Live Preston & Fylde Issue 110 Jan - March 2023

FEATURES

12 HEALTH PIONEERS

With health and wellbeing a priority as we head into the new year, Paul Agnew meets Keith Allum the man behind an awardwinning product.

68 GLORIOUS RESTORATION

The magnificent Lytham Hall has been crowned a joint winner of the Historic Houses Restoration Award.

78 WONDERFUL WEDDINGS

From gorgeous gowns to fabulous flowers, and everything in between! We take a look at some of the best venues to be found in Preston and Fylde for that very special day.

108 ALL NATURAL

A new brewery and tap room has launched in the region, serving gluten free beer within a beautifully rural and quirky setting that’s set to attract craft ale fanatics near and far!

116 BRINGING JOY

Artist Georgia Maia, who is working closely with businesses across the city, talks about her most recent collaboration with Fairham Gin.

LIVE MAGAZINES

Chairman: Simon Smith

Managing Director: Tedd Walmsley

Company Secretary: Elizabeth Walmsley

Editor: Jan Woolley

Graphic Designers: Nick Dittrich and Rob Walmsley Operations Manager: Kate Hyde Production Manager: James Britton

Photography: Roger Moore, Robin Lyndon, Kirsten Platt and Andy Tighe

Sales Account Manager: Jane Hughes 07875 696 928

Editorial Contributors: Paul Agnew, Gail Bailey, Kate Bowyer, Emma Brereton, Michael Hodkinson, Meena McDonald, Lucy Newton and Sarah Ulyatt

Live Magazines Limited Office 9, The Old Bakery Green Street Lytham FY8 5LG

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Magazines

As we begin 2023, many of us will have made New Year’s resolutions – and some will already have been broken! The experts all tell us to set goals that are sensible and achievable so keep that in mind. Many resolutions often involve health and wellbeing so it’s fitting that in this issue of Live Preston & Fylde we talk to the professionals, who have the knowledge and expertise to guide us.

Writer Paul Agnew meets Keith Allum the man behind a series of award-winning collagen products that are exported all over the world. Based in Wrea Green, Keith talks about the benefit of this abundant protein, how it is said to improve joint mobility and the global impact it has made on the beauty industry. He also reveals that one of Arthrovite’s products has recently scooped a national award. Staying with the health and wellbeing theme, Chris Warren, personal trainer and co-founder of Pro-Fit in Preston, explains how you can keep your fitness goals on track with five easy steps - by setting realistic goals, getting plenty of rest, eating well, working with the experts and keeping strong. Simple!

Also, in this issue we talk to some inspirational young creatives who, as we head further into the new year, will undoubtedly see their hopes and dreams come to fruition. Despite numerous setbacks Jim and Jen Cuffe, have launched Jimbrew Brewing Company that makes craft ales that are completely natural and gluten free. In the rural location of Clifton Fields, the eco-friendly brewery is also home to a tap room that attracts craft ale enthusiasts from all over the region.

Another young creative is Penwortham artist Georgia Maia, who formed a recent collaboration with Fairham Gin. Having worked with businesses across the city, Georgia was delighted to design a fabulous label for Fairham’s Limited Edition Vol.1 chocolate orange gin. You can read all about how they came up with the original, eye-catching design.

We also have a wonderful wedding feature, we talk to a PNE super-fan who first went to Deepdale in 1967 and by 2012, had seen 756 consecutive games and we meet former detective turned author Roger Price, who has launched a new novel and has a TV drama script and BBC documentary on the horizon. Let’s hope 2023 is a happy, healthy and successful year for everyone!

Jan Woolley Editor

All that they can be.

To see more of this and other fabulous kitchens visit the case studies page on our website.

Sleek Contemporary Style

When a family from Bolton wanted to replace their kitchen with a cutting-edge, sleek contemporary one, Stuart Frazer came highly recommended by friends.

They contacted Paul Rigby at Stuart Frazer to not only design the kitchen but to project manage all the elements of the renovation too.

A sleek contemporary look was what the family were after and they were clear that they wanted a dark kitchen with a moody look and Walnut incorporating in to the design. They also wanted the whole space to match their existing floor tiles.

Paul recommended Graphite grey with Oro Quartz worktops and introduced Walnut in to a niche back wall detail which broke up the tall bank. This was mirrored with the walnut table around the island.

Cleverly designed storage including a pantry cupboard means appliances can be hidden away and when opened, the cupboard provides extra working space.

The family were delighted with the way Stuart Frazer managed the whole project, bringing in other trades such as electricians and plumbers.

The family love their new kitchen space and can’t praise Stuart Frazer enough. They found their service to be outstanding, from Paul right down to the fitters.

You are probably aware of collagen, the most abundant protein found in our bodies. You may know, possibly from first-hand experience, how it improves joint mobility by relieving the symptoms of arthritis and of the immense global impact it has had on the beauty industry.

But did you know that the health food company responsible for introducing collagen hydrolysate to the UK is based right here in Lancashire – in the picturesque village of Wrea Green?

HEALTH PIONEERS

And that very company, ArthroVite Ltd, is currently celebrating national recognition after scooping ‘Best Beauty Supplement 2023’ for its popular collagen supplement, Beautivite.

Votes from readers and followers of Your Healthy Living, the UK’s leading in-store natural health magazine, saw Beautivite emerge outright winner.

And given that ArthroVite’s other bestseller, Collagen Plus, also won a national award three years ago, it’s no great surprise that the man at the helm is enjoying the moment.

“It is fantastic to achieve such recognition and we are immensely proud,” said managing director Keith Allum, who joined ArthroVite shortly after its incorporation in 1995, initially on the IT side of the then fledgling operation.

most people had never even heard of, let alone used on a daily basis. It wasn’t a simple-to-grasp process like selling plasters or headache tablets.

“However, on-going medical research and findings have continued to extol the virtues of collagen and customers have become very knowledgeable.”

ArthroVite came into being after two pioneering Lancashire businessmen, Alan Greening and Peter O’Callaghan, headed to Germany to meet with officials at collagen giant Gelita.

Let Keith take up this fascinating story: “Alan and Peter went over to Germany to investigate the impact of collagen (gelatin) in food, visiting Gelita, a world leader in the supply of collagen proteins for the food, health,

nutrition and pharmaceutical industries.

“They were most impressed and decided to bring the ‘good idea’ to life, working in conjunction with Czechoslovakian doctor Milan Adam, a renowned professor of Rheumatology at Prague University.”

‘MADE

Keith recalls the weeks and months leading up to a major UK launch at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United FC and the key role played by Dr Adam.

“Trading had been brisk from the word go, so it was vital that proper systems were in place to help cope with demand. In no time at all we had thousands of names on the customer database, many of whom are still with us today.

“We put a great deal on customer ‘education’ back then, for collagen was something

“Ironically, it was the improvement in the condition of knee cartilage among footballers that had convinced Alan and Peter that they were onto a winner. Milan was a genius, using collagen to develop strings of cartilage, which were then inserted into knees. It was revolutionary surgery and way ahead of its time.

“Milan, who went on to become a Government minister in Europe, stayed closely connected to ArthroVite until he died.

“He was a pioneer and many of the advances made since, across both health and beauty, can be attributed to him – with perhaps just a little bit down to our foresight as a company.”

With health and wellbeing a priority as we head into the new year, Paul Agnew meets Keith Allum the man behind an award-winning product

IT WAS THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONDITION OF KNEE CARTILAGE AMONG FOOTBALLERS THAT HAD THEM CONVINCED THEY WERE ONTO A WINNER

KEITH HAS SET UP OVERSEAS SUPPLY AND MANUFACTURING DEALS IN ECUADOR AND KENYA, WHERE THE

IN UK’ QUALITY FACTOR IS VERY HIGHLY REGARDED

ArthroVite was awarded exclusive European patent rights from Gelita to add collagen to food supplements and, close to three decades later, the results are there for all to see.

The company has developed links with major traders and retailers including the manufacture of own-brand collagen supplements for Boots. Collagen Plus is the flagship product, closely followed by Beautivite.

Furthermore, Keith has set up overseas supply and manufacturing deals in Ecuador and Kenya, where the ‘Made in UK’ quality factor is very highly regarded.

ArthroVite’s products also fly out to customers across 19 different countries, as far afield as New Zealand, Hong Kong,

Canada and Barbados.

“It was actually the reaction of customers taking Collagen Plus for joint issues that brought about the arrival of Beautivite. We kept hearing that not only were people seeing

supplement which continues to make great strides in the beauty market, promoting a real sense of well-being and helping to slow down the ageing process.”

Keith, who took sole control of the business in 2008, continues to manufacture through the same factory, having worked in partnership with Gelita since day one and remains totally committed to ensuring that all ArthroVite products are high in collagen, which sadly is not always the case across the market.

an improvement in their mobility but also that their skin was smoother, their hair healthier and their nails stronger.

“We did careful market research and launched Beautivite – a pure collagen

“That philosophy has served us well, certainly resulting in strong loyalty and we have never lost sight of the need for the personal touch with our customers. That is something we intend to keep unchanged for the next 30 years – and beyond!” n

THE PRODUCTS FLY OUT TO CUSTOMERS ACROSS 19 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, AS FAR AFIELD AS NEW ZEALAND, HONG KONG, CANADA AND BARBADOS

A contemporary kitchen for a newly built farmhouse

Andrew and Amelia had the chance to build the perfect house and have their dream kitchen when they bought a house in Grimsargh, knocked it down and built a farmhouse in it’s place.

They visited Kitchen Design Centre in Blackburn after seeing one of their kitchens in a glossy magazine. They were immediately impressed with Showroom Manager Will Hustler and after showing him their architect’s plans, knew he could create the perfect space for them. He understood their vision and the contemporary look they were after.

They liked the fact that Will’s expertise saved them from making mistakes. The colours Will recommended work perfectly in the space. They felt reassured being able to select colours from such a wide range of samples in the showroom and they chose the breakfast bar and worktop after seeing it on display.

Initially they were anxious at the size of the room and didn’t want the kitchen to look lost. Will created a separate bar area which works perfectly and ties everything together and designed the island and tall units to dominate and command the space.

Andrew and Amelia are delighted with Kitchen Design Centre, from Will to the fitters who were fantastic and did an exceptional job. The kitchen has become the heart of their stunning home and has the ‘wow’ factor. It’s perfect for everyday family life and entertaining, “we can’t praise Will enough. He’s created our dream kitchen that fits perfectly within the farmhouse. From the start where we came armed with architect’s plans to the finish where Will came and taught us how to use all the appliances, everyone at Kitchen Design Centre has been exceptional.”

Designer Will Hustler says,

“This was a fabulous project to work on because I was involved at the very start, before the farmhouse had been built. The space allocated to the kitchen was fantastic but such a large space needed careful consideration. My design includes bold elements such as the large island. The inclusion of the separate drinks area really works and makes the space flow.”

Crafted for Humans

We’re from Italy and we bring the exquisiteness of the Italian soul to the world. We have bright eyes, always ready to capture the most unique desires for beauty and comfort. Our quality lies in the hard-working hands of our craftsmen. Respect for others, the law and the environment is dear to our passionate heart. We love chatting with a smiling face, to anyone. All this allows us to believe in a more comfortable future, made of innovative, versatile and functional products. And a design that improves life. For everyone.

Linearity and versatility in a sofa with delicate forms, perfect for any space and furnishing style. Greg, thanks to the Dual Power Mechanism, allows separate adjustment of the headrest and footrest for unprecedented relaxation. And with the Zerowall System, you activate the recliner function without needing to move the sofa off the back wall.

MODUS

CORO

Creating an inviting atmosphere is a fundamental part of a happy home and, with its generous forms, Coro beckons you to sink in and relax.

PORTENTO

Soft padding for unequalled comfort and an extraordinary visual impact. Fitted with a power mechanism with a double motor that automatically adjusts the headrest and footrest.

PRESTON 227 BROOK STREET PRESTON, PR1 7ND - T 01772 880082.

For further details, please call or email our dedicated team at preston@natuzzieditions.co.uk

The perfect fusion of style and function. Solid, unique shaping meets bespoke comfort delivered thanks to the latest recliner mechanisms.

These unique and effortlessly stylish accessories are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone fortunate enough to own them!

From dogs to horses, ducks to giraffes, JJ Textile have got it covered. Plus, being made from real wool, these home accessories are luxurious and wonderfully cosy.

The wool blankets and throws are always a popular gift especially for animal lovers.

Available in a wide range of designs, from family pets to farmyard animals and wildlife, all have been lovingly recreated to provide warmth and comfort during the winter months and when spring and summer arrive the throws are ideal accessories when the evening sun begins to set.

ANIMAL MAGIC…

Whether you’re an animal lover or not, everyone will appreciate the warm hug of these blankets this winter!

JJ Textile uses only sustainable fibres such as wool to make their warm homewares.

While their home accessories make the perfect gift, they are also a practical addition to any home adding unique character and a cosy touch to your living space.

Thanks to their natural temperatureregulating properties, they are great for use all-year round, from the depths of winter through to chilly summer nights. n

jjtextile.co.uk

Whether you’re an animal lover or not, these woollen throws and blankets will keep you warm and cosy this winter

AUTOMATED WIRELESS BLINDS

Residential and commercial solutions that put you in control.

Wireless blinds are cost effective, easy to maintain and ideal for areas that require a wire free solution.

Reduce unwanted glare, save energy, and provide privacy to your living space – simply.

Choose from Roller or Insulating Honeycomb Wireless systems.

Bernard Dickinson, 13 Beech Drive, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 3NB 01772 862 266 bernarddickinson.co.uk andrew@bernarddickinson.co.uk

TIME

January is a great time to get organised in the garden and make plans for the year ahead

With the new year, you can start planning what plants you might like to add or seeds you might like to grow in spring and what materials you need to do this, plus what kind of budget you have.

Gardens can cost, so try to keep things simple and where possible reuse, recycle or come up with money saving ideas that can help you create the garden of your dreams regardless of resources or space.

So, thrifty tip for the month is to get your tools sorted before the gardening season gets into full swing. You don’t need masses of tools just a few good ones – the best you can afford –or keep an eye out for bargains in second hand shops making sure that the metal parts are in good shape. You will need a good spade (preferably with a wooden handle that comes up to your hip in height), a fork and a hoe. Plus, a pair of secateurs is essential, as is a watering can. If you have space a wheelbarrow is also handy. If you are container gardening then a hand trowel and fork are a must. The rest you can improvise – pencils for dibbers, yoghurt pots and plastic food trays for seeds

and cuttings, large plastic bottles for cloches. You can also make tools last longer by wiping them with a rag dabbed with oil after use. Being snow-aware in the garden can not only help with the longevity of equipment, it can also stop extensive plant damage which means you don’t have to spend money on repairs or replacements. Advice from the Royal Horticultural Society is to shake or brush heavy snow from conifers, shrubs and hedges to prevent branches breaking. When it comes to turf and borders a covering of snow provides insulation from the cold so it’s best left in place. You should avoid walking on frozen and snow-covered lawns as this damages the grass.

species because it self-seeds and spreads very quickly, which means you get to enjoy your snowy white display sooner rather than later.

Always buy pots of snowdrops ‘in the green’ –so when they have finished flowering but the leaves are still green and intact. Or you could lift and divide any large clumps from a different location or garden, which would give you a supply of snowdrops for free. Plant them out as soon as possible in partial shade and in moist but well-drained soil. You can add some compost or leaf mould to give added nutrients. Plant to the same depth around four inches/ 10cm and space clumps about six inches/15cm apart. Water them in and leave. n

One of the plants we love to see at this time of year is the perfectly formed snowdrop. Common snowdrops are hardy and fairly easy to grow with many beautiful species to choose from. If you’re hoping to create an impressive swathe in your garden then try Galanthus Nivalis. It’s the most common

from the bi-fold doors, they selected Tromso White Maple in herringbone.

For the stairs and landing Brockway Rare Breeds Loop, made from pure, undyed wool provided a luxurious look whilst providing a durable surface.

Liaising with other contractors was critical to the smooth running of the project.

Gordon was extremely impressed with the professionalism, flexibility and consideration shown by the Gainsborough team, fitting in with the family’s timescales rather than their own, as well as keeping them informed and involved.

CREATING THE WOW FACTOR

Gordon and Liz Warnock recently completed major renovations to the home they’ve lived in for nearly 25 years.

With a sizeable kitchen extension, a striking new summer room, opening up the entrance hallway to their home, plus a new staircase, there was considerable scope for some truly exciting flooring choices.

Following some online research and discovering a feature on Gainsborough Flooring in a local glossy lifestyle magazine, they called into their showroom.

Both Gordon and Liz were astounded with what they were presented with. A vast product range, invaluable advice demonstrating the team’s knowledge and expertise to guide them to select the most appropriate flooring for the space, as well as their ability to understand and collaborate with other tradespeople to ensure a smooth and efficient installation.

The back of the house was extended to create a magnificent sociable space in their spacious

open plan kitchen and dining area. The couple selected Amtico Spacia Washed Salvaged Timber in a planked arrangement with a prominent grain.

Gordon and Liz were also extremely keen to create a feature by expanding their entrance hallway and the natural light and impressive space made Karndean Kaleidoscope KAL13 the perfect choice to create the amazing wow factor they were looking for.

Karndean Kaleidoscope explores a new world of unique patterns and shapes to create three-dimensional effects. Initially it confused the couple’s five-year old grandson, who thought he was stepping on an uneven floor!

The newly renovated summer room created a wonderfully peaceful space which was fully utilised during the summer and autumn.As Gordon commented: “It’s just so lovely and relaxing watching nature and chatting, rather than sitting in front of the television!”

To complement the walls and the natural light

Gordon concluded: “It has completely changed the way we live and we are absolutely delighted with what we’ve achieved. The family spends much more time together. The wow factor created by the hallway tops it off completely with friends unbelievably impressed with what we have created.”

So, what’s next on the list? Another sitting room and all the bedrooms which will need to be updated in the near future. There’s nothing holding back the creativity of Gordon and Liz! n

01772 250 682 gainsboroughflooring.co.uk

Gainsborough Flooring 26 Heatley Street Preston PR1 2XB

Opening times: Mon - Fri 8.00am - 5.00pm Sat 9.00am - 4.00pm

A couple who have extended and transformed their home are delighted with their stylish new flooring that has created a living space that is both beautiful and practical, writes Meena McDonald

more than kitchens

kitchen flair is an independent family run kitchen manufacturer, established in 1993

“When you have a vision in your head, 9 times out of ten it could be something like what you envisaged but this is exactly how we wanted it to look, we’re really pleased with it”

Chris & Lorraine, 2021

offering totally bespoke solutions, kitchenflair manufacture their own kitchens meaning they can offer unique superior quality units to fit any space, with awe-inspiring door ranges.

whether your kitchen space is big, small, or somewhere in-between, kitchenflair will work with you and your budget to maximise space and introduce you to clever ideas, elegant products and finishing touches – affordable luxury.

it’s details like this that sets kitchenflair apart.

windows must be C-rated at the very least.

A recent project Timberlook manufactured for was for a Tudor-style property in Wrea Green. Part of a mock Tudor housing development – the house hadn’t had its windows replaced since the 90s.

The current homeowners were determined to breathe life into the house and began a year-long restoration to create the picture postcard property that sits there today. Before the renovation, the house featured dark, heavy and unmaintained wooden windows. These were replaced

A PEEK THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS INTO ENERGY EFFICIENCY

a modern, state-of-the-art aluminium sliding or bi-folding doors along with super secure composite front doors,” Amelia added.

with the Timberlook range to avoid any compromise on the historical aesthetics of the house as well as improving the property’s thermal efficiency.

It’s exciting planning a home renovation project but it can also feel daunting when faced with a plethora of products.

Affordable Windows Group (AWG) is one of the largest window manufacturers in the UK and has outlined several points that are essential to consider when choosing new windows and doors for your home.

“Do your research first so you have a good idea of the look you want to achieve,” explains Amelia Gaughan, sales administrator and marketing coordinator at AWG.

Amelia explains that the next step, and probably the most important, is to ensure you appoint a trusted installer and speak to them directly about your expectations for the project. The installer will outline the window and door ranges available and which would best complement the property.

“It’s also worth exploring the idea of a mixture of materials to really transform your home. For example, our Timberlook Flush Sash windows look fantastic alongside

Energy efficiency should also be high on the agenda when considering new windows and doors. The BFRC (British Fenestration Rating Council) rate the thermal efficiency of windows (as a whole) from A to G, with A being the most efficient. To meet ‘Energy Saving Recommendation’ certification, the

Amelia explains: “Our Timberlook range is available in many different options which allowed the homeowners to lose the busy leaded-look in exchange for a simple but stylish astragal bar design. This detail has also been reflected in the mock Tudor beams on the property and cleverly colour matched with our Painswick Green Timberlook windows.

“To complete the look, the homeowners decided upon a highly secure Solidor composite door. The homeowners’ vision, coupled with their choice of products, enabled this already show-stopping house to be elevated to the next level.” n

Affordable Window Systems

Beacon Road, Poulton Business Park Poulton-le-Fylde FY6 8JE 01253 888222 sales@a-w-s.co.uk a-w-s.co.uk

Replacing windows and doors is one of the best ways to modernise your home whilst improving its energy efficiency, writes Emma Brereton

THE HOMEOWNERS’ VISION, COUPLED WITH THEIR CHOICE OF PRODUCTS, ENABLED THIS ALREADY SHOW-STOPPING HOUSE TO BE ELEVATED TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Be inspired in our 3000 sq ft showroom. Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm by appointment only. Evening appointments are also available upon request. Please call 01772 611622 or email showroom@originalbathroomcompany.co.uk www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uk 84 Liverpool Road, Longton, Preston PR4 5NB • Next to Booths

VIVA MAGENTA!

Available across a series of interiors products including graphical art prints and scatter cushions as well as stationery, greeting cards and gift wrap, Storigraphic has launched a full design collection of their new Boho Red series, an extended range of their popular Seventies Series and Boho colour editions, coinciding with the recent announcement of Viva Magenta, Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2023.

All Storigraphic products are produced in the UK, plastic-free and sustainably made using environmentally certified paper and material. Paperware is fully recyclable with no glitter, foil, metallic ink or lamination used.

Storigraphic is an independent design studio, sustainable-brand and store, creating award-winning paperware, gifts and homeware to transform the everyday.

All products are recyclable and sustainably made with five per cent of sales profit donated to homelessness charity, Crisis UK, and a portion of each sale allocated to planting a young native tree across the world. n

Create a blast from the past with a vivid backdrop of prints and accessories in shades of magenta

ALL PRODUCTS ARE RECYCLABLE AND SUSTAINABLY MADE WITH FIVE PER CENT OF SALES PROFIT DONATED TO HOMELESSNESS CHARITY, CRISIS UK

AWARD-WINNING TRUSTED PROFESSIONALS

Having recently won a Northern Enterprise Award for the ‘Best Family Run Roofing and Building Company’, Lancashire Roofing and Building are fast becoming recognised as a leader in their trade, writes Gail Bailey

Lancashire Roofing and Building is a fully certified company serving the entire Lancashire area. Company Director George Clarkson says: “We are a family-run business with a reputation for high-quality work and an unrivalled personal service. With a qualified team who have over 20 years’ combined experience in the industry, we know what matters to our customers. We ensure to be competitive on pricing and deliver the highest standards of quality workmanship.”

The company offer all aspects of roofing and building services, their high standards are recognised not only by countless customer reviews but from a further accolade in the sector with Lancashire Roofing and Building holding the Confederation of Roofing Contractors accreditation: “We are extremely proud of this recognition, which demonstrates our reliable service and the high standards of our work. It means a lot to be acknowledged as highly reputable and trustworthy by our peers within the industry,” George adds.

The CORC certification provides customers with insurance-backed guarantees on all new roofs, delivering additional peace of mind.

George and his team recognise that the roof

is arguably the most important part of a house or building: “The roof is the guardian angel of a home, protecting everything beneath it,” says George. “Therefore, it deserves special treatment and attention to ensure it is robust and can safeguard the house for as long as possible.”

As one satisfied Ribble Valley customer says: “George and his team deserve the highest praise for their professionalism and skill. They have completed an excellent job and go above and beyond to provide a quality service. Would I recommend Lancashire Roofing and Building Ltd? Absolutely 100 per cent!”

The importance of a quality roof can never be underestimated when it comes to the value of a house too, as George explains: “The roof is one of the first things prospective buyers will see before entering a property. This means that not only does a new roof increase the value of a property, but also the kerb appeal. The roof can also accelerate the sale of a house as it improves the safety and structural integrity of the property.”

Interestingly, the installation of a new roof is not usually among the top-most ‘talkedabout’ restoration projects. However, it could

give a return on investment of up to 63 per cent – whereas improvements to a loft, kitchen or bathroom register a much lower return.

Lancashire Roofing and Building are expanding and currently recruiting: “We are a close-knit team – when you are working in a potentially dangerous environment it’s important each member of the team acts together as a strong unit and this underpins the culture of our company,” explains George. “That’s why we only employ the very best, highly skilled craftsmen who understand all aspects of every project they work on –and equally importantly, appreciate the time and effort that goes into producing a quality service.” n

Please contact Lancashire Roofing and Building for further information or a free written quotation

CANDLE COLLABORATION

St Eval’s stunningly vibrant candle collection Love, Hope & Freedom, was created in collaboration with illustration students to raise funds for UK anti-slavery charity Unseen

The beautifully illustrated labels for these St Eval candles were designed by a talented third-year BA (Hons) Illustration student. The designs embody the nature-connected essence of St Eval candles and symbolise the important social messages in their themes.

St Eval are delighted that, through support from their customers and network of stockists, they were able to donate an incredible £6,251 to anti-slavery charity Unseen at the end of 2022. Furthermore, as this donation was sent during the ‘Big

Give’ campaign, this was then match funded to £12,502. This significant donation will support Unseen and help them continue their life-changing work.

St Eval sustainably craft candles, diffusers and body care with people and planet at their heart. B Corp Certified and based on their farm in Cornwall, their unique nature-inspired scents imbue the beautiful surroundings of coast and countryside.

Unseen is a UK anti-slavery charity which provides safe houses and support in the community for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery. St Eval’s Love, Hope & Freedom candles were inspired by the positive changes that Unseen brings to the lives of those affected by modern day slavery.

Jo Eades at Unseen says: “It was a real pleasure to work alongside St Eval on this project – from the initial inception, being involved in the design choice and supporting

the sales process. It has been lovely to show other supporters the actual candles to demonstrate the partnership we’ve had with St Eval.”

Creating an environment that enriches people’s lives and treading softly on the earth is the St Eval vision which began over 28 years ago.

The company continues to create new and exciting candles and fragrances, inspired by nature and following their core values –to protect, nurture and respect each other and the earth. As pioneers in quality, nature-inspired scents for wellbeing and safety, St Eval leads the way in driving high standards and sustainability for a brighter more balanced world, connecting with local communities and charities, sharing their vision and shining the light. n

DESIGNS FOR BETTER LIVING

access and overhead storage, to guest rooms turned into home offices with luxuriously comfortable foldaway wall beds, we specialise in giving you new multi-purpose space to enjoy. If you’re looking for a streamlined media centre or to optimise your understairs storage, we have the expertise to improve your living space.

All our furniture is made-to-order to your exact individual specifications and we offer a wide range of finishes and styles to choose from. You can go for sleek and shiny, light or dark, or opt for warm natural wood tones. Whatever your taste or the style and period of your property, we design the furniture to fit.

are not quite sure how it can be 2023 already, it’s time

January is a prime time to embrace some new look trends and find ways to improve your lifestyle. Along with the inevitable new diet and fitness regimes, you can look at how your home can be improved.

With the garden still largely off limits due to the dark evenings, we’re all still focused on indoor living, and the shortcomings of our homes are highlighted when the Christmas glitz is gone. It’s a perfect time to get organised and identify how your property can be adapted to better suit your lifestyle. Investing in improving your home not only gives you the benefits of better functionality but also helps with its resale value when you decide to move.

Making better use of space is Hartleys raison d’être, with creative storage solutions at the very heart of what we do. A free, no obligation visit from our designer will reveal how you can gain much more within the footprint of each room. You don’t necessarily need to build an extension to find more space for living and storage. We look at streamlining your existing space,

working with – rather than against – tricky architectural features to build furniture that not only looks fabulous but also gives you

While INVESTING IN IMPROVING YOUR HOME NOT ONLY GIVES YOU THE BENEFITS OF BETTER FUNCTIONALITY BUT ALSO HELPS WITH ITS RESALE VALUE WHEN YOU DECIDE TO MOVE

up the last of 2022 along with the Christmas decorations and start a new year with a fresh outlook! Hartleys Snaygill Industrial Estate Keighley Road, Skipton BD23 2QR 01756 700471 hartleysbedrooms.co.uk

tailored storage so you can clear away the clutter and create more floor space. You can achieve a more minimalist look without having to throw away half your possessions!

From bedrooms featuring ‘stable door’

Everything is made locally in our Yorkshire factory in Skipton, using sustainably sourced robust materials, so you can be assured of furniture with a low carbon footprint, plus it’s guaranteed to last. Our fitters are true craftsmen and consummate professionals, so there’s no fuss, no mess, just a smart and efficient installation. n

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GET THE LOOK

Seeking a new look for the new year? One of the best ways to re-style your image is to let the experts at The Spectacle Factory advise you on the latest eyewear. Photography Robin Lyndon

When a person looks at you, the first thing they see is your eyes – so if you wear glasses they will be immediately struck as to whether they complement your face and your overall style.

“It’s really important that your glasses say something about you,” says Robert Sands, who manages The Spectacle Factory and travels the world seeking out the latest styles and eyewear technology. “Spectacles need to reflect your personality, just like your clothes and jewellery. Your eyewear is the first thing people notice.

“You get used to seeing yourself in a certain way so when you’ve had the same pair of glasses for a number of years you don’t tend to notice them. Most people tend to keep the same glasses for between two and four years. But it’s incredible what a difference a new pair can make to how you look and how you feel.”

While we all have our own individual style sometimes it’s good to try something different and at The Spectacle Factory they have years’ of experience in advising customers, as Robert explains: “If someone is replacing their glasses they do tend to opt for something similar to what they already have in terms of shape, materials and colour. But we can really change the way they see themselves by suggesting they try something completely different.

“At the moment there are some fabulous ‘out there’ frames that can really alter your

look – some clients are amazed when they try something new as they see how they can benefit from a re-style.”

If you feel you want to re-style your look for 2023, book an eye test and a free style consultation at The Spectacle Factory, where there are thousands of different frames that are handpicked for their originality.

“We can lead people out of their comfort zone and see what will really work for them,” says Robert, who recommends The Spectacle Factory’s Youtube channel, which has taken the brand worldwide.

“We give lots of tutorials so clients can see what works. Every day we see people who thank us for helping them choose something they would never have even considered. They are so glad that they made the right choice – we love it as it gives people so much confidence!

“A new pair of glasses can enhance the way we feel about ourselves – not just because we look great in them, but they also enable us to see the world better then ever! That’s what we aim for.”

The Spectacle Factory is renowned for its

SPECTACLES CAN REALLY MAKE A STATEMENT –YOU CAN GO BIG AND BOLD OR MINIMALISTIC

collection of eyewear that is sourced from all over the globe, many from independent designers.

You won’t find anything like The Spectacle Factory’s unique collection on the high street. With an ethos of providing the very best eyewear for each individual, the experts at The Spectacle Factory use the latest technology to create personalised prescriptions then make it their mission to find the best frames in the world.

The team help clients to understand their vision and their outstanding level of customer care and style consultation service has led to the organic growth of the business since it began in 1996. Customers return to The Spectacle Factory time after time, many after glowing recommendations from friends and family about the fantastic service and amazing eyewear collections.

Discover frames from the likes of McLaren, Gucci, Boss and Cartier as well as strikingly creative spectacles sourced from independent designers such as Gast and Italian brand Portrait, all made to the highest standards.

“We live in a world where people are now

embracing glasses more than ever before. Spectacles can really make a statement – you can go big and bold or minimalistic, metal or plastic or combine the two and one of the latest trends that has really taken off is lens tints.

“At The Spectacle Factory we have all different colours of tints, which is unusual as most lenses traditionally have a green shimmer.

“We can customise lenses to any colour which is fabulous as clients can create a

totally bespoke pair of glasses – they select their frames and a colour tint can really pull everything together. This is something that other opticians don’t often offer.

“It is a really exciting approach and is bringing a new enthusiasm among our customers, who always trust us to get it right.” n

You can find out more about The Spectacle Factory by scanning the QR code below or make an appointment to meet the team

ONE OF THE LATEST TRENDS THAT HAS REALLY TAKEN OFF IS LENS TINTS.

THEIR FRAMES AND A COLOUR TINT CAN REALLY PULL EVERYTHING TOGETHER

Leonard

Leonard Dews Signature

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE…

Are

As the new year dawns, it’s always a time to consider fresh starts and reflect on how we can improve our life, our body, our mind and soul in order to feel happy, healthy and content.

We should never take our health and wellbeing for granted – 2020 really taught everyone a lesson. Putting your focus on health and wellbeing at the start of a new year automatically turns our thoughts to diet and exercise but that doesn’t have to be the case.

To promote wellbeing, we can focus on achieving a better work life balance or promoting a better sleep routine. Whatever resolutions you make – make sure they are

achievable. It may well be that you have just one aim or several. Here are some ideas on what you can achieve:

• Work out a budget that you can stick to. Consider how much your monthly outgoings are and where and if, you are able to save. Seek advice on the best way to invest. Sort out pension pots – many people have more than one so it’s worth considering consolidating them to make things simpler.

• D itch anxiety. Many people suffer from anxiety so it’s worth finding a way that distracts you and alleviates any feelings of anxiousness. Whether that’s through a daily swim or weekly run, a game of tennis or an art class, choose something you enjoy so that you keep active and interested.

• Cook! New year always seems to be the time when people resolve to eat healthier. They order food boxes that claim to be healthy and provide all the right ingredients – if that’s your thing then go-ahead but it’s

just as easy to resolve to cook something new each week and look-up the recipe on-line. If you are constantly adding to your culinary repertoire, you will become a more confident home cook –and you will also learn how to create dishes that are quick, simple and healthy as well as those that are indulgent, once in a while!

• Take charge of your sleep routine. A good night’s sleep will improve your mood, your skin, your concentration at work and your enjoyment of life in general. Work out the optimum number of hours sleep you need and try to stick to it. Go to bed at a set time. Don’t be checking your phone for emails and messages or using your computer before going to bed.

• H ave a soothing bath and if you can, snuggle down with a good book and a warm drink for half an hour before turning off the light.

• We all have too much stuff! Clean out wardrobes and cupboards – it will immediately make your feel elated and cleansed! A clean and tidy house promotes an upbeat mood so throw out the things you don’t use. Live by William Morris’ famous quote: ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be beautiful or believe to be useful.’ n

unwanted background noise so you can hear your friends and family and enjoy conversations once again. Even better Invisible-in-Canal (IIC) designs make them supremely functional as well as being discreet, they are almost invisible and extremely comfortable so no one will see them and you will forget you are wearing them.

“With the latest hearing aids it’s more about how they process sound. Modern hearing aids automatically change their settings so you can hear clearly in every situation, making them simple and easy to use,” adds Simon.

HAPPY NEW EAR!

Leading audiologist Simon Bland explains why, going into the new year, it’s important to have your ears tested in order to establish that your hearing is the very best it can be.

Photography: Roger Moore

Preston Hearing Care Centre certainly goes the extra mile to provide all their patients with a five-star experience. “We are a happy team here,” says audiologist Simon Bland. “We genuinely want to help and make a difference to people’s lives.”

At Preston Hearing Care Centre Simon and fellow audiologists Joanne Persechino and Zahra Isaji agree that regular hearing tests are vital: “We have our eyes tested regularly so why should we not do the same for our hearing? It is just as important,” adds Simon.

Recent medical research has shown the link with hearing loss leading to cognitive decline and increased likelihood of dementia. Better hearing not only improves your quality of life but also, critically, helps keep your brain fit.

“New hearing technology is developing all the time and at Preston Hearing Care Centre

FREE HEARING HEALTH CHECK

The latest invisible hearing aid technology.

Up to 40% less expensive than other high street hearing care providers.

we carefully select the manufacturers we work with in order to provide patients with the best hearing possible.”

Among the manufacturers Preston Hearing Care Centre works with are Oticon, Phonak, Signia, GN Resound and Widex – all global leaders in the world of hearing aid design, using the very latest digital technology sound processors.

Today most hearing aids are rechargeable, no more fiddly batteries to change, they automatically adjust so you can hear clearly in all situations and there is even a choice to connect directly to your smart phone making phone calls clear and easy to understand.

“All manufacturers produce different levels of this amazing technology within their hearing aids, so there is something to suit each patient and to suit most budgets too,” concludes Simon.

“The latest hearing aids really do change lives for the better. They will allow you to enjoy conversations again with friends and family and keep your brain sharp.”

To set you up for 2023 why not a book a hearing health check with the team at Preston Hearing Care Centre or The Lytham Clinic today – they have more than 150 fivestar Google reviews! n

“Having said that, all hearing technology is only as good as the audiologist preparing the prescription and our Google reviews show that that is where we excel,” says Simon.

As an example of the latest digital technology used in hearing aids, Oticon have recently launched aids that use adaptive artificial intelligence (AI) this significantly reduces

Care

If you or someone you know has cancer, you may find it helpful to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through. A team who can provide personal support and expert information. That’s what we do.

If you or someone you know has cancer, you may find it helpful to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through. A team who can provide personal support and expert information. That’s what we do. So if you have any questions about your treatment, concerns about your finances or just want to talk, you don’t need to go through it alone. We’re here for you.

So if you have any questions about your treatment, concerns about your finances or just want to talk, you don’t need to go through it alone. We’re here for you.

Call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 8pm) or visit macmillan.org.uk

Call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 8pm) or visit macmillan.org.uk

Imagine how you would feel if you could turn the clock back and get your youthful looks back without any invasive skin treatments? Imagine how fabulous you would feel and the life changing confidence it would give to you.

It is truly possible to achieve these wow factor results through a licenced and elite aesthetician who is one of the best in Lancashire.

With a client satisfaction score of 99.9 per cent positive feedback, you know you are in safe hands with Emma Pearce from EMA Skin Aesthetics Ltd.

Emma is a highly skilled and experienced aesthetic skin specialist with extensive advanced training in aesthetic skin treatments, using the most pioneering machines. Her aim is to achieve life-changing results with safe, scientifically proven technology.

The treatments that Emma delivers are non-invasive and renowned for their long lasting results, which continuously exceed client expectations.

The PlasmaPen, Hyapen and all the extensive non-invasive treatments Emma offers are all unquestionably ideal for natural alternatives and impeccable results,

NEW YEAR NEW YOUTHFUL LOOKS BACK

unlike many cheap quick-fix treatments that are promoted and too readily available.

The PlasmaPen is perfect for tightening and erasing sagging jowls, turkey necks, marionette lines, smile and smokers’ lines around the lips, crow’s feet, puffy eyes, drooping eyelids, chest lines and more, and Emma has achieved 100 per cent satisfaction with this treatment.

For those looking for a non-invasive volumiser for lips, smokers’ lines,

marionette lines, smile lines, frown lines and more, the Hyapen is unquestionably ideal for a natural looking alternative to invasive injectable fillers.

The PlasmaPen and Hyapen results normally last three years, however Emma says many clients who have had the treatment four years ago, still haven’t needed a top up. This is mainly due to clients following her individualised advice and education on how to take care of their skin.

Emma comments: “I spend a lot of time carrying out corrective work when mistakes have been made by inexperienced therapists. These mistakes often lead to awful reactions and outcomes.”

WHAT CLIENTS SAY…

Two weeks after having the Plasma Pen treatment with EMA I reached out to Emma and told her: ‘I just had to say to you that I love my face, so thrilled and full of confidence thanks to you.’ I’d recommend the PlasmaPen treatment to anyone with ageing concerns she works miracles.

Patricia R

Emma stresses: “The cheaper option is absolutely not the better option when it comes to your skin and your face. Many who opt for treatments based on price have regretted their decision when things have gone wrong or the expected results haven’t been achieved.”

At EMA Emma offers true value for money with results, service and overall experience, exceeding expectations and eliminating concerns. The focus of every treatment Emma carries out is to ensure clients remain looking like themselves, whilst achieving their sought-after anti-ageing results. 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

BANISH VARICOSE VEINS

Delivered by consultant vascular surgeons Mr Vittorio Perricone and Mr Rob Salaman, RejuvaMed offers the only dedicated varicose vein treatment centre in Lancashire. With a nationwide reputation for quality care and exceptional results, the centre is now established as the leading provider of varicose vein treatment in the North West at prices way below Lancashire’s private hospitals.

Mr Perricone and Mr Salaman have both worked within the NHS and privately for more than 25 years, and they now consult privately solely at RejuvaMed.

As Dr Grant McKeating, RejuvaMed’s

Medical Director explains, the centre offers a real alternative to the NHS: “Funding for treatment for varicose veins has been rationed by the NHS, meaning patients often have to pay for their procedure. Where NHS treatment is available, waiting lists are incredibly long. We offer appointments within a couple of weeks and safe, relatively painless treatments with excellent results and minimal recovery time.”

As well as offering radiofrequency (RF) ablation treatment for varicose veins, RejuvaMed offers the innovative VenaSealTM procedure, which uses medical adhesive rather than a heat source to seal the diseased vein.

Normally priced at over £3,000 in other clinics and hospitals, RejuvaMed’s price is £2410 for one leg and £2725 for both. n

For more information on pricing, or to book a consultation with our surgeons, email: info@rejuvamed.co.uk or call the clinic on: 01200 538668

THE EYES HAVE IT

The eyes are the focus of attention in our faces and many people seek eyelid rejuvenation surgery to freshen up their appearance, to look less tired and to appear more youthful. With age, our eyelids stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken. As a result, excess skin and fat gathers above the eyelids. This can cause sagging eyebrows and droopy lids. In some cases, excessive skin in the upper eyelid can cause hooding and impair vision.

Eyelid rejuvenation surgery (blepharoplasty or eyelid lift) is a procedure to improve the appearance of your eyes. The procedure involves removing excessive sagging skin, muscle and fat.

Non-surgical solutions for loose skin on the upper eyelid are almost always ineffective and can be dangerous. For example, many salons offer plasma pen treatments which can burn and scar.

RejuvaMed Health & Wellness in Clitheroe offers upper blepharoplasty with

consultant oculoplastic surgeon Mr Vikesh Patel. Based at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, Mr Patel has brought his private practice to RejuvaMed at prices much lower than larger private clinics. The surgery is quick and simple, carried out under local anaesthetic and gives permanent results.

Patients are in and out within a couple of hours and RejuvaMed’s fixed price package includes two follow-up appointments.

Mr Patel is offering consultations at a price of just £150. During this 30-minute appointment he will undertake a full assessment and discuss treatment solutions. Appointments for surgery are usually available within a few weeks and costs from £2295 compared to nearly £4000 at other clinics. n

RejuvaMed Health & Wellness

Holmes Cottage, Woone Lane Clitheroe BB7 1BG 01200 538668 rejuvamed.co.uk

There’s no need to undergo expensive and risky surgery under general anaesthesia if you wish to say goodbye to your varicose veins thanks to RejuvaMed’s vein centre

Upper blepharoplasty or eyelid lift is the only effective way to deal with saggy eyelids

Are you overweight?

Fed up with spending money on weight-loss tools that don’t work?

The Allurion gastric balloon and weight-loss programme helps you lose weight by limiting the amount you can eat by suppressing your appetite.

The balloon is swallowable, meaning it requires no surgery, anaesthesia or endoscopy

Patients lose an average of 10-15kg/ (2-2.5 stone) over the 6 month programme

The majority maintain significant weight loss after 1 year thanks to our fully supported programme which combines the Allurion Connected Scale and Health Tracker connected to the Allurion App

RejuvaMed’s team of experts support you with a personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan

Visit rejuvamed.co.uk for more information or call our Clitheroe clinic on 01200 538668

ENHANCE YOUR SMILE…

Georgie Dobson had been concerned about her smile for many years. Having naturally very small teeth, her teethto-gum ratio was imbalanced and previous treatment involving composite bonding, had deteriorated over time and left her teeth discoloured.

As an online content creator working in the world of marketing, Georgie was conscious that a lovely, aesthetically-pleasing smile was vital to her confidence and her work.

Living in central Manchester and working in a busy city, she was surrounded by some of the best cosmetic dental clinics in the UK.

Having been unhappy with her teeth for a long time, Georgie Dobson recently underwent cosmetic treatment with Renovo Dental – and now she just can’t stop smiling!

During her research, she felt the various smile results all looked the same – big, bright, white teeth created as part of a full smile makeover.

“There was nothing unique about the smile results,” recalls Georgie. “I wanted a naturallooking, long-lasting solution to enhance my smile.”

When speaking to colleagues and friends in the industry, one clinic name kept cropping up – Ribble Valley-based Renovo Dental.

Georgie recalls: “The reviews for Renovo kept popping up and eventually I decided to book a consultation. I had always been very reluctant to smile, which wasn’t great as I am constantly being photographed in the work I do.”

Georgie had feared that any cosmetic dentistry may involve significant tooth reduction, but Dr Usman Riaz of Renovo was able to reassure her from the outset: “Georgie was looking to restore her smile. When she came for her first consultation, I reassured her that far from

A BEAUTIFUL SMILE IS A NATURAL SMILE THAT IS FULL OF CHARACTER AND VITALITY, UNIQUE TO EACH PATIENT AND IN HARMONY WITH THEIR FACE

removing any teeth, we needed to rebuild her smile by adding volume to a few selected areas, which was a different concept altogether.”

During her first consultation Georgie and Usman discussed a bespoke treatment plan that involved gum contouring, professional whitening, direct composite bonding and life-like ultra-natural porcelain veneers. Using the latest digital imaging technology, Georgie was able to see how her new smile would look before treatment even began.

handmade super-thin veneers can change your smile to create the desired effect –they can balance out facial asymmetries to achieve an attractive result in each patient. They act and feel like real teeth – they also reflect and refract light like natural teeth.”

so confident, my teeth are amazing. You can see, they are the real deal and I am so happy!

Renovo Dental have transformed my smile this year!”

The team at Renovo are equally delighted that Georgie is thrilled with her new smile as Usman says: “Georgie had always assumed nothing could be done to fix her teeth and enhance her smile, but her confidence in the treatment stayed on track with each visit.

Georgie says: “The result is incredible. This has changed my face completely. I am so pleased with how the work on my teeth and the whitening has transformed my smile.

“My confidence has been boosted and I am so impressed and so happy.”

“Usman showed me a digital image of what my teeth could look like, which was amazing,” says Georgie, who decided to go ahead with the treatment plan in order to achieve the smile of her dreams.

As a member of Renovo’s in-house team, leading UK specialist periodontist Dr Khurrum Hussain undertook the gum contouring treatment to balance the vital ‘white-to-pink’ ratio of Georgie’s teeth and gums.

“Gum contouring is a fairly simple procedure with very little discomfort or side effects,” says Usman. “After a few weeks healing to allow the gums to restabilise, the final phase of Georgie’s restoration treatment began.”

Georgie returned to Renovo to have her teeth prepared for a combination of direct composite bonding and wafer-thin covers of ceramic that go over the teeth. The aim was to mask any imperfections such as the teeth colour, shape or even position, as Usman explains: “If designed properly, these

Following her treatment a delighted Georgie, who works in Manchester with the likes of the Lowry Hotel and Harvey Nichols as well as a number of world-renowned designer labels, told her Instagram followers: “I feel

“Our ethos at Renovo is to enhance rather than change. A person’s smile reflects their personality. A beautiful smile is a natural smile that is full of character and vitality, unique to each patient and in harmony with their face.

“We have the best technology available at Renovo Dental and we have a skilled, dynamic team who know how to get the best end result.” n

Renovo Dental treats patients who have been referred by their general dentist as well as self-referred patients

Renovo Dental

Pendle House, Clitheroe Road Chatburn BB7 4JY 01200 441000

hello@renovodental.co.uk

@renovodental

I FEEL SO CONFIDENT, MY TEETH ARE AMAZING. YOU CAN SEE, THEY ARE THE REAL DEAL AND I AM SO HAPPY!

SMASH YOUR 2023 HEALTH AND WELLNESS GOALS

In five simple steps you can keep your new year health and fitness resolutions bang on track, says Chris Warren , co-founder of Pro-Fit, a new state-of-the-art personal training space in Preston

It’s that time of year again – after a December full of fun and festivities many of us find ourselves hurtling headlong into January with a strict diet and extreme exercise regime, only to fall off the wagon in just a few weeks.

But that doesn’t have to be the case: “Yes January is the perfect time to set yourself some health and wellness goals for the year ahead, but the way that you approach them has to be sensible and sustainable or you are setting yourself up for failure before you even start,” says expert Chris Warren.

“It’s also important to remember that whilst diet and exercise is at the core of a healthier, happier you – so are lots of other factors including your mindset, the amount of sleep you are getting and your stress levels.”

So, if you’re serious about your health and wellness journey in 2023, here is Chris’s advice:

SET REALISTIC (AND MEASURABLE) GOALS

It may sound simple, but you would be surprised at how many people fail at this first hurdle. Being clear about what your goals are when it comes to improving your wellbeing is crucial – and so is being able to measure them.

pull ups - the list goes on. The next step is breaking your goals into bitesize chunks and checking in on your progress monthly.

At Pro-Fit all of our members have access to our Evolt 360-degree body scanner which provides detailed body composition data, meaning we can really drill down into people’s individual progress within their specific goals.

Whether it’s reducing your body fat by X per cent, increasing your muscle mass, completing your first triathlon, walking 10,000 steps every day, learning how to do

GET SOME REST

You may be surprised to hear that getting more, and better quality, sleep could be one of the key factors in succeeding in your wellness journey this year.

Sleep is essential to our day-to-day functioning and physical and mental well-being. In fact, research found that after a night of partial

THE KEY IS TO BE MORE MINDFUL ABOUT THE CALORIES THAT YOU EAT AND THEIR NUTRITIONAL VALUE.

FOCUS ON THE FOODS THAT WILL LEAVE YOU FULLER FOR LONGER

sleep deprivation, people consumed 385 more calories!

Lack of sleep not only makes us crave fatty and sugary foods, when we are feeling fatigued we are more likely to move less and therefore not burn off the extra calories that we have consumed. Sleep also plays a big part in regulating hunger hormones. Inconsistent sleep can cause a suppression of the satiating hormone ‘leptin’ and a spike in hunger hormone ‘ghrelin’. This in turn has been found to lead to a high appetite for carbohydrates.

The moral of the story is focus on getting seven or more hours or quality sleep every night.

EAT MORE: PROTEIN

As the saying goes, you can’t out train a bad diet – and this is very true. If you want to reduce your body fat then you will need to be in a calorie deficit. This means tracking the amount of calories that you are eating daily and ensuring you stick within a set range determined by your height, body mass and age.

For many people the idea of focusing on their diet has negative connotations of restriction and feeling hungry, but this doesn’t have to be the case. The key is to be more mindful about the calories that you eat and their nutritional value. Focus on the foods that will leave you fuller for longer – and this is where protein comes in. A high protein diet can help to boost your metabolism, reduce your appetite and eat fewer calories – because you are left feeling full.

If I can offer you any advice for 2023 – it is to eat more protein.

ASK THE EXPERTS

There is so much health and wellness advice out there that it can be overwhelming. If your training isn’t focused and consistent then you won’t see the results you want. This is why working with a personal trainer in 2023 could really help to reach those goals. Investing in expert advice will mean that you have a programme specifically tailored to you. A PT will also keep you accountable and make sure that you are staying on track, whilst providing ongoing guidance on form, nutrition and your wider lifestyle.

BE STRONG

If you’re going to embark on any kind of exercise regime in 2023 – my advice is to put strength training at the heart of it. Not only will strength training help to reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass, it can also improve your posture, protect your joints from injury, improve your balance and enhance your sleep. And because it is low

resistance, it is the perfect starting point if you haven’t trained for a while.

Strength training is all about increasing muscle strength by making your muscles work against a weight or force. This could be your own body weight or using resistance bands, dumbbells, kettlebells, and when you’ve increased in confidence, a barbell.

If you’re unsure where to begin then a personal trainer can help you to perfect the movements and develop a programme suited to you. n

If you’re serious about getting fitter in 2023, visit: pro-fitpersonaltraining.co.uk/28 and sign up to take part in Pro-Fit’s 28 Day Challenge

YOU MAY BE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT GETTING MORE, AND BETTER QUALITY, SLEEP COULD BE ONE OF THE KEY FACTORS IN SUCCEEDING IN YOUR WELLNESS JOURNEY

BLEUE 100ML £116

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ROSE FACIAL OIL £67

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NEOM HAPPINESS THREE-WICK CANDLE £48

The Happiness fragrance has been intricately blended to include seven essential oils including white neroli, woody and powdery mimosa and zingy lemon. Available to buy at The Woodland Spa thewoodlandspa.com

While every effort has been made toensure accuracy, all prices and stockists are subject to change.

TOM FORD BLACK ORCHID EAU DE PARFUM 50ML £100

An invigorating salt scrub that cleanses and exfoliates, leaving the skin looking toned and feeling exceptionally soft. uk.elemis.com

An intensive eye serum which works to reduce the appearance of the signs of ageing. Includes vitamin E to hydrate and lactic acid which has gentle resurfacing properties to help diminish the appearance of crow’s feet and visibly improve clarity and tone. discoverlaser.co.uk

Works to continually keep skin moisturised throughout the day and maintain hydration. thepositive.co

TOM FORD LIP COLOUR £44 tomford.co.uk

MELT ANGEL SCENTED CANDLE £26

Rich, round, musky and slightly chocolatey! When you light a candle the angels always gather! themeltco.com

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HELMSLEY REIKI INFUSED AGE DEFY DAY CREAM £40

celebration at Prep official opening

e o cial opening of Westholme’s new state-of-the-art Prep building in November was an auspicious occasion, celebrated with supporters, dignitaries and Old Westholmians. e event was a culmination of Arthur Rouse’s vision to bring the school together on one site –something the second Principal of Westholme visualised in the 50s. e timing has been pertinent as Westholme looks forward to celebrating their centenary year in 2023 as one family, now all together on site.

Alumna Professor Sophie Scott CBE, undertook the o cial ribbon cutting ceremony and spoke about how her love of Science began at Westholme. “My Westholme Principal was Dr Bond, and she used to teach chemistry. It was my favourite lesson. She was an inspirational role model.”

Providing an inspirational experience for students is something Westholme prides itself on.

“Westholme delivers all-round educational excellence from 4 to 18 that is not just focussed in the classroom,” said Dr Robson, Principal. “We pride ourselves on o ering a holistic approach to learning – giving students opportunities to shine through hundreds of extra-curricular activities to develop as well-rounded individuals,” he added.

Students in Prep not only have an innovative, stimulating building and outdoor spaces to thrive in, the children have access to all the resources available

on site at Westholme. From the professional Croston eatre, on site swimming pool and excellent sports facilities, to the enriching curriculum enhancements delivered by Heads of Faculty specialising in 4 to 18. Together these provide the foundation for an excellent educational experience which aims to wholeheartedly empower every individual child to reach their potential.

Amongst the guests at the o cial opening were e Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, the High Sheri of Lancashire, Mrs Croston (Westholme Principal 1988 – 2013) and Mrs Anne Longson, the Great Niece of the school’s founder, Miss Emily Singleton, who all enjoyed a tour of the new Prep and facilities.

Book a private tour now and nd out rst-hand why there’s no PREP like Westholme! Email: registrar@westholmeschool.com.

100 years Westholme of wonderful

From humble beginnings To stunning successes

spectacular large-scale exhibition has been created to showcase Westholme’s heritage in the foyer of the School’s Croston eatre.

e exhibition takes viewers on a journey through the School’s history from inception at 1923 to key milestones in each decade, right up to current day. Historic artefacts are proudly on display including the original founder’s writing desk (Miss Singleton), war medals from Arthur Rouse, the second Principal, and vintage memorabilia spanning the decades.

e exhibition will be on display for ve years and will become a talking point for many visitors to the School, particularly at a range of celebratory centenary events Westholme have planned for 2023. e rst of such events are a series of Alumni Centenary lunches which Old Westholmians have been invited to, hosted by Mrs Lillian Croston, Westholme’s fourth Principal. 100 years of Westholme will be celebrated by students who will enjoy a Centenary Party day on 19 April 2023 to mark the momentuous anniversary.

Friends, alumni and supporters of Westholme are very welcome to get in touch to nd out more about the events: centenary@westholmeschool.com. Everyone is most welcome!

In 1923, two young women in Blackburn were unable to nd teaching vacancies. e Local Education Authorities of Blackburn and surrounding towns were so short of funds that as teachers died or retired they were unable to replace them. Miss Emily Singleton and Miss Ivy Richmond viewed their dilemma with stunning logic; if they could not nd a school to employ them, they would have to make their own! And there we began, on 19 April 1923, in the local Wesleyan Chapel. Miss Emily Singleton and Miss Ivy Richmond opened the doors of their school and Westholme was born.

GLORIOUS RESTORATION

The magnificent Lytham Hall has been crowned a joint winner of the Historic Houses Restoration Award

The prestigious, national Historic Houses Award, sponsored by Sotheby’s auction house, was created in 2008, and recognises outstanding examples of the work being carried out by private owners up and down the country, to protect and preserve the historic buildings in their care. The front-runners in the 2022 award were so evenly matched that the judges took the unprecedented decision to give joint firstplace honours to two equally impressive houses – Lytham Hall and Wolterton Park.

The grand Georgian building that is Lytham Hall, was lived in by the Clifton family until 1965 when the property was taken over by its creditors, Guardian Royal Insurance, to be used as national headquarters.

The hall and 78 acres of its remaining historic parkland was sold to a local charity Lytham Town Trust in 1998, who passed

responsibility and operational control over to Heritage Trust for the North West (HTNW) in 2000. Despite numerous attempts to fund the restoration of the Grade I listed building, by 2016 it was in a significant state of disrepair and was on the Historic England ‘Buildings at Risk’ register.

parkland, which was completed over a five year period.

Their approach was to create a sustainable operation throughout every useable area, which in turn would help fund the ongoing restoration project.

Entrepreneurism and fundraising events were key to the generation of capital funding for the sympathetic conservation of this hugely significant site. Small grants were obtained via the Pilgrim Trust, Friends of Lytham Hall, Fylde Borough Council, Clifton CIO, Lytham Rotary, Windmill Charity, the Coastal Community Fund and others which have helped develop the project immensely.

LYTHAM HALL REMAINS A MAGNIFICENT GEMSTONE IN THE CROWN OF THE FYLDE COAST

Stephen Williams, HTNW trustee at Lytham Hall, explains: “Lytham Hall remains a magnificent gemstone in the crown of the Fylde coast.

“The management, staff and volunteers are a truly amazing team and I think this award shows how far we’ve come over the past five years. We can’t underestimate the immense help and support we got from locals and friends of the hall, as the small grants obtained and funds raised through events were vital to our success. It’s truly been a team effort.”

Ben Cowell, Director General at Historic Houses, said: “We are thrilled to announce

In 2017, a new HTNW management team, House Managers Peter Anthony, Paul Lomax and HTNW trustee Stephen Williams, started a fresh project to restore the Grade I listed hall and its Grade II listed historic

this special joint award to two houses that have shown how to fight off that terrible and pernicious disease, ‘decaying mansion syndrome’. Lytham and Wolterton, while at opposite ends of the country, are both striking buildings that have been lovingly restored and brought back to life. Together, they demonstrate the continuing evolution of the country house in the 21st century.”

Wolterton Park is one of the great 18th-century Whig powerhouses, built by Horatio Walpole, whose brother Robert was Britain’s first Prime Minister. The family possessed other houses in the area, including Houghton and nearby Mannington Hall which is still the family home.

More recently the owners of the main hall have restored the entire house which has been refurbished with fabric walling and historic paint finishes while all the ancillary buildings have been restored as luxury holiday lets.

Historic Houses is a not-for-profit organisation representing over 1,000 of the UK’s independently owned historic houses, castles and gardens. Hundreds of these properties open their doors to visitors for days out, special tours, school visits, film locations, weddings and events, or as memorable places to stay. Members range from iconic stately homes such as Blenheim Palace, Highclere Castle, Castle Howard, Knebworth House, Longleat and Burghley House, to more intimate houses such as Traquair in Scotland, Treowen in Wales and Belle Isle in Northern Ireland.

Most are still private family homes. The association was established in 1973 to help owners conserve these wonderful places in the interests of the nation and it carries out lobbying, advisory and marketing work on behalf of member properties. Hundreds of these houses and gardens take part in a member-access scheme, admitting tens of thousands of card-carrying Historic Houses members for free. n

lythamhall.org.uk

LYTHAM AND WOLTERTON, WHILE AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE COUNTRY, ARE BOTH STRIKING BUILDINGS THAT HAVE BEEN LOVINGLY RESTORED AND BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE

Live Preston & Fylde takes a look at the many and varied charity projects that are taking place in towns and villages across the region

contact: jan.woolley@live-magazines.co.uk

SIR TOM FINNEY SPONSORSHIP DEAL

A Preston-based soccer charity and football club are celebrating a new sponsor. The agreement sees Porsche Centre Preston provide kits for more than 500 footballers from the Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Centre and the Sir Tom Finney Football Club.

The STF FC have teams from under seven years old to adult – a total 35 teams who will wear the new kits this season until September 2024. New kits will also be provided for two female adult teams and three adult Pan Disability Teams.

Chairman of the Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Centre and Football Club, Peter Mason, said: “The new kits look great. You can’t beat the feeling of playing with a well-known local sponsor on your shirts. We are a charity and a football club run by volunteers, parents, coaches and players who come together to provide football opportunities both socially and competitively.”

HELP IN TIMES OF CRISIS

As we head into a new year, volunteers at food banks throughout Preston and Fylde are bracing themselves for an upsurge of people in need of help.

There are many organisations providing support if you are struggling to access food. For some, it may be something you have experienced for a long time or it could be a short term issue because of a change in circumstances. With the cost of living and energy prices rising, there are many reasons why it is difficult to provide food for yourself and your family.

Usually, it is necessary to have a referral to a food bank, by a GP, job centre, school or social services.

Many faith organisations also offer support with food parcels so, if you live close to a church or mosque, please contact them to ask if they provide any support.

The Trussel Trust runs a food bank in Longridge, that relies on donations from the public and local supermarkets. The trust has an online system that enables those referred, to claim a voucher that in turn, enables them to go to their local food bank to claim whatever they need in terms of food and provisions.

The Longridge Food Bank is based at St Paul’s Church and is open on Friday 11am – 1.30pm. trusselltrust.org helpinpreston.com

THE TRUE COST OF A DIY DIVORCE

against you by your spouse at a later date; impacting significantly on your finances, whether that be in terms of property, business interests, pensions or inheritance.

Since the introduction of the ‘no fault’ divorce law in April 2022, there has been a gradual rise in couples seeking to complete the divorce process without the assistance of legal advisors, in what is commonly referred to as a ‘Do It Yourself Divorce’.

Firstly, whilst the process to apply for a divorce is more straightforward than previously; as with many official documents, it’s easy to make mistakes or miss important parts, which can lead to potential errors and delays in your divorce coming through.

Perhaps, more importantly, omitting to tell the court that there are financial matters to be dealt with could be fatal.

There is also a common misconception that once a DIY divorce is completed, that’s it.

However, financial matters and child arrangements are unfortunately not automatically dealt with within the divorce process. Separate steps are needed to officially finalise these. If financial matters are not dealt with in the form of a financial settlement, it could lead to claims made

After a divorce, you may decide to remarry without realising this could potentially cause you to lose financial claims against your former spouse. This is commonly referred to as the ‘remarriage trap’ and has caused issues for many couples who have completed a DIY divorce without expert legal advice from a professional.

For my part, I am often asked to help in situations where a person had not taken legal advice and ended up agreeing to a settlement which is far from fair, or in circumstances where you may be entitled to much more. Whilst on the face of it, a DIY divorce

might look like a more cost-effective way of separating from your spouse; without guidance from a professional with many years of experience of the process, it may end up being a worse decision, particularly financially, than seeking expert advice from the outset.

A legal professional can not only advise you on the paperwork and steps to take throughout the process, but can also provide the strategic support and reassurance that you don’t get with a DIY divorce. Having an expert who can also signpost you to additional services including mediation to resolve disputes, provide financial advice post-divorce, and not forgetting our private client service to update your will, means that we help you to deal with all of the challenges you face at this difficult time and achieve solutions that are right for you. n

To speak to a member of our family law team at Farleys please call 01254 368040, email: info@farleys.com or visit: farleys.com

Cutting costs by taking on the divorce process yourself may actually end up costing you more further down the line, warns Antonia Love, Head of Family Law at Farleys Solicitors

IF FINANCIAL MATTERS ARE NOT DEALT WITH IN THE FORM OF A FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT, IT COULD LEAD TO CLAIMS MADE AGAINST YOU BY YOUR SPOUSE AT A LATER DATE

service centre. We have an enthusiastic and dedicated team of 15 people providing our customers with expert sales, service and warranty support.”

Stocking some of the world’s best bike brands including Trek, Cube, Yeti, Orbea, Nukeproof Whyte and Mondraker, the Longsight Road showroom is packed with high performance bikes and an extensive range of accessories from brands such as Hope, Endura, Fox and Burgtec. MTB Monster are always well stocked with products they have tried, tested and can personally recommend.

MOUNTAIN & ELECTRIC BIKE SPECIALISTS –ON YOUR DOORSTEP

Owner of MTB Monster, Paul Hoyle, has turned his love of mountain biking into a successful business. Gail Bailey meets Paul to find out more

Following the completion of his Business Management degree, Paul Hoyle was working in landscape design and construction when he decided to turn his favourite hobby into a business.

“Biking has always been a passion of mine. At every opportunity I’m exploring new routes and enjoying everything that mountain biking has to offer. There is no end to the challenges you can set yourself, after 20 years of riding I’m still learning,

improving and occasionally falling off!”

After much consideration, and with the support of his wife Hannah, they sold their house, moved in with family and took on their biggest challenge yet! That was in 2014. Since then MTB Monster has gone from strength to strength: “We started with a small unit and only myself working full time, but I’m happy to say that in eight years we have grown into a large showroom displaying more than 70 bikes and a full range of accessories along with a fully operational

THE SERVICE CONTINUES WELL AFTER THE SALE IS COMPLETED. ON COLLECTION DAY, THE TEAM WILL MAKE SURE EVERYTHING

An unwavering focus on providing excellent customer service is key.

Paul explains: “When you’re riding offroad, the bike you require varies massively depending on the terrain you are tackling and the speed you are tackling it at. For some, the bike will be used to commute to and from work on rough roads and muddy canal paths or for a ride down the sea front.

“While for others it will be used for steep off-road climbs, loose rocky bridleways, followed by technical single-track descents and massive drop offs. Our team is made up of all types of riders from competitive enduro racers to those who enjoy Sunday afternoons out with the kids, you are always able to chat to someone who really understands what you need and can offer great advice.”

The service continues well after the sale is completed. On collection day, the team will make sure everything is exactly right. The appointed mechanic is on hand to fine tune the fit with the customer. A detailed handover takes place and any questions answered. For peace of mind, all customers are offered a free six-week check-up in the workshop so any niggles are dealt with by a professional. A dedicated warranty team is on

IS EXACTLY RIGHT

hand should you need support down the line. This overall level of service is the reason that they have such an excellent and established reputation including over 300 5* reviews on Google and countless returning customers.

Electric mountain bikes have grown in popularity in recent years and MTB Monster have an extensive range of full suspension, front suspension and touring E-bikes available from the big players including Bosch, Shimano TQ, e-motion and Fazua.

and our mechanics are fully trained to deal with the electric side of our bikes as well.

The workshop is equipped with the latest technology and software so mechanics can update bikes and carry out diagnostics. Any problems that occur are dealt with here, you can just roll the bike through the door for support.”

0% finance for up to 48 months *

Although the building has changed MTB Monster’s ethos has not altered since the first day. “We believe in hard work and dedicating our time and energy to the customer, so their experience with us is overwhelmingly positive.”

“E-bikes have been a fantastic addition to our business,” Paul says. “They still require effort and therefore help improve fitness. They are popular with a wide range of customers including those returning to sport after time out, first time bikers and often, seasoned mountain bikers who want to be able to get in plenty of miles of exploring in a shorter space of time or ascend to the top of a climb quickly and with less effort so they can enjoy more time descending a single track.”

Hannah adds: “E-bikes require maintenance,

SUPPORT

MTB Monster is a local showroom you can walk into, but as they are also a wellestablished online retailer, they have an informative website, a YouTube channel where they review the latest models and a wide range of payment options so you can spread the cost of a new bike and accessories, including the acceptance of all Cycle to Work Scheme vouchers and highly competitive

cannot rate this store and the staff highly enough. The attention to detail is phenomenal and the communication throughout my purchase was clear, thorough and timely. I could tell that this is a business that is passionate about the bikes they sell and the customers they serve!”

The team at MTB would love to see you! Whether a complete novice or an experienced technical rider, you will be sure of a warm welcome, great advice and a showroom packed with the latest in mountain bike technology. You can make an appointment in advance or just turn up to browse. n

*Subject to eligibility, terms and conditions apply

“I

Photography:

Kirsten Platt

Photography: Kirsten Platt

ANY PROBLEMS THAT OCCUR ARE DEALT WITH HERE, YOU CAN JUST ROLL THE BIKE THROUGH THE DOOR FOR

Photography: Kirsten Platt

EVERYTHING… & MORE

Luxury lodges with hot tubs, a private bar and kitchen where world-class chefs can cook for you – all located in a beautiful rural setting. Everything Retreat can be whatever you want it to be, writes Hilary Shepherd

It’s now just four months since the first guests arrived at Everything Retreat and each have brought with them their own reasons to visit the Ribble Valley. There has been a proposal of marriage, a babymoon, a bridesmaids weekend away, a long distance romance meeting half way and more than a few ‘first night away since…’

The guest book and feedback reviews have been 100 per cent positive with everyone saying they will be back. In fact, the top returner is this very weekend back in another lodge as he and his wife want to try out each one before settling on a favourite – and he travels from Longridge! His feeling is that even though it’s just 20 minutes away from their beautiful home and businesses, they feel like its another world – a brief escape – and chance to connect.

The diary for the past two weeks though has been extreme. Phase two is now complete and open for business! There is a private bar and

room with private kitchen (under construction) that will allow groups who take over the retreat to host their own meetings and events. The kitchen design has Lisa Goodwin Allen from Northcote ticking off her thoughts and desires for this first-class cooking space that will offer chefs the opportunity to cook at your private party.

It really can be whatever you want it to be! From the moment you pick up the phone the concierge service will swing into action and make everything possible – as long as its legal! Flowers sir? Dinner at a local restaurant? Golf at a premier course? Guided walks and tours of the valley? Absolutely.

This was royally tested last week firstly with journalists from publications all over the UK for dinner and an overnight stay and the following day with a full house of influencers and social experts whose only obligation was to share their experience. Again – a resounding thumbs up with already two booking out the whole retreat for a fully curated ‘golf for the boys’ and ‘beauty for the girls’ weekend and another hosting a wellness retreat for female entrepreneurs.

Ribble Valley Tourism Association met for a tour and talk this week and all again agreed it is a totally new experience to bring even more folk into the glorious Ribble Valley. The final event of 2022 marked the launch of the new BMW I7 at the retreat in conjunction with Porsche Preston so Louise and her team were once again working like swans – gliding on the surface and peddling like mad underneath! But, you know what? That’s just one more reason why Everything works. n

As the world changes, so do family structures. The most traditional set-up is a husband and wife having children together, sharing matrimonial assets and having joint parental responsibility for the children. In the event of a relationship breakdown, they would file for divorce, relying upon the Matrimonial Causes Act to divide their assets and to share the child arrangements. If an agreement could not be reached to share child arrangements, either parent would be able to make an application to court and neither would need permission to make such application.

However, we are now seeing an increase of blended families where two separated families come together and form a new blended family with step-parents and step-children. Stepparents take on the role wholeheartedly, but often do so without formal parental responsibility. In day-to-day life this may

FAMILIES COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES

Whatever your family structure, arrangements concerning children, finance and property can get complicated if a relationship breaks down. If you are experiencing difficulties it’s always best to consult an expert, advises Rubina Vohra, Family Partner at Forbes

not be an obstacle, however when it comes to providing consent in either a school or medical arena, this can often lead to obstacles requiring only the biological parent or parent with parental responsibility being able to provide that level of consent. Step-parents can often become very emotionally attached to children, quite often raising children for many years as their own and if those relationships were to break down, the legal implication is somewhat different. It is not always possible to make an application to court for arrangements for the children – the parent without parental responsibility will need to seek permission to pursue that application.

WORKING TOWARDS AN AGREEMENT WITH YOUR FORMER PARTNER AND HAVING A FIRM COMMITMENT TO AVOID LITIGATION CAN SAVE YOU BOTH COSTS

There is also an increase in same sex couples conceiving children through fertility clinics. The advantage to using a clinic is that this is done following protocols and also providing advice on how the parents can have their names on the birth certificate, thereby providing them with parental responsibility. Where fertility clinics are not used, families are created

but not necessarily providing equal parental responsibility to both individuals who believe themselves to be parents. Whilst those couples may have found a route around a hurdle to become parents, it does not necessarily provide them with the legal standpoint, leaving one parent without any parental responsibility or rights, should the relationship break down.

Finally, for many couples that decide not to get married at all and choose a cohabiting relationship, there has always been a myth of the common-law spouse, but that myth is just that. Cohabiting couples do not have the benefit of the Matrimonial Causes Act and unless the name of the father is placed on the birth certificate, then he does not automatically have parental responsibility. This also leads to difficulties where parties share houses together and perhaps contribute unequally to the upkeep and the mortgage. Sadly, this means that the law that protects them is not family friendly and is the more commercial route under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act. n

Whatever your family structure, if you are having difficulties, Forbes Solicitors Family team can help you. Contact Rubina Vohra, Family Partner on 01254 580 000 or email: rubina.vohra@forbessolicitors.co.uk

WHATEVER THE MOMENT, WE’RE IN IT

forbessolicitors.co.uk01254 580 000

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

FIRST CITIZEN

During the run up to the festivities and the New Year, the Mayor of Preston, Councillor Neil Darby, celebrated Diwali, visited schools and paid tribute to many and varied charities

As one of the youngest Mayors of Preston, I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my work and experiences in the role to highlight just some of the amazing people and places in and around our wonderful city.

The Mayor of Preston acts as the city’s first citizen, which means I speak on behalf of the city and the Mayor’s role is an important part of its identity. I also represent local people at civic and ceremonial events, so please share these exciting experiences with me!

As the festive season began, I visited local schools to promote the Preston Christmas lights switch-on. We also had 88 schools taking part in the Mayor’s Christmas Card Competition and the winners were invited on stage at the switch-on event!

The winning three designs were printed and all profits will go to support the Foxton Centre in Preston. A big thank you to all of the

2,000 children who entered the competition –and congratulations to Zaynab, Jack and Emilia for their outstanding winning designs!

It was great to meet another cohort from the Prince’s Trust again and show them around the Council Chamber and Mayor’s Parlour.

It always fills me with pride hearing young people interested in our city’s history. I also saw the amazing young people of the Prince’s Trust Team 79 of Preston Central as they finished their course. They each gave an inspiring talk about their experience and I look forward to seeing where they will be in years to come. They have so much potential!

We celebrated Diwali with the local community in a wonderful and colourful occasion fitting for the Festival of Light. Thanks to everyone for making us so welcome at your Diwali celebrations!

I officially opened the Remembrance Garden to start the week of Remembrance.

On the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month we gathered at the Cenotaph at Preston Flag Market for a brief ceremony. We paused to remember those who lost their lives to war and in particular, those who gave their lives for their country. We remembered them again at a very moving

IT ALWAYS FILLS ME WITH PRIDE HEARING YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN OUR CITY’S HISTORY

Sunday service – it was great to see the support from the public, along with an amazing turnout from the uniformed services.

We had the pleasure of wishing Elsie a happy 100th birthday at Finney House, Fulwood – and great to meet their amazing team of carers too, doing a wonderful job. When asked what her secret was to a long and happy life, Elsie told us: “You should always have someone next to you to hold your hand and support you.” What a lovely message to all of us.

Later in the month, I met with the Friends of Avenham Park and some of the park’s ground keeping team. It was great to talk to them about the history and regalia of Preston Town Hall – and to thank them on behalf of the city for their hard work.

I spent a wonderful evening at Penwortham Girls’ High School presenting awards and giving the evening’s speech to last year’s Year 11. They are an incredible and inspiring bunch and congratulations to all of them on their results and awards.

I also visited the suicide prevention awareness event next to the Maker’s Market on the Flag Market. They’re doing incredible work to support people throughout Preston. If you feel like you ever need someone to talk to – they are here for you: strive2thrivelancs.co.uk

Next stop was the Preston Climate Emergency Centre to join a young people’s training day helping them to make a difference. They interviewed me as Mayor of Preston and I hope I was able to inspire them to stay active and fight for the changes we need.

I also met young people from the 7th Preston Scout Group’s Cubs and Beavers to tell them about some of the work I do. They were a pleasure to talk to, polite listeners with intelligent questions. Our future will one day be in their hands!

Similarly, it was such a delight to meet the new Student Council at Christ the King Catholic High School last month. With their ideas, their passion and their drive, these young people will change our city when they grow up!

I started Parliament Week by talking to Rainbow Guides in Lea presenting them with badges. They were all so friendly and inquisitive! Thank you for making me so

welcome on my visit. Later in the week, we had visits from the Beavers and Cubs from Central Ribbleton Scout Group, who came to Preston Town Hall where I showed them around the Council Chamber and told them all about the history of the city’s regalia. It was particularly special for me to be able to invest new members into the Scout Group in the Council Chamber itself – and I hope that the young people enjoyed the day as much as I did!

I spent a wonderful day at Let’s Grow Preston – well done to everyone for all of their hard work making it happen. It was also an honour to plant the Tree of Trees with Gulab Singh MBE as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy and something which will last as a poignant memory of Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years’ service.

A big thank you to Preston Guild Lodge at Preston Masonic Hall for their generous donation of food to one of the Mayoral charities, Intact Centre – helping people and

families struggling in these difficult times.

Lancashire Day, which commemorates the date in 1295 when Lancashire sent its first ever representatives to the Model Parliament of King Edward I, is used as an opportunity to celebrate everything that is great about our county and tell the world what makes Preston and Lancashire special! I attended a couple of events to promote our wonderful city and county.

And finally, both Dan and I would like to send you our very best wishes and New Year greetings! n

@PrestonMayor

PrestonMayor

IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THE SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC, ALONG WITH AN AMAZING TURNOUT FROM THE UNIFORMED SERVICES

GO WITH YOUR HEART…

to create your own perfect day. You can even search by colour scheme or décor themes if you have specific ideas in mind already.

• P icture perfect – Your wedding images will also be around for a very long time. Make sure they are of a quality that you’ll be proud to share with friends and family forever. It’s also important that you have a good relationship with your photographer, they will be there at every special moment of the day, so it’s best to feel comfortable with them.

• Memories to last a lifetime – The day goes so quickly! You may have spent years planning every detail, so it’s wise to consider booking a videographer to re-live the whole day again and see the bits you may have missed in all the excitement.

• Personal to you – It’s your day and your way! Try to inject your personality into the day somehow. Do you want to theme the day with something that means something to both you and your partner? However, you want to personalise the day, try not to listen to too many opinions and go with your heart when making decisions.

• Choose the date wisely – Consider any popular events or holiday times that could affect your guests’ availability and maybe discuss it with close friends and family before securing the date. Once you have chosen your perfect date, consider sending ‘save the dates’ to all of your guests.

• C hoosing the ring – Your ring will be worn for the rest of your life! Make sure you are happy with your choice and feel proud to wear it. Consider whether you want something on trend that could date, or something timeless and classic. Your ring is going to last a lot longer than a cake or a centrepiece, so take your time deciding.

• R elax – A wedding should always be a happy occasion. You have your wedding organiser throughout the planning stage and right up until the big day – so whether it’s to help you decide on a colour scheme or to simply ‘listen’ they are there for you! Let them take away some of the pressure if needed.

• Make use of social media – Use Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook to get inspiration and ideas. Look at all those unique little details that you can really use to personalise the day. Create a mood board or an album and save ideas that you come across on each platform – you might want to take little ideas from a range of different images

The wedding team at Ribby Hall offer their top tips when planning a perfect wedding day ribbyhall.co.uk

• Savour the moment – Take time choosing your wedding menus. Your guests have taken time and effort to be with you, so it’s nice to give them a feast to remember! Likewise, you won’t be able to please everyone, so make sure you choose something you really want to enjoy, it’s your day after all! n

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

Awarm 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

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

WINTER WEDDINGS AT THE CLIFTON ARMS

MEMORIES MADE, DETAILS MANAGED

Long established and independently owned, The iconic Clifton Arms Hotel is the perfect setting for a winter wedding. Our beautiful newly refurbished reception rooms lend themselves to small intimate gatherings or larger celebrations.

For details of our comprehensive wedding packages contact our dedicated wedding co-ordinator Heather functions@cliftonarmslytham.com

The Clifton Arms Hotel, West Beach, Lytham, FY8 5QJ T 01253 739898 www.cliftonarmslytham.com

LOOK NO MORE... Say yes in 2 24

Multi-award-winning Crow Wood Hotel has become the wedding venue of choice for style-conscious couples.

With a breathtaking panorama, it has all the grandeur of a bygone era in an ultra-modern setting.

Arrange your visit to our National Wedding Industry Award-Winning Venue crowwoodhotel.com

WHY WAIT? THE MAGIC OF WINTER WEDDINGS

Winter weddings cast their own charm, with less pressures on suppliers and guests, special seasonal package offers and the unique magic of celebrating with a backdrop of starry skies, sweeping frostsprinkled lawns and glittering decorations.

The perfect wedding venue is on the doorstep. Just a step from the Fylde Coast and historic Lancaster, 120 year-old Barton Manor hotel retains its original charm and character, with modern comfort and elegance throughout.

Family owned, the dedicated team understand the importance of personal details, planning, particulars and price and are passionate about working with you to create a unique day full of heart-stopping memories to last a lifetime.

Accommodating up to 150 guests for your wedding breakfast and up to 250 for your evening reception, enjoy your own private entrance and bar area, plus access to the manor’s beautiful terrace and gardens – the perfect backdrop for those all-important photographs.

Thoughtful inclusions like chair covers, table linen, napkins and centrepieces, cake stand and cutting knife, take the pressure off your ‘to do’ list, complemented by red carpet arrival, toast and meal-accompanying drinks and complimentary bridal suite.

Sounds perfect? For those who don’t want to wait, organised couples can take advantage of the Late Availability Package, where you can enjoy an April to October

If the festive season brought a very special proposal, or 2023 is the year to say ‘I do’, family-owned, four-star Barton Manor Hotel is confetti-ready to set your winter or spring wedding asparkle! Kate Bowyer finds out more

wedding at a heavily discounted rate – call for details.

FOR THOSE WHO DON’T WANT TO WAIT, ORGANISED COUPLES CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LATE AVAILABILITY PACKAGE

Barton Manor’s award-winning restaurant team thoughtfully and deliciously cater for every theme and dietary requirement, from tempting canapes, buffets and locally-sourced three-course wedding breakfasts, through to fun evening snacks.

WINTER WEDDING SHOWCASE

Sunday 29th January 11am – 3pm

Meet local suppliers and chat about how to make your dream wedding a reality. The event is free of charge and everyone receives a free drink on arrival and wedding goody bag. 01772 862551

With 57 stylishly decorated bedrooms, guests can enjoy the hotel’s pool, gym and spa –if they can be tempted away from breakfast! And the sumptuous bridal suite makes your first night as a couple extra special.

Want to see what’s it’s all about?

Come along to the Winter Wedding Showcase on Sunday 29th January. Between 11am and 3pm you can meet local suppliers and chat about how to make your dream wedding a reality. The event is free of charge and everyone receives a free drink on arrival and wedding goody bag.

Just five minutes from J32 of the M6, with 100 parking spaces, historic Barton Manor Hotel marries the very best of easy access, peaceful surroundings and personalised service. n

Barton Manor Hotel & Spa

746-768 Garstang Road

Barton, Preston PR3 5AA 01772 862551

bartonmanorhotel.co.uk

BartonManorHotel

bartonmanorhtl

Paul Swift Photography

of the courtyard, which is the perfect place for wedding guests to mingle outdoors.

“Our project this year is to focus on the courtyard, sprucing it up and making it a really sociable space,” explains Eleanor, who also reveals that Browsholme will soon unveil a new mobile bar that will enable guests to enjoy drinks wherever they are on the estate.

FOODIE WEEKEND with BOWLAND & BAY 24th – 26th February 2023

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE…

“It’s going to be super cool!” she says. “So, if couples choose to marry at the 200-year-old ‘Lonesome Pine’ within the woodland garden, or at any of the other lovely wedding locations on the estate, drinks can be served there.”

Each year Browsholme Hall, which is the Grade I listed ancestral home of the Parker family, invests in new projects to keep the buildings and the grounds in tip-top shape – future-proofing the historic house for generations to come.

Built in 1507, Browsholme has been well and truly brought into the 21st century by current family members Robert and Amanda Parker, daughter Eleanor and son Roland.

Last year saw the creation of a ‘woodland garden’, which will eventually extend to 10 acres, for which a selection of beautiful trees and shrubs, including rhododendron, magnolia, cherry and acers have been chosen. Fifty-six couples who got married at Browsholme came to the first tree-planting ceremonies in 2022, celebrating their marriage and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee #greencanopy. In 2023, for the King’s Coronation, this will be repeated to create a hazel and walnut orchard overlooking the lake.

“This is proving to be so popular!” says Eleanor. “We have had couples who got married here 10 years ago contacting us to see if they can plant a tree in the woodland garden.”

In what looks set to be another busy year for the hall, 2023 will see the re-modelling

The mobile bar will also be used at other events held at Browsholme throughout the year. Coming up are a series of wedding showcases and informal drop-in days, workshops and a two-day gastronomy tour conducted by Bowland and Bay.

For wedding accommodation or for short stays in the Ribble Valley, there are two cosy cottages, including the sumptuous, newly refurbished Shepherd’s Cottage, plus the Woodland Glade, where there are 10 luxury glamping lodges. n

To find out more about Browsholme Hall and events coming up follow them on social media or go to the website: browsholme.com

Photography: Nick English

Photography: Rachel Elizabeth Wood

MAGICAL MINI MOONS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT INDULGENT MINIMOON PACKAGES FOR ALL ROOM TYPES

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, beautiful spa experiences, and stunning culinary experiences in our three restaurants. We hope to welcome you to Gilpin soon.

WONDERFUL

From

between, Katie Blake and Sharon Watson work their magic

Mum and daughter Sharon Watson and Katie Blake set up their wedding and events business back in 2019 and since then it has evolved into one of the region’s most successful venue-dressing enterprises.

Love Letters 2 Hire launched with a simple set of light-up letters including LOVE and MR and MRS. Since then, they have expanded to provide a full venue dressing business working on celebrations throughout the North West.

“We travel as far as Chester in the south and the Lake District in the north,” explains Katie. “We do all kinds of celebrations from weddings, birthday parties and christenings.”

Having set up the business Sharon and Katie used lockdown to discuss and decide how they could extend their future offering: “We began to add to our collection so we can now supply everything from centre pieces to dressing a whole venue whether that’s for private celebrations or corporate events –and everything else in between!”

Photographers: David Scholes, James Jebson, Emilie May, Kerry Woods, Mark Tattersall & Nick English

EDUCATION NEWS

WHO’S AFRAID OF THE BIG BAD WOLF?

Westholme INSPIRED Sixth form Drama students toured nurseries across the North West to perform their Christmas adaptation of The Three Little Pigs, aptly entitled The Christmas Tail! The children discovered that the Big Bad Wolf, called Bob, is not bad at all and simply wants to make friends. The message of being kind to others was brilliantly conveyed by the talented students.

INFLUENTIAL LEADER

Stonyhurst College Headmaster, alongside several members of the Stonyhurst community, were listed in the Catholic Herald as ‘the UK’s most influential Catholic leaders’. At Stonyhurst Mr Browne is the inspirational energy behind the formation of young people’s lives to be the best versions of themselves. As one of the leading Catholic schools in the educational sector, Stonyhurst strives to develop the full human potential of their young people in all that they do.

ADULT LEARNER NOMINATION

Once stuck in a cycle of drug addiction, Lancashire Adult Learning student Andrea Horrocks has managed to turn her life around, resulting in her nomination for the AoC’s National Adult Student of the Year Award. Andrea’s story is a journey of personal affliction and tragic loss but also remarkable recovery through continued growth and learning at LAL alongside her own grit and determination. Andrea now runs a recovery home in Chorley called WatchUsGrow and is giving back to the community.

VOICES OF ANGELS

Blackburn Cathedral resonated with beautiful song and performances by Westholme students at two carol services held by Prep and Seniors respectively. The evenings included readings, prayers, and a repertoire of carols, solos and performances by the school orchestra and swing bands. Collections were held on both evenings and attending families donated £1,243.97 for North West Cancer Research and £495 for Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Both events were a wonderful festive end to the autumn term in a magnificent setting.

CONSTRUCTION HUB

Preston College has been named a Construction Hub by leading building products manufacturer Forterra. Joining a further seven colleges, all selected via the national competitive application process, the successful college is now looking forward to the extra support it can give its students. Forterra’s Construction Hubs benefit from expert advice and support from leading figures in the construction industry who will share their industry knowledge through a series of site visits and talks supporting the emerging talent from each college. The colleges will also enjoy a boost to their resources, with a donation of 12,000 bricks, branded merchandise and the opportunity for one exemplary student to receive £500 worth of tools.

NEW AWARD

between Marketing Lancashire and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) have announced a new award. The Hospitality, Events and Tourism Student of the Year Award will form part of the line up at the Lancashire Tourism Awards, where the winner will join around 65 leisure and tourism businesses already shortlisted as finalists across 21 categories at a ceremony to be held at the Blackpool Conference and Exhibition Centre in February 2023. The winner and a guest will be invited to join around 400 representatives from across Lancashire’s leisure and hospitality industry as well as guests and stakeholders, to receive their award.

A

partnership

LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards that all education providers must meet to ensure children learn and develop, as well as keeping them healthy and safe. It also promotes teaching and learning so that children are ‘school ready’ giving them a broad range of skills.

that promote resilience.

They learn to be strong and independent by experiencing different environments –forest schools that encourage outdoor learning and play, trips out to nearby attractions that give them a wider sense of the world, expanding their knowledge and social interaction.

Every child deserves the best possible start in life with support and learning that enables them to fulfil their potential.

Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s learning and experiences up to the age of five have a major impact on their future. A secure, safe and happy childhood is vital and good parenting and quality learning provide youngsters with the foundations needed to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow.

Official EYFS guidance seeks to provide youngsters with a whole host of skills in a bid to ensure each and every child makes good progress in their early years setting. The guidance also ensures children at EYFS are assessed and reviewed regularly in partnership with practitioners and parents.

The early learning goals provide youngsters with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to achieve by the end of the academic year in which they turn five.

However, many EYFS settings provide much more than this – they go above and beyond what is required so that children have confidence through shared experiences

Your child will begin to learn by doing things for themselves, by exploring and investigating, watching and listening, talking and discussing, creating, and communicating –in other words playing!

Play can also be very messy as your child will be learning both inside with sand, water and paint and also in the outdoors so, at the end of a good day, you can expect some muddy clothes!

Finding the right EYFS setting is vital to your child’s development as it’s a hugely important part of their life but it’s also a fun one too! n

In Preston and Fylde we have some amazing Early Years Foundation Stage settings that help children to learn, gain confidence and be ‘school-ready’

QUALITY LEARNING PROVIDES YOUNGSTERS WITH THE FOUNDATIONS NEEDED TO MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR ABILITIES AND TALENTS AS THEY GROW

EXCELLENT IN ALL AREAS

St Pius X Prep School is still setting the benchmark for private education. Its reputation for bespoke teaching, nurturing and progress is further highlighted by a recent glowing inspection praising staff and pupils alike

Arecent school inspection has given St Pius X Prep School on Garstang Road in Preston top marks across the board, commending the school as ‘excellent’ in all areas.

The Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) visited St Pius X, an independent school for boys and girls aged 2 to 11 in November, conducting formal interviews with every pupil and nearly all members of staff. The inspection team examined pupils’ work and conducted an online survey with every parent from Nursery to Year 6.

They found the nursery provision inspiring and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) a stimulating and caring environment, where learning styles are nurtured and pupil care is outstanding. The Headmaster has built the vision for St Pius from the foundations in EYFS with values, opportunity, bespoke learning and growth-mindset at the core of the experiences for every child across the school.

The inspectorate also commented on the progress that every child makes, regardless

of their ability. The Headmaster, leadership team and every teacher has embraced the relentless pursuit of progress and the importance of knowing each child, fully. These principles have resulted in exceptional achievement for the pupils socially and academically.

children have for each other is palpable, genuine and ‘outstanding’.

Delighted Headmaster, Patrick Gush, said he was extremely proud of the progress made at the school, commenting: “We have embedded systems and procedures and most importantly, built trust among the exceptional teachers. I have encouraged them to be themselves, share their practice and model kindness and integrity.

“A robust, dynamic curriculum excites the staff and inspires the children – this is exciting and it has made us an exceptional team. The parents recognise this, the children explore fearlessly and they rise to every challenge in a safe space without feeling pressured. This enables each child (and adult) to excel and progress.

Results speak for themselves. Two pupils from Year 6 have secured places at Eton –there have been numerous sport, music, drama and academic scholarships awarded by local independent senior schools and this year, the school achieved 90.9 per cent Grammar School passes into Lancaster Grammar Schools.

The ISI Inspection agreed that both pupil achievement and pupil development are excellent. They also concluded that the respect, care and understanding the

“I am immensely proud to be the Headmaster at St Pius X Prep School and to be leading such a dedicated and professional team of nursery practitioners, teachers and support staff.’’

He concluded: “I have always known it, but I am delighted for the incredible team, that St Pius X Prep School is now officially recognised as excellent.’’

This truly is the best start in life and a great place to be. n

Photography: Roger Moore

Photography: Roger Moore

experiences and activities, without being preoccupied with the virtual world of social media. The school has invested greatly in IT in recent years, with all pupils from Year 5 having their own laptops and access to the very latest smart adaptive technology that drives rapid progress in individual learning, particularly in English, maths, and science.

Sport is high on the agenda too, SMH pupils have access to a world-class indoor tennis dome with two Grand Slam-sized courts and a 25m on-site swimming pool. Boys and girls can play rugby, football, hockey, netball, tennis and cricket at the highest levels.

A WORLD OF ADVENTURE

At Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall (SMH) Prep School children enjoy an extra two years to extend the adventure of childhood, as they mature and progress to Stonyhurst College at the age of 13 –enabling them to embark on a senior education with a greater sense of wellbeing and personal confidence.

“There has, in the past, been traditional entry points to Stonyhurst including nursery, Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12,” explains Headmaster Fr Christopher Cann, who joined SMH at the start of September.

“However, we are seeing more children coming to Stonyhurst in Year 5 – a move that is advantageous in many ways.

“Years 5 and 6 see pupils finish the primary stage, then Years 7 and 8 at SMH has a ‘middle school’ feel about it. These extra two years at SMH give pupils the chance to fully grow in personal confidence. They are at the top end of the prep school, which gives them time to mature and develop their personal leadership skills before they move up to the college for senior education. Nurtured in our Jesuit ethos and mission, they want to be ‘all they can be’ in a life of purpose, as young men and women for others.”

Parents are finding there are many advantages of entering SMH at Year 5.

Firstly, many parents know that their children are not ready to move to a senior school environment at 11. They are looking for another path to avoid this very stressful transition. Secondly, the prep school provides wrap-around care from 8am to 6pm making it excellent value for busy working parents and homework is done at school.

The main advantage, however, is SMH’s

broad bespoke curriculum, which gives children the opportunity to play a huge variety of sports, enjoy a rich experience of performing arts, particularly musical theatre, learn new skills, including three foreign languages and make new friends with children from across the globe:

“The extended day provides a world of new opportunities for pupils. Parents often complain that state primary schools have to resort to a narrow basic curriculum, particularly in Year 6, which is SATS driven,” adds Fr Chris.

“We take pupils and, especially from Years 5 to 8, we see a transformation, which is very affirming. Our pupils develop into polite young people with good manners. They are very open, proactive and genuinely want to ask if you are having a good day!

“This is a culture that’s sadly very rare in young people in our wider society today,” adds Fr Chris.

“Here we are – an international school in the middle of the countryside in the beautiful Ribble Valley. We have children from across the world who want to benefit from a firstclass English education. It is a very unique and dynamic learning environment that allows children to be children and to extend that great adventure of a natural childhood that little bit longer.” n

“At SMH we don’t believe in SATS. We are still able to give parents a very clear assessment of how their children are doing in all their subjects in relation to national expectations, without having to resort to a very unimaginative test-driven curriculum. We are more concerned with the individual learning journey and wellbeing of each individual in its widest sense.

“The pupils at the top end of SMH in Years 7 and 8 are free to be themselves, to still live their childhood and have confidence in themselves and who they are as young teenagers. This is so important for their wellbeing and as a springboard for young adult life.”

A strict policy on not allowing mobile phones during the school day enables pupils to take full advantage of the many real-life

adventure of childhood Extending the

As we head into 2023, BAE Systems has announced it is set to hire more than 2,600 new apprentices and graduates across the UK

The announcement that BAE is set to take on new apprentices and graduates is good news for the North West, which will see more than half the 2,600 jobs allocated nationwide, to the region.

Preston, Warton and Samlesbury will be major beneficiaries with more than 500 positions, mainly in aerospace engineering.

Representing a 43 per cent increase on 2022’s early careers intake, the announcement reinforces BAE’s commitment to invest in the next generation, equipping young people across the UK with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace.

While the majority of roles will be based in the north, there are opportunities available

across the UK, supporting the Government’s aspiration to put education at the heart of plans to stimulate economic growth.

Tania Gandamihardja, Group Director of Human Resources at BAE Systems, said: “Faced with economic challenges not seen in a generation, it’s essential for businesses like ours to invest in the next generation to equip young people with the skills they need to achieve their full potential and support social mobility.

defence and security programmes, such as the Tempest next-generation combat aircraft and Dreadnought nuclear submarines.”

Robert Halfon, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, said: “Apprenticeships are the catalyst to boosting the economy, building a skills nation and extending the ladder of opportunity to all.

“Providing high-quality early careers programmes gives young people a route into long-term employment and helps recruit the talent we need to deliver on vital national

“It’s extraordinary to see leading apprentice employer BAE Systems plan to recruit over 2,600 apprentices and graduates this year across key industries including cyber security, aerospace engineering and software development.”

With more than 50 programmes available, there are opportunities in areas including cyber security, software development, aerospace engineering, accountancy and human resources. Successful applicants will work on some of the world’s most advanced technology programmes, playing an important role in delivering essential equipment and services to the armed forces and security services to protect the nation’s defence and security.

BAE Systems invests approximately

FACED WITH ECONOMIC CHALLENGES NOT SEEN IN A GENERATION, IT’S ESSENTIAL FOR BUSINESSES LIKE OURS TO INVEST IN THE NEXT GENERATION

Amy Croasdale began her engineering career when she was 10 while in primary school in Wrea Green when she was placed second in a national engineering contest. That childhood interest in engineering influenced her academic pursuits at Cardinal Newman College and her passion eventually led her to BAE Systems where she is currently in the fifth and final year of her apprenticeship within the Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Scheme (EDAS) Aerospace department.

Over the past five years, she has worked across multiple departments – Typhoon In Service Support and Avionics, Tornado Fast Jet Support, Tempest Structures and the F-35 Fuel Team – before landing a role within her dream department, Tempest Concept Design, for the final two years of the programme.

Working in different functions has helped her gain a deep knowledge of the aircrafts, while learning how the system works as a whole. In her current role as a Concept Designer, she is training and working with the team who plan and develop the iterations for new fighter jets. On a daily basis she works on a Computer Aided Design (CAD) software system, learning how to ‘draw’ aircraft from first principles while finding innovative ways to package all of the features.

It has been an ongoing educational process, and Amy has embraced every step of it. Her advice when taking on new challenges or learning new skills? “Just keep going!”

Amy also loves the travel opportunities that have come with her various roles. She recently spent seven weeks in Japan studying how to develop aircraft from the team there and she looks forward to working with BAE’s Italian partners in the future.

£100m in education, skills and early careers activities in the UK annually and currently has almost 4,300 apprentices and graduates in training across its UK businesses, equivalent to more than 10 per cent of its 35,000 strong UK workforce.

Around 95 per cent of apprentice trainees complete their apprenticeship with BAE Systems and go on to secure full time employment with the company.

BAE Systems apprenticeship programme is rated Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ and the company recently ranked in the Top 10 of the Department for Education’s Apprenticeship Employers and Top 25 for The Times’ Graduate Employers. n

The closing date for apprentice applications is 28th February 2023. There are multiple graduate intakes throughout the year, including January, June and September.

Find out more and apply: baesystems.com/earlycareers

WE NEED TO DELIVER ON VITAL NATIONAL DEFENCE AND SECURITY PROGRAMMES, SUCH AS THE TEMPEST NEXT-GENERATION COMBAT AIRCRAFT

BUSINESS MATTERS

If you have any Business Matters news items contact: jan.woolley@live-magazines.co.uk

WELCOME RECOMMENDATION

Developer BXB Thornton Ltd, a joint venture between Promenade Estates and brownfield land specialist BXB, has welcomed a recommendation to approve its application for 130 new homes on a site on Fleetwood Road North in Thornton Cleveleys. The project was not without its challenges, says BXB director Gary Goodman: “It’s a tricky site in technical terms, with issues such as drainage, site levels and biodiversity mitigation all posing significant challenges to its overall viability. Working closely with the local authority and a range of statutory consultees we’ve been able to address those challenges and I am looking forward to putting our proposals before the planning committee for its scrutiny.”

MAKING IT YOURS

Marketing Lancashire has launched a new campaign Make Our Lancashire Yours to illustrate the rich tapestry of the county with its compelling contrast of country, coastline and cities  complemented by its fabulous food and local delicacies. The campaign features the personal stories and voices of local people who live and work in the county to showcase the incredible businesses, the attractions and the amazing  Lancashire welcome, extended to all those who visit, with the aim of encouraging new talent and investment to the region. makelancashireyours.com #makelancashireyours

VITAL DEFENCES

Work has started on constructing vital flood defences along Broadgate and Riverside in Preston. Councillors recently visited the Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme for an update on how work is progressing. Construction on the first phase of the new £54.7million scheme started with preliminary works to strengthen the sewer and divert services along Broadgate. Work has now started on the defences with piling for the foundations for the flood walls. The flood scheme will help reduce the risk of flooding to around 5,000 homes and businesses along the River Ribble. Construction of Phase 1 is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.

NEW LOOK ROTUNDA

Preston’s Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library has revealed the new-look ground floor rotunda. Working with partners Ralph Appelbaum Associates for the planning and design to reimagine the building, the rotunda will exhibit the return of the cherished Foucault Pendulum, first featured in the 1900s. As part of the Harris Your Place, a £16million transformational project, all central rotunda spaces will tell stories of the Harris across time through a variety of different lenses.

RUGBY SPONSORS

Porsche Centre, Preston has signed a new one-year deal to sponsor the Kirkham Grammar School (KGS) rugby 1st XV team. The car dealership, will feature on both the home and away kits throughout the 2022/23 season. Tom Fox, for Porsche Centre, Preston said: “Kirkham Grammar School is renowned for rugby excellence. We already support Preston Grasshoppers RUFC and Fylde RUFC locally, so KGS is another perfect fit to maintain the dealership’s relationship with the local rugby community. Our sponsorship comes after a particularly successful period for the 1st XV and we are looking forward to seeing how the season develops.” Kirkham Grammar School’s Director of Rugby, Mr Aled Trenhaile, said: “We are proud to have Porsche Centre, Preston as our new 1st XV sponsor. With the support of our sponsors, we hope we can build and replicate our recent success as our players develop. In Porsche Centre, Preston, we are lucky to have a local business partner that is as passionate about rugby as we are.”

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Preston and Fylde, where business always matters

As a time served financial planner, allow me to point out one really important point before I share our tips for this new year – keep it real .

Whilst most would love a Ferrari or a villa in the South of France, one of the important observations if not the most important, is to live and save within your means – goals should push you, but I would suggest, not over the edge!

1. Write down what you actually spend

• I fi nd it quite incredible how many people come through our doors and struggle to answer when we ask, ‘What do you spend each month?’

• This task is made easier by listing the essentials you need to survive on each month (core) and the more non-essential spends such as socialising (discretionary).

GETTING YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER FOR 2023

• Without being honest with yourself, there is little chance of having a good grasp on what is going out each month, and if you don’t know that, then problems soon start to appear.

2. Hit any expensive debt right where it hurts

• D ebt is single handedly crucifying the country with the hangover from the cheap and easy to obtain credit years, which is still an issue for those who have worked hard to get it to a manageable level, but still pay away a good portion of their salary to service this debt.

• A s an example, if you have £20,000 on a credit card and are paying 19 per cent you are paying £316.66pm / £3,800pa to the provider before you are even reducing the balance.

• By removing debt, any disposable monies can be channeled elsewhere and while often impossibly hard to get rid of, shifting high-interest debt has to be a top priority before you start to save.

3. Focus on saving and investing

• You’re going to ask me how much is enough right? The answer is different for everyone and a lot of this comes back to point one above. If you understand your discretionary

Stephen Fox of Fox Lifestyle Financial

income, you then have a grasp on what’s available to put to one side for the future.

• This is where a qualified financial planner can help identify opportunities which can springboard your savings plan to the next level.

• D espite bad press, the government still offers lots of tax incentives which with proper planning, can be utilised as part of any long-term savings strategy.

• However, careful consideration should be given to putting aside around three to six months income to serve as an ‘emergency pot’ should the washing machine explode, or the car lets you down!

4. Read a bit more on the subject at hand

• You don’t need to study the Financial Times, nor do you need to be a member of Mensa. The wealth of information at our fingertips today is considerable and you can tap into some bite-size information along the way.

• I h ave two financial services apps on my phone that push through notifications throughout the week. If I have time I read them, if not I delete.

• Granted, I am in the fortunate position to have financial services institutions firing information into my inbox every day, but anybody can pick up a little more understanding if we make the time. n

Fox Life Financial Planning Limited is an Appointed Representative of Flying Colours, which is a trading name of Flying Colours Advice Limited, which is, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under number 672022. We are registered in England and Wales under company number 11056247 at Mentor House, Ainsworth Street, Blackburn, Lancashire BB1 6AY.

Fox Lifestyle Financial Planning Ltd

Independent Financial Advisers 01772 300 522 07540 271083 stephen@foxlifefp.com foxlifefp.com

New Year New You – blah blah blah… it only seems like yesterday we were throwing ideas down on paper for what we were going to do differently in 2022!

Planning Ltd gives his top tips for the coming year

Photography: Roger Moore

Stand out from the crowd.

Introducing the new Porsche Macan range. Engineered passion, impressive design and the sports car of Compact SUVs. All with extensive standard equipment, model-specific design features and typical Porsche performance. The Macan is incomparable, unmistakable – and unstoppable. Discover the full range at Porsche Centre Preston and book a test drive today*. *Test drives are subject to availability and applicant status.

CAPABLE OF GREAT THINGS

BOOK YOUR TEST DRIVE

The 4WD vehicle with a capacity to go almost anywhere and do almost anything. With a third row of seating, Defender 130 offers best-in-class space for up to eight passengers. Share your experience using #MeetDefender. Contact us to book your extended test drive now.

VERTU LAND ROVER NELSON Churchill Way, Lomeshaye Business Park, Lancashire, Nelson, BB9 6LL 0330 108 0113 vertumotors.com

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Kay Street, Bolton, BL1 2RX 0330 108 1023 vertumotors.com

Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. Official WLTP Fuel Consumption for the Defender range (excl. PHEV) in mpg (l/100km): Combined 18.7-32.8 (15.1-8.6). WLTP CO2 Emissions 340-226 g/km. Defender PHEV range in mpg (1/100km): Combined 72.4-85.6 (3.9-3.3). WLTP CO2 Emissions: 88-74g/km. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer’s tests in accordance with EU legislation. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. CO2 and fuel economy figures may vary according to factors such as driving styles, environmental conditions, wheel fitment, load and accessories. The information is our best advice at the time of publishing and is subject to change. Please contact your Retailer for the latest information. Vertu Land Rover is a trading name of Albert Farnell Limited which is an authorised representative of Bristol Street First Investments Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Company registration number 00391896. VAT Registration number 902737238. Registered office: Vertu House, Fifth Avenue Business Park, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0XA.

DYNAMIC DRIVE...

Paul Agnew takes the all-new BMW X1 for a test drive through the Ribble Valley to discover a car that is slick, sporty and self-assured.

Photography: Andy Tighe

Acar can mean different things to different people. Some see it as a luxury, others deem it a necessity. Some seek style and gadgets, others simply a comfortable and reliable means of getting from A to B.

And then there are those (you know who you are) who treat their car with deep devotion – wiping it down if it runs through a dirty puddle, patting it on the bonnet after a particularly testing or long-distance drive or – wait for it – even affording it a pet name!

Whatever your inclinations and demands, you can rest assured that there is almost certainly a car out there for you.

But is there such a thing as a car to suit everyone?

The short answer, my friends, is ‘yes’ and it can be found at Bowker BMW right now in the shape of the brilliant new X1.

I

and out, and one that immediately wins you over.

We’re talking genuine kerb appeal –strong black detail contrasting with the glorious main colour to really enhance the exterior look – and an interior with just about everything you could possibly need, yet all of it delivered without fuss or clutter. A clean car in every sense.

According to the official blurb: “The new BMW X1 impresses with its comprehensive versatility and functionality, with a clearly structured design and self-assured presence.”

All true, but bonus points to the BMW marketing folk for not overstating the case, for there is much to wax lyrical about.

Among the many bonuses for those lucky enough to call a new BMW X1 their own are a heated steering wheel (in leather), folding wing mirrors with auto dimming, adaptive LED headlights, electric memory seats, 19” alloy wheels – double spoke style, adaptive suspension, front sport seats –heated, alarm system, high beam assistant, sun protection glass, highly-sophisticated navigation system, reversing assist camera –trust me, the list of goodies is far greater than the editorial space allows here.

It looks great with a dynamic front, complete with large double kidney grille and broad front prone, moving to the

was entrusted to test the BMW X1 xDrive23d M Sport Premier model (in a particularly striking Portimao Blue) a car with a genuine sporty appearance, inside

clearly defined contours running parallel to the flowing roof line and ending with the distinctive rear. The smart appearance helped in no small way by the aforementioned black trims and details.

Handling is superb – front-wheel drive, ultra-efficient engine and state-of-the-art chassis technologies guaranteeing a drive experience full of dynamics and agility. The steering is sublime, so slick and responsive.

Particularly eye-catching inside is the live cockpit with huge, but not over-intrusive, curved widescreen instrument display – slim and frameless and to all the world the latest tablet. In touch with everything and within touching distance (or by voice control if you prefer) it ensures seamless communication between you and your vehicle.

There is a real sense of calm about the interior, helped by the Alcantara/Sensatec black seats with blue stitching and you never feel overpowered. All the technology you require is here, but it isn’t forever dancing or flashing in front of you. Subtlety is very much a key element.

Some might say the new BMW X1 is an SUV of sorts, but while not a huge car by any means, it is certainly big enough. All passengers enjoy a generously proportioned and open atmosphere of well-being and it

also comes with a towbar which goes some way to underpin the general capability and flexibility on offer.

For your extra comfort there is, of course, the acclaimed package of BMW products including BMW TeleServices, BMW Emergency Call, BMW Online Services and Connected Package Pro and so forth.

You’ll always be on the right track with the proactive route suggested by BMW maps-connected navigation, smartphone integration supports Apple CarPlay® and A ndroid Auto and the handily placed wireless ‘charging tray’ charges your smartphone inductively. Clever stuff.

Little wonder that the new BMW X1 is attracting so many complimentary comments, rave reviews and admiring glances.

But just who exactly is it aimed at, the so-called target market? More importantly, could it be the car for you? The ‘target market’ is everyone, I honestly can’t think of anyone it wouldn’t suit.

Best advice is to go and have a look for yourself, take a spin and discover what all the fuss is about. Irrespective of your motoring needs and wants, I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed. n

A FAN FOR ALL SEASONS

Michael Hodkinson meets diehard PNE super-fan John Roper, who first went to Deepdale in 1967. By 2012, he had seen 756 consecutive home and away games

The word ‘fan’ is an abbreviation of ‘fanatic’, a word derived from the Latin word ‘fanaticus’. Therefore, two millennia ago, supporters of a gladiator or chariot driver in the Coliseum in Rome were probably referred to in such terms. It was also a word used to describe the followers of various politicians – perhaps of Cassius and Brutus who assassinated Julius Caesar. According to early scholars who translated Latin into English, the meaning hints at being divinely inspired or possessing some type of mania, and so here is a question.

Have all those who hardly ever miss a Preston North End or Blackpool football fixture had contact with some supernatural force or are they close to being crazy?

Aerospace as a skilled machinist, first of all at Strand Road, Preston and then on to Samlesbury where he eventually worked as a Business Manager at what became BAe Systems. “There was a strong football culture at Samlesbury,” John explains.

“The work force was split evenly between North End and Rovers fans.”

Following the Preston club became the norm and as he grew into his late teens, he began to travel to away matches as well. Missing a game was rare and then for some reason, he did not travel to the away fixture at Grimsby in the first round of the 1998 League Cup. But the next match, a league fixture at Luton Town, kick-started an extraordinary long run.

Probably not is the answer and in the case of John Roper, it was his place of birth, the influence of his father, a diehard Lilywhite fan, and a love of football which made him a North Ender. Born and brought up in Leyland in the sixties, his father first took him to Deepdale in 1967 and he was hooked. Like so many teenagers from the town, he was an apprentice at Leyland Motors. When that firm declined, he switched to British

“By December 2012, I had seen 756 consecutive home and away games but just as I was preparing to go to an away game at Coventry City, my father became seriously ill and I had to rush him into hospital.

I would have loved to have reached 1,000 but, even though I admit to being a fanatical supporter, I cannot agree with Bill Shankly’s famous quote. When asked if football is a matter of life and death, he allegedly said that it was more important than that. But when my father desperately needed my help, the game had to take second place.

THERE ARE GROUNDS WHERE I LIKE GOING AND AWAY SUPPORTERS I LIKE TALKING TO, BUT THERE ARE A FEW OTHERS WHERE I DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE

“I have not missed an FA Cup tie since we lost at Leeds in 1983 and I have been to play-off finals at Wembley in 1994 and 2015 as well as in 2001 and 2005 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff when Wembley was being rebuilt. I have calculated that I travel 7,000 miles a year to watch the team and for the run from 1998 to 2012, the total was close to 100,000. There are grounds where I like going and away supporters I like talking to, but there are a few others where I don’t feel comfortable. At Millwall, even though it is not as bad as in earlier days, it can still be a scary experience. Before they moved to their new ground, the address was ‘The Den, Cold Blow Lane’ – enough to frighten you, even before you set off! But Fulham, down by the banks of the Thames, is my favourite and their fans are most welcoming.”

How does he fit in holidays? He told me that with four international breaks per season in the Championship, finding seven or 10-day breaks each year is easy.

“I always check the fixture list when it is published in June and then plan my holidays,” he said.

He has recently retired from BAe and I queried how he could possibly have attended midweek fixtures at the likes of Gillingham or Plymouth, another of his favourite trips: “Put it down to good luck, good health and co-operative managers with an interest in football,” was his response. “Plus a flexiworking system where you can book half days off from your holiday allowance. I had

started to build up another long run but that crashed to a halt with the arrival of Covid when, although football continued, it was played in empty stadia. Since normal service has resumed, my current running total stands at 72 games.

“With cup games against non-league sides, with new clubs being promoted to the Football

League each season and a number of clubs moving to newly-built grounds, I have seen Preston play at 165 different venues. I am proud of my record but the fact that football is in my blood keeps me wanting to continue.”

For years, John wrote in the Lancashire Evening Post each week, he appears on Radio Lancashire Sport from time to time and has become a PNE blogger.

I don’t know what the world record is for the most consecutive games attended, and there may even be other North End supporters who have achieved more, but if there is, then like John Roper, they will have earned the right to be classed as a ‘super-fan’. n

jrpneblog.tumblr.com

BEFORE MILLWALL MOVED TO THEIR NEW GROUND, THEIR ADDRESS WAS ‘THE DEN, COLD BLOW LANE’ – ENOUGH TO FRIGHTEN YOU, EVEN BEFORE YOU SET OFF!

Britain has had a long love affair with brewing ale and its derivatives. In fact, London was once the brewing capital of the world and ales were even encouraged during the 1700’s to quell the country’s gin addiction. Fast forward to today and the number of independent breweries and tap rooms opening up across the country, confirms that our enthusiasm for craft ale is alive and well.

The long-awaited ambition of Jim and Jen Cuffe, Jimbrew Brewing Company, has been in the planning stages for what probably feels like a lifetime to the couple. The exciting new business has come to fruition, despite setbacks that have included planning permission refusals and a global pandemic to contend with.

ALL NATURAL…

What is now Jakes & Co in Lytham town centre, which provides bespoke suits as well as luxury wedding suits for hire, is owned by the couple and two of their friends. “We bought the building in 2019 and the planning process took a long time,” explains Jim.

“Initially we wanted to have the brewery and suit hire business within one location but the planning application for the brewery was rejected. We were already invested in launching Jakes & Co so we had to think of a different direction for the business.”

Undeterred, and with a substantial amount of capital tied up in this new venture, Jim’s wife Jen turned her ever-creative flair to transform the first floor into one of Lancashire’s most luxurious short-stay apartments, Attic Lytham, with the ground floor now home to the family-run wedding suit specialist.

“It was tough to think that our dreams for owning our own brewery were essentially going down the drain but thankfully Jakes & Co has been well received and in 2020,

A new brewery and tap room has launched serving gluten free beer within a beautifully rural and quirky setting that’s set to attract craft ale fanatics near and far, writes Emma Brereton.

Photography: Roger Moore

WE USE MILLET AND BUCKWHEAT WHICH ARE NATURALLY GLUTEN FREE, THERE AREN’T ANY OTHER ALLERGENS IN OUR ALES EITHER AND THEY ARE VEGAN FRIENDLY TOO

when the pandemic hit, the prolonged time at home gave me an opportunity to perfect my beer,” recalls Jim.

Jim and Jen explain that the long hot days of the pandemic were spent converting their garage into a home-brewing facility and the pair set to creating the taste and brand. It was a blissful break from home-schooling their two boys.

What makes Jimbrew different to other craft ales on the market is that it is completely gluten free. Other ales are described as gluten free are actually low-gluten but Jim has managed to develop a selection of ales that cater for those with an intolerance to wheat.

“As well as having a gluten intolerance, I also have type one diabetes and so it was really important to bring to market a product that I could enjoy too. We use millet and buckwheat which are naturally gluten free, there aren’t any other allergens in our ales either and they are vegan friendly too!”

The journey from garage to Clifton Fields began when Jim and Jen heard of the vacant building at the thriving community of companies and professional firms. Clifton Fields dates back to 1872 and was formerly a demonstration farm for the Clifton and Treales Estate of the Clifton family to show the latest in agricultural techniques.

Despite its rural location, it’s easily accessible and close to motorway networks. In fact, where Jimbrew is nestled, adds to the brewery’s attraction. It’s a location that you would definitely make an effort to drive out to on a sunny day to enjoy a tipple in a stunningly picturesque setting. The

WE WANTED THE TAP ROOM TO HAVE A SOCIAL VIBE SO PEOPLE COULD CONNECT AND SHARE THEIR LOVE OF CRAFT ALE. ENJOY THE MUSIC, SIT NEXT TO SOMEONE YOU DON’T KNOW AND HAVE A CHAT

brewing area on the ground floor is raw and industrial, it means business and is very much an impressive piece of kit.

Jen cites the installation of the tanks as one of her highlights. She said: “When we signed the lease for the building it was a

complete blank canvas – it didn’t even have a floor where the tap room is now!

“I felt so proud of Jim the day the tanks arrived. We had bought them before the pandemic and they had been in storage since 2019. Our official launch has been a long time coming and to finally be open is a huge achievement. We are very excited for the future.”

The tap room has been designed by Jen who has impeccable taste. It’s eclectic, yet elegant at the same time with feature pieces specifically selected to show the couple’s flair for design and individuality. They wanted it to feel like a communal space that encourages customers to be social. There’s space for around 50 people upstairs as well as an outdoor area that will be popular in the warmer months.

“After enduring so many lockdowns, we wanted the tap room to have a social vibe so people could connect and share their love of craft ale. Enjoy the music, sit next to someone you don’t know and have a chat,” Jen enthused.

Jim and Jen also share the vision that Clifton Fields has to be carbon neutral. The offices at the site have achieved a coveted Grade A Energy Efficiency Rating and doing everything they can to contribute towards an ideology of sustainable production is high on the agenda for Jimbrew.

“Brewing is actually a very wasteful business. For every one pint brewed, two pints of water are wasted. To combat this, we had a reed bed installed on the neighbouring farm so our waste water is pumped to that which is used on the farm and filters back down to the nearby river. Drinking our ales on site also means that we don’t have any beer miles,” added Jim.

Jimbrew Brewing Company is open Friday and Saturday 12noon to 10pm and Sundays 12noon to 6pm. Its flight of gluten free ales, which are all a play on titles of popular songs, include Sesh Bomb, Sesh Machine, My Haus, Back to Black will be available and there is also a high-end sparkling wine which is British made – Gusbourne English sparkling wine.

“We really wanted to partner with Gusbourne,” explains Jen. “Their products are fantastic. They use only the best quality ingredients in their wines and they also share our vision for sustainable produce.” n

beginning of the week – more innovation and support don’t you think?

The pub is increasingly being chosen for a variety of celebrations, anniversaries and wakes – if you’re planning an event then a call to Becky will no doubt result in a series of pre-set menus or an exciting bespoke set of choices to help make your celebration just perfect. The versatility of the room, coupled with stellar service, makes this an ideal choice for anyone looking for help or making special memories for their loved ones.

Becky is very excited to confirm that full planning permission has now been granted to develop the dilapidated Keepers Cottage into a stylish boutique hotel with opening planned for late 2023. The bravery, commitment and hard work by both Becky and Jamie needs to be both applauded and supported – it promises to be an exciting

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

Becky wanted to start this month’s article by wishing everyone a ‘Happy New Year’ and to thank them for their support throughout 2022. In many ways it’s been an excellent year for the burgeoning reputation for great food and service at the Black Bull, which has helped cement their position at the very top of the Ribble Valley food scene.

As we move into the new year, a time that is naturally quieter for hospitality, much has been made of the tough times ahead and news of the sad closures of many long-established pubs and restaurants. I was therefore curious to understand how Becky plans to overcome these concerns and drive the business forward.

As many of our regular readers know I have described Becky in many ways – let me add two more to that list – innovative and hard working.

addition to the accommodation options in the Ribble Valley and will no doubt offer the same levels of style and service as their beloved Black Bull. I’ve no doubt that everyone is fully committed to the cause.

There is a first-class team spirit both front of house and in the kitchen and as customers we’ve seen first hand how they go the extra mile. I recently had Sunday lunch with my family including my two-year-old grandson. What a delightful experience – the team recognised our time limitations and fussed over little Charlie and helped make the whole meal enjoyable for us all. The innovative kids menu was a big hit and mum and dad had a rare roast dinner, cooked of course to perfection. The Bull excels on this versatility, leaving everyone with a big smile on their face and a full tummy.

January and February will see the return of the great value two and three-course menus at £20 and £25 respectively. This comprehensive menu is a mix of Bull classics and some lighter options to tempt customers to book mid-week and enjoy a hearty portion of great food cooked to perfection and served with a beaming smile. The first of these innovations include a mid-week version of the now famous Sunday roast – a huge Yorkshire pudding filled with beef and gravy and all the trimmings, which I believe will be very popular. Becky is also keen to support her fellow hospitality workers and being one of the few Ribble Valley pubs to be open seven days, she is encouraging those in the industry to enjoy the delights of the Bull on their days off, usually at the

Despite all this innovation and hard work, Becky and the team need your support so, if you can – please visit in January or February and you’ll be made to feel most welcome. n

CELEBRATION TIME!

For the past four decades Gibbon Bridge has been one of the region’s most popular destinations for very special celebrations

Celebrations – we all look forward to them and it’s always good to know that you’re in safe and reliable hands when you book a venue.

Families, friends and couples who book a celebration at Gibbon Bridge have often been there on numerous occasions. It’s very much a venue that is used by multiple generations. Couples who have married there, return to celebrate wedding anniversaries, christenings and in turn the next generation continue the family tradition of celebrating at Gibbon Bridge.

says Pauline Smith, a long-standing, senior member of the Gibbon Bridge team.

The hotel, which also features luxury bedrooms and suites, has been operating for four decades under the trailblazing leadership of hotelier Janet Simpson, who has created ultimately flexible spaces in which guests can enjoy dining in the restaurant, private dining in the orangery or delightful outdoor spaces in the grounds.

LET’S DO LUNCH!

If you’re planning a more informal celebration there are heated pergolas in the gardens of Gibbon Bridge, which can offer al fresco serving platters – it’s an ideal set-up for young families.

IF YOU’RE PLANNING A MORE INFORMAL CELEBRATION THERE ARE HEATED PERGOLAS IN THE STUNNING GROUNDS OF GIBBON BRIDGE

If you are thinking of arranging a celebration, formal or informal and of any size, give Gibbon Bridge a call and a senior member of the team will be delighted to show you around and explain menu options.

“We have couples celebrating their silver wedding and golden wedding anniversaries as well as birthdays and family occasions.

“Many people feel like they are part of Gibbon Bridge – they marry here, have christening parties here, then the next generation bring back their own children,”

As we go into the New Year Gibbon Bridge Hotel is back open for lunch seven days a week. Known as one of the best-value lunches in the region, this destination restaurant will serve lunches from 12 noon to 1.30pm – guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy an aperitif beforehand, overlooking the beautiful gardens and grounds. Afterwards coffee will be served in the bar with its roaring log fire and cosy ambience. As expected, booking is always recommended as lunch at Gibbon Bridge is always popular!

A bespoke menu can be arranged with head chef Gary Buxton along with winepairing suggestions.

Once your date has been confirmed, all you need to do it sit back and relax and leave all the hard work to the experienced team, who will ensure your celebration is a stunning success! n

Gibbon Bridge Hotel Chipping PR3 2TQ 01995 61456 gibbon-bridge.co.uk

THE ULTIMATE JOURNEY AROUND SPAIN

For over 3000 years, Spain has inspired and shaped food and drink across Europe and further afield. With its scarred history, religious influences, and fierce regional identities, Spain has always been a land that ignites the imagination in literature, food, and drink. So, at Bar Pintxos, once a month, we take you on a culinary journey with a difference, to a different region, with five regional-inspired dishes, paired with wines only from around Spain. What better way to explore this beautiful land?

Dates for 2023 to be released soon Go to our website and register your interest

TAPA - PINTXOS - BODEGA - RESTAURANTE 36 Market Place, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2AR Telephone: 01772 821202 www.barpintxos.co.uk @barpintxosPR1

VALENTINE’S LOVE HEART PIZZA

This delicious pizza is spiced with chilli flakes in a Bloody Mary sauce making it a perfect, warming treat for Valentines –or anytime!

SERVES TWO

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Prep time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 quantity of booths easy pizza dough

FOR THE BLOODY MARY PIZZA SAUCE:

1 shallot, sliced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 25ml olive oil

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp caster sugar

Chilli flakes

1 tin crushed tomatoes 50ml vodka 1/2 tsp salt 25g basil

Season to taste with salt and pepper

For the toppings 10 slices pepperoni ½ sliced mozzarella

1 artichoke

Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD:

Pre heat the oven to 240°C / 220° Fan / 475°F / Gas Mark 9 and place a tray in the oven.

To make the pizza dough go to: booths.co.uk/ recipe/easy-pizza-dough

To make the Bloody Mary sauce, fry the sliced shallot and garlic in the olive oil and then add the balsamic, sugar and chilli flakes.

Remove from the heat and add the crushed tomatoes, vodka, salt and the fresh basil.

Liquidise and season to taste.

To assemble, form the pizza dough into a heart shape on top of a lightly floured piece of parchment and slide it onto an upside-down thin tray.

Top with the tomato sauce being careful to leave a gap at the edges.

Top with heart shaped pepperoni, artichokes and thinly sliced mozzarella.

Add a sprinkle of chilli flakes and slide the parchment off the tray onto the tray in the oven. Be careful as the oven is hot.

After three minutes slide off and remove the piece of parchment and continue to cook for a further three minutes until everything is coloured and the dough is cooked.

Serve with salad and a bottle of bubbly.

CHEFS TIP:

To stuff the crust, place mozzarella at the edges of the dough and roll over tight to enclose the cheese. Now top the pizza as normal for a delicious stuffed cheese crust pizza. n

booths.co.uk

BRINGING JOY…

university they were attending. I had one friend going to Liverpool, so her card featured a yellow submarine.

“After that people started asking me to make cards for them and from there I just carried on,” says Georgia-Maia.

limited-edition coffee cups for Brew + Bake in Preston, she has done various illustrations for county publications and one of her most recent collaborations over the festive period, was with Penwortham-based Fairham Gin.

Teaming up with Ellis McKeown and Liam Stemson, owners and distillers at Fairham, Georgia-Maia designed a special label for their Limited Edition Vol.1 – a chocolate orange gin, which is a first-of-its-kind for the Penwortham distillery.

Atalented, young illustrator is forging fantastic community collaborations with local businesses thanks to her unique style.

Based in Penwortham, Georgia-Maia Illustrations, is headed up by community nurse Georgia-Maia, who since her schooldays at Penwortham Girls’ School and Newman College, has always been creative: “I’ve always been passionate about drawing and learning new crafts. Illustration for me, is a way to manage my mental health and well-being whilst creating something that brings joy to others.”

Having qualified as a specialist health professional, in her spare time Georgia-Maia produces colourful, digital designs creating joyful, custom illustrations that are bright and beautiful.

She recalls making individual greetings cards when her friends started going to university: “Each card was unique to the

Since then, she has continued to create individual, greetings cards and has also been approached by local businesses, who love her style that really makes their products unique.

She has designed a new menu, tote bags and

Ellis says: “We had gone a whole year without a new release, so we wanted to make an extra-special festive Edition. Vol.1, which forms part of our Limited Edition range.

“We approached Georgia-Maia as we saw it as the perfect opportunity to partner with a talented artist to design a bottle that is memorable and collectable. Georgia-Maia’s work instantly caught our eye and it’s great to promote Penwortham and its creativity in this collaboration.

“At Fairham our goal has always been to put Penwortham on the gin map and we’re

An artist who is working closely with businesses across the city, talks about her most recent collaboration with Fairham Gin

ILLUSTRATION FOR ME, IS A WAY TO MANAGE MY MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING WHILST CREATING SOMETHING THAT BRINGS JOY TO OTHERS

very proud to highlight our hometown in this kind of way.”

Georgia-Maia adds: “Ellis and Liam contacted me through Instagram which was great – I was really excited that the collaboration came from someone who found me on social media!

“Working with other local independents is a real joy. Meeting new people and helping put Preston on the map is amazing, it’s such an inspirational time for this community,

which is thriving with creatives! Working with Fairham Gin has been so exciting for me and to see my work on a product is actually mind boggling!”

Georgia-Maia’s design incorporated many elements that reflected the Limited Edition gin as she recalls: “We talked it over and there was a bit of a Willy Wonka theme coming through, then there was talk of a hand

squeezing an orange slice with chocolate drops falling from it – a lot of my illustrations feature hands.

“If you look at the final illustration and look closely there are a lot of the botanicals in there too – juniper, cloves and cinnamon sticks.”

Liam agrees, adding: “It was an absolute pleasure to collaborate with such a talented artist and there’s a lot of the elements in the image which go into the making of this chocolate, orange and spiced gin.”

Georgia-Maia’s artwork totally encapsulates Ellis and Liam’s latest gin, which saw Fairham’s award-winning Ochre Edition re-worked to perfectly infuse silky layers of chocolate.

Liam, a lover of chocolate-infused gins, says: “It’s been a goal of mine to add a chocolate infused gin to our line-up, and with Limited Edition Vol.1 we have perfectly balanced roasted cacao nibs with authentic orange and spices to create an indulgent tipple.” n

georgiamaiaillustrations@outlook.com @georgiamaiaillustrations

etsy.com/shop/georgiamaia no1fairhamgin.com

IT’S SUCH AN INSPIRATIONAL TIME FOR THIS COMMUNITY, WHICH IS THRIVING WITH CREATIVES!

SETTING THE SCENE…

Author Roger Price is set for a busy 2023 with a new novel, a TV drama script and a BBC documentary

Former detective turned author Roger Price recently released the first of a four-book series and is currently pitching a new drama series that he hopes will be snapped up for TV.

His latest book Inside Threat, which has received rave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, is inspired by real life events across the North West.

As a retired Detective Inspector working on ‘special ops’, Roger bases his novels on his own experiences in the police force.

He transferred to Preston CID in 1985 leaving in 1988 to work with the Drug Squad, covering Preston and Central Lancashire before working with the Regional Crime Squad based in Blackpool.

the police must catch him before the body count rises.

“I have always wanted to write, but never had the time when I was working as a detective. So, when I left the police 10 years ago, I started writing and now I write full time,” says Roger.

“I am inspired by real events, but I often go off on fictional tangents then run with them.

“I basically start with a fairly loose skeleton of a plot and go with it. My books include a lot of my personal experience in the police, certain procedures give the plot authenticity but with some creative licence.”

While writing Inside Threat Roger has also been writing a script for a six-part British TV crime drama, which has been an eye-opener in terms of learning new skills.

“It’s been a steep learning curve,” explains Roger, who completed an online script writing course.

“When I write my novels, I particularly enjoy writing dialogue as opposed to descriptive text. I prefer dialogue as it needs to be kept crisp and concise. As scripts are all about dialogue, I have enjoyed writing the TV drama series immensely.”

of Proof – a real life TV documentary series airing this month.

When he returned to Preston in 2000 working on intelligence, he took over as DI back in CID, ending his time in the police with ‘special ops’ based at Hutton HQ, running Operation Nimrod – a Lancashire-wide initiative to tackle street-level drug dealers. He left in 2008 to become a full-time crime fiction writer.

His book, Inside Threat, sees an informant going missing after disclosing to fictional DS Martin Draker that a corrupt police official is importing heroin from India. A field analyst is investigating an upsurge in deaths caused by a new drug and a body, believed to be that of the missing informant, is discovered in a burned-out car. As the female field analyst launches a TV appeal warning of the dangers of the drug, dealer Dan Manning realises she could damage the drug market before it gets going.

Before Manning has a chance to stop her,

During his time learning about script writing Roger applied to become a TV extra to experience what it was actually like to be on set, and he went on to appear in an episode of TV drama Cold Feet starring James Nesbitt, John Thomson, Fay Ripley and Hermione Norris.

“It was absolutely fascinating seeing what it was like behind the camera and to learn about ‘setting the scene’ which is really the job of the director. They decide how to ‘dress’ the scene – on the actual script it is normally limited to just one or two lines.

“In novels you have to write extensively to set the scene but in script writing you don’t do any of that.”

Having written the script, Roger says working in TV is even tougher than that of publishing: “If you’re writing novels some mid-level publishers will take books directly from the author but in the top echelons and in TV you have to have an agent,” says Roger, who went to London to meet his agent for his TV work, who then went on to take on his literary work also.

Roger is also due to appear on BBC’s Moment

“They covered one of my cases when I was working as a DI which was based in Liverpool, Bangkok and Southampton. We filmed for eight hours in Manchester, which was great fun and very interesting – it’s amazing how much footage they film for just a small amount of time on TV,” says Roger, who admits to being very excited about his new novel.

“Inside Threat has already received great feedback from other authors and reviewers and since it launched, the four and five-star reviews on Amazon have been very encouraging. It’s important to get off to a good start.” n

Inside Threat is the first in the four-part DS Draker series and is published by Dark Edge Press

AS SCRIPTS ARE ALL ABOUT DIALOGUE, I HAVE ENJOYED WRITING THE TV DRAMA SERIES IMMENSELY

I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO WRITE, BUT NEVER HAD THE TIME WHEN I WAS WORKING AS A DETECTIVE

ON SCREEN

Check out the latest must-see movies coming to The Flower Bowl in January. For more information go to: theflowerbowl.uk

A MAN CALLED OTTO

Release Date: 6th January

Director: Marc Forster

Starring: Tom Hanks and Mariana Trevino

Certificate:

An Oscar buzz is already generating about Tom Hank’s performance in this new movie based on the New York Times best-selling novel, A Man Called Ove. Hanks takes the leading role of Otto, a grumpy old loner who sees no reason to live now his beloved wife has passed away. But his life takes an unexpected turn when a young family moves in next door. Otto meets his match in the feisty Marisol who challenges him to see the brighter side of things. This heart-warming and funny movie is just the ticket to wash away the January blues. n

EMPIRE OF LIGHT

Release Date: 13th January

Director: Sam Mendes

Starring: O livia Coleman, Michael Ward, Colin Firth and Toby Jones

Certificate:

Set in an English seaside town in the early 1980’s, Empire of Light is a touching and emotive love letter to the cinema from British director Sam Mendes. The Empire is an old school movie hall that is falling into disrepair, much like its depressed manager played wonderfully by Olivia Coleman. But then new ticket-seller Stephen (Michael Ward) arrives, and an immediate connection is felt by the two characters. This is a poignant and beautifully acted film about love, life and the magic of the movies. n

BABYLON

Release Date: 6th January

Director: Damien Chazelle

Starring: Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Tobey Maguire and Diego Calva

Certificate:

An epic tale of old school Hollywood, this new release from Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during the shift from silent movies to the talkies. Who will make it big in the new world of sound, and who will falter? Featuring an all-star ensemble including Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt, this is a high-octane, extravagant showstopper of a movie with an outstanding jazz score to boot. n

VISUAL ART & MUSIC

Longridge Gallery starts 2023 exploring the close relationship between two great creative outlets, visual art and music

Acommon element that visual art and music share is their power to evoke an emotional response.

Artists and musicians create works that not only unlock emotions, but also alter one’s mood, trigger memories and act as a source of comfort and inspiration.

At Longridge Gallery our latest collections embrace the powers of both art forms in striking imagery which will enliven wall spaces.

BEN JEFFREY

Ben Jeffrey’s musical images really emphasise the character of his subjects. He lays paint on the canvas in multiple layers, each adding depth and texture. Ben’s clever use of metallic leaf encourages the portrait to jump off the substrate. Historic and present day musical icons feature in Ben’s latest collection, from

LINDA CHARLES

Linda Charles’ sell out Pulp re-imagined collections have highlighted her dexterity with a paintbrush, where she combines her love of the imagery of the pulp paperback books of the 40s, 50s and 60s with a back catalogue of famous hits, artists and lyrics. She had the idea of combining elements of classic songs and artists with the look and feel of old paperback books when she came across a box of vintage books in the attic:

SCOTT TETLOW

Scott Tetlow’s approach to his art is as visually different to Linda Charles as you can imagine. Scott’s references to understanding the lines of his work bear a close resemblance to something a fine lyricist might say: “I have to learn and understand the lines before I can make them work. It has taken years of practice, of feeling like I’m walking through a maze, making mistakes, going down the wrong road and learning whether to turn

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

The Rat Pack through to Freddie Mercury and Amy Winehouse.

If you’re a music lover why not adorn your walls with your own favourites, re-imagined and re-worked by some of the very best artists working today? Call in to Longridge Gallery or check our website and social media platforms for the latest news and releases.

“The first one I came across featured a stunning woman running from a pair of headlights following her in a remote area – immediately Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen played in my head and the concept was born!

“I have so much fun with these collections because they combine the two artistic concepts of audio and visual.”

From Oasis, Eminem and Arctic Monkeys to The Beatles, Elton John and The Who, Linda’s collection covers a range of tastes.

left or right. I’ve had to practice and practice to be able to create a piece in one go, it’s almost like doing it in one breath. Every single line on each of my drawings is inspired by a living object, the result being that every line has the energy of a living thing.”

Scott’s imagery perfectly encapsulates the artist’s personality. From Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust to Hendrix’s Purple Haze, each image is guaranteed to brighten any wall. n

NEW YEAR: NEW HOMES

A new year often signals new beginnings and for some, this may mean 2023 is the year to start considering moving house

Moving house can be quite a challenge. If you have a property to sell then you have to consider the best time to put it on the market – and you will also have to start your search for a new property.

While the property market in 2023 is hard to predict, demand is still high especially for new-build homes.

In Preston & Fylde we are spoilt for choice as there are numerous developments that have been built and others that are currently underway.

Buying off plan after viewing a show home often means you can achieve a discounted price – it also enables you to choose fittings to your own style and taste.

You may dream of a Shaker-style kitchen or an ultra-contemporary bathroom with top quality sanitary ware and tiles handpicked personally – buying off plan means you have

a say in what your future home will look like. Many of the homes currently being built are super-eco friendly in terms of insulation, heating, lighting and even electric car charging points.

Compared to an older house dating back to Victorian times, a new house could be more than 60 per cent more efficient. All new builds carry a much higher Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. Homes are given a rating from A to G, those rated ‘A’ are considered to be the most energy efficient –a high percentage of new build homes are rated A-B for energy efficiency!

So, whether as a first-time buyer you yearn for a compact two-bedroom townhouse with a garden or a large five-bedroom detached family home with outdoor living spaces, there are new-builds out there to suit everyone and you can be assured to keep your energy bills low!

Most developments are beautifully designed and built, many offering open spaces to attract wildlife, play areas for children, some are surrounded by meadows and woodland while others are at the heart of close-knit communities of which you can become a part.

COMPARED TO AN OLDER HOUSE DATING BACK TO VICTORIAN TIMES, A NEW HOUSE COULD BE MORE THAN 60 PER CENT MORE EFFICIENT

Due to their efficiency, new build homes use significantly less energy so owners will notice a huge reduction in their bills.

Other benefits of buying new build? There is very little maintenance, most come with a 10-year warranty and some developers will even pay your stamp duty or legal fees when you buy a new build.

So, what are you waiting for? Why not make 2023 your year – check out new builds in the area you are looking for and view some show homes. New builds are well designed and robustly built, super-efficient with stylish interiors and landscaped exteriors plus lots of added extras! n

Photography: Nick Beer Shutterstock

HASSLE-FREE HOLIDAY LETTINGS

Thinking of renting your property as a holiday let but don’t know where to start, or just want a hassle-free way to earn some extra cash? Then look no further than @homebyholly

From preparing your rental listing, maximising booking visibility, managing enquiries and reservations to guest assistance and five-star cleaning, @homebyholly have got you covered offering a personal, friendly service.

With over five years of holiday letting management experience, they offer bespoke packages for holiday lets across the Fylde Coast and Preston covering whatever you need, whether that’s full-service management or just communications and marketing.

Holly explains that exceptional customer service and giving the best possible experience is the main priority for all clients and their guests: “It’s the often-overlooked small touches that matter most to me and your guests and I pride myself on this attention to detail.

“Through @homebyholly, you get me personally, no one else and we only take on a few select clients so you know you

will always get priority, rather than an impersonal service offered by larger corporate rental management companies.

can provide a bespoke service to fit your requirements.”

Proactive pricing adjustments, personalised guest communication and small touches within the property make all the difference to guests, driving good reviews, high occupancy, repeat business and fantastic word-of-mouth recommendations.

“I have an amazing local team of housekeepers and maintenance people working across the Fylde Coast with current properties in Lytham, St Annes and Blackpool. We work with each landlord to understand their goals for the property and use our proprietary pricing framework – which we developed for our own properties – to help proactively manage the per night rates.

“We understand that landlords want to provide guests with great holiday experiences and homely accommodation but we also understand that a good return on investment is critical to reinvesting in the property.

“So whether you have a second home that’s sitting empty or several properties you want to try with a short term let, @homebyholly

Holly continues: “Our fantastic reviews reflect all the hard work we put in – getting those reviews after a stay is the best feeling and what drives us to continue offering the high-class service we have become known for!”

Interested in a hassle-free way to rent your second home as a holiday let? If so, get in touch with @homebyholly for a no obligation chat to see how their personal, bespoke service can be tailored to your needs. You don’t even have to rent your property full time, it could just be for a few days in the week or month or as a one-off. n

WE UNDERSTAND THAT LANDLORDS WANT TO PROVIDE GUESTS WITH GREAT HOLIDAY EXPERIENCES BUT WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT A GOOD RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS CRITICAL

If you’re on the move and looking for your ‘forever home’ then Richmond Point from Rowland is a must-see development, on Lancashire’s prestigious Fylde coast.

Beautifully styled exteriors are complimented by chic designer interiors, boasting the very best of super-efficient modern living in Lytham St Annes.

3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes from £294,995 to £799,995 PART

RICHMOND POINT OFF QUEENSWAY

LYTHAM ST ANNES FY8 3FS

Call 01253 747080 or visit rowland.co.uk

Concert Homes, a small housing development company in Lancashire, invites you inside their luxurious new homes. With developments located in carefully selected areas of rural Lancashire and houses ranging from two all the way to five bedrooms, there really is something for everyone.

The local company is successfully coming to an end on developments in Wrea Green and Clitheroe where they launched their own newly-designed house types.

Following on from this success they now have a more recent development underway in the peaceful village of Inskip and a new development now being released in the idyllic village of Weeton.

The development locations have been specifically and carefully selected so that homeowners can experience the sought-after rural Lancashire countryside in areas renowned for their community village atmosphere and welcoming feel, but also have the ability to commute for work and leisure with excellent transport links available for homeowners wanting to seek out the hustle and bustle of the vibrant towns and cities throughout the North West.

At Concert Homes, each home has been designed with excellence in mind using top quality materials and impressive specifications.

Concert Homes prides itself on delivering homes with a traditional feel on the outside with a fresh, modern look on the inside. Inside each home you will find modern

LUXURIOUS MODERN HOMES

fitted kitchens with quality Bosch appliances and bathrooms fitted with luxurious Vitra sanitaryware. However, in the early stages every home comes with ample opportunity to make it your own through personally choosing from a wide range of carefully sourced materials such as worktops, kitchens and tiles.

systems mean that new homes such as those of Concert Homes are up to four times more energy efficient than traditional ‘second-hand’ properties.

Concert Homes are also renowned for the aftercare of their homeowners with all homes covered by a 10-year NHBC warranty in addition to the personal Concert Homes customer support during the first two years. In the unlikely event of any issues post-sale, there is a dedicated after-sales service that will always be on hand to resolve any problems swiftly and efficiently. n

Sustainability is also at the heart of Concert Homes values, with each home having been designed with efficiency and modern living in mind. All homes come fitted with HIVE smart home technology heating with independent time and temperature controls, along with electric vehicle charging points. Excellent insulation and efficient heating

If you are looking for top end, high quality, modern homes that maintain a traditional feel located in the heart of rural Lancashire villages then please get in touch via: enquiries@concerthomes.co.uk or call 01772 810250

Concert Homes builds rural homes catering for modern day living whilst upholding traditional style and Lancashire values, writes Lucy Newton

CONCERT HOMES PRIDES ITSELF ON DELIVERING HOMES WITH A TRADITIONAL FEEL ON THE OUTSIDE WITH A FRESH, MODERN LOOK ON THE INSIDE

Preston

in the Region of £1,250,000

All four reception rooms and four bedrooms enjoy the views that this semi-rural location offers. The property sits within a generous 1.75 acres of stunning gardens and grounds. Offers

Treales

Village, Preston

A superb five-bedroom detached home set in a spacious plot in the heart of the village of Treales.

An elegant period property offering three reception and four bedrooms in wonderful grounds of 0.83 acres.

In a sought-after location, enjoying a semi-rural feel yet in an accessible location for road networks, the Edwardian property is packed with period features and makes a lovely family home.

Barton, Preston Offers Over £895,000.

A stunning, detached home set in 1.2 acres and offering excellent levels of privacy at the rear. Beautifully presented accommodation throughout with three to four reception areas, six bedrooms and five bathrooms. Finished to an exceptionally high standard with design in mind and with a stunning Clive Christian kitchen. Garaging and outbuildings.

Much Hoole, Preston Offers Over £1,500,000

SET FOR GROWTH IN 2023 –AND WE WANT YOU!

Are you obsessed with bespoke architecture, grand designs and pushing boundaries within a like-minded team environment?

Do you love problem-solving and perfecting unique designs? Would you love to be part of a team who works together to create schemes which transform our clients’ lives?

We’re growing our team across the board this year and would love for you to get in touch to discuss opportunities at ZMA.

We work in a fast-paced environment where we celebrate growth, forward-thinking, individuality and pushing the limits to achieve schemes with an element of magic, all of which creates an incredible working environment.

WE WORK IN A FAST-PACED ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE CELEBRATE GROWTH, FORWARDTHINKING, INDIVIDUALITY AND PUSHING THE LIMITS TO ACHIEVE SCHEMES WITH AN ELEMENT OF MAGIC

Most of our sites are complicated and we need to think outside the box all the time. So, when a client is blown away by our scheme, when planning is approved and when our designs are being built on-site, it creates such great job satisfaction. It’s rarely easy, but it’s always worth it.

We are a small boutique practice with a unique set-up as we all work on every project together as one collective team. This style of working makes us much more efficient and plays to everyone’s individual strengths, creating a strong team bond. Being a small studio allows us to provide a bespoke and personal service to our clients, enabling us to create unique schemes

individually tailored to our client’s needs. Our projects vary from bespoke extensions and unique solutions for sensitive sites to concept-driven ‘paragraph 80’ and luxury super-homes. Our clients include private individuals, self-builders and highly successful business owners who all choose to work with us because they know they’ll receive the best design possible.

Working at ZMA means being involved in some exceptional projects across the Ribble Valley, Lancashire and throughout the North West. We celebrate all that is rural –from contemporary luxury new-builds to historic homes, sensitive conversions and even medieval farm redevelopments. n

If you are excited by what we do and feel you would thrive in our team, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch at: enquiries@zaramoonarchitects.co.uk

Zara Moon Architects

We transform sites, buildings, and lives. Unit 37, Mitton Road Business Park Mitton Road, Whalley BB7 9YE 01200 403840

enquiries@zaramoonarchitects.co.uk zaramoonarchitects.co.uk

New Year New School Open Day 22nd March

Every Oakhill child is unique. As well as providing an excellent academic education and outstanding pastoral care, Oakhill identifies your child’s distinctive strengths and every individual is given the opportunity to shine.

Why not come and see what Oakhill has to offer your child? We will be open on Wednesday 22nd March 2pm – 5pm if you would like to call in and find out more.

For more information or to book a tour at any time, please contact the school registrar Suzanne Spencer on 01254 823546 or email spencer.s@oakhillschool.co.uk