester, making it ideal for heavy domestic use. The carpets are manufactured at Cormar’s sites in Lancashire so fantastic for reducing the carbon footprint. Tracy was so impressed with the flooring she had purchased along with the service she had received that she contacted the Gainsborough team again when she wanted to install new flooring in her kitchen/dining room, utility area, hallway, lounge, bedrooms and en-suite.

WE WERE KEEN TO INVEST IN FLOORING THAT WAS DURABLE AND HARD WEARING BUT ALSO LOOKED SPECTACULAR. WE WERE TRULY SPOILT FOR CHOICE! After a comprehensive consultation with the expert team on what would be most suitable for each area of her home, Tracy opted for Amtico for her kitchen, utility, dining room, hallway and toilet/ensuite and Cormar for her lounge and bedrooms. Amtico Spacia Eden Oak, which was fitted by the Gainsborough team throughout large areas of the house, is a beautiful wood-effect luxury vinyl tile, which creates a truly authentic look and adds warmth to both contemporary and traditional interiors.

FLAWLESS SERVICE A proud homeowner was so impressed with the carpets fitted to her stairs and landing, she commissioned new flooring in several more rooms, writes Meena McDonald. Photography: Jack Pomfret

nitially contacting Gainsborough Flooring to discuss fitting a new carpet to her stairs and landing, following a recommendation by a friend based in Fulwood, Tracy Harrison has been thoroughly impressed with the flawless service she has received from the Gainsborough team. Tracy from Lytham selected Cormar Bouclé Neutrals Sloane Steel for her stairs with antique brass stair rods. This range is perfect

This flooring offers endless design possibilities to explore and luxury vinyl floor tiles offer something truly unique. The realistic look of wood, stone and ceramic in a hard-wearing and easy-to-care-for floor is perfect for bustling households. It also provides natural warmth under foot and is extremely tolerant of moisture and challenging environments such as kitchens and bathrooms. Tracy commented: “What appealed to us the most about the Amtico range was the exceptional choice of colours, styles, textures and laying patterns. We were keen to invest in flooring that was durable and hard wearing but also looked spectacular. We were truly spoilt for choice!” For busy areas such as the kitchen, which is often the hub of many homes, Amtico flooring is ideal as it is scratch resistant, waterproof and highly robust. Additionally,

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the crowning feature of Amtico’s Multiple Performance System is their Quantum Guard urethane layer, which is the most durable urethane on the market. The low-gloss finish also enhances the realism of natural looking products whilst making them easier to clean and eliminating the need for polish.

OUR ETHOS IS TO WORK CLOSELY WITH ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS TO HELP THEM TRANSFORM THEIR HOMES Tracy continued: “We recently hosted my daughter’s 18th birthday party at home and the Amtico flooring was absolutely perfect. It was so robust and very easy to clean after a houseful of young people.” Other areas of the house such as the lounge and the bedrooms were fitted out with award winning Cormar carpets. For the lounge and the main bedroom, Tracy selected the Cormar Gemini range. Gemini is a collection of 100 per cent dura-polyester carpets with a deep ultra-soft pile which is suitable for heavy domestic use. With

a choice of 13 modern neutral colours to match any décor, Tracy had a superb selection from which to choose. For the top bedroom Tracy opted for Cormar Sensations Heathers Feather, which is a soft, deep pile heavyweight carpet made from 100 per cent Luxelle two-fold polypropylene yarn. It is dirt and stain resistant and bleach cleanable, plus includes a 10-year stain and wear warranty.

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Gainsborough Flooring utilised the skills of their expert fitters for each area of the home and Tracy was genuinely delighted with the care and attention to detail from each fitter as well as how completely brilliant the finished product looked. Vicky Brown, Managing Director of Gainsborough Flooring, commented: “Our ethos is to work closely with all of our customers to help them transform their homes by installing flooring that is not just fit for purpose, but also looks tremendous and complements the style of the house, making each customer feel content and proud of their home.” So, if like Tracy, you have a busy household with pets and children, talk to the team at Gainsborough Flooring about how you can best create a wonderful and comfortable space and transform your home into something you truly love. n

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WINTER SALE Double Discount on all our collections.

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fillings – and re-spun into polyester, with the textile design featuring artful arrangements of ocean plastic collected by Sophie and photographed by Ella, who explains: “From a distance, the design is reminiscent of a colourful Italian mosaic tile, with the true nature of the objects only visible under close inspection.” Sophie has been beach-cleaning and collecting waste plastic for several years. The pieces that kick-started the project were washed up by the tide on a favourite beach in Northern Spain. Whilst helping to keep

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND The new collection from Ella and Sophie

This collection has been inspired features photographic designs printed onto recycled fabric, made from post-consumer by the immense amount of plastic – as are the range’s zips and cushion plastic in our oceans

esigner and circular economy advocate Ella Doran has collaborated with communications designer and environmental campaigner Sophie Thomas on a new range of cushions featuring the duo’s bespoke Clean Up Camo textile design, which not only draws attention to the huge quantities of discarded plastic in our oceans, but uses it as inspiration for a series of beautiful products. The collection has also been chosen to accompany the Design Museum’s current Waste Age: What can design do? exhibition, which tells the story of the environmental crisis. The London exhibition, which runs until 20th February 2022, explores how trash can be transformed into new resources and how design can help usher in a new age, where there is no such thing as waste.

THEY HOPE THE NEW PRODUCTS WILL HELP TELL THE NEGATIVE BACK-STORY OF PLASTIC POLLUTION WITH A MESSAGE OF HOPE AT THE END

the beach clean as an immediate priority, the waste plastics Sophie collected also evoked something more: “The particular rock formation of the area helped make the waste plastic pieces particularly smooth, almost like flat pebbles, whilst maintaining their original colour.” Ella’s image-based products use colour and shape for her own-brand homewares and for products created for institutions such as Tate and YSP and brands including Waterford, Absolut and Habitat. She is the perfect partner for a collaboration to make creative use of the waste pieces. Together, they hope the new products will help tell the negative back-story of plastic pollution with a message of hope at the end: “Whilst the end-product is beautiful and has turned non-biodegradable pollutant waste into something positive, the message is still very much that it shouldn’t be there to start with! We hope that the life cycle of the new textile will carry that message forward into the future.” n elladoran.co.uk

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you 84 Liverpool Road, Longton, Preston PR4 5NB • Booths NextPR4 to Booths 84 Preston Liverpool Liverpool Road, Road, Longton, Preston Preston 5NB • Supermarket Next 5NB to•Supermarket Booths Next toSupermarket Booths or Supermarket verpool Road,84Longton, 5NBLongton, • for Next to Liverpool Road,84PR4 Longton, Preston 5NB • Supermarket Next to Booths need aPR4 luxurious & PR4 practical bathroom kitchen. AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE EVENING EVENING AND WEEKEND AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE AVAILABLE EVENINGEVENING AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE EVENING AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

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The Original Bathroom Company DESIGN • SUPPLY • INSTALL Our showroom is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm by appointment only. Please call or email showroom@originalbathroomcompany.co.uk Evening appointments are also available upon request. tel: 01772 611622 www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uk tel: 01772 611622 www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uk 84 Liverpool PR4 5NB Booths Supermarket 84 Liverpool Road, Longton, PrestonRoad, PR4Longton, 5NB • Preston Open Mon - Sat• Next 9am to - 5pm • Next to Booths Supermarket

homesinsideout

This spring inject some spa style into your bathroom with luxury bath linens and robes

SPA S T Y L E

rom contemporary waffle bath robes in on-point olive green to plush towels in lovely latte, these accessories will ensure you have all you need for a new season bathroom makeover. And as suppliers to many of the UK’s leading boutique hotels and spas, you can now recreate that same indulgent self-care feeling at home with the Fine Cotton Company’s spa collection of bathlinens – all designed and made with quality cotton to be long lasting and luxurious. Known for their impeccable approach to sourcing and creating sustainable linens for the hospitality industry, the company offers this same quality for customers to create a boutique hotel feeling at home. Whether that’s waking up rested from sleeping in super smooth cotton sheets, wrapping up in cosy bath robes to dining with elegant table linens that make even the simplest meal feel special, these collections are designed to make your everyday moments better. Choosing natural and sustainable materials, the bed and bath linens are woven exclusively for them in Portugal from the finest cotton to ensure long-lasting quality and wool throws come from the Scottish Highlands for a finer finish. n

thefinecottoncompany.com

‘That’s not my bowl!’

Importers & stockists of exceptional tiles, stones & wood flooring

YOUR HOME, YOUR WAY Amtico Spacia wood flooring, practical, durable and tough with a 25 year warranty. From £39 per square meter Gainsborough Flooring 26 Heatley Street Preston PR1 2XB 01772 250682 gainsboroughflooring.co.uk

TT20R by Thermatech is one of the best sellers for form, function and practicality and for January will come with the fireside accessories bundle. RRP £1695. From £1120 Gas Style 374 Blackpool Road Ashton-on-Ribble Preston PR2 2DS 01772 761006 gasstyle.co.uk

The Allusion Blind, is a popular versatile blind for bi-fold windows and doors, from £262 Solis Blinds Waltons Barn 190a Longmeanygate Midge Hall Leyland PR26 7TB 01772 431475 solisblinds.co.uk

Utopia’s Contemporary Fitted range. Unit shown: Sand washed white carcass and drawer fronts, grey concrete 12mm laminate worktop and matt black metallic handle trim £POA The Original Bathroom Company 84 Liverpool Road Preston PR4 5NB 01772 611622 theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uk

Bespoke state of the art entertainment room, including smart lighting, home cinema and a golfing simulator £POA Hadgraft Automation 01200 444416 hadgraftautomation.co.uk

F U E L YO U R I M A G I NAT I O N B E A U T I F U L F I R E S TO ENHANCE ANY ROOM

FREE

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JANUARY SALE NOW ON

homesinsideout biodegradable pots made using materials like coir, wood chips, bamboo and rice husks. You can also make your own pots using newspaper or toilet roll tubes. And now is a good time to make your own supplies of biodegradable pots so you have stock for the planting season. Taking good care of existing plastic is a good way to ensure you don’t have to keep buying it – so reuse any plant pots you have. The added bonus of recycling or reusing items in the garden is that it also reduces cost – as does growing from seed. Even in winter you can grow something from seed, you just need a seed tray and a window ledge, or small cold frame or greenhouse – whatever space and budgets allow.

A NEW YEAR FOR THE GARDEN It’s the start of a new year and the start of the gardening season

t’s time to plan your planting and how you want your garden to look over the coming months, stock up on seeds and service any essential equipment such as lawn mowers and tools. It’s also a time for New Year’s resolutions and here are 12 – one a month – that will make your garden super diverse and environmentally friendly: • Use less plastic • Plant a tree • Start sowing seeds

• Plant something for fun • Grow more veg • Go green and have a go at organic growing • Learn to relax and enjoy your garden • Be more water aware • Compost more of your garden waste • Welcome wildlife • Bring the outside in with houseplants • Look after your tools First on the list is using less plastic, something we are all trying to do so it makes sense that we try to make our gardens as plastic free as possible. The biggest ‘bad boy’ in any gardener’s life is the plastic pot. But there are non-plastic alternatives such as

For anyone growing their own veg, this month is great for sowing onions. If you sow onions now it saves the expense of buying onion sets (small bulbs) later and you can have a much larger crop of onions in the summer. Onions seeds do not have a long shelf life, so it’s best to buy new seeds each year. Seeds will germinate between 16-21˚C one or two weeks after sowing. When large enough to handle, transplant to individual small pots and keep in a bright, frost-free place until April when they can be planted out. Often the coldest month in the garden, there are still some things you can be doing to keep busy. As the RHS says, January might be the middle of winter but as the days lengthen the garden starts to grow. Now is a great time to plan for the coming gardening year and to order seeds and plants. Enjoy the fresh air on dry sunny days and check your winter protection, stakes, ties and supports are still working after any severe weather. Also put out food for birds and leave some garden areas uncut, a little longer, to provide shelter for wildlife in your garden. Top three jobs this month – clean pots and greenhouses ready for spring, dig over empty or unused plots and prune apple and pear trees. n

Snowy Path II P H I L I P G R AY - O R I G I N A L O I L

MEET THE ARTIST Extreme Artist Philip Gray will be exhibiting his latest work in person at Hepplestone Fine Art at 6.30pm-8.30pm on Thursday, 10th February 2022. Please be aware that admission is strictly by appointment only - please call 01257 451121 for availability.

MULTI AWARD WINNER  UK RETAIL ART GALLERY OF THE YEAR

Over 300 artworks AVAILABLE ONLINE

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www.hepplestonefineart.com Visit the Gallery, we are 5 minutes from Junction 27 off the M6. Open 7 days with Ample Free Parking OR Buy On-line with FREE UK Mainland Delivery.

HESKIN HALL SHOPPING VILLAGE, WOOD LANE, HESKIN, CHORLEY, LANCASHIRE PR7 5PA 01257 451121  SALES@HEPPLESTONEFINEART.COM

homesinsideout

This glorious new collection, in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, highlights the incredible role bugs play in the natural world

‘TABLESCAPE’

YOUR KITCHEN…

xpertly designed in Britain, each piece in the Living Jewels Collection celebrates the complexities of a range of species documented by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and gives them the same precious value you would a jewel. Launched by Pure Table Top, these kitchen and dining accessories are perfect for spring and summer 2022. The collection aims to highlight the incredible and crucial role bugs play in ensuring a sustainable future for our planet. The colours across the collection offer a pallet of indulgent tones of greens and blues against a backdrop of black, allowing a beautifully understated ‘tablescaping’ opportunity, where beautiful ceramics are styled effortlessly with washed linen table textiles and 100 per cent recycled glass. Sourced from Portugal, and decorated with an innovative reactive glaze inspired by historical illustrations, each unique piece of beautiful stoneware is durable and longlasting. Meanwhile, the midnight and white Living Jewels mugs have been designed using hand thrown techniques from clay, creating a perfectly formed, timeless product. The kitchen linens in the collection are made with BCI cotton – the largest sustainable cotton programme globally – and decorated with intricate drawings from the natural world. The placemats and coasters have a matt lacquer finish meaning they are not only beautiful additions to any table, but highly functional too. A key trend for the coming season is ‘neo-luxe’, which embraces sophistication and rich luxurious colours – a trend perfectly delivered through the new Living Jewels Collection, which brings the Royal Botanic Gardens’ much-loved beauty of nature into the kitchen and dining areas of the home. n

puretabletop.com

Creative lighting for your home & business Showroom by appointment only Showroom address: 13 Cable Court, Pittman Way, Fulwood, Preston PR2 9YW www.kok.lighting james@kok.lighting 01772 977 677 07540 372 615

HOUSE CLEARANCE SPECIALISTS We can help and take the stress away for you

If you have something you need to sell? Let us sell it for you. Get in touch with us today Call: 01706 213333 or 07538141436 Email: mark@lancashireauctionhouse.co.uk Visit: www.lancashireauctionhouse.com Brookside Business Park, Rawtenstall BB4 8HH

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Visit Holden Clough Nurseries to view our Pod T: 01772 703 777 W: www.croftgardenbuildings.co.uk

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Unit 6 Pittman Court, Pittman Way, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9ZG

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Preston’s leading supplier of windows with over 18,000 customers in the past 25 years with a recommendation rate of over 98%.

“Gracjana loves the idea of open spaces and has a vision for maximising them. While I have a good working knowledge of lighting, I don’t have the skill to pull all the visuals together. “Many people are unable to visualise how things will look – and that’s where Gracjana comes in. She can present the client with the full package with mood boards and images so they can see exactly what the space will look like when it is completed,” says James, who has recently supplied all the lighting for a prestigious new restaurant in Ormskirk. “The restaurant has a nature-based theme and features mostly earthy tones so we made this a consideration when putting forward the lighting proposal. Ceiling heights were a consideration so we chose lighting that was flush for the ceiling and wall lights to create ambience. Gracjana sourced antique style wall lighting in brass and walnut to go with the natural autumnal gold and browns of the colour palette.”

MEET THE DESIGNER James Kok and Gracjana Sujdak explain how they are able to create visuals for some of the most prestigious interior design projects in the North West, so clients can see how a space can be totally transformed by specialist lighting

ighting is a crucial aspect of interior design.You could say it’s one of the most important elements, and no-one knows this more than expert James Kok – a descendant of the Kok lighting dynasty. “Lighting is often the most important part of a room but unfortunately it is often the last consideration. If you think about lighting from the start, it enables you to incorporate different design elements,” explains James, who has just brought interior designer Gracjana Sujdak on board to enhance

what the business can offer in terms of presenting mood boards and images so clients can visualise how certain lighting can be incorporated into a room or on the exterior of a property. Graduating from UCLan, Gracjana has already made an impact working on a number of high-profile projects alongside James. Favouring large open spaces and commercial buildings, she has recently produced feature walls for an Indian restaurant and worked with James on an outdoor lighting scheme in the south Lakes.

Also working on large private properties as well as commercial buildings, Gracjana and James were recently approached by a client who had been looking for suitable lighting for her home for more than four years. “She had a limited colour palette throughout her home, which was very minimalist in shades of black, white and cream. The client was very particular in what she wanted to achieve. “Gracjana helped source lighting for the lounge and the bedroom – in the lounge she chose a light that was in a neutral shade but stunning in design. For the bedroom she helped source a chandelier that has become the focal point of the room. It is timeless and totally elegant – sometime less is more,” adds James, who works with the best lighting manufacturers and brands in the world.

homesinsideout From specialist UK lighting designers to global lighting powerhouses, he is able to access the best lighting solutions from multiple manufacturers. Working throughout the North West, James recently asked Gracjana to create visuals for a client who wanted lighting for a hot tub area outside their prestigious property: “We were able to produce a total lighting layout and visuals, which included a feature wall, low level lighting for ambience and uplighting on some of the stone walls, which was really effective. It allowed the client to visualise how the area could be transformed with welldesigned lighting.”

Closer to home James likes to work collaboratively with other businesses – he works closely with local architects and the likes of smart home solutions specialist Bernard Dickinson: “There is a synergy for us in terms of lighting control systems. Working together, we find the right solutions for clients,” adds James, whose business also supplied lighting for the Northcote Park luxury housing development off Longsight Road.

WE HAVE RECENTLY BEEN WORKING WITH ARCHITECTS ON A CIRCULAR GLASS CEILING CUT-OUT, WHICH YOU CAN WALK OVER ON THE FLOOR ABOVE Despite fewer international trade shows, James continues to focus on upcoming trends in order to give clients the very latest in lighting design and technology: “LED lighting continues to be a trend as they are so flexible. We have recently been working with architects on a circular glass ceiling cut-out, which you can walk over on the floor above. It is surrounded by LED lights – it’s totally bespoke – a really special feature.” n

kok.lighting

OUT IN THE COUNTRY...

Her: Mila pleat satin crepe dress £284 Seasons 14-16 King Street Clitheroe BB7 2EP 01200 442199 seasonsdesignerwear.co.uk Him: Maudsley brown boot £165 LANX Unit 25 Mitton Road Business Park Mitton Road Whalley BB7 9YE lanxshoes.com

Opposite page: Fontwell gilet new for 2022 price TBC, Hogside tartan regular shirt £64.95, regular fit jean £79.95, Cairn cap £39.95 all @ Barbour. Above: Barbour Fairfield waterproof hiking boots £149. Barbour Chiltern Boots £169.

Amberley Wax new for 2022 price TBC, Hartley knit £89.95, Burne mid-rise straight jean new for 2022 price TBC all @ Barbour. barbour.com Local Stockist: Vareys Town & Country 2 Market Place Clitheroe BB7 2DB 01200 423267 kenvarey.co.uk

THE LARGEST STOCKIST OF QUALITY COUNTRY CLOTHING IN THE NORTH WEST If you are looking for the very best in countrywear, footwear, accessories and quality giftware then look no further than Ken Varey Town and Country

NEW WINTER STOCK IN STORE & ONLINE VAREYS TOWN AND COUNTRY 2 MARKET PLACE, CLITHEROE T: 01200 423267 • www.kenvarey.co.uk • E: info@kenvarey.co.uk VAREYS FOOTWEAR GALLERY 4 NEW MARKET STREET, CLITHEROE BB7 2JW

SALE STARTS SATURDAY 15TH JANUARY

CLEAR VISION As well as new state-of-the-art eye testing equipment from Germany, The Spectacle Factory has introduced two new sensational collections. Photography: Robin Lyndon

nnovation and investment to benefit its customers is at the heart of everything The Spectacle Factory does. That’s why the team is so excited at the arrival of their new eye testing system, all the way from Germany. The equipment brings with it a whole new level of advancement, bringing

together three fundamental elements – your existing glasses prescription, your standard eye test result and your i.Scription – designed to give you better colour perception, contrast and night vision.Your optometrist can now show you the difference between the three all in an instant, thanks to this new technology. Robert Sands, who manages The Spectacle Factory, comments: “We want to empower our clients to make the best decision for their vision and eye health. Our aim is for each individual to understand any changes in their eyes, eliminating the mystery around the complexities of an eye test, and help them to see just how much better

their world could look.” Whilst most people might think that all eye tests are the same, nowadays that is not the case, with not all practices having access to the same technology. Indeed, The Spectacle Factory’s world class set-up puts them ahead of most stores in the country. Robert continues: “The technology streamlines the testing process, allowing us to spend even more time to get to know each customer better. Our tests are already double the industry average allocated for eye tests as we believe it’s important to build a relationship with each customer so we can give them the best advice tailored to them as a unique individual. We can also help them select beautiful eyewear that fits with their tastes and lifestyle.”

WE WANT TO EMPOWER OUR CLIENTS TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR THEIR VISION AND EYE HEALTH As well as the sophisticated new eye testing equipment, The Spectacle Factory has also introduced two new sensational ranges to their showroom.

The first is the incredibly iconic I.a.Eyeworks which is exciting, quirky and worn by some of the most renowned celebrities such as Elton John, Rupaul, Pierce Brosnan, Andy Warhol, Paul Reubens and Arnold Schwarzenegger. I.a.Eyeworks design eyewear ‘to celebrate the diversity of faces and the uniqueness of individuals’. Established in 1979, the brand challenges the prevailing norms of eyewear

Photography: Robin Lyndon

fashion

with their super glossy range, which is bright, shiny and fun. Manufactured in Japan, the quality is immaculate and second to none throughout the globe. The second collection is a much more classic and understated brand established in Liverpool in the 1940s, Walter & Herbert. The family-run English brand is now in its third generation and believes that the attention to detail and unyielding pursuit of perfection is what make their frames so special. The frames are irresistibly tactile and boast a combination of striking colours and smooth contours. They are skilfully crafted in their factory in England by specialist technicians, who ensure every frame not only looks and feels beautiful, but exceeds

eyewear to suit the occasion,” says Robert. The team isn’t just committed to investing in innovative eye testing equipment and fascinating product ranges, it also supports the optical industry. Robert was recently invited to be a judge at the prestigious annual Opticians Awards alongside other industry experts. The event, hosted at Grosvenor House in Park Lane, London, recognised the UK’s top optometrists, dispensing opticians, contact lens practitioners and front of house teams. So, if you would like to understand your vision and eye health and have access to some of the most unique eyewear in the UK, contact the team at The Spectacle Factory, they’ll be delighted to welcome you to their futuristic store. n

the British Standards of quality, performance and safety. “We believe our new ranges along with many we already stock appeal to people’s individualism. An increasing number of people are viewing their glasses as fashion statements and therefore investing in more than one pair so they can wear different

The Spectacle Factory Unit 1, Dewhurst Row Bamber Bridge Preston PR5 6BB 01772 312213 thespectaclefactory.com

HUNTER ORIGINAL RIB HAT £20 very.co.uk

BARBOUR PENSHAW BEANIE CLOUD £27.95 kenvarey.co.uk SUPERDRY SPORTS PADDED JACKET £100 very.co.uk

NIKE PRO TRAINING 365 LADIES LEGGING £37 NIKE TRAIN DRI FIT SPORT CLASH MENS WOVEN PANTS £50 nike.com

ON THE MOV E These sporting and leisure wear accessories are perfect for your 2022 fitness regime BARBOUR BAYSIDE GILET £159 Varey’s Town and Country 2 Market Place Clitheroe BB7 2DB 01200423267 kenvarey.co.uk

ADIDAS PLUS SEAMLESS AEROKNIT MEDIUM SUPPORT BRA £28 very.co.uk

MERRELL MOAB MID GTX £129 kenvarey.co.uk V BY VERY ATH-LEISURE WRAP WAIST LEGGINGS £100 very.co.uk JOULES DRIFTWOOD LIGHTWEIGHT PADDED JACKET £99.95 kenvarey.co.uk While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, all prices and stockists are subject to change. LACOSTE RUN SPIN ULTRA £150 sweatshop.com

health&beauty

SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY ACHIEVE A MORE YOUTHFUL YOU IN 2022 EMA Skin Aesthetics Ltd who specialises in rediscovering clients’ youthful looks with non-invasive, scientifically proven technology satisfaction from my clients after PlasmaPen treatments, they have all been thrilled with their results.”

Hyapen

Emma continues: “Hyapen is the ideal non-surgical volumiser for lips and the mouth and is amazing for achieving natural looking fuller lips and eliminating smile

s an aesthetic skin specialist with the most advanced training and experience, Emma has been achieving absolutely amazing results with the hugely popular PlasmaPen and revolutionary non-invasive Hyapen. Both are non-invasive and work incredibly well in combination to regain youthful looks safely, effectively and ensuring you still look like you.

“After reading about Hyapen I was pleasantly surprised there’s a non-invasive alternative to injectable fillers. I’ve had fillers previously but it’s just too painful to endure again. I was sceptical but after speaking with Emma I thought I’d give it a go. Absolutely brilliant treatment and results! It wasn’t painful at all and the results are much more natural – just perfect. Thank you Emma, I’ll be back soon.” Susan S.

lines and marionette lines. I’m delighted to be able to offer a non-invasive and natural-looking filler to my clients. It’s perfect for those scared of needles and

PlasmaPen

Emma explains: “The PlasmaPen is fantastic for tightening and erasing sagging jowls, turkey necks, marionette lines, smile and smokers’ lines around the lips, crow’s feet, puffy eyes, drooping eyelids and chest lines. I’ve had 100 per cent

SPECIAL NEW YEAR OFFERS! PlasmaPen treatments starting from £250 per area. Emma is offering Live readers £175 off the price of each area and a free skincare package until 31st January 2022! Non-invasive, Hyapen filler starting from £200. Emma is offering Live readers 20% off until 31st January 2022!

invasive treatments. It’s so effective and due to its natural presence in our bodies as a hydrating substance, hyaluronic acid is extremely advantageous in providing the moisture levels needed for youthful hydration and texture. The results are remarkable and instantly give a much more natural appearance than injectable fillers. There’s no numbing required or downtime. This treatment restores a beautiful natural plumpness to your lips and mouth area.” Emma concludes: “It is so important to go to an experienced skin specialist. Throughout my career of 21 years I have gained the experience, knowledge and expertise to ensure I provide second to none results that my clientele have been longing for.” n

EMA Skin Aesthetics Ltd Upstairs at Toni & Guy 86 Fishergate, Preston PR1 2NJ 01772 821600 07547 802062 info@emaskinaesthetics.co.uk emaskinaesthetics.co.uk

SUPER-CHARGED SMILE The huge leaps in digital dentistry have been so significant that you can have your teeth straightened quickly and invisibly and see the results before treatment has even started!

sing Invisalign, which employs the latest, integrated ‘3D computer modelling’ software in conjunction with a custom-manufactured clear aligner system, senior cosmetic dentist Dr Usman Riaz of Renovo Dental, is able to outline a digital treatment plan for patients based on a sophisticated 3D image of their teeth. From a computerised model of the patient’s mouth, Usman uses the latest digital planning technology to design each clear aligner stage, which is then sent for manufacture. “This has the huge advantage that the fine movements required to achieve perfect alignment, are applied to the teeth from the very start of the treatment. It saves many months of return visits and also allows

patients to see an accurate picture of how their teeth are going to move and how they will eventually look,” explains Usman. Invisalign aligners are completely transparent and custom-made to predictably straighten teeth without using any metal or wire brackets. Advances in digital orthodontic technology has meant that this accelerated aligner system is taking up to 60 per cent off the normal treatment time. Following Renovo Dental’s protocols to create space to avoid any extractions, the

health&beauty

typical adult completion period for aligner therapy at Renovo Dental is just nine months. “Invisalign has a really different response time when compared to the classic train track braces and our patients get a real buzz when they realise how effective and simple it is – it can accomplish almost anything that the traditional orthodontic bracket and wires can accomplish. “Obviously, Invisalign is a compliancebased product, so this is not an issue for our patients as their commitment to wearing the aligners is always great!

THIS HAS TAKEN DENTISTRY TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL “This has taken dentistry to a whole new level,” says Usman of the latest advancements in digital dentistry. “Our ethos at Renovo Dental is to conserve original healthy teeth and straighten them in a natural way that is both gentle and effective. It is true, bespoke dentistry.” Demand for invisible braces has soared, especially for patients in their 40s, who have been concerned about crooked teeth for many years. Renovo Dental has also seen a significant rise in demand for Invisalign in male patients. The ‘Zoom effect’ has also had a huge impact on demand as Usman explains: “We are using technologies to communicate with each other more than we ever have. “Many people have continued video conferencing and conducting meetings via Zoom and Facetime chats with family and friends have also continued. We

Usman adds: “The 3D imaging allows micro-rotations for an improved, but still natural look. The teeth don’t have to be absolutely aligned. For example, in the United States, they want teeth that are symmetrical, characterless and artificial.

have become accustomed to this way of communicating. So, we are spending even more time looking at ourselves. A huge number of clients mention they had never really realised how noticeable and unsightly certain aspects of their smiles were until they saw the flaws up-close on a daily basis. “We get many people from referral and recommendation – we treat one member of a family and the results are so impressive other members of the family, and their friends, often follow.”

RED CARPET TREATMENT Invisalign clear aligner treatments, such as those offered at Ribble Valley-based Renovo Dental, have proved ultimately popular with globally recognised celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Justin Bieber, Serena Williams, Khloe Kardashian, Zac Efron and supermodel Gisele Bundchen.

THE TYPICAL ADULT COMPLETION PERIOD FOR ALIGNER THERAPY AT RENOVO DENTAL IS JUST NINE MONTHS “However, we believe these little micro-rotations that can be done with 3D imaging, gives a more natural, healthy smile. At Renovo Dental, the goal of every smile rejuvenation is to design a bespoke smile that truly complements the patient’s facial features and seamlessly blends in. “It is also crucial we don’t just look at the teeth in isolation, good orthodontics has the potential to not only straighten teeth but also to improve a person’s face symmetry, their profile and the health of their jaw joints. The smile must match the face.” Renovo Dental treats patients throughout the region, who have been referred by their general dentist as well as self-referrals. n

Renovo Dental Pendle House, Clitheroe Road Chatburn BB7 4JY 01200 441000 hello@renovodental.co.uk @renovodental

health&beauty

S H A P E U P… Shape up for 2022 with our medical weight loss services and a fantastic 50 per cent off body sculpting offer! you can think about body sculpting with our non-invasive 3D-lipo Ultimate Pro which helps shift stubborn pockets of fat, or our Morpheus8 system which tightens loose skin, all without surgery.

Pro system to help you shape up. 3D-lipo Fat Freeze (cryolipolysis) with Shockwave is a one-off treatment, which uses a combination of electro and cryo therapies to destroy up to 40 per cent of lipid cells!

he pandemic has brought an unwelcome increase in weight for many of us. New Year is the best time to get yourself back into shape for those sunshine holidays that we’ve all been waiting for, and to improve your general health. At our specialist CQC registered medical weight loss centre we offer effective clinical weight loss solutions. The Allurion Elipse gastric balloon (pictured) is the only weight loss balloon which can be placed in the stomach without an anaesthetic or endoscopy. You just swallow a capsule, with the whole procedure taking just 20 minutes. Typical weight loss is 12-15 percent of body weight over the six-month programme, in which you have intensive support from a dietician, and technology such as smart scales that link to an app on your phone to track progress. A consultation with medical director Dr Grant McKeating is required to discuss medical weight loss options, which also include daily or weekly prescription medication, which suppresses appetite and assists with effective weight loss. Once you’re on the way to losing that excess weight then

Before

After

Before

After

We are offering an incredible 50 per cent discount on 3D-lipo treatment courses at our Clitheroe clinic, booked and paid for before the end of January. 3D-lipo is a fantastic noninvasive way to shift fat and to body sculpt. There are several different methods used by our medical grade 3D-lipo Ultimate

It’s ideal for those with stubborn pockets of fat, which diet and exercise alone are unable to shift. Alongside this we offer 3D Inch Loss (cavitation), which uses ultrasound to disrupt fat cells, which are then naturally processed via the liver, helping to further treat pockets of

SPECIAL NEW YEAR OFFER! 50% off courses of 3D-lipo (six or more sessions to be booked and paid for in January)

fat and cellulite, and 3D Skin Tightening (radio-frequency) to stimulate collagen and tighten loose skin. These three methods are best combined into a course of a minimum of six sessions for optimal results, and for courses of six treatments or more we are taking 50 per cent off our normal prices, which are already great value, saving hundreds of pounds! 3D-lipo treatments are noninvasive, pain free and there is minimal downtime, so our patients can achieve impressive results without the costs and risks involved with surgery. The before and after images shown are of one of our patients, who was delighted with her results. We offer a free consultation with one of our expert aestheticians to assess your needs, and to build an individual treatment package so you can be sure you will get the results you desire in time for spring and summer. n To take advantage of this offer or for more information on any of the treatments offered at RejuvaMed, call the clinic on 01200 538668 or visit: www.rejuvamed.co.uk

RejuvaMed Skin Clinic & Vein Centre Holmes Cottage, Woone Lane Clitheroe BB7 1BG 01200 538668 rejuvamed.co.uk rejuvamedveincentre.co.uk

INVEST IN YOU FOR 2022 ACHIEVE A COMPLETE BODY OVERHAUL WITH THE DIAMOND MEMBERSHIP FROM FITNESS PLUS

The Diamond Membership at Fitness Plus gives you elite level access to the facilities and our coaching services. This membership is for anyone looking to make a life changing transformation in body and mind over a 3-month period with the total support of Fitness Plus.

This all-inclusive membership leaves no stone unturned and is a guaranteed transformational result. WHAT’S INCLUDED? 1 hour exercise based personal training session every week You will undergo a structural assessment, biomechanics test and be given a programme to follow in your own personal gym sessions. 3 Months of full 24/7 Platinum Access You will get 24/7 access to the gym for the full 3-month period of your membership, allowing you to train whenever you want. Full exercise and nutrition-based consultation To allow our coaches to gain a full understanding of your goals, habits, lifestyle factors and experience. We can then begin creating a bespoke training plan and nutrition programme based around your needs. 30 minute nutritional development session every week To develop your understanding of nutrition and allow our coaches to review, progress and refine your current diet.

Access to our learning resources Such as our eBook series, commercial eating guides, Facebook/WhatsApp groups and 24/7 access to your coach. Merchandise/Supplement package This includes a Fitness Plus logbook, shaker bottle, T-shirt, 1kg of Whey and a 500g Creatine. Plus 15% discount On ALL products and supplements throughout your membership. AND 1 Year subscription to MyFitnessPal premium service.

The total for this 3 month Diamond Membership is £840 inc VAT If you’d like to apply for the Diamond Membership, please contact us for more details.

Stonebridge Mill | Kestor Lane | Longridge | Lancashire | PR3 3AD 01772 366004 info@fitnessplusgym.co.uk www.fitnessplusgym.co.uk

@FPGymOfficial

New Year 2022, Ready to be a healthier you? Book your health MOT or full health check. Membership plans and

Pay As You Go available.

To book an appointment please visit our website www.fyldeprivategp.com or call us on 01253 207568 26 St Annes Road West, Lytham St Annes, FY8 1RF

health&beauty

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH Wouldn’t it be great to take control of your health and understand your body better? That’s exactly what you can do with Fylde Private GP, writes Meena McDonald

Membership have the health MOT included in their annual plan and can therefore take advantage of this extremely beneficial test. Those on the silver package receive a discount on their MOT and anyone else wishing to undertake the test can book it for just £185.

t Fylde GP you can book a health MOT which will provide an assessment and important details about your health and wellbeing to potentially identify any underlying issues, Matthew Cook, Managing Director, said: “At Fylde Private GP we believe it is crucial for people to understand their health better and take proactive measures to prevent any potential health issues or tackle them at an early stage. The health MOT includes numerous tests such as blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG), height, weight, oxygen levels, BMI plus comprehensive blood tests including diabetes, cholesterol, iron, thyroid and liver. The general health questionnaire and tests are completed with the nurse and are sent for analysis, and these are reviewed by the GP who produces a summary report outlining your health and wellbeing and highlighting any potential areas of concern which can be quickly addressed.” Those on the Fylde Private GP Gold

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO HAVE MOTS TO IDENTIFY ANY HEALTH ISSUES AND DEVELOP HEATHIER LIFESTYLE HABITS A full health check upgrade is also available for an additional £100 (total £285) which involves a face to face consultation with the GP, who will also carry out a physical examination of the patient covering areas such as the abdomen, eyes, ears, throat and lungs.

Corporate packages are available for large organisations and SMEs, reflecting their investment in their staff, as well as reducing staff absence and keeping productivity at its optimum level. Matthew continued: “We never question taking our car in for its annual MOT or service and paying for its maintenance, yet many people are hesitant about investing in their health, which is far more important. We want to encourage as many people as possible to have MOTs to identify any health issues and develop heathier lifestyle habits. Health problems can be dealt with quickly and efficiently with clear pathways identified to access specific health specialists, should they be required.” Since opening at the end of October Fylde Private GP has experienced an excellent take up of their Annual Membership plans. The positive feedback from patients reflects how valued and cared for they feel with the lengthier appointments with the GP. Matthew concluded: “We want to empower patients to understand their health and wellbeing and support them to make positive decisions about their lifestyle. Our goal is to help people in the local area live healthier and happier lives.” n

Fylde Private GP 26 St Annes Road West Lytham St Annes FY8 1RF 01253 207568 fyldeprivategp.com

health&beauty

“DON’T WAIT”

– LANCASHIRE BOSS’ PLEA A boss at one of Lancashire’s biggest employers has shared his story of bowel cancer in an effort to encourage people to be more open about their health

hris Boardman, Group Managing Director for BAE Systems’ Air sector, was diagnosed with colon cancer last year and underwent successful surgery last summer. In a video for staff at the company, which employs around 10,000 people at its sites in Warton and Samlesbury, Mr Boardman made a plea to anyone with symptoms to seek help as soon as possible. He said: “I wanted to share my story because I think it is important we are open and we talk about issues. I was diagnosed with cancer of the colon earlier last year and that required a fairly intense period of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. I had

surgery in the summer and at the end of September it was confirmed the cancer has gone.

IT’S NOT EASY BUT WHEN YOU HAVE REACHED OUT YOU ARE IN VERY SAFE HANDS “What I learned through this difficult time is that there is no real reason not to reach out. We have a wonderful NHS and we have wonderful people in that service, a vocation to look after people’s health, wellbeing and preserve life. “My plea is, please don’t wait. If you

have symptoms, please contact your doctor. Just go. It’s not easy but when you have reached out you are in very safe hands with the people who are trained to help and want to help you get better.” Bowel cancer is a general term for cancer that begins in the large bowel. Depending on where the cancer starts, bowel cancer is sometimes called colon or rectal cancer. Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK. Most people diagnosed with it are over the age of 60. Dr Adam Janjua, a GP in Fleetwood and chair of the Fylde Coast Cancer Steering Group, said: “The main symptoms of bowel cancer are blood in your poo, a persistent change in your bowel habit or persistent lower pain in your tummy pain, bloating or discomfort. “I’m very grateful to Chris for sharing his story and I commend him for acting so quickly. This has clearly saved his life. Bowel cancer is very treatable if we find it early. “If you do have any of the symptoms, please don’t hesitate. Contact your GP practice as soon as possible.” n

lifestyle

NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION How many times have you made a New Year’s resolution to get fitter, make more time for yourself or be more eco-friendly? And how many times have you kept to them? Roger Wolstenholme thinks e-bikes could be the small change that makes a big difference

e’re all guilty of making New Year’s resolutions we won’t keep – we vow to get healthier while full of Christmas dinner and festive chocolate, but it becomes far less appealing when we’re faced with the sad salads and crowded gyms of January. According to YouGov, nearly a quarter of Britons who made a resolution for 2020 failed to keep any of their promises. Mind you, who can blame them? 2020 was tough enough! The problem is that achieving the results you want is often an arduous and unappealing process. That’s where e-bikes come in. E-bikes are electric-assisted pedal bikes. You ride them like any conventional bike, but they have a battery-powered drive system to give you a boost when you need it. This means they make the hills and valleys of our beautiful area more accessible to more people. They also make commuting to work by bike far more realistic and achievable. In fact, we even have a ‘bike to work’ scheme where you could save up to 42 per cent on your dream e-bike.

E-bikes mean you can go twice as far, with half the effort.You still need to pedal, but you no longer need to avoid Waddington Fell, for example. There are models to suit everyone, from absolute beginners to seasoned cyclists and off-road enthusiasts. We also have all the kit and accessories to suit your lifestyle, including kids’ seats.

WE EVEN HAVE A ‘BIKE TO WORK’ SCHEME WHERE YOU COULD SAVE UP TO 42 PER CENT ON YOUR DREAM E-BIKE According to British Cycling, regular cyclists enjoy the general health of someone approximately 10 years younger. A low

impact exercise, it is much kinder on your joints than many other aerobic activities. And it’s not just physical health, outdoor exercise can contribute to better mental health too. And in the dark, cold depths of January we should focus on mental wellbeing more than ever. It may be cold, but there are still crisp days of winter sunshine to enjoy. Studies show that a little sun can contribute to being a healthier weight, enjoying improved sleep and lower blood pressure. Combine vitamin D and fresh air with the endorphins released during exercise and an e-bike ride is bound to put a spring in your step. Swapping some car journeys for e-bike rides will have a positive impact on the health of the environment too. And following COP26, we all know how crucial that is.

As well as our hire centre in Dunsop Bridge, we’ve now opened a new Clitheroe shop. The town’s becoming a great hub for cyclists with all the bike and accessory shops we have. All offer different brands, services and price points, so keen cyclists (or wary newbies) can come and do the rounds, make their own comparisons and enjoy Clitheroe’s other attractions and cafes while they’re here. The new shop, between Lidl and Howdens, stocks top brands like Haibike, Raleigh, LaPierre and Volt, including mountain bikes, road bikes and hybrid models, as well as beautifully engineered woom kids’ bikes. So, we look forward to seeing you in January – and beyond! n

Ribble Valley E-Bikes Ltd Waterloo Road, Clitheroe BB7 1RA Dunsop Bridge, Clitheroe BB7 3BB 01200 426246 ribblevalley-e-bikes.co.uk

HEALTH FIRST IN 2022

During the pandemic, more and more health

With the new year many of us will be looking at our lives and services have been using online tools to looking to make changes. Its time to put your wellbeing at the provide care to patients remotely. And now that healthcare has started to embrace forefront of your life once and for all

ellbeing has been at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds during 2021. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, people have become even more aware of the importance of looking after their mental and physical health. Each year, Virgin Health asks experts to make some wellbeing predictions for the next 12 months. And we’ve rounded up some of those predictions to share here…

Mental Health

Mental health awareness has been increasing over recent years, and that’s only set to continue into 2022. As many employers

digital tools, there’s no turning back.

switch to hybrid ways of working, with employees working from home and the office, Richard Branson thinks that there will be an even greater focus on mental health. He says: “Supporting the mental health of employees, customers, and the wider community should already be a major priority for companies around the world. In the year ahead, as working from home becomes more common and our lives grow more interconnected than ever, there will be even greater focus upon mental health alongside physical health and wellbeing. This should have a positive impact on individuals, businesses, and communities.”

I PREDICT IN 2022 WE WILL FINALLY START TO WAKE UP TO THE FACT THAT OUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING DEPENDS ON THE MIND AS MUCH AS THE PHYSICAL BODY Amanda Graham, PhD, Chief of Innovations at EX Program by Truth Initiative and VP+ partner, says: “Not only has the global pandemic accelerated the uptake of digital tools and solutions among end-users, it has also resulted in blockbuster funding for digital health in 2021. This momentum behind digital health means a plethora of

lifestyle start to wake up to the fact that our health and wellbeing depends on the mind as much as the physical body, on our social connections, on our communities. We will be less likely to reduce everything to pills and procedures, and more willing to treat health as the complex, holistic, connected endeavour that it is.”

children with unique needs, and more. These responsibilities affect the mental health and wellbeing of every workforce, which impacts productivity, retention and even health expenditure. Moreover, Ovia’s research shows that employees will leave their role if they don’t receive support, and fast.”

With home schooling and caring for shielding relatives during the pandemic, it’s become more apparent how workplaces are not set up to support employees with caring responsibilities. This year, the pressure will be on employers to offer more family-friendly policies as if they don’t, employees will be looking to move to companies where that support is already in place.

2022 will be the year that wellbeing goes mainstream once and for all, according to industry analyst Josh Bersin. He says that it’s been treated as a ‘benefit’ for too long and should now be considered a key part of business strategy.

Rachel Boyd, VP of Enterprise Marketing, at Ovia Health, says: “Ovia Health anticipates that 2022 will be the year the world digs into what it means to be inclusive for working families as employees juggle new challenges around caregiving, mental health,

Josh explains: “CEOs and business leaders at all levels now recognise that if people are not productive, energetic, rested, and safe – they simply will not perform. “So companies have pulled the wellbeing program out of the benefits department and are now embracing and training people about all aspects of wellbeing – including leaders, supervisors and individuals. The definition of wellbeing has also expanded – it goes beyond health and fitness to include mental and psychological health, resilience and self-awareness, and learning about how to design and manage the work environment to keep the organisation healthy.” Ultimately though it’s not our employers or workplace’s responsibility to look after

work-life balance, and physical wellbeing. “On top of all the usual pressures that accompany family life, parents in particular are burdened with making intense, fatiguing decisions daily to protect themselves and fill in the gaps. Employees also aren’t solely caring for their children, they’re juggling care for older parents, sick relatives,

our wellbeing. We need to ensure that we prioritise living well. Even small changes to your lifestyle can really improve your overall health and wellbeing. Whether you vow to move more, drink less, go vegan or just make sure you get more fresh air every week it’s the little changes that become habits that make all the difference. n

CEOS AND BUSINESS LEADERS AT ALL LEVELS NOW RECOGNISE THAT IF PEOPLE ARE NOT PRODUCTIVE, ENERGETIC, RESTED, AND SAFE – THEY SIMPLY WILL NOT PERFORM

solutions for employers and health plans to evaluate in helping employees and members better manage their health.”

Holistic Approach

There is a clear connection between physical and mental health, and that is also impacted by environmental factors too. Zubin Damania (also known as ZDoggMD) predicts that 2022 will be the year that people start to treat health holistically. He says: “I predict in 2022 we will finally

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lifestyle

something for themselves. It is important for children to maintain a link with either their paternal or maternal family and the court system does consider that. As with all breakdowns, taking legal advice is best. Whilst grandparents do not have an automatic right, opportunities to open up negotiations by letter or attempting family mediation are both options that are available for grandparents too. If neither of those options is successful, then an application can be made to the court. A grandparent does not have an automatic right to make an application, however permission can be sought. The court will carefully consider the connection to the child or children and based upon that, will decide whether the

GRANDPARENTS’ RIGHTS TO ACCESS TO CHILDREN While grandparents do not have automatic rights, there may be opportunities to open up negotiations in order to see their grandchildren, advises Rubina Vohra of Forbes Solicitors

t’s heartbreaking when a relationship breaks down and the heartbreak can span beyond the couple themselves. Where children are involved, there are often grandparents.When a couple have separated, unless there is an amicable arrangement in place, often extended members of the family, including grandparents, can find themselves very much on the outside of the grandchildren’s lives. Grandparents may believe that they have no rights, but this is, in fact, incorrect. It is usual for a parent to have arrangements for seeing children and within that time, they can spend time with the extended family. Where either time is restricted or objections are made, a grandparent can do

application can progress. Once that hurdle has been overcome, the application is a Child Arrangements Order application and will be dealt with by attempting to identify the issues and, where necessary, considering if there are welfare issues that need to be investigated. The initial application is made on a C100 application form, together with a supporting C2 form seeking permission to make the application. Once an order is in place, the order will have to be complied with. If you are experiencing difficulties with access and contact to your own grandchildren, we can provide you with advice and support to assist you with any contact arrangements. n

For more information contact Rubina Vohra, Head of Forbes’ Family/Divorce Department at: rubina.vohra@forbessolicitors.co.uk or phone on: 01254 580 000

WHATEVER THE MOMENT, WE’RE IN IT

forbessolicitors.co.uk

01254 580 000

Offices in Accrington, Central Lancashire, Leeds, Manchester and Preston.

lifestyle

PLANT A TREE FOR THE JUBILEE The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”

veryone from individuals to Scout and Girlguiding groups, villages, cities, counties, schools and corporates will be encouraged to play their part to enhance our environment by planting trees during the official planting season between October 2021 to March 2022. Tree planting will commence again in October 2022, through to the end of the Jubilee year. With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC is encouraging planting of trees to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations. As well as inviting the planting of new trees, The Queen’s Green Canopy will dedicate a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom and identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service. Everyone should be able to get involved in planting a tree for the Platinum Jubilee.

Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a complete novice.The QGC offer the following guidelines to help you: • If you wish to plant a tree in your garden to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee, its recommend you order a tree/trees from a certified Plant Healthy nursery in your area.

• You will need to consider the time of year. Experts recommend planting trees between October and March, when they are dormant and less likely to be damaged during planting. The summer months are a good time to plan your project, ready for planting during the autumn. • It is important to think about the size

and spread of the trees and how you will use the site as the trees grow. There are many different varieties of trees, all of which have different characteristics, purposes and needs (soil, water, nutrients). Most trees can grow in a range of conditions, though some will prefer particular soil types. • A nursery with a Plant Healthy certification will have a strong biosecurity standard and their trees are likely to be healthy plants and have high plant health. The OHAS Grower Standard is another certification scheme to look out for when searching for an accredited nursery. • If storing your tree before planting, store it upright sheltered from frost and wind. Lightly spray the roots with water if they appear to be drying out. Or if your tree is in a container, ensure the roots do not dry out by watering. n

For more information and to get involved with planting a tree for the Platinum Jubilee go to: queensgreencanopy.org

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09/12/2021 11:14:17

THEY CALL IT PUPPY LOVE Samantha Martin talks about the things to consider before getting a puppy

get one for a while, since my last Labrador died at the ripe old age of 13. But this time I wanted my daughter to be able to help take care of the dog more, so we needed

efore I start this, I must confess that I, Samantha Martin, sometimes (often), prefer the company of dogs to humans. I saw Roy Keane in a recent interview make the comment that if you want loyalty then to get a dog. He’s not wrong. Any dog owner will tell you that the love and loyalty from your dog is way more than that of any human. But don’t be fooled by all the love, fluff and cuddles of a puppy. Since we are in the post-Christmas new puppy season, it’s important to remember that dogs aren’t just for Christmas. They are 24/7 and require a lot of care and attention. Getting a puppy is not a decision to be taken lightly or on a whim. A few weeks ago we brought home our latest dog, Derek, a beautiful Cavapoo, aged 11 weeks. I’ve had several dogs in the past so I’m experienced enough in taking care of a dog. I’ve been wanting to

IT’S A MASSIVE COMMITMENT. PUPPIES ARE LIKE BABIES, JUST ALLOWED IN A LOT LESS PLACES something smaller and less active. I did quite a lot of research into different breeds and their temperament and went to view several puppies. The moment we set eyes

on Derek we were in love. If you’ve made the decision to get a puppy, and it’s your first one, you may want to have a second think before making the commitment. Because it’s a massive commitment. Puppies are like babies, just allowed in a lot less places. They are tying, cost a lot to keep, and take up a lot of your time until they are fully trained, or at least house trained. It’s also important to know the breed you are getting. If you want long country walks, then you’d be more suited to something like a Labrador. But if you want a cuddle machine that doesn’t shed its hair, then a breed like my Derek is ideal. It’s important to think about other family members too. If you have chidren, especially young children they might think a puppy is like a toy, then make sure you choose a dog that is ok with children. Likewise, think about visitors to your home, or being able to socialise when out and about. The timing of us getting Derek was also carefully thought through. I knew that to get him settled and trained quickly and easily, I would have to spend most of my time with him for the first few days and be at home with him for a few weeks.

lifestyle

Please do not think that you can collect a puppy on a Friday and start to leave it on its own when you go to work on Monday. That is just asking for problems. To a puppy, everything is a new experience and often frightening. You have to be on hand to give them lots of reassurance and love to help them settle in to their new home. They will cry and it’s important to not ignore this or let them get anxious. Even at night, just a quick reassurance and a little rub will help to calm them. This does however mean that you are going to have to sleep with the dog close by for the first few days, and your sleep will be disturbed. A puppy also doesn’t know right from wrong, so you must use positive rewards and praise to help them learn the basic rules of the house. Obviously, toilet training is the big one here and this does take time. Your dog will soon learn that they need to go outside to go to the toilet if this is reinforced with treats and praise. Your dog wants to please you. They want to make you happy. But everything is new to them so basic training just takes a little while to master. In the beginning, if you

are using puppy pads, then be sure to praise the dog for using them. But give them even more praise for going outside.

PLEASE DO NOT THINK THAT YOU CAN COLLECT A PUPPY ON A FRIDAY AND START TO LEAVE IT ON ITS OWN WHEN YOU GO TO WORK ON MONDAY We’ve been very lucky with Derek as his breed is naturally very intelligent. He mastered using the puppy pads by day two and was

already learning his signals for wanting to go outside. When he learnt there was a treat involved this soon became wanting to go out every five minutes so we had to reinforce the message that although he was a good boy for going out, he only got a treat if he actually did something. Sleeping at night can be like having a newborn baby. For the first two weeks Derek would wake in the night wanting to go out. But I’d quickly let him out and then straight back to bed, settled and back to sleep. By his third week with us, he was sleeping right through the night, with a roaring snore that sounded like a little piggy. I will reiterate that we have been very lucky with Derek and he’s been very good and settled very quickly. But we knew from the start we had to make ourselves available to help him settle. This wasn’t going to be a part time hobby. It is true that dogs are man’s best friend. I am delighted that we now have another dog and I am sure that he will bring us lots of love over the years. But if you are thinking of getting a dog then please think very carefully and be prepared for it. n

WONDERS OF WINTER CYCLING… Even in the depths of winter you can maintain fitness by cycling safely in all weathers. Ex-pro rider Jamie Burrow, Head of Product at Ribble Cycles advises on how to keep safe and enhance your riding experience, come rain or shine While it’s often accepted that this is the

f one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get fit and stay fit, or if you simply want to maintain a level of fitness that you’ve worked hard to achieve, cycling is the perfect sport to keep you motivated during the cold winter months.

the cold and dark aid my motivation. Just remember that starting in these conditions, things can only get better.You will notice your form increasing along with the longer brighter days, tempting you to go that bit further and faster.

season when cyclists keep warm and dry using home or gym trainers, getting outdoors in the fresh air is invaluable in terms of enjoyment and excitement. Here are some top tips to keep you safe and warm.

MAINTAIN MOTIVATION

Although the long, dark and cold winter days can seem off-putting, finding motivation at this time of year is key to your coming season and sporting goals. Whether you are a full-blooded road racer or an occasional sportive rider, or simply to increase your general fitness and overall wellbeing, the foundations to your training and eventual fitness are built during the winter months. Personally, I prefer to be outside and find

KEEP WARM & DRY

Keeping dry in winter can simply mean staying comfortable, but also staying healthy. One of my biggest issues while racing as a professional was getting sick easily. The fitter we are often makes us more prone to illness as our immune system struggles to keep up. I would always recommend having a rain jacket in your back pocket even if the forecast looks good. With typical UK weather it is so easy to get caught in a

lifestyle shower even just for a few minutes. It’s not even the getting wet that’s the issue. It’s staying wet and subsequently getting cold that causes the problem. • Take a rain jacket or gilet on all rides. • If you stop mid-ride for a coffee break put on a dry jacket instead of sitting around in damp clothes. • Good gloves, hat and overshoes are relatively cheap items that can really save your day if the weather turns bad. Although your body usually keeps warm from the heat generated during exercise, hands and feet don’t receive the same amount of circulation and are directly in the path of cold wind and freezing hands can be one of the worst experiences on a bike.

across winter clothing with select panels or even entire garments made from 360 degree, fully reflective fabrics that are activated by car head lights. I’ve been using one of these for years now and wouldn’t ride without it during my winter commute. • Bicycle lights have come on a long way since I started riding with the now classic, but not so powerful, battery operated lamps. We are now looking at USB chargeable, super powerful lights that could easily take on any car headlight with the level of brightness they offer. The best lights available are now graded by lumens, with around 200 lumens an acceptable output for a front light, although some manufacturers offer way over 2000 lumens, which is ideal for off road riding. • Reflective handlebar tape – this is an often-overlooked accessory.

WEAR & TEAR

WE ARE NOW LOOKING AT USB CHARGEABLE, SUPER POWERFUL LIGHTS THAT COULD EASILY TAKE ON ANY CAR HEADLIGHT WITH THE LEVEL OF BRIGHTNESS THEY OFFER

STAY SAFE

With many of us having to fit our winter riding into our daily commute or even after work or school, we are often forced to take on the traffic as well as darkness. Staying safe in these circumstances is crucial. Obviously, fitting lights to your bike is compulsory but there are a whole host of gadgets, gizmos and accessories to help keep you seen and safe in winter. • Reflective clothing – night vision technology is now a common theme

Winter is also the least favourite time of year for your beloved bicycle. Rain, snow, salty roads and hidden pot-holes are just a few of the elements your bike has to cope with during the dark season. Taking care of your machine will prolong its life span

and generally keep it in fit working order like yourself. • Check your tyres regularly for cuts and debris. Run slightly less pressure than you would in the summer for added grip in the wet. • Use 3-1 sprays on moving parts such as gears and chain after wet weather rides. (Ideally wash your bike with clean water after all wet rides and then apply 3-1 spray.)

WHETHER YOU ARE A FULL-BLOODED ROAD RACER OR AN OCCASIONAL SPORTIVE RIDER, OR TO INCREASE YOUR FITNESS AND OVERALL WELLBEING, THE FOUNDATIONS TO YOUR TRAINING AND EVENTUAL FITNESS ARE BUILT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS • Keep your chain well oiled. This will keep your gears running smoothly especially in wet conditions. • Keep an eye on brake pad consumption as wet gritty roads will wear your brakes down faster than dry conditions. • It’s worthwhile investing in a simple DIY maintenance kit. n

ribblecycles.co.uk

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AWARD WINNER

Fund funded the repair of half the ancient stone roof, with modifications to protect the bats. The works also allowed for the insulation of the building for the first time. The success of the hall’s commercial activities – including a selection of selfcontained pods in the grounds that provide accommodation for wedding guests – is crucial to funding the Parker’s sustainability efforts. Ben Cowell, Director General of Historic Houses said: “When your family has passed on their house and contents intact for centuries, the idea of planning for future generations is ‘baked in’ to the management of Britain’s great independently and privately owned houses, most of which are family homes as well as tourist attractions, hospitality businesses, wedding venues, film locations and places for enjoyment and learning.

Browsholme Hall in Lancashire is the first winner of a new award, recognising and celebrating the work done by independently owned historic houses in the field of sustainability

aving been nominated for the new Historic Houses Sustainability Award, Robert and Amanda Parker of Browsholme Hall, impressed the judges with their innovative projects at Browsholme, which Robert inherited from a distant relative aged just 19. A successful wedding venue in a repurposed tithe barn uses a ground source heat pump. By contrast, a different approach was needed at the hall, where the larger space and poorer thermal properties of the listed building, meant underfloor heating wasn’t an option. Instead, a woodchip boiler has made the

rooms habitable, fuelled on a sustainable basis by cropping the managed woodland behind the house on a perpetual 60-year cycle. Visitors to the café enjoy a Five Mile Menu on which most of the ingredients are sourced from local farms and suppliers – and some from the vegetable patch visible from the kitchen window. The café area doubles as an education space for parties of school children, who learn about the diversity of species that can be found. Adults too, enjoy the outdoors through forest bathing offered in the green glades of the mature woodland. A recent grant from the Culture Recovery

“The urgency of the present climate crisis and a growing awareness of the impact of all our activities has seen the owners of Britain’s historic houses taking new steps to ensure that the heritage they look after has a future, in a cleaner more sustainable world. “That’s why we’ve created this new award, with our sponsors Savills, and why we want to celebrate and reward those who are at the cutting edge of the contribution heritage can make to our future.” Amanda and Robert Parker, add: “We’re thrilled to be the first winners of this award. Sustainability has been really important to us throughout our time here. It’s a part of our lifestyle and ethos – we want Browsholme to be somewhere where the community matters and where the environment matters. It’s not all about reducing emissions – it’s about replacing and planting and growing for the future. “Every time we look outside, we appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us – our children have grown up loving it and wanting to protect it. Our aim is to leave them with a healthy sustainable business that they’ll pass in their turn, with their own passions, to the people who follow them.” n

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Live Magazines need enthusiastic and reliable delivery people to join our established teams across Preston & Fylde.

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These opportunities are ideally suited to distributors working independently across two or three areas. To do this you’ll need to be physically fit, have access to your own transport and have somewhere to store the magazines.

WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR DELIVERY PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

Whittle le Woods and Buckshaw Village Please contact Liz Walmsley for further information. liz.walmsley@live-magazines.co.uk

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LOOK AFTER THE PENNIES… With council tax, rail fares and national insurance rates set to rise in 2022, now is a great time to re-evaluate your finances and look for ways to make and save money where you can

id you know that some retailers have schemes where they will reward you for recycling a bag of old clothes? H&M will give you a £5 off voucher (to be redeemed against a £25 shop) if you recycle a bag of unwanted

clothes or textiles in any condition. You can get £5 off a £35 Marks & Spencer shop if you donate items to Oxfam – however one item needs to be from M&S (either clothing or soft furnishings). Recycle empty toiletries as you can be

rewarded for returning empty beauty products to stores. John Lewis, for example, offers a BeautyCycle scheme to receive £5 off your next purchase when you bring five or more empty beauty products to one of its branches and show your John Lewis card. Lush offers a Bring It Back scheme which allows you to return empty Lush products and receive 50p off your next purchase. Boots has a recycling scheme that will take old makeup and empty toiletries and give you 250 free Advantage card points, which are worth £5. Sign up for supermarket loyalty schemes. Loyalty schemes are no longer just about points – they can also unlock big discounts and other exclusive rewards. Tesco now features deals on everyday items exclusive to Clubcard members, Lidl will allow you to unlock more vouchers the more you

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shop and with a My Waitrose card you can receive a free newspaper if you spend more than £10. Compare car insurance, put a date in your diary or set a reminder on your phone for a few weeks before it renews so you have time to shop around. Insurers are now banned from offering new and renewing customers’ different prices. But it’s possible a different insurer could view your claims history, vehicle and neighbourhood in a different way – and offer you a lower premium. Also don’t be afraid to haggle. If you and others in your household have subscriptions to services like Spotify, Netflix and Amazon Prime, you should be able to save with a family package. These let you share the same benefits for a cheaper monthly fee.

Invest in a dining card restaurant discount schemes can save you up to 50 per cent at some chains. Tastecard and Gourmet Society both have 60-day free trials. This means you could get free restaurant discounts for four months – a third of the year – by trying these out back-to-back before committing to one or the other if you like them. Both of these cards also offer significant discounts on cinema tickets which could save you a third on an evening out. When your trials are up, Tastecard costs £19.99 for six months or £39.99 for a year. Gourmet Society is £6.99 a month or £29.99 a year.

eating into your budget consider switching providers or changing your plan. If you’re happy with your handset, consider switching to a sim-only deal – because you own the phone you are only paying for the air-time plan. Some deals also include up to six months free Disney Plus or Apple Music so if you pay for this service anyway, you could save yourself at least £47. Also, check what perks your mobile phone provider offers. Consider a reward credit card. A cashback credit card is a type of reward credit card that pays you a percentage of what you spend back as a credit on your bill or in

Bring your own cup coffee shops will reward you for bringing your own cup – a win for you and the planet. There are different schemes available, for example with a free Costa Club membership you need to buy eight drinks to get a free one. However, if you bring your own cup, you only need to purchase four drinks before you earn a free coffee. In Starbucks customers who bring their own mug get 25p off. Change bank account, you might be able to access cheaper overdrafts, higher interest and better customer service by switching banks. Plus, there’s a chance you might also make money if the bank you move to offers a switching bonus. Existing Nationwide customers who do a full switch to the FlexDirect, Flex Plus or FlexAccount can get £125, while new customers can get £100. Switching to a Virgin Money M Plus account as a new customer gives you the choice of receiving either a £150 Virgin Experience Day or a luxury case of 12 Virgin Wines worth £150. Switch your mobile provider and check the perks If your monthly mobile bill is

some cases straight into your bank account – monthly, quarterly, or annually. Treat them like a debit card to earn back more but remember to pay back each monthly statement in full to avoid being charged interest. For example, you could earn £108.75 in cashback if you spent £500 each month for a year with the American Express Platinum Credit Card. If you don’t fancy recycling your old items, have a go at selling them online. There are specific platforms you can use to sell clothes easily such as Vinted and Depop or you can use eBay. Facebook Marketplace is also popular as it means you can sell the items to people in your community (without the need for expensive postage). Make sure you know your rights if you are selling on these sites. To sell old tech, books and CDs quickly, try sites such as Music Magpie, CEX and Zapper. n

For more money saving tips for 2022 check out: which.co.uk

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success so you’ll need to be well presented, articulate and have a strong personality. In return, you’ll work for a growing independent company in an environment where you’ll be allowed to develop your account base and be rewarded accordingly.

Our ideal candidate will already have experience in media sales, as the role will involve selling advertising space both face to face and over the telephone. An ability to build strong client relationships is key to

If you’d like to join our team email your CV and covering letter giving details of your current remuneration to:

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Our magazines are well known in the areas we cover but you’ll need to be pro-active and have a passion for sales.

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PRE-NUPS:

NOT JUST FOR THE RICH AND FAMOUS It is estimated that one in five couples married since 2000 may have a pre-nuptial agreement in place, confirming what legal professionals have been saying – that pre-nups are no longer reserved for the rich and famous, explains Nicola Rushton, family lawyer at Farleys Solicitors

ack in the 1970s, just 1.5 per cent of couples took the option to have a pre-nuptial agreement in place. This has now risen significantly to 20 per cent, with couples where the wife earns more or the same as their partner, being more likely to put a pre-nuptial agreement in place. The findings also showed that contrary to popular belief, rather than increasing the chance of divorce, pre-nups actually made splits less likely during the first decade of marriage. If, however, you do find yourself taking the difficult decision to divorce, while pre-nuptial agreements are not legally binding in court, they do hold some weight and are increasingly being upheld by the family court. In order for a pre-nuptial agreement to stand a chance of being upheld during court

proceedings, it must have been entered into freely and with a full understanding of the implications. This can be particularly proven where both parties took independent legal advice before signing the agreement and the agreement was entered into no less than 28 days before the wedding to avoid ‘undue duress’. So, if you are planning a spring 2022 wedding, now would be the best time to approach a family law specialist to discuss your requirements.

these options and their implications can be examined with a legal advisor prior to the drafting of the agreement. As your big day approaches, it can be easy to find yourself distracted by organising the day itself but, if you want to have the peace of mind that your future is secure, it would be savvy to add a discussion with your family lawyer to that wedding checklist! n

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENT

A pre-nuptial agreement is a bespoke document which is tailored to the individual couple. It may include provisions as to how their income, assets, and pensions would be divided on divorce or it could be written almost as a ‘living together agreement’ stipulating how assets and accounts will be managed during the marriage. All of

For further advice on pre-nuptial agreements and other marital agreements, speak to Farleys’ family team on 01254 368 040 or email: info@farleys.com www.farleys.com

weddings

WEDDING BELLS ARE SET TO RING

eddings have taken a backseat over the past couple of years, with many cancellations and delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Both the UK and US are seeing a surge in wedding bookings for 2022, and a number of celebrities are among the couples hoping to tie the knot in the next 12 months. Pandemic permitting, the son of David and Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz are eager to get married

Photography: Tinseltown/Shutterstock.com

THE IDEA OF PLANNING A WEDDING IS, LIKE, A LOT, IT’S A LOT… I MADE A WHOLE MOVIE ABOUT IT Britney Spears may get the wedding she has longed for in 2022, after announcing her engagement to long-term boyfriend Sam Asghari in September 2021. The singer has not yet opened up about her wedding plans, but previously revealed that fashion designer Donatella Versace was working on her wedding dress, telling her fans the gown was being created “as we speak”. Kate Hudson and Danny Fujikawa are tipped to tie the knot in the next 12 months, after announcing their engagement in September 2021. The actress previously likened wedding planning to her 2009 movie, Bride Wars, telling Entertainment Tonight: “Obviously, we’re so excited. But the idea of planning a wedding is, like, a lot, it’s a lot… I made a whole

movie about it.” Strictly couple Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez have previously suggested that they will marry in the next 12 months if travel restrictions allow them to plan the destination wedding they are hoping for. When Steph McGovern asked Gemma about their wedding on Steph’s Packed Lunch in 2021, she replied: “We’re obviously not going to do it this year given everything that is going on, the only thing we have agreed on so far is that we are going to do it abroad.” n If you are planning on getting married in 2022/23 you need to secure your venue now

Photography: Cubankite/Shutterstock.com

in 2022 – so much so that the budding chef has already taken to referring to his bride-to-be as his wife. Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker’s wedding is set to be one of the big celebrity events of the year, if previous Kardashian weddings are anything to go by. The pair announced their engagement in November, and Kourtney hinted that 2022 could be the year they’re planning to say ‘I do’ in an Instagram post to celebrate the New Year, writing: “2022 the best is yet to come.”

2022 is already looking like a big year for celebrity weddings

The One THIS IS

A TRULY MEMORABLE VENUE

Crow Wood Hotel has become the wedding venue of choice for 2022 and beyond. It has all the grandeur of a bygone era in an ultra-modern setting, with a breathtaking panorama.

Images: mopphotography.co.uk

Arrange your private viewing now

crowwoodhotel.com

VE #LO

HT AUG

MAGICAL MINI MOONS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT One of our favourite things that our guests say, is that when they think of Gilpin, they think of love and laughter – ours, and theirs – which is such a lovely compliment. At the heart of Gilpin is a passionate family and team, dedicated to creating lasting memories for our guests, who return time and again for romance, celebrations and escapes. For us, hospitality starts with a very warm welcome and ends with a friendly goodbye, with extraordinary service, exquisite décor and stunning culinary experiences in between. We hope to welcome you to Gilpin soon.

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Crook Road, Near Windermere, The English Lake District hotel@thegilpin.co.uk

015394 88818

www.thegilpin.co.uk

elebrate In Style

Dune London Maridel Shoe £170 dunelondon.com

Remus three-piece dinner suit (jacket not shown) £350 Nigel Clare 10-14 High Street Chorley PR7 1DN 01257 249040 nigelclare.com

Claudia C dress £217 Cosgroves Rimington Clitheroe BB7 4DS 01200 445711

Veni Infantino by Ronald Joyce £POA Flamingo Fashion 67 Liverpool Road Preston PR1 9XD 01772 744 277 flamingo-fashion.co.uk

SAY“I Do” IN STYLE Steeped in Regency romance, elegant Georgian wedding venue Shaw Hill is the perfect Downton Abbey on the doorstep, discovers Kate Bowyer

ouples looking forward to tying the knot in a brighter 2022 will find historic and beautifully restored Shaw Hill at Whittle le Woods, near Chorley, genuinely has that little bit more to offer. Just approaching the family owned Grade II Listed Georgian Manor through its 192 acres of gardens and golf course takes your breath away. Imagine your guests’ delight at being greeted by the twinkling

windows of the magnificent three storey bay and elegant colonnade. Shaw Hill’s comprehensive wedding service is famous for matching its intimate grandeur with the best in sympathetic restoration, comfortable amenities, warm personal service, and attention to detail.

be with you every step of the way: welcoming from your first enquiry, understated efficiency throughout the big day, congratulatory through to your first special breakfast (or brunch!) as a married couple.

THERE ARE THREE SUPERIOR, ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGES, WHICH CAN ALSO BE TAILORED AND UPGRADED TO INCLUDE ALL REQUIREMENTS AND PERSONAL TOUCHES Whether intimate soiree or grand seated banquet for 200, the two beautifully decorated function rooms offer the perfect setting, complimented by magnificent views over the grounds. Each comes complete with a private bar, comfortable lounge, spacious conservatory and large wooden dance floor. From decorative plasterwork to the wrought iron balustrade of the sweeping staircase, beautiful architectural detail will leave photographers spoilt for choice, capturing every detail of your day for treasured future memories. Shaw Hill’s dedicated wedding team will

With exceptional reviews and praise for their friendly, individual service, no question you have is too small, and every request is of importance to them, plus the experience and enthusiasm to offer those all-important extras and finishing touches. To take the hassle out of picturing and planning, they’ve put together three superior, all-inclusive packages, which can also be tailored and upgraded to include all requirements and personal touches to make your dream wedding reality: • Relax in classic splendour with the ‘VP’ Package, from red carpet entrance and

weddings

pre-reception drinks to three course wedding breakfast and dancing under the ceiling drapes and candelabra. • Step back in time with the ‘Vintage’ Package, including artisan wedding breakfast and evening bites using the finest locally sourced ingredients, vintage post box for cards and wishes, and tea and coffee with handcrafted chocolates.

• Or choose ‘Platinum’ for the full party experience, starting with Prosecco and flavoured liqueurs reception, a four course wedding breakfast, magical fairy light bedecked atmosphere, and extras including champagne for the toasts and chocolate-dipped strawberries to keep everyone’s sugar levels up! All packages include dedicated wedding coordinator, menu tasting, red carpet arrival, Toast Master, silver cake stand and knife, microphones for speeches and full sound system for bands or recorded music, plus – that special touch – first anniversary dinner

for the bride and groom. Of course, why not do it your way, by combining your dream designs with the finest amenities and expertise Shaw Hill has to offer? The manor also holds a full civil ceremony license, so is fully equipped to host your whole day, from “I do” to last dance. Holding trusted partnerships with the best suppliers in the region, all wedding menus are freshly prepared to the highest quality, complemented by delicious wines chosen by the hotel’s in-house specialist.

SITUATED IN GLORIOUS GROUNDS, ENJOY A RELAXING TREATMENT OR THREE IN THE SPA, A DIP IN THE POOL, OR A ROUND ON THE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE Then enjoy the many extras which take Shaw Hill beyond a standard wedding venue. Situated in glorious grounds, enjoy a relaxing treatment or three in the spa, a dip in the pool, or a round on the championship golf course. That’s all if you can bear to leave your deluxe bridal suite! Guests choosing to stay over can luxuriate in one of 30 individually styled en-suite bedrooms designed to complement the Grade II history with 21st-century comfort – including room service. From the minute one of the friendly

wedding team takes the weight off your shoulders, the only grumble you’ll be allowed, as others have found, will be: “We didn’t want our day at Shaw Hill to end!” n

The Wedding Co-ordination team will be delighted to discuss Shaw Hill for your wedding venue and send you the latest brochure, call 01257 269221 or email:weddings@shaw-hill.co.uk

SHAW HILL GOLF & SPA HOTEL

Shaw Hill Golf Resort & Spa Whittle le Woods Near Buckshaw, Chorley PR6 7PP 01257 269221 shaw-hill.co.uk

jamesplaces.com/weddings PHOTOGRAPHERS: James Jebson, Mike Plunkett, James Jebson, Alexandra Holt, James Jebson, Nick English, Sarah Glynn, Kerry Woods, Emilie May, Silverymoon Photography

C O L L E C T I O N O F T R U LY U N I Q U E

Wedding Venues. .

With unrivalled experience and expertise and a passionate attention to detail in everything we do, we really can make your wedding dreams come true. To arrange a private viewing or for information on our upcoming Wedding Showcases, please visit;

www.jamesplaces.com/weddings

weddings process we select every aspect of the suit to complement your physique, accentuate your best features and conceal any flaws. Let your creativity flow and express your individual style as you select every detail your way. From linings and colours of buttonholes to monograms, pockets and lapels exactly as you like them, the result is a suit that is uniquely yours and completely satisfying.

TAILORED TO PERFECTION A bespoke suit is the ultimate indulgence for men and your wedding is the perfect time for this. Make the most of this opportunity to look your very best and invest in something special for yourself at Charles Campbell Bespoke Tailoring in Ribchester

bespoke suit tailored perfectly to you gives you an unparalleled confidence and ensures you stand out from the crowd in effortless style. From initial discussions over a drink to the finished result that is the most flattering and comfortable suit you have ever owned, this is the part of the wedding journey that is all about you. We guide you through the process of designing your perfect wedding suit, so that it matches your personal style and the theme of your day. We take into account

At your first consultation, take the time to choose exactly what you want. You could make an event of it by bringing along key members of the wedding party such as your

all the factors of your wedding, whether it is formal or informal, indoors or out, contemporary or vintage, and the climate of the destination, as well as ensuring it will complement your bride’s outfit. From the cut that will most flatter your physique and the colours that complement your skin tone, to the cloths that will look fantastic and also keep you cool and comfortable, we have the answers. With endless beautiful cloths from which to choose, including worsted wools, tweeds, cottons and cashmeres all from the finest textile mills inYorkshire, Scotland and Italy, we will find the exact weight, shade and finish you are looking for in your ideal suit. Our measuring process takes into account every aspect of your figuration to achieve the perfect fit. In our design and cutting For suits ordered between January and March 2022 we will make a bespoke wedding shirt for you and your best man absolutely free of charge – simply quote LPF FREE SHIRT when you appoint

best man to help advise, or your best man might want a two piece suit to complement your three piece. Make a statement on your wedding day with the finest bespoke suit you will want to wear again and again for those other special events in life such as christenings, friends’ weddings or days at the races. n With two piece suits starting at £950, we welcome enquiries and would be delighted to arrange an appointment for an initial consultation

Charles Campbell Bespoke Tailoring Suite 9, Manor Court Salesbury Hall, Salesbury Hall Road Ribchester PR3 3XR 01254 367968 07714 758296 info@charlescampbellbespoke.co.uk www.charlescampbellbespoke.co.uk

wedding

KEEPING IT PERSONAL Built by stone from Greenhalgh Castle, nestled in rolling Lancashire Countryside beside the romantic river Wyre, Garstang Country Hotel is the scenic canvas on which you can paint your perfect wedding day

warm welcome awaits in the family-owned hotel, small enough to care and large enough to exceed your expectations. With several beautiful rooms licenced for civil wedding and partnership ceremonies, wedding breakfasts and evening receptions from 30 to 300, you’ll find the romantic setting and memorable experience you always dreamed of. Special inclusive packages are offered on

selected dates: Classic, Intimate, and the ultra-romantic Twilight. Enjoy complete, use as a basis to build your special day, or go entirely bespoke, including bringing your own outside catering. What’s unique about Garstang Country Hotel is the understanding that your wedding day is just that, your day. The experienced and enthusiastic team love to turn your dream wedding into reality, whether that’s arriving by horse, leaving by

Multi award winning Wedding Venue in the Ribble Valley, offering bespoke weddings from 2 to 120 day guests. Photo: David Scholes Photography

helicopter, or attempting the world record for wedding cupcake-eating in between! Your booking guarantees exclusive access from spacious bedrooms to glorious private gardens and countryside views, not forgetting the luxurious Bridal Suite. Call 01995 600100 to arrange a visit, starting with a cuppa by the crackling fire to celebrate your engagement, and discover the service and style you’ve been seeking. n

Garstang Country Hotel & Golf Centre Bowgreave Drive, Garstang PR3 1YE 01995 600100 reception@garstanghotelandgolf.com garstanghotelandgolf.com

weddings

A DREAM WEDDING AND EVENT SPACE LIKE NO OTHER Frustrated by ‘almost but notquite perfect’ venues? Wave goodbye to downgrading your dream wedding, at the north west’s newest, freshest, city chic wedding and private events venue, 23 Winckley Square

esigner-refurbished 23 Winckley Square, created by inspirational chef and entrepreneur Paul Heathcote, is the first to offer a beautifully presented backdrop on which to unleash your creativity and choreograph your celebration, your way. Set in the heart of Preston’s most exclusive square, and overlooking picturesque gardens which date back to 1796, this versatile building is where historic and tradition, meets quirky and different. For you and up to 300 guests 23 Winckley is available for private hire, the entire venue, exclusively yours, for your special day. And being the north west’s newest venue means there is availability for this year – with a choice of prime dates in what, traditionally, is seen as the busiest wedding season.

The sleek contemporary finish across three versatile rooms can be designed to fit every aspect of your wedding day celebrations. Seating 120 the modern Banquet Hall comes with its own kitchen.The contemporary shabby chic Party Room, for up to 160, includes an entertainment stage and clay Gozney pizza oven for late night snacking. The intimate Cocktail Bar provides an atmospheric area for arrivals, or quiet drinks into the small hours.

DESIGN, DECORATE AND DRESS THE SPACE EXACTLY TO YOUR SPECIFICATIONS, BRING IN YOUR OWN WEDDING TEAM, CATERERS, AND ENTERTAINMENT, ONLY YOUR IMAGINATION IS THE LIMIT The keys to 23 Winckley Square are yours for the day. Design, decorate and dress the space exactly to your specifications, bring in your own wedding team, caterers, and entertainment, only your imagination is the limit. 23 Winckley Square is the ultimate canvas for your special day. Or if you’re looking to hand over the

hassle, 23 Winckley’s hand-picked selection of talented, local, and affordable partners are on hand to help you realise your unique event, including caterers, party dressers, pop up bars, waiting staff, mixologists, photographers – as much or as little as you wish. Uniquely special, any event at 23 Winckley Square will wow your guests. Its versatility is the perfect backdrop for all celebrations, from weddings, anniversaries and birthdays to corporate events with a difference. Take advantage of early availability before it’s gone and book in confidence with 23 Winckley’s secure promise whatever international events unfold, all events booked and paid for in February will have a second guaranteed prime date of your choice in 2023 at no extra cost, subject to availability. n If you’d like to look around – check the website for show round dates in February. To take up the Live Preston offer quote LPFEB22

23 Winckley Square Preston PR1 3JJ info@23winckley.co.uk 23winckley.co.uk

Discover the Veni Infantino collection at Flamingo

Tel: 01772 744277 | www.flamingo-fashion.co.uk | 67 Liverpool Rd, Penwortham, Preston PR1 9XD

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04/01/2022 14:27

EDUCATIONN E W S

COMEDIAN TAKES TENNIS CHAMPS CELEBRATING Stonyhurst are delighted to announce it has Q&A FROM STUDENTS won the 2021 Tennis Lancashire Schools Award, SUCCESS On Wednesday 17th November Westholme were delighted to welcome comedian Michael McIntyre to the sold-out Croston Theatre at Westholme School. In conjunction with Silverwood Events, he visited as part of the national tour for his new book “A Funny Life”. Michael undertook a riotously entertaining 40-minute interview with John Gillmore “Gilly” from BBC Radio Lancashire. He then bravely embraced a rapid-fire Q&A from the Westholme News students and members of the 500 strong crowd. What a night!

for a second year running at the Tennis Lancashire Awards on the 12th December. Stonyhurst’s nomination now goes forward to be considered for the LTA North Region 2022 Award in the new year. The awards are presented each year, with coaches, volunteers, clubs, and other tennis venues being nominated by individuals across the County and then decided by the awards committee of Tennis Lancashire.

TREE PLANTING AS PART OF QUEEN’S INITIATIVE

Primary schools in South Ribble have received around 4,500 free trees through South Ribble Borough Council as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative. As delivery partners of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, the Council contacted all primary schools in the borough in July offering them the opportunity to receive free trees to plant a hedge, equivalent to one per child in the school. 23 primary schools in the borough took up the opportunity and have taken in their deliveries of species including hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, rowan and bird cherry during the last few weeks, with Mayor of South Ribble, Councillor Jane Bell, delivering fruit trees to St Andrew’s Primary School in Leyland.

LTA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 2021 Kirkham Grammar School girls competed in the LTA National Finals against the top in the country for a national ranking and title. The tournament at Bolton Arena was never going to be easy and the girls faced strong competition. An amazing weekend saw Kirkham Grammar School crowned as the 2021 LTA National Champions – a phenomenal achievement and a first for the school! Head of Girls’ Sport at Kirkham Grammar School, Lindsey Osborne, said: “The way the girls played was simply out of this world. They were committed to every shot played and I can honestly say that them being crowned National Tennis Champions is the highlight of my career to date.”

Pupils, parents and staff recently celebrated Oakhills 43rd Annual Prize Giving. Owen Coyle Junior, owner and managing director of CO2 Sports Management presented the prizes to returning and current pupils, in front of parents past and present and their families, invited guests including the Mayor and Mayoress of the Ribble Valley, Clitheroe Town Mayor and Mayoress and governors. Following the proceedings there was an extensive buffet which provided an excellent opportunity for parents, staff and pupils to meet once more.

GOLD AWARD FOR HUTTON SCHOOL Ashbridge Independent School in Hutton has received national recognition for its commitment to taking learning outside the classroom (LOtC) and has been awarded the national LOtC Mark (Gold) by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, the highest award of its kind. Karen Mehta, Headteacher, said: “Being awarded the LOtC Gold Mark is a fantastic achievement and one that we are rightly proud of. We are delighted to receive national recognition for this key part of our school’s ethos and look forward to continuing to develop our programme of learning outside the classroom.”

THE THE THEEXCITEMENT EXCITEMENT EXCITEMENTIS IS IS THE EXCITEMENT IS THE EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING... BUILDING... BUILDING... BUILDING... Throughout Throughout Throughout the the the year year year our our our open open open events events events are are are a awonderful awonderful wonderful opportunity opportunity opportunity tototo Throughout Throughout the the year year our our open open events events are are aa wonderful wonderful opportunity opportunity to to experience experience experience what what what makes makes makes Westholme Westholme Westholme School School School soso different. sodifferent. different. Come Come Come and and and talk talk talk tototo to experience what makes Westholme School so different. Come and talk experience what makes Westholme School so different. Come and talk to our our our current current current pupils, pupils, pupils, parents parents parents and and and staff staff staff totofind tofind find out out out first-hand first-hand first-hand what what what makes makes makes our our current current pupils, pupils, parents parents and and staff staff to to find find out out first-hand first-hand what what makes makes Westholme Westholme Westholme the the the school school school ofofchoice ofchoice choice ininLancashire. inLancashire. Lancashire. Westholme Westholme the the school school of of choice choice in in Lancashire. Lancashire. OPEN OPEN OPEN EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS OPEN EVENTS OPEN EVENTS

Prep Prep Prep School School School Open Open Open Afternoon Afternoon AfternoonWednesday Wednesday Wednesday 23 23 23 February, February, February, 2022 2022 2022 Prep School Open Afternoon Wednesday 23 February, 2022 Prep Prep Prep School School School Open Open Open Day Day Day Saturday Saturday Saturday 141414 May, May, May, 2022 2022 2022 Prep School Open Day Saturday 14 May, 2022 Senior Senior Senior School School School Open Open Open Evening Evening Evening Thursday Thursday Thursday 66October, 6October, October, 2022 2022 2022 Senior School Open Evening Thursday 6 October, 2022 Personal Personal Personal tours tours tours are are are available available available atatany atany any time. time. time. Personal tours are available at any time. Email: Email: Email: registrar@westholmeschool.com registrar@westholmeschool.com registrar@westholmeschool.com Email: registrar@westholmeschool.com Phone: Phone: Phone: 01254 01254 01254 506070 506070 506070 Phone: 01254 506070 www.westholmeschool.com www.westholmeschool.com www.westholmeschool.com www.westholmeschool.com www.westholmeschool.com

THE EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING…

ith numbers for Westholme’s Senior School already increasing to capacity, the popularity of the Lancashire school continues to build. Parents in the region are realising what a truly exceptional education Westholme can deliver to their children. Alongside the academic excellence, authenticated by the fantastic results achieved by both GCSE and A Level students in the summer, the holistic excellence of the school is being increasingly recognised by prospective families. Dr Richard Robson, Principal at Westholme School commented: “The myriad of opportunities at Westholme set any child up with the necessary life skills to build their own character and develop their individual interests and abilities as they go through life and into the world of adulthood and work. This combined with the passion, guidance and encouragement the school delivers, helps shape your child into a confident, independent and balanced individual.”

As the new Westholme Prep School continues to come together, excitement is gathering momentum, writes Meena McDonald Aside from academic excellence, what else can parents expect for their children from this rather unique independent school? What will it provide for their child that is so exceptional that they can’t get anywhere else in the region?

The excitement is – diving in! With its superb swimming pool based at Wilmar Lodge, each child will be able to swim every week, not only learning essential life skills but also having fun with their friends and keeping fit. If they choose to, they can be part of the competitive school swimming team.

THE MYRIAD OF OPPORTUNITIES AT WESTHOLME SET ANY CHILD UP WITH THE NECESSARY LIFE SKILLS The excitement is – performing! Take a peep at just some of the exciting opportunities available to children joining the new Prep School.

With a professional theatre on-site, children from the age of four right through to 18 can explore their creativity and build their confidence and communication skills on

education

stage with the outstanding productions the school delivers.

The excitement is – competing! A multitude of opportunities exist with the Astroturf, tennis courts, outdoor space and pool. Choose from football, hockey, tennis, cricket, rounders, rugby, netball and cross country to develop team building and leadership skills, physical agility and, most importantly, having fun.

The excitement is – experimenting! Each science laboratory has state-of-the-art equipment and highly skilled teaching staff, who are accessible to all children from the age of four right through to GCSE and A Level. They support each child to develop their inquisitiveness, build their analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as having the space to carry out fascinating experiments.

The excitement is – recording! With a specialist, professional recording studio on site, the school provides the facilities to every child who has an interest in music and sound, experimenting with voiceovers, soundtracks, animation and a whole range of other stimulating possibilities.

The excitement is – exploring! The forest school allows children to explore nature and the woodlands, helping them to understand the environment and develop their independence, curiosity and creative skills.

The excitement is – communicating! The language facilities at Westholme are exceptional with each child taught by the most skilled staff right from the early years through to 18, should they choose to take a language up to A Level standard. Children can learn to communicate in Latin, Mandarin, Spanish, German and French, providing communication skills that will help guide them through life.

The excitement is – making it! Creative arts, food and design technology all allow children to explore their creative and technical skills, utilising the most advanced facilities on site to develop their

communication, confidence and problemsolving skills.

The excitement is – growing! The school continues to grow and develop as parents and children realise just how extraordinary it is and the opportunities it can provide to their children. Dr Robson concludes: “The most important aspect for Westholme is that it retains

THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT FOR WESTHOLME IS THAT IT RETAINS ITS WARM, CARING AND WHOLESOME FAMILY CULTURE

its warm, caring and wholesome family culture, nurturing every child that attends the school to ensure they develop into exceptional individuals. With access to the most outstanding facilities from the minute they arrive at the school, combined with teaching staff who are skilled, empathetic and supportive, the unique and inspirational possibilities are limitless.” If you would like to find out more about how your child would benefit from such a well-rounded education, call 01254 506070 and the team will happily have a chat with you or arrange for you to pop in and have a look around the remarkable school. n

Westholme School Wilmar Lodge, Meins Road Blackburn BB2 6QU 01254 506070 westholmeschool.com

education accounts from those working on the front lines of conservation and humanitarianism, focusing on disaster relief, extreme weather, biodiversity loss, carbon storage technology and food consumption. Another speaker, award-winning author and campaigner James Sellick, spoke about the impacts of palm oil and industrial meat production as well as his experiences creating large scale campaigns with Greenpeace.

Other notable speakers included activist Lindsey Cole, wildlife expert Russ Hedley, Paul Taylor MBE Operations Response Manager for RE-ACT Disaster Response, Guardian journalist Ash Bhardwaj, Jess Johnson from the Wyoming Fish and Wildlife Federation, Hannah Rutzen founder of the American Shark Conservancy and Dr Lydia Tiller from Save the Elephants. Ian Murphy, Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall

TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE Pupils at Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall recently took part in an outreach education project led by a host of impressive climate experts, activists and authors

uring the final week of the COP26 climate change conference, pupils from Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall Prep School took part in an event designed to act against climate change. Children at the independent school were presented with a host of engaging workshops hosted by Creature, an outreach education project. Creature state that in the latest scientific report, there is currently a 50:50 chance of global climates rising above 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next 20 years. Even with every pledge made from world leaders to date, temperatures are still on track for a 2.7 degrees Celsius rise in the next 80 years, unless there is swift action. Over the course of two days, 24 workshops were presented at the school

by distinguished experts from various industries, with multiple virtual lessons being held by experts and organisations from around the world.

OUR PUPILS ARE THE AGENTS OF POSITIVE CHANGE TODAY, AND IN MANY YEARS TO COME Notable speakers included Jack Randall, zoologist, filmmaker and National Geographic presenter. Jack presented real-life creatures during his talk with St Mary’s Hall pupils, including a snake, tarantula and cane toad and shared his adventures from around the world, speaking about the effects of climate change on wildlife. Stonyhurst pupils heard first-hand witness

Headmaster said: “Our pupils are the agents of positive change today, and in many years to come. They understand the urgency and can increasingly hear the ‘cry of the earth, and the cry of the poor’, acting immediately, both individually and collectively.” During the event St Mary’s Hall pupils were curious and engaged about the issues facing the earth. There was a particular emphasis upon the plight of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities, and the exaggerated and disproportionate impact climate change is causing in many of the developing countries. Pupils are now keen to embrace their own lifestyle changes to help protect the planet and all its people for future generations, enabling them to become ‘men and women for others’. The outreach education project, Creature, was founded by author and eco journalist Sarah Roberts, whose first picture book was read out on CBeebies bedtime stories by Tom Hardy in March 2021. n

stonyhurst.ac.uk

All

that they can be. A SPRINGBOARD TO A LIFE OF PURPOSE A leading Catholic co-educational boarding and day school in the Ribble Valley for pupils aged 3-18 years, with full and weekly boarding options available.

2022 | Open Events

Pre-Prep & Prep School Open Doors | 5th March & 2nd May College Open Doors | 12th March Please note prior registration is essential for attending one of our open events.

Scholarships available in a range of disciplines. DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.STONYHURST.AC.UK

education

STRUGGLING TO RECRUIT NEW TALENT POST COVID-19? YOU’RE NOT ALONE If you ask any business in Lancashire about their current challenges, one key message emerges across all sectors

ll businesses are sharing the challenge of recruiting new talent to their business in the wake of Covid-19. The challenges are varied – there’s flexible working challenges, skills gaps and a lack of local talent in key industries – to name a few. At Blackburn College we are well aware of the challenges businesses face – it’s why our most recent Ofsted report comments: “Leaders have successfully fostered excellent relationships with local and regional partners and employers.” The report states these partnerships have resulted in: “A curriculum that meets local and regional needs and provides high-quality work experience for students and apprentices.”

Senior Business Development Manager Claire Shore says: “Blackburn College will work with businesses of any size across the Ribble Valley to help succession plan and

THESE IMPRESSIVE ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY BLACKBURN COLLEGE’S STRONG EMPHASIS ON EQUIPPING STUDENTS TO BE INDEPENDENT, RESILIENT LEARNERS READY TO TAKE THEIR PLACE AT UNIVERSITY OR GET STARTED IN THEIR CAREER

IF YOU’VE BEEN INVOLVED AND TAKEN ON AN EMPLOYEE AFTER 1ST OCTOBER 2021 BUT BEFORE 31ST JANUARY 2022, YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A £3,000 INCENTIVE PAYMENT Given the challenges recruiting, Blackburn College is now working with many businesses to look at their workforce to assess how to nurture their existing talent, to meet future business needs. Through these discussions, what many businesses don’t realise is how flexible apprenticeship schemes can be in developing a workforce. With apprenticeships available at different levels – and in disciplines as varied as Sewing and Textiles, to Customer Service/Team Leader and Digital Marketing roles, many businesses can use apprenticeships to retrain, retain and grow existing employees. Gone are the days of apprenticeships

being seen as an alternative, practical route to a job instead of university for 16-year-olds. These days a significant number of adults, who are in work use apprenticeships to upskill. For those that have recruited someone new, many businesses don’t realise Government incentives and grants are available. So, if you’ve been involved and taken on an employee after 1st October 2021 but before 31st January 2022, you could be eligible for a £3,000 incentive payment when your new starter signs up to an apprenticeship training programme with Blackburn College.

create a pipeline of future talent.We’ll listen to your needs and help grow your perfect workforce. We’ll help with the paperwork and try to make things as easy as possible for you to get an incentive payment.” n

If you want to find out more about how we can help and support your business, call the Apprenticeship Team on: 01254 292500 or email: claire.shore@blackburn.ac.uk

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Our editor, Helen Sanderson, kicked off this years Business Hours’ with a visit to The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) who were the top university in the north of England for producing start-up businesses in 2021

hrough the Propeller Student Enterprise Service, UCLan has given formal business and enterprise support to 851 new businesses, including sole traders, in the last six years. These companies have been created by students and recent graduates, who have received expert help within two years of finishing their academic studies. The success means UCLan is placed fifth overall in Tides recently published list of UK higher education providers. Professor Graham Baldwin, UCLan Vice-Chancellor, explained: “To be ranked number one in the whole of the north of England for the number of student startup businesses we’ve helped is absolutely fantastic news.

“Some of the most innovative and bold ideas come out of universities and these are the places where the entrepreneurs of tomorrow can hone their business acumen. I’m delighted our wide range of business support has helped so many business startups flourish. “Our commitment to establishing ourselves as a national leader in enterprise is embedded in our strategic priorities and this news means we know what we’re doing is working well and we can continue to build on that.” UCLan has a dedicated team working with students to help set up their own businesses, as well as offering support throughout the first three years of trading. Propeller Student Enterprise Service offers skills workshops, online resources, one-

to-one support from business mentors, and interaction with a community of local businesses who work from the Propeller Hub, based in UCLan’s Media Factory. Professor Sue Smith, Director of UCLan’s Centre for SME Development, commented: “We pride ourselves on offering so many business opportunities to our students, staff, graduates, and members of our Centre for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.

OUR COMMITMENT TO ESTABLISHING OURSELVES AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN ENTERPRISE IS EMBEDDED IN OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES “We work closely with sole traders, limited companies, co-operatives, social enterprises, freelancers, community interest groups, charities, not-for-profits and more to ensure they have the key skills to not only start a business but to continue trading. “To know we’ve helped so many make that big leap to becoming their own boss is amazing and I know we’re looking forward to working with many more in the future.” UCLan also made the list for the number of graduates who have secured patents, meaning their intellectual property is protected. The University was ranked 34th with 63 graduates filing patents by, or on behalf of, UCLan in the UK and overseas.

business

I RECEIVED GREAT SUPPORT FROM UNIVERSITIES WHEN GROWING MY BUSINESS AND SO I AM HERE TO HELP THE NEXT GENERATION AS MUCH AS I CAN TO UNLOCK THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL Rupert, whose multi-award-winning company is the UK’s largest manufacturer of refrigerated vans, commented: “It is a great honour to be nominated to join the Entrepreneurs in Residence at UCLan’s Lancashire School of Business and Enterprise. The Business School has a great reputation for student start-ups, and I look forward to working with the next generation of business owners.

the award-winning UCLan Centre for SME Development, a free network for the region’s SMEs. Professor Sue Smith, Chair of UCLan’s Centre for SME Development, commented: “This helps us to continue to strengthen our links with SMEs, drawing on the expertise of our Entrepreneurs in Residence for the benefit of the University and the region.” Professor Chris Pyke, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Justice, added: “This provides a great opportunity for our staff, students and graduates to receive even more enterprising support from the Lancashire School of Business and Enterprise.” n

uclan.ac.uk

Joanne Boyd

Russell Hogarth

contributing to curriculum reviews, and supporting academic research. They will also be able to take part at ‘Ask the expert’ sessions and career and employer events.

Michelle Bondesio

“I received great support from universities when growing my business CoolKit and so I am here to help the next generation as much as I can to unlock their true potential. I’m looking forward to supporting students with their own journeys and I can’t wait to hear their great ideas as part of the wider support that makes them a reality.” The group was selected by a panel after nominations were submitted by LSBE staff. The EIR network will be coordinated by

Rupert Gatty

Andy Gullick

Pam Steed

The successful businesspeople will bring real-world expertise and entrepreneurial practice to students, academics and the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) who get support from UCLan’s Lancashire School of Business and Enterprise (LSBE). The chosen seven are: Pam Steed, Managing Director of Monarch Personnel Group Ltd; Andy Gullick, Chief Executive of RIFT Social Enterprise; Glen Higson, Founder and Managing Director of Business Insight 3 Ltd; Michelle Bondesio, Business Coach, Consultant, Writer and Podcaster at Growth Sessions/Bondesio C&C; Rupert Gatty, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CoolKit Limited; Russell Hogarth, who ran his own companies for 25 years before retiring, and Joanne Boyd, Managing Director of CJX Business Services. Joanne, who already works with UCLan’s Digitalplus to provide impartial advice and support to Lancashire SMEs, said: “As a business owner of an SME in Lancashire I am both delighted and honoured to be to be invited by UCLan to become a member of their new Entrepreneurs in Residence network.”

Glen Higson

Each EIR will choose what support they will offer, but options will include mentoring students, guest lecturing, hosting student placements, sitting on advisory panels,

As we move in 2022 UCLan has launched the first Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) scheme. Seven business leaders have been chosen to become the first EIR at UCLan.

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BUSINESS MATTERS

tbc lifestyle 102 business

Business continues to boom across Preston and Fylde If you have any business news to share then get in touch with the editor at: helen.sanderson@live-magazines.co.uk

VETS TO OPEN IN FULWOOD Oakhill Veterinary has announced it is opening a new branch in Fulwood this year. Set to open in summer 2022, the new branch surgery will be on Lytham Road, on the site of the previous Lytham Road Doctors’ Surgery close to the crossroads with Garstang Road and Watling Street Road in Fulwood. Once the renovations are complete, Oakhill will be opening the spacious, modern practice with off-street parking and separate dog and cat waiting areas.

LOCAL ARCHITECT BRINGS HOME TOP DESIGN AWARD Firth Architects, based in Lytham St Anne’s have won the award for the Best Residential Build at the Northern Design Awards 2021. The prestigious award was received in recognition of the outstanding architectural design of the residential property Otter Bank, which is on the shores of Lake Windermere. Joel Firth humbled to receive the national recognition for his company’s work said: “I am delighted that Otter Bank has won the Northern Design Award. It was a truly fantastic project to deliver. They were exceptional clients who’s ambitions I hope we met and who’s patience and attention to detail I believe has made this property stand out.” This award joins the growing accolades and recognition that Firth Architects are getting for their work.

TAP&GO COMES TO PRESTON Tap&Go is being introduced to Preston buses to make using public transport more efficient. The new system will make paying for a bus fare quicker and easier for everyone. People using the bus will simply have to tap on with their contactless card at the start of their journey, and then tap off when they reach their destination. There will be no need to say where they are going, which means people are free to get off the bus at any point and only be charged for the distance they have travelled. Any journeys made will be charged to the bank card at the end of the day and the cost is capped at the cost of a Preston Bus Day Ticket. Children’s tickets will still need to be purchased from the driver, or on the Preston bus app.

APPRENTICESHIP ROLES IN PRESTON

HAND PRINTED IN PRESTON AND WORN WORLDWIDE Stranded in the UK after the pandemic hit in March 2020, and unable to return to his job in Australia, Jonathan Simpson from Penwortham set up his own clothing label. Inspired by his love of travel and traditional tattoos, That Life Clothing was born. Jonathan combined his experience of working in screen printing and digital marketing to launch the brand, which sells in Preston and worldwide, as well as helping to raise money for Derian House. Every month a selection of products are donate to the Derian House Children’s Hospice Shop in Preston city centre, you can get those products there for half price. Online they can be found at thatlifeclothing.co.uk.

BAE Systems is set to hire over 300 apprentices and graduates in the Preston area in 2022. The creation of the graduate and undergraduate roles in Warton, Samlesbury and Preston is part of the largest UK-wide intake of early careers roles the company has offered in a single year. Representing a 25 per cent increase on this year’s early careers intake, the recruitment comes as Ofsted has once again rated the company’s 50-plus apprenticeship programmes as ‘outstanding’. Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems, said: “Creating high quality employment opportunities for young people across the country ensures we retain the critical capabilities we need to sustain our business for the long-term, while also helping to drive growth across the UK’s regional economies. Early careers employees are the foundation of our future and the diversity of skills and experience they bring enables us to continue to innovate and deliver the very best technology and support to our armed forces.”

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Our approach: We listen to you, taking time to get to know you and your business and understand the market you are trying to reach. Once we have an agreed concept, we will create a range of innovative and relevant designs to realise it, continuing our two way communication process until you are satisfied with the final designs. We remain small by choice to be able to provide a very personal, dedicated and hands on service. Our goal is to make the creative journey enjoyable for everyone involved, to ensure that every client is happy with the end result and that they reap the benefits of their investment in our service.

Our specialist services: Print design: editorial, stationery, signage and packaging. Brand identity design. Website design and build. Robert Walmsley 07834 483 898

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Artist Nick Dittrich creates original artworks using a variety of mediums (acrylic and oil paint, charcoal, graphite, pastels and chalks) or anything else that comes to hand – object trouvé, bottle tops, advertising billboard posters or purchase receipts. ‘All our lies’ – 20x20cm Box Canvas Billboard poster collage and dry transfer letters

He considers the canvas to be a part of the artwork and not just the substrate, so often manipulates the canvas by stitching it together, cutting or ripping it, sanding the surface, spot varnishing elements, embedding or inserting objects through the surface – to create another dimension in his artworks. To purchase, or to commission an artwork call: 01279 861863 / 07909 850462 email: endartistuk @ gmail.com

To view his gallery visit: www.endarts.co.uk @ endartistuk

A PERFECT TIME TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE… Raymond James Investment Services’ Branch Principal, Wayne Hayhurst, talks about the importance of people taking stock of their financial objectives and life goals – and what better time to do it than as part of a New Year’s resolution

n the heart of Longridge, situated in the old NatWest bank building on the high street, Raymond James Investment Services offers a range of services and capabilities normally only found in big cities. Below are some ideas on what could be included in your 2022 financial plans, as well as how the Raymond James Ribble Valley branch could assist.

Make sure you’re on track to meet your financial goals

People often don’t know if they’re on track to meet their most important financial goals. In fact when asked, the answer to this question is typically ‘no’, or ‘I don’t know’. Financial goals are specific to each person and could be anything from making sure

you are on track to fund a three-decade retirement without financial worry, planning an exit from your business, funding a child’s education, or perhaps making sure your estate will end up with the people you want it to, for the reasons you choose.

To get your financial affairs under control

It is often the case that individuals amass a variety of pensions, investments and policies over their lifetime. This can result in a bombardment of confusing statements and updates, leaving people feeling overwhelmed and not in control of their finances. At Raymond James, we can advise on all types of pensions, plans and policies, as well as help simplify and consolidate all these accumulated assets. Why not have 2022 as the year to get all the miscellaneous plans and policies reviewed, refreshed, simplified and back under control.

business

Review your pensions and retirement plans

Pensions are often people’s second most valuable asset after their home, but are frequently neglected. It is important that they are serviced and looked after accordingly, just like you would a car. For instance, such a considerable asset being invested largely out of line with your risk tolerance or an inappropriate asset allocation, could have a detrimental impact on your retirement plans.

OUR TEAM OF 20 IN-HOUSE SPECIALISTS ENABLE US TO PROVIDE BESPOKE SOLUTIONS TO MATCH OUR CLIENTS’ INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES AND CIRCUMSTANCES How much will your pension provide in retirement? How much should you be saving? How many years will your pension last at your desired standard of living before running out? We can help you answer these questions and devise a smart plan to ensure you achieve your retirement income goals.

Educate yourself financially

Many people do not feel like they have a good understanding of the stock market or personal finance. A good way to increase your knowledge is to listen to a financial podcast or read a personal finance book. The book I would recommend everyone to listen to or read is Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.

Rebalance your investment portfolio

2020 was a year of extreme swings for virtually all asset classes. It is imperative

you make sure your portfolio is well balanced and well positioned for whatever happens next, especially in the continuing uncertain economic and political environments we are currently in. At Raymond James, we may be able to obtain better investment performance with less risk.

How do we help people with their financial affairs?

We provide a high quality, independent, full-service solution for individuals and businesses. Having a wide range of experts here in the Longridge branch, allows us to help our clients meet their financial objectives and life goals. We help clients grow their wealth, live off their wealth, and pass on their wealth to loved ones. Our key service areas are savings and investments, pensions and SIPPs, taxefficient retirement income, stockbroking and estate planning. Our team of 20 in-house specialists enable us to provide bespoke solutions to match our clients’ individual financial objectives and circumstances. The specialist roles include: • Chartered Financial Planners • Chartered Wealth Managers • Pension Specialists • Detailed Cashflow Planners • Trust, Estate and Later Life Planners • Investment Analysts • Stockbrokers • Discretionary Investment Managers

multinational financial powerhouse, with access to world class systems and research. But at the same time, we can provide the personable, quality service of an ownermanaged, local business.

WHY NOT HAVE 2022 AS THE YEAR TO GET ALL THE MISCELLANEOUS PLANS AND POLICIES REVIEWED, REFRESHED, SIMPLIFIED AND BACK UNDER CONTROL We don’t subcontract out to other service providers or companies – we have the capabilities, resources and expertise to do everything in-branch in a full-service solution. This allows our clients to deal face-to-face with specific specialists and strips out layers of costs as clients aren’t paying several different companies for the solution they receive. n Risk Warning: With investing your capital is at risk

How are we different to other financial advisers and financial services?

My vision has always been simple – to build the most trusted and prominent wealth management firm in the Ribble Valley. We are able to offer the financial strength, infrastructure and resources of a large

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Raymond James Ribble Valley 8 Berry Lane Longridge, Preston PR3 3JA 01772 780300 ribblevalley.raymondjames.uk.com

ECO WARRIOR PAR EXCELLENCE… It’s one wow after another with the iX - BMW’s stunning new all-electric flagship vehicle, writes Paul Agnew. Photography: Andy Tighe

ar designers are driven by a desire to lead – to foresee and capture the motoring demands of tomorrow and deliver them today. With the new iX – an all-electric motor par excellence – BMW has raced to the front of the field, leaving the rest to form an orderly queue, somewhere deep in the distance.

If ever a car warranted a number plate ‘OMG 1’ this is surely it! BMW’s new technology flagship vehicle represents a fresh interpretation of design, emission-free driving pleasure, versatility and luxury.

IF YOU WANT TO FILL THE WINDSCREEN WASHERS, JUST PUSH DOWN ON THE FRONT BMW BADGE The global market has just unveiled two model variants – the iX M40 and iX M50, both displaying extraordinary commitment to sustainability through responsible use of resources and minimisation of the carbon

footprint at all stages of the car’s life cycle. You’ll find extensive use of secondary raw, natural and re-cycled materials, a high proportion of secondary aluminium and recycled plastic, almost no use of chrome, FSC-certified wood (Forest Management Certification), leather tanned with olive leaf extract, floor coverings and mats made from recovered fishing nets. But this is far more than an eco-warrior, designed to tick boxes. I was entrusted to test drive the iX40 which not only looks magnificent but handles superbly and can sprint from 0-62mph in a shade over six seconds – the iX50 knocks a second off.

motors Obviously no slouch and for those who still harbour ‘range anxiety’ with all-electric cars, just relax – the travel distance range is close on 250 miles (370 miles in the iX50). One electric motor at the front axle and another at the rear, gives both models electric all-wheel drive and outstandingly low energy consumption. State-of-the-art charging technology allows the battery to be charged from 10 per cent to 80 per cent of full capacity in 40 minutes, when using a three-phase charger. A 10-minute fast charge adds 56 miles (75 miles iX50).

This significant increase in efficiency and range is helped by intelligent, lightweight design and optimised aerodynamics. An aluminium spaceframe construction with carbon cage, minimises weight. The BMW iX refines the successful Sports Activity Vehicle concept. It’s an imposing, muscular beast with a nod to the proportions of models across the BMW portfolio – the exterior length and width of the X5, the height of the X6 and the wheel dimensions of the X7. There’s an eye-catching, vertical and (almost) enclosed BMW kidney grille serving as an intelligence panel with integrated sensors, camera and radar technology for advanced driver assistance systems.

YOU’LL FIND LEATHER TANNED WITH OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT, FLOOR COVERINGS AND MATS MADE FROM RECOVERED FISHING NETS The new technology toolkit enables further advances in the areas of automated driving and digital services with a very high level of computing power for data processing, extremely powerful sensors and 5G capability for optimised automated driving and parking functions. As a whole it’s been designed from the inside out and there is a luxurious feeling of wellbeing created by generous levels of space, a high-quality mix of materials, a slim instrument panel, newly developed seats with integral head restraints and an exceptionally large panoramic glass roof with electrochromic shading available as an option.

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And the breathtaking style continues with a unique curved display, spanning a fully-digital screen grouping made up of 12.3-inch Information Display and 14.9-inch Control Display with singlepiece, frameless glass surface. The best yet? Very possibly. An Intelligent Personal Assistant offers extra skills – an extremely intuitive sumptuously designed centre console with an innovative new rocker switch for gear selection. It’s one ‘wow’ after another, not forgetting the hexagonal steering wheel with heating on a three-stage control. Come on, get a grip! Optional Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system takes the in-car audio experience into a new dimension. There’s concert hall ambience created by a fully active sound system, audio control that responds to dynamic performance and five individually selectable sound modes.

There are 30 speakers in total, eight of which are integrated into the head restraints of the front and rear seats. There’s innovative 4D audio function generated using magnetically controlled ‘shakers’ in the front seats. Oh, and don’t ever worry about opening the bonnet – unless you’re an authorised BMW technician that simply won’t be necessary. If you want to fill the windscreen washers, just push down on the front BMW badge and the opening will appear, as if by magic. Anything left to say? Probably not. n Bowker Preston BMW Channel Way Preston PR2 2YA 01772 769976 bowkerprestonbmw.co.uk @BowkerBMW @BowkerMotorGroup BowkerMotorGroup @BowkerBMW TM

EXCITING NEW PROPOSALS FOR CRICKET IN LANCASHIRE Lancashire Cricket and Lancashire County Council have announced exciting new plans to create a high-quality sports facility in the heart of the county

edbythecountycouncil,theproposed development will bring together elite and community cricket on a site at Farington, in South Ribble. Subject to public consultation and planning determination, the new facility will become a centre of excellence for women’s cricket in the North-West, further encouraging the growth of cricket in the region. The aim is to establish a new year-round facility, which would host a number of men’s and women’s competitive matches each year when Emirates Old Trafford is unavailable, whilst also providing a training base for Lancashire’s men’s and women’s teams (from Age-Group to First Team). Owned by the county council, the proposed site in Farington is alongside the A582 Farington Road on the west side of Stanifield Lane, and a short distance from the M65 and M6. Public engagement is now

underway to help to shape these initial proposals. The plans will be subject to public consultation through the usual planning application process, with additional opportunities for individuals to comment. Andy Anson, Chair at Lancashire Cricket, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Lancashire County Council on this project as we aim to grow the game of cricket in all its forms, from elite right through to recreational club cricket, together across the county.

THIS WILL BE AN IMPORTANT STEP IN AIDING US TO GROW THE GAME IN LANCASHIRE, HELPING US TO EXTEND OUR REACH IN THE COUNTY AND ENGAGE WITH A WIDER DEMOGRAPHIC “With the number of international and domestic matches, as well as other events being held at Emirates Old Trafford, the need for a second ground has become pressing. It’s something that we’ve been working on for a while and the new development will provide fantastic elite facilities for both our men’s and women’s

side and can also be used for recreational cricket and the wider community.” The proposals include two full-sized cricket pitches with natural sloping terraces and training facilities, including nets, a new pavilion including a gym, changing rooms, hospitality space, as well as cycle and car parking. The designs for the site have been sensitively and carefully designed to respect the open and green setting and protect the amenity of neighbouring residents. New tree planting, landscaping and green spaces would provide an attractive setting and provide screening for local properties. County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, Leader of Lancashire County Council, added: “These are exciting proposals and I’m especially pleased that these facilities would help to encourage more people to take part in sport, including younger people. “Please give your views and help us to shape the proposals, which aim to transform cricket in Lancashire. “We’re working in partnership with the club to make the most of this opportunity to support high-quality sports provision in Lancashire, while using the county council’s land to potentially provide a significant boost to our economy and create new jobs.”

sport

Sir Howard Bernstein, President of Lancashire Cricket, commented: “We are pleased to be collaborating with Lancashire County Council on this wonderful project that, subject to due process, could bring about vital opportunities through the game of cricket. “This will be an important step in aiding us to grow the game in Lancashire, helping us to extend our reach in the county and engage with a wider demographic.” Emma Lamb, Lancashire and England all-rounder from Preston, said: “Having grown up in the Preston area, it’s great to see that the Club and the county council are working together on this new project. It’s only going to help grow the game of cricket throughout Lancashire and the surrounding area. “It’s so important that we do all we can to make cricket as accessible as possible and ensure opportunities are given to girls and boys of all ages and abilities. A facility like this will only help that and hopefully we’ll see some future Lancashire and England players from the local area.” Lancashire will continue to use the club’s current outgrounds across the North-West at Liverpool CC, Southport and Birkdale CC, Blackpool CC and at Sedbergh School once

the new facility has opened. The new facilities will support the development of community and recreational, youth and elite sport in Lancashire. The plans include opportunities for wider community use of the facilities, encouraging more people to get involved, in addition to a centre of excellence for women and girl’s cricket across the North-West.

THE PLANS INCLUDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WIDER COMMUNITY USE OF THE FACILITIES, ENCOURAGING MORE PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED The project also aims to increase the education and training opportunities for students across varied age groups. The Club has an ambition to deliver a Lancashire Cricket experience into 1,000 state schools across the county by 2030. The site has been identified as the preferred location after considering the necessary requirements for the new facility, including location, access and the space required. A planning application is being prepared for submission to the county council in early 2022. This will consider

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all aspects of the development, including design, transport connectivity, environmental impact, noise, lighting etc. It will be subject to thorough assessment by officers who will make a recommendation to planning committee members, who in turn will make the final decision. A spokesperson for the county council said when asked about the planning application: “The application site is on land which we own, and the development is being undertaken by the county council. This means that the county council is the planning authority under Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992. The planning application will still go through the same thorough process of assessment by officers, who will undertake all formal consultations before assessing the planning case. They will make a recommendation to planning committee members, who in turn will make the final decision. “Readers can have their say on our proposals for this new facility by emailing emily@royalpilgrim.com. All comments received will be treated anonymously.” If planning is approved then it’s hoped construction work could start in 2022 and the facility could be ready in time for the 2025 season. n

IS TURNING VEGAN RIGHT FOR ME? Veganism has been around in its official form since about 1944. But with more and more people turning to a vegan diet for health and social reasons, we asked our resident carnivore Samantha Martin to find out if going vegan was right for her

hen I got the call to write a piece about going Vegan, my first thought was no. Absolutely not! There is no way that I’m doing the practical for this one. I’m a meat lover and take pride in roasting my chicken to perfection and doing the meanest medium rare Sirloin. Also, I have a nut allergy which immediately makes me think that I can’t eat most of the items in a Vegan diet. I was wrong. I spoke to a fellow nut allergy sufferer who has been completely Vegan for several years now and eats a good, well-balanced diet. But he’s also super healthy and doesn’t buy in to the Vegan friendly fast foods (junk) available pretty much everywhere these

days. Personally, I’m still trying to get my head around how you can have a Vegan sausage roll. I’m really not sure how that one works. Now I come to think of it, having a nut allergy is probably very similar to being Vegan when it comes to eating out, takeaways and meal planning. This can be a minefield at times and even though more and more places are now getting better at properly identifying food ingredients, it took a change in the law for this to happen. I do often wonder how seriously establishments take Vegan food preparation. Is there cross contamination for example? This is always a major concern of mine, and when I asked Vegan friends, they too had the same concerns. Even though there is a Vegan version of

food&drink

pretty much everything, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s healthy. A lot of packaged foods are overly processed to give them flavours. But a lot of the Vegans I have spoken with tell me that they avoid these types of foods, for the very fact of how processed they are.

SO, IN THE FOOD AND DIET CONSCIOUS SOCIETY THAT WE LIVE IN TODAY, WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR TURNING VEGAN? So, in the food and diet conscious society that we live in today, what are the reasons for turning Vegan? Many that I asked told me it was for health or lifestyle reasons. Some quoted animal welfare concerns, others were concerned about the environmental impact. There were some that just didn’t really like meat and

others that wanted to cut certain fats from their diet. Few people said that they had taken the decision on a whim, and most had planned and thought about it very seriously. It’s also not just diet that Vegans change. There are so many animal products in our lives that many of us overlook. Leather for example. Many clothing manufacturers and retailers now produce Vegan leather ranges of shoes, jackets etc. Changing what you wear involves a lot more conscious thinking when shopping for an outfit. And it doesn’t stop there. Hair, beauty and makeup products are now becoming Vegan friendly. These are products that I’ve often struggled with due to the vast amount of nut products contained in them. A lot of these products already contain some quite nasty chemicals so it’s good to know what you are putting on your skin. Natural ranges are becoming a lot more popular and contain ingredient formulas that do the job just as well as the overly processed, synthetic versions. But again, you need to spend some time researching all the products that you use. The more I’ve researched Veganism, the more I’ve realised it involves a complete lifestyle change. Experts and dieticians all recommend making the shift a gradual process. It’s not something you can just wake up one morning and start to do. Since we get most of our nutrients from the food we eat, it’s important to make sure you are still getting those and replace any lost with supplements. Vegan friendly ones of course. I’ve spoken to a couple of people who haven’t managed their Vegan diets very well and ended up either putting on a lot of weight due to overindulging in

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the processed variety or eating too many breads and pasta dishes. Whilst one person told me that their daily calorie intake became dangerously low and they started to not be able to carry out their normal daily routine.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO GO VEGAN FOR HEALTH AND WEIGHT REASON, THEN IT’S BEST TO DO THIS UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING Whereby a calorie deficit diet can be good for you in the short term to aid weight loss, it is not a healthy option in the long term and can cause serious health problems. If you are looking to go Vegan for health and weight reason, then it’s best to do this under the guidance of someone who knows what they are doing. So, will I be turning Vegan any time soon? Unfortunately, the answer to that is no. Although, I will admit we have cut down our meat intake in our house quite a lot of late and started to have more vegetarian meals. But given I already find food shopping and eating out stressful enough as it is having to double check everything, I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to add another layer of stress to that. However, I do admire those that have changed their ways and now adopt a fully Vegan lifestyle. It can’t be easy and certainly requires a lot more thought and preparation than I thought it did. But the sausage rolls still have me confused. n

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food&drink The recipe is a savoury combination of rosemary and lemon thyme from our farm, teamed with Nocellara and Cuquillo olives and lemon, with big hits of fresh grapefruit.” Cuckoo Gin was selected to feature in Craft Gin Club’s box for the month of May, however, choosing the best gin for the job, from the award-winning range, came down to more than just flavour. As well as giving the 100,000+ subscribers, real people who know their gins, a taste for what ‘Lancashire’s Finest’ gin brand had to offer, Solace had the potential to spread an extremely important message and ultimately, save lives. Mark explained: “We wanted to showcase Solace Gin to the Craft Gin Club community, to tell our brand story while raising awareness of the importance of cervical screenings.”

SOLACE GIN IS DESIGNED TO TAKE YOU AWAY TO THE MEDITERRANEAN WHILST KEEPING TRUE TO THE PRINCIPLES OF WHAT A REFRESHING G&T SHOULD BE

LANCASHIRE’S FINEST BECOMES THE WORLD’S GREATEST Cuckoo Solace Gin has been voted Craft Gin Club’s Gin of the Year

uckoo Solace Gin rose above 11 other highly rated gins from around the UK and the world, to take the title of Craft Gin Club’s ‘Gin of the Year 2021’. Proudly distilled by Lancashire’s Brindle Distillery, the juniper-rich, mellow and soothing gin scored better feedback than any other craft gin sampled by members of the Craft Gin Club last year. Solace faced tough competition for the top title, as members were spoilt to an exclusive special edition bottle of the best craft gins from across the globe, effectively making it the best gin in the world for 2021. Mark Long, Director and Master Distiller

said: “Solace Gin is designed to take you away to the Mediterranean whilst keeping true to the principles of what a refreshing G&T should be, and that’s juniper heavy!

In 2019, Mark’s wife, Liz – daughter to distillery owners, Gerard and Cath – was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cervical cancer. To show their appreciation for the support Liz received throughout her cancer journey, and to raise awareness and money for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, Cuckoo Solace Gin was created. A percentage of proceeds from every bottle of Solace is donated to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. To show their support, Craft Gin Club made a donation of £10k, taking the total amount raised for the charity so far to almost £50k. Mark continued: “Hopefully we can encourage more people to keep on top of screenings, just like Liz did. The money our customers and community have helped us raise goes towards supporting women and their families, who find themselves in similar circumstances to what we faced.” Since the launch of their first Cuckoo Signature Gin in 2017, the Cuckoo range has expanded and gone from strength to strength, winning highly coveted national and international awards for every gin they have produced at their distillery on Holmes Farm in Brindle. n

brindledistillery.co.uk

NORTHERN SPANISH TAPAS IN THE HEART OF PRESTON FOR THE LATEST OFFERS, ENTERTAINMENT & DELICIOUS DISHES FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL NOW OPEN 36 Market Place PR1 2AR | barpintxos.co.uk | 01772 821202

barpintxos_pr1

/BarPintxos

! S E T I B D FO Tuck into our page of Food Bites which brings you the latest news on our restaurants, rural country inns, chefs and local artisan producers who all make Preston and the Fylde a region of outstanding gastronomy If you have any Food Bites news items, please let me know: helen.sanderson@live-magazines.co.uk

INDIAN DELI OPENS IN FISHERGATE

A new family-run Indian deli has opened in the city centre in the old Thorntons premises. Eat Indian on Fishergate offers chilled Indian food to heat and eat, with all food suitable for freezing or a meal on the day. The owners have premises in Lancaster and aim to expand with more sites in the future. On their website, Eat Indian said: “We have a wealth of experience when it comes to the catering industry. “We are very proud of the care and attention to detail when it comes to making food for our customers. We want to ensure that they savour every mouthful. When it comes to traditional Indian food, we know what we’re doing.”

20TH IN UK FOR PUB SCENE

Preston has been voted as one of the top craft drinking destinations in the UK. A new study from Bionic set out to uncover Britain’s best craft drinking destinations and the cities where pub-goers can find the most pubs in each location. The study combined data on customer reviews, number of unique beers and the number of top rated pubs and microbreweries in each city to create an index ranking. Preston ranked as the 20th best for UK winter bar crawl – with over 700 independent pubs to choose from. In total there are 713 pubs for punters to wander between and find a new favourite place to meet with friends and family for a pint this winter. Plug and Taps is the perfect destination in Preston for those who are passionate about craft beer and real ale, or, there is the Plau Gin and Beer House, a cosy location to try out some of the best beer. Preston has received a 7-star rating for pub location meaning there is always a pub nearby no matter where you are.

NEW DELI ON THE HIGH STREET IN PENWORTHAM

The Artisan Deli, a speciality delicatessen has opened on Liverpool Road in Penwortham. Serving an array of delicious products including olives, chutneys jams and meats as well as fresh veg, breads and cheeses. With a fully licensed bar you can stop by to shop, or for drinks and a bite to eat.

HUNGARIAN RESTAURANT ONE OF TOP PLACES IN BLACKPOOL

A family-run Hungarian restaurant in Blackpool has been rated in the top 10 places to go to. Hungarian’s Restaurant, based on Topping Street, Blackpool has been rated number eight of 499 restaurants in Blackpool on TripAdvisor. It is described as: “A family-owned restaurant based in central Blackpool, just of Topping Street upstairs. Warm and welcoming we offer a refreshing style of cafe culture to accommodate any occasion and a contemporary cuisine with Hungarian specialities. “Whether you are looking for a relaxing setting with your family, an early bird dinner to a fine dining experience, an event or a birthday party, we welcome you into our family restaurant.” Of the 137 reviews, it has received five stars and people can’t get enough of the home cooked cuisine. One customer said: “Fantastic home-cooked food with a high end feel to it. We tried almost everything on the menu and were not disappointed… the flavour and the level of care was amazing. “And the service was nothing shy of five stars.”

Create seasonal inspired dishes at home using selected, local ingredients with our easy to follow recipe kits, designed for us by multi-Michelin starred chef and restaurateur Simon Rogan Order online at orders.booths.co.uk

LANCASHIRE T AMBASSADORS Fourth generation Ribble Valley-based cheesemakers Butlers are celebrating after being named winners of a new Made in Lancashire Award

he fourth-generation team at Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses recently won a top honour at the prestigious Red Rose Awards. Naming Butlers as winner of the new Made in Lancashire Award, at a glittering ceremony, the judges said: “Having made investments in new product development and technology, Butlers has been leading the great cheese awakening, winning new business with national supermarket chains and developing a direct-to-consumer offering. “They are Lancashire ambassadors for own product range and are the world’s only cheesemaker to boast 100 per cent recyclable packaging which they developed themselves. They are a great example of Lancashire manufacturing innovation and excellence.” Butlers is committed to sustainability using milk from the family herd, which travels just a few miles to the dairy, impacting farm to fork miles significantly and Butlers lead multiple initiatives every year to support the rural Lancashire community. Matthew Hall, fourth-generation owner of Butlers said: “Being recognised as Lancashire ambassadors who represent manufacturing, innovation and excellence makes us all very proud. “We’re passionate about helping to make

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Lancashire famous for food and drink. Our products have purpose. We hand make all of our cheeses with love, using traditional methods just as we always have done. We continue to push the boundaries and deliver new and exciting experiences for our customers. Our people are the absolute best at what they do, they represent everything that Lancashire is about and this award win is entirely because of them.”

WE’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING TO MAKE LANCASHIRE FAMOUS FOR FOOD AND DRINK In March 2020 Butlers took a holistic approach to manufacturing investing in people, products, processes and technology to take their cheese making to the next level. Speaking about Butlers’ signature blue cheese, Blacksticks Blue, Matthew explains: “We are on the way to achieving our dream of making Blacksticks Blue the number one blue cheese brand in the world – and it’s all down to our Lancashire roots!” n

SIMPLE IDEAS TO ADD EXTRA OOMPH! It may seem strange to some, but in Lancashire combining cheese and apple pie is a tradition! Some suggest keeping the cheese on the side and taking things bite by bite, others add a cold piece of cheese to a warm pie slice while others suggest baking the cheese into the crust directly. Mrs Butler’s would be the perfect cheese – the creamy flavour will complement the acidity of the apple and the crunch of the crust. Butler’s journey into soft cheese making began over 15 years ago. Renowned for their Farmhouse Lancashire and soft

creamy Blacksticks Blue, the development of a soft, creamy white cheese, Button Mill, was a much-wanted addition – it is delicious spread over a cracker, but try dolloping on top of pancakes. Add some raspberries too and you’ll have something a bit special for breakfast.

partner. Why not make your toasties more remarkable by adding some lobster? Simply cook the lobster tails and cut into chunky pieces, crumble Sunday Best over the top and toast away!

Ravens Oak Goat’s Cheese is made from the milk sourced from Butler’s family farm, which is just down the road from the dairy at Throstle Nest Farm. The goats are so much fun to be around, they are intelligent, inquisitive and generally pretty cheeky. This cheese has a subtle nutty flavour reminiscent of almonds, which develops as the cheese naturally matures. The flavour pairs beautifully with dark chocolate – ideal for an unusual after-dinner treat. Triple graded for a strong and complex flavour, Sunday Best is the very best cheese from Lancashire. Steeped in tradition, this 50-year-old family recipe has been handed down from Jean Butler and is still made to the same recipe today. Sunday Best melts evenly and smoothly, without the oily separation that you get with cheddar, making it the ideal cooking

Blacksticks Blue is absolutely the perfect blue for any cheeseboard, its bright orange hue brings a bit of brightness. It is really creamy, providing a striking contract to the blue bite. As it is perfectly balanced, it has the power to convert many a blue cheese pessimist. For a sweet snack, try some on a ginger biscuit – delightful!

WHAT'SON

MILLY & BLOOM GRAND OPENIN 21st January

at 6pm. Milly & Bloom Photography studio Pop down for the grand opening of 27 Station Road hotography facebook.com/millyandbloomp Preston PR5 6QR

WHAM: 80’S TO 00’S

29th January

Get down to Kanteena for a full-on night where they revisit those happ y old days of shell suits, Queen, The Wonder Years and Madonna. Expect to hear plenty of Blondie, Lionel Richie, Destiny’s Child, Prince, Tina Turner, Blur, Daft Punk, TLC and of course Cyndi Lauper! Brewery Lane, Lancaster LA1 1QL kanteena.co.uk

GEORGE’S COMEDY CLUB 4th February

on the edy Club is a monthly event held Fancy some laughs? George’s Com ary’s line-up sees Febru Hall. ge’s Geor King at h first Friday of every mont winning, , Tez ‘Talks’ Ilyas and multi-award Live at the Apollo’s Paul McCaffrey . stage the to Reece take working-class Mancunian, Brendan bwdvenues.com Northgate, Blackburn BB2 1AA

Events coming up in and around Preston & Fylde for all the family

STICKYWEEDS BOOK CLUB

26th January

Resolved to read more in 2022? Join the Stickyweeds for January’s book club at 6pm. It is a free month so tell them about what you’ve been reading in the last month and whether you would recommend it. 328 Chapel Lane, New Longton PR4 4AB facebook.com/Sticky weeds

MIDWINTER MADNESS AT WARTON STOCK CAR CLUB 30th January

make The first meeting of the 50th Anniversary season sees the 1600 Bangers F2 Stock a return alongside the Junior Rookies, Ladies Bangers and the Mini Cars. Gates open at 9am, racing starts at 12pm. Advanced tickets available on the website, or you can pay at the gate. wartonscc.co.uk Sand Lane, Warton, Carnforth LA5 9NJ

SHIFTING SANDS – EXHIBITION BY NICKY

4th February – 30th September

THOMPSON

Fylde Council are proud to present an art trail of contemporary travel posters by acclaimed artist Nicky Thompson set within the historic grounds of Ly tham Hall. There are 12 new contempor ary artworks in the style of railway posters that depict iconic landmarks on the Fylde coast. Ballam Road, Lytham FY8 4JX discoverfylde.co.uk

MAKE YOUR OWN SILVER RINGS

PARBOLD ARTISAN MARKET

13th February

6th February

ty Mix and mingle with designers, makers & producers… this is your opportuni cakes savoury and sweet fudge, ery, confection handmade to indulge with treats, glass, and pastries. Discover and purchase unique gifts – ceramics, art, fused dyed wool, hand printed cushions, textiles, sculpture, fashion, jewellery, art, hand speciality plants and much more. Free parking – free entry Parbold Village Hall, Wigan WN8 7DN

IBIZA CLASSICS WITH

25th February

During the class you will practice a range of traditional silversmithing techn iques and you will have the choice of makin g either two slim stacking rings with a semi-precious stone or a wider ring with added texture. All the rings are made of sterling silver. Cedar Farm, Mawdsley L40 3SY cedarfarm.net

NOASIS 4th March

SONIQUE

The Palm House in the incredible Grade II liste d Sefton Park is hosting Soiree with special gue an Ibiza st Sonique. Sefton Park, Liverpool L17 1AP palmhouse.org.uk

BETWEENERS

BRITPOP SPECIAL WITH COURT 18th March

WORKSHOP

g up a ial with live bands and DJ’s servin Kanteena presents a Britpop spec night is the for tion attrac Main . night all lgia hearty dose of bangers and nosta g Playin . show te Tribu rs tenee ier Cour the ‘Courtbetweeners’, the UK’s prem s. album songs from all five kanteena.co.uk Brewery Lane, Lancaster LA1 1QL

tion s to Riva Showbar! Since its forma The definitive Oasis tribute band come rming the anthems that have perfo sively exten d toure has band in 2006 the the attention to detail the band recreates defined a generation. With obsessive their own. were they if as s song ic class the real Oasis experience playing all rivapreston.co.uk 1DJ 53 Tithebarn Street, Preston PR1

BEAVERBROOKS BLACKPOOL 10K

8th May

FUN RUN

Join Blackpool’s biggest 10K Fun Run and experience running along a traffic free promenade. Entry includes chip timed results, multi-wear headband and bespoke finishers medal. The Fun Run is suitable for both new and experience d runners, anyone from the age of 11 upwards can take part. blackpoolfunrun.co.uk

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entertainment

ON SCREEN

Anna Souroullas takes a look at the latest blockbusters, ready-to-stream films, cinema releases and DVDs

SCREAM

CINEMA RELEASE

Release Date: 14th January 2022 Director: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett Starring: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Marley Shelton, Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Dylan Minnette and Jack Quaid Certificate: TBC

Woodsboro, is a quiet town which was once subjected to a series of brutal murders. Twenty-five years later, a new killer has claimed the Ghostface mask. Targeting a group of teenagers, the secrets from the town’s deadly past risk being resurrected. Serving as the fifth instalment of the Scream series, the film is a direct sequel to 2011’s Scream 4, and the first in the series not to be directed by Wes Craven. David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and Roger L Jackson return to reprise their original roles, while Marley Shelton also reprises her role from the previous film. n

SESAME STREET

CINEMA RELEASE

Release Date: 14th January 2022 Director: Jonathan Krisel Starring: Anne Hathaway, Bo Burnham and Chance the Rapper Certificate: TBC

Big Bird and his Sesame Street friends are ejected from their neighbourhood, leaving them puzzled in the middle of Manhattan. Sally Hawthorne, a history show host, is on a quest to save her show. Teaming up with Big Bird and his friends, Sally is determined to prove that Sesame Street exists. The ‘evil’ Mayor creates obstacles that the team must overcome, desperate to keep Sesame Street hidden from the world. n

ZEROS AND ONES

DVD

Release Date: 4th January 2022 Director: Abel Ferrara Starring: Ethan Hawke, Valerio Mastandrea, Cristina Chiriac, Babak Karimi and Salvatore Ruocco Certificate:

In Zeros and Ones, we follow an American soldier summoned to Rome as he attempts to stop an impending terrorist attack. His imprisoned brother, a rebel with knowledge that could aid in preventing the attack, is in an unknown location. As this soldier desperately seeks any news of his brother, he races through the capital’s streets, facing a series of sinister encounters. Will he be successful in keeping the Vatican from being blown up, or will the entire world remain threatened? n

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patterns, Scott Tetlow’s classical drawing themes with a contemporary twist, Michael Simpson’s versatile and technically excellent bronze sculptures and Anthony Platt’s stunning local scenes, have all added a new and interesting dimension to the collections.

NEW DIMENSION It is now over six months since Nick Smith took over Longridge Gallery. Live Ribble Valley caught up with him to look back on 2021 and discuss future plans

“W

e would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers and other local businesses for their support in 2021, the welcome we have received has been

phenomenal. This has underlined to us the relevance of the gallery to the community,” says Nick Smith of Longridge Gallery. “The most rewarding part of taking over Longridge Gallery has been the opportunity to meet local people, hear their stories, frame treasured memories and source the perfect piece of art that puts a smile on peoples’ faces. It is incredible to hear feedback from customers that we have been able to be part of making their house a home,” explains Nick. The gallery has enjoyed introducing a number of new artists over the past 12 months. Craig Foord’s mesmerising abstract work, Chuck’s distinctive way of incorporating metallic foils and traditional

OUR AIM OVER THE NEXT YEAR IS TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS WITH FAVOURITE ARTISTS IN ADDITION TO DIVERSIFYING OUR ART SELECTION The core of the gallery’s business has remained the same since Nick has taken over: “We still offer high quality bespoke framing, art restoration, needlework stretching as well as sourced and commissioned artwork that has kept the gallery a mainstay of Berry Lane for over 35 years. “Our aim over the next year is to continue to support our loyal customers with favourite artists in addition to diversifying our art selection to ensure that we really are a gallery that appeals to all. Keep an eye on our social media for updates of new artists and works that we will be bringing into the gallery,” concludes Nick. n

Longridge Gallery 78 Berry Lane, Longridge Preston PR3 3WH 01772 782006 info@longridgegallery.co.uk longridgegallery.co.uk /Longridge-Gallery @longridgegallery @longridgegall

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arts&culture

SIXTY YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG! Amateur dramatics society, The Hall Players celebrate 60 years of show business

ack in November 1961 the fledgling amateur dramatics society The Hall Players staged their first production in the newly constructed St John the Baptist Church Hall on Broadway, Fulwood, Preston. The hall, incidentally, was built by the efforts and fund raising of many people and organisations within the Parish in which The Hall Players played a leading role. The comedy, which was billed to run for three nights, was ‘A Quiet Weekend’ in three acts and was penned by playwright Esther McCracken. It was produced by one of the group’s founding members, school master John Shaw. The cast of 13 included several of The Hall Players’ founding members namely Myra Woods, Joyce Sunderland, Rita Ashwell, Stephen Dandy, Doris Benson and Jack Dempsey.

This enthusiastic band of burgeoning thespians became the backbone of the group which was to become a thriving and hugely popular provider of amateur theatre that over many years entertained audiences from Fulwood and beyond with a wide variety of dramas, thrillers, hugely popular comedies and of course the sell-out pantomimes to rival any to be staged in the North-West.

Live theatre in Fulwood was enjoyed by countless thousands of people for almost 57 years until the shock announcement that the beloved Parish Hall, which also had a popular social club and a well-used bowling green, was to close. In its place was to be built a much smaller St Martin’s Chapel and houses on the rest of the site.

The shock news was a hammer blow to The Hall Players and all the other organisations that called the Parish Hall ‘home’. Becoming ‘homeless’ was a major problem for The Hall Players, could this be the end of the road? Undaunted, the hard-working committee, under the guidance of Chairman Carol Buckley, approached the Playhouse on Market Street in the centre of Preston, whose management were delighted to offer the premises so that the Hall Players could stage three performances a year. New home solved? Then came Covid-19, which stopped everyone in their tracks. The pandemic brought all live performances to a halt for eighteen months. Phoenix-like, The Hall Players rose from the ashes once again and put on the production ‘Time of My Life’ in October 2021 just in time for their 60th anniversary. Now they are in rehersals for ‘Don’t You Want Me’ in late January and ‘Blackadder Goes Forth’ in late April. n

For more details go to: hallplayers.org.uk

arts&culture

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GOOD READ Catherine Dunlop cosies up to review the debut book from a local author

The Familiars Stacey Halls

Stacey Halls’ debut novel The Familiars was written after she stayed at Gawthorpe Hall in Padiham and became interested by its 17th century inhabitants. As with any fiction based on real people, places and events, this adds to the intrigue and authenticity and results in a beautifully written historical drama. 17-year-old Fleetwood Shuttleworth enjoys life as a member of the gentry, with a handsome, rich husband and a baby on the way but after three losses and the discovery of a worrying letter from a doctor, she becomes desperate to protect her unborn child and future heir. After they cross paths, the wild and mysterious Alice Gray offers her services as a midwife who will help Fleetwood keep and deliver the much longed for child. But when Alice becomes implicated in the famous witch trials, Fleetwood is determined to help and protect her new friend, no matter what. During a dangerous time to be a woman who did not conform to their allocated role in life, Fleetwood is feisty and courageous, often behaving recklessly in order to help her friend but refusing to be completely tamed and controlled by the men around her, particularly after they betray her. Whilst some females believed to be witches are physically unattractive or antisocial, Alice is calm and kind, a woman in touch with nature and the old ways of healing and medicine, who becomes embroiled after trying to help others. Money and power affect everyone; the rich by the desire for social standing and reputation, the poor by the need for escape and a better life. There doesn’t appear to have been much community spirit as people quickly turned on each other and accusations were based on jealousy, petty arguments and manipulation but also against those (mainly women) who were a bit different, a bit more in touch with the old ways and with a bit more spirit. The writing is highly detailed and transports the reader back in time with clever use of language and descriptive imagery. You can visualise the rich furnishings and ornate carvings of Gawthorpe Hall, feel the dense, thick woodland paths under your feet and smell the overpowering stench of fear as the prisoners awaited their fate at Lancaster Prison. Highly researched, the book is set during one of the most political, tumultuous and terrifying times of Lancashire history but the women are at the core of the plot and you really invest in them, willing them to succeed. It’s sumptuous and engrossing, highlighting the absurdity of the witch trials and the vulnerability of women at the time but also the strength of friendship and belief. A fascinating and spellbinding debut. n Stacey’s latest book Mrs England – has just published in paperback.

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property missed from our North Lancashire team as he is a great character in the office. I believe the commute to Longton Tennis Club is much shorter than it is from Garstang, so it was a no brainer for him! We look forward to seeing the office and team flourish. I have every confidence in them all.” Armitstead Barnett traces its roots back to 1890 in Lancaster and has always served the rural and village sector in land and property matters. With four offices in Garstang, Kendal, Burscough and Clitheroe the business covers most of the north west and is well-placed to look after not only residential sales, but commercial, equestrian and agricultural business.

WHAT IS CLEAR IS THAT OUR CLIENTS APPRECIATE THE BREADTH OF SERVICES THAT ARMITSTEAD BARNETT IS ABLE TO PROVIDE

EXPERIENCED AGENT PROMOTED TO SOUTH LANCASHIRE OFFICE

Hannah added: “We are proud of our traditional values and working methods but over the decades have also adapted our business model with the times. What is clear is that our clients appreciate the breadth of services that Armitstead Barnett is able to provide, working across a number of different platforms to ensure that we offer a bespoke and tailored service to each and every one – whether a quirky character cottage – or large farm with hectares of land.” n If you are looking to sell your home or would like to chat to Tom about buying a house in the area, contact him: 01704 895995 tom@abarnett.co.uk

Armitstead Barnett has welcomed Tom Hargreaves to head up the agency department of its South Lancashire office

om has been with Armitstead Barnett, based in the North Lancashire office for almost two years and has excelled in listing and negotiating on a broad range of properties. Growing from strength to strength it is now time for Tom to spread his wings further and take the helm of the agency department in the South Lancashire Office. Tom lives in Chorley so is perfectly located to service the villages surrounding Chorley, running through to south of Preston and Ormskirk. In the South Lancashire office, based in Burscough, Tom is supported by Alex

Blundell who is familiar with the Ormskirk area along with Melanie Hodkinson who has plenty of property experience and knows the area well. Mark Heaton and Kelly Roberts remain an important part of the team working in valuation and development, beautifully complementing the agency. Hannah Towers, Partner, Head of Agency said: “I couldn’t think of a better candidate for the job. Tom started with us in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic and immediately showed great promise, grit, determination and a real flare for property agency. It was a natural progression for him in an area he knows well. He will be

Armitstead Barnett 59 Liverpool Road North, Burscough L40 0SA abarnett.co.uk South Lancashire 01704 895995 North Lancashire 01995 603180 Ribble Valley 01200 411155 Cumbria 01539 751993

Chartered Surveyors • Land & Estate Agents • Valuers

Open new doors in 2022 with Armitstead Barnett North Lancashire 01995 603 180 South Lancashire 01704 895 995 Ribble Valley 01200 411 155 Cumbria 01539 751 993

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property

PROPERTY SHOWCASE A stunning selection of detached properties for sale across Preston and the Fylde

28 STRICKLANDS LANE PENWORTHAM PR1 9XU GUIDE PRICE £575,000

If you are looking for a substantial family home in Penwortham this beautifully presented detached property is definitely worth consideration. The property is in a sought-after location and is close to local amenities with good transport links. The spacious living accommodation is spread across two floors, with the ground floor comprising of: entrance hall, lounge, kitchen/dining area, snug, dining room, office, and downstairs w.c. To the first floor there are five bedrooms, two with en-suites, as well as a family bathroom. Externally, the property is set amongst mature gardens in a large private plot with a large driveway leading to a double garage. movingworks.co.uk

THE SHIELING, BRYNING LANE WREA GREEN PR4 2WJ £1,150,000

A superb detached property, completely refurbished and refitted during the last 18 months by the owners and is situated in the heart of Wrea Green Village, one of the counties finest traditional villages with its centre ‘village green’ together with duck pond, cricket square and adjoining primary school (Outstanding) and the well known pub and restaurant ‘The Grapes’. Lytham St Annes, Kirkham, Preston, Blackpool are all within a very short travelling distance and there is easy access onto the M55 motorway. Offering spacious family accommodation and standing in approximately 1/3 of an acre of mature landscaped grounds. With the addition of two self-contained COTTAGES to the rear of the property which lend themselves to a variety of uses. Internal and external viewing is strongly recommended. Freehold. EPC Rating E. johnardern.com

GARSTANG ROAD CHIPPING PR3 2QJ OFFERS OVER £825,000

An opportunity to purchase a Grade II Listed, stone-built former farmhouse with generous accommodation over three floors, situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and close to the amenities of Chipping. Brimming with character this five-bedroom property is well-equipped for those wishing to work from home. Set in a generous plot extending to 0.85 acres to include a paddock with stable provision, double garages and spacious ground for parking. Beautifully presented, with separate accommodation for multi-generational living. abarnett.co.uk

STONEBRIDGE FOLD, WHITTINGHAM ROAD LONGRIDGE, PRESTON PR3 2AB FROM £444,995

Anwyl Homes is offering the chance to live mortgage-free for a year in a four-bedroom detached Delamere style property at Stonebridge Fold. The offer, worth up to £15,000, is available on plot 58. It’s ready to move into with flooring throughout included. At its heart is a combined kitchen, dining and family room, featuring 5-ring gas hob, cooker hood, double oven, integrated fridge freezer and dishwasher. The lounge is at the front with feature bay window, plus there’s a utility and cloakroom. Two of the four generously proportioned bedrooms have an en-suite to complement the family bathroom. The main bedroom includes a dressing room, while bedroom two enjoys fitted wardrobes. anwyl.co.uk/stonebridge

LaurusHomes LaurusHomes LaurusHomes

HOLLINS GREEN

PR I C E S F R O M £ 2 0 0,0 0 0 Based in the quaint village of Forton in Wyre, each house has been built and thoughtfully designed with you in mind, situated in a peaceful location a home at Hollins Green offer stunning views of the countryside. Each property boasts spacious dining areas, contemporary living rooms, and fully fitted Symphony kitchens with integrated quality appliances. Shared Ownership Available on selected plots.

Call: E-mail: 0161 968 0247 hollinsgreen@laurushomes.co.uk

WH A L L E Y M A N O R

PR I C E S F R O M £ 24 4 , 9 9 5 Whalley Manor offers a stunning collection of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom new build homes in Whalley. Set in a prime location at the foot of the Ribble Valley in Lancashire this area is well known for its outstanding natural beauty and scenic walks. Shared Ownership Available on selected plots.

Call: E-mail: 0161 968 0530 whalleymanor@laurushomes.co.uk

D’ U R TO N G R A N G E

CO M I N G S O O N Due to launch in Spring 2022, D’Urton Grange offers the best of both worlds enjoying a rural vibe but close enough to take advantage of what the great city of Preston has to offer. With a mix of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes available for outright sale and through Shared Ownership. Register your interest today.

Call: E-mail: 0161 968 0300 sales@laurushomes.co.uk

Visit: laurushomes.co.uk

Offering a first class choice of homes on the

South Fylde

01253 795555 johnardern.com

8 Johns Wood, 37StWoodlands View, Ansdell Clifton Drive, Lytham, FY8 5PF Ground Floor Apartment Bathroom/WC

£449,950 £198,500

61 Road, £398,950 £325,000 11 Albany Rogerley Close, Lytham Lytham St Annes, FY8 4AT Study/Bedroom Three Detached True Bungalow

Elevated Ground Floor Apartment Numbered Space in Communal Garage Spacious Lounge Allocated Parking Space Lounge with Sun Kitchen Balcony, Elevated Sea Views External 2nd Parking Space Modern Fitted Electric Heating & Double Glazing Dining Room & Modern Fitted Kitchen Communal Swimming Pool & Gym Two Double Bedrooms Close to Local Shops Two Double Bedrooms No Onward Chain En Suite SuiteShower/WC Shower Room/WC & EPC Rating En & Bathroom/WC Leasehold Leasehold & EPC RatingDD

Semi Detached Family House Reception Hall/Dining Room Two Reception Rooms Lounge Conservatory Open Plan Kitchen Modern Fitted Dining Kitchen Two Bedrooms Ground Floor Shower Room/WC

56 Street,Ansdell £295,000 £265,000 23 Albert Fylde Road, Lytham, FY8Family 5EBHouse Semi Detached Garden Front & Rear

14 The Atrium, £175,000 6 Glengarry, 32 East Beach, Lytham £439,950 Fairhaven Road, Annes, Bathroom/WC FY8 1FQ 2nd Floor Purpose Built St Apartment

Mid Period House TwoTerraced Reception Rooms In the Heart of Lytham Kitchen & Utility Porch Lounge Three Bedrooms Dining Kitchen Bathroom/WC Three Bedrooms & Separate WC

Superb 1stViews Floor Apartment Stunning of Lytham Green Open Plan with Dining Area Lounge & Lounge Fitted Dining Kitchen Open Plan Fitted Kitchen Three Bedrooms Two Small Balconies En Suite Shower Room/WC Two Bedrooms

Shower Room/WC Off Road Parking Good Sized Store Rear Garden Useful Garden Gas Central Heating & Double Glazing No Onward Chain No Onward Chain Leasehold & EPC Rating Leasehold & EPC RatingDD

John Ardern & Company Ltd 6 Park Street Lytham Lancashire FY8 5LU

Four Bedrooms Conservatory Leading off Bathroom & Separate WC Modern Shower Room/WC Large South Facing Rear Garden South Facing Rear Garden & Garage Garage & Off Road Parking Freehold & EPC Rating D D Leasehold & EPC Rating

En Suite Shower/WC & Bathroom/WC Garage Parking Space Gas Allocated Central Heating & Double Glazing Gas Central Heating & Double Glazing No Onward Chain Yards from the Beach Leasehold & EPC Rating Leasehold & EPC RatingCB

01253 795555 johnardern.com

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property

NOW YOU HAVE MOVED, LET’S IMPROVE! 2021 saw the property market rise to unprecedented levels, with a record number of people buying and selling their properties. Zara Moon Architects explain why

he average house price in England increased by 9.8 per cent in 2021 with a buoyant market of potential purchasers ready and waiting to move into their perfect property. As we start the new year, we all take some time out to analyse what works and does not work within our lives and make our personal and career goals for the next year. Your home is no different. It is literally the centre of your universe and has the ability to improve your day-to-day life, helping you achieve your goals. You may have recently embarked on a property move, or maybe you are currently

looking for your next home – you may have even experienced your home increase in value without lifting a finger and are happily living within your dream home already! Whatever your situation, most people want their home to be the best it can be and to work for their specific family requirements. Take some time to analyse if your home works for you and your family. Many of our homes have had to adapt over the last two years to many different scenarios – such as home working, home fitness regimes, intergenerational living and even new additions! You may want to improve the natural

light, maximise the surrounding views, improve the connection to the garden, create indoor/outdoor living, improve the internal flow, create a wow-factor and kerb appeal, create additional space or a home office or incorporate a hobby such as a swimming pool, home gym, games room or equestrian facility.You may even have additional out-buildings or land that we can assess the feasibility of utilising to create your required accommodation. Take some time out to analyse what works and does not work about your home – what do you love, and what could be improved? We ask our clients to create a wish-list of what they want and a list of what doesn’t currently work within their home. You don’t need to worry about what the solution would be as that is where we come in! n Contact a member of our team for your free consultation to discuss how you can begin your own home transformation project

Zara Moon Architects We transform sites, buildings, and lives. 01200 403840 info@zaramoonarchitects.co.uk zaramoonarchitects.co.uk

Come to our Year 5 Senior School Taster Day on Tuesday 8th February 2022. If you have a child currently in Year 5 and would like them to have the chance to experience lessons at Oakhill, meet some new friends and start to get to know their way round Oakhill please email spencer.s@oakhillschool.co.uk to reserve a place. | oakhillschool.co.uk | 01254 823546 | Wiswell Lane, Whalley, Lancashire, BB7 9AF

18 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1EW 01253 754940

Live Preston & Fylde Issue 104 Jan/Feb 2022

Articles inside

BUSINESS HOUR AT UCLAN

CRICKET COMING HOME TO LANCASHIRE

THEY CALL IT PUPPY LOVE

“DON’T WAIT” – CHECK YOUR HEALTH

PRESTON INVESTS IN NEW LEISURE COMPLEX